DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-221, December 9, 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 http://www.w4uvh.net/dxldtd3k.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 1210: WWCR: Wed 1030 9475 WSUI: Mon 0430 910 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 1210 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1210h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1210h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1210.html WORLD OF RADIO 1210 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1210.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1210.rm FIRST AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1211: Wed 2300 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB Thu 2130 on WWCR 9475 Sat 0900 on WRN to Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia Sat 1130 on WWCR 5070 Sat 1930 on WPKN 89.5 Sun 0130 on WBCQ 9330-CLSB [NEW] Sun 0330 on WWCR 5070 UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL GLENN HAUSER`S WORLD OF RADIO http://www.worldofradio.com/ Anyone who has ever been involved in the world of radio at any time over the past few decades should know the name ``Glenn Hauser``. Whether through his writings in many of the best known radio communications magazines, or over the air with his World of Radio broadcasts, or even going back to his appearances on the RCI`s SWL/DX shows with Ian McFarland. Glenn produces a wealth of radio communications and broadcasting related material every week. This web page will provide you with all the information needed to access this vital information (via Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec, Dec Radio HF Internet Newsletter http://www3.sympatico.ca/radiohf ) ** ARGENTINA. PIRATA/ARGENTINA: 6153.17, Radio Bosques, anuncia que estará usando una frecuencia en el rango 7810-7870 a partir del comienzo del año entrante, con el fin de mejorar la propagación de su señal, y evitar el QRM actual. También recibe opiniones y sugerencias de parte de sus escuchas, sobre cuál es el horario mejor para sintonizarla. Dirija sus mensajes a radio_bosques@y... [truncated by yahoogroups] (Horacio Nigro, Montevideo, Uruguay, Dec 8, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Y metiendo un "bocadillo" a lo indicado por Horacio, me permito sugerirles enviar sus reportes de recepción acompañando a sus informes el equivalente a un franqueo simple para quienes viven en la Argentino y un IRC para quienes viven en otros países, ya que la emisora es una excelente verificadora y envía una muy linda tarjeta QSL. 73's (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, ibid.) ** AUSTRALIA. LIST OF AUSTRALIAN X-BAND STATIONS --- Updated 25 November 2003 --- Future plans are to include station addresses. Please send any updates or corrections to David Onley at mwdx@iprimus.com.au Source. ARDXC: http://www.ardxc.fl.net.au/Xband.html 1611 2NTC Armidale NSW 400w C/W O 1611 2NTC Tamworth NSW 400w C/W O 1611 2RG Radio Italia Griffith NSW 400w Italian O 1611 2** Radio 2 Sydney NSW 400w Commercial 1611 3XX Double X Melbourne VIC 400w Music 1611 6** Margaret River WA 400w O 1611 6GS Wagin WA 400w C/W O 1611 6AY Albany WA 400w Community O 1620 1RF Radio Italia Canberra ACT 400w Italian O 1620 2KM Sydney NSW 400w Arabic O 1620 3GB GB & Hillside Radio Melbourne VIC 400w UK & CommunitO 1620 4** Radio 2 Brisbane QLD 400w Commercial O 1629 2HRN Hospital Radio Newcastle NSW 100w Hospital 1629 2NTC Bathurst NSW 400w C/W O 1629 3** Radio 2 Melbourne VIC 400w Commercial O 1629 3RF Radio Italia Shepparton VIC 400w Italian O 1629 4DB Dalby QLD 400w O 1629 4RF Radio Italia Brisbane QLD 400w Italian O 1629 5RF Radio Italia Adelaide SA 400w Italian O 1638 2ME Radio Lebanon Sydney NSW 400w Arabic O 1638 3ME Radio Lebanon Hoppers Crossing VIC 400w Arabic O 1647 CLEAR FREQUENCY 1656 CLEAR FREQUENCY 1665 2MM Greek Radio Sydney NSW 400w Greek 1674 2** Emu Plains NSW 400w ? 1683 2** Radio Club AM Sydney NSW 400w Greek 1692 CLEAR FREQUENCY 1701 4** Radio 1701 Brisbane QLD 100w Hindi 1701 2NTC Sydney NSW 400w C&W (Dec NZ DX Times via DXLD) ** CANADA. MAPLE LEAF MAILBAG YAHOO GROUP Some of you may know that I appear regularly as a guest contributor to the Radio Canada International programme ``Maple Leaf Mailbag``, presenting the bi-weekly ``CIDX Report`` on the show, together with host Ian Jones. We have received word that a new Yahoo Group for fans of RCI`s Maple Leaf Mailbag programme has just been formed. The group is just getting going, but by joining up, you can share information and comments about the programme, plus chat on-line with other members, and even the hosts of the show! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mapleleafmailbag/ (via Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec, Dec Radio HF Internet Newsletter via DXLD) ** CANADA. CBC VETERAN DENIS HARVEY DIES AT AGE 74 -- December 8, 2003 It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of former CBC Television Vice-President Denis Harvey, who died last night of a heart attack after a brief but difficult struggle with cancer. He was 74 years old. A lifelong journalist with a tremendous commitment to public broadcasting values and principles, Denis Harvey came to CBC in 1973 as Chief News Editor of TV News, after illustrious career turns with the Hamilton Spectator, The Canadian Magazine and the Montreal Gazette where, as executive editor during the 1970 October Crisis, he won the respect of all news media by defying government orders to gag the press. Even though he had no direct television experience, Denis revealed himself to be a hard-driving leader of strength and vision while carrying out his TV News role, reorienting and revamping the operations of the television news services for the English Division. A year later, Denis was promoted to the role of Assistant General Manager for CBC English Services, responsible for the day-to-day operations of all CBC English Radio and Television in Canada. In this capacity, he took part in the planning and launching of CBC Stereo (now CBC Radio Two), and oversaw the creation of such prestigious programs as CBC Radio's Sunday Morning. He also played a major role in the revitalization of the CBC Television Drama Department, provided strong leadership to CBC's rôle as host broadcaster of the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and organized the English-language coverage of the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton. He remained in this position until 1978, when he joined the Toronto Star as Editorial Director. There he ascended to the roles of Editor-in-Chief and Vice-President, before returning to CBC in 1981 as Head of Television Sports. While Head of TV Sports, Denis was influential in obtaining additional sports properties for CBC, including the French and U.S. Open tennis tournaments and all 17 auto races in the Grand Prix. He pushed for increased emphasis on the human element of sports in CBC's coverage, with attention to what happens behind the scenes of a sports event - values that remain at the heart of our sports programming today. In 1984, Denis replaced Peter Herrndorf as Vice-President of English Television, where he faced many of his fiercest challenges and made many of his greatest achievements. In his more than seven years as Vice-President of English Television, Denis championed the Canadianization of CBC-TV's prime-time schedule, and led a revitalization effort to ensure that CBC's prime-time programs were accessible and entertaining to a mass audience. CBC Newsworld was launched during his tenure, and Canadian programming on CBC-TV's prime-time schedule increased to 91 per cent from 80 per cent. Both accomplishments were achieved while CBC was under constant budgetary assault by the government of the day, compromising his long- standing goal of a completely Canadian prime-time television schedule and forcing significant reductions in local television staff and programming across the country. In 1991, Denis retired from the Corporation, but his tremendous dedication to a vision of Canadian public broadcasting that reflects our country to its citizens and connects Canadians across the country remains a lasting legacy. His passion, integrity and straight-talking no-nonsense style are the stuff of legend, and he is as beloved by his colleagues and friends today as he was throughout his time with us. His vision continues to guide us in so many ways. He will be widely mourned, and greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Louise Lore, longtime producer of CBC Television's Man Alive and recently retired from the National Film Board, as well as daughter Lynn and son Brian. Our thoughts are with them through this difficult time. Services are still being planned. In the meantime, please join me in remembering one of CBC's truly great leaders and an extraordinary man. Robert Rabinovtich, President & CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada ********** Le 8 décembre 2003 DENIS HARVEY MEURT À L'ÂGE DE 74 ANS C'est avec beaucoup de tristesse que je dois vous informer de la mort d'un ancien vice-président de la Télévision anglaise de CBC/Radio- Canada, Denis Harvey, qui a succombé la nuit dernière à une crise cardiaque à la suite d'une brève mais difficile bataille contre le cancer. Il était âgé de 74 ans. Journaliste de carrière fortement engagé à l'égard des valeurs et des principes de la radiodiffusion publique, Denis Harvey s'est joint à la Télévision anglaise de CBC/Radio-Canada en 1973 à titre de rédacteur en chef des nouvelles, après un parcours brillant au Hamilton Spectator, au Canadian Magazine et en particulier au Montreal Gazette, où, à titre de directeur de la rédaction pendant la Crise d'octobre de 1970, il a gagné le respect de tous les médias en défiant les ordonnances du gouvernement qui voulait bâillonner la presse. Même s'il n'avait pas une expérience directe de la télévision, Denis s'est démarqué par la force de son leadership et de sa vision pendant son mandat, qui a permis la réorientation et la réorganisation de l'exploitation des Nouvelles télévisées des Services anglais. Un an plus tard, il était promu directeur général adjoint des Services anglais, responsable de l'exploitation courante de la Radio et de la Télévision anglaises de CBC/Radio-Canada dans tout le pays. À ce titre, il a participé à la planification et au lancement de CBC Stereo (Radio anglaise FM, qui s'appelle maintenant CBC Radio Two), et il a supervisé la création d'émissions prestigieuses comme Sunday Morning à la Radio anglaise AM. Il a également joué un rôle majeur dans la revitalisation du secteur des Dramatiques de la Télévision anglaise, fait preuve de leadership dans le rôle que CBC/Radio-Canada a assumé comme diffuseur-hôte pendant les Jeux olympiques d'été de Montréal en 1976 et organisé la couverture en langue anglaise des Jeux du Commonwealth à Edmonton en 1978. Cette même année, il est passé au Toronto Star pour occuper le poste de directeur de la rédaction. À ce quotidien, il a été promu rédacteur en chef et vice-président, avant de revenir à CBC/Radio-Canada en 1981 comme chef des Sports, à la Télévision anglaise. À ce titre, Denis a joué un rôle décisif dans l'obtention des droits de diffusion pour des événements sportifs comme les Internationaux de tennis de France, le US Open de tennis et 17 courses automobiles de la série Grand Prix. Il a imposé la description de l'élément humain des sports dans la couverture faite par la Télévision anglaise, en particulier pour ce qui se passe dans les coulisses d'un événement sportif - une valeur qui est demeurée au c*ur de notre programmation sportive. En 1984, Denis a remplacé Peter Herrndorf au poste de vice- président de la Télévision anglaise, où il a relevé les plus