DX LISTENING DIGEST 4-132, September 1, 2004 Incorporating REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING edited by Glenn Hauser, http://www.worldofradio.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits For restrixions and searchable 2004 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1244: Thu 1600 on WBCQ after-hours http://wbcq.com repeated weekdaily Thu 2000 on RFPI http://www.rfpi.org repeated 4-hourly [maybe] Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825 Fri 0200 on ACBRadio Mainstream repeated 2-hourly http://www.acbradio.org/mainstream.html Fri 2300 on Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 Sat 0000 on SIUE Web Radio http://webradio.siue.edu Sat 0800 on WRN1 to Europe, Africa, Asia, Pacific Sat 0855 on WNQM Nashville 1300 Sat 1030 on WWCR 5070 Sat 1830 on WPKN Bridgeport, 89.5, http://www.wpkn.org Sat 2000 on RFPI http://www.rfpi.org repeated 8-hourly [maybe] Sat 2030 on WBCQ 17495-CUSB Sat 2030 on R. Lavalamp http://www.radiolavalamp.org Sat 2300 on RFPI http://www.rfpi.org repeated 8-hourly [maybe] Sun 0230 on WWCR 5070 Sun 0300 on WBCQ 9330 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 1900 on Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 Sun 1930 on WWCR 12160 Sun 2000 on RNI webcast, http://www.11L-rni.com Mon 0100 on WBCQ 9330 Mon 0230 on WRMI 6870 Mon 0330 on WSUI 910, webcast http://wsui.uiowa.edu [previous 1243] 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 [from Fri]: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: WORLD OF RADIO 1244 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1244h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1244h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1244.html [from Thu] WORLD OF RADIO 1244 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1244.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1244.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1244 in the true SW sound via mp3: keep checking http://www.piratearchive.com/dxprograms.htm DXLD YAHOOGROUP: Why wait for DXLD? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our new yg. Here`s where to sign up. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/ (Glenn Hauser, May 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) NETS TO YOU, September edition: http://www.w4uvh.net/nets2you.html DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS, Aug 29: http://worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. Re: ``That ought to be VOA, alternating Dari & Pashto, [12140] 250 kW, 340 degrees, via Sri Lanka as usual; see DXLD 4-117 among others. Is this a new name for the service, or a misunderstanding? (gh, DXLD)`` The word is "Ashna" ("Voice"). Since several months, VOA is using this label "Radio Ashna" for its programs in Dari and Pashto to Afghanistan (cf. the VOA website). (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Altho Rumen does some excellent monitoring, particularly of ME clandestines, AFAIK he is still offline, so looking up current VOA schedules, etc., or being in contact with online DX info, is not an option for him (gh, DXLD) Hi Glenn, You are absolutely right. I got the new VOA schedule book last week and they only write about the Afghanistan service (for West and South Asia) as ``VOA Radio Ashna``. Languages used are Dari, Pashto, Bangla, Hindi and Persian. Then there is also Radio Aap ki Dunyaa, which is an Urdu only service. 73 from (Björn Fransson, the island of Gotland, Sweden, Sept 1, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALASKA. 11765, KNLS, The New Life Station, QSL card, letter, V/S Rob Scobey, Senior Producer, English Service, and broadcasting schedule in 33 days. The reception report sent by e-mail to: KNLS @ aol.com Included the Tentative Schedule 31 October 2004 to 27 March 2005: Freq. Time UTC Duration Area Language 9690 0800-0900 31/10/04 to 26/12/04 E.Russia/China English 7365 0800-0900 26/12/04 to 30/01/05 " " " 11765 0800-0900 30/01/05 to 27/03/05 " " " 7365 0900-1000 31/10/04 to 27/02/05 Eastern Russia Russian 9690 0900-1000 27/02/05 to 27/03/05 " " " 7355 1000-1100 31/10/04 to 30/01/05 Eastern China Mandarin 9690 1000-1100 30/01/05 to 27/03/05 " " " 7365 1100-1200 31/10/04 to 27/02/05 E.Central Russ. Russian 9690 1100-1200 27/02/05 to 27/03/05 " " " 9690 1200-1300 31/10/04 to 28/11/04 Eastern China Mandarin 7355 1200-1300 28/11/04 to 30/01/05 " " " 9690 1200-1300 30/01/05 to 27/03/05 " " " 9690 1300-1400 31/10/04 to 27/03/05 Asian Pac. Coast English 9615 1400-1500 31/10/04 to 27/03/05 N. Central China Mandarin 7355 1500-1600 31/10/04 to 27/03/05 Eastern China Mandarin 7355 1600-1700 31/10/04 to 27/02/05 Eastern China Mandarin 9615 1600-1700 27/02/05 to 27/03/05 " " 7355 1700-1800 31/10/04 to 30/01/05 Central Russia Russian 9615 1700-1800 30/01/05 to 27/03/05 " " " (via Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Sept 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) What about their long anticipated second transmitter? Surely it will be in use by then, and frequencies ought to have been planned for it. Notice how the effective dates overlap, when two transmitters would be required, surely a mistake. I wonder if 9690 at +1200-1400 means that Greece via Delano will be moving away; else it will totally blot KNLS here, and might be a problem in the target (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA. I tuned into the Radio Tirana English transmission at 2130 August 25th on 7130. Unlike previously it was exactly on frequency. However as Wolfgang and others have noted the modulation of the transmitter is low and lacks punch making the broadcast difficult to follow despite only slight adjacent channel interference. English to Europe is also scheduled at 1845-1900 on 7210 9520 and to North America 0145-0200 and 0230-0300 on 6115 and 7160. There is no broadcast on Sundays (UT Monday for North America) (Mike Barraclough, England, Sept World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Updated schedule for HCJB Australia effective from August 29: 0100-0230 English 15560 KNX 100 kW / 307 deg to SoAs Mon-Fri 0100-0300 English 15560 KNX 100 kW / 307 deg to SoAs Sun 0230-0300 Urdu 15560 KNX 100 kW / 307 deg to SoAs Mon-Sat 0700-1000 English(&) 11750 KNX 050 kW / 120 deg to SoPac till Oct 2 0800-1100 English(&) 11750 KNX 050 kW / 120 deg to SoPac from Oct 3 1100-1230 English(&) 15425 KNX 100 kW / 307 deg to SoEaAs 1230-1300 English 15405 KNX 100 kW / 307 deg to SoEaAs 1300-1330 Indonesian 15405 KNX 100 kW / 307 deg to SoEaAs 1330-1400 Urdu 15405 KNX 100 kW / 307 deg to SoAs Mon-Sat 1330-1400 English 15405 KNX 100 kW / 307 deg to SoAs Sun 1400-1430 Indian langs 15405 KNX 100 kW / 307 deg to SoAs 1430-1600 English(&) 15390 KNX 100 kW / 307 deg to SoAs 2230-0100 English 15525 KNX 100 kW / 340 deg to EaAs (&) DXPL on Sat 0730 (0830 from Oct. 9), 1200 and 1500 (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 1 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Rádio Nacional Brasília heard on 9665 0650 August 26th with local music programme to 0708 off, good reception on clear channel but not heard on next three days (Mike Barraclough, England, Sept World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. R. Nacional da Amazônia, 6190, Aug 26 2355-0005+ Aug 27. Still on this frequency with Portuguese talk, 2358 many IDs. Promos, \\ 11780 --- both very good. R. Guaíba, 5999.97, Aug 27 & 28 0040-0100+, Portuguese talk, phone talk, ID, ads, jingles. Cuba still off the air leaving this frequency clear for other stations to be heard. // 11785, both weak (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CAMEROON. Praying for a SW station here: see INTERNATIONAL ** CANADA. Sackville spurs, 8/27: On 5775, R. Japan, 0005-0058* very weak spur of 6145 with R. Japan in English; not to be confused for IRRS Italy, also on 5775. On 6330, China Radio International, 0005-0059* very weak spur of 5960 with CRI Mandarin programming. Here`s the math: 5775 + 185 = 5960, 5960 + 185 = 6145, 6145 + 185 = 6330; or: 5775 + 370 = 6145, 6330 - 370 = 5960 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA [and non]. Canadian concerns could delay night IBOC operation: http://www.radioworld.com/dailynews/one.php?id=5742 (Harry Helms W5HLH, Wimberley, TX EM00, Aug 31, NRC-AM via DXLD Note the last paragraph in the RW article: "When RW Online asked Ibiquity for a reaction, COO Jeff Jury said, "We are aware of the comments made regarding the potential for IBOC to cause interference to Canadian broadcasts. Our understanding is that the FCC is working with the Canadian government to answer their questions and resolve their concerns. We are confidant that any concerns in Canada can be addressed and that these issues will not delay the rollout of HD Radio in the U.S." " 73 (Bill Dvorak, Madison WI, ibid.) Does Ibiquity think that the CRTC, Industry Canada and Canadians are stupid and don't have a clue as to what will happen with IBOC on both AM & FM? The big two concerns are nighttime AM IBOC on high power stations and FM IBOC in boarder cities like Buffalo, Detroit and Seattle. Daytime AM IBOC will be of some concern. The Buffalo-Saint Catharines-Hamilton-Toronto corridor is filled with FM stations, many that are first adjacent stations. I guess you can add Rochester into the mix as I imagine some stations from Rochester easily cross Lake Ontario. IBOC is going to cause a mess in that area, which is already filled to near maximum levels. Any new translators that come on the air will fill in any possible gaps that were left. Canada is primarily rural and DOES rely upon high power transmitters to cover vast areas of land at night for areas that have no other source of standard broadcast communication. The cost to build FM translators for all the little villages and towns is cost prohibitive. If the US goes ahead with nighttime AM IBOC service to these many communities will be lost or seriously degraded. BUT the real kicker is that IBOC violates the International and Bi- lateral Agreements between the US and Canada. This should put a halt on FM IBOC in border cities and any FM that reaches into Canada. All nighttime AM IBOC will be placed on hold for some time. This is not something that can be worked out in a short time period. Even daytime IBOC on AM stations that have a signal into Canada could find that they will not be allowed to use IBOC. Now that Canada has officially come out against IBOC, will Mexico be far behind? Ibiquity and IBOC may have met their greatest match to date. This is one that involves International Agreements and Treaties, that might well be treated in a legal manner. I don't think that there will be AM nighttime IBOC stations on the air anytime soon. In fact, Canada wants the 6 am to 6 pm IBOC hours rolled back to daytime only. How will the FCC and I'm sure with the help of Ibiquity solve this "little" problem? (Mike Oswald, Houston, ibid.) I'm not sure why you'd think they'd make any special exceptions for our Canadian neighbors --- they seem to think we're that stupid, so ..... (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA ( 15 mi NNW Philadelphia ), ibid.) ** CHINA. And I am sitting in Beijing Airport after spending a week in Manchuria (the city of Jilin to be specific). While scanning the dials for two or three days, I noted no sign of Heilongjiang PBS in nearby Harbin on its ususual 60, 49 and 41 m. channels. Bob Padula's Chinese stn list showed them to be active, but I hrd nothing. Many other Chinese regionals are still on the air. I hope to have a summary put together when I get back to Canada (John Fisher, ON, DX-plorer via DXLD) ** CHINA. Frequency change for CNR-8 in Kazakh/Uyghur/Mongolian effective from Aug. 27: 1400-1700 NF 9420, co-channel Voice of Greece in Greek, ex 9430 to avoid FEBC Mandarin (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 1 via DXLD) ** CUBA. Les recordamos que estamos transmitiendo en Audio Real parte