DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-191, October 26, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser IMPORTANT NOTE: our hotmail accounts are being phased out. Please do not use them any further, but instead woradio at yahoo.com or wghauser at yahoo.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at [note change] http://www.w4uvh.net/dxldtd3j.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1204: RFPI: Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Wed 0100, 0730 on 7445 [times nominal, subject to great variation] WBCQ: Mon 0515 on 7415, 5105 WWCR: Wed 1030 on 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html WORLD OF RADIO 1204 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1204h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1204h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1204.html WORLD OF RADIO 1204 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1204.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1204.rm UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS Glenn - I happened to be tuning around last night and found your program. It reminded me so much of when I was growing up 25 years ago and how I always had to catch Radio Nederland's DX listener show (I don't even remember what it was called) [DX Jukebox]. I am a little out of touch with the SWL scene (away from it for years) but your show reminded me how much fun it is. Keep up the good work and I'll try to help when I can. All the best & 73's.... (Chris Timmons, N7DPL, Ellensburg, WA, with a donation via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com) Glenn: I've been wanting to write to tell you again how much I appreciate both your World of Radio show, which I faithfully catch every week, and your easily accesible web site. This is a most valuable service. Eventually, I will send another contribution by mail, for pay pal would not be my method of choice, as I'm not comfortable making payment for things through the internet. Right now I am hosting two foreign exchange students, one from Germany and the other from Japan. So far I haven't interested either in shortwave yet, but I'm still trying! The expense of caring for two teen-age High School girls is a bit awesome, but I love them dearly and am happy that I can do my small part for improving international relations (Donna Ring, NJ) LINDSAY ROBINSON I have received info in the last few days that the President of the Southland Branch of the NZ Radio DX League, Lindsay Robinson passed away last tuesday in Invercagill, New Zealand. Lindsay started DXing in the early 70s (from memory) and had an impressive total of Latin American stations. Condolences go to his family. (I knew Lindsay quite well as I was a member of the Southland Branch from 63 to 67 then from 75 to 89). 73 (Tony Magon VK2IC, Oct 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Hi Glenn, Just reading your DX Digest 3-190 - Northern Territory does not observe DST. For more info on DST in OZ go to http://www.abc.net.au/backyard/timezone.htm I still enjoy reading your digests. 73 (Tony Magon, VK2IC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Feedback guest spoke off headtop (gh, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. HCJB has already moved DXPL back from Tue to Sat at 0830 on 11750, as I ran across it Oct 25 (Chris Hambly, Vic., DX LISTENING DIGEST) It`s on the new grid on Sat (via Tim Gaynor, Cumbre via DXLD) ** AUSTRIA [and non]. Radio Austria International OUR TIMES FROM 26 OCTOBER, 2003 Report from Austria For Asia and Australia at 1315 and 1345 hours UT on 17855 from Monday to Friday. For America-West via the Sackville relay at 1610 and 1640 on 17865. For Latin America at 0115 and 0145 hours on 9870 For South America at 0015 and 0045 hours on 13730 Tuesday to Saturday. For America east at 01.15 and 01.45 hours on 7325. Insight Central Europe On the weekend, you can hear Insight Central Europe. For listeners in Latin America, the programme goes out on Sundays and Mondays at 0105 hours and is repeated again at 0135 on 9870. For listeners in America east, the programme goes out on Sundays and Mondays at 0105 hours and is repeated again at 0135. Frequency 7325. For listeners in Europe, Insight Central Europe is broadcast on Saturday and Sunday at 1305 and then again at 1335 on our 6155 and 13730 frequencies. The same broadcast times apply on Saturday and Sunday to Asia and Australia. Listeners in America west, can hear it on Saturday and Sunday at 1605 and then again at 1635 on our 17865 frequency. For listeners in the Middle East, there is also a broadcast of Insight Central Europe at 0605 hours and 0635 hours on Sunday mornings. The frequency 17870. For listeners in Europe wanting to hear our daily, that is Monday to Friday, Report from Austria, there will be only one opportunity to do so. Report from Austria can be heard in Europe on 6155 and 13730 at 1345 (Website via Mike Barraclough, Letchworth, UK, Oct 26, DXLD) ** BELARUS. The 5 kW transmitter in Mahilioú (Belaruskaje Radyjo 1) moved again back to its winter frequency 7235 (ex 7145) in order to prevent clashes with DW in Russian (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Oct 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELGIUM [non]. Re the site for 13790: Sackville 74 degrees to reach the Flemish pensioner and holidaymaker audience in South West Europe (Mediterranean, Spain, Portugal, Madeira, Canary Islands a.s.o.) Updated on Oct 25th, 2003, acc to printed RVI Brussels leaflet. RVI sent the leaflet out, and arrived here on Friday: 1800-2000 Dutch, 13790 SAC 250/074 EURSoWe (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) In 3-185 this transmission was shown as D/E/D, indicating English at 1830 would be on this too, but apparently not in later revision (gh) English at 1130 fair on 9945 via Irkutsk, 250 kW; signal improved at 1200 in Dutch (Joe Hanlon, NJ, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 4716.6, Radio Yura, Yura *not* noted 0930-1130 time period last few weeks. 4761.65, R. Guanay, Guanay, seemingly la Andina present 2300-2330 with weak signal, some audio, Oct 21, 23, 24 (Robert Wilkner, FL, Oct 25, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 6155, R. Fides, 2221-2245, Oct. 21, Spanish, OM and YL talks at tune-in, OM with long talk thru BoH, music at 2237, field reports? with mentions of Bolivia. Fair (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R-75, MLB-1, RS longwire w/ RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Apenas uma correção no horário de verão no Brasil, Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, UT -3 e não -2, OK? Um grande abraço, (Samuel Cássio, Brasil, Oct 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST, received Oct 25) ** CHINA. FUN IS IN THE AIR http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-10/25/content_275502.htm Editor's note: Radio hams who tune in by chance become part of one big happy family. Below are stories about two hams living in Beijing. Wang Lijun goes by another name when he hits the airwaves. "CQ CQ CQ! This is BD100 [sic!], Bravo Delta One Oscar Oscar. BD100 calling. CQ!" This is how he begins every time he turns on his radio in the search of other hams around the world. The call code BD100 consists of different letters and numbers which convey the unique information of the code bearer in this unusual world of waves. "B" means China, "D" shows he is a third-grade ham, "1" indicates he is from Beijing and "00" is his ID name. "My father is a retired radio operator from the army so I was influenced by him at a young age. I made a wireless speaker and a radio in 1988 with which I tried to call others for the first time in my life," he recalled. "If it could be counted as a personal history, I'm an old ham!" Yet he had to wait until 1993 when restrictions on amateur radio activities were lifted. "In 1999, I moved from an enthusiast to a real radio ham as I came to know the charm of it." The radio brings him a lot of pleasure. Through sending and receiving information, he has found a unique way to make new friends, even if he doesn't know their real names. On the invisible waves he has found a new home where he feels a sense of belonging. Indeed he regards it as his spiritual home. To indulge in his hobby as often as possible, Wang installed a radio set and antenna in his car. It cost him around US$ 330 (2,706 yuan) to get it from the United States. "I always keep it on when I am driving so that I can link with anyone on the same frequency as mine. The farthest ham I met on air is in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province over 3,000 kilometres away." Working as a secretary at the Chinese Radio Sports Association (CRSA), he has easier access to learn more about his passion: "There are 1.2 million hams in Japan and hundreds of thousands in the United States. "But in our country, the figure is less than 25,000, mostly because economic development was not so good in the past," he said. "The situation has been changing for the better in recent years. But we also see problems." What concerns him most is the misunderstanding that radio hams are free to talk about anything: "This goes against the government's goodwill to encourage enthusiasts to explore, study hard and contribute to the country's radio development." In his eyes, people using radio to talk nonsense are elementary at best. He compares hams' levels of achievement and expertise to a pyramid. At the bottom are beginners and the higher up you go, the better the skill level. But in a world with mass-Internet access and mobile telephony, why bother? Wang has an immediate answer. He says it is the trueness of feeling amongst their community that hams appreciate. Radio waves weave a new net of friendship in which people far apart can become intimate friends even without knowing each other's names and faces. "The radio world is almost the same as the Internet as you can find strangers and talk to them and even become friends. But the major difference is that in the radio world everyone is real and traceable. You can count on them for help if you want. It is just like the saying that all the hams in the world belong to one big family," Wang concluded. Jia Xiaoguang Compared with other experienced hams, Jia Xiaoguang is an absolute beginner. He doesn't even have his licence yet. But that doesn't stop him from being an active ham, often appearing on the air. Although having heard of radio hams years ago, Jia only made his first attempt this August when he was struck by a story in a magazine passed to him by one of his friends. Buying a second-hand set for about 1,000 yuan (US$120), Jia found himself joining a new community. "The best thing for me at my beginning was that I met BG1RZ and BG1AYM. I don't even know their names today, but these two old hams helped me to buy equipment, make my own radio, register with the CRSA and solve technical problems all the time. It made me feel like I was in a big family." Then, he was surprised with just how big that family is. Within several months, he had hooked up with scores of hams. The furthest is located in Tangshan, Hebei Province. As an IT professional, Jia has found many new friends from different backgrounds through his hobby. "About 40 fellow hams who met on the air have formed a small club called Paladin Tribe on the Internet. I met an interesting ham named Paladin Tribe 17. I do not know his name but address him either by his calling code or club name," Jia said. That ham is a farmer-turned-guard working in the northern part of Beijing. Even without too much academic knowledge, he showed great interest in radio and demonstrated a wonderful DIY skill to fashion a cool bicycle with a complete stereo system and radio facilities. The old-style bicycle is equipped with lights, electric horn, an accumulator and two superwoofers at the rear and a vehicular radio on the front handlebars. Jia said the personal refit was good