DX LISTENING DIGEST 4-186, December 18, 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 1257: Sat 2130 WOR WBCQ 17495-CUSB Sun 0330 WOR WWCR 5070 Sun 0400 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0430 WOR WRMI 6870 Sun 0730 WOR WWCR 3210 Sun 0930 WOR WRN1 to North America, also WLIO-TV Lima OH SAP Sun 0930 WOR KSFC Spokane WA 91.9 Sun 0930 WOR WDWN Auburn NY 89.1 [unconfirmed] Sun 0930 WOR KTRU Houston TX 91.7 [occasional] Sun 1030 WOR WRMI 9955 Sun 1100 WOR R. Lavalamp Sun 1400 WOR KRFP-LP Moscow ID 92.5 Sun 1500 WOR R. Lavalamp Sun 2000 WOR Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 87.35 96.55 105.55 Sun 2030 WOR WWCR 12160 Sun 2100 WOR RNI Mon 0330 WOR WRMI 6870 Mon 0400 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0430 WOR WSUI Iowa City IA 910 [1256] Mon 0530 WOR WBCQ 7415 Mon 0900 WOR R. Lavalamp Mon 1700 WOR WBCQ after hours Mon 2200 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Tue 1000 WOR WRMI 9955 Tue 1700 WOR WBCQ after hours Tue 2200 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Wed 1030 WOR WWCR 9985 Wed 1700 WOR WBCQ after hours MORE info including audio links: http://worldofradio.com/radioskd.html WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: WORLD OF RADIO 1257 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1257h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1257.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1257 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1257.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1257.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1257.html WORLD OF RADIO 1257, mp3 in the true SW sound of 7415: (stream) http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_12-15-04.m3u (d`load) http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_12-15-04.mp3 ** ANGUILLA [and non]. 690 --- There has certainly been a change over the last week. The official name is Caribbean Beacon and years ago they were listed at 15 kW while sister 1610 ran 50. Last few years they've run 5 kW at best, just simulcasting Dr. Gene Scott, the programming off the SW and sat TV channel, while 1610 has sounded like 1 kW (Jerry Kiefer, Pt. Orange, FL, NRC-AM via DXLD) Dr. Gene Scott has a gravelly voice, and before every break he will say, "If you want me to continue, get on the phones". After many years of listening to him, I still don't know what "get on the phones" mean? He likes to preach on weird stuff, UFO's, Britain was settled by the Jews, once saved always saved, etc. It's entertaining, nonetheless. Anyhow, check 6090; he runs parallel after midnight to about 0600 [EST?] or so. I don't hear at this time on 690, but maybe before morning (Willis Monk, WB5KHD, OLD FORT, TN, ibid.) That's actually a reference to his local L.A. members to get on the phone and make their RESERVATION to be in church the following Sunday. Yep, you have to make a reservation to attend Dr. Scott's Los Ángeles "cathedral"! Maybe the most entertaining thing about him is how he harangues and vilifies his own congregation for not being faithful enough to him (and, I suppose as an afterthought, to God as well). He just bitches up a storm at the congregation, his workers and minions. Why anyone actually attends such a church, much less supports it financially, is beyond me. If you listen to him very much you'll also notice that for the most part, the radio broadcasts are just the soundtrack of his cable-TV channel in Los Angeles. Something else I've often wondered about Scott: how does he program radio (and TV) stations 24/7 with nothing but HIS OWN SERMONS? How long do his services typically last, anyway??!? The man just talks and talks and talks and talks and talks and talks and talks and talks and talks and talks and... Well, you get the idea! Presumably his tape library goes back several decades, so there's no telling how old or recent any Gene Scott broadcast might be, I guess (Randy Stewart, Springfield MO, Dec 15, ibid.) I thought ``get on the phones`` meant to make a pledge. BTW, you don`t have to depend on 6090 for a parallel, as exactly the same satellite feed is on WWCR 5935, when active KAIJ 5755, and his Costa Rican outlets 5030, 6150, 7375, 9725, 11875, 13750, all variable (gh, DXLD) Heard recently that Gene Scott has been pretty sick lately; maybe the cigars have got to him? Also he always seemed to have a different hat on. He was one of the pioneers of C band satellite with his University channel (Jerry Kiefer, Port Orange, FL, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** ANTIGUA. BBC harmonic heard in NE USA Friday 17 December 2004, 30.38 MHz AM: 1530 UT - BBC World Service via Antigua FK97 2nd harmonic. YL talk. Audio low & muffled. Poss heterodyne heard. S3+ 4 (Jack Sullivan, Central New Jersey, FN20, harmonics yg via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. ARGENTINE MENTAL HOSPITAL'S TALK THERAPY RADIO HELPS ERASE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS By Nicola Fell Buenos Aires 14 December 2004 Listen to 781k [6:20] http://128.11.143.114/mediaassets/english/2004_12/Audio/rm/fell_argentine_radio_14dec04.rm In Argentina, a unique radio program, broadcast from the grounds of a mental hospital with the patients as the principle participants, is drawing a large following. The talk therapy radio show not only helps patients deal with their problems, it also has served as outreach to family and friends, and helped to erase the stigma surrounding mental illness. Nicola Fell reports from Buenos Aires on how the program evolved into a popular feature on Argentina's radio landscape. This jingle is the signature of Radio La Colifata, which in Buenos Aires slang means 'Crazy Radio.' It bills itself as the first radio show in the world to broadcast live from a mental hospital. On the grounds behind the rundown cement building that is the Borda Hospital, a makeshift radio studio is being set up under the shade of a large tree. This Saturday afternoon, like every other for the past 14 years, about 100 patients and visitors are preparing for the live, six-hour broadcast. Julio Cesar [must be César, tho correspondent pronounces it seize her, or six heures] is a former resident patient, who returns to the hospital for outpatient treatment that includes participating in the radio program. Mr. Cesar says he admitted himself to the hospital 10-years ago, suffering from severe depression. "I lost my daughter very young, only eight-months-old, and I sank into a depression," he says. "I did not want to work, live, eat or go out into the street. My family did not understand me." Mr. Cesar was invited to take part in the radio program by Alfredo Olivera, a psychologist at the hospital, who is responsible for Radio La Colifata's coming into being. When friends at a community radio station asked to interview him about conditions at the hospital, he came up with the idea of interviewing the patients instead. "I started without any money, without the support of the institution or technical resources," he adds. "I simply used a small Dictaphone. I invited some patients to sit around a table and speak about whatever they wanted. The only thing they had to do was, if they wanted to talk, they had to have the Dictaphone in their hand, and when they were finished, pass to another. This, as a concept, already had an element of therapy - the right to speak, and giving the right to another." Cassettes of those interviews were transmitted on small community stations. The recordings attracted so many calls from listeners that they were soon picked up by network radio shows, and eventually, the hospital was equipped with facilities for live broadcasts. Outside, the program has begun, and the microphone is being passed around from patient-to-patient. They recite poems, sing or just talk. They only give their first names to maintain their anonymity. One young man, Jagger, is in tears as he takes the microphone. Jagger says he has suffered too much in his life, and he does not believe that anything will get better, or that anyone cares. Mr. Olivera, the psychologist, will use these insights in private therapeutic sessions with Jagger. Relatives also participate in the program. This visiting father, Yogy, tells Jagger not to close himself off from the world, that people are listening, and that he needs to be strong and to value himself. Yogy's son, Bocha is a regular on the radio program. Yogy says his son's personality has been affected by a tumor, and being able to recite poems and sing songs he has written on the radio program helps his son. In Argentinean society, a mentally ill member of the family is often considered shameful. Yogy says he sees many patients who do not receive visits from family. "There are many patients whose families abandon them here," he explains. "When they are diagnosed as crazy, they feel that they are no longer of use. I often say that the warmth of family and relatives can help patients a lot to recover. Luckily, I am here for him. For the others, I see few families here. Sometimes I come during the week and there is no-one here." Julio Cesar says part of the radio's therapeutic aspect is the feeling of family it creates. "Doctors are very technical," he notes. "They give a pill, and tell you, 'go and sleep,' and you are canceled; you cease to exist. The radio gives you the freedom to express yourself; it releases you. The medium of radio, because it is a way to communicate, can recover families. Relatives and friends have got back in touch with me, thanks to the radio. The radio breaks frontiers, the wall that surrounds the hospital no longer exists because the antenna knocks it down." Although the radio was established as a means of therapy, it is broadcast beyond the hospital compound and has a broad following. Sections of the show have even been mixed into pop music, such as this song by singer Manu Chao. In downtown Buenos Aires, Radio La Colifata is about to go one step further, presenting its program on the television channel, Canal 7, as part of a health program. Hugo Norberto López is another of the patients involved in the project. He says he believes Radio Colifata plays an important educational role in society. "It demystifies what the public thinks about mental illness, which many families hide, or are afraid of," he says. "For me, no, I see it the opposite. In my district, everyone congratulates me. I thought they would say, 'Hey look at the crazy guy,' but it is the opposite. They embrace me, and congratulate me for what I do. That makes me feel great. That shows that the people are beginning to understand." The reach of the radio is growing. Not only on nationally broadcast Canal 7, but Radio La Colifata is also rebroadcast on local stations across Argentina to an estimated 12 million listeners (VOANews.com via David Alpert, DXLD) WTFK?? Is Julio César his real name or his crazy name? (gh) ** AUSTRALIA. Re gh's note in DXLD 4-183 about the abrupt cut-off of a Radio Australia program in mid-word before the top of the hour: I've noticed that RA does a nice clear announcement in the middle of our night when it transitions from one Pacific frequency to another (but I just cannot remember right now just when this is and what frequency is terminating and what the one is that the announcement tells you to re-tune to, drat it!). But it behaves like gh said when 9580 is cut off just before 1400 UT. The transmission drops off-air in the middle of a word, and there is no notice to change over to 9590 (which continues for some more hours). I cannot figure out why they do it right at the earlier time but then mess up consistently at this 1358 UT (or so) time. Could it be that there is a different staff on duty then? (Will Martin, MO, Dec 15, dxldyg via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. VL8K ABC Katherine, NT 5025 kHz --- This is really only a tentative logging. I just heard December 17 at 1350 UT an English speaking station on 5025 kHz with Australian accent, I suppose. This must be ABC Katherine. Unfortunately reception was very, very poor indeed. No other SW-Aussies were audible. EiBi gives these hours for this station: 2130-0830 UTC. Same schedule with ABC Alice Springs 4835 kHz. Alice Springs comes sometimes with booming signal at this time, local afternoon. 