DX LISTENING DIGEST 4-142, September 16, 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 1246: Thu 2000 on RFPI http://www.rfpi.org repeated 4-hourly -1600 [maybe] Fri 0200 on ACBRadio Mainstream repeated 2-hourly thru 2400 http://www.acbradio.org/mainstream.html Fri 1600 on WBCQ after-hours http://wbcq.com repeated weekdaily 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-CLSB Sun 0630 on WWCR 3210 Sun 1000 on WRN1 to North America, webcast; also KSFC 91.9 Spokane WA, and WDWN 89.1 Auburn NY; maybe KTRU 91.7 Houston TX, each with webcasts Sun 1100 on R. Lavalamp http://www.radiolavalamp.org Sun 1500 on R. Lavalamp http://www.radiolavalamp.org Sun 1900 on Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 Sun 1930 on WWCR 12160 Sun 2000 on RNI webcast, http://www.11L-rni.com Sun 2000 on RFPI http://www.rfpi.org repeated 8-hourly [maybe] Mon 0100 on WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0230 on WRMI 6870 Mon 0330 on WSUI 910, webcast http://wsui.uiowa.edu [previous 1245] 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 1246 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1246h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1246h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1246.html [soon] WORLD OF RADIO 1246 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1246.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1246.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1246 in the true SW sound of 7415: (stream) http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_09-15-04.m3u (d`load) http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_09-15-04.mp3 CONTINENT OF MEDIA 04-07: new edition from Sept 15: (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/com0407.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/com0407.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0407.html [not yet available] [also from DXing.com]: (stream) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0407.ram (download) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0407.rm ** AFGHANISTAN. TWO NEW INDEPENDENT RADIO STATIONS TO LAUNCH ON 21 SEPTEMBER | Excerpt from report of press briefing by Manoel de Almeida e Silva, UNAMA spokesman for the special representative of the secretary-general and United Nations agencies in Afghanistan on 16 September [Passage omitted] I wish to welcome two new radio stations that are joining the constellation of the ever-growing number of independent radio stations in Afghanistan. They are going to be launched on Tuesday (21 September), one in Saydabad district of Wardak Province and another in Faizabad of Badakshan Province. The station in Wardak is called Radio Salar. The organizers tell us that it can reach up to 25,000 listeners. The one in Badakshan is called Radio Amu and is expected to reach about 22,000 people. Both stations will initially broadcast six hours per day. The programming will include general news, cultural and educational programmes. These stations are supported by Internews. They are part of a network of 22 radio stations and they are funded by USAID. [Passage omitted] Source: Press release by UNAMA spokesman, Kabul in English 16 Sep 04 (via BBCM via DXLD) Internews also runs Salaam Watandar on SW but presumably these stations are not (gh, DXLD) ** CHILE. SALUDOS DESDE CHILE --- Hola amigos LISTA RADIOESCUTAS; Deseo remitir un afectuoso saludo a los socios Chileno de la Lista, con motivo de las Fiestas Patrias este próximo 18 de Septiembre y los demás Socios informarles que con motivo del DIA DEL TRABAJADOR RADIAL, el próximo 21 de Septiembre, muchas estaciones de Onda Media, no emitirán sus programas habituales, para dar curso a la RED ARCHI, para conmemorar el día del trabajador Radial. Conforme esto suceda sobre todo en regiones, se podrá escuchar estaciones muy lejanas debido a que las frecuencias podrían estar desocupadas. 73 y buenos DX (Héctor Frías, Departamento de Radioescuchas, FEDERACHI, CHILE, radioescutas via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. 17 CHINESE TV CHANNELS TO LAUNCH IN US: REPORT Reports from the US say that China Central Television (CCTV) will next month unveil a deal to distribute 17 Chinese TV channels into more than 8.5 million American homes over the Echostar satellite network. According to sources quoted in Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, DirecTV - owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation - had also been interested, but backed out of the bidding. The report says that Chinese vice-president Zhang Chang-ming will accompany a group of CCTV executives to Los Angeles for a launch ceremony on 25 September, to be followed by a formal announcement on October 1. The new agreement, says the newspaper, will give Echostar six CCTV channels, seven provincial channels, three channels from Hong Kong- based Phoenix Satellite Television and one from ATV. American viewers will be able to watch CCTV-4 and the English-language CCTV-9, along with new CCTV channels dedicated to Chinese opera, culture and entertainment, and cross-cultural programming in Spanish and French that is not aired in China. # posted by Andy @ 08:19 UT Sept 16 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 6010, La Voz de tu Conciencia, 0045, locutor, comentario religioso: "Como conseguir la salvación". Bastante buena señal hasta las 0100 que comienza a transmitir por la misma frecuencia Radio Suecia, con programa en sueco para Norteamérica [via Canadá], haciendo, a partir de esa hora, muy difícil su escucha. 34333 hasta las 0100 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Septiembre 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA [and non]. I got my report back from the postal services in Colombia saying Apartado 90833 is the wrong address for Ecos del Palmar. My report had a CD with unusual good reception of Ecos del Palmar so I thought I should try once again. But what address? Anyone? I have searched the Internet but with no luck! (Gert Nilsson, RealDX yg via DXLD) See http://www.colombia.com/medios/radio.asp for their address. And let this be a reminder that those times are long gone, when a P O Box was preferable to a street address. The postal rates have risen and much internal mail is now being handled by messenger services in Latin America where they are rather inexpensive (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, ibid.) This station is using both the new "Estación Latína" and the old name "Ecos del Palmar" but the ID at full hour with prefix letters and just "Estación Latína". (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, ibid.) The additional slogan was discussed in DXing.info in March this year. In the 2004 edition of the WRTH both the A.A. and the street addresses are given. Historically, and for reasons of space, the WRTH usually wanted co-editors to refrain from quoting cumbersome Carrera/Calle addresses whenever a P O Box number was available. The station has not always been where it is right now. At the outset, they were at Carrera 41C No. 1A-14, in a totally different neighborhood. This is the address printed on the sleeve of a courtesy LP-record I was given when visiting the station. Despite knowing the exact coordinates, finding one`s way to the studios was no easy matter. Fortunately, you could catch a glimpse of the antenna tower, on top of a two-storied building, from some distance. Ecos del Palmar is owned by an ex- announcer with Radio Santa Fé. Run for quite some time as a family business, QSLing DX reports may not have been on the top priority list of the manager (Henrik Klemetz, ibid.) ** COSTA RICA. RFPI was celebrating its 17th anniversary today Sept 16, but we were unable to get a connexion to the QuickTime webcast; perhaps overloaded (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Arnie Coro`s DXers Unlimited from Sept 11 and 15 has been captured at http://www.piratearchive.com/dxprograms.htm On the latest one, he does say a bit about hurricane damage, altho the original was apparently undermodulated and hard to follow. Besides the power towers, mentions several of RHC`s SWBC antennas were damaged, that 6000 and 11760 were back and hoped to have all transmitters back [soon?] (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [and non]. CUBA EN ONDA CORTA Y EL HURACÁN IVÁN --- Chequeando en la madrugada del día 14 al 15 de España la onda corta cubana, compruebo que la mejor hora para escuchar Radio Habana Cuba es a las 0000 UT y la mejor frecuencia 6000 KHz. Se recibe con un SINPO 34333 y el programa es casi un monográfico de noticias del huracán Iván a su paso por la Isla, con entrevistas y comentarios en directo desde Pinar del Rio, la zona más afectada, dentro de su programa "Revista de la noche". A la 0100, en esta frecuencia, 6000, dejan el español y pasan a transmitir el programa en inglés. Respecto a las otras frecuencias que anuncian para el programa español, no logré escucharlos por los 9820 ni por los 5965, pero sí debilmente por los 15230, con un SINPO 14322. A partir de la 0100 se escucha en español, con señal débil por 11760 y por 15230. La emisora cubana que hizo un mayor despliege informativo, a mi modo de ver, del paso del huracán, y la que mejor se está recibiendo en España en horas de madrugada, con señal constante y sin interferencias, es Radio Rebelde en 5025 kHz. Se empezó a recibir en la madrugada del 14 al 15 a eso de las 2300 UT para continuar con señal constante SINPO 35333 durante toda la noche y hasta ya bien entrado el día aquí en España, sobre las 0730 UT en que empieza a debilitarse la señal para luego desaparecer. Durante los últimos días estuvo dando información casi constante del huracán, con algún que otro momento de música. También Radio Marti, desde Estadios [sic] Unidos en 6030 kHz, tuvo amplia información de este fenómeno atmosférico, escuchándose bastante bién durante casi toda la noche en España, SINPO 34333 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Sept 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Following agrees with our assessment that SW jammers had to lower their antennas during Iván (gh, DXLD) SIN INTERFERENCIA RADIO MARTI --- TOMADO DE LA EDICION ELECTRONICA "CUBANET". CubaNet News - Noticias de Cuba / Cuba News SANTA CLARA, 14 de septiembre (Cubanacán Press http://www.cubanet.org) - Producto a las medidas decretadas por la Defensa Civil en Villa Clara debido al paso por el Caribe Oriental del huracán Iván, se pudo sintonizar por estos días sin ninguna interferencia todas las frecuencias de Radio Martí en onda corta. La sintonía en cualquier radio que posea onda corta se pudo realizar sin la ayuda de accesorios, porque al parecer ordenaron bajar las antenas de transmisión de interferencias que normalmente están ubicadas en los Estados Mayores Municipales. La única frecuencia que se mantuvo taponeada por esos días fue la 1180 AM por la potente estación cubana Radio Rebelde. Esta misma radiodifusora tapa a otras emisoras favoritas de los cubanos en la amplitud modulada, como Radio Mambí y la Poderosa desde hace ya algún tiempo. Sin embargo, ya en horas de la tarde del lunes 13, cuando el huracán Iván amenazaba tocar la parte occidental del país, las interferencias comenzaron de nuevo. Gracias a Radio Martí captada en el centro de la isla sin interferencias durante estos días, la población cubana se mantuvo actualizada, debido a que cada media hora ofrecieron (y aún ofrecen) información sobre la trayectoria y las características del meteoro más terrible que ha pasado por el Caribe en los últimos 50 años, calificado como uno de los tres más terríficos de todos los tiempos. Los cubanos que poseen radios de onda corta pudieron transmitir constantemente las informaciones sobre el ciclón a sus vecinos, ya que la radio y TV cubanas con sus programaciones especiales, han informado a la población sobre temas didácticos e históricos de los ciclones durante espacios prolongados, intervenciones aburridas de personalidades, así como pases a