and the bicycle has been working quite well for his activities outside. "Being a ham has brought me very wonderful feelings of being able to help others while receiving help from others. For those non-hams, I'd like to say join us and you'll have great fun," Jia said (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** FINLAND. Radio Finland B03 -times adjusted to UTC- from website http://www.yle.fi/rfinland/index.shtml Euroopan 11755 06.00-21.00 Pohjois-Euroopan 6120 05.00-20.15 Länsi-Euroopan 6120 06.00-08.00 Länsi-Eurooopan 6120 17.00-20.15 Afrikan, Lähi-idän ja Kaakkois-Euroopan 6120 9745 11865 05.00-06.30 Kaakkois-Euroopan, Lähi-idän ja Afrikan 21800 11.00-12.00 Australian ilta ja Länsi-Euroopan 9510 07.00-09.00 Aasian ja Australian 17730 09.30-10.45 17820 11.00-12.00 Etelä-Aasian 15165 14.00-14.30 Lähi-idän ja Afrikan 11755 15.00-17.00 11785 17.00-18.00 9805 19.00-19.50 Aasian 9730 23.30-23.45 Etelä-Amerikan 9785 02.00-03.00 (via Silvain Domen, Belgium, Oct 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Silvain, I see this is from the right side of the webpage, but there is a more complete schedule (including 15400, 17660 to North America) on the left side. I wonder what the difference is, or shall we ask a Finn? (Glenn) ** FRANCE. RFI missing from 17515 during the 1400 hour as previously scheduled for English, so I recheck the RFI website. It now specifies the dates for the frequencies, so we can be sure it be supposedly current, including that frequency: English to Africa 04h-04h30 GMT 31 m : 9805 KHz 25 m : 11995 KHz (26/10 - 07/03/04) 22 m : 13610 KHz (07/03/04 - 28/03/04) English to Africa 05h-05h30 GMT 22 m : 13610 KHz (26/10 - 07/03/04) 25 m : 11850 KHz 19 m : 15155 KHz (07/03/04 - 28/03/04) English to Africa 06h-06h30 GMT 19 m : 15155 KHz (26/10/03 - 28/03/04) 25 m : 11725 KHz 16 m : 17800 KHz 13 m : 21620 KHz (07/03/04 - 28/03/04) English to Africa 07h-08h GMT 19 m : 15605 KHz 12h-12h30 GMT 11 m : 25820 KHz 16 m : 17815 KHz English to Asia 14h-15h GMT 16 m : 17515 KHz 25 m : 11610 KHz 16 m : 17620 KHz 41 m : 7175 KHz (26/10 - 07/03/04) 25 m : 9580 KHz (07/03/04 - 28/03/04) 16 m : 17620 KHz English to Africa 16h-17h GMT 19 m : 15605 KHz 25 m : 11615 KHz English to Africa 17h-17h30 GMT 16 m : 17605 KHz 19 m : 15605 KHz And the program content is delineated thus: RFI's English service broadcasts for five and a half hours a day. The day begins with three 30-minute broadcasts to Africa and one hour- long programme to the same zone. The broadcast at 04h00 Universal Time (UT) begins with a bulletin of African news followed by an international newsflash. The broadcast also includes a review of the French dailies, an in-depth look at events in Africa, a look at the main news event of the day in France, and Sports. At 05h00 UT the format is similar, but there is no international newsflash. The format at 06h00 UT is similar to the 04h00 UT programme, but includes a report on the day's main international story. The hour-long broadcast at 07h00 UT is similar to the 05h00 format with an extra half-hour added. This consists of a daily magazine programme (French Lesson, Crossroads, Voices, Rendez-Vous, World Tracks, Network Europe, Club 9516). The first three morning programmes are all followed by the half-hour Afrique Matin in French. There are no morning broadcasts in English on Saturday and Sunday. The 30-minute broadcast at 12h00 UT consists of an international bulletin followed by one of the daily magazine programmes mentioned above. The hour-long broadcast at 14h00 UT begins with a bulletin of international and Asian news. This is followed by in-depth reports on Asian and international news stories, a look at the main news event of the day in France, and Sports. On Saturday, the international report is replaced by the feature Asia-Pacific. On Sunday, there is a weekly report on cultural events in France. And listeners can express their views in a weekend 'phone-in feature. During the second half-hour, you can hear the magazine programmes mentioned above. RFI's English service targets Africa at 16h00 and 17h00 UT. The first half-hour includes news and reports from across the continent, as well as an international newsflash and news about France. This is followed by one of our magazine programmes. At 17h00, the focus is on news from the eastern part of Africa. On the weekend, you can listen to our weekly Spotlight on Africa, as well as features on culture in France, health issues, the week in Sports, media in Africa and Sports Insight. RFI's English programmes are also broadcast on FM in Ghana, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Cameroon, Liberia, Tanzania, South Africa, the Gambia, the Seychelles, the Caribbean region, Taiwan, Ukraine and on FM and AM in 35 Canadian cities. We are also on cable in several North American, European and Asian countries. Our e-mail address is: english.service@rfi.fr FREQUENCIES Apart from our FMs, you can also listen to RFI's English programmes on Short Wave. 04h00 UT to East Africa and the Indian Ocean on 25m on 11910 kHz and 11700 kHz, 22m on 13610 and 31m on 9550 kHz. 05h00 UT to East Africa and the Indian Ocean on 25m on 11685 kHz, on 19m on 15155 kHz, and on 16m 17800. 06h00 UT to East Africa and the Indian Ocean on 16m on 17800 kHz and 13m on 21620 kHz. To West Africa on 25m on 11665 kHz. 07h00 UT to West Africa on 19m on 15605 kHz. 12h00 UT to West Africa on 16m on 17815 kHz. To East Africa and the Indian Ocean on 11m on 25820 kHz and on 13m on 21620 kHz. 14h00 UT to the Middle East on 16m on 17515 kHz. To Asia on 25m on 11610 kHz and on 16m on 17515 kHz. 16h00 UT to West Africa on 19m on 15255 kHz. To Central Africa on 16m on 17850 kHz and on 31m on 9730 kHz. To the Middle East on 19m on 15605 kHz. To East Africa and the Indian Ocean on 16m on 15605 kHz and on 31m on 9730 kHz. Listeners in the Paris region can hear our programmes at 07h00, 14h30 and 16h30 UT on 738 Medium Wave. Over forty journalists, production assistants and administrative staff operate from our Paris office and we have a network of over 50 correspondents around the world. John Maguire, Editor. john.maguire @ rfi.fr (via Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15605 was fair at 1600 Oct 26 (Joe Hanlon, NJ, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. WESTERN AND NORTHERN GERMANY TO GET DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION IN MAY 2004 | Text of press release by Digital TV Group on 23 October The heads of the local media authorities and both public and commercial television broadcasters have signed a contract to commence DTT transmissions to 24 million inhabitants of western and northern German regional states next year, starting in Hannover/Braunschweig, Bremen/Unterweser and Cologne/Bonn on 24 May with an initial offering of 16 television channels. The remaining analogue transmissions will be terminated on 8 November in those regions while the DTT choice will increase to 24 channels. On the same day, DTT transmissions will expand to Hamburg/L'beck with 24 channels, Kiel with 16 channels and D'sseldorf/Ruhr area with 8 channels. After approximately six months, the channels will increase to 24 in the two latter regions. Rural regions will follow at a later stage, but in time for Germany's planned nationwide analogue switch- off in 2010. The DTT multiplexes will be equally shared by the public and commercial broadcasters with each side being granted 12 channels, ARD and ZDF will transmit both their nationwide channels as well as regional and thematic services, while the commercial broadcasters, among them RTL, SAT.1, Pro Sieben, VOX, MTV and 9Live will also supply both general interest and thematic channels. "DTT will in future be an attractive mode of transmission, which will withstand the competition from cable and satellite television," said ARD Chairman Jobst Plog after signing the contract. The first results of research conducted in the Berlin-Brandenburg region, in which the digitalisation was completed in August this year, indicate that DTT, with more than 170,000 set-top boxes sold so far, has not only been widely accepted amongst analogue terrestrial viewers, but also proven to be attractive to cable and satellite households. According to Wolfram Klemmer, chief engineer of ARD's regional affiliate RBB Berlin-Brandenburg, 26 per cent of the DTT households are cable subscribers and 14 per cent own a satellite dish. Source: Digital TV Group in English 23 Oct 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** INDIA. AIR MONOPOLY AFLUTTER IN REFORM AIRWAVES OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT http://www.telegraphindia.com/1031025/asp/nation/story_2497714.asp New Delhi, Oct. 24: Signalling widespread change in radio programming, a task force of the Union information and broadcasting ministry is set to recommend an end to All India Radio’s monopoly over news and current affairs. The task force, headed by secretary-general of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, has taken the cue from Union information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who has indicated more than once that he favours allowing private FM stations to broadcast news. The task force is expected to submit its report next week. Prasad, however, has been wary that his sympathies may not be shared by others in the government, particularly the Union home ministry. The experience of the I&B ministry with community radio — a policy that was announced last year — is that its willingness is not enough to overcome the unwillingness of five other ministries. The I&B ministry accepts that news broadcasting is a sensitive subject but it can be allowed if private broadcasters adhere to All India Radio’s broadcast code. This would involve some kind of monitoring and vetting of broadcasts. The ministry would work on constituting a body, either within the government or ask an independent body to be the watchdog over radio news. Sources said the I&B ministry was working on legislating a broadcasting regulator. Though it has been conceived primarily for television, its brief can be expanded to include radio programmes. Discussions in the 10-member committee, comprising representatives from government and industry, and briefings in the ministry have clearly pointed to the direction the report would recommend. The committee would also suggest that the government accept industry’s recommendation to move from the licensing-regime for FM radio stations to a revenue-sharing model. The task force was set up on July 24 to consider opening up FM radio channels in 70 cities. Later, its brief was expanded to study all contentious issues on FM Radio, including the proposal from industry to move to a revenue-sharing model and also the question of foreign investment. Industry has been arguing that licence fees are currently so steep that they render FM radio unviable. On foreign investment in the FM sector, I&B ministry sources said the stalemate over STAR-promoted Radio City continues. Millennium Broadcast, which holds the licence, is serviced by its sole content- provider Digiwave. When the licence was granted last year, there was nothing to forbid the arrangement Radio City had worked out. It now has a court order that restrains the government from revoking its licence (The Telegraph, Calcutta [sic], via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** JAPAN [non]. Checked for new relay to Pac via French Guiana, Oct 26 at 1400 in English on 11840, but inaudible, with Cuban bubble jammer against Martí bleeding from 11845 (Joe Hanlon, NJ, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH [and non]. RADIO KOREA INTERNATIONAL B03 CHANGES Attention, listeners! In accordance with RKI's time and frequency rescheduling, the English Services' Middle East and African services, which currently go on the air at 1600 UT on 9.515 and 9.870 MHz, will be transmitted on 7.255 and 9.870 MHz, effective October 26. And our 30-minute transmission currently relayed via the Skelton transmitter of the BBC at 2100 UT on 3.955 MHz will go on the air at 2200 UT on the same frequency, effective October 26. Please be advised. http://rki.kbs.co.kr/ (via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) That`s all that has changed??? Consulting English portion of http://rki.kbs.co.kr/ENGLISH/aboutrki/time.asp --- (gh, DXLD) Europe English 1 08:00 ~ 09:00 13670 19:00 ~ 20:00 7275 English 2 22:00 ~ 22:30 3955 (Skelton) North America English 1 02:00 ~ 03:00 9560 (Sackville), 15575 11:30 ~ 12:30 9650 (Sackville) South America English 02:00 ~ 03:00 11810 Southeast Asia English 1 08:00 ~ 09:00 9570 13:00 ~ 14:00 9570, 13670 Middle East & Africa English 1 16:00 ~ 17:00 7255, 9870 Non Direction English 1 16:00 ~ 17:00 5975 19:00 ~ 20:00 5975 (via Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** MAURITANIA. 