DX LISTENING DIGEST 4-072, April 26, 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 1228: Tue 0300 on SIUE Web Radio http://www.siue.edu/WEBRADIO/ Wed 0930 on WWCR 9475 Mon 0330 on WSUI 910, http://wsui.uiowa.edu AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO EXTRA 47 [= COM 04-02]: Wed 2200 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825 Fri 2300 on Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 Sat 0800 on WRN1 to Europe, Africa, Asia, Pacific Sat 0855 on WNQM Nashville 1300 Sat 1030 on WWCR 5070 Sat 1830 on WPKN Bridgeport, 89.5, webcast http://www.wpkn.org Sat 2030 on WWCR 12160 Sat 2030 on WBCQ 17495-CUSB Sat 2100 on DKOS usually, http://www.live365.com/stations/steve_cole Sun 0230 on WWCR 5070 Sun 0300 on WBCA 9330-CLSB Sun 0630 on WWCR 3210 Sun 1000 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 1900 on Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 Sun 2000 on RNI webcast, http://www.11L-rni.com Mon 0100 on WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0330 on WSUI 910, webcast http://wsui.uiowa.edu [last week`s 1228] Mon 0430 on WBCQ 7415, webcast http://wbcq.us Tue 0300 on SIUE Web Radio http://www.siue.edu/WEBRADIO/ Wed 0930 on WWCR 9475 WRN ONDEMAND [from Fri]: 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 Extra 47 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/worx47hh.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/worx47h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0402.html WORLD OF RADIO Extra 47 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/com0402.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/com0402.rm MUNDO RADIAL, abril-mayo 2004: (corriente) http://www.w4uvh.net/mr0404.rm (bajable) http://www.w4uvh.net/mr0404.ram (texto) http://www.worldofradio.com/mr0404.html EDITOR`S NOTE: I`ve been taking a break, which accounts for the relatively long interval between last issue and this one; and I have not consulted all the usual sources in the meantime. This much I have come up with, however (gh) ** AUSTRALIA. I QSLed Alice Springs on 2310 for my March 7 logging at the DXPedition. I sent the letter at the end of the month so it took about 21 days for them to reply. They sent a verie letter plus lots of ABS program brochures. This is my first Aussie QSL --- the folks at Radio Australia 15 years ago refused to QSL because they said that I put too much information in. What does that mean? It's not like I told them my life story. Anyway, I'm happy (Liz Cameron, MI, MARE via DXLD) ** AUSTRIA [and non]. ORF / "Insight Central Europe" program Hi Glenn, after some further research I had to find that the "Insight Central Europe" program is a farce now. At http://www.incentraleurope.com the website of this project, not only ORF but even Radio Austria International is still listed as participating station, not less than ten months after it disappeared into the ether. And of course still ORF/ROI slots are advised for listening to the program. A look at the news for April 23 is also quite disturbing: The head of a German labor union of policemen is quoted there as a "top German police union official", in my opinion hardly a correct description of the quoted gentleman's position (no police official but a unionist). And do not miss to check out the "Austria news" link. In some way this sorry picture fits to the circumstance that RSI, one of the participants, will be kicked off shortwave as of May 1st, just the day when Slovakia will join the European Union. Perfect timing. Kind of mission accomplished?? And speaking about ORF: Does anybody remember Radio Afrika International, the Vienna project again and again confused with Radio Africa International from the United Methodist Church in the USA? I dug into this matter and was told that Radio Afrika International is no longer on shortwave since June 11, 2003, due to a lack of funds, although still a shortwave transmission is listed at http://www.radioafrika.net/rai_d_empfang.htm All the best, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELGIUM [non]. Speaking about DRM: There is now also a TDP Radio transmission via Sackville; see http://www.drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?s=d9b9c4d0f16c6be659133aadb64ea2c0&threadid=605 (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: TDPradio will certainly continue the DRM transmission from Juelich. The schedule for TDPradio broadcasts in DRM for tomorrow (and coming Saturdays) will be: - 1000-1100 UTC to South Europe on 9815 kHz (Flevo) - 1500-1600 UTC to West Europe on 6015 kHz (Juelich) - 1600-1700 UTC to North America on 11900 kHz (Sackville) - 2000-2100 UTC to Central Europe on 7370 kHz (Taldom) Your monitoring is as always very much appreciated! (Ludo Maes, TDP, DRM discussion via DXLD) TDPradio (dance music mix) in DRM mode is now also broadcast towards North America every Saturday 1600-1700 on 11900 (Sackville). Source: TDP online schedule & http://baseportal.com/baseportal/drmdx/main (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 3325, 20/04, 0935, Rádio Nossa Vóz, São Paulo SP, programa "Direto ao Coração" da Igreja do Senhor Jesus Cristo. Identificação como "Rádio Nossa Vóz". Rede CBS, ex-R. Mundial, 35443 (Samuel Cássio Martins, São Carlos SP, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA [and non]. Glenn: It looks like KAOC 105.1 Cavalier, ND (30.2 miles South of Morden, MB) has changed it marketing strategy since the ownership change to KNDK Inc (KNDK 1080) which is headed by President Robert N. Simmons. Before they called themselves "CAN-AM Country" but now it is "Manitoba's most wanted country, MAVERICK 105". Their RDS identifier is displaying "MAVERICK" instead of "KAOC". Also, the "Pembina Valley weather" only mentions Celsius/kms and all the pronouciations are by the Canadian way, right down to the "Zed" and "eh". Today, they have been asking for applications to fill a number of positions as salespersons to solicit businesses in Southern Manitoba. More info could be reached at the Simmons Broadcasting Canada studios located across from Confederation Park in Morden. Morden does have a country station - CKMW 1570 but with their schedule of over 100 Toronto Blue Jay and over 30 Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball games at all times of the day, I would think the country music would be limited (Anthony Markewicz, MB, April 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. CRTC DENIES AM CONVERSION TO FM http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2004/db2004-161.htm (snip) 14. CHOR is the only local radio station currently serving Summerland and its immediate surrounding area. The existing 15 mV/m contour of CHOR serves an estimated population of 11,156. The 3 mV/m contour of the proposed FM station would encompass a much larger area than the market currently served by CHOR. The 3 mV/m contour of the new FM station would reach Penticton and the Westside of the neighbouring Kelowna market, including Peachland. According to the applicant's own estimates, the population served by the proposed FM station in comparison to that served by CHOR would increase from the current 11,156 to 65,744, a growth of about 489%, or 54,588 people. 