DX LISTENING DIGEST 6-007, January 10, 2006 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 2006 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html For restrixions and searchable 2005 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid5.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 AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO EXTRA 64: Days and times here strictly UT. Wed 2300 WOR WBCQ 7415 [first airing of each edition] Thu 0000 WOR WBCQ 18910-CLSB Thu 0905 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.5 Thu 2130 WOR WWCR 7465 Thu 2200 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.5 Fri 0030 WOR R. Veronica 106.5 Fri 0100 WOR WTND-LP 106.3 Macomb IL Fri 0200 WOR ACBRadio Mainstream [repeated 2-hourly thru 2400] Fri 2005 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.5 Fri 2100 WOR RFPI [repeated 4-hourly thru Sat 1700] Sat 0500 WOR VoiceCorps Reading Service, WOSU-FM subcarrier, cable Sat 0900 WOR WRN to Eu, Au, NZ, WorldSpace AfriStar, AsiaStar Sat 0955 WOR WNQM Nashville TN 1300 Sat 1100 WOR WPKN Bridgeport CT 89.5 & WPKM Montauk LINY 88.7 Sat 1530 WOR R. Veronica 106.5 Sat 1700 WOR WWCR 12160 [NEW from Jan 7] Sat 1830 WOR WRN to North America [including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 140] Sat 1830 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.5 [from WRN] Sun 0000 WOR Radio Studio X 1584 http://www.radiostudiox.it/ Sun 0330 WOR WWCR 5070 [start varies 0325-0335] Sun 0400 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0630 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.5 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 1830 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.5 [from WRN] Sun 2000 WOR RNI Sun 2229 WOR WRMI 7385 [temporarily] Mon 0400 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0430 WOR WSUI Iowa City IA 910 Mon 0515 WOR WBCQ 7415 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 Full schedule, with hotlinks to station sites and audio: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html WRN ON DEMAND [from Fri]: 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 WOR Extra 64 summary: http://www.worldofradio.com/com0510.html WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS: www.obriensweb.com/wor.xml ** ARGENTINA. Radio Morena de Itatí, Grand Bourg, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina, has moved from 1530 kHz to 1690 kHz. I picked up the station recently on the LEM220 DXpedition (a report of which will be published shortly on DXing.info). The station continuously announces being a new station, so maybe the change in frequency is not the only change. Radio Morena de Itatí began broadcasting a year ago. More information about the station can be found on the DXing.info News page from January 2005, at http://www.dxing.info/news/2005_01.dx#tango Apocalipsis II seems to remain on 1690 kHz, although both stations operate in the greater Buenos Aires area, and must be causing heavy interference to each other (Mika Mäkeläinen, Finland, Jan 10, dxing.info via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Very strange propagation this morning, Jan 9 after 1500: Trans-equatorial R. Australia was barely audible on 9590 – in fact I had to // it to 7240 to be sure it was really there; but hi latitude signals from EAs were booming in, led by NHK Warido on 9505, 9535 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Solar-terrestrial indices for 08 January follow. Solar flux 78 and mid-latitude A-index 5. The mid-latitude K-index at 1500 UTC on 09 January was 0 (4 nT). No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours (SEC via DXLD) ** AUSTRIA. New additional transmission for Adventist World Radio from Jan. 1: 1500-1530 on 15150 MOS 300 kW / 120 degrees Daily to ME in Turkish, new language (Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 10 via DXLD) ** BELARUS: New schedule of Radio Minsk HS in Belorussian effective from Jan. 1 6010 BR 005 kW / non-dir 0300-0200 (ex 0400-2300) 6040 MNS 005 kW / non-dir 0300-0200 (ex 0400-2300) 6070 BR 005 kW / non-dir 0300-0200 (ex 0400-2300) 6080 MNS 100 kW / 130 deg 0300-0200 (ex 0400-2300) 6105 MNS 100 kW / non-dir 2300-0200 (new, ex 6115) 6115 MNS 100 kW / non-dir 0300-2300 (ex 0400-2300) 6190 MNS 005 kW / non-dir 0300-0200 (ex 0400-2300) 7110 BR 005 kW / non-dir 0300-0200 (ex 0400-2300) 7170 MNS 150 kW / 075 deg 0500-0800 (ex 0500-0700) 7235 OR 005 kW / non-dir 0300-0200 (ex 0400-2300) 7255 MNS 250 kW / 075 deg 1600-1800 (no change) 7265 BR 020 kW / non-dir 0400-2400 (ex 0500-2200) 11960 MNS 250 kW / 070 deg 1000-1100 (no change) (Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 10 via DXLD) ** BENIN. TRANS WORLD RADIO TRANSMITTING TOWER IN BENIN IS UP Trans World Radio Africa reports that the tower of its new mediumwave/ shortwave radio station in Benin has been erected. The foundation, main floor and some of the top floor of the transmitter building have also been constructed. However, the Higher Authority of Audiovisual Communications (HAAC) and the Department of Communications in Benin have not yet issued the mediumwave and shortwave radio licences needed to put the Benin station on the air. In addition, funding still needed to produce programmes for the various people groups in Niger. More photos of the project are available on the TWR website http://www.twraro.org.za/0066.asp # posted by Andy @ 14:11 UT Jan 10 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** BULGARIA. R. Varna, 7600, 0325-0354* Jan 2. Pop music by Kool & the Gang and others. YL announcer. Talk in Bulgarian by M&W. Weak; Monday only for this time period (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Why in the world would they pick a time period of midnight to 6 am local once a week on Monday mornings for their only weekly broadcast? And is there a shortage of western pop music on the radio without this? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BURKINA FASO. R. Burkina, 5030, Dec 31 2300-0250+ Jan 1, Afro-pops, French talk, phone talk. Very good; on late for New Years. Normal sign-off is 0000 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CAMEROON [non]. R. Free Southern Cameroon, via Russia, 12130, *1800-1900* Jan 1. Sign-on with English ID and choral anthem followed by talk about S Cameroon. Local music, choral music. 1859 ID and short music bridge at sign-off. Weak but in the clear. Sunday only (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. CBC News "revamp" --- You said you liked the old CBC Radio news themes. So do I. I got a chance to hear that new five-note jingle today and ... well ... it sucks as a radio theme. The local CBC station was using it to lead off the hourly news. (As if in protest, the news ended with the old piano-style seven-note radio- news theme.) The good news: It appears that the old themes are retained for major news shows like World Report, if today's program is any indication. The bad news: The old themes are preceded by the new five-note jingle -- which are not tonally and rhythmically matched to the existing themes. They're in different keys and at different tempos, and there's a good gap between the jingle and the main new theme, so the sound is really weird. Anyone with a half a brain would have noticed this awful, awful audio combination. Not surprisingly, the new music works just fine on TV, where it's accompanied by graphical elements. Looks like radio was an afterthought in the plan to revamp television (Ricky Leong, AB, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. CBC makeover: Various previews of the new layout (but after the leader's debates and maybe delayed until 23rd January) Some effect on radio, as Burman is also [leader] director of Radio News too. Brickbats and 5-note music appreciation to o Toll-free phone (Canada only): 1-866-306-4636 o TTY/Teletypewriter (Hearing impaired only): 1-866-220-6045 o Mail: Audience Relations, CBC, P.O. Box 500 Station A, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5W 1E6 o Web form for email on URL: http://www.cbc.ca/contact/index.jsp o Linkname: your comments about The National URL: http://www.cbc.ca/national/yourturn/index.html o Ombudsman mandate at the CBC URL: http://www.cbc.ca/ombudsman/page/mandate.html from Broadcaster magazine http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/issues/ISArticle.asp?id=51228&issue=01062006 Daily News Friday, January 06, 2006: CBC to Revitalize News Service On Monday, Jan. 9, CBC News presents its revitalized news service, delivering a new look, a new sound and -- most importantly -- local, national and international news that provides greater context and an increased exposure to divergent views and perspectives. CBC recently pursued a News Study that examined the ways Canadians view news programming. Over several months, in-house discussion groups, analyzed feedback from over 1,200 Canadians. CBC News is revitalizing its content across all three media lines, including: the introduction of CBC NEWS: THE WORLD THIS HOUR on CBC Radio, a new weather service and, within the next year, a new sports service on CBC Television and CBC Newsworld. CBC.ca introduced its new Arts section in 2005, and will continue to set the standard in on-line news and information for Canadians. CBC News will also offer more breaking news and live coverage as the day unfolds, and Canadians will also find new feature segments and programs -- highlighting the kind of journalism CBC News wants to emphasize, telling the stories that matter to Canadians, and informing them about issues at home and around the world. To reflect these improvements, CBC News is now being branded as a multi-media product, and boasts a new look and sound. A five-note mnemonic will start all news programming on CBC Radio, Television and Newsworld, linking news programs across all of CBC's platforms; and the new graphics are dynamic, strong, clean and accessible. ------------- Do they even look at the SRC? Is this a new tune like that last new tune for Whirled at Six? The nation waits with bated breath. (and besides "news" is so much cheaper than drama or even current (and Currant) affairs programming. The BBC World Service, the shortwave English service along with dozens of other languages, have dropped much of their drama and special programming in favour of more and longer news slots, to the dismay of many listeners who get too much news and therefore listen less than they otherwise would do, because of the incessant news cycle that rarely changes and ... Bulletin, bulletin, bulletin, interrupts the regular or formerly regular programming.) Wouldn't it be cheaper to do as Sheila Copps, that famed ballroom dancer on CBC's "Match of the Stars", did and hand out [Canada flags] Canada cymbals to clash on the hour and every five minutes? I don't read the Arts.cbc.ca pages, do others? At the Globe, jocular speculation but no dollar amounts of the makeover NIP, TUCK AND SWIRL AT CBC NEWS AND GLOBAL By GUY DIXON GLOBEANDMAIL.COM Saturday, January 7, 2006 Posted at 11:44 PM EST On Monday, CBC's The National will begin with a new five-note introduction -- a mnemonic, as the CBC likes to call it -- that will ring in all of its major TV and radio newscasts. What else will be different at CBC News? The public network is being coy, and saying little. The National's current pounding, orchestral drumbeat theme will change, and there will no longer be an aerial shot of the Toronto skyline (which was always incongruous when the clip failed to match the day's actual weather). Mockup images released in advance by the CBC suggest that The National's opening visual montage, also to be used partly for other newscasts, will show a swirling map of the world, intermixed with the floating place names of various international and Canadian destinations, backlit by fiery red and orange streaks of light. Peter Mansbridge will then read the news in a slightly modified set. Call it Extreme Makeover: CBC Style. By all accounts, it won't be all that extreme. Barely four years after a new look for the entire CBC was designed by the U.S. branding firm Razorfish, CBC News is now modifying its appearance in-house. [ Global, CTV changes..... ] As part of the makeover of CBC News on Monday, local TV newscasts will move a half-hour earlier to 6 p.m., where they will be renamed CBC News at Six, while