DX LISTENING DIGEST 4-076, May 7, 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 CONTINENT OF MEDIA 04-03 [low version only], available from May 5: (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/com0403.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/com0403.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0403.html NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1229: 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 [cancelled, or later??] 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 [previous Extra 47] Mon 0430 on WBCQ 7415, webcast http://wbcq.us Wed 0930 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 1229 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1229h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1229h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1229.html WORLD OF RADIO 1229 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1229.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1229.rm ** ALASKA. KNLS, 11705, April 17 0825 Christian music, 0830 English ID ``The New Life Station``, SIO 222 (Dave Kenny, England, HF Logbook, BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) Your typo or theirs? I thought they were on 11765; and another log the next day shows: KNLS, 11765, April 18, 0800 Postcard from Alaska, DX Corner, SIO 444 (Robert Petraitis, Lithuania, ibid.) see also CHINA [non]! ** ARMENIA [and non]. Armenia/Azerbaijan/United Kingdom: BBC launches new Karabakh webpage | Text of press release by BBC World Service on 7 May BBC Russian service is launching a new web page to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the ceasefire in the Nagorny Karabakh conflict. Going live on bbcrussian.com on Wednesday 12 May, the Karabakh Page will publish news and views from Russian-speakers in Armenia, Azerbaijan and across the world. Visitors to bbcrussian.com who take interest in the Karabakh conflict and whose lives have been affected by it will have the chance to take part in weekly online discussions. In addition, the Karabakh Page will publish photos and personal stories. There is also a special section for people seeking to re- establish contacts with old friends and neighbours. The Karabakh page is done in partnership with the British NGO Conciliation Resources, as part of the Consortium Initiative - a new British Government-funded programme which aims to improve the prospects for a settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Source: BBC World Service press release, London, in English 7 May 04 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. Deutsche Welle English Programme, 04.05.2004 Today's Programme Preview --- WORLD IN PROGRESS It all started fifty years ago with a small group of tin miners in Bolivia. During a strike in the country's mountains, they founded the first community radio station in Latin America - radio comunitaria. A success story. Today, more than 2000 of these community-, free-, or pirate radio stations - as they are called - exist on the continent. Some are small and badly funded, while others work with up to date equipment and a large pool of volunteers. All of them are owned, run and editorially controlled by the public they serve. Yet, only a few of them reach Latin America's largest potential group of listeners: Young People. Last month, 12 editors from six Latin American community radio stations visited Deutsche Welle Academy in Bonn. Attracting young listeners was the core issue of the course. Georg Matthes has the story. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information please turn to our internet website at http://dw-world.de/english Here you'll find out what's happening in Germany, Europe and the rest of the world. News and background reports from the fields of current affairs, culture, business and science. And of course the DW website also has information about DW-RADIO and DW-TV programmes: topics, broadcast times and frequencies. You can even listen to all programmes as audio-on-demand (via Chris Brand, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOTSWANA. I spoke to Mr Kingsley Reetsang, CE of R. Botswana on 22 April regarding their absence from SW. He explained that they used to have three very old valve transmitters and over the years they used up two of them for spare parts for the last one. Now a valve on the last one failed and, because of the age of the transmitter, a new valve has to be custom made. They would like to remain on SW and are currently contemplating whether to order the valve or to get a new (solid state) transmitter. In either case they don`t expect to be on SW for a number of months (Vashek Korinek, RSA, DX-plorer via BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) {more: 4-077} ** BOTSWANA. RFE/RL Serbo-Croat service beamed to Europe, April 11 1735-1800 ending with English ID ``This is the VOA broadcasting to Africa; the following program is in``, then cut; SIO 444 (Tony Rogers, Birmingham, BDXC-UK via DXLD) New unusual usage; Botswana site surely was not designed to serve Europe, but they have a 10 degree antenna, so why not? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BULGARIA. RE: DXLD 4-075, "Radio New Europe is new name for Radio Free Europe in Bulgarian." No it isn't. It's a new station, separately funded. In a press release of 12 April the salient point was that the US taxpayer is no longer funding it (Andy Sennitt, Holland, dxldyg via DXLD) ** CANADA. RDS --- Just spoke to someone I met yesterday who is fairly senior in CBC technical / business end of things and he says the CBC will return to RDS, perhaps later this year, for all its FM stations. I suggested it'd be better to show calls rather than just the network name, and he said there would be a variety of information on it. It's not specifically his area; he was just aware of it. (His area is leasing space atop CBC towers to other broadcasters and antenna users - i.e. not just FM-TV). (Saul Chernos, Toronto ON, May 5, WTFDA via DXLD) ** CHINA. HUBEI RADIO AVAILABLE LIVE ONLINE ON NEW WEB SITE Hubei Radio is available on a new web site streaming five radio services at http://www.hbradio.com.cn Their former URL http://www.hbbs.com is no longer valid. The five online services are also available terrestrially on the following mediumwave and FM frequencies in the provincial capital, Wuhan: Satellite Service - 774, 1404 kHz mediumwave Economic Service - 98.9, 99.8 MHz FM Music Service - 103.8 MHz FM Traffic Service - 107.8 MHz FM Health & Entertainment Service - 96.6 MHz FM The Satellite Service is also available on AsiaSat 3S at 105.5 degrees east, 4035 MHz, horizontal polarization. Hubei Radio is the public broadcaster for Hubei Province, a landlocked region situated in eastern central China. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 7 May 04 (via DXLD) HUBEI TV AVAILABLE LIVE ONLINE | Text of report by Monitoring research on 7 May Three TV services provided by Hubei TV are available streamed live from their web site at http://www.hbtv.com.cn Hubei TV is also available on AsiaSat 3S at 105.5 degrees east, 4035 MHz, horizontal polarization. Hubei TV is the public broadcaster for Hubei Province, a landlocked region situated in eastern central China. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 7 May 04 (via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. Re new ``Chinese clandestine? 11765 1600-1700 new Chinese clandestine? "Voice Of Hope Radio International" (Qiao Xiaoli, May 4) Not just a gospel huxter? (gh)`` 1600-1700 11765 KNLS Anchor Point-AK 25/4-25/7 (Silvain Domen, Belgium, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hmmm, but very interesting that Qiao maintained the content was entirely political. This again raises questions about the true nature of WCBC, and its involvement with US government services such as Radio Free Asia (gh, DXLD) ** CROATIA. HRV 5040 kHz not a spur --- Just got the latest copy of the Benelux Dx club's magazine and apparently it's a low power experimental transmitter, not a spur. Ah well, you win some you lose some! Regards (Tim Bucknall, harmonics yg via DXLD) When and in which season the 5040 outlet has been noted? Who is the original source in Benelux magazine for this 'silly' information? Tim, sure - 5040 SPURIOUS signal from Deanovec is known in the DX press since days when Switzerland left their 49 mb channel 6165 kHz forever, and Deanovec took over/occupied this channel for their central European service. The spur on 5040 kHz occurs only when the 100 kW unit and the non- directional quarter corner reflector antenna is in use; similar antenna type is in use at Luxembourg, Juelich, Wertachtal, Flevoland, and Ismaning sites. The spurious signal disappears, when 6165 is replaced by a 10 kW unit with a direct dipole on 310 degrees towards western Europe, in winter season at 0700 to 1800 UT. Mixture SW 6165 / MW 1125 kHz signal: Formula 6165 kHz minus 1125 (Deanovec MW freq) = 5040 kHz 100 kW Schedule 6165 kHz Winter B03 0500-0700, 1800-2400 UT Summer A04 0400-2300 73 (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, ibid.) Hi Wolfgang, that`s great news; the bad info comes from Bob Grevenstuk, in Emmeloord, NL. Regards (Tim Bucknall, ibid.) ** CUBA. Radio_Habana_Cuba_estrenó_identificación Saludos cordiales queridos colegas diexistas. Espero que se encuentren muy bien, Radio Habana Cuba tiene nueva identificación; la misma se estrenó el 01 de Mayo del 2004, fecha de su aniversario 43. Esta información fué transmitida en el programa En Contacto, el domingo pasado, el día que se transmitió la identificación de Radio Habana Cuba en español, en una nueva versión, con la misma música del Himno del 26 de Julio en un arreglo especial del maestro Frank Fernández que el 01 de Mayo se puso al aire. Las voces son las mismas: Libia Rosa López y Fernando Alcorta, quienes estuvieron como invitados en el programa. Por cierto, ese mismo día colocaron la identificación nueva, que para ser sincero no difiere mucho de la anterior. Esa identificación la tenemos grabada, con un sonido no muy bueno ya que las condicones de propagación no eran las mejores y está a la orden de los colegas diexistas. Este programa En Contacto, que se transmitió el domingo pasado, será repetido el próximo domingo 09 de Mayo, así que hay una nueva oportunidad de escucharlo y de grabar el programa especial dedicado a Radio Habana Cuba con motivo de su aniversario 43, que se cumplieron el 01 de Mayo del 2004. Quienes hagan un completo informe de recepción del programa En Contacto, recibirán una tarjeta QSL especial, firmada por los conductores del programa y de los invitados especiales: Libia Rosa López, quien comenzó en Radio Habana Cuba en el año 1962 y de Fernando Alcorta, la voz que identifica a Radio Habana Cuba y quien fué escogido para trabajar en la radio, cuando esta era todavía un proyecto. Fernando Alcorta también participa en la identificación de Radio Progreso, Cadena Nacional, La Onda de la Alegría. Atte: (José Elías, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) En Contacto appears: Sun 1335, 2155v, and Mon 0135 on RHC (gh, DXLD) ** CUBA [non]. BUSH AIMS TO GET SIGNAL THROUGH TO CUBA FROM "LA NUEVA CUBA" MAY 6TH, 2004. LA NUEVA CUBA By Goerge Gedda, Associated Press Writer InfoSearch: José F. Sánchez, USA, La Nueva Cuba, May 6, 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- President Bush will try to overcome Cuban jamming of U.S. government radio and television stations by flying military aircraft capable of broadcasting signals to the island, a senior administration official said Wednesday. The two stations, known as Radio Martí and TV Martí, are tailored for Cuban audiences but have been subjected to widespread jamming, especially the TV operation. Bush is expected to announce the plan Thursday as part of a series of measures toughening Cuba policy. They will be based on a report by a government commission created six months ago by Bush and headed by Secretary of State