73´s and happy weekend! (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, Rx: AOR 7030+, Ant: 95 m lw to E., DX LISTENING DIGEST) Must be Katherine`s turn to miss switching to 120m at nite (gh, DXLD) Jouko Huuskonen is correct, ABC Katherine was on 5025 at 1350 today (Dec 17). Also noted here with good signals. I listened past 1430 when the ABC news from Darwin was presented. Was // (not precisely, but within a second) to 2310 and 2325, but regular ABC Katherine 120m channel of 2485 kHz was absent. ABC Alice Springs has not been on 4835 at this time lately, apparently returning to listed frequency change at 0830 (Nigel Pimblett, Dunmore, Alberta, Canada, Kenwood R- 5000, beverage antenna, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn: Today Saturday 18th I heard 5025 Katherine running all night at 1800 GMT with good signals, just like Alice Springs did before (Chris Hambly, Victoria, 2053 UT Dec 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) But back to normal the next day (Hambly, 2004 UT Dec 18, ibid.) ** AUSTRALIA. The ABC's internet music channel, 'dig', will be broadcast on ABC local radio and Radio Australia over the summer holiday period according to this announcement posted on their website. Starts on December 20 and runs through until January 14 between 0730- 1100 UT. Their website is at http://www.abc.net.au/dig/. So Washington DC's 'Federal News Radio' is not the only internet radio station to make the move to broadcast per WFED (DXLD 4-185) although dig is only a temporary appearance: dig's back on your wireless over summer. As the regular night announcers on ABC Local Radio get ready to take a well-earned vacation, there's a hive of activity in the dig office. These little elves are preparing for dig On The Radio - a nightly music program taking over the ABC Local Radio and Radio Australia airwaves right around the country this summer. This is the second year dig On The Radio has aired, presented by expert music commentators (and fans) Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie. The music featured will reflect what played on dig - lots of blues, soul, folk, rock, pop, world, jazz and country with, of course, a strong commitment to Australian music. We'll also have latest releases, quizzes, music news, interviews and live performances from some of the best musicians in the country. "The phones and email just went crazy for the whole four weeks last year," Michael Mackenzie says. "The features and concerts were greatly appreciated and our talkback sessions seemed to attract everyone from outback Elvis impersonators to city-slickers reviewing gigs they'd been to the night before." A big part of the program revolves around its relationship with this dig website – which will be continually updating with daily polls, music play lists and longer-form interviews and performances that are featured on dig On The Radio. Brian Wise is one of the country's best- known music journalists. He is the founding editor of Rhythms Magazine and a regular contributor to ABC Local Radio with his reviews and discussions of Australian and international music. Michael Mackenzie presents Radio National's Bush Telegraph – a daily program looking at rural and regional issues around Australia, while in his spare time he is an avid music buff. dig On The Radio can be heard on ABC Local Radio around the country from 6:30 to 10:00 pm between December 20, 2004 and January 14, 2005. All up, dig On The Radio will provide great listening – at a time when most people are kicking back, enjoying a cold drink and making the most of the glorious Australian summer nights (via Matt Francis, DC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELARUS. 1st channel of Belarussian Radio via Kalodzicy radio center [time order in each category]: 6115 kHz 75 kW (omnidirectional) 0400-2300 6080 kHz 150 kW (for Ukraine) 0400-2300 7170 kHz 250 kW (for Russia) 0500-0700 11960 kHz 250 kW (for Russia) 1000-1100 7255 kHz 250 kW (for Russia) 1500-1800 External Service: 5970 kHz 250 kW (for West Europe) 0200-0400 7210 kHz 75 kW (for West Europe) 0200-0400 7105 kHz 250 kW (for West Europe) 2000-2300 7340 kHz 75 kW (for West Europe) 2000-2300 Relay of Family Radio (from USA) 7440 kHz 150 kW 1900-2000 in Spanish (open_dx - Sergey Alekseychik, Hrodna, Belarus via Signal via DXLD) Can't say anything about the reception in West Europe, because I'm located in the very Eastern part of it (geographically; somebody may have an opinion that the whole Russia lies in Asia, but that is not correct). Well, I tried to listen to the Russian broadcast from Minsk, which is scheduled as 2100-2130 (Sundays, or...?) on 5 Dec. Not a pleasant listening at all, because of heaviest splash which came from 7110 kHz, CRI in Serbian. SINPO 42442 before 2127 (CRI transmitter carrier-off), 45444 after 2127. (Dmitry Mezin, Kazan, Russia, Signal via DXLD) ** BELGIUM. Radio World missed some of its airings this week (Dec 12) and something was said about ``the last edition of Radio World``. What has happened to Frans Vossen, and his show???? (Glenn Hauser - 15 december 2004, RVi Guestbook via DXLD) Yes, I noticed myself that it was mentioned that this was the last Radio World; how come this programme is being wrapped up so early now? Is it because RVi no longer supports DXers and SWLers with a radio programme? Or maybe it is because Frans Vossen has an opinion about the pending closure of RVi next year; does this mean any programme hosts of RVI having an opinion of RVi's closure get the axe? (Michael Stevenson, Australia (Michael Stevenson, Australia, - 15 december 2004, ibid.) Referring to DXLD 4-185: "BELGIUM. Also missed RVI English DX program on Sundays at 0800 UT". The program is repeated Mondays at 08 UT, not Sundays (Erik Køie, Copenhagen, DX LISTENING DIGEST) But on some occasions it was at 0800 on both Sun and Mon (gh, DXLD) To the introduction of Radio World last Sunday, Frans Vossens writes to me that he presently is on vacation, and continues: "However, it looks as if I will be sent away on early retirement at the end of March, so I will not be downgraded to a writer of internet news items. I will be 63 in February. I would have liked to carry on until 2007, but as a radio man, not in these circumstances. There still is a faint hope that we might be rescued, but it's REALLY faint..." (Erik Køie, Copenhagen, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BIAFRA [non]. V. of Biafra International, 7380 via South Africa, Sat Dec 11 *2100-2159*, English sign-on, local music, 2104 religious music, IDs, 2108 prayer, 2100 news about corruption and suffering in Nigeria; good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CLANDESTINE from SOUTH AFRICA to NIGERIA, 7380, Voice of Biafra is also on Wednesdays. *2102 Dec 15 with open carrier and then IS and ID which lasted for about five minutes. Then news analysis in English till 2125. Talk in language till 2130 when there was another ID in English. One song, then commentary in English at 2137. This was still going at 2146 when I had to tune out. Good reception. The Wednesday broadcasts, which started in November, are in addition to their broadcasts on Saturdays (Hans Johnson, Naples, FL Drake R8 longwire, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. R. San Miguel, Riberalta, 4902.00, Dec 11 1005-1030+ Spanish talk, 1007 ID, Spanish ballads; fair (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. R. Cultura, São Paulo, 17814.7, Dec 9 2320-0025+ Dec 10, local romantic ballads, brief Portuguese announcements, ID. Very weak; much better on \\ 9614.98. Both frequencies also heard Dec 11 at 2210 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BULGARIA. Radio Bulgaria Contest 2005 --- In 2005 the Bulgarian National Radio will mark its 70th anniversary. For many years its foreign language broadcasts have been an inseparable part of its programme. In this connection we invite you to participate in our new contest by answering the question: What does Radio Bulgaria mean to you? Your opinions and impressions will be highly appreciated. The deadline is January 31, 2005. The best entries will be awarded. We wish you inspiration. Send your entries to English service, Radio Bulgaria, 4 Dragon Tzankov Blvd., Sofia, Bulgaria. Or email them to english @ bnr.bg (from http://www.bnr.bg via Paul Gager/ Austria, Dec 17, BDXC- UK via DXLD) That`s plenty vague, as to topic, length, reward (gh) ** CANADA. Would it be too much trouble for stations to announce their own frequencies accurately? I listened to RCI`s 1800 UT broadcast in English Dec 16 on 13790, a Sackville frequency, tho aimed at Africa, as usual more than adequate here off the back. But at the end of the hour it was not included in a bunch of frequencies listed from 5 to 15 MHz. Ditto the next day (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. A much-loved holiday tradition returns, with an entire day of glorious music, performed live from all over Europe and North America. Join host Howard Dyck for twelve hours of glorious music. http://www.cbc.ca/programguide/program/index.jsp?program=Joy+to+the+World&network=CBC%20Radio%20Two&startDate=2004/12/19&startTime=06:00 Sunday, December 19, 2004, 6:00 a.m. [1100-2300 UT on EST webcast from Toronto] Here is the schedule for the day: 6:00 a.m.- from Our Lady's Church, Vivenkapelle, Damme, Belgium, the Zefiro Torna Ensemble. 7:00 a.m.- from Blackhead's House, Riga, Latvia, the Kamer Youth Choir and the Riga Chamber Orchestra. 8:00 a.m.- from Studio 1, Bulgarian Radio, Sofia, the Bulgarian National Radio Men&`s Chorus. 9:00 a.m.- from Kallio Church, Helsinki, Finland, the Rajaton Vocal Ensemble. 10:00 a.m.- from Berwaldhallen, Stockholm, Sweden, the Swedish Radio Chorus and Symphony Orchestra. 11:00 a.m.- from St Anthony's Church, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, the Boni Pueri Ensemble. Noon- from Mihail Jora Concert Hall, Romania Radio, Bucharest, Ion Vidu Chorus, Te Deum Laudamus Men`s Choir and Preludia Chamber Choir. 1 p.m.- from Zoltan Kodaly Choir School, Nyiregyhaza, Hungary, Cantemus Children's Choir, Pro Musica Girl's Choir, Banchieri Singers, Cantemus Mixed Chorus. 2 p.m.- from Withold Lutoslawski Concert Hall, Polish Radio, Warsaw, Ars Cantus. 3 p.m.- from St Joseph's Church, Schwabing, Munich, the Bavarian Radio Chorus. 4 p.m.- from Pierre Mercure Hall, Pierre Peladeau Centre, Montreal, Societe de Musicque Ancienne de Montreal and Les Idees heureuses. 5 p.m.- from the Concert Hall, Oslo, Norway, the Oslo Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra. BBC Radio 3 does something similar, but the segments do not match up, at 1200-2000 GMT; see UK (via Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. On CBW-990 or CBK-540, the only local mention or ID they do is a local/provincial weather forecast at about 5 minutes after the hour, following the national CBC news. And they DON'T use their call letters -- CBW calls itself "CBC Radio One Winnipeg" or CBC Radio One Manitoba", if I remember correctly. That's as close to a local ID as you'll get (Randy Stewart/Springfield MO, NRC-AM via DXLD) Randy is correct, with one additional note: the news that you hear at TOH on CBC Radio 1 outlets is sometimes the national news from Toronto, but at other hours it's a local or regional newscast. There is no individual station ID on CBC stations at TOH, ever; at about :06 there's often a "You're listening to CBC Radio One, 1550 in Windsor" non-ID out of the local or regional weather. Interestingly, the French side of the operation, Radio-Canada première chaîne, does still ID with calls at TOH, though the ID is that of the regional production center and not that of the individual transmitter. (For instance, all the FM relays of CJBC 860 across southern Ontario ID each hour as "CJBC, 860 in Toronto.") The last time calls were used on a regular basis on CBC English radio transmitters was when they used to sign off at 1:06 AM local time, as recently as the mid-nineties. The only exception I know of is CBO in Ottawa, which still calls its local morning show "CBO Morning." They still do the standard "You're listening to CBC Radio One, 91.5 in Ottawa" during network programming, though. s (Scott Fybush, NY, NRC- AM via DXLD) That exception is gone now too - the show is now called "Ottawa Morning". The only time you hear the call letters mentioned now is when someone is reminiscing about the old days. There was a lot of that recently when the staff left their venerable digs in the stately Château Laurier hotel to move down the street into the new CBC broadcast center (Barry McLarnon, VE3JF, Ottawa, ON, Dec 14, ibid.) I happened to be up at 0559 local time today to confirm that CBC Vancouver does use a callsign ID at "sign-on" (actually it is during the transition from national CBC Overnight to regional BC morning programming). Something like: "whether you listen to CBC Radio One on CBU AM 690, or on many of the other transmitters..." Also during the day, when not on national programming, they ID as "CBC Radio One, 690 AM in Vancouver, and ___ AM/FM in _____", where they cycle through the many locations and their associated frequencies (Eric Floden, ibid.) ** COLOMBIA. 