los telecentros provinciales donde se ofrecen monótonas entrevistas y dan conocer las acciones que se realizan para minimizar los daños en el país. Esta información ha sido transmitida por teléfono, ya que el gobierno de Cuba controla el acceso a Internet. CubaNet no reclama exclusividad de sus colaboradores, y autoriza la reproducción de este material, siempre que se le reconozca como fuente (via Óscar de Céspedes, FL, Sept 16, condiglist via DXLD) ** CUBA. 1180 --- Dunno, sitting on this tonight, 0047 GMT Sept 16, female "... F-M, Radio --- " noted (matching Crawford's monitor, earlier). Signal often equal to the old 1180 Rebelde, but not parallel. Guessing it's a high-power transmitter east of Habana, relaying the Rebelde FM separate audio. Totally guessing on that, though. But it's definitely Cuban. Daytime, only the old 1180 Rebelde MW is present here at local level. For those in the frozen National Nazi Klub northland, use 5025 as a parallel to non-Rebelde FM for parallel purposes (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, 27-55-83 N, 82-46-08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DENMARK. Next transmission from WMR - World Music Radio - is planned for this coming weekend starting Friday (September 17) at 1600 UT and until Monday morning at 0600. Frequency: 5815 kHz. Best 73s (Stig Hartvig Nielsen, WMR, Sept 16, HCDX via shortwave yg via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. Some years ago I reported a new Ecuadorian station on shortwave: Radio Cosmopolita, Quito. The station was transmitting just some months on 5900/5905 kHz SSB, heard in the Scandinavian countries. I have not any recording of Cosmopolita shortwave but the station is still transmitting on mediumwave. Visit my homepage and listen to my recording! Comments and Recordings at: http://www.malm-ecuador.com 73s (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, Sept 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GALAPAGOS ISLANDS. ECUADOR: GALAPAGOS ISLANDS RADIO STATION STREAMING LIVE ON THE INTERNET BBC Monitoring observes a radio station on the Galapagos Islands, Radio Santa Cruz, available with a live audio stream accessible from their web site at http://www.puertoayora.com/radiosantacruz The station broadcasts around the clock on 92.1 MHz FM from Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz, an island of the Galapagos archipelago, Ecuadorian territory situated about 600 miles (970 kilometres) west of the mainland. Radio Santa Cruz is operated by Catholic religious order the Franciscan Brothers and has been on air since 12 February 1975. Programming is not exclusively religious however, and includes local and international news, cultural programming and music. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 16 Sep 04 (via DXLD) ** GHANA. MEDIA WATCHDOG DISSOLVES BOARD OF NATIONAL BROADCASTER | Text of report by Ghanaian GBC radio on 16 September The National Media Commission has dissolved the board of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation [GBC] with immediate effect. A statement signed by the chairman of the commission, Wilson Kusi Atansah, said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the commission yesterday. It said the decision is the result of the recent developments at the corporation. The commission has appointed a three- member interim board to run the affairs of the GBC. The chairman of the interim board is Prof Kwame Karikari. The other members are George Dawson-Amoah and Georgette Francois. Source: Radio Ghana, Accra, in English 1500 gmt 16 Sep 04 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** INDIA. SELL PRASAR BHARATI, DON'T SUBSIDISE IT THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2004 12:00:00 AM Jaipal Reddy's proposal to impose licence fees or a cess [?] on TV and radio users harks back to the dark ages of Sarkari monopoly over information. The reason given is the need to make BCI (or Prasar Bharati) financially autonomous. Sure, BCI's annual losses of Rs 1,200 crore are worrying. But the solution is not to tax every consumer who sets out to buy a TV or radio, or already owns one. BCI should streamline its operations, cut costs, or be privatised. The premise that taxpayers must sustain state-sponsored broadcasting is moth- eaten. For one, it is doubtful if DD is keen to do public interest programming. It is obsessed with soaps and entertainment content: eight out of the top 10 entertainment programmes on TV are on DD. Any private player can do this. Why should public money fund this kind of programming? Given that, the proposed tax gives state-run media access to public funds and an unfair advantage over private competition. Two, it is hugely inefficient, overstaffed and ridden with graft. It is impossible to fathom what more taxpayer money will do but perpetuate its inefficiencies. Make no mistake, Prasar Bharati is a media behemoth that needs to re- examine both its raison d`être and its operations. After 10 years of satellite TV, Prasar Bharati remains by far the largest broadcaster in the country. Doordarshan reaches 365 million people in the country; AIR supposedly reaches 900 million Indians. It should learn to leverage this reach and stand on its own feet, not go scrounging for taxpayer rupees. If AIR and DD air more entertainment, cricket and news rather than public service broadcasting, why can't they cross- subsidise socially relevant programmes with entertainment revenue? It's high time Prasar Bharati faced the test of the market. Reddy shouldn't ask for public funds. He should privatise DD and AIR From today's Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/851986.cms 73 (via Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON Canada, dx_india via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL. Ramadan 2004: 15 October - 13 November During this period many radio stations in Islamic countries operate special schedules improving chances of hearing and identifying them. 73 (Steve Whitt, UK, MWC Sept 14 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [non]. DW qo' : wa'maH ben chen 'ach wej Doy' http://klingon.dw-world.de/klingon/history.php 8am Sept 15, 2004 GERMAN 'WORLD SERVICE' BOLDLY GOES FOR KLINGON NEWS Michael Leidig, Wednesday September 15, 2004 The Guardian (London, UK) The German equivalent of the BBC World Service, Deutsche Welle, has added a new language to its global news network by starting to use Klingon. Star Trek, or Raumschiff Enterprise as it is known in Germany, has cult status with thousands of German Trekkies admitting they are obsessed with the TV series and its various spin-off programmes. The popularity of the show in Germany and abroad prompted the country's state-run world radio network to begin offering online reports and audio clips in Klingon. The station said the language of the big-browed, ill-mannered alien characters from Star Trek will be added to the existing 30 languages they already use on their homepage. A spokesman said: "We wanted something special to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the site." The Klingon reports on the Deutsche Welle website are also supposed to underline the station's philosophy of multicultural, intergalactic openness. "The dialogue of cultures does not stop at the edge of the solar system," said the Deutsche Welle director, Erik Bettermann. "We should celebrate our 10-year presence in the online universe with a cross- border language. "This should help users from other galaxies get an impression of Germany," he added. For those not versed in the artificial TV language created by linguist Marc Okrand, the website offers an online translation program called "Mr Klingon", which translates Klingon news into German and English. Klingon was created for the television show Star Trek and has its own grammatical rules and vocabulary. Works by Shakespeare have already been translated into Klingon. The announcement of Deutsche Welle's online news service in Klingon reads: "DIS 1994 dwelle.de taghDI' DW, tv online website wa'DIch 'oH. qaStaHvIS DISmey veb tInchoH 'ej tera'Daq noyqu'choH DW qo'". ---------- http://media.guardian.co.uk/radio/story/0,12636,1304345,00.html http://klingon.dw-world.de/klingon/index.php 15.09.04 | 08:21 UTC juH DW-WORLD qun [Categories] - tlhIngan tay - tlhIngan Segh Dellu' - Deutschland Dellu' - tlhIngan ghoj Language Versions English Deutsch DW-WORLD.DE DW qo': wa'maH ben chen 'ach wej Doy' DIS 1994 dwelle.de taghDI' DW, tv online website wa'DIch 'oH. qaStaHvIS DISmey veb tInchoH 'ej tera'Daq noyqu'choH DW qo'. tlhIngan tay tlhIngan SeghvaD potlh 'oH tay'e'. naDev loQ Dellu'. tlhIngan Segh Dellu' tlhIngan Segh tIgh je, 'ach mungDaj qonlu'be'. Qo'noS yuQ luDab tlhInganpu'. Hov Hop bav yuQvam, wa'vI'vaghlogh tera' 'aD 'oH. tlh DunDajmo' pIj pa' ghIQlu'. (via Daniel Say, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This isn't April 1st, is it? The site looks legit...and there is a link to it from the main English website, too. [cynic on] Wonder how much it cost DW to do this, expressed in the value of Antigua transmitter-hours? [cynic off] (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, swprograms via DXLD) DW adds Klingon http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,132521,00.html (Harry Helms W5HLH, Wimberley, TX EM00, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See http://www.kli.org/tlh/phrases.html for some everyday Klingon phrases. 73 (Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON, (not a die-hard Trekkie; studied Klingon for linguistic purposes only), NRC-AM via DXLD) ** IRAN. Once again, I`ve been contacted by the folks at the Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. This is my fifth interview with the Iranians, and I figure that one of these days they`ll send over a plane ticket. It was the usual round of questions, about my hobbies and interests, what messages I have for fellow listeners, and what do I like or dislike about Islam (loaded question maybe?). That was followed by an IRIB version of a care package, complete with stickers, a QSL, a magazine and books about Islam (Sue Hickey, Grand Falls-Windsor, NF, CIDX Forum, Sept CIDX Messenger via DXLD) ** JORDAN. NEW WEB SITE FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTER, LIVE RADIO AND TV STREAMS AVAILABLE BBC Monitoring observes public broadcaster Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) offering live streaming of some of their radio and television services on their revamped English-language web site at http://www.jrtv.jo A live video stream of JRTV Channel 1 television is available, along with live audio streams of Radio Jordan English Service and Radio Amman FM (in Arabic), the link to the latter stream being labelled rather vaguely "Arabic Channel". Evidently, the statement on the Radio Amman FM schedule page that "This station is currently unavailable through our internet web site" is incorrect. The web site lists four TV channels available from JRTV - Channel 1, Sport Channel, Movie Channel, Satellite Channel - and provides programme guides for all of them, although the one for the Satellite Channel is out of date. There are also four radio services listed - General Channel (Arabic), Amman FM (Arabic), English FM, French FM - with programme guides provided for all except English FM. A fifth service, the Kor`an Programme, is not mentioned. Jordan Television started broadcasting in black and white on a single channel in April 1968, followed by a second channel specializing in foreign-language programming in 1972. Colour transmissions using the PAL system were introduced in 1974, and covered the whole country by the end of the following year. Jordan Radio began operations in March 1956, then in 1985 merged with Jordan Television to become the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 16 Sep 04 (via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. NORTH KOREA WARNS PEOPLE AGAINST US "MIDGET RADIOS" North Korea has warned its people to guard against US efforts to replace communism with "rotten imperialist reactionary culture" spread by small radios and television sets. "The US imperialists are now bent on their moves to send midget radios and TV sets into the DPRK in an effort to break up the single-hearted unity there and degenerate and disintegrate it from within," said the ruling party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun. The Rodong Sinmun commentary did not refer to specific incidents. Last year, human rights activists and Christian groups in South Korea tried several times to send transistor radios across the border to North Korea slung beneath helium balloons. But the balloon launches were largely thwarted by South Korean authorities who feared provoking North Korea. Sources familar with the North warned that people there would suffer harsh punishment if they were caught with the imported radios. # posted by Andy @ 14:04 UT Sept 14 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN. V. of the People of Kurdistan, 4025.55v, TENTATIVE, Sept 10 0236-0250+; tune-in to ME vocals, lite instrumental music. Very weak. Frequency slowly drifting downward: on 4025.55 at 0236, down to 4025.36 by 0250 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LATVIA. EMR 9290 KHZ WORLD DX --- THE NEXT EMR, ON 9290 KHZ, ON 25th OF SEPTEMBER [Sat] AT 2100 TO 2220 UT, WORLD DX. GOOD LISTENING 73s (TOM Taylor, Sept 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Unless your internet access is charged by the word, could you give a few more details? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) = European Music Radio ** LIBERIA. LIBERIA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM STARTS INTERNET RADIO SERVICE The Liberia Institute of Journalism has started testing Internet broadcasts of its radio station Radio-LIJ FM 96.6. The Liberia Institute of Journalism (LIJ) has been involved in the training of journalists since it was established in 1999. LIJ Executive Director Vinicius Hodges said that going live on line would afford Liberians in the Diaspora information about developments in their native land. However, the service does not appear to be full time. On checking the Web site just prior to posting this item, clicking on the Broadcast link produced an error message from Live365.com: "Broadcast unavailable. "lioj" is not broadcasting on our system at the moment. Please try again later." Liberia Institute of Journalism http://www.radiolij.org/ # posted by Andy @ 08:24 UT Sept 15 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** MALDIVE ISLANDS. Good reading on the Maldives at last: http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/040915091920.fy5qaocc http://www.travelwirenews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000017/001749.htm (via David Hardingham, Sept 15, FOM, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz., respectively: EU LEGISLATORS SEEK TO SUSPEND AID TO "HELL-HOLE" MALDIVES 15 September 2004 European Union parliamentarians have demanded a halt to non-essential aid to the Maldives and branded the South Asian tourist spot a "hell- hole" for locals since the declaration of emergency rule, a statement said Wednesday. The European Parliament unanimously passed a resolution this week calling for the suspension of parts of a two-million-euro aid package and a EU entry ban for Maldives government members, said the statement released by the EU mission here. "After a month of terror on the Maldives, the EU should not hesitate in blocking any further payment of non-essential elements of the two million euro aid budget to these islands," the statement said. The government of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom imposed emergency rule last month in South Asia's costliest tourist destination after pro-democracy protests erupted in the capital. It has said it will lift the state of emergency "very soon" in the nation of 1,192 coral islands scattered across the equator but set no date. A midnight-to-dawn curfew is in place in the capital... EU TO BLOCK AID AND TRAVEL TO THE MALDIVES Strasbourg, France (eTurbo News) -- Calling for the immediate release of political prisoners in the Maldives Islands, powerful Members of the European Parliament (MEP), representing all political groups, and 455 million people from 25 member states, made clear that it is "totally unacceptable" for the EU to give aid of millions of euros to ensure the survival of a 25-year-long dictatorship. . . (via gh, DXLD) ** MALDIVE ISLANDS [non]. Altho for quite a while only one Minivan Radio program was archived on the website, now there are five mp3s, including the latest one dated Sept. 15: http://www.dhivehiobserver.com/minwanradio/index.htm (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. R. Educación, Mexico City, 6184.97, Sept 10 0745-0800+ continuous lite classical music. Strong, very good. \\ 1060 mixing with KYW Philadelphia (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That`s rather remarkable (gh) ** MEXICO. PROFILE OF GOVERNMENT STATION RADIO EDUCACION As Mexicans prepare to celebrate their Independence Day on 16 September, BBC Monitoring has been taking a look at the web site of veteran broadcaster Radio Educación at http://www.radioeducacion.edu.mx The mainly Spanish-language web site includes a live audio stream and some archived audio, full contact details and a programme guide. There is also an English-language page about their "Reinventing Radio" project, which is run in connection with the station's 80th anniversary. Radio Educación broadcasts to a domestic audience 24 hours a day on 1060 kHz mediumwave (callsign XEEP) with a power of 100 kiloWatts, and internationally on 6185 kHz shortwave (callsign XEPPM) with a power of 10 kiloWatts. Separate programming is carried on each transmitter, except for a 6-hour local overnight period when they operate in parallel. There is also a satellite service on the Edusat package on SatMex 5 at 116.8 degrees West, 4180 MHz, horizontal polarization, symbol rate 19510, FEC 3/4. This is primarily intended for Mexico, Central America and southern states of the USA. Operated by the Secretariat of Public Education, Radio Educación has been on the air since 30 November 1924. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 15 Sep 04 (via DXLD) ** MEXICO [non]. CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN: The Next Great Syndicated offering may involve the late Wolfman Jack, to whom many of us listened in awe circa 35 years ago, over Mexican border blasters XERF/1570 and the old XERB/1090. SoCal broadcaster Art Astor and partner Bob Wilson have resurrected a supply of pre-produced tapes of The Wolf's old syndicated weekly program. These shows are now airing on Art's two stations, KSPA/1510 in Ontario, and KCEO/1000 in San Diego. Bob says he's starting with shows featuring hits from the 1970s and '80s; shows spotlighting older tunes are slated to emerge in 2005. Bob and Art were instrumental in running the old KDAY/1580 in the early '70s, when they brought The Wolf "officially" into the L.A. market for the first time. The exposure did well for the Wolfman, who shortly thereafter went to NBC-TV, to host the "Midnight Special" concert series, on late-Friday nights after Carson. Soon after that, the Wolf found himself doing morning drive on the old WNBC/660 in NYC, pre-Imus. The Wolf, formerly Bob Smith of Brooklyn, passed away on his North Carolina front porch of a heart attack in 1995, at the young age of 57 (Greg Hardison, Broadcast Band Update Sept 15 via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. AUCKLAND`S CHOMSKY FM 107.1 CALLS FOR HELP Aaron Skudder, founder of Chomsky FM some two and a half years ago, says recent publicity has brought about expectations that the station is bigger than it really is. In a recent (August 18) `call for help` posted at http://www.pl.net Aaron says ``I`m stressed out and can`t do this on my own for much longer``, and asks for volunteers to donate time to produce stories, conduct interviews, schedule programs and host live local content. Chomsky FM is familiar for its range of liberal, mainly US shows from a wide range of sources, and has been picked up in several media interviews, fueling intense interest and demand for more. According to Skudder, the station was established because of a perceived shortfall in the ability of mainstream media to accurately produce news and cover stories relating to such issues as 9/11, Afghanistan and Iraq. Skudder says that Chomsky FM is currently on air from Grey Lynn and Glenfield (Auckland), Hamilton and Christchurch. Contact details are: aaron @ llamatech.co.nz There`s been some discussion as to whether the station is observing the 25 km distance between transmitters carrying the same program in Auckland. In Wellington, Matrix FM 107.5 carries some Radio Chomsky programs. Can readers report reception of the Hamilton and Christchurch transmissions?) (David Ricquish, Wellington, Sep NZ DX Times via DXLD) This is only one of loads of LPFM items from NZ. In fact a 5-page list by frequency follows, prefaced by this (gh) NEW ZEALAND LOW-POWER FM (LPFM) OR GUARDBAND STATIONS Compiled by Bryan Clark, Updated 6 September 2004 New Zealand has a significant number of local low-powered FM (LPFM) `microbroadcasters` in the frequency ranges at the edges of the official FM broadcasting band. These ranges were called guardbands, as they separate the official FM broadcasting band from other spectrum users such as taxis and aeronautical operations. Maximum approved radiated power for these transmissions was recently increased from 300 to 500 milliwatts, that is, half of a watt. Since October 2003, regulations from the NZ Ministry of Economic Development require LPFM operators to broadcast contact information once every 3 hours. Also, an operator may not use more than one LPFM transmitter broadcasting substantially the same programme (including simulcast or retransmission) within 25 kilometres – this aims to limit an operator from hoarding large tracts of guardband spectrum with a local network of LPFM transmitters to achieve coverage like a full-power FM station. Originally the New Zealand LPFM channels’ were 88.0 to 88.5 and 100.2 to 100.9 MHz FM, when formal allocations filled the 88.6 to 100.0 MHz range. With frequency allocations now underway in the 101 to 108 MHz, and plans underway to shift National Radio and Concert FM to this range, as well as the launch of nationwide Maori and Pacific Island networks, the official frequencies available are now 88.1 to 88.7 MHz and 106.7 to 107.7 MHz. In the Auckland region however, Mai FM`s frequency allocation of 88.6 precludes LPFM operations on 88.5 to 88.7 MHz. A few signals observed just outside the official guardbands are included in this list for completeness. The very local, and hobby-nature of many of these operations makes it very difficult to provide an up-to-date national listing. We seek the assistance of radio listeners throughout New Zealand to keep this listing up-to-date. Please send updates to Bryan Clark at P. O. Box 3011, Auckland or by email to bryan @ radiodx.com (Sept NZ DX Times via DXLD) ** NIGERIA. V. of Nigeria, Sept 9 1940-2300* back on 15120 today with review of upcoming programs, 2000 English news, 2100 ``World of Arts`` program, 2200 News; sign-off with NA. Good strength but as usual, audio varied from good to unintelligible depending on the program. They just can`t decide on which frequency to use. Heard next day Sept 10 on 17800 in English at tune-in 2025 to 2301* Transmitter was off the air for several minutes at various times (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Maybe they deliberately alternate the two from one day to the next? (gh) ** NORTHERN MARIANAS. BBG/IBB SEEKING CONTRACTOR TO OPERATE N. MARIANAS STATION --- The Broadcasting Board of Governors/International Broadcasting Bureau (BBG/IBB) is currently advertising for a contractor to provide maintenance and operations of the Robert E. Kamosa Transmitting Station on the islands of Tinian and Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The contract will take effect on 1 July, 2005. More details : http://www.fbodaily.com/archive/2004/09-September/11-Sep-2004/FBO-00668429.htm # posted by Andy @ 09:59 UT Sept 15 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. KWTV-9 OKC may have been pressured last Wednesday to carry Sixty Minutes, as provided by CBS, instead of a syndicated St. Jude infomercial, but T.S., CBS, with its headline-making news about acting president Bush`s alleged National Guard duty, followed up on this week`s show: KWTV stuck to its original plan to pre-empt 60, for a syndicated sesquihour movie, ``Last Flight Out`` about freeing a hostage from drug runners in Colombia. KWTV actually started it at 6:30; I see it scheduled in other markets give or take a day and give or take a half hour, not necessarily on CBS stations. Nowhere in the listings in TV Guide are we informed that this is actually a stealth gospel-huxter purchase by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (instead of the usual one-hour sermons), but that was revealed in the epilogue. I wretch. Streamer at 7:00 informed us that 60 Minutes would run at 2:40 am so I dutifully set up the VCR, with 5 minutes leeway until 3:45; good thing I did since it actually started at 2:43 (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. R. Pio Doce, 5952.48, Sept 10 0005-0233* Mostly constant Spanish talk, some local music. 