Colin Powell Four chapters of the 500-page report are devoted to recommendations on U.S. assistance to a post-Castro Cuban government. A fifth chapter includes proposals on ways to end communist rule on the island. Bush also is expected to announce ways to curb the flow of U.S. dollars to the island in hopes of putting economic pressure on Cuba. Some aspects of the new policy are classified. Bush had sought previously to overcome Cuban jamming of the Miami- based stations, but officials say the effort has fallen victim to bureaucratic inertia. An administration official said Thursday, "If they don't get the job done this time, heads will roll." Bush plans to explain funding for the anti-jamming operation in his announcement. The official, asking not to be identified, said the plan calls for an "airborne platform to break through the information logjam" Cuba has imposed against the two stations. With all local media under state control, Cubans have little access to information that is not approved by the government. The plan involves use of C-130s that will fly over international waters near the island. Operations are expected to begin in a few months. Radio Martí began broadcasting in 1985 and was able to operate without interference until 1990, when TV Martí was introduced. Fidel Castro's government jammed TV Martí from the outset and then began blocking the radio station. Governments officials refused Thursday to discuss the effectiveness of the jamming. They also declined to discuss the type of programming offered by the TV outlet. A Voice of America spokesman said Radio Martí went to an all-news format several months ago. (via Oscar de Céspedes, Mike Cooper, Ricky Leong, May 6, DXLD) US TO MAKE AIRBORNE BROADCASTS TO COMMUNIST CUBA WASHINGTON, 6 (AFP) - The United States will use airplanes to broadcast anti-Castro programs into Cuba to improve reception on the communist-ruled island, the White House said. The action was one of those recommended in a 500-page report to President George W. Bush on how to pressure President Fidel Castro's regime administration. The plan calls for using C-130 military-style transport planes as an airborne platform to broadcast the US networks, which Cuba has blocked for more than a decade. In a statement, the White House said Bush authorized the spending of up to 59 million dollars over the next two years including "up to 18 million for regular airborne broadcasts to Cuba and the purchase of a dedicated airborne platform for the transmission of Radio and Television Marti into Cuba." Another 36 million dollars was to be used for "democracy-building activities, support for the family members of the political opposition" and other measures to encourage the "pro-democracy movement". In Miami, many Cuban exiles celebrated the new sanctions. "We welcome the help announced to the opposition on the island and also to Radio-Television Marti," said Jorge Mas Santos, head of the National Cuban-American Foundation, urging the "immediate" use of the measures. "After almost four years (of the Bush administration) now is the time for the Cuban people," he added. He also warned Bush that not all of the exile community would vote for him in the November 2 election. "We have options. Let's see what (Democratic challenger John) Kerry has to offer," Mas Santos said. Cuban Americans keen to see Castro out of power said Bush's Cuba policy is similar to that of his predecessor, Bill Clinton. "Bush is the only one who has proposed a broad plan for Cuba, the only one who would veto a lifting of the embargo" against the island, said Ninoska Perez, head of the Council for Freedom in Cuba. Kerry "who voted against the Helms-Burton Law" aiming to toughen US policy toward Cuba "does not serve the interests of the exile community," she said. Bush announced the report at an earlier ceremony but did not elaborate on how or when specific new US-Cuba policy strategies might be implemented. On February 24, 1996, the Cuban air force shot down civilian aircraft belonging to the Cuban exile group Brothers to the Rescue, killing all four men on board and sharply raising tensions with the United States. The two rivals do not maintain full diplomatic relations (via David E. Crawford, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) {more details: 4-077} ** CZECH REPUBLIC. Radio Prague --- We are back safe and sound from Prague, and had a nice visit with David Vaughn from Radio Prague. Mark, he was very glad to hear of folks listening to Radio Prague on CBC overnight. A chat with David should be in Letterbox, on Sunday. It might be this week (the 9th) but more likely on the 16th (Roger Chambers, Utica, New York, ODXA via DXLD) ** DJIBOUTI [and non]. I did a bit of listening last night out at Granite Pier in Rockport, MA. Among other things heard were Radio Sawa, Djibouti, on 1431 and a sign-off of Algeria-1422. Audio clips of these two receptions are now available online at http://hometown.aol.com/wa1ion/real_aud.htm Files may also be downloadable directly. http://home.comcast.net/~markwa1ion/dx_audio/algeria_1422.mp3 Algeria - 1422 (heard 6 MAY 2004 at 0100 UTC from Granite Pier - Rockport, MA, USA) sign-off with French talk, anthem (march). http://home.comcast.net/~markwa1ion/dx_audio/sawa_djibouti_1431.mp3 Radio Sawa, Djibouti - 1431 (heard 6 MAY 2004 at 0002 UTC from Granite Pier - Rockport, MA, USA) end of pop vocal, Arabic talk by woman mentioning Radio Sawa, Web URL given. As always, comments are welcomed (Mark Connelly, WA1ION, MA, May 6, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. Latest SW Recordings: 5/5 5966.51 "Ideal 98.9" Listen to this recording at: http://www.malm-ecuador.com 5966.51 "Ideal 98.9", unknown QTH, perhaps Tena (Ecuador) 117kb 05/2004. Up to 0000 UT news. From 0000 modern pop/disco music and ads from Tena with "98.9 Ideal"-IDs. Strong signal but low sound-quality. One year ago I heard La Voz del Upano, Tenas (Ecuador) on 5966.59 kHz. A station with own programs and not in // with LV del Upano in Macas. The Tena-station relaying FM-transmitter? Still on air when I´m writing down this information. 5/May/2004 20:20 Amigos DXistas! I just sent out information about a unID station "Ideal 98.9" on 5966.51 kHz. I found this information on the internet: "DEAL TENA Napo Tena 98.9 Ecología, deporte, salud, cultura, noticias, música. salud, cultura, noticias, música" http://www.kailaufen.de/CORAPE/radios.html 73s (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, Saludos Cordiales desde "La Mitad del Mundo"! DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. Voice of Ethiopian Salvation (Medhin) Dear Mr Glenn Hauser, the station V. of Ethiopian Salvation (Medhin) is not inactive, but uses Deutsche Telecom transmitter in Jülich (15670 kHz) 73 (Davide Tambuchi, Italy, May 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non?]. Yibekal en Onda Corta Glenn, En la Internet encontré esta información sobre un programa de radio llamado Yibekal, que se emite desde Merkato, uno de los barrios de Addis Abeba, destinado a la audiencia con AIDS (SIDA). Este proyecto fue ganador de un plan del Banco Mundial y según surge de la noticia (texto en Español, más abajo operará en la Onda Corta. ¿Qué se sabe de esto? ¿Quién lo retrasmitirá en SW? (Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, May 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ------ ETIOPIA/ UNA EMISORA ETÍOPE LUCHA CONTRA LA MARGINACIÓN Yibekal: voz de los seropositivos ELMUNDO.ES MADRID. - "El que esconde su enfermedad no puede esperar a que lo curen". Este proverbio árabe resume la filosofía de Yibekal, un programa de radio que se emite desde Merkato, uno de los barrios más populosos de la capital etíope, Addis Abbeba, para informar sobre el sida y fomentar la relación entre los seropositivos. Pese a que el virus afecta a más de dos millones de personas, todavía sigue siendo un tabú. Yibekal (Ya basta, en amárico) es un espacio radiofónico que explica sin prejuicios cuáles son las vías de contagio y el modo de prevenir una enfermedad que produce 5.000 nuevas infecciones cada semana y ha dejado ya un millón de huérfanos. Al mismo tiempo, trata de combatir la estigmatización que el sida lleva consigo. Esperanza con nombres propios Cuando Mesfin Adane se enteró de que tenía sida, le faltaba una semana para casarse. Su prometida estaba dispuesta a seguir adelante, pero él la dejó para no poner en peligro su vida. Desde ese instante su existencia se convirtió en una pesadilla, hasta que un día decidió enviar un carta a la radio. Tigist, portadora del VIH, escuchó su historia. Se conocieron a través de la radio y ahora planean casarse. Como ellos, Tewabech Kebede encontró en las ondas solución a sus problemas. Su caso es el vivo ejemplo del rechazo que produce la enfermedad: el casero se enteró de que era seropositiva y la echó de casa. Ni su propia hermana quiso acogerla. Pero una oyente escuchó su caso y, conmovida, le alquiló un habitación. Estas historias con final feliz son la prueba evidente de la labor social que desempeña esta iniciativa, impulsada por la organización Pro Pride, con el apoyo de Ayuda en Acción. Unos 60 voluntarios trabajan en este proyecto prestando apoyo psicológico y físico a los enfermos de Merkato. Así lo ha entendido también el Banco Mundial, que ha seleccionado este proyecto de entre otros muchos procedentes de 133 países, para combatir el sida. A partir de ahora, y a través de la onda corta, Yibekal podrá difundir su mensaje de esperanza más allá de Addis Abeba. http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/05/03/solidaridad/1083592598.html May 5, via Horacio Nigro, Uruguay) mas... 2003 Global DM --- Finalist Proposal Brief --- Project Profile Proposal #: 002160 Title: That's Enough! Or in Amharic "YIBEKAL" Region: AFR Country: ETHIOPIA Primary Sector: HIV-AIDS 2nd Sector: Education Contact Information Name: Nesru Oumer Title: Cultural Promotion sector manager Organization: Pro pride Type Org.: Non-Government Organization (NGO) City: Addis Ababa Country: ETHIOPIA Email: propride @ telcom.net.et Primary Partner Information Name: Marta Gebre Title: Central region coordinator Organization: Action Aid Ethiopia Type Org.: Non-Government Organization (NGO) City: Addis Ababa Country: ETHIOPIA Project Summary: Objective: To use the media, particularly the radio, to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. Rationale: It is clear that one of the best forms of curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS anywhere is by changing the attitudes and behavior of the general public, and no medium can best serve this purpose as radio. This is evident in a radio program produced by the Ethiopian NGO, Pro Pride, which discusses the subject of HIV/AIDS exclusively. Yibekal, Amharic for "That's Enough," is broadcast on FM radio and currently reaches three million listeners in and around Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. Yibekal is considered one of the best radio programs in Addis, and this project will help it become one of the best and most important radio programs in the entire country. Innovation/ Effectiveness: This project is designed to extend the popular HIV/AIDS program's reach to tens of millions of Ethiopian listeners by broadcasting it on a short wave radio frequency, which are owned by most Ethiopians, even those living in rural areas. Pro Pride and Action Aid Ethiopia believe that effective use of radio and especially this popular program can make a huge difference in fighting the deadly epidemic nationwide. How is your idea innovative or different from existing approaches that are addressing the problem(s)/issue(s)? There are one or two NGOs, which air drama programmes on Radio Ethiopia and FM station. ProPride's radio programme, however, is the first and the only programme treating problems of HIV/AIDS in various ways. It tries to address the problem of HIV/AIDS not only through dramas but also through interviews, research