DX LISTENING DIGEST 4-114, July 27, 2004 Incorporating REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING 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 OUR RADIO SCHEDULE has been reworked to include direct, or almost direct audio links at each web- and broadcast time: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1239: Wed 0930 on WWCR 9475 Wed 1600 on WBCQ after-hours http://wbcq.com repeated weekdaily Mon 0330 on WSUI 910, webcast http://wsui.uiowa.edu 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 1239 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1239h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1239h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1239.html WORLD OF RADIO 1239 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1239.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1239.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1239 in the true SW sound of 7415: (stream) http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_07-21-04.m3u (d`load) http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_07-21-04.mp3 FIRST AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO EXTRA 49: Wed 2200 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825 WRN ONDEMAND [from Fri]: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [WORLD OF RADIO Extra 49 is the same as CONTINENT OF MEDIA 04-04] WORLD OF RADIO Extra 49 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/worx49h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/worx49h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0404.html WORLD OF RADIO Extra 49 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/com0404.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/com0404.rm ** AUSTRALIA. Voice International change in English: 0900-1400 on 13685 via DRW 250 kW / 340 deg to China, ex 0900-1300 (Observer, Bulgaria, July 27 via DXLD) See also PROPAGATION ** BANGLADESH [and non]. New Shortwave Contracts. Thales has been recently contracted for the delivery of shortwave equipment and services for two customers in the Asian area. Betar in Bangladesh has ordered a new 100 kW shortwave transmitter and auxiliaries for its station in Savar near Dhaka. BECIL, India, has also ordered a 100 kW shortwave transmitter and site material for a NEW station. [WHERE? India is a rather large country] The Thales 100 kW shortwave transmitter type TSW 2100 is fully capable of digital DRM operation. With the PSM part built into the transmitter, this model is a very cost effective solution for near distance shortwave broadcasting. Both new stations are scheduled to go on air early 2005. Transmitters and site material will be delivered end of this year (THALES Radio News, issue 16, summer 2004; http://www.thales-bm.com July 26 via Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Mais uma emissora brasileira voltou a ser sintonizada em ondas curtas, após período de inatividade. É a Rádio A Voz do Coração Imaculado, que emite desde a cidade de Anápolis (GO). A emissora foi ouvida, em Itajubá (MG), pelo Caio Lopes, em 10 de julho, por volta de 2200, pela freqüência de 4885 kHz. Porém, ele não conseguiu êxito na identificação, pois a programação católica era praticamente ininterrupta. No entanto, em 18 de julho, o coordenador do DXCB, Samuel Cássio Martins, de São Carlos (SP), logrou êxito identificando a estação, às 2020. BRASIL – Interessado em antigos programas da famosa Rádio Nacional do Rio de Janeiro (RJ)? A dica é chegar ao sítio da Collectors Stúdios de Restauração de Áudios, que é o seguinte: http://www.collectors.com.br BRASIL – Desde Tefé (AM), Paulo Roberto e Souza atualiza informações da Rádio Nacional, de Tabatinga (AM), que emitia em 4815 kHz, freqüência esta que está, atualmente, inativa. A emissora pode ser captada apenas em 670 kHz, em ondas médias. Endereço: A/C Prefeitura Municipal de Tabatinga, CEP: 69640-000, Tabatinga (AM). Telefone e fax: + 55 97 412 4078. O contato é Francisco Lopes. Informações vindas da direção da Radiobrás dão conta de que a emissora poderá ser reativada novamente em ondas curtas no futuro. BRASIL – Em 17 de julho, o colunista foi surpreendido pelo sinal da Rádio Ibitinga, pela freqüência de 4845 kHz, em horário pouco usual: às 0540. Naquele momento, estava em cadeia com a Rádio Jovem Pan Sat, irradiando o programa Show da Madrugada (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX July 26 via DXLD) ** CANADA. IN CANADA, EXCEPTIONS ARE RULE FOR AL-JAZEERA --- DISTRIBUTORS MUST MONITOR, MAY ALTER PROGRAMS By DeNeen L. Brown Washington Post Foreign Service, Monday, July 26, 2004; Page A13 TORONTO -- At a market on Lawrence Avenue in Toronto, where halal meat is sold and customers trade news from home as they buy olives, fresh chickens and whole lambs, Mostafa Elmnini wondered aloud why the Canadian government recently approved broadcasts of the Arabic-language news channel al-Jazeera, but imposed such severe restrictions that it may be impossible for the network to be aired legally in this country. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A14009-2004Jul25?language=printer (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** CANADA. Here at NERW Central, our radio has spent much of the weekend tuned to CANADA's newest FM signal. Right across Lake Ontario from us, in the city once known as Trenton but now amalgamated into "Quinte West," CJTN (1270) signed on the new CJTN-FM (107.1) last Thursday, and it's been running a nonstop loop ever since of nothing but songs about radio. From the classic "Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me)" all the way up to Nelly Furtado's (Cancon-friendly) "S**t on the Radio," CJTN-FM has been a fun listen - but we suspect the loop will give way to the real CJTN programming in a week or so, followed shortly by the sign-off of the AM signal. (Oh, and extra radio-geek bonus points to whoever at CJTN threw in a soundbite about the early days of FM radio from the Empire of the Air documentary - very cool!) (Scott Fybush, Rochester NY, NE Radio Watch July 26 via DXLD) ** CANADA. It's been a while since I've passed on any AM related info from this side of the border. That's because there hasn't been anything. However in today's CRTC releases I see there are 3 applications for AM to FM conversions: CJNS 1240 in Meadow Lake, SK: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Hearings/2004/n2004-5.htm#29 CBXJ 860 in Jasper, AB: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Hearings/2004/n2004-5.htm#32 CKKC 880 in Nelson, BC: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Hearings/2004/n2004-5.htm#36 (Dan Sys, Vancouver, BC, IRCA Soft DX Monitor July 31 via DXLD) ** CHILE. Voz Cristiana change in English: 2000-2400 on 11665 via SGO 100 kW / 075 deg to SoWeAf --- additional transmission (Observer, Bulgaria, July 27 via DXLD) Had not had any English for a long time via Chile. Zambia site must not be working to SWAf? (gh, DXLD) ** CHINA [and non]. RSF DEPLORES GOOGLE AND YAHOO! BEHAVIOUR IN CHINA International press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) today deplored the "irresponsible" policies of major US Internet firms Yahoo! and Google in bowing directly and indirectly to Chinese government demands for censorship, and called for a code of conduct to be imposed. Yahoo! has been censoring its Chinese-language search-engine for several years and RSF says that rival firm Google, which recently took a share in Baidu, a Chinese search-engine that filters a user's findings, seems ready to go the same way. In their efforts to conquer the Chinese market, the two firms are "making compromises that directly threaten freedom of expression," Reporters Without Borders said. "The US government is supposed to be at the cutting-edge of the fight for online freedom, especially since passage of the Global Internet Freedom Act," the organisation noted in letters to two top US officials. "Yet it places no restrictions on private-sector activity even when firms work with some of the world's most repressive regimes. We condemn this hypocrisy and demand that companies such as Yahoo! and Google drop their irresponsible policies and pledge to respect freedom of information, including abroad." Read the full RSF press release http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=11031 # posted by Andy @ 15:40 UT July 26 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. http://www.SaveRFPI.org Shutting Down July 29, 2004 Friday, July 23 2004 @ 10:41 PM EDT Contributed by: cwilkins No, this is not the nefarious work of Maurice Strong... On or about July 29, 2004, the domain saverfpi.org will expire and this site will go *poof*. I'm thinking it has served its purpose. The lack of recent activity seems to bear this out. There is also the issue of spammers polluting the forums with comments containing links to sex sites. (Apologies to anyone offended.) This site was a reaction to a specific problem and was not intended to live beyond that. However, I would still like to see an ongoing RFPI community forum site and I would be happy to host such a site (with improved, spammer resistant software). If you think an RFPI community forum site would be a useful and valuable addition to the Internet, please speak up now. You can reach me at cwilkins @ dtserv.com or RFPI at info @ rfpi.org Thanks to everyone who participated here, rose to the call and helped put RFPI back on the map (albeit in a slightly different spot). Don't forget, RFPI is still has a ways to go to rebuild its studios and transmitters. James continues to pour his heart and soul into this effort, working miracles with very limited resources on behalf of global peace and justice. Where others might have given up long ago, he rises to the challenges and overcomes them. But he still very much needs your help. If you think sending off $50 or $100 sets you back too much, imagine where we'd all be without alternative media like RFPI; without people like James Latham and the other giving souls who have made RFPI a reality. You can contribute on the RFPI website. Thanks again, and hope to see/hear from you soon! -- (Charlie Wilkins, saverfpi.org July 23 via DXLD) ** CUBA. Jul. 24, 2004. R. Havana Cuba is also on 11760 kHz for their English service to the W. coast of NAm at 0500 UT, although it is not mentioned at sign-on, although the other frequencies you have listed are mentioned (Alan Johnson, N4LUS, Prime Time SW via DXLD) &/or 6000 ** CUBA [non]. Tuesday afternoon whilst C-SPAN 1 was covering the DemoCon live, C-SPAN 2 was broadcasting Fidel`s 26th of July speech, quite an alternative. While the Demos try not to bash Bush too mash, Fidel quotes from a book about the root problem with Bush: he`s a ``dry drunk``, an admitted alcoholic, who supposedly has it under control by abstinence, but the damage has been done. This apparently accounts for his erratic behaviour. By golly, Fidel may have something there. The book is ``Bush on the Couch,`` by Dr. Justin E. Frank. He went on to quote from other authors about Bush: Michael Moore, ``Stupid White Men,`` with evidence that Bush is funxionally illiterate; and Bob Woodward. This was running around 2030 UT, but not on the C-SPAN 2 website schedule. Check later in case it repeat, at least until Fidel moves onto describing how much better life is in Cuba than the US. Even there, he makes some good points. The C-SPAN 2 schedule is open between 0400 and 1400 UT Tuesday. Here`s the blurb without any audio/video link (yet?): ``Speech --- Cuban Revolution Anniversary Speech Cubavision International TV Santa Clara (Cuba) ID: 182895 - 07/26/2004 - 1:20 - NS Castro, Fidel, President, Cuba Cuban President Fidel Castro spoke out against the Bush administration policy towards Cuba in a speech Monday marking the 51st anniversary of the start of the Cuban revolution. He answered charges that President Bush made in July related to sex tourism in Cuba and suggested Bush is impaired by alcoholism. Coverage of this speech, including the English translation, is provided by state-owned Cubavision Internacional satellite television.