DX LISTENING DIGEST 4-122, August 14, 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 AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1241: Sat 2000 on RFPI http://www.rfpi.org repeated 8-hourly [maybe] Sat 2300 on RFPI http://www.rfpi.org repeated 8-hourly [maybe] Sun 0230 on WWCR 5070 Sun 0300 on WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0630 on WWCR 3210 Sun 1000 on WRN1 to North America, webcast; also KSFC 91.9 Spokane WA, and WDWN 89.1 Auburn NY; maybe KTRU 91.7 Houston TX, each with webcasts Sun 1100 on R. Lavalamp http://www.radiolavalamp.org Sun 1500 on R. Lavalamp http://www.radiolavalamp.org Sun 1600 on WJIE 7490 13595 [very tentative; check it out] Sun 1900 on Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 Sun 2000 on RNI webcast, http://www.11L-rni.com Mon 0100 on WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0230 on WRMI 6870 [NEW] Mon 0330 on WSUI 910, webcast http://wsui.uiowa.edu [previous 1240] 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]: WORLD OF RADIO 1241 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1241h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1241h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1241.html WORLD OF RADIO 1241 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1241.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1241.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1241 in the true SW sound of 7415: (stream) http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_08-11-04.m3u (d`load) http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_08-11-04.mp3 ** ALBANIA. Today I observed Radio Tirana on shortwave from 1800 with Italian on 7240 and at 2030 with what should be Albanian on 7295, the latter heavily disturbed by co-channel CRI (!!) in English. On 1458 they had German from 1801 after the already discussed antenna switch, and I can also confirm Serbian starting at 2015 with an abrupt audio switch-over from Deutsche Welle in Serbian (or Serbocroatian), too. So obviously the schedule quoted in DXLD 4-120 is still valid. This schedule was introduced around April 1st; it brought some reshufflings due to the extensive CRI relays, amongst other changes herewith German was squeezed into the current slot on 1458. But with a high degree of certainty, indeed new shortwave transmitters are in use now. The audio is somewhat different, softer than it used to be, tho still with the crackle previously typical for the Radio Tirana transmissions via Cërrik (but not the Fllakë mediumwave blowtorches). And much more important: I noted the 2030 transmission to be spot on 7295. No more unstable carriers as was always the case with Cërrik. Be aware of the circumstance that the recently quoted schedule for CRI via Fllakë disregards daylight shifting time. Most likely all transmissions run one UT hour earlier at present (I can confirm this at least for Italian and Hungarian). All the best, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANTARCTICA. 15476, LRA36, R. Nacional (presumed), 2041-2059, August 13, Spanish, OM and YL at tune-in; over music on occasion, pop music bridge at 2043 followed by YL with lengthy talk. Pop ballads from 2050 onward, surge in QRN at 2057 then wiped out at 2059 by Voz Christiana- 15475 s/on. Spot on frequency tho, Weak with deep fades and propagational QRN (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, MLB-1, RS longwire with RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ASIA [non]. DXers around the world are flocking to Radio Free Asia's new Automated Reception Report System which is now available on line at http://www.techweb.rfa.org Simply click on the QSL REPORTS link to get there. This advanced new service combines the power of the Mambo http://www.mamboserver.com open-source content management system and a database. The Automated Reception Report System is being officially launched this week at the 2004 Mexican DX'ing Conference in Veracruz. During his presentation about Radio Free Asia, Abner Mir, is providing the full details of how DX'ers can quickly and easily submit reception reports, view general locations of all other confirmed reports, and get their own name added to Radio Free Asia's QSL distribution list. For years, Radio Free Asia has processed written reception reports from DX'ers much the same way other radio stations have done for decades; all though standard postal services with a QSL card as confirmation of an accurate reception report. While Radio Free Asia will still accept written reception reports delivered by the US Postal Service, Radio Free Asia's Chief Technology Officer, David M. Baden, spearheads a new trend in how DX'ers submit reception reports and how radio stations receive feedback. After weeks of effort, his system is ready for full-time use. Earlier this year, Radio Free Asia also started accepting email submission or reception reports at: QSL @ rfa.org There are two easy steps to submitting a reception report: 1. Listeners click on the "Submit a Reception Report" button. 2. A Form Page will be displayed. The page contains instructions and explanations as needed. Simply fill out the information fields on the form and click on SUBMIT. The new online location also provides two ways to submit your reception reports: 1. Anonymously --- Reception Reports can be submitted anonymously where you do not have to identify yourself. No information will be harvested from anyone's computer and you will not be requested to submit any personal data. 2. Attributed --- Register your mailing information in the database and you will receive the latest QSL Card in our next regular mailing. All information submitted to RFA will be held confidential as outlined in the site's Privacy Policy. QSL Cards that are mailed will confirm all reception reports received during the mailing time period for users that request a QSL Card. Requests for QSL Cards will be mailed regularly. Radio Free Asia also will issue a new design for the QSL Card every quarter or when special events dictate. When you submit a reception report and provide your email address, you will receive an immediate confirmation of the report via email in addition to the receiving the QSL Card in your postal box. If you have any further questions or comments about the Automated Reception Report System, please email your comments to QSL @ rfa.org or mail them to: Radio Free Asia, Reception Reports, 2025 M. Street, NW, Washington DC 20036, U.S.A. Radio Free Asia (RFA) broadcasts news and information to Asian listeners who lack regular access to full and balanced reporting in their domestic media. Through its broadcasts and call-in programs, RFA aims to fill a critical gap in the lives of people across Asia. Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, RFA currently broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean, Lao, Mandarin, Tibetan, Uyghur, and Vietnamese. RFA adheres to the highest standards of journalism and aims to exemplify accuracy, balance and fairness in its editorial content (Andrew Janitschek (A. J.), R Free Asia, Washington, U.S.A., Aug 5, DSWCI DX Window Aug 11 via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Further to Paul David in DXLD 4-121, many ABC programs are still available 'on demand' - for instance, the Aug 14 edition of the Science Show can now be downloaded from their website at http://www.abc.net.au/rn/news.htm#scienceshow The restrictions relate to live audio streams that will obviously include Olympics coverage (Matt Francis, Wash. DC, Aug 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) And it's a real pain too. The ABC in Australia has shut down all of their streams - even the music station JJJ (between 6 am and 6 pm), which wouldn't broadcast any Olympic coverage at all, save for whatever is reported during the two or three minute news bulletins at the top of the hour (Paul, 08.14.04 - 7:53 pm, Media Network blog via DXLD) See NETHERLANDS; UK ** BELARUS. 4982/5134, Minsk relay, 0310-0320, Aug 8, with Belarusian songs not // BR 1 6010. Stronger here than in Greece, i.e. 4982: 45444 and 5134: 35343 (Petersen) 7145, BR, Mahilioú, 0340-0405, Sun, Aug 8, R, Stalica program in Belarusian until 0400 with local pop songs, 0357 ID: ``Radio Stalitsa``. Used to be broadcast on weekdays only. This morning all other stations did relay BR 1. At 0400 time signal, and BR 1 ID: ``Persy nacyjanalny kanal`` heard // 279 LW, 6010, 6040, 6070, 6080 and 6115. 45444 on 7145 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window Aug 11 via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 3310, R. Mosoj Chaski, Carrier on 13 Aug at 0826, very low level audio with wind blowing and rooster SFX (very eerie sounding!!) presumably as an IS. 0830 music started and complete opening canned announcement by M. 0831 choral NA, 0834 more canned announcements, into nice local CP music. Fair strength but audio too low. 5952.43, R. Pio Doce, 14 Aug, 0957-1028, Same format and promos as heard last Winter, with a couple new ones too. 0959 Pio Doce theme song, 1000 M briefly, then promo/ID with part of the Pio Doce theme used. More promos/ads including 3+1 time ticks(!!!) at 1001:40, and continuous promos/ads. Live M at 1003 with live [how could you tell?] band music, mentions of Bolivia, ID, TC, etc. Signal gradually picked up and peaked to excellent level at around 1015 before fading. General quick QSB, almost fluttery. Still getting audio at 1028. The het was still noted at 1102. Absolutely NO WYFR this morning!!!!! [see USA] Was a great opportunity to get details for a report. Solar Indices this morning were: Solar Flux = 149, A Index = 8, and K Index = 2. R2 blackouts. And for what it`s worth, the weather this morning was damp and dreary with dense fog locally(!!). (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 6105, R Canção Nova and R Cultura Filadélfia both heard simultaneously, 2249-2306, Jul 23, both airing Voz do Brasil; 34432 (both stations at same signal level). (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DSWCI DX Window Aug 11 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 9504.85, R. Record, 0924-0945, 14 Aug. Morning program of ZY Romantic music [I prefer to think of it as PR romantic music --- whatever became of PR- calls for some elder stations? --- gh] with live studio M announcer host between songs with rooster crowing SFX. Many many TCs, sometimes during the songs. Canned announcements and jingles too. 0932 song announcement, TC, nice ID promo ending with jingle, another promo mentioning "música internacional". Nice clear steady signal until 0935 when it started to be affected by quick QSB. Fading badly by 0945. Have noted this regularly around 0900 lately, but this was the first time for easily readable signal (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CANADA. CBC may have turned off all its streaming (except a few specially prepared newscasts lacking Olympic items!) but we have confirmed RCI-1 is still streaming, including CBC programs, such as The House at 1610 UT Sat Aug 14. Here`s the PublicRadioFan schedule, which includes both CBC and RCI programs, many of them repeated at odd times to fill the 24-hour schedule: http://www.publicradiofan.com/cgi-bin/station.pl?stationid=3940 For even more choices check the RCI-3 stream: http://www.publicradiofan.com/cgi-bin/station.pl?stationid=15 The PRF page for RCI-1 near the top has audio links labeled Real Audio and Windows Media. These are specifically: http://www.rcinet.ca/realaudio/live/live_en.ram http://www.rcinet.ca/msplayer/live/live_en.wax These streams even include Olympic reports at :50 past the hour (every hour?). Better keep this quiet (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) According to an advertisement in the Globe and Mail, Olympic reports air on CBC Radio One every hour from 05:50 to 17:50, and there's a three-minute report at 21:04:30 (all local times). On Radio Two, such reports are heard after World Report in the mornings, and after