findings, listeners' letters, news, true- life stories and other forms. Some of these editions are new techniques unheard of in any Ethiopian radio programmes. There are 14 different editions in YIBEKAL radio programme, and many of them keep changing over time. Because of this innovative approach, a BBC journalist, Damian Zane, made an interview with the producer and one beneficiary of the programme, and this piece was broadcast on BBC's "Focus on Africa" on June 12, 2003. Later on, another BBC journalist, Fredrick Dove, also made an interview with the producer of YIBEKAL and with two HIV positive people who got love partners because of the programme, and this too was aired on BBC's "Outlook" programme on July 7, 2003. Even this month, another BBC journalist from London made an extensive interview with producer of YIBEKAL to use it for her new programme, which is focused on best African experiences. Recorded YIBEKAL programmes are always given to school and out of school youth anti- aids clubs so that they could use it in their mini-media and promote behavioral change with in the youth community. So far, a total of 50 cassettes (100 YIBEKAL programmes) were given to these anti AIDS clubs, and tens of thousands of youngsters are believed to have benefited from this scheme. This thing has never been tried even by the government or any non-governmental organization. Some institutions and individuals working in very remote areas have even paid money to get copies of YIBEKAL programmes to be used in their respective localities. Some interested individuals are making YIBEKAL copies of their own and giving them to people and organizations who are out side the FM range. Some months ago, one American film producer, Dorothy Fadiman, not only filmed all activities of the radio programme for her new film on HIV/AIDS, she also took more than 50 YIBEKAL programmes to America to use them in Amharic radio programmes there. Dorothy recently informed us that some of these YIBEKAL programmes are now being used by some Amharic radio stations in America. And YIBEKAL is the only Amharic radio programme to be heard by the Ethiopian community living in America. http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/SFRSI/DM/2003%20Global%20R3.nsf/0/C59B165CA0F74DD985256DE4005DA169?OpenDocument (via Horacio A. Nigro, Montevideo - Uruguay, May 7, DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 4052, R. Verdad is presently off the air. Per Dr. Edgar Madrid at the station, they were apparently hit by lightning again, despite having installed 3 ground rods. They expect to be off the air for 2 or 3 days. I haven't heard them the last couple days. 73's (Dave Valko, May 5, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** HONG KONG. RHKYR, 8749U, partial data (date & frequency) "PCCW Seasons Greeting" tri-panel folding card with Pacific Century CyberWorks info, lots of data such as station: Cape d'Aguilar HF Radio Transmitting Station and global co-ordinates; service: HF Ship-Shore Radio Telephone; frequency, time: 24 hours daily (?); transmitter used: ALPHA 87AS; Power: 1.5 kW PEP; Aerial used: Cage Dipole (Omni) and type of transmission: J3E. V/S, Cheng Kwok Sum, Asst. Engineer, HF Radio Transmitting Stations. This in 22 days for 1 IRC to the Cape d'Aguilar Road, POB 9896, Hong Kong address. Verie pleased with this! (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 3578.7, RSPK-Ngada (presumed) was monitored on 4th May around 1100-1300 in Indonesian. Almost music program by OM DJ, Jakarta news relay at 1200 and local news with a theme music at 1230. QSY (drifted up) from 2899 (Kenji Takasaki, JAPAN, Japan Premium via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non]. MIDDLE EAST??? 15500, 1530-1545, UNID May 5 extremely weak with very deep fades, best on LSB, traces of Arab style music and occasional announcements in unintelligible language, possibly Urdu, but that`s a rather wild guess, could this be one of those 250w 'MARLO' stations???. [Later:] Should have read my HCDX-Digest first. So the matter is being discussed already. And of course LSB should read USB. Now it's 1605 and even though I almost crawled into my cans, I couldn't make out an ID. Whoever is splattering from 5up (Radio Kuwait???) makes it impossible here. Has anyone heard them on 6095 between 0300 and 0800 yet??? 73 de (Thomas Roth, DL1CQ, 53º32'58"N - 9º58'00"E, RX: JRC NRD-525G, ANT: Dipole 32m long hard-core-dx via WORLD OF RADIO 1229, DXLD) Guess he`s back in Germany from Nepal (gh} On 6 May around 1730 the station on 15500U was heard with decent strength. They had some audio problems; during the higher levels of music the audio was very rapidly cutting off and back again. Usual announcement in local language, giving the telephone number and e-mail address for the Rewards for Justice. This time telephone number was given in local language, but the e-mail address was told using English alphabets. In my previous message there was a typo in the telephone number; it should read 001 800 877 3927. And the station ID then. It sounds like "Radio Maulumat". Maybe it's Information Radio name used again (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, May 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. IRIB Tehran, Kol David service, 5970, March 29 1918 talk in Hebrew until 1929 IS, ID in English before carrier went off, SIO 434 (Tony Rogers, Birmingham, HF Logbook, BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** KASHMIR [non]. 5102, V. of Jammu Kashmir Freedom, May 4 *1259-1310 Kashmiri, 1259 sign-on with opening music. ID. Koran. Talk (Kouji Hashimoto, JAPAN, Japan Premium via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH [non]. V. of Korea underneath RKI via RCI relay? Can someone check this out? On May 4 I tuned to R. Korea International via Sackville on 9650 in Korean, and happened to hear underneath... the familiar tuning signal of Voice of Korea (along with nat'l anthem)! This frequency for VOK is not listed in Eike Bierwirth's frequency list but other channels such as 9345 are active at this hour. As VOK was barely audible under the RKI relay, I was unable to determine the language used for this frequency... could this be a replacement for another frequency scheduled at this time? Yes, heard this at 1100 yesterday (May 4). Don't know if you're up that early but V. of Korea's signal might be heard better where you are vs. RKI-Sackville (Joe Hanlon, NJ, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It appears that VOK is indeed on 9650 at 1100, as below (gh, DXLD) Just checked the V of Korea schedule, and my suggestion is like this, at least for the European/NE/AF portion. (at present 2020 UT). 73 wb A04 Voice of Korea, Pyongyang, as from May 3rd, 2004 0000 Chinese 11845 15230 x9325 x11335 SoEaAS 4405 0000 Korean (PBS) 7140 9345 9720 x6195 NoEaCHN 3560 0000 Spanish 11735 13760 15180 x6520 x7580 CeAM 0100 English 7140 9345 9720 x6195 NoEaCHN 3560 0100 English 11735 13760 15180 x6520 x7580 CeAM 0100 French 11845 15230 x9325 x11335 SoEaAS 4405 0200 Chinese 7140 9345 9720 x6195 NoEaCHN 3560 0200 English 11845 15230 x9325 x11335 SoEaAS 4405 0200 Spanish 11735 13760 15180 x6520 x7580 CeAM 0300 Chinese 11845 15230 x9325 x11335 SoEaAS 4405 0300 English 7140 9345 9720 x6195 NoEaCHN 3560 0300 French 11735 13760 15180 x6520 x7580 CeAM 0700 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 x6520 x7580 JPN 0700 Korean (PBS) 7140 9345 NoEaCHN 4405 0700 Russian 9975 11735 FE 3560 0700 Russian 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 Eu 0800 Chinese 7140 9345 NoEaCHN 4405 0800 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 x6520 x7580 JPN 0800 Russian 9975 11735 FE 3560 0800 Russian 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 Eu 0900 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 x6520 x7580 JPN 0900 Korean (KCBS) 7140 9345 NoEaCHN 4405 0900 Korean (PBS) 9975 11735 FE 3560 0900 Korean (PBS) 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 Eu 1000 English 11710 15180 x9335 CeAM 1000 English 11735 13650 x9850 SoEaAS 3560 1000 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 x6520 x7580 JPN 1000 Korean (PBS) 7140 9345 NoEaCHN 4405 1100 Chinese 7140 9345 CHN 4405 1100 French 11710 15180 x9335 CeAM 1100 French 11735 13650 x9850 SoEaAS 3560 1100 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 x6520 x7580 JPN ||||| 1200 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 x6520 x7580 JPN 1200 Korean (KCBS) 11710 15180 x9335 CeAM 1200 Korean (KCBS) 11735 13650 x9850 SoEaAS 3560 1200 Korean (PBS) 7140 9345 NoEaCHN 4405 1300 Chinese 11735 13650 x9850 SoEaAS 3560 1300 English 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 WEu 4405 1300 English 9335 11710 NoAM 1300 Korean (PBS) 9325 11845 x6575 x7505 Eu 1400 French 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 WEu 4405 1400 French 9335 11710 NoAM 1400 Korean (KCBS) 11735 13650 x9850 SoEaAS 3560 1400 Russian 9325 11845 x6575 x7505 Eu 1500 Arabisch 9975 11735 ME, NAf 3560 1500 English 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 WEu 4405 1500 English 9335 11710 NoAM 1500 Russian 9325 11845 x6575 x7505 Eu 1600 Deutsch 9325 11845 x6575 x7505 Eu 1600 English 9975 11735 ME, NAf 3560 1600 French 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 WEu 4405 1600 French 9335 11710 NoAM 1700 Korean (KCBS) 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 WEu 4405 1700 Korean (KCBS) 9335 11710 NoAM 1700 Russian 9325 11845 x6575 x7505 Eu 1700 Spanish 9975 11735 ME, NAf 3560 1800 Deutsch 9325 11845 x6575 x7505 Eu 1800 French 9640 11710 x6520 x9660 SAf 1800 French 9975 11735 ME, NAf 3560 1800 Spanish 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 WEu 4405 1900 Arabisch 9640 11710 x6520 x9660 SAf 1900 Arabisch 9975 11735 ME, NAf 3560 1900 English 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 WEu 4405 1900 Deutsch 9325 11845 x6575 x7505 Eu 2000 French 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 WEu 4405 2000 Korean (KCBS) 9640 11710 x6520 x9660 SAf 2000 Korean (KCBS) 9325 11845 x6575 x7505 Eu 2000 Korean (KCBS) 9975 11735 ME, NAf 3560 2100 Chinese 7140 9345 NoEaCHN 3560 2100 Chinese 9975 11735 CHN 2100 English 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 WEu 4405 2100 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 x6520 x7580 JPN 2200 Chinese 7140 9345 NoEaCHN 3560 2200 Chinese 9975 11735 CHN 2200 Spanish 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 WEu 4405 2200 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 x6520 x7580 JPN 2300 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 x6520 x7580 JPN 2300 Korean (KCBS) 7140 9345 NoEaCHN 3560 2300 Korean (KCBS) 13760 15245 x9325 x11335 WEu 4405 2300 Korean (KCBS) 9975 11735 CHN Zielgebiete der Stimme Koreas, Pyongyang, KDVR Voice of Korea B-03 schedule, Pyongyang, KDVR CeAM Ce-America (Central America) CHN China Eu Europe FE Ferner Osten (Far East) J Japan ME Naher und Mittlerer Osten (Middle East) NAf NoAfrica NoAM NoAmerica NoEaCHN Nordost-China (Northeast China) SAf SoAfrica SAm SoAmerica SoEaAS Suedost-Asia (South-East Asia) Abkuerzungen gemaess Gebrauch im World Radio & TV Handbook (WRTH), England (Arnulf Piontek-D, BC-DX Feb 19; updated May 6th by Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LAOS. 4649, National Radio Houa Phan (presumed), Apr. 29 1110-1200, 24332, Vernacular, Regional song and talk. At 1200, News from Vientiane (// 6130). 6130, Lao National Radio, May 2, 1200, 34333, Laotian, News from Vientiane. It's good condition! 