0043 ID; canned ads, jingles. Closing announcements by M & W with ID, 0233 short marimba IS and off. Fair signal with Okeechobee off the air from hurricane (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) R. Victoria, Lima, 6020.25, Sept 10 0615-0625+, very emotional preacher, Spanish Christian music. Good; \\ 9720.02 fair (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 5939.30, Radio Melodia, 2300-2333 Sept 15. Noted either commentary or news in Spanish by a number of individuals. At 2303, canned promos or ads. ID during comments as well as mentions of "Peru". On half hour, 2332, noted ads or promos. Signal was fair during this period without 5935 QRM [WWCR] usually present (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston, Florida, 545, Inverted Vee, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. VLADIMIR POZNER RAISES THE IRE OF MOSCOW RESIDENTS Veteran Russian journalist Vladimir Pozner, well-known in Russia for his TV work and to shortwave listeners around the world for his appearances on the Voice of Russia, is experiencing opposition from people in his own back yard. Pozner is building a new television school in the centre of Moscow, and residents say the building work is disrupting their lives. Yesterday some of them held a protest near the site. They say they will hold further protests every week until the construction is halted. Residents complain of frequent power and water cuts, and incessant noise. Protestors also say the new building will block daylight from their apartments. Some are also concerned about the safety of the construction project. One tenant said a deep crater seven meters deep has been dug on the site, and this has drained underground water resulting in huge cracks appearing on an asphalt road leading to a nearby house, which could now be unsafe. Aleksei Navalny, executive director of the Committee for the protection of the city population, said that the "Pozner school demonstrated the most widely spread violations of urban construction rules in Moscow which are all the more cynical and outrageous here." The construction continues on an illegally appropriated plot of land without any investment contract, the necessary permission from the State Committee for architectural surveillance, and a licence, Mr Navalny said. (Source: ITAR-TASS) # posted by Andy @ 08:50 UT Sept 16 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON. Look for FP/VE7SV to be active from Miquelon Island (IOTA NA-032) between Oct 23 and November 2 inclusive, including participation in the CQWW SSB Contest, on 160-6 metres including WARC bands. . . For complete details go to http://www.bcdxc.org/st_pierre_miquelon.htm For updates and news releases: http://www.bcdxc.org/fpve7sv_news_release.htm (OPDX 666 via Ham Radio Report, Sept CIDX Messenger via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. EDITORIAL QUESTIONS LAUNCH OF FTV ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMME | Text of report in English by Taiwanese newspaper Taipei Times web site on 13 September Last week Formosa TV started a one-hour English news programme. We wish FTV well in this project, but we cannot help thinking that the auguries are not on the TV company's side. In the last 10 years too many of these programmes have launched and flopped to count. They have suffered from a toxic mixture of a lack of financial and editorial commitment on the part of the TV companies, abysmally low production standards, a lack of understanding as to who, if anyone, might be the audience for such programmes and a concomitant failure to know how to appeal to any audience there might be. We do not seek to heap these criticisms on FTV's head. After all, it is early days. But it was hard not to take note of Government Information Office Director-General Lin Chia-lung's ambition that FTV's English output - there is, apparently, to be far more to come, above and beyond news - will be a way of getting around Taiwan's diplomatic isolation. It is a way of letting the rest of the world know about Taiwan. To achieve such an ambition it is of course necessary that the world get to know Taiwan for the right things: its liberal politics, its open society, its economic vitality. The problem is that in the past these kinds of news and cultural programmes have only succeeded in getting Taiwan known for its shoddy production values, lack of professionalism and pidgin English. One of the problems in such a situation is the chronic lack of understanding here in Taiwan of the media standards that are common to English-speaking Western countries. Of course we know there are differences in these countries' media cultures, but that is not the point. Rather it is the formidable production quality that appears so effortless as to barely register - but which is the result of massive attention to detail, a very great deal of experience and also listening to the complaints of a highly critical audience. We have too often seen something trumpeted as "up to international standards" here in Taiwan without any understanding of what those standards are, nor the requisite determination to reach them. The result is that the overarching impression of Taiwan that many foreigners get is quite negative; it is of a country where people can't be bothered to make the effort to get things right. This lack of understanding of the outside world is not just confined to media organizations. It permeates almost every way in which Taiwan interfaces with the rest of the world, from the laughably incorrect instructions on packaging that come with "made in Taiwan" products to the utterly baffling recent attempts to put forward Taiwan's case for joining the UN. In the old Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) days, the media effort surrounding the UN bid was quite straightforward. The party simply bought large ads in the Washington Post and New York Times and tried to explain why Taiwan's exclusion from this international body of dubious utility was unfair. This year the DPP government seems to have thought that the argument needs to be taken to "the people" - who, for this purpose, are apparently those who use certain bus stops in New York City. Five bus stops have been adorned with posters emphasizing that China and Taiwan are different. But nobody has yet answered the most basic question about this campaign: How influential is winning the hearts and minds of New York bus travellers likely to be in overturning Resolution 2758? Once again we see a laudable ambition which, because of a lack of understanding of the way the world works, doesn't mesh with its means of execution. It's all very well to let the world know more about Taiwan. But when is Taiwan going to learn more about the world? Source: Taipei Times web site, Taipei, in English 13 Sep 04 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U K. The New BBC (program on ABC Radio National, Australia) The Media Report Thursday 16 September 2004 The David Kelly affair and the release of the Hutton and Neil Reports have meant 2004 has been a dramatic year in the life of the BBC. And this week on the Media Report we talk to the Corporation's Head of Newsgathering about the difficulty of managing over 600 news staff - and life at the BBC post-Hutton. transcript: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/mediarpt/stories/s1199409.htm listen to program on real audio: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/mediarpt/audio/mediarpt_16092004_2856.ram or Windows media: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/mediarpt/audio/mediarpt_16092004_28M.asx Radio National is ABC's domestic service, similar to CBC Radio One. Don't know if this program will also air on Radio Australia SW. 73 (Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON, Sept 16, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** U K. BBC ARCHIVES SHOULD BE FREE --- BBC may have to share radio archive --- Dominic Timms, Thursday September 16, 2004 The Guardian The BBC could be forced to share with the commercial world its radio archive, which includes treasures such as early Rolling Stones concerts and unreleased songs performed by David Bowie and Genesis in the early stages of their careers. And if proposals by media regulator Ofcom make it into the statute books, the likes of Virgin, Capital or TalkSport could pick up recordings of classic comedies such as The Goon Show or children's programmes such as Listen with Mother. More than 750,000 programmes languishing in the BBC sound archive could be made available to commercial radio broadcasters in a bid to drive the take-up of digital radio, the media regulator suggested today. . . http://media.guardian.co.uk/radio/story/0,12636,1305285,00.html (via Daniel Say, DXLD) ** U S A. WEWN next? --- Bet they`re praying feverishly in Irondale... Looks like the Ivan track will be pretty close to WEWN. At 0420 UT check Sept 16, 5825 was still going strong, and traces of 7425, also scheduled on 13615 at this hour. Full sked is at: http://www.ewtn.org/radio/freq.htm Frequency list, some used only a couple hours per day: 5825, 7425, 7520, 7580, 9355, 9955, 9975, 11530, 11875, 13615, 15685, 15745, 17595 They may have to close down as a precaution if not actually blown off in the next several hours (Glenn Hauser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sure enough, WEWN is missing from all four scheduled frequencies at 1750 UT check Sept 16, as Ivan is close to Birmingham; from the sked, strangely enough in EDT on the left, altho Vandiver is in CDT zone: 1 PM 13615 11530/15745 15685 1700 2 PM 13615 11530/15745 15685 1800 3 PM 13615 11530/15745 15685 1900 [Later:] Still missing during the 2200 UT hour Sept 16 (Glenn Hauser, OK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio yes, but not TV. Still alive and well (Liz Cameron, MI, 0222 UT Sept 17, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dishes sturdier than curtains ** U S A [and non]. WWRB update --- Greetings!!!! We are pleased to announce the purchase of our 6th Harris short-wave transmitter. We are not sure what we are going to do with it but we can assure our listeners and supporters it is in good hands. If we place it into operation here at WWRB it will solely be used for broadcasting the Gospel. If we decide to sell it, We will not sell it to anyone located here the USA; this unit could go to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, or Africa with the sales contract stipulation it will only be used for