Canada at Five on weekdays (Ricky Leong, QC, Aug 14, swprograms via DXLD) ** CUBA. RHC missing from SW, as well as Rebelde 5025, but strong on MW 1180 Friday night. Shortwave jammer against Martí on 9 MHz band also running (George Thurman, Houston TX, Aug 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RHC still missing early UT Sunday (gh, OK, DXLD) ** CUBA [and non]. USA, 9955, WRMI, tuned in to them using a number of DXtuners on the East Coast of the USA. I thought that Cuban jamming against the various Cuban exile programs might either be absent or reduced. This was the case about a year and a half ago after a hurricane hit Cuba. Jamming did start up at 2300 Aug 14 against the Foro Militar Cubano program, but there was a readable signal from Virginia. I wouldn't say that the intensity of the jamming is reduced, but this one might be worth tuning to as I did have a rare readable signal (Hans Johnson, WY?, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** CUBA. TELEVISIÓN CUBANA 24 HORAS DE TRANSMISIÓN DE LOS JUEGOS OLÍMPICOS --- La radio ocupará solo 15 horas diarias de información de la participación de sus atletas. En medio de un creciente déficit de generación eléctrica, la televisión cubana dispuso dar cobertura directa durante 24 horas a los XXVIII Juegos Olímpicos de Atenas, que se realizarán del 13 al 29 de agosto. Directivos de la empresa estatal aseguraron que han contratado la señal para transmitir 24 horas, con reportes de la actuación de los deportistas cubanos, tanto en la fase eliminatoria como en la final. El vicepresidente del Instituto Cubano de Radio y Televisión, Danilo Sirio, afirmó en un programa sobre los Juegos que en total serán 350 horas de transmisiones, de ellas 200 en "vivo" con inicio en horas de la madrugada, por la diferencia de seis [sic; 7] horas con Grecia. La radio funcionará a partir de la 01:30 horas locales (0530 GMT), durante unas 15 horas diarias, todo en vivo con prioridad para los eventos donde intervienen los cubanos. http://www.radional.gob.pa/portal/noticia.aspx?PaginaAnterior=Inicio.A spx&NoticiaID=16546 Aug 11 via Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. EN RADIO PRAGA/UNA CHARLA CON FREDDY VALVERDE por Hugo Longhi Le llegó el turno a Praga, esta ciudad sacada como de un cuento de hadas, donde a cada paso uno encuentra el rincón ideal que obliga a la foto. Y en pleno corazón praguense, casi como punto inicial de la célebre Plaza de Vénceslao, se encuentra el edificio de la Radiodifusión Checa que incluye a Radio Praga. Tal como me sucediera en Budapest, el fin de semana y un muy inoportuno feriado conspiraron en mi contra para reunirme con quienes día a día dan vida a las transmisiones en español que tanto disfrutamos. De todos modos no me fui con las manos vacías ya que pude recorrer las instalaciones junto a Freddy Valverde, el Redactor Jefe del Servicio en nuestro idioma, que amablemente me atendió y comentó las diversas actividades que allí se realizan. El diálogo que sostuvimos se transcribe a continuación, pero antes permítanme detenerme para destacar un hecho muy personal y es que apenas ingresé al despacho de Freddy, me encontré con un gran póster del Monumento a la Bandera, símbolo de mi ciudad, un plato grabado en bronce que también lo evoca y una foto con 6 personas, entre las que nos contabamos Ruben Margenet y un servidor. Gratísima sorpresa que refleja una anterior visita que hizo el amigo Juan Carlos Buscaglia, hoy residente en Italia. Otra sorpresa fue descubrir en otra oficina, casi por casualidad a Eva Manehtova, sin dudas uno de los emblemas de Radio Praga, que fue a trabajar en domingo por ser la encargada del boletín de noticias ese día. Esta es la entrevista a Freddy. - ¿Cuál es tu nacionalidad y cuánto hace que estás en Praga? - Yo soy de Costa Rica, llevo casi 20 años de estar fuera de mi país, la mayoria de ellos en Praga. - ¿Y cuántos en la emisora? - Yo tengo 2 períodos aquí. Empecé a trabajar en 1987, luego en el 89 cuando vinieron los cambios, me fui a Medios de Comunicación Europeos, colaboré para diarios de España y Chile y televisión mexicana para luego regresar a Praga. Desde hace casi 4 años estoy al frente de la Redacción Iberoamericana de Radio Praga. - ¿Cuál es tu función en Radio Praga? - Como redactor jefe del Servicio en Español, un día mío es bastante agitado aunque agradable. Es siempre un desafío obtener la información del día aparte de elaborar los programas semanales y quincenales. Llego por las mañanas ya habiendo leído los diarios y voy seleccionando qué material saldrá al aire. Luego tenemos consejo de redacción con el Redactor General donde cada Sección presenta los temas que considera más candentes y se acuerda una difusión uniforme para todas las lenguas. También me ocupo de distribuir las tareas para el resto del equipo e incluso hago mis propias entrevistas. Finalmente me quedan las labores administrativas, como licencias, reemplazos, etc. Mi jornada habitual es de 12 horas. - ¿Cuántas personas trabajan en la Redacción Iberoamericana? - En primer lugar debo decir que es un equipo pequeño, pues fijas; somos sólo 8 personas. Elena Horalkova, que cubre lo relacionado con deportes, Ivana Vonderkova, que casi no tiene acento checo, Pavla Ilichkova, especialista en temas de la OTAN y seguridad, Eva Manehtova, persona clave en la Redacción. Nosotros decimos que lo que no sabe Eva directamente no existe. Luego están Román Casado, un chico que además es músico y cantante, otro de los pilares es Andrea Fajkusova, una verdadera todo-terreno y por supuesto Jana Ondrakova que es la encargada de responder las cartas, nada menos. Otra figura es Libuse Vondrova, que es nuestra realizadora técnica y se encarga de hacer de un material malo algo esplendido con la música y efectos que incorpora. También colabora Carlos González Hanel, que ya no está en forma permanente por otras obligaciones pero jamás nos abandonó por completo. Volvió Pedro Iglesias, el español de Asturias, ya jubilado, sigue haciendo su aporte. - Te pido nos comentes el futuro de Radio Praga. - Bueno, esa es la pregunta del millón de dólares. Como bien saben, ésta es una emisora pública que depende de un presupuesto y nuestra lucha por obtener un buen porcentaje es anual, es decir hasta finales de 2004 tenemos la continuidad asegurada y después se verá, aunque somos optimistas. Los oyentes nos ayudan a serlo con sus innumerables cartas. - Y por cierto que esa audiencia está esperando tu mensaje de despedida. - Reitero el agradecimiento por acompañarnos y reciban un fuerte abrazo desde el corazón de Praga. Y atrás quedó el mítico edificio de Vinohraska 12, que días después de mi visita fuese declarado Monumento Nacional aunque yo nada tuviese que ver para ello. Me trajé la felicidad de compartir por un ratito las actividades de Radio Praga, legendaria estación que sobrevivió a históricos momentos de la vida checa y así seguirá, metiéndose orgullosa en nuestros hogares (Hugo Longhi, Rosario, Argentina, exclusivo para Misceláneas de Conexión Digital, ago 4 via DXLD) ** DENMARK. The World Music Radio from Ilskov, Denmark seems to be back on the air testing this evening 2000-2040 after 5 weeks absence with non-stop pop music on 5815 kHz, but with frequent breaks. SINPO in Copenhagen: 55555. Nothing heard on 15810 kHz. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Denmark, Aug 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ENEWETAK. The Story of Radio Broadcasting on Enewetak (ENN-ee-WEE- tahk) The island cluster that is known as Eniwetok, or Enewetak, is a large isolated coral atoll in the north western corner of the Marshall Islands in the Central Pacific. Enewetak is made up of 40 small, low sandy islands with a total area of a little more than two square miles. The very large lagoon in the middle of all of these small islands covers almost 400 square miles. The island of Enewetak itself is just two miles long and a quarter mile wide. In the early era of European exploration, Enewetak was technically a Spanish territory, as one of the Marshall Islands. However, Enewetak was unknown to Europeans until the English merchant ship, ``Walpole`` visited the island in 1794 and named it ``Brown`s Range``. In 1885 Germany assumed control of the Marshalls including Enewetak; and in 1914, it was captured by the Japanese and re-named ``Brown`s Island``. The League of Nations mandated this island to Japan in 1920. Enewetak was captured by the Americans on February 20, 1944, and it was used twelve years later for the world`s first test of the awesome hydrogen bomb. In 1977, the island was declared to be free from radio- active contamination. The story of radio broadcasting on the island of Enewetak goes back to the year 1944 at the time when American forces were flooding into the Pacific. On July 15 of that year, station WXLE was launched with 50 watts on 1330 kHz. This new station was listed as the second AFRS station in the Pacific, with WVUQ on Guadalcanal (GWAH-dal-ca-NAL) as the first. Initially station WXLE was a member of the Jungle Network and subsequently it was listed with the Pacific Ocean Network. When this station was first heard in Australia and New Zealand, the on air announcements identified the station as AFRS1, American Forces Radio Service Station 1. A few weeks later, the on air announcements identified the station as AES, American Expeditionary Station, and soon again, the regular callsign was noted, WXLE. One report states that station WXLE was transferred to Oro Bay in the Philippines in May 1945. However, it should be stated that Oro Bay is in New Guinea, not the Philippines. Station lists at that era continue to show the station on Enewetak with 50 watts on 1320 kHz. Another report states that WXLE on Enewetak was closed on March 4, 1947. Seven years later, station WXLE on Enewetak was re-activated, apparently using the old equipment, and shortly afterwards the station was rebuilt. It was closed again in 1969 and the entire facility was transferred to Canton Island, a distance of some 3,000 miles. The station went on the air at its new location under the old callsign, and thus on Canton, there have been two callsigns in use, both WXLE & WXLF. A lot of other equipment on Enewetak Island was also transferred to Canton island, including the vehicle that leads aircraft along the tarmac. Pilots at that era report seeing the sign on the back of the truck ahead of the airplanewhich read, ``Welcome to Enewetak``, even though they had just landed on Canton. Enewetak is 3,000 miles away. The only known QSL from station WXLE while it was located on Enewetak before it moved to Canton was issued to a listener in New Zealand. At the time, the station was on the air with 250 watts on 1385 kHz. The QSL letter is best described as a duplicated form letter with the QSL details filled in afterwards. Thus, as we mentioned in our program back a few weeks ago, there has been a lot of interesting confusion regarding the radio stations located on the Pacific islands known as Tarawa, Enewetak and Canton. Tarawa and Canton both had radio station with the same callsign, WXLF; and radio station WXLE was on the air at two different locations, Enewetak and then Canton (Adrian Michael Peterson, AWR Wavescan Aug 15, also via John Norfolk, DXLD) Why not mention the name of the NZ DXer who holds the only known QSL? (gh, DXLD) ** GUAM. Frequency change for KTWR Guam from 15th August --- TWR Guam is to use 11720 kHz at 1330-1400 in Bengali, Boro and Santhali to India, replacing 9920 kHz following successful test on 10th August (from dxasia website via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. Prasar Bharati to hire 6,000 --- NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati has made elaborate plans to increase its staff strength by adding another 6,000 people. Currently, its total strength is around 45,000. "In the last 10 years, the action at Doordarshan and All India Radio has gone up by atleast 900 times whereas the staff has increased by just 10 