7145, Lao National Radio, May 4, 1300, 22221, French, Hard QRM from CPBS on 7140 and 7150. Only ID heard in French (TOKUSA Hiroshi, JAPAN, Japan Premium via DXLD) ** LIBYA [non]. LJB relays via Issoudun, FRANCE for A-04: 1000-1100 21695 1100-1230 15610 17695 21675 21695 1230-1400 21675 21695 1400-1500 21675 1600-1700 15660 17695 1700-1800 15660 17635 17695 17880 1800-1900 15205 15660 17635 17695 1900-2000 15205 15315 2000-2030 11635 15315 2030-2130 11635 (extracted from HFCC by Dave Kenny, May BDXC-UK Communication via WORLD OF RADIO 1229, DXLD) {Use with English times in 4-075} Voice of Africa, Tripoli, 1736 English ID and news SIO 333 on 15660 and the three 17 MHz frequencies above April 17 (Dave Kenny, HF Logbook, ibid.) ** LUXEMBOURG. RADIO LUXEMBOURG CONSIDERS REVIVING MULTI FREQUENCY ENGLISH BROADCASTS Wednesday, May 05, 2004 Confirming rumours circulating in the UK over the past few months, Luxembourg-based commercial broadcaster RTL Group has released a promotional DVD which sets out its strategy for using Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM). One of the options under consideration is reviving the English service, which ran until the early 90's on mediumwave 1440 kHz. A chart showing requested usage of longwave, mediumwave and shortwave for DRM indicates that RTL has requested a shortwave frequency covering the UK, while mediumwave and longwave are under consideration. Other DRM expansion plans include a shortwave service for transcontinental/eastern Europe, a mediumwave service for Belgium and the Netherlands, and a fourth RTL network for France. RTL says it expects DRM consumer receivers to be shipping in quantity by the second half of 2005. http://medianetwork.blogspot.com/ (see website for chart) (Andy Sennitt, dxldyg via DXLD) see also DRM below ** MALI. RTM, Bamako, presumed, 9633.95, April 12 0845 African songs, weak but clear (Tony Rogers, Birmingham, HF Logbook, BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** MEXICO [and non]. Gents, I have some sports stuff with what sounds like the FL Marlins v. LA Dodgers. The frequency is 1570 and they are under a HUGE XERF. They must have upgraded their antenna and xmitter. The signal is REAL BIG (Kevin Redding, AZ, May 4, NRC-AM via DXLD) XERF has been much stronger and more consistent of late here in Missouri too. Seems like I read somewhere that they were upgrading /improving their plant...? (Randy Stewart/Springfield MO, ibid.) Um, uh, guys, remember that Fernandina Beach, FL is now "La Nueva X" playing Hispanic music. Is the SS you hear specifically say XERF? I have heard SS on 1570 during different nights in the car in NC and SC on a somewhat consistent basis (a month ago). I'm concerned if the leasee powering down or not in FL. I welcome reports and will pass them along to make sure business is taken care of (Ron Gitschier, Palm Coast, FL, ibid.) They are not powering down to the correct night power. The SS I am hearing has mentions of Jacksonville. AND they need to learn what a legal ID is to boot! (Powell E. Way, III, SC, ibid.) Well, it loops NE/SW from here, which would rule out Florida, and they frequently mention Coahuila (Randy Stewart/Springfield MO, ibid.) Noting the increased night-time power and move-ins of border area blasters from Mexico (XEHI-1470 is apparently now 10 kw non-DA at night, for example -- in addition to the Baja California powerhouses on 560, 780 and 920 -- I'm wondering if SCT and those in the broadcast industry in Mexico aren't thinking that if the FCC and the NAB are only interested in the local market and no longer care about skywave interference, they might as well enhance their coverage (John Callarman, KA9SPA, Family Genealogist, Krum TX, ibid.) ** MOLDOVA. R. DMR, Tiraspol, Dnester Moldovan Republic, 5960, Apr 19 1610 talk in English about Soviet medals, 1620 into German; SIO 322, splatter from 5955 (Dave Kenny, England, HF Logbook, BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) A World in Your Ear: Transdniester Radio Calling! Friday 7th May - BBC Radio 4 13.30 BST (12.30 UTC) A World in Your Ear --- 6/6 Rosie Goldsmith eavesdrops on the world of radio and offers a taste of the latest English programme from a remote east European country - Transdniester Radio Calling! Sunday 9th May - BBC Radio 4 20.00 BST (1900 UT) Repeat of above. [to hear the station in English on shortwave - per "Broadcasts in English": Radio DMR - Pridnestrovye 5960kHz (via Moldova) 1600-1620 UTC Mon-Thurs 1600-1640 UTC Fri ] (Thanks to tip from Phil Attwell, via Dave Kenny, BDXC-UK via DXLD) This is a bit of a misunderstanding: Transdniester is not a "country" but a break-away region in Moldova which unilaterally declared its independence, but is not recognized by any foreign state nor by the Moldovan authorities. The transmitter on 5960 is located in the high power transmitting centre in Maiac near Grigoriopol in the break-away region itself (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, ibid.) ** NIGERIA. VON, 11770, April 7 1820 French talk; very bad reception, SIO 312. I have written to the station to ask modification of frequency (Jean-Jacques Yerganian, Charleroi, Belgium, HF Logbook, BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** NIGERIA. RADIO REGULATOR RENEWS THREAT TO CLOSE STATIONS RELAYING FOREIGN NEWS | Text of report by John-Abba Ogbodo entitled "NBC may sanction stations over ban on foreign news, others" and published by Nigerian newspaper The Guardian web site on 7 May Determined to enforce its recent ban on unedited foreign news and unverifiable miracle claims by religious groups, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) yesterday threatened to revoke the operating licence of any broadcasting station which flouts the order. The acting director-general of the organization, Livinus Okpala, sounded the warning in a chat with the media in Abuja. He said, however, that there was no ulterior motive behind the order besides the desire to carry out efficiently the regulatory functions of the commission as enshrined in the enacting laws. Okpala explained that the NBC had take all necessary measures allowed under the Act, including persuasion, dialogue and reminders, stressing that the recent order was as a final resort. He added that, prior to the order, the various stakeholders in the broadcast sector had been invited and the issues thoroughly discussed. Stating the resolve of the commission to enforce laws relating to broadcasting, Okpala said: "We are ready to wield the big stick if the breach continues, especially now that the nurturing period is over." He added that the law must be allowed to take it course. Okpala explained that the code regulating the operations of broadcasting stations was a collective decision of all the stakeholders, and wondered why those who contributed to the code should now be complaining about it. In the case of miracles and cures, the acting DG said wide consultations were carried out with Pentecostal Federation of Nigeria (PFN) and an agreement reached on the matter. He said, however, that the commission did not ban genuine religious programmes. He disclosed that a bill had gone to the National Assembly, seeking to create an enabling environment for community-based radio and television stations. Source: The Guardian web site, Lagos, in English 7 May 04 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA [non]. Re: [NRC-AM] KJON-850 is ON I got solid "La Brava" ID along with CL and Carrollton-Dallas-Fort Worth at 2:02 p.m. today. I've heard religious music on this station in the last couple of days, but music seems secular today. There have been some other changes on the AM-dial in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this spring. On 950, the Dennison-Sherman station has dropped Asian programming and is now Spanish-religious, using slogan "Radio Ayo," that had been on 1630. I've not heard a TOP ID yet from them, but in a Spanish ID during the hour, it was Kah-Ee-Enny-Hay, which would be KING. That may be the "real" call letters. 1630 had been silent for several days, but it is on today with ID KKGM call, in English, with great teaching ministries and great gospel music. A lot of the music it is playing this afternoon appears, with the applause, to be cuts from live concert albums. 1600 has been having transmitter problems, off the air a couple of times that I've tuned, and it seems quite weak right now. I haven't been able to tell if it is still "Radio Restauración." (John Callarman, KA9SPA, Family Genealogist, Krum TX, May 4, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY. 9736.9, R. Nacional del Paraguay, Apr 22, 0755-0810, 35333 Spanish, Paraguay music. 0801 Full ID. National anthem. Talk and Paraguay music. 9736.85, Apr 29 *0807-0827 34433-44444 Spanish, 0807 sign-on with Paraguay music. IS?. Full ID. national anthem. Talk and Paraguay music (Kouji Hashimoto, JAPAN, Japan Premium via DXLD) ** PERU. Amigos DXistas! On the HCDX mailinglist has Andree Bollin from Denmark (I think) an unID LA station on 5014.67 kHz. Andree Bollin: "JHi, nearly all mornings till 0315 close down I listen to a station from LA. I never get an ID from this station. Frequency is 5014.67 var. Any help would be nice. 73 abo". Bjorn Malm: The station is Radio Altura and has a fantastic program in the mornings beetween 1000 - 1100 UT with Peruvian music, every morning from a special part of Perú. The recording is from this Thursday morning with music from the "Puno" area. It is difficult to get an ID; I listened one hour without any ID. Latest Recordings 6/5 5014.64 R. Altura, Cerro de Pasco. Listen to this recording at: http://www.malm-ecuador.com 5014.64 Radio Altura, Cerro de Pasco (Peru) 136 kb 1055 UTC 05/2004. 6/May/2004 10:49 Saludos Cordiales desde "La Mitad del Mundo"! (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5014.64, Radio Altura, 1025-1037 May 6. Initially noted Huaynos type music until 1030. After that Man in Spanish comments with ID as, "Radio Altura". Back to music by 1035. Signal was poor and there was additional splatter noted here (Bolland, Chuck, Clewiston, Florida, 545/dipole, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. Re 9590: Thanks Glenn. I was travelling yesterday and was not in my hotel room to hear RRI at that time. I did have Mark Fine's list with me (in NASWA Journal) and did see that 9590 is listed for Europe. RRI seems to be somewhat in a state of flux, however, and I thought maybe this was a new approach on their part. As you probably know, some months ago they initiated a WRN feed twice a day for a half hour each. Then they announced their "new" organizational structure (which so far has not appeared to change anything on the air). I will tell you this -- that 9590 signal that day was as clear as a bell and it sounded as good as a satellite feed, intelligibility modulation-wise -- much better than almost any RRI broadcast I ever heard. So, my imagination ran away with me, I guess. |g| Thanks again (John Figliozzi, NY, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. 