`` If you can`t find it on C-SPAN later, no doubt RHC will be replaying it ad infinitum in Spanish and probably in English (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) {Later: repeat scheduled on C-SPAN 2 UT Wed July 28 at 0947-1107} {See also KOREA NORTH non} ** ECUADOR. Pieza de la historia grande latinoamericana. Grabación de principios de los 80's, no tengo una fecha exacta. HCOE4 LV del Rio Carrizal, Calceta, en la provincia de Manabí, Ecuador, transmitiendo en los 3260 kHz, banda de 90 metros. Una de las mejores grabaciones de mi colección por la excelente música folclórica y la muy completa identificación. Gracias por el saludo sonoro, amigo Björn!!!! 73's a todos (Daniel Camporini, Argentina, Björn Malm`s website via DXLD) Thanks Daniel for this beautiful recording from around 1980-1981 of the Ecuadorian station LV del Rio Carrizal. This statio was reactivated some years ago but was active just a few weeks and with the name "Estéreo Carrizal". I logged the station on 3259.94 kHz. I talked to the owner and he told me that they were transmitting the first week from the town of "Portoviejo", capital of "Provincia de Manabí". Later they moved the transmitter to nearby "Calceta". 3260.00, HCOE4, LV del Rio Carrizal, Calceta, Manabí, 58 kb. Recording made by Daniel Camporini around 1980-81. http://www.malm-ecuador.com/guest/3260-00-car-daniel.wma (Björn Malm, Ecuador, via DXLD) ** ERITREA [non]. Voice of Democratic Eritrea: 1400-1430 5925 JUL 100 / non-dir Sat to WeEu Tigrina 1430-1500 5925 JUL 100 / non-dir Sat to WeEu Arabic 1500-1530 15715 JUL 100 / 130 Sat to EaAf Tigrina 1530-1600 15715 JUL 100 / 130 Sat to EaAf Arabic 1700-1730 15670 JUL 100 / 130 Mon/Thu to EaAf Tigrina 1730-1800 15670 JUL 100 / 130 Mon/Thu to EaAf Arabic (Observer, Bulgaria, July 27 via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. Voice of Ethiopian Salvation: 1600-1700 15670 JUL 100 / 145 Thu/Sun to EaAf Amharic Voice of Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity: 1830-1930 15565 JUL 100 / 145 Wed/Sun to EaAf Amharic Radio Huriyo: 1630-1700 15670 JUL 100 / 130 Tue/Fri to EaAf Somali Voice of Oromo Liberation (Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo): 1700-1800 15670 JUL 100 / 145 Tue/Wed/Fri/Sun to EaAf Oromo (Observer, Bulgaria, July 27 via DXLD) ** FRANCE. Radio-Orient, is on the air on 1350 kHz, tests with recorded and live programmes in Arabic and French. Regular broadcasts from August 2nd, relay from Paris. The transmitter is in Fontbonne, a place overlooking Monaco! It's the same place where is the shortwave site of TWR, and the France-Info transmitter on 1557 kHz. Some years ago, the transmitters where in Antibes-Plateaux Fleuris some 25 km west from Nice. Fontbonne is 20 km east of Nice. TDF moved the site, because the site in Antibes had been sold, to built residential buildings. TDF is also testing 675 kHz from Marseille-Réaltor. This frequency will be used by Superloustic. Best regards from France (Christian Ghibaudo, Nice, July 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Re SWR: ``Our short wave service will be shut down at the end of the year 2004`` (DX Listening Digest 2.7.2004 via K. Ludwig 5.7.2004) Im Mai 2004 kamen erstmals Gerüchte auf, wonach die Kurzwellensender in Mühlacker http://www.biener-media.de/6030.html und Rohrdorf http://www.biener-media.de/7265.html am 30. Juni 2004 außer Betrieb genommen werden sollen. Obwohl dieser Termin aus SWR-Kreisen nicht bestätigt wurde, sollten sich interessierte Kurzwellenfreunde ihre QSL-Karte für die Standorte sichern. Wenn bei Sparvorgaben jede Abteilung Sparpotenzial ausweisen und umsetzen muss, dann ist die Abschaltung der Kurzwelle sicher eine Möglichkeit. Insofern kam die Debatte unter den Kurzwellenfreunden zu folgendem Fazit ``Der Abschalttermin steht in der Tat noch nicht fest, die Tatsache, dass abgeschaltet wird, aber sehr wohl.`` (Dr Hansjoerg Biener, NTT Aktuell July 25 via DXLD) ** GERMANY. Radio Deutsche Welle was heard in Sofia with a program in English between 16 and 17 on the new unannounced frequency of 6180 (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria Calling July 23-26, via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** GERMANY. Updated A-04 schedule for DTK T-systems (PART 2 NON-DAILY TRANSMISSIONS) with kW powers, azimuth degrees flanking / [clandestine entries are duplicated under appropriate [non] countries] Pan American Broadcasting (PAB): 0030-0100 9740 JUL 100 / 090 Sun to SoAs English 0130-0145 9495 JUL 100 / 090 Sun to SoAs English 1400-1430 15650 JUL 100 / 100 Sat to ME Persian 1430-1500 15650 JUL 100 / 100 Sat to ME English 1400-1430 15650 JUL 100 / 100 Sun to ME Arabic 1500-1515 15650 JUL 100 / 115 Wed to ME English 1500-1515 15650 JUL 100 / 100 Sun to ME English 1545-1600 15650 JUL 100 / 100 Sun to ME English Universal Life (UNL): 0100-0130 9485 JUL 100 / 090 Sun to SoAs English 1100-1200 6015 JUL 100 / non-dir Sun to WeEu German 1130-1200 6015 JUL 100 / non-dir Sat to WeEu German 1600-1630 15265 JUL 100 / 175 Sun to NoAf French 1800-1830 15675 JUL 100 / 160 Sun to EaAf English 1900-1930 13820 JUL 100 / 115 Sun to ME English Adventist World Radio (AWR): 0500-0600 11655 JUL 100 / 115 Daily to EaEu Bulgarian 0900-1000 11775 JUL 100 / 145 Sun to SoEu Italian 1900-1930 15175 JUL 100 / 200 Daily to NoAf Arabic 1930-2000 15175 JUL 100 / 200 Mon/Wed to NoAf Arabic 1930-2000 15175 JUL 100 / 200 Thu/Sun to NoAf Kabyle 1930-2000 15175 JUL 100 / 200 Tue/Fri/Sat to NoAf Tachelhit 2000-2030 15175 JUL 100 / 200 Daily to NoAf French VRT Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal (RVI): 0500-0655 9590 JUL 100 / 130 Daily to SoEaEu Dutch 0700-0725 5985 JUL 100 / non-dir Daily to Eu English 1730-1755 9925 JUL 100 / 130 Daily to SoEaEu English 1800-1855 9925 JUL 100 / 130 Daily to SoEaEu Dutch 1800-1955 5910 JUL 100 / non-dir Sat to Eu Dutch RTBF: 0500-0710 17580 JUL 100 / 160 Mon-Fri to Af French 0500-1000 17580 JUL 100 / 160 Sat/Sun to Af French 1000-1130 21565 JUL 100 / 160 Daily to Af French 1430-1805 17570 JUL 100 / 160 Mon-Fri to Af French 1500-1705 17570 JUL 100 / 160 Sat/Sun to Af French Trans World Radio (TWR): 0530-0545 7210 JUL 100 / 100 Mon-Fri to CeEu Slovak 0830-0845 6105 JUL 100 / 105 Tue-Sat to CeEu Hungarian 0830-0845 7210 JUL 100 / 100 Tue-Sat to CeEu Hungarian 1030-1100 7225 JUL 100 / 105 Sat to CeEu Slovak 1030-1100 9490 JUL 100 / 100 Sat to CeEu Slovak 1230-1245 5945 JUL 100 / 130 Mon-Wed/Fri/Sat to EaEu Croatian 1230-1245 5945 JUL 100 / 130 Thu/Sun to EaEu Slovenian 1600-1630 6105 JUL 100 / 105 Sat to EaEu Romanian 1600-1630 7240 JUL 100 / 100 Sat to EaEu Romanian 1630-1700 6105 JUL 100 / 105 Daily to CeEu Hungarian Evangeliumsradio Hamburg: 0900-1000 6045 JUL 100 / non-dir Sun to CeEu German Christian Science Monitor (WSHB [non]): 0900-1000 6015 JUL 100 / 115 Sun to Eu German 1800-1900 9655 JUL 100 / 085 2nd&4th Sat to Eu Russian Evangelische Missions: 1030-1100 6015 WER 125 / non-dir Sat/Sun to CeEu German 1100-1130 15225 WER 500 / 030 Sat to EaEu Russian 1500-1530 9635 WER 500 / 060 Sat to EaEu Russian Voice of Democratic Eritrea: 1400-1430 5925 JUL 100 / non-dir Sat to WeEu Tigrina 1430-1500 5925 JUL 100 / non-dir Sat to WeEu Arabic 1500-1530 15715 JUL 100 / 130 Sat to EaAf Tigrina 1530-1600 15715 JUL 100 / 130 Sat to EaAf Arabic 1700-1730 15670 JUL 100 / 130 Mon/Thu to EaAf Tigrina 1730-1800 15670 JUL 100 / 130 Mon/Thu to EaAf Arabic Maeva FM International: 1200-1500 6015 JUL 100 / non-dir Sat to WeEu Dutch TDP Radio: 1500-1600 6015 JUL 040 / non-dir Sat to WeEu Music DRM Radio Rhino International Africa: 1500-1530 17870 JUL 100 / 145 Mon-Fri to EaAf English* * again on air effective July 12 Bible Christian Association/BCA/: 1530-1600 6055 JUL 100 / 070 Sun to SoEaEu Polish Voice of Ethiopian Salvation: 1600-1700 15670 JUL 100 / 145 Thu/Sun to EaAf Amharic Radio Huriyo: 1630-1700 15670 JUL 100 / 130 Tue/Fri to EaAf Somali Voice of Oromo Liberation (Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo): 1700-1800 15670 JUL 100 / 145 Tue/Wed/Fri/Sun to EaAf Oromo Radio Free Syria: 1800-1900 13650 JUL 100 / 120 Sun till Sep.26 to ME Arabic 1900-2000 13650 JUL 100 / 120 Sun from Oct.03 to ME Arabic Radio Reveil Paroles de Vie: 1830-1900 15675 JUL 100 / 160 Thu to Af French Voice of Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity: 1830-1930 15565 JUL 100 / 145 Wed/Sun to EaAf Amharic Bible Voice Broadcasting Network (BVBN): 1815-1830 5970 JUL 100 / 060 Mon-Fri to EaEu Russian 1800-1845 5970 JUL 100 / 060 Sat to EaEu Russian 1845-1900 5970 JUL 100 / 060 Sat to EaEu English 1800-1830 5970 JUL 100 / 060 Sun to EaEu English 1830-1900 5970 JUL 100 / 060 Sun to EaEu Russian 1900-1930 5970 JUL 100 / 060 Sun to EaEu English 0715-0745 5905 JUL 100 / 290 Wed-Fri to WeEu English 0700-0815 5905 JUL 100 / 290 Sat to WeEu English 0700-0845 5905 JUL 100 / 290 Sun to WeEu English 1630-1700 13810 JUL 100 / 130 Tue/Fri/Sat/Sun to EaAf Amharic 1630-1730 13810 JUL 100 / 130 Mon/Wed/Thu/Sat to EaAf Amharic 1700-1730 13810 JUL 100 / 130 Tue/Fri to EaAf Tigrina 1915-1945 9425 JUL 100 / 175 Fri to CeAf English 1900-2000 9425 JUL 100 / 175 Sat to CeAf English 1930-2000 9425 JUL 100 / 175 Sun to CeAf English 1945-2015 12050 WER 125 / 210 Fri to WeAf English 0000-0100 6010 WER 125 / 300 Mon-Fri to NoAm English 0845-1015 17595 JUL 100 / 135 Fri to ME Arabic 1515-1800 15715 JUL 100 / 115 Sun to ME English 1545-1615 15715 JUL 100 / 115 Mon-Fri to ME English 1545-1800 15715 JUL 100 / 115 Sat to ME English 1615-1630 15715 JUL 100 / 115 Tue/Thu to ME Hebrew 1630-1700 15715 JUL 100 / 115 Tue/Thu to ME English 1645-1715 15715 JUL 100 / 115 Tue to ME Russian 1700-1800 15715 JUL 100 / 115 Wed/Fri to ME English 1615-1730 15235 JUL 100 / 115 Mon/Wed/Fri to ME Arabic 1700-1730 15235 JUL 100 / 115 Tue/Thu to ME Arabic 1700-1800 15235 JUL 100 / 115 Sat/Sun to ME English 1800-1815 11965 JUL 100 / 100 Sat to ME English 1815-1830 11965 JUL 100 / 100 Sat to ME Persian 1830-1845 11965 JUL 100 / 100 Sat to ME Dari 1800-1900 11965 JUL 100 / 100 Sun to ME Persian 1800-1900 13710 WER 250 / 120 Thu to ME Arabic 1800-1915 13710 WER 250 / 120 Fri/Sun to ME English 1800-1900 13710 WER 250 / 120 Sat to ME English 1530-1600 17510 JUL 100 / 090 Mon/Wed/Thu to SoAs English 1500-1600 17510 JUL 100 / 090 Tue to SoAs Urdu 1500-1600 17510 JUL 100 / 090 Sat to SoAs English 1530-1600 17510 JUL 100 / 090 Sun to SoAs Hindi (Observer, Bulgaria, July 27 via DXLD) ** GREECE. Saturday, I received a letter dated July 16, 2004 from ERT3, Subdepartment of Technical Services, 6 Aggelaki Street, 546 36 Thessaloniki, Greece. My friends there, Dimitris Keramidas and Tasos Glias write: "We have to apologize as well, for not replying to your letters with the detailed radio reception reports enclosed. Thank you for your deep interest and your priceless work. As far as the VOA 250- kW transmitters are concerned, we are afraid that they are not yet in use and are probably not going to be in the near future. It is always a pleasure for all of us at the technical department of ERT3 to hear from you. Our best wishes to you and your family for a beautiful and peaceful summer." (John Babbis, MD, July 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. New 100 kW SW transmitter somewhere: see BANGLADESH (gh) ** INDONESIA. 3976.06, RRI Pontianak, 1218-1245+. Jakarta program in progress, // 4750. Back to local studio at 1229; M announcer says "Radio Republik Indonesia Pontianak dengan acara.....di Kalimantan Barat" followed by subcontinental vocal music, then M chatting at 1236; slowly fading, but did note Islamic programming beginning at 1245 7/26 (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** IRAN [and non]. 