per cent. We have number of projects which remains idle due to lack of enough man power. Majority of the new staff will be recruited in areas like subordinate engineering and transmission execution," informed KS Sarma, CEO of Prasar Bharati. On the revenue front, he further added, "Our expenditure is Rs. 1900 crore and revenue stand at Rs.600 crore. This year we plan to cross Rs. 790 crore in revenues." Prasar Bharati has not dropped the idea of launching a 24-hour dedicated [shortwave] radio news channel. Currently it is doing market feasibility study for such niche service. Instead of a national radio news channel, it is looking at a bouquet of news channels to take care of the regional market news and variance (ECONOMICTIMES.COM THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2004 06:13:12 PM via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, dx_india via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL. THE LATEST TRENDS IN TROPICAL BROADCASTING In my lecture at the Conference of the European DX Council in Königstein, Germany in August 2003 (published in SWN NOV/DEC 2003 and JAN 2004), I did forecast that the number of active domestic stations broadcasting between 2.200 and 5.800 kHz would continue to go downwards and probably hit zero in year 2014 ! In order to follow up on this, I have counted the number of stations being active during August 2003 – July 2004 based once more on the latest edition of the Domestic Broadcasting Survey from the DSWCI: Region July 2003 July 2004 Central Africa 26 20 Southern Africa 9 6 Indian Subcontinent 36 36 Southeast Asia 7 8 Indonesia 19 17 China, Taiwan, Mongolia 44 40 CIS (Former USSR) 21 17 Far East 17 18 Papua New Guinea 20 23 Australia, N. Zealand, Vanuatu 7 8 Central America, Mexico 17 14 Caribbean 4 3 Northwestern South America 13 7 Ecuador 13 10 Peru 53 47 Bolivia 15 17 Brazil 50 48 Total 363 339 The downgoing average curve now seems to flatten out and rather hits the Zero-line in year 2018 than in 2014, because some stations have been reactivated and a few new ones have appeared. To differentiate this more, it is seems that domestic broadcasting stations in Africa, the CIS, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador are going to disappear from the Tropical Bands long before 2014! On the other hand, it is probable that most of the stations in Asia, the Pacific, Bolivia and Brazil will die more hard and be audible maybe after 2020. It all depends on the willingness of their owners to continue to maintain the stations. Some of the stations that have left the Tropical Bands during the past year, at least for the time being, are: 2410 R Enga, Wabag, Papua New Guinea 2415 Wenzhou General St., Zhejiang, China 3290 R Centro, Ambato, Ecuador 3316 SLBS, Goderich, Sierra Leone 3360 R Dif. Católica, Macas, Ecuador 3360 La Voz de Nahualá, Sololá, Guatemala 3375 R Dourados, Dourados, Brazil 4003 RRI Padang, Indonesia 4050 Krasnaya Rechka, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 4765 R Congo, Brazzaville, Rep. of Congo 4777 R. Dif. TV, Gabonaise, Libreville, Gabon 4795 R Nova Difusora, Aquidauana, Brazil 4800 R Satélite, Santa Cruz, Perú 4819 La Voz Evangélica, Tegucigalpa, Honduras 4820 R Botswana, Sebele, Botswana 4850 CNR 2, Beijing, China 4930 R Barahona, Dominican Republic 4930 R Costeña Ebenézer, Honduras 4940 Voice of the Strait, Fuzhou, China 4940 R Mix-Master, Yakutsk, Russia 4980 Ecos del Torbes, San Cristóbal, Venezuela 5004 R Nacional, Batá, [¿Bata?] Ecuatorial Guinea 5040 Fujian PBS, Fuzhou, China 5040 RRI Pekanbaru, Indonesia 5100 Liberian Communications Network, Liberia 5121 R Ondas del Suroriente, Quillabamba, Perú 5300 R Superior, Bolívar, Perú 5459 R Panorama, Recobamba, Perú 5470 R Veritas, Monrovia, Liberia 5500 R San Miguel, San Miguel de Pallaques, Perú A few new or reactivated stations are: 4723 R Uncía, Uncía, Bolivia 4763 R Chicha, Tocla, Bolivia 4781 R Tacana, Tumupasa, Bolivia 4798 Son La Radio and TV, Vietnam (alt. 4741) 4960 Catholic R Network, Vanimo, Papua New Guinea 5050 ARDS Radio, Humpty Doo, Australia (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window August 11 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS. 15500-USB, Coalition maritime forces, Radio One, 1620-1700, Jul 30, heard with reception quality moderate to sometimes good. I tried to send a receptionreport via the e-mail address marlo @ nsa.bahrain.navy.mil but the e-mail message was returned. Is there a postal address or other e-mail address available? (Max Van Arnhem, Netherlands, DSWCI DX Window Aug 11 via DXLD) I have no knowledge of other addresses. I myself sent an e-mail report to the same address on Jul 12 which so far has been unanswered (Anker Petersen, ibid.) Suggest you bypass NSA, not known for its responsiveness to the public (gh) ** ISRAEL. In light of the uncertainty about changing English broadcast times, I have been wanting to confirm them. Sat Aug 14 I was barely able to hear Israeli news in English at the usual time of 1700, on 17535, inaudible on 15640 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL [and non]. Arab TV carrying Kol Israel --- Since I suspect that you listen to "everything", you probably heard today's (8/14) This American Life. If so stop now! It carried a long story on a private TV in Bethlehem that translates the Israel TV news, and other stories. Broadcaster Nassir Leham (sp?) learned Hebrew while in an Israeli jail. He tries to bridge. He is teaching his children, but still can't stop them from throwing stones at the Israeli troops! The audio ought to show up soon on the internet http://www.thislife.org Still listen to you regularly, (Howard Box, Oak Ridge TN, Aug 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN. 3259-USB, NHK, Kasuga, 1210-1300*, Jul 24, relaying NHK central program in Japanese until 1255 // 3607.5 USB, 3970 USB and 6005, but own program 1255-1300*, S = 9+5 dB. 3373.5-USB, NHK, Mihara, 1210, Jul 24, English/Japanese language lesson, S = 9 (Roland Schulze, Philippines, DSWCI DX Window Aug 11 via DXLD) ** KURE ATOLL. KH7K. The Pacific DX Group is planning a DXpedition to Kure Atoll starting in mid-October for a 10 to 11 day operation. The team leaders are Kimo/KH7U and Patrick/NH6UY. They will be joined by an experienced international team of operators. The team consisting of about 15 operators will be active on 160-6 meters on SSB, CW, RTTY and with some PSK31. Operators mentioned so far are: KH7U, NH6UY, N4XP, WB4JTT, KO4RR, AA7A, N6MZ, DJ9ZB, I8NHJ, AH9B, N0AX, RZ3AA and JH7OHF. Kure is number 29 in North America and number 17 overall in the DX Magazine's "Most Wanted" for 2003. There has not been activity from here since 1997 and that operation resulted in a limited number of QSOs. Currently it is a wild life refuge normally closed to entry, and they are very lucky to be able to gain permission to land there. They want to give KH7K to as many North American DXers as they can on as many bands as possible. However, their primary target will be Europe. They also hope to provide a daily report and pictures while the DXpedition is in progress via the team's Web site. The Web page is currently under construction and can be found at: http://www.dxpedition.info The cost to make Kure available is very high even though the team members are absorbing a large portion of the expenses. They must first fly to Midway Island and then sail to Kure, so they are experiencing both plane and boat expenses. The trip will take a total of one month with an estimated 11 days on the Atoll for operating. Elliott, K7ER, is their NA point of contact for funds. His E-mail address is: funds- NA-SA-kure @ inix.com It was mentioned that there will be no online logs. More information will be forthcoming (OPDX Aug 9 via Dave Raycroft, ODXA via DXLD) ** MACEDONIA. MEDIA GUIDE The media landscape in the Republic of Macedonia is developing rapidly from the previous state-controlled regulated environment to a western European style mix of public and commercial outlets. A key issue highlighted by commercial broadcasters is the perceived inequality in the funding regime administered by the Broadcasting Council. If parliament approves changes to the allocation of funds, this should enable broadcasting outlets to improve the quality of programming by investing in modern equipment and the skillsets of their staff. If the country succeeds in joining the European Union, then there may be a further loosening of the regulatory regime, enabling a more market based approach to be adopted by broadcasters. The following is a report by BBC Monitoring Media Services on 12 August: The Republic of Macedonia, known internationally and diplomatically as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), achieved independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Civil war was narrowly averted in 2001, when elements of the population staged an uprising in support of improved rights for the country's Albanian minority. The state's name remains a source of local and international controversy. Following Macedonia's independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Greek government objected to the name and imposed a trade embargo on the new state. This was withdrawn when the state was admitted to the United Nations under the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia title. Other International organisations have also recognised this convention. Most diplomats are accredited to the republic using the FYROM designation. Over forty countries have recognised the country by its constitutional name - the Republic of Macedonia. Demographics According to a 2003 UN report, Macedonia has a population of over two million, comprising: Macedonians, 64.18 per cent; Albanians, 25.17 per cent; Turks, 3.85 per cent; Vlach, 2.90 per cent; Roma, 2.20 per cent; and Serb and other smaller communities, 1.70 per cent. Nearly half of the population is concentrated in the capital, Skopje, and in the larger centres of Kumanovo, Tetovo, Gostivar, Kichevo and Struga. Around 37 per cent of the population are unemployed, and poverty has become a major problem, giving rise to a thriving black market. The current political situation and human rights climate in Macedonia has been determined to a large extent by the Ohrid Agreement of 2003. The name is taken from the Lake Ohrid area, where the agreement was reached, this is the framework for securing the future of Macedonia's democracy and permitting the development of closer and more integrated relations between the republic and the Euro-Atlantic community. The framework promotes the peaceful and harmonious development of civil society while respecting the ethnic identity and the interests of all Macedonian citizens. As an emerging democracy, the government in Macedonia is generally perceived by its people to be no longer exercising rigorous control over the media. Some observers feel that the media are still subject to some degree of political influence if not control, especially as many sources remain aligned with a particular political party. Government funding, which is disbursed by the Broadcasting Council, is made available only to public broadcasters. Nevertheless, there are a considerable number of private commercial television and radio stations - as well as many illegal radio stations. The republic's desire to enter the European Union has allowed media outlets a more relaxed regulatory climate than that experienced previously. All of the national broadcasting media broadcast in Macedonian with the exception of MTV3 and MR3 which broadcasts in the minority languages. Most national print sources are published in Macedonian, although there are a number of Albanian-language newspapers and magazines available nationally and locally. International broadcasters are available throughout Macedonia. Some, such as Radio France Internationale and the BBC, are relayed by local stations either in full or carry their news bulletins. Satellite receivers are widely available throughout