Christian broadcasting and it cannot return to the USA for a time period of not less that 15 years. Regards!!! (David Frantz, WWRB, Sept 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. RAIDED INTO SILENCE --- FCC AGENTS, U.S. MARSHALS SHUT DOWN PIRATE RADIO STATION; CONFISCATE EQUIPMENT By WAYNE BLEDSOE, September 16, 2004 http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_3185385,00.html [click on images to enlarge; also slide show; registration required] Knoxville pirate radio station KFAR was raided by Federal Communications Commission agents Wednesday morning and shut down. The station, which has broadcast at 90.9 FM and operated from a location on Reed Lane in South Knoxville for just under three years, went off the air at 10:33 a.m. during a recorded news program. Armed with a warrant to seize the station's equipment for running a non-licensed radio station, and accompanied by three U.S. marshals, FCC agents confiscated approximately $4,000 worth of equipment from the station. The agents would not comment or give their badge numbers. People who identified themselves as "friends" and "supporters" of the radio station watched from outside the building while FCC agents carried out radio transmitters, a computer and other equipment. Although the station was unmanned when the agents and marshals arrived, news of the raid was immediately posted on the station's Web site, http://www.kfar.org According to those who act as personalities on KFAR, which stands for Knoxville's First Amendment Radio, the station has no owner and no board of directors. Those who wish to broadcast donate $10 per month to help with the station's operation and "basically anyone" is given the opportunity to host a show. "I guess this is what democracy looks like," said Chris Irwin, pointing to FCC agents carrying equipment from the building. Irwin identified himself as a law student there to observe the seizure. "We're civilians exercising our First Amendment rights, and I find it insulting that we have soldiers in Iraq dying to defend the rights that are being trampled here. This is a community resource that's being robbed. Knoxville is being robbed," he said. Abigail Singer said she was a supporter of the station because "the airwaves have been completely taken over by corporations like Clear Channel." Although Clear Channel owns no stations in Knoxville, the company is one of several media conglomerates that took advantage of changes in FCC regulations during the 1980s allowing large companies to control a seemingly unlimited number of radio stations. KFAR's initial organizers had initially hoped to open the station legitimately when the FCC recommended that nonprofit community-based radio stations operating at 10 to 100 watts be granted licenses. However, after complaints by the National Association of Broadcasters and National Public Radio that the new signals would disrupt existing broadcasts, the recommendation was thrown out. A bill sponsored by Senators John McCain, R-Ariz., and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., would reverse that decision. KFAR broadcasts at less than 100 watts, but could be heard throughout Knox County. Deputy U. S. Marshal Chuck Pittman said he did not know about the order for seizure until Tuesday and that he had never overseen an action against a radio station before. He said the action was a civil action rather than a criminal action and assured all concerned that the papers that he was serving were only to confiscate equipment - not to arrest any one involved in the station. Because no one present at the event would identify themselves as having any authority with the station or as being a resident or owner of the building, no one was allowed to observe the actions inside KFAR studios. However, KFAR supporter Sonny Bolton complimented U.S. marshals for being polite and respectful during the action. The FCC enforces broadcasting laws on the basis of complaints. On the warrant left at the KFAR studio, David Icove was listed as the person who filed the complaint that resulted in the raid. Icove did not return calls by the News Sentinel as of press time. Spokespersons for the FCC, who said that agency policy forbids them from being identified by name, said they could not comment on the KFAR seizure because it was an open investigation. They would speak, however, in general terms. A spokesman from the Spectrum Enforcement Division of the FCC said that to conduct an action against a property rather than a person, the FCC makes a recommendation to the U.S. Department of Justice. "We (the FCC) are an administrative agency," said the spokesman. He said that generally FCC agents accompany U.S. marshals and act as experts while the marshals actually handle the confiscation. Seized equipment is usually held by the U.S. Attorney's office. However, on Tuesday, marshals stood outside the building while FCC agents disconnected equipment and put it in FCC vehicles. The spokesperson said that often if a radio station does not go back on the air, no further action is taken. If a station returns to illegal broadcasting, operators can be prosecuted under criminal charges with fines up to $11,000 per violation and prison time. "We work in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney to best effect enforcement of the law," said the spokesman. He said, however, the agency's main priority involved issues of public safety. Irwin said that the KFAR supporters had several back-up plans and would probably hold community meetings and solicit donations for a legal defense. In the meantime, KFAR is still programming from its Web site. "We're fighting with slingshots," said Irwin. "But this is our First Amendment right and we're not giving up without a fight." (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) (also earlier version from Knoxville News-Sentinel via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Story From Knoxville's NBC Affiliate, WBIR Channel 10 [expired?] http://www.wbir.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=19861 Photos of the KFAR raid, discussion at: http://com4.runboard.com/bknoxvillefirstamendmentradio.fmainchat.t76 Approx 10 am the FCC along with Federal Marshalls came up to the station with paperwork to take the equipment. It was a civil action, and no charges or fines at this time. They got a locksmith to unlock the doors, and the FCC confiscated all KFAR's equipment while the Federal Marshalls were there to make sure they could do it. They cataloged the equipment that they took, and left paperwork at the station. Several news organizations including the Knoxville News Sentinel, The Metro Pulse and Channel 10 came up to the station while this was happening. I video taped this happening at the station and the FCC loading our equipment into their van. I am also going to set up my DVD recorder to record channel 10's 6 pm news. Look for the article in the News Sentinel tomorrow. --- The Elevation Hip Hop Show, Every Saturday Night from 10pm-2 or 3 am http://www.SouthEastHipHop.com (Ratchet, KFAR chat board via DXLD) I am a DJ at KFAR ! : Brian C. Irwin Dear Sir, I speak for myself alone. KFAR has operated by the light of day for 3 years now. My name is Brian C. Irwin. I have been a DJ at KFAR for 2.5 years. I can be reached at briancirwin @ excite.com for anyone who is concerned or interested. If I am a criminal then it is a crime of conscience. This was a consensual crime with no victim. Now there is a victim, my ability to peacefully express myself using my constitutional right to Free Speech! The airwaves belong to the people. Not just for the corporations to make money from. That is who you (The FCC) support alone. Who is going to protect the right of people to protest? You`re reading from one person who will. We are only a threat to those who fear that a voice and truth other than their own is being spoken, but more importantly being heard. Those involved in perpetuating the status Quo. I wonder who complained about KFAR? Initial reports point to another corporate owned radio station. Who owns that radio station? KFAR exists alone because no other radio or TV station could afford to speak the truth. The mass media has failed the bulk of American people. KFAR was a breath of fresh air on the airwaves. I understand that is threatening to those who want to sell you something. This lie will not get buried. You cannot silence KFAR and those who created it for long. This was a calculated error, as history will bear me out! I consider this to be an act of toothless aggression by the Authorities. They just made KFAR more powerful! The silence on the air is deafening! Give me KFAR or give me Death! LONG LIVE KFAR. And yeah I'm pissed and so should you be if you care about the 1st Amendment! P.S Long live the MAXIMUM LEADER ! Sincerely, Brian C. Irwin (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. WGY-810 is running IBOC tonight - never heard it on that station before. I guess Clear Channel is running some night tests. No indication on the FCC website that they have a STA for doing that, but what the hey (Barry McLarnon, VE3JF, Ottawa, ON, UT Sept 17, NRC-AM via DXLD) The FCC's database is notoriously inaccurate, so don't discount anything (Powell E. Way, ibid.) Well, too, STAs are notorious for not appearing in the database at all. (they've just launched a push to fix inaccuracies in the TV database to aid the digital transition - maybe IBOC will spur corrections in the AM database as well? Probably not.) – (Doug Smith, W9WI, Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66, ibid.) ** U S A. KFI 640 in LA is now IBAC - Just noted today. Just observed the signal in Mesa, AZ interference only makes it 8 kHz either side at 400 miles away. The sidebands seem to be received a little better than the voice signal. Its day time and I can hear the digital trash. Tested on a Kenwood R-1000 and 60¹ wire, a Hallicrafters SX-99 and Sony ICF-2010. The reason I caught this is because KFI is my bellwether for CX. When I get them well in the day, usually CX are going to be hot. (Kevin Redding, Mesa AZ, Sept 16, IRCA mailing list via DXLD) By this time of year KFI is generally heard all day up here, but no sign when I tried earlier. I wonder if they will run it from 6-6 on 24/7 like Las Vegas-840 does? (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, ibid.) That's part of Clear Channel's plan to desecrate AM and FM by putting digital signals, which AM and FM cannot support in any way, shape or form, on the air. 73, (Eric (N0UIH) Bueneman, MO, ibid.) ** U S A. CLEAR CHANNEL RADIO TO OFFER MORE HISPANIC FORMATS The largest US radio broadcaster, Clear Channel Radio, today announced an expanded commitment to Spanish-language programming with an aggressive, multi-market initiative aimed at converting stations across a full range of market sizes to Hispanic formats. Under the plan, some 20 to 25 stations will be converted in the next 12 to 18 months alone. Leading the initiative will be long-time Spanish- language radio veteran Alfredo Alonso, who today was named to the newly created position of Senior Vice President of Hispanic Radio. "The Hispanic radio audience remains largely underserved, especially outside the largest markets," said John Hogan, chief executive officer of Clear Channel Radio. "We have a unique opportunity to participate in this rapidly growing, important sector and are committed to creating the highest-quality offering in the market. Alfredo helped create Spanish-language radio more than 15 years ago and his expertise will ensure we deliver the highest-quality programming for this audience." "It's a momentous day for the Spanish radio industry," said Alonso. "While the strides made in serving the Hispanic radio market have been significant to date, this represents an evolution in Spanish-language radio. My focus will be on identifying opportunities to bring Spanish language radio formats to all-sized markets, with unique radio stations that are as