1170, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, R. Farda, JUN 17 0105 - after WFPB went off, this was top dog on channel with high-energy Middle Eastern music with drums, guitars, and vocal. Atop HJNW and other Latin Americans; 1171 het notched and WWVA totally phase-nulled. [Connelly*rw-MA] 1171, IRAN (per European reporters) JUN 17 0041 - fat het against local-strength daytimer WFPB Orleans, MA. [Connelly*rw-MA] + JUN 17 0103 - Middle Eastern music with trance-like orchestration and a sad-sounding male vocal; to good peak, easily splittable from 1170 with the R8A in 2.3 kHz bandwidth position and tuned to the high side. [Connelly*rw-MA] + JUL 1 0134 - talk, probably Farsi; good. [Connelly*R-MA] Mark Connelly - MarkWA1ION @ aol.com --- [Connelly*rw-MA] = Rowley, MA (GC= 70.829 W / 42.745 N) (Stackyard Road / Parker River - Nelson Island wildlife refuge: salt-marsh) Antenna system: 152 m & 99 m wires at 90 deg., active whip. Receiver: Drake R8A, Superphaser-2 phasing unit. [Connelly*R-MA] = Rockport, MA (GC= 70.622 W / 42.667 N) (Granite Pier) Antenna system: 2 m x 2 m square broadband loop, 1.8 m active whip. Receiver: Drake R8A, Superphaser-2 phasing unit (IRCA Soft DX Monitor July 31 via DXLD) 1171 is assumed to be an Iranian jammer against R. Farda, and I believe it has also been reported on 1169 (gh, DXLD) ** IRAQ. IRAQI AL-SALAM RADIO OBSERVED ON AIR IN BAGHDAD --- BBC Monitoring has observed Al-Salam Radio [Peace Radio] on 1053 kHz in the mediumwave band and on 92.0 MHz in the FM band. Programming was in parallel on both frequencies when observed. According to a report in the Iraqi National Accord newspaper Baghdad on 14 February 2004, Al-Salam Radio and its associated TV station broadcast from studios in Al-Kazimiyah city, a suburb of Baghdad. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 25 Jul 04 (via DXLD) IRAQI ASSYRIAN STATION ASHUR RADIO OBSERVED ON AIR IN BAGHDAD --- BBC Monitoring has observed a station called Ashur Radio broadcasting from Baghdad on 99.4 MHz in the FM band. Programming is in Arabic and Assyrian, with news in Assyrian noted at 1200-1210 gmt and news in Arabic at 1300-1310 gmt. Ashur was the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire, situated on the River Tigris in northern Iraq. A clandestine radio station of this name broadcast on 9155 kHz short-wave prior to the 2003 Iraq war. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 25 Jul 04 (via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. VOICE OF ISRAEL'S ENGLISH-LANGUAGE NEWSCASTS MOVE TO REQA NETWORK | Text of report in English by Israel radio on 26 July Starting this Sunday, 1 August, Voice of Israel's English-language news broadcasts are being moved to the REQA [Hebrew acronym for Immigrant Absorption Network] network at the following times: 0630 [0330 gmt], 1230 [0930 gmt] and 2030 [1730 gmt] local Israel time. These broadcasts will be transmitted in the AM band at 954 and 1575 [kHz], and in the FM band at 88.2, 93.7, 94.4, 101.2, 101.3, and 107.3 [MHz]. Starting Sunday, 1 August, Voice of Israel's English-language SW broadcasts will be heard at 0330, 0930, 1730 and 1900 UTC [gmt]. [The Jerusalem Post on 26 July added that REQA, "which includes programming in Russian and Amharic, is composed of several foreign language broadcasts. Spanish news and French news will also be newcomers to the network. English news will be broadcast daily in 15- minute segments."] Source: Voice of Israel, Jerusalem, in English 0400 gmt 26 Jul 04 (via BBCM via DXLD) Kol Israel English time changes, etc. --- Joel Rubin let me know of the below schedule changes a few days ago, when I didn't have access to my mailing list. The changes are mentioned at the end of each English broadcast. I have an updated Jerusalem Post article below, which details the changes. The changes translate to the English domestic relays being broadcast at: 0330, 0930, and 1730 UTC or 11:30 PM, 5:30 AM and 1:30 PM EDT All as of August 1st. The 1900 UTC Reshet Hey (foreign service) broadcast, will remain as is. I have been told that the shortwave frequencies will remain the same. Once these changes are made and English, French and Spanish are moved to the REQA network, Reshet Alef will be all Hebrew. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1090725933517 Jul. 26, 2004 0:02 English radio news to go to Reka --- By DALIA NAAMANI-GOLDMAN Beginning August 1, Israel Radio's English News will move to the Reka network. The network, which includes programming in Russian and Amharic, is composed of several foreign language broadcasts. Spanish News and French News will also be newcomers to the network. English News will broadcast daily in 15-minute segments at 6:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The Reka network can be found on FM at 94.4 in the Northern Galilee; 93.7 in Haifa and surrounding areas; 88.2 and 101.3 in Jerusalem; 88.2 and 101.2 in Tel Aviv; and 107.3 in Beersheba. It also can be found on AM at 954 in central Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv; and 1575 in Haifa and the North. (all via Doni Rosenzweig, July 25, DXLD) Previous report said September 1, so which is it? (gh to Doni) Last I've heard, it's still, August 1st. As per the article I forwarded yesterday, it seems that the Jerusalem Report corrected itself and now states August first as well (Daniel Rosenzweig, July 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) IBA'S ENGLISH NEWS MOVE WIDELY CRITICISED IN ISRAEL The Israel Broadcasting Authority's decision to move its English news from the Reshet Aleph network to Reshet Reka, the network for immigrants, has resulted in a lot of criticism. The critics say that Reshet Reka - which broadcasts for the most part in Russian and Amaharic - has poor reception in certain parts of the country, including Eilat, the Galilee, and certain parts of the Sharon. One source in the IBA said the decision would be a "death blow" that would "wipe out the bulk of listeners." These include foreign journalists and diplomats. The decision seems to have been a hasty one - made on Tuesday, communicated to IBA English news employees on Friday, and will be implemented on 1 August (earlier reports said 1 September). The change also goes against a letter from Communications Minister Ehud Olmert dated September 2003 in which he gave the English news staff a written promise that the broadcasts would not be changed. Neither the Minister nor the IBA have so far responded to enquiries on the matter. (Source: Haaretz) # posted by Andy @ 08:17 UT July 26 (Media Network blog via DXLD) The IBA has often juggled around the English radio and TV programmes. It creates a state of confusion amongst its listeners, to such a stage when they don't know when to turn on, therefore deciding not to turn on at all. Soon there will be an alternative for these people - the English service of All For Peace. We will not have news, but we will have quality programmes in English, that last more than 5-15 minutes that the IBA can spare today. Hopefully very soon, AFP will get a license to broadcast on FM, and the English speaking community can have their own programmes once again. I have begun to tape the first few programmes, and I believe sometime in the middle of August the first programmes will be aired. (Mike Brand, http://www.allforpeace.org 07.26.04 - 4:30 pm, ibid.) So why won`t AFP do news???? (gh, DXLD) Here's another "Ha`aretz" article: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/456214.html IBA TO CHANGE TIME, PLACE OF ENGLISH RADIO NEWS By Daphna Berman The Israeli Broadcasting Authority's English News will no longer be available on Reshet Aleph radio station as of Sunday, Ha'aretz has learned, and will also have its 15-minute time slot moved a half hour earlier to 6:30 a.m. on its new station, Reshet Reka. The 1:10 p.m. time slot will also be moved up to 12:30, and the 8 p.m. show will also be pushed back to 8:30. [LT = UT +3] Critics are deriding the decision because Reshet Reka - a station for immigrants that broadcasts for the most part in Russian and Amaharic - has poor reception in certain parts of the country, including Eilat, the Galilee, and certain parts of the Sharon. One source in the IBA said the decision would be a "death blow" that would "wipe out the bulk of listeners. A lot of people, including foreign journalists and diplomats have made sure to wake up and listen to the program." The decision was made Tuesday, and was told to IBA English news employees on Friday. In a letter dated September 2003, Communications Minister Ehud Olmert gave staff at the English-news radio a written promise that the broadcast would not be changed, but neither he, nor the IBA, responded to Ha'aretz inquiries on the matter (via Doni Rosenzweig, DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. NK is seen as a secretive and sinister presence in Asia. The North Koreans, like any other nation, have diplomatic representation in other countries. Their embassy in Havana seems to have occasional skeds with a station thought to be connected with the Argentine Communist Party. The latest frequencies have swung between 6700 and 7000 kHz CW mode. Sometimes the messages have been headed ZM79 and MF29/65. Other possible frequencies are in the 10 MHz range, notably 10776.5, 10784, 10880, 10888 and 10889.5 kHz. SSB has been heard on 10888 with RTTY and CW being monitored on all frequencies but it seems that almost any mode can appear on any of them. Transmission times, I`m afraid, are as indeterminate as the frequencies, but signals between 6700 and 7000 have been heard from 0400 and 0500 and the 10 MHz frequencies between 0200 and 0300 (Ben Hogan, SSB Utilities, August Short Wave Magazine (UK), via DXLD) ** KUWAIT. New station on line. Today would be the second day on the air. 11995, Kuwait Ministry of Information in Dari language with fairly nice signal at sign on 2330. VOA on in English prior to sign on. I know nothing of the language but heard Iraq mentioned a number of times during the broadcast. News items and then to music around 2350. S7-S9 with some fades (Bob Montgomery, PA, NASWA Flashsheet July 25 via DXLD) But when was ``today``? (gh, DXLD) The SW transmissions from the IBB Kuwait Transmitting Station commenced on 19 July. The current schedule is as follows: 1330-1430 17605 R. Free Afghanistan Dari 1430-1530 13690 VOA Dari 1530-1630 13690 VOA Pashto 1630-1730 11760 VOA Dari 1730-1800 11730 VOA Pashto 1800-1830 11730 VOA Dari 1830-1930 11750 VOA Pashto 1930-2230 11835 VOA English 2230-0030 11935 VOA English 0030-0230 11995 VOA Pashto 0230-0330 11945 R. Free Afghanistan Pashto All transmissions are directed at Afghanistan. (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, July 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LATVIA. EMR/9290 KHZ NEW EMAIL ADDRESS --- Dear listener, Due to the very high amount of spam emails (100 per day) we are forced to change our station Email address to the following emrsw @ blueyonder.co.uk Sorry for any inconvenience. The next EMR transmission will be in mid September 2004 on 9290 kHz. 73s (TOM TAYLOR & STAFF, July 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADLAND. Madlandian Broadcasting and Communications Corporation http://mbcc.blogspot.com/ (Andy Sennitt, dxldyg via DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. (WESTERN) RTVM Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, 1475, Jul 9 1106 - Noted here with threshold audio. This Muslim propaganda station still broadcasting straight north to the Philippines in Tagalog on the non-standard 1475 (John Bryant, Grayland WA DX-pedition, IRCA Soft DX Monitor July 31 via DXLD) See MARSHALLS for equipment. That`s EASTERN Malaysia; is propaganda all they do? (gh, DXLD) ** MARSHALL ISLANDS. 