the republic. Some Serbian and Kosovan radio stations can be heard in the more rural north of the country. Internet access is also expanding throughout the republic - mainly in the capital and larger cities. Rural areas suffer from a lack of the necessary infrastructure. Media Freedom The Macedonian constitution guarantees freedom of speech and access to information. Views vary considerably from media employees, station owners and the public however, as to whether the media are able to exercise that freedom of action in full. The Broadcasting Council The Broadcasting Council was established in 1997 according to the Broadcasting Law, and began its work in September that year. It is financed by a broadcasting fee levied on the broadcasters. It has nine members appointed by the republic's parliament. They are appointed for their expertise in the fields of communications, economy and education. The Council's web site states that it is an independent regulatory body, which represents the interests of citizens of the Republic in the broadcasting field. It fulfils its duties by authorizing the allocation of broadcasting licences, promoting technical and journalistic standards and ensuring the implementation of the Broadcasting Law. In addition to being responsible for the broadcasting budget, the Council also monitors broadcasters' output, and will act if it feels that unsuitable material has been aired. Written warnings are issued before any punitive action is taken, which may include station closure. If a broadcaster appeals and is found not to have a case to answer the Council has been known to issue a public apology, giving the opportunity for the outlet to rebut publicly the charges made against it. Agency of Information The Agency is responsible for implementing the rules and regulations which govern the print media. In addition it is responsible for accrediting foreign journalists. As is the case with broadcasters, the government exercises little control over the press. However, many publications have connections with various political parties, and reflect those parties' views in their coverage. The Helsinki Committee The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights concluded in their annual report of 2003 that journalistic standards have improved, and that "hate speech", which was prevalent in 2001, is now encountered only very rarely despite the divisions along ethnic lines which are still apparent in the media. The report also said that the public is still exposed to one-sided coverage and unconfirmed information, which serves the interests of a particular political party. Other data released by the Helsinki Committee shows that a total of 125 criminal charges have been brought against journalists in the past three years, and that in 2003 there were several cases in which journalists suffered ill treatment at the hands of the police. The Committee continues to express concern at the number of cases brought against journalists because their opinions The Committee also found that in some libel cases, journalists from government-backed broadcasters received lighter sentences than journalists working for private stations. The Committee also stated that journalists charged with libel tended to be those who had criticized the government, whereas journalists who criticized the opposition parties went unpunished. (Libel carries a prison sentence in Macedonia, in violation of international human rights law) The US-based human rights organization, Freedom House, placed Macedonia 111th out of 193 countries surveyed in its 2004 annual report. During the recent presidential elections, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the 14th and 28th April 2004 presidential election and found that in general they were conducted in a manner consistent with OSCE election-related requirements. However, election-day irregularities in some areas, particularly during the second round, cast a shadow over the process as a whole. Radio Radio is an important medium in Macedonia, particularly in rural areas. There are approximately 130 radio stations throughout the country, including a large number of illegal stations. The radio stations in the republic consist of public national and local broadcasters (the old state services), privately owned national and local stations and privately owned local commercial stations. No clear distinction could be made as to what is the difference between public and commercial stations as both carry advertising in their output. Funding All of the public national and local stations receive funding from the Broadcasting Council, with the former state-owned radio and TV stations receiving around 57 per cent of the council's budget and the other television and radio stations receiving some 5 per cent between them. The remaining budget goes on administrative costs, technical maintenance and projects authorised by the Council. Commercial stations do not receive financing from the Broadcasting Council and survive largely on donations and advertising revenue, although they can compete for project funding from the council. There is a general view within the Broadcasting Council that the budget provisions are unfair, and there are moves in parliament to ensure that the funding is shared out on a more equitable basis. During interviews with the survey team, several commercial station owners expressed their deep anger about this financial situation. Some have put forward proposals to the Broadcasting Council suggesting changes to this funding regime. They have suggested a system of dual financing, whereby all stations would receive a proportion of the council's budget, whilst retaining the ability to finance themselves through commercial activities. The need for a national Albanian-language station is also accepted and the Council has made plans for its creation but no date has yet been set for its implementation. Visits by the BBC Monitoring team to several public and private local stations showed that equipment being used is overwhelmingly old and unreliable. Programme format was mainly music, especially in the late evening and overnight. This keeps staffing requirements to a minimum. International radio broadcasters During its stay in Skopje the Monitoring team observed the following international broadcasters being relayed locally: Radio France Internationale in French, broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the VHF/FM band. BBC World Service in English, relayed via Klassic FM from around 1800 to 0810 daily, and one hour later at weekends. Additionally, Voice of America in Albanian was heard intermittently in Tetovo and the regions but interestingly not in Skopje. It is unclear if any agreements for these relays exist. Television Television is considered to be the major platform for delivery of information throughout Macedonia - particularly in the urban areas. There are five national public stations, three of which are the former state-operated stations, MTV1, MTV2 and MTV3. Channel language programming mirrors their radio counterparts i.e. MTV1 and MTV2 broadcast in Macedonian and MTV3 in the minority languages. Programming is varied: MTV1 and MTV2 carry national and international news, with some local news content. Live current affairs programmes, featuring interviews or discussions with studio guests feature heavily on both channels. Programmes bought in from other countries account for a major proportion of their scheduling - especially during the later evenings. MTV3 is a minority language station carrying a mix of programming including news, political debate, children's shows and musical concerts. A satellite service known as MKTV SAT is also available for viewers abroad. This appears to be an amalgam of news and programmes from the three MTV stations. The other two national stations, A1 and Sitel, offer similar programming, including shows from other countries with subtitles, and some locally made dramas. Both stations broadcast news bulletins featuring national and international news. The survey team noted that equipment was very outdated at several of the commercial stations and in need of repair. Spokespersons for all stations visited emphasised that they were striving to produce the best quality programming possible and all remained very enthusiastic. In general, the stations monitored by the survey team offered programmes with a good mix of local material, documentaries and local news content. All expressed the view that theirs was the most neutral and balanced output with the best programmes available and that their content was the choice of their local people. Several station owners said that they were now planning to cooperate by sharing programmes or the cost of one programme amongst themselves. Objectively it appears that this is their way of competing against the national stations. It is interesting to note that most of the cooperation is between Albanian and Macedonian stations rather than between stations which broadcast in the same language. Albanian- language stations appear to be making a particular effort to let go of the past - much more so than some of their Macedonian competitors. Satellite dishes are very much in evidence throughout the country, cost of this equipment range from around 200 euros (245 dollars) for the basic analogue models to between 600-1,000 euros (734-1,223 dollars) for the more modern digital receivers and dishes. Print Media There are approximately 40 different publications in Macedonia - ranging from daily newspapers to weekly and monthly magazines. The majority are published in Macedonian and the remainder in Albanian and other minority languages. No publications appear to cater for all sections of the population. The daily newspapers all publish in the late evening, most do not work on a 24 hour basis but rely on their news teams in the early part of the day to ensure that there are stories ready for the evening edition. Most publications cover national and local news as well as a small amount of international news. Several newspapers also publish Internet versions. The survey team managed to visit three newspapers, the Albanian language dailies, Fakti, Flaka and Koha Ditori. Fakti, which was first published in 1989, has the largest circulation of all the Albanian language publications in Macedonia and is considered to be closely aligned to the main Albanian democratic party, PDSh. It also offers an international edition, published in Germany, as well as its Internet version. Flaka, which was founded in 1994, formerly government owned is now facing an uncertain future. During the Monitoring team's visit, Flaks's deputy editor stated that the building in which the newspaper was housed, had been sold and that the publication also had a new owner. The editor elaborated on the difficulties currently being experienced but held out some hope that the daily would continue. The survey team also visited Koha Ditore, which has been in existence since April 2004. Its target audience is Albanians and Kosovans. It has a sister publication based in Kosovo and the owner is also Kosovan. Koha Ditore appears to be confident that their product compares favourably with Fakti, which they regard as their main competitor. The team also visited a weekly Albanian-language magazine, Globi. This publication was discontinued in late 2003 but its publishers hope that it will restart as a fortnightly magazine if sufficient donations are received. It would appear from old copies of Globi obtained by the team, that this magazine had some interesting contacts with the Albanian freedom movement - which may have been one reason for its closure. Two other previously unknown Albanian-language publications were also found by the survey team: Levizja, which is a periodical, and a weekly, Monitor. News agencies and web sites There are several news agencies in Macedonia, the most widely known being the state-run Macedonian Information Agency (MIA), which was launched in 