diverse as the Hispanic market itself." Under the plan, Clear Channel Radio will significantly expand choice and availability, complementing existing Spanish-language programming in markets that currently offer Hispanic radio while introducing unique programming to markets that do not. Spanish-language programming varies considerably according to regional tastes. The first station to be launched - WWVA-FM 105.3/WVWA 105.1- FM, VIVA in Atlanta - will focus on Spanish contemporary music. With this initiative, Clear Channel Radio will explore a wide array of Hispanic formats, including Regional Mexican, Tropical and Contemporary, among others encompassing all genres of Spanish-language music. Clear Channel Radio currently carries Spanish-language programming on 18 stations across the US. # posted by Andy @ 11:53 UT Sept 16 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** U S A. More excerpts from Greg Hardison`s Broadcast Band Update: PLAIN-WRAP RADIO: Microsoft is causing some ripples in the Broadcast world with their latest offering: "generic" streams of some 900-plus known radio stations, without the annoyances of DJs or commercials. That Audio service, part of msn.com, does echo the playlists used by the stations being co-branded. Selections are available by market; for example, going to the SF/Oakland/San Jose section gives one the choice of 11 "generic" stations, crafted to sound like the real KIOI/101.3 and KALC/97.3, among others. There are of course questions, as to whether MSN or anyone else can do legally such things. First off, phrases such as "Light Rock, Less Talk", or "Your Home Of The Hits", et al, are spread like locusts all over damn near every Radio market. Any legal-infringement actions involving such hijinks would dwarf any involvement at all by Microsoft, given the volume of pure-over-the-air stations that would be involved. Also, Courts ruled decades ago that FCC-assigned Call Letters were not copyright-prone material. This came as a startup station in Dallas, Georgia took the "WKRP" calls in the early '80s. Producers of the hit TV show filed suit, but lost to the aforementioned ruling. (This did nothing to answer my question of the time, which was why real-life established Cincinnati stations WKRC and WKRQ did NOT file anything against the CBS-TV show's Producers.) The whole Microsoft affair can be sampled at: http://beta.music.msn.com according to "The San Francisco Chronicle". The "Chron" piece also includes, arguably, the most realistic reaction to the MSN move, from John Allers, Program Director at San José's KCNL/104.9: "'I appreciate them calling attention to us to those who may not have discovered us yet,' Allers said. But he added that 'if you're trying to take away our listeners,' the programming that makes a station's personality and connection to listeners can't be duplicated by a computer." THE "CLEAR CHANNEL" OF PUBLIC BROADCASTING?: This may be the inevitable evolution of Minnesota Public Radio. The group is a longtime operator of major outlets in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, and across the state. For the past couple of years, MPR has operated Pasadena-based KPCC/89.3, some 1800 miles away from home-base, as a major Los Angeles-area NPR affiliate. MPR's latest move comes with a $10.1 Million price tag: the purchase of WCAL/89.3 from St. Olaf College in Northfield, near the Twin Cities. MPR predictably plans to drop all religious content previously aired on 'CAL, including the famed St. Olaf's Choir Xmas concerts. Up the Dial, Public Radio WNYC/820 & FM 93.9 is observing its 80th Anniversary in grand style, airing clips of noteworthy broadcasts going back to 1927. Among those would be President Calvin Coolidge's greeting to Charles Lindbergh that year. A recent "NY Daily News" piece mentioned the well-known event, also noting the occasion of Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia reading the funnies during a newspaper strike, WNYC's airing of the final trip of the 3rd Avenue El, and Eleanor Roosevelt playing DJ with a stack of Elvis records. WNYC currently boasts the largest audience of any U.S. Public Radio station MOVING DAY: Facing New York's WOR/710, sometime in 2006. That's when the lease expires at 1440 Broadway, at Times Square. The Buckley talker will then head down the street a ways, to 111 Broadway, near Wall St. Lots of history being left behind in Midtown, where the 'OR shingle has hung for many decades. Earlier uses of the facility included Mutual Broadcasting System productions, during WOR's heyday as the web's flagship; also the original WOR-TV (ex-Channel 9) aired its first offerings from the building's art-decoish lobby. No doubt the new studios will be digital, state-of-the-art, et al --- which should put an end to the practice of certain WOR engineers known as "Patchbay Roulette". (An apt description of a hazing ritual performed against new hires: an Engineering vet would yank all the patch-cords out of a mini-switchboard on the main rack during a five-minute top- of-the-hour newscast; the hapless newcomer then had the remaining time to figure out where everything went, and to replace said cords, before inadvertently contributing to an on-air meltdown --- ahh, those were the days!) Meantime, veteran Food host Arthur Schwartz is out of his 11 AM-Noon weekday slot on 'OR. This all stems from a dispute centering on the amount of program influence enjoyed by the Food Show's sponsors. No permanent replacement has been announced so far (Greg Hardison, Broadcast Band Update Sept 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Full UPDATE in dxld yg ** U S A. POLS FIGHTING MURDOCH'S MOVING WWOR-TV FROM NJ TO MANHATTAN I had thought that WWOR's (upn9.com) studios had already moved to the TransLux Theater (used by WNYW/fox5ny.com) and that the Secaucus studios were being leased to WUTB in Baltimore. (shades of Clear Channel!) I know the WWOR and WNYW technical facilities have merged. http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Bungalow/5014/balto.html I guess this is like WWRU, 1660 in Elizabeth, NJ which got where it is by pressing the needs of Elizabeth, NJ for a full-time local and then went to kids radio and Unica Spanish. (It is now owned by Multicultural Broadcasting and broadcasts in Korean.) http://www.nydailynews.com/news/regional/story/231212p-198555c.html N.J. pols fighting Channel 9's move SECAUCUS, N.J. - Members of New Jersey's congressional delegation are trying to throw a wrench in Rupert Murdoch's plans to move WWOR-TV to Manhattan. Sens. Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg and Reps. Robert Menéndez, Bill Pascrell, Donald Payne, Steven Rothman and Rush Holt, all Democrats, have asked the Federal Communications Commission to rule on whether the move violates a mandate to serve New Jersey. Channel 9 moved to New Jersey 18 years ago to comply with a federal law requiring the FCC to set aside at least one VHF license for every state. The FCC said the station had an obligation to operate in New Jersey for the benefit of the state's residents. But WWOR, once part of UPN, is now part of Murdoch's Fox Broadcasting, which plans to consolidate most of the operations with Fox 5's E. 67th St. studio. The Associated Press (via Joel Rubin, NY, Swprograms mailing list via DXLD) ** U S A. Following up on the earlier discussion about how the FCC and US attorneys leave the Lubavicher station on 1710 alone because of its political clout, here's another Brooklyn pirate broadcaster that wasn't so lucky: http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=5785 Selective enforcement by the FCC? Nah!! (Harry Helms W5HLH, Wimberley, TX EM00, NRC AM, via DXLD) Viz.: RELIGIOUS PIRATE BUSTED Date posted: 2004-09-08 The Rev. Yvon Louis appealed an earlier FCC fine of $10,000 for operating a station without a license. The agency has denied that appeal and say the fine stands. The case began in July of 2001 when New York FCC agents noticed an unauthorized broadcast on 93.7 MHz and identified the transmission source as Calvary Tabernacle in Brooklyn. Rev. Louis claimed the station adhered to Part 15 and did not exceed four watts. Field strength measurements showed the station exceeded the allowable limits by 2,479 and 3,391 on two occasions. Agents informed Rev. Louis the transmitter was listed as a Part 73 transmitter and required a station license. Later, Rev. Louis asserted he exchanged the transmitter for a one-watt variety. Subsequent field measurements by field agents showed the unit still exceeded allowable limits and he was fined for unauthorized station operation on 93.7 MHz, 88.1 MHz and 90.1 MHz. Rev. Louis denied his transmissions were illegal, or that transmissions detected outside the building were his. The FCC found no justification to reduce or cancel the fine and gave him 30 days to pay (Radio World via DXLD) ** U S A. HURRICANE IVAN ON AM DX For those who are interested in following along, Hurricane coverage will be on 870 kHz powerhouse of the Gulf South, WWL New Orleans. At the moment the storm is expected to make landfall between Mobile Bay, Alabama and Pascagoula, Mississippi. I don't know what 1640 WTNI Biloxi's plans are for power, I'd think they'd put it on 10 kW service tonight with landfall being within the next 18 hours or so. Just some DX target reminders to listen to the action live on AM radio. I don't have any clear impressions of any Mobile, AL AM stations that have a "whole lot of get-out-ability" to serve a wide DX audience. 710 AM is one of the news talk stations, along with 1480 WABB. I have photos in my collection of the 1360 WMOB twin towers and also the 1410 WLVV twin towers. They are in very low-lying areas along highways I-10 and US 90 east of Downtown Mobile on a spit of land whose elevation can't be more than 7 feet above sea level, from my impression during my late 2002 visit there tower hunting. I listened to the WWL 870 Hurricane news coverage all this morning during my long commute here in FL. The Big Easy is emptying out, lots of folks calling in reporting on how long their trip is taking to get out of Dodge and head for the hills. Everyone Stay Safe in the effected area, (Ron Gitschier, Jacksonville, FL, Wed, 15 Sep 2004 1153 UT, NRC-AM via DXLD) I'm hoping that 1130 in Gulfport WQFX, 500 W daytimer, will make its first ever appearance here tonight. 