1098, V7AD, Majuro, Jul 9 1122 - Heard at good level with island music and presumed Marshalese lang by male host. Best number was a gonzo Melanesian version of 'Blue Bayoo' on traditional instruments. Whadda hoot! My loggings from a brief DXpedition to Grayland, Washington on July 9- 11. The receiver used was a Ten Tec 340, with 700 to 900 foot Beverages pointed Southwest (New Zealand, Australia), West (Central Pacific, Australia) and Northwest (Japan, Coastal Asia and Southeast Asia). MW conditions on the 9th were among the worst encountered in my 18 years of DXing from the Pacific Northwest, with only the staunchest of old friends making a showing, largely at max dawn. The 10th and 11th saw conditions improving somewhat. The usual mid-summer pattern of most reception being from DownUnder continued (John Bryant, Grayland WA DX-pedition, IRCA Soft DX Monitor July 31 via DXLD) ** MEXICO. 6010, R. Mil, 0837-0902, July 26, Spanish/English, Nice mix of Spanish ballads and pop music (all with a late 50s/early 60s sound), quick "Radio Mil" ID at 0845 followed by the song "The Bird" (is the word) in English. Full ID at 0901, OM with "Buenos Días" and back to music. Nice, clear signal (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, MLB-1, RS longwire with RBA balun, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Temp hifer from Okie --- I`ve a slow 1 minute cycle GPS referenced sawtooth waveform running on 13.554920/930 into a dipole slung into a tree "beaming" North South. Click on the link ref new hifer on the webpage to see what it looks like together with LP higher up. http://myweb.cableone.net/flow Cheers (Laurence, Bartlesville, NE Oklahoma, Posted on July 26, 2004 at 12:32:11, Long Wave Message Board via DXLD) I was wondering who that was -- I had very nice copy on that this morning here in Maryland. Can send you a capture if you'd like. de (Lloyd W3NF FM19MH Chastant, ibid.) ** PAKISTAN. NEW MEDIUMWAVE TRANSMITTERS PLANNED FOR PAKISTAN Noted on the Web site of the Pakistan Ministry of Informaton, Planning Division, are details of ongoing projects at the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation. According to this, 100 kW mediumwave transmitters are to be installed at Lahore, Mirpur, Peshawar, Quetta and Turbat. Another project mentioned is the shifting of a 100 kW shortwave transmitter from Mirpur to Rawat. # posted by Andy @ 13:29 UT July 27 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** PERU. 6723.98, Radio Cielo, Chiclayo, 128 kb, 1200 UT 24/7 2004. The Peruvian pirate Radio Cielo, Chiclayo has been active the last days but very irregular with no schedule. Comments and recordings at: http://www.malm-ecuador.com 73s (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, July 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** QATAR [and non]. QATARI AL-JAZEERA CHIEF WELCOMES BBC COMPETITION, CALLS US-BACKED TV "FAILURE" The editor-in-chief of Al-Jazeera television station, Ahmad Shaykh, has said they were very pleased to learn about the BBC plan to launch an Arabic channel and "looking forward to" the new competition. He said "no-one in the Arab world" trusts the US-backed Al-Hurra TV. He said in his view the US Administration had invested money in an "absolutely useless project" because Al-Hurra had "failed completely". He said it was "very likely" that Al-Jazeera was being monitored by the Pentagon and London. He said Al-Jazeera would broadcast "every single scene" of Saddam Husayn's trial, if it obtained permission, but he did not think that this would be possible because Saddam made a good impression in court earlier and he did not think that he would get another opportunity to present himself on television. The following is the text of interview with Ahmad Shaykh, editor-in-chief of Al-Jazeera television station, by Marina Kuechen, entitled "We are looking forward to real competition", published by German newspaper Die Welt on 23 July; subheadings inserted editorially: Al-Jazeera's stand [Kuechen] What does Al-Jazeera stand for in the Arab world? [Shaykh] We are currently the only really independent television broadcaster here. We have broken many taboos. People watch our programme to know what is happening in the world. We speak about religion and the fact that it is interpreted in a very old-fashioned, medieval way. We speak about family problems - we have a sort of conservative tribal society in the Middle East. We shed light on the fact that women are humiliated in the Arab world. This was a taboo in the past. We complain about the lack of democratic structures. We criticize our leaders for clinging to power over many decades. In our programmes, we kick off discussion on all these subjects. [Kuechen] What is the intention behind this? [Shaykh] In our guidelines, it is laid down that we want to inform and educate people - and, of course, entertain them. Behind this, there is our real intention of bringing reforms to this part of the world, thus making it more liberal and more modern. Ties with Qatari government [Kuechen] What does the government of Qatar think about this approach? [Shaykh] Al-Jazeera is mainly financed by the government of Qatar - in addition, there is income from the advertisement business. But we are independent of the government and do not receive any directives from it. [Kuechen] However, one should not annoy one's financial backers... [ellipses as received throughout] [Shaykh] This goes without saying. However, when there is legitimate criticism, we ask the government for a statement. There are many issues to complain about. We critically reported at great length about the continuing US military presence in this country - it is against the national interest of the Arab nation. The first air raids in the Iraq war were flown from Qatar. But the government does not act. Controversial videos [Kuechen] In Europe, people know Al-Jazeera mainly because of the spectacular videotapes that the station is broadcasting... [Shaykh] It is a shame that most people in the West only know us because of these videos. I would prefer if they appreciated our competence. [Kuechen] You recently decided not to broadcast the brutal scenes any more. Why? [Shaykh] We have been receiving those videos for a long time - from the Bin Ladin tapes, to the Al-Zawahiri videos, and the pictures from Iraq recently. I am in a dilemma in this respect. I cannot simply withhold these videos because they contribute to our popularity. At the same time, if we broadcast these recordings unedited, they can also have a negative effect. This is why I decided not to broadcast the video about the assassination of the Italian hostage. First, I wanted to show a few clips from the preparatory stage. However, they were so descriptive and cruel that we decided just to report what had happened. [Kuechen] And what is your personal opinion about it? [Shaykh] From the bottom of my heart, I would like to avoid seeing these videos. On the other hand, just think of the case of the Philippine hostage: I cannot change the fact that he was kidnapped. If I do not show these videos, this poor man, a father of eight, could be murdered. And if I show them, I am accused of helping the terrorists. However, we always inform the governments concerned before we go on air. [Kuechen] How does Al-Jazeera receive these videos? [Shaykh] They are dropped in front of our Baghdad office. We never know who it is. I wish we would not receive any more videos. I want the people to know us for our professional and accurate work, and because we are an internationally important broadcasting station. This is also the reason why I am planning to start an English-language channel. Reporting on "terrorists" [Kuechen] What is your opinion about the terrorists? [Shaykh] We have to accept that they are part of the equation. [Kuechen] What equation? [Shaykh] US President Bush has divided the world into two axes: The axis of evil and the axis of good. Bin Ladin belongs to the axis of evil. Thus, we have two parties, and we have to show the views of both sides. Therefore, I do not have the right to deny the axis of evil on- air time. It takes two to tango, no matter whether they are good or bad. [Kuechen] Don't you regard it as problematic to broadcast these programmes to so many people? [Shaykh] Bin Ladin exists, and he gave orders for all these terrible things, those to be executed - the attacks of Madrid, New York and Washington. Hence, he is important. We cannot withhold from our audience what he has to say. Planned English-language channel [Kuechen] What is the goal behind the planned English-language channel? [Shaykh] With the English programme we are trying to reach a different target group. We will report from all over the world, as well as about the Arab world. Our philosophy is different from that of the West. We will report and leave it to the viewers to interpret what they have seen. But we will certainly formulate the news in a manner that meets the expectations of our viewers. "Monitored by Pentagon, London" [Kuechen] Al-Jazeera has taken on the role of a messenger of extremist news. Are your employees monitored by Western intelligence services? [Shaykh] I think so. It is very likely that we are monitored by the Pentagon and by London. They might even intercept our phone calls. "Anarchy" in Iraq [Kuechen] Al-Jazeera is closely watching what is happening in Iraq. [Shaykh] The people should know how explosive the situation is in Iraq. Lawlessness and anarchy are predominating there, and someone is to blame for it - and this is not Al-Jazeera. We only show the consequences. This is our responsibility. If someone is to blame, then it is the occupation forces which are unable to maintain law and order. What is happening in Iraq is of highest priority. We are all part of the Arab nation, and Al-Jazeera is an Arab broadcasting station. Saddam trial [Kuechen] Would you broadcast the trial against Saddam Husayn? [Shaykh] Every single scene, if we obtained permission. But I do not think that this will be possible. When the presentation of the bill of indictment was shown on television, Saddam Husayn made a good impression. I do not think that they will give him another opportunity to present himself on television. [Kuechen] Who will decide that? [Shaykh] Well, we all know that it is the United States that has the last word in all decisions on Iraq. We hope that the interim government will take over the reins some day and act independently. However, given the current circumstances in Iraq, no-one believes that it is able at all to decide anything on its own. US-backed Al-Hurra TV "failed completely" [Kuechen] Will the Al-Hurra station, which was founded by the United States, ever play an important role in the Arab world? [Shaykh] No-one in the Arab world trusts Al-Hurra, and the people who operate the station do not know how to do it properly. In my opinion, the US Administration has invested money in an absolutely useless project. Al-Hurra has failed completely. "Looking forward to" competition by BBC [Kuechen] Is there any real competition for Al-Jazeera? [Shaykh] We were very pleased to learn recently that the BBC is planning to launch an Arabic channel. This would be real competition. They know their business. They work professionally; they have enough experience in this part of the world, and, in addition, they know the mentality of the people here. We are looking forward to it. Source: Die Welt, Berlin, in German 23 Jul 04 p 31 (via BBCM via DXLD) see also CANADA ** ROMANIA. I have been receiving fair to good reception of Radio Romania International most mornings here in eastern Australia at 2130 UTC in English on the 25 meter band frequency of 11750, RRI does not mention this frequency in their schedule announcements and I can find no reference to this frequency for an RRI English broadcast at this time, not even on their web site. Have they chosen this frequency recently and forgot to tell anyone about it or am I hearing something strange like a harmonic with both my receivers? Anyone able to shed some light on this one or am I being the silly old fool and overlooking something obvious?? Best regards to all! (Michael Stevenson, Port Macquarie, N.S.W., Australia, Icom IC-R75 - Sangean ATS-909 Receivers, 17 meter longwire with balun - 15 meter longwire Antennas, July 26, EDXP via DXLD) RRI has been using 11750 for a while for the 2130-2200 English service to North America, replacing 17735. 