DX LISTENING DIGEST 5-074, May 5, 2005 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 2005 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 1273: Fri 0200 WOR ACBRadio Mainstream [repeated 2-hourly thru 2400] Fri 1030 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Fri 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Fri 2300 WOR Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 87.35 96.55 105.55 Sat 0000 WOR ACBRadio Mainstream Sat 0800 WOR WRN1 to Eu, Au, NZ, WorldSpace AfriStar, AsiaStar, Telstar 12 SAm Sat 0855 WOR WNQM Nashville TN 1300 Sat 1030 WOR WWCR 5070 Sat 1130 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Sat 2030 WOR R. Lavalamp Sun 0230 WOR WWCR 5070 Sun 0300 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0330 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 0630 WOR WWCR 3210 Sun 0830 WOR WRN1 to North America, also WLIO-TV Lima OH SAP Sun 0830 WOR KSFC Spokane WA 91.9 Sun 0830 WOR WXPR Rhinelander WI 91.7 91.9 100.9 Sun 0830 WOR WDWN Auburn NY 89.1 [unconfirmed] Sun 0830 WOR KTRU Houston TX 91.7 [occasional] Sun 1100 WOR R. Lavalamp Sun 1200 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 1300 WOR KRFP-LP Moscow ID 92.5 Sun 1500 WOR R. Lavalamp Sun 1730 WOR WRMI 7385 [from WRN] Sun 1730 WOR WRN1 to North America Sun 1900 WOR Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 87.35 96.55 105.55 Sun 2000 WOR RNI Mon 0230 WOR WRMI 7385 Mon 0300 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0330 WOR WSUI Iowa City IA 910 [1272] Mon 0430 WOR WBCQ 7415 Mon 0900 WOR R. Lavalamp Mon 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Tue 0600 WOR WPKN Bridgeport CT 89.5, WPKM Montauk NY 88.7 Tue 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Wed 0930 WOR WWCR 9985 Wed 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours MORE info including audio links: http://worldofradio.com/radioskd.html WRN ON DEMAND [from Friday]: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL] WORLD OF RADIO 1273 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1273h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1273h.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1273 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1273.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1273.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1273.html WORLD OF RADIO 1273 in true shortwave sound of Alex`s mp3: (stream) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_05-04-05.m3u (download) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_05-04-05.mp3 ** ABKHAZIA. 9494.75, May 4 1354- GEORGIA: R Respubliki Abkhasii. Nothing on the reported parallel fq 9534.75 (Mauno Ritola, Finland, hcdx online log via DXLD) ** ALASKA. Dear KNLS, I am well aware that KNLS is not supposed to be heard back in the lower 48, but nevertheless, many of us would enjoy listening to your station if we could get decent reception by chance. I was hoping that with your two-transmitter schedule, new times and frequencies we might have better luck. Unfortunately, there is a big problem with the 1400 UT broadcast on 9795, which is surely just as big in the intended Asian target area. Radio France International, via Japan was already in Vietnamese at that hour on 9795 and still is. All we can hear is a mixture of the two, with RFI usually somewhat stronger, making both unlistenable here. I am scratching my head wondering why you chose this frequency, since RFI`s usage of it is coordinated in the HFCC A-05. In any event, one of you needs to change as soon as possible. Please advise me of any decision on this matter. Regards, Glenn Hauser, Enid, OK (May 5 to KNLS, via DXLD) Hello Glenn, Nice to hear from you. I understand you message and appreciate you taking the time to write. We are using 9795 at 1400 because we were authorized its use by the FCC who does attend the HFCC meetings and it seems that Radio France folks must have not looked at the collision schedule very well or this problem did not appear as a collision as it should have. I will look into the matter. I have just informed my Manila monitor of the possible problem. I will know very soon. We are working to add a staff member that can become our frequency coordinator as a full time position. We realize the importance of that work. Thanks again for the input and your friendship with us! (Kevin Chambers, AK, KNLS to gh, via DXLD) ** ALASKA. [continued from CANADA] For Alaskan communications, there are some frequencies within the amateur allocation that are in daily use for utility type contacts. The Alaska Pacific Preparedness Net is on 14292 LSB at 1730. The Bush Net is at 0500 on 7093, while the Motley Group can be found at 0600 on 3933. The Sniper`s Net is on an Alaska Emergency frequency of 3920 at 0300. In this case the term `sniper` does not denote a fellow who`s handy with a long range rifle. Sniper is a prospecting term for the operation of a pick underneath a large boulder in order to extract mineral deposits left there during a river`s run. Many prospectors have been killed, crushed by large boulders when `sniping`. Or course, 5167.5 USB is the main Alaska emergency frequency The Iditarod Dog Race, annually in February, from Anchorage to Nome: race marshals use all modern means of communications but there are three checkpoints on the way that are out of reach of landline, satphone and VHF: Ophir, Eagle Island and Cripple. This is where they use HF on the ham bands, LSB 3929 and 7240. Altho this is an amateur band operation, the voice procedures in use are certainly non-amateur and no one will answer any non-race calls. The frequencies are used sporadically to keep the equipment race-ready so altho the race is over for this year, someone monitoring in the night hours may well hear those KL7 callsigns testing the equipment, which is specifically retained for Iditarod use only (Ben Hogan, SSB Utilities, May Short Wave Magazine [UK] via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA [non]. HCJB will move off 11710 from May 9: see ECUADOR ** BELGIUM. Flanders news in English on 1512 kHz --- Since the closure of RVi`s service att the end of March I have confirmed the existence of three two-minute ``Flanders News`` summaries in English from RVi on 1512 kHz, M-F at 1056-1058, 1756-1758 and 2156-2158 UT. A website is announced, http://www.flandersnews.be Most of the time 1512 now relays the VRT domesticf services parallel 927 or 540 kHz (Dave Kenny, Medium Wave Report, May BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. R. Mosoj Chaski, 3309.99, 0125-0202* April 30, talk in Quechua, Andean music, local rustic vocals, 0200 ID. Weak, but readable. R. San Miguel, Riberalta, 4900.40, 0120-0205* April 29, mostly constant Spanish talk by M&W; some CP music; IDs. Weak-poor but stable (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. HF usage in northern Canada --- it`s the time of year that `fair weather` prospectors and travellers start to load up their packs and chuck them in their trucks or canoes to commence another season`s adventures. Living in the UK, it`s a struggle to imagine vast tracts of land devoid of mobile `phone coverage and any amenities. Road systems don`t exist either, and the only way that vehicles can travel the land is to utilise the logging trails which, as you can imagine, are extremely rough, often boasting severe gradients and terrifyingly flimsy bridges spanning wild rivers. Often these structures only exist in the memories of travellers, having been washed out years before. HF radio is truly a lifesaver under these circumstances. Here are some frequencies currently in use in the north west of Canada. You`ll find 5027, 5100 and 5031 kHz are in use by several communities in the Pacific North West in order to disseminate weather and travel information. Transmissions may be in the native tongue of the Inuit (Eskimo) people of the region. The frequencies are also used by travellers, to keep in touch with each other, when `out in the field`. The rescue frequency 2182 kHz is installed in most radios for obvious reasons, while another chatting channel is 4441.5 kHz. It`s likely that `phone patches may also be established on 4865.2 kHz. Try monitoring these frequencies after about midnight UT [rather early for there to be any DX propagation in the Arctic summer ---gh]. Most radios also have 9625 loaded up as well, the CBC North frequency (Ben Hogan, SSB Utilities, May Short Wave Magazine [UK] via DXLD) More under ALASKA ** CANADA. Tho it was some pop music show I had no interest in hearing, I was pleased to note that CBC NQ was audible, more or less clear on 9625 around 0100 UT May 6 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHILE. Voz Cristiana, 17680, 0018 UT May 5, caught the tail end of an announcement about a frequency change; thought they mentioned 5965 and 5990 at 0800-1100, but I see at http://www.vozcristiana.com/article/frontpage/31 5995 and 6070 are in use during those hours. Still, I think 5995 may be new; I was hoping they would get off 6070 where they clash with CFRX among others. Ha --- the equivalent Portuguese page presenting the same `A-05` schedule http://www.vozcristiana.com/article/frontpage/35 is obviously out of date, really B-04 info, not matching the Spanish version, not even showing 15475 in Portuguese, and 9780 instead of 5995 in Spanish. At least this is evidence that VC is willing to change frequencies mid-season, while they keep blocking 15475 so far (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Don Fido Rambles --- in the process of trying to clean some of the HQ-180A contacts (as always, the receiver was locked on 1180 kHz Rebelde when idle), noted the elusive CubaVisión interval signal chimes at 2155 GMT, 4 May, always a sign of something very special for me (right). Introductions given for an upcoming Fidel discourse, being held at the Palacio de Convenciones --- located this: http://www.usacubatravel.com/facpalco.html --- in Havana, and announced as being carried on CubaVisión, CubaVisión Internacional (satellite version?), Radio Habana Cuba and Radio Rebelde. CubaVisión interval again at 2158 and a little more pre-speech comments by the announcers. Fidel was propped up and semi-babbling from 2206 (coughing, clanging a glass of Ron de Habana Club... err, cane juice spiked water... and generally another one of his more-frequent of late, not-so-good-sounding moments. I can confirm that at least 11 shortwave transmitters can be deployed at any given time (counting Rebelde on 5025). Heard (and all strong to local) were: 