783, R. Mauritanie, Nouakchott. A male speaking in Arabic. // 4845 on 10/13 with HUGE signal, could almost here it on my teeth fillings, heh. Heard many times since. This could be a best bet for Africa on the West Coast of the North America (Bill Harms, Elkridge, MD, RX: NRD-525, ANT: Homebrew K9AY, IRCA via DXLD) ** MOLDOVA. Re: ``L'adresse électronique de radio DMR radiopmr@ibox.ru semble ne pas fonctionner. Les courriers reviennent à l'expéditeur. C`est pourtant l'adresse qui est annoncée dans toutes les langues (Christian Ghibaudo - 24 octobre 2003) (informations issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD)`` The correct address is radiopmr@inbox.ru 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Oct 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. I just recorded another last hurra by RNW, this time from Bolshakovo. The audio cut-in into the chimes triggered a flash-back: A sunny summer afternoon a decade ago, we were on the way with my daddy, and there were these chimes for the first time on our car radio, tuned to -- guess what, 1386 of course. Back then I did not have even the vaguest idea about what would be and what would happen ten years later! And some kidding: Actually I expected the frequency announcement to close with "ten Eurocent per minute"... Speaking about RNW: Deutsche Welle via Bonaire 0400-0500 on 6100 is German according the DW schedule. English on a transmission targeting North America would be verboten of course. And re Talata Volondry now running 250 instead of 200 kW: Just to make sure, are they still using the original Philips transmitters? It appears that only four of these rigs called 8FZ521 were ever made, two each for Talata Volondry and Bonaire, and I wonder how easy it is to obtain spare parts for these loners now, after three decades? Regards, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Oct 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. [Re when was the ID in Spanish heard?] Hello, Wolfgang! I actually listened till s/off 1849; what I did find rather unusual was the "long" feature in French (1710-1718 Pacific Press Review) because I cannot recall them having anything in F apart from sporadic IDs; short newscasts in various Pacific dialects, yes, which is even indicated in the program schedule. Now as to Spanish, oh dear, I can remember hearing these IDs for about two years at least; sorry, I didn't write down the exact time as I saw that irrelevant, but was before 1800. I've heard those S IDs at several different times. They usually play a tune in LA style and insert the ID in Spanish. I really wonder why, particularly at that time as the beams they use (0º or 35º) don't favour the American coasts, but well, that's their option. I might have heard them also IDing in French, and this is logical, but cannot recall when I last heard that; I'd say it's more rare than hearing the Spanish ID! 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Oct 25, via Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RNZI has had brief programming in French for some time, no doubt for Pacific islands. I suppose Spanish would have some currency in Guam, Philippines, etc., but hardly necessary (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This morning`s broadcast here on 11675 at 0925, they gave a rundown of their station. Pretty interesting as they claim to be the poorest of the worldwide broadcasters as they only have only one transmitter and no back ups. They talked about services they provide to the South Pacific and how the South Pacific relies on their broadcasts. Fairly nice program with lots of information about the history of the station going back to WWII. 11675 at S7 is not as strong as the 9885 at 15/s9 broadcast but this works for now. Totally audible with rapid fades (Bob Montgomery, Levittown, PA USA, Sun Oct 26, swprograms via DXLD) That would be Mediawatch (gh, DXLD) And I believe it. I don't think they have more than 9 people working there -- all language sections combined! (Ricky Leong, QC, ibid.) ** NIGERIA. 3325.25, R. Nigeria, Lagos, 2135-2158*, Oct.21, EG, YL with US pop music; Phil Collins, PM Dawn, PSA re "education" and "love one another". Off mid-song without ID or NA (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R-75, MLB-1, RS longwire w/ RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nominal 3326, not 3325 ** PALAU. 9965, KHBN/VOH?, 1239-1302, Oct. 24, Chinese, OM with religious talks over music, choral ballad, OM and YL with (presumed) ID, fanfare/up-beat music at ToH, YL with talks. Fair/poor. Who broadcasts here? Bible Voice? V. of Hope? KHBN? (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R-75, MLB-1, RS longwire w/ RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4955, R. Cultural Amauta, 2257-2312, Oct. 21, Spanish, OM and YL with music and talks, "echo" FX ID over music at 2307, good signal! 4991.7, (presumed), R. Ancash (Presumed), 1014-1030, Oct.18, Spanish, YL with talks, sounds religious, OM at 1028 with (presumed) ID, announcements. Very weak, poor. 6193.5, R. Cusco, 2319-2345, Oct. 21, Spanish, looking for Argentinian pirate, R. Bosques, got Peru instead, Spanish music with OM talk between selections, long talk after BoH, sounded religious. Poor (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R-75, MLB-1, RS longwire w/ RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAMOA. Auroral has hit the Oregon Coast! 540, Apia, very good tonight with oldies pop music woman with British accent and speaking in Samoan from 0703 UT 10/26. Totally armchair copy like the old days. S9+10DB on peaks. Totally on top of anything else. Time Check at 0706 "six minutes after 8 SBS time" (Samoan Broadcasting Service). Really a nice sounding station too. Their 10 kW gets out well. Also noted dominant are KMVI-550, KQNG-570, and KSSK-590 [Hawaii]. EWE antenna, Drake R8 (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, IRCA via DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA [non]. Re MIRA, Al-Islah, scheduled 1800-2000 on 15705, anyone still hearing them? Yes, most probably the one (no definite ID heard) tonight Saturday Oct 25 from 1800, but with frequent breaks and only until 1855. After that only test tones were heard until 1910, then the frequency was empty. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, Cumbre DX via DXLD) The station's email address is radio@islah.org the radio's website http://www.islah.tv/radio/radio.htm and http://www.yaislah.org/radio/radio.htm (mirror) which also gives SW & satellite details (all in Arabic). 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, ibid.) ** SPAIN [and on]. REE RADIO EXTERIOR DE ESPAÑA "Debido a la época del año que vivimos tendremos variaciones en nuestro esquema habitual pues nos encontramos ante el cambio de hora característico de la temporada otoño/invierno y efectuado por un elevado número de países para adecuar sus necesidades energéticas en función de la permanencia del sol sobre el hemisferio correspondiente. Por ello, y contando con la colaboración de Antonio Buitrago, vamos a ofrecer a nuestros oyentes los nuevos horarios y frecuencias de Radio Exterior de España...", dijo Manuel Ángel De Lobeiras Fernández a través de su programa "Amigos de la Onda Corta" de REE, el sábado 25 de octubre. Esquema de REE vigente desde el 26 de octubre de 2003 hasta el 25 de marzo de 2004 Ref.: S=Sábado; D=Domingo; d=diariamente; LaV=Lunes a Viernes; LaS=Lunes a Sábado; LyJ=Lunes y Jueves; M=Martes. Todas las horas UTC PARA EUROPA Español 0600-0800 SyD 5985 0600-0800 SyD 9710 0600-0900 d 12035 0900-1700 d 15585 1700-2300 d 7275 1700-2200 S 9665 1700-2100 D 9665 0800-1300 LaV 13720 0800-1400 SyD 13720 Catalán - Gallego y Vasco 1340-1355 LaV 15585 Francés 1800-1900 LaV 9655 2300-2400 SyD 6095 Inglés 2000-2100 LaV 9680 2200-2300 SyD 9680 Ruso 1700-1730 LaV 15195 Alemán 1730-1800 LyJ 9665 PARA ORIENTE MEDIO Español 0500-0700 d 11890 0900-1700 d 21610 Árabe 1700-1900 d 21610 1900-2100 LaV 12035 2000-2200 SyD 12035 Francés 1900-2000 LaV 7150 1900-2000 SyD 12035 Sefardí 1825-1855 L 17770 PARA ÁFRICA ECUATORIAL Español 2200-2300 d 7270 0900-1500 d 21540 1500-1900 LaS 17755 1500-1700 LaS 15385 1500-2100 D 17755 Inglés 2000-2100 LaV 9595 2200-2300 SyD 9595 Árabe 1900-2100 LaV 7270 2000-2200 SyD 7270 Francés 1900-2000 LaS 9595 2100-2200 D 9595 PARA AUSTRALIA Español 0700-0900 d 17770 0700-0900 SyD 21610 PARA JAPÓN desde Beijing Español 1000-1200 d 9660 PARA FILIPINAS desde Xian Español 1200-1400 d 11910 PARA AMÉRICA CENTRAL desde Cariari-Costa Rica Español 0200-0600 d 6040 1200-1400 LaV 5970 1600-2300 S 9765 1200-1500 D 5970 1500-2300 D 9765 1800-2000 LaV 9765 1340-1355 LaV 5970 PARA AMÉRICA DEL NORTE Español 0200-0600 d 6055 0200-0600 d 11880 (desde Cariari) 1100-1400 LaV 15170 1200-1500 D 15170 1000-1500 LaV 17595 1600-2300 S 17850 1500-2300 D 17850 1900-2300 d 15110 2300-0500 9540 Sefardí 0415-0445 M 9690 Francés 2300-2400 d 6055 Inglés 0000-0100 d 6055 Catalán - Gallego y Vasco 1340-1355 LaV 17595 PARA AMÉRICA DEL SUR Español 0000-0400 d 11815 0800-1700 LaV 21570 1000-1700 SyD 21570 1000-1300 LaV 11815 1600-2300 S 15125 1200-2300 D 15125 1500-1800 LaV 21700 1200-2200 S 21700 1200-2100 D 21700 1700-1900 d 17715 1800-2000 LaV 15125 2300-0200 d 11945 2300-0500 d 15160 2300-0500 d 9620 Catalán - Gallego y Vasco 1340-1355 LaV 21570 Sefardí 0115-0145 M 11795 Por Internet se puede escuchar el audio de REE: http://www.ree.rne.es Para informes de recepción: REE, Apartado 156202, 28080 Madrid-España TE 34913461083 ó 34913461149 - FAX 34913461815 E-mail: secretaria_tecnica_ree.rne@r... [truncated] En Cariari-Costa Rica TE 5062094620 - FAX 5062329340 "Cabe recordar a nuestros oyentes que, por el momento, Radio Exterior de España aunque reciba controles de recepción no puede enviar tarjetas QSL como respuesta a los mismos", terminó diciendo Manuel Ángel De Lobeiras Fernández. Agradeceré su difusión a través de los medios a vuestro alcance. Saludos! (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Oct 25, Conexión Digital via DXLD) It`s a shame that REE Spain does not include a detailed program guide on their web site. There was a time they would announce it in its entirety at the end of some of their broadcasts, but now all we get is a general summary, with no indication of which days the programs are heard on. The summary below, from their web site (which not even be current, since it isn`t dated), suggests that Radio Waves is heard sometime during the week, not on weekends, although I must admit that I haven`t listened to Spain in a long time. I did notice that while some DX program lists has Radio Waves on Saturdays/UT Sundays, at least one (on primetime.shortwave) doesn`t mention it at all (John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The first half-hour of our weekday broadcasts consists of a newscast of Spanish and international news, with particular emphasis on those areas to which the broadcast is directed: Europe, Africa and America. The secon [sic] half includes Spanish pop music; a daily review of the Spanish press, and each day`s general interest program, including Radio Waves, a specialised spot for Dxers; Euro-American Chronicles, focusing on Spain`s relations with the EU and the US; Entremeses, related to food and travel; Africa Today, and our mailbag program Radio Club. Our weekend broadcasts include Visitors Book, on foreign personalities who`ve been here recently; Window on Spain, on some aspect of the current cultural scene; different series giving a more in-depth look at Spanish history and culture, and rebroadcast of our weekday programs for listeners who can`t tune in during the week. (REE web site via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. R. Thailand, English at 1230 on 9810 audible, but QRM from Cuban bubble jammer against Martí, bleeding from 9805 (Joe Hanlon, NJ, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE. Glenn, [initial monitoring of B-03 frequencies]: RUI 5905 kHz October 26, 2003. 