DX LISTENING DIGEST 5-106, June 28, 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 1278: Wed 0930 WOR WWCR 9985 Wed 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Mon 0330 WOR WSUI Iowa City IA 910 MORE info including audio links: http://worldofradio.com/radioskd.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: WORLD OF RADIO 1278 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1278h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1278h.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1278 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1278.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1278.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1278.html WORLD OF RADIO 1278 in true shortwave sound of Alex`s mp3 (stream) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_06-22-05.m3u (download) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_06-22-05.mp3 NEW! WORLD OF RADIO 1278 downloads in studio-quality mp3: (high) http://www.obriensweb.com/wor1278.mp3 (low) http://www.obriensweb.com/wor1278L.mp3 WORLD OF RADIO PODCAST: www.obriensweb.com/wor.xml (currently available: 1277, Extra 57, 1278) FIRST AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1279: Wed 2200 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825 WORLD OF RADIO BACK ON RADIO FOR PEACE INTERNATIONAL Now that WOR is available in mp3 we are pleased to announce that effective immediately, RFPI resumes carrying WOR on its webcasts: Fridays at 2000 UT, Mondays 1800 UT, each repeated 4-hourly five times. Joe Bernard says the July-September program schedule already at http://www.rfpi.org/RFPIsked.html will be revised to reflect this; and check out RFPI`s other programming, too! Times may vary considerably. Webcast at: http://mp3server.taifun.ch:8004/listen.pls (Glenn Hauser, June 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA. The DRM transmissions via Moosbrunn, scheduled to run until June 26, have indeed ceased. This concerns not only the VT transmissions to the UK (confirmed as gone by Noel Green) but also 6155 which apparently reverted to AM all the time as of today --- DRM reported as late as yesterday at http://drmrx.org At least it is AM tonight around 1900, carrying Österreich 1 // 5945 of course (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. [Quirks & Quarks] Our Summer Schedule --- Hello, Here's what we've got for you for the next two months: The Best of Quirks & Quarks This Summer on CBC Radio One. That's it for another year. Our season is over. But there's still plenty to listen to. Every week we'll bring you the best of Quirks & Quarks from the past season. So you can hear your favourites once again, or catch the programs you missed the first time. A new season of Quirks & Quarks begins on September 10, 2005. And watch for our 30th anniversary special in early October. Here's the summer schedule: * July 2, 2005 - originally broadcast Dec. 18, 2004 - Question Show * July 9, 2005 - originally broadcast Sept. 18, 2004 - Nuclear Waste, Space Waste, Co-extinction, Question of the Week: Saturn's Rings * July 16, 2005 - originally broadcast Oct. 30, 2004 - Black Holes Tell No Tales, New Human Species, The Bird Nose Knows, Junking DNA * July 23, 2005 - originally broadcast Nov. 13, 2004 - Animals and Research, Swift Eyes catch Gamma Rays, Web Evolution, Aluminum Amperage * July 30, 2005 - originally broadcast Nov. 20, 2004 - Reading Minds, Running on Water, Born to Run, Ultrasonic Gophers * August 6, 2005 - originally broadcast Apr. 2, 2005 - Seeing with Sound, Running Bats, Dinosaur Soft Tissue, Fake Moon Rocks * August 13, 2005 - originally broadcast Apr. 16, 2005 - Multiple Worlds, Parallel Universes, Dinosaur Eggs, Bite Club, Gamma Ray Extinction * August 20, 2005 - originally broadcast Apr. 30, 2005 - Male and Female Brains, Sea Hare Defences, Ant Trap, Fixing Diabetes, Question of the Week: Great Lakes Waves * August 27, 2005 - originally broadcast June 11, 2005 - Bring on the Robot Monkey Butler: The present and future of robotic research * September 3, 2005 - originally broadcast June 4, 2005 - The Question Show from Saskatoon See you in September! (Q&Q mailing list via gh, DXLD) ** CANADA. TRH-WA Tim Hall - on the road, ICF-2010, Kiwa Loop, Kiwa Pocket Loop, Ford rental car radio, RCA digital voice recorder TRH-ID on the road TRH-BC on the road TRH-BC1 Trail, BC TRH-BC2 Rogers Pass, BC TRH-BC3 Radium Hot Springs, BC TRH-AB on the road TRH-AB1 Banff National Park, AB (Johnston Canyon evenings; Banff/Sulphur Mountain, Lake Louise days) TRH-AB2 Jasper, AB STATION NEWS: ------------ 570 (CKEK) BC Cranbrook. The 5 former "E-K radio" stations (the others being CFIW-1200 Canal Flats, CFEK-1240 Fernie, CJEK-1400 Sparwood, and CKKI-1460 Kimberley) have all gone off the air on AM and have been replaced by 2 FM stations. (TRH-BC) 580 CKXR BC Salmon Arm. Has not abandoned AM for 99.7 FM yet. Still //CKIR-870, CKCR-1340, CKGR-1400 with "EZ rock" slogan. (TRH-BC) 860 (CBRA) BC Revelstoke. CBC LPRT has moved to 91.3 FM. (TRH-BC) 880 (CKKC) BC Nelson. Web site implies the station is still on AM, but I did not log them from nearby towns, so they have either moved to FM (106.9?) or they are getting out very poorly. Sister station CFKC-1340 in Creston is still on AM but getting out poorly. The mountains in this part of BC seem to make for very poor coverage. (TRH-BC) 940 (CJIB) BC Vernon. Has moved to FM. (TRH-BC) 970 CFXE AB Edson - (ex-CJYR). The former Yellowhead Radio stations are now "the fox". 2 of the stations (Hinton and Jasper) have moved to FM (CFXP-95.5 Jasper, CFXH-97.5 Hinton), one (Edson) has a CP to FM, and the other (CFXG-1230 Grande Cache) is apparently remaining on 1230 AM for now. I assume this is where things will remain for a while, since they have had their vans re-stenciled with this information. Slogan is "the fox, playing all kinds of stuff." (TRH-AB) 1050 (CICF) BC Vernon. Has moved to FM. (TRH-BC) 1150 (CBTK) BC Midway. There is no CBC LPRT in the town of Midway in southern BC near the Okanagan Valley. Maybe there is another town called Midway in some other part of BC? (TRH-BC) 1200 (CFIW) BC Canal Flats. Old "E-K radio" relay is off; I think I read something about a new licensee wanting to restart the 1200 operation, but it was definitely not on when I drove through Canal Flats this time. (TRH-BC) 1230 (CBPB) AB Athabasca Falls / Columbia Icefields / Maligne Canyon - I had seen some reports from as recent as 2002-2003 indicating these stations were back on the air after years of non- operation, but unfortunately this is not the case. Unlike Banff, I did not notice any new FM stations to replace them. (TRH-AB) 1230 (CBPG) AB Banff East Gate / Banff Townsite / Castle Junction / Saskatchewan Crossing - These have been permanently replaced by a single set of stations in Banff (101.1 English, 103.3 French). (TRH- AB) 1230 CFXG AB Grande Cache - (ex-CIYR1) This one is still on 1230 AM but gets out very poorly. I could only get an occasional bit of music //95.5 FM from Jasper, and even then not enough to be 100% sure. (TRH-AB) 1230 (CIYR) AB Hinton - Has moved to 97.5 FM and is now "the fox". (TRH-AB) 1230 CBPD1 BC Rogers Pass (Glacier Park) - This station, which was seemingly abandoned at least 4 years ago, is actually still running OC from the visitor center at Rogers Pass. (I was staying in the lodge about 100 feet away so it was unmistakable; the carrier could be logged for about 2 miles SW on Highway 1 but hardly at all to the east due to steep mountain blockage). Nothing on 1490 to go with this one. (TRH-BC2) 1230 (CB??) BC Yoho National Park - These stations are long gone. (TRH-BC) 1240 (CFEK) BC Fernie. Replaced by FM station. (TRH-BC) 1340 (CKGF) BC Grand Forks. Has moved to FM. (TRH-BC) 1350 (CBKI) BC Valemount. Moved to 90.3 FM. (TRH-BC) 1400 (CJEK) BC Sparwood. The 5 former "E-K radio" stations have all gone off the air on AM and have been replaced by 2 FM stations. (Note there was also a listing in some sources for an E-K radio station in Sparwood on 1440. This appears to just be a typo for CJEK-1400. Sparwood is a rather depressed mining town which seems to be losing the battle for tourism dollars to Fernie to the west and the Crowsnest Pass region to the east, so a new AM station there seems unlikely). (TRH-BC) 1450 CBXC AB Coleman. This one is listed on some web sites as "Northern Alberta", and the call signs make it sound like a CBX relay, but it is in fact a CBR relay in the Crowsnest Pass area of SW Alberta. This one seems to get out only to the east and west, which is not surprising given the surrounding terrain. (TRH-BC/AB) 1450 (CKYR) AB Jasper. This one has moved to 95.5 FM where it is now CFXP "the fox." Jasper is a nice place to DX, having only one local (on 860), which is in the process of moving to FM. (TRH-AB) 1450 CHOR BC Summerland. Still active but is now "oldies 14-50" and occasionally the same feed as used by CKFR "oldies 11-50." Owned by "Standard Radio Group." No longer //the other Okanagan Radio stations on 800, 1240, 1400. Seemed a waste to have all these stations in the same market running the same programming. (TRH-BC) 1460 (CKKI) BC Kimberley. The 5 former "E-K radio" stations have all gone off the air on AM and have been replaced by 2 FM stations. (TRH-BC) 1490 (CBPB) AB Athabasca Falls / Columbia Icefields / Maligne Canyon. I had seen some published reports from 2002-2003 indicating these stations were back on the air, but unfortunately this is not the case. Unlike Banff, I did not notice any new FM station to replace them. (TRH-AB) 1490 (CBPG) AB Banff East Gate / Banff Townsite / Castle Junction / Saskatchewan Crossing. These have been permanently replaced many years ago by a single set of stations in Banff (101.1 English, 103.3 French). (TRH-AB) 1490 (CJPR) AB Blairmore. Has moved to 94.9 FM. Sister station CJEV Elkford, BC remains on AM. (TRH-AB) 1490 (CBPN) BC Golden. The station appears to have been permanently replaced by a programmable sign that gives up-to-date highway information. (TRH-BC) 1490 (CBPR) BC Revelstoke. The station appears to have been permanently replaced by a programmable sign that gives up-to-date highway information. (TRH-BC) 1490 (CBPC1) BC Rogers Pass (Glacier Park). Nothing here despite the OC on 1230. (TRH-BC) 1490 (CB??) BC Yoho National Park. These stations are long gone. (TRH-BC) 1610 -- BC Kelowna. 6/6 1250. Talking house noted along highway 97 east of Pandosy Rd. (TRH-BC) The following CBC LPRTs were noted on AM: 740 CBKR BC Parson. 740 CBUN BC Salmo. 860 CBXB AB Banff (reportedly seeking a move to FM). 860 CBXJ AB Jasper (has already started simulcasting on 98.1 FM, so expect this one to go away soon). 860 CBRD BC Field. 860 CBRJ BC Grand Forks. 900 CBWD BC Donald. 900 CBRK BC Kimberley. 1450 CBWI AB Grande Cache. 1540 CBXD AB Edson (? – Barely audible from Hinton this time; was audible from Jasper on my previous visit in 1999). The following 2 Environment Canada stations are active and getting out well (both provide English and French language weather): 1260 CBPM BC Sicamous. 1580 CBPK BC Revelstoke (signal gets as far as Jasper, AB at night). REGULAR LOGGINGS: 570 CKSW SK Swift Current. 6/10 1725. Audible midday from Sulphur Mountain. "Your home for country music, CKSW." (TRH-AB1) 610 CKYL AB Peace River. 6/13 0025. "Alberta's country giant, YL country." (TRH-AB2) 610 CHNL BC Kamloops. 6/5 0511. "Celebrating 35 years of playing your favourite oldies, radio N-L, the greatest hits of all time." (TRH-BC1) 620 CKRM SK Regina. 6/10 1648. Poor signals midday on top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff. Local ads and ID. (TRH-AB1) 650 CKOM SK Saskatoon. 6/10 1722. Ad for Fuddruckers, promo for Larry Boortz show, and ID. Audible midday on top of the mountain. (TRH-AB1) 1050 CJNB SK North Battleford. 6/10 0210. Country music, "the best country back-to-back on CJNB and CJNS." (TRH-AB1) 1210 CFYM SK Kindersley. 6/10 0215. "Classic hits 13-30 and 12-10, a Golden West radio station." (TRH-AB1) 1340 CFKC BC Creston. 