de la programación habitual de esta emisora. A partir de este martes 31 de agosto transmitiremos en Audio Real tambien: Idioma Hora local UTC Creole 2.00 pm 18.00 Quechua 2.30 pm 18.30 Guaraní 3.00 pm 19.00 Arabe 3.30 pm 19.30 Dirección de Radio Habana Cuba (via gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DXLD) Well, I could not find any real audio link, just the usual windows media links which won`t work. I see the English page finally admits there was antenna damage: (gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DXLD) Radio Havana Cuba -- the island's international shortwave voice -- is still experiencing problems with its transmissions. When Hurricane Charley slammed into Cuba on August 13th, winds clocked at nearly 200 km/hour damaged the radio station's antennas. For now, Radio Havana Cuba can only be heard on its digital audio channel on the Internet. Just click on "Broadcasting" to hear our programs. Thank you (via WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DXLD) Calendario 2005 de RHC --- Visitando la página de RHC el día de hoy, buscando información sobre el Huracán Fránces, que lleva rumbo a Rep. Dominicana, Haïtí, y Cuba, me encontré con el siguiente ofrecimiento de esta emisora amiga. Atte: José Elías Se informa a todos los oyentes y amigos de Radio Habana Cuba en el mundo que ya nuestra emisora dispone del calendario de bolsillo del próximo año, 2005. El retrato de El Libertador realizado por Guayasamín lleva por título: "Homenaje a Simón Bolívar". Los amigos de Radio Habana Cuba en el mundo ya pueden solicitar el calendario de bolsillo del próximo año --2005--, el cual fue editado en Quito gracias a la colaboración de la Fundación Guayasamín. Esta vez el calendario está ilustrado con un hermoso retrato de Simón Bolívar, basado en la pintura al óleo realizada por el gran pintor ecuatoriano Oswaldo Guayasamín a solicitud del historiador venezolano José Luis Salcedo Bastardo, quien fue embajador en Quito --1959/61-- y años después fungió como Presidente de la Comisión por el Bicentenario de Simón Bolívar. El primer ejemplar de esta bellísima obra del Pintor de Iberoamérica le fue entregado en Caracas al Presidente de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela, Hugo Chávez Frías, por la delegación de la Fundación Guayasamín que asistió al histórico referendo del 15 de agosto de 2004 en Venezuela. Pedro Martínez Pírez pmpirez @ rhc.cu Subdirector General de Radio Habana Cuba, Miembro de Honor de la Fundación Guayasamín. Aquellos que se interesen en recibirlo deben enviarnos su dirección postal a: Podrían hacerlo por fax a los números (537) 877-6531, (537) 873-8796 y (537) 870-5810, o a los teléfonos (537) 879-4943 y (537) 877-6532. Recuerde: usted puede dirigir su solicitud a Radio Habana Cuba AP. 6240, La Habana, Cuba; a la dirección electrónica radiohc @ enet.cu o bien haciendo click en correspondencia (via José Elías, Venezuela, Aug 31, Noticias DX via DXLD) What a big deal they make out of a 2 by 3 inch card (gh, DXLD) ** DENMARK. World Music Radio, 5815, Aug 28 0045-0115+ pop music, 0047 ID. Poor, weak in noise with deep fades (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. R. Nacional, Malabo, 6250.35, Aug 26 2250-2300* Very poor, barely audible, under ute QRM but was able to ID NA at 2257. Off at 2300; not heard the next day (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. Re 4-131: In the SWEDX yg, Roy Sandgren posted a link to a background article on the situation published in Swedish by the local Åland newspaper "Nya Åland": http://www.nyan.aland.fi/template11.con?iArticle=2467 The article writes about a conflict which appeared between the license owner Roy Sandgren and (former) business partner Mike Spenser, in which Spenser claims to own the rights to start a bi-lingual Swedish- English station on 603 kHz (which he calls "Pirate Radio 603"). The newspaper quotes the local government in saying that the license (which only allows Swedish broadcasts) still belongs to Sandgren's (Swedish) company Roy Sandgrens Åkeri (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Sept 1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, According to several reports on the Finnish list of the HCDX, Pirate Radio 603 was widely heard today in southern and western Finland. I myself heard it first time at 15 UT till 1730. Reception was poor to fair with my Sony 7600G. Mainly English and pop music from the 60´s. After 1730 UT dominating station on 603 kHz was Romania. 73´s (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. SUMMER REFLECTIONS --- 183 kHz: News has always been important in the schedule of Europe 1 since the station was launched as Europe No. 1 in 1955. But music was as important in those early days, and in the `60s, ``Salut les Copains`` was possibly the most popular radio show in Europe. DJs were real DJs then, not just announcers and readers of mobile phone messages as today; they had a say in choosing the records, so stations like Montecarlo, Luxembourg, Caroline or Europe 1 itself, while obviously trying to get as many listeners as possible, did not necessarily play the same hits over and over again. During the `90s Europe 1 turned to a news and talk format, with little or no music at all, so it was with pleasure that I discovered that from 1400 (maybe earlier) to 1600 gmt there`s a programme with much music, most of it coming from the past. This might be a summer-only schedule variation, so tune to LW 183 kHz now! (Stefano Valianti, Italy, Southern European Report, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** GREENLAND. Praying for a missionary station here: see INTERNATIONAL ** GUAM. Frequency change for KTWR in Boro/Santhali via TWR 100 kW / 293 deg: 1330-1400 NF 11720, ex 9920 (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 1 via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. Compañero, El dia 31/agosto/2004 estuve recibiendo la frecuencia -- 92.5 estereo Cuatan en San Sebatian Cuatan en la banda de 60 metros en un idioma parecido al Portuguez. Emisora cristiana. Con una recepcion más o menos clara. Hora UT 1:00 tiempo, 45 segundos. Lugar de la escucha: San José, Costa Rica, cerca de las montañas de la provincia Heredia (Román Mora, Sept 1, Noticias DX via DXLD) Never mentions a country, but assume he refers to the 4780 Guatemalan. Must have been carrying that Voz de la Liberación syndicated gospel huxter speaking Spanish with a huge Brazilian accent (gh) ** INTERNATIONAL. Many Christian/missionary websites feature "prayer bulletins". At times you can find hints of planned stations. Here are some from http://www.galcom.org/ June 2004 Wed. 9th. We have been praying for almost two years for a radio station license for Greenland. Please pray with us that this will soon be granted. July 2004 Sat. 3rd. Please pray for Iraq as we search out a tropical band frequency to feed low powered radio stations. July 2004 Fri. 9th. Continue to pray for Dave Casement as he finalizes the details to install a SW radio station in Cameroon. Pray that the leaders there will be able to work out the licensing problems this summer. The Greenland item may as well mean FM, but the other two are clearly referring to shortwave (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, Sept 1, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. Hurricane Watch Net Active etc. According to their web site, http://www.hwn.org the hurricane watch net is currently active. As Hurricane Frances approaches the coast of Florida, check 3940, 3950, 7247 and 7254 for possible traffic. Also, I suspect the SATERN Net on 14265 will be passing health and welfare traffic once the storm makes landfall. The September Nets To You! is now on line at http://www.w4uvh.net/nets2you.html with a state by state listing of possible emergency frequencies. Earlier, I mentioned that Bill Snyder`s Hurricane Frequences page had been updated, and it has been updated again since then at http://www.hurricanefrequencies.com (John Norfolk, dxldyahoogroup Sept 1 via DXLD) MORE under U S A ** IRAN [non]. Radio Seda-ye Mellat-e Iran/Radio Voice Iranian Nation in Farsi: 1325-1355 on 15670 (55555) via SOF 100 kW / 090 deg to ME (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 1 via WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DXLD) N.B., actually confirms Bulgarian site, Sofia! (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DXLD) Really SOFIA? 15670 is a very w e a k signal for usual Bulgarian powerful signal standards, received from their sites here in Central Europe. Even the 90 degree backlobe signals are very strong at my place. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Stuttgart, Germany, Sept 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CLANDESTINE from BULGARIA to IRAN, 15670, Radio Melate, no luck hearing this one when checking on several DX Tuners at 1330 Sept 1. Perhaps the receivers weren't ideal, but I do believe that the signal must not be very robust. I also did a Google search on them, but could not find a website for them or additional information on their goals and objectives (Hans Johnson, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Spellings vary ** IRAQ. Praying for a tropical SW station: see INTERNATIONAL ** IRAQ [and non]. MEDIA IN IRAQ - UPDATED 1 SEPTEMBER 2004 [note: the entire report, including a lengthy press section, appears at http://www.w4uvh.net/mediaraq.txt --- gh] Overview Since the last issue of "The Media in Iraq" was published on 16 July 2004, attention has focused on the National Communications and Media Commission's endorsement of a draft law on regulating the media, and on the interim government's order closing the pan-Arab satellite TV network Al-Jazeera's bureau in Baghdad for a month. On 25 July Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari accused four regional satellite channels - Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya, Al-Manar and Al-Alam - of inciting violence and hinted that Iraq might stop Al-Jazeera from operating in the country. On 7 August the interim government ordered the closure of Al-Jazeera's Baghdad office for a month. Prime Minister Iyad Allawi accused the channel of inciting hatred and racial tension. He said that the order came from the national security committee and was based on the findings of an independent commission. It was set up to monitor Al-Jazeera's daily coverage "to see what kind of violence they are advocating, inciting hatred and problems and racial tension," Allawi said. (On 29 August Allawi stepped up his attack on Al-Jazeera when he said, in an interview for the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, that the station "acts as a spokesman for the terrorists".) Iraq's interior minister, Falah Hassan al-Naqib, said the 30-day closure would allow Al-Jazeera to readjust the station's policy, which he said was encouraging criminals and gangsters in Iraq. An Al-Jazeera spokesman commented: "It is a regrettable decision, but Al-Jazeera will endeavour to cover the situation in Iraq as best as we can within the constraints." The station's editor-in-chief told the BBC the government had been trying to coerce Al-Jazeera into positions contradictory to its editorial policy. The Paris-based media freedom watchdog Reporters Sans Frontieres denounced the move as a "serious blow to press freedom". "We are extremely concerned about persistent episodes of censorship in Iraq," RSF said, noting that the government had obstructed Al- Jazeera's work before. In late July the National Communications and Media Commission (NCMC) endorsed a draft law on regulating media in Iraq, whereby broadcasting stations will be subject to written rules and criteria defining the principles of working and legal standards, the Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) newspaper Al-Ittihad reported on 29 July. NCMC executive director Siyamand Zayd Uthman said that the draft law