15. Standard currently operates five of the six radio stations serving the Okanagan-Similkameen area. These stations are CJMG-FM Penticton, CKOR Penticton, CJOR Osoyoos, CHOR Summerland and CIOR Princeton. The only local competitor to Standard in the area is Great Valleys, which operates CIGV-FM Penticton. Approval of the application would result in Standard operating three stations with excellent coverage of the Penticton market. The Commission is concerned that this would increase the competitive imbalance in the marketplace and could have a negative financial impact on CIGV-FM. 16. Five commercial radio stations currently serve the Kelowna market. Standard owns CHSU-FM and CKBL, Pattison owns CKLZ-FM and CKOV, and Silk owns CILK-FM. Approval of the current application would provide Standard with a third signal in Kelowna. The Commission is concerned that this could have a negative financial impact on the stations owned by Pattison and Silk. 17. In light of these concerns, the Commission considers that an FM station designed to replace CHOR should have a coverage area that more closely duplicates that of CHOR's current signal. The Commission, therefore, denies Standard Radio Inc.'s application (via Ricky Leong, QC, DXLD) ** CHILE [non]. The soccer coverage ending at 0500 on Voz Cristiana [cf DXLD 4071] appears have come from a US stationed network called "Fútbol de Primera, La Radio del Mundial", whose programing, on one occasion at least, has been heard over WJCC, Radio Luz, broadcasting on 1700 kHz from Miami and known to relay Voz Cristiana. The soccer network is on the web at http://www.laradiodelmundial.com/index2.htm but there is no detailed information on affiliates (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. Re schedule of CRI relays via Sackville: I've filled in a few times I have heard CRI and what I have heard: 1000-1200 6040 (2) --- English 1214 4/22 1100-1200 11750, 11805 --- 11750 English, nothing on 11805 1215 4/22 1200-1300 11855 (2) --- Chinese 1214 4/21 2200-2300 13700 (2) --- Spanish 2203 4/20 2300-2400 6145 (2), 13680 (2) --- English 2333 4/20 (Hans Johnson, FL, April 24, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CUBA. I haven`t heard the Venezuelan transmissions which you write about, but do occasionally hear Radio Reloj on various frequencies around 0630. The last time logged was on April 11th at 0650 on 9655 co-channel with Romania until 0657 then clear until it went off suddenly at 0701. Nothing observed since then. 73s from (Noel Green, UK, April 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also VENEZUELA [non] ** CUBA [non]. THE HYPOCRISY OF RADIO MARTÍ'S RESTRUCTURING FROM "LA NUEVA CUBA" APRIL 14, 2004. The maligned station switches to an all-news format, but past administration's destructive influence remains intact. Por P. E. Valerius, Reston, Virginia, USA ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The winds of change are enveloping Radio Martí these days. Yet it is not as transparent as it may seem, and certainly not for the better. Martí is being restructured to an "all-news and information service format" (five news programs, and news bulletins every fifteen minutes, twenty-four hours daily), which debuted last week. The Director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Pedro V. Roig, announced on Friday, February 13 in a meeting with staff that Radio Martí will change its format to all-news, similar to CNN. (Does Martí's audience really want this type of programming and isn't this a recipe for a disaster? In fact, Cubans have rejected such programming and view it as "overkill.")1 BBG's "Democratic" Vote An official announcement was made in a memorandum sent on Wednesday, February 18, to the station's staff, where the OCB Director decreed: "The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) at its monthly meeting held on February 11, 2004 voted to direct the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB) to restructure the format of Radio Martí into an all-news and information service...The BBG directive will bring several changes as we refocus our resources to implement the all-news and information format. As a first step, we need to restructure our programs. This program restructuring will be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. After we have made decisions on our programming, we will make decisions on restructuring employees' jobs. Most employees will continue to perform the same duties they perform today; however, it may be necessary to modify some positions to reflect this program change. I assure you that during this process we will protect the rights of all employees, and that we will honor our obligations to the union."1 Shortly thereafter on Thursday, February 19, Radio Martí Director Jorge Luis Hernández sent a follow up memorandum to employees pronouncing: "The BBG on February 11, 2004 promulgated to restructure the format of Radio Martí. The restructuring will return Radio Martí to its congressionally mandated format: News and Information. I have been charged by the Director of OCB to implement the directive. While for most of you the format revision will not impact your day-to-day work, for those outside the news division there may be changes in the nature of your work assignment. Retraining will be available in cases where it is needed. The program restructuring will necessitate changes in the types of programs we contract as well as changes in some of the contractors we engage. I am sure that with your support and professional performance we will, working as a team, implement the mandated restructuring in a timely and professional manner."2 Mr. Hernández may have been charged by the OCB Director with implementing the directive on paper (he and other supervisors are unfortunately facing overbearing obstructions), but he will have no input in the direction of changes that are taking place at Martí because of the OCB Director's transparent lack of support and extension of authority, and his quest of "regime change" for Mr. Hernández and staff, sources charge. Out of the Shadows In fact, sources allege that a low-key figure (now closely associated with OCB Director Roig, who has been above the fray of factionalism) has stepped out from the shadows, and will have an influential say in the direction of the station's news coverage - allegedly an "accommodating" tone with the Castro regime. That individual is a reporter from Radio Martí, who has gained considerable access to Mr. Roig and sources have bestowed upon him the moniker of consigliere to the director. Regrettably, the consigliere sources contend is also closely associated with Roberto Tejera, who was Radio Martí Director during the Clinton Adminitration. This link will assure a continuity of influence of the San Roman/Tejera cabal has over the station's news direction and administration. Cabal Ascension Redux One member of the of this group has allegedly lost power and fallen by the waste side - namely the station's Program Director, who has been reassigned as a Senior Advisor to the Director of TV Martí.3 However, on March 17, an "ultimate survivor" was named the Director for the News Program Department by the OCB Director.4 (She is shockingly being rewarded by the director without merit-who is, after all, responsible for the four-hour delay in Radio Martí's reporting of Elián González' armed transfer by the US government in 2000; the appalling mismanagement of the OCB website since its inception in 2002; and meddling in the administrative affairs of the station.) Why would the OCB Director, supposedly so intent on cleaning house when he assumed control of the OCB last April, make such appointments? Could it be that he was promised to remain a holdover in the event of the Democrats winning the November presidential election if he plays ball? And the rest of the cadre is implacable in their positions of instilling dissension, which sustains the institutionalized culture of ungovernability at the station. Futile Change The changes set forth for Radio Martí are merely superficial, and do not fare well for the station since the influence of a cadre of saboteurs continues to pervade the administration and direction of Martí. Could it be that the BBG - controlled by a handful of liberal Democrat puppet masters (by the way, is the chairman and Republican appointees frightened of them?) - has a sinister design for the station's ultimate demise? Will a RIF (reduction in force) be carried out at the behest of the Board by the IBB Office of Personnel in collusion with the OCB Directorate, which in effect will get rid of staffers who believe in the original mission and retain the small group of liberal ideologues and agents provocateurs, whom really never lost control of the station? (A retirement buyout is already underway for senior staffers.) Is the station, as a result of the new "all news and information service format" change, destined for privatization, taken control by grantees (favored by the Board, and out for their own self serving economic interests and that of "some" governors instead of the commonweal) from the private sector that has befallen other U.S. international broadcasting organizations such as the Voice of America (VOA)? Lost Authority and Control In addition, the station's director has been undermined by elements loyal to the past administration whom impede the mission of returning the station to a coherent governability, level of professionalism and defining role in the post-Castro transition; all the while enduring an OCB Director unwilling to extend him support and authority to usher in perestroika; who is more willing to placate personal political alliances than demonstrate "strong leadership and direction" that the President has called for. With such a state of administrative anarchy (i.e., the station director's orders are ignored and changed by subordinates, and staffers with no business in overriding such decisions), will Republicans overseeing the Martís stand idle and allow the sabotage of their policies? More importantly, has the Bush Administration abandoned the station? Sadly, if recent history is any indication, they already have. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTES 1 This issue was addressed by a focus group study of recently-arrived Cubans that was conducted by InterMedia, commissioned by the International Broadcasting Bureau's (IBB) Office of Research, in Miami on June 17 and 18, 2003, that found: "Participants rejected the idea of a 24-hours news station as overkill. The only way some would accept this type of format would be if RM could find another way to circumvent the jamming that makes RM difficult to tune in certain areas." Preferences were researched for two different broadcast formats, including a 24-hour news model. The study involved four focus group discussions with eight to ten participants each. See InterMedia. "Radio Martí Programming to Cuba: A Focus Group Study in Miami, Florida." Focus Group Report 2280/03. June 17-18, 2003. pp. 1, 2. 2 Pedro V. Roig. "Restructuring Radio Martí." E-mail to Radio Martí employees. 18 February 2004. 3 Jorge L. Hernández. "Radio Martí Restructuring." E-mail to Radio Martí employees. 19 February 2004. 4 Pedro V. Roig. "New Assignments." E-mail to Radio Martí employees. 17 March 2004. 5 Ibid. 73'S (via Óscar de Céspedes, DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. Saludos desde Catia La Mar, Venezuela. Escuchada a las 1132 UT, en los 3300 kHz, Radio Cultural de Guatemala. SINPO 2/2. Transmitía rancheras e identificaciones de la emisora. Pensaba que esta emisora ya estaba inactiva, ya veo que no. (23/04). 73's y buen DX (Adán González, April 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non]. Subject: [BDXC-UK] "Coalition Maritime Forces" on 6125, 15500 kHz Jeff Weston spotted this seemingly official [US military?] announcement today on a Navigations Warning web site: HYDROPAC 694/2004 (62). PERSIAN GULF. 1. IN RESPONSE TO ALL MARINERS THAT HAVE HELPED COALITION MARITIME FORCES IN THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR AND TO CONTINUE BUILDING RELATIONS WITH A LARGER AUDIENCE, COALITION MARITIME BROADCASTS BEGAN SHORT-WAVE HF RADIO BROADCASTS ON 15 APRIL DISSEMINATING POPULAR REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AS WELL AS INFORMATION IN ARABIC, FARSI, HINDI, PASHTU, URDU, AND ENGLISH. THE INFORMATION PORTIONS WILL PROVIDE LISTENERS METHODS TO CONTINUE ASSISTING COALITION MARITIME FORCES IN IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING TERRORIST ACTIVITY CONDUCTED AT SEA. MARINERS CAN LISTEN TO THE MORNING BROADCAST BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 0300Z TO 0800Z ON 6125 KHZ AND THE EVENING BROADCAST BETWEEN 1400Z TO 1900Z ON 15500 KHZ (via Jeff Weston, BDXC-UK, 21 April) The original text was apparently published on this website: http://pollux.nss.nima.mil/MISC/warn/dm_p.html This specific text is no longer there since the page is constantly updated, but Google has the original edition of 20 April (where the text referring to the broadcasts was published) in its cache if you type "COALITION MARITIME BROADCASTS": 20 APRIL 2004 DAILY MEMORANDUM PACIFIC EDITION No. 76 NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY NAVAREA XII 142/2004 to 142/2004 HYDROPAC 692/2004 to 697/2004 ... HYDROPAC 694/2004 (62) ...... (as above) ........ (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Site? {Apparently Bahrain; confirmed low power in 4-073} ** IRAQ [non]. BBG'S R. FREE IRAQ LEAVES SHORTWAVE According to RFE/RL, Radio Free Iraq (funded by the U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors, BBG) will no longer be carried on shortwave from tomorrow 24 April. The transmissions on satellite and via Kuwait 1593 continue. Radio Free Iraq is produced in the studios of RFE/RL in Prague, Czech Republic (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. The Mobile Broadcast Network http://www.mymbn.com has fixed their 'cellphonecast' of the Israel Radio 1900 UT English news. So, now, as 'advertised', the following are available, upon demand, soon after the actual radio broadcast finishes. 0400 UT / Midnight ET is available at code: 1019 1900 UT / 3 PM ET is available at code: 1032 If you go through the broadcaster menu on the cellphone (instead of using direct code entry), the "Israel Radio" mentioned there, is the 1900 UT broadcast. If you listen to the 'live stream' of the World Radio Network, which is code 1025, the 1900 UT broadcast is on at 1 AM and 7:30 PM Eastern every day. === MANY ISRAELIS TO LOSE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE TV NEWS English-language news programmes on Israeli television will no longer be available to a large number of non-cable subscribers as of next month, according to a report in the Haaretz newspaper. Its says the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), which airs a seven- and-a-half minute English news bulletin every day at 4:50 pm on Channel One, is cancelling the programme as of 2 May. The IBA's extended 30-minute news programme in English is only available on Channel 33 - a station that is inaccessible to many Israelis who do not subscribe to basic cable, excluding residents in certain regions in the North. The news of the cancellation, which was first made public on April 9 and was finalized on Saturday, comes in the wake of a decision to make Channel One an exclusively Hebrew-language station. "I'm not happy about it, because our viewers aren't happy about it," Steve Leibowitz, producer of IBA English News told Haaretz. "People without cable [such as] pensioners, religious people, or people in remote areas won't have the ability to watch our broadcast." The English language news, which boasts an international audience and an estimated 100,000 viewers a day, has been on Channel One since October 1990. The Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) has already launched a campaign against the move, which the organization's national president, Marvin Silverman, has called an "attempt to prevent the dissemination of English news." # posted by Andy @ 12:53 UT (Media Network blog via Rosenzweig) CHANNEL ONE PLANS TO DROP ENGLISH NEWS By Daphna Berman http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/417209.html English-language news programs on television will no longer be available to a large number of non-cable subscribers as of next month, Haaretz has learned. The Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), which airs a seven-and-a- half minute English news bulletin every day at 4:50 P.M. on Channel One, is canceling its program as of May 2. Its extended 30-minute news program in English, meanwhile, is now only available on Channel 33 - a station that is inaccessible to many Israelis who do not subscribe to basic cable, excluding residents in certain regions in the North. The news of the cancellation, which was first made public on April 9 and was finalized on Saturday, comes in the wake of a decision to make Channel One an exclusively Hebrew-language station. "I'm not happy about it, because our viewers aren't happy about it," Steve Leibowitz, producer of IBA English News told Haaretz. "People without cable [such as] pensioners, religious people, or people in remote areas won't have the ability to watch our broadcast." The English language news, which boasts an international audience and an estimated 100,000 viewers a day, has been on Channel One since October 1990. The Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) has already launched a campaign against the move, which the organization's national president, Marvin Silverman, has called an "attempt to prevent the dissemination of English news." The spokesperson of the IBA was unavailable for comment (all via Doni Rosenzweig, DXLD) ** MEXICO [and non]. MÉXICO-EU: DISPUTA RADIOFÓNICA publicado en Milenio Diario, el 16 de abril del 2004 Cambio de frecuencia --- Fernando Mejía Barquera 16-Abr-04 (03:47) Hoy, según