5025, 5965, 6000, 6060, 6140, 9550, 9600, 11760, 11800, 11875, 15230. No 13 or 17 MHz transmitters were active at this time. And, as is most often the case, National networks Progreso, Musical Nacional and Reloj did not join the relay, though some Provincial outlets (1020, 1080, 1120 kHz) were noted in a quick scan. (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W Visit my "Florida Low Power Radio Stations" at: http://home.earthlink.net/~tocobagadx/flortis.html DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. Comments by Radio Prague's editor-in-chief, David Vaughan, on our listeners' letters programme, Mailbox (24th April 2005): "I was recently listening to a programme on the BBC World Service, discussing listeners' letters. A programme manager was explaining why the World Service had decided to discontinue light entertainment. He took the example of the legendary comedy panel show "Just a Minute", saying words to the effect that: 'someone talking about rice pudding for 60 seconds could hardly be considered serious radio.' As a lifelong radio fan, I have to admit that I was rather surprised. Are we really moving inexorably towards a world where international broadcasting is synonymous with 24-hour news? I'd like to launch a debate involving our own listeners - to ask you what you think makes good radio, and where should international broadcasting - especially a small station like Radio Prague - be heading? I hope that your contributions will also give us inspiration in our future programming." We'd like you to send in contributions to our discussion on the role of international broadcasting today. We launched the discussion on Mailbox, our weekly programme devoted to your letters, on 24th April 2005. Here are some contributions so far. Please keep them coming in at: english@radio.cz or by snail mail: Radio Prague, 120 99 Prague, Czech Republic. Radio Prague should CONTINUE TO DO WHAT IT DOES BEST....BROADCAST TO THE WORLD ON SHORTWAVE RADIO, AND HAVE THEIR INTERNET AND SATELLITE TRANSMISSIONS AS SUPPLEMENTS TO RADIO BROADCASTS. I state this in capital letters because one too many Eurocasters, and some outside Europe have abandoned transmitting their programs on Shortwave Radio, and have decided to alienate their listeners by putting them on the Internet and Satellite. Modes of communications that require subscriptions and are not always as reliable as some may think....Too many Shortwave outlets have gone this way, which appears to be the in thing to do. While Shortwave Radio may not be as sexy as the internet or satellite technology, it still is a solid means of transmitting a broadcasters programs throughout the world even when conditions are not very good as they are right now during the down slope of the sunspot cycle. Also contrary to popular belief, Shortwave Radio is still being used by many a listener, as it is economical and portable, unlike the "sexy" modes of radio transmission..(you can't take a PC on a picnic, and batteries for Laptops are expensive!!!) I would hope that Radio Prague and the remaining Eurocasters on the SW bands would remain there, and not go the short-sighted route of the BBC, DW, SRI, RVI and I am sure a few others that I missed, by abandoning its Shortwave audience. I hope to hear you on the SW bands for years to come, and I hope to hear your reply to this e-mail. Thank you. Vince Ponzio Pittsburgh, PA USA My personal opinion, aside from any acquired data, is that Radio Praha has an opportunity to extend and express the unique, and shrinking Czech culture, ESPECIALLY through programs about Czech music, authors, scientists, scholars, even food and humor, where the more bland "24- hour newssites" as Mr. Vaughan so aptly described, remove the unique aspects of that which identifies (culturally) the places from which they broadcast. I believe Radio Praha has the opportunity to maintain its own unique (and therefore, valuable) niche by presenting its individual and rich resource, unlike the bland alternatives, of Czech culture in a "sea of monotony", and in the face of eventual "Czech" dissolution as simply one more bank of "european" cities offering a plethora of the same products, services and people as any other. Will Praha just be another Berlin, or Amsterdam, or? Only time will tell... s pozdravem, Don Schumann, Ing. (from http://www.radio.cz/en/html/diskuse.html via Sheldon Harvey, DXLD) ** ECUADOR. Hi Glenn, I don't know if you have been listening to 11710 kHz this week, but we should be announcing the fact that we will be changing our frequencies on Monday 9 May 2005 to the following... 2100 to 2300 UT to South America will go to 12000 KHz 2300 to 0100 UT to North and South America will go to 11720 KHz. Thanks for your help on this matter (Douglas Weber, Radio Director, HCJB, La Voz de los Andes, Quito, Ecuador, May 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also USA for VOA TTA with HCJB guests ** ECUADOR. ECUADORAN RADIO OWNER FORCED TO FLEE FOLLOWING DEATH THREATS | Text of report from the "Breaking News" section of Ecuadoran newspaper El Comercio web site on 5 May The director of Radio La Luna, Paco Velasco, has decided to leave the country because of the constant death threats against him and his family. A statement issued by Radio La Luna stated that Velasco had contacted his co-workers at the Quito radio station to inform them of his departure. In the statement, signed by Arnulfo Tobar (manager of the radio), it says that Velasco decided to accede to a request by the Inter-American Human Rights Federation, as well as other human rights organizations, that he leave the country for his own safety. According to the statement, Paco Velasco will give his own version of the situation when the Alfredo Palacio government makes an announcement about it. Source: El Comercio web site, Quito, in Spanish 5 May 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** GREECE [and non]. PREVIEW OF HELLENES AROUND THE WORLD, SAT MAY 7 [1400-1500 UT via Delano 9775 if not pre-empted for stupid ballgame] Dear sir, greetings from Athens. I wish you and your loved ones Xronia Polla - Xristos Anesti. This Saturday, "Hellenes Around the World" will host presentations with Dr. Christos Katsetos who speaks about Vlach Hellenism, the Greek minority in Northern Albania, also we feature an interview with member of the Hellenic Electronic Center Ted Karakostas on the Greek minority of Constantinople, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the reopening of the Halki School of Theology. Your observations, criticism as well your suggestions are very useful to us, so please send me your comments to this e-mail address Kthanasoula @ ert.gr I remind you that you can listen to our program from our web page http://www.voiceofgreece.gr We are at your disposal for any further assistance of information. Best regards, (Katerina Thanasoula to John Babbis, via DXLD) A reminder that "Hellenes Around The World (In English)" may be heard this Saturday, May 7--unless preempted by the balo game. On shortwave radio: 1400-1500 UT (10 a.m. EDT; 9 a.m. CDT) to Europe on 9375, 9420, 15630 KHz.; to America on 9.775 KHz (John Babbis, MD, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. Subject: Your Shortwave Broadcast Dear Sir, I often listen to your short-wave broadcast on 9525 KHz. This morning. May 5, 2005, your signal was exceptionally good during the hour from 1000 to 1100 UT. Unfortunately I was unable to understand anything except the English Identification by a man who gave your email and web site addresses. I was wondering why you do not broadcast in English during the morning hours here in the United States? Your signal is always readable in the mornings all year round on the frequency of 9525 KHz. I have always searched for your country's broadcasts ever since I began listening to short-wave radio. I find that Indonesia is a country that is very diversified in history, culture and terrain and would like to hear about it on your radio station, but if your English broadcast is later in the day (as it is), there's not much hope of hearing it. Hope to hear from you in the future. Sincerely (Charles Bolland, Clewiston, Florida 33440 USA, to voi@rri-online.com cc to DXLD) Good! More such pleas might bring some result, but 1000 UT would still be too early for most of us. Once again May 5, open carrier on 9525 past 1430 (gh, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL. DAYLIGHT SAVING [sic] TIME --- The following countries which do not regularly use DST, have decided to introduce DST this summer: Haiti UTC-4h (until 30 October), Nicaragua UTC-5h (until 18 September), Tunisia UTC+2h (until 30 September). The move is attributed to the high fuel prices on the world market, requiring energy saving measures (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL. Re Music on SW. Hi again, Will. Now you can tune stations more easily because of direct readout display, but good audio, unless you use hi-fi headphones or attach your receiver to a hi-fi equipment, has been sacrificed. Nevertheless some stations have kept sounding good for so long, specially when they play music, like REE, Radio Prague, WHRI and you can it get everyday from Radio Russia International from 2300 on 7325: deep and bassy pop local music. Then you have Turkey from 0000 on 9460, which I really enjoy as well as those many Arab stations with their string of local music. But have you noticed WWCR? It's overmodulated. So it doesn´t matter how it sounds, the purpose is simply audio despite the quality. I have noticed this while listening World of Radio at 0230 Sunday on 5070. On the other hand, WOR over WBCQ comes with more pleasant audio as I heard on 7415 at 0430 Monday. I agree with you that someone has to compile a SW Stations Music Schedule only, just for the pleasure of listening to the different cultural expressions, regardless of fading, that's the extra touch that SW gives to music. Many listeners pointed out on the Dick Ofrringa site, that's what made interesting listening to Radio Luxembourg. I can testify that, even in the case of WRUL, that beautiful sound of music I been missing for so long (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, May 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL. OFF TUNE with Steve Whitt When tuning the MW band no doubt you will have heard heterodyne whistles at night. Or perhaps you’ve noticed the audible distortion due to a sub-audible het (SAH) generated when two stations are close enough in frequency to generate a heterodyne below about 10Hz which would normally be inaudible. Recently with increasing access to high precision methods of frequency measurement (such as the software Spectrum Lab) and an active on-line community exchanging information it is now possible to record the precise frequency of thousands of stations around the globe. In particular it is easy to spot those stations that are operating (or drifting!) on frequencies well off their nominated channel. But why the fuss? Firstly stations well off channel are often easy to spot; or hear, if the signal is strong enough. Even a weak signal can create an audible tone long before modulation can be heard. Secondly off channel signals degrade reception. When two stations, nominally on the same frequency, are not synchronised with each other interference degrades reception. The greater the separation the worse the degradation becomes. For this reason most broadcasters try to maintain their carrier frequency within +/-10 Hz of nominal. However for best reception and coverage it is best if transmitters have synchronised carrier frequencies – like the multi-transmitter national networks in the UK. The culprits The list compiled by Günter Lorenz as part of the Yahoo Group dedicated to precision frequency measurement contained over 1000 measurements at the end of March. In the interests of space I have only listed stations operating more than 50Hz off channel. This should be apparent and easily audible on any receiver with digital frequency tuning using SSB reception of the AM signal. So the following list contains 220 of the worst offenders. As you will see, a rich economy, modern technology and a strong radio regulatory body is no guarantee that a country will not have off channel transmitters; viz USA and the UK (listed as `G` in ITU-speak). Nominal kHz Measured kHz Het. Hz Country (ITU) station 171 171.877 877 - 209 208.935 65 MNG Choibalsan/Dalanzadgad/Ulgii (Mongolian R 1) 216 216.25 250 (unid) 234 234.37 370 (unid) 540 540.19 190 NCG Managua (YNOW Radio Corporación) 549 548.53 470 RUS Novocherkassk (Radio Mayak) 558 557.8 200 CHN Urumqi (Xinjiang) (Xinjiang RGD) 570 570.05 50 GRL Nuuk (KNR) 594 592.82 1180 (arabic ?) 612 613.33 1330 AZE Baku () 612 613.23 1230 (unid) 620 620.05 50 B Fortaleza (ZYH590 Radio Assuncao Cearense) 630 629.93 70 (unid) 666 666.05 50 ALG Tindouf (Radio Tindouf + Alger Chaîne 1) 700 699.6 400 PRG Pilar (ZP12 Radio Carlos Antonio Lopez LV del Neembuco) 700 699.95 50 VEN Puerto Ordaz (YVPQ Radio Sur) 720 720.1 100 NCG Managua (YNRC Radio Catolica) 729 729.1 100 (unid) 730 729.9 100 MEX Mexico City (XEX ???) 738 738.14 140 (unid) 783 783.0736 73.6 IRN Iranshahr (IRIB Sarasarye + reg.) 783 783.07 70 (unid) 790 789.95 50 BRB Bridgetown (Gospel 7-90 Starcom) 792 791.88 120 IRN Zanjan (IRIB Sarasarye + reg.) 801 803.8 2800 KRE Hwadae Hamgyong Pukdo (Pyongyang Bangsong) 828 825.23 2770 SYR Deir el Zawr (R of Syrian Arab Republic (1 px) 830 830.07 70 EQA Guayaquil (HCRM2 Radio Huancavilca) 837 836.82 180 (unid, very variable frequency) 837 836.82 180 YEM San’a (Radio Aden) 840 835 5000 PRG Villarrica (ZP6 Radio Guaira) 870 874 4000 BOL Sipe Sipe (LV del Campesino) 890 885 5000 PRG Ita (ZP33 Radio Tres de Febrero) 900 902 2000 BOL Cochabamba (CP28 Radio Central Misionera) 900 899.8 200 MEX Col.Ex-Hacienda DF (XEW) 910 909.94 60 DOM Bonao (HILB Radio 91 "La Grande") 920 920.55 550 CLM Cartagena (HJAA Emisora Fuentes) 920 920.05 50 CLM Pasto (HJJN Ondas del Mayo) 930 929.93 70 EQA Guayaquil (HCVI2 Canal Tropical) 936 937 1000 PHL Calapan Mindoro (DWIM Insular Bctg. System, Radio Mindoro) 940 941 1000 BOL Colcapirhua (Radio San Lorenzo) 990 990.2 200 ARG Buenos Aires (LR4 Radio Splendid AM 990) 999 998.8493 150.7 MLT Bizbizja (Radju Malta) 1007 1006.6 400 INS (Unknown) 1008 1006 2000 INS Madiun Jawa Timur (RRI Regional 2 (Prog 1)) 1008 1006.78 1220 BLR Jasnyles (Babruisk) (Kanal Kultura) 1010 1010.09 90 CLM Montería (HJZD Radio Panzenú) 1020 1020.1 100 PRG Asunción (ZP14 Radio Ñandutí) 1020 1019.92 80 (unid South America) 1026 1025.94 60 AUS Mackay Queensland (4AA East Listening 1026) 1035 1035.1 100 PHL Baguio Benguet (DZWX Consolidated Bctg. Sys., Bombo Radyo) 1040 1039.6 400 VEN Valencia (YVLB La Voz de Carabobo) 1044 1043.8 200 PHL Cagayan de Oro Misamis Oriental (DXCO Radyo Pilipino) 1044 1044.1 100 PHL Naga City Camarinas Sur (DZNG Bombo R, Newsounds Bctg.) 1053 1055 2000 INS Surakarta Jawa Tengah (RRI Regional 1 (Prog 3) 1060 1060.5 500 PRG Alberdi (ZP13 Radio Boqueron) 1060 1060.3 300 CLM () 1060 1060.28 280 VEN (unid, probably VEN) 1060 1060.27 270 ARG Llavallol (Radio Restauración) 1062 1061 1000 INS Jakarta DKI Jakarta (R Cendrawasih Pusat) 1070 1069.95 50 CUB (unid, tent.) 1098 1097.66 340 RUS (Radio Rossii) 1100 1100.057 57 CLM Planeta Rica (HJMK Emisora Ideal) 1107 1106.74 260 EGY Batrah (ERTU VO Arabs/Radio Wady El Nile/VO Palestine) 1116 1116.28 280 (Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan) 1130 1129.8 200 ARG Buenos Aires (Radio Contemporánea) 1134 1131 3000 INS Delanggu Jawa Tengah (Radio Swara Delanggu) 1140 1141 1000 PRU Otuzco, Departemento La Libertad (Chami Radio) 1140 1139.86 140 (unid) 1143 1144 1000 INS Malang Jawa Timur (R Senaputra) 1150 1149.923 77 EQA Riobamba (HCGB5 La Voz de Riobamba) 1170 1166 4000 INS Palu Barat Sulawesi Tengah (PM9DEV Radio Gema Angkasa) 1170 1169 1000 IRN Abadan (IRIB Sarasarye) 1170 1170.5 500 CLM Cartagena (HJNW) 1180 1180.17 170 (unid) 1188 1189 1000 INS Bekasi Jawa Barat (DSP (Duta Swara Parahyangan)) 1188 1188.4 400 PHL Cagayan de Oro Misamis Oriental (DXIF Newsound Bctg) 1188 1187.8462 153.8 MRC Casablanca (RTM C) 1190 1189.92 80 ARG San Miguel de Tucumán (LRA15 Radio Nacional) 1197 1196.7 300 AGL Malange (EP de Malange) 1200 1200.18 180 (unid) 1200 1200.14 140 EQA Santa Rosa (Radio U) 1200 1199.93 70 CLM Cali (HJNF Radio Super) 1210 1209.54 460 - 1215 1214.8399 160.1 ALB Fllakë (Radio Tirana/Voice of America/TWR) 1230 1229.92 80 EQA Ibarra (HCRI1 Centro Radiofónico de Imbabura) 1242 1247 5000 PHL Ozamis Mindanao Occ (DXSY Times Bctg. Corp.) 1242 1246.2 4200 CHN Qianjiang Hebei (Qianjiang RGD) 1242 1242.41 410 CHN (unid) 1242 1241.93 70 OMA Seeb (Radio Sultanate of Oman) 1250 1249.913 87 DOM San Francisco de Macorís (HIBC LV del Progreso) 1250 1249.95 50 CLM Pasto (HJFV Radio Viva) 1251 1254.9 3900 CHN Shaoxing Zhejiang (Shaoxing JGD) 1260 1261 1000 INS Kaliwangu Jawa Tengah (Radio PTDI, Suara Kaliwungu 1269 1269.3 300 PHL Daet Camarines Norte (DZVX Bombo R, Newsounds Bcing Ntwk) 1278 1276.41 1590 AGL Tenda (EP de Cabinda) 1278 1277 1000 INS Cibinong Jawa Barat (RPDK (Radio Tegar Beriman)) 1280 1279 1000 PRU Chiclayo (Radio Uno) 1280 1280.13 130 CLM Pitalito (HJCM Radio Sur) 1280 1279.88 120 CLM San Juan del Cesar (HJHO Impacto Popular) 1290 1290.28 280 B Salvador (ZYH450 Radio Clube) 1290 1289.88 120 USA (unid) 1296 1295.024 976 AZE Pirsaat (Foreign Service/Radio Liberty) 1296 1295.9 100 PHL Dagupan Pangasinan (DWPR Allied Bctg. Center, Inc.) 1300 1299.74 260 EQA Guayaquil (HCDC2 Radio Cenit 1-300) 1310 1310.37 370 (unid spanish South America) 1310 1310.205 205 VEN Barcelona (YVSM Radio Nacional) 1310 1310.12 120 CLM Palermo, Huila (HJWD Micrófono Civico) 1314 1313 1000 INS Bandung Jawa Barat (Radio Mutiara Gegana) 1323 1322.93 70 CHN (CRI) 1330 1330.88 880 PRU (Radio Libertad - Ondas del Norte) 1330 1329.75 250 CLM (RCN) 1330 1330.1 100 DOM Santo Domingo (HIVC Radio Vision Cristiana) 1332 1333.3 1300 INS Batusangkar Sumatera Barat (PM5CHC Radio Carano) 1340 1340.07 70 BER Hamilton (ZBM2 1340 AM) 1341 1340.94 60 PAK Bahawalpur (Pakistan Bcing Corp P) 1350 1350.21 210 G Rotherham (Radio Nightingale (LPAM)) 1358 1358.4 400 CHN (CNR1) 1359 1360.6 1600 PHL La Union La Union (DZYR Philippine Radio Corp.) 1360 1359.71 290 USA Cypress Gardens FL (WHNR) 1368 1368.1 100 PHL Cagayan de Oro Misamis Oriental (DXKO Radio Philippines) 1370 1367 3000 PRU Cuzco (Radio Santa Mónica) 1377 1377.05 50 SWZ Sandlane (Radio Cidade) 1386 1385.911 89 GUI Labe (Radio Rurale) 1390 1390.34 340 (unid) 1390 1390.26 260 (unid Latin) 1395 1394.8116 188.4 ALB Fllakë (R Tirana/VoA/Trans World Radio/Chin 1395 1394.9 100 PHL San Jose Mindoro Occ. (DZVT Catholic Welfare Organization, [sic; something omitted?] 1400 1399.81 190 (unid spanish LA (Andes?)) 1400 1399.82 180 CLM (unid, ?) 1400 1399.89 110 (unid LA) 1404 1403.67 330 AGL Kuito (EP do Bié) 1410 1410.2 200 PRU Lambayeque (Radio Olmos) 1413 1413.225 225 CHN (unid) 1413 1413.18 180 CHN (unid) 1420 1417 3000 PRG Horqueta (ZP42 Radio Guyra Campana) 1420 1420.14 140 PRU Cutervo (Radio Ilucan) 1422 1422.2 200 PHL Ubay Bohol (DYZD Bohol Chronicle Radio Corp) 1430 1429.9 100 (unid) 1430 1429.92 80 VEN Guacara (YVNB Radio Satelite 14-30) 1430 1429.94 60 (unid UTC-4 spanish) 1431 1436.4 5400 CHN Huangshan Anhui (Huangshan RGD) 1431 1427 4000 PHL San Carlos Negros Occidental (DYRS Radio Mindanao Network) 1431 1429.998 1002 IRN Esfahan=Isfahan (IRIB Sarasarye) 1440 1441 1000 PRU Celendin (OAU2O Radio Frecuencia VH) 1440 1439.78 220 NCG Managua (YNRM Radio Maranatha) 1440 1440.09 90 B () 1458 1457.61 390 AGL Luena (EP do Moxico) 1460 1460.06 60 B Morada Nova (ZYH616 Radio Uirapuru) 1467 1469 2000 INS Surabaya Jawa Timur (R Khusus Informasi Pertanian (RKIP) 1470 1470.32 320 ARG Luis Beltran (Radio Municipal) 1470 1470.308 308 (unid) 1470 1469.82 180 ARG Rafaela SF (LT28 Radio Rafaela) 1470 1469.82 180 PNR Panamá (Radio La Primerísima "LV de China") 1475 1475.288 288 (unid) 1476 1459.995 16005 AZE Pirsaat (Radio Araz) 1476 1476.5 500 INS Semarang Jawa Tengah (RHK, biangnya dangdut AM, R Siaran N 1476 1476.264 264 IRN Marivan (Sanandaj) (IRIB Sarasarye) 1476 1476.1 100 PHL Iligan City Lanao del N (DXRJ Radyo Asencion, R Asenso) 1480 1480.23 230 (unid) 1480 1480.11 110 EQA Alausí (HCWP5 Radio Atlántida) 1485 1484.52 480 AGL Sumbe (EP do Kuanza Sul) 1485 1485.164 164 TWN Kaohsiung (Fenlin Diantai (unlicensed stn.)) 1485 1485.15 150 - 1485 1485.09 90 (unid) 1490 1489.95 50 (unid LA) 1494 1493.9 100 CHN (CNR1) 1494 1494.1 100 PHL Ozamis Mindanao Occ (DXOC Radio, Inc.) 1494 1493.94 60 (unid) 1500 1499.913 87 PRU Santa Rosa (OBX41 Radio Santa Rosa) 1500 1500.055 55 (unid spanish, tent CLM?) 1503 1503.7 700 CHN Fuyang Anhui (Fuyang JGD) 1503 1502.64 360 (unid) 1503 1502.932 68 BIH Zavidovici (Radio Zavidovici / RTV Bosne i Hercegovine 1) 1510 1510.39 390 EQA Quito (HCRC1 Radio Monumental) 1510 1509.805 195 EQA Ambato (Radio Net) 1510 1509.89 110 CLM Armenia (HJZA Radio Cristal) 1512 1514 2000 THA Khlong Hoi Khong Songkhla (Thor.Or. 011, Thahaan Aakaat) 1512 1510.88 1120 (unid) 1512 1512.12 120 (unid) 1517 1517.4 400 CHN Unknown Henan (Henan RGD) 1517 1517.08 80 PRU Baños del Inca (OCX2Q Radio Inca) 1520 1520.07 70 CLM Barranquilla (HJLQ Radio Minuto) 1520 1519.937 63 EQA Naranjal (HCRN2 LV de Naranjal) 1530 1530.7 700 AZE Baku (RFE/RL) 1530 1529.55 450 URG Montevideo (CX50 Radio Independencia) 1539 1540 1000 PHL San Jose Mindoro Occ. (DZYM Philippine Radio Corp.) 1539 1539.08 80 UAE Al Dhabbaya (United Arab Emirates Radio) 1550 1555 5000 CHL San Fernando (CC155 Radio Manuel Rodriguez) 1557 1556.76 240 AZE Guba=Quba (Radio Araz) 1557 1556.87 130 (unid) 1584 1585.7 1700 CHN Xinjiang (Xinjiang RGD) 1584 1583.9 100 PHL Talavera Nueva Ecija (DWBR Radyo Batay (Bahay?)) 1584 1584.08 80 GRC Serres (NET/ERA 2/ERA SPORT + Regional) 1590 1590.05 50 B Ituporanga (ZYJ801 Radio Correio do Vale) 1590 1590.05 50 MEX Iztacalco DF (XEVOZ Radio Reloj) 1593 1593.9 900 CHN Urumqi, Taxkorgan, Habahe Xinjiang (Xinjiang RGD) 1593 1593.2 200 NZL Auckland (1XCB Radio Asia Pacific / Radio Samoa) 1600 1600.27 270 EQA Caluma (Ondas de Caluma) 1600 1600.15 150 EQA Quito (Ilusión AM) 1602 1600.7 1300 GRC Kavala (NET/ERA 2/ERA SPORT + ERA Kavala) 1602 1602.2 200 SCG Leskovac (Radio Leskovac) 1602 1601.9 100 (unid) 1610 1609.15 850 PRU Distrito de Carabamba (Radio Carabamba) 1610 1610.4 400 PRU (Radio Haquira) 1610 1610.32 320 PRU Arequipa (OAU60 Radio El Sabor) 1610 1610.11 110 CAN Montreal QC (CJWI) 1610 1609.92 80 CAN Toronto (CHSL) 1611 1611.13 130 AUS (unid) 1620 1620.65 650 AUS Cairns Queensland (Radio Two) 1620 1620.3 300 ARG Villa Martelli BA (Radio Italia) 1620 1620.06 60 ARG (Cadena Vida) 1647 1647.05 50 AUS Canberra (Kaleen) ACT (NTC Radio) 1683 1683.24 240 AUS Sydney (Lakemba) NSW (Radio Club AM) 1701 1701.078 78 AUS Silverwater NSW (Vision Radio Network) If you are interested in precision frequency measurement then I’d recommend the Yahoo Group that Mauno Ritola set up at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mwoffsets/ As a contributing member of this group you will find other DXers around the world swapping information about spectral monitoring as reported in last month’s MWN. You will also have access to the full list of precision frequency measurements, of which the above is a mere 20%. {The list also includes operating times of the stations and the range of drift of those that wander around the dial. If you are not sure what to listen for, in Europe, tune your radio in USB or LSB mode to 1395 kHz after dark and listen to the high power off channel signal from Albania (Medium Wave News 51/02 May/June 2005 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. AISLive --- A Service for All involved with The Sea The AISLive website (Automatic Information System), enables one to keep track of friends serving at sea round the world, with real-time computer tracking. The ship borne AISS system is public domain and each vessel, commercial shipping mostly, carries dedicated AIS transmitting and receiving equipment working on the 156.250 to 162.025 MHz section of the marine band. Transmitters send details of the ship, its heading and other accurate details derived from GPS navigation. Access to the website will remain free for enthusiasts, but the info displayed will be delayed. Register at http://www.aislive.com and you will soon be able to track ships all over the world. For a full explanation of the technical aspects of the marine AIS system, I thoroughly recommend you look at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/enav/ais/how_AIS_works.htm (Rob Mannion, G3XFD, May Short Wave Magazine [UK], summarized by gh for DXLD) ** IRAN. IRAN MEDIA WATCH: WEB RINGS A web ring is a group of inter-linked weblogs authored by like-minded individuals. It may work as a community, an interest group, a pressure group or a virtual political party. Web rings were first created in the United States by weblogs and web sites linked to each other to generate more traffic and make individual sites or blogs popular with advertisers. There is an endless variety of web rings world over in the areas of business and finance, politics, religion, culture, education, music, relationship etc. So far the Persian web rings known to exist are mainly political ones; although for various reasons, including fear of prosecution, Iranians traditionally do not want to be known as members of a group or organization. Decades after political groups and organizations were banned following the clampdowns on political activists after the 1953 coup in Iran, many publications - and in recent years weblogs and web sites - indicate in their masthead that they "do not belong to any groups or organizations". Ironically, in the 1990s still Asr-e Ma, the official mouthpiece of the Islamic Revolution's Mojahedin Organization, claimed that it did not belong to any group or organization and did not subscribe to any political ideology. This explains why one of the main Iranian web rings, consisting of weblogs authored by professional journalists, does not have a name. Nevertheless, almost all of the members of all of these web rings, whether in Iran or abroad, use their real name in their blogs. There are at least four known Iranian web rings. Three of these are based in Iran while one of them is a London-based web community of artists, intellectuals and political activists who live in Iran and a number of countries across Europe. These web rings are: Malakut (Heavens) Debsh (Cool) Hanouz (Yet) The web ring of professional Iranian journalists Malakut http://www.malakut.org Malakut, the first known Iranian web ring, was started in 2002 by Dariush Mohammadpur, an Iranian student in London. It consists of 33 weblogs including the one posted by Mohammadpur himself. Its members come from various backgrounds. A few of them are teenage Iranian expatriates living in Europe, a few others are broadcast journalists working with European media, some of them are veteran Iranian political activists living in exile, some others are well known authors and poets and quite a few others are low key literary figures. Malakut is the only Persian web ring where debates among its members are not merely focused on politics. Members of this web ring often have heated literary and philosophical discussions. Nevertheless, this is a self-contained web ring which has little if any interaction with bloggers outside the ring. As far as their political orientation is concerned, all of the bloggers in Malakut web ring have expressed their support for the Iranian reform movement and reformist figures at one point or another if not all the time. Some of the bloggers in this web ring are: Dariush Mohammadpur, Mehdi Jami, Reza Allamehzadeh, Abbas Ma'rufi, Dariush Ashuri, Yadollah Roya'i and Parviz Jahed. Excerpt from a posting in Malakut by Dariush Mohammadpur: "A few minutes ago, BBC 2 showed a programme about Iran's nuclear activities. The programme, entitled Iran's nuclear secrets, was a documentary which contained the views of all the parties concerned. The report was nearly objective and faithful to reality. But the consequences of the programme were horrible. This was a clear message to indicate that Iran's nuclear programme has surpassed the boundaries of diplomacy. There were shocking references to Saddam's plans, Iraq and Israel's attack on targets in Iraq..." Debsh http://www.debsh.com Debsh is a web ring consisting of 10 Iranian journalists and an anonymous user name which can be used as alias by any one of the ten or by a "guest". These ten journalists, one of whom recently moved to Alaska, USA, work for the low key reformist dailies in Tehran such as Mardom Salari and Tose'eh, although some of them including Akram Didari and Mahmud Farjami have also contributed to better known dailies such as Sharq and web-based news portals like Gooya News. Except in rare cases when Debsh web ring members write about social and cultural issues, most of the postings on Debsh.com are pro-reform political commentaries. Members of Debsh include: Akram Didari, Mahmud Farjami, Mohammad Rahbar and Ali Moazami. Excerpt from a posting entitled "radical thought and the election" by Morad Farhadpur and Omid Mehregan: "Attempting to foresee the developments of the future would be naïve in a situation where political organizations are shapeless and their ideologies are vague and insignificant --- If we accept that the historical substance of events in Iran's contemporary history is the building of a nation- state, then we could say that the nature of our society's historical move would be nothing but merging into the global investment market. From a theoretical and academic perspective, this is a progression towards civilization." Hanouz http://www.hanouz.com Structurally, Hanouz looks more like Debsh than the other web rings, although it has a newspaper-like layout while the layout of Hanouz is that of a weblog. Here, the leader of the web ring is reformist newspaper journalist Ali Asghar Seyyedabadi. Hanouz deals with ongoing political issues in a direct way. Headlines such as "Why the women's movement will not become a populist movement" and "Efforts for arranging a meeting between Hashemi-Rafsanjani and journalists" are examples of this direct approach. Hanouz journalists openly support Mostafa Mo'in in Iran's upcoming presidential election. Some of the journalists in this web ring are Ali Asghar Seyyedabadi, Armen Nersisian, Sa'id Mehrzadegan, Arash Hasan-Nia and Ali Dehqan. Like Debsh, Hanouz also has an anonymous user name which can be used as an alias by any one of the ten or by a "guest". Excerpt from a posting entitled "Voting for Mo'in and ---" by Ali Asghar Seyyedabadi: "All of us who are interested in reforms in Iran and do not limit the reforms to these years and Khatami and the reformists within the Iranian political system look like the players of a defeated football team --- We are looking for somebody to blame. And who is this somebody except the Participation Party and Mostafa Mo'in who has become a candidate in these hard times?" The web ring of professional Iranian journalists Unlike the other three web rings, this one does not have a name. In order to check it, one needs to open the weblog of one of its members, for instance that of Eqbal newspaper's Vahid Purostad or the one posted by Zanan magazine's Parastu Dokuhaki. Links to weblogs by other Iranian journalists appear under the heading "Journalists" in Dokuhaki's weblog. In Purostad's weblog, they appear under the heading "Ruznamehnegaran" which is Persian for "journalists". A few of the blogs in these two lists are also members of the other three web rings. All of these journalists write for a range of reformist newspapers in Iran. Journalist in this web ring write about ongoing political affairs, rather than expounding on the philosophical aspects of politics like the Malakut web ring journalists. Excerpts from a posting in Vahid Purostad's weblog: "US State Department's [deputy] spokesman has called on Iran on the occasion of the international day of freedom of press to free all Iranian jailed journalists including Akbar Ganji, Reza Alijani and Yusef Azizi- Banitorof. Adam Ereli said: We have a difficult relation with Iran and now the government of America is asking Iran to free Akbar Ganji\… The spokesman has called on Iran to cooperate with the international community and to become part of it instead of spending its resources on developing nuclear bombs." Some of the journalists linked with this web ring are: Parastu Dokuhaki, Vahid Purostad, Nikahang Kosar (in Canada), and Emadeddin Baqi. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 5 May 05 (via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. IBA DG replacement --- IBA temp chief named http://bet.iba.org.il/index.asp?classto=betLanguage&lang=23 Yair Aloni has been named as the temporary director-general of the Israel Broadcasting Authority. Aloni served in senior positions at the IBA, including deputy director-general. He replaces Yosef Barel, who was dismissed by the cabinet on Monday. 05.05.2005 13:37 --------- (Doni Rosenzweig, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN [non]. R. Japan sure has a lot of problems with its relay stations. May 4 at 2306 past 2319, 11895 French Guiana was running continuous loop of NHK Warudo IS and multilingual IDs, instead of scheduled --- wait a minute, not scheduled at all during this hour, just 2200-2300. Testing? 17605 Bonaire was OK in Japanese after 2300 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN [and non]. JapanShortWaveClub Info Dear Radio friends, Thank you for your reception report. We have just printed a new QSL card which is coming to you now. This is based on our member Mr. Kim's painting. This year is the year of Rooster in the Zodiac signs. It is believed to display any sign of the Rooster this year, it will bring more happiness in your house. Mr. Kim said he had spent a year to come up to this design. In coincident with year 2005 or simply 05, he put 5 eggs, 5 petals, 5 cockscombs (one including JSWC 2005mark) and 5 feathers. Five often relates to chances in Japanese word, so he said all best wishes for the year was imbedded in this picture. So this is the Happiness bringing QSL to you. We have 3 kinds of QSL now available. 50th anniversary card printed in 2002 5th anniversary card printed in 1957 and this new card, all in color. You can request whatever you like for the report tuned to any of JSWC participated programs, such es Hello from Tokyo, DX Partyline and Wavescan (silent for the moment). We are looking forward to hearing from you again/ We will issue a verification card for correct reception reports.(Please enclose either 1 IRC or one dollar US bill.) Toshi Ohtake International Coordination Japan Short Wave Club P.O.Box 29 Sendai Central 980- 8691 Japan ohtaket@yahoo.co.jp (via Paul Gager, Austria, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. Hello! Following the A05 Summer schedule of the VOICE OF KOREA from Pyongyang, DPR Korea (North Korea) effective 0700 UT, May 3, 2005. There may still be some minor changes to the Korean, Japanese and Chinese schedule as I wasn't able to verify all announced frequencies as yet. However, the bulk of the information is correct and I will amend it as necessary once I have verified the transmissions in question. Please find attached in Word-format the schedules with and without "beam" information. I hope for a wide publicity by stating the source as follows: Arnulf Piontek, Berlin, Germany, dx @ surfnett.de Kind regards and '73s from (Arnulf Piontek, Berlin, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 0000 Chinese 13650 15100 SEAs 0000 Korean (PBS) 7140 9345 9730 NECHN 0000 Spanish 11735 13760 15180 CAm 0100 English 7140 9345 9730 NEAs 0100 English 11735 13760 15180 CAm 0100 French 13650 15100 SEAs 0200 Chinese 7140 9345 9730 NECHN 0200 English 13650 15100 SEAs 0200 Spanish 11735 13760 15180 CAm 0300 Chinese 13650 15100 SEAs 0300 English 7140 9345 9730 NEAs 0300 French 11735 13760 15180 CAm 0700 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 J 0700 Korean (PBS) 7140 9345 NECHN 0700 Russian 9975 11735 FE 0700 Russian 13760 15245 Eu 0800 Chinese 7140 9345 NECHN 0800 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 J 0800 Russian 9975 11735 FE 0800 Russian 13760 15245 Eu 0900 Japanese 621 3250 6070 9650 11865 J 0900 Korean (KCBS) 7140 9345 NECHN 0900 Korean (PBS) 9975 11735 FE 0900 Korean (PBS) 13760 15245 Eu 1000 English 11710 15180 CAm 1000 English 11735 13650 SEAs 1000 Japanese 621 3250 6070 9650 11865 J 1000 Korean (PBS) 7140 9345 NECHN 1100 Chinese 7140 9345 CHN 1100 French 11710 15180 CAm 1100 French 11735 13650 SEAs 1100 Japanese 621 3250 6070 9650 11865 J 1200 Japanese 621 3250 6070 9650 11865 J 1200 Korean (KCBS) 11710 15180 CAm 1200 Korean (KCBS) 11735 13650 SEAs 1200 Korean (PBS) 7140 9345 NECHN 1300 Chinese 11735 13650 SEAs 1300 English 13760 15245 WEu 1300 English 9335 11710 NAm 1300 Korean (PBS) 9325 12015 Eu 1400 French 13760 15245 WEu 1400 French 9335 11710 NAm 1400 Korean (KCBS) 11735 13650 SEAs 1400 Russian 9325 12015 Eu 1500 Arabic 9990 11545 ME, NAf 1500 English 13760 15245 WEu 1500 English 9335 11710 NAm 1500 Russian 9325 12015 Eu 1600 German 9325 12015 WEu 1600 English 9990 11545 ME, NAf 1600 French 13760 15245 WEu 1600 French 9335 11710 NAm 1700 Arabic 9990 11545 ME, NAf 1700 Korean (KCBS) 13760 15245 WEu 1700 Korean (KCBS) 9335 11710 NAm 1700 Russian 9325 12015 Eu 1800 German 9325 12015 WEu 1800 English 13760 15245 WEu 1800 French 7100 11910 SAf 1800 French 9975 11535 ME, NAf 1900 German 9325 12015 WEu 1900 English 9975 11535 ME, NAf 1900 English 7100 11910 SAf 1900 Spanish 13760 15245 WEu 2000 French 13760 15245 WEu 2000 Korean (KCBS) 9975 11535 ME, NAf 2000 Korean (KCBS) 7100 11910 SAf 2000 Korean (KCBS) 9325 12015 WEu 2100 Chinese 7180 9345 NECHN 2100 Chinese 9975 11535 CHN 2100 English 13760 15245 WEu 2100 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 J 2200 Chinese 7140 9345 NECHN 2200 Chinese 9975 11535 CHN 2200 Spanish 13760 15245 WEu 2200 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 J 2300 Japanese 621 3250 9650 11865 J 2300 Korean (KCBS) 7140 9345 NECHN 2300 Korean (KCBS) 13760 15245 WEu 2300 Korean (KCBS) 9975 11535 CHN Target Areas of the Voice of Korea, Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) CAm Central America CHN China Eu Europe FE Far East J Japan ME Middle East Naf North Africa NAm North America NEAs Northeast Asia NECHN Northeast China Saf South Africa SAm South America SEAs South-East Asia (Arnulf Piontek-D, via wwdxc BC-DX May 4 via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. Voice of Korea heard on new 15245 1845 May 5th in English with start of Listeners Mailbox programme; this programme lasted for 4 minutes and the presenter read out two letters praising their broadcasts. Poor to fair on clear channel (Mike Barraclough, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15245 is totally covered by AWR Juelich at 1900-2030 UT. From 2031 a thiny signal from Pyongyang just above threshold. 15 MHz at 0400 Local time in KRE is too high, should move to an 11 MHz in 1800-2400 UT slot instead. Parallel 13760 has a fair signal at same time. The Korean bcs on 9325, 9975, 11535, and 12015 are loud and roaring into EUR. Only the African outlets 7100 and 11910 are poor here EUR. 73 de (Wolfgang - Stuttgart Germany, ibid.) ** LATVIA. Relay on 9290 kHz -7th May --- Radio Joystick 0900-1000 UT --- good listening (Tom Taylor, May 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBYA [non]. A05 Libyan Radio relays via Issoudun, France: 11615 1800-1900 11635 2000-2130 11715 1900-2030 15205 1800-2000 15610 1100-1230 15615 1700-1900 15660 1600-1900 17695 1100-1230 17695 1600-1800 17880 1700-1800 21675 1100-1500 21695 1000-1400 These carry Arabic except for short news summaries in English and French at approx 1135, 1730, 1820, 1925, 2030, 2130 (HFCC schedule and observations by Dave Kenny, May BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) Why not standardize the times to every hour on the half hour? (gh) ** MOLDOVA. Radio DMR monitored on new 5910 May 2nd 1600-1620 in English (Edwin Southwell, UK, World DX Club) heard on 5910 May 5th opening 1600 with identification in English followed by news about celebration of VE Day, fair on clear channel (Mike Barraclough, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Was supposed to be on 5910 from outset of A-05, but instead stayed on 5960 until now (gh) ** NETHERLANDS. WEB FEATURE ON RADIO ORANJE NOW AVAILABLE An English version of the Internet story on Radio Oranje, whose historic broadcast of 5 May 1945 is being created at 1415-1445 UTC today on our Dutch service, is now available on our website. The article gives additional background information on Radio Oranje, and contains a link to the audio of the special programme [in Dutch]. Historic 'Liberation Day' broadcast revived http://www2.rnw.nl/rnw/en/currentaffairs/region/netherlands/ned050505?view=Standard&version=1 # posted by Andy @ 10:47 UT May 5 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. The below e-mail QSL was received from KFNY on February 9, 2005 after a hint from Bjarne Melde. /JEÖ Congratulations on your reception of KFNY. This email confirms that you did copy KFNY (AM), 1640 kHz, licensed to Enid, OK USA. Thanks again for your efforts! Best Regards, Bill Bill Nolan Managing Member Broadcast Technical Associates, LLC 1632 S. Maize Road Wichita, KS 67209-3900 (316) 990-8285 (888) 832-9419 Fax (Jan-Erik Österholm (JEÖ), FIN- 06100 Porvoo, Finland, May 4, dxing.info via DXLD) ** PERU. La Voz de la Selva, 4825, closes down at 0057 on UT Mondays (their Sundays) instead of 0257 (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, DX News, May BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** PERU. R. Altura, 5014.53, 0220-0340+ April 29, Spanish talk, IDs, promos, ad string, variety Of OA folk music, Spanish pops. Fair level but noisy conditions. R. Sicuani?, 4826.5v, 0230-0305+ April 29, tentative with Andean music, Spanish talk, 0235 religious recitations. Constantly varying between 4826.45 and 4826.50. Poor-weak. R. San Andrés, 5544.66, 0240-0321* April 29, OA folk music, ID, Spanish talk. 0321 abrupt pulled plug. Fair-good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. A05 R. Pilipinas in Tagalog/English via IBB Poro: 0200-0330 ME 11885 15120 15270 1730-1930 ME 11720 15190 17720 These are beamed to Filipinos working in the Middle Easts (Dave Kenny, DX News, May BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA. A little known service is their European Broadcast via the Internet: http://www.saudiradio.net/indexen.php - click on 'European Broadcast' which has the following schedule: 05-08 UT: English, 08-10 UT: French (// 17785 kHz), 10-13 UT: English, 13-14 UT: Unknown language, 14-16 UT: French (// 21600) and 16-21 UT: English. 73, (Erik Køie, Copenhagen, May 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) About time for a reminder; mentioned this a few years ago in DXLD. As I recall the website also has some very nice greenish Islamic graphics (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALIA [non]. There have been some uncertainties in regard to the postal code in the announced contact address for Radio Horyaal in Canada; a Canada Post search reveals these figures: P. O. Box 51045, Scarborough, Ontario M1L 4T2 (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN. REE English hour in progress at 0014 UT May 5, on 15385, with Spain Day By Day. Excellent signal, no sign of QRM, and hard to believe just a few weeks ago this was near-inaudible and masked by IBB Tinang. But something like this happens every spring. REE just should not be on 15 MHz to us in April. If they don`t want to make more frequent band changes, they should try 11/12/13 MHz instead for the A- seasons. Ditto French in the previous hour (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN. SPANISH BAND I TRANSMITTERS --- Doubts exist as to whether the Madrid Band I outlet on Channel E2 has finally closed even though its low-level intrusions into the Algarve have suddenly stopped. The outlet may have switched to low-power as there were claims of its reception in Europe earlier this year. The Spanish Band I transmitters have been allowed to linger on air for much longer than planned but they will be sadly missed. Spanish pictures were usually the first delights experienced by DXers and high transmitter powers meant DX was assured even with simple antennas. Receiving Spanish signals often whetted the DXers` appetite for greater challenges (Keith Hamer & Garry Smith, DX Television, May Short Wave Magazine [UK] via DXLD) ** SYRIA. R. Damascus is using new 9330 (ex-13610) // 12085 for external services, including English confirmed stil at 2005-2105 and 2110-2210 (Dave Kenny, DX News, May BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** U S A. Join me on VOA's Talk to America, 6 May, 1600-1700 UT. I'll interview broadcasters at HCJB, Quito, who recently were in the midst of, and reported on, the presidential transition crisis in Ecuador. Frequencies: http://www.kimandrewelliott.com/kim_on_tta.html (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) Hi Kim, Regarding recommended fqs for TTA, we are really in a bad situation in NAm; I would not say 15580 is best, since it was moved from Greenville to Botswana (toward NNW). In fact, 1630 check today shows nothing there, nothing audible on 15445 (Lampertheim to ENE), and only a weak signal on 15410 (São Tomé to SE). 17895 audible but poor, but that`s in Special English. Let`s see, is TTA still played back at some other times? 73, (Glenn to Kim, via DXLD) ** U S A. Looks like the mystery 3750 harmonic was 750 KOAL Utah .... Got this reply from Nigel Pimblett who was also trying to id this one: Looks like it was KOAL. I got this reply (at 6:25 this morning!) from them: Probably KOAL 750 in Price, Utah We took a lightning hit that took out a lot of our antenna network system. While repairing the damage we operated directly into our second tower which was probably what caused the harmonic (via Don Moman, AB, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nice! 5x harmonics are not that common outside of Cuber (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. IBOC Approved by NRSC --- From today’s Radio Ink Newsletter. And now for the bad news --- NRSC VOTES TO IMPLEMENT TECHNICAL STANDARD FOR US DIGITAL AM & FM BASED ON IBIQUITY HD RADIO SYSTEM iBiquity Digital Corporation, developers of the HD Radio In-Band On- Channel (IBOC) system, has congratulated the National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) for unanimously voting to implement the technical standard for digital AM and FM broadcasting in the US based on the HD Radio system. The IBOC system was previously recommended by the International Telecommunication Union for digital broadcasting systems in the AM and FM bands. "We applaud the NRSC`’s decision to adopt an IBOC standard based on iBiquity’s HD Radio system," said Robert Struble, president and CEO, iBiquity Digital Corporation. "We also commend them for the years of diligent analysis and research they’ve undertaken in reaching this decision. Their endorsement is a key milestone in the establishment of HD Radio as the digital radio solution in the US and, ultimately, other countries." HD Radio technology transmits digital audio and data alongside existing AM and FM analog signals, allowing listeners with HD Radio receivers to experience CD-quality sound. My comments: You`ll notice the keywords for our purposes are ``along side existing AM and FM analog signals.`` Take that however you will, but it means that forget listening to anything on adjacent channels to an IBOC`ed station. We, of course, know this already. This announcement simply means we’ve moved one step closer to one heck of a mess on the AM standard broadcast band. You will notice, however, that there is still no mention of nighttime operation. That`s still a bone of contention for many, and apparently their ``years of diligent analysis and research`` have yet to overcome the havoc and loss of coverage for many stations that will existent on the AM band at night should nighttime IBOC (I refuse to call it ``High Definition Radio``) ever be approved by the commission. I`ve said it before and I`ll keep saying it. There are better ways. For instance, create a new broadcast band using Eureka Digital as has Canada and the UK and give AMs (expecially daytimers) top priority to migrate there. Give them a five year overlap between AM and the new band (as has been done with the extended band). This would not only c cut down on the nighttime crud on the AM band, but would give marginal stations a chance to become viable entities. (Oh yeah --- I should mention that my comments are my own and don’t reflect those of my employer.) (Rene' F. Tetro, Chief Engineer, WNTP-WFIL, Salem Communications Lafayette Hill, PA 19444, May 4, IRCA mailing list via DXLD) ** U S A. I wrote yesterday of the call changes for two Chicago area stations. I wrote that the new WCPT 850 Crystal Lake IL was stunting, in anticipation of a change to progressive talk that was to take place on Thursday 5/5 at 8 AM Central. The stunting consisted mostly of political audio clips, politically themed songs, promos for the station's new shows, and notification as to when the new format was to start. Among the messages was this little gem: "If you're listening to this, you've either found us by accident or you're some radio geek with no life. Either way, we're glad you found us. AM 850 WCPT Crystal Lake- Chicago." Well, of course, I did not find the station by accident. I was listening because I was trying to find out more about the station's call and format change. In other words -- because I was a radio geek with no life! Finally, a radio station that made me feel wanted! :>) So, here is a heads-up to my close friends-- if you notice a radical change in my political philosophy in the coming months, you will know why! |G| 73 (Bill Dvorak, Madison WI, May 5, NRC-AM via DXLD) Why is it that when a station changes format they have to be negative or stupid and say something about being a radio geek with no life. Why not promote the up coming change in a positive way. Secondly, I am getting tired of being put down or called names such as a geek by those so called experts who make decisions in broadcasting. I have been following radio for 48 years and if I am a geek as a result well so be it. Radio "geeks" were the ones that were willing to take chances. Chances that resulted in great stations and successful programming which led to what we take for granted today on the AM and FM dial in America. Maybe someday us geeks will be taken seriously by those in charge. Our love of radio whether it be as a DXER, a person who works in the business or as a listener who cares about it, can not be replaced even with all the changes going on in it these days (Lawrence Stoler, ibid.) ** U S A. Don`t tell anyone, but it is possible to listen to New York Philharmonic This Week on demand after the two-week period each broadcast is officially available and linked on the website http://newyorkphilharmonic.org/attend/broadcasts/index.cfm?page=broadcastsByMonth I missed the April 19 show which was supposed to run thru May 4, since its link was already deleted on May 4. However, by checking the exact rtsp audio link for the April 26 show, and changing the 26 to a 19, bingo, got it still on May 5. I have not experimented further to see if older shows are still accessible, or how much longer the latest expired one is (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. KNAU LISTENERS WANT DEMOCRACY NOW! By LAURA CLYMER City Editor 05/05/2005 http://www.azdailysun.com/non_sec/nav_includes/story.cfm?storyID=107944 Jake Bacon/Arizona Daily Sun Etienne MacCormack, 4, watches a support rally from his fathers shoulders outside KNAU radio station on the Northern Arizona University campus Wednesday afternoon. The rally was staged ito encourage the radio station to air Democracy Now! , a radio news program hosted by Amy Goodman and to turn in a petition to that effect. To order this photo, go to http://photos.azdailysun.com Buy this photo online! Local public radio station officials are standing firm in their decision not to carry a progressive news program despite receiving a petition with more than 1,100 signatures from listeners and local citizens who say they want their Democracy Now! KNAU management, a National Public Radio affiliate station operated by Northern Arizona University, says the program, Democracy Now! and its host, Amy Goodman, "violate several of the core tenets of ethics laid out by National Public Radio, from which KNAU derives its own journalistic standards," according to a press release issued Wednesday. KNAU General Manager John Stark, who was reached by phone in Washington, said the station will stand by the decision made by its four-person programming committee. Unbowed by the decision, Democracy Now! in Flagstaff stated in a Wednesday press release that it will continue "to work with KNAU to build the strongest and most diverse news schedule possible. With that in mind we will continue our mission to build public support for KNAU and DN!, and in doing so help heal the alienation felt by many current and former KNAU listeners." Stark said similar campaigns for Democracy Now! are being waged at NPR radio stations elsewhere across the country and general managers are responding the same way. Stark said of the 275 NPR member stations, only seven or maybe eight carry the program. "NPR member stations are autonomous," Stark said. "Many more NPR stations have decided not to air than have." Democracy Now! in Flagstaff contends that at least 24 NPR stations carry the hour-long news program, and it brought in the show's investigative journalist host Amy Goodman for a Saturday speech at the DuBois Center for her "Unembed the Media" book tour. (See related story.) The two core tenets of ethics laid out by NPR and ascribed by KNAU regard politics, community and outside activities. According to the KNAU press release, NPR journalists may not run for office, endorse candidates or otherwise engage in politics, nor may they contribute to political campaigns. Also NPR journalists are not to participate in marches or rallies involving causes or issues that NPR covers, nor should sign petitions or lend their name to such causes. Stark didn't cite specific cases as to how DN! might have violated the core ethics, instead referring to the station's press release. Local DN! advocates counter that Goodman and colleagues are award- winning journalists who "are well-known for upholding the highest of ethical standards and journalistic integrity." Democracy Now! brings a different news program than what NPR offers, said Richard Towne, general manger of KUNM, a community radio station in Albuquerque, N.M. "Pacifica (Democracy Now!'s broadcast station) has a point of view -- always has, always will. Their mission is to be an independent voice about progressive issues," Towne said Thursday. Whether Pacifica's programming fits at KNAU is something only KNAU management can decide, Towne said. "I think it's apples to oranges. If KNAU says NPR's standards are our standards, then it (Democracy Now!) doesn't fit. I respect John and the work that he's done over there for many years." Still, Towne said there might be room for a show like Democracy Now! on one of KNAU's signals. The show offers some extremely valuable content. At least that's what he's found out as general manager of KUNM since 1994. KUNM has been a Pacifica affiliate for nearly as long as an NPR affiliate. It picked up Pacifica's nightly newscast and ran it adjacent to its local newscast and NPR's "All Things Considered." During the 1996 presidential election campaign, Democracy Now! was aired on Pacifica as a 10-week special election coverage program. KUNM ran it as an election special, Towne said. "In that time frame, it found audience and funding to become a permanent part of Pacifica programming," he said. In fall 1997, at its public hearing and input meeting to determine programming, Democracy Now! was overwhelmingly popular with listeners, so Towne and KUNM plugged the show into its afternoon block. Towne said the DN! audience is just as big as audiences for their local news and NPR programs. Towne said, "That program provides things that NPR doesn't and it presents them in long-form. It has voices on that NPR never does." He also said Democracy Now! has valuable content, explaining: "It provides radio air time for people to speak. The NPR segments are typically four or five or seven, maybe 11 minutes, but Democracy Now! has 20 minutes and people are given the opportunity to speak without much in the way of filtering or editing. Advocacy or not, Amy Goodman is a tenacious journalist. She's a powerful journalist. She goes to places where people are not being heard." Towne continued: "NPR provides us great coverage of the Pentagon, and the White House, press releases, briefings and all of the that. We get plenty of the war side. Pacifica gives us the peace side. It's a real comfortable balance for us." But for now it won't be a fit at KNAU. "KNAU remains committed to solid, unbiased and accurate news reporting. We believe we've achieved that mix," stated Wednesday's press release. "We are also committed to improvement, and thus we remain receptive to suggestions from the community at-large." (via Sheldon Harvey, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. R. Amazonas, Pto. Ayacucho, 4939.66, 0255-0311* April 29, Spanish talk, romantic Spanish ballads, announcements, IDs. Sign- off with NA. Fair-good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DX-PEDITIONS ++++++++++++ REMOTE FLORIDA DXing SITES --- By Terry L. Krueger May, 2005 I have ``road tested`` quite a few locations across Florida since the late 1970’s for portable band scans (primarily MW, but also LW, SW and FM BCB at times). There are a handful of sites I keep coming back to for (mostly) Cuba MW monitoring. These sites seem to work best because of their geographic pluses and generally low power grid line noise. I thought I’d share these sites with you and include some brief comments, including some of the non-DX pluses for each location. With summer almost upon us, maybe you will give a few of these sites a shot. Note: in the pre-9/11 days, it wasn’t very hard to obtain permission for an overnight stay from park ranger headquarters. Now, it appears that you will have to jump through a lot of silly and unwarranted hoops. I say this because I entertained the thought a very small gathering at Ft. DeSoto (see below) last summer, only to be turned down. I did not pursue the declination, which was based on `security` issues. That said, the bulk of my site observations are based on DXing during park hours, which in Florida are generally from opening (8:00 a.m.-ish) to local sunset. This is overall not a problem for me, since my greatest interest is Cuba MW, and daytime scanning is the primary opportunity for catching most of the relevant aforementioned DX on water path. Equipment has varied over the years, but currently consists of: The car radio (presently a semi-old digital readout Alpine AM/FM/CD unit). 2. RadioShack DX-399 portable. RadioShack portable, non-active loop (Cat. No. 15-1853 -- no longer in production). Sometimes I may also pack the old GE Superadio III, Russ Scotka active ferrites loop, NRD-535 and/or roll of wire. But it’s been quite a while since I was that energetic to take at least the latter two, and if on a trip that involves an overnight stay, the bulky gear is not taken for obvious reasons. Of course, an ample supply of batteries, writing pads and reference books are always packed. CANAVERAL NATIONAL SEASHORE (north end entrance, south of Apollo Beach) DX-VANTAGES: Yes, the infamous home of many overnight CanavDX group all-band monitoring sessions through the 80’s. It`s been a few years since I have been here solo, but to not mention Canaveral would be The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle. This is a killer location for post-sunset DX to Africa and Europe on LW, MW and SW. There are miles of unobstructed beach and dunes for antennae, and bathrooms at some parking areas. DISADVANTAGES: Mosquitoes, drug runners, drug users. Remote, with no other provisions available south of New Smyrna Beach. NON-DX PLUSES: Awesome beaches and surf. Close to New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach and the JFK Space Center. LONG KEY STATE RECREATION AREA (Middle Florida Keys) DX-VANTAGES: Situated far enough away from Miami and Key West crowds and noise, this is an ideal location for MW DX from Cuba. Several of the Jamaican MW outlets have been logged daytime from here, and it’s the only place I’ve ever been able to consistently log the elusive Radio Bahamas ZNS-2 on 1240 and always at a nice level. Some Bahamian FM’ers make it in here as well. Check for 96.7 MHz Radio Rebelde, probably the strongest Cuban FM signal. The parking lot to the left (near the boardwalk and restrooms) offers a lot of shade opportunities to park under. Quiet; almost no park visitors every time I’ve made a MW band scan from here (usually an approximately two-hour session). DISADVANTAGES: Can’t think of any. Oh, how about mosquitoes. NON-DX PLUSES: Overnight camping (reservations in advance), with most sites directly on the water. The very tiny township of Layton has a couple of mom-and-pop restaurants and store for basic provisions if camping. Nice boardwalk and nature trail. Location is about half-way between Key West and the mainland. FT. ZACHARY TAYLOR HISTORIC STATE PARK (Key West) DX-VANTAGES: Unless you have a boat, this is as close as you are going to get to Cuba. Lots of benches under shade trees by the water. Concession stand and restrooms. Close enough to any Key West hotels or bed & breakfast for bicycling, driving or (if you are really energetic) walking. DISADVANTAGES: The powerline/RF may be a little higher here due to the proximity to homes and buildings, but never a problem for daytime MW for me. NON-DX PLUSES: Family-friendly beach (though rather rocky), close to all the amenities of Key West-proper. Nice 1840’s-era fort and surrounding historic displays that is open for self-guided tours or with a park ranger-led group tours at designated times. FT. DeSOTO (Pinellas County Park) DX-VANTAGES: Good site for MW from the western half of Cuba as well as the Florida panhandle area. Gulf coast FM is also good. There are lots of parking lots, trees, benches, restrooms and concession areas. No matter how busy the weekend visitor numbers may be, there’s so much room out here that it never feels crowded. DISADVANTAGES: Powerline/RF levels may be present (power poles are above-ground here), but I have never experienced any issues in the daytime. It might be possible to discreetly DX solo at one of the 24/7 pier parking lots without being detected by park Nazi’s, who otherwise may insist you ``fish or leave.`` NON-DX PLUSES: Easily the best beaches in Pinellas County are at this boomerang-shaped island. The county park is on par or surpasses many state or National parks. Very nice overnight camping lots; most are on the water, all shaded and multiple bathroom/shower facilities spaced between lots (reservations in advance). Ft. DeSoto is located only a few minutes’ drive to St. Petersburg and Tampa. Wind sail surfing on East End Beach, kayaking (including rentals), in-line skating and biking trails. Also, two great fishing piers – a 500-foot and 1,000- foot – are open 24/7 for anglers. This is one of the top migrating bird viewing areas between North and South America/Caribbean, especially in spring. One nice nature trail (just off of the Arrowhead picnic area) as well as the circa-1898 Spanish-American War building foundations trail near the long pier, which also offers a view of the Egmont Key lighthouse across the shipping channel. HONORABLE MENTIONS I’ve done a little listening at the below: BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK – the first island after Marathon and the Seven-Mile Bridge. EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK – Everglades City Visitor Center parking lot. CHOKOLOSKEE – the island located just south of Everglades City. LAKE KISSIMMEE STATE PARK – located just off SR-60 in the center of the state. GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE – any beachside parking lot near the extreme west end of Santa Rosa Island (near Fort Pickens). Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W Visit my "Florida Low Power Radio Stations" at: http://home.earthlink.net/~tocobagadx/flortis.html (DX LISTENING DIGEST) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ STATION DISTANCE SEPARATIONS (long!) Q: Are FM co-channels spaced at shorter distances than those for TV or HDTV? A: Yes and no. Analog TV channels came in only one flavor, spacing- wise, and that was full-power (100 kW for lo-V, 316 kW for hi-V, 5 MW for U). Channel spacing varied only by band and region of the country (there were, if memory serves, three regions, with tightest spacing in the northeast, looser in the midwest, looser still out west). I think the absolute minimum spacing was something like 180 or 190 miles, going out to 250 or so for lo-band V out west (Scott Fybush, WTFDA via DXLD) Scott hit the nail on the head. The FCC originally considered having two classes of TV station (all stations on channel 1 were to be of the lower-power class, but low-power stations were also assignable on other channels) but apparently thought better of it. There are in fact three regions: - Zone 1: roughly, the area north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi. - Zone 3: The Gulf Coast. - Zone 2: everywhere else. (yes, these are out of order on purpose) (47CFR73.699 Figure 1 and Figure 2. There is no map of Zone 2 - it's just everywhere that isn't on the maps in the figures...) Minimum tower spacing for co-channel operations: For VHF stations: - Zone 1: 170mi. - Zone 2: 190mi. - Zone 3: 220mi. For UHF stations: - Zone 1: 155mi. - Zone 2: 175mi. - Zone 3: 205mi. (47CFR73.610(b)(1)) I think Steve Wiseblood can tell us why the greater separation is required in Zone 3 |grin|! The formulas for maximum power for VHF stations also depend on zone. In Zone 1, power must be decreased for antenna heights above 305m; in zones 2 and 3 power reduction doesn't kick in until the antenna height reaches 610m. For example, WISC-3's tower is 469m tall in Zone 1; it's limited to a power of 23,879 watts.[0] If WISC were to move about 40 miles north into central Sauk Co., they'd end up in Zone 2 - and would be allowed to increase power to 100,000 watts. This difference in zones only applies to VHF. All UHF stations, regardless of zone, may run 5000kw for tower heights of up to 610m. (47CFR73.614. In a few cases, a station's city of license is in one zone while its tower is in a different zone. The location of the tower controls. For example, WHBF-4 is licensed to Rock Island, Illinois and has a tower 408m tall. All of Illinois lies in Zone 1, and thus WHBF should be required to reduce power to 37,946 watts. But... WHBF's 408m tower is just across the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa - and in Zone 2. So, they're allowed to run a full 100,000. (47CFR73.610(b)(2), 73.610(e), 73.614(c)) While no new analog stations are being authorized, it's my understanding the old rules still apply to any analog station that wishes to change its technical parameters. | DTV can be, and is, spaced tighter. At least to some degree because of more widespread use of directional antennas and contour protection. Among analog stations, a new station can only be authorized if it could run the maximum power for its antenna height, zone, and channel without interfering. Even if the station actually plans to run much less than maximum power. For example, WMTV-15 is licensed for 891kw, much less than the UHF maximum of 5000. Another analog channel 15 would have to be at least 155 miles away. WICD-15 is licensed for only 550kw - but another analog 15 would still need to be 155 miles from WICD. "Contour protection" means station separation is based on the actual powers (and antenna heights) of the stations. I don't have the DTV rules handy, but contour protection is also used for non-commercial FM stations. [1] A new non-commercial FM in the 88-92 band can be authorized if the area in which it provides a 40dBu [2] signal doesn't intersect the area in which an existing station on the same frequency provides a 60dBu signal, and vice-versa. [3] What all this means is that DTV stations can be closer together if one or more of them runs less than the maximum permissible power. I suspect the FCC wants to get rid of this, as much as possible, after transition. FM, at least in the 92.1-107.9 commercial band, is spaced according to a table you can find by searching for "47CFR73.207," and it's all done by classes, with rules for co-channel, first-adjacent, second/third- adjacent and IF (10.6/10.8 MHz) spacing. Co-channel spacing can be as tight as 115 km (class A to class A) and as broad as 290 km (C to C). [this graf quoted from Fybush??] Notes as from above: [0] For some reason, their license gives them an extra 121 watts for an even 24,000. My guess is it comes from rounding. The FCC measures powers in dB above a kilowatt (dBk) and rounds them off to the nearest 0.1 dB. In any case, 121 extra watts is well within the tolerance allowed for a station's operating power. [1] and for all AM stations. [2] dBu = dB above 1 microvolt per meter. [3] specific contour separations also exist for existing stations 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6MHz from the proposed station. [4] Note that power reduction stops for antenna heights of more than 2300m/7,544'. Any station with a tower taller than this would be allowed to run the "floor" ERP: Channel Zone I Zone 2/3 2-6 100w 10kw 7-13 400w 31.6kw UHF 500kw (all zones) These are "minimum maximums". Stations may request lower powers, down to a minimum of 100w on all channels, but these are the lowest powers the FCC will *require* on these channels. It should be noted that at the current time, no station has an antenna higher than 1,822m. (KMEB-DT 30 Wailuku, Hawaii. KMEB's analog HAAT is 1,811m) A listing of 2,189m for KKTU-33 is almost certainly a typo, it's supposed to be 2,189 *feet* (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66, http://www.w9wi.com WTFDA via DXLD) TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING ++++++++++++++++++++++++ QUEBEC MOVES CLOSER TO SECULAR CURRICULUM By RHÉAL SÉGUIN Thursday, May 5, 2005 Updated at 5:03 AM EDT From Thursday's Globe and Mail http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050505.wxquebec05/EmailBNStory/National/> Quebec — Quebec will bar the teaching of Catholic and Protestant religions in public schools as of September, 2008, a move the Liberal government says is another indication of the important transformation of the province's once religiously dominated society. Five years ago, the province invoked the Constitution's notwithstanding clause to begin making changes to its education system. It is extending use of the clause for another three years to allow school boards to prepare new courses in ethics and religious cultures. Backed by support from parents' groups, school boards, teachers and religious organizations, Education Minister Jean-Marc Fournier said Quebec is at a point where it can turn the page on its narrow religious past and open up to all religions. "The culture of a society is not fixed. We are a society that is evolving," Mr. Fournier said yesterday. "We are doing it with respect for the Catholics and the Protestants . . . they are a big part of our identity, but society has evolved since 1960 when they controlled education in this province." The Parti Québécois supports the move. PQ education critic Pauline Marois said the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States awakened many Quebeckers to the need to understand how religions around the world shape modern society. "The events in 2001 opened peoples' eyes to understanding what was going on in the world, and that other major religions, with their traditions, their history and their doctrines, required us to gain a better appreciation and comprehension of what they represented," Ms. Marois said. Quebec's private schools will also be required to adapt to the new curriculum to keep their government subsidies. Quebec began moving to an all-secular education system in 1997, when the government moved to replace Catholic and Protestant school boards with ones based on the French and English languages. At the request of the Quebec government, Parliament adopted an amendment to the 1867 British North America Act to eliminate the constitutional protection of the province's Catholic and Protestant school boards. In 2000, the provincial government invoked the notwithstanding clause to override the Charter of Rights and Freedoms so it could provide a transition period. Schools were allowed to continue teaching the Catholic and Protestant religions, although that violated the Charter by discriminating against other religions. The Constitution requires that the notwithstanding clause be renewed after a five-year period. Quebec says the three extra years will provide more time to change the curriculum. Mr. Fournier said the transition period will allow school boards to define the types of ethics and religion classes that will be taught (via Gerald T. Pollard, DXLD) ###