adopted internationally accepted criteria on "the principles of propriety, nondiscrimination, fairness, honesty, accuracy, balanced treatment and the provision of the necessary protection against broadcast material that might include incitement to violence; ethnic, nationalist or religious fanaticism; or what might represent or reflect violence or fanaticism". In addition to the NCMC, the interim government has also set up a Higher Media Commission (HMC), headed by Ibrahim al-Janabi. At the time of writing, the extent of the HMC's powers and activities and its relationship with the NCMC remains unclear. The Financial Times reported on 27 July that the HMC was charged with regulating print and broadcast media in Iraq and empowered to impose sanctions, including closure, against outlets that cross "red lines" in their coverage. Janabi told Al-Iraqiyah TV on 27 July that a proposed media law "would not restrict freedom of the press but that the working of the media would be subject to a set of regulations". Applicants for broadcasting licences The National Communications and Media Commission, set up in March 2004 to act as an independent regulator for broadcasting and telecoms, estimates that after 17 months of unregulated media growth, there are now about 80 radio and 21 TV stations on the air inside Iraq. The NCMC has a web site in Arabic and English at http://www.iraqicmc.org Content includes an explanation of the broadcast licensing process, instructions on how to apply for a licence, a Frequently Asked Questions section, and a list of licence applications. An interesting feature is that almost half of the 63 applicants for Iraqi broadcasting licences describe themselves as "commercial", while less than a third are "political". NEW SATELLITE TV CHANNELS IN IRAQ SINCE 16 JULY 2004 Al-Fayhaa satellite TV - Al-Fayhaa ("The Vast", one of the Arabic names for Basra), is a new Iraqi satellite channel that began test transmissions from the UAE in July 2004. The channel uses the Nilesat 102 satellite at 7 degrees west and is reportedly licensed in Dubai Media City. Nahrain TV - Nahrain is a Baghdad-based TV channel which has announced plans to launch in August 2004. Nahrain ("rivers"), is being financed by an initial 25m-US dollar investment from Naguib Sawiris, chief executive of Orascom, an Egyptian telecommunications group. Orascom also owns Iraq's main wireless operator, Iraqna. It is operated by Video Cairo Sat, an Egyptian production company. Dijlah Satellite TV launched in Mosul - Dijlah (Tigris) satellite channel, with headquarters in Mosul, launched at the start of August 2004. It will broadcast in Kurdish and Arabic. NEW TERRESTRIAL TV AND RADIO IN IRAQ SINCE 16 JULY 2004 Peace Radio FM - new music station in Baghdad - On 23 August 2004 a new station identifying as Peace Radio FM was monitored operating round the clock in Baghdad on 106.0 MHz. Programming is Western and Arabic popular music with frequent identification announcements in Arabic, typically as follows: "Huna Idha'at al-Salam FM, min Baghdad". There is a station with a similar name, Peace Radio, already on air in Baghdad on 92.0 MHz FM and 1053 kHz mediumwave. Programming is not in parallel with that of the new station on 106.0 MHz, and it is not known if the two stations are connected. Ashur Radio was first observed on FM in Baghdad by BBC Monitoring on 24 July 2004. Programmes in Arabic and Assyrian are broadcast at 0910- 2000 local time (0510-1600 gmt) on 99.4 MHz FM in Baghdad. Ashur was the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire, situated on the River Tigris in northern Iraq. A clandestine radio station of this name broadcast on 9155 kHz shortwave prior to the 2003 Iraq war. Bilad Radio operates on 999 kHz mediumwave in Baghdad. Programming consists entirely of Koranic recitations and the call to prayer. The station is on the air daily at 0800-1600 hours local time (0400-1200 gmt). Shafaq Radio was first observed by BBC Monitoring on 24 July 2004. Programmes in Arabic and Kurdish are on the air daily at 1700-2000 local time (1300-1600 gmt), with a repeat the following morning at 0900-1200 local time (0500-0800 gmt). Kurdish party KDP-owned TV, radio in Khanaqin - Kurdistan TV and the Voice of Kurdistan Radio, both operated by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), began broadcasting from the town of Khanaqin on 8 August 2004. Earlier the KDP had launched two TV and two radio channels in the cities of Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah. PRESS Although more than 250 newspapers and magazines have appeared in Iraq since the fall of the former regime in April 2003, just over 100 publications appear to still be publishing, many of those on an irregular basis. Of these, 33 have appeared since March 2004. [. . .] POST-WAR BROADCAST MEDIA --- RADIO --- BBC Monitoring can confirm hearing the following broadcasters as of 1 September 2004: FM BAND IN BAGHDAD (MHz) 88.0 - Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East, in Arabic and French 88.5 - MBC 89.0 - BBC World Service, in Arabic 89.5 - Radio Dijla (Tigris) 90.1 - Iranian Voice of the Mujahidin 92.0 - Al-Salam Radio (parallel with 1053 kHz) 92.3 - AFN Voice Channel, in English 93.5 - Radio France Internationale, in French 94.8 - Iraqi Media Network (IMN)-Radio Diyala 95.5 - Radio Al-Mustaqbal (parallel with 1305 kHz) 97.5 - Freedom Radio 97.9 - BBC World Service, in English 98.3 - Republic of Iraq Radio (parallel with 675 kHz) 99.4 - Ashur Radio, in Arabic & Assyrian 100.4 - US Radio Sawa 101.2 - Shafaq Radio, in Arabic & Kurdish 102.4 - Radio Free Iraq (RFE/RL) in Arabic/VoA in English & Kurdish 104.1 - Hot FM, in English and Arabic 106.0 - Al-Salam Radio FM 106.9 - BFBS Radio 1, in English 107.7 - AFN-Iraq ("Freedom Radio"), in English MAIN AM STATIONS INTENDED FOR IRAQ (kHz) 675 - Republic of Iraq Radio (parallel with 98.3 MHz) 720 - Voice of the Mujahidin 756 - Information Radio 909 - Radio Nahrain 999 - Bilad Radio 1053 - Al-Salam Radio (parallel with 92.0 MHz) 1152 - Dar al-Salam Radio (Iraqi Islamic Party) 1179 - Voice of Iraq, in Arabic, English & Turkmen 1206 - Voice of the People of Kurdistan, in Arabic and Kurdish 1305 - Radio Al-Mustaqbal (parallel with 95.5 MHz) 1593 - Radio Free Iraq in Arabic + VOA in English, Kurdish, Persian, via Kuwait Republic of Iraq Radio is the successor to Iraqi Media Network-Radio Baghdad, which was operated by the Coalition Provisional Authority. It is currently observed on air in Baghdad round the clock on 98.3 MHz FM, and for a shorter daily period (as yet undetermined) on 675 kHz mediumwave. The station has news in English at 1500-1505 local time (1100-1105) gmt daily except Friday, within an English programme otherwise comprised of nonstop Western pop music at 1432-1520 local time (1032-1120 gmt). Shamin Rassam, an Iraqi-American, directs IMN's FM radio outlet as well as news bulletins on the mediumwave station, according to the Washington Post. Radio Dijla - Iraq's first independent talk radio station, Radio Dijla (Tigris Radio) identifies itself as "Radio Dijla from Baghdad, the first independent Iraqi radio". Radio Dijla broadcasts on 89.5 MHz FM at 0800-0305 local time (0400-2305 gmt). The commercial station, which is the first independent talk radio station in Iraq, was founded by Dr Ahmad al-Rikabi, a former London bureau chief of US-funded Radio Free Iraq. After the Coalition war against Iraq in 2003, Rikabi helped to set up Coalition-run radio and TV stations in his role as head of the Iraqi Media Network. The station carries a mix of programming including live phone-in programmes during which callers express their opinions on issue of concern to the Iraqi people and society; interviews; programmes on social issues; and Arab and Iraqi pop songs and entertainment programmes. During phone-in programmes, the announcers say: "Our opinion does not count, but what always counts is your opinion." According to a feature article in the London newspaper The Guardian on 10 June 2004, the station broadcasts in the local Iraqi dialect and not classical Arabic, and operates from "a modest family house somewhere in a western Baghdad suburb". It receives up to 18,000 calls a day, although it can only answer a fraction of that number. "It has become Baghdad's favourite," the Guardian reported, noting: "Radio Dijla has also become required listening for the country's new authorities." The Guardian quoted Rikabi as saying: "This is a new concept for Iraq, and the Arab world, and fills a yawning gap... We've quickly become a part of people's lives. It shows the desperate need of ordinary Iraqis to share and communicate their pains and joys. I thought I had a good idea, but I never expected this amount of interest so soon. We are already No 1 in Baghdad." The US publication Newsday on 13 June noted that Radio Dijla is Baghdad's only private, commercial radio station not sponsored by a political or religious group or outsiders like the US or British governments. "We have the BBC on FM and they talk about the UN all day long. People talk to us about sewage outside their homes," Newsday quoted Ahmad al-Rikabi as saying. The Newsday article added: "Al-Rikabi, 34, a member of a wealthy Shi'i family, is trying to stay under the radar of radicals who may not like the station's brew of Arabic pop music and constant kvetching [whinging] from Baghdadis. Just in case, a submachine gun lies on the floor of his office and he keeps a handgun handy." Radio Dijla is not the first talk radio station in Iraq, Newsday noted, recalling that before the war, Uday Husayn, Saddam's son, ran Al-Shabab Radio, which allowed callers to talk about love and poetry, although anti-government talk was forbidden. Radio Dijla has a web site under construction at http://www.radiodijla.com Radio Nahrain - Since the end of March 2003, Radio Nahrain, also known as Twin Rivers Radio, has been transmitting on FM on 100.4 and 94.6 MHz from a location south of Basra. It has also been monitored on 96.0 MHz and 909 kHz mediumwave. The station is operated by British forces. Voice of Iraq was launched in Baghdad in summer 2003, and is currently on the air at 0700-2100 local time (0300-1700 gmt). The station has a web site entirely in Arabic at http://www.voiraq.com which states that the radio "covers an area with 12 million Iraqi inhabitants". The site adds, among other things: "The Voice of Iraq, which transmits from Baghdad on 1179 kHz, is the first independent radio in Iraq's history. It started transmitting on 15 July 2003 after a month of testing. The founders of the radio wanted the station to be a distinguished media organ in terms of both accuracy and objectivity, broadcasting all news reports and analysing developments in a serious, impartial, professional and unbiased manner. "The Voice of Iraq presents a wide variety of intellectual talks, field investigations, panel discussions and many programmes on various subjects. "The radio is eager to safeguard unity and amity among the Iraqi people following decades of attempts to foment sectarianism and practise murder and oppression against the majority of the Iraqi people and the rest of Iraq's citizens. "The editorial policy of the Voice of Iraq takes great care of the Iraqi people's national unity, encouraging close relations among the various ethnic groups - Arabs, Kurds and Turkomans - who must have equal rights without any form of prejudice. "The Voice of Iraq is also eager to strengthen relations with neighbouring states and peoples and promote them in a way that would eradicate the harm that the defunct regime's aggression against these states had caused." The following e-mail addresses are also given: admin @ voiraq.com director @ voiraq.com and webmaster @ voiraq.com English-language programmes are on air daily at approximately 1510- 1555 local time (1110-1155 gmt) daily except Friday. Programming in Turkmen is observed at 