DX LISTENING DIGEST 4-117, August 1, 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 EXTRA 49: Sun 1900 on Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 Sun 2000 on RFPI http://www.rfpi.org repeated 8-hourly [maybe] Sun 2000 on RNI webcast, http://www.11L-rni.com Sun 2300 on RFPI http://www.rfpi.org repeated 8-hourly [maybe] Mon 0100 on WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0230 on WRMI 6870 [NEW frequency ex-7385, perhaps] Mon 0330 on WSUI 910, webcast http://wsui.uiowa.edu [previous 1239] Mon 0430 on WBCQ 7415, webcast http://wbcq.us Mon 0900 on R. Lavalamp http://www.radiolavalamp.org Mon 1600 on WBCQ after-hours http://wbcq.com repeated weekdaily Wed 0930 on WWCR 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [WORLD OF RADIO 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 WORLD OF RADIO Extra 49 in the true SW sound of 5070: (stream) http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_07-31-04.m3u (d`load) http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_07-31-04.mp3 NETS TO YOU: New August edition by John Norfolk is now up at http://www.w4uvh.net/nets2you.html ** ANTARCTICA. 15476, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, 2012, "en Base Esperanza tenemos 5 grados bajo cero". "De Esperanza al mundo". Escucha realizada el día 28 de Julio, con señal más débil que el día 26. SINPO 24222 y el día 26 SINPO 34333, incluso por momentos 44444. El día 29 traté de sintonizarla, pero no llegó la señal (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. RAE, The International Service of the Argentine Radio celebrated its 45th Anniversary on February 12 of 2003. However, interest in Short Wave transmissions abroad came alive before that date, on April 11, 1949, when the then President of Argentina, Juan Domingo Perón, created the International Service of the Argentine Republic, its Spanish initials being SIRA, which broadcast in seven languages almost around the clock. As a consequence of the military coup which overthrew Perón's constitutional government in September 1955, the service was cut short but rekindled again as Radiodifusión Argentina al Exterior, RAE, three years later, in 1958, and has from that moment on continued its service uninterruptedly fulfilling its principle aim of informing the world about Argentina. RAE occupied the antiquated studios of Radio del Estado (The State Radio), today Radio Nacional, until 1980, when it was housed at the Central Post Office Building. It was later transferred to its own site on 1556 Ayacucho Street in this capital city and was known as Radio Nacional proper. And finally, in 1990, the National Radio pulled up stakes, and moved to a beautiful building especially constructed to house El Mundo Radio on 555 Maipú Street, a historical building with everything necessary for a fully-fledged radio broadcaster, the only one of its kind in the country, which included an ample auditorium, generally open to the public for cultural events and musical recitals. The building where RAE has its offices is 3 stories high, and is the headquarters of LRA1 Radio Nacional Buenos Aires and its 3 Stereo FM Stations: 96.7 for its Classical Music Programmes; 98.7 La Floklórica (which airs folkloric music) and 87.9 Faro (Lighthouse), dedicated to airing programmes for the younger generation. RAE in particular concentrates on divulging all types of activities which have to do with our everyday reality, the being and well-being of Argentines. Transmissions focus on everything there is to know about the country, its economy, politics, industry, social and cultural life, its history, geography, traditions and customs (from http://www.radionacional.gov.ar/rae_hingles.html via Arnaldo Slaen, Conexión Digital July 31 via DXLD) ** AZERBAIJAN. Hi Glenn, Re DXLD 4-102: V. of Azerbaijan, English is at 1800-1830 to ME on 1295 and via gan site on 6112 (WRTH July Update via DXLD) Anyone hear this in Europe, and is it really staying on 6112? (gh, DXLD)`` This was reported in the latest òõóø-DX Ðìàó [Cyrillic?]: (Radio V. of Azerbaijan transmits nowadays in English 2200-2230 and in Russian 2230-2300 on the frequencies 1296 and 6110 kHz.) The time is of course AZE summer time UT +5h and WRTH update has it erroneously in normal time UT; instead it should be 1700-1730 English and 1730-1800 Russian. Anyway it is still on shortwave, although it has drifted a bit down to 6111 kHz and MW fq is 1295 kHz. Here in Finland the SW signal can barely be detected as a het, so the real power must be just a few kW. Also 1295 kHz is more difficult to hear than 1531 kHz (listed 7 kW), which also carries FS programs at least partly. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, August 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. CATHOLIC VOICES RETURN TO DORMANT TROPICAL BAND SHORTWAVE STATIONS IN LONDRINA, ANÁPOLIS Porto Alegre, RS, July 25 (Panorama DX) --- Célio Romais, publisher of Panorama DX http://www.ondascurtas.com reports that there are two reactivated Catholic radio stations on the tropical shortwave band. The first, ZYG641 Rádio Alvorada de Londrina 4865 kHz, is now on the air broadcasting the local ZYJ260 Rádio Alvorada 970 AM at certain hours, but by and large rebroadcasting the Rede Milícia Sat network, one of the several national Brasilian networks. Rede Milícia Sat originates from Rádio Imaculada Conceição 1490 AM in greater São Paulo. ZYG641 Rádio Alvorada was heard by Cláudio Rótolo de Moraes in Florianópolis in the State of Santa Catarina. Previously, while the website of the Diocese of Londrina had mentioned the 970 AM station, it did not mention the shortwave at all. In Anápolis in the State of Goiás, ZYF692 Rádio A Voz do Coração Imaculado 4885 kHz is back on the air and was heard in Itajubá MG by Caio Lopes with uninterrupted Catholic programming. The station is owned by the Fundação Nossa Senhora Aparecida, which operates the national radio network Rádio Aparecida. The station was heard a week later by Samuel Cássio Martins of São Carlos in the State of São Paulo. Database Londrina: ZYJ260 Rádio Alvorada de Londrina 970 AM (5,000 watts días, 1,000 watts noches), y ZYG641 en 4865 khz (5,000 watts). Diocese of Londrina. Fundação Mater et Magistra de Londrina. Rua Dom Bosco, 145, 86060-340 Londrina PR. Teléfonos: (43) 3347-0606, fax 3347-0303 E- mail: pascom @ arquidiocesedelondrina.com.br Padre Sílvio Andrei, SAC, director. 0400-1200 horas. Website: http://www.dialogocomdeus.com.br/radio.html The shortwave station is reported in July 2004 as rebroadcasting some local programs of ZYJ260 but largely that of the Rede Milicia Sat network. Anápolis: ZYH745 Rádio A Voz do Coração Inmaculado 770 AM (5,000 watts días, 1,000 watts noches) & ZYF692 on 4885 kHz (1,000 watts). Fundação Nossa Senhora Aparecida. Est. Municipal de Miranópolis, BR-153, KM 1209. C.P. 520, 75001-970 Anápolis, GO. Senhor Nelson Silva Rosa, director. (Diocese of Anápolis) (Catholic Radio Update, August 2 via DXLD) ** CHILE. 6089.89, R. Esperanza, 1009-1020, End of talk by M, into lively LA Pop song. 1013 M with song announcements, and talk by 2 men although 1 M did most of the talking. Mention of R. Esperanza at 1014. Fair. 31 July (Dave Valko, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) I guess Anguilla moves from 6090 to 11775 at 1000 (gh, DXLD) ** CHILE. 11665, Voice International, 2217-2233, July 28, English, Announcement loop at tune-in with phone beeps and "We're sorry, you've reached a station that is unavailable at this time. Please try again later. Live, Live 365". Then OM with religious talk and contemporary religious music, "The Voice" ID at 2227 with program ID, "a repeat program of "On Track" recorded earlier this morning". Good signal. This programming, targeting W. Africa, sounds very similar to that which is on 4965, Voice Int'l, Zambia. Is this to replace the Zambian outlet? Conditions stink! (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH-USA, R75, MLB-1, RS longwire with RBA balun, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Re: the Chinese Yahoo! and Google portals (story Media Network site) Hi Glenn: Do you know if the Chinese Google and Yahoo! sites are administered from inside China or the United States. I read the article on the Chinese search engine (starts with a B; can't recall the name) that Google bought and some of the blocked sites. I did my own informal test on both sites and used words like "Falun Gong" "Falun Dafa" "Catholic Church" and in all cases nothing came up. For "Catholic Church", sites came up that were Chinese-friendly (and we know what *that* means.) (Maryanne Kehoe, GA, July 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I don`t know; does anyone? (gh, DXLD) ** CUBA. Tuned in a few minutes later than 1335 to the August 1 En Contacto on RHC, 6000, 9550, 11760, 11800, 12000, but no Jeff White; apparently his Mexican DX con report will be next week. They did have a feature by the ubiquitous Rubén Guillermo Margenet marking the August 1 anniversary of the Spanish service of R. Moscú. The `original` interval signal was misidentified as `Anochecer en Moscú`, which makes me try to recall what the name of that tune was, or where they got it. ``Moscow Nights`` only came on in the 90s, I think. BTW, ending about 1257 on the same frequencies on Sunday is ``Cuba Campesina``, with some great music. Need to research exactly when it starts and all its other times and frequencies (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Canal Educativo --- As noted in a Spanish language (which I am thoroughly rusty at) interview on the NTV newscast I recorded off SCOLA last night, Canal Educativo 2 is now broadcasting in all the provinces of Cuba. Santiago de Cuba's transmiiter for this is on channel 21, running twenty kW. During the interview (with the Jefe of RADIOCUBA's Santiago de Cuba division) some interesting stuff was noted on the monitors behind him --- one had 3/4 color bars, the other was running a 1950's vintage Mickey Mouse cartoon. Mention was made about the transmitters being of Japanese manufacture --- one was shown that had "NEC PCU-112055P11 UHF-TV TRANSMITTER" on the front panel. Is anyone on the group familiar with this particular piece of gear? I'm curious about whether this thing is new, or perhaps obtained used from Mexico (a practice Cuba does when needing infrastructure items at a rock bottom price). (Curtis Sadowski, IL, July 31, WTFDA via DXLD) ** CYPRUS. I had a listen on 1098; the MW frequency [Radio Bayrak] is active from Northern Cyprus. But I don't hear the SW frequency on 6150 kHz for some time now. Today 28/7 all I heard was ORF Austria on the same freq from 0500 UT in German [you mean 6155? --- gh]. Will have to listen again later in the week as I work the night shift again for the next 6 to 7 days at least. All FM frequencies are fine for Radio Bayrak, was there 8 days ago. The borders are open since April 2003. My third visit to Northern Cyprus where we hope the two communities will join together after 30 years. Our local CyBc Channel 2 plan to expand longer Turkish language hours of broadcast for some Turkish / Cypriots living in the North. Programmes are based on information on education, health and work. Also soon Turkish / Cypriots will be able to travel to the south on their own tourist buses. Also trade is being spoken about between the two sides. I was very impressed with their supermarket products and services. Next month I will visit the North again to see if the Cyprus FM station list is correct, for the Handbook 2005 (Costa Constantinides, Cyprus, July 28, BC-DX July 31 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. 4869.2, VOZ DEL UPANO. Macas. 2320-2330* Jul 30. En // con 5040 aunque en esta última muy fuerte señal pero audio muy pobre. A las 2330 ambas señales fuera del aire. 4899.8, LA VOZ DE SAQUISILÍ. Saquisilí. 