2200.05 (tentative), HJMK Emisora Ideal (2 x 1100), Planeta Rica, Dec 13, 1013-1030, announcer with talk between campo vocals, christmas ads mention "Planeta Rica", fair signal (Mark Mohrmann, Coventry, Vermont, USA, NRD 535D/MFJ959B, Ground-based Folded "Hairball" I-Beam 280m at 170 degrees http://www.sover.net/~hackmohr/hairball.htm Mark.Mohrmann @ Lyndonstate.edu "VT-DX" http://www.sover.net/~hackmohr/ DX LISTENING DIGEST) See unID ** DENMARK. World Music Radio (WMR) is now running full 10 kW on 5815 kHz (till 21 UT tonight) and again tomorrow Friday when we'll be on the air 07-21 UT with 10 kW. Then back to 5 kW for the rest of the weekend until Monday morning at 07 UT. Finally the connection from the studio to the transmitter site has been fixed and we're now hoping to be on the air without any breaks in the audio. Best 73s (Stig Hartvig Nielsen, WMR Dec 16, HCDX via DXLD) I just tried 0750 UT World Music Radio from Denmark broadcasting with full power of 10 kW on 5815 kHz. Audio sounds great and signal strength is S9 +15dB here in SW of Finland. 73´s (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku FINLAND, Dec 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Also heard here in The Netherlands with good signal, however with some fading. Time of reception: 1244 with station ID-jingle in several languages, also in Dutch! (Max van Arnhem, The Netherlands, ibid.) ** ECUADOR. OVER 8,500 ATTEND HCJB WORLD RADIO'S 40TH ANNUAL QUITO DAY CONCERTS HCJB World Radio's Vozandes Choir and Orchestra held its 40th annual Quito Day concerts at the Ecuadorian House of Culture in Quito Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 4-5, with more than 8,500 people attending the free performances. . . http://www.christianpost.com/article/missions/1304/section/over.8500.attend.hcjb.world.radios.40th.annual.quito.day.concerts/1.htm (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** GABON. RTV Gabonaise est reçue en Bretagne sur 4777 depuis le 11 décembre 2004 avec l'indicatif "Radio Gabon" ou "ici Libreville". Néanmoins ses émissions sont pour l'instant irrégulières sur cette fréquence. RTV Gabonaise is received in Brittany (France) on 4777 since december 11 2004 with identification "Radio Gabon" or "ici Libreville". However broadcasting is presently irregular on this frequency. Africa n 1 est souvent en panne ces derniers jours sur 17630, parfois pendant plusieurs dizaines de minutes. Egalement, cette fréquence a démarré certains jours à 0800 au lieu de 0700 tu. Africa n 1 is quite often stopping broadcast these days, sometimes for more than 20 minutes. Also 17630 has started at 0800 instead of official 0700 UT. (Eric Cordier, France, http://radioafrique.site.voila.fr Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. We kindly would like to inform you about the schedule of Pan American Broadcasting using shortwave transmitters of T-Systems in Germany: Target Middle East: Saturdays, 1400 to 1430, 13820, "Sedayeh Mohebat - World Radio" Saturdays, 1445 to 1500, 13820, "David´s Mighty Men Evangelism Team" Sundays, 1500 to 1515, 13820, "Waymarks" Sundays, 1530 to 1545, 13820, "Victory thru Truth" starting 02. January 2005 Sundays, 1545 to 1600, 13820, "God Speaks Today" Sundays, 1600 to 1630, 13820, "Bible Says" Target India: Sundays, 0030 to 0045, 5945, "Bold Bible Living" Sundays, 1430 to 1445, 13820, "Banner of Truth" starting 02. January Target Moskau, Russia: Wednesdays, 1630 to 1645, 6015, "A Brighter Day Ministries" starting 05. January 2005 Please feel free to forward this schedule to anyone and DX Clubs whom you like. Any reception report would be highly appreciated. Feel free to send it directly to PAB under: cjung @ panambc.com and under CC to ralf.weyl @ t-systems.com Warm wishes for Christmas and a Happy New Year, Best regards from Juelich, Ralf Weyl, T-Systems, Regional MediaBroadcast Cologne, MediaBroadcast, Address: Merscher Hoehe, 52428 Juelich, Phone: +49 24 61 697-340, Fax: +49 24 61 697-371, Mobile: +49 171 56 13 207, Internet: http://www.t-systems.com When you would like to visit our Internet page with regard to short- wave business please use the following link-address: http://www.t-systems.de/extranet/content_mitte/0,,-887-b-e,00.html (via Kai Ludwig, Alokesh Gupta, Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. Tuning around 4 MHz at 0030 UT on December 18, 2004 I heard English on 4052 kHz. Signal was poor with heavy QRN. Heard children talking and music. At 0034 heard positive ID by male saying "Radio Verdad Guatemala". Program continued with talk alternating between English and Spanish and music. 73, (Kraig Krist, KG4LAC, Annandale, VA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUYANA. 3291.17, GBC, Dec 13, 0958, prayer ending "Answers To Life`s Questions" religious program brought to you by the Central Baptist Church of Georgetown. 1000 time pips, ID into news. Booming signal with +20dB over peaks (Mark Mohrmann, Coventry, Vermont, USA, NRD 535D/MFJ959B, Ground-based Folded "Hairball" I-Beam 280m at 170 degrees, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HAITI. 840, 4VEH, Cap-Haïtien, 12/14 0300 - Heard several religious songs and male announcer over piano music through mostly nulled WHAS and assumed Cuba. Played Greensleeves at 1022; IDed by comparing their audio stream at http://4veh.com/listenlive.asx (Bill Harms, MD, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** INDIA. 5010, AIR Thiruvanathapuram, tentatively them on Dec 16, at 0052-0101, with sub-continental music and talking in vernacular. Weak. The music and language consistent with India. Thanks to Bruce Churchill-CA for the tip (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, NRD545, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Frank Charlie Charlie won't try to gag XM and Sirius http://www.nydailynews.com/news/gossip/story/262536p-224778c.html FCC won't try to gag Air Howard WASHINGTON - Howard Stern is safe in outer space. The Federal Communications Commission rejected a request yesterday to begin imposing decency standards on satellite radio, where Stern is taking his show after being targeted repeatedly by the agency. The decision turns aside a radio station owner's request that broadcast indecency regulations apply to subscription satellite services. Saul Levine, who owns three radio stations in California, asked the commission in October to modify its satellite radio rules to include an indecency provision similar to the one that governs broadcast stations using public airwaves. The agency, in a letter from media bureau chief Kenneth Ferree, declined. "The commission has previously ruled that subscription-based services do not call into play the issue of indecency," Ferree wrote. Stern has been involved in the two biggest radio fines imposed by the agency. That includes a record $1.75 million settlement over the summer (Associated Press via Joel Rubin, Swprograms list, via DXLD) ** IRAN. VOIRI, 7320, Dec 11 *1930-2028* English with NA at sign-on, 1932 Kor`an, 1935 religious messages, 1947 news; VOIRI IDs, 2026 sign- off announcements with sked, address, poor-fair with ham QRM. Much weaker on \\ 11695. V. of Justice, 6120, Dec 11 0138-0228*, tune-in to English world news, IDs. A lot of news and comments about the US occupation of Iraq. Gave Tehran address and e-mail address for reports. Announced sked as 0130- 0230 on 6120 & 9580. Good on 6120 but only an open carrier heard on 9580. Tnx for Rich D`Angelo tip (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I heard an Iranian, supposedly VOIRI on 6120 at 0227 on December 16, ending their English program. It was a rough signal, lots of noise, but clear. Clear IDs for Iran and they also gave their English schedule, which I couldn't copy. My question is "what is the exact name of this?" I've seen some listings as this being "Voice of Justice" instead of VOIRI. I couldn't catch the specific station ID so I don't know how exactly they IDed. But it was heavily anti-American, going off against the "neo-cons in Washington" --- thought I had R. Havana for a minute! But is this "Voice of Justice" or is that just the name of the program? (John Cereghin, Smyrna DE, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Their Website says: It is worth noting that every day a 60-minute package is aired, addressing all truth-seeking Americans. This edition is entitled: "The Voice of Justice". The objective behind this edition is campaign against the US administration's interventionist policies. In this package such issues as "Economic Defficiency [sic] in the US", "The US Adverse Foreign policy" and "The US Strategy in the Middle East" as well as "Media Distortion in the US" and "Social Paralysis in the US" are analyzed. So, it's neither the name of the station nor the name of a program, but the name of a package of programs :-) (Andy Sennitt, ibid.) ** IRAN. (plus CROATIA and CHAD) 6165, 12 Dec, looked for Croatia and (possibly) Chad here, but found VoIRI broadcast in German instead. I guess it started at 1730, but I only tuned in at 1809. Quiet music, talks by M & F alternated, sounded like a radio trip. SINPO 24332, with Croatian Radio deep underneath. Iran's carrier went off at 1829, and since that moment Croatia became the main station in the channel, broadcasting folk music. Chad was not heard at 1830, but later, at 1928, there was a station with French M/F talks on 6165 kHz, under Croatia (Dmitry Mezin, Kazan, Russia, Signal via DXLD) ** IRAQ. Republic of Iraq Radio from Baghdad: 603 kHz, 1425-1440 UT, Dec 9. Iraqi song, ID at 1429 (sounds like that old of "under-Hussain" times), Holy Qur`an. Fairly strong signal signal, co-channel CBC-3 (Cyprus). Backside sync net from Romania was efficiently nulled by K9AY. Tnx Mauno Ritola for hint about this renewal. In previous two days I've checked it at 20-22, 03-05z without success. But on 9 Dec I could trace them all through the evening. ID sounded like "izaatu jumhuriya iraqia min baghdad". (mwdx - Vladimir Titarev, Kremenchuk, Ukraine, via Signal via DXLD) And this station can also be my UNID reported in the last Signal edition. See below. (Ed.) 603, news in Arabic by male at 1907: America, Kofi Annan, Abbas, Palestine... Headlines repeated at 1910. An interesting fact noted: all headlines were separated by 5-second-long pauses. Faded out after 1911; and nothing Arabic heard other days at the same time. Was it Iraqi Radio, or...? (Signal No. 134 - Dmitry Mezin, Kazan, Russia) (Signal Dec 16 via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. Re postponement of Israel Radio SW closure: I had another look at the message I was summarizing, and the date mentioned was 31 March 2005, not 30 March --- neither of which corresponds to the end of the B-04 season, 26 March, FWIW (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Doni Rosenzweig, what do your sources say about this? (gh) ** ITALY. I received both e-mail and snail mail from Mario Ballabio, tech director at Rai, thanking me for my regular reception reports (and I hadn`t sent one in six months), and assuring me that new QSLs were on the way. And he assured me that ``a little gadget`` was being sent. The gadget in question turned out to be a nice letter opener, though an airline ticket to Italy would have been even more welcome (Sue Hickey, NF, CIDX Forum, Dec Messenger via DXLD) ** KASHMIR. INDIA, 4950.0 AIR Srinagar, Dec 16, tuned in at 0106 to hear a very weak station (Angola?) under an open carrier (AIR). *0118 AIR IS, singing, sub-continental music, talking in vernacular, six time clicks and more talking. Weak (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, NRD545, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. 