1800-1830 local time (1400-1430 gmt). [. . .] Ashur Radio was first observed on FM in Baghdad by BBC Monitoring on 24 July 2004. Programmes in Arabic and Assyrian are broadcast at 0910- 2000 local time (0510-1600 gmt) on 99.4 MHz FM in Baghdad. Ashur was the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire, situated on the River Tigris in northern Iraq. A clandestine radio station of this name broadcast on 9155 kHz shortwave prior to the 2003 Iraq war. Bilad Radio operates on 999 kHz mediumwave in Baghdad. Programming consists entirely of Koranic recitations and the call to prayer. The station is on the air daily at 0800-1600 hours local time (0400-1200 gmt). Shafaq Radio was first observed by BBC Monitoring on 24 July 2004. Programmes in Arabic and Kurdish are on the air daily at 1700-2000 local time [1300-1600 gmt], with a repeat the following morning at 0900-1200 local time (0500-0800 gmt). [. . .] British Forces Broadcasting Service BFBS radio and TV stations are available as follows (all frequencies are in MHz): BFBS Radio 1 Umm Qasr 102.1 Shaybah Logistic Base 102.1 Al-Zubayr 102.1 Al-Amarah 87.5 Baghdad 106.9 BFBS Radio 2 Umm Qasr 106.3 Shaybah Logistic Base 106.3 Al-Amarah 106.3 BFBS Gurkha Radio Shaybah Logistic Base 104.0 BFBS TV is available only via DTH and closed cable systems. US American Forces Radio AFN-Iraq has been observed on 107.7 MHz in Baghdad with local programming, identifying on air as "Freedom Radio" and "Freedom Radio 107.7." AFN Radio on 92.3 MHz in Baghdad carries a separate non-local programme stream. AFN Radio is available on the FM band as follows (all frequencies are in MHz): Baghdad 92.3 (Voice Channel) & 107.7 (AFN-Iraq/Freedom Radio) Balad 107.3 Fallujah/Camp St.Mere 105.1 Kirkuk 100.1 & 107.3 Mosul 105.1 Quyarrah/Q-West base 93.3 Ramadi 93.3 & 107.3 Sinjar 107.9 Tallil 100.1 (Voice Channel) & 107.3 (Bright AC) Al-Taqaddum/Camp Ridgeway 107.1 Tikrit 93.3 AFN-Iraq has a web site at http://www.afniraq.army.mil [. . .] The following are among stations in operation before April 2003 that continue to be heard inside Iraq: Voice of the People of Kurdistan, operated by the PUK, currently broadcasts on 1206 kHz mediumwave and 4025 kHz shortwave. Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan, operated by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), currently broadcasts on 6340 kHz shortwave. Radio Azadi, Voice of the Communist Party of Iraqi Kurdistan Voice of the Iraqi People, Voice of the Iraqi Communist Party - The station broadcasts from northern Iraq, possibly using Kurdish facilities. Voice of the Mojahed, the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization's radio, used to broadcast via shortwave, satellite and with archive audio files on the Internet. On 12 January 2004 the radio station in Baqubah was disabled by the CPA and Coalition forces. At the time of writing, the radio, as well as the Mojahedin-e Khalq television station, Simaye Azadi, continue to be observed via the Telstar 12 satellite at 15 degrees west, 12589V. The radio is also observed on the Internet at: http://www.iran.mojahedin.org Al-Mustaqbal [The Future] Radio is operated by the Iraqi National Accord. Formerly broadcast on mediumwave from a transmitter in Kuwait, it is now on 95.5 MHz FM and 1305 kHz mediumwave in Baghdad. TELEVISION [. . .] Surveys carried out in mid-2004 indicated that Al-Iraqiyah, whose coverage area extends to between 70-80 per cent of Iraq, was the TV station with the most viewers. The leading pan-Arab channel was Al-Arabiyah, followed by Al-Jazirah. These two share almost two-thirds of the satellite TV audience in Iraq. Al-Sharqiya satellite television - Al-Sharqiya, launched in March 2004, is the new television station of Iraqi businessman Sa'd al- Bazzaz, who is also the publisher of the Arabic-language daily newspaper Al-Zaman. The channel began regular transmission on 4 May. It describes itself as "the first private, national media project that does not represent any political, ethnic or sectarian group". Al-Sharqiya is a channel with an Iraqi flavour. The channel's newscasts focus on developments in Iraq and the political, economic and social conditions there. Between newscasts, the channel carries talk shows and interviews, Iraqi music and drama programmes and cartoons for children. All drama series are Iraqi in terms of production, actors and dialect. The only non-Iraqi content is the cartoons. Al-Sharqiya does not air religious programming and does not carry the calls for prayers or Friday sermons. The channel frequently broadcasts the slogan seen in its logo "Al-Sharqiya - the truth television". Al-Sharqiya broadcasts 24 hours a day via satellite and terrestrially. It has offices in Baghdad and Dubai Media City. The channel is reported by the Lyngsat satellite chart to be transmitting from the Arabsat 2D, Hot Bird 2 and Nilesat 101 satellites, all in digital format. Viewers in Iraq can receive the channel terrestrially as well as via satellite. Al-Fayhaa ("The Vast", one of the Arabic names for Basra), is a new Iraqi satellite channel that began test transmissions from the UAE in July 2004. The channel uses the Nilesat 102 satellite at 7 degrees west and is reportedly licensed in Dubai Media City. Muhammad al-Ta'i, chairman of the board of directors and director-general of the channel, has described Al-Fayhaa as "a purely Iraqi national channel with no links to other regimes, governments or parties", according to the Iraqi Shi'i group's Iran-based radio station Voice of the Mujahidin on 27 July. Nahrain TV is a Baghdad-based TV channel which has announced plans to launch in August 2004. Nahrain ("rivers"), is being financed by an initial 25m-US dollar investment from Naguib Sawiris, chief executive of Orascom, an Egyptian telecommunications group. Orascom also owns Iraq's main wireless operator, Iraqna. It is operated by Video Cairo Sat, an Egyptian production company. Mohammed Gohar, the founder of Video Cairo Sat, told the International Herald Tribune in remarks published on 16 August: "We have no agenda... We just want to inform and entertain and basically to help people to cope with their daily lives in what is a very shaky and chaotic situation." Nahrain's offices in Baghdad employ a staff of around 80, all of them Iraqi nationals. According to the International Herald Tribune, Nahrain's 10-hour daily programming schedule "includes ample doses of news and public affairs content... interspersed with musical variety shows, children's cartoons and recent Arabic sitcoms or dramas from Egypt or the Gulf". Nahrain's flagship programme will be a midday chat show called "Baghdad Today", a two-hour segment of news, interviews and features modelled on successful US morning shows such as "Good Morning America" and "The Today Show". The primetime dinner-hour slot is devoted to "Talk of the Hour," a one-hour news and call-in programme with Hassan Abu El Ela, a former BBC Arabic Service radio presenter and Nahrain's editorial director, as host. The late evening is reserved for a feature film - some from Video Cairo Sat's library of mainly Egyptian films and others for which rights have been acquired from Western channels like Showtime in the United States. Other regular segments include a 20-minute daily show called "Talk to America". Nahrain expects to carry as much as 80 minutes a day of advertising. Arabic News Broadcast - A new pan-Arab satellite TV channel, United Kingdom-based Arabic News Broadcast (ANB), has beamed test TV programmes from 1700-2000 gmt on the Hotbird 4, Eutelsat W1 and Nilesat satellites. The channel is reported to have four regional bureaus in the Middle East and is believed to be uplinked from Beirut. [. . .] Al-Mashriq TV starts test broadcasts - The Baghdad independent daily newspaper Al-Mashriq on 19 June published on its front page an advertisement on the start of test broadcasts by Al-Mashriq Television. The advertisement said: "Al-Mashriq, the television of Iraq and Iraqis, has started terrestrial test broadcasts on UHF Channel 54." [. . .] Dijlah (Tigris) satellite channel, with headquarters in Mosul, launched at the start of August 2004. It will broadcast in Kurdish and Arabic. Shi'i group SCIRI plans satellite TV, radio - The political adviser to the head of Iraq's Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution (SCIRI) has said that a satellite news network is to be set up in Iraq, the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported on 13 April. "Presently, local television stations broadcast the council's programmes in Basra, Najaf and Kut. During the next few days, a television network will be set up in Baghdad. In addition, the council is making preparations to set up a radio station to broadcast programmes to the whole of Iraq," the SCIRI official told the agency. "The network may be called Al- Furat and will broadcast programmes to the whole of Iraq," ISNA added. TV BAND IN BAGHDAD (sound frequencies in MHz ) VHF Channel 7 - 194.75 - Al-Iraqiyah (Iraqi Media Network) Television Channel 9 - 208.75 - Al-Iraqiyah (Iraqi Media Network) Television UHF Channel 22 - 484.75 - Al-Iraqiyah (Iraqi Media Network) Television Channel 30 - 548.75 - Kurdsat (PUK) Channel 31 - 556.75 - Al-Hurriyah Television (PUK) Channel 33 - 572.75 - Kurdistan TV (KDP) Channel 37 - 604.75 - Al-Iraqiyah (Iraqi Media Network) Television Channel 41 - 636.75 - Nahrain TV Channel 45 - 668.75 - Ashur TV Channel 54 - 740.75 - Al-Mashriq TV - test transmission IRANIAN BROADCAST MEDIA ACCESSIBLE IN IRAQ --- TELEVISION [. . .] INTERNATIONAL MEDIA Major international radio and television stations, such as pan-Arab satellite television stations, the BBC Arabic and World service radio, the Paris-based Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East, US Radio Sawa and US- sponsored Radio Free Iraq are available in Iraq. BBC World Service is now 24 hours a day on FM in Baghdad and Basra. The FM frequencies for Arabic programming are 89.0 MHz in Baghdad and 90.0 MHz in Basra. BBC World Service in English can be heard on FM in Baghdad on 97.9 MHz, and in Basra on 88.0 MHz. Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East is on FM on 88.0 MHz in Baghdad for 24 hours a day. Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East can also be heard in Basra on 88.8 MHz and in Mosul on 88.0 MHz. Programming is mostly in Arabic, however with 30-minute news bulletins in French from Radio France International three times a day. Radio France Internationale started a relay of its French-language programme on 93.5 MHz in Baghdad on 16 February. Radio Sawa is on FM in Baghdad (100.4 MHz), Arbil (100.5 MHz), Mosul (106.6 MHz) and Sulaymaniyah (88.0 MHz), as well as on 1548 kHz MW. Al-Hurra TV - Since 14 February 2004 satellite viewers in Iraq and the rest of the Arab world have been able to watch a new US government- funded Arabic-language satellite TV channel, Al-Hurra (meaning "the free"). The station broadcasts free-to-air via the direct-to-home Arabsat and Nilesat satellites. It is also distributed via other satellites. In a few months, it will also be available over terrestrial transmitters in Iraq. [. . .] MEDIA - AUDIENCE INFORMATION [. . .] MEDIA SAFETY [. . .] [many if not all omitted portions appear to repeat previously published info before a sesquimonth ago; and\or deal with printed press] Source: BBC Monitoring research 1 Sep 04 [excerpted by gh for DXLD] ** ISRAEL. Galei Zahal, 6972.01, Aug 28 0200-0245* Hebrew talk, local pop music, abrupt sign-off. Usually switches to 15785, but nothing heard fair (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. Well, Kol Israel English DID move to REKA at 0330, 0930, 1730 and 19 hours UT. Available as a live feed or on demand on: http://www.iba.org.il/index.asp?classto=10 This has all broadcasts besides [except?] the 1900 UT Reshet Hey broadcast The live feed at: http://www.israelradio.org/livestream.htm has all broadcasts besides [except?] 