1998. It is Macedonia's national public information service; it is also a member of the Association of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA) and co-operates with most of the international news agencies. MIA employs around 50 journalists and runs a 24-hour news service in Macedonian, Albanian and English. The Macedonian Information Centre (MIC) is another news agency. This service operates in Macedonian and runs a password-entry web site. Makfax is an independent news agency founded in 1992 and claims to be the first private news agency in Macedonia. It is a regional news agency and carries full coverage of events in Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and the states of the former Yugoslavia. It issues some 90 to 100 news items per day in Macedonian and English and according to its web site, is due to restart its Albanian-language service soon. There are several other Macedonian-language news and information web sites available. In general, most Macedonian Internet sites carry similar information and have links to common sites. Some government departments also have their own web sites with varying degrees of information; some are one-page sites, whereas others give excellent descriptions of their roles in the community. Internet Internet access in Macedonia is available via commercial providers and Internet cafes. There are several commercial providers, and their prices and services differ significantly. Three main companies dominate the scene, especially in Skopje. Macedonia On-line (MOL), which offers a full range of services including dial-up modem, ISDN connections to leased line and web hosting services. Macedonian Telecommunications provides fast terrestrial and satellite links and access to most other Internet service providers. Finally, Porta Internet Services, owned by the Macedonian Post, provides a full range of services including dial-up and ISDN services. Two smaller companies offering similar packages, MKInter and UNet, have recently emerged as keen competitors to the big three. There are many Internet cafes in the capital but fewer in the regions, although that situation is improving. The main problem appears to be a lack of infrastructure in rural areas. Conclusion The media landscape in the Republic of Macedonia is developing rapidly from the previous state controlled regulated environment, to a western European style mix of public and commercial outlets. Given that the country has only recently emerged from a troubled past, what has been achieved so far is remarkable. Predicting how the media in Macedonia will appear in the future is difficult. A key issue highlighted by commercial broadcasters is the perceived inequality in the funding regime administered by the Broadcasting Council. If parliament approves changes to the allocation of funds then this should enable broadcasting outlets to improve the quality of programming by investing in modern equipment and the skillsets of their staff. If the country succeeds in joining the European Union, then there may be a further loosening of the regulatory regime, enabling a more market based approach to be adopted by broadcasters. This in itself may lead to the demise of poorly performing outlets at the expense of stations gaining increased market share. If this occurs it will allow broadcasters to improve the quality of their programme content, giving better coverage of local and national events and improving the technical quality of the broadcasts. Journalistic standards should continue to improve. Most of the media outlets visited during the survey gave the same message - hope and a willingness to get on with the future and leave the past behind and at the same time expressing a wish for the international broadcasters to do more, financially, to provide training and by supplying modern equipment. Source: BBC Monitoring research 12 Aug 04 (via DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. VoM [15295] has been heard nearly every day at 1530-1900 and rarely in local mornings (0800-1030). On 9-8 it signed on before 1530 and Bamar service could be heard. On 10-8 with strong signal for about half hour. It is usually QRMed by RFI on 15300 and VoR on 15290 (Zacharias Liangas, I was for one week in Litohoron [Litihoron?], Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALDIVE ISLANDS. The shit has hit the fan in Maldives after the 20 hour peaceful demo in Malé --- Please as fellow humanitarians - PLEASE do something - however small - one email or lots - whatever you can - please do. Write to your MP. I was on the phone to Jennifer Latheef and Aminath Najeeb (Jennifer`s Aunt) when the police came to the house. The whole Latheef family have been taken in. So far at least 200 people have been taken to Dhoonidoo, the torture Prison island. At least two people one male and the other female are in ICU. These are people that want a peaceful and democratic change. 5 of them are members of the Maldives Majlis (Parliament) and are democrats. Please help. Please visit the FOM website and see what`s happening and how you can help. Please forward this email on to as many people as you can. for news:- http://www.friendsofmaldives.co.uk http://www.newsofmaldives.com "tourism not torture" (David Hardingham, UK, Aug 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Lots of news at site above about the terrible situation in Maldives; totally ignored by US media, and probably would be even without hurricanes and Olympics and domestic politics (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Station launched in Maldives - MINIVAN RADIO http://207.148.237.92/FOM/press_release_minivan_radio.htm 14 August 2004 14:09 (BST) Minivan Radio, the Free Radio of the Maldives, will transmit a TEST broadcast on Wednesday 18th August between 2100 - 2200hrs (Malé time). [1600-1700 UT] We will confirm the frequency in the next two days. The first half an hour will be tested at 100W and the second half hour will be tested at 250W. Do not be concerned if you cannot receive the first half of the radio programme or even the second half. We will persevere. Once a successful transmission has been sent, it is hoped that a long term broadcast will start the following week. There will be a daily broadcast between 2100 and 2200 Daily. Tune in for the Real News, music, discussion and lots more. Tell your friends. Please let us know if you could or could not receive the broadcast in your area. Contact details: Friends of Maldives is a group concerned with promoting cultural links with Maldives and addressing Human Rights Abuses in the country. Friends of Maldives, 64 Milford Street, Salisbury, SP1 2BP. [UK] Tel. 01722 504 330 Email: admin @ friendsofmaldives.co.uk Maldivian Democratic Party spokesman in the UK - Mohamed Nasheed - 00 44 7833 127 529 Maldivian Democratic Party HQ in Sri Lanka - 00 94 11288 3448 Maldivian Democratic Party spokesman in Sri Lanka - Mohamed Latheef - 0094 777 281 918 Maldivian political commentators: Ahmed Naseer - Mob: 0044 7981 148479 Ahmed Shafeeq Ibrahim Moosa - Mob (UK): 07932939103 Ahmed Nazim Sattar - 00 960 788 719 (via David Hardingham, FOM, Aug 14, DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. In the Netherlands, not all Web users are able to access the live coverage of the special NOS RadiOlympia service, because the IOC has specified which Internet providers are allowed to access the service, which runs from 0400 to 2100 UT daily. Only those who use Planet, XS4ALL, Zonnet, Surfnet, Tiscali, Wanadoo, @Home and Speedlink can access the service. However, Dutch-speaking listeners across Europe can listen to coverage on Radio Netherlands, which does have radio rights. We are not allowed to carry this material on our Internet stream, but it is available on RNW1 via the Astra satellite. Other countries are subject to similar restrictions. This problem occurred 4 years ago, when Internet coverage was simply not permitted. The IOC has at least recognised that coverage should be allowed on the Internet, but it is proving difficult to stay within the terms of the contracts, and some broadcasters are being forced to restrict live streams to avoid punitive fines. The IOC, we've been told, will be very quick to spot transgressions! # posted by Andy @ 13:34 UT Aug 14 (Media Network blog via DXLD) see also AUSTRALIA, UK ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3355, R. Simbu, 14 August 1028-1049, Long very fast Island song, 1033 studio M including ID, mention of Saturday morning and Saturday night, and PNG. Into more nonstop Island music. 1047 again mentioning PNG, then back to music at 1048. Dropping off slowly by tune-out. Peaked around 1040 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** PERU. QSL Elettronica di RADIO HUANTA 2000 Estimado señor Roberto Pavanello, recibí su carta y le agradesco infinitamente por su información de sintonía de nuestra emisora el día 24 de julio del 2004 a horas 18.15. Efectivamente fue nuestra señal de radio del cual ud. hace descripción, SINPO 24222. Cuando ud. desee visitar el Perú, estaremos complacidos de su visita por esta ciudad de Huanta, departamento de Ayacucho. Estaremos pendientes de cualquier otro mensaje que usted desee enviarnos. GRACIAS, atentamente, RONALD SAPAICO MARAVI (via Dario Monferini, Play-DX via DXLD) ** SURINAME. 4990, R. Apintie, 0911-0927, August 13, Dutch, OM and YL with banter, different OM with presumed field report and shouting chorus, "zinger" ID at 0919, back to OM and YL. Poor, noisy (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, MLB-1, RS longwire with RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. THE AUDIO NETWORK --- The UK Audio Network is a website for the blind using audio web pages, controlled by standard keyboard navigation. It is the first site in the world that needs no adaptive technology to be accessible by blind and partially sighted users. There are many resources on the Audio Network. For example, it is the only place on the Internet where you can listen to BBC Radio schedules for the forthcoming week in audio. And speaking of radio, there is a whole section of radio stations where you can change channels at the touch of a button, without having to worry about annoying pop ups or filling out a registrations. Best of all this website is free. It`s located in cyberspace at http://www.yrguk.com (RSGB via ARNewsline(tm) August 13 via John Norfolk, dxldlyahoogroup via DXLD) ** U K. OLYMPICS DISRUPT INTERNET STREAMS IN MANY COUNTRIES The close control by the International Olympics Committee of Internet streaming of all Olympic coverage, including brief reports, is disrupting the normal streaming of some radio networks. Until August 30, BBC Radio Five Live and Five Live Sports Extra are only available online to people with residential broadband in the UK because the BBC's contract with the IOC restricts the online streaming of the Olympics to UK computer users only. This is done using something called Geo-IP which recognises where a computer is registered and shuts out anyone not in the UK. The BBC says that because office computers may be registered all over the world, it`s not possible to offer the service on business computers, only residential ones. People on dial-up or office connections, or those trying to access the streams from outside the UK, will not be able to listen to any of Five Live`s live output between now and 30 August. However, many programmes are available later on demand to a worldwide audience. Unfortunately the same restriction also affects live coverage of Premiership football, which starts today, as Olympic coverage is included within the same programmes. Even short reports are regarded by the IOC as "coverage". From August 30, all UK web listeners will be able to access Five Live and Five Live Sports Extra, whether on dial- up, broadband, office networks, or at home. However, Web listeners outside the UK will still not be able to listen, as the BBC's contract is only for Premiership coverage in