DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-195, October 31, 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 1205: WWCR: Sat 1130, Sun 0330 on 5070, 0730 on 3210, Wed 1030 on 9475 RFPI: Sat 0130. . . on 7445 [may be off the air; see COSTA RICA] WRMI: Sat 1900+ on 15725 WBCQ: Mon 0515 on 7415 WRN: Rest of world, Sat 0900; Europe only Sun 0530; N America Sun 1500 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 1205 (high version): [Note: high version lacks the final 25 seconds, propagation] (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1205h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1205h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1205.html WORLD OF RADIO 1205 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1205.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1205.rm UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS Hi from South west France Glenn, some info I got from VOA news now that I used to listen to on the Hotbird satellite [see USA]. Incidentally I listen to you on the same satellite every Saturday morning via WRN. Thanks for the great DX reporting. All the best from the sunny Pyrenees (Jean-Marc Dumont, F5OBV, Oct 30) I want to thank you again not only for the service that you perform with the radio program, the website and DXLD, but also for the way you have treated me personally over the years. You've always been open and aboveboard with me, courteous to a fault. You sir, are a true gentlemen. A vanishing breed in this day and age. I'm proud to be able to share tips with you on the rare occasion that I stumble across something (John H. Carver Jr., Mid-North Indiana) ** AUSTRALIA. 1701.14, Brisbane, R. Brisvaani, Oct 5, 1225 - presumed. Noted with female talk in Hindi, with subcontinental music; low level signal before fading. Reportedly 100 watts power. Thanks to Mika Mäkeläinen for tip (Guy Atkins, WA) (Grayland WA DX-pedition, Antennas: 3 Beverages ~700 feet to SW, W and NW, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) 1701.15, Brisbane Radio 1701, 1305 10/13. Presumed the one off frequency, weak with chants, Sounded Arabic, hard to tell for certain with low signal level (NIGEL PIMBLETT, Medicine Hall [sic], Alberta, Canada T1A 1B4, DXing with Kenwood R-5000, 1000' West and NW beverages, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) This one runs only 400 watts. Great going (Pat Martin, IRCA ed.) ** AUSTRALIA. 639, Katherine, 8RN, 1436 3 Oct world music mention //2485, poor to fair (Nick Hall-Patch, WA) + Oct 3 1440 - Heard here with Aussie talk, clearly // 2485 'Shower Service.' Very happy with this rare catch. In at fair level for 10 minutes (John Bryant, WA) (Grayland WA Dxpedition, Antennas: 3 Beverages ~700 feet to SW, W and NW, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. B-03 Schedule for Voice International via DRW 250 kW: Chinese 0800-1200 on 17635 / 340 deg 1200-1500 on 13790 / 340 deg 1500-1800 on 15150 / 340 deg 2200-0200 on 15165 / 340 deg English 0900-1100 on 11955 / 316 deg 1000-1400 on 13685 / 340 deg 1400-1800 on 13635 / 303 deg 1800-2100 on 11685 / 303 deg Hindi 1100-1400 on 13635 / 303 deg Indonesian 0030-0100 on 21680 / 290 deg 0430-0500 on 21680 / 290 deg 0530-0600 on 21680 / 290 deg 0600-1000 on 17820 / 290 deg 1000-1300 on 15365 / 290 deg 1300-1800 on 7245 / 290 deg 2330-2400 on 9630 / 290 deg (Observer, Bulgaria, Oct 31 via DXLD) ** CHINA. 1322.93, 1242 Oct 4 Fair to good at times in Russian with mostly music of all genres with talk in Russian, with mentions of 'Kitay'. ID at 12:45 by YL (Volodya Salmaniw, WA) 1323, Changchun, CRI, Oct 4 1220 - Heard with a huge signal with M+W in RR and then into classical music selection. Parallels heard: 963//1116//1323 ID in RR at 1245 translates to 'International Service of China' with no mention of 'Govorit Pekin.' May have retired that ancient name at last (John Bryant, WA) + 1307 10-4 Radio Beijing in Russian strong. 1257 10-5 good w/woman in Russian listing names of Chinese provinces (Bruce Portzer, WA) + 1319 4 Oct RR talk fair, likely this (Nick Hall-Patch, WA) + 1330 10/4 nice and big and strong with classical music program, way on top and a big, big signal. Announcement in RR after break in the music at the half hour, then opera (Chuck Hutton, WA) + 10/4 1326 RR talk by man (Phil Bytheway, WA) (Grayland WA DX-pedition, Antennas: 3 Beverages ~700 feet to SW, W and NW, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. Glenn, Not a lot new tonight. RFPI said they would keep doing this every night until they were forced out. Spent a lot of time reading from the UN Declaration of Human Rights which they say UFP is in violation of. Said they have hired another lawyer and, if I understood them correctly, are planning to file a lawsuit against the university with the World Court. Stressed that they don't want to put the University out of business, just get what's due them. Stated again that several people had offered to donate land and that they weren't going to reveal names. Did not announce that they had come to terms with anyone though. Asked people again to fill out the form letters to send to Costa Rican President. UFP says that this is a private matter and Costa Rica has nothing to say about it, it's UN business on UN property and nothing Costa Rican about it. Stated that Maurice Strong had complained about something they broadcast three years ago and he, Strong, said he wanted them out of there. Stated that many of the native people had warned them not to have any dealings with Strong. Other than that it was same old, same old. Hope this is of some help to you (John H. Carver Jr., Mid-North Indiana, UT Oct 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Did not monitor 7445 at 0330 UT Oct 31, but by an hour later they were in normal programming. Tonight, UT Nov 1, could be RFPI`s last transmission from present facilities --- if not the previous night (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. NHK Warudo via Canada 11705 has a problem at 1400 in Japanese: RHC is still running past 1400 on that frequency, \\ 11760, noted Oct 31 at 1405 with a Castro speech of Sept 28 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. Checking R. Prague in English to NAm as in 3-187: OK at 0100 on 6200 and 7345, but no English at 0200, in Spanish instead, and nothing at 0400. [next night?], 0200 and 0400 in English also on 6200 and 7345; someone must have been asleep at the switch (Bob Thomas, CT, Oct 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Spanish scheduled at 0300 (gh) ** ECUADOR. 4200.00 H kHz Radio Vigia, Quito(Ecuador) 30 October 2003 Amigos DXistas! My unID "Radio.... LV de...." on 4200.00 kHz is a station nearby: Radio Vigia "La Voz de la Policia Nacional", Quito - it´s an harmonic from 840.00 kHz. 73s (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador - SWB América Latina, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Fifth harmonic! ** ECUADOR. R. Oriental, 4781.37, Oct 19 1020-1100+, Spanish talk, HC music, 1030 time pips, ads, jingles, ID, poor in noise. R. El Buen Pastor, 4815, Oct 19 1025-1050+, HC music, Spanish announcements, 1043 ID, talk in Quichua, strong, very good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR [and non]. It seems Enid is home to more than one international SW personality --- And what it is that draws retired radio missionaries to OK? Clayton & Helen Howard settled in eastern OK http://www.enidnews.com/story.php?story_id=52624&c=32 LOCAL COUPLE’S RADIO EXPERIENCES PRICELESS 10/29/03 By Phil Brown / commentary Ben Cummings was not exactly actor Robin Williams, and his early- morning radio show was not exactly ``GOOD MORNING VIETNAM!!`` But, would you believe ``Coffee With Music`` with ``Benito el Gringito`` in the early morning on radio station HCJB at Quito, Ecuador. Ben and Mary Cummings, residents of Enid`s Golden Oaks Retirement Village were radio Christian missionaries in Quito, Ecuador for 30 years before coming to Enid to retire. ``Benito el Gringito`` means the ``little gringo`` or the ``little American.`` Cummings says they played music and told jokes along with presenting a Christian message on the early-morning show. Cummings was the little gringo. The show was all in the Spanish language of course, and according to Cummings, most Ecuadorians thought he was one of them, just pretending to be a ``gringo.`` It was a highly successful radio show in Ecuador, according to Cummings. Mary was a musician at the HCJB World Radio station. The radio station at Quito, and hundreds of other FM radio stations like it in many countries, is broadcasting the Christian message around the world on a daily basis, and in a partnership arrangement with the World Radio Mission [sic] Fellowship. The fellowship is supported by donations from churches and individuals, with the money coming from many individual donors. The organization has helped establish more than 250 radio stations around the world. There is more to the fellowship than broadcasting. It also helped establish two hospitals in Ecuador and satellite health clinics, as well as helping with sewer and water lines. Ecuador, a country of about 13.5 million people, is located on the west coast of South America between Colombia and Peru. It has a Democratic form of government, with an elected president. Ecuador is an oil producer and is the smallest member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). According to Cummings, the government places no restrictions on the radio station there. They are there to serve the country. In fact the station has received two commendations from the Ecuadorian government --- the highest honor awarded to civilians. The programming on HCJB is not just ``preaching,`` it also has a strong news department. It was the first radio station in Ecuador, established in 1931. The first television station was on the air in 1959. But The Cummings have had at least a few tight moments during their career, as unwanted Americans in a foreign land. They were in Panama in 1964 when the Panamanians were rioting to protest the United States ownership of the Panama Canal. They wanted it returned to them. So to get their point across, the Panamanians resorted to violence in the streets, damaging property and beating up Americans wherever they found them. Mary described the scene: ``We lived on the Panama side, and had to sneak out the next morning and go over to the Canal Zone side, which was American. We spent a couple of weeks there until things quieted down. They were burning cars right in front of our house. We were in a second floor apartment. ``There was shooting going on, and Molotov cocktails being tossed around, and Americans were getting beaten up if they found them. We had three little kids, and we had to slip across the street. We were right on the borderline.`` The Panama Canal Zone was returned to Panama in 1979, and they were handed control of the canal itself in January 1990. But not all of the Cummings` time has been spent in Central and South America. They have also made two trips to the Ukraine, which once was part of the old Soviet Union. They were there in 1993, and again in 2002 --- teaching radio courses to the Ukrainians. Ben said they were well received by the Ukrainians, who seem to like Americans, but the Ukrainians do not like the Russians. So, why did Ben and Mary Cummings, after a lifetime of globe trotting settle in Enid — a place where they had never been before. They came here because a friend told them about Golden Oaks Retirement Village. And, it was exactly what they were looking for, a Christian retirement community with full health care --- and a house on the lake. It was the house on the lake that sealed the deal. Mary always wanted to live next to the water, and Ben likes to fish. This lake is just about 25 yards from their door (Enid News & Eagle Oct 29 via DXLD) ** EGYPT. R. Cairo North American service in English continues to be worthless! At 2300, 11725 is drowned out by 11720 [WYFR?]; at 0200 11780 has something else on it [Brasil?]