grands défis et atteint les plus grandes réalisations de sa carrière. Pendant plus de sept années à la vice-présidence de la Télévision anglaise, Denis s'est fait le champion de la canadianisation de la grille des heures de grande écoute et a soutenu les efforts de revitalisation déployés pour rendre cette composante média plus accessible et divertissante pour des auditoires de masse. C'est pendant son mandat qu'on a vu le lancement de CBC Newsworld et que le taux de canadianisation de la grille de grande écoute de la Télévision anglaise est passé de 80 à 91 pour 100. Ces deux réalisations se sont faites alors que CBC/Radio-Canada subissait constamment des pressions budgétaires de la part du gouvernement de l'époque, ce qui compromettait son objectif de canadianiser intégralement sa grille de grande écoute et qui l'a ainsi forcée à réduire considérablement le personnel et la programmation de la télévision locale dans tout le pays. Denis a pris sa retraite de la Société en 1991, mais son dévouement considérable pour une vision de la radiodiffusion publique canadienne qui reflète véritablement notre pays et qui tisse des liens entre tous ses citoyens demeure un legs inestimable pour des générations à venir. Sa passion, son intégrité et son franc-parler font partie de la légende, et il est toujours aussi bien-aimé par ses collègues et amis aujourd'hui qu'il l'était pendant tout son séjour à CBC/Radio-Canada. Sa vision continue de nous guider de bien des façons. Il sera énormément regretté et il nous manquera beaucoup. Il laisse dans le deuil sa femme Louise Lore, qui a été réalisatrice pendant longtemps de l'émission Man Alive, à la Télévision anglaise de CBC/Radio-Canada, et qui a pris sa retraite récemment de l'Office national du film, ainsi que sa fille Lynn et son fils Brian. Nos pensées sont avec eux pendant ces moments difficiles. On est en train de planifier des services commémoratifs. Entre-temps, veuillez vous joindre à moi pour honorer la mémoire d'un des grands leaders de CBC/Radio-Canada et d'un homme extraordinaire. Robert Rabinovtich, Président-directeur général, CBC/Radio-Canada (via Bill Westenhaver, RCI, Dec 8, DXLD) ** CHINA. CHINA NATIONAL RADIO 1 TO BE RENAMED 'VOICE OF CHINA' | Text of report by China Central TV-1, Beijing, in Standard Chinese 6 Dec 03 During its regularly scheduled "News Hookup" programme at 1100 gmt on 6 December, Beijing CCTV-1 in Mandarin, official state television of the People's Republic of China carries a 2.5-minute report on media organizations across China striving to achieve the "three close-to's" [san tie jin] - close to reality, close to life, close to the masses - in news and propaganda work. The first 20 seconds of the report are devoted to an interview with Yang Zhidong, director of the editor-in-chief's office of China National Radio. Prior to the interview being aired, CCTV-1 shows a reporter standing in front of the building of China National Radio saying: "A few days later, China National Radio 1 will be renamed 'Voice of China' [zhong guo zhi sheng] and will greet the listeners with an entirely new look. The new programme's format and content were decided after extensively seeking the views of society and the masses." Video then shows the reporter interviewing Yang Zhidong, who says: "The objective of the station's reform is to strive to integrate the manifestation the party's will in news and propaganda work and reflect the voice of the masses, so as to make news and propaganda more purposeful and effective and enhance their influence and appeal." No details on the exact date of the change and the new programming are given. The rest of the report says that other media organizations, including Renmin Ribao and Guangming Ribao, have been improving their layouts and reporting to increase their appeal to the masses and that the vast numbers of media workers have shown a great sense of responsibility in fulfilling their mission as media workers of the party. Source: China Central TV-1, Beijing, in Standard Chinese 0000 gmt 6 Dec 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CHINA. UNIDENTIFIED. December 8th at 0535 I came across a very strong signal on 21850 carrying classical music such as the Nutcracker suite and Beethoven's 5th Symphony. I kept it on as a background while doing other things. It continued without any kind of announcement until suddenly leaving the air at 0654. The station was almost as strong as the blockbuster signal on 21790 from 0600 carrying the Voice of Russia World Service. I will be checking again today in case it returns (Morrison Hoyle, Victoria, Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. INTERNET: MORE THAN 78 MILLION CHINESE NOW USE INTERNET | Text of report by Zhang Xiaosong and Liu Juhua, carried by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 6 December: As of the end of November, the number of China's Internet users exceeded 78 million, and China is ranked second in the world in terms of the number of Internet users. Globally speaking, one in nine Internet users in the world is from China. Information obtained from the Second Internet Conference of China held on 6 December shows that in China there are now more than 30m computers connected to the Internet, more than 500,000 web sites, 40m Internet Protocol v4 addresses, some 286,000 top-level domain name registrations, and the Internet international bandwidth reaches 20G. Since entering into commercial use in the 1990s, the Internet has spread to 240 countries and regions with nearly 700 million users, and the United States has long held the top position in the world in terms of the number of Internet users and of the network scale. China began to connect to the Internet network in 1994. After that, the Internet technology and application in China has developed rapidly. In recent years, the monthly growth rate of new Internet users in China was between 5 per cent and 6 per cent, topping the countries and regions that have experienced the fastest growth. Last year, China's ranking in the number of Internet users in the world jumped to second after the United States. According to a projection of the Information Industry Ministry, by 2005 the number of computers in China logged on to the Internet is expected to top 40m units, the number of data, multimedia and Internet subscribers will reach about 200 million, and the popularization rate of the Internet population will rise to about 15 per cent. In an analysis, an expert shows the major reasons that affect a Chinese families' access to the Internet. First, the low popularization rate of telephones and the high cost of Internet access fees. Second, relatively few Chinese web sites, poor web contents and poor web services. Third, due to the "bottleneck" that restrains online payment, electronic commerce is unable to take-off. If the aforementioned problems can be resolved at an early date, the development prospects for China's Internet will be even more promising. Source: Xinhua news agency domestic service, Beijing, in Chinese 0943 gmt 6 Dec 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) see also TIBET ** CHINA. Hi Glenn, hope everything is OK :) Where does that term Firedrake come from?? Sounds very nice but is there an origin for it? (Tarek Zeidan, Egypt, Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) In case anyone else has lost track of this, the term first appeared in DXLD 3-199 under UZBEKISTAN; it`t the name of that style of music, not just the jamming in particular (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR. (Re 3-219) Radio Candip is a regular here, and is stable on the distinctive frequency of 5066.32. So that is almost certainly what Jari Savolainen heard (Chris Greenway, Kenya, Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. You might find my final RHC remarks amusing Glenn: I couldn't resist sending you a copy of the latest installment of my ongoing soap-opera about RHC's technical problems. I posted this at the end of my article this evening; decided to get a bit colloquial and start poking fun at RHC. ------------------ Monday, 8 December 2003 I've been tuning in from time to time in a desultory fashion; it's almost always terrible with every one of the audio problems mentioned above to some degree, constantly varying. I haven't been chronicling them because it's too depressing... However, tonight I had to say something about the broadcast at 9600 which came on the air at 0330. I tuned past RHC as the anthem was playing, and during the opening announcements it was obvious that I was hearing the WORST gawdawful 120 Hz hum that has been caught on the air in ages. It sounds as if you had plugged only the center of your RCA pin plug into the jack: just dreadful. In addition to the big loud roaring 120 Hz there is an overlay of higher harmonics that wobble around: must be the most appalling ground loop of all times. The modulation level is about 30%, if that. What annoys me most is that at about 0335 on came a program about classical piano music -- hey! -- but the hum is louder than the instrument's loudest notes. BWWWAAAHM! (tinkle tinkle) MMUMMBAAAHMM! That is unacceptable. What gripes me, as I've said before (being a retired broadcast transmitter and audio engineer) is that this Coro guy, ostensibly the engineer for RHC, has a show in which he touts his own ideas about making antennas, receivers, transmitters, test equipment, etc., and SOUNDS like he knows something. (I note also that he has a fancy website, which does not seem to have been updated since around May, 2002.) Oh, well: must be philosophical. Guess this reveals what happens in "The Workers' Paradise" when the inmates run the asylum. --------------- Incidentally, your last stuff about Cuban broadcasting in the 7 Dec. issue was absolutely fascinating. [Later:] Check out the last part of the article at http://home.earthlink.net/~srw-swling/RHC/index.html After the flippant remarks that I added -- sent to you earlier -- I decided to document the broadcasting quality on this frequency tonight. I caught a clip of Fidel, not particularly well edited. You can hardly hear him for the hummmmmmm. So, I couldn't resist adding a little joke at the very end... The situation at RHC is getting so out of hand that it has passed the ridiculous into the sublime. Best, (Steve Waldee, CA, Dec 8-9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CYPRUS [non]. Sonnet Radio will test via Merlin-Norway, Friday, Dec 12, 1900-2000, and Friday, Dec 26, 1900-2100, frequency TBA; more info at http://www.rtidigital.com See DXLD 3-175 for original info. The frequency is to appear on page below; isn`t it about time to reveal it, or have they forgotten about all this? http://www.rtidigital.com/index3.htm (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dear Glenn, I asked Sonnet Radio, Cyprus about their planned test from Norway and just received this: (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PRESS RELEASE Tuesday 9th December 2003 @ 20:12 CET Sonnet Radio Europe will be conducting two consecutive test transmissions beginning next Monday 15th December through to Friday 19th December from 1900 to 2000 UT. Due to brokerage problems and the anticipated closure of the Norway transmitter site, we are confirming that we will now be using the Latvian 9290 kHz transmitter via VT Merlin Communications. Test will comprise of a mixture of music, jingles and speech inviting all listeners to submit QSL reports. All QSL's will be responded to and we will be running the QSL Competition as listed on our web site [ http://www.rtidigital.com/index3.htm ]. Sonnet Radio Europe plans a full time service from the end of February 2004 with regular programming seven day a week from 1900 to 0100 UT. We welcome all responses and invite listeners to send in their own ideas regarding Sonnet Radio's programming. Regards, Mike Taylor, Sonnet Radio Europe. Part of RTI Digital Ltd Cyprus (Group of companies) (Sonnet Radio Europe Press Release via Anker Petersen, and Alan Pennington) [Note: Sonnet Radio had originally announced tests in December (the first this Friday) via a transmitter in Norway. See also entry under Cyprus - page 504 of WRTH 2004] (Alan Pennington, BDXC-UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ?? Aren`t the Norwegian transmitters going to remain available in 2004y for non-NRK and non-DR transmissions?? Furthermore, the convoluted leasing and sub-leasing of the Latvian transmitter explained by Bernd Trutenau in 3-212 makes no mention of Merlin involvement in this one; but now it is?? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DEUTSCHES REICH. The recent items about Lord Haw Haw brought back memories to me of listening to him in the 1940s when I lived as a teenager about 2 miles from the North Sea coast in Northern England. There, the medium wave (sorry, it is now supposed to be called AM !) stations across the sea in Hamburg, Bremen etc were very strong by day as well as night. At times a German transmitter came on the same frequency as the BBC Home Service from Moorside Edge in Yorkshire but apparently using single sideband. Lord Haw Haw was obviously listening to the BBC news and he interjected with his own comments right through the bulletins. As the Germans were using SSB, there was no "beat note" or distortion that would have been evident from another AM transmission. The BBC transmitter provided the carrier to make the deliberate interference sound natural. The overall effect was very entertaining as William Joyce (Lord Haw Haw) only succeeded in making a fool of himself and his Nazi masters. I wonder if there have ever been other examples of the use of SSB to put another layer of intelligence on to another broadcaster's frequency? (Morrison Hoyle, Victoria, Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. CAMPAIGN FOR MORE HOME-GROWN MUSIC ON GERMAN RADIO Our colleagues at Deutsche Welle report today that a coalition of artists, music industry representatives, economists and self-styled defenders of the German language are demanding the introduction of a music quota for radio stations that would require their deejays to play 40 percent German music. The report goes on to say that the amount of German music on German radio is miniscule. On pop music stations, only 1.2 percent of the songs played are in German, or about one in a hundred. Among public broadcasters, who are seen in Germany as having a cultural duty to fulfil, the numbers are slightly better, but not by much. German- language pop and rock makes up just six percent of their playlists. For more on this story, visit the Deutsche Welle Web site http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1441_A_1056487_1_A,00.html Andy Sennitt comments: It has been like that for some years now. Several times in the mid 1990's Bart Kuperus and I drove through northern Germany on our way to Denmark, and we passed through the coverage areas of quite a few different stations. It was almost impossible to find one that wasn't playing British or American music. Yet in contrast, if you watch the German public TV channels, there's still a lot of traditional German music played in front of enthusiastic audiences by people dressed in lederhosen. The use of German in pop music, however, is a different matter. Most ambitious bands want to crack the international markets, and they won't do it singing in German. Some - like my all time favourite German band Tangerine Dream - get round the problem by playing music with no words. It's not easy to write lyrics that translate well into another language. The Beatles made a German version of I Want to Hold Your Hand, but the words, while similar, were not an exact translation from English. There are bands in some countries, such as Denmark's Shubidua, who have no desire to become famous outside their own country, but they're in the minority. # posted by Andy @ 16:38 UT Dec 9 (Media Network blog via DXLD) For many years there have been quotas on the amount of Francophone music that must be played on radio stations in France. I'm not sure about the "cause and effect" connection whereby the French song industry is probably in a stronger position than its equivalents in Germany and indeed Holland. Is French music good enough to stand on its own feet, or has the radio quota system helped it to stay standing? Interesting to note than the Austrian ORF regional second programmes, audible throughout Europe by free-to-air satellite, all play substantial amounts of schlager and volksmusik (spelling?), and good fun they are too (RobK, ibid.) I am partially responsible for the French Law: we tested music in France and then chopped the playlist down to less than 800 songs. The records companies figured it out and then lobbied the government for content controls. Less than 1 percent of French songs tested in the playable range (Lou Josephs, USA, 12.09.03 - 10:06 pm, ibid.) Aaaah, traditional German music is a different thing than the commercial product Volkstümliche Musik featured on the mentioned TV shows! And I would assume that at least ten years ago Schlager were the main content of NDR 1 - Radio Niedersachsen? Speaking about the use of German in general: Just take a look at the http://www.youfm.de website set up by Hessischer Rundfunk as first sign of a major relaunch of their XXL program. Still any questions? But on the other hand RBB's Fritz continuous to feature German artists like the meanwhile well-known Wir sind Helden or 2Raumwohnung. It speaks for itself again that they found no mention in the referenced article. And indeed it is quite futile to translate English songs into German. MDR 1 - Radio Sachsen plays such cover versions of well-known pop songs, and mostly they sound simply ridiculous, just like the Beatles own attempt. By the way, this discussion is not new and time and again a topic in the largest German radio forum. Die zitierten Äußerungen von Reinhard May brachten in den letzten Tagen dort erneut eine lebhafte Grundsatzdiskussion in Gang, natürlich auf Deutsch: http://www.radioforen.de/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6758 (Kai Ludwig, Germany, 12.09.03 - 11:14 pm, ibid.) Andy was right in his original posting: bands who sing in German tend to make money in Germany only. I can only think of three recordings by German artists which made the UK top 10, and two of those were sung in English. On the other hand, there is a big market for recorded ballads, schlager and Volksmusik - often by stars who don't even speak German, like Roger Whitaker --- and of course those awful tv shows with dodgy miming go on. German language music is played on the radio, but not on daytime pop radio (Richard Hunt, 12.09.03 - 11:20 pm, ibid.) ** GUATEMALA. Radio Verdad 4052.5. Here is interesting extract from a letter I received recently from Dr. Edgar Amilcar Madrid along with QSL card etc. ``We went on air on February 25th, year 2000, and we have celebrated our second anniversary already. You may not believe me, but we have been transmitting with only 280 watts power, due to some governmental limitations and some damage. Our transmitter is a new 1 KW Solid State Omnitronix, produced in Italy. Several Guatemalan radio technicians have thought that we are transmitting with 10 KW power, because it comes out so strong. I have made several trips in our country, and the signal is very strong. But we still need to make some adjustments. Our antenna is a bipolar 12 meter high, in order not to miss reaching the closest city, Chiquimula, which we are doing nicely. Our station is a non-profit educational and evangelical effort. We start out transmissions at 5.00 o’clock in the morning and go off the air by 11.00 pm [UT -6]. I`m including a paper that illustrates the countries which have reported Radio Truth, our fourth QSL card, our banner and our new 2003 calendar. Our frequency range is 4.0475 - 4.0575, with an average of 4.0525 MHz. SW1 75 meter band, transmitting from ``Horeb Mount`` and ``Glory`s Hill`` in Chiquimula, Guatemala. We still don`t have any call letters, but we think they are going to be: TGAV, which means: TG = Transmissions of Guatemala. A = Identification of the Eastern area of Guatemala. V = Our particular identification as ``Radio Verdad`` (Radio Truth) We have moved our studios to Chiquimula City and are transmitting up to 11.00 pm Guatemala time. Lightning destroyed more than one half of our main SW transmitter, hence our 280 Watts power. This happened on June 6th, year 2003 despite having three lightning rods in the area and some other protection and we had much difficulty locating replacement transistors to replace those burned out but we eventually did receive them and are now back on 1 kw power. Now we are on the way to obtain an AM MW frequency (via Ian Cattermole, Dec NZ DX Times via DXLD) Radio Verdad can sometimes be quite well heard here in NZ around 1100 UT (Ian Cattermole, NZ DX Times editor via DXLD) ** GUINEA. (Re 3-217) The published listings that show Conakry 7125 taking a mid-morning break are incorrect, according to my observations in west Africa. As far as I can tell, it now transmits more or less continuously though the daytime, including on weekdays. So the logging by Ron Trotto at 0830-0920 is feasible. A good one to try for in Europe and North America during the winter (Chris Greenway, Kenya, Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ. A new station noted in Baghdad on 657 kHz with ID "This is Baghdad FM Radio" with music, news and reviews. Unofficial sources say it's another station under the umbrella of (IMN) Iraq Media Network. At the beginning of the transmission they announce the frequency of FM 98.3 MHz and never mention the MW frequency of 657 KHz. Playing a lot of the latest Arabic hits, like Sawa format but no pop/rock English hits. News on top of the hour with some talk shows about the current situation in Iraq with the Americans around. All the best, Glenn, keep up the good work. Your Egyptian friend (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ. AFN-IRAQ HITS BAGHDAD LATER THIS WEEK By Franklin Fisher, Stars and Stripes European edition, Monday, December 8, 2003 http://www.stripesonline.com/article.asp?section=104&article=19150 Courtesy of AFRTS Monday, December 8, 2003 BAGHDAD, Iraq - American Forces Network-Iraq will begin live radio broadcasts from Baghdad this week, featuring news, weather, music, tips on Iraq's culture and language, and other content tailored to troops in that country. It will begin broadcasts to the Baghdad area on Wednesday, and hopes to extend them to other parts of Iraq by Christmas. "It's really for the troops," said Air Force Lt. Col. Perry Nouis, AFN-Iraq's commander. "It's for the guys on the front line who are doing the dirty work. "When troops have 'that touch of home,' programs they're familiar with, they certainly appreciate it. "We're not going to be 'Good Morning, Vietnam'" Nouis said, referring to a movie about AFN's Vietnam War broadcast operation, AFVN, "but we're going to be continuing that kind of service to the troops in the field." At the start, AFN-Iraq will air two live shows daily in Baghdad on 107.7 FM, the first from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., the second from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. [0300-0600, 1200-1500 UT] The shows will originate at newly built studios in the Convention Center in Baghdad. "But we do see that expanding," Nouis said, "and as we go national, we'll probably have four live shows a day." AFN-Iraq is wrapping up contract negotiations to