1220-1300 Jul 31. ¿Reactivación? Realmente no sé si es reactivación pero a mi QTH no llegaba desde hace vario meses. Música folclórica "...venda más, anuncie en La Voz de Saquisilí y Radio El Libertador...". Mencionando transmisión en simultáneo AM y Onda corta. "...primeros en calidad, primeros en sintonía, primeros en su hogar, primeros en éxitos musicales... somos Radiodifusora El Libertador, La Voz de Saquisilí..." (Rafael Rodríguez, Bogotá, Colombia, August 1, Conexión Digital via DXLD) 4960, RADIO FEDERACIÓN. Sucua. 2300-2316 Jul 30. Retransmitiendo una estación de FM identificándose como "107.3 La Voz de Ruta?" Realmente no estoy seguro. Luego de las 2315 con programación y música en vernacular. "...les saluda La Voz de la Ruta que te acompaña..." (Rafael Rodríguez, Bogotá, Colombia, August 1, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** ERITREA [non]. Voice of Eritrea 7125 1800-1830 / 15595 1730-1830, both Sundays only, Voice of the Eritrean People via MNO, most likeley in Tigrinya http://www.eritreana.com/voep.htm 15595 Voice of the Eritrean People, 1730:12 - 1830:00 UT. Sundays only, seemingly Skelton-UK site, 300 kW 140 degrees. Crash start of the transmitter at 1930:12 UT, midst in program which was still in progress. Typical Eritrean song played till 1732 UT. Poor S=2 flutter signal, which main portion skips totally over my head here in Germany. So weak, that Sony's SYNCHRONOUS function didn't fetch the signal, which was heard clear on the Kenwood R-1000 receiver, using the small 2.6 kHz Collins filter. On Sony ICF 2010 set I only heard some TV IF mixture of nearby local TV sets. 15.6 MHz is a critical frequency part here at my place, close to the local SWR TV transmitter on ch 11, 100 kW, only 1200 meters away. 15595 - I think I fetched only poor vagabonding wave signals from U.K. via a low layer angle? 1732-1741 political news by male reader (language not recognized...). 1741-1745, 1747-1753 ... a.s.o. played typical ERI songs. 18.20:30 UT, stop of regular program. Silence. TX still on air. 18.23:24 UT pause ended. (Seemingly MNO-Merlin western) guitar theme played over and over again. Filled with this pause music to exact 18.30:00 UT, when transmitter cut off. 7125 - Nothing heard on the European channel of Voice of the Eritrean People scheduled also Sundays only, but at 1800-1830 UT, via Skelton 300 kW, 110 degrees. At same time slot I checked the 49, 41, 31, and 25 mb for an Eritrean music channel originating from MNO-UK towards Europe, but couldn't catch any similar music program (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, July 25, BC-DX July 31 via DXLD) ** FRANCE. In TWR schedule on MW 1467 kHz, Roumoules, France, 1000 kW, 85 degrees, on Tuesdays 1845-1900 to be read Bayash Romani (West Balkan Romish), not RUM (Romanian). BTW TWR is using already three Romish [`Gypsy`] languages: above, Kalderash (mainly spoken in Romania), Balkan Romish (in Bulgaria) and in Croatia & Serbia - Bayash (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, BC-DX July 30 via DXLD) ** GEORGIA/RUSSIA. RUSSIA/GEORGIA, 9495, R. Sochi, ID in Russian, ads, songs at 0345-0400 July 29 followed by IS of ID "Apsha Radio" in Abkhazian, same also at 1400 UTC with repeat of program from 0400, all on 9495 kHz. At 1600 UT was R. Rossii program (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, BC-DX July 31 via DXLD) ** HONG KONG. HK RADIO SHOW HOST RESIGNS, SPARKING FREEDOM ROW HONG KONG, July 29 (Reuters) - A popular Hong Kong radio chat show host who fled the city in May saying he had received threats of violence finally left his job on Thursday after his employer terminated his contract early. Commercial Radio ended Albert Cheng's contract after the presenter and businessman, who is highly critical of the governments in Hong Kong and Beijing, could not guarantee he would not go off the air again if faced with similar threats. Two other outspoken radio show hosts at the same station quit in May after Cheng went off the air, sparking fears over freedom of speech in the former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997. "Commercial Radio is bowing to evil forces, sparking worries that freedom of speech may dwindle," the Democratic Party said in a statement. "We wouldn't rule out a chilling effect which can result in shrinking speech freedom in radio shows from now on." Officials of Commercial Radio were not immediately available to comment on the party's remarks. On Thursday, Cheng appeared on the show that he had hosted with the radio station's director, Winnie Yu, and said he had not been treated fairly. "The past 10 years have been the most glorious in my life. I have been very happy," Cheng said, holding back sobs. "I have no complaints against the station, but there must be fairness." But Yu said Cheng had damaged freedom of speech by fleeing. "Hong Kong is in a turmoil that is unprecedented, and it needs every single person to stand firm in their beliefs. Can we back down? We cannot," said Yu, an influential figure in the media industry. The departures of the radio hosts come as Hong Kong's democracy forces are embroiled in a bitter dispute with Beijing over political reform, and all three had been vocal supporters in the fight for full popular elections as soon as possible. Yu was harangued by angry listeners during the morning show, but she stood by her decision. "To back away in the face of the forces of evil would only encourage the forces of evil to flourish," she said. A small but noisy band of protesters turned up outside the station to demand that it reinstate Cheng. All three hosts have hinted that Chinese officials or their supporters may be involved in the threats, but only one has given a public account of what he faced. Police said on Thursday they have found no evidence the threats were politically motivated. No one has been arrested. Cheng was seriously wounded in 1998 in an attack whose perpetrator and motive remain unknown (RTw 07/29 0724 via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** INDIA. Dabbling In DAB --- DAB presents one of the most exciting developments in radio broadcasting in recent times. With AIR gearing up to launch this digital service, this dream is surely close to becoming a reality. Radio is an old-age companion to mankind. In the last decade, there have been many developments in radio broadcasting, and it is on the verge of a digital convergence. There had been quite a few formats on air, and certainly a few more will come up till one or more of them becomes world standard in radio broadcasting. In India, the first digital broadcasting was stated in the DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) format, closely followed by the digital satellite radio service by WorldSpace. The (Direct-to-Home) services for TV also carry digital radio broadcasts, and probably, in a few years, DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) will make its presence-free. DAB – the most advanced technology in radio since the introduction of FM stereo – provides interference-free reception and high quality sound, easy to use receivers and an unlimited potential for wider listening through many additional stations, services and developments. If we listen to FM radio in the car, there are hisses and plops as we drive along. That is caused by multipath interference when the FM signal bounces off buildings, trees and hills and arrives at our receivers out of phase with the main signal, confusing the transmission. But in the DAB receiver, there is a processor that sorts through the myriad multipath signals and other distortions to enhance the main signal. The means that even in the most difficult listening environments, like the centre of the city of the high-rise buildings, the DAB signal remains perfect. As the third generation radio, the DAB system is paving the way for the digital era of broadcasting. This system was developed by the Eureka 147 project – an international consortium of broadcasters, network operators, consumer electronic industries and research institutes. They came together to develop the DAB standard, which is currently being implemented worldwide. DAB is broadcast on terrestrial networks, with prospects for satellite broadcasting in the future. DAB can be received used a just tiny non- directional stub antenna. High quality radio programs can also be received in cars without any annoying interference and signal distortion. DAB can carry audio, text, pictures, data and even video to some extent. DAB complies with the tough requirements of the digital age emerging before us. DAB can be transmitted on frequencies from the FM band (88-108 MHz), but the services that have been introduced in Europe, Canada and Australia, together with pilots in India, are using other frequencies. Some countries, including UK, are using Band III (around 221 MHz), formally used for black and white television signals. Others like Germany and Canada are using L-Band (1452-1492 MHz). DAB receivers currently in the market can receive both Band III and L- Band transmissions. In 1992, the World Administrative Radio Conference, he internationally recognized meeting that assigns all the world radio spectrum usage, allocated the L-Band frequency range to digital broadcasting, both terrestrial and satellite. All DAB receivers will have digital displays including some with large liquid crystal screens, and broadcasters will have the option to transmit additional Program Associated Data (PAD). On the broadcast front, DAAB requires a fragment of the power otherwise required by the analog broadcasting for the same coverage area. Over three hundred million people around the world can now receive more than 585 different services. Commercial DAB receivers have now been on the market since 1998. There are more than 32 different DAB receivers commercially available abroad. All India Radio started regular experimental DAB transmission in New Delhi in April 1997. AIR will be launching a pilot DAB service with 1 kW transmitter in Delhi this year. The transmission shall carry 6 stereo channels in addition to PAD and Data Services. The pilot DAB will be extended to Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata by the year 2005-06. (From AV MAX – a monthly publication on audio visual technologies, via Mukesh Kumar, THE COSMOS CLUB, MISCOT-3, R-8, RAMNA MUZAFFARPUR, 842002, BIHAR, INDIA, July 31, DXLD) Are there any drawbacks??? (gh) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS. [Information Radio, Radio One] Heard on 15500 usb July 28th 1730 to past 1752, Afghan or Punjabi pop music and occasional short announcements in Middle Eastern languages. Weak but clear audio, SINPO 24332 (Mike Barraclough, England, Aug World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. 