. Also 11775 has a *really* nasty jammer [Cuba] (Bob Thomas, CT, Oct 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EL SALVADOR. R. Imperial, 17834.89, Oct 22 1750-1945+, Spanish ballads, Spanish talk, Ids. Nice campo music. Poor-weak with deep fades, but some occasional fades up to fair to good level (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA [non]. Voice Of Democratic Eritrea observed Wed. Oct 30 1700-1759 9820 Jülich. Usual signature tune and ID in Tigrigna. Also scheduled for Mondays (Silvain Domen, Belgium, DX LISTENING DIGEST) What do you think that "ELF" after SBO is on 9820? I heard that there was a second programme from 1730, but from whom? (Mauno Ritola, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That took me some research. It was a big surprise then, that Mr. Weyl sent out an 'UNVAILED' edition on Sept 24th, NOT INTENDED for the DX community, but instead meant for spread out to the other HFCC organizations. The 5925 kHz is a vailed outlet, like all entries in the table given BELOW. The 9820 1700-1800 outlet contains - I guess - mixed organizations, depending of day of the week. First - "SBO Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo" organization is well established in Berlin Germany for many years/decades. 1700-1730 Tu/We/Fr/Su Oromo, 1700-1800 Tu/We/Fr/Su Amharic summer 15670, winter 9820 JUL. Second - But this is a real CLANDESTINE: ELF-RC, Postfach 1946, D-65409 Ruesselsheim, Germany, see below. VDE - Voice of Democratic Eritrea Sudanese Arabic: 'Idaatu Sawt Demokratiya Eritrea' Dimtsi Dimocrasyawit Eritrea seems working on vailed status. ELF: Mon/Thur only. A nationwide inquiry on German telephone directory to 'Neguse Tseggou' tells no answer. Also no entry for ELF-RC in local Ruesselsheim database. But now Oct 30th, the Version-02 of DTK schedule doesn't contain these entries anymore. Of Sept 24th: 9820 1630 1659 38,47,48 209 140 216 36 261003 280304 JUL 100 DTK TIS 9820 1600 1659 47,48 209 140 216 15 261003 280304 JUL 100 DTK VES 17655 0700 0759 38,47,48 106 145 217 1 261003 280304 JUL 100 DTK DPE 7220 1830 1929 47,48 210 140 216 4 261003 280304 JUL 100 DTK DPE 5925 1500 1559 27,28 402 ND 976 7 261003 280304 JUL 100 DTK VDE 9820 1700 1759 38,39,48 209 140 216 25 261003 280304 JUL 100 DTK VDE 6180 0900 0959 27,28 402 ND 976 7 011103 280304 JUL 100 DTK RRK 11840 1900 1959 47,48 106 145 217 6 011103 280304 JUL 100 DTK RRK 1=Sunday ... 7=Saturday V o Democratic Eritrea, Tigrigna, EaAF 1500-1530 Sat Tigre 5925 JUL 1530-1600 Sat Arabic 5925 JUL 1700-1730 Mon/Thu Tigre 9820 JUL 1730-1800 Mon/Thu Ar[x15670]9820 JUL Sudanese Arabic: 'Idaatu Sawt Demokratiya Eritrea' UPDATES - Some personal comments: According to DTK Juelich transmissions in previous seasons, the entries with short call 'DTK', could be attached to the calls, given BELOW. TIS - Tigrean Internat Solidarity for Justice and Democracy Radio Suthid. VES - Voice of Ethiopian Salvation, Medehin Radio DPE - Radio Voice of the Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity VDE - Voice of Democratic Eritrea Sudanese Arabic: 'Idaatu Sawt Demokratiya Eritrea' Dimtsi Dimocrasyawit Eritrea RRK - Radio Rainbow, Kestedamena Radio. (WWDXC, BC-DX Sept 24) and: 5925 kHz, VOICE OF DEMOCRATIC ERITREA (Dimtsi Dimocrasyawit Eritrea), (Clandestine via DTK Jülich), full data A5 qsl-letter with personal remark, v/s Neguse Tseggou, In 24 days for a report with 1 EUR in stamps to : Voice of Democratic Eritrea, Postfach 1946, D-65409 Ruesselsheim, Deutschland. (M. Schöch-D Sep 25, 2003 for CRW 144) V of Dem. Eritrea, no rp, 5925 kHz, QSL-letter 215 days (via DTK Jülich. Addr: ELF-RC, Postfach 1946, D-65409 Ruesselsheim, Germany) (L.Botto Fiora-I in BDXC-UK QSL-Report Aug 2003, CRW 141) 73 (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERIREA/ETHIOPIA [nons]. UAE(non): Winter B-03 schedule for UNMEE in English/Amharic/Oromo and etc.: 1030-1130 Tue on 21550 DHA 250 kW / 225 deg 0900-1000 Sun on 21460 DHA 250 kW / 225 deg (Observer, Bulgaria, Oct 31 via DXLD) ** FINLAND. To add to your list of YLE frequencies. Anyone interested in the YLE Russian service: UT/GMT 0400-0445 on 6095 0900-0945 on 17760 (for Asia) 1800-1845 on 7135 0800-0900 on 6180 SAT ONLY and MW 558 kHz: 03.00-03.45, 09.00-09.45, 20.00-20.45 (This is the first time YLE uses 41mb, at least since WW2. - Russian on 17760 runs partially parallel with Finnish also on 16 mb.) Besides Russian, YLE Russian airs segments in languages such as Udmurt and Mari (weekends). These are languages that belong to the Fenno- Ugric language group. Finns cannot understand those languages though. The broadcasts started some years ago as part of Finnish aid projects aimed at supporting the continued development of those minority languages in Russia (Juhani Niinistö, YLE Radio Finland, Oct 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [and non]. DW sent their Winter Schedule for CIRAF 1,2,3,4,9 which means Alaska/Canada. German 1800-2200 17860 Kigali 2200-2400 11955 Antigua, 17860 Kigali 0000-0200 6075 Antigua, 6100 Sines, 9655 Kigali to 0155 0200-0400 6075 Antigua, 6100 Sackville, 6145 Germany, 9870 Kigali 0400-0600 6075 Antigua to 0555, 6100 Bonaire [not entirely: see previous item], 6145 Germany English 0500-0600 15410 Madagascar 0600-0700 15410 Kigali 1600-1700 7225 Trincomalee 2100-2200 15410 Kigali 0000-0059 7290 Trincomalee (via Richard Lemke, St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) As before, there are some odd transmissions you would not expect to serve this area. In particular, Trincomalee 7 MHz. Does that really work at 0000 UT = 4 pm PST, 3 pm AST? Possibly it would at 1600 UT = 8 am PST, 7 am AST, but not supposed to serve any part of NAm inside the 40m hamband! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. B03 DTK T-SYSTEMS JUELICH SCHEDULE, VERSION-02 SCHEDULE OF GERMAN TELEKOM TRANSMITTING STATION JUELICH B03 period (26/10/2003 - 28/03/2004) frq start stop ciraf azi day loc pow broad Remarks 6120 0000-0100 7,8,9 295 1234567 JUL 100 LRT Backup 5975 0915-1305 28 60 1234567 JUL 100 DTK(DRM)# 5975 1305-1455 28 60/290 1234567 JUL 100 DTK(DRM) 9760 1100-1300 27,37 220 1234567 JUL 100 DTK(DRM)# 15715 0900-1330 18,28 20 1234567 JUL 100 DTK(DRM)# 21735 1130-1300 41 90 1234567 JUL 100 DTK(DRM)# 9435 0045-0100 41 90 1 JUL 100 PAB 9495 0130-0145 41 90 1 JUL 100 PAB 13605 1400-1430 39,40 100 1 JUL 100 PAB 13605 1400-1430 39,40 100 7 JUL 100 PAB 061203-280304 13605 1430-1445 39,40 100 7 JUL 100 PAB 13605 1445-1500 39,40 100 17 JUL 100 PAB 12015 1500-1515 39,40 115 1 JUL 100 PAB 12015 1500-1515 39,40 100 4 JUL 100 PAB 12015 1515-1530 39,40, 100 1 JUL 100 PAB 12015 1530-1545 39,40 100 1 JUL 100 PAB 12015 1545-1600 39,40 100 1 JUL 100 PAB 5945 2330-0030 41,49 70 1234567 JUL 100 DVB 6120 2100-2200 37NW 215 1234567 JUL 100 CBS 6045 0958-1100 27,28 ND 1 JUL 100 EVR 6045 1100-1200 27,28 ND 1 JUL 100 EVR only 1st Sun of month 5985 1000-1059 27,28 115 1 JUL 100 CHW 6015 1830-1859 27,28 ND 56 WER 125 EMG 9860 2200-2230 12,13,14 240 4 WER 250 EMG 15225 1100-1130 19-26 30 7 WER 250 EMG 9635 1500-1530 29,30 60 7 WER 250 EMG 17870 1500-1559 48 145 17 JUL 100 AWH 17870 1500-1530 48 145 3456 JUL 100 AWH 11840 1830-1859 52,53 160 5 JUL 100 RRP 9820 1700-1759 38,39,48 140 1346 JUL 100 SBO ELF 9710 0500-0530 38,39 115 1234567 JUL 100 IBR 7260 2000-2100 37,38 175 1234567 JUL 100 IBR 9660 1730-1759 47,48 135 1234567 WER 125 IBR 9495 1900-2000 46NE,SE,NW 190 1234567 JUL 100 IBR 9520 1730-1845 47,48,52 150 1234567 WER 125 IBR 9495 1600-1629 37,38 175 1 JUL 100 UNL 9435 0100-0129 41 90 1 JUL 100 UNL 6015 1730-1759 27,28 ND 345 WER 125 UNL 11840 1800-1829 46,47,48 160 1 JUL 100 UNL 7105 1900-1929 39,40 115 1 JUL 100 UNL 13810 1300-1559 28,29,39,40 115 1234567 JUL 100 TOM 13810 1400-1559 18,28,29 30 1234567 JUL 100 TOM 9770 0400-0500 55,58,59,60 240 1234567 JUL 100 TOM 6110 1100-1200 27,28 ND 1 JUL 100 TOM only 2nd Sun of month 6110 1200-1559 27,28 ND 1234567 JUL 100 TOM 6110 1559-1659 27,28 ND 7 JUL 100 TOM 21590 1400-1559 12,13 260 1234567 JUL 100 TOM 9490 0357-0559 47,48,52,53 160 23456 JUL 100 RTB 9490 0527-0559 47,48,52,53 160 17 JUL 100 RTB 17580 0600-0812 47,48,52,53 160 23456 JUL 100 RTB 17580 0600-1059 47,48,52,53 160 7 JUL 100 RTB 17580 0600-0906 47,48,52,53 160 1 JUL 100 RTB 21565 1057-1306 47,48,52,53 160 23456 JUL 100 RTB 21565 1100-1217 47,48,52,53 160 7 JUL 100 RTB 21565 1157-1217 47,48,52,53 160 1 JUL 100 RTB 17570 1557-1816 47,48,52,53 160 123456 JUL 100 RTB 17570 1657-1831 47,48,52,53 160 7 JUL 100 RTB 6015 1900-2000 28,29 60 7 JUL 100 BVB 6015 1900-2030 28,29 60 1 JUL 100 BVB 5975 0800-0915 27,28 290 17 JUL 100 BVB 9470 1900-1930 39,40 120 5 WER 250 BVB 9470 1900-2000 39,40 120 6 WER 250 BVB 9470 1900-2015 39,40 120 17 WER 250 BVB 7295 1900-1915 46,47 170 2345 JUL 100 BVB 7295 1900-1930 46,47 170 16 JUL 100 BVB 7295 1900-1959 46,47 170 7 JUL 100 BVB 9645 1630-1659 38S,39S,47,48 130 1234567 JUL 100 BVB 9645 1659-1729 38S,39S,47,48 130 2345 JUL 100 BVB 11690 0500-0530 39,40 120 246 WER 125 BVB 11650 1615-1730 39,40 125 3456 NAU 125 BVB 11650 1657-1757 39,40 125 17 NAU 125 BVB 17565 0845-1015 38,39 130 6 JUL 100 BVB 6015 1900-1945 28,29 60 23456 JUL 100 BVB VOH 5975 0800-0845 27,28 290 23456 JUL 100 BVB VOH 7210 1800-1859 39,40 100 17 JUL 100 BVB VOH 9860 1530-1700 39,40 115 25 JUL 100 BVB VOH 9860 1530-1745 39,40 115 3 JUL 100 BVB VOH 9860 1530-1759 39,40 115 46 JUL 100 BVB VOH 9860 1515-1759 39,40 115 17 JUL 100 BVB VOH 11650 1615-1730 39,40 125 2 NAU 125 BVB VOH 9705 1530-1615 40,41 90 3 JUL 100 BVB VOH 9705 1530-1600 40,41 90 124567 JUL 100 BVB VOH 9585 1330-1430 49,50 70 1234567 JUL 100 NHS 13650 1430-1529 41,43,49 75 1234567 WER 250 GFA 13790 1530-1629 40,41 90 1234567 WER 250 GFA 9495 0030-0130 40,41 90 1234567 WER 250 GFA 9765 2330-0030 41,43,49 75 1234567 WER 250 GFA 13720 1700-1800 37,38 175 1234567 JUL 100 YFR-1 9595 2000-2100 39,40 115 1234567 JUL 100 YFR-1 11735 2000-2100 37,38,46,47 190 1234567 JUL 100 YFR-2 9815 0400-0559 46,47,52,53 160 1234567 JUL 100 UMC 11690 0600-0800 37,46 190 1234567 JUL 100 UMC 13820 1700-1859 38,48,53 145 1234567 JUL 100 UMC 11735 1700-1859 46,47,52,53 160 1234567 JUL 100 UMC 7285 2300-0400 55,59,60 230 1234567 JUL 100 HRT 7285 0000-0359 17 300 1234567 JUL 100 HRT 7285 0200-0559 17 320 1234567 JUL 100 HRT 9470 0500-0800 55,59,60 230 1234567 JUL 100 HRT 9470 0600-1000 58,59,60 270 1234567 JUL 100 HRT FMO's (Frequency Managing Organisations) 6140 0600-1000 27,28 175 1234567 JUL 100 DWL 6140 1000-1300 27,28 120 1234567 JUL 100 DWL DRM 6140 1300-1600 27,28 175 1234567 JUL 100 DWL 6140 1600-1900 27,28 ND 1234567 JUL 100 DWL DRM 5965 0557-0756 27,28,37-40 130 23456 JUL 100 DWL VRT2 5965 0557-0756 27,28,37-40 ND 17 JUL 100 DWL VRT2 5965 0757-0826 27,28 ND 1234567 JUL 100 VRT2 5910 1827-1956 27,28,37-39 130 1234567 JUL 100 VRT2 5985 1857-2056 27,28 ND 7 JUL 100 VRT1 6075 0500-0559 28SE 115 1234567 JUL 100 AWR 9840 0600-0730 37,38W 200 1234567 JUL 100 AWR 11730 1000-1100 28W 145 17 JUL 100 AWR 5945 1730-1800 28E 115 1234567 JUL 100 AWR 9510 1800-1900 28E 115 1234567 JUL 100 AWR 11845 1900-2030 37,38W 200 1234567 JUL 100 AWR 7340 1127-1200 28,29 105 7 JUL 100 TWR 5945 1327-1345 28 130 1234567 JUL 100 TWR 5960 1657-1730 28 110 7 JUL 100 TWR 7180 1657-1730 28 100 7 JUL 100 TWR 7315 0557-0615 28,29 100 23456 JUL 100 TWR 7315 0927-0945 28 100 34567 JUL 100 TWR 5960 1727-1800 28 105 123456 JUL 100 TWR 5960 1730-1800 28 110 7 JUL 100 TWR 13790 0555-0800 37S,38W,46 200 1234567 JUL 100 SRI 9885 0555-0800 37S,38 160 1234567 JUL 100 SRI 9755 1625-1815 28,38E,39 115 1234567 JUL 100 SRI 11810 1625-1815 38,39 115 1234567 JUL 100 SRI 9820 1825-2130 