have a satellite uplink in place so its radio broadcasts can reach other areas of Iraq with major troop concentrations, including Mosul, Tikrit, Balad, Ar Ramadi, Kirkuk and Tallil Air Base, Nouis said. Before starting those broadcasts, AFN-Iraq will announce where on the radio dial troops can tune them in, Nouis said. Since October, AFN-Iraq news crews in Iraq have done radio and TV spots about U.S. forces in the country. But the recorded TV material has been broadcast from Los Angeles as part of American Forces Radio and Television Service programming, Nouis said. Troops in Iraq have been able to catch the TV segments on sets in unit day rooms or chow halls. The recorded radio segments have been broadcast from within Iraq over transmitters the U.S. military maintains at various points around the country. "What's going to be different is that we're going to do this live," Nouis said. "What we're going to introduce is the local programming . here in Baghdad." "Sounds pretty cool," said Sgt. Michael McCue, 24, of Cook, Minn., a military pay sergeant with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 8th Finance Battalion, 1st Armored Division. "A lot of guys here have radios." McCue said he'll tune in especially for news "'cause I don't get an opportunity to watch a lot of news around here. I would listen to music, too, because you don't really get to know what's new out there." "I think it's a good idea," said Spc. Daniel Capo, 20, of New York City, a light wheel mechanic with the 1st AD's Company C, 123rd Main Support Battalion. "Soldiers out here need all the morale they can get. ... Whatever they can do for the soldier I think is a good idea. I mean, we're going to be here for a year. ... It's kind of hard on soldiers." Capo said he'd listen for "music, and what's going on in the States, like, who's who? What movies are coming out. Stuff like that." (via Mike Terry, DXLD) It`a about time ** JAPAN. Re Pearl Harbor station: Glenn, in your newsletter you asked the call sign of the Saikai station in Japan. I am trying to find the answer through some hams there in Japan; I am dealing with the 7J club which is about 80 members and they are mostly retired Navy there. I can't be certain yet but might be the JNK call but not for certain. I emailed Joerg Kligenfusse this morning on it as well and will find out soon from him on the answer. Unfortunately my ship is now off Guam and I have only one other source to turn to in Sasebo and that`s a friend who teaches school there. [Later:] Just had a email this morning from Jeorg Klingenfusse and he has no records that go back far enough. But am still waiting from the 7J club as there is a guy there stationed on the Yokosuka naval station (Larry Fields, n6hpx/du1, Dec 8, swl at qth.net via DXLD) I thought you said it was still active; current callsign would be of interest (gh, DXLD) ** KENYA. (Re 3-217) People should not be relying on 2002 WRTH for African schedule information!! The 2003 edition had a thorough update for Africa (the first for a number of years) and the 2004 edition should be even better. Nairobi 4915 is currently Monday-Fridays only at 0300-0700 and 1300-1905. All other listed Kenyan SW frequencies have been silent for some years and I would be very surprised if they were reactivated (Chris Greenway, Kenya, Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. PYONGYANG TO LAUNCH E-MAIL SERVICE | Text of report by Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post on 5 December North Korea, an isolated country known for totalitarian control, has launched an international e-mail service that "guarantees the privacy of correspondence", according to a government news report. The brief dispatch from the official Korean Central News Agency provided few details about the service, including how to subscribe. It was run by Pyongyang's International Communications Centre, according to its official Korean Central News Agency. North Korea keeps a tight lid on its 22 million people to shield them from outside influence. Few ordinary North Koreans are believed to have computer and e-mail access. TV sets and radios come with fixed channels so that people can only watch or listen to government- controlled media. But in recent years, North Korea has begun opening its electronic borders. In 2001, a China-based website opened the first commercial e- mail link to the communist country. Leader Kim Jong Il is known as an internet surfer. When the then-US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright visited Pyongyang in 2000, Mr Kim asked for her e-mail address. Mr Kim has often emphasised the importance of computer technology. Foreign visitors can link their computers to the internet through international phone lines available in a few hotels in Pyongyang. An internet cafe had also opened in the North Korean capital, recent visitors said. Source: South China Morning Post, Hong Kong, in English 5 Dec 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** LIBYA [non]. 11715, 1815 17/11, FRANCE, Libyan Jamahiriya via Issoudun, Good in Arabic; Chimes, time signal and into English at 1915. Very hard to understand; mainly African items. At 1922 into French. RFK (Ron Killick, Christchurch, Sony 6800 & 40m long wire, NZ DX Times via DXLD) ** MEXICO. The XERMX blobmitter is back! Dec 9 at 1448 heard strong extremely distorted FMy signal centred on 9440, in Spanish mentioning México. Nothing matching audible on 9705, where there was a het and some European or ME station, which I read somewhere had recently moved onto there, and it had a 6-pip timesignal at 1500, but it was 8 seconds late! Also checked +265 from 9705, around 9970 and nothing there but splash from WEWN 9955; nor any blob above 10 MHz. Clinched at 1450 by \\ to 11770, which had fair signal but almost no modulation from XERMX. I find it rather strange that hardly anyone else is reporting the blobmitter; listening to it is certainly unpleasant, but it`s DX news (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. Latest sked from RNZI for period 21 December 2003 -- 28 March 2004 UTC kHz Metre Band Azimuth Primary Target 0400-0759 15340 19 0' All Pacific, also heard Europe, and mid-west USA 0800-1059 9885 31 0' All Pacific, also heard mid-west USA 1100-1259 15530 19 325' NW Pacific, Bougainville, Timor, Asia, Europe 1300-1750 9870 49 0' All Pacific 1751-1950 11980 25 35' NE Pacific, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Cook Is. 1951-2237 15265 19 0' All Pacific, also heard in Europe 2238-0358 17675 16 0' All Pacific, also heard on the USA west coast (via Paul Ormandy, ZL4PW, Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3355, R. Simbu (presumed), 1110-1200*, Dec. 9, OM with ballads and talk between songs, YL at 1128 over up-beat music, continuous ballads and pops until brief YL at 1142 followed by a song that sounded very much like Phil Collin's "I dont care anymore". YL at 1154 over "bouncy" country/western style music, OM at 1157 followed by instrumental music (NA?) at 1159, off at 1200. Fair/poor signal, over QRN at times, peaked around 1125 then slowly slipping under QRN. Presumption based on PNG sign-off times listed in WRTH 2003. Can anyone in the Western US, S. Pacific/Asia verify this? I don't recall ever hearing anything at this time/frequency (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, MLB-1, RS longwire with RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Maybe a recent reactivation, tho PWBR 2004 [sic] shows it at 0700-1200 (gh, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Radio Studio (also referred to as "Radio Gardarika") in St. Petersburg will be on the air with its quarterly broadcasts 24-31 December 2003 at 1900-2200 on 6245 kHz (St. Petersburg, 200 kW). For the first quarter in 2004, similar broadcasts are expected for March. (Info: Alexey Osipov, Russia, in "open_dx", 9 Dec 2003) (via Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Dec 9, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** SAO TOME E PRINCIPE. O DX Clube do Brasil acertou intercâmbio de informações com o Clube DX-STP, daquele país africano. O sítio da referida agremiação é o seguinte: http://www.cstome.net/vitrina/dx.htm. As informações são de Antônio Carlos de Macedo Schüler, de Recife (PE). (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Dec 8 via DXLD) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. Well get ready. SIBS 9545. Nigel has fixed it so watch the frequency. DW usually owns this frequency. But watch it; am talking to Nigel about this lot QSLing and a few other things. (I cannot tell; my lips are sealed). GRIN (Johno Wright, Australia, Dec 9, ripple via DXLD) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. 5670, 0717 Nov 12, UWWCR with Bro Stair with normal religious program, fair – KAB 12/11 (Ken Baird, Christchurch, R5000, Sangean 909, 18m Wire, SW Eavesdropper, Dec NZ DX Times via DXLD) As we now know, WWCR is testing 5770 this week and hopes to stay there; possibly some tests were carried out a month earlier, but I find it hard to believe they would have been in an aeronautical band (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWITZERLAND. RSF LAUNCHES "PIRATE RADIO" TO PROTEST AT EXCLUSION FROM GENEVA SUMMIT Reporters Without Borders is launching a 'pirate radio' - Radio Non Grata - which will broadcast from Geneva on the 9-10 December to coincide with the start of the World Summit on the Information Society, which it has been banned from attending. It will use the radio both to decry the ban and broadcast details of press freedom violations by many of the countries taking part in the Summit. "To ban an organisation defending press freedom from a summit focusing on the circulation of news is a decision laden with meaning," said Robert Ménard, secretary general of Reporters Without Borders. "Our organisation defends freedom of expression on the Internet on a daily basis. Our voice should therefore be heard during this event, despite this outrageous ban", he added. Radio Non Grata will broadcast in Geneva and its environs, on 95.8 FM, in English and French a programme especially tailored for the occasion. It will transmit interviews with Mr Ménard, the former managing director of AFP Claude Moisy, head of the Swiss branch of Reporters Without Borders, Gérald Sapey, Jean-Claude Buhrer and Claude Levenson, co-authors of the book "The United Nations against human rights ?", Patrice Mugny, administrative adviser for cultural affairs for Geneva, Christian Ferrazino, Mayor of Geneva, Stéphane Koch, Chairman of the Internet Society Geneva and Pamela Taylor, US journalist specialising in the media. A team from Reporters Without Borders will be on hand in Geneva to publicise Radio Non Grata. Its members will hand out mini radios on which people can listen to the pirate radio, along with leaflets and posters with the message, "Don't let them decide the future of the Internet". Reporters Without Borders points out that some 50 people are in jail for having set up independent on-line news sites that criticise governments or simply for looking at banned pages. Tunisia, China, Vietnam, Cuba and the Maldives are among the "predators" of freedom on the Net, censoring hundreds of sites, intercepting emails, tracking down and jailing cyberdissidents. At the same time the leaders of these countries make a show of appearing at the World Summit on the Information Society. http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=8764 (via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** TIBET. CHINA: INTERNET USE INCREASING IN TIBET | Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Lhasa, 7 December: At an Internet cafe in Ngari the most out-of-the- way prefecture in west China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Dundrub, a