the UK. This is the first season that UK listeners have had the option of listening on the Internet. A different system will be used to identify the location of Web listeners wishing to access the Premiership commentaries, to make sure they're in the UK # posted by Andy @ 13:34 UT Aug 14 (Media Network blog via DXLD) See also NETHERLANDS, AUSTRALIA ** U S A. WYFR is off the air, not due to any known damage to the antennas, etc., but the power is off at Okeechobee, says the manager of the station (George Thurman, TX, Aug 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hmmm, I did a bandscan this morning and they did seem unusually empty, still Saturday afternoon! I hadn`t really missed WYFR. That`s also a big hit for RTI and BBC listeners. Delano should have backed it up (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Air America`s ``Ring of Fire`` with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Mike Papantonio, is changing time from August 21, ex-Sat 1406 UT: to Sat 2206-2259 UT, repeated at same time on Sundays. One guest August 14 was Dr. Justin Frank, author of ``Bush on the Couch``, followed by another Bush psychoanalyzer, and a segment on Bayer dumping HIV-infected drugs outside the US. Highly recommended. Audio archive access: http://www.ringoffireradio.com/shows.asp Next week`s guest is Bonnie Anderson, who wrote the exposé of the corporate news biz, including CNN and NBC. If there is an overall program grid at http://www.airamericaradio.com I can`t find it (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. ESTADOS UNIDOS / LA TRAICIÓN DE UNIVISIÓN RADIO El mundo de la radio comercial, tradicionalmente, se basa en un sólo precepto y este no es informar y entretener a la comunidad. Un perfecto ejemplo es el trato de Univisión Radio a sus empleados despedidos luego de que antes de comprar la cadena HBC les prometió a todos que si respaldaban la compra, estarían seguros y que, en adición, tendrían la oportunidad de crecimiento profesional. El pasado viernes, esta promesa dió al traste con los empleos de muchas de las voces a las cuales hemos estado acostumbrados por mucho tiempo, y, por consiguiente con las esperanzas de padres y madres, cuyo futuro ha quedado a la deriva. Pedro Vizcaíno, quien por muchos años ha sido el ancla de las noticias en WADO, fue uno de los primeros en morder el polvo. Un veterano de nuestra radio al cual le fue enseñada la puerta sin considerar sus amplias contribuciones a nuestra comunidad. En WADO deportivo, uno de los mejores programas en la emisora, el moroveño Francisco Rivera también fue cesanteado. Rivera es uno de los originales en esa transmisión y algunos de los que se quedan llegaron posteriormente y no necesariamente hacen mejor labor. Su voz en los partidos de los Mulos del Bronx será echada muy de menos. Juan Carlos Fernández, con quien he tenido mis escaramuzas parte nuevamente. Juan Carlos es un hombre meticuloso y ha estado detrás de magníficos programas y, aunque he criticado muchos de los personajes a quienes ha puesto al frente de sus producciones, siempre he respetado su profesionalismo. Luís Alfredo Collado es otro que de seguro será echado de menos, así como Daisy Cabrera y Ardelina Martínez. Lo interesante del caso es que los genios de la insuficiencia radial en WADO no dan cara para expresar las razones de los cambios faltándole a la audiencia y, asumiendo que nadie se dará cuenta o le harán falta las contribuciones de los despedidos. Más interesante aun, ¿quiénes se quedan en el aire? Hay varios personajes que tienen contactos políticos, como los asesinos de Cervantes, por ejemplo, que son protegidos por Stephanie McNamara y cuya contribución, en comparación con muchos de los despedidos, es cuestionable. Estuve llamando por varios dias a McNamara y Julio Vergara, quienes, aparentemente, salieron corriendo a la vez, una de vacaciones y el otro, debajo de su escritorio, donde, aparentemente puede fumarse el tabacón, pero no contestar el teléfono. Con tanto problema, Nomar Vizcarrondo, el Director de Noticias, tiene que estar remendando el noticiero a diario. Interesante observar que, cuando el barco radial está haciendo agua, los capitanes son los primeros que salen corriendo, bueno tal vez los segundos, después de las ratas. En términos generales Univisión Radio ha dado el perfecto ejemplo de porque los monopolios son temidos y me dan la razón en el momento en que expresé mis dudas sobre la compra de las emisoras de HBC por Univisión. Lo dije en aquel entonces, Univisión se convertirá en el Clear Channel Latino, no les tomó mucho darle la razón a mi pelotita de cristal. Pronto estaremos escuchando las mismas noticias y programas enlatados a diestra y siniestra. Pronto, nuestra radio perderá el sabor a Nueva York que la ha caracterizado por tantos años. Es que los genios siempre se quejan de que están perdiendo dinero y, señores, ese cuento no lo cree nadie. Sólo un propósito rige a los genios de la insuficiencia radial, el hacer más dinero, el día en que puedan tener a una computadora en el aire las 24 horas del día, ese será el final de los locutores en cabina. Muchos más siguen preguntando quién será el próximo, en una estación como WADO -- Latino Mix, el próximo puede ser cualquiera. (Por: Antonio Paneque Brizuela, http://www.eldiariony.com/noticias/columnistasdetail.aspx?sectionid=85&txtid=959676 ago 3, via Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** VANUATU. 7260.06, R.V., Have noticed the absence of this here recently. Can anyone confirm that it`s gone?? New frequency, maybe?? (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 4960 instead? (gh) ** VIETNAM. V. of Vietnam, Xuan Mai, 5925, f/d "logo" card without site in 139 days 1 IRC and an English report. Also received was a nice "Wheel watering-Cao Bang" picture postcard, the first enclosure, other than a schedule, I have received with my VOV QSLs (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, MLB-1, RS longwire with RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ X ENCUENTRO MEXICANO 2004 --- DECIMO ENCUENTRO DE CLUBES DIEXISTAS Y ESCUCHAS DE LA ONDA CORTA, VERACRUZ 2004. IVAN LOPEZ ALEGRIA Celebramos las diez primeras ediciones del evento más importante del año para los diexistas mexicanos, el encuentro dx. La cita para esta relevante fecha fue en el bello puerto de Veracruz en el estado del mismo nombre. Participamos alrededor de 70 personas y algunas otras más de manera "virtual" ya que no pudieron asistir personalmente y enviaron sus respectivos saludos y colaboraciones. Me dio gusto volver a saludar a varios amigos y claro conocer a otros que participaron por primera vez, como es costumbre en estos encuentros. Este año en especial, me alegró reencontrarme con algunos buenos amigos como son: Pepe y Lucha, Alberto Oaxaca, Ignacio Mauleón y Risto Vähäkainu; claro también conocí personalmente a otro par de los cuales sólo conocía por correspondencia. Así, a pesar de las dificultades para llegar por allá fue muy gratificante disfrutar de todas las cosas que nos ofreció la ciudad de Veracruz y el X encuentro. Al final, participaron un total de 5 clubes dx de los 7 que se tienen registrados, un club de Finlandia, una emisora local, una estación de onda corta mexicana y 4 emisoras de o.c. extranjeras. VERACRUZ Veracruz se localiza en los 19'12''N y 96'08''W (latitud y longitud respectivamente), en el corazón del Golfo de México. Es una bonita ciudad que tiene un bonito contraste entre construcciones antiguas y modernas; para que se den una idea, la ciudad fue fundada por Hernán Cortés en el año de 1519 (según dicen algunos el 22 de abril para ser más precisos); llamada en un principio como "Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz" El puerto es una mezcla única de gente, música y comida que hace pensar en otros países como Dominicana ú algún otro país caribeño y que decir de su carnaval, tan representativo como el celebrado en Brasil. A pesar de no ser la actual capital del Estado, tiene una gran actividad de todo tipo siendo la más notoria, la del turismo. Y es que hay que venir hasta acá para poder observar personalmente todo lo que puede ofrecer a sus visitantes. Podemos encontrar gusto para gente de todas las edades. Dentro de los atractivos más sobresalientes podemos mencionar: la catedral de nuestra señora de la Asunción (construida en el siglo 17), el zócalo de la ciudad que es escenario de notables fiestas populares y lugar obligado de reunión para propios y visitantes junto a los portales, el acuario que es uno de los mejores del país donde se pueden observar gran variedad de fauna marina entre otros los manatíes y tiburones, el Baluarte de Santiago que forma parte de la antigua muralla que protegía al puerto, el mercado de artesanías y los múltiples museos. En fin, vale la pena pasar algunos días disfrutando de este magnífico lugar. Con una superficie de 72,420 kilómetros cuadrados, Veracruz es el décimo estado de la República Mexicana en extensión, y representa el 3.7% de la superficie total del país. Veracruz forma parte de una importante región económica y de gran diversidad cultural; colinda con siete estados de la República Mexicana: Tamaulipas al norte; San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo y Puebla al oeste; Chiapas y Oaxaca al sur, y Tabasco al sureste. Comparte la cuenca del Golfo de México con los estados de Tamaulipas, Tabasco, Campeche, Quintana Roo y Yucatán y con cinco estados de los Estados Unidos. Visiten Veracruz. LLEGANDO AL LUGAR Partí vía aérea desde Tepic rumbo a la ciudad de México por la mañana, arribando alrededor de las 10. Me dirigí de inmediato a la zona de líneas nacionales a fin de poder consultar sobre las fechas disponibles de vuelos rumbo a la ciudad de Veracruz para poder adquirir mi pasaje redondo. Pero no tuve fortuna ya que sí encontré lugar para el día siguiente por la mañana pero no lo había para el viaje de regreso. Decidí olvidar el viaje aéreo y partí a la central de autobuses para adquirir mis boletos por carretera. Después llegué al centro instalándome en un hotel cercano para descansar un poco y poder dejar mi maleta. Pude realizar algunas compras habituales pero antes me comuniqué telefónicamente con mi gran amigo el Dr. Julián Santiago para cuestionarlo sobre su participación en el encuentro. Ya por la noche, alrededor de las 11 arribé a la terminal para documentar mi equipaje ya que el autobús rumbo a Veracruz salió a las 00:15 am. Luego de casi 6 horas de viaje llegamos al multicitado puerto y de inmediato se sintió el gran cambio en la temperatura ambiente. Los que vivimos en lugares templados tal vez no estamos tan acostumbrados a las temperaturas y la humedad que tienen aquí. Debido a la hora tan temprano, decidí esperar un par de horas antes de llegar al hotel respectivo y aproveché para tomar un pequeño refrigerio y claro mucha agua. ACTIVIDADES --- 30 de julio Estando sentado afuera de la central de autobuses y todavía adormilado, de pronto reconozco una cara familiar; se trataba del buen amigo Ignacio Mauleón (Nacho) que llegó para recoger a su familia que venía a participar del encuentro. Estuvimos charlando más de una hora y al fin fueron apareciendo otras caras conocidas: Rosario (su esposa), su mamá y sus niños que debo decir además que ya son todos unos jovencitos. Enhorabuena, por ser una verdadera familia diexista! A eso de las 9 llegué al hotel para registrarme pero me dijeron que no había habitación disponible hasta las 13 horas. Tuve que dejar las dos piezas de equipaje y regresar luego. Así que estuve caminando por el centro para conocer un poco más la ciudad y me dirigí a un mercado a fin de tomar mis sagrados alimentos. Ya de mejor humor pude tomar algunas fotografías del lugar y poder llegar a las 10 al museo de la ciudad para la inauguración. Lamentablemente no había persona alguna por el lugar y pude consultar con la administradora del museo sobre el encuentro a lo que me respondió que ella no sabía nada al respecto pero que preguntara al velador, tal