DX LISTENING DIGEST 4-036, February 27, 2004 edited by Glenn Hauser, http://www.worldofradio.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 For restrixions and searchable 2004 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 1220: Mon 0430 on WSUI 910, webcast http://wsui.uiowa.edu NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1221: Sat 0900 on WRN1 to Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia, webcast Sat 0955 on WNQM, Nashville, 1300 Sat 1130 on WWCR 5070 Sat 1930 on WPKN Bridgeport, 89.5, webcast http://www.wpkn.org Sat 2130 on WWCR 12160 Sat 2130 on WBCQ 17495-CUSB Sat 2200 on DKOS pregame [see USA] Sun 0130 on WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0330 on WWCR 5070 Sun 0730 on WWCR 3210 Sun 1100 on WRN1 to North America, webcast; also KSFC 91.9 Spokane WA, and WDWN 89.1 Auburn NY; maybe KTRU 91.7 Houston TX, each with webcasts Sun 2000 on Studio X, Momigno, 1584 Sun 2100 on RNI webcast, http://www.11L-rni.com Mon 0430 on WSUI 910, webcast http://wsui.uiowa.edu [last week`s X-45] Mon 0515 on WBCQ 7415, webcast http://wbcq.us Tue 0400 on SIUE Web Radio http://www.siue.edu/WEBRADIO/ Wed 1030 on WWCR 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html WORLD OF RADIO 1221 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1221h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1221h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1221.html WORLD OF RADIO 1221 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1221.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1221.rm ** ARGENTINA. Como consecuencia del incendio en el predio donde se alzan antenas de Radio Nacional - el que fue combativo por 8 dotaciones de bomberos y recién pudo ser sofocado alrededor de la medianoche - no se llevaron a cabo las habituales transmisiones de RAE, Radiodifusión Argentina al Exterior desde las 22 horas de ayer y hasta las 14 horas de hoy, viéndose afectados los servicios de español, portugués, inglés, francés y japonés. Aunque los equipos transmisores se encontraran en funcionamiento a partir de las 18 de hoy, pudiera ocurrir que las recepciones no se produzcan con la habitual normalidad por algunos daños que hubieron en las antenas. 73's GIB (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Buenos Aires, Feb 25? Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 4409.84 tentative. Radio Eco, Reyes 2330 to 0000 time period with weak signal. Can it be confirmed that Radio Eco is operating at this time? 23-25 Feb. Yo recibo una senal débil en la frecuencia de 4409.84 ~2330 UT; ¿es Radio Eco? 4722.89, Radio Uncía, Uncía 1000 to 1020 good signal with Bolivian music, om and yl announcers, two mentions of Uncía, but tough copy due to ute, 24 Feb; similar with music and seeming announcement of Uncía, 25 Feb.; 0948 to 1030 "...información la emisora ... Bolivia... departamento ...Santa Cruz... oposición en Santa Cruz.. presidente..." good signal on 27 Feb. Received a very welcome early morning email from Dave Valko with R. Pio Doce ID for 4722.89; this also reported in Cumbre DX. Pulled a strong parallel to 5952.4, Radio Pio Doce for twenty minutes. The question; is the parallel of a program or two frequencies for Pio Doce? The program seemed political. 27 Feb. Thanks to Dave Valko log, pointing out the ID or would not have looked for the parallel. [below] 4761.65, Radio Guanay, Guanay seemingly 1020-1030 with usual poor signal into Florida on 27 Feb., usually noted 2300- 0000+ time period but not at this hour (Robert Wilkner, NRD 535D - Icom R75, Pómpano Beach, Florida, U S, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM ** BOLIVIA. 4722.82, R. Pio Doce, 27 Feb 0950-1000, This is definitely Pio Doce. Surprised to hear the usual morning Aymara news-like program with same W host I've been hearing for the past several months. Occasional flute music bridges. Had the same usual canned announcements towards ToH too, along with the soft "Pio Doce" song by male chorus followed by nice ID by W. Nothing heard on usual 5952.47. Yesterday I heard this suddenly s/on around 0944 (as Pio Doce always does around this time) and I was going to remark how its just like Pio Doce. Signal not near as good as 5952.47 was. Disappointed it`s not a new station, but glad to ID this all the same (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, Cumbredx mailing list, via DXLD) See above: it`s relay by Uncía (gh) ** BRAZIL. Glenn: 4935.0 exactly - R. Capixaba, Vitória, Brazil. On 02-27-04, heard very faintly between 0745 and 0804, mostly consisting of a man speaking passionately and at the top of his voice and pitch range in rapid-fire Portuguese; then at 0749 some music began, a female ballad; after about only a minute of this, he resumed his narrative. Signal not sufficiently distinct to gain a definite idea of the program content and format; however, his tone of voice definitely reminded me of other Brazilian gospel stations. At sometime after 0800 or 0801 I noticed a different, lower-pitched male voice. I did carefully zero-beat the carrier and found it to be as precisely centered on 4935 as I could discern; strange that almost every single reference to the station that I found in a Google search carefully refers to the station as being centered at "4934.99". Is this a case of mere acquiescence, or "argument from authority" arising somehow? Of course, *I* could be a few Hertz off; suffice it to say that unlike many LA stations, the oscillator seems carefully tuned. The station was fairly well rec'd with my 107 m. dipole, but absolutely inaudible with my 53 m. random wire. Rx: R75 Glenn: A few minutes ago I reported that I had zero-beat R. Capixaba at 4935.0 as closely as I could possibly do using ECSS, with modulation covering up the precise moment when my woofer stopped flapping. I was fairly certain that I was within about +/- 5 Hz of the zero point. I have just calibrated my receiver against WWV at 5000 and found it to read approximately 15 Hz high - a bit more than the last time I checked it a few months ago. Ergo, if the calibration error is about the same around 4935, I can assume that what I was measuring was approximately 4934.985 and definitely NOT the usual frequency of "4934.99" as generally reported by so many SWL's back as far as 2002, though generally earlier reports default to "4935" according to my Googling this morning. Maybe it would be fair to round this off to 4934.99 and then we can all agree! (I used to do a monthly carrier and SCA frequency measurement service for FM stations, using a phase-lock loop calibrator system with a very accurate frequency-counter standard, and sometimes it's hard to do this with lots of noise and amplitude modulation!) Best, (Steve Waldee, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. China Radio International to broadcast to Eastern Europe on 1395 kHz --- From 1 March 2004, China Radio International (CRI) will be broadcasting in English two hours a day on mediumwave for Eastern European listeners. The broadcasts will be aired at 0700- 0900 UT on 1395 kHz from a transmitter in Albania. The programmes will be: 0700-0755 RealTime Beijing 0755-0800 Learn Chinese Now 0800-0830 News and Reports 0830-0855 Daily CRI feature programmes 0855-0900 Learn Chinese Now CRI wants reception reports on this broadcast by E-mail to crieng @ cri.com.cn. # posted by Andy @ 13:23 UT Feb 26 (Media Network blog via DXLD) TWR's European office is located in Hilversum, and at the time they were granted this concession I believe some of the transmissions on 1395 were directed to this part of Europe. But this is no longer the case, and there seems little reason for it now. The previous user of the frequency, Business Nieuws Radio, had a miniscule audience in the evenings, so was actually quite happy to switch off and save some money (Andy Sennitt, 02.26.04 - 6:14 pm, ibid.) There's a risk that if the owner of the Albanian transmitter is actively marketing its capacity then there might be yet more takeup. It would of course be very unfair if 10 Gold fans were to swamp CRI with reports of terrible reception in order to get them to give up their three hour programme (RobK 02.26.04 - 6:41 pm, ibid.) This should be in fact a return after 26 years, provided that Radio Tirana relayed Radio Beijing till Albania's breach with China in 1978. At least it's a return on Albanian transmitters in general; perhaps others will remember if Albania was on 1394 until 1978, and if so, if this frequency was used for Radio Beijing programming then? Anyway the three 500 kW MW's (two of them combined to a single 1000 kW on 1395) are of Chinese origin, so really suitable equipment for this purpose (Kai Ludwig, 02.26.04 - 9:41 pm, ibid.) ** CHINA. Summer A-04 frequencies for China Radio International via KAS (Kashi-Kashgar): 0100-0157 on 5905 KAS 100 kW / non-dir in Russian 0300-0357 on 5905 KAS 100 kW / non-dir in Russian 1200-1957 on 5905 KAS 100 kW / non-dir in Russian 1600-1657 on 5915 KAS 100 kW / 209 deg in Urdu 1900-1957 on 7130 KAS 500 kW / 294 deg in Albanian 2000-2027 on 7130 KAS 500 kW / 294 deg in Serbian 1900-2057 on 7140 KAS 500 kW / 269 deg in English 1600-1657 on 7160 KAS 100 kW / 239 deg in Arabic 1830-1927 on 7160 KAS 100 kW / 239 deg in Arabic 1800-1957 on 7170 KAS 500 kW / 308 deg in German 2030-2127 on 7180 KAS 500 kW / 294 deg in Italian 2000-2157 on 7190 KAS 500 kW / 308 deg in English 1500-1657 on 7235 KAS 100 kW / 174 deg in Hindi 2000-2057 on 7245 KAS 500 kW / 269 deg in Mandarin Ch 1400-1457 on 7265 KAS 100 kW / 173 deg in Sinhala 1500-1600 on 7265 KAS 100 kW / 173 deg in Mandarin Ch 1800-1857 on 7325 KAS 500 kW / 294 deg in Italian 1700-1757 on 7330 KAS 500 kW / 308 deg in Russian 1400-1557 on 9560 KAS 100 kW / 174 deg in English 1830-1857 on 9570 KAS 500 kW / 282 deg in Hausa 1300-1357 on 9635 KAS 100 kW / 174 deg in Hindi 1500-1557 on 9665 KAS 500 kW / 239 deg in Persian 2200-2257 on 9675 KAS 100 kW / 239 deg in Mandarin Ch 0200-0227 on 11870 KAS 100 kW / 173 deg in Tamil 1600-1727 on 12000 KAS 100 kW / 239 deg in Swahili 0200-0227 on 13715 KAS 100 kW / 174 deg in Tamil Strange requirements: 0000-1100 on 15360 KAS 500 kW / 308 deg to Eu 0100-0500 on 15455 KAS 500 kW / 308 deg to Eu 0130-1100 on 15470 KAS 500 kW / 308 deg to Eu 0000-1200 on 15510 KAS 500 kW / 308 deg to Eu 2200-1600 on 15520 KAS 100 kW / 308 deg to Eu 0100-1000 on 17490 KAS 500 kW / 308 deg to Eu 0000-1400 on 17655 KAS 500 kW / 308 deg to Eu 0000-1100 on 17670 KAS 500 kW / 308 deg to Eu 0000-1200 on 17820 KAS 500 kW / 308 deg to Eu 2200-1400 on 17880 KAS 500 kW / 308 deg to Eu (Observer, Bulgaria, Feb 27 via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. Realtime Beijing --- Last month in this space we clued you into this new and unannounced hour-long transmission from China Radio International at 1100 on 5960 kHz [via Canada]. Here’s a more detailed rundown of what you can expect to hear within this magazine program on weekdays: 1100 Top Stories (also on Sat/Sun) 1108 City Reports 1115 Business & Markets 1124 Sports News 1130 Top News Headlines & Press Clippings 1135 Feature Highlights 1142 Sci-Tech 1148 Culture & Showbiz (incl. Song of the Day) (John Figliozzi, Program Highlights, Shortwave Guide, March MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. RRB 1100 KHZ BOGOTA. Hola Amigos. Para reportar la nueva emisora operando en el AM de Bogotá; se trata de la Red de Radiodifusión Bíblica que está saliendo al aire a través de los 1100 kHz. Al parecer tomaron esta estación en arriendo a Caracol. Retransmite las 24 horas programación de esta organizacón con algunos segmentos locales para pedir contribuciones. RRB 1100 KHZ. rrbcolombia@r... [truncated] Tel. 57 1 334-4227 Más información en: http://www.bbnradio.org/rrbes/bbs/read.asp?page=&id=28&table=rrbes_voice http://www.bbnradio.org/rrbes/bbs/read.asp?page=&id=74&table=rrbes_news http://www.bbnradio.org/rrbes/ (Rafael Rodríguez, Bogotá, Feb 25, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 2200.21, Emisora Ideal, Planeta Rica 1000 to 1020 with music // to harmonic on 3300.18. Nothing on the fundamental frequency (Robert Wilkner, NRD 535D - Icom