37S,38W,46 200 1234567 JUL 100 SRI 13660 1825-2130 38,48,53W 145 1234567 JUL 100 SRI 11920 1825-2130 47,52,53,57 160 1234567 SOT SRI 17665 0555-0800 47,52,53,57 160 1234567 SOT SRI 21770 0825-1030 47,52,53,57 160 1234567 SOT SRI 15555 1625-1815 38,48,53W 145 1234567 SOT SRI 9885 2155-2400 13-16 240 1234567 SOT SRI 17555 1230-1300 29,30 80 1234567 JUL 100 IBB 11885 1500-1559 29,30 75 1234567 JUL 100 IBB 6180 1600-1659 39,40 70 1234567 JUL 100 IBB 7105 1600-1659 29SO 90 1234567 JUL 100 IBB 12110 1700-1759 39,40 100 1234567 JUL 100 IBB 12110 1900-2000 39,40 100 1234567 JUL 100 IBB 9600 1900-2000 28,39 100 1234567 JUL 100 IBB 9495 1800-1859 39,40 100 1234567 JUL 100 IBB 9840 1800-1859 29SO,39NO 80 1234567 JUL 100 IBB 5995 0200-0400 39,40 100 1234567 JUL 100 VOR 9555 1500-1600 39,40 115 1234567 JUL 100 VOR 5975 2000-2200 39,40 110 1234567 JUL 100 VOR 5965 2000-2200 39,40 105 1234567 JUL 100 VOR 5990 2100-2200 39,40 115 1234567 JUL 100 VOR 6175 2300-2400 39,40 100 1234567 JUL 100 VOR * changes + active on demand # momentary not active AWH Allerweltshaus Köln e.V. [R. Rhino International Africa] AWR Adventist World Radio BVB Bible Voice Broadcasting CBS Radio Taiwan international CHW Christliche Wissenschaft DTK Deutsche Telekom DVB Democratic Voice of Burma DWL Deutsche Welle DLF Deutschlandfunk DLR DeutschlandRadio EMG Evangelische Missions Gemeinden in Deutschland EVR Evangeliums Radio Hamburg GFA Gospel For Asia HRT Hrvratska Radio Televizija IBB International Broadcast Bureau IBR IBRA Radio Sweden LRT Radio Vilnius Lithuania PAB Pan Am Broadcasting RNW Radio Netherlands World Service RRP Radio Reveil Paroles de Vie RSA Radio Salama RTB Radio Television Belge de la communaute Francaise SBO Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo SRI Swiss Radio International TIS Tigrean International Solidarity for Justice and Democracy TOM The Overcomer Broadcast TWR Trans World Radio UMC The United Methodist Church UNL Universelles Leben VOH High Adventure Ministries - The Voice of Hope (ex HAM) VOR Voice of russia VRT Vlaamse Radio en Televisie (ex RVI) YFR WYFR Family Radio Ralf Weyl, T-Systems, Regional MediaBroadcast Cologne, MediaBroadcast Address: Merscher Hoehe, 52428 Juelich Phone: +49 24 61 697-340 Fax: +49 24 61 697-371 Mobile: +49 171 56 13 207 Internet: http://www.t-systems.com If you would like to visit our Internet page with regard to short-wave business please use the following link-address: http://www.t-systems.de/extranet/content_mitte/0,,-887-b-e,00.html (DTK T-Systems Juelich schedule, via WWDXC BC-DX Oct 30 via DXLD) ** GERMANY. Some notes on the transmitting station at Zehlendorf, about 10 km east of Oranienburg and officially called after this town; the village Zehlendorf is not to be confused with a district of Berlin called Zehlendorf, too. The old 750 kW longwave transmitter was scrapped about three months ago, resulting in a quite empty appearance of the transmitter hall although it houses three transmitters now. A picture made when the old transmitter was still there can be found at http://www.telefunken- sendersysteme.de/Produkte/AM_Sender/am_sender.html Behind the new transmitter are the three PA stages, to the right the audio frequency PA stages and in the background some pre-stages. Note the wooden trestles inmidst the working PA stages; they were necessary to install the new transmitter in front of the old one which had to stay in operation until the new one became finally operational. The new 177 kHz transmitter is a Telefunken TRAM500, consisting on a pair of 250 kW transmitters. There is no straight STL link from Berlin anymore (in the past there were three cable links to Zehlendorf, one of them an emergency circuit of limited audio quality), instead an SCPC link on Eurobird is the usual audio source while special programming, including the regular sea weather forecasts, is fed to Zehlendorf through an ISDN codec. For the audio source switching a fader module and a system for remote control from the Deutschlandradio control room were installed; there is also an automated bypass path to prevent a loss of modulation in case the switching/fader system fails. No audio processing (except from a simple limiter) is in use because Deutschlandradio wishes to do without, hence the modulation depth hardly exceeds 60% on peaks. The GDR-like frequency response with a much reduced bass range was designed by Deutschlandradio itself, too. Voice of Russia on 603 is transmitted with a TRAM50, run at 20 kW. The two channels of the Intelsat feed recently discussed in detail were already used by VOR as a stereo pair to feed live concerts for rebroadcasting to other stations. The third transmitter in the hall is a TRAM200 (like the TRAM500 a transmitter pair), upgraded for 250 kW operation on 693. No satellite feeds were used by Megaradio, also due to the local programming they aired on their various frequencies. The special switching equipment for this purpose was removed in the meantime; what remained is a brand new transmitter lying idle now. Over to the antennas: The 360 metres tall main mast was reintroduced this summer after being unused for a full decade. Since shortly after the collapse of the GDR the backup antenna, a trideco system (at least that's the translation for the German term Dreieckflächenantenne given by a ham), was used instead. But the main mast had to be revived because the bandwidth of the Dreieckflächenantenne is not sufficient for DRM operation. For mediumwave a 129 metres tall mast was constructed together with the installation of the transmitters. Like the longwave antenna it doesn't radiate itself but is the carrier of a cone-like antenna installation. This mast also carries the antennas for the FM and DAB transmissions meanwhile introduced at Zehlendorf, too. These transmitters (all Telefunken models) are housed in containers at the mast. There are a 1 kW transmitter for BB-Radio on 107.9 and lower powered ones (about 200 watts) for another version of BB-Radio on 95.4 and for Antenne Brandenburg (RBB) on 90.8. Two more FM transmitters are idle. One is for 104.9 and was abandoned by JAM FM after this station inherited the 93.6 frequency at Berlin when FAZ Radio went bankrupt. This is a modest power outlet, so no real substitute for Zehlendorf, but JAM FM was never interested in serving the rural landscape, Berlin is all that matters. The other idle transmitter on 91.8 belonged to Radio Power 4, a station from Angermünde which broadcasted (also via further low power transmitters) to northeastern Brandenburg and went bankrupt itself, first claiming that they were off air due to a technical fault at T-Systems. Of course the transmitters were switched off deliberately for obvious reasons. The DAB transmitter in another container operates on channel 11. The usual channel 12 cannot be used due to a high power TV transmitter near Szczecin on channel 12 Poland refuses to remove from this channel. So much about Zehlendorf. One note about Königs Wusterhausen: The very last transmission from there went out one day before the new TRAM500 at Zehlendorf was inaugurated (this was likely on March 30 1999). (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Oct 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [non]. Two notes on the Telefunken website: http://www.telefunken-sendersysteme.de/Produkte/Antennenanlagen/antennenanlagen.html shows the 1557 antenna on Malta, most likely scrapped in the meantime. And where was this picture made: http://www.telefunken-sendersysteme.de/index.html Probably this is the Iranian Sirjan site? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE? Hi everybody, I got a report from someone in Israel telling me he could here 'Brother Stair' via Greece on 1700 kHz from 7 to 10 AM local (Jerusalem) time. Does anyone know anything about this, or could he simply have a spurious signal in his radioset (and if it was a spurious, spurious of what?)? Thanks in advance for your help! Herman Boel, EMWG (27/10-2003) Just wanted to let everyone know that I have had a confirmation from someone in Thessaloniki (Greece) at the meantime who can also hear the Overcomer Ministry on 1700 kHz... Herman Boel, EMWG (27/10-2003) (both via Ydun`s MW News via DXLD) ** HAWAII. There was a VERY rare out-of-season Es2 opening to Hawaii from 0230 UT/1830 PST to 0312 UT/1912 PST on 6 meters & I re-logged KHON "Fox 2" Honolulu at 0300. This is the first time in 35 years of TV DXing that I've seen Ch 2 Honolulu outside of the summer Es season. Meanwhile, strong Au on 6 meters to usual eastern B.C., Alberta, eastern Washington and Montana with un-ID Au on clear ch 3 with TV VHF antenna pointed northeast. 73 (Mike Cherry, VE7SKA, Salt Spring Island BC, grid square: CN88gt, 0400 UT Oct 30, WTFDA via DXLD) Are you sure that was 2xE. Folks on the West Coast were working Hawaii on F2 6 meters, as I did a bit earlier in the day. My gut is that it was an F2 contact, but you saw it -- I didn't. Very interesting catch in any event (Peter Baskind, Memphis, ibid.) 2,480 miles to Honolulu - definitly double-hop. The Hawaiians had propagation to BC, Wash, Oreg, central & southern Calif, Nevada & AZ! You may be right - but the usual F2 window here for Hawaii is 1800 to 2100 UT approx. The signals didn't have the ionospheric fading that usually accompanies F2. Seeing KHON definitely cements my argument - the pictures were clear and strong and didn't display the horrendous ghosting that usually marks F2 TV reception (Mike Cherry VE7SKA (CN88gt), ibid.) Odd, though, that there would be an F2 and 2E opportunity concurrently. But this solar stuff is pretty odd (Baskind, ibid.) Given the unusual solar conditions, is it possible the E and F layers *merged*? (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View (Nashville), TN, ibid.) ** HONDURAS. R. Litoral, 4832.03, Oct 19 1100-1130+ Spanish talk, Spanish religious music, 1103 ID; strong, very good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. La Voz de La República Islamica de Irán se está escuchando entre las 2030 y 2130 UT en 7130 kHz; sin embargo estuve chequeando las frecuencias que aparecen en el cuadro que enviaron y esta frecuencia no aparece por ninguna parte. A esta hora deberían estar transmitiendo por: 11765 y 13755 kHz, pero por allí no la estoy escuchando (José Elias Díaz, Venezuela, Oct 30, via Büschel, DXLD) IRIB Tehran escucha en GER - Alemania desde Oct 26, 2003: 7130 2030-2127 37 KAM 500 289 SPANISH IRN IRB (not 7120)!! 9750 2030-2127 37NW SIR 500 295 SPANISH IRN IRB 15320 0530-0627 27,28,37N KAM 500 289 SPANISH IRN IRB 17590 0530-0627 27,28,37N KAM 500 304 SPANISH IRN IRB 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, Stuttgart, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. TROUBLE IN THE HOLY LAND --- 'Radio Free Israel' shut down Alternative voice claims political motivations led to its demise Posted: October 29, 2003 1:00 a.m. Eastern © 2003 WorldNetDaily.com Supporters of an alternative Israeli radio station especially popular among Jewish settlers who decry the country's left-leaning media monopoly claim it has been shut down for political reasons. Arutz-7, which broadcast from a ship outside Israeli territorial waters, was closed down after Jerusalem Magistrate's Court ruled it was broadcasting illegally. The case came in response to a lawsuit by a member of the Knesset, Eitan Cabel of the Labor party... http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35323 (via Lenny Goldberg, Oct 29, WTFDA via DXLD) ISRAELI "PIRATE RADIO" BILL DELAYED Mike Brand reports: Israeli Justice Minister Yosef (Tommy) Lapid did not present his expected "pirate radio" bill to the Knesset on Wednesday. The bill would forbid advertising on unlicensed radio stations. Early last week the Cabinet decided, with support from the Likud and Shinui ministers, to back the legislation. This led to the decision of right-wing offshore broadcaster Aruz 7 to switch off its radio transmitters, although its programmes are still available on the Internet. However, Coalition whip Gideon Saar decided that the coalition agreement allows "freedom of choice" for coalition members on this issue. When Lapid realised that, in fact, most Likud members were planning to vote against the bill, he decided not to present it. (c) Radio Netherlands Media Network. # posted by Andy @ 16:09 UTC Oct 30 via DXLD) ** JAPAN. 