675, Radiostantsiya Radonezh -0930-1000- in Russian with fair signal. Religious/sacred song program by YL announcer, ex-Obshch. R. Promorye, since long ago. In WRTH 2004, still listed as Obshch. R. Promorye and need to correct it. Monitoring in last winter, I received this station between 1000 and 1300, perhaps now between 0900 and 1200 because of shifting to daylight time (Kenji Takasaki, JAPAN, Japan Premium via DXLD) ** SAINT HELENA. St Helena 1999 QSL --- Hello, yesterday I was very happy to find a letter from St Helena in my mailbox! It contained two letters (one of them the farewell letter from Tony Leo in 1999) and the f/d QSL for the final broadcast. Thanks a lot to Radio St Helena and all who helped in organising the QSLs after such a long time!! The letter was marked "Jamestown, 23 April 2004" and arrived here in Germany on May 5, rather fast for such a remote place. Although the island has no airport, there is a blue "AIRMAIL" sticker on the envelope. Thanks again to St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean. It was so nice to listen to your programmes. And as you stated, maybe some fine day there will be another opportunity! :-) Best wishes, (Eike Bierwirth, 04317 Leipzig, DL, May 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio St. Helena sends QSL's Dear friends, DSWCI member Robert Kipp has been helping the new station manager at Radio St. Helena, Ralph Peters, to clarify the QSL situation now that Tony Leo has retired. I forward their joint status message dated May 02, 2004, for your information. Best 73, Anker Petersen, Chairman DSWCI -------------------------------- RADIO ST. HELENA sends QSL's: ---------------------------------------- Radio St. Helena has mailed the last batch of QSL cards for their special broadcast of October, 1999. The cards have been mailed with St. Helena postage stamps and transported by the mail ship RMS St. Helena. The ship arrived on 29. April in Cape Town, South Africa. The QSL's will be forwarded via AirMail on about 30. April. Along with the QSL's sent by the (now retired) former Station Manager Tony Leo in 2000, 2001, and 2002, this batch of QSL's will now take care of all known outstanding reception reports for the 1999 broadcast. The new QSL Policy of the new Station Manager regarding the special shortwave broadcasts from RSH is: - 1999 and 1998: RSH can still verify these broadcasts. - 1997: RSH will TRY to verify. No promise of success. - 1996 and earlier: RSH can NOT verify these any longer. The Station Manager regrets that 1996 and earlier can no longer be verified, but due, in part, to many changes at the station, the information is no longer available, and time has simply run out. It would be very helpful, if you would confirm receipt of your QSL by email to R. Kipp, and if you do not receive your QSL by the middle of June, please send him an email. Radio St. Helena thanks ALL its friends around the world for their interest in St. Helena, for their patience over the years, and for their help in clarifying the QSL card situation. Good health and good DX to ALL of you. Ralph Peters, Station Manager at Radio St. Helena and Robert Kipp RDC- Roberts-Data @ t-online.de (via Anker Petersen, May 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SLOVAKIA. RSI, 5785, mixing product at 1800 March 29, SIO 433; heard in German \\ 5920 and 6055 but not heard at 1830 for English (Tony Rogers, Birmingham, BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. Sudan Radio Service via Woofferton, 11665, April 21 0435 OM in vernacular, lots of Sudan mentions, 0437 ID in vernacular, 0459*, SIO 344 (Alan Pennington, Caversham, Berkshire, HF Logbook, BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) New morning service ** SWEDEN. RADIO SWEDEN -- Coming up on Radio Sweden: Wednesday: Radio Sweden Live from Umeå day 1 Thursday: Radio Sweden Live from Umeå day 2 Friday: Radio Sweden Live from Umeå day 1 Saturday: "Sweden Today" Sunday: "Sounds Nordic" repeat, a band that wants to conquer the world Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we are getting away from Stockholm to broadcast live from the northern city of Umeå. We'll be looking at news, culture, sports, and the academic world in that part of the country (along with our regular coverage of Swedish news). (SCDX/ MediaScan May 5 via DXLD) ** TIBET. Xizang PBS, Lhasa, 6130, March 29 2100 ID in English as ``China Tibet Broadcasting Company``, anthem, start program in Tibetan; co-channel Rai SIO 433 (Tony Rogers, Birmingham, BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** TUNISIA. This isn't DX, just ordinary reception. But, in the spirit of the old RIB, I just wanted to recommend tuning in RTV Tunisienne from Tunisia on 7275 kHz, parallel on 9720 kHz. During the 0400 UT hour on April 30 '04, they were bombing in here (central US) with good Arabic-style music with minimal interruptions. If you like that style, it was good listening and an example of one of the benefits of listening to SW. 73, (Will Martin, MO, May 5, WORLD OF RADIO 1229, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. US MIDDLE EAST COMMENTATOR SLAMS GOVERNMENT'S ARABIC RADIO POLICY Juan Cole, Professor of History at the University of Michigan and a commentator on Middle Eastern affairs, is strongly critical of the policy that replaced the Voice of America's Arabic service with Radio Sawa. It's an issue on which we have commented a number of times in Media Network, most recently in February. Cole points out that in an otherwise excellent report on the continued impact of satellite television stations in Arabic on Iraqi public opinion by Knight- Ridder's Hannah Allam, there is no mention of the radio situation. Writing in his own Weblog, Cole says: "It is not widely recognized that Norman Pattiz and a few colleagues who were appointed to the broadcasting board by Clinton have gutted the Arabic service of the Voice of America. That Arabic service used to be among the best and most extensive providers of news and discussion programs in the Arab world. Pattiz complains that it only reached 1 percent of listeners because it was broadcast on shortwave. But since the US can broadcast FM signals in Iraq, it could now be being beamed to Iraqis if it had still existed. It doesn't. Pattiz killed it for God knows what ulterior motive. He has tried to replace it with Radio Sawa, which broadcasts Britney Spears to the Arabs, and only has short AM radio-style news breaks twice an hour. This "news" is heavily propagandistic in form, using loaded languages. Young people listen to it in the Arab world, but say they tune out the staccato news announcements. So in the wake of September 11 and the US occupation of Iraq, the big media move of the Bush administration was . . . to abolish the Arabic service of the Voice of America! It boggles the mind." Juan Cole *Informed Comment* http://www.juancole.com # posted by Andy @ 11:15 UT May 5 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** U S A. March brought us the near-end of the Voice of America to Europe on MW (but also on SW, de facto, due to weak signal on 6040 and various QRM on 9760). There`s just half an hour left on 1197 kHz at 1900 (in Special English) and don`t believe their schedule when it says there`s a one hour transmission in English at 2100 on 1188 --- it`s not true. At that time there`s another East European language program, one of the few left, because ``democracy and a free press have become established in the region`` (says VOA Program Guide). The end of 1197 really saddened me. A one-afternoon ride to Ismaning, some years ago while in Munich, to have a look at the VOA transmitting antenna, more than a trip was a pilgrimage, for this had been my first international station, heard by chance while retuning from 1331 to 1115 kHz, the Bologna frequencies in the 60s. And I have listened till 27th March, not as a DXer but as a normal listener, especially to their music programs (oldies, rock and jazz above all --- who else will now give me one hour of Duke Ellington, the Byrds and Van Halen?) VOA has taught us (not with boring commentaries, but with their overall output) that America has many voices, some we can certainly dislike and others we`ll always like. Those who have decided the cuts at VOA are in the former group, and I`m not sure theirs has been a longsighted choice (Stefano Valianti, Southern European Report, May BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) see also BOTSWANA ** U S A. VOA PLANS NEW URDU PROGRAMME FROM MAY 10 ISLAMABAD. The Voice of America (VOA) will launch a new 12-hour programme in Urdu titled `Aap ki dunyaa` (Your world), designed primarily for listeners in Pakistan, on May 10, said a VOA announcement on Wednesday. The radio already broadcasts a three-hour programme of the same title which will be extended by nine hours. The programme will go on air at 7 am daily [0200 UT]. The programme will have news bulletins of five to 10 minutes after every half an hour. Additional programmes will be on music and culture with young listeners the primary target. Broadcasting Board of Governors Chairman Kenneth Y. Tomlison and Governor Steven J Simmons will address a press conference on May 10 to announce details of the programme. VOA, which first went on air in 1942, is a multimedia international broadcasting service funded by the United States government. VOA broadcasts 1,000 hours of news, information, educational and cultural programmes every week to an estimated worldwide audience of 87 million people. Programmes are produced in 44 languages. Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk (via Sergei Sosedkin, dxldyg via DXLD ** U S A. AIR AMERICA OFF THE AIR PERMANENTLY ON WNTD [950 Chicago] WNTD has gone full circle- back to Spanish language programming. By Ted Cox Daily Herald TV/Radio Columnist Liberal-oriented Air America Radio went off the air again in Chicago at noon Friday - this time apparently for good on WNTD 950-AM. Air America and 'NTD owner Multicultural Radio Broadcasting are involved in a dispute over the network's deal to lease the station. MRB says Air America bounced checks; Air America insists it stopped payment on the checks over MRB's attempt to both sell the network time and charge for programming on KBLA-AM in Los Angeles in the weeks before the network even went on the air a month ago. MRB yanked Air America off the air in Chicago and Los Angeles, and although Air America filed for an injunction, a negotiated settlement only reinstated programming until the end of April. After Air America presented its normal syndicated late-morning programming Friday, it went to a tape loop of music it has been using to fill air before the signal went dead at noon. A recorded message advised listeners, "Details on a new Chicago affiliate will be announced soon on http://www.airamericareadio.com, " but there is no obvious home for the station here, and - in marked contrast with the days before the 1996 Telecommunications Reform Act led to corporate consolidation in the industry - it could be difficult to obtain a decent frequency. Air America reminds listeners its programming is streaming on its Web site and is available to satellite-radio customers at Channel 167 on XM and 125 on Sirius. It also remains on in other markets, including its flagship WLIB-AM in New York City. But that's of little use to most Chicagoans who don't subscribe to satellite radio and can't stream from the computer while driving. That's too bad, because Air America's programming had greatly improved over the course of its first weeks on the air. Midday host Al Franken proved to be a quick study on radio, and rapper Chuck D began to loosen up and get comfortable with his late-morning "Unfiltered" co-hosts Lizz Winstead and Rachel Maddow. Afternoon-drive host Randi Rhodes was doing her best to turn the image of a bleeding- heart liberal into a punch-in-the-nose liberal. But, at least for now, the Chicago snafu only serves to stamp Air America a bush-league operation in the nation's third-largest market. (via Curtis Sadowski, IL, May 2, WTFDA-AM via DXLD) Note the station list in previous issue. There is no KBAC 610 in Boulder, so what do they really mean? In case you think it`s all ideological, someone pointed out that the Portland OR affiliate of AA is owned by Clear Channel; and look at Memphis! WMQM-1600, under same ownership as WWCR, which supposedly was sold out to brokered religion. Keep in mind that some (most?) of the AA affiliates may not carry the entire schedule, but only certain programs (especially if they are daytimers!). Hey, AA ought to outbid DGS or Bro. Scare for a WWCR SW transmitter. That would solve its coverage problems in Chicago, LA, and everywhere immediately (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1229, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. NEWSWORLD -- Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore plans to build a youth-oriented cable television network he hopes will become an independent voice in a media industry dominated by large conglomerates, he said on May 4. Gore led an investor group that bought Newsworld International from Vivendi Universal for an undisclosed sum. He plans to relaunch the yet-unnamed channel to focus on public affairs and entertainment for 18-to-34-year-olds and it will not have a