R75, Pómpano Beach, Florida, U S, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CYPRUS. Radio Monte Carlo - Moyen Orient (RMC-MO) officially confirmed that the mediumwave transmitter in Cape Greco on 1233 kHz is operated with 600 kW (which is half of the installed 1200 kW), both during the transmissions of RMC-MO and during relays of TWR (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Feb 25, MWDX via DXLD) ** ERITREA [non]. RUSSIA: Voice of Liberty in Tigrina/Arabic via SAM 250 kW / 188 degrees from Feb. 22: 0400-0500 Sun only on 15675 (44554) (Observer, Bulgaria, Feb 27 via DXLD) ** FRANCE. A VISIT TO RADIO FRANCE The studios of Radio France International are slowly moving towards digital technology. A sound engineer told me that the good old fashioned analog tape was still ``king of the office`` regardless of more modern options. Wherever you walk, you can see people hunched over analog equipment. The African studio is said to be the only digital workhorse so far. It`s in one of those studios that I was invited to sit during the only show oriented toward a North American audience. Since 2002, Radio France broadcasts a thirty minute American Journal, in French, between 1100 and 1130 UT. I sat with Jaqueline Paré, the anchor of this show, who is married to a Canadian and has studied communication in Montreal. She explained to me the mission of Radio France International for the United States. The show is considered a prestige operation for the Radio France International. The audience, I was told, is partly French government workers in the United States, United Nations staff in New York, French speaking diplomatic communities, Haitian, African and French expatriates and hopefully any Americans who may speak French. The show does not have an American content since American news is obviously more than sufficiently available throughout the United States. The show strives to not only review European and African news stories, but to also offer a different point of view to the American audience. Broadcasts and Schedules The American broadcast is transmitted on shortwave, according to the latest schedule, on 15515 and 17610 kHz between 1100 and 1130 UT. It`s also possible to listen to RFI in New York on 91.5 FM WNYE, in Boston on 740 AM WJIB and in Washington DC on 1120 AM WUST. RFI is also available on the Dish Network channel 660 or in Canada on the Videotron or Bell Express Vu on channel 979. The complete list of frequencies can be found on the website or through the Relations with Audience Office (service des relation avec les auditeurs) which can be contacted at courrier.auditeurs @ rfi.fr RFI also broadcasts towards the Caribbean from its transmitter located in the city of Montsinéry in French Guyana on 15515 and 17860 between 1230 and 1330, 9800 and 11665 between 0130 and 0200. Folks in the Southern part of the United States should try to listen to this relay (Luc Gougeon, QC, March MONITORING TIMES, from a much longer illustrated feature article, via DXLD) See also INTERNATIONAL ** FRANCE. Radio Nouveaux Talents (R.N.T.) a commencé ses émissions en Île-de-France. Zone de planification : Paris. Fréquence : 1 575,00 kHz. Adresse du site : Etoile du Pave Meudon, Meudon (92360). Altitude du site : 171 mètres. Altitude de l'antenne : 271 mètres. Puissance (PAR max.) : 5 kW. Excellente réception à Malakoff. Union des Ecouteurs Français --- Radiodiffusions, utilitaires, radio- écouteurs, radioamateurs, techniques... Courriel: tsfinfo @ magic.fr Web: http://www.u-e-f.net U.E.F.: B.P.31, 92242 MALAKOFF Cedex, FRANCE (UEF Feb 26 via Bill Westenhaver, QC, DXLD) ** HAITI. SEVEN JOURNALISTS ASSAULTED, THREE RADIO STATIONS TORCHED; FOREIGN PRESS DIRECTLY TARGETED FOR FIRST TIME SINCE START OF UPRISING http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/56985?PHPSESSID=69547bdef9da5432bec8abaab1751760 (via Arnaldo Slaen, Conexión Digital via gh, DXLD) ** HONG KONG. NAKED NEWS TO DEBUT ON HONG KONG TV Hong Kong viewers will get the naked truth on a new TV news show presented by nude newsreaders, reports the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, quoting the South China Morning Post. The newspaper says that the Fire/Ice news bulletins will be broadcast on Saturday and Sunday nights on a digital TV channel. 18-year-old model Chan Long will strip through the five-minute bulletin until she is completely naked. "It's not easy, synchronising news-reading and taking off all your clothes," Ms Chan is quoted as saying. # posted by Andy @ 11:30 UT Feb 27 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** INDIA. AIR Mumbai noted on 7240 (100 kw) from 0025 UT today (ex 7220) for the test broacasts. 7220 was having lot of interference. 7240 is the normal day time frequency of AIR Mumbai 50 kw transmitter is is used at other times. ===== 73 de (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, Feb 26, dx_india via DXLD) Probably not much of a surprise: but all four frequencies of 7220, 7270, 7360 and 7420 kHz with excellent signals in Kathmandu/Nepal at around 1100 UT. Programming consists of light Indian music and Hind pop-songs. A few ads thrown in for good measure and a very talkative female host. I just sent of a short report to the Spectrum manager, Mr. Bhatia. [later:] I just had a little 'eMail-conversation' going on with the AIR Spectrum Manager, Mr. Sunil Bathia. In a very friendly email he informs me that the transmitter-sites for the four frequencies of 7220, 7270, 7360 and 7420 kHz are Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati & Chennai. Power ranging from 50 to 100 kW. 73 de (Thomas Roth from Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb 27, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 4749.96, RRI Makassar, Presumed, 1100-1110 Feb 27. Noted a woman and man in Indonesian Language news. Haven't heard Makassar for a while here and previously measured them on 4753, so the ID isn't certain on this broadcast. The signal was poor at tune in, but was fading in as the broadcast continued, resulting in a fair signal (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL. MUSIC IN OTHER LANGUAGES Tying in with this month`s Programming Spotlight column, here are some music programs from the home language services of broadcasters putting strong signals into North America: Deutsche Welle (DW) Bunte Noten — Sun 1805, 2205; Mon 0205. Klassik und Mehr — Sun 1830, 2230; Mon 0230. Musik-Thema — Mon 1940, 2340; Tue 0340. Schlager — Tue 2135; Wed 0135, 0535. Weltmusik — Thu 1940, 2340; Fri 0340. Radio Exterior de España (REE) Así Sueño — M-F 2030. La Bañera de Ulises — Sun 0005, 1005, 2205; Tue 1405, 2205. Nuestro Sello — M-F 1005. Radio France Internationale (RFI) Afro Pop — Sun 2105 (9790, 11955) Couleurs Tropicales — M-F 2110 (9790, 11955) La Bande Passante — M-F 1430 (15300, 21685); 2030 (9790, 11955) Musiques de Monde — Tue/Wed 1410; Sun 1510 (15300, 21685) Tu Connais la Chanson — Sun 1430; Thu 1410 (15300, 21685) (John Figliozzi, Program Highlights, Shortwave Guide, March MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL. GROUP ADDS A DASH OF FRESHNESS TO MORSE CODE SIGN: The International Telecommunications Union OKs the "commat" to denote the @ used in e-mail addresses. By David Kohn Sun Staff Originally published February 16, 2004 Morse code is entering the 21st century - or at least the late 20th. The 160-year-old communication system has a new character to denote the "@" symbol used in e-mail addresses. In December, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which oversees the entire frequency spectrum, from amateur radio to satellites, voted to add the new character. The new sign, which will be known as a "commat," consists of the signals for "A" (dot-dash) and "C" (dash-dot-dash-dot), with no space between them. The new sign is the first in at least several decades, and possibly much longer. Among ITU officials and Morse code aficionados, no one could remember another addition. . . http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.morse16feb16,0,2782636.story?coll=bal-news-nation (via Carlos A. Coimbra, Canada, DXLD) ** IRAN. VOIROI/IRIB changes in Arabic: 0330-1027 on 13790*KAM 500 kW / 178 deg, addit freq, also registered for A-04 0530-1627 on 15545 SIR 500 kW / 295 deg, ex 0330-1627 1630-0527 on 9935#SIR 500 kW / 295 deg, ex 1630-0327 * strong co-ch Swiss Radio Inter. in Fr/Ge/It/En 0600-0800 # strong co-ch Radiophonikos Stathmos Makedonias 1630-1655 (Observer, Bulgaria, Feb 27 via DXLD) ** IRELAND. Blank carrier on 252 --- Wednesday 25th February 2004 A blank carrier has appeared on 252 kHz, the long wave frequency on which RTÉ Radio are planning to run Radio 1 programming. RTÉ have been making a bit of noise recently about an impending announcement concerning this frequency, and had already indicated that March 17th (St Patrick's Day) was a very possible start date. http://www.radiowaves.fm/news/index.shtml (via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) [Moderator: carrier on top of Algeria in Caversham at moment (2000 UT) on E-W Beverage.] (BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** IRELAND. BCI TO OFFER TWO DUBLIN RADIO LICENCES Friday, February 27 07:43:40 (BizWorld) http://www.businessworld.ie/livenews.htm?a=867501%3Bs=rollingnews.htm The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has decided to issue just two new radio licences for Dublin. It had initially intended to issue four licences but has reconsidered its decision due to concern that four new stations would swamp the market and threaten newer operations such as Newstalk, Spin FM and Dublin's Country. The BCI now plans to advertise shortly for a new alternative rock service for Dublin city and county and a multi-cultural station for Dublin city. More than 60 expressions of interest were submitted to the BCI late last year for the original four licences up for grabs. Among the high profile names that applied were TV3, FM104 and UK group SRH, all of whom proposing rock music services. Former pirates Phantom FM and Jazz FM also applied for licences, while there were proposals for a sports station, an all-Irish music service, a tourist information service, a religious station and a Christian music station (via Mike Terry, Feb 27, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** IRELAND. OZONE TO TEST ON 9212 KHZ I have heard on the grapevine that Radio Ozone is to be testing 9212 kHz in the near future. And that Ozone will be back on Sundays in March on and around 7.4 MHz or so. The 9212 tests will apparently be and are most likely to be nighttime tests. So it may be worth keeping an ear out here to see what can be heard. Mr Ozone, it has been said has tested 9 MHz at an ungiven time before midnight recently and the results were very good (Steven Overall, Feb 27, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** ISLE OF MAN. Concerns over long wave mast --- The Island's Radio Mast Concern group is calling for a full public inquiry to be launched into the siting of a mast for a new long-wave radio station. Isle of Man International Broadcasting PLC hopes to launch a Ramsey based station within the next 12 months and will site its mast four kilometres off the coast of Cranstal in Bride. However, John Watson, Chairman of the concern group set-up after IMIB announced its plans, says further action has to be taken to prevent the transmitter being sited in Ramsey Bay. http://www.manxradio.com/ (via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. IBA TO LOWER TV LICENSE FEE BY 10 PERCENT By Hadar Horesh, Haaretz Correspondent http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=398711&contrassID=1&subContrassID=4&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y Television license fees are going to drop by 10 percent, to NIS 464 this year. The Israel Broadcasting Authority announced Wednesday that it had dropped its attempts to raise fees, noting it would abide by the law and lower television license fees by 10 percent and the fee on car radios by 5 percent. This will mean that the IBA's budget will be short of NIS 200 million this year, and the authority will