16 mb was found to be too high for satisfactory night-time propagation across the Atlantic, due to reduced ALFs for that short-path circuit. The parallel channel 15285 remains unchanged. The broadcast is also in 9725 and 7285 for Western Europe, unchanged. Regards! (Bob Padula, Vic., ibid.) ** SLOVAKIA. Hi Glenn --- just to let you know, Radio Slovakia International today announced it will be on shortwave to the end of 2004 and then will try for more funding. Hope that funding is found! 73s (Bill Bergadano, KA2EMZ, July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Slovakia International safe till end of year --- Radio Slovakia International announced on this week's Listeners' Tribune programme that its broadcasts will continue until at least the end of the year. The station is still trying to secure funding for a longer period, and says that support from listeners has been a significant factor in the decision not to close down on 1 July as had been threatened. # posted by Andy @ 15:07 UT July 26 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** SOUTH AMERICA. Have been listening to 6307.26 kHz since 2339 UT. I've recognized songs by The Cure and Creedence Clearwater Revival, and there are IDs after almost every song. Tonight and tomorrow morning will be the last chance for us to hear RPI from South America. Jorge García's using a MOSFET based transmitter, with maximum output of 20 watts, AM mode. Reports can be e-mailed to: rpi @ writeme.com 73's (George Maroti, NY, July 25, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) 6307, R. Piranha Internacional (presumed), 2328-2345, July 25, Spanish?/Portuguese?, Weak pop ballads under mild static, talks at 2332 between musical bits, overtaken by USB chatter at 2345. Poor, too weak for any identifiable audio (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, MLB-1, RS longwire with RBA balun, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) A few days more --- Hi Friends! It seems that we have great results with the final transmissions! Reports are coming from several parts of the world! Some changes in our stay will permit us to extend the transmissions to Wednesday morning. Hope that is a good news ;-) The sched on 6307 kHz is as follows: Monday 26th July starting at 2200 to 1300 UT Tuesday Tuesday 27th from 2200 to 1300 UT Wednesday. This is the "ultimate" transmissions. We will not be able even if we wanted, to do anything after this. 73's from (Jorge R. García, RPI, July 26, swpirates yg via DXLD) Pirate? 6305.63, R. Piraña Internacional? Yesterday July 26th I have heard a station on 2200 with someone talking in English giving some numbers such as 8493, par tune, 24... , 06, 0012 and more. At 2201 with Latin music, a team of two YL. At 2204 with OM talking over the song 'this is ...' (poured now by QRN) and then with pop song. Signal was for that time 2-3 max, 23232, a carrier on 6310 that QRMs only if reception is in wide band. And strong QRN caused from nearby lightning crashes. I could not listen more due to very late local time (0110) since just 5 and half hours after I had to wake up for my work! A tune in on 0400 shown no signal (Zacharias Liangas from Thessaloniki, N. Greece, Pefka, a mountainous point 8 km far from the centre of the city, RX: ICOM R75 and 2x16m inverted dipole, ibid.) No, that wasn't Radio Piraña Int'l. When I tried to listen to Piraña yesterday on 6307 kHz also shortly after 2200 UTC reception was ruined by this station on 6305.6 kHz - a station from the Netherlands (can't remember the name) but the announcer had difficulties remember his own telephone number (Stig Hartvig Nielsen, Denmark, ibid.) ** SYRIA [non]. Radio Free Syria: 1800-1900 13650 JUL 100 / 120 Sun till Sep. 26 to ME Arabic 1900-2000 13650 JUL 100 / 120 Sun from Oct. 03 to ME Arabic (Observer, Bulgaria, July 27 via DXLD) ** THAILAND. THAILAND PLANS WORLDWIDE TV CHANNEL The Bangkok Post reports that the Mass Communication Organisation of Thailand (MCOT) is planning its first-ever English-language TV channel, MCOT Television. Director-General Mingkwan Sangsuwan believes the 24-hour worldwide channel can secure a place of its own against competition by NHK, CNN and the BBC by clearly positioning itself as the channel of the East. MCOT, which is in the process of being privatised, currently operates television Channel 9, and also owns the concessions for Channel 3, and UBC pay-TV, as well as 62 radio stations. # posted by Andy @ 09:49 UT July 27 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** TURKEY. Frequency change for TRT Voice of Turkey Spanish effective from July 27: 1630-1657 NF 13720, ex 13640 to avoid China Radio Int. now in French (ex English)(Observer, Bulgaria, July 27 via DXLD) ** UGANDA [non]. Radio Rhino International Africa: 1500-1530 17870 JUL 100 / 145 Mon-Fri to EAf English* * again on air effective July 12 (Observer, Bulgaria, July 27, via DXLD) ** U A E. MAJOR TURNKEY PROJECT IN ABU DHABI (Al Dabiyah II) Emirates Media Inc. (EMI), one of the foremost broadcasters in the Gulf Region, have chosen Thales and its local partner Bin Jabr TRS Est for the supply of a new medium wave radio broadcasting center in Abu Dhabi. The multi-million dollar turnkey broadcasting solution for the Al Dabiyah II station includes - 800 kW MW transmitter type S7HP. - Directional antenna system including 95 meter tower masts. - Auxiliary equipment. - New transmitter building, access and service roads, mains supply, fresh water supply, etc. The contract award for this new medium wave station follows the successful completion of the Al Dabiyah I project in June 2003, where Thales and Bin Jabr working hand in hand with the EMI client team, handed over all equipment in record time. Al Dabiyah II is scheduled for completion beginning of 2005. (THALES Radio News, issue 16, summer 2004; http://www.thales-bm.com July 26 via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) F.Pl. 1539 kHz?? Al Dabiyah I 1314 kHz 1000 kW (Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) "Al Dabiyah I in 2003" refers to the 800 kW transmitter on 1170 which is leased by IBB for Radio Farda transmissions. The 1314 transmitter (now leased 24h by the BBC) is an "old" one from the 1980s. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, July 26, MWDX yg via DXLD) ** U K. MSF 60 KHZ TIME & FREQUENCY SIGNAL TO BE SHUT DOWN NPL - National Physical Laboratory - Time & Frequency Services. Notice of Interruption to the MSF 60 kHz Time & Frequency Signal. The MSF 60 kHz Time & Frequency Signal broadcast from the BT Rugby Radio Station will be shut down over the period: from 09:00 BST, Monday 20 September 2004 until 09:00 BST, Monday 04 October 2004 The interruption to the transmission is required to allow maintenance work to be carried out in safety. The service will be restored overnight whenever possible, but this will not always be feasible as extensive work is required on the antenna masts. The scheduled outage for maintenance on Tuesday 5 October 2004 will not take place. If you require any additional information, please contact us at the following address: Time and Frequency Services Enabling Metrology Division National Physical Laboratory Queens Road Teddington Middlesex TW11 0LW Telephone: + 44 [0] 20 8943 6880 Fax: + 44 [0] 20 8943 6458 E-mail: time @ npl.co.uk Web-site: http://www.npl.co.uk/time (WDXC-UK Contact Magazine July via Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DXLD) WRTH 2004 mentions 2 kW of power, but EMRPower is according MSF website: Signal Coverage. The MSF transmitter at Rugby is at latitude 52 22' N, and longitude 1 11' W. The estimated equivalent monopole radiated power (EMRP) is 15 kW and the horizontal radiation pattern is substantially omnidirectional. The signal provides a field strength exceeding 100 µV/m throughout the UK, and it can be satisfactorily received throughout much of north and west Europe. The main cause of reception difficulties are local interference and screening due to nearby metalwork, for example in a steel-framed building (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DXLD) See also USA: WWVB! ** U S A. Hi! I didn't know if you had mentioned that NIST planned on operating WWVB at half power from July 26 to August 2 in order to make repairs. I certainly didn't know until I was surfing the site for info on WWV. The notice is here: http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/stations/wwvb.htm Thanks! (Michael L. Semon, Lakeland, FL, USA, July 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That should cause some problems for 60 kHz autoclox (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. WWVB Antenna Upgrade --- Longwave radio station WWVB is expected to operate at reduced power during the period approximately July 26 to August 2, 2004. NIST will be conducting major repairs on one of the two antenna arrays used to broadcast WWVB signals that automatically set radio-controlled timepieces to NIST time. During this repair period, we expect that WWVB will be broadcasting at about half the normal power. This reduced power may prevent some radio-controlled timepieces from synchronizing to NIST time during the repair period, particularly those timepieces located furthest from the Colorado radio station. However, the timepieces will resynchronize to NIST time when the repairs are completed and full power broadcasting is restored. The period of reduced power broadcasting may vary slightly from the planned period of July 26 to August 2 depending on uncontrollable factors such as weather which may hinder repairs. We will update this message should the planned reduced power period change (Dave's Radio Receiver Page http://www.ticon.net/~n9ewo via DXing.com via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. New IBB SW relay station is on! See KUWAIT ** U S A. VOA Bangla service meet --- Kolkata, July 24, 2004. The VOA Bangla service hosted a listeners` meet today in the American Centre. It comprised of an interactive question-answer session followed by some refreshments and ended with a special screening of Charlie Chaplin`s classic movie "Modern Times". VOA Bangla service`s managing editor Roquia Haider was present. Along with her a top AIRC (American Information Resource Centre) official was also present. A number of listeners flocked in from all corners of West Bengal to attend the meet. The new format of broadcasting was praised openly while some mistakes in the current schedule was harshly criticised (Rajdeep Das, Kolkata, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WRMI frequency change --- Glenn: The FCC has authorized us to go to 6870 kHz. Assuming the crystal gets here in time and works properly, and so on, we will plan to make the change this coming Saturday night, July 31 (actually 0230 UT Sunday). All the best (Jeff White, WRMI, July 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. I don't know if you've bothered to listen to any of Rod Hembree's "Radio Weather" programs after the religious aspects became obvious and so intrusive, but in Saturday's broadcast he repeatedly referred to DRM as "Digital Radio Mondale" instead of the correct "Mondiaal" pronunciation (to cite Frans Vossen's spelling). Quite amazing for a Canadian, no? How could someone so involved with SW these days mis-pronounce that term? That show might have about three times the worthwhile info in it, even with the religious intrusions kept in for their ulterior motive, if they dropped all the needless audio effects and repetitive babbling and just spoke normally. But why on earth would *anyone* pay $5 for a "One Sheet Wonder" propaganda handout of Biblical "science"? Put the text of that "one sheet" on a website and tell people to look at it there! 