DX LISTENING DIGEST 5-226, December 31, 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 Latest edition of this schedule version, with hotlinks to station sites and audio, is at: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1299: Days and times here strictly UT Sun 0000 WOR Radio Studio X 1584 http://www.radiostudiox.it/ Sun 0330 WOR WWCR 5070 Sun 0400 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0600 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Sun 0730 WOR WWCR 3215 Sun 0930 WOR WRN to North America, also WLIO-TV Lima OH SAP [including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 140] Sun 0930 WOR KSFC Spokane WA 91.9 Sun 0930 WOR WXPR Rhinelander WI 91.7 91.9 100.9 Sun 0930 WOR WDWN Auburn NY 89.1 [unconfirmed] Sun 0930 WOR KTRU Houston TX 91.7 [occasional] Sun 1400 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 1400 WOR KRFP-LP Moscow ID 92.5 Sun 1830 WOR WRN1 to North America [including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 140] Sun 2000 WOR RNI Sun 2230 WOR WRMI 7385 [temporarily] Mon 0400 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0430 WOR WSUI Iowa City IA 910 Mon 1900 WOR RFPI [repeated 4-hourly thru Tue 1500] Wed 0030 WOR WBCQ 7415 [usually but temporary] Wed 0100 WOR CJOY INTERNET RADIO plug-in required Wed 1030 WOR WWCR 9985 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 1299 (real high): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1299h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1299h.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1299 (real low): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1299.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1299.rm [NOTE: mp3 high and low were restored Friday afternoon] WORLD OF RADIO 1299 (mp3 high): (download) http://www.obriensweb.com/wor1299h.mp3 WORLD OF RADIO 1299 (mp3 low): (download) http://www.obriensweb.com/wor1299.mp3 (lower download) http://www.piratedxer.com/worldofradio_12-28-05.mp3 (lower stream) http://www.piratedxer.com/worldofradio_12-28-05.m3u WOR 1299 summary: http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1299.html [not yet] WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS: www.obriensweb.com/wor.xml ** ALBANIA. Since Dec 20th, R Tirana is on regular service again. But all language transmissions of RT, DW, TWR, VOA, CRI on MW 1215, 1395, 1458, and on SW and Satellite feed outlets suffer by sudden breaks on main power line, breaks lasting from a single minute to 30 minutes in duration (Dec 20th to 28th). 1215 / 1395 / 1458 MW tx offset varyings --- When I checked the Albanian MW channels with SpecLab software I discovered "wandering" path of the Fllake transmitter unit #1 also. 1215 kHz relays DW Albanian service 0645-0700 UT, then CRI Beijing English relay 0700-0900 UT, both MW tx #1 on non-dir antenna. 1215.038 kHz 0645 UT on Dec 30 (similar observation on Dec 29th) 1215.030 0705 1215.028 0710 1215.013 0730 1215.008 0740 1215.003 0745 1214.988 0818 1214.984 0825 1214.980 0835 1214.975 0850 1214.972 0901:18 UT tx off. 1457.984 kHz on stable odd frequency Dec 29th & 30th: Fllake MW tx #2 at 0630-0645 VOA Serbian, 0730-0900 R Tirana in Albanian. Zero-Beat checked carefully against nearby 1206, 1242 kHz both France, resp. DLF 1422, LUX 1440, F 1494 channels too (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, BCDX Dec 30 via DXLD) ** ANTARCTICA. Saludos amigos radioescuchas, estupendo regalo de Reyes: Hoy 30-12-2005 he recibido la confirmación de la escucha que realicé el 29-08-2005 de la emisora LRA 36 Arcángel San Gabriel en Base Antártica Esperanza. Firmada por el Sr. Director Marcos Ramírez y el agradecimiento del Sr. Subof. Pr. Jorge O. Villagrá. Nos invitan a seguir escuchando su audición en la frecuencia 15476 kHz, de lunes a viernes, de 18:00 a 21:00 UT. Acompañé 2$USA. Su dirección electrónica: lra36 @ infovia.com.ar Sus teléfonos: 0810-222-0770 Int. 316 o 216 (desde el país) 0054-297-4445304/09/14/19 Int. 316 o 216 (desde exterior) Esta fue la dirección donde les escribí: LRA 36 - RADIO NACIONAL ARCÁNGEL SAN GABRIEL Base del Ejército Esperanza 9411 Antártida Argentina, Argentina Pueden ver el Certificado en: http://telefonica.net/web2/radioescuchadx/lra36.htm Les deseo un feliz año 2006. Saludos y buenos DX's 73 (José Bueno - Córdoba - España, HCDX via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. LA ROSA DE TOKYO NO SE IRRADIA ESTE DOMINGO La Rosa de Tokyo no se irradiará ni el domingo 25 de Diciembre ni el domingo 01 de Enero. Con motivo de las fiestas de Navidad y Año Nuevo, la Dirección de la emisora decidió que durante esos días se transmita música. El programa volverá a estar con todos ustedes a partir del primer domingo del mes de Enero de 2006. Durante los meses de Enero y Febrero de 2006, se volverán a emitir los mejores y más representativos programas de La Rosa de Tokyo que tuvieron difusión durante 2004 y 2005. No dejen de escucharlos. (1600 a 1700 UT) y también en Internet, en http://www.radioprovincia.gba.gov.ar (Arnaldo Slaen / Omar Somma, Argentina, Dec 30, Noticias DX via DXLD) So the show was replaced by music last Sunday and again this Sunday, and during Jan & Feb will be in summer reruns (gh, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. 15060, Radio Australia 0537 UT Dec 31, English - Sports News/Grandstand. Moderate signal. Parallel 15160, 15240, 15315, 15515, 17750. A bizarre frequency for RA? (Rob Wise, Rosny, Tasmania, ODXA via DXLD) 15060 does not work out as a leapfrog, tho 15080 would (gh, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Utility, 6516-USB, 0608 UT Dec 31, English - Hobart Race Control (For Melbourne - Hobart Yacht Race) Weather Conditions for Sea and contact with racing Yachts (Rob Wise, Rosny, Tasmania, ODXA via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. "ENCONTRO DX" (( RADIO APARECIDA )) Produção - Cassiano Macedo Conteudo da transmissao da 31.12.05 - Homenagem ao jornalista Vladimir Herzog que trabalhou no serviço brasileiro da BBC de Londres e foi assassinado pela ditadura militar alguns anos após retornar ao Brasil. Trechos de programa de uma das mais famosas emissoras AM do Brasil, a Rádio Jornal do Brasil AM, que está extinta. Sábados - 19:00 às 19:30 hora de Brasília (2200 UT) 5035 kHz faixa de 60 metros 6135 kHz faixa de 49 metros 9630 kHz faixa de 31 metros 11885 kHz faixa de 25 metros Endereço postal: Av. Getúlio Vargas, 185 - 12570-000 - Aparecida - São Paulo , Brasil. O programa Encontro DX tem o maior interesse em receber informes de recepção dos colegas argentinos, os quais podem ser encaminhados direto para o editor do programa Cassiano Macedo. Via: (Cassiano Macedo/ Brasil, bclnews.it via DXLD) If you can`t hear it on SW, go here; more under PUBLICATIONS: http://www.amantesdoradio.he.com.br/programas_dx.htm (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. R. Senado, 5990, 0855-0910+ Dec 24, local music, 0900-0902 IDs, Portuguese announcements, talk; good-strong signal (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Amigos, 4905 kHz, Radio Relógio, Rio de Janeiro-RJ. Há poucos instantes verifiquei que a Radio Relógio (não sei se ainda mantém este nome) voltou a atuar pelos 4905 kHz, como o fazia há tempos atrás. Uma portadora já se fazia presente há dias, que abafava o que estivesse ao fundo (especialmente a emissora de Lhasa, China [sic]). O que estava sendo transmitido pelos 4905 kHz foi uma pregação cristã, com os característicos ‘time pips’ da Radio Relógio ao fundo. Fazendo uma paralela com os 580 kHz (ondas médias da Rádio Relógio), o sinal era o mesmo. Bateu. Portanto, talvez tenhamos a reativação de uma emissora brasileira de ondas curtas que estava desaparecida por bastante tempo. Talvez algum colega do Rio de Janeiro deseje comentar os 4905 kHz, e como o sinal está sendo recebido mesmo no RJ, dado que aqui, o sinal se mostra muito pobre. 73, (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo, SP, BRASIL, Dec 30, radioescutas via DXLD) ** BULGARIA. 7600, Radio Varna. On Dec 25 at 2159-2220 UT. SINPO 34333. Female song till 2200 UT, then time pips and male announcement in Bulgarian. News from 2201. ID was heard at 2210 UT, followed by music program (Iwao Nagatani, Japan, Japan Premium, via DXLD) kHz UT zone loc kW 7600 0000-0400 27,28 VRN 100 0 2=Mon BUL RBU 7600 2200-2400 27,28 VRN 100 0 1=Sun BUL RBU and alternate frequency: 9300 0000-0400 27,28 VRN 100 0 2=Mon BUL RBU 9300 2200-2400 27,28 VRN 100 0 1=Sun BUL RBU Still the question is the zero degrees item non-dir pattern meaning? Or means 000 degrees north, as installation at Varna used for JAMMING purpose against R. Liberty Russian program in Soviet era? (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, BCDX via DXLD) There ought to be a convention strictly followed that 000 means north, and 360 means non-direxional (gh, DXLD) ** CANADA. LAST O'REILLY ON ADVERTISING I know this show was well-appreciated by many on this list, so I thought this info might be of interest (Ricky Leong, Calgary, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz. From CBC Hotsheets: 3. O'REILLY ON ADVERTISING: This week, in the 25th and final instalment of O'Reilly on Advertising, Terry is stranded on a desert island. But not to worry: he's brought his Ten Favourite Radio Ads of All Time. Join him as he plays them and explains why he ranks them above all the great ads he's heard. O'Reilly on Advertising, Saturday morning at 11:30 (noon NT) on CBC Radio One (via Ricky Leong, DXLD) Final airing from PST zone, and also RCI-1 webcast, satellite, would be 1930 UT Sat. This entire terrific series ought to be available in archive OD, but I don`t think it is. Here`s the generic program page with a portrait of the host: http://www.cbc.ca/programguide/program/index.jsp?program=O%27Reilly+on+Advertising But here is the website of his production company, not linked by CBC: http://www.pirate.ca/ where you can find a brief excerpt from Episode 7 only, and contact info (gh, DXLD) ** CANADA. While monitoring Japan, Korea, et al. on and off, I was also trying to listen to The Vinyl Café from CBC via RCI. On Dec 31 in the 1500 hour, and still in the 1600 hour with Q&Q, 13655 was squealing, a pity since this is usually better than 9515 and 17820. It`s not yet as bad as the squeals we hear from e.g. China via Cuba (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. [continued from USA] A couple of notes from August travel. The "special events" 580 CJML operation in Winnipeg was running 140 watts (higher than previously quoted --- but verified by a person on their engineering staff). I first picked their signal up about 80 miles NE of Bismarck, ND --- and discovered it was weak but consistent until I was about 60 miles from Winnipeg. At that point it began to pick up strength and intelligibility quite rapidly. Although there was a good bit of interference (man made) while driving around in the city (Winnipeg), it was certainly not enough of a nuisance to make me want to quit listening. Too bad the old 50 kW CKY facility isn't available to them. Speaking of that, as of August the towers had been dismantled and all that remained at the Ste. Agathe site were the four tuning shacks and the main building that housed the transmitter. It certainly seemed strange after so many years at that site (I watched it go up in 1958/59 when they made the change from 5 kW to 50 kW). Back to CJML --- on the way south the signal was VERY good as far as Grand Forks (140 miles); still audible but barely listenable at Fargo (220 miles), and completely gone at about Barnesville, MN, some 30 miles SSE of Fargo. I suppose the point of all this is that a 140 watt signal on an unoccupied low band frequency can really get out. I should note that CJML would probably have been audible for an even greater distance had it not been for sideband splash from WNAX in Yankton, SD, which is almost local strength by the time you get to Barnesville, even though it's still about 300 miles from the WNAX transmitter. Speaking of WNAX, they added a big chunk of serviceable coverage area when CKY went silent. They put a fairly good daytime signal into Winnipeg, and can now be easily heard in a vast area that was previously wiped out by CKY sidebands. Oddly enough, they gained about as much coverage as KFYR seems to have lost to Wausau. Even then, I still give KFYR the edge for largest daytime coverage because of the fast drop in the WNAX signal to the SSE (Tom Bryant, Springfield, IL for one night only; back to Nashville on Friday), Dec 29, WTFDA AM via DXLD) ** CHINA. CHINA NATIONAL RADIO CELEBRATES 65 YEARS OF BROADCASTING | Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 30 December: Starting in northwest China's dilapidated cave- houses and undergoing the worst-ever conditions in China's most chaotic years, the China National Radio (CNR) celebrated its 65th birthday here Friday [30 December]. The first Chinese national broadcasting station, the CNR has more than 700 million Chinese listeners, the largest in the world. Seventy-plus out of its 1,800 programmes are satellite transmitted. On 30 December 1940, the CNR started in a cave-house in northwest China's Yan'an city, Shannxi Province, an important revolutionary base area that played a key role in the Chinese revolution in the 1930s and 1940s. Facing poor conditions during that time, the CNR staff used to generate electricity through truck engines. The establishment of the CNR also marked the beginning of the Chinese broadcasting era. On 1 October 1949 when new China was founded, Chairman Mao Zedong's words were transmitted electrically for the first time and could be heard in almost every part of China. Yang Zhaolin, the former president of the CNR, once received a letter from a listener in the 1940s when he was a CNR editor. The listener said listening to CNR broadcasting was like seeing a lighthouse on a dark night. "I was greatly encouraged in the chaotic years," said the listener. The CNR, which now has become a modern broadcasting network using sophisticated digital technology, should go deep into the grass-roots and focus more on the public, said Liu Yunshan, head of the Department of Publicity of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, at the celebrating gathering here on Friday. Currently, the CNR runs nine special frequencies including news, life, sports and financial information. Services like the Internet, digital radio, cell phone broadcasting, online radio and paid digital TV programmes are popular among listeners. Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 1247 gmt 30 Dec 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CHINA. Re 5-225: Clarification of the ``Voice of Golden Bridge.`` Upon further investigation, it is apparent that this is not the name of a station but rather a program (service?) carried by Sichuan PBS. Alan Davies’s log below, in 2001, makes this clear and it fits well with my recent log. On Dec 30, I noted that later reception (after 1330 UT) did not contain any references to this program, but do not know just when the VoGB ID’s end. Would be an interesting project to attempt to define just what are the exact hours that this program is carried by Sichuan PBS. This is another instance of Alan’s great contributions to Asian DXing! Have a happy and safe New Years Eve! (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, Dec 30, 2005, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: CHINA. 6060, Sichuan PBS, 0925 July 20, Programme for young people hosted by YL from first check around 0925, then at 1000 apparently prerecorded ID with "Sichuan Renmin Guangbo Diantai, Jin Qiao zhi Sheng" said by male and then female announcer, followed by frequency announcement and male voice saying in English, "This is the Voice of Golden Bridge", then back into Chinese for the news. Fair signal here. The announced frequencies are 954 and 5900 kHz, but nothing audible on 5900 at the time so the announcement is presumably out of date (Alan Davies, Thailand, Cumbre DX via DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-104, August 4, 2001 ** CUBA [non]. Re Radio República en 6010 kHz: Realmente sorprendido que esta emisora ocupe los 6010, ya que esta frecuencia para Norteamérica está asignada a Radio Mil XEOI de México. Ojalá no sea un nuevo conflicto en esta frecuencia; sería suficiente con el daño que la irónicamente llamada "La Voz de Tu Conciencia" que emite desde Colombia ha causado a Radio Mil para que ahora se sume esta otra emisora. Por cierto ninguna de estas dos emisoras forman parte de la HFCC y Radio Mil si, Saludos, (Julián Santiago, DF, Dec 28, condig list via DXLD) La nueva Radio República ha salido con mucha fuerza; está emitiendo en estos momentos por cinco frecuencias en onda corta, (que yo conozca) las que anuncia en su página web 5965, 6135, 7110 kHz y las de 6010 y 9955 kHz también escuchadas y que no anuncian, probablemente habrá más (José Bueno, Spain, Dec 29, ibid.) See also MEXICO; this has just got their attention by appearing on 6010 (gh) I doubt it. No, 6010 replaced 5965. That makes 4, and of course 3 of them are one at a time, not at the same time. I monitored again as Dec 30 turned into 31: 6135 as usual with heavy jamming but audible. A speech in progress was not interrupted for any frequency change announcement, but simply cut off at 2359:30. By the time I got to 6010 it was already going there --- some time I must have two receivers going to confirm whether more than one transmitter is involved with an overlap. The speech continued another couple minutes, and they got on to another program around 0005, but without any specific frequency announcement. Meanwhile I was also checking 5965: that still had the Cuban bubble jammer, but no sign of RR, nor RHC which usually comes on late anyway. So 6010 for now remained free of jamming, just some lite hets from that pesky Mexican and Colombian. But After CRI via Canada came on 6005, also a bit late, RR was hard to hear without side-tuning to 6012 or so on the ATS-909. O, BTW, still no sign of R. Insurgente on or around 6000 as it claims to broadcast, just RHC also opening a couple minutes late with NA (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Carlos, Gosto dos seus informes em radioescutas. Como ingenheiro em Sines, pode confirmar se as novas emissões da Rádio República provêem da facilidade em Portugal? (22-24 6135, 00-02 6010 ex-5965, 02-04 7110)? Obrigado, (Glenn Hauser, to Carlos Mourato, Dec 30, via DXLD) Estimado Glenn, Em Sines apenas operamos a estação alemã Deutsche Welle, que é a proprietaria da estação emissora onde trabalho. Faz uns anos antes tambem daqui se transmitia a Radio Canadá Internacional e a Radio Transeuropa, mas tudo isso terminou, porque a DW necessitava de mais espaço aqui para os seus próprios programas. Actualmente decorrem alguns contactos com outras estações no sentido de fazerem uma partilha de estações a nivel de transmissões em DRM, pois aqui em Sines já estamos preparados com todos os emissores para transmitir nesse modo digital. A Radio Republica, não sei se é emitida desde Portugal! Se o for será a partir do centro emissor de onda curta (CEOC) da RDP Internacional, situado em São Gabriel, proximo de Lisboa. Votos de um feliz ano de 2006 (Carlos Mourato, CT4RK, Sines - Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Says R. República is not via Sines, which only relays DW now except for some DRM. Doesn`t know whether it may come from RDPI São Gabriel site --- which would be even more unlikely, I think (gh, DXLD) [Later:] Ha, ha, ha, rechecking 5965 at 0050 and again 0130 UT Dec 30: still no sign of República, but Cuban bubble jammer is jamming Radio Habana Cuba! I see it now: this whole thing was just to set up the dentrocubanos to jam themselves. Since I`m not posting this on the ODXA list, Arnie may not find out about this for a while longer. Not to mention also getting Cuba to jam in its own (and our own) 40m hamband on 7110. Have the intruder watchers picked up on this yet, and do they know the story, not reading DXLD? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I must confess that I have deleted several long laughing comments about the dentrocubanos jamming their own transmissions, just not to draw attention to the sheer absurdity. Even both ``testing`` and jamming at the same time is pretty absurd. My earlier thought is that even Radio Habana has become too subversive to the Cuban government for their own people to hear! Now that you broke the story, I say hahahahahahahahaha. More República observations from last night when I have a few minutes later today (Mark Taylor, WI, Dec 31, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hola, feliz año nuevo. La emisora Radio República es una Voz clandestina CONTRA el estado Cubano, y sus estudios se ubican en Miami en Florida; también emite por las antenas de WRMI del amigazo Jeff White. Seguro que él sabe muy bien quien está detrás de esta emisora BANANERA como bien dice el colega Santiago. Lo que no se sabe es QUIEN que le sugeriò a esos boludos de utilizar el canal 6010 kHz, y por la razon que el TX superpotente, que entra como un CAÑÓN también acá en la Europa, es operado desde Yankeeandia. Pienso que el amigazo Jeff White lo debe conocer muy bien (lo vee todas las veces que se mira en el especio de su quarto....). Finalmente si uno sintoniza las emisiones de Radio República (Bananera...) puedes sintonizar inmensas charlas anti-Cuba. Y así no necesita una gran inteligencia a comprender desde dónde emite. Lo muy aconsejable sería de enviar MUCHAS protestas a la dirección postal de la emisora, que también es reportada en la sección clandestinas de la óptima edición 2006 del libro World Radio TV Handbook. http://www.radiorepublica.org/ info @ radiorepublica.org Radio Republica Directorio Democrático Cubano P. O. Box 110235 Hialeah, Florida 33011 USA http://www.wrmi.net/program.php?id=32 Un fuerte abrazo a todos los amigos de la agrupación! "QUE VIVA CUBA TERRITORIO LIBRE DE AMERICA!" (Dario Monferini, http://www.playdx.com Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DENMARK. Tonight the reception of Kalundborg 1062 "of course" almost collapsed here at 2100, "just in time" for the last foreign language news. Anyway, I just uploaded my recording, from the English segment excerpting the related remarks and the news item about the cartoon matter: http://www.radioeins.de/meta/sendungen/apparat/051217_A4.ram At the end of this recording the start of the Arabic segment, containing no news anymore but only a fill loop with an apparent closing announcement. Back in September there were reports about the Danish minister of culture stating before the responsible Folketing committee that he wants to rescue the foreign language news, but apparently this led to nothing? I guess his idea was anyway to just require Danmarks Radio to continue the broadcasts and not about allocating funds for the purpose (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DIEGO GARCIA [and non]. Diego García kW --- I recall that ILG says 3000 watts USB, and that equals about 120 kW AM? (Matti Ponkamo, Dec 28, HCDX via DXLD) Hoyo Matti, I think more organizations / international broadcasters should use SSB as it`s less power. All the BBC do is talk all day, so why bother using AM? Anyhow AFN seem to get around the globe on only a few watts so that`s good news, and 120 KW AM seems like little distance. I find the AFN has over modulation issues with the Diego Garcia transmitter as the audio is a tad distorted (clipping). (Rob Wise, HRI, Tasmania, ibid.) Hi Rob and all HCDX readers, Huh, to begin with, sorry, a typo: 3000 W SSB equals about 12 kW AM of course. I seem not to be very good at counting zeroes. Some kind of reeeding disorder ? (hi) AFN seems to have good equipment to push the signal around the globe. I still think that the published 3000 W may be 30000 W in real life. The carrier in AM takes about 50 per cent of the power, the one single side band takes 25 and the other takes 25 per cent. So, the required power to create a SSB signal through the air is only a quarter compared to that of an AM. With a decent bandwidth (in transmitter and receiver) and not too much compression in transmitted audio, even music can be quite enjoyable. Let's modify all the AM receivers in the world into SSB receivers. 73 de (Matti Ponkamo, Naantali, Finland, ibid.) I guess Navy bases may use any transmitter available at that moment to relay AFN. So we can never be sure if the certain transmission is with "listed power" or maybe more. Also Guam 5765 is some days real strong here. Years ago (my QSL from 1998) HCJB (Quito) had a 500 W USB transmitter on 21455 (with rhombic 35/225 degrees) and the signal was nice here in Finland. They still use some SSB transmitters (I recall 1 and 25 kW) but with reduced carrier added to enable reception in AM mode. With reduced carrier the formula to compare with AM, Matti gives, doesn't work directly, I believe. 73 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, Dec 30, ibid.) ** EGYPT. I heard Radio Alexandrie in Egypt (Iskandaryia Governatorate) on 1197 kHz at 1500 UT when was broadcast a programme in French lang: news bulletin, weather, call of the Muezzin (Allah u Akbar...), information about Alexandria International Airport and, at 1509 UT, Flash a daily programme realised by the Egyptian Government and local commercial enterprises. For the day December 24, 2005 subject was "la recherche sur l'environnement, mesures et projects contre la pollution". At 1515 UT English by Radio. In Arab language the identification annt was: Huna al Iskandaryia. Here the reception has been good. Good also Radio Al Arish, Northern Sinai on 1503 kHz at 1524 UT. For further information about radio stations on medium and short waves please to request a copy of the quarterly DX bulletin "Radio Notizie" at the following address: GARS c/o Giovanni Sergi - Via Sibari n. 40 - 98149 Camaro Inferiore (Messina) - ITALY (Giovanni Sergi-I, wwdxc BC- DX Dec 27 via DXLD) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. R. Nacional, Bata, 5005, *0505-0515+ Dec 25, abrupt sign-on with Spanish talk and local music, 0507 local choral music. Poor-weak (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EUROPE. Mystery Radio, 6220, 0257-0315+ Dec 25, tune-in to lite instrumental music. 0301 into Euro-pop music; usual canned IDs. Weak- fair but some ute QRM (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EUROPE. New Year's Eve broadcast --- Dear SW Friends, New Year's Eve Radio East Cost Holland and Voice of the Netherlands will be carrying their traditional joint "end of the year" broadcast. The broadcast will start quite early in the morning and the end will be some time in the (late) afternoon. Most likely programs can be heard on 6275 kHz/ 48 metres and surprisingly also on 1584 kHz. The latter AM frequency will be used to reach local and regional audiences. Important: response to the live programs is more than welcome. Both stations don't use the Hoogeveen maildrop anymore, so what left is e-mail or the phone. No QSL cards will be available. For International calls use the Int. accesscode +31-6- 25426740 Within The Netherlands the number is 0625426740 Alternatively you can e-mail eastcoastholland@ [truncated by yg] So tune in tomorrow to the traditional joint New Year's Eve broadcast from the boys from Hoogeveen --- it'll be double fun !! 73s, (the RECH/ VotN team, Dec 30, swpirates yg via DXLD) ** EUROPE. HOLANDA, 15074, Radio Alfa Lima International, 0900-0916, 31-12, problable inicio de la transmisión a las 0900, pues instantes antes no se escuchaba. Música pop en inglés ininterrumpida. A las 0916 la señal se deterioró bastante. 35333 variando a 25322 (Manuel Méndez, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Berlin 567 kHz now seems to carry a special feed with announcements concerning the imminent close-down. If I heard it correct the transmitter will be switched off at 2300 UT. Anyway by 1400 it was already over here: Skywave from co-channel Rimavská Sobota came in, obliterating the Berlin signal since 20 kW are still ten times more power. Closure notice on the Radio Multikulti website: http://www.multikulti.de/_/beitrag_jsp/key=beitrag_297962.html (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HAWAII [and non]. HONOLULU LOOKING FOR MORE FMERS FREQUENCY AUCTION MAY MEAN MORE RADIO --- Rights to build more FM radio stations will hit the auction block beginning Jan. 12 THEBUZZ By Erika Engle Article URL: http://starbulletin.com/2005/12/30/business/story01.html TRYING to replace the departing morning-radio team for KDDB-FM 102.7 during the already-busy holidays should bring a promise of rest with the advent of the new year -- but not for John Detz, president of Maui-based Visionary Related Entertainment LLC. Come Jan. 12, he will again endure the sleep deprivation that comes with an East Coast auction for the rights to build new FM radio stations while already running a 14-station radio group spanning three islands. The Federal Communications Commission will auction 171 construction permits for new FM stations to 214 bidders starting at 5 a.m. Hawaii time on Jan. 12. Still, it was worse during last year's Auction 37, when bidding began at 3 a.m. Last year's auction lasted 14 days. Winning a construction permit at auction gives the winner the right to spend millions more dollars to build a radio station. It is a complex undertaking involving federal, state and local regulations, land-use issues, environmental-impact studies and, in some cases, starting over from scratch when a not-in-my-backyard mindset keeps one from building a massively tall radio tower in, well, somebody's backyard. Three of the construction permits up for grabs are in Hawaii -- specifically, 106.9 in Nanakuli and two on Maui: 92.5 in Kahului and 107.5 in Kihei. Detz was between meetings and islands yesterday and unavailable for comment, but he leads the only Hawaii-based radio company registered to bid in the upcoming auction. Oh, wait, there's also Kona Coast Radio LLC, but it is based in Cheyenne, Wyo. Kona Coast spent $2.2 million on two permits a year ago, one in Wahiawa and one in Rock River, Wyo. Visionary previously emerged with permits for stations in Kaunakakai, Molokai, and Kurtistown on the Big Island with bids totaling $1.8 million. The Kaunakakai permit cost Visionary the most, at just under $1.4 million. The Kurtistown permit was practically a steal at $428,000. There are as yet no radio stations up and running from the eight construction permits sold last year, though three of them have been granted call letters. A station in Hanapepe, Kauai, owned by Jackson, Wyo.-based Christina Bourdeaux, will be KEEI-FM 94.3; the Kurtistown station will be KTBH- FM at 102.1; and the Wahiawa station will be KHAI-FM 103.5, call letters reminiscent of a once-popular AM radio station in Honolulu. Broadcast licensees traditionally have three years to get a station on the air from the date a construction permit is issued. Most of the Auction 62 bidders have selected specific construction permits on which they'll be bidding, but 34 including Visionary have dibs on all 171 permits. Other bidders that already possess Hawaii broadcast licenses are Calif.-based Educational Media Foundation [really gospel huxters], Tennessee-based George S. Flinn III and Illinois-based KM Communications Inc. © 1996-2005 The Honolulu Star-Bulletin (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** INDIA. QSL Received: AIR Itanagar 6150 Full data card received from AIR Directorate General, New Delhi HQ in 45 days v/s Y. K. Sharma, Director, Freq. Assignments. The report was sent on line Reception Report form found in the AIR website: http://www.http://www.allindiaradio.gov.in/ According to information received from the AIR HQ sources, this year they issued 10 times the number of QSLs than in previous year. For any one still wanting AIR QSL, now is the time to QSL them. New Year Special programs: Most stations of AIR will be operating till past 1830 UT (Midnight IST) on 31 Dec 2005 to welcome the new year with special programs. Look out on 90 & 60 Meters around that time. For the latest AIR SW schedule, please click on the link below: http://www.qsl.net/vu2jos/sw/freq.htm A very Happy New Year to all Dx_India members and readers! 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, Dec 30, dx_india via DXLD) AIR QSL Receipt --- After many, MANY days, I have received a QSL from AIR for their 9910 kHz frequency. My goal was to verify the Aligarh transmitter site and thus verify Uttar Pradesh state which would be Indian state #19 QSLd from New York. Unfortunately, although the schedule says 2045-2230 UT on 9910 is Aligarh, Y. K. Sharma has instead listed Delhi as the location for my 29 September 2005 report. Disappointing, but at least they are now verifying again with more regularity as you mentioned in your e-mail, Jose. Also have been hearing AIR- Ranchi on 4960 kHz a number of days recently. They have been audible here in New York around 1145 to 1215 UTC with a much improved signal. That is another state I need to verify (Bihar) since Ranchi was very hard to hear for me in the past. I submitted an on-line report and will report here if a reply is forthcoming. 73- (John Sgrulletta, Mahopac, NY, USA, (using Japan radio NRD-515 and K9AY Loop Antenna), Dec 30, dx_india via DXLD) Re 5-225, 4990 being Itanagar: Thanks for the info. In fact, what I heard was Chennai but at 4920, I just typo'ed the frequency. I recall checking 4990, but except for something threshold (suspect Suriname), not making it through here (Terry L. Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 1700 UT, Dec. 30, en 15150 RRI, La Voz de Indonesia con clarísima ID dando inicio a su programación en español, con boletín de noticias y comentarios sobre asuntos financieros. SINPO 35232. Escuchada hoy como nunca antes. Se entiende que dirigida a Europa, pero hoy parece que estaban usando otro transmisor más potente o su antena estaba apuntando hacia L.Am.; casi que podría apostar que no va a ocurrir lo mismo el día de mañana; hay emisoras tan irregulares que nunca se sabe. Augurando un Nuevo 2006 pletórico en cacerías DX para todo el componente hispanoparlante de DXLD, recuerden alzar esa copita conmigo, pues a los ticos nos toca a las 0600 UT. Un fuerte abrazo (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL. SEEING IN THE NEW YEAR Although 2006 has already started for some of us, there are places in the world where 2005 is still in its last hours. You can follow how stations in different time zones are ringing in the New Year by checking out Tom Sundstrom's list http://www.trsc.com/audiovisual.html or by visiting a special New Year weblog put together by Tom Sundstrom and Lou Josephs. It is running at http://wvbf.blogspot.com/ and seems to be a better idea that trying to maintain a static website. Let's all have a peaceful and more prosperous 2006!# posted by Jonathan Marks @ 17:17 UT Dec 31 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** IRAN. When searching for the Australian Yacht Race radio yesterday (29 Dec) [see AUSTRALIA] I suddenly heard a strange station on 6516 kHz, only in LSB mode. It started its programming with a National Anthem at 1730 and followed a Qur`an recitation. Then I suddenly heard German spoken! It took some time before I could detect what it was: VOIRI! I heard the parallels on 6215 and 7185 with very good strength. So what I first thought would be an unID is now an ID-ed station. 73 from (Björn Fransson on the very snowy island of Gotland, Dec 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Very interesting, maybe an internal backup feeder to the SWBC transmitter sites scattered around Iran? Like another Axis member, Korea North does. Really should not be in marine band (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRELAND [non]. Sunday, January 01 and Monday, January 02 2006: RTE Dublin --- A new series "Frequencies" looks at how radios have been used across different art forms. The first episode explores the theme of surveillance. North America: 2.00 pm ET / 1100 am PT [1900 UT] Africa and the Middle East: 0330 UT / 0530 CAT --- 1900 UT / 2100 CAT Africa and Europe on WorldSpace AfriStar: 0330 UT / 0530 CAT --- 1900 UT / 2100 CAT Asia and the Pacific: 0330 UT / 1430 AEDT --- 1900 UT / Mon 0600 AEDT Asia on WorldSpace AsiaStar: 0330 UT / 1430 AEDT --- 1900 UT / Mon 0600 AEDT Europe: 1900 UT / 2000 CET (WRN Newsletter via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. Kol Israel, 6280.06, 0315-0445+ Dec 25, tune-in to continuous local pop music; 0430 English ID and news, weather, 0445 into French. Fair but occasional RTTY QRM (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN [and non]. UT Dec 31, checking out NHK Warido`s NYE music special in Japanese: at 1425, 11705 via Canada with the festivities; at 1436 also found this on 21630, which would be Ascension on earlier than the usual *1500. At 1452, 11705 had some kind of recitation by YL, and there was no signal on 9505 or 9535 direct. NO observation of the actual NY arrival in Japan at 1500 UT was to be heard! Programming just continued on as usual, but by now I had two receivers going and noticed that 21630 was not // 11705 --- not just a satellite delay difference. Both were covering the festivities, but at very different points in what is now obviously a recording. At 1501, 9535 was on with Japanese talk unlike the other frequencies, not news but seemingly a discussion. At 1519 I found another NHK frequency, 21600, also a special one, and it was not // to any of the others! It did have a lo het, no doubt from the poor Saudi Arabians who normally are on here in French. With so many open frequencies in the 13m band, why in the Warido did NHK pick this one for NYE? More bandscanning turned up still another NHK outlet at 1523, 17875, and lo & behold it was // to 11705, so probably from Sackville. Unfortunately, it had QRDRM from 17880, which is also Sackville, carrying Sweden as per normal schedule, only 5 kHz away! What a mess. See 5-221; Wolfgang suggested 17875 would be Sackville, but not certain. That schedule did not show 21630 on before 1500, altho the version in 5-211 and 5-219 did, from 1430, and none mentions 21600. Per EiBi, 21600 is normally used by R. Japan only at 1700-1800 via Guiana French to South America. Then I check the latest version via BCDX and see some clarification about some of these frequencies: From http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/japanese/info_j.html North America 1300-1720 11705 SAC 250 240 Central America 1300-1720 17875* ??? SAC 250kW 212deg ??? South America 1510-1930 21600 GUF 300 215 (as of 31 Dec. 2005, Kunitoshi Hishikawa-JPN, via wwdxc BC-DX Dec 31) THE 56TH RED AND WHITE YEAR-END SONG COMPETITION FESTIVAL was supposed to be live until 1545, but obviously was not, at least not on all frequencies. Meanwhile, R. Nikkei did not even stay on until local midnight; happened to hear 9595 wrapping up at 1415 mentioning MHz, and off by 1415:30 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. While I had one ear on NHK as the UT +9 zone NY approached, Dec 31 at 1455, I put another one on 9665, KCBS domestic service. There was a speech with great emotion, and even trembling; 1457, 8-note gong melody repeated several times, sounding so sour; nothing specific to mark the NY at 1500 by way of timesignal, but I`m sure one dreary day is just like the next anyway in the workers` paradise and for all I know this is their routine every night; at 1500:20 a choral anthem began, 1503 into a choral march, and fading down. Meanwhile, VOK in English was much better on 9335, mentioning the multiple titles of The Dear Leader (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also SOUTH CAROLINA [non] ** KOREA NORTH [non]. JAPAN: According to Asian Broadcasting Institute, Investigation Commission on Missing Japanese Probably Related to North Korea announced on Dec. 26 their official mailbox P.O.Box 1022, Tokyo Central, 100-8799 Japan for ``Shiokaze`` broadcast. The mailbox is used for communication from the audiences in North Korea. They are planning to send recorded messages from the family members of the kidnapped persons in January 2006. Foreign language broadcast in English, Korean, and Chinese are also planned to make foreign people informed of the kidnapping by North Korea. At present, they have received no correspondence from North Korea (Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan, Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. SOUTH KOREA: ``Open Radio for North Korea`` (1500-1600 5880 kHz) has started the web page http://www.nkradio.com According to the web page, their E-mail addresses are nkradio @ nkradio.com and nkradio @ naver.com Telephone +82 2 737 4880, FAX +82 2 737 6715. Bank Account; Bank of America 0019-2498-1851 Korean Uri Bank 1002-631-247538. The name of secretary-general is Mr Taegyong Ha (Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan, Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. Noticed some noise jamming on 5880 at 1455 Dec 30, weaker than but same pitch as on 6015 which we know is North Korea. 5880 would be warming up for the 15-16 broadcast of R Free North Korea. BTW, per EiBi, this is the only usage anywhere anytime of 5880 for broadcasting (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. North Korean transmitter See http://www.enlight.ru/camera/dprk/village_e.html (bottom of page) Obviously a mediumwave system of Soviet design. "Not far away" in regard of the airport means around Sunan, about 20 km north of Pyongyang. So this could be the 855 kHz facility, since the location of the 657 kHz transmitter is specified as Kangnam, 15 km southwest of Pyongyang. Further up on this page: A GSM net provides more or less full coverage of the DPRK, with about half of the phone's fieldstrength indicator lighting up almost everywhere (that's quite similar to the performance of the two 900 MHz nets in rural areas of Germany). It would be quite interesting how this net is called/identified, but unfortunately this detail is not mentioned (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [and non]. N. Koreans fear cultural overthrow By Barbara Demick, Los Angeles Times SEOUL, South Korea — Watching foreign movies clouds the mental and ideological health of the people. Foreign hairstyles and clothing are signs of the "utterly rotten bourgeois lifestyle." Shaking hands should be avoided in favor of bowing, as it is more hygienic and a part of the national culture. It might sound like a cross between Miss Manners and a political screed, but this is the advice recently crafted by North Korea's ruling Workers' Party for indoctrination lectures at factories, collective farms and other workplaces. . . http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002703320_nkorea25.html (via kimandrewelliott.com which has lots of new stuff as of Dec 30, via DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. RTM Traxx FM in English was heard on reactivated 7295 kHz, 30 Dec at 1025 and again with news at 1100. The station had been silent on shortwave for several months. Regards, (Alan Davies, visiting Lop Buri, Thailand, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks for the tip, Alan. This would almost make it to Observer's 'Meet the New Year on SW' list, but not quite: Co-channel DRM-QRM stops at 1545 but VOT signs on in Kazakh at 1559. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Joensuu, Finland, ibid.) ** MALI. Re 5-225: 11960 very seldom heard here in Central Europe, usually under threshold level. I guess 25 mb channel outlet has a distinct east-west antenna pattern. 5995, 7285, and 9635 logged much stronger -- in the past (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, BCDX via DXLD) ** MEXICO. XEXQ-OC, R. Universidad de San Luís Potosí is still missing, sadly, as far as I can tell, from 6045, altho there is a quite weak carrier when checked at 1453 UT Dec 30 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Un panorama de las emisoras mexicanas en onda corta, que cada vez son menos: 4810, XERTA, R. Transcontinental de América: Está inactiva; parece ser estan cambiando de ubicación el transmisor 6010, XEOI, Radio Mil Onda Corta, retransmitiendo a la XEOY 1000 Radio Mil (onda media) las 24 horas 6045, XEXQ, Radio Universidad (de San Luis Potosí) inactiva por problemas en su transmisor 6185, XEPPM, Radio Educación Onda Corta transmitiendo siempre en su horario 0000-1200 9600, XEYU, Radio UNAM. Esperando que en estas próximas semanas regrese usando el transmisor donado por la IMER. Saludos (Héctor García Bojorge, DF, Dec 29, condig list via DXLD) ** MEXICO [and non]. Hola a todos, Ayer me llamó por teléfono Julián Santiago que está de viaje en Vallarta; me habrá hablado como a las 19:00 (0100 UT). Me reporta que estaba captándose bien Radio Mil en el 6010 durante el día, pero ya al obscurecer entra con una potencia mayor la emisora que han reportado como Radio República y acercó su radio al teléfono y escuché como al fondo apenas se oye a Radio Mil y con gran potencia la otra emisora. Ahora resulta que Radio Mil además de estar negociando con Radio Suecia y La Voz de tu Inconciencia, deba defender nuevamente su única frecuencia autorizada porque otra emisora más cabrona se le ocurre ocupar la misma frecuencia. A ver si nos pueden ayudar en conseguir la direccion postal o electrónica para entrar en contacto con las autoridades de esa emisora y también solicitamos de ustedes nos apoyen y ayuden a defender esta frecuencia que por décadas viene usando Radio Mil y siendo una de las ya muy pocas las emisoras mexicanas en onda corta activas, sufra de constantes interferencias. De antemano agradecemos su cooperación. Saludos (Héctor García Bojorge, DF, Dec 30, condig list via DXLD) Its contact info is no secret, right on its webpage; the only question is what agency is carrying out these transmissions for them, from what site(s). Possibly the agency made the ill-considered frequency choice of 6010 rather than República itself, and as has already been made clear here, they started on 5965 during those two hours only to encounter RHC of all things, and then jamming too (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hola Héctor, esto ya se veía venir. La dirección electrónica de R. República que publican en su web: http://www.radiorepublica.org/ (José Bueno, ibid.) Hola José: tomando un tiempo de vacaciones y escribiendo en un teclado en inglés te digo como bien lo ha comunicado mi gran amigo Héctor que en verdad es muy molesto lo que pasa con el abuso indiscriminado de las frecuencias, si no para que carajos existe la ITU y la HFCC? Después de tener que aguantar tres años a la irónicamente Voz de tu Conciencia quien tuvo a bien acabar con muchos de nuestros proyectos, ahora a tolerar a esta Radio República que como actúa con prepotencia, no sé si sea Radio República Bananera, en verdad estoy como decimos en Mexico y pido disculpas ENCABRONADISIMO. Espero estos señores de Miami ahora no me acusen de Castrista como me acusaron los de La Voz de Tu Conciencia de Ateo, ambas cosas si lo fuera no son ofensas para mi; soy orgullosamente mexicano. Por tanto he vivido en un país con un estado laico y a la vez profundamente guadalupano; en la ciudad de México gobiernan los socialistas, en el Gobierno Federal la derecha y en el congreso el PRI; por tanto estamos muy acostumbrados a cualquier tipo de manifestación por tendencias y hay que respetarlas. Es decir no vamos en contra de lo que emitan La voz de Tu Conciencia o Radio República, a mi en lo personal sus tendencias me importan un pito. Lo que molesta es la falta de respeto y cabría recordarles lo que el primer presidente indígena puro Benito Juárez García proclamó hace 150 anos: ``entre los hombres como entre las naciones el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz``. Espero y sé que tendremos el respaldo de los amigos diexistas y llamo al buen amigo Jeff White para que nos informe de dicha emisora. Saludos y disculpas por las majaderías, (Julian Santiago, ibid.) See also CUBA [non] ** NETHERLANDS. Sunday, January 01 and Monday, January 02 2006: Radio Netherlands On New Year's Day, two diametrically opposed views on religion in one "Amsterdam Forum": US atheist Sam Harris attacks religion in the first half of the show and he pulls no punches particularly when it comes to Islam. In the second half of the programme, Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan hits back making a plea for a modern Islam fully integrated into 21st century European life. North America: Sun 8.00 am ET / 5.00 am PT [1300 UT] 6.00 pm ET / 3.00 pm PT [2300 UT] Mon 12.00 am ET / Sat [sic] 9.00 pm PT [0500 UT Sun or Mon??] Africa and the Middle East: Sun 1000 UT / 1200 CAT --- Sun 2200 UT / Mon 0000 CAT Africa and Europe on WorldSpace AfriStar: Sun 1000 UT / 1200 CAT Sun 2200 UT / Mon 0000 CAT Asia and the Pacific: Sun 1000 UT / 2100 AEDT --- Sun 2200 UT / Mon 0900 AEDT Asia on WorldSpace AsiaStar: Sun 1000 UT / 2100 AEDT --- Sun 2200 UT / Mon 0900 AEDT Europe: Sun 1400 UT / 1500 CET (WRN Newsletter via DXLD) PLUS all the times on RN shortwave (gh) ** NIGERIA. V. of Nigeria, 15120, 1630-2058* Dec 24, tune-in to vernacular talk, ID, 1633 Kor`an, vernacular talk, instrumental theme music. 1700 into English with IDs, 1702 news, commentary, Afro-pops. 1800 & 1900 also English news. Fair-good strength but the usual poor audio quality. Also 7255, *2059-2110+ Dec 24, sign-on with French programming; fair (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello Glenn, Voice of Nigeria seems to have disappeared again, off 15120 kHz. Checked at regular intervals during past couple days, but no apparent sign. Possibly more transmitter troubles. Best Wishes (Christopher Lewis, 1004 UT Dec 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. USA Pirate, The Crystal Ship, 3319.83, 0400-0515+ Dec 26, tune-in to Xmas story. IDs, Belfast NY maildrop, e-mail addresses. ``The Crystal Ship, Official Radio Voice of the Blue States Republic``. Pop/rock music by Beatles and others. Good-strong (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Since this is such an unusual frequency for a pirate, a few more logs of this: CRYSTAL SHIP --- tcsshortwave @ yahoo.com & Belfast, NY maildrop 3319.9, AM/DEC 26/0300-0526* 12/26/05 SIO=232/232- A strange reception. It appears that part of what I have here may have been a South African SWBC station. Thus, the Poet picked a bad frequency to operate on in 90 meters. Much of what I heard was foreign music, but that is apparently not what the Poet was transmitting. There were clear The Crystal Ship IDs with his normal e-mail address for reports at 0425 and again later, mixed in with rock oldies such as Sugar Sugar. ID's as usual with a slogan of "The Voice of the Blue States Republic." An e-mail from The Poet confirmed that he was broadcasting the oldies and the IDs, but not the foreign music. Thus, he says that he will try to avoid QRM'ing SWBC broadcasters in the future. After all, there are plenty of clear frequencies on 90m nowadays, but he did not pick one of them for this show (George Zeller, OH, FRW via DXLD) 3319.85, AM/DEC 25-26/11:18 PM (EST)-12:05 AM (EST)[DEC 26/0618-0705 UTC], "Crystal Ship" ID and longer ID "Official Voice of the Blue States Republic: Defenders of Truth, Peace, Justice and Freedom of the Airwaves." heard several times. Content was a rock music playlist and raunchy version of the poem, " T'was The Night before Xmas". Strong, excellent, signal with some deep fading (Dan Kucij, S. Burlington VT, ibid.) 3479v, AM/DEC 27/0157-0248. Unusual frequency for a pirate. Several IDs as ``You`re tuned [to] the Crystal Ship Shortwave --- the official voice of the Blue States Republic.`` Music from the 1950s, 60s, and early 70s. Signal started poorly and then improved around 0200. It faded to almost unreadable around 0240 (Joe Wood, TN, ibid.) 3478.45, AM/DEC27/0224- 0255 (after getting advanced notice). Lotsa 60s music from 'Solidarity Man', 'Brandy' by Lighthouse, 'Midnight Confessions', 'Bus Stop' by the Hollys etc. Several nice IDs for 'You are tuned to the Crystal Ship ... freedom of the airwaves'. Signal was a nice s6-s7 level, but lotsa band noise at times. There was also SSB Weather ship-to-shore traffic right on 3479 making reception just a bit rough. Nice to see this one make an appearance out here in Western Canada (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, ibid.) ** OKLAHOMA. Some commercial broadcaster heard on 6950 mixing with bonker, Dec 30 at 1456: yes, it matches, KCRC 1390 Enid, of which this is the 5th harmonic, maybe 5 km away. Not to be confused with Crazy Wave Radio or some other pirate. By me, that is; doubt anyone else can hear this outside Enid (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 7120, Wantok R. Light, 1303-1319, Dec. 26, English/Vernacular, OM in accented English preaching the gospel at tune-in, Seasons Greetings. Music in language from 1305 thru tune-out. Fair at tune-in, then fading fast (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, 200' Beverage antennas, MLB-1 antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA [and non]. Since I awoke in time, I made my annual pilgrimage to 4890 to celebrate the arrival of a new year along with the Papuanewguineans; UT Dec 31 at 1358 I knew we were in for trouble, when a 3-minute check was given; then what could pass for African hilife music; finally at 1401 there was a 5-second countdown ending at 1401:09. So this country was cheated out of observing the yearchange at its correct time! Then followed ALS, speeches by an NBC honcho or two, and 1405 into party music. Don`t know how much longer 4890 stayed on, as it was already a struggle to hear it thru my hi local noise level. This report is amazingly similar to mine a year ago in 4-191; they still haven`t set their clox (only 191 issues of DXLD in 2004! Geez, I need to cut back). One might have monitored much more easily R. Australia, such as 9590, but the easterners imagine that NY arrived an hour earlier. I remember the good old days before they fell for the DST myth, and midnight in Melbourne was actually observed in the summer at 1400 UT (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. Re 5-225: History: 9581.68 noted in Jan 2003. 9619.08 in Oct 2003. 9619.1, PBS, Marulas, Valenzuela, at 0150, mostly relay DZRM with 'Radio Magazin'. Transmitter has big problems again and some days signs on much later and is heard only *0700v-0930* (Roland Schulze, Mangaldan-PHL, dswci DXW Oct 7, 2003 via BCDX Dec 30, 2005 via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. More news from former VOA transmitting sites. Request that opening of casino at former VOA Poro, Philippines, site be delayed until after Catholic bishops' conference: http://money.inq7.net/columns/view_columns.php?yyyy=2005&mon=12&dd=30&file=6 (INQ7.net, 30 December 2005 via kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. RDPI had a male singer at 1438 Dec 31, but he was so distorted I at first thought it was in English rather than Portuguese, on 15575 and 21830, somewhat less distorted on 21655 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Re 7200 - the GRC repair man has done a very good job and it's nice to be able to hear some programming now instead of that dreadful racket. Let's hope he's used good quality parts this time and that the fault doesn't return so quickly. I have never been able to hear Krasnoyarsk since it moved from 5290 into the 49mb - on the old frequency it used to be well audible in winter time. I was surprised at the good reception I recently had on 6160 from Arkhangelsk and even 5930 from Monchegorsk. I wonder if the repair van has been and tweaked them for winter - maybe it's a tractor with caterpillar "wheels" and can only get to these places in winter!!! Or maybe the engineers just enjoy skiing (Noel R. Green-UK, wwdxc BC-DX Dec 26 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Voice of Russia What`s New http://www.vor.ru/English/Exclusives/what_new.html THE WHIMS OF FATE (on the air as of January 2nd). The next edition of our weekly feature will be devoted to Franz Lefort, a close associate of the Russian Emperor Peter the Great, one of those men aptly dubbed by the great Russian poet of the 19th century Alexander Pushkin as ``the birds of Peter's nest.`` Born in Switzerland, by a whim of fate Lefort spent most of his life in Russia becoming a close friend of one of the greatest rulers this country ever had. We invite you to tune in to THE WHIMS OF FATE which will go on the air on Monday at 17.30 and 19.30, and then will be repeated on Tuesday at 04.30, Wednesday at 17.30 and 18.30, Thursday at 04.30, Friday at 17.30 and 19.30, and Saturday at 04.30 all times UT [plus a sesquiminute]. The text version of the program is posted at http://www.vor.ru/English/whims/whims_main.html MUSICAL TALES (on the air as of Tuesday, January 2nd). ``Musical travelers`` – such is the theme of our upcoming edition of Musical Tales. It is common knowledge that musicians spend much time on the road, are always on the move. And although for the most part they have little spare time to enjoy the sights of the countries and cities they play in, there always are enthusiastic travelers in their midst, and we will be speaking about them in the next edition of the program. Tune in to MUSICAL TALES on Tuesday at 04.00, Wednesday 03.30 and 21.30, Thursday 02.30 and 18.30, Saturday 07.00 and 17.00, Sunday 05.00 and 19.00 and Monday at 05.00 UT [add a sesquiminute at the half hour, eleven minutes on the hour]. (via John Norfolk, dxldyg) ** SAUDI ARABIA. SAUDI RADIO STATION FOR HAJJ AWARENESS TO BEGIN TRANSMISSION IN 14 LANGUAGES | Text of report in English by Saudi news agency SPA website Riyadh, 31 December: The broadcasting station for Hajj awareness will start its round-the-clock transmission effective from the first of the lunar month of Dhu-al-Hijjah. It will transmit in 14 languages including Arabic, English, French, Persian, Turkish, Hausa, Indonesian, Urdu, Bengali, Pashto, Turkistani, Somalian, Swahili and Bambari [sic]. The radio will transmit on four waves, two of them are medium waves and the other two waves are on FM. This was announced by Dr Abdallah Al-Shayi'i, the director of the second programme and supervisor of the broadcasting station in a statement to SPA. He noted that the Jedda broadcasting station will provide the broadcasting station with series of programmes, while some governmental authorities concerned will participate in the preparation of some programmes. These governmental authorities include the ministries of interior; the Islamic affairs, endowments, call and guidance; Hajj; the municipal and rural affairs; the directorate of public security; the passports directorate; the civil defence directorate; the general presidency for the affairs of the Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, and the institute of the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Hajj research. Source: SPA news agency website, Riyadh, in English 1207 gmt 31 Dec 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) See also JAPAN for QRM to 21600 ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. Brother Scare was really splattering via WWRB, Dec 31: at 1554 from 11915 down to 11890, and obscured on the hi side only tnx to the dentro/fuera Cuban radio war centred on 11930. Also 9320 was splattering up as far as 9335, impeding VOK, cult vs. cult! I think this was the regular Sabbath morning service live from the compound, with BS yelling more than usual, and nobody watching the modulation level. But however the incoming audio may be, why can`t WWRB turn it down and keep from splattering? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. Dear Friends, My latest monitoring observation of SLBC, Sri Lanka shows that there is some problem with their 7300 kHz frequency again. It has been observed today on 7218.5 kHz as a rumbling noise. Timings are 0030-0400, 0800-1530 to Asia in Hindi, English, Kannada, Telegu, Malayalam and Tamil. Happy New Year! 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082, India, Dec 30, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. R. Nile, via Madagascar, 12060, *0400-0425+ Dec 24, sign-on with local music, and English announcements with ID, frequencies and schedule. Local African rendition of traditional Xmas music. ``Radio Nile`` jingles. English/vernacular talk, vernacular radio-drama. Fair-good; // 15320 fair (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWITZERLAND. SWISSINFO SAYS ITS FUTURE STILL HANGS IN THE BALANCE Swissinfo, the online successor to Swiss Radio International, says that although both houses of parliament want to renew government funding for Switzerland's international information platform, its future still hangs in the balance. The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has aired a new restructuring plan for 2006. The SBC board has asked the management of swissinfo to analyse, by the spring, "all possible ways of producing a less expensive service," by making greater use of synergies with the other business units and outsourcing its IT services. According to the SSM trade union, which represents journalists, the SBC's demand is a first step towards the dismantling of swissinfo. The union says the SBC is therefore ignoring the will of parliament. The SBC management rejects the suggestion, saying its plan conforms to the mandate it has from government to keep the Swiss Abroad informed about their homeland. Read the full story http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=107&sid=6348840&cKey=1135932765000 # posted by Andy @ 09:47 UT Dec 30 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. According to Taiwanese DXer Chengnan Lu, Trans World Broadcasting, Kaohsiung will resume shortwave transmission on January 2 over CBS 100 kW transmitter to mainland China. The schedule is 1000- 1030 11795 kHz (Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan, Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. PLAN TO ALLOW MORE COMMERCIALS ON THAI MEDIA CONDEMNED | Text of report in English by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union website on 30 December Free-press advocates have called on the Thai government to abandon its plan to turn the country's Public Relations Department (PRD) into a vehicle for corporate interests. Supinya Klanarong, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform, and a coalition of journalists have called on officials to ensure the public broadcasting agency remained commercial free. "Any changes to the PRD should make it truly independent and truly a service to the public as a public service broadcasting organization," Ms Supinya said. She expressed concern about the revenue earning capacity of the PRD, which she said would eventually lead to its shares being traded on the stock market. "Once it has profit-making capacity, the PRD will become dictated by the market and business groups will take command of it," she said "When that happens, there will be no public media and it will not be good for the public." The PRD runs the Channel 11 television station, oversees Radio Thailand and the Public Relations Institution and issues credentials to journalists. Last week, the cabinet approved a proposal to transform the department into a Service Delivery Unit (SDU) in an effort to turn it into a money-maker for the state, ThaiDay reported. Suranand Vejjajiva, a minister attached to the country's prime minister's office, defended the government's proposal and said the changes would benefit the public. He said the changes would allow Channel 11 to become the country's first all-educational-content TV station. Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union website, Kuala Lumpur, in English 30 Dec 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** TURKEY. Caught the tail end of VOT`s 1330 English broadcast on 11735, intended for Asia: at 1420 Dec 31, woman was reading off a chronology, news headlines for each date in late December. Apparently she had been doing this for quite a while, covering the entire 2005y. No doubt one can catch this fascinating programming on later English broadcast repeats thru 0400 UT Sun. Closed with some NY greetings and off at 1424* without IS. Rather heavy ACI from WYFR 11740. The // 15155 is usually better here but I could not pull myself away from 11735 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA. 4976, R. Uganda, 2049-2100*, Dec. 26, Vernacular, Hi-life music, announcer with sign-off announcements at 2054, ID at 2056. Fair (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, 200' Beverage antennas, MLB-1 antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. Classic FM Mozart Day - January 1st --- Just posted this to the uk radio listeners group and thought that it might interest you. January 1st 2006 --- 2006 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Today Classic FM celebrates with a whole day, celebrating classical music's greatest genius. 0800-1200 The Mozart Top 40 with Mark Goodier You voted in your thousands and now the result is revealed. Which of Mozart's hundreds of pieces are the forty most popular. Mark Goodier counts down the chart from 40 to No.1. 1200-1400 If You Liked That Mozart, You'll Like This Mozart with David Mellor David Mellor takes you on a two-hour journey celebrating the genius of Mozart, and introducing you to a few pieces you may not yet be familiar with. 1400-1600 The Friendly Guide to Mozart with Tony Robinson Actor/history buff Tony Robinson joins Classic FM to present a two-hour biographical portrait of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Discover the true story behind the man and his music. 1600-1800 Mozart Discoveries with Natalie Wheen Natalie Wheen takes a look at some of the great composer's lesser-known works and turns up a few surprises. 1800-1900 Mozart and Me with Myleene Klass Pianist and singer Myleene joins Classic FM to talk about what Mozart means to her, and to introduce a number of surprising celebrities who also have a soft spot for Wolfgang. 1900-2000 Mozart at the Movies with Simon Bates Simon Bates takes a closer look at the life of Mozart on film, particularly through the Oscar-winning masterpiece, Amadeus. 2000-2100 Mozart Journey with Simon Calder Classic FM's roving presenter Simon Calder follows Mozart's life journey through his visits to the major cities of western Europe. 2100-2200 Mozart at the Opera with Lesley Garrett The nation's favourite soprano Lesley Garrett celebrates the world's favourite composer with a selection of Mozart's finest operatic moments. 2200-0000 Mozart Evening Concert with John Suchet John Suchet rounds off Classic FM's Mozart Day with the greatest works, played in full. More at the Classic FM Mozart 250 homepage: http://www.classicfm.com/index.cfm?nodeId=5195&sw=1024 (via Mike Barraclough, DXLD) ** U S A. Thank you again for listening to KNAU Arizona Public Radio online. We have just completed migrating to a new website, and our audio stream is back online! Our website can be reached at http://www.knau.org Please note, if you have bookmarked KNAU in the past, please do not use your old bookmark. Enter http://www.knau.org and re-bookmark the site. If you have feedback on our new site, please let me know. Thank you for listening! KNAU -- Essential Listening, Essential Support. Please give online at http://www.knau.org (Alice L. Ferris, MBA, CFRE, Development Director, KNAU Arizona Public Radio, Box 5764, Flagstaff AZ 86011, Dec 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. VERY SELECTED NY SPECIALS FROM WEBCASTING PUBLIC RADIO OK, here we go again one more time, with a STANDARD DISCLAIMER that stations may not come thru with planned schedule, and I might have misconverted some days or times, (but I really don`t think so) which here are strictly UT. Skipped here are the several widely broadcast public radio specials, such as Capitol Steps, NY Philharmonic NYE (0100-0300 Sun), NYE jazz specials such as Toast of the Nation, Garrison Keillor; NY Concert from Vienna (1600 Sun), as well as last gasps of various Xmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza music/culture special repeats. 2100-2200 WBNI Harmonia Holiday Special (WBNI 1-hour) Buena Noche: Harmonia celebrates the season with music from the San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble's "Buena Noche," featuring early music from Latin America; and Renaissance songs and carols from singer Ellen Hargis and lutenist Paul O'Dette. 2330- WETA Highlights from the James Moody 80th Birthday Celebration from the Kennedy Center (rec. 12/10), Washington, DC. Features Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Antonio Hart, Frank Wess, Slide Hampton, Paquito D'Rivera, Randy Brecker, Mulgrew Miller, Marty Ashby, John Lee, Dennis Mackrel and Roberta Gambarini. UT SUNDAY JANUARY 1 0000- KALW A Full peel of Big Ben --- Ring in the New Year with the BBC from London as we present the annual full peel of Big Ben followed by Auld Lange Syne by Dougie Maclean. 0000- KBYU Performance Blunders 0100- WABE H. Johnson's New Year's Eve Jazz Special --- Veteran jazzman "H" Johnson rings in 2006, spinning hot jazz classics. The party begins New Year's Eve at 8:00pm, and may continue well into the wee hours of New Year's Day. Heard exclusively over 90.1 and WABE.Org. 0100- WETA Traditions with Mary Cliff - Special Holiday Presentation --- This special holiday presentation of Traditions will include Post-Christmas seasonal and traditional music, Chanukah music, Kwanzaa music, and other holiday music from around the world. 0200- WBJC A Klezmer Special with Jonathan Palevsky 0300-0500 KNAU New Year’s Eve with the New York Philharmonic --- Listen to this special broadcast of the swankiest New Year’s Eve party in the country. Angela Gheorghiu, one of opera’s most glamorous stars, performs with the New York Philharmonic this year. [delayed; most eastern stations have it at 0100] 1800-2300 WSHU Sunday Matinee on WSHU-FM and WSUF --- Sunday Matinee celebrates the first day of the New Year with an optimistic theme of new beginnings. The program will feature some remarkable musical firsts- Brahms's first piano concerto, Beethoven's first overture, Bizet's first (and last) symphony, as well as some dramatic first nights, and highlights from famous New Year's concerts of the past. UT MONDAY JANUARY 2 0000- WBAA WBAA's "Rainbow" features Carols for Dancing --- An exploration of the intimate connection between familiar holiday music and Renaissance and Medieval dance. 0200-0300 WHYY A Crazy College New Year Special --- Close out your holiday celebration with a cold slap back to reality as Crazy College presents an hour of silly seasonal favorites from the likes of Stan Freberg, Esquevel and The Theropy Sisters. Bad boys Homer & Jethro are worried they might not get anything from Santa again this year. While Dan Hicks and Walter Brennan say they would be more than happy with a sock of coal to help cut their heating bills. All that and then some when host George Stewart hosts the Crazy College Holiday Special (Derived from http://www.worldofradio.com/calendar.html#holiday by Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. REWINDING SOUND BITES FROM A MEMORABLE YEAR December 28, 2005 BY ROBERT FEDER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST For most of 2005, I found myself persona non grata among executives of Infinity Broadcasting (since renamed CBS Radio) because of my critical coverage of the company's monumental missteps in Chicago. I wasn't much more popular at WTTW-Channel 11, which excluded me from the list of 640 guests (including Big Bird and Elmo) at its 50th anniversary celebration. The fabulous Chet Coppock described me in a couple of impromptu rants as "a true third-rate journalist" who was "owned by half the people in this town." And the anonymous editor of an online radio message board (which routinely reprinted my columns without permission) called me "an arrogant pud," among other things. In other words, it was just a typical year on the glamorous broadcast beat. But enough about me. As the headline above promises, here's one last look back at some of the most unforgettable utterances of 2005: "I'm thinking Creme de Cacao, Kahlua, some rum, maybe a little cream and a floating Chocolate Baby." -- Steve Dahl's recipe for "The Floating Corpse," a cocktail inspired by Hurricane Katrina. "Now I just hope they never hear my show or read my book." -- Mancow Muller on the birth of his twin daughters. "I wasn't going to run because I wanted a job or career. Thankfully, I don't need one." -- Jerry Springer announcing that he would not be a candidate for public office in Ohio in 2006. "We are the last of a dying breed." -- Howard Stern's valedictory from terrestrial radio. "I am one firing short of a case." -- Dick Biondi, who marked the 23rd time in his Radio Hall of Fame career that he'd been fired. "Life is too short. Everyone I care about is here." -- Jonathon Brandmeier on his comeback to Chicago radio. "One day he'll be quoting Shakespeare, the next day it's all about 'Booty Call.' " -- Chaz Ebert on the unveiling of husband Roger Ebert's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "Perception is everything, intention means nothing, and white liberals have bigger hangups with race than African Americans." -- "Java Joel" Murphy after his firing for telling a "racially insensitive" joke on the air. "It's been a sausage fest in there." -- Todd Cavanah, program director of WBBM-FM (96.3), on the addition of two women to the station's all-male morning show. "Radio in the '70s and '80s didn't compare itself to 8-tracks or cassettes." -- Inside Radio criticizing the iPod-inspired "Now on Shuffle" marketing campaign of WKQX-FM (101.1). "How can I get mad at this consumer culture when there I am saying, 'This is my faaaaavorite brownie and it's only $25'?" -- Oprah Winfrey expressing misgivings about her "Favorite Things" show. "If you've thought about making some changes to your 'girls,' but haven't had the cleavage to make a move, this is your chance to enhance!" -- Promotion for breast-implant giveaway contest on WKSC-FM (103.5). "If you want to know how many friends you have, burn your house down because everybody comes out." -- Spike O'Dell, whose house was destroyed by fire. "It's better than being a permanent exhibit in Graceland Cemetery." -- Richard Roeper on being part of Epcot's "Home Theater of the Future" exhibit at Walt Disney World. "I'm not sure I can make it through. I don't think I'll be strong enough." -- Eddie Schwartz in the fight for his life against kidney disease. Gone but not forgotten (a partial list): Joe Angotti, Ken Cocker, Joel Daly, Stewart Dan, Sky Daniels, John Dempsey, Claire Denzler, Bonnie DeShong, "El Chokolate," Jim Frank, "Fritzy's Night on the Town," Bill Gamble, John Gehron, Infinity Broadcasting, Sandy Isakson, Debra Juárez, Bob Kaake, Katherine Kelly, Randy King, Darren Kramer, Mark Krieschen, Charley Lake, Mike Leiderman, Bill Lloyd. Kevin Matthews, Emilie McKendall, Pete McMurray, Dennis Mockler, "Odyssey," Michael Packer, A.W. Pantoja, Tom Petersen, Sandra Robinson, Mary June Rose, Larry Schreiner, Steve Seaver, Danielle Serino, Steve Shadley, Larry Smith, Jeanne Sparrow, "Viva," James Ward, Sheila White, Susan Wiencek, "Woody, Tony & Ravey," Dan Zampillo and "The Zone." In memoriam: Bill Bell, Les Brownlee, Nick Farella, Bill Frink, Fred Heft, Jim Hill, John H. Johnson, Frank Kovas, Hugh Neary, Ray Nordstrand, Chuck Olin, Harvey Pearlman, Norm Potash and Otis (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. On The Road (MN, IA, IL, et al) --- A few interesting observations while driving from Mankato, MN to Springfield, IL today. At 9 AM, WSM was still blasting into Mankato. About an hour later, near the MN/IA state line, KGAB Cheyenne owned 650 for about 45 minutes. KGAB returned about 4:30 central time (in the Davenport area) and was again dominant for about 30 to 45 minutes. WLW was in solid ALL DAY. All of the other stations in that general direction (WHAS and WSM in particular) exited with the last gasps of skywave and didn't re-appear until late afternoon. WCSR (670 Chicago) has the worst IBOC sideband hash of any station I have heard. Totally wipes out 660 and 670 over 200 miles away from their transmitter. Is the 650 station in Michigan on yet? I heard something there at one point playing EZL/adult oldies and I think it had a W call. Not good enough to tell much else about it. 690 Birmingham blasted a path up to central IL about sundown. A big BIG surprise on 640 (after hearing several known stations including Ames and Norman) was adult standards and mentions of "The Villages". That, of course, is the less than 1 kW operation just south of Ocala, FL. Observations while in Southern Minnesota: KFYR's 550 coverage has really taken a hit in its SE quadrant because of the power increase at WSAU in Wasau, WI. I didn't notice it much this summer, so perhaps winter conductivity spreads Wausau's signal farther west. Anyhow, KFYR wasn't listenable in Mankato; and it always is (daytime) in the summer months. Monday afternoon about 3 PM, 680 found CJOB (Winnipeg) dominant and solid with a very listenable signal. That didn't repeat as KFEQ (St. Joseph, MO) was weak but dominant Tuesday and Wednesday at that hour. KWMT (540) Ft. Dodge has terribly muddy audio. It was a little mushy in August but worse now. I think Santa should have brought them some new modulator tubes. 590, Omaha seems to be getting out better than it has for a while. Didn't spend much time listening to them, but that was the general observation. 610, Kansas City does nothing but shrink in coverage area. It's worse every time I pass through the region. Ditto for KFAB (1110), which has a minuscule coverage area for a 50 KW signal in a high ground conductivity area. 830, WCCO, is getting out somewhat better than they did for several years --- but still has what I believe to be a stunted daytime ground wave signal. My spies tell me that the water table in the vicinity of their towers has dropped from just a few feet to over 30 feet, and that could account for the difference. Around Davenport, IA (late afternoon) KOTC (Cotton Country, Kennett, MO) had them totally blitzed. KFGO in Fargo (790) is honking out better than it has in a while. I think they redid their ground system a year or so ago, and if that's the case, it made a big difference. WHO (1040) Des Moines has average coverage for the frequency (about a 250 mile radius) --- but is notable because of what appears to be ALL LOCAL talk programming. They have good people and sound super. A station I've never figured out coverage-wise is WMAY [970] in Springfield, IL. I know the conductivity is better than average in that area, but they sure don't seem to go anywhere. 100 miles seems to be about the best I can squeeze out of them in any direction. Now, a couple of notes from August travel: I should note that CJML [580; see CANADA] would probably have been audible for an even greater distance had it not been for sideband splash from WNAX [570] in Yankton, SD, which is almost local strength by the time you get to Barnesville, even though it's still about 300 miles from the WNAX transmitter. Speaking of WNAX, they added a big chunk of serviceable coverage area when CKY went silent. They put a fairly good daytime signal into Winnipeg, and can now be easily heard in a vast area that was previously wiped out by CKY sidebands. Oddly enough, they gained about as much coverage as KFYR [550] seems to have lost to Wausau. Even then, I still give KFYR the edge for largest daytime coverage because of the fast drop in the WNAX signal to the SSE. Enough of this rambling. I realize that a lot of you in areas far from the heartland won't find this too interesting, but perhaps at least a little of the information will hit home. Under any circumstance, the daytime coverage areas of the low frequency operations in the plains states are nothing short of phenomenal (Tom Bryant, Springfield, IL for one night only; back to Nashville on Friday), Dec 29, WTFDA AM via DXLD) ** U S A. 12/28/05 - An advance copy of the January 2006 edition of Clay's Corner, prepared for the Seattle Chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers Newsletter The Waveguide is offered here as a courtesy to our readers (Northwest Broadcasters via DXLD) One small excerpt: December 18th a fire destroyed a good part of the Rose Hill transmitter building in Kirkland [WA] taking with it the transmitting equipment for 1250 and 1460, which are diplexed there. Also lost in the blaze was equipment belonging to our own Jim Dalke who is sure to have quite a story to tell at the next meeting of our chapter (CLAY’S CORNER FOR JANUARY 2006 by Clay Freinwald, K7CR, http://members.shaw.ca/nwbroadcasters/clay01-06.htm via DXLD) {1250 = KKDZ Seattle, 1460 is KARR in Kirkland} ** VANUATU. 3944.77, (Presumed) R. Vanuatu, 1054-1116*, Dec. 26, Noted again with nice vocal ballad at tune-in. Announcer at 1057 thru ToH. Chorus at 1112, brief announcer and presumed NA at 1115. Poor- weak (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, 200' Beverage antennas, MLB-1 antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA. R. Amazonas, 4939.66, 0125-0200+ Dec 25, lively LA music, Spanish announcements, 0130 ID, phone talk. Irregular; fair (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4939.8, R. Amazonas, 1010-1040, Dec. 26, Spanish, OM with IDs between Spanish music. Full ID at 1031. Fair (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, 200' Beverage antennas, MLB-1 antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA [and non]. Descubrí el sitio para recibir Telesur en línea: http://www.arcoiris.tv/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=34 También desde su propio sitio web: http://www.telesurtv.net/ (Horacio A. Nigro, Montevideo, Uruguay, Dec 31, condiglist via DXLD) ** VIETNAM [non]. USA/GERMANY Radio Free Vietnam (ex-New Orleans) Others have recently reported that Radio Free Vietnam is no longer being heard. Here is a little more information regarding this broadcaster. As I reported several weeks ago, my Vietnamese friends learned via the Vietnamese media that Vuong Ky-Son, Director in Chief of Radio Free Vietnam, evacuated safely from New Orleans to Dallas. Now my friends tell me the media is reporting that, since the New Orleans facilities were destroyed, he hopes to move production to Germany. I asked my friends if this might simply mean that he planned to broadcast via a tx in Germany, but they said the reports stated he was planning to move to Germany (Wendel Craighead-USA, DXplorer Dec 27 via BCDX via DXLD) Not to be confused with the other R. Free Vietnam, based somewhere else already (gh, DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. 11705, MADAGASCAR, R. V. of the People relay, *1700-1717, Dec. 25, English/Vernacular, IS then continuous format of IDs "This is R. V. of the People broadcasting to Zimbabwe, daily at 1900-2000 in Zimbabwe..." etc. and URL between nice local music selections. Fair/good (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, 200' Beverage antennas, MLB-1 antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ah yes, best to hear this on weekends when SRS is not on co-channel! (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. MV Baltic Radio, 1st January 2006 on 6130 kHz at 1300 UT (Tom Taylor, Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Via DTK or what? (gh) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hi Glenn, I want to wish you a Happy New Year and thank you for all your efforts during the past 2005. I hope you go on like that even in the upcoming many years! 73 from (Björn Fransson on the very snowy island of Gotland) HNY2006 --- Glenn: this is to express my gratitude for your everyday invaluable efforts in DXing, extensive to all those collaborators and colleagues everywhere, who share their DX experiences as well. May The Lord give us that huge blessing to keep enjoying this wonderful hobby like a worldwide family that I know is His Will to exist. And don't forget to rise that cup of wine or champagne at 0600 UT Sunday 1st. to receive with us Ticos the New Year. Cheers!!! (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, Dec 30) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ DX PROGRAM AUDIO IN PORTUGUESE AND SPANISH Here`s a little-publicized page archiving latest editions of several DX programs, recorded off SW(?), most of which do not have audio otherwise available: http://www.amantesdoradio.he.com.br/programas_dx.htm Currently available are: Nas Ondas Curtas de Guarujá Amigos do Radio, Rádio Transmundial Encontro DX, Rádio Aparecida AM Altas Ondas, Voz Cristã [now suspended but supposed to resume somehow] DX-HCJB Radio Enlace, R. Nederland Amigos de la Onda Corta, REE Or so it seems, each with a PLAY button, but in fact, this website contains audio only from the Brazilian programs, and the last two editions of Altas Ondas, presumably taken off live webcast; links to audio from HCJB, links to site of R. Nederland, which does have audio, and links to site of REE, which does not have audio (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ Need a RADIO MANUAL??? Let me know Over 2300 on my Hard Drive FREE!! Hi Folks: Hope everyone had a good Christmas!!! and All the Best of the New Year!!! Just a short Email to let you know that I now have approx. 2,300 Different RADIO MANUALS on my Hard Drive. These are Manuals that have been scanned to a Digital PDF File, a GIF File in case in Schematics, and Word Files in some cases. These are all Manuals that were placed on the NEWSGROUPS by various people, and I have downloaded them and kept them on the Hard Drive. Over 4 GIGS of Radio Manuals!!!!! Included is stuff like: Boatanchors --- Collins, Eddystone, Hammarland, Hallicrafters, Heathkit, National, Drake, RCA, Racal, Rhode and Schwarz, Military, etc. etc. Ham Radio Transceivers/Receivers --- Yaesu, Kenwood, Heathkit, Icom, Standard, Drake, WRL/Globe, etc. etc. Scanners/CB's/Portables/Handhelds/Wideband Rec'rs --- of all kinds, Many Foreign Off Brands as well. Shortwave Desktop and Portables by --- AOR, Sony, Sangean, Grundig, Telefunken, Radio Shack/Realistic, Foreign and Domestic etc., etc. Some Old Tube Broadcast Radios, Audio Gear, Kits, and Home Brew, etc. Major Brands and Weird Little Off Brands from around the world. Lots of Stuff for Accessories too like VFO's, Phone Patches, Antenna Tuners, Power Meters etc., etc. So, if you are ever looking for a Manual that is Radio Related --- Please let me know, as I may have it!! I don't have everything, but there is a Pile of Stuff here, and I am adding more every day. Even if it is something Bizarre, let me know as I have Manuals here for Radio Stuff I haven't even heard of!! (And I have either seen or heard of pretty much everything!!) This stuff is all FREE --- Posted on the net in various places for all to use and enjoy. I have been compiling it onto my Hard Drives, just knowing that somewhere down the line, either myself or someone I know will need these Manuals. So, if you find something Radio Related that is missing the manual, shoot me off an email, and let me know. It may be sitting here, and I will fire it off to you by an attachment, and you can print it off for Reference!! I offer this FREE SERVICE to anyone in the need of a Manual that I have!!! No Strings attached, just glad to help!! Once again, Happy New Year to everyone, and may every day in 2006 be filled with Lots of DX!! 73...ROB. Robert S. Ross VA3SW, Box 1003, Stn. B., London, Ontario, CANADA N6A5K1 Antique/Vintage Radio Enthusiast Amateur Radio Stations VA3SW/VE3JFC Defy Physics.....Play Table Tennis!! (Ping Pong with an Attitude) «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥« (Robert Ross va3sw @ rogers.com ODXA via DXLD) FREE MULTIBAND DIGITAL DISPLAY RADIO BY AWR, RADIO GIVEAWAY Thursday, December 29, 2005 Starting January 1, 2006, we are giving away a multiband digital display radio EVERY WEEK! Don’t miss your chance to win. You can enter simply by filling out the entry form below and you can keep entering once a week, every week! See complete rules and regulations here. Radio Giveaway Rules 1. Eligibility: Employees of Adventist World Radio as well as the immediate family and household members of each such employee are not eligible. Subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited. 2. Sponsor: Adventist World Radio 3. Timing: Giveaway weeks begin on January 1, 2006 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (ET) and ends on March 18, 2006 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Weekly drawings will be held every Monday at 12:00 p.m. ET to determine winner. 4. How to Enter: Visit awr.org and follow links and instructions to complete the registration. Complete and submit the registration. You will automatically receive one entry into the sweepstakes. Limit one (1) entry per week. 5. Prize: One (1) multiband digital display radio: Check back for more details. http://www.awr.org/ AM/FM/SW 1-6 World band receiver High Sensitivity I.C. Circuit Digital Display w/ Manu-tuning Radio Alarm Clock Stereo Earphone Set Detachable Antenna UM3X2, DC-3V Removable Belt Clip (via dxersguide blogspot Dec 29 via DXLD) THE AMAZING WLW OF YORE Concerning WLW transmitter site posting --- The cooling pond actually boiled even during the dead of winter. I believe there was a 1927 watercooled Western Electric Transmitter that drove the full 500 kW operation. The Western was essentially a two story transmitter with cooling room in the basement. A huge door would automatically lock when the transmitter was on line to prevent someone from accidentally entering the cooling room during operation. The station audio is heard loud and clear when standing at the base of the diamond shaped Blawknox tower [see below]. There are only a couple of towers like it in the country. WSM has one which is visible from the interstate. Not sure if there are others. The chief engineer lived in a house on the transmitter site in what was at one time the WSAI transmitter building. Crosley owned WLW and WSAI during the '40s and they operated AM/TV/SW from Crosley square. The studios were large enough that separate live orchestra programs could perform on WLW, WSAI, shortwave and Mutual Network at the same time. WLW was of course "The Nations's Station" and WSAI programmed to the local Cincinnati audience. WLW billing peaked at 11 million dollars in 1949, an astronomical sum for the time and didn't hit that again until the 90s. It was about 7 million when I programmed there in the mid 80s. Today it is probably in the 20-25 million range. Randy Michaels, formerly VP Operations at WLW and later President of Clear Channel did a video tour of the transmitter about twenty years ago. It is available from Art Vuolo in Detroit. It gives you a great idea of the transmitter's girth. Vuolo does radio audio and video airchecks. The WLW signal is truly amazing. It was not uncommon to hear from someone in California and another in New York state listening on the same night. This was in the mid 80s before additional stations were assigned to 700. WLW is also heard in Europe and Australia at times. Coverage is probably chopped up now since several stations have night- time authority on that frequency. The story goes that the 500 kWer was put on air during various times in the 40s to signal troop movements in Europe during World War II. There is a book, now out of print which I believe is titled "The WLW Story". It chronicles the WLW and TV station through the Avco owned years. Today WLW is one of several Clear Channel owned stations in town (Alan Furst, Round Rock TX, Dec 30, ABDX via DXLD) BLAW-KNOX TOWERS 1370 WFEA Manchester, tower visible from Route 3, the Everett Turnpike, and Manchester Airport. Located on Route 3 at the Merrimack- Bedford town line. Photos on BAMLog http://members.aol.com/amxmtrs/xwfea.htm A Google search for WFEA will find other photos and history (Bruce Conti - Nashua NH, http://members.aol.com/baconti/bamlog.htm ibid.) Also WBT in Charlotte NC (three towers), WBNS Columbus OH (one Blaw- Knox that's part of a three-tower array), and KSTN Stockton CA (one tiny little Blaw-Knox that's part of a three-tower array). Within recent memory, WADO in New York had one (since replaced with a conventional self-supporter). I have heard rumors that baby Blaw- Knoxes similar to KSTN's exist at KJUG in Tulare CA and possibly at KBKO in Bakersfield CA, but I have not been there to check them out in person. s (Scott Fybush, ibid.) FCC OKS NEW AM ANTENNA SYSTEM --- By Tom Smith, Chapter 24, SBE On October 25th, the Media Bureau issued a notice that announced simplified procedures for the authorization of the use of the KinStar antenna system by non-directional AM stations. The FCC will not require stations to routinely summit proof of performance, current distribution measurements of formula for vertical plane radiation characteristics for non-directional AM stations using this antenna. The antenna was developed by Star-H Corporation and manufactured by Kintronic Laboratories, Inc. The antenna is about one third the height of a normal quarter wavelength vertical tower used by many AM stations. The KinStar antenna consists of a cage that is .08 wavelengths high and .008 wavelengths in diameter. From the top of this cage four horizontal elements extend out .17 wavelengths. These elements are at 90 degrees to each other (see figure 1). The antenna is matched to the transmitter and transmission line with similar units as would be used with a vertical tower, and the standard 120 ground radial system is used. At the bottom of the AM band at 550 kHz, the KinStar antenna would be 136.3 feet high with the horizontal elements having a radius of 306.6 feet and the cage being 32 feet in diameter. At the center of the AM band at 1000 kHz, the height is 75 feet, the horizontal elements radius is 168.6 feet and the cage is 17 feet in diameter. At the top of the AM band at 1680 kHz, the height is 44.9 feet, the horizontal elements radius is 100.1 feet and the cage is 10 feet in diameter. Above 1200 kHz, wooden utility poles can be used for support, with metal towers used for antennas below 1200 kHz. The KinStar antenna can be used to avoid aeronautical issues as they are short enough to normally not be lit or painted, and should be easier to get zoning approval as their appearance would be similar to overhead power lines and would be less visible then a tall tower. The FCC will consider the use of the KinStar antenna for directional stations when more information is available. The notice and the data submitted by the designers of the system, including construction information, modeling, and field-testing are linked to in the October 25th online edition of the FCC Daily Digest (From http://www.fcc.gov via http://www.smpte-sbe48.org/news.asp#antenna via DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING ++++++++++++++++++++ WWCN 770; 31 0050Z DEC 05; PVZ 770 WWCN No. Ft. Myers IBOC off mid-day, allowing strong TPA 760 XE to come through as always, prior to HD's surly spectral sleaziness. Notwithstanding ClaqBOC fables, TPA 760 puts hi-level sig through here, not 'out of contour' as misprepresented by HD-Bund. Afternoon, 770 lit Lil' Bobby's Noise-Bomb, obliterating 754 thru 786. Overstated - read: knowingly false - claims re low power of HD carriers notwithstanding, they pin S-meters & LED's on all receivers, jamming spectrum into ruination. As with all schemes of this ilk, they carry seeds of their demise. HD hissing all around 770 is equal opportunity jammer. 770 itself riddled with hissing all over its programs. To paraphrase advice given one who slashed off Centurion's ear - " Live by IBOC...." You think masking is by design, made possible in part by reducing analog bandwidth to 5 KHz? Seems effective albeit passive-aggressive way of encouraging listeners to switch to 'quieter' digital receivers. Good business. =Z.= (Paul Vincent Zecchino, MannolivebyIBOC Key, FL BT Dec 30, IRCA via DXLD) TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Be good and do the right things in 2006. 73 & HNY (Glenn Hauser) ###