1260, Sendai, JOIR, 1422 4 Oct JJ talk by woman, dominating channel; might have been a mention of Sendai; also dominant 1435 5 Oct, with JJ man and woman talking excitedly (Nick Hall-Patch, WA) + 1424 10/4 way on top of the domestics that were pushed into the background. Woman talking in JJ. This is supposed to be only 20 kw and if that's true it's very amazing how they were dominant on the channel from about 4600 miles away (Chuck Hutton, WA) + 1434 10-4 Japanese talk over domestics (Bruce Portzer, WA) 1440, Sapporo, JOWF, 1124 10-2 dominant o/domestics. Quite strong at times and usually overpowered the US stations both nights until sunrise. Played a mix of Japanese pop songs and English language oldies, making it easy to check for parallels (Bruce Portzer, WA) + 1424 4 Oct monster signal ruling the channel, man talking JJ (Nick Hall-Patch, WA) + Oct 5 1110 - Noted here at sometimes unbelievable levels with radio play (John Bryant, WA) + 1150 10/5 nicely over a not-very-strong set of domestics. I've heard this before - it's in most times when Japan is good - but this was way on top like never (Chuck Hutton, WA) (Grayland WA DX-pedition, Antennas: 3 Beverages ~700 feet to SW, W and NW, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. Noticed some music with a het of about 200 Hz on 9665 around 1430 Oct 30. Then talk with distinctive Korean intonation; yes, must be P`yongyang domestic service, which PWBR 2003 has on 9665v, but not this late. How can we trust NK with nuclear weapons when they can`t even maintain SW frequency tolerances (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH. 1053, jammer, Oct 3 1215 - Present throughout the DXpedition, usually at good level (John Bryant, WA) + 1226 3 Oct fair with usual whooshing, though offending station in N. Korea is now off the air?? Massive signal mixing w/JJ talk 1118 4 Oct (Nick Hall-Patch, WA) + 1122 10-4 bubble jammer still here despite NK propaganda station shutting down. Not as consistently heard as in the past - Japan was often dominant at various rechecks (Bruce Portzer, WA) (Grayland WA DX-pedition, Antennas: 3 Beverages ~700 feet to SW, W and NW, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) 1170, SOUTH KOREA, Kimje, HLSR, 1417 3 Oct dominant on channel w/woman singing; excellent strength // 972 (this isn't a normal //?); still there at 1447; also noted w/JJ talk, fair-good and dominant on channel //5975, 1253 4 Oct (Nick Hall-Patch, WA) + Oct 3 1420 - Huge signal found by Hall-Patch. Absolutely obliterating all US stations. What an opening! //972 with KK talk. (John Bryant, WA) + 1412 10/4 HLSR owning the channel with just a faint rumble of domestics way below. Two men talking in Korean with a rock solid signal. Will the domestics get anywhere complaining to the FCC about being buried by a South Korean station? (Chuck Hutton, WA) + 1433 10-4 loud w/Korean talk over domestics, 1202 10-5 RKI in Japanese over domestics (Bruce Portzer, WA) + 10/4 1540 loud KK and music (Phil Bytheway, WA) (Grayland WA DX- pedition, Antennas: 3 Beverages ~700 feet to SW, W and NW, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. ELWA, 4760, Oct 19 0557-0610+, tune-in to vibraharp IS, 0558 opening English announcements, 0600 English religious programming with traditional religious music; very weak (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LITHUANIA. Radio Vilnius schedule in B03: 0000-0030 7325 SIT NAm Lithuanian 0030-0100 7325 SIT NAm English 0900-0930 9710 SIT Eu Lithuanian 0930-1000 9710 SIT Eu English 1900-1930* 666 SIT LTU English 2300-2330 9875 SIT NAm Lithuanian 2330-2400 9875 SIT NAm English SIT = Sitkunai, Lithuania (100 kW SW, 500 kW MW). *) For domestic audience via Lietuvos radijas 1 (666 kHz+FM), also in Lithuanian 2100-2130 (FM only). (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Oct 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) How about brokered programs relayed by SIT; are any left? (gh, DXLD) ** MALAWI. Malawi Broadcasting Corporation: Got a reply for them after many attempts. It was from Abraham Nsapato, controller of Transmitter. He verified my report of 3380 and 7130, on 29th of January 2002. He also confirmed that they are no longer on SW (Emmanuel Ezeani, Sokoto, Nigeria, Oct 31, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. 1475, Kota Kinabalu, RTVM, 1248 10-4 noted woman in presumed Tagalog with pop music (Bruce Portzer, WA) + Oct 5 1140 - This RTVM Tagalog broadcast beamed north to the Philippines continues to operate off-channel. Woman heard in Tagalog at moderate level for the first audio heard in several years. I suspect that their equipment may have deteriorated some in recent years, as this station used to be a regular on East Asian Mornings (John Bryant, WA) + 1140 Oct 5 Presumed logging with weak talk by YL. Poor to fair (Volodya Salmaniw, WA) (Grayland WA DX-pedition, Antennas: 3 Beverages ~700 feet to SW, W and NW, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ** NEWFOUNDLAND [and non]. Some of you have already seen it, but in case you have not, the October Radio Guide printed a cover story on Marconi's famous DX report, and the writer concludes it was a failure. If you are interested in the story, try http://www.oldradio.com/archives/jurassic/marconi2.pdf (Barry Mishkind, AZ, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. See ECUADOR [and non] ** PAKISTAN. R. Pakistan was heard on 6226.7 in Arabic at 1848, s/off at 1900 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Russian Press Minister Mikhail Lesin congratulated the Golos Rossii (the Voice of Russia) radio station /the former International Moscow Radio) on the 74th anniversary of its creation... http://newsfromrussia.com/main/2003/10/29/50878.html (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) What`s New on VOR: NEWMARKET (on the air from Tuesday, November 4) In next week's edition of NEWMARKET its host Eugene Nikitenko plans to speak about the repercussions of the arrest of YUKOS chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the concerns expressed by Russian and Western businessmen and the stock market situation, market outlook for the coming weeks. You can also hear what an expert of Unified Financial Group has to say about the developments on the financial market following the recent Moody's upgrade of this country's credit status, and the reasons why the Chief of the Swedish giant retailer IKEA believes that Russia can be an unlimited market. NEWMARKET can be heard at 1810 UT on Tuesday, at 0710 and 2110 on Wednesday, at 0510 and 1710 on Thursday, at 0410 on Friday, at 1910 on Saturday, and at 0810 on Sunday. Copyright © 2003 The Voice of Russia (via Maryanne Kehoe, swprograms via DXLD) VOR English monitoring: No propagation on 15 MHz, but I confirm all these are very good: 0200-0600 7180, 0200-0400 6155, 0200-0300 9765, 0300-0500 7350. At 0400-0600 12010 has splash from Arabic on 12005 [Tunisia/UAE]; 7240 is Turkey in English; 7125 is VG (Bob Thoas, CT, Oct 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. See GREECE ** SUDAN [non]. /UK. Winter B-03 schedule for Sudan Radio Sce in several langs* Mon-Fri: 1500-1700 on 15530 WOF 300 kW / 140 deg *English/Arabic/Sudanese Arabic/Shona/Nuer/Dinka (Observer, Bulgaria, Oct 31 via DXLD) Re 15530, unID, and then Sudan Radio Service via Wooferton: Nooo, seems Skelton now instead: 15530 1500-1700 smtwtfs Skelton 300 150 EDUCATIONAL DEVT CNC EaAF SKN MNO (73 wb Wolfgang Bueschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) What about the other three `Educational Development Council` transmissions in VT Merlin sked? (gh) ** THAILAND. 891, Bangkok, 1446 10/5, same music Bruce reported a few minutes later, no pips on the hour, woman with news program. Mostly on top of assumed Japan who had pips across the hour, and often dominating with a really nice signal (Chuck Hutton, WA) + 1454-1458 10-5 exotic music with bells, gongs, and cymbals over/uunder JOHK. News in Thai by woman at 0501 recheck. A Thai co- worker listened to part of it and said it was national news stories about Parliament, budgets, etc. Faded under Japan 1505 (Bruce Portzer, WA) 891 UNID 1507 4 Oct woman in unID language, closer to CC than KK or JJ. Fair strength. Thailand? Also similar talk, 1507 5 Oct mixing with KK and under NHK1 with oriental wind music (Nick Hall-Patch, WA) (Grayland WA Dxpedition, Antennas: 3 Beverages ~700 feet to SW, W and NW, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) But what station?? WRTH lists as 1000 kW! R. Thailand at Saraburi (gh) ** TURKEY. VOT IS coming in nicely on 15155 until 1426* Oct 31; that would have been the English broadcast at 1330. The // 15195 must have quit a bit earlier before I tuned by. Must check these at 1330; they often run longer than 50 mins (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U A E. Dubai, English at 0330-0348 heard on 13675, 15400 (or 15395v), and 12005 has co-channel Arabic [Tunisia] (Bob Thomas, CT, Oct 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BRITISH GOVERNMENT PERMITS SOME MUSLIM BROADCASTS DURING RAMADAN | Text of report in English by Egyptian news agency MENA London, 30 Oct: The British government agreed to allow local transmission of tens of Muslim broadcasts during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. According to a report by the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya news channel, the government has already issued temporary one-month permits to several Muslim broadcasts. The step came to answer the wishes of more than two million Muslims living in the kingdom. The transmissions will be in English, Arabic, Spanish and Bengali. Source: MENA news agency, Cairo, in English 1707 gmt 30 Oct 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) Those would be low power RSLs – restricted service licences, which are constantly being issued, usually for 30-day periods (gh, DXLD) ** U K [and non]. Concorde last flight audio 12 mins - Historisch!! Zie link onder. Misschien aardig te laten horen op de ALV. http://www.kidscanfly.org/chris/concorde24.10.03.wav (via Roald Kooijman Oct 28, 2003 14:21 PST, BDXC via DXLD) Makes a statement to public eavesdroppers in the 7th minute, and beyond (gh) ** U S A. Comment: Hi there from Western Europe. I used to listen to VOA News Now on the Hotbird satellite 12484 V sr 8300 on the 4332 audio PID (shared with RFE I guess); this morning there was VAO Music Mix on this PID, and I could not find VOA News now on the other PIDs advertised on the http://www.lynsat.com site for this frequency. Where is VOA News Now? Thanks for your help. All the best from ths sunny Pyrenees (Jean-Marc Dumont, France, Oct 29, to VOA, cc to DXLD) VOA News Now has had to leave the air from 0700 to 1200 UTC for budgetary reasons. I'm sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. Please accept my personal apology. This is not something we wanted to do, but something we had to do (Neal Lavon, Acting Chief, English Programs Division, Voice of America, 330 Independence Ave. SW,| Washington, D.C. 20237 --- 202-619-0112 (voice), 202-260-8319 (FAX), 301-613-0798 (cell), via Jean-Marc, DXLD) | ** U S A. I can't listen to WRMI-15725 any more. That includes WOR, ChangeSurfer, etc. For weeks the programs are unintelligible, muffled/distorted. Do people