73, (Will Martin, MO, July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) He made the same ``Mondale`` mistake on the very first RW I monitored (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. HATE GROUPS IN U S GROWING --- As SWLs, we know this to be true. All we have to do is tune in to some of our ostensibly "religious" US-based private SW broadcasters for evidence. Since this phenomenon seems to fly under (as does so much of true import and significance) the radar of our (US) media, this program might be considered "must" listening for us. BACKGROUND BRIEFING - Homegrown Terrorists --- First Airing on Radio Australia: Thu. 0010 17715 (in ENA), further times next weekend. Hate groups in America are growing, and the potential for domestic terrorism is high. Yet there is little coverage of this in the US media. Who's heard of the William Krar case? He could have razed a shopping mall, as Helen Thomas reports. On demand from http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/bbing/ (John Figliozzi, NY, July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. Edition No. 500 of Wavescan is now available on the Wavescan web site, http://english.awr.org/wavescan/ The script is posted at http://english.awr.org/wavescan/scripts/ws500.htm (the interview with Dr. Peterson was not transcribed). (John Norfolk, dxldyahoogroup via DXLD) ** U S A. A BUR UNDER THE SADDLE: MICHAEL MOORE IN TEXAS By Mike Allen Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, July 26, 2004; Page A07 CRAWFORD, Tex., July 25 -- President Bush's weeklong trip to his ranch will be rudely interrupted Wednesday when filmmaker Michael Moore drops in to show his antiwar satire "Fahrenheit 9/11" in enemy territory, eight dusty miles from -- in Moore's view -- the scene of the crime. Bush held several councils of war at his Prairie Chapel Ranch before invading Iraq, and the Go-Go's song "Vacation" accompanies Moore's barbed cinematic commentary on the amount of time the president spends chopping cedar, golfing and talking to cows. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A14322-2004Jul25?language=printer (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. 'Gonzo Demagoguery' Writ Large IN THE FRAY --- By SCOTT SIMON July 27, 2004; Page D10 Michael Moore has won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and may win an Oscar for the kind of work that got Stephen Glass, Jayson Blair, and Jack Kelley fired. Trying to track the unproven innuendoes and conspiracies in a Michael Moore film or book is as futile as trying to count the flatulence jokes in one by Adam Sandler. . . http://online.wsj.com/article_email/0,,SB109088016885774289-IhjgoNilaR3oZ2ta36IcKyIm4,00.html (Wall Street Journal via Current via DXLD) ** U S A. HARRY SHEARER TO PROVIDE COMMENTARY ON DNC FOR INFINITY Actor, director and writer Harry Shearer will provide live daily commentary of the Democratic National Convention for select Infinity Broadcasting stations, including WBCN(FM) and WZLX(FM) in Boston, WXRT(FM) in Chicago and WARW(FM) in Washington, beginning on Monday, July 26. Recapping the day's events from the Fleet Center, Shearer's "unconventional" convention reports will feature a comedic commentary on the Democratic Presidential nomination. "There's no bad TV show worse than a political convention," states Shearer. "That's while I'll be covering the Democrats on radio." Shearer previously reported on the 1996 Presidential Conventions and Election, as well as the O.J. Simpson civil trial for Slate.com. The DNC, held from July 26-29 in Boston, will bring together 4,353 delegates and 611 alternates representing each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands and Democrats Abroad (Radio World News Byte July 23 via DXLD) Also check LE SHOW from next Sunday via KCRW ** U S A. Jay Marvin returns to WLS 890 Chicago to cover the Democratic National Convention, 9-11 am Central, streamed (ad in RadioDailyNews.com via DXLD) See also CUBA [non] ** U S A. WBAY Channel 2 Green Bay, WI --- Glenn, Kids have kept me busy and away from radio listening. However, did receive WBAY Channel 2 in Green Bay, Wisconsin at my QTH in Annandale, VA on July 26, 2004 between 5:30-6 PM EDT. WBAY's signal faded in and out and mixed with WMAR Channel 2 in Baltimore, MD. However, I saw the Action 2 News logo and "Coverage You Can Count On" clearly. I saw a phone number with the area code 920 (Green Bay). Saw an ad for "Tumbleweed" (is this a place to eat?), noted parts of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" show. Then at 5:59 PM The News began with an item about a "Dangerous Swim". Also something about "Mantawood County". Reception: Overall signal was poor as WMAR channel 2 in Baltimore, MD is the usual station, here, on channel 2. Receiving Equipment: Regular TV with outside antenna. 73, -.. . (Kraig Krist, KG4LAC, -- Amateur radio, KDX4KWK -- All-Band Radio Monitor, July 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Cable censorship --- Hi, Glenn! I'm spending time next door again, cat-sitting for the neighbors while they are on a cruise, and thus seeing cable TV which I don't see at home. I guess I always had an unrealistic expectation of non-premium cable not being as censored as broadcast TV and I suppose that it is only somewhat so. I was watching Comedy Central last night, seeing a movie called "Not Another Teen Movie", which is one of those parody movies. I was dismayed at the extreme level of censorship that was imposed on it. It had a lot of curse words and sexual terminology in the dialogue, all of which was silenced by obtrusive audio editing. It was so extreme that many of the joke punchlines or supposedly funny lines were completely gone, spoiling them utterly. There was also far too much digitalization or pixellation of sexual imagery. One of the running gags of the movie was that the "sex- object" girl foreign student was always nude, no matter what her surroundings. Walking down the high-school hall, in class, at a party, etc. Her chest was always blurred. Some other nudity of other actresses was also so disguised. There were some nice shots of Jaime Pressley in brief underwear; should have had two hours of that over and over... :-) But then, a short while later, "South Park" came on. I always try to watch that when I have a chance, simply because it is so different from anything I normally have access to see. That exact same language that was excised from the movie was played on that cartoon without censorship. What's going on? What are the standards and what determines the different applications of the restrictions? And a bit later, the cartoon "Striparella" was on, and I noticed a blurring digitalization of the breasts of an animated drawing of one of the characters! Now *that* is silly! 73, (Will Martin, MO, July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. SOUNDING BOARD: EVEN VULGAR PROGRAMS OUGHT TO HAVE SPARK OF WIT -- By JAMES HOWARD GIBBONS Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle July 26, 2004, 1:28AM The adjective most commonly associated with schlock jock Howard Stern's radio program is "vulgar." After listening to one morning's worth, I firmly believe the word most descriptive of the show is "boring." Older, hard-of-hearing listeners will find it hard to understand what's being said on the show. Stern and his sidekicks in the studio frequently all talk at once. The effect is like being in a bar or restaurant and having to endure the harsh gaiety from that inevitable table of overserved loudmouths. Much laughter can be heard on the show, but one listens in vain for the joke or wit that might have inspired it. The show's technique seems borrowed from television sit-coms in which the canned laugh track sounds after every utterance, whether funny or not. . . http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/editorial/outlook/2700923 (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. WABC (770) morning co-host Curtis Sliwa is now in hiding, after mobster John Gotti was indicted for attempting to murder the Guardian Angels founder back in 1992. It's not clear whether or when Sliwa will be rejoining Ron Kuby on WABC; he left the show midway through Friday's edition, with PD Phil Boyce filling in for the remainder of the broadcast (Scott Fybush, NE Radio Watch July 26 via DXLD) ** U S A. Here is something from the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES you may find of interest. From The Bob Feder Column: Monday marks the launch of the new online audio streaming service of WFMT-FM (98.7). The move to a paid-subscription system was prompted by the classical music station's disappearance earlier this month from various cable television carriers. For details on the service and subscription information, see: http://www.wfmtstreaming.com (via George Thurman, Houston TX, DXLD) ** U S A. KNRC 1150 (Englewood-Denver, CO) Off the Air DENVER (AP) -- KNRC-AM ceased operating on Tuesday, citing problems in attracting enough listeners in Denver's crowded market. "Metropolitan Denver is one of the nation's most competitive and saturated radio markets for news, talk and sports programming," said Tim Brown, CEO of NRC Broadcasting, which owned the station. NRC's 11 other radio stations in Colorado are healthy and growing, Brown said. The other stations are in Denver, Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Vail, Eagle, Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Steamboat Springs and Craig (via Duncan Shaw, July 27, IRCA mailing list via DXLD) Sure enough: Talker KNRC, Denver (1150) is history. This morning's Inside Radio tip proves correct: Tim Brown tells a morning staff meeting the station had too much competition and too few listeners for its two-year-old news/talk format. So NRC Broadcasting will focus on its growing properties elsewhere in Denver and throughout Colorado, like "Jack" KJAC and Americana KCUV. No word about the future of the 1150 that`s been news/talk KNRC. More in today's Inside Radio (Inside Radio July 27 via DXLD) DENVER TALK RADIO STATION GOES OFF THE AIR written by: Kirk Montgomery (9NEWS Entertainment Reporter) Created: 7/27/2004 4:04 PM MDT - Updated: 7/27/2004 4:20 PM MDT http://9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=02a2451b-0abe-421a-0038-4507ce28ddf9&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf DENVER - Denver radio station KNRC 1150 AM News Radio has gone off the air. On Tuesday, the company that owns the station, NRC Broadcasting, Inc. issued a statement explaining their decision to pull the plug. "Unfortunately we found that the station was unable to attract enough of a listener base over the past two years to continue operating," it said. "Not only did we find talk radio a difficult culture to crack - with its predictable hosts and well established loyalties - but Metropolitan Denver is one of the nation's most competitive and saturated radio markets for news, talk and sports programming." Tim Brown, a spokesman for the company says a total of 22 employees have been let go. He added that for the on-air personalities, the non- compete clause would be null and void, meaning that they are free to seek employment on-air elsewhere. KNRC 1150 AM News Radio first hit the airwaves on June 24, 2002. (via RadioDailyNews.com via DXLD) ** U S A. AIR AMERICA: 'TIME TO SANITIZE SAN DIEGO; IT'LL BE A RUSH' AIR AMERICA RADIO READY FOR AMERICA'S FINEST CITY Coming soon to 1360 AM, Air America Radio programming. The new national-talk show network has started on its biggest move as Clear Channel Communications is bringing more of its smaller stations on line with AAR programming. First tried in the Pacific Northwest, Portland's numbers for AAR went beyond expectation of Clear Channel. A couple of weeks ago, the experiment went to Florida -- and again, the audience was listening to a new voice left of central. If all goes as projected, AAR will move to 1360 AM sometime early next month. The present popular format of Adult Standards is expected to sign-off. KPOP radio has a larger, loyal listening audience, so Stay Tuned. Meanwhile, the talk-network featuring Al Franken, Randi Rhodes, and others, is slowly making its mark across the country. San Diego is crucial to the success of AAR, a staff member of the company said, and we will be the alternative voice. In a jab that recognizes Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh, SDR was told, "We will sanitize the airwaves, and we welcome the rush of listeners. .... Stay Tuned (SDRadio.net July 26 via DXLD) ** UZBEKISTAN. OVERVIEW OF THE MEDIA IN UZBEKISTAN - UPDATED 27 JULY 04 | The following is an update of BBC Monitoring's "Overview of the media in Uzbekistan" published in January 2004. The media scene since January 2004 has not changed radically. The highlights are: the closure by the Uzbek authorities of the offices of the Soros Foundation and IWPR, sharp attacks on US-funded Radio Liberty, the transfer of jailed dissident journalist Ruslan Sharipov from Tashkent to Buxoro, and the appearance in Uzbekistan of one edition of Central Asia's first outspoken nongovernment newspaper, Sosedi. The political context: President Karimov appears to be firmly in control following the terrorist attacks at the end of March and beginning of April 2004; the ban on the main oppposition party, Birlik, continues; and relations with Russia appear to have improved significantly following Putin's visit in June. In mid-July the USA froze all aid to Uzbekistan. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 26 December 2004. [large portion mostly about the press snipped here] Web site on media freedom launched in Uzbekistan A significant addition to the non-government Uzbek media came with the launching of the Arena web site at http://www.freeuz.org on 20 March 2004. The web site focuses on media and human rights issues. "The web site's domain and hosting have been allocated by the Central Asian and Southern Caucasian Freedom of Expression Network --- CASCFEN, http://www.cascfen.org --- which is based in Azerbaijan." (Tribune-uz web site 20 Mar 04). The site was not accessible in Tashkent in July 2004. Uzbek state radio and TV launches web site Uzbek state radio and TV launched a web site http://www.teleradio.uz in April 2004. On 14 July the web site contained a number fairly up- to-date reports in Uzbek, Russian and English. Accessibility of nongovernment web sites Not accessible in Tashkent on 17 July 2004 http://www.muslimuzbekistan.com/ - describes itself as "a political, analytical Islamic site" http://www.ozodovoz.org/ - strongly anti-government human rights organization http://www.harakat.net - set up by banned opposition party, Birlik http://www.zamon.info semi-independent; in Russian only; said to have had role in launch of independent Central Asian newspaper Sosedi (was accessible on 1 March 2004) http://www.erkinyurt.org/ - opposition, based in the Netherlands http://www.uzbekistanerk.org - banned opposition Erk party web site http://www.uzreport.com - in Uzbek, Russian and English (was accessible on 1 March 2004) http://www.stopdictatorkarimov.com - mainly in Russian, with some Uzbek and English contributions http://www.freeuz.org - Arena web site focusing on human rights and media issues Accessible in Tashkent on 17 July 2004 http://www.centrasia.ru/ - Moscow-based, independent, with network of correspondents throughout Central Asia (was not accessible on 1 March 2004) http://www.ferghana.ru - opposition-orientated; based in Moscow; cooperates with the Soros-funded Open Society http://www.uzland.uz - in Russian; set up and maintained by Odil Ruzaliev; covers political, social and other events in Uzbekistan http://www.tribune-uz.info - set up by the Soros-funded Open Society in December 2003 http://www.stability.uz - articles in Russian and Uzbek Radio frequencies Uzbek deputy premier chairs meeting on radio frequencies Uzbek Deputy Premier Abdulla Oripov chaired a meeting of the State Commission of Uzbekistan on Radio Frequencies in early July 2004, Uzbek newspaper Narodnoye Slovo reported on 7 July. The meeting discussed procedures for the competitive distribution of frequencies in TV and radio broadcasting, and procedures for carrying out monitoring of the radio frequency spectrum. (Narodnoye Slovo 7 Jul 04 p1). The FM dial in Tashkent - 17 July 2004 The main changes since January 2004 are listed below: 83.75 FM - sound carrier of Uzbek TV Sports Channel 90.0 FM - Setar FM was not heard on 8-17 July 2004. Contacted on 17 July, Setar FM said they have ceased operations temporarily in order to relaunch as Moscow-based radio station Europa-Plus, possibly in August 2004; most of the programming content will come from Moscow. 99.7 FM - Sound carrier of Uzbek TV First Channel only 103.1 FM - Uzbek Radio First Programme (Radio Uzbekistan) moved to this new frequency on 25 March according to an Uzbek radio report on 20 March; also broadcasts on other frequencies 103.5 FM - Radio Poytaxt in Uzbek: New sister station of Radio Poytaxt-Inform which broadcasts in Russian; mainly music, some commercials. This frequency was previously used by Uzbek Radio First Programme. Radio Poytaxt also broadcasts on 104.5 FM in Samarqand. Web site: http://www.naesmi.uz/poytaht 107.8 FM - Radio Mashal (Uzbek state radio second channel) now broadcasting on this frequency. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 27 Jul 04 (via DXLD) What about the AM band? Also, these exhaustive country media reports from BBCM omit external services, such as R. Tashkent (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Strange things have been happening on HF over the last few weeks. Two frequencies fired up in mid-May, audible throughout much of the world on 10512 and 11363 kHz and transmitting the weirdest noises that have been likened to the sounds that whales make. Although very different from whales, that is probably the easiest short term to describe the noise. It made no difference whether you listened on upper or lower sideband, the sound was the same although it didn`t appear that the transmissions were simulcasts of the same source. The Enigma 2000 staff have, in the past, given a similar-sounding set of stations the designation `XM`. As to their purpose, if any, little is known. Likewise, there is barely any information as to the source of the transmissions although the strength in Europe may inbdicate that they emanate from the Mediterranean area. A NATO signals base at Palermo, Sicily has been suggested, although other monitors believe that the source may be two naval bases in Florida, USA. Often these transmissions are heard on two or more frequencies with different signals. Frequencies in the past have included 4376, 4410, 4420, 4706, 4740, 4552 [sic: out of order if not a typo], 5178, 5180, 5435, 6584, 6695, 6752, 7631, and 8984 kHz. It`s by no means certain that the strange signals are indeed any form of communication at all. I could be that they are a form of jamming, or a means of `hogging` a frequency to dissuade other users from `parking` on it. Or it just may be faulty equipment or sloppy transmitter installation causing feedback to be transmitted. Similar sounds were evident on 8776 and 13155 USB in the late 1990s and at that time it was thought that they were caused by some feedback circuit noise inadvertently being transmitted from US Navy remote transmitters. At the time of writing they have disappeared but I have no doubt that they`ll be back! (Ben Hogan, SSB Utilities, August Short Wave Magazine (UK), via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ TIME TO BID GOODBYE TO FAT CABLE MARGINS Technical problems slowed the implementation of BPL. Power lines, unlike cable, are not shielded from radio frequency emissions, so it has taken the Federal Communications Commission and other agencies a long time to agree on which parts of the radio spectrum need to be blocked off from use by the utilities. Now only the Coast Guard and the amateur radio enthusiasts need to be satisfied, and the FCC seems to believe all this can be wrapped up by October or November. [More:] http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1087373973101 (From the Financial Times via Ken Kopp, dxldyg via DXLD) Cronyism will ensure this matter will be wrapped up by October or November, regardless of whether the issues of interference have been resolved, to ensure the Bush campaign's cash cow (energy industry) will able to carry on with this bad technology, regardless of the outcome of the election (Kenneth A. Kopp, L.G., Amateur Radio - KKØHF http://www.qsl.net/kk0hf/ DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ NW7US Propagation Bulletin - 25-VII-2004 / 1500Z We are in the middle of a very strong geomagnetic storm. The estimated planetary K index (Kp) reached a level of 8, with the Boulder, Colorado K reading a level 7. We have been seeing the geomagnetic activity increase on a steady climb since yesterday. As I had predicted in my last NW7US Propagation Bulletin, we have been experiencing a geomagnetic storm since Thursday. Right after my last bulletin went out, the Kp rose to the level of 6. For most of Friday, the Kp stayed at or above 5, until the end of the UTC day. As Saturday progressed, the geomagnetic field again became highly active and reached storm levels. It has continued to get more intense and we've now reached very high storm levels. All of this activity is caused by several concurrent influences. During the last week, we have had moderate to high solar activity, with a steady occurrence of moderate flares (M-class). Some of these have had coronal mass ejections associated with them. In addition, there are two coronal holes that have enhanced the solar space wind. The steady elevated wind speed and pressure, combined with the Interplanetary Magnetic Field's southward orientation in relationship with the Earth's Magnetosphere, has caused great disturbances in our geomagnetic fields. At the time of writing this bulletin, the Solar Wind Speed is 528 kilometers per second. That's not as high as during other major geomagnetic storms, where we've seen it as high as 800 km/s. However, the IMF has been consistantly southward in its orientation for several days. (This is shown in the Bz index, where a negative number indicates the southerly orientation. The higher the negative index, the more southward the IMF's orientation). This allows a strengthening of the interaction between the two magnetic fields. And, with that, a "window" opens in our Earth's natural sheilds through which solar plasma can "rain" down into the Auroral ovals at our poles. This causes an increase in the Auroral activity. We are seeing an Auroral Activity index maxed out right now at a level of 10. The results of all of this continual geomagnetic storminess is the degradation of world-wide ionospheric conditions. Geomagnetic activity causes the ionosphere to "recombine," much like what happens during the hours of darkenss. Geomagnetic activity can cause the ionosphere to become "depressed" by ten to thirty percent from normal levels. This lowers the maximum usable frequency over any given path. We also see the increase in Aurora propagation (AU). I have seen reports already of AU openings. If you are not on the air, don't waste any time! Check out VHF weak-signal propagation via aurora. Check out shortwave -- during aurora