6/18 1813. "KBS, Kootenay's all-hit music station." Still active but gets out poorly with their 250w. Only seems to get out to the south (TRH-ID). 1340 CJEV BC Elkford - Station is active //CJPR-94.9 (ex-1490). Slogan is "Cat country / mountain radio." Ironically, one of the promo announcements said "when you hear good country music, you know you're in Alberta." I guess they forgot they have a sister station in BC. There does not seem to be a studio for CJEV in Elkford though the transmitter is definitely in that area. The local Chamber of Commerce had not heard of CJEV and they were not in the local phone book. Gets out reasonably well to Sparwood, and some times to points further east and west such as Fernie, BC and Bellevue, AB. (TRH-BC) 1340 CIVH BC Vanderhoof. 6/11 0929. A nice surprise on the car radio at sunrise as we drove into Lake Louise. Still "97 FM the wolf" //CJCI. (TRH-AB) 1450 CBWI AB Grande Cache. 6/14 0140. Fair with classical music feed //local 860 station. (TRH-AB2) I was originally planning to ship the big Kiwa loop like I did on my Alaska trip in 2003, but at the last minute I bought a suitcase big enough to safely take it with me (I almost paid for the suitcase with the savings in shipping charges). With the laptop, radio, 2 antennas, digital voice recorder, 2 cell phones, camera, batteries, and extension cords, my carry-on and checked luggage contained a ton of metal. This was enough to earn me a "pre-flight massage" on the way up and a TSA baggage inspection on the way back. Conditions in Trail, Kelowna, and Rogers Pass, BC were pretty poor due to the very high mountains and very steep narrow valleys (like Alaska, there is no trace of sunset enhancement; the stations just drop in all at once shortly after dark). Conditions were much better in Jasper, Banff (Johnston Canyon), AB, and Radium Hot Springs, BC. Jasper is getting to be an especially nice place to DX now that the local on 1450 (and the 1230 station in Hinton) are gone. Not much to hear during the day in BC and AB unless you get on top of a mountain. Daytime is best spent photographing critters, which were out in abundance this year: black bears, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and mule deer (all with babies) plus "moose and squirrel" for the Jay Ward fans. :) 73, (Tim Hall, ABDX via DXLD) See also U S A ** CANADA. Canadian Coalition Wants Pay-Radio Ruling Overturned --- Glenn, Apparently not everyone in Canada is happy about satellite radio coming to their country. I found this article on Yahoo Canada: QUASH CRTC PAY-RADIO RULING, UNIONS AND ARTS GROUP URGE FEDERAL CABINET --- MARIA BABBAGE Mon Jun 27, 3:29 PM ET TORONTO (CP) - The federal government must overturn a regulatory ruling allowing satellite broadcast operators to bring pay-radio services into the country if it wants to preserve years of effort to protect and promote Canadian programming, a coalition of media and labour groups said Monday. The coalition is asking the Liberal cabinet to overturn the June 16 ruling by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, which it says will eat away at Canadian content on the country's airwaves. "It's a slippery slope," said Ian Morrison of Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, a non-profit media watchdog group. "It's taken decades to build up the Canadian content regime in this country. . . . By the stroke of a pen the CRTC is now saying that pay radio can be delivered at a content level of only eight per cent Canadian." The ruling cleared the way for two groups, Canadian Satellite Radio and Sirius Canada, to provide pay-radio service - long in existence in the United States - to the Canadian market via satellite. Canadian Satellite Radio is a partnership between Toronto businessman John Bitove and Washington-based XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. Sirius Canada is a joint venture of the CBC, Standard Radio and U.S.- based Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. . . . [more] http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/cpress/20050627/ca_pr_on_en/satellite_radio_3 (via Steven Cline, Indianapolis, IN, DXLD) ** CANADA. ARTISTS FIGHT SAT RADIO IN CANADA Arts groups are fighting satellite radio's move into Canada, asking the Canadian Governor in Council to set aside or refer back to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission its decision to allow the subscription-based services into the country. The coalition of arts groups made the request in a letter sent to the federal cabinet Monday. Groups signing the letter include the Canadian Independent Record Production Association, Directors Guild of Canada, Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, National Campus and Community Radio Association, Songwriters Association of Canada and the Writers Guild of Canada. In a statement it released on satellite radio's north of the border moves, the Songwriters Association of Canada pointed out that current broadcast regulations require a minimum of 35 percent Canadian content on most stations while satellite radio companies will be required to program only one Canadian channel for every nine American channels. The association said that amounts to less than 10 percent. "The Songwriters Association of Canada believes that this massive reduction from current standards could have a profoundly negative impact on musical arts and culture in Canada," the organization said. Friends of Canadian Broadcasting said the CRTC decision to allow satellite radio into the country runs counter to the country's Broadcasting Act and Canadian Parliament's goal of ensuring Canadian programs are predominant on Canadian airwaves. "This decision does not reflect the legal requirement that Canadian broadcasters must offer homegrown programs. (The decision) creates a pipeline for U.S. radio programs direct to Canada, with little in return for our country" said Friends spokesperson Ian Morrison (From today's SkyReport.com via Joe Buch, June 28, Swprograms mailing list via DXLD) Last I checked, terrestrial cross-border broadcasting does the same thing in effect. I suppose they can argue that licensing it is different than just acknowledging the laws of physics. But maybe they should check the estimates on gray market subscriptions. Something is better than nothing --- and nothing is what they receive with the gray market approach (John Figliozzi, NY, ibid.) ** CHILE. Radio Cooperativa, la emisora privada más importante de Chile, con una gran red de emisoras en todo el territorio nacional, de ese país, acaba de poner en marcha un nuevo transmisior de FM para la zona de Valaparaíso-Viña del Mar, transmitiendo en los 88.1 MHz. Esta emisora hace tiempo transmitía también en onda corta, y se llamaba por aquel entonces Radio Cooperativa Vitalicia; lo hacía desde Santiago en 6150 y 9690 kHz con 5 y 10 kW respectivamente y desde Antofagasta por los 6010 kHz con 5 kW. Luego, allá por finales de los años 80, dejó de transmitir en onda corta, como lo fueron haciendo más o menos desde aquella época tantas emisoras latinoamerianas. En el año 1976 había en Chile, unas 12 emisoras que transmitían en onda corta, todas ellas en las bandas de 49 y 31 metros, y a excepción de Radio Nacional de Chile, todas eran estaciones domésticas. Hoy en este país sólo queda una emisora internacional, Voz Cristiana, que heredó los transmisiores de Radio Nacional de Chile, y una doméstica y religiosa, Radio Esperanza de Temuco, en 6090 kHz, aunque por lo poco que es reportada, me imagino que pasa bastante tiempo inactiva. Hace unos tres años apareció en escena Radio Parinacota, desde el norte de Chile, en Putre, localidad próxima a Arica, en 6010 kHz, y que precisamente retransmitía los programas de Radio Cooperativa, pero hace ya meses que salió del aire. Radio Cooperativa tienen una magnífica página web, http://www.cooperativa.cl/ que yo visito con frecuencia, ya que tiene información de todo el mundo y está actualizada casi, al minuto, con las noticias que ocurren en todas partes. A través de ella se puede acceder a escuchar la emisora en vivo, http://www.cooperativa.cl/radio_online/radio.html Tiene unos estupendos programas, de noticias, deportes, etc. El informativo que se da a las 1700 UT es buenísimo, presentado con un gran dinamismo. Esto es lo que aparece en su página web, sobre la puesta en marcha de su transmisor de FM en Valparaiso / Viña, y un poco de historia de la emisora y de la radio en Chile. . . (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España, June 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHILE. Frequency change for Voz Cristiana in Portuguese to CeAm [sic] from June 20: 1200-2400 NF 15485# SGO 100 kW / 060 deg, ex 15475* # strong co-ch BBC WS in English till 1700 * to avoid VOA in Georgian 1530-1600, Radio Africa#1 in French 1600-1900, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel in Spanish 1800-2100 on 15476v (Observer, Bulgaria, June 28 via DXLD) ** CHINA. XINJIANG - IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE BEACH FROM URUMQI In the early hours of Wednesday June 15, Apstar VI, the latest hotbird for the Asia-Pacific jumped to life. The new satellite is being received with extremely strong signals in Australia from 134.0 degrees east. Apstar VI brings to Australia and New Zealand a wide selection of mainland Chinese media including radio and television from a number of provinces that have unavailable to dishes in South Eastern Australia in the past. This month we profile Xinjiang Television. . . http://www.satdirectory.com/--adxn0705.html (Mark Fahey, July Australian DX News via DXLD) illustrated! ** CZECH REPUBLIC. Results of the Radio Prague Competition --- 729 Radio Prague listeners took part in the competition. The task was simple - to write a short text answering the question "What Czech beer means to me" --- It was very difficult to decide but the winner has finally been chosen - it is Agnes Simoni, France. You can read her letter as well as the runners-up on this page. The prize for the winner is a week-long trip for two in the Czech Republic. [Agnes concludes with:] The head gently caresses My lips, The deep taste on my palate, Czech beer is like a kiss! How can I forget you, You who gave me this love! You can find the details about the rules of the competition here: http://www.radio.cz/en/html/soutezrp_vyhl05.html (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. Summer A-05 schedule of Radio Prague: CZECH 0130-0157 6200 7345 0230-0257 7345 9870 0830-0857 11600 15710 0930-0957 21745 1100-1127 11615 15710 1230-1257 6055 7345 1330-1357 13580 21745 1530-1557 5930 17485 1730-1757 5930 17485 1930-1957 5930 11600 2100-2127 9800 11600 2330-2357 7345 9440 ENGLISH 0000-0027 7345 9440 0100-0127 6200 7345 0300-0327 7345 9870 0330-0357 9445 11600 0700-0727 9880 11600 0900-0927 21745 1030-1057 9880 11615 1300-1327 13580 21745 1600-1627 5930 17485 1700-1727 5930 17485 2000-2027 5930 11600 2230-2257 7345 9415 GERMAN 0630-0657 5930 7345 1000-1027 6055 9880 1200-1227 6055 7345 1500-1527 5930 1630-1657 11825 ARM, ex 11810 to avoid CRI in Arabic FRENCH 0600-0627 5930 7345 0730-0757 9880 11600 1630-1657 5930 17485 1830-1857 5930 13580 2200-2227 7345 9415 RUSSIAN 0400-0427 9445 11600 1130-1157 11615 15710 1430-1457 9415 13580 1800-1827 7390 NVS SPANISH 0000-0027 11665 ASC 0030-0057 7345 9440 0200-0227 6200 7345 0800-0827 11600 15255 1400-1427 11625 13580 1800-1827 5930 13580 1900-1927 5930 13580 2030-2057 5930 11600 2300-2327 7345 9440 ARM=Armavir, Russia 250 kW ASC=Ascension Island 250 kW NVS=Novosibirsk, Russia 250 kW LIT=Litomysl, Czech Rep. 100 kW for all other freqs (Observer, Bulgaria, June 28 via DXLD) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. Anyone heard R. Africa lately? Have not noticed it on 15190 for some time, such as June 27 at 2021 check. Not that I miss their programming, but are they going into another long absence? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. 15530, R. Mustaqbal via Dhabbaya. To Ethiopia, reported to be in Somali languages. Speakers with brief bridges of HofA type music. Fair level signal. Off on schedule at 0625. 