actually pay to be on this frequency? Cairo is better. I checked their website --- The coverage maps are too small to read and you can't see what locations are under the color zones (Wells, KA2HPU in NJ, to WRMI, cc to DXLD) We certainly aren't doing anything different on our end from what we have for the past several years. It may be seasonal propagation that you're experiencing. Also, the main beam is 317 degrees, which is toward Vancouver. New Jersey looks to be about 90 degrees off the side of the main beam. You might have better luck on 7385 kHz at night, although it's the same beam direction (Jeff White, General Manager, WRMI Radio Miami International, via DXLD) WRMI modulation does leave something to be desired. There`s a big hum on the CMN feed. If CMN can`t get rid of it, WRMI could filter it out before transmission. Not that I would listen if they did (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. WMLK, 9465, Oct 22 1720-1945+ English, tune-in to usual religious talk by Elder Jacob O. Meyer about Yahweh teachings; ID. Weak but in the clear, Mon-Fri only (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. Winter B-03 schedule for AWR's "Wavescan" on Sundays: 0200-0230 7230 MOS to NoSoAs [unusual target area! -- gh] 0430-0500 9875 MOS to EaME 0500-0530 5960 MEY to SoWeNoAf 6015 MEY to EaSoEaAf 0530-0600 11905 MOS to WeME 0600-0630 15345 MEY to SoWeNoAf 0830-0900 9660 MOS to NoCeEu 17820 MOS to NoWeAf 1000-1030 11705 SDA to SoEaAs 1030-1100 11900 SDA to NoEaAs 1200-1230 15135 DHA to SoAs 1330-1400 9860 DHA to CeAs 11755 SDA to NoEaAs 15235 DHA to SoAs 1530-1600 15225 DHA to SoAs 1600-1630 15495 SDA to SoAs 1630-1700 11980 SDA to SoAs 1700-1730 11560 SDA to EaME 1730-1800 9385 SDA to EaME 15385 MOS to EaME 1800-1830 5960 MEY to SoWeNoAf 7265 MEY to EaNoEaAf 1830-1900 11865 MOS to WeME 11985 MEY to EaNoEaAf 2030-2100 15295 MEY to SoWeNoAf 2130-2200 9660 MOS to NoWeAf 11980 SDA to NoEaAs DHA=Al-Dhabbaya, UAE MEY=Meyerton, South Africa MOS=Moosbrunn, Austria SDA=KSDA Agat, Guam 73! (Observer, Bulgaria, Oct 31 via DXLD) ** U S A. I solved my long-standing feud with semi-local KKGR-680 in E. Helena. This daytimer had been operating after hours for months. My many complaints all brought excuses, so I phoned the FCC to complain. I learned that individuals like me can't bring charges against a station operating illegally. That must be done by another radio station, so on May 13 I phoned Chief Engineer Eric Steinberg at KNBR in San Francisco. He was very concerned about the situation. He said, "We value every listener" and vowed if KKGR didn't shape up, he'd phone his lawyers and start legal proceedings. I reported this information back to KKGR and haven't heard it on after hours since (Larry Godwin, Missoula, Montana, Oct 23, Western DX Forum, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ** U S A. 770, KKOB-AM1 Santa Fe NM, F/d letter in 12 days for my August 16 reception of the KKOB 230 watt synchro transmitter in Santa Fe. I was in Santa Fe at the time and received the synchro transmitter on my car radio with the antenna removed. The letter says "Since the inception of KKOB-AM1's operation decades ago your reception report is the first "official" reception report of the booster ever received here at KKOB(AM). V/s: Mike Langner, CE. Add: 500 Fourth St. NW, Albuquerque 87102-2102 (Patrick Griffith, N0NNK, CBT CBNT CRO, Westminster, CO, USA, Oct 30, NRC-AM via DXLD) I renew my call for a DX test from this one, with the main KKOB Albuquerque transmitter briefly turned off!!! Well, I have certainly heard it while visiting Santa Fe (gh) Speaking of synchro and while I'll only count KKOB as one station (just like KARS 860) since I cannot tell which one I am getting at night. I get bits and pieces of KKOB on very good western nights with WABC phased out. Does the normal night pattern out of Albuquerque or the 230 W ND synchro throw more power my way? Can my path to the 50 KW signal skew a bit at times? I find that 50 KW stations that have huge nulls my way seem to be a bit easier to receive than I'd expect, but maybe their still have a couple hundred watts coming my way? 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, Barrington IL, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. WAMU manager Susan Clampitt has been removed; story in next issue (gh) ** U S A. WABE PANEL WILL LOOK AT MIX OF NEWS AND MUSIC Rodney Ho - Staff Thursday, October 30, 2003 The policy board of WABE-FM (90.1) plans to create a special citizens committee to seek community feedback on how the radio station balances its classical and news programs. Though board member Chuck Taylor said there have been plans to develop this committee for 18 months, a new grass-roots group called the Atlanta Public Radio Initiative appears to be a driving force in moving the process forward. The group --- represented by seven members at the quarterly WABE board meeting Tuesday --- wants at least two more hours each weekday of news/talk programming such as "Talk of the Nation" and "The Diane Rehm Show," especially during the 9 a.m.- to-3 p.m. period that currently plays classical. Station management has resisted such a change, citing the need to keep its classical fans happy. Kate Binzen, a leader of the group, said the nonprofit board's creation of a citizens committee is a solid first step. "We feel like they're making this offer in good faith and we should accept it in good faith," said Binzen, 42, of Decatur, a founder of the group. "They're listening to us and are interested in reaching out." Binzen said more than 450 people have signed a petition supporting the group's cause. The group hopes at least one or two of its members will be picked for the new committee. Taylor told Binzen and other initiative members after the meeting that the board is not going to micromanage the station's programming and warned that change will take time. "Like a lot of people, I'd prefer to have an all-news station and an all-music station, but we don't have that option right now," he said. WABE-FM and its TV station, WPBA, are doing well financially with expenses down and revenues up, said Irene Wreen, chief financial officer. The latest WABE-FM fund drive, which concluded Friday, exceeded goals by nearly 10 percent, taking in almost $780,000 in pledges. That's up from $720,000 a year ago. All the money raised, after spending on thank-you gifts, goes to radio programming such as National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" and "Karl Haas' Adventures in Good Music," said Earl Johnson, WABE general manager. NPR programming costs jumped 14 percent this year, he added. The Atlanta Public Schools owns the licenses to Public Broadcasting Atlanta, but since 1994, the board that met Tuesday --- the Atlanta Educational Telecommunications Collaborative --- has overseen the TV and radio stations. The two parties recently signed a new three-year contract, the board announced Tuesday. (c) 2003 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. SIMPSONS 'CALLS BLUFF' OF FOX NEWS 30/10/2003. ABC News Online [This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s978299.htm ] Last Update: Thursday, October 30, 2003. 10:09am (AEDT) Rupert Murdoch's Fox News Channel in the US threatened to sue the makers of The Simpsons over a parody of the channel's right-wing political stance, the creator of the hit US television show has claimed. In an interview this week with National Public Radio, Matt Groening recalled how the news channel had considered legal action, despite the The Simpsons being broadcast on sister network, Fox Entertainment. According to Groening, Fox took exception to a Simpsons' version of the Fox News rolling news ticker which parodied the channel's anti-Democrat stance, with headlines like "Do Democrats Cause Cancer?" "Fox fought against it and said they would sue the show," Groening said. "We called their bluff because we didn't think Rupert Murdoch would pay for Fox to sue itself, so we got away with it." Other satirical Fox news bulletins featured in the show included: "Study: 92 per cent of Democrats are gay... JFK posthumously joins Republican Party... Oil slicks found to keep seals young, supple..." While the lawsuit never materialised, Groening said some action was taken. "Now Fox has a new rule that we can't do those little fake news crawls on the bottom of the screen in a cartoon because it might confuse the viewers into thinking it's real news," he said. The Simpsons featuring the dysfunctional family of patriarch Homer Simpson and his rowdy brood is now in its fourteenth year and is expected to become the longest-running situation comedy in US history in 2005. -- AFP (c) 2003 Australian Broadcasting Corporation (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. It`s time for another quarterly comedy special from the Capitol Steps, on public radio, mostly airing Oct 30, 31 or Nov 1 for Hallowe`en. Some of the times are here: http://www.capsteps.com/radio/#stations (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. FCC PROPOSES TO FINE BROADCASTERS FOR EXCEEDING RF RADIATION LIMITS For the first time, the FCC has proposed a total of $40,000 in forfeitures --- $10,000 per station --- against four broadcast licensees for violating the radio frequency radiation maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits. The alleged violations occurred at a multi-user site on Mt Wilson in Los Angeles, California, where the power density level produced by each individual licensee was within acceptable limits, but the cumulative effect exceeded the limits established by the Commission. FCC rules establish MPE limits for radio frequency exposure from FCC-regulated transmitters. ``If these limits are exceeded due to the cumulative RFR emissions of multiple transmitters, then all of the licensees whose transmitters produce power density levels exceeding 5 percent of the power density exposure limit applicable to their particular transmitter share responsibility for reducing RF radiation permissible levels,`` an FCC public notice said. FCC agents inspecting the Mt. Wilson transmitter site determined that RF exposure levels in a publicly accessible area --- some 100 feet from a US Post Office --- exceeded MPE limits by more than 60 percent. The FCC said measurements revealed that transmitters for four stations --- KBIG-FM, KKBT, KRTH-FM, and KWHY-TV --- each produced RF radiation power density levels at significantly more than 5 percent of the public RF exposure MPE limits in this area. The FCC alleges that licensees of the four stations failed to take adequate steps to prevent the public from accessing areas that exceeded the permissible RF exposure limits. The FCC reports that the stations now have taken steps to limit public access to the area where RF radiation exceeds the MPE limits (ARRL October 29 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. SoCal FIRES --- Glenn: -- As of today (10/30): KSGN/89.7 is on with "reduced" power, from a U-Haul-housed transmitter at their usual site; reception here near LAX is fine. KFRG/95.1 has been booted off their backup site at Box Springs, just East of the 60/91/215 freeway interchange in Riverside, by KGGI/99.1, in the process of returning to their old site. (This will wipe out KGGI's substantial signal in the High Desert, but will again render them audible in the San Fernando Valley.) An e-mail yesterday from CBS West Coast Engineering Director Scott Mason indicated the Frog will return to their old site as well, next to KSGN. Their Box Spgs. signal did not make it even to the L.A. Basin, much less anywhere else. Nothing known about KCAL-FM/96.7, which is always inaudible in L.A., thanx to KWIZ-FM. No problems at KVOH; a call out there during the worst of it all last Monday (10/27) indicated all was