political affiliation. Speculation has swirled that Gore would launch a network to counter Fox News Channel, which unseated CNN as the No. 1 U.S. cable news channel with a formula of combining hard news coverage with brash talk shows that some have criticized as conservative. "This is not going to be a liberal network, or a Democratic network in any way, shape, or form," the former vice president said. Rather, he said, the reason for buying the network was to create an independent source of information. "The trend toward consolidation and conglomerate ownership, while understandable due to business dynamics, does present some problems for the American people," Gore said. "Having an independent voice is a very important value to safeguard." Gore will serve as chairman of the new network and told Reuters he would be spending most of his time on the project. Gore made the announcement with business partner Joel Hyatt, who founded a chain of low-cost storefront legal clinics and is now a faculty member at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Newsworld International has 17 million subscribers and is distributed on DirecTV, Time Warner Cable and in certain Comcast markets. The network currently features 24-hour global news produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which Hyatt said would remain for the "foreseeable future." Gore and Hyatt gave little information on what would replace the current programming (Reuters via SCDX/MediaScan May 5 via DXLD) ** U S A. PROFANITY RULES BOTHER NEWS SHOWS This just boggles the mind! 73- Bill Westenhaver CBS affiliates seek FCC exceptions, saying they might have to cut live coverage rather than risk violations. By Lynn Smith, Times Staff Writer, May 6 2004 Unless the Federal Communications Commission makes some exceptions in its crackdown on foul language, live news coverage may be an endangered species, CBS-affiliated TV stations claim. The complete article can be viewed at: http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/showcase/la-fi-news6may06,0,3381700.story (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U S A. Radio program tonight --- Hi list, If you like to hear goofy radio commercials and corny music, then you might want to check out my radio show that debut's tonight on my local community (non-profit) radio station, KELS-LP 104.7 Greeley, Colorado. I'll bet you'd love to pick them up via Eskip (100 watts / 50') but the internet feed will probably have to do, if you want to hear them. Time for the program is 6:00pm mdt/8:00pm edt [SUNDAY = UT Mondays 0000]. Show runs one hour - suppose to possibly go to two hours. http://www.pirate1047.com You have to have the latest versions of Windows MP or Real RA to hear them...older versions won't work. Follow the link on the website. 73! (Jim Thomas (aka Cowboy Tom), May 2, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. Weather station on 1180 (Evansville IN ?) This thread on radio-info.com says that WGAB is rebroadcasting NOAA 24/7. The thread started on 5 April 2004 http://www.radio-info.com/mods/board.php?Board=indiana&Post=158057&page= Oh ... and overnight they're on with 1 Watt. (670 Watts days); Omnidirectional since they have only 1 tower (Mark Hattam, UK, amfmtvdx at qth.net via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA [non]. The following is a slightly revised schedule from the RNV website, of relays actually via Cuba, but the times are local and not always correct anyway, overlooking DST!! I have added the UT, corrected as based on actual monitoring (gh, DXLD) Amigos da Lista, Aí esta o esquema de transmissão da Rádio Nacional da Venezuela. Horas y frecuencias a través de las cuales se puede escuchar a la onda corta de Radio Nacional de Venezuela en el exterior son: SAN FRANCISCO 11:00 - 12:00 13.740 Khz. [1900-2000 UT] CHICAGO 17:05 - 18:05 9.820 Khz. [2305-2405 UT] WASHINGTON 16:00 - 17:00 6.000 Khz. [2100-2200 UT] CENTRO AMÉRICA 17.00 - 18:00 11.760 Khz. [2300-2400 UT] CARIBE 15:00 - 16.00 9.550 Khz. [2000-2100 UT] CHILE 17:00 - 18:00 11.875 Khz. [2100-2200 UT] BUENOS AIRES 17:00 - 18:00 15.230 Khz. [2000-2100 UT] RÍO DE JANEIRO 17:00 - 18:00 17.705 Khz. [2000-2100 UT] Fonte: http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/index.php?act=ST&f=22&t=5173 73 (Francisco Jackson dos Santos, São Gonçalo - RJ, May 6, radioescutas via DXLD) ** VIETNAM. As part of a technical upgrading project, the Voice of Vietnam recently commissioned two additional 100 kW transmitters for their External Service. These new units were installed at the Son Tay complex, about 30 kilometres west of the capital city, Hanoi. As a result of this increased transmitter capacity, there have been extensive re-arrangements to the External Service, with several new broadcasts now available on the air. At certain times during the day, five transmitters are on the air simultaneously, carrying three different services. The two new transmitters operate on 7220 and 9550 kHz, in four time blocks: 1100 to 1330, 1500 to 1700, 2030 to 2230, and 0000 to 0100 UT. The Voice of Vietnam is on the air in English from 2030 to 2100, and again from 1600 to 1630, on the same two channels, 7220 & 9550 kHz. There is a second site in use for Vietnam`s External Service to Asia, This facility is located near Hanoi in a western suburb. One transmitter at 50 kW is in use on 7285 kHz from 0300 to 1600 UT, and again from 2200 to 0100. This transmitter is on the air in English from 1100 to 1130, UTC and again from 1500 to 1530 UT (Bob Padula, Radio EDXP, AWR Wavescan May 9 via DXLD) {see 4-077} ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. 7460, National Radio of SADR in Arabic: April 10 0718 N African pop, announcements, SIO 333 (David Gascoyne, Staplehurst, Kent, HF Logbook, BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) April 12 2312 news, Saharan music, // 1550 (Tony Rogers, Birmingham, ibid.) April 18 0700 ID, news, comment on Palestine, SIO 232 (Robert Petraitis, Klaipeda, Lithuania, ibid.) ** ZIMBABWE. GOVERNMENT PLAN ON AIRWAVES "EXPOSED" | Text of report by Zimbabwean newspaper The Standard web site on 6 May The government is deliberately delaying to free the airwaves to suit its political ambitions to win the 2005 general election at all costs. This came out of a meeting between parliamentarians and broadcasters in Harare recently. Despite rushing through the Broadcasting Services Act two years ago, which was meant to allow new radio and television stations, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Communications heard that the new law, in fact, impeded the establishment of new broadcasting firms. Among participants at daylong meeting were representatives of Voice of the People Trust - who operate the only national private radio from within Zimbabwe - the Media Monitoring Project and the newly formed Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations. The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Communications is investigating the delay by the government-appointed Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) to invite and issue licences to new players in the commercial and community broadcasting category. Among the concerns raised was that the Broadcasting Services Act continued to be source of frustration for prospective broadcasters, independent producers and BAZ itself. The new law, it was pointed out, prohibits foreign funding of new broadcasters and imposes harsh restrictions for potential broadcasting companies. Source: The Standard web site, Harare, in English 6 May 04 (via BBCM via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ NVIS ANTENNAS FOR GRAVEYARD CHANNELS, AND PHASING I'm an amateur radio operator who is very active in public service communications, including Navy MARS, SHARES, Skywarn, RACES, etc. Our primary interest isn't DX when it comes to high frequency communication but rather providing reliable coverage over an area of 400-600 miles. Many such amateurs use "NVIS" or Near Vertical Incidence Skywave" antennas for these operations. The antennas favor high angle radiation, as opposed to low angle. They virtually eliminate the "skip zone" and provide very reliable communication over short distances. They are also very quiet antennas. After erecting an 80 meter dipole at about twelve feet in height for MARS work, I've started trying it on AM too. The antenna has so far produced some very interesting listening. Comparing it to active whips, my "flattop vertical" and two "BOG's" find reception on the antenna to be very different. Often another station will be louder on a regional or GY frequency. Using it to phase against the other low angle antennas has also produced interesting results. In some cases, it will completely null a pest such as WSM 650 in Nashville -- which has resisted virtually all attempts to do so. For those interested, there are some good web sites, and at least one book on the subject, which I purchased recently...it's called "Near Vertical Incident Skywave" by Ed Farmer. I'm very interested in hearing of others who have tried similar antennas on MW. http://www.qsl.net/k5eph/nvis.htm http://www.tactical-link.com/nvis_discussion_page.htm http://155.217.58.58/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/24-18/FM24-_22.htm#REF47h2 73, (Les Rayburn, N1LF, Birmingham AL, NRC-AM via DXLD) SWL TIP: USING BABY MONITOR AS TRANSPONDER The key to good swling is an effective antenna and receiver. This of course limits us to fixed locations; but suppose one wants to listen to a distant station while washing the dishes or working in the yard. Portable sw radios simply do not perform well and are not an adequate choice. The answer is to retransmit the signal over an FCC approved device. There are a number low powered wbfm products intended to retransmit analog audio in the 88-108 Mhz range, but coverage area is limited to, at best, 100 ft. Reception is often spotty, even a few feet away. What works well is modification of a baby monitor, which delivers a healthy nbfm signal in the 49 MHz range. Coverage is solid for several hundred feet. The modification is simple, and I believe will work for most brands. Here is the link to the procedure: http://www.fordyce.org/scanning/scanning_info/babymon.html I did not use shielded line between the radio and baby monitor as the author suggests, and it works fine. Output power is not high enough to create rf feedback problems. I use an Icom IC-R5 clipped to my belt with a pair of lightweight Walkman earphones to monitor the 49 MHz signal (David Hodgson, TN. May 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DRM +++ I am disgusted at the way DRM signals are presenting themselves to an analogue receiver. Each SW channel is supposed to be no more than 10 kHz wide in any one region (the World being divided into three regions for radio purposes), giving a clear spread of 5 kHz between channels. The hash from DRM signals, especially in our survey period [at the beginning of the A-04 season], on 5990 and 6095 kHz, as well as 6140 for part of the period, spreads to about 15 to 20 kHz per frequency and affects reception on adjacent channels to their normal ones. Can I refer you to PWBR 2004 page 96, `DRM --- Success or Failure`? (Ken Fletcher, May BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) see also LUXEMBOURG POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES CONTROVERSY -- by GREG FLAKUS, VOA, HOUSTON The U-S Federal Communications Commission, or F-C-C, is looking into complaints from amateur radio operators about the use of electrical power lines for providing broadband internet service, a concept known as B-P-L, for Broadband over Power Lines. Many power companies and some members of the commission see this as a promising technology that could be especially useful in getting such service to remote rural areas at a reasonable price. But, as VOA's Greg Flakus reports from Houston, the cost could be high in terms of radio interference. The