have to cut activities in keeping with the new sum. But IBA sources said it was too soon to expect a recovery program this year. Because of differences of opinion over the exact sum of the TV license fee, no payments have been collected this fiscal year and no notices have been sent out to the public. Wednesday, following a meeting between Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Ehud Olmert, who is in charge of telecommunications, IBA board head Avraham Natan announced that he was backing down from his demand to raise TV license fees. In another development, the treasury has agreed in principle to assist the IBA in covering the expenses involved in dismissing workers for streamlining purposes, the cost of which is estimated at NIS 250,000 per worker (via Doni Rosenzweig, DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. "ENCUESTA DECISIVA DE RADIO NEDERLAND Y ANUNCIAN CIERRE DE SEIS DEPARTAMENTOS EN RADIO RUMANIA INTERNACIONAL" Les hago saber que el contenido de mi Informe N 149 a emitirse el próximo sábado 28 de febrero a través del programa "Antena de la Amistad" de KBS Radio Corea Internacional será referido al llamamiento que hace Radio Nederland a todos sus oyentes del mundo hispano para completar la encuesta que posibilitará la permanencia del Servicio Español de RNW por onda corta y al lamentable anuncio del cierre de seis departamentos de RRI Radio Rumania Internacional, entre ellos, el Servicio en Portugués. Aunque hay quienes opinan que las decisiones políticas son intransigentes, los radioescuchas y diexistas podemos revertirlas con la fortaleza que crea la solidaridad con los radioemisores internacionales. Este es el esquema de Radio Corea Internacional (horarios UTC, frecuencias y áreas de destino): 1000-1100 15210 Europa 1000-1100 9580, 9760 (*) Sudamérica 2000-2100 9515 Europa 0100-0200 11810 Europa 0700-0800 13670 Europa (*) vía Sackville-Canadá (El programa se transmite a los 10' de comenzada cada emisión, después de las noticias.) En real audio por Internet entrando a http://rki.kbs.co.kr en los siguientes horarios UTC y canales: 2000-2100 - CH1 2100-2200 - CH2 0100-0200 - CH1 1300-1400 - CH2 También en audio por demanda entrando en http://rki.kbs.co.kr (click en Select Language/Spanish, luego Antena-Buzón y elegir la fecha Febrero 28). El programa se carga uno o dos días después de su emisión. Están disponibles los siete (7) últimos programas emitidos. Un cordial saludo y hasta la próxima (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Argentina, Feb 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MYANMAR. Good reception in Bulgaria for Radio Myanmar in English: 1500-1600 on 5985.6 (44554) (Observer, Bulgaria, Feb 27 via DXLD) ** NEPAL [non]. Re Voice of the Himalayas: Dave and all, I would consider this a 'pie in the sky' case. Radio Nepal was established on 1st April 1951 and remained the only radio station in the country for many years. Considering the BIG FUSS the authorities made about issuing licenses for FM station in the recent years and their extreme restrictivness concerning such matters, I just can't imagine that they would have granted a license to some Switzerland based outfit... Also, I'm living in Nepal (on and off) since 1980. Never heard of the 'Himalayan Broadcasting System (HIMBROS)' as they called themselves. Just my two-pence... 73 de (Thomas Roth, Kathmandu, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Why would they need Nepali license to operate from Switzerland? ** NETHERLANDS [non]. Not the Media Network mailing list Thanks to Glenn Hauser for alerting me to this: A new Yahoo! group called media_network has appeared, having been set up some time in the past 48 hours. Its purpose, apparently, is "to persuade radio nederlands [sic] to bring back media network to the airwaves instead of being an internet based service". So far, six people have joined, but since none of them has posted a message so far it's not quite clear what their intentions are. The only thing I want to say at this stage is that Radio Netherlands no longer hosts its public mailing lists on Yahoo! groups, as we now use listserv, so any list on Yahoo! groups bearing the name Radio Netherlands or something similar is not officially endorsed by us. That said, we will naturally take note of opinions expressed in any such unofficial groups. And, to prove that we're not opposed to our listeners' right to have their say, you can join the said group by sending a blank E-mail to media_network-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visiting the group's Home Page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/media_network/ # posted by Andy @ 18:55 UT Feb 25 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** NIGER. Reactivated on 3260? This evening I received a weak station with talks in French on 3260 from 2015 to 2102. After listening several times to my tape recording I believed to hear the ID "Voix du Sahel". However there are still some doubts. The station was closing down at 2102. Who does know more? vy 73 (Michael Schnitzer, Feb 27, Homepage: http://home.arcor.de/mschnitzer/ Location: Hassfurt, Germany, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** PANAMA. UNID Colombian (?) on 1159.97 --- Surprisingly strong during two announcements in a music program, sounds to be Colombian. Clearly seems to be "Ecos del ..", the last word sound something like "Belazi" (??). "Playa" is mentioned during the ID. Anyway, not Ecos de Colombia. Heard on the 26th of Dec at 0315 UT. Comments, please. Thanks (Jari Ruohomäki, Oulu, Finland, dxing.info via DXLD) A NEW PANAMANIAN ON 1160 LOGGED IN FINLAND Ecos de Pedasí is a new Panamanian on 1160 kHz logged as unid in Dec by Jari Ruohomäki, and again in Jan, also as unid, by Pertti Äyräs. Both DXers have sent me their respective audio samples for "processing". A few seconds of Panamanian cumbia on one of the clips provided the clue to the country of origin. Panamanian cumbia is not usually heard in other countries. The village of Pedasí is located 320 km SW of Panama City and 42 km S of Las Tablas, in Panamá`s `Provincias Centrales`, on the "hump" of Los Santos province. It is not easily found on an ordinary map as the population is just around 2,000. Las Tablas, of 25,000 people, is easier to find and this town has a port called Mensabé which will ring a bell with many DXers as there is a station by that name on 1410 kHz. Las Tablas is known for its Carnival, the best of its kind in Panamá, observers say. Pedasí sends a dance troupe of its own to this event which is taking place right now. Some pictures from ``the friendly, uneventful little village`` of Pedasí can be viewed at http://www.panamatipico.com/articulo.php?articulo=192 This website carries lots of pictures and links to MP3 recordings of Panamanian cumbia. Incidentally, Pedasí is the hometown of the Nation´s President, Mrs. Mireya Moscoso. I have not found any references to the station on the web, but from one of the IDs it would seem that Pedasí, Provincia Los Santos could be the actual postal address of the station. Last edited by Henrik Klemetz on Fri Feb 27, 2004 1259 UTC; edited 1 time in total (Dxing.info via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Glenn: 4890 - NBC Port Moresby. I often hear this station; it's rarely absent during an early morning scan of the 60M band. But on 2-24-04, at 0917, I tuned in and was absolutely shocked by the perfect clarity of reception, though the RF level wasn't much stronger than usual. I could hear every syllable of an NBC correspondent, with a mellifluous local accent, reciting a story in English about the ministry of police. "Wow", I thought, "what remarkable reception!" I was surprised that some of the Indonesian and PNG stations nearby were not as clear, but sounded as usual. Well, it was not propagation, or any kind of anomalous condition; it was the miking! As soon as the studio announcer, a woman, resumed the anchor reporting, the sound deteriorated to a muffled rumble with a grotesque howling peak around 400 Hz: absolutely indistinct, with only a word or two understood per minute. Then, back to the other correspondent: clear again! I finally decided that he was telephoning in his report, and the contrast in crispness and clarity between that, and a very muddy studio mike -- probably set to "music" pickup setting -- coupled with very rudimentary audio processing, was the cause. If only the station could hear how it sounds 10,000 km away. And, yes: back from the female announcer to another different field reporter, by phone: and clarity again. The ham proponents of "high fidelity via SSB" might take this to heart: there's something to be said for the efficiency of transmission of Dr. A. Graham Bell's old technology! Best, (Steve Waldee - retired radio station CE, San Jose, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) And if only they could hear what it sound like 1000 km away (gh, DXLD) ** PERU. Glenn: 4974.79 - Radio del Pacifico, Lima. Heard from 0810 to 0820 on 2/24/04 with fairly good signal and clarity. Tuned in to what must have been the Rosary in Spanish, with a male voice and prayers echoed by females; then around 0818 a very sentimental-sounding male pop-type song, reception being too indistinct and noisy to distinguish any words. At 0822 a male announcer came in, using the typical "high- talking" hyper style of the genre. Steady signal, surprising me as being much louder and stronger on my 175 foot random wire than with my 350 foot dipole (different angle of radiation? Usually LA stations are almost 100% of the time stronger on the dipole.) Rx: R75. Best, (Steve Waldee - former radio station CE, San José, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 5005.78, Radio LTC, Juliaca noted 1030 to 1035 with strong signal, music 27 Feb (Robert Wilkner, NRD 535D - Icom R75, Pómpano Beach, Florida, U S, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. 7200, R. Rossii via Yakutsk, (presumed), 1211-1227, Feb. 27, Russian, OM and YL announcer alternating talks between brief piano musical bits, (tentative) passing mention of "Radio Rossii" during talk at 1215 and during program credits at 1223. Fair/poor, fading out under increasing amateur radio chatter, unusable by tune-out. I will need to monitor this more in the coming days and check my logbooks where I believe my last log of this was during the winter of 2002/2003, when it was always a reliable catch at my location in the early AM (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, MLB-1, RS longwire with RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA [and non]. Russian International Radio schedule Feb 2004 (updated) Russian International Radio (RIR), the joint service of Voice of Russia and Russkoye Radio, now leases air time also on the Sasnovy transmitter in Belarus on 1170 kHz and changed the schedule via Tbilisskaya 1170 kHz. The updated schedule is as follows: 234 500 Gavar, ARM 1100-1400 603 5 Berlin, D 0900-1000, 1300-1600, 2000-2200 801 1000 Orzu, TJK 0300-0500 936 1000 Lviv, UKR 1800-2100 972 500 Mykolaiv, UKR 1800-2000 999 500 Grigoripol, MDA 1800-2000, 2200-2400 1089 1200 Tbilisskaya, RUS 1700-2100 1143 150 Bolshakovo, RUS 1300-1800, 1900-2200 1143 150 Dushanbe, TJK 1800-2200 1170 1200 Tbilisskaya, RUS 0400-0600 1170 800 Sasnovy, BLR 0400-0500, 0700-1000 1215 1200 Bolshakovo, RUS 1000-1100, 2000-2100 1314 1000 Gavar, ARM 2000-2100 1323 1000 Wachenbrunn, D 1300-1600 1386 1200 Bolshakovo, RUS 1300-1600 1494 600 Krasnyy Bor, RUS 2100-2200 1548 500 Grigoriopol, MDA 0500-0900 Email: rir@v... [truncated] All programs are in Russian. (Info: Voice of Russia website; site names adjusted & power added by BT) (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Feb 25, MW-DX via DXLD) ** SAMOA AMERICAN. INTRODUCING FIRST PUBLIC RADIO KULA-LP FM 95.1 by Andrew Fa'asau, Samoa News Correspondent The Territory's first public radio station has hit the airwaves with program testing that started on January 24, 2004 and its official launching is anticipated soon. "On January 23rd, we notified the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of our