6285.0, VOK, Dec 16, 1008 English programming, good, // 6185, poor with QRM. They have done a good job of adjusting the transmitter to the new frequency schedule (see DXLD 4-185), because on Dec 13 noted them on 6285.43 during the same time period (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, NRD545, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. VOK once again proved its faithfulness by sending me a QSL, several publications and a chatty letter, though for some strange reason, the boys in NK sent it to me in German, so I had to translate it with help from one of my German SW buddies (Sue Hickey, NF, CIDX Forum, Dec Messenger via DXLD) ** LAOS [non]. 15260, Hmong Lao R. via Taiwan, [Wed] Dec 15 *0100-0117 35333-34433 Lao, 0100 sign on with flute's IS. Opening announce. Talk. (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan Premium vai DXLD) ** LUXEMBOURG. Re: Telefunken transmitter deliveries --- This morning I intercepted RTL 1440 with a 2 kHz tone at 0200. At 0205 the signal switched to digital and this went on until 0220, when there was a 5 minute break, apparently without carrier, before the digital signal continued. No RTL ID, but who else could it be? So it seems the new TRAM transmitter is already in place and testing. The worst situation now would be if the owners decide to fill hitherto unused night hours with DRM (Olle Alm, Sweden, Dec 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALI. Aucun signal de RTV Malienne n'est reçu sur 4835 depuis au moins le 10 décembre. Egalement, la fréquence 4783 semble être délaissée au profit de 4787. No signal received from RTV Malienne on 4835 since at least december 10 2004. Also, 4783 had probably moved to 4787. Regards. (Eric Cordier, France, http://radioafrique.site.voila.fr Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ORTM Bamako has moved back from 4786.9 kHz to a4783 kHz. Logged yesterday December 16 on 4782.9 kHz and on 5995 kHz. 4835 kHz keeps silent (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, Dec 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO [and non]. The following was in today's Daily Digest. There are a few other requests, one for an FM station, and another for a station on 620. However, I thought it was interesting that a US company is providing programming to a Mexican station on 1700. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-255320A1.pdf (Frederick Vobbe, NRC-AM via DXLD) This is one of the Jaime Bonilla operations. There's been a big controversy over this. I find it interesting that they have granted this permit, right on the heels of of the NAL that they issued back in July: http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2004/DA-04-2259A1.html (Brian Leyton, Valley Village, CA, DX-398 / RS Loop / 18" Box Loop, ibid.) I see that the FCC thinks the station is still XEKTT. They have been IDing as XEPE since moving to 1700 (from 560, 550 and 1600...) (Mike Westfall, Lost Almost NM, ibid.) ** MONGOLIA. VOM tentative A05 270305 to 301005, all 1234567: kHz UTC CIRAF SITE kW Azi S Ant Lang Adm Brc Fmo 12085 0830 0900 44,45 U-B 250 126 0 216 japanese MNG MRT MRT 0 12085 0900 0930 44,45 U-B 250 126 0 216 mongolian MNG MRT MRT 0 12085 0930 1000 44,45 U-B 250 126 0 216 chinese MNG MRT MRT 0 12085 1000 1030 43,44,49,50 U-B 250 178 0 216 english MNG MRT MRT 0 12085 1030 1100 43,44 U-B 100 178 0 216 mongolian MNG MRT MRT 0 12085 1130 1200 43,44 U-B 100 178 0 216 chinese MNG MRT MRT 0 12085 1200 1230 44,45 U-B 100 126 0 216 japanese MNG MRT MRT 0 12015 1500 1530 31,32 U-B 50 315 0 882 english MNG MRT MRT 0 12015 1330 1400 31,32 U-B 50 315 0 882 russian MNG MRT MRT 0 12015 2000 2030 31,32 U-B 50 315 0 882 english MNG MRT MRT 0 4830 2200 1600 32 U-B 10 0 0 925 mongolian MNG MRT MRT 0 4895 2200 1600 32 U-B 10 0 0 925 mongolian MNG MRT MRT 0 7260 2200 1600 32 U-B 50 0 0 926 mongolian MNG MRT MRT 0 (via Swopan Chakroborty, DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. Información publicada en la nueva página de Radio Nederland: http://www2.rnw.nl/rnw/es/programas/RadioEnlace Los visitantes a nuestra página web habrán visto, que la información de Radio Enlace y La Fonoteca no se encontraba al día. Ofrecemos excusas a quienes han acudido a esas páginas en busca de información y no la han encontrado. La principal razón ha sido la montaña de trabajo que ha tenido nuestro pequeño departamento de Internet, que ha estado renovando todo nuestro portal. La inauguración del nuevo portal de Radio Nederland en español ha sido el pasado miércoles 15 de diciembre y aprovechamos la oportunidad para felicitar a nuestros colegas Raúl López, María Vaquero y Heleen Wagtman, por tan memorable acontecimiento y esperamos que su esfuerzo sea recompensado con muchos visitantes a nuestras páginas. Muy atentamente 73's (via José Bueno - Córdoba, España, Noticias DX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) On the final Radio Enlace of 2004, no. 50, on Dec 17-19, there is a bumper crop of DX news from gh and GIB, but no texts on the website (gh) ** NETHERLANDS. On 19 December, it is exactly 100 years since the Dutch Coastal Station PCH, Scheveningen Radio, was founded. The station closed on 31 December 1998, but on 18 and 19 December the 100th anniversary is being commemorated with special event station PC100H. Look for the station on all HF bands from 160 to 10 metres CW and SSB, except 10 MHz, which will use CW and RTTY or PSK31. An operating schedule will be published on the Internet. Further information can be obtained from Hans, PA1HR, by e-mail: hans @ remeeus.nl (RSGB via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Detailed schedule: http://www.remeeus.nl/pch/pc100h_uk.htm (via Mike Terry, ibid.) ** NIGERIA. V. of Nigeria, 9690, Dec 11 1925-2100*, tune-in to English programing with local pop music, IDs. 2000 news magazine about Nigerian culture and politics. Usual strong carrier but poor modulation (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. KGND 107.5 Ketchum [near Tulsa] is to be KOSN, classical, acquired by non-commercial KOSU 91.7 Stillwater as a relay (Dec FMedia! via DXLD) But when? ** PERU. R. La Hora, Cusco, 4855.84v, Dec 11 1010-1030+ OA folk music, ID, Spanish talk. Drifting up to 4855.86 by 1030; fair. R. Altura, 5014.6, Dec 11 1019-1050+ Spanish talk, ID, campo music, TCs, adstring and jingles; fair-good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 3234.88, Radio Luz y Sonido, Dec 13, 0950, announcer with ID in passing into Andean vocal, fair signal (Mark Mohrmann, Coventry, Vermont, USA, NRD 535D/MFJ959B, Ground-based Folded "Hairball" I-Beam 280m at 170 degrees, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES [and non]. Philippines TV DX from Eastern Australia Hi Glen[n], An incredible Band I opening to the Philippines reached Ch A5 (77.25 MHz) from here on the East Coast of Australia (Bombala NSW). Best ever opening for me. Not sure of distance but around 4000+km. My guess this was multi hop E-Skip. Signals lasted about 1/2 hour. Ch A2 was then swallowed by Palmerston North NZ also on 55.25 (single hop E- Skip). 55.25 Ch A2 at S4 dB strength (Fluttery) 61.25 in FM mode (multiple carriers noted) 77.25 in FM mode No sign of Ch A6 unfortunately. Did note 48.24 Malaysia. 18:30 AEDST (0730 UT) on 18 Dec 2004 (Geoff Wolfe - Bombala NSW (around 200 km south of Canberra ACT) - Icom R-7100 - FM yagi antenna, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nice; were you able to see any video? (gh, DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. R. Portugal International not only forwarded a QSL but a T-shirt and other treats, all bearing their new logo, which seems to indicate the station`s (and of course the government, as I assume it`s a state broadcaster) willingness to reach out to and expand its listener base (Sue Hickey, NF, CIDX Forum, Dec Messenger via DXLD) ** ROMANIA [and non]. Just heard the final part of R. Romania Int`l French Service on 7100 kHz. Tuned in at 0618, went off at 0626, after reading of schedule, playing some music and adding a couple of IS. SINPO 34433. Radio amateurs usually consider operation of high-power transmitters on this border frequency as intrusion. And I recall that at the very start of this season, RRI already used 7100 kHz for Russian broadcast at 1600-1700, but then was persuaded to leave it. There is no mention of 7100 kHz in schedule at http://www.rri.ro though. 73! (Dmitry Mezin, Kazan, Russia, Dec 16, HCDX via DXLD) Today 7100 kHz was empty at 0600-0630, while RRI's French Service operated 7160 and 7180 kHz, i.e. in full accordance with the schedule. Yesterday's transmission on 7100 kHz might probably be their tuning error. 73, (Dmitry Mezin, Dec 17, ibid.) I guess that was a single keyboard slip of the local technician, instead of 7180 kHz usage. Use of 7100 kHz by RRI Russian service lasted only few days at season start week. Then yours truly informed the German and IARU Ham radio Intruder Watch, German Telecom RegTP, and various guys of the Frequency Management front in Romania at RRI/RRO organizations via their known e-mail addresses. Then Director Adrian Diacnescu answered apologies on a very friendly letter (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) Broadcasters using frequencies like this are some kind of a problem for hams, not forgetting that the amateur band on 40 metres is slowly expanding to 7200 kHz, in U.K. this year, in many countries in the coming years. North America has the same problem on 80-75 metre band as their 3500 kHz ham band is wider there. The broadcasting bandwidth is usually more or less 10 kHz and therefore this "border" frequency, 7100 (future 7200) kHz, should be totally "silenced". 7100 kHz minus 5 kHz definitely makes splashes to ham LSB reception on, say, 7097 kHz. 73's, (Matti Ponkamo, Naantali, Finland, OH1GPU, ibid.) More Countries Gain Access to Extended 40m Band in January Chairman of the RSGB Spectrum Forum, Colin Thomas, G3PSM, reports that Denmark has published a plan to allow amateur radio in the band 7100 - 7200 kHz from 1 January 2005. The Polish regulatory authority has agreed that the band 7100-7200 kHz is to become available to Polish amateurs on a secondary basis, effective with the date of bringing into force the new National Frequency Allocation Table, the publication of which is expected in January. Other countries where IARU member societies have approached their authorities for early access to the extended band include Belgium, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands (RSGB via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** RWANDA. R. Rwanda, 6055, Dec 11 2019-2100* heard after Turkey signs off at 2019. Variety of Afro-pops, French pops and some US country music. French talk, IDs; fair-good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN. I was checking some of the MW frequencies today 16/12/04 and I got Sudan on 783 around 0320 UT with some Sudanese music; around 0325 the IS of R. Damascus gave me some hard time as I wanted to ID that Sudanese station. 