710 Mobile is great in the city, nearly inaudible to the east. Agree that WTNI will be a strong candidate to stay on late, assuming reserve power. The best Mobile station here is 1410 WLVV, but if they'll go to special programming is still a question (this morning's bandscan on hold for other activities). WFTW 1260, Ft Walton Beach, does have generator, and when things get ugly, they will be the AM voice for news of Okaloosa Co., running parallel with 99.5 and 105.5. A wild-card is 1050/104.7 Crestview WJSB and WAAZ. That one could be on tonight and Thursday night. The state of Alabama has just announced that I-65 is north-bound only from Mobile to Montgomery. This may lead to a Montgomery station or two being on with emergency broadcast services. It will lead to traffic jams across SW Alabama. Y'all have a good day. I'll be checking periodically until the power goes off. It'll be "hurricane force" winds here, but less than 90 mph, if we can believe the weathermen. For now, I'm going out to recheck the boarding. [Later:] Bat cave preparations are complete. Bring it on (Gerry Bishop, Niceville, FL, Wed, 15 Sep 2004 1318 UT, ibid.) WFTW 1260 Listening Tip --- Assuming that WFTW stays on day power/ pattern through the night tonight, listen for "the Cumulus Storm Team," "99 Rock," and "Country 105" along with any reference to 1260 and WFTW. Additionally, you might hear "Coast 100" and "Z-96" mentioned. This is a generator powered operation, so the station will be on unless the tower is downed (Gerry Bishop, Niceville, FL, (49' above sea level, for the moment.) Wed, 15 Sep 2004 1620 UT, ibid.) Okaloosa County Radio & Hurricane Ivan --- Sending notes while the power and cable are still on, this info current as of 9/15/04, 1330 CDT [=1830 UT]. WFTW 1260 (Ft Walton Beach) should have no trouble running full power through the storm. Did so with Opal, which was a direct hit. Interspersing local info half-hourly now, with references to "the Cumulus storm team." WNWF 1120 (Destin) is off. Suspect this is due to the studios being in Destin, though the transmitter is in here in Niceville. WFSH 1340 (Niceville) is off. Same owner/studio/transmitter as WNWF. WJSB 1050 (Crestview) running a beautiful, strong signal with frequent storm-related information. WBAU 1400 (Ft Walton Beach) running unmonitored. Currently airing a network news feed and Adult Standards feed simultaneously. Aside from the tornado risk, we'll be fine here. Top winds are now forecast to be 75 mph at this location, which every wire, stoplight, and structure are supposed to be able withstand (Gerry Bishop, Niceville, FL, ibid.) WQLS Ozark AL 1210 on for Ivan coverage/severe weather threat. Announcer said "we'll be right here with you." Slogan is "1210, the Light." (Gerry Bishop, Niceville, FL, Wed, 16 Sep 2004 0010 UT, ibid.) Having been thru a few of these the last several weeks, I can tell you what to expect. Groups with clusters will simulcast all the stations together and either relay a local TV station's audio, or if they still have a news department will put their news talk station on all of the signals. You will probably see a combination of this in any given area. Locally, only WFLA stayed on day power when Frances went over the top of Tampa. With stations having emergency power, I would be more concerned about a VSWR trip off than the tower going down taking them off the air. Many will have to reduce power to keep this from happening. I don`t think you will see too many engineering types manning transmitter sites with a large hunk of steel hanging over their head in a 100 mph+ wind. Also, many of the AM's are in low lying land and will probably have flooding problems. My guess is that KWKH and WWL will have info on the storm. It is a monster of a storm --- say a prayer for the affected people if that is your belief (Paul Smith, W4KNX, Sarasota, FL, ibid.) [all the above posted on dxldyg Wednesday nite] ** U S A. Mobile Alabama stations survive Hurricane Ivan --- Clear Channel news reporter Scott Harrison tells Inside Radio this morning that the Mobile radio stations are undamaged and remain on the air, providing listeners with important emergency information. We hear that some Pensacola Florida stations may be off the air, after going dark around 3 this morning (From Inside Radio via Frederick Vobbe, Sept 16, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. WGCR, 720 kHz, Brevard/ Pisgah Forrest (Western) North Carolina 10 KW-ND-DAY on tonight with tropical storm Ivan info. Heard on several portables tonight well over WGN. Ivan took down my longwire. Hey, sounds like a Woody Guthrie song (Brock Whaley, Lilburn, GA, Sept. 17 UTC- Sept. 16 EDT, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WGCR 720, Pisgah Forest, NC is on late with emergency coverage of what is now tropical storm Ivan. I guess it's tearing up the Carolinas and Georgia. It's also supposed to be effecting east Tennessee, but you'd hardly know it was anywhere near the area here in Memphis. We've had cloud cover all day, and a little wind, but that's it. We were supposed to get some rain, but it hasn't happened. Anyway, anybody who needs this normally daytime-only station should give it a shot. It's fairly decent in the null of WGN, but suffering some interference from KSUD on 730. They've been providing continuous updates on the storm, and have also been broadcasting warnings and forecasts from NOAA weather stations. It's always nice to hear a station doing this sort of service for its listeners (Adam Myrow, TN, UT Sept 17, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** URUGUAY. UT -3 will shift to UT -2 from 0300 Sep 19, 2004 to 0300 Mar 14, 2005. Decree has been signed (Horacio A. Nigro, Montevideo - Uruguay, Sept 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VANUATU. VANUATU VISIBLE IF NOT AUDIBLE While dreaming of hearing R. Vanuatu (again, if applicable) on 7260, we may view Vanuatu thanks to Survivor, tonight on CBS. I avoid these stupid ``reality`` series like the plague (tho their proliferation has been a blessing, as there is less worth watching on primetime TV), and could not possibly care less which team or individual ``wins``, but I suggest we enjoy the scenery of these ``islands of fire`` while listening to something real on shortwave, such as RA or RNZI, about the closest we can get. Thursday nights at 7 Mountain and Central, 8 Pacific and Eastern (which is the way the nets ought to phrase their promos, chat fance), i.e. original feed at 0000 UT Friday. I assume this volcanic Vanuatu venue will continue for some weeks (Glenn Hauser, OK, Sept 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) [Later:] hmmm, too much flesh, too little lava (gh) ** VIETNAM. An interesting excursion by Dave Gauvin in New Brunswick, who wants to mention his visit to Vietnam with his new bride Peggy. During their trip they visited the Voice of Vietnam HQ, and Dave says he would be interested to read about other CIDXers` visits to SW stations. ``We were hesitant about just dropping in for a visit --- we expected them to give us the brush-off, just showing up like that, but then they took us right up to the director`s office, and they seemed really excited to meet listeners from so far away. I guess it`s like working at a newspaper --- every day you hear from everybody who has a complaint about everything, but every now and then you hear from someone who really appreciates what you do and it makes your day. They were so friendly. They gave us a couple of pennants and a personalized QSL card, and served us tea and fresh fruit.`` For some reason, I can`t see CBC Radio or RCI doing any more than handing out a couple of pens and a sticker or two (Sue Hickey, NF, CIDX Forum, Sept CIDX Messenger via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ SPECTRUM ALLOCATIONS CHART A neat chart of the radio spectrum allocations: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/allochrt.pdf (Someone on the Sangean 803 yg via DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ ANALYSIS: INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING CONVENTION OVERVIEW Text of editorial analysis by Chris McWhinnie of BBC Monitoring Media Services at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam on 13 September 2004 The 2004 International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam was the biggest IBC conference and exhibition yet. Attendance was up 12 per cent on last year at over 40,000. The main themes of IBC were mobile video, TV and information services. There was clearly a breakthrough of perceived demand for and planning of high-definition TV services. Both systems may be chasing similar portions of radio frequency spectrum and seeking channel allocations. Mobile services and HD-TV For mobile services there were video services proposed using a robust mobile version of the DVB-T system (digital terrestrial) and also DAB- based (digital audio broadcasting systems) using DMB-T (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-terrestrial) and other internet streaming solutions. The "one-device" goal seemed a long way off with such a variety of systems, forms of content yet to defined and spectrum uncertainties. One thing did seem to be agreed; a broadcast model was more efficient than a large number of internet streams via radio. Audience demand and even a willingness to pay was reported for mobile TV, regarded by many as the "killer application" for multimedia entertainment on the move. There was open controversy over which HD-TV standard should be used in Europe: 720 or 1080, with the European Broadcasting Union having to issue statements that it was still studying the matter and Sony lobbying for the higher-definition format, which is more spectrum- hungry. Threats to broadcasters Another controversy was apparent encouragement from Hollywood for European public service and free-to-air broadcasters to adopt the US- style digital flag. This is an embedded measure which would prevent or slow programme material being distributed via peer-to-peer or other file sharing internet systems, thus protecting DVD and redistribution revenue. Broadcasters' share of leisure time was discussed at the show. With internet entertainment, newspapers via the net, personalised services, downloaded audio and video and games, the slice of our time which is devoted to sitting down to consume conventional media appears to be reducing, particularly amongst the young. Developed-world domination The show was dominated by American, European, Asian and Far Eastern manufacturers, satellite and service providers and delegates. There was little evidence of participation from the developing world, where broadcasters said they were finding it difficult to catch up or else had to cope with digital media developments for which they are ill- equipped or under-funded in terms of infrastructure or trained personnel. Products of note The technical products of note at the IBC were Nokia's 7700 handheld TV/DVB-H receiver, a pre-production wireless device for internet radio from Reciva of the UK, an electronic programme guide for digital audio broadcasting (DAB), the Penpal-HD - a tiny signal generator for high- definition TV test patterns - and still-smaller flyaway satellite news gathering uplinks, notably from SWE-DISH. In the area of TV and film production, the hits were more cost- effective HD cameras, LED set lights, whole racks of video equipment replaced by a laptop and a new portable bright teleprompter for use outdoors. Radio Digital Radio Mondiale, a replacement for AM on shortwave and maybe longwave and mediumwave, launched a new consumer AM, FM, SW/DRM USB computer add-on receiver but warned of crippling interference from power line internet. The American equivalent, HD-Radio, which is similar to but not compatible with DRM, had clearly targeted the domestic AM and FM market, offering an upgrade path and back- compatibility with existing stations, using the same AM/FM channels and maintaining largely the same coverage areas. There were many of the latest Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radios available to try, Holland having recently reactivated DAB radio but with the UK still clearly the only market where DAB had taken off in a significant way. Satellite providers were clearly in demand. The needs of HD-TV, multichannel digital and a growth in thematic channels, including delivering programmes for ethnic groups or diaspora, have taken the push for bandwidth into the sky for direct-to-home or reception via cable. Technical background The show allowed hands-on practical experience of the latest or forthcoming products for the industry and consumer. Many staff on the stands were technical and could explain the techniques and ergonomics of their products and systems. The conference sessions were similarly technical or technically-informed, and that appeared to match the needs of the audience. Digital, multi-channel and interactive TV were taken more for granted as being part of the broadcast landscape and new themes emerged on producing, charging and copyright protecting content for many devices, often mobile or around a home. Finally, many companies seemed particularly pleased with the results from the IBC this year and with the volume of sales and the calibre and range of visitors and exhibitors. Source: BBC Monitoring research 13 Sep 04 (via DXLD) DRM / POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++ UK - FEARS FOR NEW DIGITAL RADIO SYSTEM By Chris McWhinnie, BBC Monitoring in Amsterdam Plans to offer the internet using mains electricity cables could cause so much interference that new digital radio stations could be obliterated, a broadcasting conference has been told. A consumer DRM digital radio set will be in the shops next year The warning came from Peter Senger, the chair of the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam. DRM is a standard agreed by world broadcasters for a completely new short wave radio system. The new internet power line distribution system has been evaluated by engineers, including the BBC, and has been found to affect short wave in particular. Short wave is mainly used to broadcast internationally and the AM bands have been used since radio first started in the 1920s. The DRM system uses existing AM broadcast frequencies to deliver near-FM quality digital sound. It uses compression to squeeze clear digital sound into the narrow radio channels that currently carry crackly analogue signals. The DRM technology has the potential to make digital radio available in places that Digital Audio Broadcasting (Dab) radio or even FM will probably never reach. As for the hardware required to hear these stations, there will be a new consumer DRM radio in the shops by Christmas 2005 and a tiny PC- only DRM set is already on sale. DRM is not being used by many radio stations yet. However a number of radio stations have seen the potential for new cross-border radio stations. A Germany-based music station is believed to be in the planning stages. BBC World Service and its counterparts abroad already have some regular DRM programmes and are backing the system. DRM is being seriously considered in many countries where the FM radio band is full. China sees DRM as the answer to pushing digital radio across its vast territory. The UK is not planning to use DRM for domestic radio. The UK has pinned its digital hopes instead on Dab, which offers stations like BBC 1Xtra, 6 Music, Oneword and Core. More digital radios have been sold in the UK than any other country. Switching-off analogue FM and AM may take years and making millions of much-loved analogue radio sets useless will no doubt be controversial. If power line internet transmission is introduced, then international broadcasting on shortwave may also be consigned to history due to the interference from data travelling over mains electricity cables. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3652202.stm (via Artie Bigley; Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ The ultimate DXing system?? I stumbled across this while researching Codem Systems for a project totally unrelated to DXing. . . . . I'd love to see their customer list for this! http://www.codem.com/products/sigint/systems/nighthawk.asp (Harry Helms, W5HLH, Wimberley, TX EM00, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: HF SIGNAL ACQUISITION SYSTEM [links:] QUOTE / DATASHEET PDF The Nighthawk System is a turnkey automated Signals Intelligence System designed to rapidly detect, analyze, locate and record narrow and wideband signals across the HF spectrum with minimum operator intervention. Designed for the networking of multiple remote collection sites, the system is controlled by workstations located at a central operations facility. Featuring system tasking, the Nighthawk system responds to specific mission or user requirements by establishing configuration parameters for signals of interest and by giving mission-specific instructions to operating personnel. The system can be configured to operate in automatic mode, manual mode or a hybrid of both. . . (via DXLD) dxtuners.com: A RESEARCH TOOL FOR THE MW DXER with Mark Connelly, WA1ION The web site http://www.dxtuners.com allows PC control of remotely- sited receivers in a number of locations throughout the world. DXers in Sweden have set up the control structure for this. A standardized Java-based interface lets you control critical receiver parameters such as operating frequency, mode (AM, FM, CW, LSB, USB), and IF bandwidth. Audio is piped to the PC's sound card and the interface provides an S-meter to show signal strength. It is advisable to have a higher speed Internet service (e.g. cable or DSL) for this. Recent issues of Popular Communications and Monitoring Times have had articles on the service with more general detail. My main DX listening interest is international medium wave, so that will be the emphasis here. After you set up an account and password, a few receivers may be accessed at the "guest" (free) privilege level. Additional receivers may be used if you institute a paid subscription. I signed up for a three month trial for $15. With already over 10 pages of bandscan notes in my logbook after just a week of use, I've already got my money's worth. Many of the users are VHF/UHF utility enthusiasts so most of the receivers are of the "all band" type such as the ICOM PCR- 1000. Antennas are often wideband non-directional discones. These are not the most sensitive set-ups for medium wave, but if a given site is either near salt water or at high altitude above average terrain, reception sensitivity is reasonable. There are receivers located in several western European countries, the US, Canada, Japan, Venezuela, and in a few other far-flung places including UAE, Australia, and Nepal. As a medium wave DXer located on the Atlantic coast of the US, the receivers in western Europe, Venezuela, and eastern North America are most relevant to DX that I would be likely to hear in my area. The Japanese, Australian, and western US/Canada sites would be of greater value to the Grayland, WA DXpedition crew. Over a few evenings I've logged into many of the sites. You have to defer to others who also want to use the receivers. Some sites go down from time to time for maintenance, thunderstorm avoidance, or because a ham owner wants to transmit. There's one site in Sweden that has eight Ewe antennas. Since this one gets many users, I haven't had a shot at it yet. Of the Swedish receivers I did tune, the Oresund one seemed best. In the UK, I found better results on the Folkestone (English Channel) and South London (Gatwick Airport) sites than on some others that were too urban and, as a result, spur or noise heavy. Waterford, Ireland has a fairly sensitive receiver: since it's all seapath from there to Spain, the RNE, COPE, etc. outlets really pound in (dominating the Germans and even some of the UK stations: it's quite similar to local coastal sites here in that respect). So far the Ireland site is the only one that gave me a hint of North America to Europe Transatlantic reception with a little bit of WWZN- 1510 showing up. Unfortunately there are no receiver sites (yet) on the west coasts of Ireland and Portugal where US and Canadian stations would have the best chance of reception. Of the numerous North American sites, I found the Florida, Washington DC, and Moosonee ON Canada locations fairly useful. It was fun hearing my local WBZ-1030 booming in at all three of these locations as well as making a good appearance on a receiver in Chicago as well. Nobody has set up anything on Cape Cod or in Maine, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland yet. My "winninglottery-ticket dream" would be to set up one of these receivers in Cappahayden or Renews, Newfoundland and another one in the Azores. These would be Beverage-equipped of course. None of the existing US or Canadian sites showed any TA DX (but, then again, it's still July). The best South American site so far is Caracas, Venezuela. For an urban site, the receiver had little in the way of man-made noise or spurs. WDHP-1620 from USVI really slams in there at night. One TA was noted: a het from Saudi Arabia on 1521. There was a hint of the 1650 Virginia station but not much else from "stateside". The DXtuners web site is a very useful resource to see how well certain signals propagate into different areas. Like the European Medium Wave Guide, the NRC Log, World Radio-TV Handbook, and club bulletins, it can help to clear up unID's from DXpeditions and home listening. Conceivably it could be used for live corroboration of DX being heard. There is a delay of several seconds but at least if the same songs are being played over a period of time, you'll have a pretty good confidence level. The service is also a great source of entertainment since you don't have to go to dozens of different web sites to hear programming from BBC locals, RTE, Virgin Radio, TalkSport, college FM's, and other broadcasters. Hey sometimes you just want to pour out a beer and listen to one of the UK gold stations playing Helen Shapiro or Rolf Harris or some other nearly-forgotten (at least by Americans) star of the early 1960's. You'll be listening to what "the locals" are hearing, not something massaged for Internet consumption. That includes all the phone-in shows and advertisements in their goofy home-grown glory: all the unofficial accents, dialects, and expressions that give a region its spice. The worldwide fan base of Manchester United can follow their progress wherever they may be. US baseball games can be heard in places where the actual radio signals won't reach (and you don't have to pay MLB for the web feed). Besides MW DX, I enjoy this for ham radio. I can check how my buddies on 75-meter AM are getting out to various places. In the old days, you would have had to do a lot of driving or flying to accomplish this kind of thing. Hams can use the remote receivers to check their different antenna configurations for "get-out-ability" and "pile-up busting" attributes on useful paths such as eastern US to Europe. It would have been slick if I could have had this capability back in the '60s and early '70s when I had my antenna farm at Menotomy Rocks Park. Evaluations of your transmitted signal are better with your own ears than when going by someone else's word. Some hams give everybody a "5 by 9" report. You would never know if the yagi beam, the rhombic, the sloper, or the quad was pumping the best signal down the main street of some little snow-covered town in the Swiss Alps. The DXtuners site changes all of this. Loggings made on remote receivers should be fine for submission to club bulletins as long as the DXer accurately represents where the receptions actually occurred. Postings of the greatest value are ones that are out of the ordinary for the site, ones that clear up members' "unID" questions, or ones that provide useful information about significant changes: format, network, call, schedule, power increase/decrease, jamming, new stations on the air, old stations gone dark. As in the use of stations' streaming web feeds, audio piped over phone lines, things heard on trips, etc. there is, I suppose, the potential for misrepresentation in loggings by less than totally scrupulous DXers. In the long run, of course, these people are only cheating themselves. A QSL acquired for no effort or for a badly-misrepresented one cannot bring much satisfaction. The DXtuners service does offer a valuable tool to guide one's own honest DX efforts towards potential new catches. Sometimes you can infer that if a European signal is poorly heard within Europe, it probably isn't going to be worth chasing 3000 miles farther away. On the other hand, something that is unexpectedly strong at a remote receiver might give you the idea to look for it, even though you may have previously dismissed it as impossible. Perhaps it is running more power than it claims it does. I can see that, during next winter, playing with this will be a whole lot of fun when weather prevents me from sitting out at seashore DXpedition sites to hear choice DX coming out of my own receiver. Among other things, I'll try "reverse TA DX": trying to get US and Canadian stations on European receivers. As more DXers try this service it is quite likely that more receivers will come online, some inevitably in super locations by the seashore and on mountaintops. I know of a Beverage-equipped Swedish site that is in the planning stage. Now THAT will be fun! (Medium Wave News 50/04 14 September 2004 via DXLD) ###