intent to begin program testing" stated Station Director Randy English in an exclusive interview. "We're running pretty much automated right now and we're in the process of finalizing the initial test on our equipment, seeing how things are running and getting a feel for how the station is getting out there." The new station has been named American Samoa (AS) Public Radio KULA- LP FM 95.1 and is licensed under a private non-profit organization incorporated within the Territory of American Samoa. Its studios are located at the organization's offices in Ili'ili. "A public radio station is more about the community than anything else," English explained. "Though our listening audience includes consumers, it's not our predominant quest to approach our audience as consumers because we're not trying to sell anything. "Our particular station will be involved in broadcasting programs pertaining to four main categories - culture, education, religion and health. In addition to that, we will of course have music which will be played." The station director revealed that they are currently in discussion with Washington-based National Public Radio (NPR) and two other organizations to bring in some of their programming to be broadcast on the new public radio station. Much of the rest of the programming according to English, will fall in what has been called "local origination." These programs will be produced locally and will discuss issues relating to each of the four categories the station will specialize in. Plans to broadcast local news daily is also in the works. KULA-LP FM 95.1 has been authorized by the FCC to broadcast with an effective radiated power rate of 100 watts, which is lower than the existing stations in the Territory. However, English stated that they chose to pursue obtaining a low power license for specific reasons. "We had to make a choice in what type of non-commercial educational license we would seek from the FCC," he elaborated. "For us, there were basically two possible models to consider in obtaining a license for a new public radio station for the Territory." "One would be a model whereby a radio station broadcasting at a higher power could be constructed and that signal would reach many of the people though as we have found out, even a higher powered station has difficulty in reaching all of our people. "A second model would be to have a low power FM station, that could eventually operate in conjunction with several 'FM translators' positioned throughout the Territory. It is this second model that we are pursuing. "FM translators are similar to 'repeaters' in that they rebroadcast the signal from a primary radio antenna. Translators can receive a primary signal via several different ways, the most common is on-air. "In other words, with the second model fully operational, there would be an antenna that's set to receive the primary broadcast signal from our station (KULA-LP), and then that signal would be re-broadcast via an FM translator but on a different frequency. Whereas KULA-LP FM is operating on frequency 95.1, the proposed translators will operate on say 97.1, 99.1 and so forth." He stated that there are currently four applications pending with the FCC for FM translators to be constructed in the Territory that will rebroadcast his station's signal. Once they are constructed, their coverage "will pretty much be nationwide including the Manu'a group." "In fact, by using FM translators, we believe you have a somewhat better model because there's less what's called 'shaded areas'," the KULA-LP station manager clarified. "Shaded areas are locations where (because of mountains or rough terrain) the signal is hard to receive. But with translators, you tend to decrease that problem, at least more so than if you had one station operating on high power from just one antenna." Randy English, a native of Arkansas is a minister of the Church of Christ, a non-denominational group ministering the gospel in Pacific island countries. "My work as a minister to different nations of the Pacific required me to have a work-base in the Pacific rim," he explained. "In 1989, my wife Sharon and I chose American Samoa as a place to live, have our family and raise our children. For the past 14 years, we have been working from American Samoa in our missionary work to the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, Kiribati, and other nations in the Pacific." However, he pointed out that American Samoa Public Radio KULA-LP FM 95.1 will not be broadcasting in an entirely religious format. "We chose specifically not to have all of the programming of the new station to be what is typically referred to as 'religious' format'," he stated. "The reason is that all people live out their lives 24 hours a day in a 'real world.' In this 'real world' they have jobs, marriages, families, and of course they deal with issues of health, education, religion, culture, and much more." "While it's true that we should always allow God to guide our lives in everything, the Bible teaches us to 'become all things to all men.' We are therefore not to live in an 'un-real world' where we would only talk about God and not open our eyes and address the real world around us. "Christianity should not be regarded as a 'religious event' only, but rather a lifestyle that we live out 24 hours a day, in word and in deed. It includes 'life's issues' like health, education, culture and of course, religion. Our desire is that anything we broadcast, regardless of the topic, would bring glory to God." The idea of establishing a public radio according to English, came about as a result of a desire to give something back to the community. "American Samoa has been our home for the past 14 years. We have four sons that were all born and raised here in the Territory. About four years ago, we realized that there was a need for our family to become more involved in community service. "We've always been active in the community but we wanted to provide something to the people of American Samoa as a way of showing them our appreciation. Something that would be helpful to the community and in harmony with our efforts to serve God and yet provide an answer to a big need to something that was missing - like public radio." Eventually, they came up with the idea of establishing a public radio station. They cautiously analyzed the feasibility of going ahead with their intended project until they finally approached the FCC about a license. With regard to broadcasts during times of emergencies, he stated that KULA-LP FM 95.1 is fully equipped with the Emergency Alert System (EAS) as required by the FCC, and able to receive and to send authorized EAS messages and advisories. English also stated that KULA-LP FM 95.1 will be staffed solely by volunteers except some technicians whom they will hire for technical maintenance. "A lot of people with experience in broadcasting have come forward and offered their services," said the station manager who produces the radio Bible program "Sonlight in the Pacific" aired every week on KSBS-FM 92.1. KULA-LP FM 95.1 is currently heard in the western district as far as Amaluia, in the bay area and in most areas in the eastern district and Aunu'u island (via E. Baxendale, UK, Feb 25, DXLD) KULA used to be a callsign kicking around the Hawaiian islands. What an unholy mix of programming they propose (gh) ** SOMALIA. Radio Shabele (also spelled as Shabelle, Shabeele or Shabeelle) from Mogadishu has begun shortwave broadcasts on 6961 kHz. Previously the station, launched in 2002, only operated on 101.5 MHz FM. Another FM station with the same name and same private owners is located in Merca (also spelled as Merka or Marka), the capital of the Lower Shabele region. Radio Shabele aims to promote stability, democracy and good governance, and describes itself as an independent station in a country ravaged by clan warfare. The station is on the air 13 hours a day, at 0400-0600 and at 1000-2100 UT. The new shortwave transmitter was first reported by Chris Greenway in Kenya on BDXC-UK [and DX LISTENING DIGEST, WORLD OF RADIO 1221]. Further away, Mauno Ritola and Jari Savolainen in Finland have reported hearing the station on February 25. The station can be contacted by email, by telephone at +252-5-933111 / +252-1-227733 and 659699, or by telefax at +252-1-659699. The office of Radio Shabele, headed by Abdi Malik Yusuf Mahmuud, is located on the third floor of Global Building, on the second road of Bakaraha Market, in downtown Mogadishu. In Merca the station can be found next to COSV Building on a hill top overlooking the port of Merca (DXing.info, February 25, 2004 via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. GERMANY: Frequency changes for Brother Stair TOM via DTK T-Systems: 1100-1200 NF 9480 JUL 100 kW / 020 deg to Scandinavia ex 9485 1100-1200 on 13850 JUL 100 kW / 120 deg to Hungary/Greece additional frequency (Observer, Bulgaria, Feb 27 via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. New clandestine Truth for The World in Chinese with good reception in Bulgaria 1400-1430 Sat on 7220 (44444) via TAI 100 kW / 320 deg (Observer, Bulgaria, Feb 27 via DXLD) ** TIBET [non]. UZBEKISTAN: Frequency change for Voice of Tibet in Tibetan & Chinese via Tashkent 200 kW / 131 degrees: 1430-1517 Daily NF 17540 (44544), ex 7485 Mon-Wed and 7525 Thu-Sun (Observer, Bulgaria, Feb 27 via DXLD) ** U S A. VOA LAST DAY IN 10 LANGUAGES Today February 27, 2004, is the last day of broadcasts for many VOA European language services. Check the audio streams by way of http://www.voanews.com for possible special programming. The languages are Polish, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Slovene, Bulgarian, Romanian, Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian. 73 (Kim Elliott, VOA, DC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I listened to the archived 0430-0445 UT Romanian broadcast, the one I could understand to some extent, but heard nothing special, altho I had no way to be sure it was the latest and final one. Will the websites of all these casualties be promptly deleted? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. WHY SPLITTING UP US INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING ISN'T SMART Commentary by Andy Sennitt, 26 February 2004 Alhurra TV, the latest model off the production line of US government- sponsored media outlets, has started broadcasting to a less than enthusiastic audience in the Middle East. It's beginning to look as if the policy of the current US administration is to bombard the planet with more and more stations on more and more frequencies. It's a strategy not dissimilar to the one employed by the old Soviet Union... http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/us040226.html (Media Network via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. AFRTS/AFN Confusion Continues Several months after the American Forces Radio/TV Service (AFRTS) announced new frequencies for the Navy`s shortwave rebroadcast of AFRTS and the American Forces Network (AFN), things are still pretty confused. The AFN web site shows the following new frequencies, which are all upper sideband (USB) and in kilohertz (kHz): (all nights are local time at the transmitter) Diego García (Indian Ocean): 12579 day, 4319 night Guam (West Pacific): 13362 day, 5765 night Pearl Harbor, Hawaii: 10320 day, 6350 night Key West, FL: 5446.5 and 12133.5, 24 hours Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico: 7507, 24 hours Keflavik, Iceland (North Atlantic): 13855, 24 hours Immediate confusion was caused by Diego García`s listing for 12579, which is an international MSI (Maritime Safety Information) frequency using narrowband direct printing in SITOR-B (Simplex Telex Over Radio, mode B). This particular frequency is used every day by the US Coast Guard, among other agencies worldwide, to comply with treaties regarding the safety of life at sea. They’re still sorting this one out. Keflavik, a military base in Iceland, was not heard right away, but Klaus Betke was able to confirm it from Scandinavia on New Year`s Eve. 13855 is indeed the right frequency. [heard Feb 26 around 2210 here, with NPR ATC, \\ 12133.5, both about a second behind KOSU -gh] For the longest time, there was some dispute over whether the US transmitter was at the Key West communication site, or the big Rosey Roads base in Puerto Rico. In this band plan, though, all three frequencies have been reported as up simultaneously. All the confusion is probably due to the fact that AFRTS has always been pretty much out of the loop on this particular broadcast. At the very beginning, in fact, they thought someone had pirated their downlink. This is why it’s never a good idea to try and get a verification (QSL) from AFRTS itself. AFN lists an e-mail address of QSL @ mediacen.navy.mil The content of this broadcast is a pickup of the AFRTS/AFN ``interruptible voice channel.`` It’s a dump from the satellite downlink to HF (high frequency, nominally 3-30 megahertz). This was originally done in order to fill gaps in the Navy’s DTS (Direct To Sailor) entertainment system. Years later, though, the rebroadcast continues. It has proven simple and effective, as HF usually does. The ``interruptible`` part refers to the fact that the ``voice channel`` can be broken into for special programs such as ball games. There are actually several program channels going out at once, and so the content on HF can be kind of unpredictable. Sure is nice to miss all the commercials, though (Hugh Stegman, HF Communications, Utility World, March MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** U S A. NEW WRMI PROGRAM SCHEDULE POSTED FEB 27: WRMI Schedule/Horario effective Feb. 27, 2004 Days are local days in the Americas; times are UTC. Días son días locales en las Américas; horas son UTC. MONDAY-FRIDAY/LUNES-VIERNES To the Caribbean and Latin America on 9955 kHz/Hacia el Caribe y Latinoamérica en 9955 kHz: 1000-1045 Words of the Spirit (English; Monday-Wednesday, Friday) 1000-1100 Words of the Spirit (English; Thursday) 1045-1100 Hijo de Bayamo (español; lunes-miércoles, viernes) 1100-1200 Overcomer Ministry (English) 1200-1215 Radio Vaticano (español; jueves) 1200-1230 Junta Patriotica Cubana (español, lunes) 1200-1230 Entre Nosotras (español; miércoles) 1200-1300 Radio Revista Lux (español; martes) 1200-1300 Foro Militar Cubano (español, viernes) 1215-1230 Hijo e Byaamo (español; jueves) 1230-1300 Entre Nosotras (español; lunes, miércoles, jueves) To North America on 15725 kHz/Hacia Norteamérica en 15725 kHz: 1300-2200 Christian Media Network (English) [2200-2300 Brother Scare omitted! -- or has he now been dropped?] 2300-0000 Christian Media Network (English) 7385 kHz to North America/7385 kHz hacia Norteamérica: Note: The following are Tuesday-Saturday UTC. Los siguientes son martes-sábado UTC. 0000-1000 Christian Media Network (English) SATURDAY/SABADO To the Caribbean and Latin America on 9955 kHz/Hacia el Caribe y Latinoamérica en 9955 kHz: 1000-1030 Words of the Spirit (English) 1030-1045 La Verdad para el Mundo (español) 1045-1100 Hijo de Bayamo (español) 1100-1200 Overcomer Ministry (English) 1200-1215 Parole de Vie (French) 1215-1230 Nations Unies (French) 1230-1300 Reality in Jesus (English) To North America on 15725 kHz/Hacia Norteamérica en 15725 kHz: 1300-2200 World Radio Network (English) 2200-2300 Overcomer Ministry (English) 2300-2330 Battle Cry Sounding (English) 2330-0000 Words of the Spirit (English) To the Caribbean and Latin America on 9955 kHz/Hacia el Caribe y Latinoamérica en 9955 kHz: The following are Sunday UTC. Los siguientes son domingo UTC. 0000-0100 Foro Militar Cubano (español) 0100-0130 Conversando entre Cubanos (español) 0130-0145 La Hora de Chibás (español) 0145-0200 La Verdad Para el Mundo (español) 0200-0300 Radio Revista Lux (español) 0300-0330 Cuba Buenas Nuevas 7385 kHz to North America/7385 kHz para Norteamérica: 0330-0400 Voice of the NASB (English) 0400-1000 World Radio Network (English) SUNDAY/DOMINGO To the Caribbean and Latin America on 9955 kHz/Hacia el Caribe y Latinoamerérica en 9955 kHz: 1000-1030 Jack Van Impe (English) 1030-1100 Voice of the NASB (English) 1100-1115 Church of Christ (English) 1115-1130 Truth for the World (English) 1130-1145 JDL Gospel Ministry (English) 1145-1200 Hijo de Bayamo (español) 1200-1230 Creciendo en Gracia (español) 1230-1300 Carter Report (English) To North America on 15725 kHz/Hacia Norteamérica en 15725 kHz: 1300-1430 Solid Rock Radio (English) 1430-1500 Battle Cry Sounding (English) 1500-2100 World Radio Network (English) 2100-2130 Jack Van Impe (English) 2130-2145 Church of Christ (English) 2145-2200 JDL Gospel Ministries (English) 2200-2230 Wavescan (English) 2230-2300 Voice of the NASB (English) To the Caribbean and Latin America on 9955 kHz/Hacia el Caribe y Latinoamérica en 9955 kHz: 2300-2315 Souls Vision (English) 2315-2330 Naçoes Unidas (portugués) 2330-0000 La Voz del Escambray (español) The following are UTC Monday. Los siguientes son UTC lunes. 0000-0100 Radio Revista Lux (español) 0100-0115 Conociendo la Verdad (español) 0115-0130 Truth for the World (English) 0130-0230 Radio Oriente Libre (español) 0230-0300 Conversando entre Cubanos (español) 7385 kHz to North America /7385 kHz para Norteamérica: 0300-0330 Carter Report (English) 0330-0400 Wavescan (English) 0400-0500 VCS Radio (English) 0500-1000 World Radio Network (via John Norfolk, and gh, DXLD) And at the bottom of http://www.wrmi.net/pages/714011/index.htm WRMI now has a bunch of mp3 audio files, samples of some outside programs, and complete Viva Miami shows! The one I listened to was undated, but obviously from 2003. Lots of familiar names, including a no-details report from the notorious faker Carlo Bellabarba in Bologna. Jeff promised him a QSL if he would send in a complete report (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1020, WRHB, Kendall FL; KDKA faded at 0807, leaving African- accented French talk (similar to that of 980 WHSR on 23/2); less heavily accented French announcements at 0814, ID "Radio Carnivale" (x2) and a few words of English "... right here in Miami, it's your turn to do ..." more France announcements, in which further mentions of "Radio Carnivale" and "Miami"; then into Afro-Caribbean-style music at 0818, gone by 0837. UK FIRST. W/F 0807 27/2. Quite a few stations still about by 0930, but soon gone. 73s (Martin A. Hall, Clashmore, Scotland. NRD-545, beverages: 513m at 240 degrees, unterminated; 506m at 290 degrees, terminated; 588m at 315 degrees, terminated; 362 m at 360 degrees, unterminated. http://www.gorrell.supanet.com/index.html Medium Wave Circle via DXLD) ** U S A. A DX Audio Service member said that there is a new station on the air in Miami Beach FL on 1120, // to an FM 99.5 "Radio New Dimension", and he thinks it may be a pirate. Anyone have any information on this? (Fred Vobbe, OH, NRC-AM via DXLD) Miami has 50 kW WQBA on 1140, so must be a pi-rate (BILL Hale, TX, ibid.) ** U S A. The QSL pictured here came from WNAX-570 Yankton, South Dakota. (David Onsted, GM, 1609 E. Highway 50, Yankton SD 57078) WNAX believes the 960-foot tower they use for non-directional daytime operation is the tallest in use by an AM station in the USA, and they believe their 250,000-square-mile daytime coverage area is the largest of any U.S. station. They`re probably right! (Doug Smith, W9WI, American Bandscan, March MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) What about KFYR-550 in North Dakota? May have shorter tower (tho logically it should be slightly taller), but with slightly lower frequency, greater coverage, everything else being equal. They should not imply that on AM, tower height necessarily correlates with coverage! (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. A DIFFERENT KIND OF OLDIES SHOW PREGAME FEEDS FOR 2/28 There has been a major change to the previously announced RNI Broadband station feed. As announced, we are going to present only the dial up audio on live365, but RNI will not be picking up the 2 additional Cafe hours due to contractual problems. We will instead be sending our 64kbs broadband service on the RNI feed server and we're offering the url for this link to anyone who would like to continue to listen in 64kbs. Please reply to me for this url, this is a private server and I do not want to make a public link at my website. Here is the schedule for our internet feeds this weekend. All times US Eastern. Station Legend: Public Audio; DC - http://www.doowopcafe.net/doowop.ram (browser or Real Player) L3 - http://www.live365.com/stations/steve_cole (browser) or L3 - http://www.live365.com/play/15660 (Real Player LOCATION) RN - RNI station servers at http://www.radionewyorkinternational.com (browser) WBCQ - 7415 kHz Shortwave Non Public Servers, Authorization required; D2 - Doo Wop Cafe Test Server (not being used) P1 - Local Shoutcast server (not being used) P2 - Local Windows Media server (not being used) RP - RNI/WBCQ program feed server Saturday: 4:12PM EST/2113 UTC - L3, RP NINE, The Ultimate Radio Format 4:18PM EST/2118 UTC - L3, RP 199-NINE! 4:30PM EST/2130 UTC - L3, RP Amateur Radio Newsline 2/27 #1385 5:00PM EST/2200 UTC - L3, RP Glen[n] Hauser's World Of Radio # 1221 5:30PM EST/2230 UTC - L3, RP Rock The Universe with Rich Adcock - 2/27-3/1/04, 1957 (Extended RNI Mix) 6:30PM EST/2330 UTC - L3, RP Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, Episode 11 7:00PM EST/0000 UTC - L3, RP Stan Freberg Show #4, 8/4/57 7:58PM EST/0058 UTC - L3, RP, DC Musical filler 8:00PM EST/0100 UTC - L3, RN, RP, DC, WBCQ A Different Kind Of Oldies Show #262 Tribute to Don Cornell, incl. Original R&B versions of his hits. 9:00PM EST/0200 UTC - L3, RP, DC A Different Kind Of Oldies Show #262, Parts 2 & 3 Doo Wop Cafe portion 11:00PM EST/0400 UTC - L3 Doo Wop Cafe Simulcast: Swingate's Nite Owl Buffet Sunday: 8:00AM EST/1300 UTC - DC Rock The Universe with Rich Adcock - 2/28-3/1/04, 1957 (Big Steve Cole, Feb 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. DR. BOB ARNOT`S PARTING SHOT [AGAINST NBC NEWS] http://www.observer.com/pages/story.asp?ID=8622 This article previously mentioned has belatedly appeared in the NY Observer archives (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. JOCKS PAY. ONE SLIP YOU'RE GONE. February 25, 2004 Clear Channel says it will fire any personalities that break the FCC's indecency rules and make them share financial responsibility for fines levied as a result of their on-air content. The new get-tough policy was announced two days after the company axed Bubba The Love Sponge, and one day before radio division CEO John Hogan was scheduled to testify before a House hearing on indecency. Like Infinity last week, Clear Channel now has a zero tolerance indecency policy. Its new "Responsible Broadcasting Initiative" includes company-wide training and "automatic suspensions for anyone that the FCC alleges has violated indecency rules on the air." The gravity of the new edict is underscored by the fact that it comes, not from the radio division, but from the highest levels of the company. In announcing the new strict standards, COO Mark Mays said, "Clear Channel is serious about helping address the rising tide of indecency on the airwaves. As broadcast licensees, we are fully responsible for what our stations air, and we intend to make sure all our DJs and programmers understand what is and what is not appropriate on Clear Channel radio shows." Here's how the company will deal with a personality who triggers a Notice Of Apparent Liability: "If the FCC accuses us of wrongdoing by issuing a proposed fine, we will take immediate action," Mays said. "We will suspend the DJ in question, and perform a swift investigation. If we or the government ultimately determine the offending broadcast is indecent, the DJ will be terminated without delay." Added Hogan: "If a DJ is found to be in violation of FCC rules, there will be no appeals and no intermediate steps. If they break the law by broadcasting indecent material, they will not work for Clear Channel." The new policy could have disastrous consequences for personalities in compliance today who crossed the line years ago. January's