versiones periodísticas, funcionarios mexicanos de la Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) se reunirán con estadunidenses, miembros de la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC, por sus sigla en inglés) para tratar de buscar solución a un problema que se gestó en el segundo semestre de 2003 y empezó a hacer crisis en 2004. Se trata de un asunto cuya expresión visible es la probable interferencia que estaciones mexicanas provocan a emisoras de Estados Unidos, pero que tiene un aspecto más profundo y afecta principalmente a México: el uso de frecuencias mexicanas por parte de empresas estadunidenses con el fin de ampliar su cobertura y, con ello, sus ingresos. Protesta estadunidense El lunes pasado, según reportó el diario El Financiero (13 de abril de 2004), el secretario de Estado, Colin Powell, habría dirigido al secretario de Relaciones Exteriores mexicano, Luis Ernesto Derbez, una carta en la que ``expresa su preocupación`` por el hecho de que tres radiodifusoras mexicanas interfieran con sus señales las transmisiones de emisoras estadunidenses. El problema, en realidad, no es tan nuevo; comenzó a manifestarse a principios de este año e incluso habría sido tratado de manera preliminar, sin mediar documentos de protesta, por los equipos que acompañaron a los presidentes Fox y Bush en la reunión que éstos sostuvieron en marzo pasado. Sin embargo, el caso no había adquirido matices de inconformidad diplomática probablemente debido a que en él estaba involucrada una empresa estadunidense, Pacific Spanish Network, cuya programación se difundía, hasta el 7 de abril de 2004, en las emisoras mexicanas acusadas de generar interferencia. Efectivamente, el 16 de julio de 2003, Pacific Spanish Network (PSN), una cadena radiofónica que difunde programación en español en Estados Unidos, obtuvo de la FCC permiso para suministrar desde Chula Vista, California, programación a tres radiodifusoras mexicanas XESDD (920 de AM), XESS (780 de AM), ambas en la ciudad de Ensenada, Baja California, y XETT (550), en Tecate. La autorización fue otorgada por la FCC con el número 325-00053. Seguramente, PSN firmó convenios con los concesionarios de las emisoras mexicanas para hacerse cargo de la programación, con lo cual obtendría el beneficio de cubrir mercados radiofónicos en español a ambos lados de la frontera. Según los registros de la SCT, los concesionarios de las estaciones mexicanas involucradas son: Carlos Quiñónez Armendáriz, en los casos de la XESDD y la XEKTT, mientras que en el de la XESS aparece la empresa Radiodifusora de Ensenada, S.A. de C.V. El señor Quiñónez también es concesionario de la emisora Radio Trece (1290 de AM) en el Distrito Federal y de otra estación en Michoacán. ¿Cambios autorizados? Una vez operada en su programación por PSN, la XEKTT de Ensenada realizó diversos cambios técnicos en los cuales la participación de la SCT no ha quedado clara. Primero cambió de frecuencia, pues operaba en los 1600 kilohertz y pasó a los 560. Sin embargo, en diciembre de 2003, pasó a su ubicación actual en los 550 kilohertz. Asimismo, la estación modificó su sigla: dejó de identificarse como XEKTT y asumió la sigla XEPE. Lo curioso es que en la página de internet de la SCT http://www.sct.gob.mx que se supone está actualizada hasta enero de 2004, los datos de esta emisora siguen siendo los antiguos. Incluso, según ese documento, la vigencia de la concesión de la XEKTT fue del 17 de noviembre de 1988 al 16 de noviembre de 2003, es decir, ya habría concluido, aunque la SCT no ha informado si la renovó al mismo concesionario o la cedió a otro. Con la programación de las tres emisoras mexicanas a su cargo, PSN introdujo cambios de formato: la XEKTT (ahora XEPE) dejó de transmitir ``música romántica en español`` y cambió a ``música contemporánea en español``, mientras que la XESS se volvió ``tropical``. Todo parecía ir bien para la empresa estadunidense hasta que a finales de enero, diversas emisoras de EU comenzaron a quejarse de que sus transmisiones eran afectadas por las radiodifusoras mexicanas que, aparentemente, estarían difundiendo con potencias mayores a las que tienen asignadas, por lo que solicitaron a la FCC retirara a la empresa PSN el permiso para suministrar programación a las emisoras fronterizas. Ésta solicitó dos meses y medio para ``analizar la situación`` y el pasado 7 de abril notificó a la FCC, mediante una carta firmada por el apoderado legal de la empresa, Henry A. Solomon, su decisión de renunciar temporalmente a su permiso para dotar de programación a las tres emisoras mexicanas. Según Solomon, la intención de PSN al suministrar esa programación era ``mejorar las estaciones mexicanas``, pero, afirma en la carta, ``es evidente que la propuesta de mejorar las estaciones mexicanas no ha sido (suficientemente) coordinada con el gobierno de Estados Unidos``, por lo que decidió retirarse con el fin de que la FCC y la SCT puedan ponerse de acuerdo. Asimismo, PSN confía en que las autoridades encuentren una ``frecuencia alterna`` para que la XEKTT pueda operar y ``se reserva su derecho`` de volver a suministrar programación cuando la situación se aclare. Una vez apartada del conflicto la empresa estadunidense, el Departamento de Estado encontró el espacio para protestar mediante una carta ante el gobierno de México. ¿Qué solución? Será interesante ver cómo se resuelve el conflicto, si con la simple disminución de la potencia en las transmisiones de las emisoras mexicanas involucradas o con una reforma al convenio bilateral entre México y Estados Unidos para radio de AM en la zona fronteriza, el cual data del 12 de agosto de 1986. Pero el problema va más allá. Hoy existen varias frecuencias mexicanas que son utilizadas por empresas estadunidenses para ampliar su cobertura y sus ingresos. Sus transmisiones son en inglés y no se dirigen al público mexicano, sino al mercado del país vecino. Por ejemplo, en Tijuana, la XTRA [sic] (690 de AM) tiene sus estudios en San Diego, pero utiliza una frecuencia mexicana para transmitir programación deportiva con 77 mil watts en el día y 50 mil en la noche. Es operada por Clear Channel Communications. Y funciona también XESPN (800 de AM), parte de la cadena deportiva estadunidense ESPN, que igualmente tiene su domicilio en San Diego. La situación, como se ve, es compleja y la SCT debe a la sociedad mexicana una explicación de cómo funciona técnica, económica y políticamente la radio en esa zona de la frontera. Fernando Mejía Barquera (via Héctor García Bojorge, DF, April 20, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS [and non]. A petición, te detallo las horas y métodos de emisión de Radio-Enlace {including`s gh`s DX news most weeks} VIERNES 13.30 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet 19.20 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet 23.28 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet, F9895 SÁBADO 01.28 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet, F9895, B15315 03.28 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet, F9895 05.30 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet DOMINGO 12.30 internet 15.25 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet 18.55 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet 21.25 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet LUNES 00.09 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet, F9895, B15315 02.09 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet, F9895, B9590, B6165 04.58 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet 06.31 Telstar 12, PanAmSat 3, Astra 1G, internet La emisión internet es en directo las 24 horas. El programa lo puedes escuchar/bajar a pedido en esta otra página (en caso de que tengas problemas) http://www.rnw.nl/distrib/realaudio/html/espa_ol_.html Suerte y 73 (Jaime Báguena, RN, April 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. RNZI MAILBOX SPECIAL Adrian Sainsbury, Technical Manager of Radio New Zealand International has advised me of the following special broadcast on RNZI Mailbox. Regards, Mark Nicholls, Editor, New Zealand DX Times Magazine, New Zealand Radio DX League http://www.radiodx.com/ Sample copy of electronic version of the NZ DX Times available at http://www.radiodx.com/spdxr/edxt.htm In addition to the National Radio Spectrum broadcast times on 25 April ANZAC Day, RNZI will play this programme as a "Mailbox Special" on