young Tibetan man, is chatting with a friend in Canada online. "When I click the mouse, a new world opens before me, just like you say a magic word and a treasure chest opens," said Dundrub. Since the Internet cafe was opened half a year ago, it has become a favourite hangout for Tibetan people, especially young men, said Yang Zhoin, a waitress of the cafe. "Most of them come to read news online because newspapers can't always arrive in Ngari in time," she said. "But with the Internet they can update themselves with the world in minutes." Covering an area of 340,000 sq. km, Ngari is the most sparsely populated region in China with only about 70,000 people. It was regarded as "the corner forgotten by the world" before because of its location on the high and cold mountainous region 4,500 metres above sea level and poor transportation and communication infrastructure. "In the eyes of the local people, the plain is the whole world, as most of them have never left Ngari during their whole life," said a writer who visited Ngari years ago. But when Internet comes, the door of the world opens, as a result of tens of million US dollars of government investment that has greatly improved the communication facilities in Ngari over the last few years. At present, there are an average of two Internet cafes in each county under the jurisdiction of Ngari Prefecture, and countless companies and families have access to the Internet. Nowadays, the strongest love of Yang Hui, a local agronomist in Rutog County, is to log onto the Internet. "I knew nothing about the Internet until earlier this year when an Internet cafe was opened in town," said Yang. "Now I have got used to searching the Internet for the most advanced research achievements and materials in agriculture." The Internet has not only shortened the distance between Ngari and the other parts of the world, but also changed the lifestyle of the local people. As an experiment, Basang Cering, a newly graduated college student, bought a fashionable jacket online. "Maybe I am the first to shop online in Ngari. When I put on it [as received] many friends of mine admired me, though the mail service took a whole month," Basang Cering said proudly. "Even the daughter of my neighbour asked me to buy her cosmetics online." The local governments and enterprises in Ngari also attach importance to the advertising effect of the Internet. Some county governments have set up websites with beautiful pictures of their scenic spots in a bid to attract more tourists or investors. Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 1028 gmt 7 Dec 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U K. BBCWS -- TRYING TO SOUND LESS LIKE A SHORTWAVE BROADCASTER RICHARD CUFF I happened to listen to this past week's edition of "Write On", the World Service's regular listener contact dialogue. There were several items discussed in the program (still available via on-demand webcast -- yes, I see the irony) that might interest, amuse or irritate members of this group. 1. New "World Today" theme: Despite many howls of complaint, the producers argued that: a) The new theme is meant to allow the presenters to more easily talk over the theme when introducing segments or wrapping the program. The old theme was too abrupt for this. b) The new theme "sounds" more like the type of theme that local rebroadcasters (read: National Public Radio) use -- more contemporary, lighter sounding -- and a better fit with the image of these local broadcasters c) This sensitivity towards rebroadcasters is intentional -- as the BBC continues to rely less on shortwave broadcasts to reach its audience. This intent was stated by one of the senior World Service producers. 2. "This is the BBC in...." All of the cities named in the "ident" at the top & bottom of the hour are cities where the BBCWS is available via local BBC-run broadcast or via rebroadcast. Most of these presenters are BBCWS employees originally from the cities in question, but some local "talent" is also used. The presenter and producer semi- seriously invited listeners who could hear the BBC via a local broadcast / rebroadcast to contact the program (writ-@bbc.co.uk) and "nominate" their city to be featured in the next round of idents. What's interesting in both of these is the stated intent of the BBCWS to develop a look and feel that is less relevant for shortwave and more relevant for local rebroadcast. What do I think of the new World Today theme? This new one sounds like it's going around in circles, not accomplishing anything -- I don't like it as much as the prior theme, but I frankly don't think less of (nor more of) the program due to the theme. The BBCWS has already "sold" me -- but who knows? Perhaps "yumofs" (my newly invented word for Young, Upwardly Moble Opinion Formers) might be drawn to the program this way (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, Dec 8, swprograms via DXLD) ** U K. BBC NEWS FOR BROADBAND USERS WORLDWIDE STM_09040 By Richard Maino, London Press Service Communications - 550 words - not illustrated COMPREHENSIVE broadband news coverage from the BBC (updated 24 hours a day, seven days a week) including live events and news summary, video news on demand and in-depth news features has been launched. BBC News on RealOne outside the UK is a desktop news service that offers a unique package of high quality live and on-demand video designed for the needs of broadband users around the world. "The service gives users a wider perspective on global events and an independent view of big stories closer to home, all with the accuracy, objectivity and speed that are the hallmarks of BBC News, and the convenience of having the stories streamed to the desktop," said a spokesman. "The BBC News on RealOne service has been specifically designed for the desktop and is available only through the RealOne player to subscribers of the RealOne SuperPass service or the stand-alone BBC News on RealOne service. "BBC News on RealOne is the result of a deal between RealNetworks and BBC Worldwide, the BBC's commercial consumer arm. Although UK users can receive BBC News in broadband for free through the main broadband ISPs, this service looks to satisfy the demand for a similar service internationally, without placing a burden on the licence fee payer. "As with all BBC Worldwide's business, through this agreement to deliver news content to RealNetworks for use outside the UK, the company looks to maximise the value of the BBC's assets and re-invest in public service programming," the spokesman added. The service, fully funded and commissioned by BBC Worldwide from BBC News, is produced around the clock by a team of specialist broadband journalists, selecting global news stories of interest to international audiences. They draw on BBC News' worldwide network of correspondents in more than 40 international bureaux, making BBC News on RealOne the ultimate global news desktop service. BBC Worldwide's chief executive Rupert Gavin said: "This is an exciting development for BBC Worldwide. Our collaboration with BBC News, and support from RealNetworks, has led to the development of a ground-breaking international news service that can deliver real value to broadband users around the world." Mark Hall, vice-president of RealOne International http://www.realnetworks.com added: "The BBC News on RealOne service provides a terrific new source of news coverage for our subscribers globally. We think subscribers will enjoy the depth and quality of coverage for which the BBC is renowned, as well as the different perspective on world events that the BBC provides. Our relationship with BBC Worldwide is deep and long standing and we think this is just the start of building additional news services together as well as other subscription programming offerings for international markets." The service will include these key features: news in five key categories. Up to 40 new stories and updates a day in five categories; and world, UK, business, entertainment and sci-tech. It will be available to subscribers outside the UK as part of RealOne SuperPass US, RealOne SuperPass Europe, and as a standalone product for 4.95 euros a month. The service can be accessed at http://www.real.com BBC Worldwide is the commercial consumer arm, and a wholly owned subsidiary, of the BBC. BBC Worldwide exists to maximise the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the licence payer and re-invest in public service programming. In 2002/03 BBC Worldwide returned 123 million pounds to the BBC. BBC Worldwide, Woodlands, 80 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom, W12 0TT. Telephone: +44 20 8433 2000. Fax: +44 20 8749 0538. Website: http://www.bbcworldwide.com/contact/default.htm (press release via Ed Mayberry, KUHF, Dec 9, swprograms via DXLD) ** U S A. Op HCDX was enige tijd een discussie gaande over de QSL- policy van de VOA. Zelf heb ik de VOA benaderd en kreeg bijgaand positief antwoord. 73's, (Henk Poortvliet, BDXC via DXLD) Viz.: Dear H. Poortvielt, We are sorry to hear that some of DX-listeners received no response from us. VOA is interested in receiving reception reports and makes every effort to reply to each report. Here are the correct addresses when sending reports: Voice of America Audience Mail-Cohen 4409 330 Independence Ave. S.W. Washington D.C., 20237 or letters @ VOA.gov (via Pootvliet, ibid.) Last month I received a very nice package: VOA Kabul 1296. QSL card, mouse pad, key chain, plastic coated map (with three holes according to American standard, hmm.) Answer to snail report sent to QSL Desk address (see WRTH). 73's (Jari Lehtinen, Lahti, Finland, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** U S A. VOICE OF AMERICA ENGLISH BROADCASTS TO EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Morning Transmission 1900-2000, 2100-0100 UTC Sunday (Monday local time) Primarily to the Pacific region: 9525 11870 15180: 1900 News and Interviews 1923 Sports 1930 News Headlines 1933 Issues in the News 9670 11870 15185 17735 17820: 2100 News 2106 Jazz America 7215 9770 9890 11760 15185 15290 15305 17735 17820: 2200 News and Interviews 2223 Sports 1575 7215 9770 9890 11760 15185 15290 15305 17735 17820: 2230 News Headlines 2233 Coast to Coast 1575 7215 9770 9890 11760 15185 15290 15305 17735 17820: 2300 News and Interviews 2318 Point of View 2323 Sports 2330 News Headlines 2333 On the Line 2355 Editorial Monday though Friday (Tuesday-Saturday local time) Primarily to the Pacific region: 9525 11870 15180: 1900 News 1906 Border Crossings 1933 Fri: VOA News Review 9670 11870 15185 17735 17820: 2100 News 2106 Mon: American Gold Tues: Roots & Branches Wed: Classic Rock Thurs: Top 20 Fri: Country Hits 7215 9770 9890 11760 15185 15290 15305 17735 17820: 2200 News and Reports 2215 Close of Business 1575 7215 9770 9890 11760 15185 15290 15305 17735 17820: 2230 News Headlines 2233 Mon-Thurs: Coast to Coast Fri: Main Street 1575 7215 9770 9890 11760 15185 15290 15305 17735 17820: 2300 News and Reports 2323 Sports 2330 News Headlines 2333 Business News 2344 Opinion Roundup 2347 Dateline Saturday (Sunday local time) Primarily to the Pacific region: 9525 11870 15180: 1900 News and Interviews 1923 Sports 1930 News Headlines 1933 Press Conference USA 9670 11870 15185 17735 17820: 2100 News 2106 Jazz America 7215 9770 9890 11760 15185 15290 15305 17735 17820: 2200 News and Reports 2223 Sports 1575 7215 9770 9890 11760 15185 15290 15305 17735 17820: 2230 News Headlines 2233 Main Street 2255 Editorial 1575 7215 9770 9890 11760 15185 15290 15305 17735 17820: 2300 News and Interviews 2323 Sports 2330 News Headlines 2333 Our World 2355 Editorial Sunday 1575 7215 9890 11760 15185 15290 17740 17820: 0000 News and Interviews 0023 Sports 0030 Special English News and Features