0005 UT S9 to S9 + 30 dB. Moderate QRM from WBOH, positive ID, 5920. 0015 UT same as 0005 UT 0025 UT signal off for a few seconds, but quickly back on 0030 UT same as 0005 UT 0045 UT S5 to S9 +20 dB, same QRM as 0005 UT 0055 UT S5 to S9 +11 dB, same QRM as 0005 UT 0100 UT repeat of 0000 UT English broadcast. 0105 UT S5 to S9 + 11 dB. Moderate QRM from WBOH, positive ID, 5920. 0115 UT S7 to S9 +27 dB, same QRM as 0105 UT 0130 UT same as 0115 UT 0145 UT same as 0115 UT 0155 UT S5 to S9 +11 dB, same QRM as 0105 UT 0405 UT S9 +20 dB to S9 +43 dB, slight QRM from WBOH on 5920 0415 UT same as 0405 UT 0430 UT S9 +20 dB to S9 +50 dB, no QRM 0445 UT S9 +20 dB to S9 +40 dB, no QRM 0455 UT S9 to S9 +30 dB, no QRM 73, (Kraig Krist, VA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Surprised WBOH is a problem 15 kHz away; never very strong here (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** U K. Oct. 22 2003 --- RSGB hosts RAYNET 50th anniversary: The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) will celebrate 50 years of Amateur Radio emergency communication at the RAYNET Emergency Communications Convention in Birmingham, UK, Saturday October 25. RSGB formed RAYNET--an acronym for "Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network"--in 1953 following the disastrous UK East Coast floods, during which radio amateurs provided emergency communications. RAYNET is comparable to the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) in the US. Special event station GB50RAEN ("Radio Amateur Emergency Network") will continue on the air until October 31. QSL via the RSGB bureau. There's more information on the RSGB's Emercomms Web pages.-- Paul Gaskell, G4MWO Full Story: http://www.rsgb.org/emergency (via Mike Terry, Oct 25, DXLD) ** U S A. VOA NEWSNOW Schedule effective through 27 March 2004 (begins 26 October 2003) Notes: All times and dates are Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), same as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Frequencies are in kiloHertz (kHz). 1 MegaHertz (MHz) is equal to 1000 kHz. Conversion to meter bands: Meters=300000/frequency in kHz. e.g.: 17705 kHz --> 16.9 meters Abbreviations: All programs/frequencies are on daily unless noted otherwise. & - Monday only * - Monday through Friday = - Monday through Saturday < - Tuesday through Friday / - Tuesday and Friday only # - Tuesday through Saturday % - Tuesday through Sunday ~ - Thursday only > - Friday and Saturday @ - Saturday only $ - Saturday and Sunday " - Sunday only + - Sunday and Monday ^ - Sunday through Thursday ! - Sunday through Friday Contact B/EOF for further information or specific frequency recommendations for your location. We also appreciate any comments on the quality of program reception. VOA LANGUAGE/FREQUENCY SCHEDULE Afan Oromo 1845-1900* 13700 15775 17640 Albanian 0600-0630 1215 6030 7115 9635 1700-1730 5970 5990 11665 1930-2000 1458 7115 9565 Amharic 1800-1830 13700 15775 17640 1830-1900$ 13700 15775 1764 Arabic to the Middle East (Radio Sawa) 0000-0300 97.5 98.1 990 1260 1548 7185 9575 11785 0300-0600 97.5 98.1 990 1260 1548 7175 11680 15380 0600-0700 97.5 98.1 990 1260 1548 17845 0700-0800 97.5 98.1 990 1260 1548 17845 17875 0800-1030 97.5 98.1 990 1548 17845 17875 1030-1400 97.5 98.1 990 1548 17875 1400-1500 97.5 98.1 990 1548 13690 1500-1700 97.5 98.1 990 1260 1548 13690 1700-2100 97.5 98.1 990 1260 1548 6040 7105 11825 2100-2400 97.5 98.1 990 1260 1548 7195 11825 12010 Arabic to North Africa (Radio Sawa) 0400-0500 7150 0500-0600 7150 11920 0600-0700 7150 11920 1800-1900 7180 9530 1900-2000 7195 9530 9615 2000-2300 7195 9530 9650 Arabic to Iraq (Radio Sawa) 0000-0300 1548 6185 7185 9645 0300-0400 1548 6160 7125 9805 0400-0500 1548 6160 9805 11665 0500-0600 1548 9605 9805 11665 0600-0800 1548 9605 17780 21630 0800-1100 1548 17765 21630 1100-1200 1548 17765 21770 1200-1600 1548 11995 21770 1600-1700 1548 11850 21770 1700-1800 1548 7280 11855 11905 1800-2100 1548 7280 11825 11905 2100-2300 1548 7520 9745 11765 2300-2400 1548 6185 9745 11765 Arabic (Radio Sawa) in Egypt 0000-2400 990 0000-0800 990 1260 1500-2400 990 1260 Armenian 1600-1630 7240 11680 13865 Azerbaijani 1830-1900 9695 9750 11770 Bangla 0130-0200 11805 15210 17780 1600-1700 1575 7280 9825 15160 Bosnian 1600-1630* 1197 2230-2300* 792 1197 Burmese 1130-1200 1575 6140 9890 11850 15225 1430-1500 1575 5955 9720 11865 2330-2400 6135 7260 9865 Cantonese 1300-1330 9705 11930 15160 1330-1500 1143 9705 11930 15160 Chinese (Mandarin) 0000-0200 7190 9545 11925 15395 17765 21580 0200-0300 11925 15395 17765 21580 0700-0900 11855 11965 12010 13615 13650 13765 15515 0900-1100 9845 11855 11965 12010 13615 13650 13765 15515 15665 1100-1200 1143 6160 9530 9680 11785 11965 12040 15500 1200-1300 6160 9530 9680 11785 11965 11995 12040 15500 1300-1400 6160 7390 9680 9790 11785 12040 15500 1400-1500 6160 7390 9680 9790 11785 15500 2200-2300 5905 6025 6045 7140 9545 11925 15395 Creole 1230-1300* 9535 11890 15265 1730-1800 15385 17562 21540 2200-2230 9525 9670 21540 Croatian 0530-0600 756 792 1197 1395 6180 7165 9635 1930-2000 1197 6095 7105 7270 Dari 0130-0230 801 1296 9335 15690 0530-0630 1296 19010 21690 1130-1230 1296 17595 19010 1530-1630 801 1296 19010 1930-2030 1296 2130-2230 1296 English to Europe, Middle East, and North Africa 0000-0030 96.9 1593 0030-0100 96.9 0100-0200 96.9 1593 0200-0400 96.9 0400-0500 96.9 7170 15205 0500-0530 96.9 792 7170 9700 11825 15205 0530-0600 96.9 7170 9700 11825 15205 0600-0630 96.9 792 1197 5995 7170 11825 11930 15205 0630-0700 96.9 792 5995 7170 11825 11930 15205 1200-1400 96.9 1197 1400-1500 96.9 1197 15205 1500-1600 96.9 1197 9575 15205 1600-1630 96.9 9575 15205 1630-1700 96.9 1197 9575 15205 1700-1800 96.9 6040 9760 15205 1800-1900 96.9 1197 6040 9760 9885 1900-1930 96.9 1197 9690 9760 1930-2000 96.9 9690 9760 2000-2030 96.9 1197 1593 6095 9690 9760 2030-2100 96.9 1593 6095 9690 9760 2100-2200 96.9 1197 6040 6095 9595 9760 2200-2330 96.9 2330-2400 96.9 1593 English to Africa 0300-0330 909 1530 4960 6035 6080 7265 7290 7340 7415 9575 9885 0330-0400 909 1530 4960 6035 6080 7265 7290 7415 9575 9885 0400-0430 909 1530 4960 6080 7290 7415 9575 9775 9885 0430-0500 909 4960 6080 7290 7415 9575 9775 0500-0600 909 6035 6080 6105 7295 11835 13710 0600-0630 909 1530 6035 6080 6105 7295 11835 11995 13710 0630-0700$ 909 1530 6035 6080 6105 7295 11835 11995 13710 1600-1700 909 1530 6035 13710 15225 15240 17715 17895 1700-1730 909 13710 15240 15445 17895 1730-1800 13710 15240 15445 1730-1800* 909 13600 17895 1800-1900 909 6035 11975 13710 15240 15580 17895 1900-2000 909 4950 6035 7415 11975 13710 15240 15580 17895 2000-2030 909 1530 4950 6035 7415 11855 11975 13710 15240 15580 17885 17895 2030-2100 909 1530 6035 7415 11975 13710 15240 15580 17885 17895 2030-2100$ 4950 2100-2200 909 1530 6035 7415 11975 13710 15240 15580 17895 2200-2230* 909 1530 6035 7415 11655 11975 13710 English to Zimbabwe 1730-1800* 909 13600 17895 English to Caribbean and Latin America 0000-0100# 5995 6130 7405 9455 9775 11695 13790 0100-0130# 5995 6130 7405 9455 9775 13790 0130-0200# 5995 6130 9455 English to Far East Asia, South Asia, and Oceania 0000-0030 1575 7215 9890 11760 15185 15290 17740 17820 0100-0300 7200 7255 9850 11705 11820 15250 15290 17740 17820 1100-1130$ 1575 1200-1230 1143 6110 9645 9760 11705 11715 15250 15425 1230-1300 6110 9645 9760 11705 11715 15250 15425 1300-1400 6110 9645 9760 11705 15425 1400-1500 6110 7125 9645 9760 11705 15425 1500-1600 1143 7125 9645 15395 1600-1700 1143 6110 7125 9645 9760 15395 1700-1800 6110 7125 9645 15395 1700-1800* 1143 1575 5990 6045 9525 9795 11955 12005 15255 1900-2000 9525 11870 15180 2100-2200 9670 11870 15185 17735 17820 2200-2400 7215 9770 9890 11760 15185 15290 15305 17735 17820 2230-2400> 1575 English-Special 0030-0100 1575 1593 7215 9890 11760 15185 15290 17740 17820 0130-0200# 7405 9775 13740 1500-1530 6110 9760 9795 9825 15460 1500-1530$ 1575 1530-1600 1575 6110 9760 9795 9825 15460 1600-1700 13600 15445 17640 1900-2000 9785 12015 13640 2300-2330 1593 6180 7205 9780 11735 15110 2330-2400 6180 7130 7205 9620 9780 11735 11805 13640 15110 15205 French to Africa 0530-0600* 1530 4960 5890 6120 7265 7370 9480 9505 11655 13695 15375 0600-0630* 4960 5890 6120 7265 7370 9480 9505 11655 13695 15375 1830-2000 1530 9815 11775 12080 13735 15220 17580 21485 2000-2030 9815 11775 12080 13735 15220 21485 2030-2100$ 9780 9815 11775 12080 15220 21485 2100-2130* 5985 9780 9815 11775 12080 15220 17755 21485 Georgian 1530-1600 9745 9770 13645 Hausa 0500-0530 1530 4960 5970 7105 9885 1500-1530 7135 9810 11680 2030-2100* 4950 9780 9815 11775 12080 15220 21485 Hindi 0030-0100 5955 7135 11730 1600-1700 6060 9815 11730 Indonesian 1130-1230 7215 7255 9720 11930 15160 1430-1500 9510 9585 11985 2200-2330 7130 9620 11805 15205 Khmer 1330-1430 1575 5955 9720 11865 2200-2230 1575 6060 7260 9535 13640 Kinyarwanda/Kirundi 0330-0400 7340 9785 11915 0400-0430 5995 7340 9785 11915 Korean 1200-1300 7235 9555 15250 1300-1400 648 5985 7235 9555 11900 2100-2130 5995 7110 2130-2200 5995 7110 12065 Kurdish 0500-0600 7125 11855 21470 1400-1500 1593 13740 15530 1700-1800 6160 9325 1900-2000 6040 9325 Laotian 1230-1300 1575 6030 7215 11930 Macedonian 1930-2000* 1197 Ndebele 1700-1730* 909 13600 17895 Pashto 0030-0130 801 1296 9335 15690 0430-0530 1296 19010 1030-1130 1296 17595 19010 1430-1530 1296 19010 1830-1930 1296 2030-2130 1296 Persian 0300-0400 7200 9435 17855 1700-1800 1593 6160 9680 12110 1800-1900 972 1593 6160 9495 9680 1900-2000 1593 6160 9680 12110 Persian (Radio Farda) 0000-0030 1170 0030-0300 1170 9585 9795 0300-0400 1170 9335 9585 9795 0400-0600 1170 9585 9795 12015 15290 0600-0800 1170 9585 15290 17675 0800-0830 1170 9585 13680 15290 17675 21575 0830-1400 1170 13680 21575 1400-1700 1170 9435 13680 15410 1700-1900 1170 11705 11845 1900-2000 1170 6140 9335 11960 2000-2130 1170 9335 9785 11960 2130-2400 1170 Portuguese to Africa 0430-0500 1530 5890 5975 5995 6015 7145 7370 9480 9675 1700-1730 1530 7290 11775 13600 15545 1730-1800 1530 7290 9805 11775 15545 17785 21485 1800-1830* 1530 7290 9805 11775 13600 15545 17785 21485 Russian 1400-1500 9615 11805 11895 15130 15370 15475 1800-1900 6105 7220 9520 9650 9725 11685 1900-2000 6105 7220 9505 9520 9650 11685 Serbian 0630-0700 1197 1458 6035 7105 7115 2030-2100 792 7180 9600 9810 2200-2230 756 1188 1197 7180 9540 9655 Shona 1700-1730* 909 13600 17895 Spanish 0100-0200 9480 9560 9885 11700 11990 1130-1200 9535 11890 15265 1200-1230 9480 9535 11890 13715 15265 15390 17875 Swahili 1630-1700 15580 17580 17705 21480 1700-1730* 15580 17580 17705 21480 Tibetan 0000-0100 7200 7255 9555 12035 0400-0600 15585 17630 17770 21570 1400-1500 6015 7290 11790 12040 Tigrigna 1830-1845* 13700 15775 17640 Turkish 0430-0500* 792 6130 7200 9835 1130-1200* 9555 11870 15150 1900-2000 792 9600 9770 11875 Ukrainian 0500-0600 6170 7245 9875 2100-2130 7190 7295 11875 Urdu 0100-0200 6170 7175 9705 1330-1430 9510 11715 15540 1700-1800 11975 13680 15130 Uzbek 1230-1300 1143 15470 17555 17730 1500-1530 7295 9745 9890 15255 Vietnamese 1300-1330 1143 1575 9720 9890 15150 1500-1600 5955 7150 9725 9780 2230-2330 6060 7260 9535 13640 (voa.gov via John Norfolk, Mike Barraclough, and Dan Sampson, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Glenn, Voice of NASB via WRMI October 26, 2003 0230-0259 UT 7385 kHz. I'd noticed other broadcasters transmitting 1 hour earlier than scheduled UT time since 0000. I knew V. of NASB was scheduled for 0330 UT, but thought I'd check at 0230. Heard AWR "WaveScan" program. SIO 422 QRM: Warble type jammer around 7385 and unID station on 7390. 