Monday May 03, 2004. It will also be available for download from our Audio page. Kind regards, Adrian 'Germany Calling' In 1941 two agents from New Zealand's Security Intelligence Bureau asked amateur radio enthusiast Jack Fox to monitor enemy radio broadcasts and pass on information to the government. Jack and other DXers Such as Arthur Cushen, formed a network of eavesdroppers on enemy transmissions from Europe the middle east and Japan. The Dxers were also able to pick up lists and messages from New Zealand prisoners of war well before they were received here officially. Many wives, mothers and fathers had their minds eased by news over shortwave that their loved ones were still alive but imprisoned. Both Jack Fox And Arthur Cushen met people they knew on the street and told them that their son or husband had been captured. By the end of the war over 6000 messages had been relayed home from POWs by amateur radio operators. Best Regards, Adrian Sainsbury, Technical Manager, Radio New Zealand International, P O Box 123, Wellington Web: http://www.rnzi.com (via Mark Nicholls, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. VOICE OF NIGERIA SILENCED Lagos, Nigeria, 23 April 2004 16:19 --- The Voice of Nigeria, Nigerian state radio's international broadcast network, has been forced off the air by a power cut, workers in the organisation said on Friday. Voice of Nigeria, which broadcasts to audiences in Africa and Europe in English, French, Swahili, Hausa and Yoruba, went silent on Tuesday after an electrical transformer outside its Lagos headquarters exploded, they said. "We do not know when power will be restored. The situation is worsened by the fact that our generator is also not working," said a senior journalist. The radio is making efforts to provide a skeleton service by moving its outside broadcast van to Ikorodu town, on the eastern outskirts of the city, where its transmitters are located, another worker said. Poor funding is one of the major problems of the Voice of Nigeria, which was established more than 40 years ago. Workers allege that they are owed about three million naira ($23 000) in unpaid allowances. -- Sapa-AFP http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=58707 (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. In light of the likely fact that I've been hearing KGYN on day pattern of late, you all might be interested in the text of the QSL letter I received today: "I would like to thank you for your contact report. We are KGYN 1210AM, 10,000 watts of power. Our transmitter is located five and a half miles east of Guymon. We broadcast hard Directional West after sunset. We would like to thank you once again." {Richard Ryther, Operations Manager] He did NOT use the prepared QSL card I sent, I think, because it noted the actual time I heard the station (well after sunset in Guymon). However, I think I am lucky to get even this because many stations I have heard "cheating" with power or pattern never respond at all, perhaps to avoid leaving a paper trail! (Jim Renfrew, Byron NY, NRC-AM via DXLD) Interesting... in 1972 I logged 'em post-sunset --- NOT cheating, but actually experiencing a technical failure when one of their directional-array relays went out of whack, and got their standard form QSL letter with a detailed typewritten explanation of the technical problems on the back of the sheet from their chief engineer- -- "I believe that's the reason for your reception," he concluded, and even drew a depiction of their directional array for me, emphasizing that they normally nulled straight in my direction (and toward Philadelphia). (Randy Stewart, Springfield MO, ibid.) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. PNG 4960 heard this morning? Folks, I recorded 4960 from 1015 for an hour (while I slept), and I've just reviewed the tape. Now this is tentative, but at approximately 1045 UT today 21/April 2004, there began a vocal national anthem, which I'm quite certain is identical to several websites of National Anthems. This was followed by a male talking, but too weak for me to be sure of language, etc. Sounded like a prayer in all likelihood. I was using a R5000 with a T2FD. Not ideal, but I wasn't up at the time to fire up my HF-2050 and select the best antenna. Signal strength was just a little weaker than Port Moresby usually is on 4890. As I listen, the language is not English. This lasted for about 5 minutes, than some modern music. Seems to be recorded outside at a live event? Can anyone verify the above? Are there any Latins signing on at that time? (Walter (Volodya) Salmaniw, MD, Victoria, BC, Canada, April 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Walter, I noted something in my logbook the same date at 1055-1104 UT. Song by Eurythmics, male voice (couldn't pick the language), a song that seemed to be chanting, some more modern music. At 1104 sounded a bit like Spanish but signal was too low to be sure. I thought it might be a Latin. Did your recording have the Eurythmics on it? If it was PNG I would have expected something a bit stronger (Wayne Bastow, Wyoming, NSW, Australia, April 22, dxldyg via DXLD) {Walter soon followed up, but it missed this issue, that the 4960 station grew stronger rather than weaker as the morning progressed, and it turned out to be Ecuador} CATHOLIC RADIO NETWORK PNG TRANSMITTER DELAYED Wayne Wilson of T.E. PNG Ltd. in Boroko emailed me this status report of the new PNG transmitter for 4960 kHz, after I inquired of CRN if the station was operational: "Dear Guy: Fr. Mlak has passed on your enquiry regarding the delivery of the SW transmitter for Aitape. It was delayed due to technical problems with the transmitter driver PCB which are apparently sourced externally by the factory. Now this has been solved and the transmitter should be shipping from the factory this week. We would certainly be interested is your reception report once the station is up and running. The main radiation from the antenna is designed to be high angle, near vertical incidence to reflect back to PNG and out to about 1000 km so it will we interesting to see if the signal reaches the US. The other stations in the 3200 – 3400 kHz band are meant to be running 10,000 watts whereas the Vanimo CRN Transmitter will be 1000 watts." -------------------------- I thanked Mr. Wilson for his reply and asked for an update when testing is about to begin, as well as clarification about the transmitter location (Vanimo or Aitape). If I hear further details I'll pass them along to Cumbre (Guy Atkins, Puyallup, WA USA, Cumbredx mailing list, April 21 via DXLD) I received another email from Wayne Wilson of T.E. PNG (the comms. firm handling the transmitter installation). He confirmed that the 4960 shortwave transmitter for CRN will definitely be in Vanimo (an FM transmitter was recently installed in Aitape). Wayne also mentioned the transmitter had just been collected by their forwarder (Guy Atkins, Puyallup, WA USA, April 22, ibid.) ** PARAGUAY. According to press sources, the technical improvements (including transmitter repairs) at Radio Nacional del Paraguay were made thanks a 50,000 dollar donation from the Korean government, via its embassy in Asunción. A program by Paraguayan resident Nicanor Duarte Frutos called "Habla el presidente" (a similar idea used by President Chávez in Venezuela and also relayed via RHC) has started in ZP1 Radio Nacional, every Wed, at 0630-0800 local time [1030-1200 UT]. R Nacional's director is Flaviano Diaz. (from http://www.ultimahora.com/template.asp?notic=65101 abr 22 via Horacio A. Nigro, Montevideo – Uruguay, April 26, dxldyg via DXLD) ** SEYCHELLES [non]. Feba Radio A'04 changes wef Apr 22 -------------------------------------- 28 March to 31 October 2004 (A04) Day 1 = Sunday (ITU Convention) NORTH INDIA, NEPAL, TIBET Time UTC Days Languages Frequency Band Site 1234567 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 0030-0100 s...... HINDI 7375 41 TAC (ex 7365) 0030-0045 .mtwt.. BANGLA 7375 41 TAC (ex 7365) 0030-0045 .....fs BHOJPURI 7375 41 TAC (ex 7365) 0045-0100 .m.w.fs HINDI 7375 41 TAC (ex 7365) 0045-0100 ..t.... ORIYA 7375 41 TAC (ex 7365) 0045-0100 ....t.. MAGAHI 7375 41 TAC (ex 7365) PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN, IRAN 1530-1630 smtwtfs PERSIAN 9850 31 ARM (ex 9875) 1630-1645 s.....s BALUCHI 9850 31 ARM (ex 9875) 1630-1645 .mtw... TURKMEN 9850 31 ARM (ex 9875) 1630-1645 ....t.. AZERI 9850 31 ARM (ex 9875) 1630-1645 .....f. LURI 9850 31 ARM (ex 9875) Regds, (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DXLD) ** SLOVAKIA. 