ethically-questionable-business as usual. KHTS/1220 has returned to the Santa Clarita Valley as a "local" station. Clear Channel bought 'em around four years ago for a couple of million; they resold it back to original owner Carl Goldman for US$900K, thus losing the KIIS call letters in the process. Timing was fortuitous for Goldman, as Monday arguably marked the worst day for fires in the immediate listening area. Hope this helps. (I've only progressed to #192, so far). (GREG HARDISON, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RESCUE RADIO: HAM RADIO AND THE SOCAL FIRES From the Mexican border to the suburbs north of Los Angeles, large sections of the Southern California were under siege the past week. This, as ten major and several smaller wildfires blazed their way across the area. Fanned by hot, dry Santa Ana winds gusting to 60 miles an hour, the wildfires devoured everything it their path. At least a eighteen people are dead and over 1500 homes and businesses have been destroyed. And as we go to air, well over 1 million acres have burned. Gordon West, WB6NOA, has been at one of the busiest Red Cross evacuation centers for the past several days. He took time out to file this first hand report on how hams are aiding in fire relief efforts: --- Audio report only. Hear it at http://www.arnewsline.org/quincy --- As we go to air, ham radio operators continue their firefighting communications support efforts. More on their role in future Amateur Radio Newsline reports (ARNewsline(tm)) RESCUE RADIO: KCOP REPORTS ON HAMS DOING FIRE DUTY Los Angeles television station KCOP appears to be the only one so far to mention the role the role ham radio operators are playing in fighting the Southern California wildfires. On Monday night October 27th, the stations 11 P.M. newscast showed video of a group of unidentified hams at their radios in the Los Ángeles western suburb of Simi Valley. At the same time anchorman Rick García read a brief synopsis of what the radio amateurs were doing. It explained how the hams could provide communications between the various relief agencies that could not speak directly with one another. While short and simple, the report was well written, accurate and nicely done. KCOP is one of two Fox owned stations serving the Los Angeles area (ARNewsline) RESCUE RADIO: CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES FROM SPACE The wildfires that ravaged southern California were even impressive from space. Just before returning to Earth, NASA astronaut Ed Lu took photographs from 240 miles above the fires through the windows of the International Space Station. The photos taken on Sunday October 26th are on-line at http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/station. (NASA) (all: Amateur Radio Newsline Oct 31 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. R. Táchira, 4830, Oct 19 1050-110+, lively LA music, Ids, Spanish announcements, ads, jingles. Very good at tune-in but quickly deteriorating (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. VOICE OF VIETNAM TRANSMITTING ON AMATEUR RADIO FREQUENCY 7100 KHZ [previously under INTRUDER WATCH] To: vovnews@hn.vnn.vn The Director of Radio "Voice of Vietnam", 58, Quansu Street, Hanoi Dear Sir, Since 26 October 2003 Radio "Voice of Vietnam" has been transmitting radio programs on the exclusive Amateur Radio Frequency of 7100 kHz. The programs are in various languages at 1330, 1600 to 2130 UT with QSA5 (S 9 + 40dB with a dipole antenna) and have been causing extremely harmful interference to the Amateur Radio Service which has a frequency allocation for the Band 7000 to 7100 kHz. Languages monitored on 7100 kHz Time (UTC) Language ********* ******** 1600 - 1630 English 1630 - 1700 Russian 1700 - 1800 Vietnamese (?) 1800 - 1830 English 1830 - 1900 French 1900 - 1930 English 1930 - 2000 French 2000 - 2030 Spanish 2030 - 2100 English 2100 - 2130 French 2130 sign off Therefore we ask you very urgently to stop these transmissions which are a hazard to Amateur Radio. The Radio Amateurs of the World have the right to use their exclusive frequency without the extremely harmful interference of Radio "Voice of Vietnam". Please will you study the ITU Resolution No. 641 (Use of the Frequency Band 7000 - 7100 kHz) in the attachment. Very truly yours, Ulrich Bihlmayer Coordinator of DARC MONITORING SYSTEM - Intruder Watch - and PTT Liaison Officer Eichhaldenstrasse 35, 72074 Tuebingen, Germany Email: bandwacht@darc.de (DARC Oct 30) Viz.: RESOLUTION 641 (Rev. HFBC-87) Use of the Frequency Band 7 000 - 7 100 kHz The World Administrative Radio Conference for the Planning of the HF Bands Allocated to the Broadcasting Service (Geneva, 1987), considering a) that the sharing of frequency bands by the amateur and broadcasting services is undesirable and should be avoided; b) that it is desirable to have world-wide exclusive allocations for these services in Band 7; c) that the band 7 000 - 7 100 kHz is allocated on a world-wide basis exclusively to the amateur service, resolves that the broadcasting service shall be prohibited in the band 7000- 7100 kHz and that the broadcasting stations operating on frequencies in this band shall cease such operation, urges the administrations responsible for the broadcasting stations operating on frequencies in the band 7 000 - 7 100 kHz to take the necessary steps to ensure that such operation ceases immediately, instructs the Secretary-General to bring this Resolution to the attention of administrations. (via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** VIETNAM. FORMER VOICE OF VIETNAM BOSS HAS PRISON SENTENCE REDUCED The Court of Appeal in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has passed its final verdicts on 69 appellants in a criminal case involving around 150 people. They were found guilty of being involved with Nam Cam, the 56- year-old mafia boss in Ho Chi Minh City, who made a lot of money from running gambling dens, brothels, restaurants, usury and protection rackets in the city over many years. Among the appellants was Tran Mai Hanh, a former director of the country's external radio service, Voice of Vietnam. He had his ten year prison sentence reduced to nine years by the Court of Appeal on the grounds that he has made a contribution to the cause of journalism in Vietnam, and he has proved that he actually received fewer bribes than those for which he was originally convicted. (c) Radio Netherlands Media Network. # posted by Andy @ 14:07 UTC Oct 30 (via DXLD) ** WALES [non]. U.K.(non): Winter B-03 schedule for Wales Radio International in English: 2130-2200 Fri on 7110 SKN 300 kW / 110 deg to Eu ex 7325 for B-02 0300-0330 Sat on 9735 RMP 500 kW / 300 deg to NoAm 1130-1200 Sat on 17625 RMP 500 kW / 062 deg to AUS (Observer, Bulgaria, Oct 31 via DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE [and non]. 5975 seems to ID "Radio Zimbabwe" now. Heard on 30 Oct at 1810 in local language with this ID. Conditions improved 30 Oct a bit, 60 mb offered the usual AIR stations and some Afros, but rather weak signals. Only 4800 R Lesotho was strong around 1745, usually during normal conditions it is weak here. 49 mb offered the same African stations as on 29 Oct but now mixed with weakish and fluttery European/Middle East stations (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Have been hearing a seeming Haitian pirate here on 1620.25 local evenings and around sunrise through the greyline period. Signals are weak with an occasional readable peak, with French M or W talk only noted so far, no Kreyol. It's all skywave, nothing during the day. It's not Radio Keenam from Orlando, which has been on 1620.00, and I haven't been able to parallel it to any other FL internet Haitian programs (RCH, Nouvelle Vision, etc.). It's better on my 345 degree azimuth antenna than on the 300, so it's probably along the coast somewhere. It doesn't seem to be in Miami, not audible by colleague on 2010 down there, so it _might_ be to my north, Jacksonville maybe? Anyone else hearing this one? (David E. Crawford, Titusville, Florida, 28.51N 80.83W, Oct 30, NRC-AM via DXLD) Hi David, Any chance you're hearing Radio Energie in FF/Haitian Creole from Boston, MA? I can't hear them right now due to band noise to verify the 0.25 kHz offset, but I heard them as far as Maine. I don't think they have an internet broadcast to correlate with. Is Boston an all-water path to your QTH? (Paul McDonough, Natick, MA, ibid.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ COMMUNICATIONS CRIMES: FLORIDA MAN CONVICTED OF VIOLATING DMCA A Boca Ratón, Florida, man has been convicted of selling hardware to illegally tap into DirecTV satellite broadcasts. Following a four-day trial in federal court, a jury has found that Thomas Michael Whitehead guilty of one count of conspiracy, two counts of selling devices designed to unlawfully decrypt satellite television programming and three counts of violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act is a 1998 federal law that makes it illegal to make or sell any technology designed to get around copy protection measures such as the electronic cards used by DirecTV to give consumers access to its programming. With his conviction, Whitehead becomes the first person to be found guilty by a jury under it. He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison and up to up to $2.75 million in fines (Published news reports via Amateur Radio Newsline Oct 31 via John Norfolk, DXLD) COURT UPHOLDS "ALL-CHANNEL" RULE FOR DTV http://www.fcc.gov --- read the first item [maybe not by now] The U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld FCC regulations that require all new TVs larger than 13" to have over-the-air-compatible DTV tuners by 2007. Setmakers had sued to overturn the rules. The requirement will be phased in, starting with the largest sets and applying to the smaller ones within four years. (Which kinda begs the question: it may be legal to make a TV with only an analog tuner in 2006, but why bother if all the analog stations are gone |grin|!) -- (Doug Smith W9WI, Oct 29, WTFDA via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts :Issued: 2003 Oct 29 2212 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/weekly.html # # Weekly Highlights and Forecasts # HIGHLIGHTS OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 20 - 26 OCTOBER 2003 Solar activity ranged from moderate to high levels. Moderate levels were observed on the 20th and 21st due to low M-class activity in Region 484 (N04, L=354, class/area Ekc/1750 on 23 October). On 22 October, Region 486 (S15, L=282, class/area Fkc/2200 on 25 October) rotated onto the visible disk producing several M-class flares including an M9 at 2007 UTC. An Earth directed CME was also observed on the 22nd originating in Region 484. High levels were observed on the 23rd with Region 486 producing two major flares – an X5/1b at 0835 UTC and an X1/1n flare at 2004 UTC. The X5 was the largest event of the period and had an associated Type II radio sweep (967 km/s) and a CME that was not Earth directed. Activity on 24 October was at high levels due to an M7/1n flare at 0254 UTC. Moderate level activity on 25 October included two long duration M1 flares - an M1/2n at 0446 UTC from Region 486 and an M1/Sf at 0553 UTC from Region 484. The latter event was associated with a Type II radio sweep. Activity on the 26th returned to high levels with two long duration X1 flares. The first event was an X1/3b from Regon 486 that occurred at 0654 UTC and was associated with Type II (1302 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps. The second event was an X1/1n from Region 484 that occurred at 1819 UTC with an associated Type II (950 km/s) and a partial halo CME off to the west. At the Time of this report issue: Region 486 produced one of the largest flares of this solar cycle, an X17/4B proton flare peaking at 1110 UTC on 28 October. A very fast (near 2000 km/s), earthward directed halo CME was associated with this flare as well as a Type II (1250 km/s) and Type IV radio sweep. Region 486, with over 2100 millionths of white light areal coverage, is now one of the largest and most complex active regions of solar cycle 23. The X17 flare produced proton events at greater than 10 and greater than 100 MeV which remain in progress at this time. The greater than 100 MeV event began at 1145 UTC with a maximum so far of 176 pfu. The greater than 10 MeV proton event began at 1215 UTC with a maximum so far of 6020 pfu. Solar wind data were available from the NASA Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft for most of the summary period. Early in the period solar wind speed was elevated near 750 km/s due to a coronal hole high speed stream. By 22 October wind speed was in decline and decreased to 400 km/s by early on 24 October. An interplanetary shock from the X5 flare on the 23rd was observed at ACE at 1450 UTC on 24 October with a 200 km/s jump in solar wind speed and total IMF measurement near 30 nT. Bz during and after this interplanetary shock remained mostly northward. There was one greater than 10 MeV proton event at geosynchronous orbit during the period. The proton event began at 1825 UTC on 26 October, reached a peak value of 466 pfu at 2335 UTC and ended at 1910 UTC on 27 October. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels on 20 – 24 October. Geomagnetic activity ranged from quiet to severe storm levels. Activity on 20 – 22 October reached minor storm levels with one period of isolated major storm levels on 22 October. This activity was due to coronal hole high speed stream effects. On 24 October, with the arrival of the interplanetary shock mentioned above activity reached severe storm levels for a brief period following a sudden impulse on the Boulder magnetometer at 1530 UTC. By 25 October activity was at quiet to active levels. The period ended on 26 October with quiet to unsettled levels. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 29 OCTOBER - 24 NOVEMBER Solar activity is expected to range from low to high levels. Regions 486 and 488 have the potential for M and X-class activity during the first week of the period. After these regions rotate beyond the west limb on 04 – 05 November, activity is expected to be low to moderate. Currently a greater than 10 MeV proton event is in progress and is expected to continue through the first three days of the period. Additional proton producing flares are likely while Regions 486 and 488 remain on the visible disk. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels on 12 – 19 November due to a large returning coronal hole. The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to severe storm levels during the period. The CME from the X17 flare is due to arrive late on day one or early on day two of the period. Severe geomagnetic activity is expected from the CME. A large coronal hole is due to return on 09 – 18 November and is expected to produce major storm levels. (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via DXLD --- this was at least 24 hours late, I think much more than that. The day-by-day predixions were already in last issue --gh) AS SOLAR FLARES REACH EARTH, HOUSE REVIEWS FORECASTING AGENCY By MATTHEW L. WALD October 31, 2003 WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 As a solar storm continued to bathe Earth in an unusually dense flow of subatomic particles, affecting electric companies, airlines and space satellites, a House subcommittee held a hearing on Thursday on a plan to cut back or eliminate the office that forecasts such events. For the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, the White House has requested $8.3 million for the office, the Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colo., but the House allocated $5.3 million and the Senate budgeted no money at all. The agency's budget for the fiscal year just passed was $5.24 million. The subcommittee, whose members support full financing, had planned the hearing long before the storm began on Wednesday, but its chairman, Representative Vernon J. Ehlers, Republican of Michigan, said the subject was now of broader interest thanks to "divine intervention." The agency, part of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, takes in data from civilian and military satellites and predicts the timing and magnitude of "space weather," mostly changes in particle output from the Sun. Solar storms can have a variety of effects on Earth and around it, disorienting satellites, disrupting communications and exposing airplane passengers to extra radiation. A witness at the hearing, Hank Krakowski, a United Airlines vice president for corporate safety, said the airline had chosen lower altitudes and latitudes for several flights from the United States to Asia in the last few days to avoid communications problems and possible health effects. Dr. Ernest Hildner, the center's director, said that in the last few days daily visits to the center's Web site had risen to nearly 10 million, from a usual level of 500,000. John M. Grunsfeld, the chief scientist at NASA, said that working without the forecasts would be like living in a coastal area without any hurricane forecasting. "You would know when the hurricane hit you," Mr. Grunsfeld said, "but you would have no advance warning, no ability to take protective action, no idea how long it would last." Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) Other agencies, in other countries are reporting these events. One such agency is the Regional Warning Center Sweden. http://www.lund.irf.se/rwc/ Many others around, see further at International Space Environment Service: http://www.ises-spaceweather.org/ Still, most of them rely on groundbreaking info from NOAA, which nobody in the business would want to miss. And it is a growing business... (Hermod Pedersen, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Basically most all global governmental organizations, educational institutions as well as for profit entities get their "raw" data from the NOAA SEC/USAF, provided for free at U.S. taxpayer expense. If the NOAA SEC shuts down we are all in trouble (Thomas KN4LF Giella, hard- core-dx via DXLD) RECEPTION PROBLEMS? If you've been having trouble receiving Radio Netherlands on shortwave over the past few days, it's all to do with one of the most powerful solar flares for years that erupted on the morning of Tuesday 28 October. Most of you reading this will be aware of the background, but we're being inundated with messages from listeners wondering why they can't hear us, so I wrote a piece for the general audience. . . http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/solar031030.html (Andy Sennitt, Media Network newsletter Oct 30 via DXLD) I have never known such lousy radio conditions as I am currently experiencing. When I first turned my receivers on at around 2115, there was a complete absence of any radio signals except for Radio Australia on 9500 and a station broadcasting on 15510 in Chinese. No other signals even local utilities at all, something I have never experienced in my 48 years of listening on shortwave. I have just tried again at 0245 and all I am getting are internal receiver birdies or a.c. line noise. Really weird and I am told that yes there was a strong aurora last night but being within the city limits I could not see it and presently I have 100% cloud cover so I don't expect to view it tonight either (Robin Harwood VK7RH, Tasmania, Oct 31, swl at qth.net via DXLD) SOMEWHAT BETTER PROPAGATION Hello Mr. Hauser --- WOR on WWCR 15825 inaudible yesterday at 2130Z 30 Oct, but was never a strong signal here anyway. At 0000Z 31 Oct, WBCQ 7415 still inaudible, WWCR 5070 heard with fair signal but very distorted (usually SIO 555). BBC, VOA heard on 49, 31M respectively with fair to good signals but also distorted. Regards, (Ben Loveless, WB9FJO, Michigan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) SOLAR FLARES CUT AIRPLANE RADIO CONTACT By TOM COHEN, Associated Press Writer, October 29, 2003, 10:40 PM EST TORONTO -- Airplanes flying north of the 57th parallel experienced some disruptions in high frequency radio communications Wednesday due to the geomagnetic storm from solar flares.... http://www.newsday.com/news/science/wire/sns-ap-solar-flare- airplanes,0,7230129.story?coll=sns-ap-science-headlines (via Artie Bigley, Brock Whaley, DXLD) OFFICIALS FEAR SECOND JAPANESE SATELLITE AFFECTED BY SOLAR FLARE The Associated Press 10/30/03 4:04 AM TOKYO (AP) -- Japanese space agency officials, already forced to temporarily shut down one satellite, said Thursday they had lost contact with a second satellite that may have been affected by an electromagnetic storm caused by the largest solar flare observed in decades. "We have completely lost touch with the Midori 2, and don't know what's going on with it," said Junichi Moriuma, a spokesman for the agency, known as JAXA. He said the agency is trying to restore communications... http://wizzer.advance.net/cgi-free/getstory_ssf.cgi?a0454_BC_SolarFlare&&news&newsflash-internationa (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) SCIENTISTS AWAIT TECHNOLOGICAL FALLOUT FROM GIANT SOLAR FLARE BY MELISSA HARRIS The Orlando Sentinel ORLANDO, Fla. - (KRT) - Scientists have predicted for a week that one of the most disruptive solar flares in history could spell trouble for global communication, transportation, electricity and television companies... http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/nation/7135567.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) EARTH BUFFETED BY BIG SOLAR FLARE By Dr David Whitehouse, BBC News Online science editor One of the largest solar flares ever detected --- A gas cloud from one of the largest flares ever seen on the Sun has reached the Earth causing a magnetic storm that erupted and then faded quickly. The disruption to the Earth's magnetic field was described as very severe. . . http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/3223739.stm (via Bruce MacGibbon, OR, DXLD) JUST A MEASLY X11+ Relax, everyone --- it was just a measly X11+ solar flare this time from Sunspot Group #10486 located at S17E04 with a complex and twisted gamma-delta magnetic signature, which is geo-effective (Earth Facing). This solar flare was of a shorter duration then the X17+ solar flare of yesterday, with a lesser elevated energetic proton level >10 MeV (10+o). It did produce another daylight side radio blackout and also released another large full halo Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), but is a slower mover then the last one and should impact the Earth's magnetic field beginning sometime on UTC 03/10/31. You can see more information on this latest solar flare event at: http://www.lmsal.com/solarsoft/last_events/gev_20031029_1959.html In recent hours the Boulder K index has dropped back to a 7, which is a strong geomagnetic storm, down from an 8 (severe) to a 9 (extreme) earlier in the day. For a good part of the day high, mid and even low latitude propagation paths were poor to very poor. It's a no brainer that nighttime LF and MF as well as day and night time HF propagation conditions will continue very poor but slowly improving to poor during the next 48 hours. After that the CME from the X11+ solar flare should return conditions to strong to severe geomagnetic storming. I've personally been keeping a keen eye northward here in Central Florida at 28 deg. N latitude for visible Aurora. I've seen nothing so far this time but visible Aurora was observed in Houston, TX and Tallahassee, FL early this morning. In 2001 and 1989 I did observe visible Aurora at this latitude in the Tampa bay area. As I mentioned earlier today, in association with the X17+ solar flare of yesterday the K index reached a 9 and the A index 400, both at the top of their respective scales and representative of a severe geomagnetic storm at mid latitudes. The elevated energetic proton level >10 MeV (10+o) went off scale at 10,000+. Yesterday's X17+ was historic in that it was the second largest solar flare of cycle 23 and third largest since 1859. Also the massive associated CME arrived at Earth in only approximately 19 hours, also fastest since 1859. The elevated energetic proton level was the second highest during solar cycle 23. 