DX LISTENING DIGEST 5-125, July 29, 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 1282: Fri 2000 WOR RFPI [repeated 4-hourly thru 1600 Sat] Sat 0800 WOR WRN to Eu, Au, NZ, WorldSpace AfriStar, AsiaStar Sat 0855 WOR WNQM Nashville TN 1300 Sat 1000 WOR WPKN Bridgeport CT 89.5 & WPKM Montauk LINY 88.7 Sat 1730 WOR WRN to North America (including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 115) Sat 1730 WOR WRMI 7385 [from WRN] Sun 0230 WOR WWCR 5070 Sun 0300 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0330 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 0630 WOR WWCR 3210 Sun 0730 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Sun 0830 WOR WRN to North America, also WLIO-TV Lima OH SAP (including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 115) Sun 0830 WOR KSFC Spokane WA 91.9 Sun 0830 WOR WXPR Rhinelander WI 91.7 91.9 100.9 Sun 0830 WOR WDWN Auburn NY 89.1 [unconfirmed] Sun 0830 WOR KTRU Houston TX 91.7 [occasional] Sun 1200 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 1300 WOR KRFP-LP Moscow ID 92.5 Sun 1730 WOR WRMI 7385 [from WRN] Sun 1730 WOR WRN1 to North America (including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 115) Sun 1900 WOR RNI Mon 0230 WOR WRMI 7385 Mon 0300 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0330 WOR WSUI Iowa City IA 910 Mon 0415 WOR WBCQ 7415 [usually closer to 0418-] Mon 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Mon 1800 WOR RFPI [repeated 4-hourly thru 1400 Tue] Tue 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Tue 2330 WOR WBCQ 7415 [occasional] Wed 0930 WOR WWCR 9985 Wed 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Latest edition of this schedule version, with hotlinks to station sites and audio, is at: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html WORLD OF RADIO 1282 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1282h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1282h.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1282 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1282.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1282.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1282.html WORLD OF RADIO 1282 in true SW sound of Alex`s mp3: (stream) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_07-27-05.m3u (download) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_07-27-05.mp3 WORLD OF RADIO 1282 downloads in studio-quality mp3: (high) http://www.obriensweb.com/wor1282h.mp3 (low) http://www.obriensweb.com/wor1282.mp3 WORLD OF RADIO PODCAST: www.obriensweb.com/wor.xml (currently available: 1277, Extra 57, 1278, 1279, 1280, Extra 58, 1281, soon 1282) ** ALASKA. See MADAGASCAR ** ALBANIA. Frequency change for Radio Tirana in French Mon-Sat: 1900- 1927 NF 9520 SHI 100 kW / 300 deg, ex 6115 to avoid Radio Minsk HS (Observer, Bulgaria, July 29 via DXLD) See also CHINA [non] ** ANGOLA? I'm receiving a very weak signal around 0400 on 7217 but doesn't seem to be Portuguese (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, July 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. PFC QSL and letter from Radio Santa Cruz is now shown in my homepage http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~BCLSWL/QSL0508.html with the explanation in Japanese. I found their web page at http://www.irfacruz.org but now in construction (Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 11735, Radio Transmundial, 1956-2000, 25-07, locutor, portugués, comentario religioso, identificación: "Esta é a Rádio Transmundial, ondas curtas, 25 metros, 11735 kHz, 31 metros, 9530 kHz, 49 metros 5965 kHz, transmitindo desde Santa María, Río Grande do Sul, onda média, 800 kHz. Rádio Transmundial, a rádio que está com a palabra". http://www.transmundial.com.br 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España, escuchas realizadas en Reinante, costa del Mar Cantábrico, 90 Km. N. de Lugo, Grundig Satellit 500, Antena de cable, 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) in absence of Zanzibar, I guess, q.v. (gh) ** BULGARIA. Radio Varna special on Suns 2200-2400 / Mons 0000-0400 UT tentatively in B-05 season on 7600 2200-0400 27,28 VRN 100 0 RBU BUL In B-04 was: 9500 Mons 0000-0400 UT 27,28 VRN 100 0 RBU BUL (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Fredericton's newest commercial FM radio station, CFRK 92.3, is now on the air with testing, music and jingles promoting the official launch at 6:00 p.m. ADT on Thursday, July 28, 2005. The station's slogan is "Fred-FM" and is the newest addition to Newcap's stable of classic rock and other radio stations across Canada. Fred- FM has its Web site up, at http://www.fredfm.ca Signal is good throughout the city, and it looks like the station will be able to give the existing, stodgy, local stations a wake-up (Brent Taylor, VE1JH Doaktown, NB, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The following four Canadian AM stations have applied to the CRTC to move from AM to FM: CFCY-630 Charlottetown PE has applied for 95.1 MHz, 73.3 kW CHTN-720 Charlottetown PE has applied for 100.3 kHz, 33 kW CKEC-1320 New Glasgow NS has applied for 94.1 MHz, 51.88 kW CKWA-1210 Slave Lake AB has applied for 92.7 MHz. 5.7 kW Full details here: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Hearings/2005/n2005-7.htm Note that in the case of the CFCY and CKEC applications, other parties have applied for new FM stations to use the same frequencies. If the CFCY and CHTN applications are approved, Prince Edward Island will have exactly zero AM stations left, not counting the two 20 watt TIS stations CBPP-1490 and CBPP-1-1280 in Prince Edward Island National Park (assuming that they are still in operation) Time to log PEI if you have not done so! 73, (Deane McIntyre, Canada, July 28, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** CHINA. According to my monitoring, CNR8 is now using new 5975 kHz at 1400-1457 in Kazakh, 1500-1557 in Uighur, 1600-1657 in Mongolian (Kenji Takasaki, Japan Premium July 29 via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. ALBANIA --- Additional B-05 CRI services planned tentatively via Cërrik site, to Europe, and Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Arabian Peninsula. Compared B-04 and A-05 tables. Seemingly Chinese/English transmissions. 7130 0900-1000 28E CER 150 0 ALB CRI RTC [zero seems 000 degrees, not non-dir] 7130 1100-1200 28SE CER 150 0 ALB CRI RTC 7130 1200-1300 28S CER 150 0 ALB CRI RTC 9460 0900-1000 28E CER 150 0 ALB CRI RTC 11640 0700-0900 39E CER 150 140 ALB CRI RTC 13685 0700-0900 39E CER 300 140 ALB CRI RTC (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. CUBA --- CRI tentatively planned in B-05 season via La Habana-CUB relay: 13740 1400-1600 6,7SW HAB 100kW 305deg CUB CRI RTC. All entries decreased from 250 to 100 kW, compared to B-04/A-05 registrations. So seemingly 250 kW units will work with 100 kW power only due to main power deficiency. In B-04: ex17730 1400-1600 6,7 HAB 250kW 305deg CUB CRI RTC (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR [non]. CONGO-KINSHASA [non]. 11690, Radio Okapi via Sentech (SOUTH AFRICA), July 25, 0548-0600*, in French, several songs in English (``Waiting for Love`` and ``Stop the Train I’m Leaving``), several IDs for ``Radio Okapi,`` calypso type music, strong signal. Checked July 26 and 27 at 0400, their scheduled sign-on time, but have not been able to heard anything, but by 0530 they have a decent signal (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, RX340, with T2FD antenna, DX LISTENING DIGEST) What happened to Radio Okapi on 11690? No trace of it lately altho it gave us good signals a few months back. Are they still on the air? The same goes for Central African Republic. Isn't Issoudun anymore with them? (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, July 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) At 0400, we thought Okapi were, in addition to the new 1600 on 11890, but maybe the latter replaced the former? (gh, DXLD) ** CUBA. Surprised to hear Arnie Coro concluding not his science show but DXers Unlimited on UT Thu instead of UT Wed: July 28 at 0548 on 11760 with propagation, the same script already published in last DXLD! Did they grab the wrong tape, or just have some time to fill with another repeat? Also a few minutes later at 0551 I could hear a mix of English audio from 11760 and jamming from 11775 on 11745. I suspect both of these are coming from the same country, even the same transmitter site. At 1355 I again detected a mixture of RHC 11800 and 11760 both in Spanish on 11720 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re Rebelde log on ``9595``: Hola Glenn, no, no es correcta, fue un error mío al escribir. La frecuencia es 9505 kHz. Perdón por el error. Tecleé 9 en vez de 0. Un abrazo (Manuel Méndez, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [and non]. 590, Radio Rebelde, Santa Clara, Villa Clara; the Radio Musical Nacional transmitter, absent for at least two days, came back up sometime between late last night and early this morning local. However, it is currently relaying Rebelde audio. Tune in at 0853 GMT 28 July, excellent signal. Stuck with it past 1000 GMT, as I have heard them relay Rebelde or Reloj overnight, and open with Musical Nacional at 0600 local, but not today. As of now (1130 GMT), Rebelde continues. Signal not very good post-sunrise, with the Clewiston, FL Mexican format beating it up. 590, MEXICO, unID; 1059-1106 GMT 28 July. Still another XE to try to ID. Tune in to choral version of XE anthem in progress, man with uncopiable ID, brief chatter, XE tunes from 1105. Rapidly faded and overtaken by the Clewiston, FL (and not to be confused with) Mexican format station. (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. CUBA TALK IS BRIGHT, NIGHTS DARK An interesting article in the SP Times Fri 22 July, Times2, page 6A, via the Chicago Tribune. Re: Power in Cuba Lengthy blackouts gripping the nation since May. Residents sitting on stoops in the evening, light only from flashlights or passing cars. Blackouts can last more than 12 hours. Increased tourism, and higher prices for nickel are helping the economy. Billboards in Havana feature a smiling Castro saying "we are doing well". But acknowledgment from a top official that the antiquated electrical system is not keeping up with surging demand during the sweltering summer. The Minister of basic industry, Yadira García, vowed blackouts would diminish. But then, Hurricane Dennis caused $1.4 Bn in damage. Power outages are more severe outside of Havana, where offices are shut down and residents sleep outdoors. Food is spoiling and water service curtailed. Relatives in the US are shipping candles back to family in Cuba. In many areas, power cuts are "regularized" so residents can prepare for them. -o0o- Worker's paradise, indeed. Even the SP Times on the 27th featured Castro's words about the electrical power situation, when mentioning his speech. Interestingly the Tribune gave the speech a single paragraph on an inside page, saying only that Castro remarked on the power situation, but not mentioning the 26th as an occasion for the remarks. I think Curt's theory about the power problem being a key factor in the wobbler issue, could be boosted by this situation, which apparently is more dire than I had thought (Bob Foxworth, Tampa FL, ABDX via DXLD) See also CHINA [non] ** DJIBOUTI. Djibouty after 0300 on 4780 is presenting the best signal on 60 m at this time. With programs in Arabic and Horn of Africa music. Remarkable the fact that this signal seems to be coming directly from Eastern Africa, and no Western African stations are heard as in the past around here (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, July 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. DRM on 15375 heard later than usual, July 28 at 1532, presumably HCJB (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. RFI forced to rely on SW for Côte d`Ivoire: see IVORY COAST [non] ** GERMANY. Corrections and changes for A-05 of DTK T-Systems: Radio Nuateri or Muateri (not Radio Solmal or Soomal) from July 22: 1330-1400 on 17550 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Fri to EaAf in Somali [see SOMALIA non] Bible Voice Broadcasting Network (BVBN) from July 18: 1530-1600 NF 13840 WER 250 kW / 090 deg Mon-Fri to SoEaAs in Hindi, ex 13800 Brother Stair/The Overcomer Ministries (TOM) from July 22: 1800-2200 on 13810 JUL 100 kW / 120 deg Daily to ME in English, additional (Observer, Bulgaria, July 29 via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 4052.5, Radio Verdad, Chiquimula, 0510-0550, 27-07. De nuevo en el aire, luego de 12 días, aproximadamente, inactiva. Señal más débil de lo habitual. Escuchada con su programa diario en inglés que se transmite entre las 0500 y las 0600. Locutor, comentarios y canciones religiosas. 14221 variando a 24222 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España, escuchas realizadas en Reinante, costa del Mar Cantábrico, 90 Km. N. de Lugo, Grundig Satellit 500, Antena de cable, 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re 5-124, R. Verdad, 4052.5v: I heard them last night (July 28 UT) at 0400 and again in the early local morning (1030) with fair signals using only my "roll-up" antenna inside my bedroom. It had been off the air, though, as Adán reports. I'll check on it and update you on this one. Best wishes, (Élmer Escoto, Honduras, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUINEA. Conacry. The new transmitter of Radio Guinea, made by China, is to be put in operation this month on the frequency of 7125 kHz (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, R. Bulgaria DX July 29 via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) As already reported here, it is not a new transmitter; all they needed was a replacement part in order to resume (gh, DXLD) RTG is putting Conakry back in the scene after some weeks missed, as always with good signals but not before 2200, enhancing towards 2300 when Russia International drowns it. We'll have to wait till Winter when Russia changes its opening one hour later [7125] (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, July 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUYANA. 3291.04, GBC, Return Frequency, 0900-0940 with OM announcer and pop music. 73 de (Bob Wilkner, Pompano Beach, Florida, NRD 535D, July 29, HCDX via DXLD) had been silent a few months after flood (gh) ** HAWAII. CONSERVATION GROUPS SUE FCC OVER NATIVE BIRD DEATHS AP-HI--FCC-Birds 07-27 0164 HONOLULU (AP) -- Three environmental groups are suing the Federal Communications Commission for allegedly failing to protect native birds from deadly collisions with radio and telephone towers on Kauai and the Big Island. The lawsuit was filed yesterday in U-S District Court in Honolulu. According to the lawsuit, the agency did not consult with the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service over the question of whether seven towers could impact the well-being of endangered species. The consultation is required under the federal Endangered Species Act. The plaintiffs include Conservation Council for Hawaii, American Bird Conservancy and Forest Conservation Council. The towers were built between 1996 and 2001 at heights of 200 to 420 feet. The groups say potential safety modifications would include lighting, elimination of guy wires and reducing the towers' height (via Brock Whaley, DXLD) ** HONDURAS. 4819.2, HRVC, La Voz Evangélica, Tegucigalpa, 0530-0600, 27-07. Locutor y locutora, comentario religioso, identificación por locutora: "La Voz Evangélica de Honduras, la radio que evangeliza". 24222. Continúa escuchándose a diario por aquí (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España, escuchas realizadas en Reinante, costa del Mar Cantábrico, 90 Km. N. de Lugo, Grundig Satellit 500, Antena de cable, 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4819.1, HRVC, La Voz Evangélica, Tegucigalpa 1030 to 1130; phone in program ``¿cuál es su nombre? repeated with each phone in, few rooster sounds played to give local color? ``Buenos días, La Voz Evangélica ... Buenos días, Orlando...`` followed by religious message and prayer for this person. "Phone in" program for 45 minutes on 22 July. 1215 on 23 July with Happy Birthday version in which ``Happy Birthday`` was in English but the rest in Spanish (Robert Wilkner, FL, Japan Premium July 29 via DXLD) ** INDIA [non]. Re relays which should be started via WWCR-5, 6: I agree, especially All India Radio, one of the world's biggest broadcasters which we can't hear. Remember when "Radio Peking" was a DX catch, especially on the East Coast, but couldn't really be listened to easily. What a good change. To your list I would add Voice of Nigeria and Channel Africa (Tim Hendel, Huntsville AL, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 4869.97, RRI Wamena, 1030 to 1045 music with OM voice over, good signal. 4871.13, RRI Sorong long talk by OM 1020 to 1048 (Robert Wilkner, FL, Japan Premium July 29 via DXLD) Dates missing; also IDs, apparently. Precise frequencies are the way we can tell them apart, but the het between them in Indonesia must be awful (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL. Clandestine entries in EiBi A-05 schedule. http://www.eibi.de.vu/ Valid March 27, 2005 - October 29, 2005 Last update: July 22, 2005 Begin End Days[unless all] Station Lang. Dir. kHz site (Remarks) ------------------------------------------------------------ 0000 2400 Star Star BS (Xin Xing) M CHN 8300 9725 11430 13750 15385 0100 0200 We,Fr Hmong Lao Radio LAO SEA 15260/TWN 0150 0330 V.of Iranian Kurdistan KuF ME 3970 4850 0230 0315 Radio Payam-e Doost FS ME 7460/MDA 0230 0330 Radio Sadaye Kashmir UR SAs 6100/IND-d 0230 0400 VoJammu-Kashmir Freedom E SAs 5990 0300 0400 Radio Roj KU ME 6315 0300 0400 VoStrugglers Iran.Kurd. KuF ME 4250 0300 0430 V.o.Kurdistan Toilers KuA ME 4235 0300 0440 V.o.Conserv.Party Kurd. KU ME 4160 0300 0500 SW Radio Africa E ZWE 1197/AFS 0300 0600 Echo of Hope K KRE 3985 6348 0300 0700 Voice of the People K KRE 6518 6600 0315 0350 V.o.Peace and Democracy TIG ERI 5500/ETH 6350/ETH 0330 0400 Arabic Radio A SYR 7510 0330 0430 V.of Iranian Revolution KuF ME 3885 0330 0430 Voice of Komala KuF ME 3940 4610 0400 0430 Sa-Th V.o.Freedom and Renewal A SDN 6985 0400 0500 357 Voice of Liberty TIG ERI 15675/RUS-a 0400 1600 Denge Mesopotamia KU ME 11530/MDA 0430 0500 Sa-Tu Radio Nile Vn EAf 12060/MDG 15320/MDG 0600 0800 Nat.R.of Sahara AD Rep. A NAf 700 1550 7466 0630 0700 124 Radio Mustaqbal SO EAf 15530/UAE 0730 0830 Radio Sadaye Kashmir UR SAs 9890/IND-d 0745 1200 Ashur Radio, V.o.Zowaa ASY ME 9155 0900 1100 Radio Indep. Mekumui SLM PNG 3850(LSB) 0900 2100 Echo of Hope K KRE 3985 6348 1100 1145 Voice of Tibet TB CHN 17525/UZB 1130 1200 124 Radio Mustaqbal SO EAf 15530/UAE 1200 1230 Sa Radio Que Me VN VTN 15385/UZB 1200 1300 Mo-Sa Que Huong Radio VN SEA 15680 1215 1345 Voice of Tibet TB CHN 17525/UZB 1230 1300 Mo-Fr Radio Free Vietnam VN SEA 11555/HWA 1300 1430 VoJammu-Kashmir Freedom E SAs 5102 1300 0300 V.o.Iraqi People A IRQ 4875/ARS-j 9563/ARS 9570/9750/ARS-j 11710/ARS 1330 1400 SaSu Radio Hoa-Mai VN VTN 11555/HWA 1420 1500 Mo-Sa V.o.Peace and Democracy TIG ERI 5500/ETH 6350/ETH 1430 1500 Voice of Iranian Nation FS IRN 11620 1430 1515 Voice of Tibet TB CHN 17525/UZB 1430 1530 Dem.Voice of Burma BR SEA 5910/KAZ 15480 17625/MDG 1430 1530 Radio Sadaye Kashmir UR SAs 6100/IND-d 1430 1530 V.of Iranian Kurdistan KU ME 3975 1430 1530 V.of Iranian Revolution KuF ME 3885 4375 6420 1500 1530 Arabic Radio A SYR 7470 12085 1500 1530 Voice o.Democr.Alliance Vn ERI 7165/ETH 9560/ETH 11800/ETH 1500 1600 Su-Fr Tensae Ethiopia VoUnity AH EAf 15660/RUS-s 1530 1600 V.of Iranian Kurdistan FS ME 3970 3975 1530 1600 Voice of Sudan A EAf 8000/ERI 1600 1700 Minivan Radio DH MDV 11800/D-j 1600 1700 Sound of Hope Xi Wang M CHN 11765/TWN 1600 1700 V.o.Conserv.Party Kurd. KuA ME 4160 1600 1700 Su V.o.Ethiopian Salvation AH EAf 15670/D-j 1600 1700 VoStrugglers Iran.Kurd. KuF ME 4250 1600 1730 V.of Iranian Kurdistan KuF ME 3970 4850 1600 1730 Voice of Komala KuF ME 1612 3940 4610 1600 1800 Ashur Radio, V.o.Zowaa ASY ME 9155 1630 1700 Tu,Fr Radio Huriyo (Xoriyo) SO EAf 15670/D-j 1630 1800 V.o.Iranian Comm.Party KuF ME 3880 4375 6425 1700 1730 Th V.o.Democratic Eritrea TIG ERI 15670/D-j 1700 1730 Mo,Th R.V.of Oromo Liberation OO EAf 12120 1700 1800 Fr,Su Radio Voice of ENUF AH EAf 12120/RUS-a 1700 1800 SW Radio Africa E ZWE 15145/G-r 1700 1800 2357 V.o.Oromo Liberation OO EAf 15670/D-j 1700 1800 Voice of the People VOP E ZWE 7120/MDG 1700 1900 Sa Dejen Radio TIG EAf 12120/RUS-a 1730 1800 Sa-Th Radio Horyaal SO EAf 11925/D-j 12130/RUS-s 1730 1800 Th V.o.Democratic Eritrea SUD ERI 15670/D-j 1800 1900 Su Radio Free Syria A ME 13650/D-j 1800 1900 Su Voice of Delina TIG ERI 12130 1800 2300 Nat.R.of Sahara AD Rep. A NAf 700 1550 7466 1830 1930 We,Su V.o.Dem.Path Eth.Unity AH EAf 15565/D-j 2000 2030 Sa Voices from the Diaspora GMB 9405/D-j 2100 2200 We,Sa Voice of Biafra Int. E NIG 7380/AFS 2200 2300 Sound of Hope Xi Wang M CHN 9635/TWN 2300 2400 Nat.R.of Sahara AD Rep. S NAf 700 1550 7466 2300 2400 Voice of China M CHN 7270/TWN 2300 0100 Voice of the People K KRE 6600 2330 0030 Dem.Voice of Burma BR SEA 9435/D-j Recopilado por Jose Miguel Romero (from Eibi schedule of all SW broadcasts for A-05, Noticias DX via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. Thanks for the responses! I should have emphasized that the problems I described regarding multitasking were specifically with spoken-word programs, such as the science discussions on BBC, RN, RA, RCI, etc., and social/ descriptive/ historical informative ones from those and similar sources. Music works well as something to let play while I type or read. I recently discovered several Internet radio stations with music that is enjoyable or interesting as background, and there are various music categories already set up on services like AOL that help with that. I have been hoping that the concept of city-wide WiFi takes hold here in St. Louis as it has in Philadelphia. We have it now in the downtown area. So far that requires registration but is free; it may switch to a pay service in the future if the provider decides to do that. I have seen some references to WiMAX, a wider-area form of WiFi, that might also support easier access to Internet. The idea of all that is that government-provided Internet access is a social good, sort of the same way as public schools are considered to be. I have considered buying a WiFi device and hooking it to my neighbor's broadband connection with suitable security, and buying some portable PC or equivalent device to access it from next door in my own home. (I'd be happy to pay my share of his broadband-connection cost, too. I'm not reluctant to get my own equipment for financial reasons; it's mainly because I just don't want yet another source of problems in my life. I've grown much less tolerant of things going wrong as I age... :-) If I had this sort of environment, or if the city did get general WiFi or WiMAX access, what hardware would one optimally use to serve as a radio? It seems just wrong to have to struggle with an unfolded laptop as a replacement for a simple portable radio that I can have in bed by my head as I listen. Yet I guess you have to have a keyboard and display to get to web-based audio files. Maybe a notebook omputer? A PDA or some such small doohickey? What about battery life? It would be nice to have wall power instead of eating up batteries, but there's yet another wire. (I live amongst a spiderweb of cables, headphone and antenna wires, and power connections now... :-) What sound quality would one get from a little standalone unit? Decent speakers attached to a desktop computer (like my neighbor has) provide quite respectable sound but then we're back to a pile of equipment and a maze of wires again. I'd be satisfied with the same audio quality I get from a Grundig YB-400 or the like, and be pleased with a similar physical package and as easy a user interface. No "blue screen of death" please... :-) Maybe I ought to send all this discussion to the BBC's "Go Digital" and ask them to respond with an official BBC position on all this, based on their expectation that people (especially here in the Americas) should "listen to the BBC via the Internet". Just HOW, fellas? Life is so much easier if broadcasters would just broadcast so we could just receive, like we used to.... 73, (Will Martin, MO, July 27, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tough to say when these citywide WiFi / WiMAX initiatives will be fully rolled out. ISPs are none too thrilled about these developments, because -- even if they provide the installation infrastructure to cities -- it's still a lot less $$ in their pocket. Depending on how close your neighbor is, your idea of sharing a broadband connection could work. You'd want to go with an 802.11g compatible system using WEP-level security. You'd probably want a laptop equipped with an 802.11g card as your base computing equipment; most midrange (or higher) laptops are suitably equipped. Dell is currently offering an Inspiron 1200 notebook PC for $499 that would be entirely suitable (as far as I can tell) for a computer not involved in interactive gaming. Alas, you're talking a few hours' battery life at best, especially if your WiFi radio is active. So you're stuck with another wire. Someday, perhaps 2-4 years, there will be "Internet appliances" designed specifically for audio/video that would be the size of a PDA, but they don't exist yet. If Lee Reynolds is lurking these days, perhaps he has been looking for some gizmo that would be appropriate. I don't know of any myself. Sound quality from a notebook is not great; that's due to the compact size. You can add external speakers (more wires...) at a variety of prices. A higher-end notebook might be Bluetooth-equipped; that wireless protocol would be appropriate for remote headphones or speakers. I know that the Dell notebook for $499 does not come with Bluetooth capability built in. I like your idea of sending a note off to "Go Digital" with your questions. There's only one unfortunate problem with your wish for broadcasters to "just broadcast so we can just receive". Most folks under 30 don't "just receive", and they're eyed as the future market of interest. Yes, I know that Ricky Leong and others here would take strong exception to that sweeping statement, but overall, alas, that's the trend. With Windows XP or Macintosh operating systems, they're a lot more reliable than Windows 3.1 / 95 / 98 were. Now, here's another off-the-wall idea for you. Pick up a used Desktop PC -- a Pentium II / 350 MHz machine would be good enough. You could probably get one for $100 - $150. You might need to add a sound card ($25), and you would certainly need to add a WiFi card ($39). I have a setup like this that is dedicated to PC audio -- I was able to get the PC for nothing from my employer that was throwing them out. It came with Windows 98 loaded on already. Add a wireless FM transmitter in the speaker jack, and presto, you have a portable Internet radio. You can't tune it portably, but it's a possibility (Richard Cuff, ibid.) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Shuttle live. Willem jullie de shuttle live zien en horen surf dan naar http://www.unitedspacealliance.com/live/nasatv.htm Als plugin moet je de Realplayer downloaden. Succes, (Pim Ripken, July 29, BDXC via DXLD) Embedded player launches auto which is always disconcerting when I go to an `htm` page (gh, DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. 4375.91, V. of Communist Party of Iran, July 25 *1626- 1634, 32432-31431, Farsi, 1626 sign on with IS, 1630 ID and opening music, talk (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan Premium via DXLD) Three radio stations broadcasting in Persian and Kurdish have been reported in Sofia recently: on 3880, 4380 and 6420 kHz - Voice of the Communist Party of Iran; on 3930 and 4610 kHz - Voice of Komala and on 3970 and 4860 kHz – Voice of Iranian Kurdistan all frequencies being jammed by Iran (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX July 29, via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) ** IRELAND. Sport on RTE Radio --- Glenn, Just returned from a few weeks holiday in Southern Italy. The radio situation there is for another day but just say that the FM band is extremely chaotic to say the least, much more than the late '70s and early '80s! While I was away RTE accepted the pressure from listeners, especially those in the UK and Northern Europe, who suddenly found that they could no longer hear the live Saturday and Sunday sports programmes as these were left on FM only with the MW and LW used for repeats from the week before. The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs also got involved and RTE have returned sport to long wave from Clarestown, Trim, Co Meath on 252. (This is what I suggested they should do when I contacted you a few weeks ago). Here is the article from Radiowaves website: Wednesday 13th July 2005 NATIONAL: RTÉ sports back on the long wave Following a barrage of criticism from politicians the length and breadth of the country, as well as feedback from waves of frustrated overseas ex-pats, RTÉ will once again broadcast their weekend sports coverage on 252 kHz long wave from this weekend. RTÉ recently dropped sports coverage on MW and LW at the weekend in order to run 'Second Helpings' arts and features programming, a 'best of' run of past Radio 1 programming. Second Helpings will now run exclusively on RTÉ Radio 1's MW frequency (Paul Guckian, Co Clare, Ireland, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IVORY COAST [non]. RFI NO LONGER AVAILABLE VIA SATELLITE IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE FROM 29 JULY | Text of report by Radio France Internationale on 28 July You will no longer be able to hear RFI in Cote d'Ivoire from tomorrow as part of the Canal Horizon satellite package. Radio France Internationale's programmes have been removed from the package at the request of the CNCA, the Ivorian broadcasting regulatory body. The CNCA had already decided on 15 July to suspend the transmission of RFI on FM, due to coverage viewed, I quote, as "unprofessional", of Ivorian news. It was the coverage on RFI of the United Nations report on the Duekoue massacres and the death of Col Desire Bakassa Traore which motivated the CNCA decision. You can hear RFI in Côte d'Ivoire on short wave, in the 19 metre band on 15300 kHz, and in the 16 metre band on 17620 kHz. Source: Radio France Internationale, Paris, in French 1830 gmt 28 Jul 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) Time span??? ** KYRGYZSTAN. After the recent turmoil in this country, Kyrgyz Radio can be received again on 4010 kHz between 16 and 18 hours with programs in Vernaculars and Russian (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX July 29, via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) ** LATVIA. 9290 relays this weekend --- Radio Six July 30 0600-0700 UT Sat Radio Marabu July 31 1300-1700 UT Sun Good Listening (Tom Taylor, July 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Is Tatras still on 9290 every evening after 1700? (gh, DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR [and non]. WORLD CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING EXPANSION World Christian Broadcasting, charter member of NASB and owner and operator of KNLS, Anchor Point, Alaska, has announced expansion of their KNLS facility. They are also announcing the beginning of construction of a broadcast center on the island of Madagascar. Charles Caudill, President, stated that their expansion is an indication of the company’s confidence in the future of shortwave and that they are looking forward to DRM usage worldwide. KNLS has been on the air since July 1983. Situated on a 70-acre property located just south of the small town of Anchor Point and some 120 air miles southwest of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula, they began broadcasting daily in the Russian, Mandarin Chinese and English languages. Since 1983 they have been using a 100KW Harris transmitter and a TCI 611 antenna. On May 1, 2005 they doubled the broadcast day by adding a 100KW Continental 418F transmitter and another TCI 611 antenna. Director of Engineering, Kevin Chambers, reports the new facility is working well. During November 2004 World Christian Broadcasting obtained 85 acres of land on the island nation of Madagascar. Initial plans were to begin an Arabic language service to add to the present programming in English, Russian and Chinese from Alaska. But, after propagation studies showed that excellent signals could be put into Western Europe, southern and western China, India, Indonesia, South America and of course, Africa, it was decided to expand the original plan. Construction will begin this October under the supervision of Chambers. The facility will be comprised of three 100 kW transmitters, feeding into four antennas; two 9-17 MHz 4/4/1, one 7-15 MHz 4/4/1 and one Log Periodic antenna. The three curtain dipole antennas will be aimed to reach the areas of the world mentioned above. The Log Periodic antenna will be used to broadcast directly to the people of Madagascar. In fact, World Christian Broadcasting has agreed for the government of Madagascar to use that antenna to broadcast to the Malagasy people. At a projected cost of $7,000,000, construction is expected to be completed early in 2008. World Christian Broadcasting Operation Center and Studios are located in Franklin, Tennessee. Using a magazine format of programming content, they present a variety of programs including: good music; programs on science, health, technology; life in America; family life; language tutorials and more. The Bible messages vary in length from one to five minutes. They are brief and simple, with the focus on reaching out to unbelievers. Charles Caudill is President/CEO of the ministry. Dale Ward is Executive Producer. Kevin Chambers is Director of Engineering and KNLS Station Manager, while Andy Baker serves as Vice President. Ed Bailey, former COO and board member now serves as legal counsel for NASB (August NASB Newsletter via DXLD) ** MAURITANIA. Missing from 4845 after providing us with the best arriving at sunset our local time, before 0000 UT. I guess a Brazilian on that frequency, barely audible, is what's left in the background. What could be that one (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, July 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4845, Radio Mauritania, 2122-2155, 26-07. Reactivada, luego de varios días fuera del aire. Canciones y comentarios en árabe. Menciona varias veces "Mauritania". Muy buena señal. 45444 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España, escuchas realizadas en Reinante, costa del Mar Cantábrico, 90 Km. N. de Lugo, Grundig Satellit 500, Antena de cable, 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. RADIO STAFF TAKE INDUSTRIAL ACTION | Text of press release by Public Service Association on 29 July Staff at Radio New Zealand are stopping work this afternoon [29 July] to consider their response to a breakdown in their pay talks. The Public Service Association (PSA) represents many RNZ staff, including journalists, librarians, technicians, administration and clerical workers. Together with the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, the PSA has been seeking to negotiate a new collective employment agreement for the last three months. PSA Assistant Secretary Jeff Osborne said members want a fair pay offer which reflects the work they have done in recent years to build Radio New Zealand's audience. "Radio New Zealand has offered our members a 3 per cent one year agreement. This is not acceptable to our members. "We are seeking a 5 per cent pay rise and a one week increase to annual leave entitlement. This is in line with other recent settlements in the public sector." RNZ salaries do not compare well with other public and commercial broadcasters. While there have been pay increases in the last two years, this followed a decade of cutbacks and minimal wage movement which still sees pay rates lagging behind those for other broadcasting colleagues. Our member want to see this dispute resolved speedily. They feel a great responsibility to provide high quality and impartial coverage during the general election campaign and this would be severely compromised if it becomes necessary to undertake industrial action," Jeff Osborne said. Source: Public Service Association, Wellington in English 29 Jul 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) Same: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0507/S00342.htm (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, dxldyg via DXLD) ** NIGER. La Voix du Sahel, July 28 at 0400 with good signal on 9704. Lots of interesting vernacular songs, especially one played with organ, but no way to understand anything from the announcers. Must be Swahili, not French (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, July 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) It would be interesting to research how far away from E Africa Swahili penetrates as a significant language, but I don`t think it is as far as Niger. WRTH does not mention it as one of several languages spoken there, with French being official, and Hausa being next. I think there is more Arabic influence in Swahili than in Hausa (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. V. of Nigeria was heard in English, after a long time, last Saturday around 1300 on 15120 with a real poor signal. They haven't fixed that muffled audio in their pre-recorded programs yet. 7255 is their only regular but poor signal with Arabic before sign-off at 2300 (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, July 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA [non]. Re relays needed via WWCR, I agree. To your list I would add Voice of Nigeria and Channel Africa (Tim Hendel, Huntsville AL, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. Frequency change for Radio Veritas Asia in Bengali: 0030-0057 NF 11730, ex 11770 to avoid CNR-1 in Chinese (Observer, Bulgaria, July 29 via DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. Updated summer A-05 schedule of RDP Internacional Radio Portugal: MONDAY TO FRIDAY to Europe 0500-0655 7240 300 kW / 045 deg 0500-0755 9840 100 kW / 052 deg 0645-0800 11850 250 kW / 055 deg 0700-0755 9815 300 kW / 045 deg 0800-1200 12020 300 kW / 045 deg 1600-1900 15555 300 kW / 045 deg, ex 11905 1600-1900 13770 100 kW / 052 deg 1900-2300# 9820 300 kW / 045 deg 1900-2300# 13820 100 kW / 052 deg to Middle East and India 1300-1500 15770 100 kW / 082 deg to Africa 1000-1200 21830 100 kW / 144 deg 1600-1900 17680 300 kW / 144 deg 1900-2300# 11945 300 kW / 144 deg to North America 1200-2300# 15560 100 kW / 294 deg 2300-0200 9715 100 kW / 294 deg 2300-0200 11630 100 kW / 310 deg to South America North West 1700-2300# 15555 100 kW / 261 deg 2300-0200 13700 100 kW / 261 deg to South America East 2300-0200 13660 100 kW / 215 deg 2300-0200 15295 300 kW / 226 deg to South America and West Africa 1000-1200 15575 100 kW / 226 deg 1600-1900 21655 100 kW / 226 deg 1600-2000# 21655 100 kW / 226 deg 2000-2300# 15295 100 kW / 226 deg SATURDAY AND SUNDAY to Europe 0700-1355 12020 300 kW / 045 deg 0700-1355 13640 100 kW / 052 deg 0830-1000 11995 250 kW / 055 deg 1400-1755 15555 100 kW / 052 deg 1400-2000 13770 300 kW / 045 deg 1800-2000 15555 100 kW / 052 deg, ex 11700 1900-2300# 9820 300 kW / 045 deg 1900-2300# 13720 100 kW / 052 deg to Africa 0700-0955 15160 100 kW / 144 deg 1000-1655 21830 100 kW / 144 deg 1700-2000 17680 300 kW / 144 deg 1900-2300# 11945 300 kW / 144 deg to North America 1200-2000 15560 100 kW / 294 deg 2000-2300# 15560 100 kW / 294 deg to South America North West 1200-2000 17615 100 kW / 261 deg 1900-2300# 15555 100 kW / 261 deg to South America and West Africa 0700-0955 12000 300 kW / 226 deg 1000-2000 21655 300 kW / 226 deg 2000-2300# 15295 100 kW / 226 deg # for special transmissions only [i.e. sports] (Observer, Bulgaria, July 29 via DXLD) ** PORTUGAL [and non]. Re 5-124 RDP África. Dear Glenn, I did not add any notes re the data you'd like to see publicised simply because (see my data on p. 323 & 324 of the WRTH 2005, for instance) RDP África is a service merely available via: a) VHF-FM 101.5 MHz for the greater Lisbon area b) Satellite * c) VHF-FM relays in Guiné *, Cabo Verde, São Tomé e Príncipe and Moçambique (for the time being at least - and, apparently, strangely too! - no similar relays in Angola). d) internet at http://www.rdp.pt (this automatically switches to http://www.rtp.pt where one must choose between radio & TV) *) there are a few changes for the WRTH 2006. See http://195.245.179.232/canais-radio/rdpafrica/distribuicao.php?canal=4 and you'll find all details on frequencies, except ERP for the VHF-FM transmitters. See http://195.245.179.232/canais-radio/rdpafrica/perfil.php?canal=4 and you'll get a glance of what their purpose is. So in practical terms, any program from any Portuguese speaking country in Africa (Angola included) may be listened to simultaneously in Lisbon and locally in the 4 other countries via the local relays (the cheapest method), via satellite or even via the internet. This program has nothing to do with the normal RDPi broadcasts, which are carried via HF, satellite and webradio. For certain programs, mainly newscasts, RDP África relays RDP Antena 1 (=RDP 1). 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, July 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAUDI ARABIA. Summer A-05 schedule of B S K S A: 1st Main program in Arabic 0600-0855 on 9675 17730 17740 0900-1155 on 9675 17805 21705 1200-1455 on 9675 21505 21640 1700-1755 on 15315 15435 1800-2255 on 9555 9870 Voice of Islam in Arabic 1500-1655 on 15315 15435 Holy Qur`an in Arabic 0300-0555 on 9715 15170 17895 0600-0755 on 9715 15380 17895 0800-0855 on 9715 15380 0900-1155 on 11935 17615 21495 1200-1255 on 15380 17895 21600 1300-1355 on 15380 17895 21460 21600 1400-1455 on 17895 21460 1500-1555 on 13710 21460 1600-1755 on 13710 15205 17560 1800-2255 on 11740 11820 11915 2nd program in Arabic 0300-0555 on 9580 0600-1655 on 11855 1700-2155 on 9580 External Services 0400-0455 on 17760 in Somali 0400-0555 on 15275 in Turkish 0500-0555 on 17760 in Swahili 0800-0955 on 17785 in French 1000-1155 on 21670 in Indonesian 1200-1355 on 15345 in Urdu 1400-1555 on 21600 in French 1400-1555 on 11745 in Persian 1400-1555 on 9730 in Turkmen 1600-1655 on 9525 in Pashto 1600-1655 on 15345 in Bengali 1700-1755 on 17775 in Bambara (Observer, Bulgaria, July 29 via DXLD) ** SINGAPORE. From 01 August 2005 onwards, RSI's official website URL will be changed to http://www.rsi.sg RSI broadcasts between 1100 and 1400 UT (1900-2200 Singapore time) over 6080 and 6150 kHz in the 49 mb. For programme schedule, visit : http://www.rsi.sg/english Regds (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, July 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALIA [non]. Radio Waaberi is a new target radio program aimed at listeners in Somalia (in particular, Somaliland), produced by the California-based Waberi Broadcasting Services. It is aired Fri 1330- 1400 via JUL on 17550 kHz. Website: http://www.radiowaaberi.org email: info @ radiowaaberi.org Quote from the website: "Waaberi Broadcasting Services (Radio Waaberi) was incorporated on April 18, 2005 in the State of California and is currently seeking 501 (C) (3) Tax exemption code from the Internal Revenue Service. Waaberi Broadcasting Services is nonprofit, nongovernmental international communication service broadcasting from overseas in Somali via shortwave to East Africa and the Middle East and of course via the internet to the worldwide diaspora." NB. This program was earlier reported in the DX press as "Radio Solmal/Soomal" and "Radio Nuateri/Muateri" [see GERMANY] (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, July 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Missed it this week. Audio on demand in two formats; don`t see the actual schedule on their website, not even on their Somali language page with all its exxes (gh, DXLD) Yes, if you have printed the WRTH A05 update, please correct the preliminary entry on page 5 mentioning R Soomaal to Waaberi and time 1600-1630 to 1330-1400. 73, (Mauno Ritola, WRTH, ibid.) ** SOUTH AFRICA [non]. Re relays needed via WWCR, I agree. To your list I would add Voice of Nigeria and Channel Africa (Tim Hendel, Huntsville AL, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWITZERLAND. PETER HALLER AND RICHARD DAWSON JOIN SIS Greetings, Glenn. On Monday, August First, Switzerland in Sound celebrates its first birthday. I just checked the statistics, and we are now at nearly 115,000 hits since we went online a year ago, with visits from some 30+ countries. I call it a success. Now that Swiss Radio International is dead and buried, and even its successor, swissinfo, is reportedly in danger, SIS is truly "the only show in town". I don't say that arrogantly or smugly, but rather, with a great sense of responsibility. Switzerland in Sound is pledged to continuing the tradition of radio in Switzerland in the English language, and as proof of that, I am happy and honored to announce that two good friends and former SRI colleagues - Peter Haller and Richard Dawson - are joining the SIS team. Effectively immediately, Peter will be responsible for a new monthly rubric entitled "Swiss Political Roundup", which will focus on the past month's major Swiss political developments. Eventually, there will also be special information of interest to the tens of thousands of Swiss living abroad. Having been "Swiss Parliamentary Correspondent" for more than a dozen years, and, himself, a Swiss who has lived abroad, Peter Haller holds eminent qualifications. Richard Dawson also needs little introduction. He brings with him a vast knowledge, experience and sensitivity of and for the Swiss artistic and cultural scene, about which he reported creatively for many years. Dick is well-placed to prove that Switzerland has a healthy, world-class creative scene, and his contributions will be an enrichment to the SIS catalogue, which will make us more well-rounded. The birthday edition of the website is now available at: http://www.switzerlandinsound.com Comments welcome. 73, (Robert "Bob" Zanotti, founder and editor, Switzerland in Sound "radio on demand", http://www.switzerlandinsound.com 3507 Biglen, Switzerland, July 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SYRIA. Hi Glenn. When listening last night to the 'Listeners Overseas' from Radio Damascus I found out that it has nothing to do with a Letterbox program. It was about a Syrian expatriate living in Latin America, but longing for the Syrian life. It lasted just a few minutes. Attached, please find a couple of IDs from last night's program (July 27). Kind Regards, (Erik Køie, DK-2840 Holte, Denmark, July 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) put CLIPS ON YG FILES ** TAJIKISTAN. The U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) intends to negotiate a non-competitive contract with Continental Electronics Corporation (Continental), 4212 S. Buckner Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75227 for the fabrication and shipping of a 500 kW shortwave broadcast transmitter (Model 420C) and ancillary equipment for installation at the Tajikistan Government`s AOOT Teleradiocom shortwave facility in Yangiul [sic], Tajikistan. Continental shall also provide site support for installation and commissioning of the transmitter, as well as on- site training. In addition, the BBG intends to negotiate a non-competitive contract with TCI, a Dielectric Company, 47300 Kato Road, Fremont, CA 94538 for an Antenna System at the same location in Yangiul, Tajikistan. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition that is applicable to these procurements is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(4), FAR 6.302-4 -- International Agreement. By the terms of an International agreement between the BBG and the Tajikistan Government (via AOOT Teleradiocom) to improve the signal quality of BBG broadcast transmissions, the BBG will acquire transmitter equipment manufactured by Continental Electronics and antenna equipment manufactured by TCI. AOOT Teleradiocom conducted independent market research of manufacturers in the high power shortwave market. As a result of their market research, Teleradiocom selected Continental Electronic (transmitter) and TCI (antenna) as their supplier for the broadcast system. Delivery: FOB Destination. Period of Performance: 18 to 24 months after contract award. This Public Notice of the BBG's intent to non-competitively contract with Continental Electronics Corporation and TCI, a Dielectric Company is not a RFP, IFB, or RFQ (Fedbizopps July 29 via Ben Dawson, DXLD) ** U K. BBCWS: So long "Westway", hello "Flatmates" Turns out that the BBC isn't exiting the "serialized drama" (read: soap opera) genre with the end of Westway this fall. Starting August 1st, the BBC Learning website will feature an online drama, "Flatmates", that site visitors can experience at their own pace. Reference: http://www.brandrepublic.com/bulletins/digital/article/488245/bbc-debuts-online-soap-teach-english-round-world/ or http://tinyurl.com/dwdpf and http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/ (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, Swprograms mailing list via DXLD) Except that Flatmates is not broadcast. Westway was for English teaching around the world. BBC used to have a set of special shows on BBCWS for learning English and they were avidly followed by the informal (not students that is) learner. In China, everyone walks around campus in the morning with a pocket shortwave glued to their ears listening to RA, BBC, VoA, much of it the language lessons. BBCWS is leaving the world because they are shortsighted in management. The internet can't replace broadcasts in the poorer countries where they don't have individual computers, nor much more than dialup, or radiowave dialup speeds. But of course the idea is to sell, like the British Council, English instruction to the elites only, rather than mass education. It works for England, but not for the real world, though the accountants might like it (Daniel Say, BC, ibid.) ** U S A. Talk to America August 4th --- I am usually co-host of VOA's Talk to America on the first Friday of the month. However, my appearance on 5 August is cancelled. I'll be back on 2 September. However, do listen on TTA on 4 August [Thursday], when the guests will be Richard Richter, retiring president of Radio Free Asia, and Michele Grant, BBC's new head of global news development (kimandrewelliott.com via Mike Barraclough, swprograms via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. Frequency change for Voice of America in English to Ce&SoAf: 1500-1600 NF 17715 BOT 100 kW / 350 degrees, ex 13795 IRA 250 kW / 275 degrees (Observer, Bulgaria, July 29 via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. Re relays: WWV desperately needs a relay somewhere in the Southeast. Often, especially during the day, it is almost impossible to hear. The same was true in Miami. Part of my job was to teach newly blinded people how to use those talking clocks and watches, and I used to look for a time source, to set them accurately. I had a small SW radio at work, but, could rarely hear WWV in the daytime. I used to resort to Radio Reloj on 760, not an option here. In New York, CHU used to fill in the gap, when WWV wasn't propagating. But, in the southeast, both WWV and CHU can be hard to hear during the daytime, unless you have an excellent antenna. I would recommend somewhere in central Georgia as a good location. If they didn't want to use 5, 10 and 15 MHz, maybe they'd pick other frequencies, such as 4, 8 and 16 MHz. We sure could use it. 73, (Tim Hendel, Huntsville AL, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Seems to me PUERTO RICO would be a good spot for WWVP. Speaking of time (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Instead of changing DST based on a flimsy, 30-year-old study that claims energy savings, why don't people just get their ass out of bed an hour earlier? (Mike Cooper, GA, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. What happened to AFRTS via VOA transmitters? With the articles about VOA cutbacks in Monitoring Times, I was reminded of regular loggings of the AFRTS on 26000 and 26040 kHz AM via Delano, during the mid-1980's when I first started shortwave listening. Other than the low-power SSB military transmitters from Iceland, Diego García, and Puerto Rico -- would it be practical to relay AFN via the unused VOA transmitters, again? I recalled newscasts from various news agencies, just as-is, without editorials, when I used to listen. Would this work in today's situation? Thank you, (Robert Homuth, KB7AQD, Phoenix, AZ, July 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It ought to, but the powers that be on AFRTS decided SWBC was no longer the way to go, relying on satellite feeds to bases around the world, and then brought back the low-power SSB feeds to fill in a few gaps to ships, most of which are also capable of getting AFRTS by satellite. It seems the general public overhearing AFRTS via VOA transmitters, notably the American civilian diaspora, and any foreigner who wanted to listen direct to American private radio networks, were not considered of any importance. Without studying transmitter usage, there is probably enough spare capacity at VOA sites to resume this, but no will, or budget, to do so. Seems to me 26040 was from Greenville, or Bethany rather than Delano. Some other longtime AFRTS frequencies were 17765, 15430, 15330, 11805?, 9700, 6030, some of which are now occupied by Cuban jamming (and R. Martí) (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Rebroadcast of talk show on ham radio Friday 10:00 PM CDT (Saturday, 0300 UT) The Connection on Wisconsin Public Radio. After ten, on The Connection: Tuning In to the World. (Rebroadcast) Far-flung frequencies. Long before the Internet brought the global village home, ham radio connected counties, and continents. Why digital age hams still thrill to a ride on radio's bandwidth. This is a rebroadcast for a show from June 12, 2003 and can be listened to on the internet at http://www.theconnection.org/shows/2003/06/20030612_b_main.asp (Daniel Sampson, Prime Time Shortwave, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U S A. LIBERAL AIR AMERICA RADIO STUCK IN CELLAR Posted on Thu, Jul. 28, 2005 By Beth Gillin Inquirer Staff Writer On March 31, 2004, Air America Radio, promoted as the liberal antidote to conservative-dominated talk radio, was launched with great fanfare and prolific media coverage. Since then, it has generated headlines while losing some stations and picking up others. In April, it fired head writer Lizz Winstead, cocreator of Comedy Central's Daily Show, who is suing for back pay (including money she says she is owed for flogging Vermont Teddy Bears). Her show, which costarred ex-rapper Chuck D, has been replaced by TV talkmeister Jerry Springer, who is mulling a run for governor of Ohio. Now that it's possible to compare ratings for this spring to last year's start-up, it's clear that the network has yet to climb out of the cellar. Air America's overall ratings, which rose initially after all the free publicity, faded before the November election and haven't recovered... http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/magazine/daily/12240137.htm (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) Same: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/magazine/daily/12240137.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp (via Tom Roche, DXLD) Well, I am not going to defend AAR, but the facts are a bit more complicated than this article indicates. In some markets, like Portland OR, Air America is in the top 3. In other markets, certain day parts are doing excellently well and making money. I just got back from a convention where I talked in confidence with several AAR Program Directors and executives, and many are thrilled with how the format is doing in their market (I'd be happy to offer specific markets-- I am not making this up). But others are not so happy and expressed it in corporate meetings. They feel too much emphasis was placed on Franken, and they are now developing their own local and live progressive talk. Also, many AAR stations are on horrible signals and barely cover their market -- Boston is a fine example. But attendance at AAR events has been very impressive and I believe there IS an audience out there for the other side to be presented. Conservative talk, as nobody now wants to remember, took several years to grow. I hope people will give AAR a similar chance (Donna Halper, ABDX via DXLD) I think there are several important things to remember about Air America. Some of the hosts are entertainers first, political pundits second. Some of the programming, (not Franken or Springer), is edgier and, I suspect, more likely to appeal to young people. So their gains are even more impressive, considering that it takes some effort to get younger people to listen to AM. They're not accustomed to doing it. Yes, Randi Rhodes can sound strident. But don't Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage? It's not fair to call stridency style if you agree with it, but screaming if you don't. If you actually listen, though, there's more depth than you might expect if you pay attention just to the style. In my opinion, Franken's style can be so low-key at times he can seem almost sleepy. But he's been really outstanding when doing remotes, where he's been doing more comedy bits. Franken's interviews can be quite interesting, too. Just the fact that he's willing to go head to head with G. Gordon Liddy makes him different. There have been missteps, though. I know Jerry Springer is a celebrity, but I don't think it was wise for Air America to be so hasty to put him on nationally. I don't know how the East Coast clearances are, but does anybody on the West Coast carry Springer? Of course it's morning drive. but when KTLK in L.A. opts to carry Stephanie Miller instead, that says something. It would be very wise for Air America to note who their affiliates carry instead, and how well they do. That way, maybe rather than adding celebrity hosts in the future, they'd be more inclined to add someone like Thom Hartmann, or bring Stephanie Miller on board; that would be a perfect blend of venue and talent. Granted, I'm more likely to listen to Randi than Rush. But I'll still leave you with two thoughts on Air America. I believe their shows actually have a wider variety of styles, approaches and views than you'll hear on many traditional talk stations. I think it's refreshing that even the true believers don't always parrot the party line, and some hosts can be downright critical of it. Secondly, think about this. If Air America were doing as poorly as some people claim, many more affiliates would be defecting, and no one would bother to join. Considering their very rocky first few months, I think for the most part, they've done quite well. They initially took the nontraditional approach of trying to buy time on many outlets, and what didn't kill them financially could have been done by negative publicity. That's a lot of adversity to rise above. Regardless, it's healthy in a democracy to have outlets for diverse viewpoints, and to view those with differing views as folks with different philosophies, not as evil because they don't hold the established view (Rick Lewis, ibid.) AIR AMERICA RADIO UP 140% IN LA, EATING UP RUSH LIMBAUGH’S AUDIENCE Posted by Balletshooz on July 27, 2005 01:32 PM http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/07/27/133238.php The conservative echo chamber believes Air America Radio is going down like Jeff Gannon on an overnight press-pass to the White House. Left- wing talk radio they said, was over before it began. But like all so- called wisdom coming from the GOP noise machine, you better check the facts before you believe it. It turns out that contrary to conservative spin and wishful thinking, Air America, barely a year old, is building an audience and starting to eat in to the market share of conservative talkers who have been around for decades. Byron York wrote on NationalReview.com, ``The latest radio ratings are in and they show continued bad news for Air America.`` But York cited only New York ratings where Air America’s share held firm at a 1.2 rating, at a time that nearly all political talk in New York (and indeed the whole country) showed a decline in the first quarter of 2005. (Rush Limbaugh’s ratings tanked by 25% in New York). In the fourth quarter of 2004 Al Franken's ratings in New York were 44% of Rush Limbaugh's. In just 3 months that ratio rose to 60%; that is bad news, but not for Air America. In the same New York Winter 2005 ratings, Air America's Randi Rhodes on in the crucial afternoon drive- time, went up 33%, while the conservative talk shows in same time slot on WABC and WOR each went down 33%. Air America's evening show, ``The Majority Report`` starring Janeane Garofalo and Sam Seder went up 100%; while the WOR show in that time slot was flat and the WABC show went down 33%. In total audience, ``The Majority Report`` was the number one talk show in New York City in its time slot. While knocking Air America in an op-ed piece for the LA Times another right-wing nutcase tried to make the silly comparison between Air America Radio and conservative Bill Bennett's morning talk show, which was launched at the same time as Air America. Bennett, the right wing ethic czar turned gambling addict ``reaches nearly 124 markets,`` he said. However, there are several hundred conservative talk stations across the United States and for Bennett to land on 124 of them, is not that big a deal. In order for Air America programming to be heard on any radio station, that station must first take the significant step of changing its format. Getting more than 67 and counting radio stations to change everything they broadcast, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the opportunity to carry Air America's programming is far more substantial an accomplishment than getting 124 right-wing radio stations to switch out one three-hour conservative talk show for another. In Los Angeles, KFI, the station carrying Rush Limbaugh lost nearly 15% of its market share, dropping from a 4.6 to a 3.9. KABC, another conservative talk station continuing the pattern for right-wing radio, fell from a 2.3 to a 2.1. Air America’s brand-new affiliate KTLK, 1150 AM, gained in the first quarter of its existence, going from a 0.3 to a 0.8, an increase of more than 140%. Most in the radio business say that it takes 18 months for a new station to establish a consistent ratings pattern, but if early indications mean anything, AAR is in for tremendous success in the nations #2 radio market. The liberal talk format has shown great success in other cities as well. Seattle's newly talk-formatted KPTK, doubled in the Winter book, Portland's KPOJ AM grew 1000% in audience share. In conservative San Diego, KLSD AM went up 73%. Denver's KKZN AM was up 300%. Other markets with similar success include: Boston, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Sacramento and Columbus. Thus, right-wing talk is showing a declining while left-wing talk is catching on almost instantly. The reasons for the shift are not clear, but one of them may be the different approaches of right-wing and left-wing radio. Right-wing radio focuses on attacking Americans (i.e., liberals, democrats, gays, Muslims, and hippies). Left-wing radio focuses on attacking policies (i.e., the war in Iraq, the budget deficit, the environment). The ad hominem attacks by right-wing talkers on other Americans have become tiresome, non-entertaining, and frankly un-patriotic. This may be one of the reasons many people are starting to tune them out. Balletshooz, Rights and Freedoms Coalition (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. FROM THE UNDERWRITING DESK --- Did you know that WUOT - and public radio in general - is one of the best places to get the word out about a business, product, service or special event? That`s because public radio listeners are educated, affluent, involved and active: Nationally, the median household income for public radio listeners is $72,289. Fifty-eight percent have attained at least a bachelor`s degree, and 27% have a graduate or professional school degree. Public radio listeners are also more likely to be the decision makers and community volunteers that make a community a vibrant place to live, work and play. National Public Radio just released its 2005 NPR Profile, which is where I got the figures above. The Profile features some fascinating information (at least I think so!) about who public radio listeners are, what they think and what interests them. For example: NPR News listeners are 121% more likely to grow herbs than the average U.S. population. Classical music listeners love the hobby even more - they`re 128% more likely to have some fresh seasonings in the garden. News, Classical and Jazz listeners are 125% more likely than the average U.S. population to have taken a trip to Austria in the past year. Listeners of News, Classical and Jazz are willing to pay more for a product if it is environmentally safe (18% more likely to do so than the average U.S. population). Overall, they are also more likely to own a road bicycle than the average U.S. population (63%), but Classical music listeners are the true enthusiasts - they are 122% more likely to own a road bicycle. I`ll share more tidbits from the profile in the coming months. If you`d like to find out how your business or nonprofit organization can benefit from underwriting, or are curious to see what public radio listeners think about the products or services you offer, please call or e-mail me. Stay cool! (Cindy Hassil, Underwriting Coordinator, WUOT Knoxville via DXLD) ** U S A. LESS PAYOLA, MORE ELLA By Eugene Robinson, Friday, July 29, 2005; Page A23 What a bummer summer. Iraq is either a bloody mess or a tragic quagmire, depending on your level of optimism. Suicide bombers are busy memorizing subway maps. The blast-furnace heat that baked the country has eased, for now, but here comes hurricane season. If you want to escape to the beach, a tank of gasoline costs a small fortune. But if you believe, as I do, that the truth will set us free, then amid the gloom there's a ray of light: Thanks to New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, now we know one reason why most of the music that gets played on the radio is such unchallenging pap. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/28/AR2005072801789.html?referrer=emailarticle (via Jim Renfrew, DXLD) ** U S A. Pirate Radio Station Shut Down [94.7 Jacksonville FL] http://www.theempirejournal.com/0726054_Pirate_Radio_Station_Shut_Down.html (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Estuve escuchando hoy a Radio Mundial YVKE 550 AM desde Caracas, capital de Venezuela. Estaban transmitiendo: Noti Sur, el noticiero de la Integración Americana. La escucha fué realizada entre las 1540 y las 1600 UT. Pude escuchar la felicitación al pueblo peruano por estar celebrando hoy Jueves 28 de Julio, los 184 años de su independencia. Cuando finalizaron las noticias identificaron así: Mundial YVKE presentó, Noti Sur, todo sobre Sur América y el Caribe, escuchenos de lunes a viernes a las 1130 de la mañana con Ana Carolina Griffin. La grabación está a la orden para los colegas diexistas que la soliciten. Atte: (José Elías Díaz Gómez, Venezuela, July 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The obvious question is whether this is part of or related to TeleSur (gh, DXLD) ** VIETNAM [non]. Degar Voice replied to my P-mail reception report (sent to P. O. Box 17114, Spartanburg, SC 29031, U.S.A.) by E-mail in English after 45 days. E-mail was received from ksorpo @ yahoo.com and the sender was Kok Ksor. He says the broadcast is for the Montagnard people in the central highlands in Vietnam, who are persecuted by Vietnamese government. Their URL is http://www.montagnard- foundation.org (Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Now what is the current schedule for that? Nothing obvious on English page; website has flash intro with automatic audio of percussion (gh) In B-04: 7125 Degar Voice, via Oyash, Russia; In A-05: 7350 Degar Voice, via Chita, Russia, 1300-1330 UT Fris only 250kW 194 deg. (73 wb) Most current schedule (1300-1330 via Chita): Tue 7250, Thu 7420, Sat 7350. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, ibid.) ** ZANZIBAR. Is Zanzibar 11735 still off? Altho propagation is not very good today, please check between 1600 and 2100 when it should be in the clear. 73, (Glenn, dxldyg July 29 via DXLD) Glenn, it`s back on today --- good signal here at 1559 UT with ID "Sauti ya Tanzania Zanzibar" and into news in Swahili (Dave Kenny, Caversham UK, Lowe HF225 + 25m long wire, ibid.) On past days and yesterday was off air. BUT Zanzibar heard today again between 1500 and 1557 UT on equal level with co-channel TRT Ankara in Arabic. Now at 1608 UT easily in the clear, typical Swahili language program and African drum music (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, ibid.) I heard them also Thu 28 Jul during UT evening (didn't write down the time) on 11735 (Jari Savolainen, ibid.) Well, not totally in the clear, and see also BRAZIL: Radio Tanzania in Swahili (including English news 1800-1810) again on SW: 1500-2100 on 11735.0* (not on traditional 11734.0) *co-channel V. of Turkey in Arabic till 1555 and UN Radio in French 1700-1715 Mon-Fri (Observer, Bulgaria, July 29 via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DIGITAL BROADCASTING ++++++++++++++++++++ DELAYS IN DTV CHANGEOVER Consumers call the shots --- Politicians want terrestrial TV broadcasts to go digital sooner rather than later. That's no surprise, as governments can make a lot of money by selling off the vacated analogue frequency space to the highest bidders. Of course, officially the transition to digital is for the benefit of the consumer, but it seems that the consumer is intent on following a more leisurely timetable. So what are the reasons for this inertia? http://www2.rnw.nl/rnw/en/features/media/dig050728.html?view=Standard (Andy Sennitt, Media Network newsletter via DXLD) Today's (28 July) NY Times has a largish (2/3 of a page) article about IBOC/HD radios. It is in the Circuits column, page C-11 by Glenn Fleishman, for whom no contact info is provided. Five receivers are illustrated (1) the I-Sonic from Polk Audio, a large tabletop w/built- in speakers, (2) Radiosophy, with small tuner and dock in a speaker cabinet, (3) Kenwood, "40 models compatible, with an adapter" and the unit shown looks like a black-box with jacks, to connect to a remote control head, (4) Yamaha RX-V4600, styled like the classic tuners from 2 decades ago but sleeker, (5) Boston Acoustics Receptor in a small tabletop style. Some snippets from the article: Acknowledges the current scarcity of receivers. Acknowledges the millions of subscribers to satellite. 2k of the 12k terrestrial stations are committed to adding terrestrial digital (i.e. HD). HD as a term does not stand for anything, including High Definition, according to iBiquity (which they did spell correctly, the B in Caps, the i not). Quoted is Dan Benjamin, an Oyster Bay NY analyst (for what?) at ABI Research, saying only a "few tens of thousands" of rcvrs for cars have been sold in 18 months. In a test run by NPR from WNYC-FM, a 57 watt transmitter on the Empire State Bldg " reached almost all of WNYC's coverage area" according to Mike Starling, NPR VP of Eng. There is fairly good tech detail oriented to the non tech reader, mentioning motor noise, multipath etc, spectrum width, secondary channels. NPR is currently offering five full-time music streams to stations wishing to run secondary channels and 300 hours/week of programming is available. KUOW-FM is running KUOW2 featuring re-runs of network programs with a dedicated host, as a secondary. Clear Channel is committed to taking 95% of its stations in the Top 100 markets digital within 3 years. Data streams are one of the design goals. Robert Struble of iBiquity is quoted as saying a goal is to have text of adverts scroll as the ad is played. A future goal is a "buy now" uplink button for songs. Targeted programming is possible (set-addressable) for fee-based programming. This could let the listener "buy out" of fund-raising pitches during Pledge Week. Kenwood has 40 car models available that are compatible with a HD adapter costing $399. Other makers "have a few products released but a flood is in the pipeline" (Say, did he read my posting here of last week when I used almost the same words??) Visteon could offer a HD car option in 2006. Yamaha's home entertainment "centerpiece" RX-V4600 costs $1,900. A test in Seattle was "breathtaking" but tuning secondary channels was "awkward", requiring use of a remote controller. The Radiosophy 2-piece docking system will be $259 by direct sale, to ship in Sept. The Boston Acoustics "Receptor" is $499, in late August, is a clock radio and has multiple signal jacks. The Polk I-Sonic all- in-one entertainment center also plays CD/DVD, handles XM and is $599 via a plug-in module. Shipping delayed till "late in the year". Struble says the "most optimistic" date for analog shutdown is 12 years distant from now, though he believes that is "unlikely". There are now listeners, however few, according to the reporter, who quotes WOR's Tom Ray as having eight calls the last time WOR had to suspend xmtg IBOC. The reporter did not mention any technical issues that are being debated about use of IBOC on AM, and the piece seems favorable to the proponents of IBOC and I would have to think that the quotes imply that the interview contacts were provided to the reporter, who did not, or could not locate any one with a contrasting viewpoint. That's MHO of course. But as I said I thought he did a pretty good job of addressing some of the tech issues that a non-tech listener might care about. So there you have it. Floodgates, indeed. The times, they be a'changin'. But some of us are hanging on for the $49.95 Blue Light Special (Bob Foxworth, FL, 2005-07-28 2315 edt, NRC-AM via DXLD) There's not a single mention of the major controversy over adjacent channel interference, the fact AM IBOC is not authorized for nighttime operation, or any examination of the claim that AM IBOC has sound quality equal to current analog FM. While I don't expect the NYT to mention every problem with IBOC, they made no effort at all to talk to anyone other than iBiquity and it's biggest supporter. That's not journalism in my book. There should have been a small "paid advertising" at the bottom (Chuck Hutton, ibid.) Chuck - you are Just Too Kind, hi. Yes, I alluded to this in the 11th graf, which is why I guessed that the reporter was merely handed the source material. Did you see the report about the timing of the Nauvoo Bell being delayed, as broadcast by KSL, in IBOC mode. One of the IBOC commenters mentions this. In LDS history (the Mormons), Nauvoo was a site in Illinois that has major importance, during their forced westward migration last century. Today the Nauvoo Bell chimes every hour in Salt Lake City and is (was) broadcast by KSL, IBOC delays the bell sound, by the same thing that delays sports play-by-play. Apparently the timing of the chime is precisely maintained, Not hard to understand when you see the orderly layout of street numbering, as invented by Brigham Young, which is used throughout the entire valley area. Their fix is to stop relaying the bell chime, a fixture on KSL since the 1960's. The article in the June 17th edition of the Deseret News however quotes KSL bigwigs who say that "digital is well worth the hassle". More IBOC fallout (Bob Foxworth, ibid.) Thanks Bob. Fine example of lapdog bootscrape press vapidly slurping slop provided by, as you note, arranged contacts for a puff piece. That pesky little "I" word which FCC used to care so much about. Wonder why they avoid its mention? =Z.= (Paul Zecchino, FL, ibid.) Viz.: REVOLUTION ON THE RADIO By GLENN FLEISHMAN, July 28, 2005 Plug a set of headphones into a radio tuned to an FM jazz station. Hear the hiss at the bottom of the range and the fuzz at the top. Remember why you like compact discs. But don't be impatient: wait eight seconds. An "HD" light appears on the tuner. And now the bottom drops out. The hiss turns to silence. The stereo channels separate, opening a cramped room into a performance hall. And the high fuzz is now crisp high notes from a trumpet or Ella Fitzgerald. You have just heard terrestrial digital radio. Or you would have - if you could get your hands on a receiver. Satellite digital radio has captured the attention of consumers and investors with its billions spent and millions of paying subscribers. But a quiet digital revolution has hit the AM and FM dials as well: more than 450 stations in the United States now broadcast one or two digital channels alongside analog ones. At least 2,000 of the more than 12,000 stations in the country are committed to adding the format. The technology to make this happen - called in-band on-channel, or IBOC - hides digital signals at low power in the spaces between stations. Only one company's technology has been approved by the Federal Communications Commission: HD Radio from iBiquity Digital. (IBiquity says HD does not stand for high definition - or anything else.) . . . http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/28/technology/circuits/28basics.html?pagewanted=print (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) Or: http://tinyurl.com/ay6a7 (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, swprograms via DXLD) FIRST DAY OF IBOC IN THE CAR: REVIEW OK, I finally got the IBOC in the car today and got to drive around a little. Here are a few observations: AM: Our local Radio Disney (WKSH 1640) is definitely in stereo. The Stereo light comes on while in HD and you can hear the separation kick in. The sound is very nice --- a STUNNING difference. I noticed some digital artifacts on voice over voices, but the music is clean. It appears that the audio does indeed go all the way up to 20kHz. The Dynamic range is quite pleasing. One thing that is particularly noticeable --- when the audio goes quiet (between songs or commercial) the audio is SILENT!! Even on the FMs. No noise what so ever. In most of the local area, the station stayed in HD even going under over passes. (The station is 25 miles from downtown) I played the radio for a co-worker. I started out with normal analog then kicked in the HD. To say his jaw dropped would be an understatement. (Again I remind you that I am not an IBOC supporter. I am trying to give you un-biased information). I also got the chance to try out 780 WBBM. They are about 80 miles away. FYI, even on my normal radios Chicago AMs were not coming in as clear as normal. HD did kick in but it also kicked out quite a bit. The IBOC radio did a great job of transitioning from HD to analog. Real smooth. I did detect some digital artifacts on the voices, but I was at the edge of a useful HD signal. I want to get closer to Chicago and try again. FM: We have three HD stations in town (two are mine). In the metro area, all three did a good job of holding the HD signal. One instance, one of our stations (the tower is 27 miles away) had a little trouble when I drove past the TV/FM antenna farm on our north side (ALL of the TV stations and almost all of the FMs are there. We call it RF Hell). The high end was much crisper --- but the low end was clean as all get up. When you switch back to analog, it sounds tinny and nasally. Also much more compressed. The frequency range is much wider in HD. Again like AM the noise floor is in the basement, VERY quiet. Of course no picket fencing while downtown. I am trying to get some of the Chicago FMs, but we had a tropo opening to the north and those stations wiped out Chicago. AM OVERALL: AM sound is night and day (no pun intended). The average Joe Listener will like this a LOT. The stations managers will stumble over themselves to make this happen. I cannot see analog going away, as you rely on it in the fringe areas. FM OVERALL: Nice increase in fidelity. Not as marked as AM, but still very good. Even my co-worker (tin ears he has) noticed the difference. I need to test out the range more with FM. I didnt get too far yet. Heck, I had one afternoon and rush hour to play. My radio is a Panasonic CQ-C8901U, purchased on line for $329. Speakers are the Ford Factory Mach speakers. The opinions above are my own and not related to my employer in any way (Kent Winrich, K9EZ and MW DXer!! Chief Engineer, Clear Channel Milwaukee, WISN WOKY WRIT WQBW WKKV WMIL, July 26, ABDX via DXLD) Kent, Thanks for posting these comments. I know that most of us would much rather hear that IBOC sounds like garbage, cuts in & out and simply doesn't work, but I think we do all appreciate knowing what we're really up against. Even so, we haven't heard much about nighttime reception, and obviously we won't, until the FCC approves it for night use. The game's not over yet - not by a longshot. But obviously there are some benefits to IBOC, which will make it harder for the station owners and the FCC to resist. Just because IBOC isn't as good as analog in many respects doesn't mean that for the average user, it's not "good enough". If it really sounds that much better, works well enough in most common situations, and doesn't cost a whole lot more than analog, then there may well be enough people willing to buy it. A few big "IFs" there, I know, but this game is only just getting started. A lot will depend on how the FCC approaches nighttime service. There's still plenty of opportunity for them to mess it up big-time (Brian Leyton, Valley Village, CA DX-398 / RS Loop, ABDX via DXLD) I wouldn't say iBOC on AM is garbage; if the programming was changed with the addition of iBOC to make it worth tuning into. But radio execs have not been changing the programming to take advantage of the new technology's capabilities. It's just a rusty old car with a new paint job, or the guy who spends 50 grand for a top-grade 10-speaker home entertainment setup to play old wax-cylinder recordings back on. If the audio for AM iBOC is near 20 kHz, then there should be no sensible reason for AM to continue as an "all-talk-only band" the way it is in most cities (Darwin Long, ibid.) Why would you ever want to spend big piles of money for what we are told is crystal clear perfect sounding digital radio and only put mono talk on it and some few ads in stereo? If you spent all that money, it would seem that you would want to put a format on it that jumps out at you and at least part of the time and put music on to make you want to listen sometimes. Rush Limbaugh, who I once enjoyed but now truly despise, in stereo is not going to make it with me. For that matter, Howard Stern or Al Franken in stereo doesn't do it for me either. Why do I want to buy a $400 radio to listen to that stuff in digital on the MW band? "There's no intelligent life here. Beam me up, Scotty." (Kevin Redding, ibid.) $$ speaks. If a music format can make money, then it will be done. Just give it time. But I can understand why no one is in any rush to put music on an AM IBOC station - there's no one out there yet who can hear it. I think that if enough IBOC radios get out there (and it actually works - a big "IF"), then it will tend to level the playing field between AM & FM, and you'll see the formats start to move around more between AM & FM (Brian Leyton, Valley Village, CA, ibid.) IBOC: Leonard Kahn lobs a nuke Leonard Kahn says, let the IBOC fly at night! ``...such test start on a Monday or Tuesday of a week that does not have a national holiday or a week when there is a forecast of severe storms. This will avoid loss of vital emergency AM radio services, if iBiquity expectations of its system are not realistic...`` ``...only stations that have substantial financial resources be allowed to engage in the tests, so that stations that suffer damage from the prophesied interference can be fully compensated.`` . . . http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6518013817 Ya gotta read it (Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) IBOC: This is GENIUS It`s long, it`s comprehensive and it`s absolutely correct. If you can take the time to read a 40 page document on IBOC, this is the one to read. I just spent a lot of time on it. http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6518010460 (Kevin Redding, ibid.) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Amateur Radio Newsline announced today what obviously has been sprung on hams and swl's alike. Super low cost BPL is being rolled out in the Monroeville, Pennsylvania (near Pittsburgh) for some 2800 customers. The BPL is being offered by Duquesne Lighting for $19.95 a month; the date of the start up is just a week away, August 8th. Duquesne Light states it will take 6 to 9 months before it decides to implement more BPL. Its competitor, Allegheny Power states it has no BPL plans at all (Bill KA2EMZ Bergadano, Swprograms mailing list July 29 via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ CELLPHONECASTING Motorola now testing iRadio in LA, Washington. The era of "cellphonecasting" is now officially upon us: http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=7461 The cost is estimated to be $5-$7 monthly; if the test is successful, then Motorola plans to roll out the service nationally next year. I have more about this, along with links to info about iRadio, at: http://futureofradio.typepad.com/the_future_of_radio/2005/07/motorola_debuts.html While I'm a confirmed satellite radio (actually, XM) bigot, I think "cellphonecasting" could be a bigger threat to terrestrial AM/FM radio, especially in urban areas. Not everyone will want to buy a satellite radio --- not to mention an IBOC/HD radio --- but people love their cell phones, especially one with all sorts of cool gimmicks. This development bears watching; I think it will have a significant impact on broadcasting (Harry Helms W5HLH, Wimberley, TX EM00 http://futureofradio.typepad.com/ ABDX via DXLD) [non]. CONCRETE ANTENNAS I have no doubt that at least some members are watching the TV series 'Coast'. Last night I was intrigued by the concrete listening installations, a form of early radar (Brian Russell. BDXC-1262, July 26, BDXC-UK via DXLD) I didn't see this TV programme (I rarely watch television) but I think this must refer to a system of aircraft detection developed in Britain in the 1930s that worked using sound waves, not radio ones. By using vast artificial "ears" shaped like a modern satellite dish, the sound of an aircraft could be heard at a much greater distance than that audible to the naked ear. The system could also get an indication of the bearing of the aircraft. However, (unlike radar) an individual listening station could not determine the aircraft's range (distance from the observer). Prototypes were built, though I don't know if the system was ever regarded as being operational. The development of electronic radar rendered it obsolete (Chris Greenway, BDXC-UK via DXLD) I didn't see this TV programme (I rarely watch television) but I think this must refer to a system of aircraft detection developed in Britain in the 1930s that worked using sound waves, not radio ones. By using vast artificial "ears" shaped like a modern satellite dish, the sound of an aircraft could be heard at a much greater distance than that audible to the naked ear. The system could also get an indication of the bearing of the aircraft. However, (unlike radar) an individual listening station could not determine the aircraft's range (distance from the observer). Prototypes were built, though I don't know if the system was ever regarded as being operational. The development of electronic radar rendered it obsolete (Chris Greenway, UK, BDXC-UK via DXLD) A full description of these experimental "Sound Mirrors" as they were called can be found at http://www.ajg41.clara.co.uk/mirrors/ Makes interesting reading (David Badger, ibid.) You are correct and they found one that had been preserved on the South Coast. They then set up an experiment where a small plane flew across the channel and using the concrete wall they heard the plane approaching before it could be detected using the naked ear. http://www.bbc.co.uk/coast/programmes/01-dover-exmouth.shtml http://www.ajg41.clara.co.uk/mirrors/dungeness.html (Mike Barraclough, ibid.) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ INTERVAL SIGNALS CD? Question from an MT subscriber. Hello, Could you please tell me if there is a cd recording that I can buy having all the call sign music from shortwave international broadcasters past & present? I sure would like to hear the tunes from the good old days. Thank you. Tom in Houston (Thomas Cardinal, July 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tom, Not that I know of, but there are a few websites that specialize in this, especially http://www.intervalsignalsonline.com Actually not just IS but IDs too (Glenn to Tom, via DXLD) TV GUIDE MAKEOVER FROM OCTOBER 17 A few articles here: http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p=TV+Guide&sm=Yahoo%21+Search&fr=FP-tab-news-t&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8 (David Williams, OR, WTFDA via DXLD) Anyone want to a sponsor a new programme-listings magazine? (Preferably one that respects their readers' intelligence?) I can still remember when they had staples in the middle --- before they decided to just glue all the pages together. :) Now they want to become just another "soap digest"-type rag? Sorry, TVG; I don't buy print TV listings just to read "fluff". There are more than enough "fanzines" for that. Lately, from all I've noticed --- I don't think it's all the competition from the Internet, local newspaper listings (which even in LSJ's case, of late, leave something to be desired) and on-screen guides that's bothering TVG. They just don't appear to want to try anymore: a) The trouble probably started when they eliminated their regional offices, and decided to publish all of their "Editions" at Radnor, PA. As if some guy in metro Philadelphia really knows what's on TV in Lansing, MI! The now-defunct Flint-Lansing edition didn't even include Jackson's first analog license (WHTV-18) until after I petitioned on their web form! b) Then they eliminated some of their "Editions" entirely. Northern Michigan Edition now covers Lansing, even though this is actually "southcentral"! c) Their latest insult was to go to an all-grid format (with little or no details) for listings between 7AM-7PM Monday-Friday and 11PM-2AM every night. The latter only lists "some" of the channels included elsewhere. "Various Programs" could mean most anything! Plus, Saturday's & Sunday's listings, though detailed, start with 9 AM and go until the night grids. Monday-Friday's details don't start until 7PM. d) The 11PM-2AM grids are supposed to show "the channels you watch most" --- not exactly true; if recent ratings are any indication, some are willfully excluded at TVG's discretion. Why is AMC included in this timeframe and TCM is not? (WGN even had to buy a 2-page spread just to inform cable viewers of some of their late-night offerings!) Northern Michigan Edition apparently ignores the Thunder Bay area of the mitten during this timeframe; WBKB-11 (mostly an all-nighter) and WCMU-14 (which doesn't sign-off until around Midnight) don't appear at all then. e) 2-7AM Monday-Friday and 2-9AM Saturday/Sunday are completely ignored by TVG --- except maybe in the "movies" section, which doesn't include any late-night flicks your local station(s) may choose to show (instead of just profit-enhancing infomercials). f) Last year they cut out the channel charts completely. Like, how are we supposed to know what our local & cable channels are (or even what network) or what regions they serve? When we look at the channel 6 bullets, do we get the "black" 6, the "white" 6, or the "striped" 6? TVG doesn't even tell us that anymore! The only indication in ours is a brief note in Sports telling us that "9W" is (9) CBET Windsor, Ontario. And if your favorite channel is a satellite/translator of one of these primaries, prepare to do a thorough scan to see which one it is! g) Digital-cable channels get a bum steer as well, as they appear only in the 8-11PM grids, and only some of them at that. (Wanna check when Penelope Pitstop is on Boomerang? Forget it, if you're reading TVG here! I also realize that keeping track of 300+ cable channels is not easy, but still --- if EncoreDrama plans to air "Escape From Iran: the Canadian Caper" or "The House of Dies Drear", I'd at least like to know when!) h) LPTVs are treated as second-class channels instead of the "legitimate" operations they are. TBNs not even listed (even as a "TBN" bullet) unless you're near a large city; important stations like WLLA-64, WAQP-49, and new "WBSF 30" are ignored unless they're in the prime-time grids. Others, like WPXD-31, have been completely eliminated from our listings even if they put a grade A/B over much of our area! IMHO the real reason for TVG's decline is that they stopped thinking like their readers. And for a magazine like TV Guide, that's definitely important. Now I really have to use TitanTV.com (sigh). (Keith K. Smith, Lansing, Michigan, 42 44' 39" N, 84 32' 39" W, Maximum Media Maverick™ WTFDA via DXLD) I've already decided to let my subscription drop. One day in May or June, it went from showing off-the-air channel numbers that I was used to for the past 38 years to having Rogers Toronto Cable numbers. Absolutely useless for me. (Even if I had cable, Grimsby Cogeco Cable has different channels). I'm not going to waste my time memorizing cable channels for a city 60 miles away. Each week's remaining guides go straight into the recycling bin. I complained and was sent a mass- produced reply (sort of - this is the way we are doing it now - deal with it). I'm going to start buying the weekend newspaper for its guide (Bill Hepburn, ON, ibid.) They lost me two years ago when the average price topped $2.00 an issue. I only noticed two days ago that the channel charts are absent from the Tampa-Sarasota edition. If I weren't already gone, that would've done it for sure! "End of message. End of transmission." (Ryan Grabow, Cape Coral, Florida, ibid.) Now even my 10-cents-a copy subscription rate, as offered when you register with their online guide, seems like a ripoff (gh, DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ More pictures at RTI from the Merchweiler DX camp [Radio Taiwan International]. I'll let you have a peek. These are on the RTI German page --- the higher level http://www.rti.org.tw/german also links to the SWLCS-DX web page http://www.rti.org.tw/german/hoerertreffenfotos2005.htm Unsere Mitarbeiterin und Chefredakteurin Chiu Bihui beim RTI - H?rertreffen am 16. Juli in Merchweiler im Rahmen des 31. Internationalen SWLCS-DX-CAMP unten: Bhihui mit Veranstaltern, Teilnehmern und Hörern beim SWLCS-DX- Camp Merchweiler -- Fotos von Volker Willschrey und Josef Rieger (via Dan Say, DXLD) Inadequately captioned (gh) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ HIGH NOON EFFECT I have experienced something like this in regard to stations from approx 500 to 1000 miles away from me in southern California. This would be mostly the old time clear channels such as KGO, KSL, KOB, KOA WOAI and some others. I have heard them all at noontime. But I never thought of it by any name such as the "high-noon" effect. I termed it "freak reception"! (Eric Cooper, July 27, NRC-AM via DXLD) But was this in the summer and via the D-layer? (gh, DXLD) HAWAII/MAINLAND TROPO DUCTS RE: Heads up west coast Bob Cooper wrote: ``Ham reports show 50 through 1300 MHz Hawaiian beacons are being heard along California coast on tropo`` Aren't these hams doing CW mode as opposed to SSB-AM or NFM ?? ie more than 20dB advantage over 200 kHz FM ?? Suspected they were also using some serious power, i.e.: http://hiloweb.com/kh6foo/bbs/subduct.html N6CA (LOMITA CA 90717) said: "sending 100 kw ERP at each other. Interestingly 2m stunk (no copy) while 1296 was Q5 for first hour." (I assume 1 kW transmitter power x 20 dB gain antenna = 100 kW ERP ?) Being on the coast not necessary since iirc a ham 30 miles East of me (Sacramento, 12' HASL) has done it -- he in El Dorado county 1300' HASL. Then from my notes: Date: 29 May 2003 From: Robert & Gay Cooper ``... hams have found on 144 and 432 MHz that stations as far north as the Seattle area and as far INLAND as Reno, Nevada had been able to "couple" into the duct when and if the conditions are "just right." (Rod Thompson, July 27, WTFDA via DXLD) The path is routinely done when the conditions are good (as they have been very recently) with 5 watts to a mobile whip on the car. The guy in Hawaii seldom runs more than 100 watts and his antennas would be in the 10 dB class, not 20 (Bob Cooper, NZ, July 28, 2005, ibid.) Question Not answered was the Mode? CW, SSB or NFM ?? And other point was Not what the Hawai'i guy running, but that the West Coast guys are really running, i.e. these awesome 6 x 6 antennas with awesome Gain? (Rod Thompson, ibid.) Naah. Mobile 5/8ths whip plus 5 watts FM transceiver. In fact, last year during August the ATV (amateur TV) signal in the 430 MHz band was copied successfully in Hawaii - guy in California was running ten watts and maybe ten dBd antenna. And remember - Shel Remington in Hawaii has logged a California-Oregon/Washington plus Mexico FM station on EVERY FM frequency from 88.1 to 107.9 (Bob Cooper wattswatts ibid.) ###