promise of B-P-L is an effective and relatively inexpensive way of providing high-speed internet service to homes and businesses through the power lines that already exist. Power lines can be viewed as large pipes bringing energy into an area where other lines branch off to buildings and houses. Not all of the space in the pipe-or frequency range in the line-is used, thereby leaving open the possibility of sending signals back and forth over the same line. Matt Oja (OH-jah) is Director of Emerging Technology for North Carolina-based Progress Energy, which has been trying B-P-L service in a limited area for about a year. He says his company is closely monitoring the system to see how well it works and what problems need to be addressed. "Utilities today are trying to figure out if this is the type of thing we can deliver with the right partners in an effective and efficient manner. That is going to take some more checking out to make sure that we are able to do that." But power lines can also be viewed as long antennas. The energy running through them transmits signals out around the lines. In cases where the signals interfere with other services that rely on the same frequencies there can be what the F-C-C terms harmful interference. This is not permitted under the F-C-C rules, but Matt Oja says Progress Energy, working with a consultant company, has been able to identify such problems and solve them by notching, that is modifying the frequencies so as not to create interference. "Given a situation where interference does occur to somebody who has a legitimate claim and has a legitimate interference concern and has experienced, quote-unquote, harmful interference, can this be mitigated around that particular frequency? That is what the company we have been working with here has been able to do, that is, notch out and get away from those bands when, indeed, that situation does occur." But the success of this approach is questioned by amateur radio operators and others who rely on radio signals that could be interrupted by noise from the power lines. Tests of B-P-L in Japan and Europe found interference that was deemed unacceptable. U-S amateur radio operators say the measures employed by Progress Energy and other companies to mitigate interference have not been satisfactory because of signal noise produced by the transmitters that need to be placed at intervals along a power line to keep the signal flowing. The president of American Radio Relay League, or A-R-R-L, Jim Haynie, speaking to VOA from his home in Dallas, Texas, says this presents a problem for not just amateur radio aficionados, but also for police and emergency radios and even short-wave receivers. "If you can imagine having this in your power line, these little transmitters all up and down the power line and you try to listen to Voice of America or B-B-C or any of the other short-wave stations, you are going to hear that short-wave noise that is on the power line right by your house because it is going to be a whole lot stronger than the signal you are trying to listen to." Progress Energy and many other companies experimenting with B-P-L tout broadband access to remote neighborhoods and rural areas as one of the potential benefits of the technology. Progress Energy's Matt Oja says it might not be cost effective to put in a special line or cable to some remote areas, but power lines usually exist already in those places and could be utilized to provide broadband service. "This is one of the great opportunities that B-P-L does have is that it is possible to bring in signal to a point and carry it down a road and carry it into neighborhoods where the population cannot get access, where there are not enough homes or something to that effect. We think B-P-L might provide some real benefits out there." But Mr. Haynie says he and other amateur radio operators see this is as a false promise because power companies would still have to invest in transmitters to boost signals to those remote areas, making it too expensive to be practical. "Why don't they have D-S-L (Digital Subscriber Line) now? Why don't they have cable now? It is because it costs too much to serve a rural area. Ten, 20 people in a square mile and say three or four of them sign up for the service at 30 dollars a month, it is not going to offset an investment of ten or 20, 25 thousand dollars to bring it out there." The dispute is not likely to disappear any time soon. F-C-C Chairman Michael Powell has called B-P-L a "monumental breakthrough in technology." The commission has permitted further testing and development of the technology as long as there are appropriate measures to mitigate interference with radio signals (VOA News May 5 via DXLD) PUT BPL PROCEEDING ON ICE FOR FURTHER INTERFERENCE EVALUATION, ARRL SAYS http://www2.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/05/05/2/?nc=1 NEWINGTON, CT, May 5, 2004 --- Calling broadband over power line (BPL) deployment on HF ``a mistake, purely and simply,`` the ARRL asked the FCC to put its BPL proceeding on hold to allow more thorough research of its interference potential to licensed radio services. In comments filed May 3 in response to the FCC`s February 23 Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in ET Docket 03-47, the League also called on the FCC to apply ``considerably more conservative radiated emission limits`` to BPL than those applying to ``normal`` Part 15 devices. Five technical exhibits, including an ARRL-commissioned independent study at BPL trial areas and additional research accompanied the League`s comments. ``The Commission cannot be in such a hurry to deploy BPL as a potentially competitive broadband delivery mechanism that it must sweep under the rug the mounting evidence that BPL is a significant source of interference to licensed radio services and is not in the public interest,`` the ARRL declared. The League was among more than 1000 individuals and entities commenting in the proceeding by the May 3 deadline. Reply comments are due Tuesday, June 1. On the eve of the comment deadline, the FCC denied several requests --- including one from the ARRL --- to extend the comment period. The League reiterated its assertion that the BPL proceeding ``constitutes a blind rush to judgment`` for no apparent reason other than to foster broadband competition. And it took the FCC to task for its willingness to balance BPL`s presumed benefits against the potential of harmful inteference. ``The principal obligation of the Commission in permitting unlicensed devices or systems is to establish a radiated emission level that is sufficiently low that by their operation they will predictably not interfere with licensed radio services,`` the ARRL emphasized. ``Indeed, in this proceeding, all indications are that the Commission simply does not want to hear the bad news, only the good, about BPL,`` the League said. ``The Chairman has self-described himself as a `cheerleader` for the technology.`` The League said it wanted the opportunity to review the lengthy National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Part 1 BPL study released April 27 (see ``NTIA Study Documents Radio Interference from BPL.``). The ARRL told the FCC that applying existing radiated emission limits to so-called ``access BPL`` systems is inappropriate. ``Those levels are far too high and were designed to address the interference of point source radiators,`` the League said. ``It is obvious that access BPL systems are distributive, line-source radiators`` and the FCC should apply a limit ``sufficiently low as to prevent interference to mobile stations`` that might operate in a BPL-served neighborhood. The ARRL suggested that 0 dBuV/m at the antenna measured at 10 meters (approximately 39.4 feet) from the power line would be an ``acceptable`` radiated emission level. The League proposed amending Part 15 rules (§15.109) to require BPL systems to incorporate adaptive interference resolution techniques adequate to cause them to cease operation within an hour following a report of harmful interference to an FCC licensee`s station. The BPL system then couldn`t resume operation within one kilometer (approximately 0.62 mile) of the complainant`s station ``unless and until the harmful interference is resolved.`` The ARRL also would require BPL systems to supply detailed information on their systems to a public Web-based database. The League says the FCC`s NPRM offers no support for its conclusion that interference to licensed services would be minimal, and it noted that amateur licensees have filed more than two dozen BPL interference complaints with the FCC. ``Some of these interference problems have persisted, notwithstanding the good faith efforts of some BPL service providers to resolve the problems,`` the ARRL said. In other cases, the complaints are simply ignored. None has been adjudicated by the Commission, as far as the ARRL can tell.`` Instead, the League said, amateurs` BPL complaints ``remain under wraps`` in the Office of Engineering and Technology instead of being handled by the FCC`s Enforcement Bureau, which typically deals with power line noise complaints from radio amateurs. ``Mere mitigation`` of interference is not sufficient, the ARRL said. ``It is the absolute obligation of the operator of a Part 15 device or system to prevent interference,`` the League`s comment said, pointing out that the FCC`s NPRM does not require interference resolution. ``It only requires some unspecified `mitigation,` and the determination of what level of mitigation is sufficient is apparently left to the subjective evaluation of the BPL provider.`` ``The interference to fixed amateur stations located in residences in normal geographic proximity to overhead power lines will be devastating and will preclude Amateur Radio communications,`` the League said, calling the mitigation techniques the FCC has proposed ``too little, too late to avoid widespread interference.`` Referring to its main BPL study, the League said measurements at one site within a BPL test system in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, ``exceeded FCC Part 15 limits by up to 20 dB or more. At another test site in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, where another technology has been deployed, the study concluded that the BPL signals, while apparently within Part 15 limits, ``would have interfered seriously with reception of Amateur Radio signals.