73, (Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF, Plant City, FL, USA, Cumbre DX Oct 29 via DXLD) NW7US PROPAGATION UPDATE, 30-X-2003, 2000Z A coronal mass ejection (CME) associated with yesterday's X10-class flare (peak at 2049Z 29-X-2003) impacted the Earth's magnetosphere today at about 1700Z 30-X-2003. Kp index reading show 7 and 8 at many reporting stations. Bz is at the moment negative. At least a G4-level geomagnetic storm is in progress as well as a very strong proton event (PCA) and space radiation storm. This space radiation storm has reached an S4 level on 29-X-2003, and is again on the rise. It is the second-most energetic event during this current solar cycle, 23. Expect this storm to continue, especially with the prediction of further flare events. The Aurora index is 10 (maximum), as I write this. This indicates a very strong Aurora. Look for continued AU propagation (reports from yesterday show VHF propagation via AU as high as 222 MHz) and visuals at high to some middle latitudes. I expect a medium to high probability for visual aurora in northern states of the US, tonight. Solar activity remains at extremely high levels. Region 486 is now the largest sunspot complex of the solar cycle. This very huge sunspot covers an area of over 7.8 billion [sic] square miles and there is some indication that it might continue to grow. The flare potential is still very high and further X-class flares are possible, which will affect us until this region rotates over the western solar limb on 5- XI-2003. Several M-class flares, and a number of C-class have occurred already from this region, since the X10 flare. Region 488 has further developed and has merged with former region 493. The region could produce X-class flares. Some M-class and C-class flaring has occurred from this region, as well. I agree with Thomas (KN4LF) and others that the X17 flare was historic. But, I would say that this increase in solar activity is not uncommon during the decline of a solar cycle. Other cycles have given us the same sort of excitement. What's more, we're in the fall Aurora season. Twice a year, near the equinox, the conditions are favorable for Aurora. Such is the time now. Having the sun provide us with lots of aurora-causing events has given opportunity for some unexpected but welcomed VHF propagation, and visual light shows. Overall conditions right now are rather poor. I do hear some north/south paths on 11 meters open, but not much more than that. WWV is non-existent at my location, except a faint fading whisper at 10 MHz. Lower frequencies are a bit more alive. The flux is nicely high, so when the geomagnetic fields settle down a bit, the higher level of ionization provided stronger openings on the HF bands, and higher in frequency. Last night, I was hearing SW DX on as high as 17 MHz. 73 de Tomas, NW7US (AAR0JA/AAM0EWA) : Propagation Editor, CQ/CQ VHF/Popular Communications Magazines : (via SWBC via DXLD) see HAWAII EXTREME SOLAR, GEOMAGNETIC CONDITIONS PERSIST AS THIRD RECENT CME HITS EARTH NEWINGTON, CT, Oct 30, 2003 --- Old Sol`s not finished with us just yet. A severe geomagnetic storm began at 1700 UTC today as particles from yet another coronal mass ejection enveloped Earth after being ejected by a massive X10-Class explosion in the sun`s atmosphere yesterday evening, according to Spaceweather.com. This is the third CME to either directly hit or glance off the Earth in a week. The current storm could affect the MF and HF radio spectrum, along with causing surges in power grids in higher latitudes, disrupting HF airline frequencies, and causing disruption and damage to satellite communications. The Space Environment Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that extreme space weather conditions could continue through Friday. W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, said bulletin and code practice operations seemed unaffected by the solar events. He said no calls or e-mails have been received complaining of a lack of signal. Carcia said he monitored W1AW from his home the evening of October 29 and noted only a slight watery quality to the station`s transmissions caused by the presence of aurora borealis. Thursday at 1800 UTC, the solar flux index stood at 279, and the mid- latitude A index at an astounding 180. The planetary K index has fluctuated between 5 and 9 --- the top of the index`s logarithmic scale --- in the past 24 hours. The extreme solar activity has resulted in aurora being seen as far south as Texas on Wednesday night, along with periods of HF radio blackout. NOAA predicts blackout conditions in some higher-latitude areas for Thursday evening, with another night of the Northern Lights expected for much of the continental US. The solar explosions originate from sunspot 486, an area roughly 10 times the surface area of the Earth. Sunspot 488 is not quite as large, but it also presents the possibility of exhibiting X-class solar flares. The solar particles streak from the sun at over 5 million MPH, according to NOAA. Associated with the geomagnetic storms --- the latest classed G5, or ``extreme`` --- are solar radiation storms. Wednesday`s event caused an S4-level radiation event; some people flying in high-altitude jets may have received exposure equivalent to several chest x-rays (ARRL October 30 via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) A s t r o A l e r t Sun-Earth Alert Solar Terrestrial Dispatch http://www.spacew.com (very hard to get on right now) (due to overwhelming traffic) 30 October 2003 HISTORIC SOLAR AND AURORAL ACTIVITY - WITH MORE TO COME ! Active Region 486 continues to amaze and impress. At 20:49 UTC on 29 October, this active region blew out another exceptionally energetic solar flare. Although x-rays were not quite as energetic as the 28 October flare, they were nonetheless remarkable and will undoubtably provide scientists with a plethora of new questions and answers concerning these incredibly energetic events. Only 21 minutes after the peak x-ray flux was observed from this flare, another blast of energetic protons swept past the Earth, reinvigorating the already intense space radiation storm (which reached category S4 levels on 29 October). This space radiation storm has become the second most energetic event this solar cycle. This latest enhancement to the radiation storm was not as intense as the 28/29 October event, but is still creating quite a mess with space- based instruments that are sensitive to energetic protons. For example, when protons strike light-sensitive cameras, they produce flashes or streaks of light that can confuse star-tracking algorithms or simply become an annoying nuisance on other visual images taken from space. These effects are predicted to continue through at least the next 24 to 48 hours, with a healthy chance for additional strong injections of energetic protons from future major solar flares during the next week. Region 486 is a remarkable sight to behold. The sight was even more impressive for residents of San Diego, where smoke from the fires there allowed residents to see the two enormous sunspot complexes (Region 486 and developing Region 488) without the aid of special protective filters. We don't recommend people look at the sun under any circumstances without suitable solar filters to protect the eyes. Nevertheless, we did receive a few reports from California of the spectacular sight through the dense smoke. Region 486 is now the largest sunspot complex of the solar cycle. It is BIG! It now covers a surface area of over 7.8 BILLION square kilometers (or slightly over 3 BILLION square miles)! And it's still growing larger! Although this is difficult to place into perspective, it may help to understand that you could map the entire surfaces of the 4 inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars) together with the giant gas planet Neptune, all within the area encompassed by sunspot complex 486 - with room to spare. Analysis of the most recent X10 solar flare suggests that the coronal mass ejection associated with it could strike the Earth near 18:00 UTC on 30 October (this is equivalent to the early afternoon hours of Thursday, 30 October for North Americans). If it's late, it should still arrive before darkness falls over North America on Thursday. As a result, observers across North America are encouraged to watch the skies for another impressive auroral display on Thursday night, commencing as soon as it gets dark and ending at dawn. It is unlikely that North America will get an opportunity to observe activity on Friday night, unless Region 486 or 488 produce another major solar flare with a similarly high velocity coronal mass ejection. The activity should be similar to what was observed on 29 October. Auroras across North America were observed into the extreme southern United States (sightings as far south as Arizona and similarly located latitudes) during the initial hours of the disturbance. Europe will be best positioned to observe effects perhaps similar to what North America observed on 29 October (where activity was observed into the far south). If the disturbance does not arrive much later than predicted, southern regions of Australia may also be greeted by a pre- dawn aurora. This is significant activity. Events as powerful as what we have observed are only typically observed a few times each solar cycle (roughly 11 years). Also, events this strong are almost always accompanied by strong aurora. If you have never seen aurora before and discover you might be under the clouds when the event occurs, you might do well to consider taking a drive to a clear location - regardless of the distance. Don't forget your camera and a steady tripod. These auroral displays are producing producing spectacular photographic material by many people. Region 486 is expected to continue producing major solar flares. If these events occur within the next 48 to 72 hours, there is a good chance the associated coronal mass ejections will continue to be directed heavily Earthward. Beyond that time frame, the region will begin pointing increasingly west of the Earth and the associated CME's will begin striking the Earth less directly, with less impressive consequences. So enjoy the show(s) while they last! ** End of the AstroAlert Bulletin ** ================================================================== AstroAlert is a free service of SKY & TELESCOPE, the Essential Magazine of Astronomy http://SkyandTelescope.com/ (via Stewart MacKenzie, DXLD) SUN IN FRENZY SINCE 1940 --- 30/10/2003 07:41 - (SA) Hamburg - German scientists who have created a 1000-year record of sunspots said on Wednesday they discovered the Sun has been in a frenzy since 1940 and this may be a factor in global warming. The research, based on the quantities of the isotope beryllium 10 found in ice bores from Greenland and the Antarctic, challenges the belief that carbon dioxide from cars and coal fires and other greenhouse gases are the only cause of recent warmer climates... http://www.news24.com/News24/Technology/News/0,6119,2-13-1443_1437504,00.html (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ###