DX LISTENING DIGEST 5-182, October 22, 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 For latest updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1290: Days and times here are strictly UT. Sat 2300 WOR Radio Studio X 1584 http://www.radiostudiox.it/ Sun 0230 WOR WWCR 5070 Sun 0300 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0600 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Sun 0630 WOR WWCR 3210 Sun 0830 WOR WRMI 7385 [from WRN] Sun 0830 WOR WRN to North America, also WLIO-TV Lima OH SAP (including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 140 ex-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 1300 WOR KRFP-LP Moscow ID 92.5 Sun 1400 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 1730 WOR WRN1 to North America (including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 140 ex-115] Sun 1900 WOR RNI 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 Tue 1400] Tue 2330 WOR WBCQ 7415 [usually but temporary] Wed 0000 WOR CJOY INTERNET RADIO plug-in required 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 [NOTE: From Oct 30, most times shift one UT hour later, and some frequencies change. Watch for updated edition.] 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 or http://wor.worldofradio.org WORLD OF RADIO 1290 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1290h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1290h.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1290 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1290.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor12909.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1290.html [soon] WORLD OF RADIO 1290 in true SW sound of Alex`s mp3: (stream) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_10-19-05.m3u (download) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_10-19-05.mp3 WORLD OF RADIO 1290 downloads in studio-quality mp3: (high) http://www.obriensweb.com/wor1290h.mp3 (low) http://www.obriensweb.com/wor1290.mp3 WORLD OF RADIO PODCAST: www.obriensweb.com/wor.xml (currently: 1285, 1286, 1287, 1288, Extra 61, 1289, Extra 62, 1290) WORLD OF RADIO ON WWCR. Never mind the new airing Fri at 0930 on 9985, which I found in the Oct 1 printout --- that would have replaced Ask WWCR, and something else, but since Ask continues, that WOR airing never went into effect, I gather (gh) MUNDO RADIAL Octubre-Noviembre: (corriente) http://www.w4uvh.net/mr0510.ram (descargar) http://www.w4uvh.net/mr0510.rm (descargar mp3) http://www.obriensweb.com/wor.htm (guión) http://www.worldofradio.com/mr0510.html En el aire: Domingos 1030 en WRMI 9955 [1130 del 30 de octubre] Lunes y Viernes 2115 in WWCR 15825 [2215 en 7465 del 31 de octubre] [por error el viejo fichero transmitido el viernes 21] DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html ** ALBANIA. Re: VOA on 1395 kHz was received 1395.284 kHz before sign off at 0500 UT (Dave G8SZX, Leicester, Oct 14, MWC via dxld) Online EMWG had it on 1394.82 kHz. (gh, dxld) Yes, the 1215/1395/1458 outlets are mostly lower side these days. Albania and China signed a contract already to replace these units from 1966-1968 era by latest technology, including DRM mode capability, most likely in 2006 (Wolfgang Büschel, BCDX Oct 20 via DXLD) ALB MW off frequencies --- Hi Glenn, checked the MW site Fllaka-ALB on past three days: 1214.92 1394.82 and nearly 1458.00, only few Hertz difference to co-channel Sunrise Radio London GB. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, Oct 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tonight as sometimes earlier they have returned to much nearer the nominal: 1457.986 kHz! (Mauno Ritola Finland, Oct 20, ABDX via DXLD) ** ARMENIA. 9775, Voice of Armenia, on Oct 15 at 1751 - Good reception of the French service. Listed until 1805, and then English from 1825 to 1845 UT. I'll have to check. IS at 1824 several times, and then into their presumed NA. They also mention 11640 and 4810 kHz, as well as satellite frequencies. Only a weak het on 11640 kHz (Walt Salmaniw, Grayland WA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Re 5-181: The contractor would be Broadcast Australia, Australia's national transmitter operator: http://www.broadcastaustralia.com.au It owns and runs also all of Radio Australia's External Service SW transmitters, cf. WRTH 2005, pg. 497 (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Further information from Andreas Volk re ABC Northern Territory: Additional 11880 from Shepparton runs 2330-0800 and is scheduled until Nov. 18 so far. The new transmitters are described as RIZ 50 kW. This model would match the description: http://www.riz.hr/transmitters/short/50kw/trans50sw.html Of course they would need a customized modification to run the 120 metre frequencies. Is any "off the shelve" broadcasting transmitter able to operate in this quite unusual range at all? I am only aware of models with a frequency range starting at 3.2 MHz (no 500 kW's, they go not below 3.9 MHz I seem to recall). (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Oct 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Finally repaired one of my Beverages which had been out of service for a bit. Works like a charm now. Just need my LDG DTS4 antenna switch to arrive from Universal and I'll be all set for wintertime DXing. 2310, VL8A-Alice Springs, 1036-1102, Oct. 18, English, YL with music program. "ABC TV" promo at 1045. Commentary re "political correctness effective in altering linguistic behavior". Very interesting. Music thru ToH with music program promo on "783 ABC Alice Springs". Fair at best. // 2485 VL8K Katherine-poor. Both outlets appearing regularly at my QTH lately (Scott Barbour, NH, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11880, 22/10 0727, ABC Northern Territory - Shepparton, English, sport live OMs. S5-7. (R7) (LUCA BOTTO FIORA QTH: Rapallo (Genova), Italy, playdx yg via DXLD) ** BANGLADESH [and non]. Government agencies siphoned off a reported $68 million through corruption last year, with the communications sector the worst offender. Government officials and senior bureaucrats were blamed in 72 percent of the cases involving misuse of public funds in the South Asian nation. In terms of bribes and misuse of power, the police department was responsible for nearly 17 percent of money lost. Bangladesh and Chad were ranked most corrupt on a global watchdog groups`s annual list of corruption levels in 159 nations. At the other end of the scale, Iceland was ranked least corrupt. To form its annual corruption index, Transparency International asked businessmen, academics and public officials about how countries they live in or do business with are perceived. On a scale of one to 10, Bangladesh and Chad both scored 1.7, meaning that graft is perceived as being rampant (AP London, via Enid Eagle via DXLD) ** BHUTAN. Well heard at 0100 on 6035 kHz here in Calcutta. Noted English at 0500-0600 & again at 0800-0900. Now that winter is approaching us 0800 transmission is audible. A few years back they were broadcasting English at 0300 and also at 1000 which was good for propagation. Perhaps the present timings at 0500 and 0800 are for the single shift work for the employees --- certainly not convenient timings for the listeners. Now 6035 kHz is signing off at 1300 and not relaying the TV broadcasts after 1300 (Alok Dasgupta, India, wwdxc BC- DX Oct 17 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. R. Senado, Brasília, 5990, 0900-0920+ Oct 16, Portuguese talk, short music breaks, jingles. 0910 IDs. Local ballads. Strong, very good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RNA, 11780, good signal but with some flutter, Oct 21 at 0015 with beautifully harmonious male duet; during next dekaminute there was a mandatory political announcement promoting democratic socialism, leading up to the referendum on Oct 23; more music and live announcer claiming the time ``in all of Brazil`` was 22:something. Well, not exactly --- Brasil has three time zones, or four if you count the UT-2 coastal DST as a separate one. But who cares about the remote western regions, even on the Amazonian service? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 9515, Radio Novas de Paz; 0254-0300, 15-Oct; Less than 1 min. opening for this one. WHRI in English went off at 0258:17 & BBC via Delano came on at 0259:36 in Spanish, but heard clear ID in PP! "Paz" sounded more like "Pais" (Harold Frodge, DX-Pedition, MARE via DXLD) ** CANADA. Programmes I Like (#14) "Quirks and Quarks"--CBC Radio One: "Quirks and Quarks" is one of the few programmes on public radio devoted exclusively to science. It is a weekly show of about 53-54 minutes, hosted by the boyishly-looking Bob MacDonald. Each show begins with the typical menu of upcoming items, along with some audio clips. Occasionally, there are also sound effects as well as a dramatic element to the intros. Almost all of the programme is taken up by a series of interviews. These are conducted either in the studio or via a landline link. Each is introduced by the host, who also introduces each interviewee, usually an academic. Many sound enthusiastic and genuinely interested in their research. This adds greatly to the allure of the show. There is a very wide range of topics covered by those interviews, very wide indeed, and include not only the fields of "hard" science (e.g., physics), but also the "softer" social sciences (e.g., psychology). This is one show that is not afraid to delve into some really esoteric stuff. Indeed, most of the topics discussed are off-beat, bizarre, unusual, or just plain funny. The topics typically examine new developments in current scientific research and related projects. There are also occasional full-length features, which usually last from 25 to 30 minutes. These take the form of a report/package by the host, and are a detailed examination of a particular topic. They usually have sound effects, actuality clips, and maybe some dramatic elements, to highlight the important points being made. Bob seems to ask questions that the average Joe would ask, if he were attempting to get a grip on what the research and/or project is all about. He tends to take a "gee-whiz" approach to each interview, much as a young boy fascinated by the marvels of science. For him, it seems to be lots of fun, which is quite appealing for the listeners. But he can also ask blunt, frank, and occasionally embarrassing questions as well. His questions show an interest in the topic, as well as a grasp of what the interviewee is saying. He doesn't follow a set of scripted questions, after the opening few, but "goes with the flow" of the conversation. The frequent musical stings between items are a welcome relief -- the brain needs a bit of a break after being out through its paces trying to figure out the hows and whys of the previous item. Each programme closes with the "Question of the Week". This is a chance for listeners to send in questions relating to some scientific subject, and have them answered by an expert in that particular field. Website: http://www.cbc.ca/quirks/ E-Mail: quirks @ cbc.ca (Peter Bowen, Canada?, Swprograms mailing list via DXLD) ** CANADA. AS IT HAPPENS host to retire http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/10/20/Arts/finlay_051020.html Mary Lou Finlay, host of As It Happens and one of Canada's best-known journalists, is retiring from the CBC. Finlay, who has been with As It Happens for eight years, says she wants a change from the intensity of a daily program. She plans to continue working on her own projects. (...) Finlay retires Nov. 30. Although she will no longer be the regular voice on As It Happens, she plans to continue to contribute to CBC Radio on a freelance basis (via Ricky Leong, Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) Finlay to leave As It Happens on Nov. 30 --- Ex-colleague of the late Barbara Frum, CBC host wants time for other pursuits By KATE TAYLOR Friday, October 21, 2005 Page A6 AY21/TPNational/Canada As the CBC struggles to recover from its recent lockout of technicians and journalists, the public broadcaster is now losing one of its best- regarded on-air hosts. Mary Lou Finlay, 58, host of the current affairs show As it Happens on Radio One, is leaving on Nov. 30 to pursue other projects. . . http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20051021/FINL (via Kevin Redding, AZ, ABDX via DXLD) ** CANADA. CBC RADIO HOST ALEXIS MAZURIN DIES WebPosted Fri Oct 21 14:45:30 2005 --- Alexis Mazurin, the exuberant young voice of CBC Radio 3, died Thursday evening at the age of 27. Mazurin was surrounded by family and friends when he died "peacefully and swiftly" in a Vancouver hospital, according to a message posted Friday on a blog started by his family and his girlfriend, Lindsay Wood. Mazurin was "one of the most bigger-than-life guys I've ever had the chance to work with," Steve Pratt, director of CBC Radio 3, told CBC Arts Online. "He was a huge music fan and was extraordinarily plugged in to the Canadian music scene – a tireless promoter of independent Canadian music." ... http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/10/21/Arts/mazurin_alexis_obit_051021.html (via Ricky Leong, DXLD) ** CANADA. CBC lockout affected CFL telecasts When the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. recently locked out its workers, it conducted an experiment that may finally answer a question that's long haunted scientists and philosophers: If a game was on TV but nobody heard [play-by-play] announcers yakking through it, would it get a rating? Yes. And better ratings. The CBC went ahead with announcer-free coverage of six Canadian Football League games, and each week ratings went up compared with last year's numbers. With the lockout over, the talking heads returned last weekend and ratings went down. Says CBC spokesman Jason MacDonald, "We have to admit we don't know why." Actually, it doesn't seem like that big of a mystery (Michael Hiestand, "Sports on TV", USA Today 10/19 via Joe Hanlon in NJ, DXLD) ** CANADA. CBC PRESIDENT DEFENDS HIMSELF http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/10/17/rabinovitch051017.html [AUDIO] http://www.cbc.ca/clips/rm-audio/rabinovitch_current051017.rm CBC President Robert Rabinovitch says he's sorry fans of the public broadcaster were without their regular services while employees were locked out for eight weeks, but he says he has no intention of stepping down. In a wide-ranging interview aired Monday on CBC Radio's The Current, Rabinovitch said the union for the 5,500 locked-out workers should share the blame for the labour disruption (via Ricky Leong, dxldyg via DXLD) I don't know, but it seems to me that if you were the one that locked out employees that were perfectly willing to continue their work, then you would be the one that "soiled the sheets", as it were. How could a lockout be the employees' fault? A strike? Yes. But a lockout? (John Figliozzi, ibid.) ** CHINA. One of China's most revered writers, Ba Jin, died in Shanghai on the evening of October 17 after a six-year battle with a malignant mesothelioma and other diseases. CRI will focus on his life and work during the October 23 "In the Spotlight". (Jim CRI/English Lequesne, http://pw2.netcom.com/~jleq/cri1.htm swprograms via DXLD) Sunday ** COLOMBIA. No reports of R. Líder lately, so I myself checked to see if they are still active. Yes, Oct 20 at 0603 on 6139.8 pause for ID in music, good signal, slight het from presumed DW which blox it in Europe (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Solar-terrestrial indices for 19 October follow. Solar flux 78 and mid-latitude A-index 9. The mid-latitude K-index at 0600 UTC on 20 October was 1 (05 nT). No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours (SEC via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. Re 5-181: Hi Glenn, just a typo "Errore di stumpa??" or a new frequency??? 5810 should be 5910 kHz, OK? (Dario Monferini, Italy, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn - Noted a small typo: 5810 should be 5910 (Ron Howard, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) May be, maybe not. There is a 6010/5910 mixing product others have reported on 5810. But I should have questioned it (gh, ibid.) Hi Glenn, Thanks for your input. I confess I had not seen the reports of 5810. Was thinking of 5910 because I just heard them there recently. You produce so much good information in DXLD that it's hard for me to digest it all, hi, but I do try. Wish you continued success with all your DX'ing endeavors (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, ibid.) 5910, Marfil Estéreo en español, 2235-2238, 21-10-05, "Son las cinco con treinta y siete minutos en Marfil Estéreo", 34422. 6010.2, LV de tu Conciencia en español, 0718-0724, 22-10-05, ID, "...emite La Voz de tu Conciencia" comentario religioso, canción religiosa. 22332. Receptor: JRC NRD-535; Antena PBX-100 Lugar: Casco urbano. Saludos y buenos DX's 73 (José Bueno - Córdoba - España, Noticias DX via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. Defunct Gene Scott back on 5030, Oct 20 at 0608 check, with fast SAH, presumably from Burkina Faso (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CROATIA. Here are some pages about the Deanovec station: http://www.hrt.hr/oiv/deanovec/index.html All in Croatian, but I think it is still possible to make out the individual pieces of equipment portrayed on these pages. All the best, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Oct 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. RHC, 5040, new? 0040-0210+ Oct 14, Spanish, IDs // 9600. Strong but slight hum in audio. One night only? Not heard next two nights (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Must have been a test following those on 5055 (gh) RHC, 11760, Sat Oct 22 at 1303 in the news announced that they would have a special ``Mesa Informativa`` at 2200 on 11875 and 6000 about how Hurricane Wilma would affect Cuba (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CZECH REPUBLIC [non]. CZECH REP.: 7385 Radio Prague; 1346-1357+, 15-Oct; English Czech news & feature on a Czech film festival. ID & IS 1357 & continued in French. SIO=353 (Harold Frodge, MI DXPedition, MARE via DXLD) Is Harold aware this is via WRMI? Does not say so. And is WRMI deliberately running R. Prague in English and French following the publicized Spanish at 1300, or is this just by chance? (gh) Glenn: That was a one-off broadcast of the English R. Prague from WRN right after the Spanish broadcast, and at the very end of the English broadcast they do the interval signal with an announcement in French, as that was the next language to come up (but we didn't broadcast that French transmission). (Jeff White, WRMI, Oct 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DESECHEO & NAVASSA. KP1-5 PROJECT --- On 19 October the House Committee on Resources approved H.R. 1183, the bill that, if passed into law, would reopen Navassa (KP1, NA-098) and Desecheo Island (KP5, NA-095) islands to limited public access, and potentially renewed Amateur Radio operations from those islands. KP1-5 Project Director Mike Thomas, NA5U said H.R. 1183 was approved because scores of Amateur Radio operators wrote and called their Congressmen. However, the hard work begins now and Thomas said Congress must hear from hams again: "If we don't send a new message to Congress to move the bill to the House floor, the Fish and Wildlife Service will keep Desecheo and Navassa closed for many years to come". For further information please contact Mike Thomas, NA5U na5u @ kp1-5.com or visit http://www.kp1-5.com/ (425 DX News via Dave Raycroft, ODXA via DXLD) I wonder where the name Desecheo comes from? It reminds me of the Spanish desecho, which means reject, refuse, cast off (gh, DXLD) ** DJIBOUTI. RTD, 4780, 2255-2306* Oct 14, horn of Africa music, vernacular talk, 2304 Kor`an. Abruptly pulled plug during Kor`an recitations. VG signal (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. HCJB END OF AN ERA APPROACHING --- HCJB transmitters at Pifo from the HCJB web site http://www.hcjb.org [caption] The Quito studios and equipment were cast in the 50s; reel-to-reel tape decks, et al., but the Pifo site was quite something to behold; the Sterba Curtain array, the cubical quad and other antennas and then to literally walk into the 500,000 watt transmitter. The RF and modulator sections were on the left of the aisle facing towards the control room, the power supply on the right immediately above a large swimming pool. The pool water was heated for the Pifo transmitter staff and family use by circulating it through the transmitter. There were four other smaller transmitters in the same building, a 100 watter, a 1 kW, a 50 kW and a 250 kW. Switching antennas from one transmitter to another, or changing directions, was literally done by hand-throwing huge knife-type switches in the building attic. One needed to be very careful in the attic where OSHA would have never ventured. The entrance door foyer to the building has two glass cases showing ``mistakes`` in engineering; melted tubes, melted and charred insulators, transmission line, those things that happen in a high RF environment (Compiled by Bill Smith (USA), Oct NZ DX Times via DXLD) ** EGYPT. 9988.075, Radio Cairo, Oct 15 1757 - I rarely seem to come across this station, mostly owing to their awful modulation to North America. Listed here is their Albanian service to Europe (bet you didn't know they had an Albanian service!). Reception is perfectly acceptable, with a number of transmitter drop outs. Then I realized they were way off the listed 9990. Rather, they are almost 2 kHz lower! Some things never change! ID in presumed Albanian at 18:00 as Radio Cairo. Now it's me who's confused. From 1800, the frequency apparently does shift to 9988, and in Italian, so that was the ID I heard. Why the shift of 2 kHz? Strange!!! (Walt Salmaniw, Grayland, WA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Oct 22 at 2038 it was on 9990, a signal so strong at first I guessed it was a US transmitter, no problem holding its own against even stronger WWCR 9975 --- but the distorted audio and strange accent in French, plus the news items about the Arab League, etc., soon made me realize it was Cairo as scheduled in French (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Geophysical Alert Message # Solar-terrestrial indices for 22 October follow. Solar flux 75 and estimated mid-latitude A-Index 8. The mid- latitude K-index at 2100 UTC on 22 October was 2 (13 nT). No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours (SEC via DXLD) R. Cairo, 11885, better modulation that usual, but still somewhat bassy, so I flicked on the FRG-7`s high-pass filter, Oct 21 at 0029 just as English was ending; pause and timesignal ending 2.5 seconds fast, as compared on my watch to WWV one minute later! If you can`t do better than that, you should`t be airing pips implying much greater accuracy. Then R. Cairo theme, opening in Arabic, into Qur`an recitation for 10 minutes, very calming and soporific. Followed by a non-male announcer (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, I've never replied to your e-mails before but I do enjoy hearing you on "World of Radio" and am certainly glad that I stumbled across the Hard Core DX Group! I'm 54 years old and have been radio crazed since I was a kid. I'm really into the old tube rigs and have a room packed with Zeniths and other assorted stuff. I was glad to see your comment in the logging of Radio Cairo. I thought it was my ears when hearing their crummy audio, but I have the same problem using my Hallicrafters S38, Grundig S350, or my Realistic DX300. 73 (Rich Brock, HCDX via DXLD) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. R. Nacional, Bata, 5005, 2100-2257* Oct 14, vernacular talk, African drums, Afro-pops, 2254 sign-off with NA; fair-good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. ITALIAN COMPANY TO EQUIP EQUATORIAL GUINEA STATE BROADCASTER WITH NEW EQUIPMENT | Text of report by Equatorial Guinea radio on 21 October The engineers of the Italian company, Digitale MultiMedia Technologies [as heard] currently visiting our country to identify the areas in which to set up the new RTVGE [national broadcaster Radio-Television de Guinea Ecuatorial] equipment, went to the Pico Basile centre on 20 October. The Italian engineers from Digitale MultiMedia Technologies were accompanied by the director of Radio Malabo, Pastor Mba Nchama and the technical director, Agustin Barila Sota. After over three hours of travel over a distance of 47 km, at some 6,000 m above sea level, the delegation was received by the technicians at the RTVGE high frequency centre, Marcelino Obiang Otogo and Fermin Ndong Nguema at Pico Basile, which houses, among others, the country's antennae and transmitters. The engineers from MBT visited the various technical departments of RTVGE at Pico Basile and collected the necessary data for the execution of their project. The project seeks to equip RTVGE with new equipment to improve on the quality of its signals. Source: Radio Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, Malabo, in Spanish 0600 gmt 21 Oct 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) I thought they already got fixed up with Chinese aid? Concerns SW, or not? (gh, DXLD) ** EUROPE. Dutch Pirate Radio Black Arrow Testing Now --- on again, 1430 UT, 15789.9 with 20 watts. About an S5 signal here in New York. I'm trying out a new half-wave dipole, cut for 15790 kHz, and it's working great! Noise levels are much higher than last weekend, could be because of the rain. Alex will be on for another 45 minutes or so. 73 (George Maroti, NY, The ACE Pirate Radio List, Oct 22, via DXLD) ** INDIA [and non]. If you are monitoring for AIR, Hyderabad on 4800 and AIR Chennai on 4920 in the early morning slots, you will be surprised to hear Lhasa, Tibet and South Chinese BC Station respectively. This is continuing for several months. Those DX signals are very strong compared to the local AIR stations. Is Spectrum Management of AIR, complaining to China Radio for their interference to the AIR stations, which are using these frequencies for decades? Similar is the case with Sri Lanka bombarding the 7275 kHz channel carrying the Hindi FM Gold Programming. Any AIR Monitoring station observing this, happening since over two months? (B. L. Manohar Arasu SWL VU-0016, ham VU2UR, Oct 21, dx_india via DXLD) ** INDONESIA [non]. INDONESIA: 9525 Voice of Indonesia (presumed); 1202... 1255*, 16-Oct; English news to 1205:30 then M&W/English feature, mentioned traditions. SIO=322. QRM was a low rumble which disappeared when they went off. Was in LL [unknown language] before 1200 (Harold Frodge, DXPedition, MARE via DXLD) That would be nice if VOI had a new English broadcast at 1200, a bit more favorable for NAm. Unfortunately, this was probably R. Polonia, which does have English at 1200 on 9525. This was fortunately on Sunday; weekdays VOA Creole blox 9525 after 1230. RP is also scheduled at 1130-1200 in German on 9525. I researched this in a few seconds by consulting http://www.susi-und-strolch.de/eibi/dx/freq-a05.txt and recommend others do the same (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. Por primera vez en treinta y cinco años al fin he recibido una respuesta de Radio República de Indonesia. La respuesta no ha sido a mi casilla de correo ni a mi domicilio particular... ¡La descubrí en el sitio que RRI tiene a través de Internet! ¿Cómo?, simplemente colocando mis nombres y apellido en Google. Rápidamente --- en cuarto lugar --- aparece bajo el título Website: :Radio Republik Indonesia, la página oficial de la emisora asiática en idioma español. En la dirección http://www.rri-online.com/modules.php?name=SLN_Spanish&op=letter_detail&id=4 dentro de la "solapa" denominada Sobre nosotros han publicado mi mensaje completo y luego la respuesta sin aclarar remitente. No se trata de una QSL (no puedo ser tan pretencioso... hi!) es simplemente una contestación de RRI, después de varios intentos infructuosos. A continuación transcribo textualmente la publicación que --- a mi modo de sentir --- significa una verdadera sorpresa en tantos años de diexista. [09 Januari 2005] Al fin puedo intentar una respuesta segura! Estimados amigos de RRI: Durante muchos años he querido establecer un diálogo a través del correo postal pero nunca recibí respuesta a mis cartas. Espero que ahora, por este medio, podamos tener una mutua comunicación. Siempre estoy queriendo escuchar a RRI por onda corta pero en Argentina es muy dificil captar vuestra onda. Internet nos da una nueva posibilidad. Mediante vuestra página WEB actualmente tengo muy buena información de Indonesia. Espero recibir una respuesta a este mensaje y algún recuerdo de ustedes a mi Casilla de Correo 950, S 2000 WAJ - Rosario, ARGENTINA. Un grana abrazo a todos! Rubén Guillermo Margenet margenet @ arnet.com.ar Sr. Margenet, Primero, queremos agradecer su atencion a nuestra emisora o web la Radio Republica de Indonesia. Lo siento mucho que respondemos a su carta/email un poco mucho tiempo. Una vez mas agradecemos a Ud que da la atencion a nuestra Web. Para contactar a Radio República de Indonesia deben utilizarse los siguientes datos: La voz de Indonesia Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 4-5 JAKARTA 10110, INDONESIEN [auf Deutsch!] Tlp. 62-21-3456811 Fax 62-21-3500990 voi @ rri-online.com y también rri @ rri-online.com La página habilitada por RRI para los hispanohablantes es http://www.rri-online.com/modules.php?name=SLN_Spanish pero aún no dispone de real audio. Según el esquema de transmisión en español por onda corta incluye dos horarios 1000-1030 y 1700-1800 UT según se detalla en http://www.rri-online.com/modules.php?name=SLN_Spanish&op=about_us (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Rosario, ARGENTINA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. Amateur Radio Continues to Prepare for Wilma`s Arrival http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/10/20/1/?nc=1 ``Uncooperative`` Hurricane Wilma Alters Activation Plans http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/10/21/3/?nc=1 (via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) And no doubt a 10/22 story too Hurricane Watch Net Activation Plans http://www.hwn.org/home/activationplans.html (via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. Nice over the pole signals this morning. Log Periodic pointed 0 degrees straight north. VOIRI, 11650 // 9635 in English at tune in 1615 UT with talk about Hurricane Katrina. News at 1620 and then sign off announcement at 1625 with complete schedule given for English. 25 meters better but some sort of QRM (11650-11680) making things unpleasant. (Oct 22/05). 73 (Mick Delmage, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada, Collins HF 2050, KLM 7-30 MHz Log Periodic, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRELAND. 6295, Reflections Europe, 1740-1747, escuchada el 16 de octubre en inglés locutora con comentarios, locutor con cuña de ID, horarios y frecuencias, página web y dirección de correos, música de sintonía, 44333 (José Miguel Romero, EA5-1022, Burjasot (Valencia) España, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. Saludos cordiales. 9345, Kol Israel, 2047-2057, escuchada en español el 20 de Oct, locutor con ID "Kol Israel, noticias", locutora con boletín de noticias, SINPO 44333. Sin embargo ésta emisión está anunciada de 1945 a 2000, según el Eibi.de.vu.; a las 2057 se corta la emisión bruscamente. Compruebo las frecuencias de 11590 y 15640 y no se escucha nada, ¿quizas una emisión accidental? A las 2100 al cierre de la emisión aparece la emisión con despedida de la locutora, "Hasta mañana en el mismo horario" (José Miguel Romero Burjasot, (Valencia) España, Noticias DX via DXLD) 2045 is the correct UT for this broadcast now since the time shift Oct 9, which they are apparently unaware of in the KI studio (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. The full Winter 2005-2006 Kol Israel schedule in PDF form s now available from a link on: http://www.iba.org.il/reception/ Go to the "shortwave" section and then there is a link on the top of the page. The direct URL is: http://www.iba.org.il/doc/shortwaves.pdf (Doni Rosenzweig, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This formatting makes clear exactly which frequencies the Dec 15 changes will replace (gh) ** ITALY. Rai seems to favor North America with its squealing transmitter(s) --- not only at 1400 on 17780, but also at 0028 Oct 21 on 11800 in Italian. Thanks, a lot (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non?]. IRRS, 5775, 2115-2205* Oct 14, English with UN Radio programs. 2129 IRRS ID and address. 2130 UN Radio news, then other UN radio programming. 2200 closing announcements, ID and address, but then continued with English programming until abruptly pulling plug at 2205. Weak at tune-in but improved to fair level by sign-off (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. According to the Italian press wire ASCA quoted, in Italian, on http://www.mytech.it/news/articolo/idA006012008446.art Rai Way will soon begin experimenting with DRM via Milano Siziano. Tests will be conducted at nighttime, presumably on the former Radio 2 frequency of 693 kHz. Exact power levels are not mentioned (in the above mentioned news flash the writer says "at low power" adding, however, that will ensure "high quality" and Europe wide coverage). Milano 2 wasn't exactly a low power plant. Nothing new, really, DRM conversion of the ex Radio 2 transmitter has been planned for a long time as per RAI "insider" Andrea Borgnino. According to the same source, Rai Way began installing DRM equipment in Milan at end of last year for tests beginning at the beginning of 2005. Apparently these were postponed to end of 2005/beginning of 2006. 73s (Andy Lawendel, Italy, Oct 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The prospect of Europe-wide coverage on 693 kHz is interesting, bearing in mind that 693 is one of the two synchronised frequencies used by BBC Radio 5 Live. There are also some Spanish transmitters on this frequency. The Voice of Russia also broadcasts in DRM on 693 kHz from a transmitter in Germany. (BTW I have published this item, with full credit, in the Media Network Weblog). (Andy Sennitt, Oct, MWC via DXLD) ** JAPAN. 3373.5, NHK-Osaka. As these low powered relay stations are no longer in operation, I wanted to try for one last QSL, so I sent off a report in English, with one Dollar, for my last reception of them back in March. Was a nice surprise to receive a registered package containing a f/d letter (indicating power as 300 w and the name of the programs I had heard, but with incorrect frequency of 828 kHz), brochure ``Welcome to Osaka Broadcasting Station,`` which is a very impressive complex which opened in 2001 and large booklet (``50 Years of NHK Television``), in 25 days. V/s: Takashi Otsuka, Associate Director, Planning and General Affairs Division (Nippon Hoso Kyokai, Osaka Station, 4-1-20 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-8501). (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JORDAN. R. Jordan, 11690, 1445-1730* Oct 14. Variety of US, Arabic pop, Euro-pop music. 1500, 1600 and 1700 English news. Phone-in program taking music requests; weather, ``Radio Jordan 96.3 FM`` IDs. Very good but must use ECSS-USB to avoid RTTY QRM on low side. No other co-channel QRM until 1600 [BBC via South Africa had been reported before]. Weak CRI co-channel QRM at 1600-1730 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Jordan, 11690 kHz with usual FM relay of pop music now on (1628 UT). The usual RTTY is way under. 444. Oct 22/05. Log Periodic pointed 0 degrees straight north. 73 (Mick Delmage, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada, Collins HF 2050, KLM 7-30 MHz Log Periodic, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. 3250.03, P`yongyang Broadcasting Station, Oct 15 1542 - Very good reception on several SW frequencies (and in // to 657 MW): 3320.21 (very good), 6250.136 (good if you use LSB to avoid the upper ute). 6378.776 (good to very good) with a pretty Korean vocal sung by a young woman, and not at all strident as is so usually the case (Walt Salmaniw, Grayland, WA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KURDISTAN [non]. Cland, 4870 ?unIDed, 1627 Kurdish in Farsi; 1632 covered with jammer. October 18th (Zacharias Liangas, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This is Voice of Iranian Kurdistan (ex-4860). It has moved and observed on various frequencies 4865-4885. It is also audible around variable 3970. Same program on both channels but one day I observed the 3970 audio was more than a minute delayed of the 60 mb audio (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, HCDX via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [non]. Saludos cordiales Glenn, la página web de la estación Dengue Mesopotamia ya está otra vez activa en la misma dirección: http://www.denge-mezopotamya.com Tiene nuevo formato, seguramente el motivo de sus ausencia haya sido estos cambios de imagen. 73 (José Miguel Romero, Spain, Oct 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The absence of the Radio Dengê Mezopotamya website http://www.denge-mezopotamya.com apparently had an editorial background. The site is now back with a changed layout, and includes now a detailed program schedule for the station (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Oct 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Right now it is no problem to reach http://www.denge-mezopotamya.com via Deutsche Telekom. They have a link to a webcounter with some quite interesting data, revealing that access has been restored on Oct 20 (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Oct 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LATVIA. Relays on 9290 this weekend Saturday 22 October Radio Six 0600-0700 UT RMRC 1400-1500 UT Sunday 23 October Radio Six 1100-1200 UT ERI 1200-1400 UT (Tom Taylor, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Germany: Rhein- Main-Radio-Club again on SW: Date: Saturday 22. Oct. QRG: 9290 kHz Time: 1400-1500 UT Plus: http://www.telstarhitfm.tk Hallo Freunde, nach dem Erfolg unserer dreistündigen Sondersendung am 2.10. haben wir uns entschlossen regelmäßig auf Sendung zu gehen. Wir bekamen viele Empfangsberichte, sogar aus Japan. Alle erhalten natürlich unsere Sonder-QSL-Karte "30 Jahre Rhein-Main-Radio-Club". Am Sa. 22.10.05 ist der Rhein-Main-Radio Club wieder über KW auf 9290 zu hören, und zwar von 1400 bis 1500 UT. Natürlich kann man die Sendung auch über http://www.telstarhitfm.tk hören Guten Empfang, Harald Gabler, RMRC Vorstand 73 (via A-DX via Paul Gager, Austria, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** LIBYA [non]. I finally tuned in V. of Africa`s only hour-long English broadcast, Fri Oct 21 at 1300 on 21675 via France, which was better than // 21695; in fact it was initially the strongest signal on the 13m band. Opened as ``Voice of Africa from the Great Jamahiriyah``, plugged a putative United States of Africa [but how will they abbr. it???], impressive produxion with drumming. Said the news would be at half past 3, G.J. local time. 1305 hilife music. 1310 talk about the ``revolution of El Fatah,`` for 36 years in Libya. The Jamahiriyah system follows the failure of capitalism and marxism. Refers to the Green Book and the philosophy of Muammar al-Qaddafi [random spelling generator energized]. At this time there were occasional data bursts like Bronx cheers, not to be taken as deliberate jamming, tho they should not be within this exclusive broadcast band. Went on to say that it all began on 2 March 1977. 1327 on ``The Leader of Men`` a letter to MAQ was read from one Robert Jihad in Canada. I kid you not. 1330 ID. 1331 TC for half past 3, GJLT, and news with bits of music. The Leader of the Revolution has received comments on Ramadan, from the leader of some country called ``Makuno``, which might be a corruption of Macedonia; and from the leader of the Ivory Coast. Terrorist Zionists kill Palestinians [I had the impression every Zionist is a terrorist; you can`t just say Zionist]. Explosions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Something about the quake in Pakistan. And that was it --- nothing about anything going on west or north of Tripoli. 1335 propaganda about Libya`s example to the world; part 1 from the Green Book, punxuated by bits of Beethoven`s Ninth. There was quite a variety of music bits during the show. By 1342 fading down a bit, and I had had just about enough of this wacky self-centered, myopic broadcast. It would really be mind-numbing to listen to the full 60 minutes, let alone, every day, so we are blessed that reception is possible only occasionally. I could say more about what I heard if I could make out more my scrawled notes, which just happened to be on a piece of *green* scratch paper (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Maybe it was Robert G. Haad? Geophysical Alert Message # Solar-terrestrial indices for 20 October follow. Solar flux 77 and mid-latitude A-index 4. The mid-latitude K- index at 1500 UTC on 21 October was 1 (6 nT). No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours (SEC via DXLD) The color green shouldn't be taken so lightly where Muslims are concerned; it is the Shiya holy color and has solemn significance (Clara Listensprechen, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I was merely noting the coincidental match of the color of my paper and MAQ`s book, a color I suspect he chose merely to contrast with Mao`s (gh, DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. Re 5-181: Hello Glenn, Out of curiosity I Googled "Wai" and from there I used the "definition" link. Took me too a link titled "Wikipedia" and there I found "wai" in a lengthy list of words and phrased using those three letters. Based on what I found it appears "wai" is a Malayo-Polynesian word meaning "water". It has other definitions in Mandarin, Thai and is the name of something geographic (can't remember what) in India (Scott R Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALDIVES [non]. 13855, Minivan Radio via Jülich, Germany after verifying my reception report last year forwarded my reception report that I sent to them over program placement guru Jeff White at WRMI for verification. V/S Jeff White signed and stamped my prepared card (with a Radio Miami International stamp!) in 401 days giving me another verification of this "station." Short hand written note from Jeff along with a nice WRMI bumper sticker and nx about WRMI launching its newly designed website in September 2005 completed the package (Rich D'Angelo, PA, wwdxc BC-DX Oct 16 via DXLD) Jeff tells me this transmission will continue unchanged in B-05 (gh, DXLD) ** MEXICO. Mientras Wilma se ensaña con Quintana Roo, la habitual y potente señal de Radio Imagen 1050 está siendo sustituida por "La Rancherísima", captada a las 0500 UT 21 octubre con ID disco tras disco, sin mencionar desde dónde transmiten: "...1050 AM y 99.1 FM, saludando a los amigos del volante especialmente a los jóvenes, recordándoles que la vida no retoña... Aquí viene esta novedad del grupo Plata, Volveré...". Mucha música grupera y jingle de NRM a la hora en punto 0500. The best signal currently coming from Mexico was out tonight (0500 Oct. 21) while Wilma is slamming Quintana Roo. In its place is was booming la "Rancherísima" 1050 and 99.1 FM, with ID song after song with música grupera but from where in México (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, Oct 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) This must be XEG Monterrey, 100 kW, with the QR station off the air. NRM for them does not mean Núcleo Radio Mil as in México DF, but Núcleo Radio Monterrey. They do have a station in the group on 99.1, but nothing about it being // 1050. For researching Mexican station info go first to http://www.amfmdx.net/amdx/corazondx.html which has links to lots of useful Mexican and other Latin American station listings, and then I went to Fred Cantú`s site, which has a section on Monterrey: http://www.mexicoradiotv.com/listnuev.htm (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Longest FM tropo yet --- I am getting a Mexican station on 101.7 via tropo, quite weak. Slogan is Los Cuarenta Principales and has some lengthy ads, I can't make it out, Spanish. Could be as far as 1000 miles on the opposite side of the Gulf. There are 2 Los Cuarenta Principales on the Gulf in Veracruz. Anyone understand Spanish? I have a long audio recording. (Randy Zerr, KW4RZ, Fort Walton Beach, Florida grid EM60qk, Onkyo T-450RDS with 150kHz IF filter mod & or Denon TU-1500RD tuner with 150/110kHz filter mod, 6 element Radio Shack yagi in attic at 15 ft. http://www.geocities.com/kw4rz 2350 UT Oct 19, WTFDA via DXLD) Now it's 100 kW 101.7 XHVIR Ciudad Victoria, TAMPS with slogan "La Cotorra" and quite strong, even on the car set in the driveway, about 900 miles! 102.5 very weak, suspect 10 kW XHUNI also Ciudad Victoria. And you fellas up there have Es; amazing conditions. Nothing via that mode on VHF here, ch 2 just weak tropo with Ms burns (Randy Zerr, 0117 UT, ibid.) Look out for more Wilma-induced VHF/UHF DX!! (gh, DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. Caught the closing of Amsterdam Forum, Sat Oct 22 at 2029 on 17660, saying that from next week it would be on Sundays instead, and expand to 55 minutes. That must be the end of half-hour- only program blox on RN (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. There was an interesting programme on RNZI's DRM plans in Mailbox earlier this year. They said one major use of it would be for stations in the Pacific to pick it up and then rebroadcast it on local FM (Mike Barraclough, UK, Oct 19, swprograms via DXLD) It would be interesting to find out if this is cheaper for RNZI and its rebroadcasting stations, overall, than for using satellite distribution. At the SWL Fest, Tracy Wood keeps telling us how inexpensive satellite dishes and receivers have become -- cheaper than any DRM receivers have been so far! (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, ibid.) ** NORWAY [non]. V. of Joy Music Hour: now filed under USA [non] ** OKLAHOMA. KGWA, 960, Enid, is still carrying the Jim Bohannon Show, as reconfirmed UT Oct 20 at 0445; tho one of the better national talk shows, I am more and more put off by the sucker commercials on it, such as paying to have a star named for a loved one. I`ll do that for 10% less! Ended at 0458, and two minutes of dead air until Fox (ugh!) News on the hour. Hey, if no one at KGWA is listening to KGWA, why should anyone else? (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. For at least four days now, KXOK-TV ch 32, Enid`s own and only local TV station, which usually carries America-1, has displayed in the upper left corner of a black screen: ``No signal`` (Glenn Hauser, Enid, UT Oct 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN: EFFECT OF EARTHQUAKE ON LOCAL MEDIA The earthquake that struck northern Pakistan and Kashmir on 8 October has had a devastating effect on local media and highlighted the problems facing Pakistani media. This was reported by Internews, the US-funded media training group, in a series of articles published on its website http://www.internews.org.pk/ In Muzaffarabad, the Pakistani TV and radio building was destroyed. Internews quoted an employee of the public broadcaster as saying that about half of the 160 employees and their families had died. The local press had been decimated with all the printing presses buried under the rubble. Internews said it was likely that some of the big publishing houses in Pakistan would now enter the local market, because the small local press owners did not have the finances to restart their businesses in the near future. The private radio station closest to the epicentre of the earthquake was Power 99 FM in Abbotabad. Several days after the quake Internews said that its transmissions were "patchy" due to problems with equipment which had been affected by a power failure. The local media's ability to report on the disaster had been affected not only by damage to roads and communications, but also by their lack of state-of-the-art equipment. The first time that state radio had been able to report from one of the hardest-hit areas was five days after the event, when it was assisted with technical and logistical support from Internews. Internews published a number of recommendations to help the media in the aftermath of the earthquake. They included the setting up of mobile radio stations in the affected areas, the dropping of thousands of radio sets for local residents, and providing media outlets with satellite phones and production equipment. The recommendations also included the provision of journalistic training for district corresponding. Internews said that reporting of the earthquake had been "haphazard" and that local media were too often content to rely on government hand-outs rather than seek out and verify information. Noting the unprecedented influx of foreign journalists into previously restricted areas, it said: "This tragedy has opened up a space for unbiased and critical reporting that was previously unthinkable in Pakistani-administered Kashmir." Internews also reported the launch in Karachi on 13 October of the Association of Independent Radio (AIR). Eleven of the country's independent FM stations came together to form a body that aims "to develop the sector along professional lines and to serve as a common voice to the issues related to the private radio broadcast industry". One of the new body's first moves was to announce a strategy on special humanitarian relief broadcasts. They agreed to pool their resources to produce reports from affected areas, and to air emergency public awareness announcements and appeals to augment rescue and relief operations. AIR also appealed to the media regulator, PEMRA, to grant temporary broadcast licences for the affected areas and to allow duty-free import of mobile transmitting equipment. Source: Internews website, Arcata, in English 20 Oct 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. Hi guys, Nice over the pole signals this morning. Radio Pakistan 11570 kHz at tune in 1605 UT with news read by OM. Commentary read by YL at 1610 to 1613 abrupt off. Huge signal rendered useless by bad audio. Log Periodic pointed 0 degrees straight north. 73 (Mick Delmage, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada, Collins HF 2050, KLM 7-30 MHz Log Periodic, 454, Oct 22/05, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3219.97, Radio Morobe, Oct 16 1108 - Good reception with English modern Christian song (I just pray on my knees...). Some static crashes, but otherwise very enjoyable. Pidgin at 1113 with 'Morobe' heard. Radio Morobe FM 105 heard at 1113. 3235, Radio West New Britain, Oct 16 1115 - Also good reception of this old favourite with Sunday night programming. Western Christian vocal. Minor static crashes. Pidgin announcements at 1118 'regular listeners', etc. 3245, Radio Gulf, Oct 16 1120 - Radio play about a violin. S5 signal in the clear, but with some static crashes. Generally an easy to follow program. At 1122:40 an ad for 'yourstruly.org', the sponsor of this program. Local DJ at 1137 was very muffly, although the music in the background was flawless. 3260, Radio Madang, Oct 16 1126 - Relatively weak compared to the other PNGs this morning, and suffering more from the static crashes. Mostly all western music, with rather tinny audio. Fair to good overall. More pleasant to listen to in AM than my usual side band, and more intelligible. Time to move on! 3275, Radio Southern Highlands, Oct 16 1132 - The weakest so far this morning, at poor to fair levels only and too weak to make much out this morning. 3305, Radio Western, Oct 16 1143 - Only fair reception this morning. Lots of PNGs, but I've heard them in the past at much better levels than this morning. 3290, Radio Central noted not on the air this morning. As is so often the case, the music is well modulated and clean, while the announcer (at 1147) seems very anemic. A local language, not English, nor Pidgin from the sound of the language, though, although I did hear 'number one', 'number two', and up to 'number 8' so far. 3315, Radio Manus, Oct 16 1151 - Possibly some transmitter trouble. I did hear a YL just as I tuned there, but only hear dead air now. Not confirmed then this morning. 3325, Radio North Solomons, Oct 16 1154 - Strongest by far this morning, and well over cochannel RRI Palangkaraya, with easy listening mx. S9 + 10 at peaks. Oops, the RRI station is in fact the dominant station, with Love Ambon at 1158, but the PNG station is audible underneath. 3335, Radio East Sepik, Oct 16 1157 - Another strong performer with a nice strong signal. I rechecked here a few minutes later, and they are clearly signing off with the PNG anthem at 1202, but instead of signing off, the National newss in English came on in progress! Strange. 3365, Milne Bay, Oct 16 1207 - Only weakly heard despite a strong carrier (or perhaps an OC from a ute over top?). 3355 Radio Simbu not heard, but possibly might have signed off before the TOH. 3384.99, Radio East New Britain, Oct 16 1209 - Late Saturday night radio program at very good levels. Also noted a loud open carrier on 3375, so I'm thinking that Radio Western Highlands was on, but signed off at 1200. No sign of Radio Eastern Highlands on 3395. Also nothing on 3905, the frequency for Radio New Ireland (Walt Salmaniw, Grayland WA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Volodya`s complete Grayland DX report by frequency, LW, MW and SW, appears in the dxldyg Oct 21 ** PERU. R. Melodía, Arequipa, 5939.31, 0830-0855+ Oct 16, Spanish pops/ballads, announcements, IDs. Weak with some adjacent channel splatter. R. Sicuani, 4826.47, 0915-0935+ Oct 16, presumed with Spanish announcements, Andean music. Weak, poor with swisher QRM. R. Luz y Sonido, Huánuco, 3234.85, 0935-1005+ Oct 16, tentative, with OA vocals, Spanish talk, weak in noise. R. Huanta 2000, 4746.86, 1005-1030+ Oct 16, OA folk music, ads, jingles. Some talk over OA music, ID. Weak with swisher QRM (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. [factortierra] (El Tiempo) DECOMISAN EQUIPOS DE TRES EMISORAS EN HUANCABAMBA Silencio en las alturas. Varias emisoras de Huancabamba enmudecieron al mediodía de ayer, cuando funcionarios del Ministerio de Transportes, el fiscal y la policía incautaron transmisores y consolas, equipos indispensables para la transmisión radial. Huancabamba.- La operación relámpago empezó aproximadamente a las 11:30 a.m. y terminó a las 12:45 p.m. Tras culminar su misión, los funcionarios del Ministerio de Transportes inmediatamente enrumbaron a Piura, siendo resguardados por la policía hasta la salida, para evitar cualquier tipo de agresión, toda vez que el conductor de un programa amenazó con convocar a las rondas. Las emisoras cuyos equipos fueron incautados son: Radio Centinela, La Poderosa, Exitto [sic] y, a La voz de las Huarinjas, la única emisora legal que fue intervenida ayer, se impuso una fuerte multa por infracción a la ley. También se mencionó que Top Radio, fue intervenida, pero esto no fue confirmado. Se conoció que entre los funcionarios de Transportes estuvieron el abogado Carlos Causilla Hernández, el ingeniero Javier Mansilla Yanqui y los técnicos Pedro Casco Salgado y José Samuel Marín. Ellos llegaron a las emisoras y en contados minutos, desmontaron equipos y se los llevaron a Lima. Según se conoció, el fiscal Félix Toledo Leiva y la policía sólo dieron las garantías de legalidad y seguridad, pues les comunicaron cuando los funcionarios ya estaban en Huancabamba. Medios que participaron en la intervención dijeron que el único que se opuso al accionar del Ministerio de Transportes fue Federico Ibáñez, quien al parecer tiene relación con alguna emisora a la cual le incautaron los equipos. Inclusive habría amenazado con convocar a la población para oponerse (El Tiempo [¿cuál?] Oct 19 via Nelson "Peñaherrera" Castillo, Oct 20, Noticias DX via DXLD) One of those is a recognizable SW station, LV de las Huarinjas (gh) Quito 20/10 2005 Thursday edition: 6819.39, Radio LV de las Huarinjas Huancabamba, 1 minute and 25 seconds to show that Radio LV de las Huarinjas still is going strong. A recording from this Thursday evening [at 0100 UT Oct 21]. Comments, photos and recordings at: http://www.malm-ecuador.com 73s (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Quito 21/10 2005 Friday edition: 6536.03, Radio Difusora "La Poderosa" de Huancabamba, Huancabamba (Perú) "La Poderosa" is still going strong! Up to 1905 (0005 UT) transmission in // with Radio La Voz de las Huarinjas on 6819 kHz with both stations mentioned in the ID. Yesterday the Peruvian police raided and shut down 3-4 radio stations in Huancabamba among them "La Poderosa" 6536 kHz ("Noticias DX" via "Conexión Digital"). But both stations are active this Friday evening. I got the impression that La Poderosa is on air with help of (??) some "Curanderos" in Huancabamba. The "sound picture" was different so perhaps the station is using another equipment. So here is a recording made just 45 minutes ago. Comments, photos and recordings at: http://www.malm-ecuador.com 73s (Bjorn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** POLAND. Radio Polonia From 30. Oct. 2005 English on SW 1300-1400 UT 9525 Antena W3 / azymut 285 11850 Antena S 64/ azymut 310 1800-1900 UT 7265 Antena W 63/ azymut 270 7220 Antena W2 / azymut 285 In Esperanto on SW: 1600-1625 UT 7270 Antena W2 / azymut 285 7285 Antena S1 / azymut 347 1900-1925 UT 7290 Antena S42 / azymut 248 73 (Paul Gager, Austria, Oct 21, BDXC-UK via DXLD) See also INDONESIA R. Polonia B-05 Schedule Belarussian 1430-1530 6035 7180 1730-1800 6050 English 1300-1400 11850 9525 1800-1900 7220 7265 Esperanto 1600-1630 7270 7285 1900-1930 7290 German 1230-1300 5965 9525 1630-1700 7270 2030-2100 6045 6125 Polish 1130-1200 5965 7285 1630-1730 6050 2200-2300 6050 7265 Russian 1200-1230 6180 7285 1400-1430 6035 7275 1530-1600 7180 1900-1930 6095 2000-2030 6200 7180 Ukrainian 1530-1600 6000 1930-2000 6095 7210 (R. Polonia via Wolfgang Bueschel, re-arranged by Alan Roe, DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. RDP B-05 Schedule, all in Portuguese: Monday to Friday 0600-0855 EU 9755 0600-1300 EU 9815 0745-0900 EU 11660 0900-1055 EU 11875 1100-1300 EU/SAM/AF 15140 21655 21830 1300-1700~ NAM 15575 1400-1600 ME 15690 1700-2000 EU/AF/SAM 11630 17680 21655 1700-1900~ NAM 17825 1800-2100~ SAM 15535 1900-2400~ NAM 15540 2000-2400~ AF/EU/SAM 9460 9795 11825 11635(2100-) 15555 Tuesday to Sunday 0000-0300 N+SAM 9410 9715 11980 13700 13770 Saturday and Sunday 0800-1055 SAM 17710 0800-1455 EU 11875 15575 0800-1655 AF 21830 0930-1100 EU 9815 1100-2100 SAM 21655 1300-1800 N+SAM 15575(-1700) 17745 1500-1800 EU 11635(-1755) 11960 1700-1900 NAM 17825 1700-2100 AF 17680 1800-2100 EU/SAM 11630 11740 15535 1900-2100~ NAM 15540 2000-2400~ EU/AF/SAM 9460 9795 11825 11635(2100-) 15555 ~ = Special or extra broadcasts, and may be extended to 2400. (RDP via Carlos L.R.de A. Gonçalves via Alokesh Gupta in dxldyg mail list re-arranged by Alan Roe, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 5940, 0448-, Radio Rossii, Oct 20. Network programming noted at this hour with light bantering between men and women. Parallel to previously reported 5920. 5940 is about 1/4 second ahead of 5920. Good reception on both frequencies. Also heard on 7320 which is in sync with 5940. 5920 left the network and began local programming at 0500 with many mentions of Magadan, whereas 7320 and 5940 continued with Radio Rossii programming. 5920 is very strong with S9 + 10 to 20 signals. There's a referendum in Kamchatka on October 23, and ads regarding this were aired. Ended at 0510, and then into fishing information. Many local ads for Kamchatka firms. Throughout the hour, the signal improved. At 0557, the 'Aggressive' group of companies brought the weather. 5 + 1 time pips at 0600, and into Radio Rossii program once again (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Voice of Russia What`s New http://www.vor.ru/English/Exclusives/what_new.html THIS IS RUSSIA. (on the air as of Monday, October 24th). In the upcoming edition of our weekly feature THIS IS RUSSIA we will invite you on a trip to Pskov, an ancient Russian town in the northwestern Russia. We will also tell you about the famous Kubachi handicraft. We invite you to tune in to THIS IS RUSSIA on Monday at 03.00, 08.00, Tuesday 06.00, Wednesday 07.00 and 17.00, Thursday 20.00, Friday 06.00 and 17.00, Saturday 04.00 and 15.00 and Sunday 05.00 and 16.00 UTC [add 11 minutes to all times]. RUSSIA: PEOPLE AND EVENTS (on the air as of Monday, October 24th). Our next edition of the program will be devoted to the famous Russian explorer of the 19th century Baron Ferdinand Wrangel. His name was given to the island off coast Siberia between the East Siberian and Chukotka seas. We invite you to tune in to RUSSIA: PEOPLE AND EVENTS on Monday and Wednesday at 20.30, Thursday at 01.30 and 17.30, Friday at 15.30, and Sunday at 02.30 and 07.30 UTC [add a sesquiminute to all times]. THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE FROM MOSCOW. In the next edition, on the air on Saturday, October 29, we`ll tell you about the life and creative effort of contemporary Orthodox author and journalist Alexander Poliakov. Alexander spent his childhood years in a small village in Kazakhstan, where his father worked as a construction engineer. The family later moved to Gatchina outside Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. It was then and there that Alexander fell in love with literature and started writing his first poems. After school he graduated from the Journalism Department of Leningrad University and spent some time traveling across the Soviet Union maturing and honing his reporting skills. It was much later that Alexander embraced the Orthodox creed – a major turnaround that coincided with his work on his first major novel, ``The Fiery Abba.`` The book recounts the feats of life accomplished by a Russian count of mixed British and Swedish descent, Edouard Seevers, who later became a Russian Orthodox monk. We`ll be reading excerpts from Alexander Polyakov`s novel, ``The Fiery Abba,`` in the next CHRISTIAN MESSAGE FROM MOSCOW program that will come out on Saturday, November 5. We wish you all good listening. The program goes on the air on Saturday at 01.30, 05.30, 08.30, 15.30 and 19.30 and Sunday at 18.30 UTC [add a sesquiminute to all times]. The text version of the program is available on our Web site at http://www.vor.ru/English/Christian_Message/index.html (via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) ** SENEGAL [non]. Can anyone confirm whether West Africa Democracy Radio is really running four hours now, 0700-1100 on 17555, 2 hours each in English and French? And is it daily or M-F only? There does not seem to be any info about this on the WADR or OSIWA websites. Tnx, (Glenn, Oct 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn - I read your comment re the questions I raised about the conflicting French/English item recently reproduced concerning the timings of transmissions via WADR 17555. To answer your question, I don't hear anything on 17555 as I type this at 0845 on the 21st and so I assume it is still on air 0700-0800 with 30 mins in English & French as previously, but I'll check again to be sure. 73s (Noel R. Green, England, ibid.) Friday 21st 17555 has been empty 0700-0905 (Jari Savolainen, Finland, ibid.) I've checked this between 0830-0900 a couple of times in the past week but there has been no trace at all of WADR. Maybe we are in the skip zone, but I would have thought a carrier would be detectable if it was on the air as the initial tests were heard here with good reception (Dave Kenny, Caversham, UK, ibid.) RE: Démarrage WADR --- Regular transmission to start in near future: Abdou Khadre LÔ abdoulo @ wadr.org a écrit: Cher Jean-Michel, nous avons effectivemnt fini la deuxième phase de nos tests de transmissions. Malheureusement nous n'avons pu commencer à ce jour la transmission normale de nos programmes. Nous réglons quelques derniers détails techniques. Je vous tiens au courant bien évidemment. Abdou LÔ (via Jean Michel Aubier, Oct 21, dxldyg via DXLD) Nothing heard around 8-9 UT on Sat Oct 22nd, and neither entry in the B-05 VT registrations. 73 wolfy (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SLOVAKIA. Radio Slovakia Intl B05 English 0100-0130 North America 7230 South America 9440 0700-0730 Australia 13715 Australia 15460 1730-1800 Western Europe 5915 Western Europe 6055 1930-2000 Western Europe 5915 Western Europe 7345 French 0200-0230 North America 7230 South America 9440 1800-1830 Western Europe 5915 Western Europe 6055 2030-2100 Western Europe 5915 Western Europe 7345 German 0800-0830 Western Europe 5915 Western Europe 6055 1430-1500 Western Europe 6055 Western Europe 7345 1700-1730 Western Europe 5915 Western Europe 6055 1900-1930 Western Europe 5915 Western Europe 7345 Russian 1400-1430 Eastern Europe, Asia 9440 Eastern Europe, Asia 11990 1600-1630 Eastern Europe, Asia 5915 Eastern Europe, Asia 6055 1830-1900 Eastern Europe, Asia 5915 Eastern Europe, Asia 9485 Slovak 0130-0200 North America 7230 South America 9440 0730-0800 Australia Slovak 13715 Australia Slovak 15460 1630-1700 Western Europe 5915 Western Europe 6055 2000-2030 Western Europe 5915 Western Europe 7345 Spanish 0230-0300 Central and South America 7210 South America 9440 1530-1600 Western Europe 9445 Western Europe, South America 11600 2100-2130 Western Europe, South America 9460 South America 11610 (Volker Willschrey, Germany via Alokesh Guta, dxld Yahoo group rearranged by Mike Barraclough, WDXC via DXLD) Why no Czech? (gh) ** SOMALIA. Hearing a tentative Radio Shabele on 6960.1 at tune-in 2030. At 2050 hearing what seems to be typical Somali singing. Very weak (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, USA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN. Fortunately, REE 17595 was back to normal Oct 20 around 1400, 24 hours after the huge monster blob it was producing. Also OK on Oct 21. On Sat & Sun 21700 is on the air instead of 17595 during this period (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN [and non]. RTI is looking for new monitors for 2006. 2005/10/19 --- RTI's English Service will be selecting nine new monitors for 2006. Each monitor will be given an official certificate and gift as an expression of our appreciation. Monitors for 2005 received a porcelain from the renowned National Palace Museum. Responsibilities: Monitors will be responsible for writing three comprehensive and clearly-written reception reports each month for one year from January 1-December 31. Qualifications: Monitors will be selected based upon quality of reception reports, dedication, and geographical location. The final qualification is to assure that we have monitors in different locations. Application: All interested applicants should email as soon as possible to: paula @ rti.org.tw Or send a letter to: English Service, P.O. Box 24-38, Taipei, TAIWAN ROC. Monitors will be announced: on the Internet and in "Mailbag Time" in late December, 2005 http://english.rti.com.tw/Content/WhatsNewSingle.aspx?ContentID=1506&BlockID=30 (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN [and non]. R. Taiwán, en español B-05 (A PARTIR DE 30 DE OCTUBRE DE 2005~26 DE MARZO DE 2006) 02:00-03:00 Sudamerica 15215 y 11825 04:00-05:00 Centroamerica 11740 06:00-07:00 Occidente de Norteamerica 5950 21:00-22:00 Europa 6120 (via Jülich, Alemania) 23:00-24:00 Sudamerica 9690 y 11720 (via José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Most, all? Of the others via WYFR (gh, DXLD) ** TIBET. 7385, Holy Tibet, on Oct 15 at 1635 - It's been a while since I've heard this program. There were many parallels. Unfortunately I found the female announcer difficult to follow. She was joined later by a male announcer who was easier to understand. The program ended at 1659:45 with a quick 'And that's the program'. At 1700 they went back into local programming, which sounded Chinese rather than Tibetan to me. 7385 is fair, 4905 is good, 4920 is good, 5240 fair, 6110 fair/good, and 6200 good (Walt Salmaniw, Grayland WA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE. Tuned in a bit late to The Whole World on the Radio Dial, Oct 22 from RUI, but Alex had given the B-05 schedule, and said it was the same as the Sept 27 revised A-05, except for 5830? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC en español --- No he caido en la cuenta si esto ocurre en otro horario distinto a las 03:00, 6110//7325//9525, pero el Servicio Latinoamericano de la BBC ha venido implementando la costumbre de repetir a lo largo de una semana el mismo programa día tras día. Hace como tres semanas la tenían agarrada con una entrevista al famoso comendiante mexicano de los 70s "Chespirito". Bien, no ha sido distinto la semana que cierra. El interpelado de turno ha sido el máximo guitarrista de rock latino Carlos Santana, a quien en mi caso admiro y pude escuchar en tres distintas fechas. Dichosamente anoche (Sábado UTC) me tocó percibir el cambio y el entrevistado de la nueva semana es el salsero venezolano Oscar D'León: "El Diablo de la Salsa": muy amena y coloquial conversación. Antes de esto presentaron una breve pero atractiva semblanza de la historia del Rock, posiblemente respondiendo así a una queja mía dirigida a su "telasitio", en cuanto a que no se limitaran a estar tocando solamente la basura sónica actual. Y vayan mis felicitaciones a los colegas de la BBC! --- Lo bueno hay que reconocerlo: ese microprograma sobre las influencias del jazz latino fue una ricura. No le demerita en un milímetro este comentario mío pues son entrevistas realizadas en magnífica forma. Lo que llama la atención es que la BBC en español se asegura con esto que ninguno de sus oyentes se vaya a perder ni uno solo de sus programas de este segmento, es decir, si alguien no pudo escucharlo el lunes por estar fuera de casa, por trabajo o lo que sea, tendrá disponibles los restantes días de la semana (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, Oct 22, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC WORLD SERVICE STRATEGY TO 2010 TO BE ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY Media Network has learned that Nigel Chapman, Director of the BBC World Service, will be announcing details to staff of the BBC World Service Strategy to 2010 on Tuesday 25 October at 1115 UTC. Earlier press reports of an announcement on Monday are therefore incorrect. Staff have been advised not to believe rumours that may appear in the press over the weekend, but sources at the BBC describe the strategy as one of the biggest transformations in the history of the World Service. We will have details in the Weblog as soon as possible after they have been made public (Media Network weblog via Mike Barraclough, ukradiolisteners via Richard Cuff, swprograms via DXLD) So here are some rumours, from http://www.kimandrewelliott.com q.v. for linx: NEW: Changes impending at BBC World Service. They will be announced 24 October. Scuttlebutt says World Service will drop Polish, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Slovene, Greek, Croatian, Bulgarian, Kazakh, Thai, Hindi online, and Brazilian radio, involving 300 to 330 jobs. Also to cut 25 to 35 jobs in World Service News and Current Affairs. This will free up funds for 140 jobs in the new, long-planned BBC Arabic television channel, and for 50 to 60 new positions in World Service Online. See also The Telegraph, 16 October 2005. For fallout in Thailand see The Nation (Bangkok), 17 October 2005 and 18 October 2005. 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) It will be interesting to see if the scope of transformation is larger -- for example, involving the schedule changes to have weekdays news- focused, weekends culture-focused, or if there are other broad changes in how the World Service is organized and managed (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, swprograms via DXLD) ** U K. Write On, Oct 22 at 1345 on BBC WS, 12095 et al., dealt with the upcoming changes, and the press this week that Terry Waite lamented the end of Outlook. The show will be improved and expanded to an hour, but not until April, and it has not been decided whether to rename it, Jenny said. Presumably the other program changes will also be in April (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. WORLD HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE BBC WORLD SERVICE BBC World Service is launching a new programme aimed at bringing people worldwide together in stimulating conversation about anything that interests them. World Have Your Say will be on the air five days a week with its editor, Mark Sandell, promising: "We'll make global conversation real. It's a news programme dealing in opinion, debate and comment. If you don't have an opinion, you will have by the end of the programme. And if you do have an opinion, expect it to be challenged. "Listeners can interact with the programme by phone, email or via its website. We will - as far as possible - be guided by the audience on topics discussed - with the presenter being the 'conductor' - getting everyone around our virtual table talking to each other." Anu Anand, already familiar to listeners of The World Today on the World Service, will present the new programme three times a week. Steve Richards, who will present the programme for the rest of the week, is Chief Political Commentator for the Independent newspaper and writes a weekly column. World Have Your Say will be launched on the World Service on 31 October, being broadcast five days a week at 1800 UT to all regions. # posted by Andy @ 16:44 UT Oct 20 (Media Network blog via DXLD) Enuf, already of all this listener-participation crap, also the bane of CNN and other TV news networks. An easy way to fill time and avoid doing real journalism (gh, DXLD) ** U K. John Peel book reading --- ``Margrave of the Marshes`` by John Peel & Sheila Ravenscroft BBC Radio 4's Book of the Week. 24th to 28th October 2005. 9.45-10.00 am, repeated 12.30-12.45 am [BST = 0845 & 2330 UT] Excerpts from John Peel's much anticipated Biography gets an airing next week, Monday 24th October to Friday 28th October 09:45. Details will appear here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/book_of_the_week.shtml Listen live via the BBC Radio Player: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_promo.shtml After the broadcast listen to the archive: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/shows/rpms/radio4/bookof_mon.ram http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/shows/rpms/radio4/bookof_tue.ram http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/shows/rpms/radio4/bookof_wed.ram http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/shows/rpms/radio4/bookof_thu.ram http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/shows/rpms/radio4/bookof_fri.ram (via Tom Roche, DXLD) ** U S A . Surprised to hear defunct Gene Scott booming in on 13845 after 0510 UT Oct 20 --- probably with help from Sporadic E at this late hour --- instead of 5935. Don`t recall WWCR ever running a day frequency like this at night by mistake. So now`s the time to DX something normally blocked around 5935. The other three transmitters are where they are supposed to be, 7465, 5070 and 3210. 13845 faded down a bit at 0514, and was still audible at 0557. Reminds me of the Caribbean Beacon, which has been known to stay on 11775 at night instead of 6090. 13845 was quickly confirmed during music as // 6090. The 13845/5935 scheduled changeover times until Oct 30 are 0100 and 1200. 73, (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I've hearing the same, and still going reasonably in the clear at 0615 UT, Glenn (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Oct 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Just read Glenn's msg and tuned in here in Copenhagen at 1215 UT, and I hear "God bless" talk with a good signal on a clear frequency, so this is probably still WWCR --- am awaiting an ID in 15 minutes. 73, (Erik Køie, Denmark, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Would not expect one on the half hour; for that matter, did not hear one on the hour at 0600. 5935 was back on at 0143 Oct 21 (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Presumably WBCQ on late at 0611 Oct 20 on 5110, with bits of audio occasionally surfacing vs large noise source around 5107 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. Re 5-181, I was all set to hear the V. of Joy, as scheduled Sat Oct 22 at 2000 on 9530. Began promptly, with ID as V. of Joy Music Hour, via Sackville, on 9530. Also gave P O Box in Dallas TX, e-mail, website. Shortly into Sacred Harp (not Heart) Shape Note Singers. There was a continuous crackle on the audio, not audible during the music, but during the talk and pauses. Around 2020 went into interview between Dean Phillips, producer, and someone from the SHSNS, via phone. Among other things we learn that they do not perform to an audience, tho eavesdroppers are welcome, but arrange themselves in a square, with the four different vocal ranges on each side, singing to each other. The group`s site is http://www.fasola.org The conversation went on and on, finally wrapped up at 2034 and back to music. 2055 program closing, played some more music. 2058 transmission concluded with full ID as at opening (unlike last Sunday), specifying Sackville 9530, P O Box 610411, Dallas TX 75261, voiceofjoy @ comcast.net So the Norwegian choir we heard last week (and to return next week) was the program content, not the programmer. This time 9530 went off at 2059* rather than leaving the carrier on another hour as happened Oct 16 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. Oct 22 at 2045 on 7360 heard some kids singing, drama, religious talk. Closed at 2059 as ``Treasures from the Bible`` from Family Radio, 2100 FR IS but no WYFR ID. The audio is lower-fi and processed different than we hear from Okeechobee, so I assumed this was a relay, even tho strength was quite good. EiBi lists this as 20- 22 via Moldova in English to Europe. Also ran across Family Radio in Arabic on 9605, Oct 22 at 2040 giving P O Box in Philadelphia (why not Oakland?). This hour is scheduled via Jülich (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. RIP KFRC --- I noted in Don Kaskey's email that KFRC is now KEAR. They were one of the longest-lasting call letters in American AM history, and also one of the longer-lasting stations on a single frequency. In honor of the retirement of the AM calls, here is their history. * Signed on 24 Sep 1924 as KFRC/1110 * Changed frequency to 1120 in spring 1925 * Changed frequency to 660 in 1927 * Changed frequency to 610 on 11 Nov 1928 * Changed calls to KEAR on 18 Oct 2005 I suppose if Dr. Don Rose is gone, KFRC should be too (Mike Hawkins, Oct 21, IRCA via DXLD) Thanks for the history of a great radio station. Thanks to websites such as http://www.reelradio.com that honor the history of top 40 radio, KFRC will never be forgotten. The sad thing is that on the night KFRC changed ownership from Infinity to Family Radio, only 50 seconds was allowed for KFRC to acknowledge the change and say goodbye to the audience. Family Radio did more about the change after that. It may be gone as we knew it on 610 but we'll always remember the great personalities that passed through KFRC (Lawrence Stoler, ibid.) KEAR(FM) had a large network of satellators including one in Enid on 88.3. Now that the originating station is on AM, can it still have FM translators? No, but they thought of that. No ID heard on the hour at 1400 UT Oct 22 nor some previous chex, but at 1500 the ID was for KEAR-FM 88.1 Sacramento, which in the 2005 FM Atlas is KEDR, and that is still what is shown in their comprehensive frequency list at http://209.10.202.163/english/connect/broadcast/location-freq.html (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The FCC did allow the 3 call signs to be returned back in the 80s for a time. It was a one shot deal. KRE 1400 Berkeley CA got them back, but did not keep them long and now they are stuck. Salem in Seattle tried to get the "KOL" and "KMO" calls back, but no dice. The FCC said no. The only reason KHJ got theirs back was they said "KKHJ" meant something nasty in Spanish and convinced the FCC of that. I don't know why the FCC just did not tell them to change them to something else, but they gave the 3 calls back. Why the FCC made this rule, I haven't a clue. Maybe someone knows? I don't see why the FCC doesn't give 3 calls back. Hey, they could double their fees for that and make even more money! 73, (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, IRCA via DXLD) Here's a possible explanation from http://www.totse.com/en/media/radio_free_amerika/3-letter.html Actually new three-letter calls are still being assigned, although not for broadcast services. Their use is currently reserved for a service which dates back to the original 1912 assignments, Coastal Land Stations. However, even this group has threatened to exhaust the small allotment. Previously "Class 2" coastal stations were allowed to draw on the block. But an impending shortage forced the FCC to restrict these calls to only new stations of the "Class 1 (excluding Alaska)" classification, where the matter stands today. (via Tim Kridel, Oct 21, ibid.) There's some precedent for that. KKHJ in Los Angeles was allowed to return to KHJ a few years back after giving the FCC a line about how the calls, in Spanish, were pronounced "ca-ca," which offended the audience. (Note that KKHJ's legal ID was done in English, not Spanish!) My guess is that the Commission would be similarly accommodating if, say, KVTO in Berkeley wanted KRE back, or if KSLG in St. Louis wanted to return to KWK. Call letters are really nothing more than an inconvenience to the Commission these days, since they no longer keep track of licenses that way. Since the creation of the CDBS database a decade or so ago, each station is assigned a unique facility ID number, and that's how the FCC tracks them now. So the station we're talking about in San Francisco is known to the Commission now as "1082." As for the history behind the KFRC calls on 610 in San Francisco, I'm having a hard time getting weepy about this one (and I'm as geeky about radio history as anyone.) It's been 14 years since the AM had an independent existence in the market; since 1991, it's been just a forgotten simulcast of what's now KFRC-FM 99.7. Pretty much all of the station's identity has been tied up exclusively with the FM for many years now. The AM was an afterthought, used for sports (A's and, at least at one point, Sharks hockey) and little else. The call change was inevitable when the sale to Family Stations came around. KEAR is *their* heritage call in the Bay Area, having been used on their FM facility for well over 40 years now. They wanted to hang on to that call on their new AM outlet. Infinity didn't want anyone else using the "KFRC" calls in the market, since that's still an important brand to them on the FM outlet. s (Scott Fybush, ibid.) ** VENEZUELA [non]. Made a point to look for RNVAI, Saturday Oct 22 at 2035, and nothing found on 9550 or 13680, as is the case on Sundays. So further evidence that the program via Cuba runs M-F only (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. In early Oct, DienBien BS QSY from 6442V kHz to 6377V kHz (Kenji Takasaki, Japan, hcdx Oct 14 via BCDX Oct 20 via DXLD) ** VIETNAM [non]. I wonder if the new target broadcast on 9795 as in 5-170 and 5-171 has ever been identified? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This test was apparently not successful, poor reception in Vietnam and was already cancelled by the second weekend. Another frequency tried from Taiwan was 11695, which earlier had the VT Merlin test loop (Aaron Zawitzky, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE. From an independent Zimbabwean reporter which highlights recent issues within ZBH. All factual. 73 (David Pringle-Wood, Zimbabwe, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ZIMBABWE Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH) has come under attack for its monopoly over the airwaves and its disposition to peddle state propaganda as news. This emerged at a meeting organised by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) as part of its campaign to open the "airwaves and reclaim the public broadcaster". Misa chairperson, Thomas Deve, expressed concern over the punitive legal framework in which the media is operating. He said the ZBH had deviated from its mandate to serve the public by pursuing a state- tailored editorial policy. At the Southern Africa Social Forum which opened in Harare on Thursday, former editor-in-chief of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Shepherd Mutamba, expressed frustration with the state broadcaster's monopoly over the airwaves, which he said denied Zimbabweans freedom of choice. "The tragedy about Zimbabwe is the absence of a public media serving a full spectrum of public interest. What is obtaining is a truly state media propagating and protecting government policy and interests," said Mutamba. "We have a state media pandering to the whims of government without question or regret. It is designed to defy basic theories of communication by disallowing interactive speech except where it suits the piper. In other words what we have is a monopolistic state media feeding off public coffers without being made accountable to the public," he said. Mutamba said the ZBH's brief was to give voice to the ruling party and its sympathisers. A Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe report recently revealed that Zanu PF and government were getting unprecedented airwaves coverage (via David Pringle-Wood, Zimbabwe, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Again I am hearing the 6125 (presumed) Latin American, 0018+ 20 October. Nonstop M&W news with rare filler bed. Cannot anyone else hear this? (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Looks like the most likely prospect per lists is URUGUAY. Horacio, is SODRE active on 6125 at this hour? 73, (Glenn to Horacio Nigro, via DXLD) Glenn, They should sign-off at 0200 (taking into account the new DST - during normal time 0300) along with their MW frequencies (1250/1290, CX6 on 650 carried on SW on 9620a --- never remember their exact real frequency --- is 24h) but for a long time I can't copy them over here, maybe due to skip or whatever other reason, e.g. QRM. This sign-off time was confirmed by technical officers when I visited at station last time. BTW, the reactivated 9650 for Emisora Ciudad de Montevideo should be on the air 1300-1800 if the former 49m sked is kept. I'm away from home at this hour :( I thought that they have abandoned that 31 m frequency, so the WRTH'06 will not mention it, but this new situation shows that they have kept the frequency. 73 (Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Here's what materialized, confusing though it is: Prior to 0100, unID which I am suspecting (hoping) is SODRE, Uruguay. From 0100+, RHC appeared in Spanish, mixing with this one. RHC was weak and parallel strong 15230. Suspect a spur or some sort from 6060 (also strong). From 0200+, REE-Spain blows everything out (Terry Krueger, FL, ibid.) I turned off as many noise-producers as I could manage, and checked 6125 Oct 21 around 0005. All I could get was a very weak carrier (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hi Glenn, Have been enjoying dxldyg. Very informative! Wish you continued success with DXLD! (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ SURFING THROUGH THE POWER GRID BPL is back. Mostly hype in this piece, but scary too. http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,69271,00.html (Steve Coletti, Swprograms mailing list via DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING ++++++++++++++++++++ Wisconsin Public Television suspends HDTV --- following appeared in today's (10/20) Wisconsin State Journal, Madison's morning newspaper: PUBLIC-TELEVISION HD BROADCASTS ON HOLD --- State Journal Staff Wisconsin Public Television has stopped broadcasting HDTV, or high definition television, rather than pay a $60,000 fee imposed by the Public Broadcasting Service. "It was suspended Sept. 30. Up until then, PBS was providing a high-definition feed for no fee. It didn't cost us anything," said Michael Bridgeman, director of promotion and design for Wisconsin Public Television. "Effective Oct. 1, they've started charging a ($60,000 annual) fee for this high-definition feed," he said. "We're not yet capable of producing our own, high-definition broadcast. We will build our operations center to originate our own high-definition or other digital broadcasts. It will happen in the first part of 2006." New digital signal technology replacing the current analog standard allows stations to broadcast programs with much greater clarity and higher resolution -- HDTV. [end of article] The OTA channels of Wisconsin Public Television are: WHA Madison analog 21/digital 20, WPNE Green Bay 38/42, WHRM Wausau 20/24, WLEF Park Falls 36/47, WHLA La Crosse 31/30, WHWC-TV, Menomonie 28/27. An item on the WPT website http://www.wpt.org confirms this situation: "WPR's license for the PBS high definition feed has expired so we are no longer able to offer this service. A new operations center is being installed that will allow us to originate HD programs. Look for HD programs again in early 2006." 73 (Bill Dvorak, Madison WI, WTFDA via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ MORE ABOUT IBIQUITY'S "ANALOG REBATE" OFFER THROUGH EBAY Curious about the exact nature of Ibiquity's "analog radio trade-in" program supposedly being done in conjunction with eBay, I did some digging around for more details. And --- as is so often the case when it comes to Ibiquity and IBOC/HD radio --- the reality is much less impressive than the hype and publicity. When you visit http://www.ebay.com/hdradio and follow the links to the trade-in page, you might notice the trade-in program isn't administered by either Ibiquity or eBay. Instead, it's handled by an outfit called Eztradein.com, which handles "trade-ins" for a variety of consumer electronic and optical products such as PCs, cameras, mobile phones, video games, etc. I dug a little deeper and found Eztradein.com is a division of Dealtree, which sells used and refurbished electronic and optical goods via a web site (DealaDeal.com) as well as through eBay auctions --- they are an eBay "titanium seller," which is a category reserved only for the highest volume sellers. While Ibiquity's press releases about this program give the clear impression it is a joint effort involving iBiquity and eBay, it's clear it's actually a 100% Dealtree program; they are handling the trade-ins and sending out the checks. And they are doing so to get additional inventory of recent home and auto audio equipment to sell at their web site or via eBay, not to promote IBOC/HD radio. Ibiquity's sole role --- and investment in the program --- is to send an additional $20 rebate check to anyone who actually trades in their existing home or auto radio system. When you use the on-line calculator to determine the value of your analog trade-in, you'll quickly discover Dealtree is only interested in recent vintage premium equipment that can rapidly re-sold or auctioned off; your trade-in is worth substantially less if it isn't in "like new" (their term) condition and doesn't include the original box and manual. The trade-in values aren't that great, IMO. For example, a Kenwood VR-6060 home receiver in like new condition with original box and manual will get you only $33.50 from Dealtree (plus $20 from Ibiquity); a Sony STR-De575 in the same condition brings $43 plus $20 from Ibiquity. I suspect you could probably do better selling the item on eBay yourself. You'll also notice the trade-in calculator includes default values only for a select number of recent high-end units from major manufacturers and not just any old analog radio. If your unit isn't one of those given on the calculator's drop-down menus, then Dealtree will offer you nothing for your trade-in --- although if you send in your radio anyway, Ibiquity will still send you a $20 rebate check! I tried seeing how much they'd give me for my Drake R8B and Sony ICF-2010 --- both in like new condition, with original box and manual --- and all they would offer was a $20 rebate check. (If anyone on ABDX wants to trade-in either of those units on an IBOC/HD radio, I will offer double Ibiquity's rebate --- that's right, $40!! And I'll pay shipping charges too!!). I anticipate most people won't have a radio that will qualify for a trade-in payment and I doubt $20 will be of an incentive to upgrade to IBOC/HD when you have to send in your old radio. When you calculate the value of your trade-in, the resulting page stresses the amount shown is only an estimate and is subject to revision once your trade-in is received and examined. It's inevitable that some people will receive checks back for less than the estimate value (for example, what they feel is a "like new" radio might be a "good condition" radio to Dealtree). You're going to have some unhappy people, and they're going to blame Ibiquity, not Dealtree. Letting someone else be responsible for your customers' satisfaction isn't a smart business strategy. IMO. I'm amazed Ibiquity didn't just offer to send out $20 rebate checks to anyone who buys an IBOC/HD radio --- no trade-in required --- instead of embracing this "Larry Lightbulb" scheme. (Harry Helms W5HLH, Smithville, TX EL19, http://futureofradio.typepad.com/ ABDX via DXLD) TIMEZONE EXPERT HAS BEEN RELEASED I came across this press release. I cannot use it on the Media Network site as it might be perceived as 'advertising' which is not allowed. But I thought some of you may be interested in checking it out: (OPENPRESS) October 20, 2005 -- Cainosoft has released Timezone Expert World Time Zone Clock Gold edition for Windows. This software replaces the Windows system clock with a multiple time zone world clock with digital skins. This system tray clock conveniently displays multiple time zones alongside to each other showing time and date in the format of your choosing and also comes with a sophisticated alarm system. . . For more information visit http://www.cainosoft.com (Andy Sennitt, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ The ionosphere is almost as quiet as it gets. See the auroral region round the poles at its least active. http://www.sec.noaa.gov/pmap/pmapN.html Perhaps, as they say in some movies, it's too quiet out there (Steve Whitt, Oct 21, MWC via DXLD) ###