Monday through Friday 1575 7215 9890 11760 15185 15290 17740 17820: 0000 News and Interviews 0023 Sports 0030 Special English News and Features Saturday 1575 7215 9890 11760 15185 15290 17740 17820: 0000 News and Reports 0018 Point of View 0023 Sports 0030 Special English News and Features Evening Transmission 1200-1500 UTC Sunday 1143 6110 9645 9760 11705 11715 15425: 1200 News and Interviews 1218 Point of View 1223 Sports 6110 9645 9760 11705 11715 15425: 1230 News Headlines 1233 Main Street 1255 Editorial 6110 9645 9760 11705: 1300 News and Interviews 1318 Point of View 1323 Sports 1330 News Headlines 1333 On the Line 1355 Editorial 6110 7125 9645 9760 11705 15425: 1400 News 1406 Jazz America 7125 9645 15395: 1500 News and Interviews 1523 Sports 1530 News Headlines 1533 Encounter 1143 6110 7125 9645 9760 15395: 1600 News and Interviews 1623 Sports 1630 News Headlines 1633 Main Street 1655 Editorial 1700 No Transmission Monday through Friday 1143 6110 9645 9760 11705 11715 15425: 1200 News and Reports 1215 Focus 1223 Sports 6110 9645 9760 11705 11715 15425: 1230 News Headlines 1233 Coast to Coast 6110 9645 9760 11705: 1300 News and Reports 1323 Sports 1330 News Headlines 1333 Business News 1344 Opinion Roundup 1347 Dateline 6110 7125 9645 9760 11705 15425: 1400 News and Reports 1415 Focus 1423 Sports 1430 News Headlines 1433 Mon: Encounter Tues: Press Conf USA Wed: Talk to America Again Thurs: Talking History Fri: Sports Talk 1455 Wed, Fri: Editorial 7125 9645 15395: 1500 News and Reports 1515 Mon: New American Voices 1523 Sports 1530 News Headlines 1533 Business News 1544 Dateline 1555 Editorial 1143 6110 7125 9645 9760 15395: 1600 News and Reports 1615 Focus 1623 Sports 1630 News Headlines 1633 Coast to Coast 1143 1575 5990 6045 9525 9795 11955 12005 15255: 1700 News 1706 Talk to America Saturday 1143 6110 9645 9760 11705 11715 15425: 1200 News and Interviews 1218 Point of View 1223 Sports 6110 9645 9760 11705 11715 15425: 1230 News Headlines 1233 Main Street 6110 9645 9760 11705: 1300 News and Interviews 1323 Sports 1330 News Headlines 1333 On the Line 1355 Editorial 6110 7125 9645 9760 11705 15425: 1400 News 1406 Jazz America 7125 9645 15395: 1500 News and Interviews 1523 Sports 1530 News Headlines 1533 On the Line 1555 Editorial 1143 6110 7125 9645 9760 15395: 1600 News and Interviews 1618 Point of View 1623 Sports 1630 News Headlines 1633 Main Street 1700 No Transmission Medium wave: 1143 and 1575 kHz to southeastern Asia. All other frequencies are shortwave. Some VOA News Now shortwave frequencies to South Asia may be audible in East Asia; see East Asia schedule (VOA News Now via Kim Elliott, reformatted by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. HILL FAULTED ON SCRUTINY OF FCC RULES By Frank Ahrens Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, December 9, 2003; Page E01 In passing the omnibus spending bill yesterday, the House tapped the brakes on the Federal Communication Commission's plan to let broadcast networks such as CBS and Fox buy more television stations. But many say Congress has done nothing to address other media ownership rules passed by the FCC this summer, which opponents equate to a runaway tractor-trailer. To many lawmakers, consumer advocacy groups and ordinary consumers, Congress is missing the point by focusing on how many stations a network can own and not on other FCC media rules allowing more local television station consolidation and newspaper-television common ownership. In a contentious June 2 vote, the FCC allowed the four networks -- ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox -- to own television stations reaching up to 45 percent of the national audience, raising the cap from 35 percent. The House approved a compromise figure of 39 percent as part of the spending bill passed yesterday. The Senate is not scheduled to vote on the measure until January. Unaddressed by the spending bill are five other new media ownership rules adopted by the FCC, including one that largely lifts a ban prohibiting one company from owning a newspaper and television station in most cities, the "cross ownership rule." "Cross-ownership will harm diverse, local and independent media in precisely the same way as an expanded broadcast cap, but with one difference," said Rep. Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.) in a statement. It "will remake the media landscape, dwarfing the impact of even a 45 percent broadcast cap. The television ownership cap received the most lawmaker scrutiny because politicians depend on broadcasters to get their message out, one consumer advocate said. "The reason the national cap has gotten so much attention is that the political forces battling each other on that issue resonate much more with members of Congress," said Gene Kimmelman, Washington director of public policy for Consumers Union, which opposed the new media rules. "They hear from local broadcasters and national networks all the time. They are both big financial contributors to campaigns." Although lawmakers in both parties railed against most of the FCC's six new rules, Capitol Hill opposition to all but the national ownership cap has either stalled or never gotten off the ground, though opponents vow to fight on when Congress returns next year. Temporary hope for the opposition resides in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit in Philadelphia, which put all the rules on hold in September as it weighs an appeal. If the courts rule in the FCC's favor, the new rules will go into effect. If the court throws out the FCC's new rules, chaos ensues. After all, the FCC adopted the new rules after yet another federal court -- the U.S. District Court in Washington -- had ordered the FCC to redo an earlier version of the regulations. Even FCC lawyers are unsure what would happen if the 3rd Circuit rules against the FCC. On Capitol Hill, debate over the rules is far from settled. Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.) got a resolution of disapproval through the Senate that would turn back all of the rules. Now, however, he sees his resolution languishing in the House, though it carries the signatures of 206 House members. If more members would sign on, Dorgan said, it could force the House Republican leadership to bring it to a vote. "Obviously, those [remaining] signatures are the hardest to get," Dorgan said. In addition to crafting the 39 percent compromise, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) sponsored another bill that would reinstate the ban on newspaper-television station cross-ownership except in the smallest cities. Stevens's bill also would force radio stations owners to sell outlets if they owned more than the new FCC rules allowed -- currently they are allowed to keep what they already own. Senate Democrats are not optimistic that Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) will bring the bill to a floor vote. Aides in both houses said lawmakers zeroed in on the ownership cap because it appeared to be a "winnable fight." Lawmakers were willing to take on the networks, one senior Hill staff member said, as long as they had the backing of the local broadcasters, specifically their lobbying arms, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Network Affiliated Stations Alliance (NASA). (NASA is led by Alan Frank, chief executive of Post-Newsweek Stations Inc., the six television stations owned by The Washington Post Co.) If the cap is set at 39 percent, Viacom will not be able to buy more stations in cities where it does not already own them. But nothing will keep the media giant from increasing its control in cities where it already has stations, thanks to another of the new FCC ownership rules. Under that rule, one company can own two stations -- a so-called duopoly -- in most large cities. This means that Viacom, owner of CBS -- or any network -- can swap or buy second stations like baseball cards, creating more cities with duopolies. In the biggest cities, networks can even create three-station groups. For instance, Viacom and Cox Enterprises Inc. each own a station in Atlanta and Seattle. Viacom could swap its WUPA in Atlanta for Cox's KIRO in Seattle, giving Viacom two stations in Seattle and Cox two stations in Atlanta, maximizing the profit and strengthening the local market muscle for each while keeping Viacom under the 39 percent national cap. Which is one reason News Corp. chief executive Rupert Murdoch said the 39-percent cap "suits us just fine": It does nothing to halt News Corp.'s successful strategy of creating duopolies, as it has in Washington, where it owns WTTG-5 and WDCA-20. Finally, there is the newspaper-television station cross-ownership rule, which could have more immediate effects on local news than the broadcast ownership cap. Companies such as Tribune Corp., Gannett Co. and Media General own newspapers and television stations and would like to combine the two in as many cities as possible, to aggregate news-gathering resources and create profitable package-advertising deals. In their filings to the FCC in the spring, consumer groups listed numerous instances in which, they believe, existing cases of cross-ownership -- allowable under FCC waivers -- have resulted in a loss of diverse media voices, anti-competitive advertising markets and more work for journalists. Others worry about the effects of combining the cross-ownership rule with the rule enabling multiple-station ownership in most cities. A company that owned a newspaper in a big city could buy up to three television stations in the same city. Congressional action on the broadcast ownership cap does nothing to address that possibility. "A single company owning a newspaper and three TV stations has a tremendous ability to influence the outcome of local issues and local elections," said Andrew J. Schwartzman, president of the Media Access Project, an advocacy group that opposes the FCC's new rules. "In any given community, the prospect of newspaper-television cross-ownership, combined with allowing of up to three TV stations is the scariest rule." (c) 2003 The Washington Post Company (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. METROPOLITAN OPERA BROADCAST SCHEDULE http://www.metopera.org/broadcast/ The 2003-04 ChevronTexaco Metropolitan Opera broadcast season is in its 64th consecutive season of radio broadcasts live from the stage of The Metropolitan Opera. Highlights of this season`s 20-opera live series include: two Network Premieres - Fromental Halévy`s La Juive, and Hector Berlioz`s Benvenuto Cellini; two other new productions --- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart`s Don Giovanni and Richard Strauss` Salomé; and Richard Wagner`s complete Ring Cycle. The live opera radio broadcasts are augmented with informative and live intermission features including essays and discussions on the day`s opera, artist interviews and roundtables, and the ChevronTexaco Opera Quiz. More than 3,000 listeners submit quiz questions each season to be used on the Quiz and the listeners whose questions are used during the broadcasts will receive a special gift package. The broadcasts are heard on an independent network of more than 360 stations in the United States and on stations in 42 countries on five continents. These countries include Canada, Mexico, 27 European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia [sic], Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Israel, China, and Japan. The ChevronTexaco Opera Information Center http://www.operainfo.org developed by the Metropolitan Opera Guild offers a wealth of information about each opera being broadcast this season, as well as an archive of those heard over the last five seasons. Available in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, the ``2003-04 Broadcasts`` section includes background information for each opera and composer, the story, audio clips, photographs from the Met productions and curriculum materials for classroom and music teachers to encourage students to learn more about opera. In addition, the site contains information on the intermissions and transcripts of many of the intermission features, Network news, and links to other opera-related websites. Come visit the site throughout the year. CHEVRONTEXACO-METROPOLITAN OPERA RADIO BROADCAST SEASON 2003-2004 SCHEDULE Date Composer Opera [1] On-Air [2] 2003 December 6 The Season Preview [3] 1:30 December 13 Fromental Halévy La Juive 1:00 December 20 Arnold Schoenberg Moses und Aron 1:30 December 27 Hector Berlioz Benvenuto Cellini 1:30 2004 January 3 Gioachino Rossini Il Barbiere di Siviglia 1:30 January 10 Jules Massenet Werther 1:30 January 17 Franz Lehár The Merry Widow 1:30 January 24 Giacomo Puccini Madama Butterfly 1:30 January 31 Modest Mussorgsky Boris Godunov 1:00 February 7 Giuseppe Verdi Rigoletto 1:30 February 14 Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky The Queen of Spades 1:30 February 21 Igor Stravinsky Le Sacre du Printemps, Le Rossignol, Oedipus Rex 1:30 February 28 Gioachino Rossini L`Italiana in Algeri 1:30 March 6 Giuseppe Verdi La Traviata 1:30 March 13 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Don Giovanni 1:30 March 20 Richard Wagner Das Rheingold 1:30 [4] March 27 Richard Strauss Salomé 1:30 [4] April 3 Richard Wagner Die Walküre 12:30 April 10 Giuseppe Verdi Nabucco 1:30 April 17 Richard Wagner Siegfried 12:00 April 24 Richard Wagner Götterdämmerung 12:00 [1] Listeners in Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America; please check with national/local broadcasting entities for availability of broadcasts in your country. [2] All times United States Eastern Time. [1:30 = 1830 UT, etc.] [3] Broadcast in the United States only. [4] Pre-curtain at 1:30 pm; opera begins at 2:00 pm. (via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. NEW DJ KNOCKS KASEM OFF CHARTS By ADAM BUCKMAN, New York Post Dec 9 December 9, 2003 -- Casey Kasem is about to be dethroned as radio's countdown king. Kasem, 71, whose name has been synonymous with the weekly "American Top 40" radio show since he launched it on July 4, 1970, will be replaced next month by red-hot DJ Ryan Seacrest, 29, host of Fox's "American Idol," according to radio industry sources. The story spread like wildfire yesterday throughout the radio industry, although the syndicator of "American Top 40," Premiere Radio Networks, would not confirm or deny that a bombshell announcement was imminent. "It is the passing of a baton," said Tom Taylor, editor of the influential radio newsletter "Inside Radio," which yesterday reported that the historic change was in the works. He said he expected a smooth transition. But the transition was not so smooth in 1988, when ABC Radio, which then owned "AT40," replaced Kasem with DJ Shadoe Stevens, giving Kasem the opportunity to launch his own show, "Casey's Top 40," for ABC rival Westwood One. It eventually surpassed his old show in the ratings. Kasem returned to the helm of "AT40" when the show was taken over by Premiere. He also hosts two other countdown shows for the syndicator that he is expected to continue hosting. The Detroit-born Kasem, who has one of the most recognizable voices in all of broadcasting, has voiced dozens of cartoon characters and hundreds of commercials. Here in New York, "AT40" is heard every Monday from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Z-100 (WHTZ-FM). Kasem was not available for comment yesterday (via Art Blair, DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. U.S. X-BAND AT A GLANCE DECEMBER 2003 COMPILED BY TONY KING, GREYTOWN, NEW ZEALAND Khz CALL Name Location State Power Format S 1610 CJWI Montreal QUE FF Caribbean music. 1620 WBUB Atmore AL Yet to be heard in US WDND South Bend IN ESPN Radio 1620 KOZN Bellevue NE ESPN Sport. ``The Zone`` WTAW College Station TX `Newstalk 16-20 WTAW` Takes `USA Radio News` KBLI Blackfoot ID SS ``Radio Fiesta`` KYIZ Renton WA Urban/R & B; hip hop KSMH West Sacramento, CA. Catholic. KFHX Fountain Hills AZ Variety. Pre 70`s Mx. ``KFHX Fountain Hills, Arizona.`` [not a licensed station --- gh] WDHP Frederikstad, US Virgins BBC WS to after 0900; ID at :59 1630 KCJJ Iowa City IA Hot AC /Classic Rock KKWY Fox Farm WY C&W AP nx `` K-W-Y 1630`` KNAX Ft Worth/Dallas TX SS. Radio Vida/ Radio Dos Mil Dos. EE ID :58 WRDW Augusta GA `Newstalk 1630`` 1640 WKSH Sussex WI Disney KDZR Lake Oswego OR Disney KDIA Vallejo CA Talk/religious/life issues WTNI Biloxi MS ``Talk Radio 1640 WTNI Biloxi ``Takes Coast to Coast``; ABC nx. ID :05 KMMZ Enid OK `Unforgettable Favourites [sic]`` P. O. Box 952, Enid OK 73702 [as we have reported repeatedly, that format lasted only two days for the initial testing, and station has been off the air since Nov 21 --- gh] KBJA Sandy UT SS/Radio Unica EE ID on hour 1650 WHKT Portsmouth VA ``AM 1650 WHKT Portsmouth, Radio Disney`` KBIV El Paso TX Testing. C & W heard (Patrick Martin OR) KDNZ Cedar Falls IA Talk/ Sport ``The Talk Station`` // KCNZ KWHN Fort Smith AR `Newstalk 1650 KWHN` KBJD Denver CO Talk. ``KNUS-2`` KFOX Torrance CA Korean/ EE ID on hour 1660 KTIQ Merced CA Sporting News Network `The Ticket`` WWRU Elizabeth NJ PP & SS Radio Unica/R. Portugal WCNZ Marco Is FL `Newsradio 1660` AP news WQSN Kalamazoo MI Sports/talk ESPN KRZX Waco TX ``Newstalk KRZX`` (off 1900 NZT) KQWB West Fargo ND Standards ``Star 1660 is KQWB AM` CNN news KXOL Brigham City UT ``Oldies Radio`` (60`s rock) KXTR Kansas City KS `Classical 1660` WGIT Canóvanas Puerto Rico SS oldies ``El Gigante`` 1670 WRNC Warner Robins GA Urban Gospel ``1670 The Light`` WTDY Madison WI Sports/Talk. ``Talk Radio 1670`` KHPY Moreno Valley, CA Radio Católica SS, EE on the hour KNRO Redding CA ``Redding`s ESPN Radio 1670 KNRO` 1680 WTTM Princeton NJ Ethnic – South Asian WLAA Winter Garden FL SS Regional Mex. WDSS Ada MI Disney KAVT Fresno CA Disney/SS KTFH Seattle WA ``The Bridge, AM 16-80 KTFH Seattle.`` Ethnic. KRJO Monroe LA Gospel. ``Rejoice 1680`` 1690 KDDZ Arvada CO Disney KFSG Roseville CA SS rel. and Asian. EE ID on hr ``KFSG Sacramento`` WRLL Berwyn/Chicago IL ``Real Oldies 1690`` Address: Real Oldies 1690, WRLL – AM, 233 N Michigan Ave, Suite 2800, Chicago IL 60601 WSWK Adel, GA Currently carrying `Wild Adventure Radio`` WPTX Lexington Park ``Newstalk 1690 WPTX`` CNN headline News 1700 WJCC Miami Springs FL SS/Rel/``Radio Luz`` WEUV Huntsville AL Black Gospel. KTBK Sherman TX Sporting News Radio ``Sports Radio 1310 KTCK`` KBGG Des Moines IA `AM 1700 KBGG``. CNN KQXX Brownsville TX `Oldies Radio 1700 AM` (NEW ZEALAND DX TIMES PAGE 29 DECEMBER 2003 via DXLD) Compare this to the other X-band webpages we know of: http://www.dxing.info/lists/x_na.dx http://www.hard-core-dx.com/distance/x-band.htm#X-Band%20List%201610- 1700 And there is another one, not just limited to broadcasters: http://www.angelfire.com/mb/exband/index.html Within the above, the broadcasters are here, not limited to licensed stations, but also carrier current, pirate 15, experimental, pirates, and applications and construction permits: http://www.angelfire.com/mb/exband/na.html Tho updated to ``Dec 4, 2003``, it does not have the latest info on KMMZ-1640 Enid, OKLAHOMA (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ IS PWBR LOSING IT? 2004 PWBR p. 179, last sentence of section on inverted-L antennas: "... heavy ice can also stretch the wire and cause it to sag like Mother Sill's chest." ------------ Bizarre.... somebody tell Marie L. about this... ;-) -LR (Larry Russell, MI, Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Who`s Mother Sill? Google search keeps finding Utah cemeteries and seasick remedies (gh, DXLD) SHORTWAVE AS MUSIC ++++++++++++++++++ SOUND DESIGNER LOOKING FOR MATERIAL Hi Glenn, I`ve been learning lots from your "World of Radio" site and wanted to say thanks. I've got a rudimentary, analog shortwave radio I bought in Berlin a while back - a Komita. I think it's Polish. Anyway, it's been put to good use thanks to your site. I`m a sound designer and composer, working with lots of filmmakers around the Northwest, and was wondering if there was a way to ask the shortwave community you serve for source material. I know many people tape what they hear, and I thought maybe folks would be interested in putting their DXing to some creative uses. I teach sound design workshops now and then, and I know from experience that the shortwave radio is always a way to open people's ears up to new sounds. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks so much for your time. I know you are busy maintaining your site, and understand if you can't help. Take care! (Ben McAllister http://www.listenfaster.com Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Contact info is on the site POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ ANTI-BPL FORCES MUSTER FOR BATTLE On November 7, 2003 the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) sponsored a meeting of various organizations that had previously expressed at least a cautionary posture to BPL regarding the FCC`s Notice Of Inquiry 03-104. The National Association of Broadcasters in Washington, DC hosted the meeting. I represented NASWA and the interests of the entire shortwave listener community. The ARRL has published their summary of the meeting in the ARRL Letter, Vol. 22, No. 45, November 14, 2003. Quoted statements in this article are from that letter. You can access that letter via the ARRL web site at: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/ Here are some observations from my personal notes. One would think, that with the future of shortwave broadcasting in North America at stake, companies whose sales depend in large measure on shortwave radio would have been well represented. Only Yaesu, of all the receiver manufacturers and retailers, was present and ably represented by Chip Margelli. He is with the Engineering/R&D Department of Vertex Standard`s Amateur Division and traveled from California to make important contributions to the discussion. However, Icom, MFJ, Sangean, Kenwood, Eton Corp. (Grundig North America), Grove Enterprises, and Passport To World Band Radio were invited to attend but for one reason or another did not show. Many amateur radio organizations were represented at the meeting. The ARRL was there in spades including Dave Sumner, CEO; Paul Rinaldo, Manager of Technical Relations; Chris Imlay, General Counsel; and several representatives of the League`s Washington lobbyist firm. In addition several representatives of the Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) and the Amateur Radio Research and Development Corporation (AMRAD) attended. A number of ``inside the government`` agencies participated as observers. They included the Department of Defense (DoD), ARINC, and The National Science Foundation (NSF). We all know what the DoD does. ARINC is a company that plans, installs and operates among other things the HF radio network used by the FAA for communications with aircraft. The NSF supports and funds radio astronomy telescopes. Some worldwide radio astronomy allocations are threatened by deployment of BPL technology. Other represented organizations that do not fit into any of the above categories included NASWA, the National Association of Broadcasters, the Consumer Electronics Association, and APSCO International, the organization of public safety entities. George Jacobs represented The National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters (NASB). He heads George Jacobs & Associates, the engineering consulting firm representing many NASB member broadcasters