73, (Kraig Krist, VA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, you have to figure out what they really mean rather than what they say (gh, DXLD) [Later:] Glenn, Quick reply from Jeff White. Jeff indicates my report was the first one received. Jeff also answers my question on why Voice of NASB broadcast was at 0230 UT and not 0330 UT as announced. I'm glad I checked at 0230 UT! 73, (Kraig Krist, VA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2003 00:40:51 EDT Subject: Re: Voice of NASB broadcast Kraig: Thanks for your report of the Voice of the NASB. Actually, the time of the broadcast will be 0330 UTC as of next week. It was an hour earlier according to UTC today because we were figuring the UTC time as of the semi-annual time change, which takes place in a few hours. Sorry about that. These time changes are a pain in the neck. In any case, it will always be at 10:30 pm Eastern time. QSL cards are on order and should be here in about a week. Yours is report #1! Many thanks. Jeff White President, National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters (NASB) General Manager, WRMI Radio Miami International http://www.wrmi.net (WRMI website) http://www.shortwave.org (NASB website) (via Kraig Krist, DXLD) As of 1545 UT Oct 26, WRMI website still has outdated schedule from July, with times all wrong; but by 1725 John Norfolk found: (gh, DXLD) WRMI SCHEDULE/HORARIO EFFECTIVE OCT. 26, 2003 [complete for once here] Days are local days in the Americas; times are UTC. Días son días locales en las Américas; horas son UTC. MONDAY-FRIDAY/LUNES-VIERNES To the Caribbean and Latin America on 9955 kHz/ Hacia el Caribe y Latinoamérica en 9955 kHz: 1000-1100 Words of the Spirit (English) 1100-1130 La Voz de la Junta Patriotica Cubana (español; lunes) 1100-1130 The Voice of the NASB (English; Wednesday) 1100-1130 Solid Rock Radio (English; Friday) 1100-1200 Solid Rock Radio (English; Tuesday & Thursday) 1130-1230 Entre Cubanos (español) 1200-1300 Radio Revista Lux (español; martes) 1200-1300 Solid Rock Radio (English; Wednesday) 1230-1300 Solid Rock Radio (English; Monday & Wednesday) 1230-1300 Wavescan (English; Friday) To North America on 15725 kHz/Hacia Norteamérica en 15725 kHz: 1300-0000 Christian Media Network (English) 7385 kHz to North America/7385 kHz hacia Norteamérica: Note: The following are Tuesday-Saturday UTC. Los siguientes son martes-sábado UTC. 0000-0500 Christian Media Network (English) 0500-0515 Herald of Truth (English) 0515-1000 Christian Media Network (English) SATURDAY/SABADO To the Caribbean and Latin America on 9955 kHz/ Hacia el Caribe y Latinoamérica en 9955 kHz: 1000-1030 Viva Miami (English/español) 1030-1045 La Verdad para el Mundo (español) 1045-1100 Spreading the Gospel Light (English) 1100-1200 Foro Militar Cubano (español) 1200-1230 Solid Rock Radio (English) 1230-1300 Reality in Jesus (English) To North America on 15725 kHz/Hacia Norteamérica en 15725 kHz: 1300-2300 IBC Radio Network (English) 2300-2330 Battle Cry Sounding (English) 2330-2345 Spreading the Gospel Light (English) 2345-0000 Truth for the World (English) To the Caribbean and Latin America on 9955 kHz/ Hacia el Caribe y Latinoamérica en 9955 kHz: The following are Sunday UTC. Los siguientes son domingo UTC. 0000-0100 Foro Militar Cubano (español) 0100-0130 Conversando entre Cubanos (español) 0130-0145 La Hora de Chibás (español) 0145-0200 La Verdad Para el Mundo (español) 0200-0300 Radio Revista Lux (español) 7385 kHz to North America/7385 kHz para Norteamérica: 0300-0330 Wavescan (English) 0330-0400 Voice of the NASB (English/español) 0400-1000 IBC Radio Network (English) SUNDAY/DOMINGO To the Caribbean and Latin America on 9955 kHz/ Hacia el Caribe y Latinoamerérica en 9955 kHz: 1000-1030 Jack Van Impe (English) 1030-1100 Voice in the Wilderness (English) 1100-1115 Church of Christ (English) 1115-1130 Abundant Life (English) 1130-1145 JDL Gospel Ministry (English) 1145-1200 Strength for Today (English) 1200-1230 Creciendo en Gracia (español) 1230-1300 Carter Report (English) To North America on 15725 kHz/Hacia Norteamérica en 15725 kHz: 1300-1430 Solid Rock Radio (English) 1430-1500 Battle Cry Sounding (English) 1500-2100 IBC Radio Network (English) 2100-2130 Jack Van Impe (English) 2130-2145 Church of Christ (English) 2145-2200 Strength for Today (English) 2200-2230 Voice in the Wilderness (English) 2230-2245 Abundant Life (English) 2245-2300 JDL Gospel Ministry (English) 2300-2330 Carter Report (English) 2330-0000 Solid Rock Radio (English) To the Caribbean and Latin America on 9955 kHz/ Hacia el Caribe y Latinoamérica en 9955 kHz: The following are UTC Monday. Los siguientes son UTC lunes. 0000-0100 Radio Revista Lux (español) 0100-0115 Conociendo la Verdad (español) 0115-0130 Truth for the World (English) 0130-0230 Radio Oriente Libre (español) 0230-0300 Conversando entre Cubanos (español) 7385 kHz to North America /7385 kHz para Norteamérica: 0300-0330 Carter Report (English) 0330-0400 Wavescan (English) 0400-1000 IBC Radio Network (English) E-mail us at info @ wrmi.net for information about purchasing airtime on WRMI. Envíenos un e-mail a info@wrmi.net para información sobre la compra de tiempo (via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1690, WRLL, IL, Berwyn, received a really nice "Real Oldies 1690" full detail QSL card in 19d for taped report. Mentioned all the DJs on the front "Original lineup," Tommy Edwards - Mornings, Larry Lujack - Mornings, Kathy Worthington - Mornings, Scotty Brink - Middays Ron Britain - Afternoons, Ron Smith - Nights, Len O'Kelly - Overnights, Jerry G. Bishop - Weekends, Herb Kent, Weekends. Power of 10 KW day / 1 KW nights, 254.5 meters above sea level. V/S; (looks like) Len O'Kelly (one of the programs I heard). Address: Real Oldies 1690, WRLL - AM, 233 N. Michigan Ave., Ste 2800, Chicago IL 60601 U.S.A. I am really pleased with this one! Another "W" call to add to my QSL collection (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, KAVT Reception Manager, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. LOW-POWER TO THE PEOPLE By JESSICA STANLEY Colorado Daily Staff It all seemed very "top secret agent" right from the beginning. How do I get in contact with you? "Only through e-mail." What's your name? "I really can't say." Where should we meet? "At a location of my choice." And when I asked them about certain issues ... they were not at liberty to divulge "that sort" of information. So who are these stealthy people, who live such secret double lives? In a word, they are pirates. At first glance they didn't look like pirates, not in the conventional sense anyway. No eye patches, or parrots on their shoulders, just a man and a woman who came in peace to discuss the merits of free radio. Their code names, Sapphire and Carl. Their real names, I will never know. Sapphire and Carl are DJs at KBFR, Boulder's pirate radio station, which is also known as Boulder Free Radio, and can be found just to the left of your dial at 95.3 FM. The station's mission, "To create diversity on the airwaves ... and to create a platform for new voices, new music, access to the airwaves for local musicians and alternative points of view." Why have they been dubbed pirates? Because of the movement's tendency to hijack frequencies, and transmit the music and chatter of their choice, which is currently deemed illegal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). How did it all get started? KBFR is a part of a growing trend that began back in 1989, when Mbanna Kantanko started the first one-watt "pirate" station in a Springfield, IL housing project. His Black Liberation station has since turned into a full-fledged guerilla radio network that is dedicated to speaking what it sees as the truth. Soon after its establishment, underground stations began to sprout up across the nation. People began to realize how easy and inexpensive it could be to create a station, and with that, a low-power radio revival began. A man known only as "Monk" caught light of this idea, and began transmitting in Boulder on 95.3 a few years back. Monk and two other cohorts began transmitting music and talk all day, every day. However, soon after the station's inception, the three decided that they might not be providing the best format for what they had wanted to be a community station. Carl explains, "They realized that while the three of them was (sic) cool, all three of them had the exact same musical taste, the same political taste, and the exact same things to say ... and they said well, if you are going to serve the community, you need a more diverse set of voices." With that in mind, they reached out to the community and started acquiring more volunteers. Boulder Free Radio is currently made up of about two dozen Boulder citizens, known as BURG (the Boulder Underground Radio Group), who range widely not only in age, but in musical taste and political leanings. How does an operation of this magnitude run with such secrecy? The answer is, the van. KBFR broadcasts from a nondescript van that moves from place to palace within Boulder. Carl, a technically minded network administrator, helped to explain in detail exactly how the system works. "We have a very intricate network around Boulder of places that are friendly to our cause and provide us with Internet, as well as host transmitter sites. We also have a couple of businesses downtown that have let us use some spaces in their basement for a studio when it isn't practical to use the van. But most of the time, it's the van, everybody loves the van." And for good reason. Not only is the van an exciting place to transmit from, but it also allows ease of movement for a station that is constantly evading the FCC. The pirates have been fairly successful at staying out of trouble, with only a few run-ins with the FCC. Carl explains, "Basically, one day the FCC came to a location that the van had been at for a long time, and they issued a cease-and-desist order which allows 10 days to either shut down or provide a silence. Ultimately, they (the people of BURG) shut the van down, did some research on what exactly the laws were, and eventually moved the van and set up shop a few weeks later." This sequence of events has happened more than once, and yet 95.3 is still on the airwaves. This is due to a sort of loophole in FCC code. "There are specific rules the FCC has to follow regarding how they deal with infractions," Carl explains, "and there have been a couple of visits (by the FCC), and at each one it's the same thing because it's a new address and a new incident, so they have to follow the same procedure." Therein lies the importance of the van. As long as the station keeps moving, they can't get more than a primary infraction. Why is it that Monk and others with like-minded stations are unable to get a license and operate legally? The answer is apparently "CLEAR" according to Carl, Sapphire and others in the low-power movement. Originally, the FCC had reserved frequencies from 88 to 92 megahertz for non-profit broadcasting. However, in 1979 the FCC began to stop issuing licenses to stations with less than 100 watts. The FCC's reasoning behind this was that the larger the wattage, the more efficient the use of the spectrum. In turn, small public radio stations across the country were forced to close their doors. With smaller stations disappearing, there were a large number of newly opened frequencies on the market. At the time, media corporations were unable to buy them due to existing anti-trust laws. However, much to their chagrin, radio was deregulated with the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which effectively doubled the number of stations a company could own in a single market. These actions created the radio backdrop that we currently enjoy (?) here in Boulder. The media conglomerate Clear Channel, which owns eight local radio stations, including KISS-FM, The Fox, KBCO, Peak, KTCL and KBPI, dominates the Denver metro area. This is not what people like Sapphire and Carl want to get out of radio. Carl passionately informs me, "Not only does Clear Channel own the majority of stations in our market and 53 others nationwide, they also operate TV stations, and have vested interest in newspapers and advertising." Sapphire adds, "This means that they are identifying the artists, they are producing the artists, they are making money off the sales of the artists, they are promoting the artists, and they are playing only these artists on their stations. So what about all the other people out there who aren't parts of Clear Channel? There are a lot of artists out there who just don't get a chance." Carl articulates, and many people in the Boulder community seem to agree that, "It all comes down to what five or six people want you to hear, whether it's music' news or advertising." This is where Boulder Free radio takes its cue. Carl fervently affirms the reasoning behind KBFR's mission. "There are a lot of voices, not just in this community, but in every community, that need to be heard, whether it's music or politics. Boulder is ideal because there's so much going on here, there's so much diversity of all types in this community and these people don't have a voice. Who's going to speak up for all of these people, and who is going to offer to put these outcast bands on the radio? Somebody's gotta do it." Someday soon, KBFR and stations like it may have the chance to reflect on becoming legal members of the broadcasting community. Would they even consider it? Possibly for a minute, but Carl and Sapphire agree that it wouldn't be likely. Reaffirming the station's goals, Sapphire states that, "What we are about is free speech, and having no restrictions at all, and if we were licensed we would have to start abiding by their laws, and its not just about being able to say 'fuck,' it's censorship issues, you can't play certain songs, or you have to beep out certain words ... and by that you are essentially taking a piece of art and changing it, and that's not fair to the musician." The concept of pirate radio can be a confusing one. But if there was one thing the pirates would like you to understand it's that, "Most people think that pirate radio is all about a couple guys in a basement who want to get on the radio and say 'fuck,' and that's how a lot of stations start, but we are here to serve the community, not ourselves." So flip the switch, tune the dial, and you decide. http://www.coloradodaily.com/articles/2003/10/23/news/audience/audience01.prt (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A. FCC FORUM ON 'LOCALISM' -- Hearing gauges media's service Dissed cyclists present 1 point of view; assisted charities offer another MARK WASHBURN TV/Radio Writer Posted on Thu, Oct. 23, 2003 This is a longer version of the story that appeared in Thursday's Observer. The airwaves belong to the public and on Wednesday, the proprietors got their say. A hearing to gauge public opinion on how well theyre served by those who use the airwaves was, by turns, thick with valentines and harpoons. Shock-jocks, payola and public service were chief among the topics. Bicyclists repeatedly criticized a Clear Channel station in the Research Triangle, WDCG-FM (G105) for airing a morning show that jokingly encouraged motorists to run down bicyclists. Other stations owned by the company did similar stunts, cyclists complained. The fact that Clear Channel has promoted violence against bicyclists on four separate radio stations demonstrates a pattern of behavior that clearly warrants FCC scrutiny, said Steven Waters, representing the League of American Bicyclists. Waters was one of about three dozen people addressing three of the five members of the Federal Communications Commission, who came to Charlotte to hold its first hearing in a yearlong study of localism in broadcasting. The agency, which regulates TV and radio and is charged with ensuring that broadcasters act in the public interest, is asking whether the 20-year trend toward deregulation is benefiting communities in the nations heartland. After a wave of civic protest following the commissions vote in June to raise ownership limits for major media companies, FCC Chairman Michael Powell formed the Localism Task Force to cross the country and hear opinions on how broadcasters meet the needs of the public. Signaling a shift away from the FCCs automatic licensing routine of recent years, Powell said that the inquiry would focus on media performance in the Carolinas and elsewhere including potentially not renewing a broadcast license for not serving the public interest ... We want to spread the word that these renewals are not just an inside-the-beltway phenomenon. Some musical artists complained about being frozen off the air by corporate radio stations. If you`ve never heard of me, its because I`m never on the radio, Tift Merritt told the commissioners. The Chapel Hill singer and songwriter noted that Billboard magazine had described her as a major new artist, that she had appeared on the Late Night with David Letterman and gotten other national coverage. But she said that radio stations in the Triangle area would not play her music because it wasnt on their playlists and her label wouldnt put promotional muscle behind her album. When Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein reminded her that payola is illegal, Merritt responded: Its absolutely naive to assume that pay-for-play doesnt go on. Debbie Quay, general manager of Charlotte's WCHH-FM ("Hot" 92.7), said her Charlotte hip-hop station ensures local artists are played by using a panel of listeners to help pick music and by airing a weekly program focusing on Charlotte-area artists. During a public comment period, broadcasters were hailed by charity groups. Among them were Shrine Bowl executives thanking Rock Hills WRHI-AM (1340) and its partners for building a network for the annual game, which raises money for burn units. The Childrens Miracle Network saluted WLYT-FM (Lite 102.9) for raising nearly $1 million over the last three years and Make-a-Wish Foundation said WWMG-FM (Magic 96.1) has been instrumental in underwriting their campaigns. Rep. Mel Watt, D-N.C., asked the FCC to take steps to reverse the shrinkage of the numbers of minorities owning stations. And the Charlotte congressman questioned why the agency voted in June to allow major media companies to own a higher percentage of the nations radio and TV stations. If the system wasnt broke, why did the FCC try to fix it? he said. FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, who voted against expanding the ownership limits in June, questioned the benefits of deregulation of the nations broadcast industry. Since the 1980s, fundamental protections of the public interest have weakened and withered -- requirements like meeting with members of the community to determine the needs of the local audience, teeing up controversial issues for listeners and viewers, encouraging antagonistic points of view and providing viewpoint and program diversity, to name just a few of the obligations that we once had. Broadcasting`s role in the democratic process was also a focus. We are concerned that business concerns have taken precedence over the public interest, said Mary Klenz, co-president, North Carolina League of Women Voters who said commercial stations in Charlotte used to give the organization time to answer voter questions at election time. Regrettably, that practice was discontinued, she said. Adelstein cited a study of TV election coverage before the 2000 election. Seventy-four seconds per night was all we saw, he said. I dont think thats a very healthy thing for our democracy. A study was released at the meeting by the Washington-based Alliance for Better Campaigns, which sampled a weeks worth of television this month in each of the cities where the FCC scheduled hearings. The group measured various categories of programming -- sports, entertainment, local news and others. In each city, local public affairs programming constituted less than 1 percent of airtime. In Charlotte, the figure was 0.2 percent, compared with 12.3 percent for comedy shows, 10.9 percent for reality programs and 3.1 percent for celebrity news. Only one commercial Charlotte TV station currently airs a local public affairs program -- a 30-minute roundtable Sunday nights on WJZY (Channel 46), owned by Raleigh-based Capitol Broadcasting. All politics is local, but you wouldnt know it by watching local TV, Meredith McGehee, president and executive director of the group, said in the report. The FCCs localism initiative: www.fcc.gov/localism{confirmed}. You can contact the FCCs Localism Task Force at (202) 418-7777 or send comments to localism@fcc.gov. Alliance for Better Campaigns: http://www.bettercampaigns.org (c) 2003 Charlotte Observer and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. WAMU: AN ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY Saturday, October 25, 2003; Page A21 Susan Clampitt is a person of integrity, vision and absolute dedication to WAMU, where she serves as executive director. Your Oct. 20 front-page article describing alleged financial and morale issues at the radio station did both Clampitt and WAMU a tremendous disservice. Using the accusations of a few disgruntled individuals, it attempted to portray a troubled and dysfunctional institution. While every organization can be improved in some way, WAMU provides a tremendous service to this community and does so with great staff dedication and admirable cost efficiency. Raising funds in the past several years of economic downturn has been challenging. The fact that the station has operated at a deficit while still expanding its audience and airing high-quality local news and cultural programming is evidence that it is committed to its mission of public service. WAMU is licensed to American University and, unlike other nonprofit organizations, does not have a board that functions as a fundraising arm. It does have an advisory board that is closely connected to community groups and provides advice on programming issues. Fiscal oversight is provided by the university, and the audits of recent years disclose that station expenditures are legitimate and appropriate. An increase in station salaries to bring them in line with other public radio salaries (well below the market of commercial broadcasters and other nonprofits, I assure you) and other investments in the station infrastructure are among the changes that Clampitt has instituted. Hourly local newscasts, also added during her tenure, have served the community admirably during the past two years. And among numerous other honors, the station received a Mayor's Art Award for its service to the arts in the community through the relationships that have been forged during Clampitt's leadership at the station. I admit that I consider myself a friend of Susan Clampitt, having been a colleague at the National Endowment for the Arts and then working part-time at the station until last spring as a foundation relations manager. Previously, I worked at National Public Radio for nine years, and so I am fully aware of the complexities of operating a public radio station as a university licensee. WAMU is a tremendous asset to American University and the public radio system, and it provides an important and unrivaled service to the D.C. metropolitan area. Your article suggesting that the station is in turmoil and being mismanaged does the station and your readership a real disservice. At least you acknowledged that the WAMU product is "a beloved part of many a local listener's daily routine." It deserves to be supported and encouraged in its efforts. -- Karen Christensen, Washington [letter to the editor?] (c) 2003 The Washington Post Company (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. Según conclusiones que he sacado luego de mis conversaciones con Mark Mormann, el armónico de 3160 kHz sería de una estación en el Estado Zulia y no de Radio María en Barranquilla. En días recientes capté una ID: "CELESTIAL 1580, La Voz de Dios en tu hogar" y también se mencionaba bastante la palabra "CABIMAS", nombre de una ciudad ubicada en el estado antes citado. Desde luego, la emisora retransmite espacios de Radio María, de allí que las primeras pistas apuntaran a Barranquilla. Así pues, el armónico de 3160 kHz es parece ser venezolano. ¿Qué dice el WRTH acerca de 1580 en Venezuela? 73's y buen DX... (Adán González, Oct 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) No hay tal slogan junto con las tres emisoras alistadas: 1580 YVYV R. Venezolana, Calabozo 1580 YVTK Manzanares 15-80, Cumaná 1580 YVYO La Nueva Occidental, Maracaibo Pero la última sí se encuentra en Estado Zulia, no tan lejos de Colombia (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA. RADIO NACIONAL EN ONDA CORTA... Por los momentos no hay planes de reactivar los 9540 kHz, o al menos las intenciones no las hay. En las promociones al aire de RNV ya no se anuncia esa frecuencia, sino la de 630 kHz, para la transmisión de la ANTENA INTERNACIONAL, a las 4 am (0800 UTC). Un horario nada recomendable. 73's y buen DX (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Oct 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA [non]. But R. Nacional de Venezuela is still heard via Cuba, Sunday mornings, as Oct 26 at 1430 with ID and regular programming rather than Aló, Presidente, on 13750, 17750 and weak on 11875; fourth frequency not found on 15 MHz, nor on previously used 13680 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. 5925, VOV-3, 1049-1056, Oct. 19, Vietnamese, OM and YL with talks, poor. 7210, VOV-1, 1011-1035, Oct. 19, Vietnamese, OM and YL with talks and VT ballads, definitely // 9530 after 1030, not so sure before, 7210 very poor, 9530 poor with co-channel, Chinese QRM, (presumed) VOA Philippines (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R-75, MLB-1, RS longwire w/ RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Harmonic 2139.9, 0950-1020, Cuba? (Robert Wilkner, FL, Oct 25, Cumbre DX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Glenn, Noted on 5945 kHz a program in the Chinese language. I tuned in at about 1020 UT Oct 26 with a woman in Chinese comments. At about 1024 she presented Chinese music. At 1030, the station went off the air without any announcement. I suspect this was a relay from Okeechobee, Florida of either Radio Taipei International or the Chinese Broadcasting System? However, that's only a guess judging from the signal quality of the broadcast which was fair at Clewiston, Florida. I searched your site for that frequency (5945) and didn't come up with anything significant (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 5964.80, 2026-2100*, Oct. 22, Spanish, OM and YL with religious sounding talks, pop? music at 2052, followed by instrumental piano music until, pips(3+1) and off at 2100. Fair (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R-75, MLB-1, RS longwire w/ RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 6108.39 kHz 26 de Octubre 2003 1015 - 1145 UTC Quito 26/Oct/2003 7:30. Hola Amigo DXista José Elías y otros en ConexiónDigital! Saludos desde "la mitad del mundo"! Estoy curiosísimo de saber la opinión de José Elías que no solamente es un DXista sino también un radio-aficionado. Envío una grabación de esta mañana a: José Elias, Henrik Klemetz (quisiera saber su opinión sobre la música andina) y SWB: se puede escuchar la grabación de 6108.39 dentro de 24 horas en esta dirección: http://homepage.sverige.net/~a-0901/ El asunto: 6108.39 kHz todo el tiempo en AM amplitud modulada. 1015 - 1145 UT esta mañana el 26 de Octubre. Música andina interrumpida a menudo: el locutor/señor tuvo una comunicación con algún radio- aficionado que no se pudo escuchar (transmitiendo en otra frecuencia). El locutor terminó cada frase con "cambio" y la música andina contiunó. Hablaron sobre modulación, potencia, señal, etc., etc. Entonces, ¿qúe opinión tiene nuestro radio-aficionado y DXista José Elias y qué dice Henrik sobre la música andina? 73ss de.... (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador - SWB América Latina, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Saludos Malm. Espero te encuentres muy bien. En cuanto a lo que escribes, puedo entender que tienes algo de duda en cuanto a lo escuchado en la frecuencia 6108.39 y me parece que estás pensando que lo escuchado pudo haber sido transmitido por un radioaficionado. En relación a esto te informo, que no estás pensando mal, ya que los equipos de los radioaficionados pueden transmitir en cualquier parte de la banda, ya que para eso tienen equipos para adjustar la salida del mismo a la banda donde piensan transmitir. Es decir, son equipos banda corrida que pueden utilizar las bandas de radiodifusión para comunicarse o transmitir cualquier cosa. Por ejemplo, aquí en Venezuela, en ciertas oportunidades he escuchado a colegas colocando ruidos, musica, portadoras, etc etc a otros colegas para interrumpir sus modulaciones. Cabe destacar que la potencia de estos equipos actualmente llegan a más de cien vatios de potencia y si el radioaficionado tiene cualidades técnicas puede hacer un linear y aumentar la potencia de su equipo hasta 500 vatios y hasta mil vatios, por lo cual tendría una pequeña estación de onda corta en su casa. Como radioaficionado, cuyos indicativos son: YV6DGN y 6YX693, siempre he utilizado la potencia con las cuales vienen los equipos, es decir, de 5 a 100 vatios en las bandas señaladas especificamente para radioaficionados, aunque éltimamente he estado mas activo en 2 metros y 11 metros ya que mi equipo de banda mayor está en el servicio técnico, ya que se desconfiguró totalmente. Por lo mismo, quien quita que lo que hayas escuchado haya sido a un radioaficionado con su equipo transmitiendo musica andina. Ahora, debo decirte, que cuando dos radioaficionados hablan y ´lo están haciendo legalmente, tienen sus indicativos y utilizan prefijos, por ejemplo el de Venezuela es YV. Si estos dos señores no se identificaban de ninguna manera, entonces es posible que no sean ni radioaficionados y lo mas probable es que hayan estando colocando musica y hablando sin importarles nada. En cuanto a la música andina, aunque la pregunta era para el amigo Henrik, yo te puedo decir que me gusta mucho pero en venezuela casi no se consigue, de allí mi interés en el ritmo conocido como tecnocumbia, que nació en Perú y se ha divulgado por todo el mundo; aquí en Venezuela en mi programa de radio coloco estos temas de artistas peruanos que son muy sabrosos. Por cierto, de Ecuador hay una artista que está sonando mucho y que se llama Sharon, es muy bonita, canta bien y su música es muy pegajosa, aparte de eso se identifica con el sonido de la tecnocumbia. Si estás interesado te puedo enviar algún sonido corto para que la oigas. Bueno amigo Malm, recibe un fuerte abrazo y espero haber contestado tu inquietud. Atte: (José Elías, Venezuela, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Hola a todos: Björn Malm me ha mandado un archivo de audio en donde puedo escuchar aires andinos NETAMENTE PERUANOS y un locutor que manda decir a su interlocutor (valga la redundancia) que a ver si cuando baja la modulación también baja la señal, etc. Enfin, lo que pudiera ser parte de una prueba del mismo fabricante del transmisor. Personalmente no creo que se trate de algún radioaficionado sino más bien de alguna emisora comercial que va a salir al aire dentro de algunos días, una vez terminadas las pruebas. Ya antes he podido escuchar este tipo de pruebas de transmisores hechas por el fabricante, en todo caso desde Bolivia. Lo que ocurrió allí era que las pruebas se hicieron desde La Paz, pero el transmisor terminó montado en algún lugar del Beni que no quiero recordar... Cordialmente, (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 15530, at 1600 Oct 26, new Merlin theme as mentioned before, filling for what? (Joe Hanlon, NJ, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ RECORDING DX For the past two years, I've used my computer's hard drive to record all my DXing. I use a program called "Total Recorder" which is available for the cost of only $11.95! Much less than the cost of even the least expensive tape recorder. (Course you need the computer) It can be downloaded at: http://www.highcriteria.com/ It has a scheduling program built in that allows you to make schedule recordings. For instance, I set mine to record at the TOH every hour from dusk to dawn with more frequent recordings during SS and SR events. I also schedule complete recordings during DX tests. With even a small hard drive these days, you can record tons of audio. I spend a few minutes to an hour reviewing the recordings during lunch every day. 73 (Les Rayburn, N1LF, IRCA via DXLD) DRM +++ Additional broadcasters have started their DRM broadcasts with each passing month. The Chinese government confirmed it is testing the DRM system for its future use. Hundreds of radio enthusiasts from around the world have listened to DRM broadcasts using the DRM Software Radio in a project managed by VT Merlin Communications --- for more information, click on http://www.drmrx.org The first, second-generation DRM consumer radio, the DRM Receiver 2010, was showcased at IBC. A joint development by CT, BBC R&D, Mayah and AFG, it will be ready for distribution in late 2003. DRM and the World DAB Forum announced their cooperation, paving the way for DRM- and DAB-capable receivers in the future. Sony committed to help expand the markets for digital radio in Europe, pledging its active support in the commercial sectors of both DRM and the World DAB Forum. With the new NASB broadcasts, the list of stations sending daily, weekly or periodic DRM transmissions includes: 531 Digital (Medienanstalt Sachsen Anhalt); ADDX Media Magazine; Adventist World Radio (KSDA, Guam); Assemblies of Yahweh (WMLK, Bethel, PA); BBC World Service; bit eXpress campus radio (LIKE, University Erlangen- Nürnberg); China Radio International; Christian Vision; Deutsche Welle; DeutschlandRadio; EWTN Worldwide Catholic Radio (WEWN, Birmingham, AL); Family Radio (WYFR, Okeechobee, FL); Far East Broadcasting Company (KFBS, Saipan); Fundamental Broadcasting Network (WTJC and WBOH, Newport, NC); Georg-Simon-Ohm-Fachhochschule, Nürnberg; HCJB World Radio (HCJB Ecuador, HCJB Australia); Herald Broadcasting Syndicate (WSHB, Cypress Creek, SC); Kuwait Radio; LeSea Broadcasting (WHRI, Noblesville, IN; WHRA, Greenbush, ME and KWHR, Naalehu, HI); My Personal Radio, Berlin; Radio Canada International; Radio France; Radio France Internationale; Radio Free Asia; Radio Miami International (WRMI, Miami, FL); Radio Netherlands; Radio Sawa; Radio Vaticana; RTL; Swedish Radio International; SWR Suedwestrundfunk Das Ding; TDF Radio; TDP Radio (Belgium); The Word Broadcasting Network (WJIE, Louisville, KY and KVOH, Simi Valley, CA); Trans World Radio (KTWR, Guam); T-Systems Media & Broadcast Stations Juelich and Wertachtal; Two if By Sea Broadcasting Corporation (KAIJ, Dallas, TX); Voice of America; Voice of Russia, VT Merlin Communications; Wales Radio International; World Christian Broadcasting (KNLS, Anchor Point, AK) and World International Broadcasters (WINB, Red Lion, PA). (DRM Press release Oct 23 via Siriol Jane Evans, DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ HAMVENTION SIGNS CONTRACT FOR 2004 SHOW AT HARA ARENA Hamvention http://www.hamvention.org/ will be at Hara Arena near Dayton, Ohio, at least for another year. General Chairman Gary Des Combes, N8EMO, announced the one-show contract this week. The last Hamvention contract with Hara Arena was for five years. Des Combes also expressed confidence that behind-the-scenes management changes he`s instituted since taking over July 1 will translate into success for ``the world`s largest Amateur Radio gathering and trade show.