0620 11/6 (Charles Jones, Castle Hill NSW (Icom R75 and 7m. vertical antenna, July Australian DX News via DXLD) ** HONDURAS. Re [NoticiasDX] Dios mío porque no identifican a la radio Eso sucede siempre en nuestro país Honduras en cuanto a la no información del nombre de la emisora radial; a propósito, le animo a que escuche RADIO MISIONES INTERNACIONALES, O RADIO M.I., reactivada recientemente. Su frecuencia es 5010 kHz; emite desde nuestra capital, es una emisora evangelica. Suerte en esta nueva escucha, colega Elias. Atentamente (Geovanny Aguilar Bustamante, ASOCIACION HONDUREÑA DE RADIO ESCUCHAS A.H.R.E., June 28, Noticias DX via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 9552.44, RRI Ujung Pandang. Interesting daytime signal, Indo pop vocals 0446, fair 25/6. 9743.4, RRI Sorong. Nice signal 0539, full ID, frequencies etc. Seemed to be a local news bulletin in progress, 25/6 (Craig Seager, Limekilns DXpedition, near Bathurst NSW, July Australia DX News via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. For info about satellite radio services: Try these: http://www.siriusbackstage.com/ http://www.xmfan.com/ Both of these largely emphasize channels of popular interest -- Howard Stern, comedy, music. You rarely see anything about the BBC or WRN or other public radio channels mentioned there. The radio-info boards have sat radio-specific topics: http://www.radio-info.com/mods/boardmain.php There a few of us Sirius users here on the list -- myself included. We can help with specific questions regarding the service -- although I don't know that much about what goes on "under the hood". Having Sirius on our drive to & from Florida has helped the time pass quickly. My wife is now hooked (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, swprograms via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. MORRISON: ULTIMATE DXER --- with Seth Shostak Dr. Philip Morrison, W8FIS, 1915 – 2005 If one is called upon to name the true pioneers of SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence), there are only three: Frank Drake, Giuseppe Cocconi, and Philip Morrison. Morrison died on April 22, at the age of 89. It was while he was at Cornell University, in the late 1950s, that Morrison, together with his physicist colleague Cocconi, made the fundamental calculation that justified a search for signals from other worlds. He was motivated to do this while considering the generation and detection of gamma rays, and whether these types of particles could be used to send signals across interstellar distances. While this seemed possible, it occurred to the two researchers that radio might be a better communication medium (Morrison had acquired a crystal set at a very early age for listening to the broadcasts from KDKA, the country’s first commercial radio station, in his home town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Morrison soon became an avid radio amateur.) The physicists wrote up their calculations showing that radio technology, even at the level current nearly a half-century ago, was easily capable of sending information across light-years of distance. They speculated that, since advanced societies might be making their presence known with such emissions, a search for signals should be made by radio astronomers. This result appeared in an article the two physicists wrote in 1959 for the British journal, Nature – and is the undisputed seminal paper in the history of modern SETI research. A year later, Frank Drake made the first deliberate search for the type of signals hypothesized by Coconni and Morrison. Morrison soon joined the MIT faculty, where he continued to be involved with the SETI enterprise, helping to facilitate meetings and publications on the subject. While never a major component of his research, his insights and creativity continued to supply important input to this field. As an example, when the NASA SETI program was inaugurated at Arecibo, Puerto Rico in 1992, Morrison gave a review talk on the subject that was remarkable for the breadth and freshness of its ideas. Many will be familiar with Morrison from his popular book Nothing is Too Wonderful to be True, as well as the many book reviews he and his wife Phylis wrote for Scientific American. He also narrated the well- known short film by the Eames brothers, Powers of Ten, and authored a book of the same title. It is with regret that the SETI Institute notes the passing of an extraordinarily talented scientist, and one who laid the foundation for what has become such an earnest, exciting and promising enterprise. Earlier in his career, Professor Morrison was physicist and group leader at the Manhattan Project at the University of Chicago and Los Álamos where he took part in the first desert test of the atomic bomb. He has received numerous prizes and medals from MIT, the APS, the AAPT, the NY Academy of Sciences and the AAAS. Footnote: Some of Morrison’s thoughts can be found here http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/worlds/morrison.html (via July/August Medium Wave News via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [and non]. NASA TV - JOIN THE SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION http://www.satdirectory.com/--adxn0705.html The grounding of NASA's Space Shuttle fleet following the Columbia accident in 2003 is about to be lifted. Hundreds of modifications have been made to both the Shuttle and mission procedures in the last two years to enhance the safety of future missions. NASA will return Space Shuttles to flight with the coming mission of the Shuttle Discovery. The crew of seven astronauts, including Australian Andy Thomas, will be kept occupied with a demanding schedule, including testing new safety techniques and delivering much needed supplies to the International Space Station. Discovery's launch is targeted for July 13 with a launch window that extends to July 31st. For exact launch date and time check frequently at http://www.nasa.gov during early July. Free-to-air satellite television offers a detailed insight into spaceflight activities including the shuttle missions via NASA Television. NASA TV is an educational media outlet that provides NASA related programming 24 hours per day. During Space Shuttle missions, NASA TV is compelling viewing. For the weeks before the launch the channel broadcasts daily updates, briefings and press conferences of pre-launch activities. However the real action begins the day of the Shuttle blast-off. Around six hours before the launch the continuous mission coverage commences which extends right through until the mission ends some hours after the Shuttle landing. Viewers are treated to spectacular live video and audio of the controllers and astronauts which when combined with the downloadable resources at http://www.nasa.gov offers a front row seat to all stages of the space flight. A schedule of major events in the mission timeline is available from the NASA website. Downloading the mission press-kit will enable you to plan your viewing to ensure you don't miss highlights such as launch, space station docking and landing. NASA TV is available from Intelsat 701 located in orbit above the international date line at 180 degrees east. In addition to the continuous coverage from NASA TV the launch and major mission event coverage is also usually carried live on the APTV Direct live event video feed channel on Asiasat 2. NASA TV Tuning Details NASA Television Satellite : Intelsat 701 Orbit Location : 180.0 East Frequency : 3854 Polarity : Right Hand Circular Symbol Rate : 2000 FEC: 3/4 APTN Direct Satellite : Asiasat 2 Orbit Location : 100.5 East Frequency : 3706 Polarity : Horizontal Symbol Rate : 4167 FEC: 5/6 (Mark Fahey, July Australian DX News via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. VOICE OF THE MOJAHEDIN OBSERVED ON MEDIUMWAVE BBC Monitoring observed radio Voice of the Mojahedin on mediumwave 720 kHz at 1200 gmt on 25 June 2005. The previously-observed parallel 90.1 MHz frequency could not be confirmed on this occasion as it is now blocked in Baghdad by a new local FM station, Today Radio. The service is no longer observed on the Hot Bird satellite at 13 degrees east, and their website and accompanying audio stream at http://www.radiomojahedin.com no longer exists. Voice of the Mojahedin uses Iranian facilities to broadcast in Arabic to Iraq. The station's programming suggests it is affiliated with the Tehran-based Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, which has an Arabic/English website at http://www.sciri.org Source: BBC Monitoring research 25 Jun 05 (via DXLD) WRTH 2005 shows Iran has two powerful transmitters on 720: 750 kW at Mahidasht, and 400 kW at Tayebad, one of which is closer to Baghdad than the other (gh, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. Dear friends, Kol Israel shortwave will continue past June. They gave us one more extension to the SW broadcast. The normal schedule is operated. For any info, frequencies, program or interferences, please contact me. Thanks and best regards (Moshe Oren,-BEZEQ Engineering & planning Division, Radio & TV broadcasting, Tel: +97236264562 Fax:+ 97236264559 Mobile: +972507632574 June 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. 26000, 25/6 1655, R. Maria - Arcellasco, Italia, IT predica buono (Roberto Pavanello via Dario Monferini, PlayDX via DXLD) So still analog? I assume groundwave at short distance (gh, DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [non]. 11530, V. of Mesopotamia, Grigoriopol. Presumed this station, with a selection of M-E type songs and music at 0510- 0518, 9/6. Fair level, but spoiled by QRM from WYFR (Dennis Allen, Milperra NSW (Icom R75, dipole), July Australian DX News via DXLD) ** MEXICO. Shattered dreams: XEYU, R. UNAM, was supposedly going to reactivate SW in April or so on 9600 with an improved transmitter, but never any sign of it here during frequent bandscans, e.g. June 28 at 1330 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Campaña Radio Mil --- Hola Rubén, ante todo decir que lo que yo expresé en mi mail es la falta de atención de Radio Mil en su dirección de correo electrónico, y la falta de respuesta a los informes. Con Julían Santiago Díez de Bonilla he mantenido contacto varias veces y siempre he recibido un trato cordial por parte de él. De hecho ahora, en respuesta al mail mío sobre la interferencia, me ha vuelto a escribir. Yo me imaginaba que tanto él como Hector García Bojorge se habían encargado de la política QSL de la emisora mientras estaban en antena con "Encuentros DX" y ahora que están fuera, pensé, como es lógico, que los responsables de la emisora, el Director, etc, serían los encargados de este tema. Según me dice el amigo Julían [sic], él mismo sigue yendo al buzón y recoge el correo, pero llevan bastante tiempo sin responder debido a varios problemas, cambio de las instalaciones de Radio Mil, etc. De todos modos, según me dice, ninguna de las 4 cartas que envié está en su poder, así que no sé qué debe estar pasando con el correo, o con parte del que se enviá a la emisora. Estoy visitando ahora la página web de registro de recepción de QSL,s, de Martin Schöch QSL information Page http://www.schoechi.de/ac-mex.html#XEOI%20/%20R%20MilMartin y veo que las dos últimas QSLes recibidas de Radio Mil, por algún colega DX-ista son, la penúltima de Noviembre de 2002 y la última de Abril de 2003; curiosamente, el colega que recibió la última, dice que no envió ningún informe de recepción, simplemente envió una carta pidiendo un banderín, y recibió una tarjeta QSL. Bueno, aparte de toda esta problemática QSL, animar a todo el mundo a que participe en la campaña y que envíen mails a La Voz de tu Conciencia quejándose de la interferencia, y también a Radio Mil, enviando copia de esta queja, para que sepan que nos estamos movilizando para tratar de que la primera emisora cambie su frecuencia, cosa, que, la verdad, veo difícil, por lo que apuntaba Glenn Hauser, pero por lo menos debemos intentarlo. Un abrazo (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España, June 28, Noticias DX via DXLD) ** MEXICO. Just wanted to let you know that 91.7 XHEXA Tijuana has NEW CALLS. The calls are XHGLX. Interesting note - whenever MVS Radio (owner of Exa) acquires a new station for their Exa network, they are allowed to incorporate EXA into the calls until the SCT gets new calls issued to them. For awhile, when MVS was grabbing up several stations at the same time, there were several "XHEXA's" around the country. The only OFFICIAL "XHEXA" is the parent station - 104.9 XHEXA DF México. So, if you notice any other XHEXA's in the Mexico FM Directory, they should have had a call letter update, or one is forthcoming. When you get the VUD, pay attention to Adam's FM News column, as I`m providing him with the latest FN news from Mexico and you can update the Mexico FM Directory (Jim Thomas - wdx0fbu Milliken, CO - 40 mi N of Denver, June 27, WTFDA via DXLD) ** MEXICO [and non]. CHAPTER V IN THE BONILLA CASE - LAZER SHARPENS ITS FOCUS Lazer Broadcasting has launched a focused attack on Quetzal's (Jaime Bonilla's) Section 325(c) STA authority to send audio program material across the U.S./Mexican border to XHBCE-FM. The authority is set to expire on or about July 1, so the Commission must reach a determination soon. XHBCE operates on 105.7 MHz. In brief, Lazer points out that by Quetzal's own admission, XHBCE is currently operating from the peak of Cerro Grande, a mountaintop that Lazer had previously shown to be 1.55 miles (2.5 km) away from the internationally agreed upon coordinates. Moreover, Cerro Grande is an astonishing 1,706 feet higher than the authorized site. A copy of Lazer's pleading is at the URL below. For some reason, Bonilla's attorney has not addressed the site issue. It is as if he either did not comprehend or has chosen to ignore the technical nature of this proceeding. We will wait and see how the Commission rules. Keep in mind that there are other technical issues pending. For example, we now know (by Quetzal's admission) that each of Bonilla's three AM stations uses only one tower instead of two or three towers as required by international agreement. Quetzal claims that "slant wire" directionalization is being used to protect the U.S. Trouble is, slant wires can be unstable and, more importantly, the technique itself is not internationally approved. Lazer's latest pleading, on just the XHBCE issue, is posted here: http://earthsignals.com/add_CGC/Informal_Objection_6_24_05.pdf (CGC Communicator June 28 via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** MOLDOVA. Re 5-105: (was Kurdistan non) -- VOM 11530 and ´´I'm not certain which of the registrations currently applies to the VOM but there's only 1 degree of azimuth between them anyway.´´: And at times a different power level as well. I would assume that the TDP registrations with 300 kW rather reflect actual transmitter usage than the input from the GFC bureaucrats [in Moscow] (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEPAL. Re 5-105, MAOIST RADIO ON THE RISE --- by Sarahana http://samudaya.org/articles/archives/2005/06/maoist_radio_on.php I recently received another email which informs that a DVD entitled '8 Glorious Years of the Great Nepalese People's War' has become available. It's described as "An almost 4 Hour film produced by the Cultural Branch, Central Cultural Department of the Communist Party Of Nepal (Maoist). ENGLISH subtitled throughout and includes over 30 audio visual song's of Revolutionary music". It's available from lal_rpg @ yahoo.co.uk Apparently among the topics covered is "the construction of the New: Roads, bridges, development of agricultural cooperatives, schools, hospital, electricity, irrigation, collective farming, People's doctors, People's radio stations..." 73's (Mike Cunningham, Australia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. Quite by chance I ran across RNZI`s weekly news in Solomon Island Pijin, UT Mon June 27 at 2115 on 15720, good reception. At first you think you are listening to English, as there are so many regular English words, but mixed in are all those yupelas and bilongs. Most of the news was about Fiji and PNG, so I would have guessed some other variety until I consulted the schedule. Supposed to run until 2135, but went to Maori-sounding bellicose music at 2125. I see SIP news is also scheduled UT Mon at 2040-2050, but no other Pijins (or Pidgins or Pisins) are mentioned on the schedule. RNZI does have Cook Island Maori, Niuean, French (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. Re 7275, 5-105: From DXLD 1-080, May 31 2001: "Test transmissions from the national service of Radio Nigeria were noted recently at 1400 UT on 7275 kHz in English and local languages. The station was previously heard on 909 kHz mediumwave. Reception of the new shortwave outlet is good and reports are invited. You can send them to Radio Nigeria Test Transmission, Private Mail Bag 71, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. Source: Adventist World Radio, Bracknell, in English 1530 gmt 27 May 01 (via BBCM via DXLD)" In German Handbook Sender und Frequenzen Kaduna is listed on 7275 in 1992, 2002-2005 editions. Re Kaduna, 4770: Reactivated for a number of days around June 20, but not heard on Sunday or Monday Voice of Nigeria: In the past week or so heard with generally stronger modulation again, but still somewhat dull and audio level coming from the studios wildly varying. Yesterday and also today, Monday, I heard the daily broadcasts from Abuja (usually 0630-0700, 1230-1300, 1830- 1900, 2000-2100) coming in with much better audio, no hum and not as terribly distorted as usual. They seem to have modified the audio connection with their Abuja studios. Frequency change in the evening from 15120 to 7255 seems to have settled to 1905, after the news bulletin. 73 (Thorsten Hallmann, Münster, Germany, http://africa.coolfreepage.com/africalist June 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7275, FRCN, Abuja. English news 06[0?]8, poor level but no QRM made it easy to discern, ID 0625, 25/6 (John Schache, Limekilns DXpedition, near Bathurst NSW, July Australia DX News via DXLD) Good with what sounded like an advert. 0610, ID as Radio Nigeria, English news-type program. Further ID 0625 as "Radio Nigeria, the national station". Can't say I've ever heard this one before, 25/6 (Craig Seager, ibid.) 15120, V. of Nigeria, Ikorodu, very strong 0636 in English, many mentions of Nigeria, but terrible buzz in the audio, 25/6 (Craig Seager, Limekilns DXpedition, near Bathurst NSW, July Australia DX News via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. KOSU - Public Broadcasting Future Update #2 : see U S A ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 7120, Wantok Radio Light. Nice daytime signal, though fluttery with devotional songs and Pidgin announcements, 0350, 25/6 (Craig Seager, Limekilns DXpedition, near Bathurst NSW, July Australia DX News via DXLD) ** PERU. El colega Héctor Álvaro Gutiérrez, desde Lima, nos preparó e hizo llegar este completísimo relevamiento de la radio de FM en la capital del país andino. = la misma emisora?, BP baja potencia, OD origen desconocido LISTA FM DE LIMA ESTE, 18 DE JUNIO 87.55, UnID, px religioso y mx (nueva) sin ID 88.30, Telestéreo 88.90, Kebuena 89.30, Chasqui Perí, mx folk,"uniendo los corazones peruanos 89.3" 89.70, RPP = 90.10, UnID (tal vez la misma que se escucha en otra zona de lima) BP, QRM de CPN, mx folk 90.50, CPN Radio 91.10, San Borja 91.50, Andina Radio "y ustedes para que se van a mover de mi frequencia, Andina Radio" 92.50, Studio 92 93.10, Ritmo 93.70, La Inolvidable 94.30, La Megan [sic] 94.3 97.70, Alto Nivel (mx folk) 98.10, 1160 Radionoticias 98.70, La Caribeña (mx folk) 99.10, Doble Nueve 99.50, Vitarte "desde los 99.5 FM, desde la carretera central, transmite Radio Vitarte, el tigre de la carretera central" 100.10, La Cien (nuevo nombre o emisora, ya que antes aquí Stereo 100, emisora muy conocida ) 100.50, Inti Perú (mx folk) "música de exportación" 101.10, Panamericana =101.50, UnID (mx folk, estilo urbano, fusión) =101.70, UnID (BP, OD) 102.10, Oxígeno 102.70, Filarmonía 103.30, Unión 103.55, San Juan (BP, mx techno) "San Juan, la radio de Lima este" 103.90, Nacional =104.30, UnID (mx folk, BP con QRM) 104.70, Viva FM 105.10, Santa Rosa (Inactiva ese día) 105.50, Fiesta 105.80, Perú (se escucha el QRM de su transmisor, similar zumbido al de R. Damasco) 106.30, Mar Plus 106.70, Antología Radio (mx folk) "Antología Radio FM estéreo" 107.10, Inca 107.70, Planeta Lista elaborada el 18 de junio en Lima este, de las cuales muchas emisoras se escuchan en Lima sur, según parece mayor cantidad de piratas de FM aquí en el este. Por otro lado la emisora Stéreo Cien (100.10) escuchada en Lima este y sur semanas antes, ha desaparecido. Ahora la nueva emisora probable se identifica como La Cien (100.10 en Lima) con formato musical variado. Sintonía con antena telescópica. LISTA DE LIMA CERCA AL OCÉANO PACÍFICO (1 MILLA) FINES DE MAYO-JUNIO 89.30, Chasqui Perú (mx folk) BP. =90.10, Superior "ancash ya tiene su radio, Superior 90.1 superando a las demás" (mx folk) s4 de sinpo 19 junio 91.50, Radio del Sur (24 de mayo) señal variable 91.50, Radio Planicie (señal variable; se escucha a Radio del Sur o planicie con señal debil ) 97.70, Radio Canto Grande 100.10, La Cien (antes Stéreo 100 aquí) 100.50, UnID =101.50, UnID (+ BP) 101.70, Comas =104.30, UnID En esta lista de las cercanías del Océano Pacífico, se excluyen las siguientes emisoras que no se escuchan: María 97.70, Brisas del Pacífico 100.70 y Huracán 104.3 y se agrega la lista de FM anterior de Conexión Digital, para tener toda la sintonía completa de esta área de Lima. Nota: El día 19 de junio se escuchó a Radio Superior 90.10 con señal 4 de sinpo y la ID "Ancash ya tiene su radio, Superior, superando a las demás" con mx folk. El detalle en si es que Ancash es otro departamento del Perú. Pero debido a la señal buena, pone la duda con esta identificación su verdadero origen de Lima o Ancash ??? (OD) Variación en lista de Lima Sur (ver Conexión Digfital anterior, FM Lima) 100.10, La Cien (Estéreo 100 unas semanas antes) en Lima sur; ésta es la única variación FM 19 de junio (Conexión Digital June 25 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA [and non]. The Vlaams Belang operation sells itself now as ´´VB 15660 -- Zwart of Wit´´. Indeed they were yesterday [Sunday June 26] at 0900 on this frequency, preceded by typical Tbilisskaya tones. By the way, recently I saw frequently 250 kW mentioned as power level for Tbilisskaya transmissions. Hard to believe that all these outlets should be run with the single 250 kW rig there, so I assume that these may be also the big 1000 kW's or rather half of them (as far as I know they are in fact 2 x 500 kW, tho these twins are possibly not really independent transmitters), running on reduced power as is probably not uncommon at Grigoriopol as well (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Frequency change for Voice of Russia in Arabic: 1500-1600 NF 7325 ARM 100 kW / 290 deg, ex 15405 MSK 500 kW / 135 deg (Observer, Bulgaria, June 28 via DXLD) ** SLOVAKIA. Summer A-05 schedule of Radio Slovakia International: ENGLISH 0100-0127 5930 9440 0700-0727 9440 15460 1630-1657 5920 7345 1830-1857 5920 6055 GERMAN 0800-0827 6055 7345 1330-1357 6055 7345 1600-1627 5920 7345 1800-1827 5920 6055 FRENCH 0200-0227 5930 9440 1700-1727 5920 7345 1930-1957 5920 6055 RUSSIAN 1300-1327 9440 11990 1500-1527 9535 11715 1730-1757 5920 9485 SLOVAK 0130-0157 5930 9440 0730-0757 9440 15460 1530-1557 5920 7345 1900-1927 5920 6055 SPANISH 0230-0257 9440 11990 1430-1457 9440 11600 2000-2027 6055 11650 RSO=Rimavska Sobota, Slovakia 150 kW for all frequencies (Observer, Bulgaria, June 28 via DXLD) Any changes since outset? (gh) ** SOMALIA [non]. GERMANY: No transmissions for Radio Horyaal in Somali via DTK T-Systems: 1730-1800 Sat-Thu on 11925 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg to EaAf Strong signal on \\ 12130 SAM 250 kW / 173 deg to EaAf JUL=Juelich SAM=Samara (Observer, Bulgaria, June 28 via DXLD) ** SPAIN. At 1449 Tue June 28, during the excellent musical and cultural show about the Mediterranean basin, ``La Bañera de Ulises`` on REE, 17595, the host mentioned that come September, the show would be moving to an unspecified time on weekends, and would have more than the current 59 minutes (? More like 50). Also hoped would finally get its own website. During July will feature singers from Armenia and Mallorca among other places. Armenia is a bit out of it, but hey, if it can have a new maritime communications station serving the Bathtub, why not? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corp SLBC cancelled English transmission from June 13: 1230-1535 on 15748 EKA 035 kW / 350 deg to SoAs (Observer, Bulgaria, June 28 via DXLD) EKA = Ekala, not Armenia ** SWEDEN. Re 5-105: ´´The variation is probably caused by two different recordings being started at slightly different times independently, even tho it`s the same programming, rather than a direct relay by one of the other --- or who knows what variations may be involved in digital feeds´´ --- Several seconds, but certainly not a half minute I would say. So I bet that this is indeed an entirely independent play-out. Perhaps there are no live feeds from Stockholm to Canada at all and these ´´relays´´ are instead carried out by means of file transfers (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWEDEN. SWEDISH VLF TRANSMITTER ON THE AIR JULY 2-3 --- The SAQ Alexanderson alternator transmitter operating on 17.2 kHz from Sweden will be on the air Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and 3. The July 2 transmission at 1230 UTC will mark the inauguration of a new visitor`s center at the Grimeton site, and July 3 is ``Alexanderson Day,`` when the station will be open to the general public (between 10 AM and 4 PM local time). Transmissions on July 3 will take place at 0815, 0915, 1215 and 1315 UTC. In addition, Amateur Radio station SK6SAQ will operate a special event from the site. Approximate frequencies are 14.035 MHz CW and 3.755 and 14.215 MHz SSB. --- RSGB (ARRL main page Jun 27, 2005 via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) http://www.alexander.n.se/ is in Swedish but for an English menu click the Union Jack (jn) ** SWITZERLAND. SWISS BROADCASTING CORPORATION PLANS SPENDING AND JOB CUTS The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has announced plans to cut spending and axe an unspecified number of jobs from 2007. The public broadcaster said it was facing a SFr160 million ($125 million) shortfall in its budget within four years. SBC’s director-general Armin Walpen told a news conference today that a second package of spending cuts and an increase in public licence fees would have to be considered. He added that SBC would wait for a decision by parliament later this year on amending the radio and television law, including the funding scheme for SBC`s nine-language internet portal, swissinfo. Read the full story at swissinfo http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=107&sid=5906689&cKey=1119968163000 # posted by Andy @ 15:57 UT June 28 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** TAJIKISTAN. Re 5-105: ´´HFCC does not yet list Orzu as a SW site; none but Dushanbe in that country´´ --- Yet another case of HFCC being all but not accurate when it comes to transmitter sites in the FSU. In fact ´´DB´´ are two different stations: Yangi-Yul with 100 kW transmitters and Orzu with two 1000 kW beasts. If I don't miss something, shortwave from Orzu is in use only by Voice of Russia and a certain BBG broadcaster. Both sites can be distinguished by the power levels: 100 and 200 kW have to be Yangi-Yul (in the latter one case running a transmitter pair of course) while 250 and 500 kW would be Orzu. All the best, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The Orzu SW site exists since 1971. See WRTH 2005, pg. 551 and http://www.tdp.info/tjk.html WRTH map: pg. 77. Orzu is a Soviet-era high-power combined MW/SW site, since Tajikistan's independence owned by Teleradiokom, the Tajik state transmitter operator. IBB is leasing SW & MW facilities at this site since the early 1990s; another major customer is Voice of Russia. The new 800 kW Thales MW transmitter on 972 (BBG's Radio Aap ki Dunyaa) replaces a Soviet-made unit that is currently run with 500 kW on this frequency. The BBG/IBB investments in Orzu appear to be of a similar kind as earlier e.g. in Cyprus (MW transmitter for Radio Sawa on the Monte Carlo Radiodiffusion site Cape Greco) or United Arab Emirates (MW transmitters for Radio Farda on the Emirates Media site Dhabbaya). In the HFCC schedule, Orzu SW transmisions traditionally appear under the "DB" label, just as transmissions from the Dushanbe site in Yangiyul (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) So BBG ``invests`` in these facilities but does not own them. Wonder what kind of long-term contract they have (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** U K. PETER DONALDSON OF BBC RADIO 4 RETIRED I know some of this list do listen to BBC Radio 4; Mr Donovan has written an interesting piece about the BBC retiring a well respected newsreader and the quality of a news announcer`s voice, one that I have heard most every day for 32 years. He has been part of my day just like long time work colleagues or neighbours (Mike Barraclough, England, swprograms via DXLD) Viz.: Peter Donaldson of BBC Radio 4 will be heard for the last time on Friday (July 1), which is a source of great sadness I think. I don't know if he has other fans on this list but I expect so. The last time as a staffer, that is. But, as you can see from this piece I did for the Sunday Times two days ago, he does not yet have any contract to return as a freelance... [viz.:] Peter Donaldson has been reading the news on Radio 4 for 32 years, and it is a shock to discover that after this week we may never hear him again. I hope and pray that we do, and if enough listeners ask for him back perhaps the BBC will relent. "I will be doing the Today programme on Friday", he tells me, "and am then on leave until my 60th birthday on August 23, at which point I am being retired. I was hoping for a contract of some kind to take me nearer to normal retirement age, but no contract is on offer - I assume because of what's going on here." The BBC has every right, of course, to make its employees retire at 60 (and is also, as Donaldson alludes to, trying to cut more than 3,000 posts). That is its policy. However, it does from time to time make exceptions: James Moir, for example, was allowed to carry on as controller of Radio 2 until he was 62. Plenty of other luminaries are on freelance contracts, such as John Simpson and John Humphrys, and so have been allowed to continue beyond 60 because the retirement age that is mandatory for staffers does not apply to them. Moir, though, was a company man through and through, loyal to the BBC in every respect. Donaldson is much more irreverent. Indeed, he was so disenchanted with his bosses in 2003 that he wrote to the BBC's in- house journal, Ariel, to reveal that he had thrown Greg Dyke's latest mission statement in the wastepaper bin, hardly the most diplomatic move that Radio 4's then chief announcer (he relinquished that role eight months later) could have made. "As an old colonial - born in Egypt and living abroad until I was 14 - I've never been p c and the Beeb is trying to become ever more so", he says. "But I don't want to knock. I've had a great time here with a very good bunch of people." It would be a mistake if the BBC were to punish him for his occasional disrespectful remark and never let him darken their doors again. He is the grit in the corporate oyster, the equivalent of the Labour rebel at Westminster who loves his party but despairs of those now leading it - and those people are often held up to be heroes. In any case, irrespective of his views on the corporation, he is a wonderful announcer and Radio 4 would be mad to cast him aside. His voice is not the sepulchral mahogany of Brian Perkins (the one lampooned by Dead Ringers) or the full dairy milk of Charlotte Green. It is a polished and fragrant rosewood, with elegant cadences and a a certain good- humoured humanity. He admits, because he is just as critical of himself as his bosses, that he does sometimes stumble over the words. On the Today programme, he once called the Daily Telegraph the "Daily Torygraph". "It was my slip, not a typo. I also said 'In the Shitty - City - share prices have plummeted' and referred to Bill Clinton meeting Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat on the lawn not of the White House but the White Horse, because that's my local pub." Donaldson should write his memoirs: with his knowledge of Radio 4 and the BBC more generally, and his wit, they would sell well. And, just as Perkins is still being heard as a freelance two years after he too had to retire, let us hope that avenue will also be open to Donaldson. The disappearance of his voice would impoverish the airwaves (Paul Donovan, uk-radio-listeners Yahoo group via Mike Barraclough, DXLD) Dumbing down BBC: see TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING ** U K. VT GROUP BBC WORLD SERVICE TRANSMISSION CONTRACT TO CONTINUE VT Group BBC World Service transmission contract to continue VT Group, through its VT Communications subsidiary, has reached agreement to continue distributing and transmitting BBC World Service radio programming for a further five years. This is valued at approximately £150 million. The initial contract was originally let to Merlin Communications upon privatisation in 1997. VT Group acquired Merlin in 2001, creating the VT Communications Division. BBC World Service radio programmes are transmitted through 10 transmission sites in the UK and throughout the world, which are operated and maintained by VT Communications. The service is transmitted in 43 languages to around 150 million weekly listeners throughout the world with the English and Arabic services broadcast 24 hours a day. VT Group Chief Executive Paul Lester commented: "The continuance of the contract will underpin our communications business for several years to come and reflects the high standards of service provided since privatisation. In addition, we are excited to be supporting the World Service as it faces a period of unprecedented technological change, through its increasing move into the digital era." Nigel Chapman, Director at BBC World Service, said: "Our relationship has continued to develop very positively since the acquisition of Merlin by VT. We face an exciting but challenging future and we are delighted to be working with VT Communications as our partner." (Media Network weblog via BDXC-UK via DXLD) [Moderator: The press release doesn't make it clear, but while VT Communications owns and operates the UK shortwave sites, the overseas sites such as Cyprus, Thailand, Ascension etc are still owned by the BBC or UK government and only operated by VT under contract. dk] (Dave Kenny, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U K. MCAG-LED CONSORTIUM TO ACQUIRE BBC BROADCAST --- 27 June 2005 Macquarie Capital Alliance Group (MCAG) today announced that Creative Broadcast Services Limited, a consortium led by MCAG and including Macquarie Bank Limited, has entered into an agreement with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to acquire 100% of BBC Broadcast Limited (BBC Broadcast) for £166 million (c. A$392 million). BBC Broadcast is Europe’s leading expert in the distribution and promotion of multimedia content and it offers a comprehensive range of services to playout, publish, promote and provide media access for content across all media, from television to mobile phones. It operates from a state-of-the-art playout facility, the Broadcast Centre, on the BBC Campus at White City in London. BBC Broadcast`s offering includes: playout services, which is a process that transforms content into a datastream ready for transmission; access services, including subtitling, sign language and audio description services; and creative services, which includes the design and production of promotional trailers and branded content, among other design services. MCAG will acquire a 65% interest in BBC Broadcast for c. £75 million (c. A$178 million). . . . [more] http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/mcag/news/20050627.htm (via Dan, DXLD) Why shouldn`t BBC do all this itself??? (gh, DXLD) ** U K. UK'S SABRAS RADIO TO BROADCAST IN LONDON ON 558 KHZ Midland`s commercial Asian radio station Sabras Radio has set its sights on the Capital and will launch its new service for London and the Home Counties on 7 July. Leicester-based Sabras Radio will broadcast on 558 AM to Greater London and the surrounding areas and to a wider audience on DAB, satellite and online. Sabras first broadcast in 1976 on the local BBC radio station, then operated within the GWR group before becoming totally independent by winning its own licence in 1994 to broadcast on 1260 AM. Sabras has undertaken a range of activities including outside broadcasts and other specialist Restricted Service Licences for religious and cultural events such as Diwali and Ramadan. Sabras claims to have the largest listening hours of any commercial station in the UK and is listened to by an estimated 80% of its target audience in the region. Don Kotak, managing director for Sabras Radio said: ``A carefully balanced programming schedule incorporating appropriate music, languages and speech to reflect and blend all the demands of today`s British Asian audience has proved to be a winning formula. I am confident that this winning formula can be extended to the potential listeners in London and the surrounding areas.`` (from http://www.mediaweek co.uk 17 June, 2005 (via July-August Medium Wave News via DXLD) What about Spectrum 558, already in London, including WRN and other foreign relays??? Does Sabras replace it, or merely buy certain hours on that transmitter? Why does mediaweek not make this clear? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. COMMENTATORS WHO HAVE NEVER LISTENED TO VOA AND RFE AGREE: VOA AND RFE ARE PROPAGANDA. "This former head of the Voice of America [Kenneth Tomlinson] seems to have confused the role of PBS and NPR with that of the VOA and Radio Free Europe, explicit political mouthpieces." Joanne Ostrow, Denver Post, 26 June 2005. "Today Mr. Tomlinson is chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the federal body that supervises all nonmilitary international United States propaganda outlets, Voice of America included. That the administration's foremost propagandist would also be chairman of the board of CPB, the very organization meant to shield public broadcasting from government interference, is astonishing." Frank Rich, New York Times, 26 June 2005. "He is also the Bush-appointed chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and other official arms of the government's propaganda machine." Molly Ivins, Salt Lake Tribune, 19 June 2005. VOA broadcaster responds to Ivins piece. Salt Lake City Tribune, 27 June 2005. Obviously a major public-image malfunction. Perhaps the PR offices of U.S. international broadcasting (there are at least five of them) should give the talk about "promoting freedom and democracy" a rest and turn the spotlight on "broadcasting accurate and objective news." After all, the audience for international broadcasting tunes in for the latter (links to each article, some of which already appeared here, at http://www.kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** U S A. This Friday, 1 July, my monthly appearance on VOA's Talk to America will be preempted to accommodate the schedule of a senior State Department official responsible for Western Hemisphere affairs. Yes, I know neither TTA nor any other VOA English is transmitted to the Americas. My apologies to many of you who make the effort to listen to our discussion of international broadcasting each first Friday of the month. Please tune in again on 5 August (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewe4lliott.com via DXLD) ** U S A. It`s now June 28, and surprise, surprise, WRNO still no show on 15420, 7395, 7355, tho the last prediction was a target date of June 27, per 5-095. Their website http://www.wrnoworldwide.org/index.html is still at least three years out of date, and from reading it, you would think they have really been on the air all this time! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WINB, 13570, startled to hear in Spanish at 1327 June 28, but it was just a bilingual preacher alternating with English, amid a big hum and low modulation (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 3210, WWCR, Nashville. Earliest station to fade in on 90 mb here. Vague at 0540, starting to improve 5 minutes or so later, 25/6 (Seager-L) 5070, WWCR, Nashville. First traces appear 0415, programming distinguishable by 0419, 25/6. This is 2.19 pm local time! (Craig Seager, Limekilns DXpedition, near Bathurst NSW, July Australia DX News via DXLD) ** U S A. KOSU - PUBLIC BROADCASTING FUTURE UPDATE #2 Dear Listener, Here’s a quick update on the American investment in public broadcasting. Last Thursday, June 23, the House of Representatives approved an amendment to restore some funding that was to be cut from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting on behalf of public radio and television stations. Funding for some public television educational programs and the satellite system that serves public television was not restored. This leaves the possibility that a reallocation of remaining funds could result in reduced support for KOSU and other radio and television stations. Nonetheless, the restoration of basic funding is a significant improvement over the cuts that were proposed just a week ago. Many of the headlines and stories about U.S. funding of public broadcasting has focused on NPR and PBS. In reality, NPR receives very little funding from federal sources - most of the funds support local stations like KOSU. The funds that KOSU receives are a match on the support provided by listeners and business supporters in our community. Your continued contributions are the most consistent and important source of support for KOSU. WE HOPE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING WHAT BUDGET IS AT STAKE? The most significant budget affected is that of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the organization created by Congress to administer federal funds to help support public radio and television programming, stations, community service, educational projects and technology. Additionally, there is separate, smaller fund for public broadcasting technical projects administered through the Department of Commerce. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO DATE? In early June, in an unanticipated move, a House of Representatives subcommittee recommended cutting $190 million from CPB's budget for fiscal year 2006, which begins this coming October. This was subsequently approved by the full House Appropriations Committee. On June 23, however, when the recommendation came to the floor vote before the full House of Representatives, an amendment to restore $90 million of the cut was introduced by David Obey (D-WI), Jim Leach (R- IA), and Nita Lowey (D-NY). This amendment was voted on and overwhelmingly passed with strong bipartisan support: the vote of 284- 140 included 87 Republicans and 197 Democrats. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT – AND WHAT DOES THIS MEAN NOW FOR THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING BUDGET? While this most recent vote was a critical step forward, it only restores half the budget lost through the original subcommittee recommendation. The process to regain the full funding continues as the Senate begins its own review – referred to as a ``mark-up`` – of the budget, beginning July 12. The Senate will finalize its recommendations in the coming weeks and it is hoped that it will seek to restore the rest of the cuts. When it is finished, leaders of the House and Senate will meet to negotiate the final budget. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING NOW, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE FISCAL YEAR 2006 BUDGET WAS ALREADY IN PLACE? The Administration has put intense pressure on the Congress to deal with the federal deficit by reducing federal spending, although the House Appropriations Subcommittee and full Committee chose to go beyond the proposed Administration recommendations. The bipartisan endorsement through the June 23 vote, however, shows that there is strong Congressional interest in supporting public broadcasting. WHAT DOES THE PUBLIC THINK ABOUT PUBLIC BROADCASTING FUNDING? A 2003 poll taken by CPB showed that Americans strongly support public broadcasting and believe it is worth federal funding. The CPB report determined: "An overwhelming number of adults in this country (80%) say that they have a favorable impression of PBS and NPR as a whole. Additionally, there are several indicators throughout the survey that demonstrate the extent to which the public values public broadcasting. For example, only 1-in-10 Americans (10%) would say that a per capita expenditure of $1.30 in taxpayer funds is 'too much' for the government to be spending on public broadcasting. Nearly half (48%) say the amount is 'too little' and roughly 1/3 (35%) say the amount is 'about right.'" HOW WOULD A SIGNIFICANT CPB BUDGET CUT AFFECT STATION KOSU? If approved by the U.S. Senate, we estimate that KOSU will lose as much as $68,000 beginning in just four months. This would be the equivalent of losing 3 out of every 5 pledges during our fall fund drive. Nationally, all other NPR member stations will be similarly affected in all areas of their programming, community outreach and general operations, and the result will be diminished quality of service to their local listeners. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN STILL BE DONE? According to media reports, members of Congress have stated that the overwhelming outpouring of support for public radio and television from listeners and viewers across the country played a key role in the vote on behalf of the amendment. Whatever position you take on this topic, we encourage our listeners and supporters to voice their opinions about the impact of cuts on public broadcasting to your elected officials. To contact your representative, go to this website … http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/ I also encourage you to share your questions and concerns with us at KOSU or sending an email to craig @ kosu.org (Craig Beeby, GM, KOSU mailing list June 27 via DXLD) Subversion of PBS: see TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING below ** U S A. Your calls and letters made the difference. Thank You. Dear Richard Cuff: Yesterday, the House voted overwhelmingly -- by a margin of 284 to 140 -- to restore $100 million to the budget for public broadcasting. Representatives reversed course because their phones were ringing off the hook and their mailboxes were jammed with letters and e-mails from millions of Americans. Your message came through loud and clear: Stop playing politics with public broadcasting. We scored a stunning victory -- but public broadcasting isn't safe yet. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where Free Press and our allies are working to win back more than $100 million (for children's programming and satellite and digital upgrades) stripped away by partisan operatives on the House Appropriations Committee. We must keep up the pressure on Capitol Hill. Here's how you can help: 1. Mobilize others. for the next fight to restore funding in the Senate. Recruit five of your friends to sign up as Free Press activists. 2. Go local. We're planning a series of house parties and town meetings this summer and fall to put the public back in public broadcasting. But we need your help. Join the Free Press Action Squad and we'll be in touch with more information on how to get directly involved in your community. 3. Support the Free Press Action Fund. Your donation will support the campaign to save public broadcasting today and build a noncommercial media system that serves Americans for generations to come. We should savor this victory today but steel ourselves for the fight ahead. P.S. -- Every silver lining has a cloud. In a brazenly partisan maneuver, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting yesterday tapped Patricia Harrison, former chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, as its next president. This is just the latest in CPB Chairman Kenneth Tomlinson's efforts to remake public broadcasting into a mouthpiece for the White House. P.P.S. -- Nearly 100,000 people have signed our petition calling on Tomlinson to resign. We need 100,000 more signatures. Please forward this message to everyone you know and ask them to add their names. Onward, (Timothy Karr, Campaign Director, http://www.freepress.net June 24 via Richard Cuff, swprograms via DXLD) ** U S A. WNYC REPORT LOOKS BACK AT 1938 WAR OF THE WORDS [sic] By DAVID HINCKLEY, DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/323075p-276183c.html If anything could be scarier than Tom Cruise's just-ended promotional tour for his flick "War of the Worlds," which opens tomorrow, it might be the original "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast on Halloween night 1938. Tomorrow afternoon at 3, then, WNYC (93.9 FM) will run a Radio Lab special called "Look Out ... Martians!," which will recount the story of that first broadcast and look at subsequent re-creations that have had tragic consequences. Orson Welles' original production had fictitious radio news announcers breaking into a music program to say Martian invaders had landed in Grovers Mill, N.J. By show's end, the Martians had decimated New York and, according to legend, a million Americans mistook the show for legitimate news and panicked accordingly. There are conflicting reports about the exact extent of this panic. But the WNYC special, which features excerpts from the Welles broadcast, notes that knockoff programs led to a military mobilization in Chile and the torching of a radio station in Ecuador. Hosting on WNYC is Jad Abumrad (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) I.e. Wed June 29 at 1900 UT, also ondemand: http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/episodes/06292005 (gh) ** U S A. TRH-WA Tim Hall - on the road, ICF-2010, Kiwa Loop, Kiwa Pocket Loop, Ford rental car radio, RCA digital voice recorder TRH-ID on the road TRH-BC on the road TRH-BC1 Trail, BC TRH-BC2 Rogers Pass, BC TRH-BC3 Radium Hot Springs, BC TRH-AB on the road TRH-AB1 Banff National Park, AB (Johnston Canyon evenings; Banff/Sulphur Mountain, Lake Louise days) TRH-AB2 Jasper, AB TIS and OTHER: ------------- 530 WQBJ353 WA Liberty Lake. 6/19 2230. WA DoT HAR station is getting out well. Today's message was about the state's rest areas (a different message was running when we arrived in Spokane 2 weeks ago). (TRH-WA) 1610 KOP796 MT Deer Lodge. 6/10 0602. Tape loop with female announcer for Grant-Kohrs Ranch historical site. This station and WPTJ974 were audible almost every night. (TRH-AB1) 1610 WPTJ974 MT Troy. 6/10 0201. Montana State Fish Wildlife & Parks TIS warned boaters about the dangers of transporting marine pests from one body of water to another. Web site http://protectyourwater.com Over an UNID station running NOAA weather (probably the Pasco, WA station). ID included call letters and city. Audible most nights on this trip. (TRH-AB1) 1610 WNVA514 WA Lacey. 6/14 0229. WA DoT HAR "WNVA514. Welcome to Nisqually Pass." Mixing with UNID station giving weather for the Skagit Valley. (TRH-AB2) 1610 WPHF829 WA Spokane. 6/4 1457. Airport TIS is back on the air and getting out pretty well. (TRH-WA) (Tim Hall, ABDX via DXLD) Not reproduced here, his other US travel logs. See also CANADA (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. TRUCKEE RADIO STARTUP GROWING: KVMR, NEVADA COUNTY PUBLIC RADIO, JOINS TAHOE AIRWAVES --- Paul Raymore June 28, 2005 http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20050628/News/106280025/-1/NEWS (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) {KTKE 101.5} ** U S A. Californian broadcaster and radio historian Jim Hilliker celebrates the 80th anniversary of LÁ's 1020 [KTNQ] with a well researched article tracing the story from KFVD to KPOP to KGBS and finally to KTNQ. On-line at http://www.radioheritage.net in the next few days (David Ricquish, July Pacific Radio News via DXLD) ** U S A. Re translators relaying LPFMs, 5-105: Doug is, as usual, right on the money on this one. Seattle's a great example - there are two LPFMs (KGHQ-LP and KCFL-LP) at quite a distance from Seattle that both obtained translators right in the heart of the city on channels where they could never get an LPFM licensed. Needless to say, they'll have far more listeners on the "translators" than they ever will on the "primary" facilities. Keep in mind that the FCC froze all processing of translator applications midway through dealing with the 15,000+ applications that came in during last year's window. Even they know the system is severely broken; the question is, what will they end up doing about it? s (Scott Fybush, NY, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. On CONTINENT OF MEDIA you talked about the low power FM station WRFN, Radio Free Nashville, located west of Nashville in the rural community of Pasquo. They are still broadcasting at 100 watts on 98.9, 24/7. I just can`t pick it up like I used to. They`re actually situated pretty well, The Pasquo area is high elevation generally, plus they are on a hill. Office number is 615-662-8558 (John H. Curley, Franklin TN, June 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. LIBERATION RADIO ORDERED OFF THE AIR --- STATION PLANS MOVE TO UNDISCLOSED BERKELEY LOCATION AFTER FCC EDICT --- By Nick Miroff, Oakland http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/localnews/ci_2828737 A low-watt "micropower" radio station in North Oakland had to pull the plug on its unlicensed broadcasts Monday, having received a cease-and- desist order from the Federal Communications Commission earlier this month. Berkeley Liberation Radio had been transmitting its 100-watt signal on 104.1 FM, blanketing much of Berkeley and North Oakland with its mix of radical political commentary and music. The FCC order said the station's signal was encroaching on other, licensed frequencies. Unlike "pirate" radio, which appropriates the frequency of another station, microradio or micropower radio uses low-watt transmitters - 100 watts or less [sic!] - to broadcast on unoccupied frequencies of the FM dial. "We're not stealing anything," said Thunder, a station spokesman. Thunder explained that he and other staff members use pseudonyms "to protect our identities, and because we're whimsical, too." The FCC declined to comment on its move against the station, but Thunder and other BLR staff claim they're beingunfairly targeted for their political beliefs, in particular their criticism of the Bush administration. BLR found the FCC notice under its door June 17, ordering the station off the air within 10 days. The group had already been contemplating a move, Thunder said, because of the loud rock bands that lease the studio next door to theirs, currently at Telegraph Avenue and 55th Street in Oakland. The station began broadcasting in 1994 under the name "Free Radio Berkeley" but changed its name after an FCC shutdown in 1998, Thunder said. The station was raided again in 2002, and its equipment was seized. But Thunder said the station was back on the air within days at the same location. He and other BLR staff said they won't recognize the authority of the FCC and have not applied for a broadcast license. "The FCC represents the (Bush) administration, and they're trying to control the news and the media," said BLR disc jockey Screwy Lewie. "We're trying to spread the truth of what is going on." Rather than risk another FCC-ordered equipment seizure, the group will relocate its operation to "an undisclosed location" in Berkeley, Thunder said. It will be much friendlier territory: Last year Berkeley's City Council passed a resolution urging federal and local law enforcement officials to allow the station to continue. "I think they provide important perspectives that have a hard time getting onto larger radio and TV stations," said Berkeley Councilmember Kris Worthington. "It's important that they're able to express their views." (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U S A. Altho it was first announced several days ago, acting Pres. Bush`s speech Tuesday evening at Ft. Bragg seems to be getting spotty coverage by the TV networks. At 1945 UT Tuesday, consulting the two main online schedule services, we find contradictions. However, both agree that he will NOT be on NBC and CBS! Can`t do without Average Joe and NCIS Witness. TV Guide shows ABC, PBS (OETA here), CSPAN1, CNN, FNC, MSNBC. Of course all this is subject to last-minute changes. Zap2it only shows ABC and FNC! With normal programming on the others above, so this may be an indication of which schedule site is more up- to-date. Furthermore, I just saw a promo on CNN that it would start at 7 pm ET, rather than 8 --- I guess they are going to spend an hour analyzing what he is going to say before he says it (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. HEARD A RADIO IN 30 YEARS? CAN'T SAY YOU DON'T KNOW JACK June 28, 2005 BY RICHARD ROEPER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST Hey. I hate to break this to you, but nobody loves your music collection as much as you do. . . http://www.suntimes.com/output/roeper/cst-nws-roep28.html (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A. DISNEY RADIO TALK GETS LOUDER By Sandy Brown, TheStreet.com Staff Reporter, 6/27/2005 11:23 AM EDT Chatter surrounding a possible sale of Disney's radio assets is on the rise. A research report released Monday by Merrill Lynch says that it "believes that Disney continues to explore its options with regard to its radio division and that some type of transaction remains likely." A sale of its ABC Radio assets is viewed as a distinct possibility now that CEO-elect Robert Iger is taking the reins this fall. Merrill Lynch says that Disney has reportedly hired an investment bank to run the process. Sources say Disney is working with Goldman Sachs and Bear Stearns. The company's 71 stations are valued at between $2.6 billion and $3.6 billion, according to the Merrill report, which also cited the attractiveness to suitors based on its prime key markets. "The station group should be relatively attractive to bidders due to its strong position in key markets such as New York (three stations), Los Angeles (four stations) and Washington, D.C. (three stations)," the firm wrote. While still spinning off a lot of cash for the company -- Merrill projects EBITDA of $240 million in 2005 -- traditional radio is feeling the heat from coming satellite providers Sirius (SIRI:NYSE) and XM (XMSR:Nasdaq). A deal would come on the heels of other recent media disassembly plays at Clear Channel (CCU:NYSE), Viacom (VIA:NYSE) and Emmis (EMMS:Nasdaq), which announced plans to sell its 16 broadcast television stations, valued at $1 billion. Emmis said in early May it would consider spinning off its 16 midsize- market TV stations. Gannett (GCI:NYSE) is said to be looking closely at a purchase of the Emmis stations to increase its local TV broadcasting footprint. Likely bidders for Disney's radio assets include a host of midsized radio station groups including Emmis, Citadel (CDL:NYSE), Cox (CXR: NYSE) and Entercom (ETM:NYSE). (via Steve Whitt, June 27, MWC via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. Re discussion of airborne Martí 530, etc.: Who's this Gleason? If it's David Gleason, he's an enemy of the true broadcaster. He claims that "AM Stereo is not proven technology", when it's been a proven technology during its 26 years of use. He supported IBOC, lock stock and barrel. I had a lot of run-ins with him over how to run a radio station; he favored an anti-community and anti-career stance, while my stance has always been for fostering better relations with the DX community and the local community, and for building careers and continuing to build them, not building them only to have them destroyed at an instance. I would never hire him for any engineering job, regardless of whether my station broadcasts in English, Spanish, French or even Cantonese. 73, (Eric (N0UIH) Bueneman, IRCA via DXLD) Interested as well to know about Gleason. Would have asked earlier but public shaming and disgrace over "Banishment for Life" from eminent radio board is excruciating. Revealing one's pig-ignorance of Mr. Gleason would be too much to endure. The angst of it all... IBOC cheerleaders resent questions and cannot credibly refute statements about interference. They behave not as inventors and innovators but rather as cynical opportunists with much to hide. No one minds Ibiquity sending twenty channels of color TV, internet, and movies over AM radio. The poison pill is interference. What marks IBOC promoters is evasiveness. Why? Familial proxy poison for profit hi-jinx graced undersigned worthless scribe with insight: predators act out their worst fears. In harming others they tell us what they fear experiencing themselves. Ask, "what are they doing?" IBOC is hiding and jamming. Promoting imaginary benefits --- traffic texting --- does not for one moment conceal the unspoken --- Interference. They hide the truth because they fear its publication. They jam non-IBOC stations because they fear being jammed themselves, they're a house of cards awaiting our wind. Exposure's what they fear. Jamming for profit is a cheater's strategy to monopolize broadcasting by those who neither care about talent nor the audience. Publicity they cannot control will stop them cold. Coldly, -Z.- (Paul Vincent Zecchino, Manasoviet Key, FL, 25 2330Z JUN 05 BT, IRCA mailing list via DXLD) Short version of my earlier gaseous diatribe: IBOC promoters greased and cheated their way into market place because they fear its result when allowed to work. As you say, damaged stations, indifferent listeners, and a public upset about all the noise on their once useful radios will scuttle young Struble's noisy little RF stinkbomb for good. Stinkily, -Z.- (Paul Vincent Zecchino, Manasoviet Key, FL, BT IRCA mailing list via DXLD) But who is Gleason? I confess, I don't know. Wouldn't know him if I fell over him. Is he a Moderator? Palace Guard? Poohbah? Animist? Counterrevolucionario? Philatelist? You experienced rudeness from him as well? Just can't say anything today, people so touchy. Dr. DeV______'s rules for safe life in today's world: 1. Touch no one. 2. Say little. 3. Nothing in writing. -Z.- "I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees." - Bud, "Repo Man", c. 1984, Alex Cox (Paul Vincent Zecchino, Manasoviet Key, FL, BT, ibid.) He`s a VP at Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation. He`s a true believer in IBOC and loves to stick the fact that IBOC is going to end DXing in people`s faces. He tells the truth though about corporations and their true relationship with DXers. There is no relationship between DXers, listeners, and corporations. Corporations exist to make money. The listeners and DXers don`t count. What counts is that the advertisers buy time. I might not like it, but he`s right. Corporations exist to make money, period. He was a broadcaster in many Latin American countries for many years. If you let him, he`ll drive you nuts. He is exceptionally corporate and speaks the truth according to the corporation and as painful as it is, he is right about how corporations deal with everyone and how they deal with ad dollars, pesos, australs or whatever the coin of the realm is, in the country where he happens to be working. If you aren`t buying time, you are of no use. I`d say the same thing if I were a VP at a corporation. I begrudgingly give him some respect, although I generally don`t agree with him. He also goes by the name David Eduardo on other lists (Kevin Redding, IRCA mailing list via DXLD) OK. 'Nuff said. This thread is now closed. Take it to private mail if you want more details. I sense this one is about to become a flame war. No wars here, just radio tips and discussion, OK? (Lynn Hollerman, IRCA list moderator, Lafayette, LA, via DXLD) ** VANUATU. 7260, R. Vanuatu, Vila. Plenty of signal 0355 with discussion in Bislama, but modulation poor, 25/6 (Craig Seager, Limekilns DXpedition, near Bathurst NSW, July Australia DX News via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Luego de la buena noticia donde reportaba la reactivación de la señal del Observatorio Naval Cajigal (YVTO) con señal clara y sin ruido de fondo, debo informar otra vez que la misma ha quedado nuevamente fuera del aire. Estaré pendiente de los 5000 kHz a ver si la reactivan de nuevo esta semana (José Elías, Venezuela, June 28, Noticias DX via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA [non]. El Aló Presidente de este pasado domingo fue muy emotivo y tocó las fibras de la gran mayoría de los que apoyamos el proceso bolivariano. Sin embargo, hubo una reducción de frecuencias desde La Habana. El pasado 26/06, el espacio dominical sólo salió por 11875 kHz (5/5) y por 13680 (4/3). Captado en ambos canales a las 1755 UT. 73s y buen (DX Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, June 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. Hi Glenn, SW Radio Africa, 15145, 1700-1800 currently heard here in Zimbabwe, 27 June. Jamming is on 15137 by the local regime, so SWRA can be heard almost totally in the clear. DXers should check 15137 to report on any jamming of SWRA which is on 15145. 73 (David Pringle-Wood, Harare, Zimbabwe, June 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. UK: SW Radio Africa in English again heard on short wave but only one hour: 1700-1800 on 15145 WOF 250 kW / 140 deg with excellent signal here in Bulgaria!! (Observer, Bulgaria, June 28 via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ BPL IN MARYLAND AND FLORIDA --- NRTC EYEING BPL The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative is known for its work in satellite TV circles, but the organization is turning to a developing technology in order to bring communications services to remote areas. NRTC said it's working with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and its Cooperative Research Network on two pilot projects to explore how broadband by powerline (BPL) technology can perform in rural areas. NRTC members Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative of Hughesville, Md., and West Florida Electric Cooperative in Graceville, Fla., are serving as pilot hosts. Two BPL equipment vendors are contributing hardware and support to the projects: Access Broadband, an affiliate of the Current Communications Group; and Electrolinks Corp. of Ontario. Powerline Telco of Fairfax, Va., is serving as project management firm. Despite delays with the initial roll out, the BPL installation at West Florida is underway, NRTC said. Those involved said they expect to issue an interim status report in October and a final project report in January 2006 (From SkyREPORT E-news today via Rob de Santos, Columbus, Ohio USA, June 28, Swprograms mailing list via DXLD) TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING ++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE DUMBING DOWN CONTINUES Hi GH, Your item about the dumbing down of Breakfast With the Arts reminded me of my own dissatisfaction with the BBC over the past few years. Seems like they devote a lot of time to airhead celebrity "pop" music programs these days. I don't enjoy it. It sounds like what we used to call "chewing gum" music. Maybe at the advanced age of 53 |grin| I'm turning into a sour curmudgeon (although editors are allowed to become curmudgeons; in some circles it is expected). Would I feel the same way if this was still the 1960s, and the BBC was doing profiles of rock/folk musicians? So maybe I'm being unfair to the latest music programs. But it sounds like a pale imitation of better days, pandering to the "more lucrative" market of people under 30. BBC's appeal used to be intelligence, culture, sophisticated analysis, and quirky humor programs. Where did it all go? I believe this is just a symptom of some truly serious, larger problems. The general dumbing down of culture continues to accelerate. Political discussions [FOX-TV, AM radio, etc.] have become exercises in angrily demeaning and humiliating your opponent. So-called "reality shows" are the same. The government continues to tell outrageous lies, commits transparent crimes, and gets away with it. The mainstream media remain mute. The Constitution is in shreds. We have the best politicians money can buy (most all the true statesmen and women are gone). A Shadow government rules. And I'm having my microchip implanted in my head tomorrow. (After all, it deters terrorism, doesn't it? And they've promised me it will receive MTV!...) A dumbed-down populace, spoon-fed misinformation, and encouraged never to think for themselves, will accept any lie the government (or lobbyists, globalists, corporatists --- take your pick) throws out. Impoverish the populace by exporting all the jobs overseas, and they'll be working so hard just trying to survive that they won't notice their government has been stolen away, they're too tired at the end of the day to question the lies... Very convenient, eh? And I'm afraid it's working. Or am I the only one who sees something wrong out there? Enjoy your Tips for Rational Living section. I think that when people can't cope with changes and mounting uncertainty, many take refuge in the comforting myths of their childhood --- in religions that offer certainty in a time of doubt. Very soothing. But it can be dangerous denial. "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain." -- The Wizard of Oz (Ed Stone, June 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) SUBVERSION OF PBS GH, Thanks for reprinting the Frank Rich piece. It is truly frightening what has been going on to subvert the media. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. I believe Andy O'Brien is right that PBS/NPR is also censored and "tame." I think that's why Moyers left "Now." I used to listen to Pacifica as alternative, also. But I've heard biased reporting on Pacifica also. They're far from perfect. I stopped listening to local Pacifica station WBAI when they fired long-time investigative & health broadcaster Gary Null for speaking out about the rampant anti- Semitism, racism and cronyism that has taken over that station. (Null's broadcasts are now on the Web: go to http://www.garynull.com and click on the link to listen to broadcasts --- both live and archive.) Although I'm a Progressive, I find myself listening more to those right-wingers on shortwave who don't like Bush. They still cover things the mainstream won't touch, even if I don't always agree with them politically, or with their religious views. Dr. Stan Monteith and Alex Jones are particularly interesting, although Jones may go out on a limb sometimes. Let's face it, you can find the truth from both Left and Right wing broadcasters. You just have to be very discriminating and critical. You have to listen to a variety of non-mainstream sources. I think the anti-Bush Right and the Left have more in common than they think. It's about time we all got together to take back this country. Let's focus on what we have in common or we'll all go down the tubes together (Ed Stone, June 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###