vez él sabría. Me confirmó que sí habría un encuentro de radioaficionados en el auditorio a las 10 de la mañana pero como ya eran las 10:10 y estaba desierto el lugar decidí regresar después. A la salida del lugar me encontré con Martín Herrera y su familia que también asistían para participar del evento y les comenté que no había nadie. Aproveché para tomar un par más de fotografías por los alrededores y regresé al museo unos 35 minutos después. A esa hora ya había una gran cantidad de asistentes afuera del auditorio y pude saludar a varios amigos, entre otros a Jeff White (Radio Miami), Adrian Peterson (Radio Mundial Adventista), Risto Vähäkainu (presidente del EDXC del 98-00) y claro a todos los buenos amigos mexicanos que estaban ya dentro del mismo: Pepe y Lucha, César Fernández, Carlos Jiménez, Roger Chambers [no mexicano], Leonardo López, Alberto Oaxaca, y algunos otros. Alrededor de las 11 se procedió con el sencillo acto de inauguración y como no estuvieron presentes las autoridades locales invitadas, los organizadores pidieron a los clubes dx mexicanos presentes que pasáramos a la mesa central para darle formalidad y celeridad al asunto. Así, presentes la mitad de los clubes se deseó lo mejor para el desarrollo de actividades y que tuviera un buen final. Ya entrados en materia y aprovechando que César estaba al frente, la primera aparición del evento estuvo a cargo de éste con una charla denominada: "experiencias en el EDXC de Alemania". Nos comentó sobre su visita el año pasado a varios países Europeos y claro de las actividades realizadas durante el encuentro de clubes dx durante el 15 y 17 de agosto del 2003 en Königstein. Aquí fue algo parecido al encuentro en Veracruz ya que llegaron 75 personas de 12 países diferentes. Miguel Ángel Rocha participó enseguida con su plática sobre los orígenes de la radio. Para luego aparecer Rafael Grajeda mostrándonos algunas fotografías y comentando algunas experiencias a través de las 10 ediciones del encuentro mexicano. Tuvimos un receso para salir a comer y en esta ocasión departimos los alimentos con algunos amigos y en la charla de sobremesa comentamos sobre algunos problemas de logística del propio evento además de las dificultades que tuvimos para llegar al mismo. Regresando al auditorio del museo, el siguiente de la agenda fue Jeff White que inició presentándonos los resultados de la encuesta realizada entre los asistentes en el pasado encuentro de Tizayuca. En términos generales mencionó sobre la NASB (asociación nacional de radiodifusoras de onda corta) por sus siglas en Inglés, de sus actividades y en especial de sus primeras transmisiones en el sistema digital DRM. Hubo algunas preguntas de los asistentes en especial sobre este último tema y comentó que todavía se tiene que esperar un poco para que se popularice este sistema al igual para poder conseguir algunos receptores a precios más accesibles ya que por el momento se pueden adquirir receptores por arriba de los 900 dólares pero en un par de años podrán costar alrededor de 200. Habrá que esperar para poder comprarlos, creo. Para concluir las actividades de ese día, tocó turno a Risto Vähäkainu de Finlandia el hablarnos sobre las dx-expediciones que realizan en la parte norte de ese país en Laponia (cerca del circulo polar), de las instalaciones y de los equipos utilizados. Llamó la atención que utilizan un gran número de antenas orientadas a distintas latitudes llegando a medir un kilómetro de largo. Nos proyectaron un video titulado "diexismo bajo cero" y en el cual observamos de los preparativos para este tipo de cacería dx. Luego, se partió un pastel (ó torta como dirían otros) para celebrar los primeros diez encuentros. Una invitación posterior se hizo para convivir por la noche en el zócalo (los portales), pero fueron muy pocos los que asistimos. Llamó la atención que fueron en su mayoría los extranjeros que llegaron al punto de reunión. Estuvimos en unas mesas de los portales cenando, comentando el dx (que raro!), hablando de mujeres (también que raro!), disfrutando de la música de todo tipo (marimba, grupo norteño, acordeón, etc) y claro no podían faltar el agua para aplacar la sed que en esta oportunidad todos optamos por los refrescos amargos. Estuvimos por un buen rato Jeff y Thais White (Radio Miami), Abner (Radio Free Asia), los dos Ristos (uno de California y el otro de Finlandia), el Ing. Luis (XE1-XRM), Ana, Beto, Roger y yo. Luego llegaron César y su mamá. Un par regresaron con algunas dificultades hasta su hotel porque llevaban algunos litros de más ya que con el calor que había ni se notaba cuantas cervezas (ó chelas como decimos nosotros) se tomaba pero al fin de cuentas fueron varias ya que así lo supimos al final cuando trajeron la cuenta! Por mi parte aproveché para hacer un pequeño recorrido por el malecón y claro observar de cerca de los pequeños atuendos femeninos que se podían ver por el lugar. Yo estuve hasta como las 3 am. 31 de julio Al día siguiente, o mejor dicho un rato más alrededor de las 10 de la mañana sólo había la mitad en el auditorio y comenzó la presentación de radio Taiwán internacional; se presentaron Elena Chen y Cheryl (directora), de momento no recuerdo su apellido y vimos un video de algunos aspectos de la emisora y de Taiwán. Luego apareció la familia Mauleón Tolentino para compartir sus bonitas experiencias en el DX, lo cual disfrutamos todos los presentes y desde luego tuvimos sana envidia de ser una familia tan unida por este interesante pasatiempo. Hicieron entrega de sendos reconocimientos a varios de los asistentes e iniciaron entregándole una bella artesanía de su región al que escribe estas líneas por haber sido el primer organizador del encuentro DX en Tepic. Ya estaba listo Adrián Peterson (AWR) quien tocó el tema de la historia de la radio en México. Nos mostró valiosas tarjetas QSL de los años 40´s y 50´s, muchas emisoras que no tuvimos el gusto de conocerlas. Después Roger Chambers, nos mostró una serie de fotografías de su viaje a la capital de la Rep. Checa, Praga. Me hizo recordar la visita que hice en el 2002 allí y claro a la radio Praga. Se comentó que habría un evento promovido por radio Taiwán en un restaurante cercano pero sólo era para los que recibieron "invitación"; como nosotros nos fuimos "requeridos" ni invitados no podría decirles que pasó allá. Por nuestra parte pudimos comer en un bonito restaurante precisamente al frente del Baluarte de Santiago. Volviendo al museo, Radio Free Asia (Asia libre) tuvo también su presentación de la mano de Abner Mir un Cubano-Americano que nos mostró por medio de imágenes algunas cuestiones sobre la emisora y claro al ser una emisora polémica también causó cierta polémica entre los asistentes, pero nada del otro mundo. Me recuerdo bien de este Abner ya que tuve el gusto de conocer y conversar de cosas interesantes. Entre los asistentes alcancé a ver una cara desconocida y hasta pensé que era familiar de Rafa, pero después supe que era Alicia Espinosa locutora del programa dx "Sintonía Libre" de nuestra querida Radio Educación. Salimos al patio para tomarnos la foto del grupo asistente, pero como siempre sólo salimos algunos ya que no todos estaban presentes en ese momento. Volvimos al auditorio para escuchar a nuestro querido Pepe González y su: "historia de la o.c. en México". Mencionó a grandes rasgos sobre el origen, desarrollo y claro la desaparición de algunas emisoras de la onda corta. Todos le brindamos un generoso aplauso a este admirable DXer y entrañable amigo. Lo último que se pudo hacer por la tarde fue la tradicional rifa que se llevó a cabo por algunos minutos y dentro de los premios "gordos" había un par de radios de onda corta analógicos del tipo de "cuerda" ó "free-play", como les gusta decir a otros. Así que la expectativa fue mayor recién empezaron a salir los números de la rifa. Poco a poco se entregaban libros como los famosos WRTH y el Passport de ediciones recientes, banderines, camisetas y otros pequeños recuerdos enviados por emisoras y clubes. Al final John Killian se llevó uno de los radios y el otro fue para mí. Por cierto, agradezco profundamente al club Mohawk Valley de N.Y. (USA) por el mismo. También Radio Miami regaló otro pequeño radio digital que no recuerdo a quien correspondió. Antes de retirarnos se leyeron mensajes de Anker Petersen del club Danés y de Ana Cristina del Razo, exdirectora de Radio México con saludos para todos los asistentes. Se hizo la invitación a la cena y la noche diexista en una de las palapas que están cerca del acuario, en esta ocasión el punto a llegar fue la palapa "la reina". Antes de llegar allá, aproveché para hacer un último recorrido por el mercado de las artesanías y poder adquirir algunas compras. Tomé un taxi hasta el lugar que aunque no estaba lejos no quise llevar cargando las bolsas de mis compras; cuando llegué al citado lugar había unos pocos comensales y como ya era hora de cenar cada uno pidió según el hambre que tenía. La mayoría tomó sus radios y empezaron a buscar en el dial algunas señales, la mayoría onda corta mientras que otros escudriñaban la banda de onda media y hubo otros que buscaban FM y no faltó Rafael con sus utilitarias para lo cual instaló un mástil para colocar su antena. Debo decir que ahora fue lo contrario, llegaron muchos participantes mexicanos pero no los extranjeros. A los únicos que vi por el lugar fueron a Roger y a Risto; este último se sentó a un lado mío y pudimos conversar por un buen rato sobre algunas anécdotas del año 2000 cuando era presidente del EDXC (consejo diexista europeo) y de la visita que tuve la fortuna de hacerle por aquellos fríos lugares. Recordamos sobre la dx-expedición que realizamos en un lago cercano y las visitas a las emisoras en Helsinki. Un buen tipo este Risto, sin duda. Como punto final, se nos invitó a los representantes de clubes mexicanos para participar en una mesa redonda de la cual surgirían las bases para la organización de los próximos encuentros ya que se ha notado que la dinámica actual está ya obsoleta y se deben buscar nuevos mecanismos a fin de soportar las próximas ediciones. Vaya que ponernos de acuerdo en algo siempre es tedioso y sobretodo que lleva mucho tiempo. Algunos de los acuerdos a los que llegamos fueron: 1.. Sí se seguirá celebrando el encuentro DX mexicano 2.. Seguiremos realizándolo cada año 3.. La organización seguirá siendo de los clubes 4.. Imposible seguir manteniéndolos sin una cuota de recuperación 5.. Se establecerá una cuota mínima de 100 pesos que en su caso podrá ser del doble para los participantes 6.. Esta cuota será cubierta en su totalidad por la persona participante y su(s) acompañante(s) pagarán la mitad 7.. Se conservan las fechas que se han manejado desde el primer encuentro (última semana de julio y primera de agosto) 8.. No hay propuestas para el encuentro del 2005 9.. Se esperará hasta el 1º de noviembre para recibir alguna sede formal; caso contrario alguno de nosotros (los clubes) deberemos organizarlo. 10.. Buscar opciones de patrocinios 11.. Ya no se dispondrá de dispositivos complejos para las presentaciones de las emisoras ó ponentes (laptop, cañón de proyección, proyectores, etc), a menos que se puedan obtener de manera gratuita para no incrementar el costo del evento. 12.. La invitación para los próximos encuentros sigue abierta a todos los interesados siempre y cuando cubran su cuota respectiva. 13.. Las ponencias se cambiarán a "prácticas" y talleres para hacer el evento más ágil y dinámico; claro que las mismas no desaparecen sólo se reducirá su número. En fin, más ó menos fue lo que comentamos en ese tiempo. 1º de agosto Las actividades iniciaron después de las 10 de la mañana y César mostró algunas fotos de su viaje el año pasado a Europa. Después se leyó el mensaje enviado por Ana Cristina del Razo (ex directora de Radio México) sobre la desaparición de la emisora. Como era de esperarse, inició una larga polémica al respecto. Roberto Edgar quien visitó la planta un par de semanas luego del cierre y la esperanza de que sigan en buen estado los equipos. Al final se tomó conciencia que esto más bien es un tema muy "político" y muy difícil de solucionar, pero como siempre hay la esperanza de que el próximo gobierno sí sepa valorar este instrumento de comunicación. Ojalá haya algo y también depende de nosotros el seguir insistiendo al respecto. Se dio lectura a las conclusiones llegadas por los clubes la noche- madrugada anterior y también se escucharon propuestas para la sede del próximo evento pero al no existir ninguna, se dará un plazo de 3 meses para que alguien lo organice; si no hay nada será Miguel Ángel Rocha quien propone su ciudad como sede alterna. Así que si nadie dice algo, el encuentro se cambia muy al norte en la ciudad de Ascensión, Chihuahua. Claro con todas sus ventajas y grandes desventajas pero la cuestión que se le siga dando continuidad al mismo. De esa manera concluyó una edición más del encuentro. Creo todos lo disfrutamos mucho y nos llevamos por supuesto un gran recuerdo de esta significativa fecha. A pesar de que el número de ponentes que lograron llegar hasta Veracruz fue sólo la mitad de los que contemplaba el programa oficial, algunos cubrieron esos huecos sin restarle mérito al evento. Lo único que de cierta manera no me agradó fue la escasa participación de Radio Taiwán. Personalmente tengo 25 años de escuchar la emisora y me alegré cuando supe que estarían presentes en el puerto, pero al parecer ellos tenían otros planes ya que la mayor parte del tiempo no interactuaron con los participantes. Es comprensible que su manera de ser sea muy introvertida pero si ya llegaron hasta acá y por primera vez al menos conocer un poco a los que están presentes. Y lo digo ya que "todas" las emisoras que nos han hecho el favor de acompañarnos siempre buscan precisamente eso, la interacción con sus oyentes. Radio Nederland, Radio Internacional de China, Radio Miami, Radio Educación, Radio Mil, sólo por mencionar algunas. En fin, ya será para la próxima. El encuentro DX mexicano llegó a su primera década concluyendo así una bonita etapa de esta gran reunión de clubes y amigos que tenemos en común la escucha de la radio. En estos 10 años de encuentros continuos hemos consolidado un grupo compacto pero sin mayor compromiso que el de llegar al punto acordado en la última semana de julio. Conforme han ido pasando las últimas ediciones se ha visto incrementado el número de participantes y con ello los problemas, hay que decirlo también. Es prácticamente imposible el poder soportar la organización de estos eventos en el formato que se ha venido manejando. Recordemos que con la excepción del encuentro en Guanajuato en el 2001, nunca se ha cobrado alguna cuota a los asistentes. Se deberá iniciar un nuevo ciclo para los mismos, es cierto que los cambios deberán de una forma paulatina y realizar las adecuaciones pertinentes. Por ahora sólo me resta agradecer a nuestros amigos "jarochos" todas sus atenciones y claro su preocupación por el buen funcionamiento del décimo encuentro. También de manera extraoficial y siguiendo con el compromiso de organización de los clubes dx, Nayarit 2006, aunque suene como frase electorera. ¿? 2005 Nayarit 2006 Tepic 2040 [sic] 73 desde Tepic. IVAN LOPEZ ALEGRIA, NDXC-001 (via Dario Monferini, Play-DX via DXLD) PROPUESTA "RADIO LIBRE DE LAS AMERICAS" CONFERENCIA Y TALLERES HA REALIZAR EN LA CIUDAD DE MEXICO DF DEL 23-31 DE OCTUBRE 2004 En conjunto con un número de grupos e individuos, nosotros estamos proponiendo la creación de "RADIO LIBRE DE LAS AMERICAS" conferencia a realizar en la CIUDAD DE MEXICO durante la última semana de octubre 2004. Algunos de los objetivos a realizar en este evento son los siguientes: 1) promover un más rápido desarrollo y empleo de estaciones de radio libre desde el Círculo Ártico hasta la Tierra del Fuego particularmente para las comunidades indígenas y nativas. 2) crear un mejor sentido de comunidad y apoyo con los grupos y organizaciones que están trabajando en diferentes luchas de liberación especialmente alrededor de los temas de control y acceso a la media 3) impartir el talento técnico y conocimiento necesario para mantener y ensamblar transmisores, así como equipo relacionado, como antenas y otros, esto durante toda una semana en serie de talleres y sesiones de entrenamiento, además de talleres de entrenamiento que seran ofrecidos en diferentes areas, que incluirán edición de audio digital, técnicas de entrevista y radio transmisión. Al término de las conferencias, grupos e individuos podrán ser capaces de salir con un totalmente ensamblado transmisor y el conocimiento necesario para establecer una estación de radio transmisión. 4) para marcar un tipo de solidaridad, estableciendo la declaración de las ondas sonoras como un recurso público abierto a toda persona que desee comunicar sin ningún impedimento social, económico de estatus. Todos son invitados a contribuir y mejorar en esta lista de objetivos a participar en la creación y organización de esta conferencia. Tu apoyo y ayuda son muy necesarios para poder lograr que esta conferencia se realice. Contactos para esta conferencia son: FREE RADIO BERKELEY 510-625-0314 1442 WALNUT ST. SUITE 406 BERKELEY, CA 94709 La información acerca de la conferencia se encontrará en esta dirección: http://www.freeradio.org (Enviado por Stephen Dunifer RECOSUR, revista electronica Comcosur, via Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, lista ConDig, ago 5 via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ DATACASTING: A SERVICE WITH REWARDS Originally published in Current, June 7, 2004 --- By Steve Behrens Old hat is television — a well-known combo of pictures and sounds beamed to that big box at home. New hat, for some public broadcasters is datacasting --- sending all things digital into the laptops of 240 teachers or the wireless handhelds of five fire chiefs, especially the ones who pay for it. Though the FCC classifies datacasting as an ``ancillary`` revenue- generating use of excess transmission capacity, Nashville PTV President Steve Bass sees it becoming a true public service that’s consistent with the station’s mission. And it would bring in revenue, too. Bass thinks the station's NPTcast service could generate annual fees in the six figures. . . In a high-tech quirk, public TV`s biggest datacasting gig at the moment is on its old analog channels. Stations in Jacksonville, Fla.; Salt Lake City, Utah, and Spokane, Wash., are now transmitting movies to home subscribers for the Walt Disney Co.`s MovieBeam service, says Jackie Weiss, c.e.o. of PBS National Datacast, which has been leasing smaller datastreams on the stations’ analog signals since 1988. Disney plans to expand MovieBeam to three more markets this year and add nearly 40 next year, she says. PubTV stations will do the job in nearly every city. MovieBeam`s digital stream hitchhikes on the analog signal using special Dotcast technology and trickles into receiver/storage units where 100 recent movies are available on demand. But despite this 11th-hour flirtation with analog, datacasting is made for DTV. . . http://www.current.org/dtv/dtv0410datacast.shtml (via Clara Listensprechen, DXLD) SpectraRep® and the Association for Public TV Stations Forge Strategic Partnership to Pursue New Digital TV Services for Public Broadcasters Organizations Expand Efforts to Utilize New Datacasting Technologies for Public Service Applications Chantilly, VA - August 26, 2003 - SpectraRep®, the leader in digital television data networking solutions, today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Association for Public Television Stations (APTS) to expand its work towards enabling the use of datacasting technologies and applications by public television stations for homeland security, public safety, education, research, and other public service oriented purposes. . . http://www.spectrarep.com/Press/press_rel08262003.htm (via Clara Listensprechen, DXLD) EMERGENCY ALERT INFO A CLICK AWAY --- Public Television Plans to Send Emergency Messages to PCs Using DTV --- By Francine Vida June 23 --- The nation's public television stations are building a new digital system to get quick emergency information to the public --- not through television sets, but through computers. . . http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/publictv020623.html (via Clara Listensprechen, DXLD) Note: more than two years old PROPAGATION +++++++++++ COASTAL EFFECT I agree wholeheartedly that the sun and our ionosphere is really what makes shortwave work. This is not the first time I've heard speculation about rain affecting reception, but the concern wasn't about the clouds. The DXer was wondering if days of steady rain helped the ground conductivity and therefore aided his antennas (I think he was using randomwires, if I recall). For what it's worth, Don Nelson and I have found that K9AY antennas at Grayland perform remarkably similar to the Beverage antennas in winter when the incessant rain has soaked the ground, compared to the dry summertime. In the summer, we've found the K9AYs performance much lower than the Beverages. We don't even bother with the K9AYs in the summers now. I'm sure you've heard of, and likely experienced the phenomenon of coastal enhancement of mediumwave and lower shortwave signals within a few km of a seashore. This is the very reason why many good DXpedition sites are near or on the beach, and it's why I go to Grayland and environs since 1990 and not inland like previously! But why does this enhancement occur? There was a British study years ago that theorized a refracting effect at the boundary of the salt- laden, moist air of the ocean where it meets the drier air of inland regions. If valid, perhaps this refraction (tilting) of approaching radio waves is analagous to the wave tilting that occurs during dawn enhancement DX or grayline conditions. Some DXers have also claimed enhanced reception during times of approaching and ongoing snow storms. However, who's to say that the reception isn't just due to better ionospheric conditions at the same time? The "coastal effect" appears constant and real, irregardless of what causes it. Mediumwave DX is indisputably better at the coast compared to inland. Stations like 738 RFO Tahiti and 2BL Sydney on 702 which are regulars at Grayland, Washington are uncommon catches (or much weaker) even just a few miles or km. inland. It can't be totally attributed to an all-water signal path at the coast; the few miles of land from the shore to the inland receiver is only a tiny fraction of the total distance (Guy Atkins, Puyallup, WA USA, Aug 12, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Hello Guy, I agree, MW reception at coastal regions is much better than inland. I have camped inland a long way from anywhere and found even with 1000 metres of wire out that reception was quite poor. Other DX peditions on the east coast of Australia regularly bring in Pacific and American stations from Colombia through to Alaska. My main experience of DXpeditions have been using a longwire/beverage antenna. The theory I seem to remember reading somewhere was that as the radio waves passed onto the land because of the lower ground conductivity they did start to bend and therefore impacted the wire more along it's horizontal length. This is a bit past my knowledge of physics however. But at least it works! Unluckily where I live now (Adelaide, South Australia) to head for the nearest coast means I am looking south at an over water path so not a great deal to pick up that direction! US stations can be heard but it is much harder than it was back east. On the other hand, Asians/Middle East are more common. I think the main difference Robert would notice with rain is perhaps a lessening of noise as the wires get a wash down. Though where he lives in Tasmania is a fairly wet & cool climate and I wouldn't have thought dirty wires would be as big a problem as they can be elsewhere during summer (Richard Jary, ibid.) ###