record- setting fine for Bubba The Love Sponge was for material that aired in 2001.That complaint collected dust in the Commission's offices for three years. It wasn't until the day before the Commission's Enforcement Bureau Chief was hauled before a Congressional subcommittee that it issued the proposed $715,000 fine. The FCC says more indecency fines are in the pipeline. Clear Channel is also modifying all its contracts with with air talent to make them "share financial responsibility if they utter indecent material on the air." "From now on, every contract that Clear Channel enters into with on- air talent will include this provision," said Hogan. "While that won't relieve Clear Channel from our responsibility as a broadcast licensee, we believe it will have a significant deterrent effect on indecent content." Clear Channel also repeated an earlier call for an industry-wide task force -- involving representatives from broadcast, cable and satellite -- to deal with what has become radio and TV's most pressing issue. (http://www.fmqb.com Feb 25 via Brock Whaley, DXLD) ** U S A. CLEAR CHANNEL SUSPENDS STERN'S RADIO SHOW By JONATHAN D. SALANT Associated Press Writer February 25, 2004, 10:00 PM CST WASHINGTON -- The nation's largest radio station chain announced Wednesday it was suspending shock jock Howard Stern's show after issuing new rules to limit indecency and address criticism of what airs on television and radio. Clear Channel Radio said it suspended broadcast of Stern's show after assessing the content of his show Tuesday. "Clear Channel drew a line in the sand today with regard to protecting our listeners from indecent content and Howard Stern's show blew right through it," John Hogan, president and CEO of Clear Channel Radio, said in a news release. "It was vulgar, offensive, and insulting, not just to women and African Americans but to anyone with a sense of common decency." Hogan said the show would not air on Clear Channel stations until officials are assured it will conform to acceptable broadcasting standards. Attempts to reach Stern's spokesman for comment late Wednesday were unsuccessful. Under pressure from regulators and lawmakers, some TV networks are delaying live broadcasts to delete offensive material and doing more to let parents know how they can block specific programs. The National Association of Broadcasters says it will hold a conference on indecency next month. The rules issued by Clear Channel Communications came on the eve of the second congressional hearing this month on broadcast indecency. Hogan is scheduled to testify along with top officials from TV networks. Congress is considering increasing the maximum fine for indecency from $27,500 to $275,000, a move that the Federal Communications Commission endorsed even before the tumult over singer Janet Jackson's exposed breast during the nationally televised Super Bowl halftime show. "In the history of broadcast indecency, there have been these moments where it makes headlines," said Jeremy Lipschultz, a professor of communication at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. "In the short term, broadcasters become much more careful. You're going to see people playing it safe. The long-term problem is the same one we've had, which is it's very difficult in the end to precisely define what is indecent or not." Under FCC rules and federal law, radio stations and over-the-air television channels cannot air material containing references to sexual and excretory functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when children may be tuning in. The rules do not apply to cable and satellite channels and satellite radio. Responding to an FCC query, CBS, NBC and Fox said they would run advertisements promoting the V-chip -- technology built into a TV set to prevent children from watching certain shows -- air live programs on time delays and remind affiliate stations that they can reject network programs unsuitable for their communities. ABC had yet to respond. Clear Channel's new policy includes companywide training about indecency, possible fines against DJs, and automatic suspensions for anyone accused by the FCC of violating indecency rules on the air, company officials said. The initiative came one day after the company fired the DJ known as "Bubba the Love Sponge," whose show drew an FCC-record fine of $755,000. The program aired in four Florida cities and included graphic discussions about sex and drugs "designed to pander to, titillate and shock listeners," the FCC said. "Clear Channel is serious about helping address the rising tide of indecency on the airwaves," said Mark Mays, president and chief operating officer. "As broadcast licensees, we are fully responsible for what our stations air, and we intend to make sure all our DJs and programmers understand what is and what is not appropriate." Mel Karmazin, president of Viacom Inc., discussed indecency issues during a conference call last week with officials and station managers of the company's Infinity Broadcasting radio subsidiary. Infinity, which owns 120 stations, asked them to increase efforts to avoid indecent programming, such as using a seven-second delay on shows with live talk, spokesman Dana McClintock said. Infinity, owned by Viacom, in 1995 paid the largest cumulative fine to date, $1.7 million, for various violations by Stern. Associated Press writer Seth Sutel in New York contributed to this report. On the Net: Federal Communications Commission indecency page: http://www.fcc.gov/parents/content.html Clear Channel Communications: http://www.clearchannel.com Copyright (c) 2004, The Associated Press (via Jim Moats, DXLD) Jeff Jarvis is a former TV critic for TV Guide and People, the creator of Entertainment Weekly, Sunday Editor of the NY Daily News, and a columnist on the San Francisco Examiner. He has an interesting take on how the current flap over Howard Stern (and Bubba the Love Sponge) will actually benefit satellite radio and other "unregulated" media to the disadvantage of AM and FM broadcasters: http://www.buzzmachine.com/archives/2004_02_25.html#006366 (Harry Helms W7HLH, Las Vegas, NV DM26, Feb 26, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. INDEPENDENCE AND INTEGRITY: SERIOUS BUSINESS AT NPR From the News Desk... http://www.wuot.org/E-NewsMattMar04.htm Last Spring, I had the pleasure of traveling to the world-famous Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida to participate in a three-day session on Ethics in Public Radio. But the point of the forum wasn't to get together under the warm Florida sun and wax philosophical about what we ought to be doing as journalists; we had a specific mission. First, a little background: In 1995, the folks at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting created a handbook called Independence and Integrity: A Guidebook for Public Radio Journalism. This valuable document was available to reporters and producers from National Public Radio, as well as those who serve the network's 770 member stations. Independence and Integrity was a guided tour through the jungle of journalistic ethics. It helped us to recognize and navigate the traps that can cause even the most ethically-conscious journalist to compromise the high standard that has come to define public radio news. Independence and Integrity served us well, but by last year, parts of it had begun to grow obsolete. After all, much in the world of radio journalism has changed in the last decade. Most notably, the dependence upon new forms of technology to deliver the news has undergone fundamental advancements. So thirty-five of us came together in St. Petersburg to develop an updated guide, one designed to address the current challenges of the industry. The organizers of the conference made a concerted effort to get input from public radio's vast spectrum---from NPR stations of every size, to independent producers, to representatives of the highest echelons of NPR Management. If you've ever doubted the ethical intentions of NPR or of the journalists who work for NPR's member stations, three days at the Ethics Conference would have put those doubts to rest. From dawn until long-past-dusk, we discussed, argued and explored our way through this complicated and often contemptuous topic. We were presented with scenarios that challenged our own senses of fairness, balance, bias and professional morality. It was both exhausting and invigorating. By the end of the conference, one thing became abundantly clear: at NPR, the ethical treatment of the news is very serious business. Perception of ethics can be subjective, but there is no doubt in my mind that NPR makes every attempt to take the high ground in the arena of radio news. I'm happy to say the new guide is now available. Written by NPR Ombudsman Jeffrey Dvorkin and University of Oregon Professor Alan G. Stavitsky, Independence and Integrity II is a critical guide for journalists, a strong measure of public accountability and a testament to the importance of ethics in the work we do every day. I would encourage you to spend some time looking at Independence and Integrity II. You can access it on-line by clicking on the following link: http://www.cpb.org/radio/ethicsguide/EthicsGuideII.pdf (Matt Shafer Powell, News Director, WUOT Knoxville via DXLD) ** U S A. FREE RADIO SANTA CRUZ RECEIVES AWARD FROM SCAN 26 Feb 2004 http://santacruz.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/7584 On February 13, SCAN held their annual awards dinner and ceremony in downtown Santa Cruz. Free Radio Santa Cruz was presented an award for best local radio station in defense of free speech. SCAN, short for Santa Cruz Action Network, states they are the city's leading non-partisan grassroots organization devoted to organizing around local community issues. THE HISTORY OF FREE RADIO SANTA CRUZ by Becky Johnson 19 Feb 2004 My favorite memory of FRSC was in 1998, when the FRSC studio was located in a converted barn behind my house and the FCC showed up at my front door. FRSC host Robert Norse and I were not home, but pulled up to the curb while the two agents from the FCC were exiting my front porch. When I got inside the house, I found out what had happened. My then 7-yr old son had opened the door to the FCC and was informed that the FCC was there to inspect the radio station. He immediately called his 12 yr old sister to take care of the situation. (My 18 yr old son was in the shower at the time and missed the entire incident) "We are the FCC and we are here to inspect the radio station on your property." My daughter said "Do you have a search warrant?" my daughter insisted. The two agents shuffled uncomfortably. The other FCC agent said something akin to "We don't need no stinkin' search warrant" but my daughter persisted. "Well you can't trespass!" she informed them. This statement drove them to the curb. Robert Norse and I went outside and briefly met the FCC with videocamera and tape recorder in hand. They mumbled something about affecting airplane flights, and left. We never saw them again. Later Carol Denney of Berkeley Liberation Radio made up and mailed my daughter a certificate of appreciation for "Bravery in the face of the FCC." She was the 12 year-old girl who saved Free Radio Santa Cruz. (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. SINTONÍA DX DEL SÁBADO 28 DE FEBRERO DEL AÑO 2004 Saludos cordiales queridos amigos y colegas diexistas del mundo. A continuación presento para ustedes la programación de Sintonía DX para el sábado 28 de Febrero del año 2004 que saldrá al aire a través de la señal 640 de Unión Radio Porteñas 640 entre las 8 y las 10 de la noche hora local. [UT Sunday 00000-0200] Esta vez lo he ido elaborando poco a poco durante toda la semana para incluir la mayor cantidad de información posible. He aquí lo que hemos preparado: 1..Calendario Radiofónico con Rubén Guillemo Margenet 2..Identificación del recuerdo de Ondas Porteñas (H. Klemetz ) 3..Concurso Línea Abierta de La Voz de Rusia 4..Primer concurso trimestral de Radio Korea Internacional 5..Diexismo de Radioaficionados, primera parte, tomado de RKI 6..Diexismo de Radioaficionados, segunda parte, tomado de RKI 7..Informe DX número 148 de Rubén Guillermo Margenet 8..Arena 106.1 FM La Magia del Caribe, desde Boca de Uchire 9..Tema de Carnaval 1 10..Tema de Carnaval 2 11..Tema de Carnaval 3 12..Tema de Carnaval 4 13..Glenn Hauser con su informe diexista 14..WLAA 1680 AM ¡Qué Buena! 