1730 UT REKA broadcast. 0930 UT / 12:30 Israel Time / 5:30 AM EDT broadcast is 15 minutes, instead of the 10 minutes it was at 1010 UT. [But what are the shortwave frequencies now???? ---- gh] Israel clock change --- A few people in the US have mentioned that they think that Israel changes its clock soon. The Hebrew University website, when explaining how to set the Windows XP time zone for Israel has: http://ca.huji.ac.il/helpdesk/windows/clock.shtml "Daylight Saving ends : September 22nd 2004 at 1 AM - Fourth Wednesday of September" timeanddate.com also says "DST ends on Wednesday, September 22, 2004, at 1:00 AM local daylight time " Interestingly, Microsoft has the Summer Time date, but not the Winter date, in the website which explains how to set the time zone for Israel for all their OSs (Hebrew). http://www.microsoft.com/israel/support/tips/other/DaylightSavingTi me.mspx I'm not sure which ministry coordinates the time. The websites I've searched, haven't come up with anything. === Also, I looked at the Hebrew portion of: http://www.watch-il.com and now I see that it's $1 per day, with a 1 month minimum. In English, it almost seems that it's $1 a month (Doni Rosenzweig, Aug 31-Sept 1, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The date I have for the time shift is September 22nd. No frequencies quoted but based on the previous schedule frequencies may be 0330 9435 11590 17600, 0930 15640 17535, 1700 9435 17535, 1900 11605 15615 17535 (Mike Barraclough, Sept World DX Club Contact via WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DXLD) At 1730 Sept 1, confirmed on 17535, 15640; 11 and 9 MHz too low (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I haven't heard anything about frequency changes... Hopefully the 1900 UT broadcast will have them - the domestic broadcasts today didn't mention them. The 1730 broadcast is also available on the israelradio.org live REKA / Reshet Hey feed, as opposed to what I said earlier (Doni Rosenzweig, Sept 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. IRRS, 13840, Aug 28 0800-0830+, 0800 English VOA news, 0807 VOA Science & Technology program ``Our World``; 0830 IRRS ID and Milano, Italy address; fair (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Does VOA know about this? ** KOREA NORTH. Voice of Korea in Arabic/ English/ Spanish/ French/ Arabic/ Korean to ME: 1500-2057 from Aug. 27 again on traditional 11735, ex 11535 (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 1 via DXLD) Referring to the Michael Semon's DXLD item on page 39 of the August Contact, remarking on the items he received from Radio Pyongyang, I have been sending reception reports for many months to the station and have received several magazines and QSL cards, etc. Usually I listen at 1900 on 15245 or 13760. Reception can be good or bad but is usually SINPO overall merit 4 though I do find interference from a close to station sometimes. Usually I receive a reply within a month and it takes about 7 days from Radio Pyongyang posting to when I receive their QSL card and magazines (RICHARD READ via Mike Barraclough, Sept World DX Club Contact via DXLD) Richard sent in a copy of his QSL card for a report for 1st July posted from Pyongyang on 3rd August. The front of the card shows a monument, presumably in the centre of the North Korean capital, based on the Paris Arc de Triomphe. The Radio Pyongyang pennant is in purple, red, blue and brown featuring a statue of a man on a horse on a plinth which is again featured on the station`s reception report form (Mike Barraclough, ibid.) ** LAOS [non]. It should be interesting to monitor Hmong Lao Radio shortly, UT Wed 0100, on 9515, 11725 and/or 15260, as reported last week to have apparently been broadcasting via a North American site, but which? Details in new DXLD 4-131. 73, (Glenn, dxldyg Aug 31 via DXLD) [Later:] Well, not very interesting. No sign of anything here on any of the frequencies at the beginning of the hour, nor upon recheck around 0150. If anyone else had any positive results, let us know (Glenn, ibid.) ** LAOS [non]. TAIWAN: Freq change for Hmong Lao Radio in Laotian via TAI 100 kW / 250 deg: 0100-0200 Wed/Fri NF 9515, ex 15260 (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 1 via DXLD) If really via Taiwan instead of North American site, would not expect to hear it here (gh, OK, DXLD) ** LAOS. /USA: HMONG LAO RADIO OBSERVED ON NEW SHORTWAVE FREQUENCY On 1 September BBC Monitoring observed Hmong Lao Radio with its 0100- 0200 gmt broadcast on the new frequency of 9515 kHz shortwave. This replaced 11725 kHz on 27 August, according to information on their web site. This twice-weekly broadcast, aired on Wednesdays and Fridays (gmt), is also available the form of archived audio files on their web site at http://www.hmonglaoradio.org The Hmong-language programmes are produced by a non-profit registered US-based organization called the United Lao Movement for Democracy, which has its headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota. Source: David Kernick, BBC Monitoring research in English 1 Sep 04 (via DXLD) ** MEXICO. ESTÁ SUSPENDIDO EL PROGRAMA "ENCUENTRO DX" EN XEOI R. MIL De acuerdo a la información de primera mano facilitada por Julián Santiago Díez de Bonilla, quien junto a Héctor García Bojorge es el realizador del programa Encuentro DX a través de Radio Mil de México DF, dicho espacio ha quedado suspendido. Los días y horarios de emisión eran los siguientes: viernes 2325, sábado 1430, Domingo 0330, 1500, 2325 y lunes 0505 en la frecuencia de 6010 kHz. "Lamentablemente por ahora no estamos haciendo el programa DX" dijo Julián. La razón, según explicó, es que las instalaciones de Radio Mil se mudaron a la zona oeste de la ciudad donde se han ido los grandes consorcios "Lo cual nos ha limitado a Héctor y a mí ya que tendríamos que disponer de una mañana o una tarde para hacer el programa y, por ahora, no podemos disponer de nuestras horas de trabajo", dijo Julián. "Sin embargo --- agregó --- seguimos encargados de los informes de recepción y de lo relacionado con la onda corta de Radio Mil" cuya dirección es Av. Insurgentes Sur 1870, Colonia Florida 01030 (Apartado 21-1000, 04021) México, D.F. Otro problema que enfrentan los colegas mexicanos es el hecho que la emisora colombiana "La Voz de tu Conciencia" ha venido ocupando la frecuencia de 6010 Khz. "Por mas peticiones que les hemos hecho nos han causado mucho daño", enfatizó Julián. Los informes de recepción que se reciben en Radio Mil se han reducido en un 80% desde que la mencionada emisora colombiana utiliza la misma frecuencia (septiembre de 2002). "Estos señores no escucha la voz de su conciencia" acotó con cierta ironía. Finalmente el colega mexicano se despidió a través de su mensaje electrónico (31/8/04) con una expresión de esperanza pero sin disimular su nostalgia: "Estamos viendo posibilidades y espero pronto tener respuesta. Créeme que extraño el micrófono``. (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Casilla de Correo 950, S 2000 WAJ - Rosario, Argentina, Sept 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS [and non]. What has happened to the RN North American service at 0400 UT in recent days? The program arrangement has shifted and the programs being aired are wrong for the day of the week. Instead of beginning with Newsline and then having that day's feature at about 0430, the feature begins at 0400 and is followed by Newsline. But the feature isn't the one I expact for that weekday. For example, instead of Euroquest last night, I heard A Good Life. If I am awake during the local 5 AM hour (1000 UT), I tune in RN on 9785 kHz and can usually hear it reasonably well. However, I am *supposed* to be asleep then and often do drop off to sleep, naturally. Then at local 6 AM (1100 UT), I tune in RN on 11675 kHz if I am awake, and again may or may not stay awake. Both those hours have the right mix of programs aired on the correct day of the week in the correct sequence. If I have not heard the full RN feature or if I want to re-hear it, I can tune in during the local evening on the 0000 or 0100 UT broadcasts, but sometimes I am not home then or conflicts prevent me from listening then, so I *rely* on the 0400 UT broadcast, which is late enough that other things are done and I am just about always home, as the last chance to hear that day's feature. Now that does NOT work! I'm not hearing what I want to hear when I tune in. What's going on and why was there a change? I just went to the RN website and I do NOT find any info on this change! The daily program schedule still shows the same stuff aired at 0400 as at the earlier times, like it had been. (By the way, PLEASE add a simple plain-text full-week program schedule there for easy printing, not just the every-day-separate schedules you now have, with all the graphics. Just something like what is on the back of "On Target".) Also, did you know that the 0400 broadcast here in the US, via Bonaire, has the audio cut off at 0456 UT abruptly, not letting the program finish? This is NOT due to the transmitter being needed elsewhere, as the open carrier continues and you could still be transmitting program material to its conclusion. It's just the audio chopped off rudely in mid-word. Last night, the "Press review" was cut off in mid-speech. This is so on both frequencies. I expect better from RN than this. If you were going to make some change specific to the North American service, you should have sent a notice to all the NA addresses on the "On Target" mailing list in advance. And any changes should have an un-missable obvious notice on the RN webpage detailing and explaining them. I looked at the Media Network page, too, and couldn't see anything there either. I think this started a week ago, but am not sure. As someone without a computer, I use public-access library systems or a neighbor's system, and thus do not have much time to search for info on changes like this (William Martin, Saint Louis, MO, Sept 1, Letter to RN, cc to DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. Frequency schedule of Radio New Zealand International in English eff. Sep. 5: 1751-1850 on 9845 / 035 deg to Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands 1851-2050 on 11725 / 000 deg to All Pacific 2051-2245 on 15720 / 000 deg to All Pacific 2246-0458 on 17675 / 000 deg to All Pacific 0459-0705 on 11820 / 000 deg to All Pacific, also heard in USA, Europe 0706-1059 on 9885 / 000 deg to All Pacific 1100-1259 on 9885 / 325 deg to NW Pacific, NAm, Australia, PNG, Asia 1300-1750 on 6095 / 000 deg to All Pacific (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 1 via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. RADIO PAKISTAN AVAILABLE LIVE ON THE INTERNET The national domestic service of public broadcaster Radio Pakistan is now available with live streaming from its web site at http://www.radio.gov.pk The web site also gives frequency information, broadcasting hours and telephone numbers for most of Radio Pakistan's regional stations. Radio Pakistan is the successor to the Pakistan Broadcasting Service, which came into being with the creation of the state of Pakistan in 1947. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 1 Sep 04 (via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. COMMUNITY RADIO STATION RADIO BURAQ AVAILABLE ONLINE Pakistan's first community radio station, Radio Buraq, is now available streamed live on the Internet from their web site at http://www.radioburaq.com The station broadcasts on 104.0 MHz in the FM band in Sialkot, an industrial city located near the border with the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. In July 2004 the station also went on air in Peshawar and Mardan, according to a statement on their web site. It is unclear from their English-language web site what languages the station broadcasts in, but programming observed by BBC Monitoring was in Urdu. Broadcasting hours are 0555-0100 Pakistan Standard Time (0055-2000 gmt). Source: David Kernick, BBC Monitoring research in English 1 Sep 04 (via DXLD) ** PERU. R. La Hora, 4856.14v, Aug 25 1000-1010+, Spanish talk, OA folk music, ID. Poor-weak; drifting down from 4856.14 at tune-in to 4855.88 by 1010. R. Horizonte, 5019.93, Aug 25 *1002-1010+, opening Spanish announcements with ID over classical music. Spanish announcements, OA folk music. Very strong, really booming in (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. Cuestionario de R. Rumania Internacional Saludos cordiales amigos radioescuchas: Transcribo parte del contenido de la página Web de RRI en español Estimado oyente, La emisora de Radio Rumania Internacional cumple este otoño 65 años. En este aniversario, nos encontramos inmersos en un proceso de reestructuración sobre la base de dos nuevas estaciones de radio internacionales: RRI 1 y RRI 2. Este proceso organizativo nos está suponiendo redoblar esfuerzos para diversificar la comunicación y redifusión de nuestros programas. Mediante el presente cuestionario, http://www.rri.ro/span/chestion.php dirigido a nuestro club de amigos en el mundo para intensificar los contactos con todos Uds., auténticos destinatarios y beneficiarios de nuestra labor radiofónica, le solicitamos tenga la gentileza de comunicarnos su opinión acerca de la estructura, el contenido y la calidad periodística de los programas de RRI 1 y RRI 2. También estamos interesados en conocer el equipo que usa para escucharnos, y la calidad con que nos recibe. Le quedaríamos muy agradecidos si nos hiciera el favor de rellenar este formulario y enviárnoslo lo antes posible a la sede de RRI, por fax o por correo, adjuntándolo a su próximo informe, a más tardar el próximo 1 de Octubre del presente año (fecha de correos). Los primeros 500 oyentes que lo hagan se verán recompensados, ya que les estamos preparando una sorpresa en forma de atractivo obsequio a cargo de nuestros patrocinadores. Nuestro deseo es que a través de esta consulta a nuestros amigos en todo el mundo podamos realizar programas que satisfagan al máximo el interés de los oyentes y que Uds. nos reciban lo mejor posible en su casa. Muchas gracias. Doru Vasile Ionescu, Director General Adjunto de la Sociedad Rumana de Radiodifusión Muy atentamente 73´s (via José Bueno - Córdoba - España, Noticias DX via DXLD) ** SEYCHELLES [non]. Frequency change for FEBA Radio, all replacing 11750 Samara, Russia: 1315-1330 Thu Kumauni NF 12025 DHA 250 kW / 085 deg 1315-1400 Sat Punjabi NF 12025 DHA 250 kW / 085 deg 1315-1400 Mon-Wed/Fri Punjabi NF 12025 DHA 250 kW / 085 deg 1315-1330 Sun Kangri NF 12025 DHA 250 kW / 085 deg 1315-1330 Mon Bhili NF 12025 DHA 250 kW / 085 deg 1315-1330 Wed Marwari NF 12025 DHA 250 kW / 085 deg 1315-1330 Tue Brij NF 12025 DHA 250 kW / 085 deg 1315-1345 Sun/Fri Gujarati NF 12025 DHA 250 kW / 085 deg 1330-1400 Mon-Thu/Sat Gujarati NF 12025 DHA 250 kW / 085 deg (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 1 via DXLD) ** SURINAM. R. Apintie, 4990, Aug 28 0500-0645+, wide variety of US R&B, hip-hop, and US pop music by Sheena Easton, Madonna, The Carpenters and others. 0521 several IDs, 0625 canned ID announcements. Some English/Dutch announcements but mostly just continuous music. Poor-fair (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWEDEN. The Hörby transmitter on 6065 has been noted signing off at 0500 instead of scheduled 0600 since several weeks. It carries a relay of the Swedish domestic channel P1 at this time (Mon-Fri only). (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Sept 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKS & CAICOS. Pre-Frances log: 530, Radio Visión Cristiana Int'l, (about to get slammed by Frances); 0518-0605+, 1-Sep; M in Spanish with religious talk. RVC ID spot at program close 0538, then RVCI ID 0541. "La emisora de Dios". Pop-style religious music after 0543 and lengthy RCVI ID at 0546 mentioning Brooklyn. 0552 "Radio Vision" SIDs. 0600 Spanish and English IDs, then pop religious music continued. No mention of Frances--wonder if they'll be on tomorrow night? Mainly well over CIAO, up to S25 (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, Cumbre DX via DXLD) All alone tonight at 10:25 pm ET. BTW, RVC 530 is off so all I have there now is the CT DOT's traffic info station for I84 and I91 (Mike Bugaj, Enfield, CT, WTFDA-AM via DXLD) Sounds like RVC-530 in Turks and Caicos is off. Probably shut down due to Frances. Just a low level grumble underneath (Craig Healy, Providence, RI, 0138 UT Sept 2, NRC-AM via DXLD) Now's the chance for someone near an Atlantic Beach to try for Falklands 530 (I presume they are on an running decent power) Several years back we got them in NF. 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, IL, ibid.) ** U K. The annual open day at Bush House is September 18, 2004 Address: Aldwych WC2 Opening Times Sat 10 am-4.30 pm Tours every 10-20 mins. NB studios not included. Security checks will take place before each tour. Last entry 4 pm. Description --- Built by American businessman Irving T Bush as a trade centre, Bush House has been the home of BBC World Service since 1940. Architect: Helmle and Corbett Year: 1925-35. Entry Areas How to get there – Nearest Tube: Holborn, Temple Nearest Train: Tube/ Waterloo, Charing Cross Bus Routes: 1,9,13,15,176,188 (via Larry Nebron, CA, DXLD) ** U K. OFCOM INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR NEW COMMUNITY RADIO LICENCES 01 September 2004 --- Ofcom today invites applications for a new type of low-cost local radio licence, in accordance with the requirements of Section 104(1) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (as modified by the Community Radio Order 2004). Community Radio licences are available to groups interested in broadcasting to smaller areas, usually within a 5km radius, on a not- for-profit basis for local social benefit. The licences are being offered on either the FM or AM waveband in most parts of the UK. However, in some areas the availability of suitable radio frequencies may limit opportunities. Ofcom is not specifying where these radio stations should be. Instead, it is inviting applicants to identify the community or communities they wish to serve. Further details including an application form and accompanying notes of guidance can be obtained from the Ofcom website at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/licensing_numbering/radio_sound_broadcasting/commun_radio/. Or by writing to: The Radio Planning & Licensing Team (Community Radio), 3rd Floor, Ofcom, Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA. Email: communityradio @ ofcom.org.uk A plain English summary setting out what Community Radio is, who can be involved, and how to apply for a licence is available from the Ofcom website at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk Or from the Ofcom Contact Centre, Ofcom, Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA. Email: contact @ ofcom.org.uk Telephone: 0845 456 3000 or 020 7981 3040. The closing date for the submission of completed applications is 5 pm on Tuesday, 23 November 2004. A non-refundable application fee of £600 is payable for each application submitted. Licence applications will be assessed against statutory selection criteria, and awarded for a maximum of five years. Ends. (from http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media_office/latest_news/nr_20040901_2 via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U S A. Just had a chance to listen to Kim Elliott`s appearance on Talk to America, which is now in the program archive for August 16 at http://www.voanews.com/TalkToAmerica/article.cfm?objectid=04558F09-09B0-4851-83611AE07C539019&title=Talk%20To%20America%20%2D%20Program%20Archives Cue in about 25 minutes for the 15-minute segment, unless you want to listen to the first part about WalMart. Kim talks about audience research, the outlook for digital SW broadcasting, etc. (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WINB --- The info@winb.com address has been deleted due to spam. Reports can be sent to winb40th @ yahoo.com Please provide precise details or a short recording if you want a QSL. I have seen some very vague reports as of late (Hans Johnson, Sept 1, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. Frequency change for WYFR in Mandarin Chinese via TAI: 2100-2400 NF 7250, ex 6155, re-ex 6300 1100-1600 NF 7250* ex 6155, re-ex 6300 * from 1430 blocked by Vatican R. (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 1 via DXLD) ** U S A. LIBERAL RADIO NETWORK SETS SIGHTS ON FM DIAL 1:01 am 9/01/04 Tom Alesia Wisconsin State Journal http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/index.php?ntid=9331&ntpid=4 The liberal Air America Radio syndicated network will enter the Madison airwaves Tuesday morning, replacing the struggling adult contemporary outlet "Mix 92.1." Air America, which debuted March 31, will make Madison its 27th market and its first on an FM frequency. Once considered the domain of conservative hosts, talk radio received a staunchly left-wing push with Air America's launch and the hiring of its most prominent on-air personality, humorist and writer Al Franken. Madison appeared ripe to receive Air America programming, especially since Madison resident Terry Kelly is the chairman of Air America's parent company, Piquant. Kelly, who owns a Madison-based national weather forecast equipment and data service, said Madison is a perfect match to Air America's liberal bent. "It should be one of the best (markets) in the United States," Kelly said. "It's also a very interesting test of the idea of having talk radio on FM. FM does a better job than AM of reaching into buildings and a lot of talk-radio listening is during the day." Clear Channel Radio operates Madison's frequency at 92.1 with the call letters WXXM. It will dub Madison's Air America outlet "The Mic 92.1," according to Mike Ferris, Clear Channel's FM operations manager in Madison. At talk outlet WTDY-AM (1670), veteran morning host John "Sly" Sylvester, who also programs the station, has already altered WTDY to counter Air America's arrival. The station's most conservative syndicated host, Sean Hannity (who Sylvester said was the station's last far right-wing host), will be dropped by the station. Sly will move liberal host Ed Schultz into an afternoon slot this week. Sylvester also emphasized WTDY's local presence in Madison, citing nine hours aired daily from here between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. "You bet we're ready for battle," Sylvester said. "It's nice when people support local radio that talks about local issues in Wisconsin. You can't import that from New York." Sylvester will keep midday syndicated host Bill O'Reilly, whom he described as "somewhat independent." A few weeks ago, WTDY also started describing itself as "Madison's progressive talk" station. Ferris said the new Air America had already reserved the legal rights to use that slogan before WTDY did. That issue isn't resolved, Ferris said. Air America will allow "The Mic" to present a weekday talk show by Madison liberal activist Stu Levitan from 5 to 7 p.m. The "Mix 92.1" debuted 17 months ago as an attempt to derail popular adult contemporary station "Magic 98." "Mix" never made a dent on the quarterly Arbitron ratings. On Tuesday, it "optioned out the contract" of husband-and-wife morning hosts Doug Erickson and Mary Love, Ferris said (via Bill Dvorak, WI, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. Talk radio gets static at MSG --- BY JAMES T. MADORE AND VERNE GAY, STAFF WRITERS, Newsday September 1, 2004 Talk radio may be dominated by Republicans, but some stations are finding it hard to secure interviews at the party's convention. Some talkers are so desperate to fill airtime that