`` ``Overall, I think things are going very well,`` Des Combes said of progress toward pulling together Hamvention`s 53rd show, which will take place May 14-16. ``I`m confident we`re going to be successful.`` The always popular annual gathering attracted slightly more than 22,100 visitors in 2003. That figure was down by more than 10 percent from the 2002 crowd, and it marked the third year in a row of declining Hamvention attendance. Des Combes is banking that the management team and ``best business practices`` approach he`s put into place for next spring`s show will turn things around. One significant change is a shift away from jobbing out Hamvention`s production to paid professionals and returning to the strong reliance on volunteers that was a hallmark of past Hamventions. ``Some of the volunteers, quite frankly, felt they were not welcome,`` said Des Combes, who believes that moving away from an all-volunteer Hamvention was a mistake and created some unease within the organization. Under his regime, some volunteer staffers from the past now have returned to the fold, Des Combes said. Most of the volunteers for the 2004 show are from the sponsoring Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) http://www.ceitron.com/dara/ The new order at Hamvention means that Garry Matthews, KB8GOL, is out as the show`s paid production manager (See ``How Hamvention Happens`` http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/03/06/4/0004053.pdf, by Rick Lindquist, N1RL, QST, Apr 2000). Matthews had served as the backstage impresario for more than three decades of Hamventions. Des Combes said he intends to spread out Matthews` former duties among several volunteers, saving money in the process. He`s also establishing --- and in some cases re-establishing --- a set of committees responsible for various aspects of Hamvention. The Hamvention assistant chairman is Jim Nies, WX8F. ``We have to just work smarter and tougher,`` he said, adding that the management change will be invisible to those attending. ``I don`t think John Q. Ham will see anything much different.`` While the show is still in the planning stages, Des Combes said one possible change would be to have the award winners` recognition ceremony during Hamvention itself. The recognition event has replaced the traditional Saturday evening banquet, done away with this year because of slack attendance. A project management professional, Des Combes says he anticipates the all-volunteer approach will make it possible for Hamvention to more economically mount a show that`s of the same quality or better than those of past years. ``I can tell you I am leading sweeping changes in how we operate Hamvention,`` he said. All of them, he says, will better serve the vendors, DARA and the amateurs who attend Hamvention. ``I think it`s going to be good for everybody.`` Ticket prices for the 2004 Hamvention will remain at the prices established prior to Des Combes` taking over the reins. Advance tickets for all three days are $20 ($23 park-n-ride bus transportation). Tickets at the gate will cost $25. All under 12 years of age are admitted free. Des Combes says arrangements are under way to enable on-line ticket purchases. There`s more information on the Hamvention Web site http://www.hamvention.org/ (ARRL Letter Oct 24 via John Norfolk, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ SOLAR FLARE ENHANCEMENT From DXLD 3-189: "I am curious what the "experts" have to say on this as a predictable phenomenon on lower frequencies (60 meters in particular) prior to such an expected solar storm. And I would be interested in any other observations supporting or refuting these conditions in relation to the time frame of such storms (Roger Chambers, New York, October 24th 1130 UT, DX LISTENING DIGEST)" While I do not consider myself an expert, I have observed the enhancement you experienced before major geomagnetic storms. I have a theory as to why this occurs. We know that such storms result from the energized particles thrown off from the sun by Coronal Mass Ejections. My theory suggests that the less dense and lighter particles are thrown off first because of their lower mass. They therefore precede the heavier particles. When the lighter particles collide with the upper layers of the ionosphere, they transfer their energy into the the F layer which is normally the layer that refracts HF signals back to earth. This enhances the signals received on the ground. Then the heavier particles arrive. They penetrate the upper layers and tunnel down into the lower layers like the D layer especially around the magnetic poles. The D layer is responsible for absorption of HF signals. The enhanced signals from the F layer degrade quickly as the D layer absorbs the HF signals both on the way up to the F layer and on the way back to earth. It's only a theory but it seems to fit the observations I have made over the past 50 or so years. ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, DE, Oct 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ WHERE'S THE BEEF? PROPAGATION UPDATE, 1820Z 25-X-2003 Well, where's the beef? Er, where's the storm? Just as I stated, this was a non-event. No historically major storm took place. Just as I had predicted, the bands are hopping, today. I live in a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides. I use a dipole antenna. I am hearing many stations on 10 meters, even more on 15, and a huge amount on 20. I have worked N/S paths, like TI5A and LT1F, on 10 meters. They report propagation as being moderate to good. At the time of my writing this, the figures are: 10.7-cm Flux: 191 Ap: 36 Kp: 3 (36 nT) Solar Wind: 511 km/s at 2.2 protons/cm3 On 2003 Oct 25 1813Z: Bz: 10.8 nT Looking at the trend of the Kp at several reporting locations, the highest was 5, most were 3 or 4, since last night. The latest flare was a C-class. There is a chance, still, of a more powerful flare. So far, though, we have had great sailing. On the shortwave bands, last night and this morning, conditions were fair. I heard some paths open that have not normally been open. Other paths were closed, that normally were open. This follows with the way conditions are going. There is a chance for a glancing blow from a passing CME sometime late today and tomorrow. The Bz might turn negative during such a grazing passage of the CME, so we might have some elevation in the Kp late today and early tomorrow. However, conditions should continue to be useful for the contest period. At least, in my humble opinion. 73 de (Tomas, NW7US (AAR0JA/AAM0EWA), swl at qth.net via DXLD) Yes, 10 meters was really hopping Saturday afternoon, full of LUs and PYs. It takes a contest to get the hams to take advantage of band openings (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) X 1.3 SOLAR FLARE THIS MORNING The latest partially geo-effective Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) collided with Earth's magnetic field beginning at 0749 UTC this morning 03/10/26. It was associated with a large M7.6 class solar flare from Sunspot Group #10486 that occurred on 03/10/24. However as the Bz component of the magnetic field stayed positive little negative impact on Earth's magnetic field occurred. I had predicted at least another moderate (Kp-6) geomagnetic storm with this latest CME but was wrong. Actually 30 of the last 36 hours has seen the Kp index at a 3 (Unsettled) or less. The previous partially geo-effective CME produced a peak Kp index of 7 (Strong) geomagnetic storming and an Ap index of 107 (Severe) geomagnetic storming. It shows just how difficult the impact on Earth's magnetic field that a "partially geo-effective" CME's can be to forecast. Tomas Hood NW7US CQ magazine propagation expert forecasted this CME impact correctly. With the 36 period of no geomagnetic storming in conjunction with a solar flux reading of 222, the HF bands were wide open yesterday. I personally worked allot of 10 meter AM DX from Europe around 29000 KC, plus allot of PSK31 DX on 20,15 and 10 meters. For the remainder of the weekend HF propagation conditions should be good in equatorial and mid latitudes with poor to fair on high latitude propagation paths, not taking into consideration any radio blackouts on the daylight side of the Earth that still may occur with future solar flares. MF and LF propagation conditions will stay poor, as these bands take much longer to recover after the end of geomagnetic storming and elevated energetic proton events >(10o) 10 MeV. This latest grouping of solar space and geomagnetic occurrences has been amazing. Between 03/10/18 and today we have seen 65 C class, 26 M class and 4 X class solar flares, plus 3 filament eruptions. Amazing after such a long quiet period on the downward slide of sunspot cycle 23. Now more bad news. A large filament eruption that occurred beginning at 0106 UTC this morning in association with geo-effective Sunspot Group # 10484, produced a geo-effective (squarely Earth directed) Coronal Mass Ejection and will impact Earth's magnetic field beginning sometime on UTC 03/10/28. Also another huge X1.3 class solar flare occurred beginning at 0500 UTC this morning, in association with Sunspot Group #10486. It also produced a geo-effective Coronal Mass Ejection that will impact Earth's magnetic field sometime on UTC 03/10/27. This solar flare also caused a strong MF/HF radio blackout in Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Beginning on UTC 03/10/27 we can expect major geomagnetic storming Kp- 8, with the possibility of severe storming Kp-9. Mid latitude visible Aurora is also probable as the Bz turns southward. More dayside radio blackouts are expected, as well as another stronger elevated energetic proton event >(10o) 10 MeV will also occur. KN4LF Daily Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data Archive: http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf5.htm KN4LF HF/MF Radio Propagation Theory Notes: http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf8.htm 73, (Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF, Plant City, FL, USA, EL87WX, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) PROPAGATION UP-DATE AND WARNING A Prolonged X1.2 Solar Flare, took place just before 0400 UTC this morning, this came from Sunspot 0486. It is thought that the CME emitted is at least partially Earth Bound, and is expected to arrive during the UT Day of Monday October 27th. Earth is also expected to come under the Influence of a Coronal Hole Stream, on 27th. Watch the Solar Wind Figures over the next 36 Hours or so, also I would expect the NOAA Magnetometer to 'take another hit' as the CME passes SOHO to the Earth`s Magnetic Field. Present Magnetic Conditions are in fact, Quiet (K=2 to 3), the Solar Flux is high (around 220) therefore in the very Short Term conditions could really be quite good, probably for the rest of 26th October (To- day), but then a sharp and possibly sudden deterioration of conditions on 27th. Should there be any more large Solar Flares during the Next 24 Hours, temporary black-outs will be noted in Sunlit parts of the Earth. These usually last under an hour and affect LOW frequencies First, spreading up. CME Magnetic 'Hits' are High Frequencies First spreading down, often in a simultaneous manner. Coronal Hole Streams arrive more gradually and gradual increases in the Solar Wind Values is normally noticed, compared to a CME 'Hit' which will normally cause the Solar Wind to rise suddenly (Ken Fletcher, 1325UTC 26th October 2003, BDXC- UK via DXLD) ###