15..WPAB 550 AM desde Ponce, Puerto Rico 16..Canal 98.3 Interactiva Digital, desde Anaco 17..Laser 102.3 FM, desde Anaco 18..Yes 103.5 FM, desde Anaco 19..Giga 104.3 FM, desde Anaco 20..Tema de Carnaval grabado de Radio 2000, 1580 AM 21..El colega Samuel Casio presente con Gaucha 600 AM y el Carnaval 22..El colega Caio Lopes presente con avisos y fiestas del carnaval 23..El colega Björn Malm presente con Radio Visión y el Carnaval 24..Grupo Tempano...........El Esequibo. 25..Radio Centro 610 AM con transmisión del carnaval 26..Radio Carúpano y Náutica FM con transmisión del carnaval 27..Radio Manzanares con transmisión del carnaval 28..Radio Margarita con transmsión del carnaval 29..Radio Nueva Esparta con transmisión del carnaval 30..WGIT 16-60 La Gigante, Cadena radio voz televisión 31..Señal en 1700 AM, Fútbol de primera, la radio del mundial Quiero agradecer a los colegas Samuel Cássio, Caio Lopes y Björn Malm por haberme enviado archivos sonoros relacionados con las festividades carnestolendas, los cuales incluiré con mucho cariño. El motivo de mi correo es para avisarles que Porteñas 640 se encuentra nuevamente en la red, si es posible, traten de escucharla en esta dirección y luego me avisan si pudieron captarla. Espero que se mantenga así. http://intranet.unionradio.com.ve/intranet/audio/audio_principal_select.asp Hacer clip en audio de emisoras y luego click en AM 640. Espero informaciones. Nota: En Sintonía DX siempre estamos buscando información hasta una hora antes de emitirse el programa (José Elías Díaz Gómez, Barcelona, Estado Anzoátegui, Venezuela, Feb 26, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Re 4-035: En estos momentos, a las 1815 UT, cuando grupos armados del gobierno reprimen a los manifestantes en Caracas no es posible escuchar ningun otro medio noticioso venezolano con cobertura en directo de los acontecimientos salvo el que [Porteñas 640, arriba] (Henrik Klemetz, Suecia, Conexión Digital Feb 27 via DXLD) I tried the various linx in 4-035, Fri Feb 27 around 1500, but could not get any video or audio except one radio station playing music. A slightly updated version of the previous item was circulated on Friday, via Dario Monferini adding: Newspapers: http://www.innovarium.com/Prensa/mundo%20internet.htm (Jorge García Rangel. Barinas, Venezuela) Ciao! I Links funzionano tutti e sono molto interessanti, compreso quello di Radio Nacional de Venezuela che ha una telecamera dal vivo. Unico Link che non funziona: http://www.rctv.net (Dario Monferini, Italy, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 4997v kHz 1000 UTC, Amigos DXistas, aquí viene SWB MICROINFORMATIVO! Quito 27/Feb/2004 16:59 Dave Valko, USA has an unID station around this frequency drifting. I think I´m hearing the same station in rhe mornings around 10-1100 UT drifting up (downwards between 4997-4996 kHz. For me it sounds more like Asia then LA. Listen to a recording with bad quality on my homepage under "Audio Clips, unIDs"(under construction): http://www.malm-ecuador.com 73s (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SWB América Latina, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Dear Friends, Christian preaching/prayers for Iraq in American English noted non stop on 6025 from tune in around 0040 to past 0330 when reception became poor. No identification given/heard. 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, India, Feg 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ MEDIUM WAVE CIRCLE SPECIAL OFFER FOR DXers ========================================== Dear DXer, You may not have heard of the Medium Wave Circle, in which case, allow me to introduce our club to you. Are you interested in Medium Wave radio, listening, or broadcasting, technology? Are you keen to improve your radio receiver, antennas, and other monitoring equipment? Are you keen to learn more about radio signal propagation? Do you want to improve your radio monitoring skills? Do you want to share your experience and knowledge with others? Then the Medium Wave Circle is THE CLUB for you. The Medium Wave Circle brings together radio enthusiasts located all around the world and it acts as a hub for members to share their experience, knowledge, news, views and ideas. For nearly 50 years the Medium Wave Circle has provided an invaluable link between novice and experienced enthusiasts and between people separated by national boundaries and thousands of miles. NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP ------------------------ The Circle is now pleased to offer you an exciting way of joining the MWC. We are now offering Associate Membership. Associate Members receive an electronic version of Medium Wave News our prestigious magazine. Also, Associate Members can use our exclusive spam-free electronic news service free of charge and take advantage of other Circle services & activities. The cost for all this is just US$10 or 10 Euros per year. FREE MEDIUM WAVE NEWS!! ----------------------- If you are interested in becoming an Associate Member but are not yet fully convinced about doing so, perhaps you would like to download the latest issue of Medium Wave News for free! Just go to: http://users.pandora.be/hermanb/circle/e-mwn/e-mwn02-2004.htm and follow the instructions. You`ll need the password "snowdonia". I am sure you will enjoy reading it. If you would like any further information what the MWC does or how to join the Circle, please visit our web site http://www.mwcircle.org where you will find membership application forms and full details on how to join the Circle. If you are ready to become a Member of the Circle, just send US$10 or 10 Euros, plus your name, address and e-mail address to: The MWC Treasurer, 59 Moat Lane, Luton LU3 1UU, England. I trust you`ll feel inclined to join the MWC and I look forward to hearing from you soon. yours sincerely, Clive Rooms, MWC Treasurer email: contact @ mwcircle.org (via Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) a very impressive bulletin, and the price is right! Primarily from European POV (gh, DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ SWL WINTERFEST UPDATE The NASB exhibit will be at the 2004 Shortwave Listeners Winterfest in Kulpsvlle, Pennsylvania (just north of Philadelphia) March 12 and 13 to promote our member stations at the largest annual gathering of shortwave listeners in North America. So far, representatives of five NASB members (WMLK, WBCQ, WRMI, KNLS and Adventist World Radio) and three associate members (HCJB, George Jacobs and Associates, and IBB) have confirmed their assistance at the Winterfest, and a former deputy director of the Voice of America is scheduled to speak as well. Dr. Adrian Peterson, Director of International Relations for Adventist World Radio, has answered the call in our last Newsletter and will be producing the NASB's PowerPoint presentation for the Winterfest which will contain brief profiles of all of the NASB members and associate members, as well as a major presentation by Adrian about the history of shortwave broadcasting in the United States from the 1920's through the end of World War II. We encourage all NASB stations to attend the Shortwave Listeners Winterfest and take part in our booth there if it's within your possibilities. You can find more details about the event and a registration form at: http://www.swlfest.com If you register before March 1, the fee is $47 and includes lunch and an evening banquet on Saturday, March 13. The event will take place at the Best Western hotel in Kulpsville, where accommodation is $75 per night (single or double occupancy). There is a cheaper alternative hotel across the street. Below is the tentative agenda for the Winterfest. The NASB presentation is at 10:45 on Friday morning. In addition to participating in our NASB presentation, broadcasters will be able to take part in the Broadcasters Forum (moderated by Kim Elliott of VOA) at 10:00 am Saturday. And NASB president Jeff White been asked to be the banquet speaker on Saturday evening. Plus we will have the NASB exhibit set up in the exhibit room during the entire event. We plan to distribute a listener survey in Kulpsville, very similar to the one we did at the Mexican National Shortwave Meeting this past August. Friday, March 12 8:15 am Digital Broadcasting (Mark Phillips) 9:30 am Satellite Monitoring (Tracy Wood) 10:45 am National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters (Jeff White, Adrian Peterson) 11:45 am Lunch (on your own) 1:15 pm Trunking and Scanning (Eric Cottrell/SkipArey) 3:00 pm BPL/Powerline Communications (Joe Buch) 4:15 pm The Pirates (George Zeller) 7:00 pm Ham Exams (to 10:00pm) (Skip Arey, Richard Magdy and the VE Team) 7:00 pm The Medium Waves (Gary Thorburn) 8:00 pm The Long Waves (Kevin Carey) 9:00 pm The Listening Lounge (David Goren) Saturday, March 13 8:15 am Receiver Review (Alan Johnson) 10:00 am Broadcasters’ Forum (Kim Elliott) 12 noon Luncheon (includes Recruitment discussion --- Sheldon Harvey/Alan Bosch) 1:30 pm Zenith (Harold Cones) 2:45 pm Short Space Antennas (Greg Majewski) 4:15 pm Silent Auction closes 4:30-6:00 pm Time set aside for private organization meetings 6:00 pm Cocktail Hour 7:00 pm Fest Banquet 8:15 pm (approx.) Banquet Speaker 9:00 pm The Grand Raffle Drawing ----- PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN - WE NEED YOUR HELP The SWL Winterfest is the second stop on our NASB publicity campaign trail. Just as we did at the Mexican National DX Meeting last August, we will have the NASB exhibit at the Winterfest and we will hand out program schedules and other literature and souvenirs from NASB member stations. We appreciate the near 100% cooperation which we received in this regard at the Mexican event, and we are hoping for the same assistance at the Winterfest. If you plan to attend the event, please bring along a quantity of station schedules, brochures, stickers, QSL cards, posters, pennants, etc. -- whatever publicity materials you have available. Last time we received such items as pens, keychains, books, CD's, tapes, videos and much more from all of our members and associate members. Last year's attendance at the Winter Fest was about 225. But you needn't send 225 copies of everything. Send whatever quantities you can. Limited-quantity items will be contributed to a raffle at the Fest. If your station cannot attend personally, please send your schedules and other items to NASB President Jeff White, who will take them to the event and put them in the NASB booth. The address to send items to is the following: Jeff White Radio Miami International 175 Fontainebleau Blvd., Suite 1N4 Miami, FL 33172 Telephone (305) 559-9764 E-mail: radiomiami9@cs.com (Jan NASB Newsletter, but only just posted? via DXLD) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ WHY BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES IS A BAD IDEA David Coursey, Executive Editor, AnchorDesk, Friday, Feb. 27, 2004 Since last we visited the issue of transmitting the Internet over power lines (the big electric company kind, not the wires in your walls), the Federal Communications Commission, lapdog to the monied interests, has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the second step in making broadband over power lines (BPL) a reality. In a rare moment of governmental clarity, an NPRM is precisely what it seems to be: Advance notice of how the FCC is going to give zillionaires what they want at the expense of us ordinary folks. The NPRM follows a Notice of Inquiry that was issued last April and generated more than 5,000 comments, many from angry ham radio operators. Full article at http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/AnchorDesk/4520-7298_16-5123406.html They invite comments on the article, 139 posted when I