'THEY'RE KILLING US OFF SLOWLY,' CHARGE IBA ENGLISH RADIO STAFF --- By Daphna Berman --- Last update - 03:57 30/07/2004 http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/458107.html It is a Monday afternoon at IBA radio headquarters in Jerusalem's Russian Compound as Reuven Miller greets his listeners with the latest news on port strikes, Supreme Court rulings and Knesset no confidence votes. He's been doing this for 21 years, but recently, it seems, his low soothing baritone is the only part of the English news broadcast that remains unchanged. "This will be one of our last days in this studio," a veteran staff member, who asked to remain anonymous, explained wearily as he looked on. For staff members at the IBA, the past few months have been ones of cutbacks, turmoil, politics and more cutbacks. According to a recent report, the IBA has a NIS 192 million deficit in assets and a deficit in working capital of NIS 70 million. "There's been a gradual process of cutbacks every year, but we've reached a point where there's nothing else to cut," said another senior member of the IBA English radio, who also asked that his name be withheld. Staff members, he explained, were told that anyone caught speaking to politicians or the media would be "suspended." For staff at IBA radio news in English, next week will be their last week on Reshet Aleph. As of August 8th, they will be moved to the immigrant station, Reshet Reka, which has poor reception in certain regions of the country, including Eilat, the Galilee and areas in Jerusalem. Their coveted 7 A.M. time slot will also be taken away next week, and they'll be moved half an hour earlier instead. They were told last week that the change would take place August 1st, but a postponement issued Wednesday by the Labor Court delayed the move by one more week. Come 2005, their 25-minute overseas broadcast at 10 P.M. [2000 UT winter, 1900 UT summer] on short wave radio, will be cut as well. It's a combination, staff members agree, that will effectively eliminate large chunks of their listener base; it's been bad in the past, they repeat as if a mantra, but this newest move is even worse. The staff at the English radio has accumulated a long list of grievances over the past decade. Their office equipment is old - only one out of five staff computers has internet access - and their reporting has become increasingly restricted. Interviews, for example, are almost always done in the studio over the phone, and as of last year, reporters haven't been allowed to travel, with very few exceptions, outside of Jerusalem. I left because of professional frustration," said Alan Ben-Ami, former department head of the IBA English news radio, who worked at the IBA for 27 years until his retirement in 2001. "We couldn't use transportation, we didn't have the right equipment and it became impossible to do an honest, professional job." According to Ben-Ami, English radio staff size had shrunk 50 percent during his tenure. A current staff member said that job applications sent to the department are automatically discarded and requests for unpaid interns have been denied as well because of potential problems of liability. "Over the last ten years, everything is frozen and if someone leaves, there's no one to replace him," a senior IBA staff member added. "It's not said directly, but there is a clear policy to kill us off slowly." Though members of English IBA radio admit that there hasn't been a "conspiracy" against them, they complain that there is no recognition of English language news as somehow fundamental to Israel's battle for a positive image internationally. "Over the last three years, English isn't the only department to suffer from a budget squeeze," admitted Ben Ami, "but they're the low man on the totem pole, and if you have to cut back, the first thing to go is obviously something in which the management has no particular interest." There's a certain "boorishness" prevailing at the IBA, he adds, that overlooks anything not Hebrew related. As of last year, English radio was "lumped together" with Spanish and French, and the three languages now share studio time. But English, the staff says bluntly, is "more important" than the other foreign languages. "It's the lingua franca of the world and it shouldn't be in the same bracket as Spanish and French," says David Essing, who retired from English radio in November after 30 years. As former department head, Essing says he tried to push for English news to work closely with the Hebrew desk, but admits he "didn't get very far." As Essing, along with past and current employees, explains, foreign journalists and officials at embassies and consulates listen to the IBA English news - a fact that points, they say, to their role in the fight for Israel's image. "My fear is that we're becoming a headline translation service and nothing more, because the powers that be are so concerned with cost cutting and reforms that they forget the absolutely crucial role that English news plays in this country," a veteran staff member added. "People rely on us for information that is fair, balanced, and accurate, and we're just not able to provide that, despite our best intentions." According to staff members, there isn't much overlap between IBA English television and radio, though Essing, for example, is convinced that his former colleagues in television have an advantage. "They're given far more prominence, maybe not as much as they should, but certainly more than radio," he says. For their part, though, television staff have gone through their own share of battles with IBA management. Their overtime budget has been cut, and staff members warn that management may limit their reporting as well. Earlier this year, English news was taken off Channel One and put on Channel 33, which like Reka, has poor reception in certain parts of the country. Staff members, led by acting English television news department head Steve Leibowitz, then brought IBA management to Jerusalem's Labor Court, and the two sides reached a short-term compromise that reinstated the daily English news broadcast on Channel One. The compromise between the two sides will be up for renegotiations next week, according to Steve Edwards, English news department head, who is currently on leave. But despite these run-ins with management, English television has just received approval to hire a full time editor, as well as a part time anchor, despite widespread layoffs throughout the IBA. As one veteran staff member admitted, English television, unlike English radio, "doesn't get the feeling that they're trying to get rid of us." Members of the English speaking community have meanwhile turned to Minister Ehud Olmert, who came to English radio's rescue in August 2003, when he reinstated the English news program to Reshet Aleph after less than a month on Reka. Olmert is considered an ally of English IBA television as well, and was especially sympathetic to lobby attempts from groups like the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) earlier this year, when English news was first taken off TV's Channel One. This week, however, after inquiries regarding the recent radio changes, a spokesperson for his office said that the Minister "is not involved in issues regarding radio broadcast in English." A spokesperson for the IBA offered no comment in response to a number of Anglo File [sic] inquiries (via Doni Rosenzweig, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. The show described below is heard on Reshet Bet - the domestic, 'second' network. It's available to international listeners on shortwave and on the Internet via both live and recorded stream. There are sometimes callers who speak English. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1091072353586 THE VOICE OF JERUSALEM Greer Fay Cashman, THE JERUSALEM POST Jul. 29, 2004 Veteran radio broadcaster Elihu Ben-Onn keeps in touch with homesick Israelis living abroad [caption] The Jewish Agency, Zionist youth groups, Birthright Israel, Keren Hayesod and numerous other organizations and institutions are all engaged in reaching out to Jews around the world with the aim of at least getting them to identify with Israel, if not to visit or to eventually make aliya. But all of them collectively are not reaching as wide or as varied an audience as Elihu Ben-Onn, an Israel Radio broadcaster whose program, 'The Israeli Connection' airs weekly from a studio in Jerusalem, reaching some 250,000 regular listeners around the world who have lost all contact with Judaism and with Israel. Ben-Onn, a native Jerusalemite whose paternal grandfather came from Iran in 1911 on camel-back and whose maternal grandfather arrived ten years later from Morocco, conceived the idea after serving as an emissary for Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal and the former United Jewish Appeal (now United Jewish Communities) to Australia, South Africa, Canada, USA, Germany, Hungary, Belarus and Ukraine. In North America alone, he was a short-term emissary in 60 different communities. During a lecture tour across the US in the summer of 1999, Ben- Onn came across numerous Israeli ex-patriates who were looking for on-line connections with Israel. They weren't interested in being fed propaganda. Instead, they sought to communicate about a variety of issues in real time and get instant responses via e-mail or voice mail. Seeking to provide a solution Ben-Onn, who is better known as a sportscaster - although he's done just about everything one can do on radio - spoke to his bosses and proposed a show dedicated to Israelis living abroad. Before giving him the green light, they told him to do a little more research. Ben-Onn embarked on a tour of New York, Seattle and Philadelphia to speak to Israelis and assess their needs. He also consulted with Israeli diplomats, then returned home and was given a Monday 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. slot on Reshet Bet. This put a lot of strain on him, and the show was eventually moved to its current slot of midnight to 3 a.m. [2100-2400 UT Sundays; from Sept., 2200-0100; WTFK??] The first broadcast five years ago was an instant success. People heard it on short-wave and via Internet and phone calls started pouring in from all over the world - and not just from Israelis. Dr. Hans Nielson, a former German ambassador to Israel who speaks fluent Hebrew has called in several times, as has his daughter who went to school in Israel and has many Israeli friends. The Okinawa-based daughter of a former Japanese commercial attaché also went to school in Israel and left a lot of friends behind when she returned to Japan. "She's not a member of the Makoya," says Ben- Onn. "She's just glad to have the opportunity to speak Hebrew." There's no such thing as a typical listener. Ben-Onn talks to academics, rabbis, politicians, taxi drivers, hi-tech executives and medical specialists who either have an Israeli background or who have other ties with Israel, such as close relatives whom they frequently visit. It wasn't that long ago that Israelis living abroad were treated disparagingly by peers who opted to stay in the Promised Land. They were called 'yordim,' a pejorative term for emigrants. When Ehud Barak was prime minister, he restored their legitimacy by referring to them as "our brothers." His sensitivity may have derived from the fact that his own daughter and son-in-law spent a few years in the US, where his first grandchild was born. Released from living in the shadow of shame, Israelis in all places of their dispersion, started calling home. One of the pilots who brought Yemenite Jews to Israel on Operation Magic Carpet has been living in the US since 1948. He has forgotten much of his Hebrew and he is certainly unaware of modern slang - but he'd rather speak fractured Hebrew than not speak Hebrew at all. Some Israelis who have left the fold call in and say: "You're the only person to whom I can speak Hebrew. My wife isn't Jewish and we don't have any Jewish friends." A 35-year old female brain surgeon who left Israel for the US for post-graduate studies, flitted from success to success. Despite having established an excellent reputation and making her mark, she feels isolated. She misses Israel terribly, but doesn't wish to return due to a lack of employment opportunities. Her major consolation is listening and sometimes calling in to 'The Israeli Connection.' Another regular listener suffering from nostalgia is a Washington florist who delivers flowers daily to the White House. There are several ex-kibbutzniks who married non-Jewish Scandinavians and went to live in small villages away from the big cities. For one caller of Yemenite-Israeli heritage, 'The Israeli Connection' is her only tie to Jewish culture. A frequent caller is Rabbi David Harari, a former Jerusalemite who has been living in the US since 1968. A member of the Conservative