23 APR 04 --- Pete Miller has announced in his programme Slovakia Today that rumour has it that Radio Slovakia will continue until the end of June BUT your letters can make the difference so if you want to express your opinion write in englishsection@slovakradio.sk (via Nick Sharpe, UK, World DX Club email list vias dxld yg via DXLD) I presume you mean, will continue *on shortwave.* As I understood it, programme production was to continue, but delivery would only be on Internet. I still find it odd that the English section was not campaigning more vigorously for support earlier in the month like the other language sections were. Pete's E-mail to Media Network certainly seemed to suggest the staff regarded it as a fait accompli. Normally I am not in favour of write-in campaigns, but in this case there appear to be solid grounds for it. I find it a shame that in such a small organisation, they have to publicly refer to "rumours." At Radio Netherlands, while there may be disagreements between staff and management on specific issues, the ongoing dialogue never stops. This openness is one of the reasons I like living and working here (Andy Sennitt, Holland, ibid.) They read lots of emails about the possible closure on Listeners Tribune today including your own and encouraged listeners to contact the management about the closure. They said Pete was working behind the scenes to prevent it (Mike Barraclough, April 25, ibid.) The planned shut-down of Radio Slovakia International on shortwave has Been postponed; new deadline is now July 1st. The current situation is the result of the circumstance that an annual budget of only 97 millions Slovak crowns for 2004 was allocated to Slovensky Rozhlas by the parliament, only a third of the demanded 270 million crowns. Contrary to the practice until 2003 no amount was dedicated especially to RSI; consequently the SR management found it a suitable place for the cost savings they are in dire need for. RSI editor-in-chief Ladislav Kubis at present does lobbying work for His station, also by presenting letters of protest from listeners. He Argues that it is illegal to not devote any money to RSI because state funds for the foreign service are required by law. This from an interview with Ladislav Kubis in the German program on April 25, at present available at http://ra.slovakradio.sk/www/rsi/relacie/nedela/german.ram (interview from about 9'00 into this recording). I also archived it at http://www.radioeins.de/_/meta/sendungen/apparat/040424_a1.ram (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also AUSTRIA ** SOMALIA. Glenn, Radio Shabele noted on 6960 kHz around 1830 UT with talk program. Reception was barely readable. This logging is only tentative. No positive identification. Best reception in LSB. 73´s (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku FINLAND, April 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SYRIA. Heard R. Damascus (SYRIA) last evening (4/21/04) on 13610 khz with F-P signals and slightly muffled audio/modulation. The interesting element here is that it was a broadcast in Spanish. The '04 WRTH does not list them as having a Spanish language broadcast(??). I tuned in at 2345 and heard a political commentary of some sort, ME music and then a fanfare with clear ID's ("Aqui Damás") at 0000 followed by more music. This is not a frequency or a station I check very often. Is the Spanish new or is it something that they have always had but which just didn't make it into the WRTH? Parallel 12084-12087v was not heard (Jim Clar, Rochester,NY Apr 22, dxldyg via DXLD) WRTH 2005 update: English also 2110-2210; Arabic 2215-2315; Spanish 2315-0015. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. 9745. Voice of Han: I was surprised to hear what I had hoped was this one at 1045 Apr 18, fairly decent level for ECNA reception, man talking in CH, a few light pops, a little choir singing. Man said "Bye, bye" at 1058, then singing, big fanfare at 1100, presumed ID by man tho could not get it all definitively, into talk, probably news. I checked their website audio and thought it was parallel, but the website delay was considerable and my computer is in a different room so I couldn't tell for sure. There is what appears to be some fairly major "moving bubble jamming" on this channel, stronger before 1030 and after 1100 but not insignificant at 1030-1100 either. Still, it is something of a window. I tried again Apr 19, same time, and the signal was there, again at fair level, but I could not get any audio out of it at all. However, I checked the website audio and there was the announcer saying "Bye bye" again before the hour (I missed it on the website Apr 18), and the website ID at 1100 Apr 19 exactly matched the on-air ID heard at 1100 Apr 18. Actually, the website ID was given at 1101, so the website is apparently a full minute behind, complicating comparisons. -- Heard again with talk and music at 1040 Apr 25, but audio again very low and didn't last long, tho carrier decent. Again, jamming cranked up as 1100 approached, but still could make out distinctive fanfare at 1100. -- Info from DXing.info says this is run by the Defense Dept. Judging from the signal, must have some kilowatts behind it (Jerry Berg, MA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** TAJIKISTAN. VOA's Radio Aap Ki Dunyaa program in Urdu is now carried on 972 (Orzu, 500 kW) from 1400-0200, replacing BBG's Radio Free Afghanistan (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Apr 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. LIBERAL TALK RADIO MUST FIND NEW CHICAGO STATION By John Cook, Tribune staff reporter, April 20, 2004, 3:13 PM CDT It was on, then it was off, then it was on again, and now it will be off again. Air America Radio, the recently launched liberal talk-radio network that became embroiled last week in a financial dispute with the owner of its Chicago and Los Angeles stations, will broadcast over WNTD-950 AM in Chicago for the last time on April 30, the network said today. The network also said it will remain off the air for the time being in Los Angeles, where it was yanked off its station there, KBLA-1580, last week by owner Multicultural News Radio. The announcement settles an acrimonious legal and public relations battle between Air America and Multicultural. It also means that Air America must seek new homes in the nation's second and third-largest markets less than three weeks into its short life. "We are pleased that we reached a negotiated settlement," said David Goodfriend, executive vice president and general counsel of Air America, in a terse statement. No Air America executives would comment further. Copyright (c) 2004, Chicago Tribune (April 20 via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U S A. FCC EXPLORES RULES FOR DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING. Goal is to Promote the Introduction of Digital Radio Services for Americans. News Release. Comments Due: 06/16/2004. Reply Comments Due: 07/16/2004. Adopted: 04/15/2004. News Media Contact: Michelle Russo at (202) 418-2358 MB.Contact Ben Golant at (202) 418-7111, TTY: (202) 418-7172 http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246150A1.doc http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246150A2.doc http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246150A3.doc http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246150A4.doc http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246150A1.pdf http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246150A2.pdf http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246150A3.pdf http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246150A4.pdf http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246150A1.txt http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246150A2.txt http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246150A3.txt http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-246150A4.txt (via Harold Richards, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. Incorrect Information on Rushville, IN Hi Glenn, Per the note on your site: ``More redundant translators: IN Rushville, W254AP, *98.7 h,v; W279AM *103.7 h,v; W285DN *104.9 h,v, all relaying WJCF.`` 98.7 is the only WJCF relay. Each other translator is for another station. Don't know how you got this information but the Commission will not allow multiple translators serving the exact same area with the same primary station. Not allowed by their rules. Some stations have been proposing the same primary station for relay with different patterns or different coverage but we have stayed away from this. We are involved with multiple non profit stations and plan on building translator sites for multiple stations. Have a great day (Jennifer Hensley, WJCF Indiana Community Radio Corp., April 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The source, as clearly attributed was Fmedia! I`ve passed this on to Bruce Elving. But the point of the item, or a related one, was that FCC rules DO allow this per an FCC source! (gh) ** VENEZUELA. La pionera y legendaria Radio 1070 (1170 kHz), la cual se halla ubicada en Maiquetía, Estado Vargas, ha cambiado de nombre: ahora se autodenomina "Celestial 1170AM, La nueva señal". Con música y programación religiosa. Cabe señalar, que Radio 1070 kHz había estado activa sólo esporádicamente luego de la tragedia de 1999. La aparente incongruencia entre el nombre (1070) y la verdadera frecuencia, es que hace unas décadas atrás Radio 1070, cuya frecuencia era 1070 kHz, debió mudarse 100 kHz más arriba. Razón: una virtual collision hertziana con Radio Nacional 1050 kHz. Entonces se cambió el canal, pero el nombre siguió siendo el mismo. 1070 fue pionera de la radiodifusión en el Estado Vargas, bajo el nombre de Emisora Vargas, hasta bien entrada la década de los 70, si no me equivoco. De todas maneras, en la lista hay gente más especializada en este caso y creo que ellos podrían aportar detalles más precisos. 73's y buen DX (Adán González, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA [and non]. Actualmente estoy escuchando a Radio Nacional de Venezuela por los 9550 kHz, pero hay que destacar que esta frecuencia corresponde a Radio Habana Cuba. El ministro de Educación Superior se encuentra hablando del sistema de educación revolucionario y del Mariscal Sucre. Later: Guiándome por los comentarios aparecidos en DX Listening Digest, he chequeado las frecuencias 9550, 13740 y 9820 y solo he podido escuchar a esta hora 2025 UT a Radio Nacional de Venezuela en los 9550 kHz. (José Elías, April 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 13740 is used in the 1900 hour, 9820 in the 2300 hour, neither at 2000 You can`t depend on the Cubans to follow the schedule, even for themselves. On April 20 I heard 9550 opening RHC in Portuguese at 2000 instead of RNV, but the RNV relay was audible on 15230; later in the hour, 9550 was back to RNV (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Saludos Glenn, totalmente de acuerdo contigo. La verdad es que no sé qué está pasando con la señal de Radio Nacional de Venezuela en onda corta y su canal Internacional 9540 kHz. Desde hace mucho tiempo se ha informado que se está trabajando en el transmisor para repotenciarlo y otras veces se ha dicho que hay un transmisor nuevo. Lo cierto del caso es que la Radio Nacional de Venezuela se está escuchando por frecuencias diferentes casi todos los dias a través de los transmisores de Radio Habana Cuba. Me parece que sí hay un acuerdo entre Cuba y Venezuela, para que la señal venezolana esté en el aire; este debería cumplirse con una frecuencia establecida y no estar dando tumbos como está pasando en estos momentos, que a cada rato un querido colega diexista la reporta por una frecuencia diferente. De todas maneras, mi opinión la mantengo, no estoy de acuerdo con las transmisiones de Radio Nacional de Venezuela, Canal Internacional a través de los emisores de RHC y mucho menos la forma como se están haciendo. Ahhhh, en este momento Radio Habana Cuba en inglés por 9550 kHz, 2330 UT. Sigo esperando por la reactivación de Radio Nacional de Venezuela, Canal Internacional a través de la frecuencia 9540 kHz (José Elías Díaz Gómez, Desde Barcelona, Capital del Edo Anzoátegui, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks, Glenn's tip, listening to 11875 as I type this up at 2115, ID's and music. Signal only fair in Southwest Florida (Hans Johnson Naples, FL, April 20, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Glenn, I`ve heard Radio Nacional de Venezuela via Radio Habana Cuba twice. First at 2005 UT on 15230 kHz with pretty weak signal. Later same night 2335 UT on 11760 kHz with excellent reception. ID: R-N-V, Canal Nacional". Thanks for this tip. 73 (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, April 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The 2200-2300 broadcast scheduled on 6000 to Washington actually heard at 2100, poor but improving to fair by 2200*, not there 2200-2300 April 24 (Jerry Berg, MA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** VIETNAM. 9550 would seem to be direct from Vietnam. And as for 9725 & 11630, I'm sure you would have heard them if via Cuba. I still can't hear them either - which, of course, doesn't mean to say they are not on air! (Noel Green, UK, April 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Hi from Italy. This morning I could hear Radio Martí on 1620 kHz Medium Waves. This is the first time I find Martí on Medium Waves, where is this broadcast from? I think from Florida, but from which station? I hope you can help me. Thanks (Giampiero Bernardini, Milano, Italy, via Martiin Schoech, Germany, April 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) {Suggestions it was WDHP, VI US, doing a test for Martí} UNIDENTIFIED. 5047.08 (no audioclip) unID LA, Spanish. 0030 UT. 04/2004. I have had this station the last 2 days with very weak signal. TC perhaps UTC -4 but I´m not sure. 18/Abr/2004 14:30 Saludos Cordiales desde ``La Mitad del Mundo``! (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL +++++++++++++++++++++++ I am Very sorry that I was rude to you! I am getting covered up with spam to the point that we get 500+++++ spams a day now. I am SORRY !!! I will go to the new site. Thanks!!!! (Dave Frantz, WWRB, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ DOMESTIC BROADCASTING SURVEY; CLANDESTINE LIST Dear Glenn, The Danish ShortWave Club International has just published its completely updated edition of the Domestic Broadcasting Survey and List of Clandestine stations. Please have a look at http://www.dswci.org/dbs/dbs6.pdf for more details. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DRM +++ Apparently a DRM test was done by the 183 kHz Felsberg transmitter of Europe 1 in the wee hours of April 22, judging from the discussion at http://forum.myphorum.de/read.php?f=8773&i=112622&t=112622 No further observations were reported since then (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ SWL FEST SHOWS AT WRMI Glenn: The SWL Fest programs are now on our website, on the "Links" page. Hope to put other VoNASB programs there too as time and space permit. (Jeff White, WRMI, April 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) AIB GLOBAL MEDIA BUSINESS CONFERENCE 2004 The third annual summit of the international broadcasting industry opens in Prague on the evening of 11th May with a Reception hosted by Britain's Ambassador to the Czech Repbulic, HE Anne Pringle. Two days of discussion, debate and information exchange start on the morning of Wednesday 12th May, with a keynote speech from Tom Dine, President of Conference host broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Subjects that will be examined by the Conference include the relationships between broadcasters and states at a time of terror and conflict, with an examination of how resilient broadcasters' businesses are at a time of heightened uncertainty. We'll also be looking at brands and image with expert contributions from the world's leading broadcast branding companies, technology issues, analogue TV switch-off, sport broadcasting and more. The current agenda is available online at http://www.aib.org.uk along with complete information on how to register - we've kept the cost well below the price of commercially run conferences as the AIB is a trade association. You will also find details of how to reserve specially discounted hotel accommodation in Prague. But do hurry - delegate places are now at a premium (AIB via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ PILOT RADIO COMPANY, LONG ISLAND CITY Queens Chronicle, NY - Apr 15, 2004 ... In 1927 he introduced the WASP short wave radio, Three years later they were producing the factory wired ``Midget.