some interesting HF propagation can be experienced. I expect to see the geomagnetic storms to continue for a number of days. There are two coronal holes still influencing the solar wind, and we are seeing a steady series of M-class flares, some of which may cause a glancing blow of coronal mass ejections. However, I do expect the level of the storms to slowly decrease. With that, we'll see the solar activity decrease a little until the next sunspot group rotates into view. Until next time, happy DXing! -- 73 de Tomas, NW7US (AARØJA/AAAØWA) : Propagation Editor for CQ, CQ VHF, and Popular Communications : : Quarterly Propagation Columnist for Monitoring Times Magazine : : Creator of live propagation center - http://prop.hfradio.org/ : : Member, US Army Miltary Affiliate Radio Service (MARS) AARØJA : : 122.93W 47.67N / Brinnon, Washington USA - CN87 - CW/SSB/DIGI : : Website, software, database design - http://newwebmakers.com/ : : Washington State Army MARS, State Army MARS Director - AAAØWA : : 1Øx56526, FISTS 7Ø55, FISTS NW 57, AR Lighthouse Society 144 : (via swl at qth.net via DXLD) a later bulletin below Check out the article here on the sunspot: http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/hugesunspots_040723.html (Ron Trotto, IL, July 26, dxldyg via DXLD) Official Space Weather Advisory issued by NOAA Space Environment Center -- Boulder, Colorado, USA SPACE WEATHER ADVISORY BULLETIN #04-1 2004 July 26 at 01:17 p.m. MDT (2004 July 26 1917 UTC) **** STRONG GEOMAGNETIC STORM EXPECTED **** A large and moderately complex sunspot cluster known as NOAA Region 652 was responsible for a significant eruption on 25 July, 2004 at 915 a.m. MDT. A radiation storm, currently at the S2 level, began soon after the eruption was observed on the Sun. An Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME) was also observed and is expected to impact the geomagnetic field early on 27 July. This CME will likely produce periods of strong (G3) geomagnetic storming. Agencies impacted by geomagnetic storms and radiation storms may experience disruptions in the next 48 hours. These include spacecraft operations, electric power systems, HF communications, and navigation systems. Data used to provide space weather services are contributed by NOAA, USAF, NASA, NSF, USGS, the International Space Environment Services and other observatories, universities, and institutions. For more information, including email services, see SEC's Space Weather Advisories Web site http://sec.noaa.gov/advisories or (303) 497-5127. Official Space Weather Advisory issued by NOAA Space Environment Center Boulder, Colorado, USA SPACE WEATHER ADVISORY OUTLOOK #04- 30 **** SPACE WEATHER OUTLOOK **** Summary For July 19-25 Space weather reached severe levels this period. Category R1 (minor) radio blackouts were observed on 22 through 25 July and R2 (moderate) radio blackouts were observed on 20 and 25 July due to solar flare activity from active sunspot Region 652. Category G1 (minor) (22 – 24 July), G2 (moderate) (23 and 25 July), G3 (strong) (25 July), and G4 (severe) (25 July) geomagnetic storming occurred due to clouds of magnetic material from numerous solar flares on the Sun that impacted Earth. A category S1 (minor) solar radiation storm was observed on 25 July due to solar flare activity from active sunspot Region 652. Outlook For July 28-August 3 Space weather for the next week is expected to reach moderate levels. A complex sunspot cluster is currently visible on the Sun and has the potential to produce R1 (minor) and R2 (moderate) radio blackouts in addition to S1 (minor) and S2 (moderate) solar radiation storms. There is a chance for category G1 (minor) and G2 (moderate) geomagnetic storms due to high speed solar winds from a coronal hole on the Sun and from clouds of magnetic material from solar flares on the Sun. For current space weather conditions please refer to: http://www.sec.noaa.gov/SWN/ http://www.sec.noaa.gov/alerts/ Data used to provide space weather services are contributed by NOAA, USAF, NASA, NSF, USGS, the International Space Environment Services and other observatories, universities, and institutions. For more information, including email services, see SEC's Space Weather Advisories Web site http://sec.noaa.gov/advisories or (303) 497-5127. (via Fred Vobbe, NRC-AM via DXLD) ANOTHER GEOMAGNETIC STORM BEGINS Hello, Since the last NW7US Propagation Bulletin, we have witnessed quite a strong geomagnetic storm, with the resulting Auroral propagation even on 222 MHz. We usually see storms of this magnitude during the Fall and Spring seasons, so this was quite a treat. Through most of today (26-VII-2004) we have seen the geomagnetic activity wane down to a planetary K index (Kp) of 2, after seeing more than a day of Kp readings above 5. A Kp of 8 was reached yesterday. Now, however, we are seeing the Kp rise once again, as the arrival of an additional coronal mass ejection is causing geomagnetic disturbance. At 0218, 27-VII-2004 UTC, we have a solar wind speed of 1015 kilometers per hour [sic]. This is an extremely strong solar wind (a typical "quiet" day is one where the solar wind speed is somewhere near the 350 km/s range). Even with the Bz positive, this intense barrage of solar wind and associated coronal mass riding the wind will cause a geomagnetic storm for the next 12 hours, at least. If the Bz turns negative and stays negative for any significant length of time (it will fluctuate between north and south), we will see a very intense, major geomagnetic storm. There is a very strong probability for visual aurora in North America, tonight. And, there are already reports of radio aurora on HF and VHF. Expect AU on 222 MHz, as well. This condition will last long enough for Asia and Europe to experience yet another day of radio Aurora. HF and MW will suffer significantly. Not only because of the geomagnetic storm, but because of polar cap absorption. I am tracking these conditions, as usual, at http://prop.hfradio.org/ - and I will post follow-up bulletins as conditions warrant. Happy Aurora DX! 73 de (Tomas, NW7US (AARØJA/AAAØWA) Hood, swl at qth.net via DXLD) Glenn, On WORLD OF RADIO #1239, produced July 21, 2004 by Glenn Hauser recap: you said, "Look out for auroral conditions, due to solar flare July 20 at 1230 UT causing blackout; solar flux shot up and 21 MHz open next day". On the air you also mentioned that this flare was from Sunspot Group 652. I was surprised to see a splendid picture of Sunspot Group 652 on the NASA site: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040726.html The simplest way to the site is to enter "APOD" on your search engine then click on July 26, 2004 in the archive. See APOD July 25, 2004 for a different Solar flare picture. I was listening to BBC-W/S on 15190/Antigua before 1230z on July 20 when the signal began to fluctuate and finally disappeared altogether. BBC transmitters to Europe and Africa were gone by this time. Signals from dark path Radio Australia 9580, 9590 and east Asian stations continued. Taiwan was fluttery on 15395 at 1246. Subsequently I did find European, ME & African signals on 21 and 17 MHz. SW blackouts can be fun! (Wells Perkins in New Jersey about an hour west of Liberty Park and the Statue of Liberty, July 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Conditions were even worse July 27 after the CME reached Earth. Before 1400 UT I bandscanned and found only signals from the Americas (mostly one-hop North America) on all bands. On 31m, no sign of R. Australia on 9580 (or 9590 or 9560); when the usual trans-equatorial powerhouse 9580 is wiped out you know a very severe disturbance is in progress. On 49m the only usable signal was RA on 6020, tho weaker than usual. When it closed at 1400, I could hear an even poorer signal from RA on 5995, and that was it (Glenn Hauser, Enid, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Solar Influences Data analysis Center :Issued: 2004 Jul 27 1630 UTC :Product: documentation at http://sidc.oma.be/products/bul #--------------------------------------------------------------------# # SIDC WEEKLY BULLETIN ON SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY # #--------------------------------------------------------------------# WEEK 186 from 2004 Jul 19 SOLAR ACTIVITY --------------------------------- Solar activity has been essentially moderate this week, with two main (and unique) flaring sources, Catania region 78 (NOAA 649) and 82 (NOAA 652) which both reached a complex magnetic beta-gamma-delta configuration. Catania 78, though decaying, continued to produce several C-class flares during the first days of the week. It is now disappearing at the west limb. From July 20 to 25, all the M-class flares (11, among which a M8.6, a M9.1 and a M7.7) were produced by Catania 82. On July 20, 22 and 23, the flaring activity was accompanied by geoeffective CMEs. This region may still be the source of important activity beginning of next week. Furthermore, a proton event started on July 25 somewhat after 18 UT, but only the flux of the lowest energy (greater than 10 MeV) protons passed the threshold. GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITITY --------------------------------- During the first part of the week (19 to 22), the field remained at quiet to unsettled levels. From 23 onwards, geoeffective perturbations essentially due to the CME activity associated with Catania region 82 (NOAA 652) brought the K-index to 5 and 6 at Dourbes corresponding to minor and major storm levels. Other stations reported sever storm levels of activity, like Boulder and Izmiran. As Catania 82 (AR652)was still steadily flaring at the end of the week, new episodes of minor to severe geomagnetic storm may be expected beginning of next week. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DAILY INDICES DATE RC 10CM Ak BKG M X 2004 Jul 19 205 170 /// B8.2 0 0 2004 Jul 20 229 175 012 B8.2 1 0 2004 Jul 21 123 172 004 B6.5 0 0 2004 Jul 22 165 173 /// B9.1 3 0 2004 Jul 23 119 165 /// B6.2 2 0 2004 Jul 24 113 147 /// B5.0 2 0 2004 Jul 25 088 145 /// B7.2 4 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 TENCM TYPE Cat NOAA NOTE 20 1222 1232 1245 N11E34 M8.6 3B 300 IV/2,II/2 82 0652 halo CME 22 0014 0032 0043 N03E17 M9.1 82 0652 22 2240 2258 2307 N05E04 M1.6 2N 68 III/3 82 0652 22 2310 2324 2343 N03E02 M1.2 82 0652 23 1707 1728 1735 N03W04 M2.2 SF III/2 82 0652 23 2115 2123 2130 N05W07 M1.7 110 82 0652 24 0601 0606 0610 N07W20 M1.0 1F 230 82 0652 24 1840 1850 1856 N05W19 M2.5 100 82 0652 25 0539 0551 0558 N10W31 M7.1 2B 810 82 0652 25 0630 0639 0645 N03W27 M1.0 1F V/1,III/1 82 0652 25 1337 1349 1355 N04W30 M2.2 65 82 0652 SXI derived loc 25 1419 1514 1643 N08W33 M1.1 1F 120 IV/2 82 0652 #--------------------------------------------------------------------# # 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. Please do not reply directly to this message, but send comments and suggestions to 'sidctech @ oma.be'. # # If you are unable to use that address, use rvdlinden @ spd.aas.org instead. # (via Jim Moats, dxldyg via DXLD) :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2004 Jul 27 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2004 Jul 27 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2004 Jul 28 110 25 5 2004 Jul 29 100 15 3 2004 Jul 30 90 10 3 2004 Jul 31 85 10 3 2004 Aug 01 80 10 3 2004 Aug 02 80 10 3 2004 Aug 03 80 10 3 2004 Aug 04 80 10 3 2004 Aug 05 80 8 3 2004 Aug 06 85 8 3 2004 Aug 07 95 12 3 2004 Aug 08 105 12 3 2004 Aug 09 105 12 3 2004 Aug 10 105 8 3 2004 Aug 11 110 10 3 2004 Aug 12 115 10 3 2004 Aug 13 120 10 3 2004 Aug 14 125 10 3 2004 Aug 15 125 10 3 2004 Aug 16 125 8 3 2004 Aug 17 125 8 3 2004 Aug 18 125 10 3 2004 Aug 19 120 10 3 2004 Aug 20 115 10 3 2004 Aug 21 105 10 3 2004 Aug 22 100 10 3 2004 Aug 23 95 10 3 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via DXLD) ###