0330 I could hear Sudan reading the news after time pips; when Syria started having the Qur`an recitation I managed to get the ID of the Sudanese station. It was as follows: "Huna Atbara, Idhaat welayat wady al Neel" - ( this is Atbara, the Radio station of the Nile valley state). They had the news for about 15 minutes. I managed to get the ID twice :) first time to hear the ID on that frequency as it's listed as the white Nile radio on WRTH 2004. All the best guys, yours (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE. Hello, Kraig! Radio Ukraine's change of frequencies from December 22: 0000-0500 (to the East of North America) 7440 replaced by 5910 (caused by unstable propagation near by MUF = 8 MHz); 0900-1400 (to Western Europe) 15620 replaced by 15675 (caused by QRM from 15615 "Voice of America"; 1800-2200 (to Western Europe) 7555 replaced by 5840 (caused by QRM from 7557 utility station and 7550 "Radio Farda"). (Alexander Yegorov, Kiev, Ukraine, WWDXC Top News, December 17, egorov @ nrcu.gov.ua Dec 17, via Kraig Krist, DXLD) So RUI is changing all its frequencies concerning English at 1200, 0100 and 0400 (gh, DXLD) ** UKRAINE. Radiokanal Sodrurzhestvo on 972 kHz --- December 15 I heard a Russian radio station Radiokanal Sodrurzhestvo on 972 kHz at 1430 UT broadcasting from the Ukraine. Under normal conditions the dominating station on this frequency is NDR Info from Hamburg. I sent an inquiry on Radiokanal to my Ukrainian friend Vlad Titarev. I´m referring Vlad. "Kanal Sodrurzhestvo... i.e. branch of VOR intended to CIS. Sodrurzhestvo = Commonwealth. The transmitter is RTT´s (Ukrainian telecom org holding ALL government facilities on HF/AM/FM)...transmitter is in Kopani (300 km south of Kremenchuk) i.e. near Mykolayiev city. To stay strictly AM part of this site is known as Lutch, HF part, Kopani. Those are nearby villages". 73´s to all and TNX Vlad! (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku FINLAND, Dec 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC Radio 3, Sunday, December 19, 2004: Andrew McGregor introduces the annual international celebration from the European Broadcasting Union, with Christmas music from eight countries across Europe and North America. 1200 Christmas across Europe and Beyond --- USA The twelve men of Chanticleer, one of America's premiere vocal ensembles, present a programme of everything from Renaissance Christmas hymns to Music Director Joseph Jennings' own close-harmony arrangements of holiday classics, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. 1300 Christmas across Europe and Beyond --- Latvia The Kamer Youth Choir and Riga Chamber Ensemble perform Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols alongside a piece by contemporary Latvian composer Rihards Dubra - Cantata in Nativitati Domini. 1400 Christmas across Europe and Beyond --- Sweden Traditional carols are preceded by a Christmas oratorio (The Holy Night) by Hilding Rosenberg (for narrator, soloists, chorus and orchestra), written in 1936 and part of the tradition for Swedish radio listeners ever since. Mats Rondin conducts the Swedish Radio Chorus and Symphony Orchestra. 1500 Christmas across Europe and Beyond --- Czech Republic From St Anthony's Church, Hradic Králové, the Boni Pueri Ensemble perform the Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré, as well as music by Saint-Saëns, and Petr Eben interspersed with organ improvisations by Jaroslav Tuma. 1600 Christmas across Europe and Beyond --- Canada A rare chance to hear a selection of works by the prolific 18th Century composer Christoph Graupner (a contemporary of J.S.Bach) performed by the ensemble Les Idées heureuses and the Montreal Early Music Studio Choir [at the Pierre Mercure Hall, Montreal.] 1700 Christmas across Europe and Beyond --- Bulgaria The Bulgarian National Radio Men's chorus perform Orthodox music from the rich tradition of the Bulgarian church, interspersed with seasonal folk music. 1800 Christmas across Europe and Beyond --- Belgium Zefiro Torna, directed by Jurgen De Bruyn, perform a selection of Medieval and Renaissance carols, and colourful Christmas songs rooted in folk traditions from Flanders, Catalonia, Spain and Provence. 1900 Christmas across Europe and Beyond --- Germany This special day of Christmas music ends with a concert featuring many traditional favourites, including Poulenc's Four Christmas Motets, excerpts from Rossini's Péchés De Vieillesse, and many carols including, of course, Franz Gruber's Silent Night. Michael Gläser conducts the Bavarian Radio Chorus from St Joseph's Church in Munich. (BBC Radio 3 previews via gh, DXLD) See also CANADA: CBC Radio 2 does something similar on same date, but segments do not match up (gh) ** U K. Biography: John Peel REVIEWED BY CLIVE SELWOOD Clive Selwood reviews the two Bios JOHN PEEL, by Mick Wall, Orion £14.99 pp231; JOHN PEEL: A Life in Music, by Michael Heatley, Michael O'Mara £14.99 pp224 Since John Peel's life was such an open book, the motivation behind rushing two unauthorised biographies into print so soon after his death is open to question. Perhaps hundreds of potential readers are eager for inside stories and scandalous revelations. In that respect, these books may disappoint. Mick Wall's book is an earnest, affectionate trawl through the archives with comments from some of the thousands whose lives Peel touched. Somewhat one-dimensional, it comes alive when quoting Peel's writing. The description of a Pretenders audience "amusing themselves by punching balloons about in a thoughtful manner, while otherwise behaving as though attending a lecture on the inland waterways of Holland" is pure, unfiltered Peel. Errors abound, but the picture emerges of a decent family man in love with his music. Michael Heatley's book, on the other hand, is, quite simply, stunning. . . http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2102-1392808,00.html (via Tom Roche, DXLD) ** U S A. JOHN HUGHES: USIA'S PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE MESSAGE NEEDED The Christian Science Monitor Last Updated: December 14, 2004, 05:43:00 PM PST http://www.modbee.com/24hour/opinions/story/1927192p-9886042c.html SALT LAKE CITY (CSM) - After a tough political battle, the U.S. government is going to restructure its intelligence-gathering capabilities. What should come next is a tough battle to reorganize its information- disseminating capabilities to the rest of the world. The present system is dysfunctional at the very time when the U.S. is engaged in a war with international terrorism for the hearts and minds of undecided millions. For years, telling America's story abroad was the mission of the U.S. Information Agency (USIA). It was at its zenith during the cold war, when the U.S. and the Soviet Union confronted each other. As the Soviets poured out disinformation and clamped censorship upon its satellites, the U.S. used a wide range of media instruments, including powerful shortwave radio transmitters, to rebut Soviet propaganda and convey factual information behind the Iron Curtain and throughout the world. As the cold war wound down, funding evaporated and by 1999, the USIA was dismantled; its slender remnants shuffled off to the State Department. Now, USIA needs to be reconstituted or replicated. Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaida leaders broadcast their distorted messages of hostility toward the U.S. over Al Jazeera and other media outlets throughout the Arab world. "Insurgents" in Iraq - the murderers who are campaigning against freedom - are masters of both the suicide bomb and the Internet. While the Voice of America and other government radio programs still operate, they're underfunded, and many other former USIA programs have been abandoned. Public diplomacy, the art of explaining America and its policies to the masses abroad, plays second fiddle to traditional, government-to-government diplomacy. Able though U.S. ambassadors and foreign-service officers may be, public diplomacy requires communications experts who have a passion for broadcasting America's message in clear terms, and who report to an entity whose sole responsibility is sculpting that message. The theme is basic, underlining the benefits of freedom and economic prosperity that America exemplifies. (There is a debate in Washington over which comes first, but actually they buttress each other). Aside from the technology, what has been lost with the demise of USIA are programs that required people-to-people diplomacy. Seasoned USIA public-affairs officers in foreign capitals were on a first-name basis with leading local newspaper editors, columnists, and TV news directors. With that access, they could flow in rebutting, or amplifying, facts and arrange interviews or air time for visiting senior U.S. officials. The USIA libraries those officers supervised were crammed with students studying American books and films and videos. Rising political and other leaders identified by USIA officers were sent on exchange programs to make their minds up about the U.S. firsthand. A steady stream of students to the U.S. was encouraged, along with a return flow of American artists, musicians, journalists, and scientists to lecture or display their skills. The conventional wisdom is that it would be politically tough to recreate USIA and its lost programs. It was politically tough to reconstruct the U.S. intelligence-gathering apparatus, but it is being done because the times urgently require it. The times urgently require that the U.S. persuasively communicate its policies and ideals not only to doubters today, but to the next generation of Islamic extremists who must choose between the negativism of terror and the hope of democracy. Different targeted audiences may require different nuances. Iran and Ukraine, where there is much pro-American feeling among the young, may warrant a different kind of programming from North Korea or the more militant lands of the Arab world. The U.S. message must be conveyed to friendly countries as well. "Old Europe" needs to hear the American message as loudly as "New Europe." Latin America, Asia and Africa must also hear it. Government could get a significant assist from the private sector. There are international airlines with seats to donate for exchange programs; computer companies with outdated models that would bring impoverished third-world students into the 21st century. Though the 9/11 commission focused primarily on restructuring the intelligence community, it warned that the U.S. needs a vastly accelerated information program abroad to stop the "next generation of terrorists." It's a warning worth heeding. John Hughes, a former editor of the Monitor, was associate director of USIA in the Reagan administration (Modesto Bee via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. I may be more sensitive to this than most, but some stations playing back World of Radio tapes speed them up slightly. This results in raising the pitch of my voice, and making me seem to speak even more briskly than I really do. I wish they would not do this. WOR normally times at 28:43, which should allow enough time for whatever breaks between programs may be required. In some cases this may be deliberate to gain a little time for other purposes; in others it may simply be a mismatch between the recording speed and the playback speed. Those directly playing a real audio file should not be subject to this. Latest instance is WWCR, Thu at 2130 on 9985, which I noticed was over in less than 28 minutes. This has also happened on WRMI, I was told because someone forgot to reset the playback to normal speed (Glenn Hauser, OK, Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WMLK, 9265.05, Dec 9 *1601-1615+, Sign-on with ID, address, ``Sacred Name`` religious program with Elder Jacob O Meyer. Still slightly off frequency with the usual strong carrier and weak modulation (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WWRB is testing their new transmitter on 3185 kHz at 0300. No mention of this frequency on their website but the ID at 0300 did mention this as a test transmission. Not sure about the schedule on this transmitter. 