`` The Depression hit the company hard and ... http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1862&dept_id=534989&newsid=1132 9395&PAG=4\61&rfi=9 (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Pilot Radio Company, Long Island City (via rec.radio.shortwave) by Ron Marzlock, Chronicle Historian, April 15, 2004 In 1925 the original Pilot Radio Company was formed by Isidor Goldberg who sold radio supply kits and parts. In 1927 he introduced the WASP short wave radio, Three years later they were producing the factory wired ``Midget.`` The Depression hit the company hard and they went into bankruptcy in 1933. In 1934 he reopened the Pilot Radio Company at 37-06 36th Street, in Long Island City. Goldberg also opened a branch in London, England in 1936. The factories in New York and London were shut down to consumers in 1942 for WWII production. It re-opened in 1946 and sold the first FM tuners, television, in 1947 and hi-fi in 1948. In 1949 Emerson Radio bought a large share in the company. By the 1950s, production to consumer market sets ceased. In 1962, Isadore Goldberg, the founder passed away. In 1963, the company was bought out by Emerson entirely. It moved out of Long Island City to Yonkers and was dissolved the next year. ©Queens Chronicle - Northern/NorthEastern Edition 2004 (Picture of Pilot Radio Company, 36th Street, Long Island City, July 1942.) (via SW Bulletin April 18 via DXLD) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ POWER LINES SET TO CARRY HIGH-SPEED INTERNET By Brad Rosenberg | Contributor to The Christian Science Monitor The Christian Science Monitor - csmonitor.com from the April 26, 2004 edition - http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0426/p16s01-wmgn.html Power lines bring energy to homes all across America, but soon they could carry high-speed Internet service as well. On June 1, federal proposed rules for Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) go into effect. At that point, power companies can sell broadband services over power lines in every market in the United States. Several power companies from North Carolina to California have already launched trial programs in the past year, providing Internet service to customers through modems plugged into their electrical outlets. The companies are charging roughly $30 to $40 per month, a bit less than or equal to high-speed service from telephone and cable companies. But ham-radio operators are deeply worried about the technology, arguing BPL causes enough radio interference to block out radio frequencies of fire and police departments, and other emergency services. "It's like listening to a symphony next to a jackhammer," complains Jim Micholis, a Wayne, Pa., ham radio operator who has witnessed several BPL tests. Overseas, BPL tests were halted because of interference, they point out. A new technical report, due to be released in a few weeks, will address the interference issue, insiders say, and offer evidence for both sides of the debate. Most electronic devices create radio disturbance in some way, from fluorescent lights to cable Internet. But BPL stands out because it uses unshielded power lines to carry the Internet signal, says Jim Haynie, president of the American Radio Relay League. "In each and every instance where we have gone to the test sites and done our measurements and used our instruments, we have found that [BPL] will interfere ... to the point where we can't hear anything." The Federal Communications Commission disputes that contention. It requested and got feedback from the radio league, and drafted BPL rules to meet its complaints. "Our responsibility is to make sure that ... when some new use of the radio spectrum occurs, it doesn't create interference, and we have," says Ed Thomas, chief engineer for the FCC. Mr. Thomas maintains that the commission has yet to find any evidence of BPL interfering with nearby radios. "I'm willing to bet that there won't be a problem, and that [BPL] will be used ubiquitously," he says. Proponents expect BPL to be a cheaper alternative for consumers who have relied on cable and telephone companies for high-speed Internet service. "The BPL component is probably going to be a low-cost competitor in any market," says Allen Shark, president and CEO of the Power Lines Communications Association. "The prices that we're starting to see are less than $30 a month." Another advantage power companies expect to have over its rivals: BPL will provide Internet service to areas where cable companies do not operate. "Most rural areas have been underserved by rural providers," says Alex Pardo, director of Cinergy Ventures, a subdivision of the Cincinnati utility company Cinergy Corp. "Wherever there's a power line, [BPL] has the potential to get a data service to go to areas that have been underserved." BPL will also encourage innovative technology, proponents say. "If every power plug in your house becomes a broadband connection, that means that almost anything you plug into the wall can connect to the Internet," says Thomas of the FCC. "That means that your refrigerator can have a meaningful conversation with the supermarket and say, 'Hi, I need milk.' Or you could call your house and say, 'I'm coming home in two hours, turn the air conditioner on.' It's only restricted by imagination." So far, ham operators have few allies - publicly, at least - to help them keep the FCC rules from going into effect. One reason is that, while police and other emergency-services could be affected, they have not tested it. "We would be concerned if it did interfere with our communications, because those are critical, and involve lifesaving situations," says Steve Cohler, spokesman for the California Highway Patrol. But while the organization "is aware of BPL," it does not know "the impact it would have on [its] communications capabilities." The Federal Emergency Management Administration is also looking into BPL, but it has not yet come to a definite conclusion, says spokeswoman LeaAnne McBride. Other nations, however, have already made up their mind. "It's a brilliant idea, but if you give it a more technical, detailed look, it all falls apart," says Diethard Hansen, the external chairman of the advisory group on BPL to RegTP, Germany's FCC equivalent. "It suffers the enormous risk of uncontrolled interference to everyone." During test trials of BPL in Britain and Japan, Mr. Hansen says, interference was so strong that they pulled the plug on BPL. "In Manchester [England], they failed miserably in the shortwave frequency bands because the streetlights started working as antennas," he says. "In Japan, they had limited field trials in Osaka and Tokyo, and interference got out of control. They had to stop it." Ham-radio operators are concerned that BPL will cause the same problems in the US. But proponents don't seem worried. "What was banned in Japan is very old technology," says Thomas. In addition, Mr. Shark says that BPL didn't work in Europe because of an electrical grid that uses more voltage - and a political system overly influenced by would-be BPL competitors. "We can't learn as much from them." Within a few weeks, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is expected to issue its report on the feasibility of BPL in the US. Critics charge that the FCC should have waited for the report before issuing its rules, and some even suggest that the White House pressured the agency to push forward the job- creating technology. But such pressure is not necessarily bad, says Mike Gallagher, acting assistant secretary of commerce for communication and information at the NTIA. "It's our goal to create jobs and to create technology that can operate without interference. We can do both. There is pressure to do both because that's good management." Full HTML version of this story may include photos, graphics, and related links Copyright (c) 2004 The Christian Science Monitor. All rights reserved (via Mike Cooper, Artie Bigley, DXLD) I caught a portion of acting president Bush speaking out in favor of broadband. Did he say anything about BPL in particular? That would be another good reason to deny him a second term (gh, DXLD) {see 4-073} ###