they've taken to hanging out in front of the ABC Radio booth used by Sean Hannity, dubbed by one colleague as having "Elvis status" in talk radio. Once Hannity has finished with a guest they are pounced on for follow-up interviews with other shows. Kerianne D. Rodrigues, a news anchor and reporter at WTAG/580 AM in Worcester, Mass., said: "I didn't get one single guest from the RNC [Republican National Committee] during my first day here. However, I did get a guest from the DNC [Democratic National Committee]." Rodrigues and others touted the arrangements at last month's Democratic convention in Boston, where stations were grouped near the building's entrance so it was easier to nab famous passersby. Paul Gleiser, owner of KTBB/600 AM in Tyler, Texas, also was frustrated by the GOP's logistics or lack of them. "I don't think the Republican Party has a better media friend than talk radio," he said. "So, I'm surprised that we are having to work so aggressively to find guests." Convention press secretary Leonardo Alcivar did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment. Still, some of the talking heads liked their working conditions. G. Gordon Liddy, the former Watergate conspirator turned syndicated talk show host, said, "It's been very easy for me. I haven't had any difficulty. And in fact, I've had to turn people away who wanted to be on my show." How hairy is it getting for television reporters covering the convention? Very hairy. NY1 News has asked reporters to hide their credentials whenever they leave Madison Square Garden. Steve Paulus, senior vice president and general manager of news, said that in the wake of widespread protests, TV media "had been warned that potentially it could be targeted." Paulus cited "the theory that the protesters, or anarchists, are aiming to wreak some mayhem" on people entering the Garden. Copyright (c) 2004, Newsday, Inc. (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. XM Radio / NAB --- A recent issue of 'Forbes' magazine had an interesting piece on satellite radio and its battle with the established terrestrial broadcasters in the shape of the National Association of Broadcasters. Here's a taste: 'For decades the radio industry has crushed incipient competitors by wielding raw political muscle and arguments that are at once apocalyptic and apocryphal. Radio station owners, who formed the National Association of Broadcasters in 1923, have won laws and regulations that have banned, crippled or massively delayed every major new competitive technology since the first threat emerged in 1934: FM radio.' You can see the rest of the story online at http://www.forbes.com/business/forbes/2004/0906/134.html (Matt Francis, Washington, DC, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Which starts: Broadcast Bullies --- by Scott Woolley, 09.06.04 In a fair fight, XM Satellite Radio would capture a good share of the U.S. audience. Unfortunately, competition in the broadcast industry is anything but fair... Also see sidebar, ``Crushing the Little Guys`` (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. "RADIO SUBTRACTS THE ADS" Surprisingly candid article from Radio World on how AM/FM is losing listeners because of too many ads and stale programming. Includes the admission, "Satellite radio listenership, while still relatively small in absolute terms, is growing fast." http://www.rwonline.com/reference-room/skippizzi- bigpict/03_rwf_pizzi_sept_1.shtml (via Harry Helms W5HLH, Wimberley, TX EM00, NRC-AM via DXLD) Somehow, though, I'm not quite convinced that changing the advert density without reducing the overall number of minutes per hour will change anything. Nor, I'm afraid, would a reduction of 2, 3 or even 4 minutes per hour. And even if they did that, would the buyers of the remaining time be content to adopt a 15-20% rate increase? Actually, the article barely discussed the programming issues which are at least as big a cause as the ad quantity. But while Public Radio may be growing, they need to read the handwriting on the wall here too, because listeners will similarly bolt with either too many beg-a-thons, beg-a-thons that go on too long or disrupt programming too much just as quickly as they might have previously from too many ads on commercial radio. And when faced with the now-viable satellite alternative, they may do it quicker. (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA ( 15 mi NNW Philadelphia ), ibid.) ** U S A. Re: SLEAZY BUT RICH RADIO LEVIATHAN SWALLOWS TINY QUALITY STATION ... I'd rather hear Czechoslovakian punk rock. Y'know, there's actually quite a bit of great Czechoslovakian punk rock out there. I've got probably a dozen CDs of it in my collection. Hmmm, wonder if I should send my resume in to Clear Channel (Ralph Brandi, http://www.brandi.org/ swprograms via DXLD) * * U S A. 690 WOKV --- Those DX listeners who have not logged WOKV from Jacksonville, Florida might have an opportunity to do so this weekend if Hurricane Frances approaches the northeast Florida area. WOKV usually requests an STA from the FCC when severe hurricanes threaten their large listening area, that allows them to use their 50 kW non-directional daytime facility fulltime during the weather emergency. Years ago I visited the Orange Park daytime transmitter site on the west bank of the St. Johns River when the original single tower was replaced with the current one and I remember the moist ground conditions in the area. Here in western North Carolina the WOKV 50 kW signal, when used at night, swamps out the Canadian station on 690; WOKV is even stronger here than is WSB from Atlanta. WOKV's ground radial installation at the Orange Park site must be one of the best in the U. S. (Richard Howard, Burnsville, NC, Sept 1, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DX LISTENING DIGEST) But as I recall during Charley, WOKV did not do this (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DXLD) See also INTERNATIONAL WATERS Poor Florida! This is the best website I've found, not only for hurricane tracking, but for other weather events around North America. Just click on the drop down menu to see other choices. This is on the website of the TV Station in Orlando FL - WESH Channel 2. http://a.www.orlandoweather.com/wxmap/949813/detail.html (Tom McNiff, Burke, Virginia, USA, Sept 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) TV NEWS FINE-TUNES PLANS FOR HURRICANE COVERAGE --- Station managers make sure they'll have backup power to stay on the air. By Hal Boedeker, Sentinel Television Critic, September 1, 2004 http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-bizhfrancestv01_tvst090104sep01,0,6873582,print.story?coll=orl-caltop Local television's coverage of Hurricane Charley set the pattern for what you would see if Hurricane Frances comes our way, station bosses said Tuesday. "I can't think of anything we'd do differently," said Bill Bauman, general manager of WESH-Channel 2. "I thought all the stations did a pretty good job, and we'll do the same. We'll go on the air and stay on during the storm." Other station leaders shared that view. "We have a plan in place," said Robin Smythe, general manager of Central Florida News 13. "It served us two-and-a-half weeks ago. We'reready to provide continuous coverage as needed." Henry Maldonado, general manager of WKMG-Channel 6, said the main lesson of Charley for him was the power of 87.7, the station's FM signal. "Once everyone lost power, they were still watching us," he said. Other stations have lined up radio partners if needed for Frances. During Charley, WKMG faced the biggest hurdle in continuing to broadcast after its backup generator failed. "It's been fixed," Maldonado said. "If it [Frances] makes landfall in our area, we'll have a backup generator to the backup generator." WKMG's problems prompted WFTV-Channel 9 to take action. "We've gone through an infrastructure review to imagine every possibility if we lose power," said Bill Hoffman, WFTV's general manager. WOFL-Channel 35 is looking at improving its graphics after Charley, said Stan Knott, the station's general manager. But he said it was too early to talk about Frances coverage. "We'll have a much better handle on Thursday," Knott said. "We want to make sure when we're on the air that people know it's important." WESH's Bauman and Central Florida News' Smythe said they would go to continuous coverage if evacuation orders were issued in the region. Viewers can expect to see the hurricane track at the top of most newscasts in coming days. Stations are preparing for full staffing and long hours, if necessary, over Labor Day weekend. "If we're going to be affected, everyone will be working, down to the salespeople," Maldonado said. "When we lost power, the sales people drove out and brought the tape back to the studio." WFTV's Hoffman said he wanted the weather forecasts to be "straightforward, not alarmist -- that would be the ultimate in bad taste after what we've been through." The ABC affiliate followed its Charley coverage with a commercial boasting about predicting first that the storm would turn to Central Florida. WFTV later pulled the spot after irritating the National Weather Service. WESH's Bauman said he wanted no part of such a competition on Frances. "We're not going to play a game of who's first and try to make some prediction first," he said. "We're going to stick to the facts. We think the National Hurricane Center does a good job." (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. Note the new DTV assignment on channel 3 in Florida: Apalachicola 3 NEW-DT GA = GA Granted amendment (to table of channel allotments) WMAK in Knoxville is a DTV-only station. Knoxville 7 WMAK-DT NS; NW NS Permit granted for new station XC Transmitter site changed NW New station on the air 55kw/382m, 36-00-36/ 83-55-57; CC CC Callsign change QC Channel (?frequency??) change on the air http://www.avsforum.com reports Knoxville viewers seeing this station testing; an article about the station in the local paper indicates they plan a general independent format with no network affiliation. They also plan to originate local programs in high definition, but no news. (they don't specify what kind of local programs they do plan. I'd be surprised if any local HD programs ever actually make it on the air.) The University of North Carolina, petitioning to change WUND-2's city of license to Edenton, presents the novel argument that all of the Albemarle Sound region --- including surrounding rural areas and southeastern Virginia --- constitutes a single community. Thus, they claim there's no need to consider Columbia "deprived" of television service should the move be granted. The University doesn't plan to move the station's transmitter. They do tip their cards by stating that changing the city would bring the station in to the Norfolk- Portsmouth-Newport News market --- and allow DBS satellite subscribers in that market to receive WUND's signal "off the bird". The FCC says they don't believe a reallotment is justified. It would deny Columbia its only TV allotment, without replacing it with a new assignment. They have however agreed to accept public comments --- it is possible the Commission can be convinced to change its mind. KDTP-39 and KPHZ-11 in Arizona propose swapping channels. This is another proposal the FCC has agreed to hear --- while suggesting they're inclined to deny it. KDTP is a religious station, licensed to a noncommercial reserved channel in Phoenix. KPHZ is a commercial Telemundo affiliate, licensed to Holbrook. Normally, a move like this would be accomplished by the two stations buying each other's licenses. Such an exchange would require FCC approval, but such approval is almost always given. However, in this case KDTP is on a "reserved" noncommercial channel. A commercial station would not be allowed on channel 39 in Phoenix. Even then, a swap would be allowed