Movement, Harari has taken it upon himself to seek out the offspring of Jews who converted to Christianity and attempt to woo them back to Judaism. He often shares his adventures and occasional misadventures with Ben-Onn. A Silicon Valley executive sitting in an open space environment with some 400 other people is another frequent caller who says he listens to the program every week. "Doesn't it disturb your fellow workers?" Ben-Onn asked him once. "No," was the reply. "I wear ear-phones." One graduate from a religious school in Tel Aviv fell in love with a non-Jewish member of the United Nations forces stationed in Israel. They now live in Las Vegas, Nevada where she's a dealer in a casino. She sends her children to the local Chabad school and listens to Ben- Onn during her coffee breaks. Another young woman found her way from Israel to Polynesia, where she works in a fish smoking plant. She is also a regular listener to 'The Israeli Connection.' Ben-Onn's program often includes young Israeli students who are traveling abroad as short-term emissaries for Israel. Talking to students on university campuses, the young Israelis are sometimes subjected to the hostility of local Muslim students. It interests Ben- Onn to learn how they deal with these situations. One of the indications of how vital a need there is for his program, is the fact that a former Israeli who owns a radio station in Miami rebroadcasts the program over his own station every week. It's obvious to Ben-Onn that 'The Israeli Connection' has achieved even more than he intended. "It helps people to identify not only as Israelis, but as Jews," he says. "That gives me a lot of satisfaction and encouragement." For more information about 'The Israeli Connection' check out http://www.israelradio.org/connection.htm (via Doni Rosenzweig, DXLD) ** JAPAN. R. Japan August calendar is available --- Hello PC dxers, R. Japan wallpaper free download http://www.nhk.or.jp/rj/wall_e.html The best twelve pictures of photographs for the Calendar Photo Contest have been selected for 2005 NHK WORLD Calendar to commemorate the 70th anniversary of NHK. 73's (Nino Marabello, Treviso, Italy, swprograms via DXLD) ** JORDAN. R. Jordan since July 26th observed with English program back at 1300-1630 on 11690 (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, BC-DX July 30 via DXLD) ** KIRIBATI. Glenn, now living on Oahu (Windward) I have been checking for this almost every evening at 06 around 9825. Not a sound nor carrier that I can detect (David Norcross, HI, August 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Keep us posted. Sounds like you may have a great DX location! (gh, DXLD) ** KURE. ^^^ KURE ATOLL 2004 ^^^ The Pacific DX Group has announced plans for a DXpedition to Kure Atoll (KH7K), from mid to late October. Kimo Chun (KH7U) and Patrick Guerin (NH6UY), team leaders, will be joined by an experienced international team of operators, including a number of participants in the K5K DXpedition to Kingman Reef in 2000. The team (about 15 operators) will be on the island for a planned 10 to 11 days of operation. The primary target will be Europe and operations will take place from 160-6 metres SSB, CW, RTTY and some PSK31. A website is under construction, but there will be no online logs. Further information is expected in due course. Questions regarding funding can be sent to funds-kure @ inix.com general inquiries may be made to kh7u @ arrl.net [TNX DL9RCF] (425 DX News July 31 via Dave Raycroft, ODXA, via DXLD) ** KUWAIT. IBB Kuwait relay started on July 19th. The schedule of July 31st: 1330-1430 17605 Radio Free Afghanistan in Dari 1430-1500 13690 VOA Pashto, 1500-1530 VOA Dari, 1530-1630 VOA Pashto 1630-1730 11760 VOA Dari 1730-1800 11730 VOA Pashto, 1800-1830 VOA Dari 1830-1930 11750 VOA Pashto 1930-2030 11835 VOA Dari, 2030-2230 VOA English \\ heard via 7215 PHL 2230-2330 11935 VOA English 2330-0030 11995 VOA English, 0030-0130 VOA Pashto, 0130-0230 VOA Dari 0230-0330 11945 Radio Free Afghanistan in Pashto. Mostly in \\ 12140 Iranawila, and English parts on Kuwait MW 1593 kHz. IBB Kuwait single frequency service, in use since July 19th. I checked the KWT SW schedule since 1330 UT, today Tue 27th. All transmissions are scheduled in \\ to MW 1296 Kabul, and mostly 12140 IBB Iranawila Sri Lanka Island. 17605 couldn't heard today, due of very lousy prop storm, which occurs in progress since yesterday. But heard on Wed July 28th with S=2, checked all transmissions from 1330 til 2300 UT today, all according schedule given above. KWT signals at 1430 til 1800 UT are of S=1-2 poor power only, 55 degrees from Kuwait to AFG. That's not in my direction towards Europe, which is minus 90 degrees apart, on 314 degrees. Time delay - KWT is fed about one SECOND ahead of 12140 kHz signal. KWT via Atlantic / Africa satellite. Via IRA one hop more via S Indian Ocean satellite. Various IBB Kuwait test frequencies used at the 1500-0300 UT [till July 18 only]: 5955, 6095, 7245, 9535, 12005, 13650, and 21815 (Wolfgang Büschel, Stuttgart, Germany, BC-DX July 31 via DXLD) ** LATVIA, 9290, Kiss Radio, Recibida tarjeta QSL con datos completos, pegatina y carta de agradecimiento en 17 días, sobre su primer transmisión, el día 11 de Julio. En la carta dicen que volverán a estar en el aire, de nuevo en 9290 en el mes de agosto y que darán más información en su página web: http://www.kiss9290.net en la que informan sobre su política QSL y que dice lo siguiente: Receptionreports are appreciated and will be verified with our very special and sexy Kiss Radio 9290 QSL-card. You can e-mail your receptionreport to the the mailaddress below. We will only verify correct receptionreport if you include details from a least 15 minutes of our programme, time, date etc. If you want a printed QSL-card via snail-mail, please let us know. If not - then you will get a (faster) e-mail-QSL. Contact us at: kissradio @ kiss9290.net El informe se envió por mail a esa dirección de correo electrónico (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, July 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO [and non]. XESDD-1030 is running satellite nostalgia today Update on Tijuana area pests: On the way home this afternoon I noticed that XESDD-1030 is running satellite NOS (50s-70s) today instead of relaying XESS-620. This is probably the satellite feed that normally runs on KURS-1040 (KURS runs brokered programming on weekends, mostly black gospel). KURS and XESDD are managed by the same induhvidual.... I also noticed that the slop from XEMO-860 is starting to creep up again. I'm not sure but I suspect they may be cranking the transmitter up again after playing by the rules the last few months. 73, (Tim Hall, Chula Vista, CA, July 31, amfmtvdx at qth.net via DXLD) ** MEXICO. XERF-1570 power boost? Has anyone noticed the super signal XERF has now? They are 10 times stronger. Are they back to 250 kW? They own the frequency here on the Oregon coast at night. 1570 is totally useless now. I can even hear them on a portable with no trouble. There is no sign of any of the CA stations or anything else on the channel. It sounds like I moved to Texas! They used to be in the jumble or a bit on top. Now they are S9+20-40 DB off my Eastern beverage. 73s, (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, KAVT Reception Manager, August 1, NRC-AM via DXLD) You're right. I'm surprised I failed to notice how strong XERF is here near Phoenix. It was typical for Riverside to dominate, with XERF audible but not huge. XERF is massive now. Thanks for the tip. Guess I just wasn't expecting anything different on 1570; the signal had gotten progressively weaker since I moved here in 1993, and it wasn't very good then. What a difference! When did you first notice it? (Rick Lewis, ibid.) I've noticed them here in Madison WI a couple of times in the past week. They don't dominate 1570, but they certainly are a player, and are strongest on the frequency at times. Following the demise of the country-playin', Gospel-preachin', snake-oil and baby-chick sellin' "post office box xxxx Del Rio Texas" XERF, they have been a very rare visitor here indeed. Their sudden re-appearance has me wondering, too. 73 (Bill Dvorak, Madison WI, ibid.) They run 100 kW (Kevin Redding, Mesa AZ, Aug 1, IRCA mailing list via DXLD) Kevin, Thanks! How did you find out they boosted to 100K now? I have not seen it posted anywhere. But I knew they were 18K anymore. That is for sure. 73s, (Patrick Martin, OR, ibid.) They were announcing "Cien mil watts de potencia" in their ID. Whatever it is, they are damn loud here in Mesa, AZ. XERF has NO problems with splash from the 50 kW 1580 KMIK which is 2.8 miles from me. I would love them to have some EE rock programs and IN STEREO if they could do it. They will need that power to contend with the stupidity of IBAC on an adjacent frequency or two away (Kevin Redding, Mesa, Arizona, ibid.) ** NORTH AMERICA. I think Alan [Maxwell, KIPM] got disgusted with the back biting, lies and false rumors, that seem to float around the pirate radio scene, about anyone that stands out. It's very sad. Some people have no lives, or anything to offer the hobby, so they start false rumors about the people in the hobby, and do everything they can to cause harm to the people in it. Alan is one of the most talented program originators, and transmitter ops, I've heard in the past 20 years. It's very discouraging to know that some moron, who can't do either, has tried to drive this guy away from the hobby. I can fully relate to Alan's unhappiness with some of the people who populate the pirate radio hobby. I've been the target of lies, rumors and gossip, and have wondered, why do these people say this stuff? So next time someone has some "inside scoop", or some rumor, or story about someone in the hobby, ask yourself, "why is this person, trying to hurt someone in the hobby?". It's people like this, that have driven, people like Alan away! If they keep telling their lies, soon, there will be darn few pirates to listen to on the radio! And the people behind the rumor and lies, aren't going to put on a show, they only know how to destroy and tear things down. I miss Alan too, but fully understand his disgust, with the rumor mongers, liars and frauds, that seem to gravitate to our hobby. Everytime you communicate with these people, you empower them to drive people like Alan away. Sorry, just had to give this question an honest answer (Pat Murphy, administrator, FRN Grapevines, July 17 via DXLD) 6946U, (PIRATE) KIPM, 0205-0225, July 31, Unusual frequency selection with another mondo-bizarro masterpiece featuring the awakening of a sleeping sea princess, "The Legend of Tiamit, Pt.1". Requests postal reports, e-mails NOT QSLed, expressing continued support and enthusiasm for KIPM programming. Booming signal (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH-USA, R75, MLB-1, RS longwire with RBA balun, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. CHINA TO HELP PAKISTAN IN RADIO TRANSMITTER INSTALLATION http://www.paknews.com/flash.php?id=14&date1=2004-07-30 Beijing, China : July 30 (PNS) --- China will help Pakistan in installing high-powered medium and shortwave and FM radio transmitters for ensuring wide-range and clear reception of broadcasting service. This was agreed upon at a meeting held between Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and President of China Radio International (CRI) Dongmei Wang. The Minister who is currently on a visit to China at the head of 11- member media delegation visited the CRI headquarters and discussed with its President various proposals for expanding bilateral cooperation in the field of radio. Sheikh Rashid said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with China and wished to develop comprehensive partnership in all areas of bilateral interest. Pakistan, he said is planning to expand radio network so that its programme could be heard in its neighbouring countries including Iran, India and Afghanistan. He hoped they will soon get the radio transmitters from China to expand our radio service as well as to produce quality programmes. The two countries, he emphasized should adopt a joint strategy to project the policy of their common interest at the international level. He said media has now turned into important weapon which should be effectively used to project national interests. During the talks, the two sides agreed to expand existing cooperation between CRI and Radio Pakistan. It was also decided that the electronic media will remain in regular contact for production and exchange of their progammes. He appreciated CRI's Urdu service, and said it was playing the role of bridge to bring the people of the two countries further closer to each other. He noted, CRI has already expanded its Urdu service-duration from one hour to three hours daily for Pakistani listeners. The Minister was briefed about the working of China radio. It presents its programmes in 43 languages for millions of its listeners all over the world. Domestically, China's radio broadcasts reach 93.3 percent of its nearly 1.3 billion population, compared with 88.3 percent in 1998. China has 306 radio stations, with 1,983 radio programs, which broadcast a total of 22,838 hours a day (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) I find it hard to believe that R. Pakistan is not already heard in its neighbouring countries, quite a few SW transmitters already, some on the lower frequencies (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. UNID. 4751.7, R. Huanta Dos Mil (presumed), 0951-1027, OA campo music, M announcer at 0957 with very brief announcement during song. 0958 canned announcements, but couldn't copy any detail. After 1000, discussions by live M and W announcers. Still in discussion at 1027 recheck. Weak with thunderstorm QRN. No signal on/in 4747 vicinity. Frequency seemed to slowly drift up 20 Hz and back down. QRM from 4750 which I presume was Tibet, 31 July (Dave Valko, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 4751.82, NO IDENTIFICADA, 2248-2302, Julio 30, Quechua o Aymara & Español. Programa musical conducido por OM con música latinoamericana. A 2300 UTC anuncio en español: ".....música, información y servicio". A continuación prosigue la música. 23222.- Muy fuerte QRN que dificulta mucho la escucha y ni siquiera me permite identificar el idioma de transmisión. ¿Podría tratarse de Radio Huanta 2000 en una nueva frecuencia? De hecho, tanto anoche como hoy en la mañana no pude reportar a la emisora de Huanta en su habitual frecuencia de 4747v pero ello también podría atribuirse a las pésimas condiciones de propagación imperantes. En la mañana del 31 de Julio, la estación no identificada llegaba sobre las 1025 UT en adelante con charlas breves por OM e YL en aymara o quechua en los 4751.82 con mala recepcion (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina) Hola Arnaldo! 99.9999% has escuchado Huanta 2000. Esta información está en mi página de IDs 27/7 pero olvídé mandarla a las listas. 73s *** Tuesday morning edition *** Some observations from Quito 4751.45, (no audioclip) Radio Huanta 2000, Huanta. Now on this frequency. Had been for a long time on around 4747 kHz. 5699.81, (no audioclip) Radio Frecuencia, San Ignacio is now active. I logged the station last night Monday with good signal and female DJ. 5900.00, (no audioclip) unID LA, Spanish with strong signal but very distorted sound. Radio Naylamp? 5119.51, unID LA SS, probably Peru, 149 kb. 0220 UT 31/7 2004. Listen to my recording with ID and 3 frequencies. Is it a spur from "La Hora" or is it.....? Listen to my recording and tell me your opinion! Comments and recordings at: http://www.malm-ecuador.com (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, July 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 5119.4, RADIO ONDAS DEL SURORIENTE. Quillabamba. Jul 30 2345- 0105*. Reactivación?? "...entretenimiento, buena música. Mayor información, Radio Suroriente, tu mejor alternativa..." Reportada hace algunos meses por el colega Björn Malm en 5121v. "...Integrando a nivel nacional e internacional, Radio Ondas del Suroriente, amplitud modulada 1400 khz, onda corta 5060 kHz, banda de 60 metros, vía satélite(sic!), 96.5 frecuencia modulada estéreo..." 4386.6, RADIO IMPERIO. Chiclayo. 0050-0100 Ago 1. Pgrm: Por los Caminos de Bambamarca, anunciado para las 8 de la noche la celebración del ¡¡¡¡ 38 aniversario!!!! de la emisora, en los estudios de la misma. Pero a las 0100 se inició programación evangélica de la Iglesia Pentecostal la Cosecha (Rafael Rodríguez, Bogotá, Colombia, August 1, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. ONE TINY STATION IS KEEPING CLASSICAL RADIO ALIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2004 16:16:14 -0400 Agence France-Presse - 30 July 2004 http://www.andante.com/article/article.cfm?id=24134 Tiffany Liong tries to ignore the leaky roof and the rattling transmitter as she cues the 25th Goldberg Variation, bringing Bach's classic to a small but loyal radio following in the Philippines. Set up in 1954 by three American Christian missionaries, dzFE, like its faint signal at 98.7 on the FM band, is a rarity in the local airwaves dominated by US pop music, rap and talk radio. The only station in the Philippines to play Copland's Appalachian Spring and Rossini's The Barber of Seville has battled on despite funding woes for 50 years, collecting a clutch of "Golden Dove" awards for best radio station of the year along the way. The studio since 1998 has been based in a cramped, windowless box atop one of the older buildings in Manila's financial district. "When it's (the transmitter) on it's like a train passing through," Liong laughs. "We get complaints. They say, 'What's that hum on your broadcast?'" Transparent tape is deployed to try to dampen the rattling of the studio's glass windows. The ancient transmitter now runs only at half power, its signal fades beyond city limits, and the station is off the air on Sundays after slashing air time by 40 percent last year. "It's been up and down. Now we're on the down. We want to go back up and its not that easy to drum up a lot of support," Liong, the programming supervisor and acting station manager, told AFP. The studio console has been in use for 20 years, and dzFE makes do with lower-quality "consumer-type" CD players designed for home use. Rain water has twice seeped into the studio, owing to a leaking roof and faulty air-conditioning duct. The shelves bear about 2,000 CD albums. Some 10,000 other albums were left behind at the old library across town when dzFE moved to its current offices. Most are in the old LP album format, and some are on open-reel tapes. Its technicians are digitizing the lot to broaden the playlist, but it is slow going. German broadcaster Deutsche Welle provides content, but support from other foreign governments has flagged in recent years. The station survives mainly on donations channelled through its mother company, an inter-denominational evangelical Christian ministry outfit. "The compensation is in other forms, like for me, the fulfillment of the music and the fact that I know that I'm doing something that is good," said Liong. Signed shortly after graduating from university six years ago, the young woman maintains a cheerful outlook. The playlist is a tour-de-force of the 18th-19th century Classical period. The works of Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn stand out, but on some days one may hear the cantatas of Scarlatti and the traditional Spanish influences of Albéniz's work. Chamber music, usually instrumental pieces from the Baroque period, feature in the early morning and early evening slots, beamed to motorists battling Manila's rush hour traffic. Liong signs on in late morning for scholarly excursions into Elizabethan folk songs, 16th-century English church music, and the lush tones of 20th-century icons Rachmaninoff, Ravel and Vaughan Williams --- the last her personal favorite. The audience is an eclectic mix: expatriates, professionals, cultural sorts and artists, students, and the odd taxi driver. The station has no reliable count. "They listen because they like it, instinctively," Liong said. "At the same time, it certainly won't do any harm to do an outreach, go out and educate more people about classical music and get them exposed to it." The genre commands only a niche market in the Philippines. Record shops consign their classical offerings to the back shelves. As dzFE marks its 50th year, it is scrambling to get back into shape - -- in terms of programming, acoustics and funding --- to allow it to carry the standard for classical music into the 21st century. It has already started the process. It is moving its transmitter and antenna beyond city limits --- and its antenna will soon share a tower with that of Manila's top rock radio station. There's hope for the classics yet. COPYRIGHT 2004 Agence France-Presse. All rights reserved (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) Can it be? Yes, as the call implies, and don`t hesitate to capitalize the DZ too, it`s owned by Far East Broadcasting Company, per the WRTH 2004, with the slogan ``The Master`s Touch``. No doubt they throw in proselytizing between selexions, but this is clearly the only positive thing FEBC does anywhere (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SCOTLAND [non]. What's New? Exciting news!! Tomorrow, we launch a daily programme service on shortwave, for listeners in North America and Western Europe on 5105 kHz from transmitters in Maine, USA. We'll be on the air 7 days a week from 2300 to 0000 UT (7-8 pm Eastern Time, 1-2 am Central European Time, Midnight till 1 am British Summer Time). Programmes that can be heard during that hour each night will include Random Play, College of Piping, The Outsiders Presents, Country Corner, Tony Currie Wireless Show, Paul Sawtell's Jazz Programme, John Cavanagh's Album Show, Memories are Golden, Gig Guide, Tarry Awhile, The Lively Lounge and several brand new series. Programme details on the website soon, and in print in Radio News - for a free copy email letters @ radiosix.com. Our monthly shortwave transmissions from Italy on 5775 and 13840 kHz will continue. Our new schedules begin on Sunday 1st August, and a number of programmes will find themselves in new timeslots, with the return of some series and a few new ones as well. Piping enthusiasts should note that the repeat of College of Piping on Wednesdays at 0100 GMT will cease, to be replaced by a simulcast on the internet service with the European shortwave transmissions of the programme, and additional repeats on Tuesday evenings at 2303 GMT twice a month. Full details on the listings page. Jazz fans should note that the weekly repeat of Paul Sawtell's Jazz Programme shifts from Sunday at 0300 to Wednesday at 2303 GMT. Saturday Sounds returns after the summer break in its usual 1500 Sat/1700 Wed slots from August 7th. Tony Currie Wireless Show moves from Saturdays to Mondays at 2303 GMT from August 2nd. Country Corner returns on August 10th in a new monthly slot at 2303 GMT on Tuesdays. John Cavanagh's Album Show which enjoyed a Saturday repeat during the early summer now gets a permanent repeat slot on Thursdays at 2303 GMT. And The Outsiders Presents continues once a month on Saturdays at 1200 with a repeat on Sunday at 2303 GMT (from http://www.radiosix.com/ July 31 via WBCQ, DXLD) Another version: USA ** SEYCHELLES [non]. FEBA RADIO A'04 - CHANGES wef 26 JULY 2004 ---------------------------------------------- Added : 1315-1345 ......s KUMAUNI 12025 25 DHA 1315-1345 ...w... PUNJABI India 12025 25 DHA 1315-1330 .mt.tf. PUNJABI India 12025 25 DHA 1315-1330 s...... KANGRI 12025 25 DHA 1330-1345 .m..... BHILI 12025 25 DHA 1330-1345 ....t.. MARWARI 12025 25 DHA 1330-1345 ..t.... BRIJ 12025 25 DHA 1330-1400 s....f. GUJARATI 12025 25 DHA 1345-1400 .mtwt.s GUJARATI 12025 25 DHA Regds, (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SLOVAKIA. EN RADIO ESLOVAQUIA INTERNACIONAL UNA CHARLA CON MARCELA GREGORCOVA (por Hugo Longhi, Rosario, Argentina) Y en esta suerte de mini-gira europea ahora estoy en Bratislava, y sí estoy en Bratislava obviamente debo visitar a Radio Eslovaquia Internacional, esta emisora que nos sorprendió el año pasado con la decisión de sumar el idioma español a sus transmisiones. Ubicada en pleno centro de esta hermosa ciudad bañada por el rio Danubio, el edificio de la radio destaca netamente por su curiosa arquitectura con forma de pirámide invertida, cuya construcción data de 1983. Tras superar los controles de rigor, pude acceder al 7 piso donde está ubicada la sala de redacción. Allí fui atendido a las mil maravillas por 4 simpáticas y hermosas mujeres, todas eslovacas, que son las responsables junto a 2 cubanos de las emisiones diarias. Cabe aclarar que esa sala es de reducidas dimensiones y está totalmente decorada con fotos y tarjetas postales que los oyentes han ido enviando en este casi sesquiaño que están en el aire. Y para conocer algunos detalles de lo que sucede de aquel lado del receptor les propongo un diálogo con Marcela Gregorcova (pronúnciese Martzela Gregorzova), la amable jefa del Servicio en Español. -Hola Marcela ¿Cómo estás? Te invito a que mandes un saludo a tu audiencia. -Muy bien, les mando un cordial saludo, beso, lo que quieran a todos en América Latina que a pesar de las distancias estamos cerca. -¿Cuántas personas trabajan en el Servicio en Español? -Somos 5 personas, 3 nativas, Lada, Maria y yo y 2 chicos cubanos, Pepe Mas y José Portuondo y luego también trabaja Monika como secretaria. No puedo olvidar a tu compatriota María Lujan que es colaboradora externa y a Ramiro Flores, un mexicano que está en Madrid y desde allí extrae datos de Internet, traduce artículos, etc. -¿En qué consisten las tareas generales? -Las tareas generales están repartidas a través de toda la semana. La estructura de cada emisión se conforma con un boletín de noticias, el tema del día y luego el programa diario. La persona que se encarga de las noticias debe llegar muy temprano a la redacción y va recogiendo las informaciones nacionales que considere de interés. Al mediodía se hace la reunión con el jefe general de noticias que es quien pone el orden de los titulares para todas las Redacciones. Además de la Española, RSI cuenta con las Secciones Inglesa, Francesa, Alemana, Rusa y por supuesto Eslovaca. A las 15.00 nos dirigimos al estudio de grabación para darle vida a lo que saldrá al aire. -En cuanto al programa diario se graba a las 9.30, que es cuando tenemos turno en la cabina. Obviamente el realizador ya tiene preparado el material desde varios días antes. Así se completan los 27 minutos que dura cada emisión. El paso final es llevarlo al piso 11 desde donde se envía la señal a la planta transmisora que la acercara a vuestros receptores. -¿Cómo es el manejo con la correspondencia que reciben? -De eso se encarga Monika. Ni bien recibe la carta, postal o e-mail, las registra en una carpeta donde asienta diversos datos del oyente. Luego esos datos son llevados al ordenador para un mejor control y finalmente se archivan en biblioratos. Habrás visto la cantidad de cartas que han llegado en poco más de un año. Dentro de poco no va a alcanzar el lugar. En cuanto a las respuestas en si, las dispone la propia Monika tratando de complacer los pedidos en la medida de sus posibilidades. Las tarjetas QSL, en cambio, son manejadas por otra persona, que se ocupa de esa tarea en todas las Redacciones. -Marcela, a esta altura tengo la obligación de hacerte una pregunta personal. ¿Cómo aprendiste el español, que lo hablas tan bien? -Mira, yo nací en un pueblito cercano a la frontera con Polonia llamado Tvrdosin y aprendí el idioma siendo autodidacta. En el año 1992 tenia una lejana amiga en Madrid que cuando regresó a Eslovaquia me invitó a que fuera a aquella ciudad. Por aquel entonces yo tenía un irrefrenable deseo de salir al exterior. Me quedé 6 meses pero me bastaron solo 6 semanas para aprender lo básico y elemental. Luego fui a la universidad y aprendí literatura española y no sólo eso, también comencé a cantar y bailar flamenco. (N.del R.: Marcela canta muy bien). -¿Y cómo se produce tu incorporación a RSI? -Después de eso di clases bilingües y fue así como empecé a ser conocida por mucha gente que me conectaron con Ladislav Kubic, jefe de RSI, que quería formar una Redaccion Española. Y aqui estoy, deseando de todo corazón que sigan las ondas cortas, que las personas de "arriba" entiendan desde la comodidad de sus despachos que las decisiones que toman no siempre son las correctas. -Bueno, te adelantaste a la pregunta del millón sobre cuál es el futuro de RSI. -(Breve pausa). La situación está tranquila, estamos en calma, pero vivimos con una angustia diaria, sin saber qué nos espera. Se necesitan 54.000.000 de coronas eslovacas (aproximadamente U$S 1.600.000) para mantener la existencia de las ondas cortas y son los Ministerios de Exterior y el de Cultura los que deben disponer de ese presupuesto. Jaroslav Reznik, director de RSI, se pronuncia por la continuidad, pero ya no podrá por mucho tiempo más destinar fondos propios para el mantenimiento de las emisiones. Y a partir de allí, puntos suspensivos. No sabemos hasta cuándo vamos a seguir. (Off the record se supo que tal vez hasta fin de 2004 las transmisiones estarían confirmadas, pero nada es seguro). -Por supuesto que nosotros estamos muy atentos a este tema y preparados para taparlos de cartas nuevamente si la inminencia del cierre reaparece. Bien Marcela, no deseo molestarte más y sólo resta que te despidas de tu audiencia. -Mando cordiales saludos a todos los oyentes desde esta pirámide invertida, una vez más gracias por el incansable apoyo que nos brindaron con las cartas. Yo creo que somos la única Redacción que ha recibido esa avalancha de mensajes que consiguió que hoy día continuemos juntos a ustedes. Y con toda pena tuve que dejar esta emisora amiga, que no sólo merece ser escuchada sino, por qué no, de existir la posibilidad, ser visitada (Hugo Longhi, Argentina, jul 28, ESPECIAL PARA CONEXION DIGITAL, adaptado, July 31 via DXLD) ** SWITZERLAND. The first four editions of "Assignment Switzerland" are already available at the Swissinfo website for on-demand listening. Go to http://www.swissinfo.org, click on "English", then "Multimedia", then "Assignment Switzerland". Each is 30 minutes long. The first four editions are entitled "From steam radio to swissinfo" "Nation builders: myths and reality" "The peoples of Switzerland" "The fifth Swiss (living abroad)" (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, Swprograms via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Re: [Swprograms] Anybody know if the final SRI series will air on shortwave? Rich, I am listening to the first of the final series from Swiss Radio International, beamed to South America on shortwave (while I write this). They are using their usual SA frequencies of 11.905 and 9.885 MHz, beginning at 2330 UT. Apparently each new program begins on our Saturday early evening. (I don't know what they'll broadcast during the rest of the week). It was great to hear! Both frequencies had good to fair reception quality here in NE Indiana. Good listening, (Mark N9IWF, July 31, swprograms via DXLD) The final 12 English programs entitled "Assignment Switzerland," may be heard on the frequencies of 11.905 and 9.885 MHz, beamed to South America, starting July 31 at 2330 UT. Apparently, a new program will be broadcast each Saturday for twelve weeks (early evening in North America). The first one was received fairly well here in NE Indiana. Enjoy these shortwave broadcasts while they last. 73, (Mark Vosmeier, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Website gives English schedule as 0730-0800 13650 15445 21770, 0830- 0900 21770, 1730-1800 13750 15515 17870, 1930-2030 11815 13645 13795 15220, 2330-0000 9885 11905 (Mike Barraclough, UK, Aug World DX Club Contact via DXLD) As I recall, 15220 and 11905 are via GUF (gh, DXLD) ** UGANDA [non]. Radio Rhino International heard here July 30th on 17870 1500 sign on with African music and announcing as the voice of Freedom and Democracy, Trini López ``If I Had a Hammer`` followed by news in English including investigations into war crimes by Government forces in Northern Uganda (Mike Barraclough, England, Aug World DX Club Contact via DXLD) Is M-F only, 1500-1530; wonder if they really have a new program every day, or repeat the same topics (gh, DXLD) ** U K. WORLD DISSERVICE --- Sunday Times Today by Paul Donovan http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,7946-1196616,00.html Returning last week from the Red Sea, having in vain tried to get the World Service on either FM or short wave, I read the BBC annual report and BBC World Service annual review. Eventually, I found a brief remark about an extraordinary but rarely discussed phenomenon. In nearly every country surveyed by the BBC, the majority of listeners do not trust the World Service to provide unbiased news. That is so surprising, it almost has to be read twice. Does it not subvert everything we believe about the World Service as a beacon of impartiality and our most precious diplomatic asset? But it is quite true, and revealed in audience surveys carried out by the BBC itself. For the past two years, the Foreign Office (which funds the World Ser- vice to the tune of £220m a year) has required them to be made public. The comment I was searching for indicates listeners' concerns. "Trust ratings have fallen in some markets", was the admission. Indeed they have - with a vengeance. The BBC's approach to the Iraq war may have been regarded by some as pro-Baghdad here [what in the world does that mean? Is not everyone in favor of the city of Baghdad and wish it the best?? Do you really mean pro-Saddam, while he was still in power?? -- -gh], and led to the greatest crisis in the BBC's history, but in other areas of the world it was seen as the complete opposite - pro- Blair and pro-Bush - by listeners hostile to a perceived crusade against Islam. Every year, the BBC asks audiences in nine countries whether the World Service "provides unbiased and objective news and information". In Bangladesh, 85% of listeners in 2002-03 thought that it did, but in 2003-04,the proportion had dropped to 49%. Kenya's 74% fell to 49% and Indonesia's 39% to 29%. Egypt, Russia, Poland and Romania were all virtually unchanged, with less than one in three listeners in each of those countries prepared to trust the BBC. Pakistan went up slightly, but Nigeria was the only country in both years in which most listeners thought the BBC provided unbiased news. The most disturbing aspect of all this is the discrepancy between what Bush House, BBC governors and their Chatham House pals say here ("the BBC's coverage in relation to Middle East affairs is impartial ... overall picture reassuringly positive") and what listeners themselves say. It is hard to avoid the impression of complacency. When I asked for a comment, Bush House avoided any mention of the year-on-year fall, but pointed out that rivals, such as Voice of America, are trusted even less. "On the surface, a score of 17% on objectivity in Russia could be interpreted as low," said a spokesman. "However, as the most trusted media outlet in Russia only gets a percentage score in the mid-20s, the BBC's performance could be seen as remarkable, especially for a foreign broadcaster." Some of the low scores are