`` The ARRL contends that the FCC`s ``overly aggressive timetable`` to proceed with BPL systems will effectively preclude the development of cooperative interference avoidance and resolution mechanisms. ``This proceeding should be placed on hold for a year in order to work out appropriate interference avoidance and resolution standards,`` the League concluded. Other entities filing comments in the proceeding included AMSAT-NA, the North American Shortwave Association, and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International Inc (APCO) and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC), which filed joint comments. Copyright © 2004, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (via John Norfolk, dxld yahoogroup via DXLD) THE BPL FIGHT: FCC REFUSES TO EXTEND COMMENT CUTOFF ON BPL The FCC has issued a ruling denying a request from the ARRL to extend the Commentary cutoff date on the introduction of BPL as outlined in ET Docket 04-37. The ARRL had asked the Commission to extend the deadline for Comments and Reply Comments by 45 days in the Broadband over Power Line Notice of Proposed Rule Making. The League had argued that this would give it and others the time required for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to conclude its study at BPL, issue an initial report and give commenters time to evaluate it. In its April 30th release denying the request the FCC gave no overriding reason for turning it down. Instead, the agency said that the now past May 3rd commentary cutoff date stands. It added that those wanting to address the issues raised in the NTIA report can do so during the Reply Comment period. That`s open now and ends on June 1st. (ARNewsline(tm) May 7 via John Norfolk, dxld yahoogroups, DXLD) THE BPL FIGHT: NTIA RELEASES LONG AWAITED REPORT ON BPL Meantime, as reported last week, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has issued its long-awaited report on the interference potential of BPL. Amateur Radio Newsline`s Mark Abramwicz, NT3V, is here with an in-depth look at the report and the affect it might of on the introduction of BPL technology: The very title: ``NTIA Report Lays Groundwork for Responsible Deployment of Broadband Over Power Lines`` doesn`t sound encouraging. But like any package - or the glowing press release that accompanied it - the more than 100-page document contains so much more once you open it. And, you don`t have to go beyond the executive summary that accompanies the report to find the glowing praise by Acting NTIA Administrator Michael Gallagher in the press release is quickly muted. Muted by the facts and some disturbing interference problems the agency`s own technical review identified. CQ Magazine Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, digested and analyzed the NTIA report and agreed to share his findings with the Amateur Radio Newsline audience. ``It is one of the first really objective looks at the real danger of interference caused by BPL,`` Moseson says. ``As of objective as studies by the ARRL might be, they would be perceived as someone with a certain interest here. ``The NTIA is a federal agency and their engineering study should carry a lot of weight with the FCC.`` Moseson says he identified five major conclusions. First, among them, that the methods currently used to measure noise levels and interference potential are not adequate, according to the NTIA. Essentially, he says, there`s an underestimation of peak-field strength. And, peak field strength is the leading contributor to high-interference risks. ``As applied in current practice to BPL systems, Part 15 measurement guidelines do not address unique physical and electromagnetic characteristics of BPL-radiated emissions,`` Moseson says. ``That`s a quote. That`s pretty significant that the Part 15 guidelines do not address the unique physical and electromagnetic characteristics of BPL emissions. So the measurement system being used is not right.`` Second, he says the NTIA engineers said noise levels must be measured from power lines carrying BPL as well as the device that couples the signal to the power lines. ``What the NTIA is saying here is that you can be 100 feet down the street from the actual coupling device or up to 300 feet down the street and if the signal bumps into one of these corroded connecters or something, then, it`s going to start radiating there,`` Moseson says. ``And you have to measure all along the line as well as at the coupling device.`` Third, Moseson says NTIA found interference to weak- or medium- strength signals is likely to affect aircraft operation and the navigational frequencies used by aircraft. ``Interference to aircraft reception of moderate to strong radio signals is likely to occur below 6 kilometers altitude - that`s 20,000 feet - within 12 kilometer center of the BPL deployment,`` says Moseson, quoting from the report. ``Interference would likely occur to aircraft reception of weak to moderate signals within 40 miles of the center of the BPL deployment area.`` NTIA`s fourth major conclusion, according to Moseson, is that results of BPL tests and implementation in other countries has met with mixed results. And, in some cases, it has been shut down entirely. He cites an example: ``During an emergency exercise of the Austrian Red Cross in May 2003, communication was massively disturbed - that`s their words - by BPL with interference levels exceeding the limits by a factor of 10,000,`` Moseson says. The fifth NTIA conclusion identified by Moseson is the agency`s desire to conduct more testing. ``They proposed some more stringent measurement standards and procedures along with some of the interference mitigation techniques that were mentioned in the FCC`s Proposed Rulemaking and others that weren`t,`` Moseson says. ``But they`re saying here that they`re not even sure that those are going to work. They want to do more testing on them and report on it later in the year.`` The bottom line: Will the FCC`s commissioner take seriously the findings and red flags raised by the NTIA report? ``In this case, I`m not really sure because they seem to have made up their minds going into this as to what they were planning to do,`` Moseson says. ``So, I am not as optimistic as I might be in other rulemaking proceedings.`` So, how soon could the FCC act? Moseson says he wouldn`t even begin to speculate. ``At this point the comment period is closed. Comments closed on May 3,`` Moseson says. ``There`s a two-week reply comment period. And then it`s up to the commission of what they`re going to do and when they`re going to do it. ``There is no requirement that the FCC issue a ruling in a given amount of time after the close of comments on a proceeding. So, they very well could wait until the NTIA issues its second report. And, I`m sure that it would be accepted into the record as coming from another federal agency.`` For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I`m Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia. The full report may be downloaded, either in full or chapter by chapter, from the NTIA website. Its in cyberspace at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/new.html (ARNewsline(tm) May 7 via John Norfolk, dxldyahoogroups, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ SIDC WEEKLY BULLETIN :Issued: 2004 May 03 1341 UTC :Product: documentation at http://sidc.oma.be/products/bul #--------------------------------------------------------------------# # SIDC Weekly bulletin on Solar and Geomagnetic activity # #--------------------------------------------------------------------# WEEK 174 from 2004 Apr 26 SOLAR ACTIVITY: --------------- For the two first days of the week, April 26 and April 27, sunspot group 15 (NOAA 0599) made the weather in space, although not spectacular: the flare the strongest emitting in the X-ray wavelength was a C3.1 flare. Together with this flare, a type II outburst was seen. However, LASCO was not operating and made it difficult to make any estimate about the CME. No clear signature of the arrival of the CME in geomagnetic data was seen. The next two days are not really worth mentioning in terms of flares. On April 29, a sunspot group labeled with number 18 (NOAA 0601) suddenly popped up from nowhere and has grown really fast to a beta- configuration. The evolution of this group could be nicely seen in an MDI-movie. Its entry was made by a B2.2 flare on April 29 at 22:12 UT at S11W21. The group was the source of two complex active periods, on May 1 and May 2. The largest flares to be respectively a C9.5 and a C8.3. The solar wind speed was not giving us any headache this week. It peaked on April 29 at the value of 500 km/s (and a small peak reaching 600 km/s). From that moment, it decreased slowly to reach the value of 350 km/s on May 2. GEOMAGNETISM: ------------- It was a nice quiet space weather week geomagnetically speaking. NOAA reported two peaks of 4 of the estimated K_p index. The first peak late April 28 came along with a peak in the solar wind speed, the B_z component of the interplanetary magnetic field was predominantly negative that day (up to values of -8nT). The second peak of 4 happened late April 30 at the moment of a strong negative B_z (-10nT). Anyhow, a value of 4 is not a particular high K_p index and not really extraordinary. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DAILY INDICES DATE RC 10CM Ak BKG M X 2004 Apr 26 /// 100 006 B1.2 0 0 2004 Apr 27 033 95 007 A7.8 0 0 2004 Apr 28 044 90 012 A6.2 0 0 2004 Apr 29 027 89 006 A5.6 0 0 2004 Apr 30 046 89 021 A6.0 0 0 2004 May 01 /// 94 014 A9.1 0 0 2004 May 02 049 98 010 B2.4 0 0 # RC : Sunspot Index from Catania Observatory (Italy) # 10cm: 10.7 cm radioflux (DRAO, Canada) # Ak : Ak Index Wingst (Germany) # BKG : Background GOES X-ray level (NOAA, USA) # M,X : Number of X-ray flares in M and X class, see below (NOAA, USA) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTICEABLE EVENTS DAY BEGIN MAX END LOC XRAY OP 10CM TYPE Cat NOAA NOTE [none] #--------------------------------------------------------------------# # Solar Influences Data analysis Center - RWC Belgium # # Royal Observatory of Belgium # # Fax : 32 (0) 2 373 0 224 # # Tel.: 32 (0) 2 373 0 491 # # For more information, see http://sidc.oma.be (via Jim Moats, DXLD) INDIAN OCEAN OPENINGS, FM TROPO, SPORADIC E Hi all, I feel so much exited about the band openings here on the western coast of India, Near Kandla Port. I am getting Persian Gulf stations on FM band --- Muscat, Dubai FM and QBS Qatar Broadcasting Service and many Arabic language stations can be heard, and the Distance is 1500 km. This is amazing. Please check the Hepburn atlas for Indian Ocean Region. http://www.iprimus.ca/~hepburnw/tropo_xxx.html I am Apu. I am male, 41 years age and living on the western coast of India working at the Port Of Kandla with signal station as Signal Superintendent. I developed FM DXing a hobby by virtue of contacting ships far off from my port in respect of distance of more then 100 km; then I realized if ships` FM radio VHF is just having output of 25 watts, why can`t I get FM radio stations in the Persian gulf as they have more powerful transmitters. And then I connected flexible dipole on roof and started scanning FM band. No luck as there was no tropo conditions. Suddenly during month of April and June I started getting FM stations and since then (1993) I am unorganised hobbyist for FM DXing; now with help of Internet and Hepburn`s tropo atlas it`s been so easy. I am still using flexible dipole and ordinary receiver but it works nicely. The best thing I have is the greatest of Locational advantage, since I live on the western coast of India in the gulf of Kutch port of Kandla. I have no land obstructions to face for reception of radio signals; secondly during the month of April, May and June we have severe tropo openings on western side of my location and this openings extends up to 1000 to 2000 km away. I have heard Radio Kuwait on FM --- that`s the best record I have got. On the Eastern side I have got Kolkata FM (now this is also on 1300 km distance on Land !!) but otherwise I do get many many Arabic stations from Persian Gulf like Muscat FM, Dubai FM, QBS (Qatar Broadcasting Service) and other American Forces station somewhere from Arabian Country or Arabian Sea; my guess is Diego García Island). My problem is I don`t have good antenna here; whatever I have is homemade and I can`t use pre amplifier due to local cable TV interference; also I don`t have good scanner. Whatever I have is analogue, two in one, tape cum radio, but still it works OK for me as far as I am receiving stations from very far off. Well, I talked about reception from east and west from my location; to be on south side I have heard station from Cochin about 1000 km south of my location, and there are hundreds of Indian FM stations from south and south east from my location and about 13 or so from Bombay but never heard anything from North from my location. I don`t know what could be reason, and also there are sporadic E openings taking place at that time I get stations from Far east (Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and many stations with mandarin or Chinese or eastern languages on FM band) but on very high fading. I would love to answer if any more questions, if any. With 73s, Apu. My postal address is Apurva Jadeja E 202, Gopalpuri Port Colony Gandhidham, Kutch Gujarat, India, Postal Code 370240 (WTFDA May 2-4 via DXLD) ###