if a replacement noncommercial channel could be provided in Phoenix. KPHZ argues that channel 11 in Holbrook is that replacement channel. The Commission isn't particularly convinced. Holbrook is some 200 miles north of Phoenix. Even if KPHZ were operated at maximum permissible power for a channel 11 station (it isn't) it wouldn't come anywhere near covering Arizona's capital. KPHZ argues that they cannot be financially successful as a Holbrook station, that they require the extra revenue a Phoenix-based operation can produce. At the same time, they argue that KDTP can succeed in Holbrook, using the alternative sources of revenue available to non- commercial stations. This argument also doesn't seem to hold much water with the Commission. They note channel 18 was allotted and reserved for non-commercial use at Holbrook for several decades --- and nobody bothered to apply for the channel... In a move that did get approved... KNTV-11 and their DTV on channel 12 have been approved to move from Loma Prieta to Mt. San Bruno. The move brings the stations to the same tower farm as the remaining San Francisco stations. When completed, it will end several years of difficulty in over-the-air reception of NBC in San Francisco. KNTV is licensed to San Jose. According to the FCC's original propagation estimation procedures, the proposed KNTV analog facilities on San Bruno would have covered only 32% of the land area within the San Jose city limits, and less than 28% of the city's population. Those figures wouldn't come anywhere near being acceptable under FCC policy for a San Jose station! (the DTV station is not a problem as the city- grade signal requirements are MUCH looser for DTV) NBC submitted figures calculated with an alternative propagation procedure, known as "Longley-Rice". They showed coverage of 80% of the land area and 94% of the population. The FCC said even those figures are not adequate --- but that NBC misapplied Longley-Rice. When Commission staff properly ran the program, they got figures that showed San Jose coverage acceptable to the Commission. Four stations objected to KNTV's application: KRON-4, KTVU-2, KICU-36, and KRXI-11 in Reno, Nevada. (which is co-owned with KTVU) The California stations' basic argument was that KNTV on San Bruno would not provide adequate coverage over San Jose, their city of license. (KRON also complained about NBC yanking their affiliation, but such arguments don't hold much water with the FCC...) KRXI argued that San Bruno was 1.1 km (about ¾ mile) too close to their transmitter. (reading between the lines... the San Jose coverage argument was a valid one. The remaining complaints were in my opinion simply an attempt to harm the competition...) The FCC has taken two steps to forward the DTV transition. First, effective August 3rd, a "freeze" has been placed on certain TV and DTV applications. Frozen are applications to: Change DTV channel assignments Add new DTV channels Swap in-core DTV & analog channels Swap DTV allotments between licensees Change analog channels Change cities-of-license Increase DTV service area (power and/or tower height increases) Class A station applications for new channels after being displaced by DTV The next day, a Report and Order was issued. This Order will: Establish a channel election process (more on this later) Establish deadlines for stations to increase power to the maximum permissible or lose interference protection at the fringes of their coverage areas Require transmission of full PSIP data, implementing closed- captioning, the V-chip, and channel mapping among other things Eliminate the analog/digital simulcast requirement (again, more on this below) Clarify closed-captioning rules for digital stations Require the V-chip in new DTV receivers Establish a proceeding on "distributed transmission", in which a single station uses multiple transmitters on the same channel Digital/analog simulcast: Currently, DTV stations are required to carry most (eventually, all) their analog programming on their digital channel. The Commission felt this would ensure popular programs would be available to DTV viewers. However, this requirement has been waived in a number of cases for good reason. In several cities, two co-owned analog PBS affiliates exist. (for example, Milwaukee, with WMVS-10 and WMVT-36) Licensees have obtained waivers, allowing one of their associated DTV stations to carry the PBS high-definition feed, while the other simulcasts both analog stations. A blanket waiver has been issued to NBC affiliates for the duration of the Olympics. NBC will provide a separate 24/7 HDTV feed of Olympic coverage. Channel election process: TV stations must choose a channel to use for their permanent DTV operation. The Commission has established an election process for this choice. The deadlines: August 3, 2004: FCC freezes new applications, to stabilize the database October 2004: Licensees are asked to ensure the accuracy of their entries in the FCC Engineering Database by the beginning of this month November 2004: stations are to certify the accuracy of the database, and certify intent to replicate, or exceed, their analog coverage December 2004: Round One of the election process. Stations with two "in-core" channels (channels between 2 and 51 inclusive) inform the FCC of their preferred choice for digital operation. Stations with one in-core and one out-of-core channel choose whether to use their in-core channel for digital. They may choose not to – see below July 2005: Round Two. Stations whose analog and DTV channels are both outside core choose a DTV channel from those left available after Round One. January 2006: Round Three. Stations not yet assigned a digital channel, or assigned a low-band VHF channel 2-6, may choose a channel from those left available after Round Two. Spring 2006: The FCC will resolve any remaining assignment conflicts. August 2006: A new DTV Table of Allotments will be proposed and comments solicited. Between each round, the FCC will announce which channels are "protected" (they don't explain what that means); which are in conflict; and which are available. Licensees whose channel is in "conflict" with another station may elect to keep that channel and accept interference, or move to the next round. Replication & maximization: Many DTV stations are operating under special temporary authority (STA) at powers and/or tower heights well below those specified on their regular permit. Other stations have DTV permits that specify powers/heights well below the maximum permissible for their channel, and below the level necessary to duplicate the station's analog coverage. "Replication" means increasing a station's DTV power to a level adequate to achieve the same coverage as is obtained by their analog station. "Maximization" is increasing DTV power to the maximum permitted by the FCC for that channel without causing interference to other stations. Stations whose existing power levels do not meet the standards of replication or maximization may, by November, certify intent to increase power. (stations that certify, then fail to follow through, will be sanctioned) Network-affiliated stations in the 100 largest markets will have until July 1, 2005 to construct a full-power facility. Smaller stations get an additional year. Stations that fail to certify intent to increase power, or that certify but fail to complete construction in time, are not guaranteed a maximum coverage area. Other stations may be authorized to use channels and power levels that would preclude a later power increase. Yikes. It's been a busy month at the Commission (Doug Smith, TV News, Sept VHF-UHF Digest via DXLD) ** U S A. Up until their sign-off, KFUO in Clayton, MO was dominant on 850 in Memphis. This is nothing unusual, but apparently, they are now running IBOC. I could hear the hash on 840 especially, over WHAS. It was also on 860, but not as strong. This is the first time I've noticed them running IBOC. It's a little puzzling to me why a daytimer with a religious talk format would run IBOC, but I guess they got conned into it by Ibiquity. We'll see how long it is until WHAS listeners start complaining about interference in the evenings. This should prove especially interesting in the fall and winter (Adam Myrow, Memphis TN, Aug 31, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. 1710 Lubavicher Pirate is coming in to central Jersey better than usually. Might be worth trying for if you're within a couple hundred miles or so. No sign of R. Marti or VOA here (Dave Hochfelder, Sony ICF-2010, Quantum QX Pro, Highland Park, NJ, 0331 UT Sept 1, NRC- AM via DXLD) Lubavicher Pirate 1710 --- Heard this one last night but tonight it's really L&C with no static. 10:05 pm [EDT = UT -4]. Right now running S7 which is the strongest I've ever heard them. Very clear audio, a guy talking in English. How come this never gets shut down? Just wondering (Mike Bugaj, Enfield, CT, Sept 1, WTFDA-AM via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. BBC TO AIR PROGRAM ON AMATEUR RADIO AND 9\11 http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-perl/whatson/prog_parse.cgi?FILENAME=20040904/20040904_1030_49700_17024_30 (Sep 1, 2004) --- BBC Radio 4 this weekend will air a documentary on Amateur Radio`s involvement in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The half-hour program, ``Unsung Heroes,`` will be broadcast Saturday, September 4, at 1030 UTC. It will remain available on the BBC`s archives for one month after that http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-perl/whatson/search/genre.cgi?genre=fact_documentaries ``Through moving interviews, sensitive use of ham radio transmissions and some harrowing accounts, `Unsung Heroes` reveals the little-known story of the 9\11 ham radio operators who provided vital communication networks for the rescue agencies,`` the BBC program listing says. ``Hams, often mocked for their obsessive hobby, believe that September 11th became Amateur Radio`s finest hour. Stephen Evans, the BBC`s North American Business Correspondent, witnessed the attacks that day and meets with ham operators who witnessed the terrorist attacks or lost friends and relatives on September 11th and still helped to support the search-and-rescue operation.`` Mark Phillips, KC2ENI/G7LTT, says the program, produced by Kate Bissell, features N2NOV, KF2EO, KE2UN AB2IZ, ``and a whole host of others,`` including himself. It was recorded during the last week of June. The program also be available in MP3 format on Phillips` Web site http://www.g7ltt.com/audio-files/911r4.mp3 starting September 4 (ARRL via John Norfolk, dxldyahoogroup via DXLD) In case any of the links above are broken, this story appears on the ARRL main page at http://www.arrl.org ARRL apparently believe the BBC whatson pages are in UT! They are in BST, so the correct time is Sat 0930 UT (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UZBEKISTAN. Additional transmissions for BVBN in Hindi via TAC 100 kW / 130 deg: 1500-1530 Thu-Sun on 7485 (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 1 via DXLD) ** VANUATU. Vila transmitter problems --- Just heard from a certain source that Radio Vanuatu 7260 has got a few problems so if you`re not hearing it, it`s only on around 200 watts; also 1179 same thing. That`s why it was weak up at Kingaroy, last week (Johno Wright, Sept 2, ARDXC via WORLD OF RADIO 1244, DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DRM +++ DIGITAL RADIO MUNDIAL: DRM news: 0600-1000 Daily on 5975 WER 200 kW / non-dir WeEu DW in English add 1700-1730 Sat NF 11900 SAC 070 kW / 240 deg NoAm Voice of NASB new 1230-1300 Sun on 9565 RMP 035 kW / 095 deg WeEu Voice of NASB del 1300-1700 Daily NF 9480 MSK 035 kW / 240 deg WeEu VOR Ru/En/Ge/Fr ex 15780 1800-2200 Daily on 3995 WER 200 kW / non-dir WeEu DW in German add (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 1 via DXLD) ###