3185 is mentioned on their website as Global 4, a "new frequency" but was announced as "testing" at 0300 ID (John Cereghin, Smyrna DE, UT Dec 18, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3185 has been on since about Oct 12, tho maybe not continuously. See DXLD 4-154, 4-156, 4-158... (Glenn, ibid.) BTW, WWRB is in Manchester, Tennessee, not Georgia, and not McCaysville GA either. Not by John, but I keep seeing this station misplaced in various DX reports (gh, DXLD) Mr. Franz is still calling it a test after over 2 months. Sounds about the same as his other transmitters to me. :) (John Cereghin, ibid.) ** U S A. 4050, KWMO Washington MO; 3 x 1350, 1055 12/5 C&W music, "AM 13-50--- O Washington", AP network news, "New home of Super-hit country, KW--" (Larry Russell, MI, DXPedition, MARE Tipsheet via DXLD) ** U S A. A personal selection of some holiday (mostly) music specials UT Sun-Mon Dec 19-20, on webcasting public radio stations; short titles only, dates and times here strictly UT: UT Sun Dec 19 0200-0400 KBAQ Boston Holiday Pops 0300- WUOT UT Concert Hall – choirs, world mx 0400-0600 WPLN Sonic Seasonings 1700-1900 KUNI Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony pops 1700- KVLU Empire Brass 1700- WNYC-FM Jonathan Schwartz Xmas special 1800- WHYY Car Talk Xmas Carol 1800-1900 NWPR Xmas at El Pardo, Spain [Washington/Idaho] 2100-2300 KNAU Boston Holiday Pops UT Mon Dec 20 0000- WKSU God on Our Side – origins of hate 0000- WBEZ Pleasures of Winter 0000- WBOI Conexxion Latina 0000- WMUB Sonic Seasonings 0200- WKSU Pleasures of Winter 0300- MPBN Pipedreams – American Organists` Xmas [Maine] 0300- WKSU Helicon Solstice 0300-0500 KNAU Sonic Seasonings 0400-0600 WHYY Paul Winter Solstice Celebration More detailed listings and listening links accessible via http://www.worldofradio.com/calendar.html#advance 73, (Glenn Hauser, Dec 17, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U S A. CBS News --- By Joe Hagan ``My advice to CBS News,`` said Larry Gelbart, the TV writer, playwright and comedy master behind the classic CBS program M*A*S*H: ``Shut down.`` Here, finally, was an idea for CBS president and chief executive Leslie Moonves, from the man who once wrote about sardonic, wisecracking M.D.`s trying to stanch the bleeding and bring sanity to an insane world. ``Opinion having superseded the factual,`` Mr. Gelbart said, ``there is really no reason for CBS to offer yet another half-hour to an audience conditioned to the new punditocracy.`` Put the old mare down, he advised, ``if only to give Mr. Murrow a rest from all that spinning he must be doing these days.`` . . . http://www.observer.com/pages/frontpage5m.asp (via Tom Roche, DXLD) Later this piece will be moved to the Hagan archives at NY Observer (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. CBS NEWS REPORTER TOM FENTON RETIRES The well-respected news journalist retires this week after 34 years with the network. Best known as CBS News' foreign correspondent, Fenton began his career with a world exclusive interview with American hostages taken by the PLO in that group's first hijacking in 1970. He went on to cover virtually every major news event that took place in Europe, the Middle East, Russia and Africa over the next three decades. Following his retirement from the broadcast airwaves this week, Fenton will continue to pen his weekly column on current affairs for CBSNews.com (Radioandrecords.com via Brock Whaley, DXLD) Dan Rather also gave him a nice tribute and implied he would be doing other things --- maybe some other network? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. http://www.michimedia.net is a web site packed with a detailed database and technical information on radio & TV stations in MI, Northwest OH and Southwest ON. Perhaps some MARE members will want to subscribe to the daily or weekly MichinetMedia.net mailing list (Tom Schoen, MARE Tipsheet via DXLD) ** U S A. Fred Baumgartner, engineer, again petitions the FCC to allow for low power AM, 100 watts between 1610-1700 kHz. He pointed out that the FCC wanted only LPFM, but fewer frequencies became available than earlier expected. Thus the need for LPAM, and it`s been a year since he submitted his original request (Dec FMedia! via DXLD) ** U S A. Radio reaches out --- Charter announces end of daily news segments; WHKY boosts signal. BY ANDREW MACKIE, RECORD STAFF WRITER, Wednesday, December 15, 2004 HICKORY [North Carolina] --- One local media outlet broadened its scope, while another will soon alter its programming. Radio station WHKY-AM 1290 boosted its signal to 50,000 watts last week. The move allows the Hickory station to be heard in Asheville, Boone, Charlotte and the Greenville-Spartanburg, S.C., region. The wattage is the maximum signal for AM radio stations. The station had operated at 5,000 watts, reaching only the four-county Hickory metro area. ``The opportunity came along, given the potential growth of local AM radio,`` said Jeff Long, station manager.. . http://www.hickoryrecord.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=HDR/MGArticle/HDR_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031779688832&path=&tacodalogin=no (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) But what direxionality did they have to implement to raise power to nominal 50 kW on a regional channel? Why didn`t the writer raise this very important question? (gh) ** U S A. FYI the 1580 in Ft. Lauderdale is toast. Presently running on a STA [special temporary authority] with 270 watts off the 1400 WFLL tower. Lease ran out on their site and all seven towers are gone. Good luck finding that much real estate in Broward county to recreate that array again (Jerry Kiefer, Port Orange, FL, NRC-AM via DXLD) Jerry, You have got to be kidding! WSRF was a mainstay of Broward Radio back in the early 70's to the middle 80's. The tower array was in the middle of a trailer park as far back as the 70's. It figures this land would become valuable. It is sad to see it go. So long Surf 16, WSRF. Come to think of it, it was gone a long time ago. Back in the early 80's, it was a cool station to listen to even though most of the rest of the class of '82 at my school, Miami Norland was listening to FM (Juan Gualda, Ft. Pierce, FL, NRC-AM via DXLD) Wow, interesting news concerning WSRF, "Mystic 15-80" Fort Lauderdale, FL. I have a friend, Meyer Gottesman, who was CE there along with WHYI, Y-100FM. Already had Mystic 1580 Stock Aircheck footage on tape. Now, I don't know about the availability of land, but this would be a good opportunity to step back farther westerly and use the same pattern --- but the cost of land. Oye. And 1570 in Okeechobee, FL and 1590 in Riviera Beach, FL 1580 is a Canadian and CUBAN clear. Doesn't look like a pretty picture. What a shame. The programming I last heard seemed to serve the local Caribbean national community pretty well. To me it was a bit charming to listen to also. 1580 WNTF Bithlo, they sure seem to have a spotty broadcast record, based solely on my casual observations in the past year. And Chattahoochie, FL's 1580 is slient? My, I need to get back to the dials. Now that I'm unemployed, I've got more opportunities (Ron Gitschier, Palm Coast, FL, ibid.) ** U S A. Re KTNS-1060 DX test Dec 21/22 from California: Rules on DX Test transmissions --- I need a quick answer from someone who knows more about this than I... Under FCC rules, is it permissible for a station to conduct transmitter testing at full daytime power/pattern prior to Midnight local time? For instance, could a DX test begin at 11 PM local? It would help if someone could cite "chapter and verse" as I have a very concerned CE on my hands (Les Rayburn, Birmingham, AL, NRC-AM via DXLD) Les, Daytime operation for testing may only be done after midnight, according to FCC Rules. Of course, if you want to test on nighttime power/antenna, it can be cone before midnight. 73, Rene' F. Tetro, Chief Engineer, WNTP - 990 kHz / WFIL - 560 kHz, PA, ibid.) Short answer, no. The Experimental Period is from midnight to dawn, or 6 am. Use of day facilities between local sunset and midnight isn't allowed, despite numerous Special Temporary Football Authorizations. (Craig Healy, Providence, RI, ibid.) I had asked the KTNS CE if he really meant to start at 11 pm PST (gh) ** U S A. JPR tower appeal denied [California] --- The Mount Shasta city council voted 5-0 December 13th to deny an appeal filed by Jefferson Public Radio to move their 283 foot AM tower. JPR had been denied permission to move the tower by the planning commission last month. The tower is currently located across the street from Sisson School and JPR requested a move to the west side of Interstate 5 near Lassen Lane. For more of this story, click on or type the URL below: http://www.mtshastanews.com/articles/2004/12/15/news/03jprdenied.txt (via Ken Kopp, DXLD) ** U S A. LIBERAL RADIO JOINS THE BRAY By Mark Rahner, Seattle Times staff reporter We had the WTO riots. We've got Jim McDermott. A city council more concerned than average with the well-being of circus animals. Eddie Vedder. Yet talk radio in the liberal Puget Sound region, as in most of the country, is dominated by Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, John Carlson, Michael Medved and other conservatives. That could be changing, however, as New York-based left-leaning Air America, heard here since late October on KPTK-AM (1090), is finally establishing a beachhead in Seattle and elsewhere . . . http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2002120799_liberalradio16.html (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. LIBERAL VOICES TO HIT CHARLESTON [SC] AM AIRWAVES Story last updated at 8:14 a.m. Thursday, December 16, 2004 BY PRENTISS FINDLAY Of The Post and Courier Staff Liberal talk radio debuts in Charleston today when Clear Channel Radio launches WSSP Progressive Talk Radio 730-AM featuring the likes of Al Franken, who last fall released his book, "Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look At The Right." GREGORY BULL/AP Radio talk show host Al Franken listens to a guest in his studio during an Air America broadcast in New York. Franken's radio show airs in Charleston on WSSP 730-AM today. The Al Franken Show airs on WSSP from noon to 3 p.m., the same time slot as Rush Limbaugh on conservative talk station WSC [sic] 94.3-FM. Franken, a former "Saturday Night Live" writer and performer, penned the 1996 book "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot." "That is going to be a great battle. You look at the ratings. Rush is just the granddaddy of Charleston. He does so incredibly well here, and it will be very interesting to see how they will match up. It's a good heavyweight battle," said Richard Bachschmidt, program director for 94.3 FM and 730-AM. Many of the programs on 730-AM will come from the Air America Radio Network, which began broadcasting March 31. The goal of the network is to serve as a liberal alternative to what the network perceives as the domination of right-wing voices on talk radio. Clear Channel owns both 94.3-FM and 730-AM. More than one-third of Air America affiliates are owned by Clear Channel, according to Air America. "If you want conservative talk, there are stations up and down the dial. If you want a different point of view, this is going to be your place to get it other than National Public Radio," Bachschmidt said. Charleston is the first place in South Carolina where the Air America Network has launched its programs. The network has affiliates in Chapel Hill, N.C., and Fairview, N.C. It has 40 affiliates nationwide ranging from Key West to Hawai`i to Boston. "I think we're going to hit a very large target. Just by talking to people in the street, there are a lot of people who are craving this kind of talk," Bachschmidt said. Conservative talk radio, including Limbaugh and Dan Moon, was broadcast on 730-AM until August, when Clear Channel switched the format to 94.3-FM, which had been a rap station. Clear Channel had simulcast conservative talk radio on 730-AM and 94.3-FM. During the day, 730-AM will have 5,000 watts of power. Federal regulations governing AM stations require 730-AM to power down to about 100 watts at night because the AM signal travels much farther after sunset and can interfere with radio programming in other cities. WSSP will be heard as far away as Savannah. The 730-AM lineup begins at 6 a.m. today with "Morning Sedition," featuring Marc Maron and Mark Riley. The station said "Morning Sedition" is a fast-paced show combining wit, political satire, news, interviews, analysis and opinion. At 9 a.m., 730-AM offers Stephanie Miller, host of the Oxygen Channel's "I've Got a Secret." Her show features topical and lifestyle issues and comedy parodies of the news. The Ed Schultz Show airs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Schultz is billed as the No. 1 talent