the Vancouver-produced news program Canada Now will move a half-hour later to 6:30. The CBC has been criticized for neglecting local news programming in various smaller cities across Canada, yet the programming shift reflects "a stronger emphasis on local news at the supper hour," according to CBC News editor-in-chief Tony Burman. The local newscasts will likely adopt some of the new graphics and musical themes, but the sets in the network's cash-strapped newsrooms across the country won't change: Insiders say that local stations are already too busy scrambling to get CBC News at Six ready in time. And along with new weather reports that have already launched, CBC News plans to begin delivering sports-news segments in the coming months. (Rumours that there will be new CBC-TV news shows in Edmonton and Montreal are wrong, Burman says. Although executives studied the possibility, "the decision so far is that, no, we just don't have the resources to do it." However, the local newscast in St. John's, CBC News: Here and Now, which was extended to a full hour last autumn, will continue at 6 p.m.) For all of the network's attempts to drop hints about the cosmetic changes coming to its newscasts, while giving away few details, the new look for CBC News is being described as another "rebranding" for the news department. The reporting and news content won't change, nor will this mark a stark shift in editorial direction, the CBC says. It is instead another stage in the continual remoulding of CBC's TV, radio and Web news services. "It's not as if the programming on Monday will change radically, but the look and sound of it will. I think it will be quite striking to viewers. Things will look far more integrated and dynamic," Burman says. The original plan was to launch the new look last Sept. 12, but labour strife, and the subsequent lockout, forced the delay. Instead, CBC decided to push through its changes in the middle of an already hectic federal election. One network staffer half-jokingly described a senior news director pulling his hair out while trying to cope with the myriad details. Yet Burman insists that the new look is being implemented at an ideal time "because that's when we get hundreds of thousands of new viewers" tuning into the CBC's election coverage. "This is the third stage in a four-part transformation of CBC News and Current Affairs -- and in our view, the most sweeping of its kind in CBC's history," Burman says. The first stage consisted of unifying all of CBC news across the broadcaster's various media into one news division in 2003. The second involved a study surveying audience attitudes toward CBC News, and taking suggestions for its improvement, released in November, 2003, and then pored over by CBC executives and programmers in subsequent months. Monday's rebranding is stage three. The fourth stage, "which really will go on for another couple of years, is to solidify the changes in programming and in directions and in content that flow out of our analysis of the news study," Burman says. "By the end of it, it'll have been a five-year transformation of CBC News and Current Affairs." Time will tell how the new look will affect the feel of the newscasts. For instance, the screen design for the news channel Newsworld will be different come Monday. But Burman said that this isn't an attempt to turn Newsworld into, say, CNN. Perhaps, but one of the many Internet blogs written by CBC insiders, and known for its cutting irreverence -- teamakers.blogspot.com -- described the Newsworld changes as "CNN-ish, with a wealth of bombastic transitions, spinning doohickeys, dramatic flourishes, import-signifying curlicues" and so on. Another blogger, meanwhile, described the sets as resembling the BBC more than CNN. When asked to compare the new Newsworld to CNN, Burman would say only, "I think the message to us from the news study was that Canadians want from us those things that are generally associated with CBC, which is more original journalism, high-quality programming. And we try to do it in a varied and eclectic way." In a paid advertising supplement in the Dec. 26 issue of Maclean's magazine, clearly timed to coincide with the CBC News makeover, the broadcaster issued a kind of highly generalized manifesto about where CBC News is headed content-wise, while dropping clues about the redesign. Perhaps most interesting was the mention of wanting to expand the traditional definition of what constitutes news, and to be "broader and deeper in what stories we allow on [CBC] newscasts." In a press release yesterday, the CBC also said that it plans to add new feature segments and programs, although the broadcaster remained short on specifics. That's all part of the next stage. For now, cosmetics and surface detail are the main new attraction at CBC News (alt.tv.networks.cbc all via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** CANADA. ELECTIONS CANADA http://www.elections.ca/ January 23rd is the date for the next Canadian Federal election. This bilingual page will give you all the nuts and bolts of our election process. Also here are links to the official web sites of the major parties running candidates in the election. There are several other secondary parties, all of which can be found listed on the Elections Canada site above. LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA http://www.liberal.ca CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA http://www.conservative.ca NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CANADA http://www.ndp.ca BLOC QUEBECOIS http://www.blocquebecois.org GREEN PARTY OF CANADA http://www.greenparty.ca (Jan Radio HF Internet Newsletter via DXLD) ** CANADA. As promised, CHAT made the official switch to FM (94.5 MHz) this morning at 8 am. They'll be simulcasting on 1270 for the next 3 months, but the IDs you here now will refer to CHAT 94.5 FM, with the slogan "Today's Country" (Nigel Pimblett, Dunmore, Alberta, Jan 9, ODXA via DXLD) Medicine Hat ** CANADA. COMMUNIST CHINESE TV PETITIONS CANADA FOR BROADCASTING LICENSE http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2005/pb2005-124.htm And A Petition Underway To Stop Them http://ahdu88.blogspot.com/2006/01/stop-9-chinese-tvs-from-broadcasting.html Related Links: How China's Propaganda Machine Works http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/7/3/134334.shtml How China's Propaganda Machine Tries to Fool the World http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/7/8/133729.shtml China Controls the People by Keeping Them Ignorant http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/7/7/133353.shtml (via tribby2001, dxldyg via DXLD) Why not? Sackville airs China (gh) ** CHINA. CHINA SETS NEW RULES TO "PURIFY" TV BROADCASTING - Hong Kong daily | Text of report by Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao website on 4 January; subheadings as published As soon as the New Year started, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television further strengthened its management over television programmes, providing explicit regulations on the propaganda calibre of programmes, content styles and the demeanour of news presenters. Reports say that this is a continuation of its "purification project" conducted in mid-2004, the purpose being to provide "healthy" programmes that the "viewers like to hear and see" and to create a good media environment and social atmosphere for the smooth implementation of the 11th Five-Year Programme. In the middle of last year, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television issued an order prohibiting programme presenters from wearing exposed or strange styles of clothing and from imitating Hong Kong and Taiwan accents. Reports say that the administration recently issued an internal circular setting further detailed requirements for news presenters and all personnel to conscientiously implement. These include: Using Putonghua [modern standard Chinese as spoken on the mainland] without exception; not imitating local, Hong Kong or Taiwan accents or their ways of _expression; not using rude language, slang or jargon; not using local dialects, classical Chinese, abbreviations or self-coined words; refraining from using intentionally exaggerated expressions or body language; not speaking in a teasing and unnatural manner; not wearing strange, thin, transparent or exposed styles of clothing; and not wearing exaggerated, strange hairstyles. Not commenting on film stars' scandals or income The State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television set restrictions on the propaganda calibre and contents, strictly designating "restricted areas" in politics and prohibiting the use of "seduction and vulgarity" in contents. There are more than a dozen such regulations. In politics, no unauthorized reports are allowed on topics related to state politics and military, ethnic or religious affairs. All such reports must take Xinhua news releases as the standard. No discrimination against race, gender, age, occupation, religious belief, education level and place of residence is allowed. When reporting social affairs, no speculation over film stars' scandals or privacy is allowed and no comment on their income is allowed; no "sex-related" words may be used for advertisement purposes, such as "lust bursting for the first time", "coquettish beauty seducing people" and "women fond of sex"; deluxe houses, extravagant banquets, famous cars, pets and other luxuries must not be given exaggerated publicity, by describing them as, among others, "luxurious weddings", "golden banquets", "super-class New Year's Eve dinners", and "top-rate villas"; no lauding of Japanese or South Korean popular culture is allowed; "Foreign" holidays must not be given exaggerated publicity; a different type of social phenomenon must not be given exaggerated publicity, nor the people related to it. With regard to the ways and forms of _expression, foreign languages must not be mixed with them; no self-coined words are permissible; wrongly written and mispronounced characters must be prevented; and computer network games must not be used for television programmes. The authorities reiterated their prohibition on fabricating news, distorting or exaggerating facts. Television screen prohibited from displaying Taiwan emblem and flag The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television also set the following "five nos" on television images: No displaying of thin or transparent clothing or exposed styles of clothing; generally speaking, no displaying of foreign national flags, national emblems, party flags, party emblems or Taiwan-related symbols (with particular attention to images' backgrounds); no displaying of bloody or violent images or images that may easily cause sensory discomfort; no displaying of images of crowds chasing after film stars or fans yelling after them; and no displaying of middle or elementary school students chasing after film stars or singers. Source: Ming Pao website, Hong Kong, in Chinese 4 Jan 06 (via BBCM via DXLD) See also CANADA above ** COLOMBIA. RCN Manizales on 1000 // 760. Carnival transmission with many interviews among participants and occasional ads from Ron Cuba Libre. Both frequencies at same level SIO 333. This can't be heard in our Central Valley, and hardly at night (Raúl Saavedra, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 1000 = Cartagena, 760 = Barranquilla, actually. So you were hearing these in daytime? (gh, DXLD) see also SAN ANDRES ** COSTA RICA. 5054.6, Faro del Caribe, 0605-0807, 08-01, locutor, comentario religioso: "Hay un solo Dios verdadero", locutora, direcciones del programa en Puerto Rico y Cochabamba, Bolivia. "El programa de David, que el Señor los bendiga", identificación: "97.1 FM, onda corta 5055 y 9645 kHz, Faro del Caribe, en el nombre de nuestro señor Jesucristo, http://www.farodelcaribe.org Faro del Caribe". A las 0800 programa "En contacto". "Esta es Faro del Caribe". 24322. Parece que esta emisora mejora cada día en su modulación y resulta claramente audible e incluso con buena señal. Curioso que, al identificarse anuncien la frecuencia de 9645 kHz que lleva bastante tiempo fuera del aire (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, Antena de cable, 10 metros, orientada WSW, escuchas realizadas en Friol, 27 Km. W de Lugo, 8 de Enero 2006, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Stop the jamming idea --- Hypothetical here: what if you took, say, Swedish stamps for Radio Sweden and Mexican stamps for Radio Mil, faux canceled them, did not print a return addresses on either, and attached a 3M sticky stating ("wrong address"), then dropped it in a USPS mail box with each addressed to Arnie Coro at Radio Havana Cuba. Each letter from the appropriate station's "engineering department" demands RHC cease jamming interference on 6010 or else it will be reported to the ITU. Wouldn't it be funny if it worked? But if RHC or the DGI are reading this online, I guess I just blew that idea (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DENMARK [and non]. DANISH FOREIGN MINISTER CONTACTS ARAB LEAGUE TO END SPAT - Monday January 09th 2006, 11:27 am Filed under: Newspapers Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller spoke by telephone to Amr Moussa, the secretary general of the Arabic League, on Thursday in an attempt to ease tensions between the Muslim world and Denmark. The two agreed that the decision by Jyllands-Posten to publish 12 caricatures of the Muslim prophet Mohammed should no longer cause friction between the two, national broadcaster DR reported. In addition to agreeing to end the controversy, Moussa also accepted the Danish position that while there needs to be mutual respect between religions, that politicians should not get involved in what the media chooses to publish. In his New Year’s address to the nation, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen sought to express his understanding for the Muslim point of view. Rasmussen’s olive branch, as well as a decision to translate the speech to Arabic, were seen as positive steps by many Muslims. (Also see Media News Digest of 13 October and 13 December 2005) (Jyllands-Posten, January 09, 2006 via Newspaperindex.com blog via DXLD) Here is a VERY long blog with back and forth between Infidels and Moslems, prompted by the Danish Cartoon Affair: http://www.newspaperindex.com/blog/2005/12/10/un-to-investigate-jyllands-posten-racism/ (gh, DXLD) ** DIEGO GARCIA. 4319(USB), AFRTS/AFN - I attributed my lack of reception on Jan 7th as being due to poor reception conditions but maybe it was more than that. Darryl Burks at the Navy Media Center, Anacostia Annex, D.C., indicates that DG has had problems with the transmitter recently and they may still be experiencing some problems (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, Jan 9, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. INDEPENDENT NEWS RADIO STATION GOES ONLINE IN EGYPT Several Egyptian journalists have launched a new Internet radio station which will be broadcasting mainly news bulletins despite the government's monopoly on radio news, Al-Jazeera.net has reported. The radio station is financed by Al-Misri Al-Yaum, an opposition daily newspaper, and broadcasts hourly news updates, recorded news and talk programmes. Al-Misri Al-Yaum (Egypt Today in English) or Radio ME began its first official broadcasts on the Internet on 1 January 2006. Tariq Abd-al- Jabbir, the station's director, said that the government rejected a request to officially license the station and maintains a monopoly on radio news with its state-run Egyptian Radio Television Union (ERTU). He said the station is not only targeting approximately 3m Egyptians using the Internet, but also Egyptians living abroad. "We are not afraid of radio work," said Ala al-Ghatrifi, an Al-Misri al-Yaum reporter, participating in the new station. "In fact, our jobs would help us make the station useful to listeners, since it will bring them the news, interviews and live coverage they are looking for," he told Al-Jazeera. Al-Ghatrifi was among the three journalists convicted in April 2005, of defaming the Egyptian housing minister and fined 1,740 US dollars. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 9 Jan 06 (via DXLD) ** EUROPE. Pirate, Alfa Lima International, 15073.8, 1425-1440+ Dec 31, pop music, IDs, phone calls from listeners. Acknowledged several listeners in the US. Good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. 11690, 1030 7/1, Scandinavian Weekend R. - Virat, Finlandese ID e musica, suff. (Roberto Pavanello, Italy, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** GABON. Africa Number 1. I have a long time without hearing this fair signal from Libreville on 9580 for our mid afternoon or 2100 UT. Instrumental version of The Dock of the Bay. Sea level must be helping I guess, as I don't get this clear signal in San José (Raúl Saavedra, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, Jan 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GAMBIA [non]. Via Germany, Voices of the Diaspora, 9405, *2000- 2030* Dec 31; presumed. Sign-on with instrumental music, possible ID. English talk concerning Gambia, some local music, 2022 some vernacular talk. Good signal strength but poor, muddy audio and a lot of adjacent channel splatter made reception difficult. Sat only (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [and non]. Frequency changes for Deutsche Welle: 0000-0100 English NF 7290 WER 500 kW / 090 deg, ex 7230 0000-0200 German NF 9440 TRM 250 kW / 345 deg, ex 9435 0430-0500 Arabic NF 6135 WER 500 kW / 210 deg, ex 5980 0600-0700 English NF 15440 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg, ex 15410 1600-1700 English NF 9795 TRM 125 kW / 345 deg, ex 7225 1800-2000 Arabic NF 11605 TRM 250 kW / 300 deg, ex 13660 2000-2100 English NF 6145 KIG 250 kW / non-dir, ex 5960 2000-2100 English NF 9735 WER 500 kW / 135 deg, ex 9675 2000-2100 English NF 9830 KIG 250 kW / 295 deg, ex 9660 2100-2200 English NF 7280 WER 500 kW / 210 deg, ex 7345 2200-2300 English NF 6000 TRM 250 kW / 060 deg, ex 6180 2300-2350 Chinese NF 9865 DHA 250 kW / 055 deg, ex 5995 2300-2400 English NF 9555 KIG 250 kW / 085 deg, ex 9865 (Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 10 via DXLD) ** GERMANY. DTK T-Systems changes: IBC Tamil Service from Dec. 22: 0000-0100 NF 6175 WER 250 kW / 105 deg Daily to SoAs in Tamil, ex 7115/7110/6055 Minivan Radio from Jan. 1: 1600-1700 on 11800 NAU 250 kW / 110 deg Daily to SoAs in Dhivehi, cancelled Adventist World Radio from Jan. 1 additional transmissions u.o.s.: 0700-0800 on 11975 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily to NoAf in Arabic 0800-0830 on 11975 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Wed to NoAf in Arabic 0800-0830 on 11975 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Sun-Tue to NoAf in Kabyle 0800-0830 on 11975 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Thu-Sat to NoAf in Tachelhit 0800-0900 on 12025 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily to NoAf in French 1900-2000 on 11955*JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily to NoAf in Arabic 2000-2030 on 7110 WER 250 kW / 105 deg Daily to WeAs in Persian 2000-2100 on 9695 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily to NoAf in French, ex 2000-2030 *co-channel VOA Tigrinya 1900-1930 Mon-Fri [see also SINGAPORE non] TNT Hit Radio from Jan. 8: 1000-1600 on 5910 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat to WeEu in Dutch/Music, cancelled Bible Voice Broadcasting Network from Jan. 5/7/8, additional u.o.s.: 2000-2030 9670 WER 250 kW / 135 deg Thu ME in Arabic, 1900-2015 6015 JUL 100 kW / 060 deg Sat EaEu in English, ex 1900-2000 1430-1500 9720*NAU 250 kW / 078 deg Sun SEAs in Vietnamese *co-channel RRI in Russian (Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 10 via DXLD) ** GERMANY. Is anyone else also surprised at the nighttime strength of the DRM signal on 1485 kHz? WRTH 2006 says it's just 300 watts from SWRF Germany, but I wonder if it's higher powered than that. Or is it highly directional, with south east England in the main line of fire? Listening recently in Reading and Kent it's easily the strongest station on that frequency. In Kent it's possible to null most of the DRM out in order to hear Spain, but in Reading I can't null it well enough to get QRM-free Classic Gold from only down the road in Newbury, which is putting a fairly strong groundwave signal into Reading. Although strong, it doesn't seem to be spreading onto adjacent channels. Any observations from the rest of the UK? (Chris Greenway, England, Jan 9, BDXC-UK via DXLD) Dear Chris, there are three DRM txs on air from Germany on 1485 kHz: D - DRM - Südwestrundfunk - "Das Ding" programme, various (0.4 - 0.65) - 24hrs in German; txs in Kaiserslautern (0.3) and Wolfsheim (0.65 kW). D - DRM - Oldiestar Radio, SFB Berlin (1 kW) - 24h Since November 28, 2005, SWR - Suedwestrundfunk put an additional DRM mode transmitter at Wolfsheim(Mainz) on air in order to TEST two DRM txs on "SFN - (Single Frequency Network)" in DRM mode, under these special conditions. The distance between both stations is about 55 kilometers. DRM unit at Wolfsheim is fed by landline from Kaiserslautern. 1485 kHz - I guess the 150 meters tall pipe mast - or the 102 meter tall lattice reserve mast - at Wolfsheim produces that gain of just 650 watts final stage power, to huge signal level you discovered in U.K. recently. TX location Wolfsheim (near Mainz) is home of the AM mode transmission on 1017 (x1016 kHz in 1950-1978). Started May 03, 1950 with 70 kW by French occupant zone authorities, made by LORENZ; to be increased from 70 to 120 kW in 1957. Replaced by SIEMENS [RIZ Zagreb] made 300 kW tx of 1966 til 1974year, another Siemens[RIZ] unit by 600 kW put on air from 1975-1995 at nighttime towards GDR target, old 300 kW unit used at daytime only then. At present SWR ContRa program on air via TELEFUNKEN tx unit with 100 kW only in DAM mode - dynamic amplitude modulation - , latter since 1996. This is a former 50 kW unit, originally located at SWR Freiburg (828 kHz) till 1995. During modulation pauses, carrier power is reduced from 100 to 40 kW only, in order to save main power energy. 73 (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) ** GREENLAND [non]. FCC Fines Philly Pirate --- The FCC fines LOUIS GENTILE of PHILADELPHIA $10,000 for operating a pirate station on 107.7 FM. GENTILE claimed that the station was not at his house about a mile north of the TACONY-PALMYRA BRIDGE and could have been coming from another nearby location, a claim contradicted by FCC agents' use of direction-finding techniques and the antenna and coaxial cable observed on the roof of GENTILE's house (allaccess.com via Brock Whaley, DXLD) Why in the world did I file this under Greenland [non]? This must be the same guy involved with IBC, which kept claiming that they had a SW station on 7330 in Greenland. Here`s one of several few-years-old press releases about Gentile, who became downright hostile to us when we tried to get any details at all out of him about the supposed Greenland operation: http://www.ibcmedia.com/company-news20.htm And in fact, the 7330 shortwave claim is STILL up on the website here: http://www.ibcradio.com/shortwave-radio.htm But they removed references to Greenland after I pressed them on it. Here is the Lou Gentile show website referenced in the press release: http://www.lougentile.com/ which is apparently still going strong somewhere, judging from the currently active forum. He has all this and gets busted as a pirate? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUINEA. RTG Conakry began its arriving after 2100 on 7215, a low frequency for this time period for us in Tiquicia, enhancing by late afternoon till Russian International Radio goes on the same frequency around before 0000 (Raúl Saavedra, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, Jan 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) {make that 7125} ** INDIA. SPECIAL BROADCASTS FOR HAJ --- Dear Friends, AIR External Services's Special Service to Saudi Arabia which is broadcast every year for the Haj Pilgrims in Urdu is as follows: From 15.12.2005 to 12.02.2006, 0530-0600 UT, 11730 & 17845 (Delhi- Khampur); 15770 (Aligarh) all 250 kW. http://www.allindiaradio.gov.in/schedule/haj2005.html (Via AIR website which is now allindiaradio.gov.in) As many as 1,40,000 [sic, lakh/crore notation?] pilgrims from India are attending the Haj this year. See press report below: http://www.deccan.com/home/homedetails.asp#140,000%20Indians%20in%20Mina%20Valley 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, dx_india via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. A chance to work an Astronaut on UHF Jan 14- 15th This weekend (Jan 14-15 UT) International Space Station Commander Bill McArthur plans to operate NA1SS on 70 cm exclusively using a frequency of 437.550 MHz FM. If you wish to work or receive him then see the following link for further information. http://www.southgatearc.org/news/january2006/iss_uhf_weekend.htm Link to the online satellite pass predictions: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/predict/ or use the excellent SatSignal software. It should be possible to copy Bill`s signal from the ISS just using a simple scanner. AMSAT-UK produce a quarterly newsletter "Oscar News" which is full of Amateur Satellite information. For membership details contact the secretary Jim Heck, G3WGM, Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959 E-mail: g3wgm @ amsat.org Website: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ Daily Amateur Radio RSS News Service: http://www.southgatearc.org/ 73 (Trevor M5AKA, Jan 10, monitoring monthly yg via DXLD) ** IRAN. Frequency changes for Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran (VOIROI/IRIB) in Hindi: 1430-1527 NF 7250 KAM 500 kW / 118 deg, ex 9875 NF 9710 SIR 500 kW / 102 deg, ex 13745 (Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 10 via DXLD) ** ISLE OF MAN. ISLE OF MAN INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING NOW PLANS SPRING LAUNCH The Isle of Man Communications Commission has agreed an extension to the licence start date for Isle of Man International Broadcasting (longwave 279 kHz), which now plans to launch by 1 May. Station founder Paul Rusling admitted there have been problems. "Effectively one of our shareholders had a shift in investment policy and that line of funding dried up. Certain policies of the alternative funders that we had immediately available were not acceptable to us and we dug in our heels and ran out of money." However, Rusling says preparation of the technical aspects of the station, the name of which still hasn't been revealed, is progressing well. He added: "We are now confident of being able to launch around Easter, but will not give a date until the facilities are all operational." The cost of broadcasting from an offshore platform — put at £3 million — means the first broadcasts could be at a lower power than originally planned. However, IMIB hopes after a 'proving period' the station will be successful and able to grow. It is also planned to make transmissions available on mobile phones and over the Internet. (Source: Isle of Man Today) Isle of Man International Broadcasting http://www.longwaveradio.com # posted by Andy @ 15:26 UT Jan 10 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** ITALY. Frequency changes for RAI International effective from Dec. 23: 1345-1730 Sport Sun NF 17570 ROM 100 kW / 187 deg to CeAf, ex 21710 1430-1455 Arabic NF 11730 ROM 100 kW / 135 deg to NoAf, ex 11815 1500-1525 Italian NF 11730 ROM 100 kW / 135 deg to NoAf, ex 11815 1700-1800 Italian NF 5955 ROM 100 kW / 130 deg to EaAf, ex 5965 1700-1800 Italian NF 5965 ROM 100 kW / 235 deg to NoAf, ex 6125 1810-1825 Czech NF 5965 ROM 100 kW / 052 deg to CeEu, ex 5990 1825-1840 Slovak NF 5965 ROM 100 kW / 052 deg to CeEu, ex 5990 1840-1900 Polish NF 5965 ROM 100 kW / 052 deg to CeEu, ex 5990 2025-2045 English NF 5985 ROM 100 kW / 120 deg to EaAf, ex 6020 2025-2045 Arabic NF 6085 ROM 100 kW / 235 deg to NoAf, ex 5990 2025-2045 Arabic NF 7175 ROM 100 kW / 235 deg to NoAf, ex 7290 2135-2155 Arabic NF 6045 ROM 100 kW / 120 deg to EaAf, ex 6010 (Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 10 via DXLD) ** ITALY [and non]. Happy New Year from all of us here at NEXUS-IBA, IRRS-Shortwave, IPAR and European Gospel Radio in Milan, Italy! We have exciting new programs in store for you this year, and a more clear, professional sound after our recent technical upgrades. This means a more reliable and cleaner signal in our target areas effective now! Try tuning in 5775 and 13840 kHz every evening or on Saturday and Sunday mornings Central European Time. Our frequency and program schedules are available on line at: http://www.nexus.org/NEXUS-IBA/Schedules I also want to pass some information if you are a program producer, or ever thought of producing any content to be heard on Shortwave radio. For the first time here at European Gospel Radio http://www.egradio.org and IPAR (International Public Access Radio, http://www.nexus.org/IPAR we wanted to offer our members an opportunity to those who want to start using Shortwave, and at the same time take full advantage of our Internet related services ... at no extra cost. NEXUS-IBA is a non profit, non denominational, association of broadcasters and program producers. 2006 associate membership fees (Jan-Dec) are only US$ 100 or Euros 100 and include free of charge: - Free internet streaming when you book airtime on Shortwave - A three page free web site, with hundreds of templates to chose from - One free internet domain and one email address (yourname at yourdomain.com or .org) with anti-spam and antivirus filters - Low rates to broadcast on Shortwave - Free support and consulting on all your broadcasting needs All this is free of charge after your membership is accepted according to terms stated in our charter. Associate membership is open to all small program producer or broadcasting organization on a non discriminatory basis, and it is required to have access to any of our media services. I hope this information may be useful to you, and please do not hesitate to contact us if you need additional information. We look forward to being of service, and to welcoming you soon as a listener or NEXUS-IBA member ! Best 73s, (Ron [Norton?], IRRS via shortwave yg via DXLD) {unpaid commercial} ** MALDIVE ISLANDS. MALDIVES GOVERNMENT ORCHESTRATES SRI LANKA RAID ON EXILED RADIO STATION --- By Article 19 January 9, 2006 http://www.minivannews.com/news/news.php?id=1663 Press Statement ARTICLE 19 is highly concerned by the raid on Minivan Radio, carried out by Sri Lankan police at the request of the Maldivian authorities. We believe that the raid, requested through Interpol channels for alleged involvement of the radio station in gun-running, was intended to silence the exiled Minivan radio station and website and deprive the people of the Maldives of one of the few remaining independent media outlets. We call on the government to stop attacks such as these. Minivan's Colombo offices were raided by Sri Lankan police on 28 December 2005 in response to a claim by the Maldivian police that the premises were used to hide weapons and to plan seditious activities. owever, no weapons were found and the case has now been closed, making his incident the latest in a series of bogus Interpol requests by aldivian authorities concerning exiled journalists. These and other attacks have had a serious "chilling-effect" on independent Maldivian media: Minivan radio has to suspend its broadcasts temporarily, and some Maldivian journalists have fled Sri Lanka for fear of further intimidation. The Maldivian government has made a habit of harassing and censoring the media, contrary to its promises to respect human rights and the constitutionally-protected right to freedom of expression. Minivan press group, for example, has been the target of government attacks since its establishment in July 2005. For instance, on 15 August last year, Minivan's printers were threatened with arson through anonymous phone calls. The Maldives also has extremely restrictive media laws, ensuring near- total government control over the media outlets. This has driven most critical media outlets out of the country, forcing them to operate on shortwave radio or through the internet. ARTICLE 19 is concerned that the continuing government harassment of critical media outlets, such as Minivan and the weekly magazine Fiyes - one of Fiyes` journalists that often writes reports critical of the government, Fares Amir, was arrested without reason on 5 January 2006. Such actions deprive the people of the Maldives of badly-needed independent sources of information. The role of independent and opposition media is critical to a democracy, providing the public with alternative viewpoints and information on issues of public interest. It portrays the diversity in a society and provides people with access to information that will enable them to make informed decision. An attack against independent media, such as the raid on Minivan Radio, is therefore also an attack on everyone's right to information. ARTICLE 19 calls on the Government of Maldives to: *stop the intimidation and harassment of media that are critical to the government; *respect the independence of all media, including independent and opposition media; and *reform laws concerning the media and bring them in line with international standards on freedom of expression (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** MALDIVE ISLANDS [non]. DTK T-Systems changes include: Minivan Radio from Jan. 1: 1600-1700 on 11800 NAU 250 kW / 110 deg Daily to SoAs in Dhivehi, cancelled (Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 10 via DXLD) ** MALI. 4784.4, Radio TV Malienne, 0630-0650, 08-01, Música vernácula y comentarios en francés y vernáculo por locutor. 24322. El día 15 de Diciembre había escuchado esta emisora en 4782.4; parece que varía su frecuencia entre los 4782 y 4785 kHz (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, Antena de cable, 10 metros, orientada WSW, escuchas realizadas en Friol, 27 Km. W de Lugo, 8 de Enero 2006, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 6010, Radio Mil, 0802-0955, 08-01, canciones en español, principalmente románticas, canción de José Luis Perales. Identificación entre cada canción: "Mil AM", "Radio Mil, 3,18", "Con Radio Mil", Radio Mil, 3,26", "Feliz Año Nuevo, en Vietnam nos escuchan por www.radiomil.com.mx". A las 0930 mejora la señal y se disfruta de la buena música de Radio Mil sin ninguna interferencia. "Radio Mil, 3,47". Entre las 0825 y las 0905 interferencia de La Voz de tu Conciencia, pero fuera de ese horario sólo se escuchaba Radio Mil. Señal muy variable, entre 12321 cuando era interferida y luego 23322 e incluso por momentos 34333. De la poca importancia que dan ya las emisoras a la onda corta se ve en los "slogan de identificación de Radio Mil, desde que pusieron su señal en internet: el otro día: "en Bulgaria nos escuchan por www.radiomil.com.mx" y hoy: "en Vietnan nos escuchan por www.radiomil.com.mx", pero no escuché mencionar últimamente: "en todo el mundo nos escuchan en onda corta por 6010 kHz." Desde aquí quiero alentar a todos a intentar captar a Radio Mil en los 6010 ahora que las condiciones son muy propicias; por lo menos aquí en Europa, cuando todavía las noches son muy grandes. El momento ideal es entre las 0800 y las 1000 UT, y enviar informes de recepción al apartado postal de la emisora, XEOI Radio Mil, Onda Corta, Apartado Postal 21-1000, 04021, México D.F. MÉXICO, en donde serán contestados por el buen amigo Julián Santiago Diez de Bonilla, y si no nos interesa obtener QSL, se pueden enviar bien al apartado postal o bién a la dirección de correo electrónico radiomil @ nrm.com.mx --- por lo menos la emisora sabrá que es escuchada. Y lo mismo vale para otras muchas emisoras, aunque tengamos ya su tarjeta QSL o no nos interese, nada nos cuesta enviarles un e-mail haciéndoles saber que las sintonizamos. Esto, creo, es una forma de intentar retrasar un poco el constante goteo de desapariciones en las transmiones en onda corta, que como dijo Julián Santiago, por lo que respecta a Radio Mil, "sólo se mantienen por cuestiones de nostalgia y romanticismo", y digo yo, y del apoyo que él y Héctor García Bojorge prestan a que esta no desparezca (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, Antena de cable, 10 metros, orientada WSW, escuchas realizadas en Friol, 27 Km. W de Lugo, 8 de Enero 2006, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. Re 6-006, Bonaire DRM 15525 --- I'm told by my colleague Jan Peter Werkman, who arranges these things, that because of the low power used (5 kW) a low bitrate is used to minimise dropouts. I suspect that because this was transmitting "off beam", the signal strength in New Jersey was a lot higher than the signal strength in Las Vegas. As a matter of fact, I happen to know that Jan Peter was prepared to adjust the bitrates on the basis of reports from CES (Andy Sennitt, RN, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. World FM QSY: see SCOTLAND [non] ** NIGERIA. VON began its French program at 2100 on 7255 // 15120. It seems the latter has to be turned off at this time, but the person in charge forgot to do it till 2104 (Raúl Saavedra, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, Jan 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. USA Pirate, V. of the Islands, 13887.8v, 1550-1640+ Jan 1, TENTATIVE. Oldies pop music. Not able to make out any further details; weak with deep fades. Pirate, Undercover Radio, 3480-USB, 0220-0230+ Jan 1. Another odd frequency for a USA pirate. IDs, gave e-mail address and Merlin, Ontario mail drop. Recap of stories from the past year. Story about the announcer`s journey to the West Indies. T-shirt giveaway. Very good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. WKY/OKC FLIPS TO SPANISH SIMULCAST CITADEL is now simulcasting its Spanish Regional Mexican KINB (LA INDOMABLE)/KINGFISHER-OKLAHOMA CITY on sister Talk WKY-A/OKLAHOMA CITY, meaning that the talkers are out the door, including morning man MARK SHANNON and afternoon host RON BLACK. Midday host JIM TRABER remains with sister Sports WWLS-A-F for afternoons, middayer DAX DAVIS is still WWLS PD, and BRAD COPELAND remains with sister Rock KATT as morning co-host (allaccess.com via Brock Whaley, Jan 10, DXLD) O, my, what a terrible fate for OK`s oldest radio station; confirmed in brief monitoring morning of Jan 10, a dual ID for 105.3 and 930. And how ironic that its three call letters are all considered non- native to Spanish (W and K more so than Y)! Still undetermined which pronunciation of W and Y they use (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PANAMA. RPC 560 // 106.3. They ID themselves mostly as a sports station tho I heard them with community programs in the morning. While what seems to be a sister station IDed as CPR in Colón 640 is kind of radio juke box with mostly typical local music. I heard it some 40 years ago for the first time playing Northern Soul music like Jackie Ross' Selfish One and Tony Clarke's The Entertainer. It seems this AM transmitter receives little maintenance as their signal is not kicking enough as in the 1960s (Raúl Saavedra, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, Jan 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. RWM still active?? Is the Moscow time signal station on 4996 and 9996 still active? About a week or so ago I was tuning past 9996 and the familiar second markers weren't there. The sort of thing you only notice when it's absent. Every time I've checked since then I've had the same nil result. It can't be propagation as I'm consistently not hearing them, when previously one or both were almost always audible in the UK, however faintly, at all hours. Perhaps they've cut back the schedule? They used to be 24/7 (and WRTH 2006 page 695 still lists them as such). Another shortwave casualty of the New Year? (Chris (southern England) Greenway, Jan 10, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA [and non]. RUSSIAN MILITARY BROADCASTER EXPANDS AT HOME AND ABROAD The Russian armed forces' new media group features TV and radio broadcasting, an advertising agency and an Internet presence, the military newspaper Russian newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda reported. The group has completed its registration process and can now concentrate on expanding its audience. The Ministry of Defence has ultimate control over the group, called Zvezda, but will not provide funding. Money will have to raised from loans and advertising - which a deputy defence minister has said will showcase defence-sector products in particular. The following is an excerpt from the report, published on 21 December: The federal government order to establish the Russian Federation Armed Forces United Television and Radio Broadcasting System federal state unitary enterprise was issued on 4 August 2005. The company's purpose is to promote military service, report reforms in the armed forces, and boost public support for the social protection of servicemen. The plan is to pursue these aims in two main directions. Firstly - general civilian, by creating a news outlet with a patriotic focus to operate on the Russian media scene. Secondly - within the armed forces, by setting up specialized information channels for military audiences at units and subunits throughout Russia and overseas. It was for this purpose that the Zvezda media group was set up, comprising the Armed Forces United Television and Radio Broadcasting System, the [Ministry of Defence's Central Television and Radio Studio federal state establishment, the Zvezda independent TV company, Zvezda-FM radio, the http://www.tvzvezda.ru Internet portal, and the OOO NTK Zvezda advertising agency. Aleksandr Lebedev, chief editor of the Zvezda television channel, has been appointed director of the new media group. At a news conference at RIA Novosti, Army General Nikolay Pankov, a state secretary and deputy defence minister, announced that stage one of setting up the group and registering its constituent parts is now complete. The TV and radio complex will start operating in May 2006 at 126 Prospekt Mira [in Moscow], using modern digital technology, a server system and digital archives. It will be able to broadcast up to 10 TV and radio channels nationwide by satellite, with zonal broadcasting also a possibility. Pankov stressed in particular that the project will operate to market rules. But the Ministry of Defence, which holds the controlling interest (51 per cent) will not help fund the commercial component of the channel's business. Money will to be borrowed, although some will come from advertising. Here Pankov clearly defined the military's position: "We will pursue exclusively social advertising and the market promotion of our manufacturers, and a considerable part of the advertising space will be given over to products of the military- industrial complex." The channel can be received in 54 regions of the Russian Federation, and an agreement has been signed with a cable operator to help Zvezda expand its audience by over 3m within 18 months. Zvezda editor-in- chief Aleksandr Lebedev and NTK Zvezda executive manager Sergey Savushkin said the creation of a network of affiliates would be the second stage of the new media entity's development. [Passage omitted] Zvezda affiliates will be formed in each of the four fleets and in all the military districts. In addition, the opening of affiliates in Sevastopol, Yerevan, and Dushanbe is planned. Andrey Razbash, Zvezda group creative producer, said that "the defence ministry has enough frequencies and technical resources to organize an integrated TV network. This is vital for the army's sense of identity, so that units from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok can feel that they are all part of a single community." [Passage omitted] In addition, Zvezda will go into international orbit. An agreement on cooperation with the Chinese CCTV television channel is being prepared. [Passage omitted] Negotiations have also been held with the American Pentagon Channel and a Swedish TV channel, Lebedev told the news conference at RIA Novosti. Source: Krasnaya Zvezda, Moscow, in Russian 21 Dec 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** SAN ANDRES AND PROVIDENCE. 910, Romántica all day long, but on Sunday 8th heard with news at 1800 as part of RCN (Radio Cadena Nacional) network (Raúl Saavedra, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) HJMY 30 kW (WRTH 2006) ** SCOTLAND [non]. From Monday, January 23rd, Radio Six International will once again be available via the WBCQ facility in Monticello, Maine, USA. Transmissions will be on 7415 kHz (50 kW) on Mondays between 0300 and 0500 UT (Sundays 10.00 pm - Midnight Eastern) Revised winter schedule: [Tawa frequencies: see below] 0000 - 0200 Sat/Sun 88.2 MHz (Tawa, New Zealand - 500 mW) 0300 - 0500 Mon 7415 kHz (Monticello, Maine, US - 50 kW) 0700 - 0800 Sat 9290 kHz (Ulbroka, Latvia - 100 kW) 0800 - 0900 Sun(2nd of mth) 13840 kHz (IRRS, Italy - 20 kW) 0930 - 1030 Sat (2nd of mth) 13840 kHz (IRRS, Italy - 20 kW) 1200 - 1300 Sun 9290 kHz (Ulbroka, Latvia - 100 kW) 2000 - 2100 Thu (2nd of mth) 5775 kHz (IRRS, Italy - 20 kW) 2000 - 2100 Fri/Sat/Sun 945 kHz (Riga, Latvia - 2.7 kW) 2200 - 0000 Sun 7415 kHz (Monticello, Maine, US - 50 kW) 2300 - 0000 Fri/Sat 88.2 MHz (Tawa, New Zealand - 500 mW) We're particularly keen to receive reception reports for 945 kHz and 7415 kHz over the next few weeks. Although 9290 isn't beamed to North America, we received a number of reports from there for our 25th December broadcast. Perhaps some brave souls would care to listen out and let us know if 9290 is regularly being heard across the Atlantic? Regards (TONY CURRIE, Programme Director, radio six international, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Maybe on the east coast, but I gave up trying in CNAm after several attempts to hear anything from various 9290 relays (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also USA - WBCQ Just a tiny little bit of additional info: I know this is of practically no interest to Dxers, but our relay in Wellington, New Zealand has just moved frequency from 88.2 to 88.5 MHz! (TONY Currie, Jan 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Then so has mine! Maybe not so certain; found this on website: We are testing other frequencies to avoid interference with GenesisFM on 88.1 MHz. If you can't hear us on 88.2, try 88.4 or 88.5 MHz (from http://www.worldfm.co.nz/whatsnew.php via DXLD) Yes, Chris emailed me this morning to tell me that the move to 88.5 was permanent. Of course! Forgot WOR was relayed by World FM. Apparently there was interference from a new station on 88.1, so Chris has moved up the band a bit (seems you're allowed to do that sort of thing in NZ!!!!)and in the process has significantly increased the transmission area to the north (Tony Currie, Jan 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SINGAPORE [non]. GUAM(non): Updated schedule for AWR's "Wavescan" from Jan. 1: 1130 Sun 11915 SDA 100 kW / 255 deg West Indonesia 1200 Sun 15110 DHA 250 kW / 085 deg NE India, co-ch CRI in Chinese 1530 Sun 9530 SKN 300 kW / 090 deg Nepal, Tibet (ex DHA 250 kW / 075 deg) 1600 Sun 9585 SDA 100 kW / 285 deg Central India 1600 Sun 12065 SDA 100 kW / 285 deg South India 1630 Sun 11980 SDA 100 kW / 300 deg North India 1730 Sun 9980 SDA 100 kW / 300 deg ME, co-ch AFRTS in USB [Iceland] 2130 Sun 11960 SDA 100 kW / 345 deg W Japan, co-ch Star R. Liberia Eng 2230 Sun 11655 SDA 100 kW / 255 deg West Indonesia (Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 10 via DXLD) Now we have them all UT Sundays, rather than some on UT Saturdays as variously claimed and observed! Which is correct? The only way to be positive, it seems, is to monitor each time on Sat and Sun (gh, DXLD) Glenn, Thank you for your enquiry. This is the schedule I have been given from Singapore. I have not yet been able to hear Wavescan on the air. I have received a few reception reports here and so far, at least for the 1st weekend, Sunday was the day. Also listed is my SINPO rating for English transmissions at this time as heard on another day, but not on Sunday. UT kHz Unit SINPO 1130 11915 Guam Checked but not heard in Indy 1200 15110 UAE 1/2 5 3 4 1/2 1530 9530 UAE Not yet checked in Indy [moved to Skelton UK] 1600 12065 Guam Checked but not heard in Indy 1630 9585 Guam Checked but not heard in Indy 1630 11980 Guam Checked bu not heard in Indy 1730 9980 Guam Checked but not heard in Indy 2130 11980 Guam 21441 2230 11655 Guam 35444 Greetings! AMP (Adrian Peterson, IN, Jan 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. Jan 10 at 1500 on 17770, African news in English. It`s Channel Africa, a transmission not usually audible here. On this occasion, propagation from California had not built up, as KVOH 17775 was very weak --- in fact, at first I thought it was late coming on. Likewise Martí/Delano 17670 was inaudible vs dentrocuban commie jamming; 17770 still going past 1530 in hour-long transmission (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Solar-terrestrial indices for 09 January follow. Solar flux 78 and mid-latitude A-index 0. The mid-latitude K-index at 1500 UTC on 10 January was 1 (7 nT). No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours (SEC via DXLD) ** SPAIN. SIN PRESUPUESTO PARA EL DESMANTELAMIENTO DE LAS ANTENAS DE R. LIBERTY EN PALS http://www.televisiondigital.electronicafacil.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Ne\ws&file=article&sid=4744 Girona - Convergencia i Unió (CiU) ha asegurado hoy que el Gobierno central se ha olvidado de presupuestar la partida económica para llevar a cabo el desmantelamiento de las antenas de Radio Liberty de la playa de Pals que se había previsto hacer este año. La federación nacionalista ha añadido que gracias a una enmienda suya, la partida correspondiente para el desmantelamiento de las antenas se ha incluido en los Presupuestos Generales del Estado. El diputado de CiU, Jordi Xuclá, ha explicado hoy que había una partida presupuestada para el desmantelamiento de las antenas en el 2005, pero que se perdió debido a que estuvieron debatiendo si era necesario o no mantener en pie una de las antenas para utilizarla como captador de CO2. Este año se había decidido derribar las antenas, pero según Xuclá los diputados del tripartito no se habían percatado de que en los presupuestos generales del Estado no había ninguna partida destinada a esta función. Según Xuclá, CiU se dio cuenta de esta carencia y entre las 11 enmiendas que presentaron y aceptaron, presentó una enmienda a los presupuestos para que se incluyeran unos 710.000 euros destinados a este fin. "En el proyecto de presupuestos que el gobierno entró en el mes de octubre a las Cortes Generales, no había ninguna partida para el desmantelamiento de las antenas de Pals, creo que ha habido un rayo de lucidez, han descubierto que este captador de CO2 lo pueden poner perfectamente en lo alto de la punta de cualquier faro de la Costa Brava y que no es necesario aguantar una antena, y por eso han aceptado esta enmienda", ha dicho Xuclá (via José Miguel Romero, condig list via DXLD) [gh summary translation: Concerning dismantling the old R. Liberty antennas at Playa de Pals. Supposed to be done last year, but not as there was debate over whether to leave one of them up to ``capture carbon dioxide``[???]. And now there is no appropriation to cover the cost. However, CO2 capture equipment can be mounted on any lighthouse on the Costa Brava, so no further delay is necessary] ** SRI LANKA [non]. DTK T-Systems changes include: IBC Tamil Service from Dec. 22: 0000-0100 NF 6175 WER 250 kW / 105 deg Daily to SoAs in Tamil, ex 7115/7110/6055 (Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 10 via DXLD) ** TUNISIA. TUNEZ, 963, R. Tunez Int, 1930-1940, escuchada el 9 de enero en españól a locutor con boletín de noticias y pronóstico del tiempo, segmento de música latina, SINPO 43543 (Jose Miguel Romero, EA5-1022, Burjasot (Valencia), España, SANGEAN ATS 909, Antena RADIO MASTER A-108, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) So the absence of 963 was only temporary, also affecting other fornlangs (gh) ** U S A [and non]. NEW EDITION OF GLOBAL CRISIS WATCH NOW ONLINE A new edition of Global Crisis Watch, the podcast produced by ClandestineRadio.com, is now online. In this edition, Voice of America Director David Jackson about the intimidation of VOA journalists in Ethiopia. Also discussed are the end of an era in Israel and Syria with Nir Boms of the Center for Freedom in the Middle East, and al Qaeda online propaganda and messaging with Aaron Weisburd of the Internet Haganah. http://www.clandestineradio.com/ # posted by Andy @ 13:14 UT Jan 9 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** U S A. WBCQ Schedule Update, January 9, 2006 --- Johnny Lightning announced that Radio New York International will be dropping from four hours to two on WBCQ 7415 starting on Sunday, January 29 at 8PM eastern time (0100 UTC Monday January 30). Radio Six International will commence a weekly two hour block from 0300 to 0500 Mondays on 7415 on this date. JL will program the next two weeks of RNI with full four hour live broadcasts. The tentative schedule for future RNI broadcasts is to have JL do three weeks a month, two hours per night, and LF Midwood and Gina will do one week a month live from Texas (Larry Will, Mount Airy, Maryland, WBCQ Program Guide, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) WBCQ 18910 with fair to poor signal and biblical study by a woman. I don't use to get this kind of signal in San José. SINPO 25352 (Raúl Saavedra, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, Jan 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Time? Afternoon, no doubt. On weekends I still notice that insane preacher who screams incomprehensibly for a few seconds and leaves even more dead air between outbursts, as if building up steam for the next one (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. WTOP call sign changes. According to dcrtv.com, the call- sign flips for the "new" station on 1500 in Washington has been granted by the FCC. The WTOP (AM) calls are moving to 820 in Frederick MD. WTWP (AM) now is assigned to 1500. WTOP-FM is assigned to the "new" all-news outlet on 103.5 FM which will carry the WTOP all news format. WTOP-FM is moved to 103.5 from 107.7 which becomes WTWP-FM. So... WTWP on 1500- Washington Post Radio WTOP on 820- All news WTOP-FM on 103.5- All news WTWP-FM on 107.1- Washington Post Radio WGMS-FM on 104.1- Classical music WGYS-FM on 103.9- Classical music Call sign changes may already have taken place but the format changes on 1500 won't kick in until March. Confused? (John Cereghin, Smyrna DE, Jan 10, IRCA via DXLD) I have removed the -AM suffix in all cases, since it is not really part of the callsign! (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Re 6-006, KING-FM: Glenn, I listened last night and they introduced the 1/2 hour segment after Compline as "The Organ Loft" and Roger Sherman hosted. True, he only presented one organ-only selection, but Roger Sherman had been mixing choral with organ music. Time will tell (Bruce Burrow, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re: KOIL 1020 Format Change 1020 // 1180 One of the things I was waiting to see is / was the fate of 'The Polka Show" aired on KOTD, now KOIL 1020 for many years. My family's Hardware Store is one of South Omaha's oldest existing businesses (since 1894) and a loyal sponsor of "The Polka Show". KOIL's recent decision to switch to the Radio Disney format is TOTALLY uncompatible with ethnic programming, and Radio Disney is a total WASTE of a 50,000 watt daytime signal. IMHO. Radio Disney's business model doesn't require much (or any) local advertising, or local studio, sales staff to be successful. A sat receiver, computer, and transmitter does it all. Fortunately, Salem's new News-Talk station 1420 KOTK happily took over airing of "The Polka Show" including P & M Hardware's advertisements, as well as other South Omaha businesses, where there is a significant Polish, Czech, German, etc. population. We put our advertising where it get results --- not excuses. KOIL's loss is KOTK's Gain. ONLY if the old advertisers of a station (like KOIL) that abruptly switches formats REVOLTS, and the old station loses many former clients, WILL they get a Loud, and clear message. They sure don't give a hoot about the former listeners (Bill Snyder - Ralston // South Omaha, NE, ABDX via DXLD) I believe that the Disney organization pays stations a pretty good chunk of change to broadcast the RD program. For that kind of income and very low expenditure, it is a foregone conclusion. With Disney's assets and income from other sources, they can apparently afford to lose a lot of money on RD and still see value in doing so. It's been said more than once that the radio stations exist to serve their clients the advertiser and that the listeners are considered just an unfortunate consequence of the need to serve the advertisers, as it concerns the station. Isn't RD on pretty much all AM stations that might be struggling otherwise? (Bob Foxworth, FL, ibid.) Looks to me the move was based on economics. The station couldn't make it on a few loyal advertisers who were probably paying very low spot rates. There wasn't enough billing on the station to worry about so a change was made. Disney offers a pretty nice package and now an unprofitable station can at least fix the bottom line. After KFAB, all the other AMs in Omaha are just an also-ran in the ratings. It's extremely costly and difficult to turn them around. Only a handful of AM stations have gone from bad ratings to the top in the past twenty years, WLW, WTAM and maybe a few others. Most of the highly rated AMs today have always been there or already had a decent audience base to use as a springboard (Alan Furst, Round Rock TX, ibid.) So glad I don't own an AMer in these trying times. Look at how many stations are changing format right and left and in general to no good ends. Broadcasting syndicated crap is not the answer for most stations and neither is spending bucks on digital that most listeners of AM won't be able to use, if ever. Hiring a new station GM and having him change formats just because he has to do something is not the answer. Playing stuff people want to listen to and doing something to build up listener loyalty would be a help. Having the FCC do something about increasing QRN from powerlines, etc., etc., would be a help. Having the FCC remind car makers that there is an AM band and that they should have decent AM sets with minimal engine noise would definately help. 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, IL, ibid.) ** U S A, AHHHEMMM ERRR! In the case of WBCA, cheating is it. They've been written up and gotten piles of NAL's and it does no good (Powell E. Way, IRCA via DXLD) Re: WBCA-1110 Cheating --- WBCA has a BIG history of cheating and being written up by the FCC and getting NAL's. And speaking of WBCA their old engineer says the old RCA if they use it can't run the 2500 watts for critical hours either. IF they are really strong at night, they are running full bore. They had even moved offices and failed to notify the FCC and do an address forwarding. Since I "tattle" for Atlanta, they asked me if I had a better address than the one they had (!!!!) This was a few years ago. And speaking of cheaters --- Since their change to oldies, WDRF 1510 Woodruff SC has been on full day power of 1000 watts for at least a few months. I caught them last month. Last night I caught them again. Amazing they were even giving WLAC considerable grief near Spartanburg. They finally got good near Woodruff, and mostly over rode WLAC. They would NOT do that on the 250 watts critical hours they are supposed to run and ZEEEEEE ROOOOOO at night. Catch this quick, I'm writing Mike Gideon of CC Nashville and Fred at the FCC Atlanta. It's not an accident to be doing this for months (Powell E. Way III, SC, ABDX via DXLD) Sorry, Les, these are MY AIRWAVES, and I want stations to operate legally. That`s not too much to ask. As for DXing, we can still take advantage of legitimate mistakes, but should not condone obviously deliberate cheating (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Many of these AM stations are an afterthought sharing a building and staff with four or five high profile FM stations. One staffer 'programmings' it, and the one cluster engineer is stretched across all the stations. In short, no one is really paying attention to the station. If the power change doesn't switch at the proper time, the station runs all night on day power. And it's also not uncommon for stations to be off air for several hours before someone at the station notices. The real shocker is how little general managers and programming staff know of FCC rules today. Ask ten people and you're likely to get ten answers. At least in the 'old days' of element nine, the operators had some basic understanding of how things ran and there was a some fear about doing it wrong because a dreaded inspector might walk in. During the mid 70s I did summer relief at WMTR Morristown NJ, a daytimer back then. We always signed off at least one minute before the required time. An FCC inspector lived just over the hill and would listen with clock in hand. He would call and raise a stink if we signed off ONE SECOND past the official sign off time. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if lots of stations are operating illegally today. Many AMs run all day by themselves and no one checks in to see that it is on air. It's pretty clear by listening that many of these stations receive little attention. Notice how many ID windows are missed on network programs. As a programmer that is one of the first signals that says no one is minding the store. It's not just the mom and pop shops; the big guys are sloppy too (Alan Furst, Round Rock TX, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A. DX TEST LISTS (NEW TESTS!) WVNN 770 kHz Huntsville, AL DX Test Date(s): January 15-20, 2006 (Late Sunday Night starts the test) Time: 2359 CST-0500 CST (0559-1100 UT) Spots will air at 1 minute prior to the TOH, 2nd spot will air each hour as close to the half hour as possible for the schedule. :60 Second long tests in duration. "Inventory Insert" format. Modes of Operation: Normal-"Inventory Insert" Night Power of 250 Watts. Pattern is a four tower array aimed SW to protect WABC. A plot of the antenna pattern is available at: http://www.highnoonfilm.com/amdx Programming: Morse Code ID's, Sweep Tones, Voice ID. Notes: Reception reports are desired via e-mail (first choice) and snail mail (only if e-mail is not available) Station would prefer to received recordings of the test (MP3, CD, or cassette). Submit reports to: les @ highnoonfilm.com Please put "WVNN DX Test" in the subject line. All standard mail reports should go to: Les Rayburn High Noon Film 100 Centerview Drive Suite 111 Birmingham, AL 35216 Thanks to Fred Holland and the staffs of WVNN for this test! Member Rick Shaftan arranged for this test and we're all very grateful. ================================================= KAVT 1680 kHz Fresno, CA DX Test [already published weeks ago] Date(s): January 21, 2006 (Late Friday night-Early Sat. Morning) Time: Midnight PST-0500 PST (0800-1300 UT) Modes of Operation: 10 KW ND Programming: Normal Radio Disney Format ONLY. No codes, tones, etc. are permitted due to the station`s contract with Disney. Notes: Listeners are cautioned that WDSS, Ada MI also runs the Radio Disney Format. So ID's, local spots, etc. will be needed for a QSL. A cassette or CD included with a report will be much appreciated, as it will be easier to tell for sure they heard KAVT, rather than WDSS. The use of Phasers or directional antennas such as loops will likely be needed by DX'ers in the Eastern US to null WDSS. Hopefully the long duration of the test (5 hours) will make up for the lack of Morse Code, etc. Station is conducting maintenance at this time period. Reception reports should be sent to: Patrick Martin PO Box 843 Seaside OR 97138-0843 Cassette recording or CD is preferred to a written report. Return postage appreciated. E-Mail via: mwdxer @ webtv.net Thanks to Paul, Patrick, and the staff of KAVT for making this test possible! ======================================================== WUMP 730 kHz Huntsville, AL DX Test Date(s): January 22-27, 2006 (Late Sunday Night starts the test) Time: 2359 CST-0500 CST (0559-1100 UT) Spots will air at 1 minute prior to the TOH, 2nd spot will air each hour as close to the half hour as possible for the schedule. :60 Second long tests in duration. "Inventory Insert" format. Modes of Operation: Normal-"Inventory Insert" 129 Watts, Non-Directional Programming: Morse Code ID's, Sweep Tones, Voice ID. Notes: Reception reports are desired via e-mail (first choice) and snail mail (only if e-mail is not available) Station would prefer to received recordings of the test (MP3, CD, or cassette). Submit reports to: les @ highnoonfilm.com Please put "WUMP DX Test" in the subject line. All standard mail reports should go to: Les Rayburn High Noon Film 100 Centerview Drive Suite 111 Birmingham, AL 35216 Thanks to Fred Holland and the staffs of WUMP for this test! Member Rick Shaftan arranged for this test and we're all very grateful. ================================================= (Les Rayburn, N1LF, NRC/IRCA Broadcast Test Coordinator, Please call anytime 24/7 if your transmitter will be off the air for maintenance. (205) 253-4867, Jan 9, IRCA via DXLD) ** U S A. TEXAS, KKLF, Lucas, 1700 kHz. Full data QSL paper certificate for the December 4, 2005 special DX test (the one where the "organizer" decreed absolutely no reports would be verified unless an audio file accompanied, which prompted me to circumvent said silly and arbitrary rules with a report directly to the station instead of these QSL mis-manger, self-imposing, multi-layered bureaucratic types). City listed as Lucas, 1 kW. Verie signer Hubert R. Beavers, Technical Department, to whom I offer my personal thanks (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. January is another Orgy month at Harvard`s WHRB: such as playing every recorded work by various composers (currently Schumann) in chrono order, no matter how many hours or days it takes, and lots of other creative programming ideas, not all of them classical. Details in UT -5: http://www.whrb.org/pg/JanFeb2006.pdf Unfortunately their webstream is mononly (Glenn Hauser, OK, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. GOODBYE, BUREAUS, HELLO, EMOTING Harry Shearer Mon Jan 9, 12:36 AM ET Huffington Post There has been lots of comment, from here and elsewhere, about, increasingly, not just inaccurate but ignorant reporting, in the wake of Katrina and the Miracle That Wasn't. In the New Orleans case, it included CNN correspondents standing in the Central Business District saying they were "reporting from the French Quarter". In both cases, it involved the repetition on air of stories -- of events in the Superdome or in the mine -- that turned out not to be true. And in both cases, defenders of the media, on and off the site, have asked, what else could they do? My first answer has been to be more skeptical, to ask "witnesses", especially walkups, one simple question: "How do you know?" I.e., did you see it, just hear about it, hear about it from someone who heard about it, etc. But this phenomenon exposes a deeper problem: the end of the system of resident correspondents around the country and around the world. Increasingly, American media rely on a roving band of reporters--in Chicago one day, in Haiti the next--who parachute in, ask "what's the mood here?" of people on the street, or the crew (!) they're working with, and skedaddle out in a day or two. This sort of thing was dramatically evident in the heyday of anchor-reporters, when Peter, Dan and Tom would "bigfoot" into a major breaking story, but at least in the early days of that system, there was a resident bureau correspondent there to get them up to speed. But, in the rush to shave network (and newspaper) budgets, the bureaus are the first to go. Why have someone on staff someplace where news isn't guaranteed to be happening every day? That's so...wasteful. That's why the only bureaus that survive and thrive are in Washington, a reliable producer of endless news stories. (The DC bureaus, though, demonstrate the polar opposite of the parachuting-in problem -- almost nobody gets rotated out of the Washington bureau, just shifted from one capital assignment to another, so they get impossibly cozy with the cast of people they cover.) Unfortunately, when you've just arrived in town, you don't know whom to trust and whom not to. You don't know histories of people and situations, even though your producer may have given you a Google pack to read on the plane. When somebody tells you something--rapes in the Superdome, miners alive--you don't know whom to turn to for a reality check. You're lost, and so is your audience. While American media nabobs like Rupert Murdoch -- did I say American? - - criticize the BBC, they can't hope to compare with the number of correspondents that service has assigned to capitals all over the world. It's terribly inefficient, but at least, when the time comes to do a story, the BBC guy or gal on scene usually knows which neighborhood they're standing in (via Tom Roche, DXLD) ** U S A. FCC FINES PHILLY PIRATE: see GREENLAND [non] ** UZBEKISTAN [and non]. [Re R. Tashkent off SW] Dear Radio Friends, I looked at http://www.ino.uzpak.uz and checked the schedule. It was as follows: In English: 0100-0130 7160 7185 1200-1230 5975 7190 1330-1400 5060 7190 2030-2100 2130-2200 Both 7185 I checked at 2130 but no sign. If it is the case that they have stopped, it is a shame. It was the only really strong station on shortwave in the Central Asian area. Regards (Christopher Lewis, England, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) On the homepage above, I am glad to see that we are not the only non- Russians putting a y after a 4-digit number to make clear it is a CE year: ``Monday, 9 January 2006y``. But why do they still have the SW frequency schedule up, if SW really be kaput? http://www.ino.uzpak.uz/eng/other_eng/radio_broadcast_eng.html (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Today Helmut Matt passed on some further information from what he describes as a very reliable source: Funding of Radio Tashkent International has been cut, hence the termination of the shortwave transmissions. Broadcasting via the audio streams will continue until the end of March when a decision over the fate of the editorial staff is to be made. It is expected that many staff members will be laid off already during the next weeks (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Jan 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, a great shame about Tashkent. Hope they reconsider. Their interval signal was my favorite since NRK went off SW several years ago; there was almost always some flutter, which made it irresistible! They were a fairly easy catch here (near Buffalo) on 11905 at 2130 and a POWERHOUSE when I was a kid in the mid-60s; think they used 9540 in our mornings and were one of my first "exotic" QSLs. Nuts. All things must pass...73 es Happy New Year to all de (Anne Fanelli in Elma NY, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi all, Now I am starting to worry. Pretty soon the bands will be empty of anything worth DXing. We need a resurgence of shortwave. I think when Russia went legit, the end of shortwave was in view, even though it might be a few years away still. We need another reason for propaganda between the Pro and the Con. Just my thoughts which might be out in left field? (Chuck Bolland, FL, ibid.) I think the fact that nobody noticed for several days proves that very few people (at least in North America and Europe) were paying much attention to this station. Be honest, when was the last time you actually listened to Radio Tashkent International, or wrote to them to tell them you were listening? International broadcasters are NOT on the air to indulge DXers. If that were the case, we'd all have closed down years ago because there are too few of them. Government-financed international broadcasting is, sadly, returning to what it was when I first started listening in the 1960's - primarily political in purpose. The difference is that instead of the Cold War, it's the War on Terrorism that is setting the agenda. Stations like ours, Radio Netherlands, are being squeezed because our government isn't interested in influencing minds as some of the US stations are. Countries like Uzbekistan, which are no longer part of a superpower, simply can't justify the expense of running 100 kW transmitters to carry programmes which only reach an audience of thousands. These costs have risen in the past year along with the price of oil (Andy Sennitt, Radio Netherlands (expressing my personal opinion), Jan 10, ibid.) We would have listened a lot more in North America if they ever had a reliable signal. Being transpolar, and intended for India anyway, this was not the case. That added to its exotic appeal for those of us who could occasionally pull it in. Keep in mind that Uzbekistan now has one of the most oppressive post-Soviet regimes, and whatever R. Tashkent did to humanize it is now a pastthing as far as SWBC, and may soon be even on the Internet (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Just can't get used to thinking of the Cold War years as the good old days, Chuck :-). Andy's point is well-taken, though, and I stand guilty as charged --- due to lack of available time for listening/ correspondence, tho, more than anything else. But my please-please- send-me-that-QSL days are long gone -- I've been interested for many years in Russia/Eastern Europe and, more recently, Central Asia. Every time a country goes off shortwave, a window closes on that country's culture -- and the more we know about each other, the fewer wars may be fought. 73 de (Anne Fanelli, Elma NY, ibid.) Hi all, Please correct my last on this topic to read "SWL" instead of DXer. My area of interest for DXing will remain for many years - Peru, Bolivia and Indonesia. However, I like to tune in to Voice of Russia and the surrounding countries every once in awhile. I don't see how those countries that drop shortwave (Swiss Radio International and now Radio Tashkent for example) and start broadcasting on the internet, think that they will get an audience with the same enthusiasm as the one that they had on short-wave. I used to like SRI for example. When did they go off the air, last year? I haven't even tried to find them on the internet. Instead of dropping shortwave, those stations should be increasing their broadcast time. Shortwave radios are so inexpensive these days. Instead of a reduction of audience, there's probably a large increase? With the windup radios, one doesn't even need to purchase power. I got mine (Chuck Bolland, FL, ibid.) On what research do you base your claim that "Instead of dropping shortwave, those stations should be Increasing their broadcast time"? Naturally we at Radio Netherlands would be very interested to see it. I spend many hours a day researching trends in international broadcasting, and I have seen no evidence that further investment in shortwave is a sensible option at the moment. But perhaps you've seen something I missed. Or do you just mean "I wish they would increase their broadcast time", in which case I would wholeheartedly agree with you. But are you going to fund it? Of course not. In the case of Swiss Radio International, a population of about 6 million had to pay, through taxes, the cost of running five shortwave stations in Switzerland (the country is so tiny and mountainous that there was no single site large enough for a big station) and the cost of producing the programmes, including those you used to listen to. Costs in Switzerland are high. Having said that, I totally agree that the move to the Internet decimated their audience, and we told them it would. The fact is, many people who once used to listen to shortwave have abandoned it. This isn't just the story in Europe and North America, we're getting the same feedback from India, China, even Africa. The reason? Not the Internet - I totally agree that the audience on the Web is tiny compared to radio. It's due to the emergence of FM in so many places in the last decade. Younger listeners in the developing countries much prefer the audio quality of FM to shortwave. Savvy broadcasters, such as the BBC, are investing in this so that they will reach a younger audience in the major cities. About 6 or 7 years ago, a group of engineers in international broadcasting decided to do something to improve the image of shortwave, and came up with DRM. Unfortunately, many traditional DXers want hard-pressed governments to continue to fund inefficient, costly and environmentally unfriendly analogue AM transmissions. They don't necessarily listen to them regularly, they just want them to be there on the few occasions when they decide to send a reception report or a logging to a DX club. That may sound harsh. But reality sometimes *is* harsh. I grew up as an SWL/DXer too, but working in the industry I've come to understand many of the problems from the inside. I too wish we could turn the clock back - I would love to have been working for Radio Netherlands in the 1960's and 1970's when the organisation had so much money it could even indulge in the Happy Station show once a week. Radio Sweden had the Saturday Show. Those were good times, but they've gone for ever (Andy Sennitt (speaking personally, not on behalf of Radio Netherlands), ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. Saludos cordiales; desde hace media hora por los 1628 kHz estoy sintonizando una emisora en árabe con música folklórica local. Para descartar que pudiera ser una emisión fantasma he estado chequeando toda la banda de AM y LW; no he encontrado ninguna emisión parecida. Por momentos la señal es fuerte, aunque sufre desvanecimientos hasta desaparecer. ¿Alguien sabe de qué emisora puede tratarse? Atentamente (José Miguel Romero, Spain, 2014 UT Jan 9, Noticias DX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 5907.51, 0832-0840, January 09, instrumental music. Very low signal, 15441 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, HCDX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 5980 [sic] reception: I happened upon a strong Arabic station at 5982 Sun 0130, and wonder if I could possibly have tuned Radio Marocaine Morocco, or if there is something there being broadcast from Sackville I don't know about. To be honest, this was MUCH STRONGER than what I receive typically from Sackville here (Bryan Cain, Cleveland, Sony ICF-SW7600GR, Jan 9, ODXA via DXLD) You would have been listening to Morocco. RTM puts a decent signal in here most days as they use the VOA's relay site (Mark Coady, ON, ibid.) Really on 5982 instead of 5980? Scheduled 00-05 (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. Hi Glenn: Bill Bergadano sent along this unidentified logging along with his submission for my column: 6215 ? January 6 0053-0103 UT with music, German language announcer, no ID given, extremely strong. (Bergadano-NJ) The B05 documents from the HFCC list Iran in German at 1930 on this frequency but not at this time. Any ideas? (Mark Coady, Editor, Your Reports/Listening In Magazine, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Mark, Most likely yet another mixing product from Sackville. Look for two frequencies at the appropriate separation in the 49m band, one of which is a DW relay. [slightly later:] And then I actually tried to find a match, but no go. In fact, it seems Sackville is not relaying DW at all around 0100. Nor do I see anything else in German likely at that hour, but I think Iran is very unlikely with no time to match (Glenn to Mark, via DXLD) Could possibly be a mixing product between frequencies on different bands, or image from 7 MHz band? More monitoring required. Did Bill look for parallels all over 49m and other bands when 6215 was in so strong? I checked around 0110 Jan 10 and could not hear anything on 6215 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Glenn, I just wanted to congratulate you on another year`s worth of great material, & hope 2006 is just as good. As you may know I occasionally use snippets of your show in my podcast, for which I always cite you, this week is no exception. Great Show, RD (Ragnar Radio & Pirates Week Podcast, Jan 1, http://piratesweek.tripod.com/ DXLD) RADIO PHILATELY +++++++++++++++ INTERNATIONAL MAIL RATES Re: ``International goes to 84 cents everywhere for 1 oz. but the second ounce is split different ways depending on country --- anywhere from $1.65 to $1.80 are the new values for 2 oz. [what I don`t get is how the 2nd ounce can now cost MORE than the first oz. Might as well break it up and send two separate letters; Yes, I know, that would also involve two envelopes --- gh]`` Glenn: I tried that two separate envelope .84+.84=$1.68 gimmick on my niece. She said that it would be cheap of me sending it that way just to save a few pennies. Another way to look at the one-envelope bit is that you can send an extra sheet of paper in the 2-oz. one-envelope letter at $1.70 to Greece and I'd be willing to bet that is what the geniuses at USPS had in mind! Using one envelope also saves writing and the cost of the second envelope (.01), too. (John Babbis, Silver Spring, MD, Jan 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CHANGES IN USPS POSTAGE AND ADVICE As a former Postal Clerk, I'll try and explain a couple of things. The postcard (now 24 cents) is 24 cents (postage) + 2 cents (for the card) - use your own/larger card (up to 4x6 inches) and pay 24 cents. Personally, I think postcards sold at the post office are simply a convenience item. Clerks should have NO problem, as of 1/8, telling you the exact postage for anything....the machines were (should have been) reset to the new rates before opening for business on 1/8 (yes, some large POs are open on Sundays) or 1/9 as the case may be. There WILL be a shortage of 1 cent and 2 cent stamps by Tuesday. Why? Your post office ordered enough --- it's just that mailers didn't plan in advance for the change. In short, if you need 1 and/or 2 cent stamps or whatever denomination, haul your tail end to your post office on Monday and get what you need. The last rate increase, from 34 to 37 cents, found my drawer empty of 1, 2 and 3 cent stamps by the close of business the first day -- the same for the other clerk, and postmaster. Naturally, it was our fault not having enough stamps on hand. Turning in old postage. This usually applies to pre-stamped envelopes, postcards, (usually not stamps, unless special circumstances apply) etc., AND in a large quantity. I don't know if there is a minimum amount ($) that has to be turned in, but my postmaster set a $50 limit as I recall. This caveat - while $US green stamps are routinely sent to radio stations, in foreign countries, as return postage, in some countries possession of foreign currency is a crime and can lead to prison time for the unsuspecting person at the radio station who happens to receive the letter :'( IRCs, when you can find them are nice, but go for mint stamps if at all possible. I think I sold less than a handful of IRCs in my 6 year tour with the USPS. Just some thoughts. Current Notice 123 (Ratefold) is available at: PDF Format: http://pe.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/notices/not123/not123.pdf HTML: http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/ratesandfees.htm International Mail: http://pe.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub51/pub51.pdf (Publication 51 - PDF Format) (Mike Hardester, NC, IRCA via DXLD) Which countries? (John K9RZZ, ibid.) The International Mail Manual http://pe.usps.gov/text/Imm/Immctry.html lists a variety of items, as is probably of the most interest to DXers, AROs, etc. Examples: * Israel (Restrictions): Records, films, recording wire, computer cards, QSL cards, and magnetic film are admitted only if sent in letter-post shipments. * Canada (Restrictions): Coins; banknotes; currency notes; securities payable to bearer; traveler's checks; gold, silver, platinum, manufactured or not; jewelry; and other valuable articles may be sent only in registered letter-post items. * Brazil (Prohibitions): Banknotes; currency notes; paper money; securities payable to bearer; and traveler's checks. Maybe you're thinking of enclosing a couple of postcards with your report to a station in Cyprus: * Cyprus (Prohibitions): Postcards of private manufacture having illustrated designs not previously approved by the Cyprus Post Office. Just logged Uzbekistan and are thinking of sending them a taped or CD report? Might want to think again: * Restrictions: Cinematographic films, video recordings, and audio recordings may be imported with the authorization of the Ministry of Culture While it's doubtful that all postal facilities in other countries are scanning every piece of incoming mail, the prohibitions and restrictions are what each country has reported. And, in closing, bet you didn't know this little Observation regarding mail to the Central African Republic: * Postal authorities of Central African Rep. collect domestic postage from addressees for inbound shipments. (Not stated what is considered a "shipment," but something to think about (Mike Hardester, ib id.) CANADA TOO/AUSSI What is almost an annual event here, Canadian postal rates also go up, as of Jan. 16 http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/rates/2006/coming-e.asp 73 (Mike Brooker Toronto, ON, ibid.) ###