checked. (Zdnet.com via Mike Barraclough, Letchworth Garden City, UK, DXLD) THE BPL FIGHT: A WIN IN 4X4-LAND Even though the BPL outlook looks a bit grim here in the United States, there has been a big win over in Israel. Hagal International says that equipment for the networking of computers over the AC power mains being sold in the country was found to be causing interference to High Frequency spectrum users. As a result, Israel`s Ministry of Communications requested an explanation from the distributor of this equipment on how to remedy the problem. The distributor did one better. The company replied that it had discontinued the sales of the interfering devices (Hagal International via Newsline February 27 via John Norfolk, DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ TELEPHONE ANTENNAS Q. I just purchased a JRC NRD-545 shortwave receiver, H-800. My dad used to tell me how he would alligator-clip the antenna lead from the old Philco to the finger hook of a dial telephone to improve reception. He said the phone lines acted as a huge longwire antenna. Is this still possible today, even without that fingerhook? (A. Peterson, Washington, DC) A. Actually, the technique still works fine -- if you can find a metal point on a modern phone to connect the antenna wire. Even though phone wires are grounded at various points, from a wavelength standpoint, the ungrounded lengths do a fine job of intercepting signals. Look for a metal screw that may go into the phone’s metallic mass, loosely (or even directly) coupling it to the phone lines. If that doesn’t work, you can use a modular connector with a series capacitor as a voltage block (any nominal value .01 to .1 microfarad will work just fine), and tap an unused phone jack. Try each of the four different wires for best reception (Bob Grove, Ask Bob, Getting Started, March MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) R75 MODIFIED vs NRD 535D Receivers: Have been comparing the NRD 535D and the R75~Kiwa Synchro Modification on 4722 for about a week. Both lock in well on this Bolivian, but for the price difference the R75 seems an excellent buy (Robert Wilkner, NRD 535D - Icom R75, Pómpano Beach, Florida, U S, DX LISTENING DIGEST) AVAILABLE FROM CHINA - THE CHEAPEST SHORTWAVE DIGITAL RADIO YET? Degen Introduces DE205 Pocket Portable "When Only The Cheapest Will Do" What does $9.50 buy? With many world band radios, it won't even cover a good AC adaptor. But with the new Degen DE205, manufactured and sold in China, it lands you an entire radio with digital frequency readout. This pocket portable uses two "AA" batteries with minimal battery consumption, and there 's even a hinge to keep the battery cover from getting lost. Still, ten bucks has limits. The '205 comes with no batteries, no carrying pouch, no earbuds and no AC adaptor (although jacks are provided for earphones and wall wart). And while it features digital frequency readout, it is analog-tuned. So there are no presets or keypad-tuning is via a smoothly operating thumbwheel, and that's that. Earmarks of thriftiness go even further. The readout doesn't display kilohertz; so, say, 5995 kHz shows as either 5.99 or 6.00 MHz. There's only one bandwidth and single conversion, plus you have to jiggle an archaic "SW1/SW2" bandswitch. But all this is equally true of several models costing more. The '205 offers a couple of goodies not normally found on el cheapo radios: an illuminated display, for starters, and coverage of the Japanese FM band as well as part of the old Warsaw Pact FM band. It includes a clock which doubles as a clock radio, and there's a stick- in elevation tab affixed to the carrying strap so the radio can be tilted to a comfortable operating angle; not the best arrangement, but it works. However, the clock shows only in 12-hour format and even then only when the radio is off. Too, the pushbutton illumination is so dim that you can't read the display until your eyes get used to the dark; even then, you have to squint. Otherwise, the LCD has good contrast when viewed head-on or from below. World band coverage is 5450-10200 kHz ("SW1") and 11350-18180 kHz ("SW2"), which is much more generous and useful than what's printed on the radio's case: 5.95-9.95 and 11.65-17.90 MHz. Omitted are the 120, 90, 75, 60, 15, 13 and 11 meter world band segments. However, among these only 13 meters is important to most listeners, and even then only during certain daytime hours. Mediumwave AM coverage is 525-1620 kHz, which orphans the 1625-1705 kHz portion of the X-band used in many parts of the world. However, 70-109 MHz FM coverage is about as good as it gets on any radio at any price, even if it is peculiar: Not only are the usual 87-108 MHz band and the Japanese 76-90 MHz FM band covered, but also the upper portion of the 66-74 MHz "Warsaw Pact" FM band. What's puzzling is why the lower four Megahertz of that band have been left out. Even in China, where prices are rock bottom, once you get much below $40 there are significant compromises in world band performance. The '205 is no exception, but it holds its own against models costing significantly more. Speaker audio, unsurprisingly, lacks even a vestige of proper bass reproduction, so it is something of a squawk box unless you use earpieces. Still, for the size of the radio and speaker it is quite decent-plenty of punch, too. Within the shortwave spectrum, where world band stations reside, unlike with some other cheap models there is no frequency drift when the radio is held. But the frequency readout tends to be at least one kilohertz high, image rejection is poor and selectivity (adjacent- channel rejection) is no better. World band sensitivity, although passable, is mediocre. However, if you clip ten feet or three meters of wire to the set's telescopic antenna, weak-signal reception improves noticeably, with little added overloading in much of the world. That's because dynamic range is pretty decent for a radio like this, although overloading tends to become commonplace if that wire gets much longer. Indeed, in high- signal locations such as Europe the wire needs to kept shorter. Mediumwave AM sensitivity is only fair, while reception of distant stations is further limited by digital "buzz" from the LCD. Also, selectivity is mediocre and image-type spurious signals intrude. On our unit, when stations are tuned by ear the center frequency reads 2 kHz higher than it should. FM fares little better, being only in mono and with mediocre capture ratio, fair sensitivity and a tendency to overload when there are nearby FM transmitters. If you choose to purchase an AC adaptor, you'll find that the output voltage requirement is unusual: 5V DC (center-pin negative). Never fear, a 4.5V DC adaptor works fine. The telescopic antenna swivels and rotates, and is of better build quality than is usually seen on low-cost models. However, it exits somewhat unhandily from the radio's left side, so like some politicians it can't tilt to the right. When roosting fully inside the radio it picks up digital "buzz" on shortwave from the LCD, but this is largely moot as the antenna needs to be extended for world band stations to be picked up. When it's extended, little if any buzz is audible unless you touch the antenna. Not only is that telescopic antenna of superior quality for something so cheap, the entire radio appears to be constructed to a higher standard. It is too early to predict how well it will hold up over time, but on the surface it appears to have better build quality than any of the other "cheaps" we've laid hands on in recent years. Degen's new DE205 is no barnburner, and the lack of a 24-hour clock format makes keeping track of World Time (UTC) a chore. But it is the cheapest world band radio PASSPORT has tested that incorporates digital frequency readout, and it performs and is constructed better than its price suggests. It should be great as a stocking-stuffer, for casual use on trips, and as giveaways by government agencies or NGOs. So, what's the catch? Unless you're in China or willing to try finding a Chinese vendor on eBay, it's not yet available. If Kaito eventually includes it in its North American line, it would doubtless be sold for noticeably more as the Kaito KA205. http://www.passband.com/pages/receivernews.htm (via Mike Terry, DXLD) WALKMAN BUSTING --- RADIO TAKES MUSIC FROM THE STREET By Leander Kahney | 02:00 AM Feb. 23, 2004 PT Program directors would like you to believe that commercial radio gives the listener a pretty good idea of a city's urban soundscape. But two radio shows -- one in the United States, the other in London - - are exploring the idea that the urban soundtrack is best heard through the headphones of residents' personal stereos. On National Public Radio, reporter Gideon D'Arcangelo produces an occasional radio column for The Next Big Thing show called "Walkman Busting." In it, D'Arcangelo approaches people in public spaces who are listening to personal stereos. With their permission, he plugs in his minidisc recorder to record whatever music they are listening to, as well as their conversation about it. Not surprisingly, in a city like New York, the results are an unpredictable mix. . . http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,62353,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1 (via Current via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ THE K7RA SOLAR UPDATE SEATTLE, WA, Feb 27, 2004 --- A large sunspot emerged over the past week. On February 21, sunspot 564 began to appear around the east limb of the visible solar disk. By February 23, it was five times as large as Earth. The sunspot was rotating across the upper hemisphere of the sun, so it was never aimed squarely toward earth, but it was most directed toward us on February 25. Average daily sunspot numbers were slightly higher this week than last. Average daily solar flux was lower by 0.2 point. Solar activity is rising, and solar flux should peak between February 28 to March 1 at around 130. A sunspot currently is forming on the far side of the sun, and it may cause a slight rise in solar flux around March 8. Geomagnetic conditions have been very quiet this week. This weekend is the CQ World Wide 160-Meter SSB Contest. The quality of 160-meter propagation should depend on how quiet and stable geomagnetic conditions are. Sunspot 563 released two solar flares on February 26. Earth is expected to encounter a solar wind stream on February 29 or March 1. Planetary A index predictions for February 27 through March 2 are 12, 12, 15, 20 and 20. Conditions during the contest might be unsettled, especially for stations in the northern latitudes of North America. Dave Deatrick, WA8OLD, of Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, reminded us of a Canadian Web site that offers information on geomagnetic disturbances in the northern latitudes http://www.spaceweather.gc.ca/forecastmap_e.shtml This is part of Space Weather Canada http://www.spaceweather.gc.ca/ The link that WA8OLD sent shows a map with a forecast for geomagnetic disturbances in the Northern US and across Canada, through the auroral zone and into the Arctic. During this week one year ago, conditions were nearly identical to this year`s. Average sunspot number was 54.9 and solar flux was 108.8. Going back two years, the numbers were quite a bit higher, with sunspot numbers at 189.7 and solar flux at 198.7. Archived propagation bulletins from 1995 through the present are available on the ARRL Web site http://www2.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/ For more information concerning propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the Propagation page on the ARRL Web site http://www2.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html Sunspot numbers for February 19 through 25 were 33, 34, 52, 58, 68, 85 and 107, with a mean of 62.4. The 10.7 cm flux was 96.4, 95.4, 98.2, 103.9, 104.3, 105.5 and 118.5, with a mean of 103.2. Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 4, 7, 8, 8, 11 and 8, with a mean of 7.3. Copyright © 2004, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###