inevitable: respondents have to mention the World Service spontaneously, and must not be prompted. But listeners abroad, not well-connected mandarins here who think everything is fine, are the ones who count. They are as key to the health of the output of the World Service as licence-payers are to the output of the domestic services. If their trust in the BBC is withering away, that presents a real problem for a corporation one of whose formal objectives for the coming year is to "enhance further the impact of the BBC's global news services". (via Mike Terry, dxldyg, Kim Elliott, DXLD) ** U K. POMP AND TURBULENCE --- The director of the BBC Proms considers the current state of classical music. By Nicholas Kenyon The Independent [London] - 16 July 2004 Classical music has been under attack on many fronts: funding in disarray, sponsorship falling, audience behaviour changing, and political support less than wholehearted. Some recent challenges to our musical life have been seismic, some of them have been painful, and some sectors of the business which did not look ahead astutely enough have suffered. The record industry, and institutions that relied on it, are in big trouble. You can't force people to embrace creativity and new technology, but without an imaginative approach to both, this industry will die. (We had to cancel two Proms this year by the Cleveland Orchestra just because the musicians could not agree under their present contract to the internet streaming of the BBC Radio 3 broadcast.) . . . [much more:] http://www.andante.com/article/article.cfm?id=24099&highlight=1&highlightterms=&lstKeywords= (Andante via Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** U S A. WRMI was still on 7385, UT Sun August 1 from 0230 with the DX block, altho opened with announcement of the impending change to 6870. I suppose this bode ill for getting it switched by UT Monday either, but check both for WOR at 0230. And yes, the noise QRM on 7385 is still going strong (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WBCQ: Radio Six International programming --- I received this from Tony Currie letters @ radiosix.com today. Debut broadcast on 5105 is 2300 UT Sunday 8/1/04. (All times here are UT - all transmissions via WBCQ on 5105 kHz) SUNDAY AUG 1 2300 Welcome to Radio Six International 2304 News 2306 This is Scotland (with Tony Currie) 0000 Close MONDAY AUG 2 2300 News 2303 Tony Currie Wireless Show 0000 Close TUESDAY AUG 3 2300 News 2303 College of Piping (with Rab Wallace) 0000 Close WEDNESDAY AUG 4 2300 News 2303 The Jazz Programme (with Paul Sawtell) 0000 Close THURSDAY AUG 5 2300 News 2303 The Album Show (with John Cavanagh) 2355 Memories are Golden 0000 Close FRIDAY AUG 6 2300 News 2303 Random Play (with Diana Luke) 2357 Gig Guide 0000 Close SATURDAY AUG 7 2300 News 2303 All Scotland (with Tony Currie) 0000 Close SUNDAY AUG 8 2300 News 2303 The Lively Lounge (with Tony Currie) 0000 Close MONDAY AUG 9 As Aug 2 TUESDAY AUG 10 2300 News 2303 Country Corner 0000 Close WED AUG 11 As Aug 4, THU AUG 12 As Aug 5, FRI AUG 13 As Aug 6, SAT AUG 14 As Aug 7. If this information is of use, let me know and we'll get you in the loop for regular schedule details. Regards TONY CURRIE, Programme Director, radio six international (via Larry Will, dxldyahoogroups and the WBCQ Program Guide via DXLD) v. SCOTLAND ** U S A. Joe Bevilacqua is a producer of considerable standing within the Public Radio sphere. His comments of Democratic Convention coverage have led to some really thoughtful discussion (Barry Rueger, Ont., CAJ-List via Ricky Leong, DXLD) Viz.: At the risk of biting the hand that feeds me and angering those of you of a different opinion, I offer up a letter I sent out to news editors today: Dear Editor, As a 24-year veteran member of the media, I am very frightened for our democracy. We no longer are willing to investigate and tell the truth. After watching the horrible TV coverage given to the 2004 Democratic Convention, it became clear to me that we no longer live in a democracy. In less than four year, we have become a one-party dictatorship. It is pretty much accepted today that FOX NEWS is a radical Right propaganda machine, but this past week, I watched CNN parade one Republican after another across the TV screen spreading hate and lies about Democrats and John Kerry, UNCHALLENGED by any reporter. I saw reporters themselves parroting these Right wing lies as if they were true. I saw CBS, NBC, ABC, and the rest all but ignore the Convention and play reruns of sitcoms and reality shows, and then TALK over the small amount of the Convention they did show. I saw MSNBC interrupt Democrat speeches and give that airtime over to Republicans who ridiculed the speaker we weren't getting to hear. I heard Republicans allowed to name-call, bad-mouth and insult every Democrat who disagreed with their one-sided view of the world, even make fun of Teresa Heinz Kerry's foreign ACCENT, again with out challenge or rebuttal. Even NPR (which the Right wrongly insists is Liberal and who pays part of my salary) seemed to give more air time to Republicans than Democrats. I was forced over to CSPAN through most of the Convention so that I could actually hear and see it without interruption, and make up my own mind. What has happened to this country in less than four years? Where are the Walter Cronkites and Edward R. Murrows of today? Who is asking the tough questions? Only AIR AMERICA seems willing to stand up to the corporate and radical Right machine that has taken over our country. The rest of the media has become nothing more than a Right wing mouthpiece, equal to the propaganda machine of Nazi Germany of the 1930s. Today, the media can simply say over and over that John Kerry is a Liberal, out of the mainstream and more left than Ted Kennedy, and not explain what this means. What IS a Liberal? What IS the mainstream? What criteria was used to define these terms? Are they true or false? No one in the media is willing to question any of this. We are living in very scary times. It is no wonder that half the country is still supporting George W. Bush, if people are getting their information from TV. Watching CNN deteriorate into a FOX-lite in this last four years is most disturbing. Ted Turner must be very sad to see his once respected news network turned into the place where Coby Bryant and Michael Jackson are more important than our national elections. It remains to be seen whether Democrats will be given the same courtesy during the Republican convention. But either way, it is wrong to allow either party to talk over their opponent's only chance to present their case to the American people. Republicans do not need time to talk during the Democratic Convention. That is what the Republican Convention is for. We deserve better. Our democracy is slipping away. Joe Bevilacqua, Radio Documentarian and Humorist, Napanoch, NY ----------------------------------------------------------- Are you a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists? Learn how to join today at: http://www.caj.ca (via Barry Rueger, CAJ-LIST, via Ricky Leong, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. 4830, Radio Táchira, San Cristóbal, 2216-2231, Julio 31. Español. Programa deportivo. Entrevista. Anuncios. ID & anuncio: "Estás escuchando Radio Táchira en... con lo mejor del deporte....", 24421. Yo no escucho esta emisora desde hace muchos años desde Buenos Aires. Tal vez, mas de una década (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Noticias DX via DXLD) 4830, Radio Táchira, San Cristóbal, 2216-2231, July 31. Spanish. Sports program. Interview. Different announcements. ID & announcement as: "Estás escuchando Radio Táchira en... con lo mejor del deporte....", 24421 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, BCLNews.it via DXLD) Seems to reactivate sporadically, soon to be gone again (gh, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. 4939.4, RADIO AMAZONAS. Puerto Ayacucho. Jul 31 0120- 0130*. Transmitiendo alocución de Chávez. Mencionando slogan: "Radio Amazonas lo dice todo primero". Luego cierre a las 0128: "...Damas y caballeros de Venezuela y el mundo, desde el corazón de la selva, Puerto Ayacucho, estado Amazonas, transmitió Radio Amazonas Internacional AM 1130, traspasando fronteras al desearles buenas noches y un feliz amanecer, nos despedimos con las gloriosas notas del himno nacional..." (Rafael Rodríguez, Bogotá, Colombia, August 1, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ditto ** VIETNAM [and non]. English broadcasts from Voice of Vietnam at 1600-1630, 1800-1830 and 1900-1930 have been monitored 20th July on 9730 and 13740; 11630 not heard. The 1800-1830 broadcast on 9730 has adjacent channel interference from the Voice of Vietnam service in Vietnamese via Moosbrun on 9725 as well as co-channel interference from WYFR in English (Edwin Southwell, England, Aug World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. Re: INFORME DEVUELTO DEL SAHARA Hola Pepe, la casilla postal NO FUNCIONA desde 2002! Martin Schoech informacion es INCORRECTA! Lo único que hay es la asociación de amigos de RASD situada en Euzkadi .... enténtalo por email con ellos. Por correo no hay una dirección oficial de la emisora.... http://web.jet.es/rasd/amateur4.htm http://web.jet.es/rasd/ wsahara @ wsahara.net También al respecto hay esta informacion: desde Yahoo Group Corad fecha 07 Abril 2004: Desidero segnalare che ho provato ad utilizzare la casella di posta elettronica della RADIO NACIONAL DE LA REPUBLICA ARABE SAHARAUI DEMOCRATICO riportata sul WRTH '04 (rasradio @ yahoo.es) ma il rapporto mi è tornato indietro con la segnalazione che essa non è più attiva (Luca Botto Fiora) Infatti la loro email è rasdradio @ yahoo.es (con la "D"), in alternativa prova arso @ arso.org (Roberto Scaglione, http://www.bclnews.it http://www.corad.net ) Suerte y enformanos si te contestan. 73's (Dario Monferini, Play-DX via DXLD) I hope I sorted out all the quotations correctly (gh) ** ZANZIBAR. TANZANIA: 6015, R. TANZANIA, 27/07, 03:50, Idioma africano probablemente Swahili, comentarios a dos voces (masculina y femenina) y música, esquema típico de las radios locales. Numerosas menciones de Tanzania. A las 0400 sonido de tambores y señal horaria. Luego noticias. 43433 (Miguel Castellino, Argentina, Conexión Digital via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Who is the French station on 1700? Also 1710 is active (Bill Harms, Elkridge, Maryland, 0223 UT Aug 1, NRC-AM via DXLD) Active with what? (gh, DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ NEW PACIFIC ASIAN LOG NOW AVAILABLE I'm pleased to announce the sixth edition of the Pacific Asian Log (PAL). It's been updated through July 2004 with many updates, including an expanded network section and many changes to the listings for China, Australia, India, and South Korea (to name a few countries). The log is over a hundred pages long and lists nearly 4000 stations in Asia and the Pacific (from Afghanistan to Alaska), with frequency, callsign, location, power, schedule, and other information It's available in pdf format sorted by country or frequency. You can download it at no cost from my website http://www.qsl.net/n7ecj As always, comments and updates are welcome and encouraged (Bruce Portzer, Seattle, USA, July 31, MW DX via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ GRUNDIG SATELLIT 800 BEING REPLACED Hello Glenn, According to Grove Enterprises website under the Sat 800, it is being replaced by that Sat 900/Eton E-1 XM when it comes out. You heard anything? http://www.grove-ent.com/RCV33.html (Michael McCarty, OH, Aug 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nope CELLPHONE ANTENNAS TO SPROUT ATOP LIGHT POLES AND SIGNS July 30, 2004 By IAN URBINA At more than $6,000 a month for a few square feet, it may be the most expensive real estate in New York. The thin sliver of space on top of lampposts, traffic signals and highway signs is where the city plans to allow telecommunications companies to put cellphone antennas and Internet transmitters. The plan, which will add about $21.3 million to city coffers, will improve spotty cellphone reception - and turn many intersections into wireless Internet "hot spots." But, city officials say, it will also help those who cannot afford regular telephone service, by providing a cheaper option, through wireless Internet-based access, in neighborhoods with the fewest connections to the phone network. Opponents of the plan say that the only thing the antennas will bring is an increased health risk. . . http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/30/nyregion/30cellular.html?ex=1092320551&ei=1&en=c30e16aa1d226d4e (via Jeff Rich, VA3QSL, ODXA via DXLD) Interesting article from the New York times, but I wonder what effect this will have on RFI (Jeff Rich, ibid.) To a lesser extent that has already been happening, quite quietly, in Toronto for at least ten years. The Don Valley Parkway and HWY 401 have quite a few pole mounted smaller transmitters to eliminate dead zones (Mark Coady, ibid.) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ ``IT SEEMS TO US . . .`` HARMFUL INTERFERENCE By David Sumner, K1ZZ, ARRL Chief Executive Officer, August 1, 2004 +++ Editor`s note: Typically, only ARRL members get to read the ``It Seems to Us ...`` editorials that run each month in QST. We`re posting this editorial that appears in the issue of QST in the hope that both ARRL members and nonmembers might appreciate it and find it informative. +++ Belatedly and grudgingly, the proponents of Broadband over Power Line (BPL) are beginning to acknowledge that their systems cause interference to radiocommunication. They have a new refrain: it may be interference, but it isn`t harmful interference. Every radio amateur should be familiar with the concept of harmful interference. The definition is right there in Part 97: Harmful interference. Interference which endangers the functioning of a radionavigation service or of other safety services or seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations. (FCC Rules, §97.3(a)(23)) This definition does not just apply to the Amateur Radio Service. It originates in the Constitution of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is faithfully reproduced in the international Radio Regulations as well as in the general rules and regulations (Part 2) of the FCC Rules. Amateur Radio is a radiocommunication service. BPL is not. In the spectrum management context, BPL has no rights whatsoever. In fact, the international Radio Regulations --- which have the force and effect of a treaty --- require that ``Administrations shall take all practicable and necessary steps to ensure that the operation of electrical apparatus or installations of any kind, including power and telecommunication distribution networks...does not cause harmful interference to a radiocommunication service....`` [emphasis added] Mark this: Protecting the Amateur Radio Service from harmful interference from BPL is not optional for the FCC. It is required. The FCC couldn`t get out from under that obligation if it wanted to. For most of its 70-year history --- that is, until very recently --- the FCC gave more than lip service to its obligation to protect licensed services. It is the reason that the following rule is enshrined in Part 15: Operation of an intentional, unintentional, or incidental radiator is subject to the conditions that no harmful interference is caused and that interference must be accepted that may be caused by the operation of an authorized radio station, by another intentional or unintentional radiator, by industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment, or by an incidental radiator. (FCC Rules, §15.5(b)) With this background it should be obvious why the BPL proponents are grasping at the ``it may be interference, but it isn`t harmful interference`` straw. They know they don`t have a leg to stand on. Going back to our definition, if a BPL system ``seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts`` amateur radiocommunication then it is in violation. It doesn`t matter how weak the signal is that you`re trying to hear, or whether you`re operating in the comfort of your own home, portable or mobile: BPL cannot inflict serious degradation, repeated misinterpretation, or repeated loss of information (these terms are taken from the ITU definition of ``interference``) on a radiocommunication service. If a violation occurs, what happens then? What should happen is obvious: it must be corrected immediately. Remember, the operation of the device is ``subject to the conditions that no harmful interference is caused and that interference must be accepted....`` If the device causes harmful interference then it must be shut down. Period. Remember, neither the device nor its operator has any right whatsoever to use the radio spectrum if doing so causes harmful interference. And if the operator, once informed of the harmful interference, willfully refuses to take immediate corrective action? Then a higher authority than the FCC kicks in: the Communications Act of 1934, by which the FCC was created in the first place. Section 333 says, ``No person shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communications of any station licensed or authorized by or under this Act or operated by the United States Government.`` Clearly, the operator of a device causing harmful interference who refuses to fix the problem immediately is interfering willfully and is subject to stiff penalties. This is exactly what has happened in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the station of Jim Spencer, W0SR, has been subjected to harmful interference from BPL for more than 12 weeks despite repeated demands to the operator, Alliant Energy. The ARRL has interceded with the FCC`s Enforcement Bureau on Jim`s behalf, requesting that a monetary forfeiture of no less than $10,000 be levied against Alliant Energy. Power utility companies often receive complaints of harmful interference to licensed radiocommunication services resulting from sparking and corona discharge. The radio users receiving such interference are entitled to prompt resolution of the interference. However, no one would expect the interruption of electrical service to scores of customers until the sparking/corona problem can be rectified. The situation with regard to BPL interference is entirely different. The radio users receiving harmful interference from a BPL source have every right to expect that the interference will be eliminated immediately upon notification to the operator. According to §15.5(c) of the FCC Rules, ``The operator of a radio frequency device shall be required to cease operating the device upon notification by a Commission representative that the device is causing harmful interference. Operation shall not resume until the condition causing the harmful interference has been corrected.`` Offenders may argue that they are not obligated to remedy interference until the FCC tells them to. Nonsense. That`s like arguing that if you run a red light and cause an accident, but a police officer doesn`t see you, then it`s not your fault. For a BPL system operator knowingly to continue to cause harmful interference to a licensed radiocommunication service --- amateur or otherwise --- is totally unacceptable. There is no reasonable reading of the international Radio Regulations, Communications Act, and the FCC Rules that could lead to a different conclusion. Copyright © 2004, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (via John Norfolk, dxldyahoogroup via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ July 6th USA high MUF Es There was no mention on the 222 MHz prop logger regarding suspected 432 MHz UHF Es contacts on July 6th. I wonder why Girard mentioned that 300+ MHz Es was reported during the July 6th opening. Perhaps someone was receiving 88-108 MHz FM transmitters less than 200 miles away via Es? This would give a secant law multiplier of greater than three times for the MUF, hence above 300 MHz. For the record, the shortest hop band 2 Es was AMV4 Albury (95.25 MHz) received by Robert Copeman, Sydney, 12-12-72 (280 miles leading to a MUF 250 MHz at 1300 miles). For all the July 6th high MUF 144 and 222 MHz Es activity, the various US ionosondes were struggling to get to 10 MHz. Surprisingly, the one inland at Dyess (32N, 100W) didn't see very much; neither did the one at Eglin AFB/Florida, Boulder/Colorado or Millstone Hill (43N,72W). Ionosonde at Wallops Island, 38N, 76W: 05-Jul-2004 18:00:00 6.65 05-Jul-2004 19:00:00 9.38 05-Jul-2004 20:00:00 7.07 05-Jul-2004 21:00:00 9.14 05-Jul-2004 22:00:00 8.23 05-Jul-2004 23:00:00 6.05 "On the morning of July 6, there was another opening for the eastern part of the country." Ionosonde at Wallops Island, 38N, 76W: 06-Jul-2004 12:00:00 6.56 06-Jul-2004 13:00:00 7.19 06-Jul-2004 14:00:00 7.67 06-Jul-2004 15:00:00 8.61 "That afternoon (July 6), a little after 2100 UTC, we had one of the biggest 144 and 222 MHz openings North America has ever experienced!" ionosonde at Wallops Island, 38N, 76W: 06-Jul-2004 20:00:00 9.64 06-Jul-2004 21:00:00 9.02 06-Jul-2004 22:00:00 7.78 06-Jul-2004 23:00:00 5.78 Ionosonde at Point Arguello, 36N, 121W: 06-Jul-2004 23:00:00 5.13 07-Jul-2004 00:00:00 8.10 07-Jul-2004 01:00:00 5.03 Perhaps these ionosondes were too far from the Es propagation on 144 & 222 MHz, the ionisation covered a small area, or it was short-lived. Regards, (Todd Emslie, Sydney, Australia, July 30, WTFDA via DXLD) DXERS UNLIMITED`S EXCLUSIVE AND NOT COPYRIGHTED HF PLUS LOW BAND VHF PROPAGATION UPDATE AND FORECAST Huge sunspot 652 that could be seen with the naked eye, has rotated out of view, but before disappearing from our view, it was the source of major excitement this week for radio enthusiasts worldwide, and especially for AM medium wave band DXers and 6 meter band radio amateur operators. Coronal mass ejections caused big geomagnetic storms on Sunday and Tuesday, July 25 and 27. The planetary A index went up to 122 on Sunday, 131 the next day, and 162 on Tuesday. And anyone familiar with the SOLAR NUMBERS knows well that the planetary A index figures above 50 units mean very high probabilities of the Earth going trough geomagnetic storm conditions. This extremely high A index caused radio blackouts on the HF bands, and enhanced 50 megaHertz band conditions to the enjoyment of 6-meter operators who reported great openings. AURORA BOREALIS related propagation modes also provided fantastic DX for VHF operators up to frequencies in the 222 megaHertz amateur band in North America According to scientists this very high geomagnetic activity was enhanced significantly by a south-pointing interplanetary magnetic field, leaving the Earth much more exposed to blasts of energy from the Sun. Aurora displays accompany periods of high geomagnetic activity, but they tend to predominate at higher latitudes. The stronger the activity, the higher the K and A index, and the further south that northern lights can be seen. AURORA BOREALIS was so strong that it was seen at and photographed at a location is only 20 miles north of the 33rd parallel, in Southern California. Expect much lower solar activity during the next week, as the number of sunspots has gone down significantly. The geomagnetic field is also expected to remain at quiet levels for the next several days. Helioseismic analysis show no large sized sunspots on the far side of the Sun, an indication of lower solar activity (Arnie Coro, DXers Unlimited July 31, Radio Havana Cuba, via ODXA via DXLD) Appears Arnie had not had internet access for several months (gh, DXLD) ###