to the FCC. He also has a long and distinguished background with the VOA and brought a reasoned and mature Washington-insider perspective to the BPL issue. The primary purpose of the meeting was to share current information on where the NOI process stands and to allow each represented organization to express their specific concerns. As you may remember from previous Technical Topics columns, one solution the BPL proponents have put forth is to provide protection to amateur radio by notching out certain frequencies. I expressed the hope that all the attendees would reject that concept. Sparing amateur radio bands, for example, of interference will only mean that the energy will be diverted to frequencies used by other services like shortwave broadcast. I expressed the desire that we all work together to squash BPL rather than support a ``not-in-my-back-yard`` approach. I urged the attendees to avoid this trap and instead present a united front against BPL that protects all licensed spectrum users. I also tossed out a possible argument that might be made that shortwave broadcasting and the right to freely access information should be protected under the First Amendment of the US Constitution. Those present with experience interfacing with the current FCC commissioners did not think such an argument would fall on friendly ears at the FCC. Another attendee pointed out that an argument could be made that BPL would actually expand most people`s ability to access news and information by enhancing the ability to get high-speed Internet access. Instead of restricting free speech or a free press, it could be argued that BPL would actually expand these protected rights. Knowing a brick wall when I hit it, I quickly abandoned the idea. The ARRL reported on the current status of their tests and field trials. A video presentation showed the interference on a typical amateur radio receiver at two different test locations. One site used a form of digital spread spectrum technology. The interference sounded like the antenna was loose and blowing in the wind. Rapid clicks were heard presumably in sync with packet data transfers. The other site used frequency division multiplexing. In this technique approximately 1000 separate carriers, each with FSK modulation, could be heard across the HF spectrum. As the receiver was tuned across the band, one heterodyne after another could easily be heard. The video showed the S-meter running S-9 on each carrier. The antenna for this test was a short horizontal dipole mounted a few feet above the roof of a station wagon as it drove down the road under the power line. Signals could be detected up to one kilometer from the power line. If you have a high- speed Internet connection, you can download the video from the ARRL web site at: http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/#Video In the November edition of the NASWA Journal I related the contents of a speech by FCC Commissioner Abernathy in which she projected unabashed support for BPL ignoring the thousands of comments warning of the interference potential of BPL. The ARRL CEO, Dave Sumner, related the gist of a communication he had with Commissioner Abernathy`s Senior Legal Adviser, Matthew A. Brill. Brill is reported to have said, ``We regret that the Commissioner`s remarks may have been interpreted as suggesting an absence of concern over harmful interference.`` Mr. Brill is further quoted as saying Commissioner Abernathy did not intend to suggest that BPL ``necessarily will emerge as a viable platform or that it does not present interference issues.`` Brill assured the ARRL that, ``ensuring that BPL and all new technologies avoid causing harmful interference to licensed RF users is a bedrock position for Commissioner Abernathy.`` Attendees at the meeting interpreted that response as good news. The city of Manassas, Virginia has decided to provide BPL connectivity for all its citizens and businesses over its municipal power system. ARRL has put the City of Manassas ``…on notice that on behalf of its members who live in and use public thoroughfares of Manassas, the ARRL will ensure that there is full compliance with the FCC regulations.`` AMRAD has purchased some HomePlug modems to test their susceptibility to amateur radio radiation. In one test the antenna was located about 15 meters from the modems. At a transmitted power of only 10 watts on 14 MHz, 80% of the packets were interrupted. At 100 watts all communications ceased. At higher power, RF irreversibly damaged the modems. With amateur radio operators presently permitted to use output powers up to 1000 watts, it is feared that once BPL is widely deployed and enough modems damaged, the FCC will be under the gun from the BPL lobby to severely reduce authorized power levels for amateur radio. The US Government representatives were limited in how much they could reveal about what was happening inside their agencies. They stated that they were there to learn as observers. They did leave me with a strong impression that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the US Department of Commerce is moving ahead with their own independent assessment of the interference potential of BPL technology. The NTIA is responsible for coordinating radio communications issues of the various elements of the US Government much as the FCC regulates private radio communications in the USA. The presentation by Paul Rinaldo of ARRL actually contained a photo of an NTIA truck parked in Emmaus, PA, the site of one of the BPL tests currently in progress. The representative from ARINC told a horror story of an aeronautical HF receiving site near Half Moon Bay, California. In the adjacent community, off-the-shelf, in-home, power-line modems are widely in use. (Californians tend to be early adopters of new technology.) Some frequencies previously used at this site are no longer useful because of interference from the nearby modems. Even worse, there are so many different sources of interference that normal direction finding techniques cannot be used to locate specific homes with such devices. Representatives of public safety organizations were opposed to any solution that involved use of the low VHF band frequencies. They pointed out that many volunteer fire departments still use those frequencies and cannot afford to relocate to an 800 MHz trunked technology. They also pointed out that the federal government and many state police organizations use HF frequencies for long haul emergency communications. Near the end of the discussion, George Jacobs opined that it seemed to him that the best arguments against BPL would be based upon the need for HF/VHF communications to support homeland security and safety of life. Another attendee said that hitching our arguments to homeland security could be dangerous because BPL proponents could argue that high-speed Internet access via BPL could actually enhance the ability of many to communicate via the Internet. Dave Sumner presented some ideas for future possible actions by opponents of BPL. Presentations to FCC engineers and commissioners were mentioned. Other target government agencies were also suggested like NTIA and even the Department of State. One problem that was noted by ARRL is that the amateur radio community was overwhelmingly represented in the 5000 or more comments received by the FCC to date. A more diverse population of opponents would enhance the chances of leaving a lasting impression at any presentation. I volunteered to represent NASWA and shortwave listeners in any presentations the ARRL may schedule in the future to the FCC or other agencies. The BPL issue is presently not on the RADAR screen of the US Congress. ARRL reported that BPL industry representatives have been talking to staff members of telecommunications subcommittees but that is as far as the process has gone to date. A Notice of Proposed Rule making (NPRM) is expected some time in the first quarter of 2004 if the FCC decides to proceed. Once that notice is promulgated there will be another round of comments and reply comments. Stay tuned (Joe Buch, Tech Topics, Dec NASWA Journal via DXLD) DRM +++ EQUIPMENT - DRM2010 I'm surprised to read that "private buyers" will have to pay 16 percent VAT on the purchase of this radio. VAT is not normally charged on exports, so non-EU buyers should not have to pay the the additional 112-plus Euros mentioned on the mayah.com Web site. Units directly exported, or units purchased in the EU and than taken to "de-tax" counters at European departure points should not have VAT applied (Mike Cooper, Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ THE NRC IBOC DEBATE CONTINUES [from 3-218] What is interesting is that the nature of radio has changed, to some degree, in my opinion. When I was a kid in the fifties, it seems there were all these adults listening to Jack Sterling and Dorothy Kilgallen on AM with lots of variety shows. There was no FM, to speak of. Today it's a lot of FM, with music, and AM is important for talk formats, and niche (ethnic, foreign lang.) So the total hours may be the same, but I think the type of listening has changed a lot. The 21 hours then and now may be just a coincidence. I don't recall kids listening to lots of radio in my youth as they do (FM) now. I believe the type of listener who would find the changes offered by IBOC are those who seek out FM stations. I am one of those who believes that changes in listening are driven by content, and only marginally by technology. The technology of FM vs AM did allow music to migrate there but that was a sea-change. You can argue that "IBOC on AM" will "save AM" or whatever but I think the market has spoken (music formats on FM) and it will be like the cart pulling the horse. For what I use AM for (and for listening, not DXing), the addition of IBOC would make zero difference. I am interested in what it could do from a technogeek perspective, but of all the people I know, who do NOT listen to AM, I can't imagine a (to them) marginal increase in quality, with no change in content, would make any difference. Today, of the people I know there is no awareness of HD radio. TV, yes (Bob Foxworth, FL, NRC-AM via DXLD) But if XM is what great digital radio should sound like, then we all have a long way to go. I can`t remember the processing they use; I know it's not Orban, but they need to make the de-esser part work much better. S sounds real bad on most channels. I like the programming, and it sounds OK, but it does have a lot of artifacts. I would like to see what AM IBOC does in a lightning storm. The static crashes will have to either mute the receiver, or force it into analog mode and I think people will go nuts with switching back and forth. I remember early AM Stereo receivers that would shift back and forth from stereo to mono --- drove me nuts (Paul Smith, W4KNX, Sarasota, FL, ibid.) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2003 Dec 09 2211 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/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2003 Dec 09 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2003 Dec 10 90 35 6 2003 Dec 11 95 35 6 2003 Dec 12 100 35 6 2003 Dec 13 100 35 6 2003 Dec 14 105 25 5 2003 Dec 15 115 15 3 2003 Dec 16 130 20 4 2003 Dec 17 140 15 3 2003 Dec 18 145 25 5 2003 Dec 19 145 25 5 2003 Dec 20 145 25 5 2003 Dec 21 145 35 6 2003 Dec 22 140 20 4 2003 Dec 23 140 15 3 2003 Dec 24 140 15 3 2003 Dec 25 140 10 3 2003 Dec 26 135 10 3 2003 Dec 27 130 10 3 2003 Dec 28 125 10 3 2003 Dec 29 120 10 3 2003 Dec 30 115 10 3 2003 Dec 31 115 10 3 2004 Jan 01 110 20 4 2004 Jan 02 110 20 4 2004 Jan 03 110 20 4 2004 Jan 04 95 20 4 2004 Jan 05 95 20 4 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio Dec 9 via WORLD OF RADIO 1211, DXLD) ###