in the heartland states. He offers news, politics and sports with an everyman appeal. The Randi Rhodes Show from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. features the wisecracking Brooklyn native and female talk radio pioneer. The Lionel Show from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. offers a former lawyer and host of "Snap Judgment" on Court TV, who is described as topical, dynamic and funny (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. MOYERS LEAVES A PUBLIC AFFAIRS PULPIT WITH SERMONS TO SPARE December 17, 2004 By DAVID CARR Bill Moyers, a preacher turned journalist who accrued 30 Emmys, has veered back to the pulpit in announcing his retirement from "Now With Bill Moyers," a PBS weekly newsmagazine for which he has been the host for three years. His final broadcast tonight marks a 33-year run on public television that has brought awards, attacks and almost uncountable stories. The gospel of Mr. Moyers - an unreconstructed progressive - warns against the danger of media consolidation, the growing links between conservative government and conservative media and the threat of information control by government. Anybody who has paid attention to Mr. Moyers's 54-year career in journalism would not be surprised by his jeremiad. He is a rigorous journalist, one whose documentaries and television news reports always point to the facts, but when he makes up his mind, he lands hard on his conclusions. And among other epiphanies, Mr. Moyers has decided that the current administration in the White House represents a threat to free and unfettered discourse. . . http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/17/arts/television/17moye.html?ex=1104292536&ei=1&en=276dc9df099d72a7 (via Richard Cuff, swprograms via DXLD) ** U S A. Goodbye to more local radio news http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/sports/2951769 KILT lays off longtime radio icon --- Carola continues as PA announcer for Texans games By DAVID BARRON Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle Dec. 16, 2004, 11:22PM Veteran Houston newsmen Jim Carola, a familiar voice to Houston sports fans for four decades, and Pat Hernandez were laid off Wednesday night by KILT radio as part of planned cutbacks in the station's news operation. Carola, 63, who had worked at KILT since its heyday as the Houston outpost of Gordon McLendon's radio empire, said he and Hernandez were told that KILT-FM (100.3 FM) will drop afternoon newscasts in an effort to improve its standing in the competitive Houston radio market. "The ratings have not been good, and we were the last, as far as I know, full-service news department at a music station in Houston," Carola said. Carola, KILT's news director, said he and Hernandez, who was city editor and public affairs editor for KILT-FM and AM (610 AM), received the news from station manager Laura Morris and KILT-FM program director Jeff Garrison. "It's the hardest thing a manager has to do, especially with talented, loyal and dedicated employees who have done a terrific job," Morris said. "But it's the changing face of our business, and it was no longer the best choice for KILT (FM) to have a full-time news department with newscasts throughout the day." Carola joined KILT in 1964, when he was a junior at the University of Houston, and became news director in 1970. He was public-address announcer for Super Bowl VIII at Rice Stadium and filled the same role at Oilers games for 28 years, missing only one game in 1987 after an appendectomy. He currently is PA announcer for Texans games at Reliant Stadium. "I'll bet if you go in the Astrodome today, you can still hear Jim Carola's voice," said CBS Sports announcer Jim Nantz, who has known Carola since his days as a UH student. Despite the timing of the layoffs, Carola said he holds no hard feelings. "I'm thankful for the 30 years I had at the station. It was a good ride," he said (via Brock Whaley, DXLD) ** URUGUAY. CXA4, SODRE, 6125, Nov 9 [correct] at 0207 in Spanish, man and woman with news, then two men with interview broken at 0214 by a simple ``Radio Educativa`` ID and brief promo; 0224 woman with news headlines, brief snippets of music between items; 0228 male vocal with guitar accompaniment, 0230 time pips over music, 0233 man with ``Radio Educativa, SODRE`` spoken as a word; poor. This is a relay of CX38 1290 kHz. At between 150 and 200 watts, it`s another example of the crazy auroral propagation we`re experiencing (Mark A Coady, Bridgenorth ON, Dec ODXA Listening In via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. ¿Significará esta noticia planes propios de onda corta para RNV en 2005? Sobre el proyecto Telesur, hay más en http://www.sbid.org/breve.php3?id_breve=1489 (nota de set 2004, donde por ejemplo se dice: "vamos a crear Telesur que será el canal de los países de América Latina hacia el mundo. En ese esfuerzo están involucrados los canales públicos de Argentina, Venezolana de Televisión, y los canales de televisión pública del Brasil, señaló el ministro Andrés Izarra. Interesante lo del circuito YVKE Mundial, tambien. 73 HAN (Horadio A. Nigro, Uruguay, DX LISTENING DIGEST) VENPRES SE LLAMARÁ AGENCIA BOLIVARIANA DE NOTICIAS El viceministro de Información y Comunicación, William Castillo, desde la Vicepresidencia de la República, anunció los proyectos para 2005 entre los que destaca el surgimiento de "la onda corta, la señal internacional propia de Radio Nacional de Venezuela, el desarrollo de la Escuela Popular Latinoamericana de Vive TV, el nacimiento de la Agencia Bolivariana de Noticias", en sustitución de Venpres, que tendrá un carácter latinoamericano y bolivariano". También agregó que se "procederá al saneamiento y recuperación del circuito YVKE Mundial para incluirlo como medio oficial. Igualmente se conformará el proyecto bolivariano Simón Rodríguez". En el plano internacional, Castillo informó que se le planteó al vicepresidente el proyecto de Telesur, que pretende instituir una emisora de contenido latinoamericano, que sirva a los propósitos de integración cultural y sirva de defensa de la imagen de Venezuela en el mundo". Mencionó el funcionario gubernamental que "en suma estamos planteando un conjunto de medidas para el desarrollo de instituciones, de nuevos mecanismos que nos obliga la ley. Como ejemplo tenemos comisiones de Radio y TV, el Registro de Productores Independientes, el Fondo de financiamiento de Productores Independientes". "Pensamos que con esto estamos dando un paso significativo en el desarrollo de una estrategia que tiende a la democratización, a la participación de los usuarios y al desarrollo de la industria audiovisual independiente en la creación de un nuevo orden comunicacional en Venezuela", aseveró. Con respecto al financiamiento a pequeñas cooperativas de producción, indicó que está en discusión un monto de "50 millardos de bolívares que aportaría el Bandes bajo las mismas condiciones de facilidad crediticia, pues el fin es impulsar esta industria. También se habla de una metodología tipo FIDES para que todo los proyectos entren bajo una misma técnica". (de http://www.unionradio.net/Noticias/Noticia.aspx?noticiaid=127327 dic 15 via Nigro, DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. The Voice, 4965, Dec 9 0340-0404* Contemporary Christian music, English inspirational message. Many ``The Voice`` IDs. E-mail and P-mail addresses in England for reports; fair-good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE. ZBC, 3306, presumed, Dec 9, 0320-0340+ local Afro-pop music, vernacular talk. Poor in ute QRM, best in ECSS-LSB (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 2200.32, Dominican Republic?, Dec 16, 1014, Bachata vocal mixing with but just above tentative HJMK harmonic, q.v. (Mark Mohrmann, Coventry, Vermont, USA, NRD 535D/MFJ959B, Ground-based Folded "Hairball" I-Beam 280m at 170 degrees, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 2239.99, LA Harmonic?, Dec 13, 1028-1045, announcer with Spanish talk and time checks, 1030 canned ad, followed by accordion based campo vocal, seemed to be fading by 1045 (Mark Mohrmann, Coventry, Vermont, USA, NRD 535D/MFJ959B, Ground-based Folded "Hairball" I-Beam 280m at 170 degrees, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 2299.85, Ecuador? La Voz de Riobamba? (2 x 1150), Dec 13, 1045, weak music and talk (Mark Mohrmann, Coventry, Vermont, USA, NRD 535D/MFJ959B, Ground-based Folded "Hairball" I-Beam 280m at 170 degrees, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Your unID on 2299.85 kHz is LV de Riobamba. Also with ID "Antena Uno" (Björn Malm, Ecuador, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 2600.06, LA Harmonic?, Dec 16, 1023-1105, Spanish talk, 1045 ads and possible ID sounding like "Radio 5", into conversation between several speakers (Mark Mohrmann, Coventry, Vermont, USA, NRD 535D/MFJ959B, Ground-based Folded "Hairball" I-Beam 280m at 170 degrees, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 2740.01, LA Harmonics? (2 x 1370), Dec 13, 0939-1100, tuned in to presumed HJXX Bogotá harmonic, later check at 1100 had Spanish announcers mentioning "...Havana, Cuba...". This was well past Bogotá sunrise, so perhaps a Cuban later here in the morning (Mark Mohrmann, Coventry, Vermont, USA, NRD 535D/MFJ959B, Ground-based Folded "Hairball" I-Beam 280m at 170 degrees, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 2780.03, NA Harmonic? (2 x 1390), Dec 13, 1101-1115, English talk, ad for "How to sell livestock over the internet", 1115 announcer with time check and talk. Weak signal with deep fades and fair peaks (Mark Mohrmann, Coventry, Vermont, USA, NRD 535D/MFJ959B, Ground-based Folded "Hairball" I-Beam 280m at 170 degrees, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Dear Glen[n], I have appreciated your programs for years. What is the series of phonetic letters spoken on 13200 kHz which I heard today at about 1808 UT? Thanks (Jim Clardy, NW4Q, Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Jim, I didn`t have a chance to monitor this until today Saturday. At 1803-1806 UT on 13200-USB I was hearing this, and they finished with ``Andrews, out``. That would be Andrews AFB near Washington DC. A number of other USAF bases are on this frequency, in North America, Europe and Asia, according to the 2002 Shortwave Frequency Guide by Klingenfuss. I assume they also identify at the end of the transmission; you may have heard a different one a few minutes later. As to exactly what they are saying, who knows? Probably some (let`s hope) routine security traffic (Glenn, Dec 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Strange microwave and radio signals around the glacier at Kailash in India-China Himalayas - extra terrestrial signals? Lara Mohani, Special Correspondent December 14, 2004 People in deep Himalayas in Chinese territory have recently reported strange microwave and radio signals. The signals are most prominent around a region called Kailash regarded by Hindus for thousands of years as the door to heaven and home of God Shiva. According to tourists and pilgrims the signals are real and no one knows where they are coming from. . . http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/12-14b-04.asp (via rec.radio.shortwave, via Roberto Scaglione, shortwave yg via DXLD) WTFK???? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ NEW EUROPEAN MEDIUMWAVE GUIDE PUBLISHED Dear all, Tonight, roughly between 1900 and 2000 UTC, the new EMWG will be available on the usual web site: http://www.emwg.info The whole web site has been refurbished and given another look. The January 2005 PDF will be available, in a few days to be followed by the PDA version. Reactions, comments, suggestions and other feedback... you know where to send it to! ;-) 73 (Herman Boel, BCLNews.it Dec 16 via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ Radio Your Way in DXLD 4-183 There's a really good discussion and evaluation of the Radio Your Way recorder/player in DXLD 4-183. This reminds me that I wanted to post a query about some somewhat-similar products that I've been seeing advertised in the flyers from big-box electronic retailers like Best Buy and Circuit City. I know nothing about these devices and have never been able to get through these retailers' phone jungle to get in touch with some salesperson that knows anything about them. These appear to be MP3 players that have built-in FM radios and which are described as being able to record some hours off the FM. That appears to be a way to record multiple-hour-long NPR programming that the local station always plays at the same time as I am doing other things, like in the mid-day Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I'd really like to have some way to record the 3 hours of Friday's Fresh Air and Science Friday, the couple hours of Wait Wait and Motley Fool, Prairie Home Companion, To The Best Of Our Knowledge, Splendid Table, Car Talk, etc. and then be able to listen to these programs later in the week in the evening or night. But, first off, do any of these devices really help you if you don't have a computer? That is, do you need to transfer the digital files to a computer hard drive to save them after 2 or 4 hours of recording? Do they have ordinary audio jacks for line-level output that would let you transfer the decoded audio to cassettes or other audio-recording devices? But doing that would mean real-time playback and switching cassettes every so often, etc.; that seems pretty time-consuming and would tie up the device both during recording and playback. What different models are available? What capabilities do they have? Does anyone out there use them for the kind of thing I described? Can you plug in different memory cards to hold multiple hours of audio? Any other aspects of these anyone can mention or give a user's evaluation or impression? (Will Martin, MO, Dec 16, dxldyg via DXLD) ELECTRICAL CORDS AND CARCINOGENS [continued from 4-184] That's pretty much true of nearly all plastics, most derived from petrochemicals, but I expect that toxicity is at its worst when plastics burn and not before. Some plastics outgas when fairly new, but that's not the case with plastics associated with electronics equipment. Seems to me the main gist of the warning label is to ensure that such equipment gets disposed of as hazmat and not as general household trash for the landfill (Clara Listensprechen, shortwavebasics yg via DXLD) Then why not tag it as recyclable material instead of toxic (Kenny Daniel, ibid.) Heh. Well, the problem is that it's not recyclable, and it's not for lack of trying. In large metro areas, some circuit board recycling is attempted, some to recover goldplate content. But electronic devices are a complex mix of a lot of things and recycling requires the separation of their various desirable elements. That's the part that's not cost-effective no matter who attempts it. The arsenic content inside of chips is imbedded in the silicon crystal lattice (that's the thing that makes silicon, an insulator, a semiconductor) and there's just no getting it back out again artificially. It'll leech out into the soil over time, it's a hazard to skin contact - -but once it's inside the silicon lattice, it's irretrievable by other means. The only bright side is that newer equipment is "wave soldered", resulting in less lead content than traditional hand-soldering -- but that's it. Electronics gizmos, on the whole, are hazmat (Clara Listenspechen, ibid.) MUSEA +++++ HISTORIC MARCONI COLLECTION ON THE MOVE What is not mentioned in this item is that there is deep disappointment by members of the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society that the collection is leaving Chelmsford, with its firmly rooted wireless history with the first station there being MZX at the Marconi works in New Street, to a town noted for its great university - but in no way for radio! What a pity this collection could not have been housed in the purpose built visitors centre long planned but never built in what could well be claimed as the birthplace of wireless in Britain, where Dame Nellie Melba sang on the 15th June 1920 into a telephone handset with a horn mouthpiece knocked up from plywood and suspended by 'catapult elastic from a glorified coat hanger' (the 'microphone' is in the collection but the 'coat hanger ' was lost many years ago. 'Pilgrims' could then drive out to Writtle where the first regular broadcasting station in Britain was begun on St Valentine's Day 1922 (2MT) three months before 'The London Wireless Telephone Station' 2LO, the first war army hut where Captain Eckersley started 2MT is still in existence but is at Kings Rd Junior School - back in Chelmsford. Surely Essex has a far better claim to radio history fame than Oxford. I understand next week they're moving Warwick Castle to Milton Keynes because the rail service from London is better! (Rog Parsons, (BDXC 782) Hinckley, Leics., BDXC-UK via DXLD) Oxford has a unique place in the history of radio which predates Writtle and even Marconi! In 1894, a sensitive device that could detect radio signals, called the coherer, was used by its inventor Oliver Lodge to demonstrate wireless communication over a distance of 150 yards at Oxford. This was about a year before Marconi. If you do a web search on Oliver Lodge you will find papers arguing that it was Lodge not Marconi who "invented" wireless! He was certainly the first to demonstrate it - and that was at Oxford (Dave Kenny, BDXC-UK moderator, ibid.) However, Mr Moderator I would point out that perhaps 300 yards from the BBC's Broadcasting House was the arguable 'birthplace' of wireless and the 'midwife' was Prof. David Hughes in 1879! The Professor working at home discovered that his 'induction balance' which had an intermittent open circuit was producing sounds in a telephone earpiece; at first he thought it was simple induction but later using a spark-gap controlled by a timing mechanism and a simple receiver achieved a range of 500 yards, further experiments using simple items such as coke as a detector led to a demonstration to the Royal Society in 1880. I will also correct you on your observation that Sir Oliver Lodge invented the coherer he demonstrated to students at Oxford; this coherer was in fact invented by Edouard Branley in Paris in 1890 (Rog Parsons (BDXC 782) Hinckley, Leics., ibid.) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ PACIFIC AND FAR EAST TO FLORIDA ON MEDIUMWAVE TP's almost nonexistent recently, conditions about as bad as I've ever had. DU's are typically poor anyway during late fall and winter and the Asians have not made much of an impression yet. However, Majuro 1098, the most reliable and consistent TP here year round, came in with a good carrier and weak audio for a few minutes starting at 1115 this AM (12/11). A male announcer but too weak to determine language or content. Usually signs off after 1130 so misses dawn enhancement period this time of year. No other carriers noted. Anyone who wants Thailand 1575 should be at the dials from 1130-1200 for the next month when they broadcast the VOA Burmese program, often followed by VOA News Now after 1200. Easily logged parallel 9890 until R Netherlands comes on just before 1200 (Ray Moore, N Ft Myers, FL, Dec 11, NRC-AM via DXLD) Best signal of season from Thailand 1575 this AM rolling in and out with strong carrier for short time around 1137. No audio. Majuro 1098 good carrier, no audio - maybe open carrier - 1056-1123. Fair carrier 1548 1104, assumed 4QD. No dawn enhancement this AM (Ray Moore, FT Myers, FL, ibid., date misplaced, probably Dec 12) TP usually stands for trans-Pacific, but Thailand to Florida is more like trans-polar. I am not quite clear on how a carrier can be ``strong`` yet have ``no`` audio (if it is funxioning normally) (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) TP stuff has been dismal here in IL this year. I looked a few morning back in Sept/Oct when conditions to the W/NW were very good and you'd emailed me that you were getting stuff and all I had was a decent carrier from 1098 at dawn enhancement and once a couple very weak Aussie X-band hets. No trace of Malaysia on 1475 ever noted here, either. How often can you raise audio from 1575? 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, Barrington IL, NRC-AM via DXLD) Not very often. During the past three seasons I have had audio 17 times between 1 DEC to 31 JAN - 9 of these times station positively ID'd either by 9890 kHz parallel or VOA ID. Otherwise audio too weak to ID. Best ever reception 12/1/03 when complete VOA ID taped at 1130 and 1200. My TP results this season agree with Neil's - dismal. Anyone wanting Thailand listen from 1130 to local sunrise thru 30 JAN. I use only a passive 23" loop. Typically the station shows no null, because it is coming in at a high angle where the loop is omnidirectional. Here in Florida it comes in almost directly over the pole (Ray Moore, FT Myers, FL, ibid.) I have a little project in mind. Ever wonder why Thailand is so "regular" for Ray instead of the big Japanese stations? I'd be curious to see if the Thailand path is going through the hole in the oval or bouncing under it while Japan strikes it directly. There must be some good explanation - Thailand gets out decently but its peak levels are surely several S units below South Korea 1566 and Japan 774 (Chuck Hutton, WA, ibid.) Maybe it`s coming from the south rather than the north; would be nice to determine this with a monodirexional antenna (gh, DXLD) Several things here. Thailand is farther to the South [than Japan] and would skip in at a different angle and also being a high frequency the signal would be more like SW. I find using 1500 feet of wire going East that flea powered East Coast stations are heard on the high frequencies (above 1200) much more easily that at the bottom of the dial. Also Thailand runs 1000 KW. I believe Ray has heard a bunch of the X Band Aussies in the past. Australia is much farther South. The AU comes into play the more North a station is. Even though I am only 1500 miles from Anchorage AK, I don't hear Anchorage too often, yet at 2500 miles Hawaii is in every night. Both are water paths. Now Ketchikan AK on 930 is common most nights, but that is much farther to the South. 73s, (Patrick Martin, NRC-AM via DXLD) Since Ray seems to indicate that it comes over the pole, and at a high angle, that suggests a bounce point between the absorption zone and FL, and the high angle would help to navigate the zone more successfully than a lower angle would - whether going over or under. Seems like a reasonable path (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA, ibid.) My thoughts re 1575 Thailand: (1) You have to be there when they are coming in. Just listening a few days may produce a carrier but not much chance of audio. During the last three seasons I heard audio 17 times during JAN & FEB - a total of about 180 mornings. Only 9 mornings were good enuf to ID station either via 9890 parallel or VOA ID. (2) They are putting 1000 kW directly into downtown Ft Myers (beam 355 deg per PAL). If their ant system has 10 dB gain they are pumping 10,000 kW in this direction! I'm surprised we don't see voice modulated northern lights when they are on. Re 1566 HLAZ: Schedule not favorable for FL reception. I assume they use directional ant system. During what would be peak time for FL reception they are in Chinese, probably beamed away from us. I believe most of the strong reception on West Coast is after 1230 when they are in Japanese and probably beamed this way. We are in daylight by then. Re Japan: Comes into FL via conventional propagation thru western edge of auroral zone over Alaska. Low angle makes for easy to DF. Reception tough here with present day noise levels and all the big stations on low end of band. I do have 774 confirmed from both Key Largo and LaBelle but is blocked here by splashy local on 770. Also have had JA carriers on 693, 747 and 828 numerous times. Re Down Under and 1475 Sabah: Interesting stories also but better quit now before I'm cut off. Tnx for comments on 1575 (Ray Moore, FT Myers, FL, Dec 13, ibid.) SEC RELAUNCHES SITE The Space Environment Center is about to launch a new design to their website. Details at http://sec.noaa.gov/WhatsNew.html 73s, (Henry Brice, Dec 16, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ###