DX LISTENING DIGEST 6-071, May 7, 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 NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1314: Mon 0300 on WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0415 on WBCQ 7415 Mon 0500 on WRMI 9955 Wed 0930 on WWCR 9985 Complete schedule including non-SW stations and audio links: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html For updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL] http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS: www.obriensweb.com/wor.xml CONTINENT OF MEDIA 06-04 available from May 5: (stream) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0604.ram (download) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0604.rm DXLD YAHOOGROUP: Why wait for DXLD? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our yg. When applying, please identify yourself with your real name and location. Here`s where to sign up http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/ ** ABKHAZIA. 9495, Abkhaz R., 0415, 30 April, with Russian song, YL with several IDs then a man with lengthy talk, 44433 (Zacharias Liangas, Litohoron, Greece, using DE 1103 and PL200/550 and 1.x1.5 sqm mesh for labor day period vacation. Point of reception is 'local noise' free, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANTARCTICA. LRA 36, 15476, Not heard on Apr 18 or 19, but on Apr 25 at 1930-1955* (disappeared!), Spanish talk by a woman, Argentine (?) pop songs, heard best in USB, testing; 25121 (Manuel Méndez, Spain, and/or Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window May 3 via DXLD) ¿Nadie en el Cono Sur trata de captar a LRA-36? Aquí los resultados de quienes nos enforzamos en el Norte, desde las emisiones recientes de DXLD, últimamente con éxito. 73, (Glenn Hauser, condig list May 5 via DXLD) Hi Glenn, I checked 15476 several times between 1900 and 2100 and was unable to hear anything at all today (Steve Lare, Holland, MI USA, May 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also NEW ZEALAND ** AUSTRALIA. The second transmitter of HCJB Australia which was transferred from Quito is now functional and will be used from Apr 30. According to Mr. Y. Hayashi, JSWC member, the time and frequencies of this transmitter will be: 0900-1330 on 15400 and 2230-0100 on 15525. (Toshi Ohtake, Japan, Apr 28, DSWCI DX Window May 3 via DXLD) Viz.: ** AUSTRALIA. HCJB-AUSTRALIA A'06 Revised Schedule Effective from 30 Apr 2006 - 28 Oct 2006 UTC UTC Freq. TX Azi Target Days Language Begin End (Khz.)KW Deg Region SMTWTFS Site English 00:00 00:30 15405 100 307 South Asia 1111111 Australia English 00:00 00:30 15525 100 340 East Asia 1111111 Australia Nepali 00:30 00:45 15405 100 307 South Asia 11111_1 Australia Tamil 00:30 00:45 15405 100 307 South Asia _____1_ Australia Bangla 00:45 01:00 15405 100 307 South Asia _111111 Australia Malayalam 00:45 01:00 15405 100 307 South Asia 1______ Australia Bhojpuri 01:00 01:15 15405 100 307 South Asia __1____ Australia Chhattisgarhi 01:00 01:15 15405 100 307 South Asia 1____11 Australia Gujarati 01:00 01:15 15405 100 307 South Asia _1_____ Australia Marwari 01:00 01:15 15405 100 307 South Asia ____1__ Australia Teleg 01:00 01:15 15405 100 307 South Asia ___1___ Australia Hindi 01:15 01:45 15405 100 307 South Asia 1111111 Australia English 01:45 02:00 15405 100 307 South Asia ___1___ Australia Hmar 01:45 02:00 15405 100 307 South Asia 1______ Australia Kuruk 01:45 02:00 15405 100 307 South Asia _1__1__ Australia Marathi 01:45 02:00 15405 100 307 South Asia _____1_ Australia Santhali 01:45 02:00 15405 100 307 South Asia __1___1 Australia Urdu 02:00 02:30 15405 100 307 South Asia 1111111 Australia English 07:00 09:00 11750 50 120 South Pac 1111111 Australia Mandarin 09:00 10:00 15400 100 340 East Asia 1111111 Australia English 10:00 11:00 15400 100 340 East Asia 1111111 Australia English 10:00 11:30 15540 100 307 SE Asia 1111111 Australia Mandarin 11:00 12:00 15400 100 340 East Asia 1111111 Australia English 11:30 12:00 15425 100 307 SE Asia _111111 Australia Malay 11:30 12:00 15425 100 307 SE Asia 1______ Australia Cantonese 12:00 13:00 15395 100 340 East Asia 1111111 Australia Indonesian 12:00 12:30 15425 100 307 SE Asia 1111111 Australia Nepali 12:30 12:45 15425 100 307 South Asia 11111_1 Australia Tamil 12:30 12:45 15425 100 307 South Asia _____1_ Australia Telegu 12:45 13:00 15405 100 307 South Asia ___1___ Australia Kuruk 12:45 13:00 15425 100 307 South Asia _1__1__ Australia Malayalam 12:45 13:00 15425 100 307 South Asia 1______ Australia Marathi 12:45 13:00 15425 100 307 South Asia _____1_ Australia Santhali 12:45 13:00 15425 100 307 South Asia __1___1 Australia English 13:00 13:30 15400 100 340 East Asia 1111111 Australia English 13:00 13:15 15405 100 307 South Asia ___1___ Australia Bhojpuri 13:00 13:15 15435 100 307 South Asia __1____ Australia Chhattisgarhi 13:00 13:15 15435 100 307 South Asia 1____11 Australia Gujarati 13:00 13:15 15435 100 307 South Asia _1_____ Australia Marwari 13:00 13:15 15435 100 307 South Asia ____1__ Australia Hindi 13:15 13:30 15435 100 307 South Asia 1111111 Australia English 13:30 14:00 15435 100 307 South Asia 1______ Australia Urdu 13:30 14:00 15435 100 307 South Asia _111111 Australia Japanese 22:30 23:00 15525 100 340 East Asia 1_____1 Australia Mandarin 22:30 23:00 15525 100 340 East Asia _11111_ Australia Indonesian 23:00 23:30 15390 100 307 SE Asia 1111111 Australia Cantonese 23:00 00:00 15525 100 340 East Asia 1111111 Australia English 23:30 00:00 15390 100 307 South Asia 1111111 Australia (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Notice with one exception, all their frequencies are in the 15390- 15540 range, only 150 kHz. Do they have an extremely narrow bandwidth antenna forcing them into such restrictions? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also ECUADOR ** BANGLADESH. Re 6-070: Dear Alokesh, Ajoy & others, Bangladesh noted today 7 May 2006 at around 0000 UT on 4880. Blocked by AIR Lucknow (co channel) from around 0020 (Jose Jacob, India, dxldyg via DXLD) 4880 was one of their old inactive frequencies (gh, DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 4545.25, Radio Virgen de Remedios (presumed), Tupiza, 1033-1046, May 05, Spanish, long Catholic talk by male, "...y de la Cadena Radio Católica Mundial..." (programme made EWTN Network), 25432 Good signal in the night, on 4545.16 (SINPO 35433 at 2305 UT on May 05 too). 4781.3, Radio Tacana (presumed), Tumapasa, 1022-1026, May 05, Spanish, music in Spanish, TC by male as: "6 de la mañana y 22 minutos", 24422 4900.98, Radio San Miguel, Riberalta, Beni, 1016-1020, May 05, Spanish, local news by male, "Riberalta se ha convertido en el verdadero crisol [crucible] de la nacionalidad", 24332 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, HCDX via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 6025, R. Illimani (tentative), May 5, 0201-0259*, fútbol coverage, several excited segments when goal was scored, 0256 sign-off announcement, played some flute music, but no NA. Believe the format fits Bolivia more than Dominican Rep., plus R. Amanecer usually reported with NA at sign-off. Too weak to ID, occasional splatter from 6030 (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, Etón E5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. DRM specials for NASB May 11-12: see DIGITAL BROADCASTING ** CHAD. The National Radio of Chad, 6165 , sign on at 1700 UT with the program in Arabic, ID in Arabic followed by the International news mainly about the situation in Darfur, followed by some national news with several reports from reporters all over Chad. All the best from Cairo (Tarek Zeidan, Egypt, May 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non]. 18180, CNR 1, 1210 28 April, (tested in 3 radios!) program with n[ew?]s. Seems shift from previous 18160? (Zacharias Liangas, Litohoron, Greece, using DE 1103 and PL200/550 and 1.x1.5 sqm mesh for labor day period vacation. Point of reception is 'local noise' free, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Changes from day to day, If not hour to hour, to jam Sound of Hope (gh, DXLD) Sound of Hope 17-18 MHz at 2200 to 1600 UT: Apr. 26 2200- 17310, 0810- 18180, 1210- 18200 27 2200- 17350, 0405- 18180, 0957- 17310 28 2200- 18160, 0513- 17310, 1005- 18180 29 2200- 17330, 0505- 18200, 1105- 17350 30 2200- 18200, 0304- 17330, 1000- 18160 May 1 2200- 17350, 0300- 18180, 1000- 17310 2 2200- 17310, 0400- 18160, 1000- 17350 3 2200- 18180, 0400- 17330, 1000- 18200 4 2200- 17350, 0413- 18180, 0930-1800 ! 17310 5 2200- 18160, 0410- 17310, 0930- 18180 6 2200- 17330, 0412- 18200, 1010- 17350 de S. Aoki (NDXC HQ, controler: S. Hasegawa, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA [and non]. 6010.2, HJDH LV de tu Conciencia, Puerto Lleras 0408-0502 5/7 vied for dominance with XEOI, R. Mil on 6010. Religious talk by man in Spanish, "amen" at 0411:40, church bells; then lively LAm music with religious theme, including one that sounded like tropical/rap combination. 0430 instrumental version of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" followed by more music. Tuned away, but returned at 0458 for TOH through R. Mil's Mexican National Anthem "Misiones de la Estrella" mentioned among gongs. ID: Desde ... Colombia, transmite señal de onda larga HK... ..40 ... sintonice, HZDH, ... La Voz ... seis mil diez khz porque la veradera radio ..." Followed by Spanish male vocal on what was, 40 years ago, "100 Pounds of Clay." Monitoring tape on SW call, I hear "Zeta" rather than "Jota," prefix assigned to Saudi Arabia (John Callarman, TX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Must be confused about their own callsign, which we assume stands for ``Hoy Jesús Dice Hola``. Of course there are those who think the name Jesus derives from Zeus (gh) ** CROATIA [non]. 9925, GERMANY, V of Croatia, Nauen to North America; Wertachtal to South America. 0135 5/3 Very strong, both transmitters, not quite in synch. Heavy echo effect, with woman and man in Croatian (John Callarman, TX, DX LISTENNG DIGEST) ** CUBA. I have a daily alarm set at 0020 UT, and May 6 I was around to hear it, in order to recheck RHC 17705 to see what language they are in today --- Portuguese, tho at first it was Spanish, maybe preceding translation, or mixing them. UT May 7 I did not get there until 0027, nothing but open carrier (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 11850, RHC, Habana 1335 5/7 "En Contacto" with code sounds, special program in Spanish re 45th anniversary of RHC; // 12000, 11805, 11760, 11670 (overkill). 11850 is unlisted and weaker, making me wonder if it's a mixing product with 11805 & 11760 or 11760 & 11670 after 1400, which ILG lists as on Sunday 1400-1830 for "special events." (John Callarman, Krum TX, NRD-525, 80-foot random wire, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, I`ve heard such mixing products from them before, more likely 11760 leapfrogging 11805, but in this case it could be both, 11670 also leapfrogging 11760 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. A reminder to those who may consider it an historic occasion that HCJB airs its final English broadcast from Ecuador (analog, anyway), Saturday May 6 at 1100-1330 on 12005 and 21455-CUSB, including DX Partyline at 1230-1300. 73, (Glenn, the night before, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I do consider this historic to me personally. I received my first SW radio on Christmas day 1964 and HCJB was the first foreign station I logged (and eventually QSLed) that day. I know many of you don't care for the religious content of their broadcasts, but that station did a lot for the local people of Ecuador: electrical power generation, health clinics, school, etc. Their missionary American staff were definitely not the "ugly Americans" as portrayed in other parts of the world (Don Hosmer, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tuned to 12005 kHz to hear the final English broadcast from HCJB in Ecuador on Saturday, May 6, 2006 around 1055 UT. Heard carrier. Maybe will get lucky and RHC off the air today. 1059 UT severe QRM from RHC on 12000 causes HCJB on 12005 to be useless :( Only hearing bits of HCJB. Female saying, "... HCJB...". 2 men saying "... old enough... small business..." Too bad the self proclaimed amigo, Arnie Coro could not do something about RHC on 12000. HCJB not heard on 21455. [Later:] HCJB, 12005 kHz, May 6, 2006. 1220 UT "Hour of Decision" program. 1230 UT "DX Party Line" Future of DXPL. Will go to 15 minute program. 1300 UT Special final English broadcast in analog program. On the program listeners were told Quito will still broadcast in English. However now only in DRM. SIO 422 QRM RHC on 12000 kHz. 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I caught the last 10 minutes from 1320 on 12005; RHC on 12000 was no problem with a bit of side-tuning; nothing audible on 21455 tho it was fine in Spanish much later around 2200. Apparent live show with all the remaining American-English staff there, rationalizing how the end of English is just the beginning of something else God is calling them to do, a fine example of Christian fellowship (and I mean that sincerely). Wrapped up by 1330 and off immediately, forever, at the end of the time signal (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 12005, 1300-, HCJB, May 6. Fair to good reception and improving as dawn proceeded. Mostly a S7 signal. Final analog broadcast of DXPL followed at 1300 by a special farewell program bringing together a number of HCJB personalities and plans for digital shortwave, etc. Much discussion of English as a second language programming. English department 'isn't just vanishing into thin air', but difficult decisions have been made. Hope for DRM. Jeff Ingram moving to Singapore, while his son moves for a year to Vancouver. Passionate letters acknowledged. Continue to write to Karen at english @ hcjb.org.ec or snail mail. Last chance for a QSL for English broadcast mentioned, but keep writing. Asking for prayers as many of the staff leave Quito. Goodbyes from everyone at 1329:45, then fanfare, and time-pips and off at 1330. Goodbye to an old friend!. 21455 was just a very weak carrier (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Came in well here from tune in 1200 with Bill[y] Graham, DXPL at 1230 and then the farewell. Left the recorder on for final broadcast but was disappointed with the splatter from Radio Havana Cuba. If anyone has a decent recording of the final 1/2 hour, I would appreciate getting in touch with me. 73 (Mick Delmage, Sherwood Park, AB, HCDX via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Mick, I have the entire 1100 to 1330 in MP3 17.2 MB if anyone wants it. It was well before dawn initially, but the last 30 minutes came in pretty decently. I can send it to anyone who wishes the entire file (Walt Salmaniw, BC, ibid.) [but see below] I'm glad you heard them well, Walt. They were S3 on 12005 for the first 15m, then just S1 by 1329 s/off, altho' I did pick out the goodbyes. I still think I have enough for a QSL. 21455 inaudible. HCJB was one of the first four or five stations I ever heard on my old Juliette way back in the 1980s. Perhaps my NRD has spoiled me. I used to think HCJB was rare and mysterious when I was 14. I will have to dig it out and see if it brings back the mystery of DXing. I'll miss them, too (Liz Cameron, 6 May, Michigan, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I also heard the broadcast on 12005, here local time(CDT) the entire 1100-1330 UT. It was very strong [sic], also S3 here. Honestly, I was hoping for more, that is being the end of an era. DX Partyline obviously made no mention of HCJB's English Service demise, but the last half hour was a complete train wreck, plain and simple. From a broadcasting standpoint, it was a disaster. It was presented at the beginning like it was going to be some type of retro-spective look back, however it was almost entirely dominated by talk about some kind of "listener clubs" dedicated to helping people learn English. They also indicated (even joked about) accepting reception reports and giving out the email address and postal address of the now defunct station. Again, given all the history behind this station I was hoping for more (James Bernhardt, Fergus Falls, MN USA, ibid.) Adiós To HCJB --- Today, Friday May 5 [sic], 2006 is indeed a sad day in the history of short-wave radio for its listeners. HCJB (Heralding Christ Jesus Blessing) from Quito, Ecuador has ceased its English language transmissions. Many of us cut our radio baby teeth listening to HCJB with a xtal set made from a chunk of Germanium, a metallic cat whisker, round oatmeal container wrapped with copper wire cannibalized from whatever was handy and a pair of 2000 Ohm headphones. It has been a great run for HCJB. They first came on the air during commercial radio's infancy on Christmas day, December 25, 1931. Those of us who speak English have enjoyed their quality programs for seventy-five years. Perhaps one of the radio historians can tell us if HCJB intentionally came on the air on Christmas day or if it just happened to work out that way? Either way, certainly a fitting day for a religious station to "be born". HCJB was the first station I remember hearing when the 1940 Zenith console and I began our exploration of those waves of short in 1959. I still have their QSL card from 1961. As life would have it, when I returned to short-wave after a long time away in January 1997, HCJB was the first station the DX-392/Sangean 818cs heard! It was nice to hear an old friend. Thanks HCJB for all that you have provided for three quarters of a century to so many people around the world. Your English service will be missed (Duane Fischer, W8DBF WPE8CXO, MI, May 5! swl at qth.net via DXLD) There are some of us old enough to remember another notable day in HCJB's history - a recording of the last "DX Partyline" that was produced by long-time HCJB radio personalities Helen and Clayton Howard. This recording was made on June 19, 1984 and was kindly provided by Chris Lobdell of Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Thanks, Chris. Also shown is a picture of the Howards, issued at the time. 29:35 minutes at http://www181.pair.com/otsw/DXpartyline.html John Beck then took over the show (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Clean Copy of Final HCJB English broadcast The last DX Partyline, and many other shows, are available from HCJB as a Podcast. You'll receive a perfect quality recording instantly. You don't need an iPod to listen. All you need is a computer and a free download of iTunes or a similar player. Here's the link to HCJB's podcast addresses: http://www.hcjb.org/mass_media/radio/program_podcasts.html The HCJB site also has basic information for those not yet indoctrinated into the world of Podcasts and streaming. It's hard to believe that HCJB will no longer be broadcasting in English on shortwaves. They have been a rock for a lifetime. You have to admire the quality of Internet radio. Perfect quality shows are delivered in just seconds. Time marches forward. Peace be with you, (Karl Zuk, N2KZ, HCDX via DXLD) see also AUSTRALIA ** EL SALVADOR. 17837.07, R Imperial (presumed), 2044, Apr 24, heard again with usual Arabic music program which I think they have at 2000- 2100. I have heard it several times now. Why Arabic music, I do not know. Heard several times in 2006 (Dave Valko, PA, DSWCI DX Window May 3 via DXLD) Delano-17705 and its spurs with V. of Greece were gone by then, so that should no longer be a source of confusion; but now we might be fooled by other spurs. If hearing this, I would sure want to tune around the band for possible // (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) R. Imperial, 17835, personal hand written letter in one month on my fourth try. V/s Pedro Mendoza López, Pastor of Roca de Poder church (Marlin Field, MI, QSL Report, May NASWA Journal via DXLD) I assume for a reception a long time ago, not specified (gh, DXLD) ** EUROPE. DSWCI special programs celebrating the 50 years of the DSWCI --- The third special radio program has just been fixed. Mystery R, Italy during the night Sa/Su May 06-07 at 2000-0700 on 6220 in Italian and English, produced by the DX-er Roberto Scaglione of BCL DX Club from Sicily. Correct reception reports on all these special programs mentioning the DSWCI 50th Anniversary are going to be verified later on with a new Special QSL-card from the DSWCI. You can send your reports to: Anker Petersen, Udbyvej 11, DK 2740 Skovlunde, Denmark, or to the DSWCI HQ's. Please include one IRC, one Euro or one U.S. $ to cover our postage (Petersen, DSWCI DX Window May 3 via DXLD) Mystery Radio, Radio Strike e Radio 6220 live all night long on 6220 Khz for DSWCI 50 . Reports radio6220 @ hotmail.com (José Miguel Romero, Spain, May 6, HCDX via DXLD) Saludos cordiales, Mystery Radio en 6220 por Valencia con un SINPO 44333, locutor en inglés con constantes identificaciones, a las 2140 hablando en italiano, ID ``Mystery Radio``, la dirección de correo radio6220@hotmail.com no admite archivos adjuntos, he intentado enviar un reporter con un archivo de audio y me ha sido devuelto. 73 (José Miguel Romero2, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Coming in at 2213 UT May 6, 2006 with signal of SINPO 34343 on 6220. Music and announcements in Italian and English (Wade Smith, New Brunswick, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. SWR's 5-6th of May transmission schedule Here's info of SWR's transmission 5-6th of May. Wishing to have nice weekend with beautiful weather and good conditions. Best greetings also to all participants of 50 years jubilee of DSWCI in Denmark. Keep on listening. Here's our A06 schedule for this transmission day: MW 24 hours 1602 kHz 48 MB 00-01 (21-22 UTC) 6170 kHz 01-06 (22-03 UTC) 5980 kHz 06-19 (03-16 UTC) 6170 kHz 19-21 (16-18 UTC) 5980 kHz 21-24 (18-21 UTC) 6170 kHz 25 MB 00-09 (21-06 UTC) 11720 kHz 09-14 (06-11 UTC) 11690 kHz 14-21 (11-18 UTC) 11720 kHz 21-24 (18-21 UTC) 11690 kHz Programe schedule (times local Finnish time) 00-09 SWR crew - open studio 09-10 Rariojaska is very sirius 10-11 Studiossa Rick Random 11-12 Trickytrev with quests 12-13 Polish hour, one hour of Polish music 13-14 Trickytrev Rock Hour with quests. 14-15 Studiossa Rick Random 15-16 Movietunes & sounds from 60's - 80's by dj Miki 16-17 Pohjanmaa vuonna nolla. Toimitajat Olavi Letku ja Tenho Liiteri. Testaa huumorintajusi ;) 17-19 Tricky Trev Crazy Show 19-20 Studiossa Rick Random 20-21 Progressive rock and other strange things by Esa 21-22 SWR crew 22-23 SWR crew 23-24 Closing ceremony Postal address for reports is SWR, P O Box 99, 34801 Virrat Finland. Do not forgot handling cost of 2 Euro for QSL's. More info can be found: http://www.swradio.net 73' (Alpo Heinonen, Scandinavian Weekend Radio, May 5, dxldyg in advance via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. First DRM tests of CVC via Jülich are announced for the coming week, May 8 to May 12. Frequencies: http://forum.mysnip.de/read.php?8773,396906,405950#msg-405950 As usual nothing about the irrelevant aspect of programming (...) in this announcement, but must be English since 285 deg. from Jülich and 300 deg. from Wertachtal aim at the UK (and Ireland). (Kai Ludwig, Germany, May 7, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: 0800 - 1600 UTC, 7115 kHz, 285 , 40 kW, Juelich 1600 - 1800 UTC, 6185 kHz, 285 , 40 kW, Juelich 1800 - 1900 UTC, 5910 kHz, 285 , 40 kW, Juelich 1900 - 2000 UTC, 6175 kHz, 285 , 40 kW, Juelich 2000 - 2105 UTC, 6045 kHz, 285 , 40 kW, Juelich Und auch aus Wertachtal kommt eine Sendung 2105 - 2200 UTC, 6045 kHz, 300 , 60 kW, Wertachtal In London sendet übrigens die Deutsche Welle auf 25695 kHz mit 20 kHz Bandbreite (as above via DXLD) GERMANY [non]. See LATVIA ** GREECE [and non]. Could it be that IBB wanted to keep the VOA programs in Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian and Turkish for whatever reason on 792 until they will be finally terminated in October? So perhaps they made a preliminary arrangement with whatever Greek institution: Until then we keep the rights to use 792 and in return maintain the scheduled shortwave transmissions of ERA at Kavála? Next question: What will be the final fate of the Kavála plant once VOA left Europe for good? Is it imaginable that IBB could hand it over to the Greek in operational condition instead of taking away the equipment they still have use for (perhaps just for spares, or what could they do with another dozen of shortwave transmitters?) and then leave it to their former hosts to get rid of all the scrap (it cost the German taxpayer 600,000 Euro to clear the Holzkirchen site)? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, May 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) This Saturday, Hellenes Around the World was on in the 1400 hour, on fluttery 15630 direct, tho at first I thought it was not, with music at 1402. English discussion, however, when rechecked at 1422 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi John, I`m a bit surprised you have quit monitoring in the morning, since despite the abolition of Delano, they are still audible direct. Of course, that`s up to you, and you certainly deserve a rest from that self-imposed task if you like. FYI, Hellenes ATW was on this morning at 14+ audible but fluttery on 15630 (gh to John Babbis, MD, via DXLD) I still take a stab at Delano in the morning to see if VOG-Delano might return. As for 15630 direct from Greece, that early in the morning it is barely detectable here; perhaps it is better in Enid because of the 285 degree azimuth. However, Avlis 3 on 9420 is doing great here on the 0000-0400 UT service to North America, and that is why I give him the 2100 to 0200 reception report instead. When VOG lost Delano, the Hellenes Everywhere program could be in trouble of losing most of its listeners in North America and they may decide to drop it. I haven't heard anything from Babis since they lost Delano and Greenville and I'm afraid to push the subject of what VOG is going to do to make up reception to North America. On May 3, I sent Babis the following: Dear Friend Babis: Now that Voice of Greece broadcasts from Delano and Greenville have ceased, perhaps it is time to think about reestablishing service during the 1200-2200 UT period to North America. I was looking at the S-87 (September 6 to November 11, 1987) Transmission Schedule that Demetri Vafeas had sent to me many years ago and noted that 2 hours were devoted during that time frame as follows: UTC Frequency Azimuth Antenna CIRAF Zone 1200-1250 9855 323 HR 3 7/8 15630 285 HR 2 7/8 1500-1550 15630 285 HR 2 7/8/10/11 17565 285 HR 2 7/8/10/11 Perhaps you could use the frequency of 17705 on Avlis 3 (the VOA- donated 250-kw. transmitter) for service to North America during the 1200-2200 time period (John Babbis, MD, via DX LISTENING DIGEST) That frequency of course is left open, but is really too high for such a path currently over such an hourspan. Maybe 15 MHz. Ah, yes, the old 12 and 15 UT broadcasts, which as I recall had an English news segment, also long gone (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 11860, RRI Jakarta, Cimanggis, May 6, 1520-1613, program of on-air phone calls, segment with sports coverage, crowd in background chanting ``We Will Rock You``, ToH SCI, R.R.I. ID, news, pop songs (Queen, ``We Are The Champions``, etc.), fair-good (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, Etón E5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 3987 kHz, RRI-Manokwari first noted on May 3 at 1100 UT. Local ID at 1140. http://n1hp.or.tv/sound/mp3/03987_060503_1140.mp3 May 4 at +0945 to 1200 broken out with N. Korea Jam on 3985 kHz. Local news at 1000 and 1100. Atsunori Ishida (NDXC) (NDXC HQ, controler: S. Hasegawa, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Not in WRTH 2006 on any frequency; PWBR ``2006`` has it on 3987 but ``temporarily inactive?`` with 1 kW at 1000-1230, also local morning; is in Papua (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Australian list members in particular may be interested in this posted by Mark Fahey in Sydney to the worldspace- radio Yahoo group. Shows how he has managed to receive, and subsequently subscribe to, Worldspace there, well outside their published service area. His receiver is a BPL Diva: http://www.satdirectory.com/--worldspace.html (Mike Barraclough, UK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non]. Tried today to find out about the new Fri only 1200- 1300 IRRS transmission on 15750, but all I could get was a faint carrier. Perhaps an attempt by a small mission? By the way, does RTL still transmit leased religion on 234 like they do in German on 1440? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, May 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. The present long electoral season in Italy is offering an opportunity to listen to and identify Rai local MW stations around 2130 when 15-minute-long electoral programs are aired according to local necessities, mainly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. After legislative elections took place on Apr 09-10, a major electoral day in planned for May 28-29 in many towns (among them Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples; i.e. the most important towns in this country) and in Sicily (Regional Parliament). If necessary a second turn may be hold on Jun 11-12 when a nationwide referendum about a modification of the Constitution is also planned. On Apr 21, I noticed electoral programmes coming from Tuscany (Firenze 1368 kHz and Pisa 1062 kHz), Lombardy (Milan 900 kHz), Friuli Venezia Giulia (Trieste 819 kHz, where local elections are hold on Apr 23/24), Campania (Naples 657 kHz), Veneto (Venice 936 kHz). (Luigi Cobisi, Itlay, Apr 22, DSWCI DX Window May 3 via DXLD) Maybe local QSL's? (DSWCI Ed) ** KOREA NORTH [and non]. Shiokaze 5890 kHz was jammed with dirty carrier and 967 Hz single tone on 1400-1500 UT 5th May 2006. Probably the first jammed program on this day since launched on 31 Oct. 2005. Despite in Japanese program, I can not understand the Shiokaze's program on this time. Regards, (HUKUNAGA Mituhiro, Kyushu Is., Japan, dxing.info via DXLD) ** LAOS [non]. 11785 WHRI, Cypress Creek, SC 1345-1400 in odd oriental language, sentences ending in drawn out "shaw," "kaw" "chaw" syllables (Burmese?) Listed in English at this time, but ID'd 1358, then continued in English. Tried to navigate LeSea website to learn what language transmission was in, without success (John Callarman, Krum TX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It`s Hmong Lao Radio, Sat & Sun 13-14; not checked again, but in past I have had no trouble finding it on WHR sked. Try searching on Hmong now (gh, DXLD) ** LATVIA. From today Hamburger Lokalradio will broadcast via Latvia on 945 every Sunday 2000-2100 a special programme (i.e. prerecorded, not // Hamburg FM 96.0), cf. http://hhlr.homepage.t-online.de/index.htm Probably the very first client for the new Riga-Ulbroka 150 kW mediumwave relay service. Wonder if the rates are as attractive as they are for 9290? By the way, here are pictures of the Ulbroka shortwave antenna and transmitter: http://www.mvbalticradio.de/index.php?option=com_akogallery&Itemid=8&func=viewcategory&catid=77&lang=de (Kai Ludwig, May 7, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: -----Original Message----- Date: Sat, 6 May 2006 15:29:11 +0200 Subject: [A-DX] Hamburger Lokalradio From: "Peter Vaegler" Hallo Liste, wie ich in dem QSL-Brief vom Hamburger Lokalradio las, wird man ab 07. Mai jeden Sonntag ein Informationsprogramm via Riga 945 khz von 20.00-21.00 Uhr UT senden (lassen). v/s Michael Kittner. Gruß von der sonnigen Ostseeküste (A-DX via Ludwig, ibid.) No trace of the announced Hamburger Lokalradio on 945 here, only Romania (// 1152) and France Info underneath. Wonder if Ulbroka is really on air with anything close to 150 kW? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, 2011 UT May 7, ibid.) ** LIBERIA [non]. CLANDESTINE [sic], 9525, Star R. (relay [Ascension]) 0734-0759*, Apr 19, many many greetings and messages in the program segment called "Star Contact" hosted by W in English. 0739 outro with program name, e-mail address. 0740-0759 feature called "Program Talk" on educating low income earners. M host interviewed/questioned at least 4 'experts' in the education field. 0759 instrumental music briefly then W with ID ending the program. Signal off at 0800 (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, DSWCI DX Window May 3 via DXLD) ** LIBYA [non]. Caught my attention this Tiquicia morning, 1430Z, while I was tuning 17850 heard a noisy English transmission and it happened to be The Voice of Africa, The Great Jamahiriya, SINPO 35222. WRTH says they have English from 1400 to 1500, but this time they went further TOH. Obviously directed to Africa, as no Arabic songs were played, but lots of high life music (Raul Saavedra, Costa Rica, May 6, dxld yg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Has been two hours from 14 since at least beginning of A-06, // 21695, both via France of course, as already mentioned several times in DXLD (gh) ** LIBYA [non]. Today V. of Hope (Libya-non) started on 17675 at 1200 with V. of Africa on 17670 and 17675. The second Libyan channel, via KCH [MOLDOVA], today was on 17680 instead of the "traditional" 17660. Punching error or intentional change? One of the V. of Africa Arabic transmitters produces leapfrog spurs with V. of Africa Swahili on 17610. Both transmitters obviously in France (Olle Alm, Sweden, May 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sawt Alamel, 5 Mayo --- Curiosa y novedosa la situación de hoy, chequeo a las 1230 y lo primero que observo es que la emisión musical de La Voz de África, que emite todos los días por la frecuencia de 17660 no está. Me apresuro a buscar a Sawt Alamel, pero me encuentro en 17680 la emisora de música árabe; no hay duda de que es la misma. Pronto empiezo a reconocer algunos temas, la señal 45544. Busco a Sawt Alamel y la encuentro en 17675, fuertemente interferida por la emisión musical, templo la frecuencia en 17673 y espero hasta las 1243 en que se identifica, señal 43343. En 17670 una emisión en árabe, quizás La Voz de África, señal muy débil y con mucho ruido. A las 1300, corta la emisión de Sawt Alamel. Minutos después aparece la emisión de música afro en 17680 junto a la emisión de música árabe; quizás Sawt Alamel decidió moverse a esa frecuencia. Sin embargo a las 1330 reaparece en 17675. 12:00-13:00 Sawt Alamel 17675 13:00-13:30 Sawt Alamel (Presumiblemente) 17680 13:30-14:00 Sawt Alamel 17675 12:00-14:00 Voz de África (Música) 17680 13:05-????? Emisora música afro. 17680 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Checked out the 17600...17700 range today after 1200 but did not find much related to the game in this range. Some unID programming in Arabic was on 17675 (indeed Sawt Al-Amal according to observations just posted by José Miguel Romero), otherwise I got only the unrelated CRI (Kashi) on 17650, Radio Free Afghanistan (Thailand) on 17685, rudely cutting off inmidst sentence at 1229 without revealing any other signal on this frequency, and Radio Solh (Rampisham) on 17700. Two questions about the, ahem, additional transmissions of LJB via Issoudun: Who is responsible for selecting the frequencies used by Issoudun Centre E transmitters? Does TDF have to report all shortwave transmissions they do to the responsible telcom regulation authority? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, May 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello DXers, I've been away for a while, but I'm back :) Sout Alamal, picked them up on 4/5/2006 on a new frequency of 17690 kHz from 1200 UT with the usual ID, there was no B[ubble?] jamming but there was a very bad whistle on the same frequency. 5/5/06 I checked them out and they are back to 17675 with QRM from V. of Africa on the same frequency. I also noticed that the nonstop Libyan music station IDed as Idhat al Jamaheriya al Ouzma (the great Jamheriya Radio), signed on 17680 kHz today. I used to get them on 17660 for a long time. But sounds like the Libyans are trying to hit the same frequency Sout al Amal is using. no \\ frequency for V. of Africa, only on 17675 kHz. Hello DXers, 6/5/2006, a strange thing happened today while checking Sout Alamal; they signed on 1200 UT abruptly on 17670 with a YL talking, followed by a unique ID, ``Sout Libya dar al-idhaat al Libya fil Mahjar (Voice of Libya, the Libyan radio in exile) with the same musical background, first time to hear that ID by them. But around 1205 the usual ID is back again, Sout Alamal. Wonder if anybody else caught that unique ID!? Idhaat al Jamaheriya al Ouzam (the Great Jamaheriya Radio) signed on the new frequency 17680 kHz with the Libyan anthem followed by ID by YL. Voice of Africa replaced that station on 17660 kHz today with Ghaddafi having a long speech \\ 17670 kHz. [Later:] around 1223 UT severe jamming started on the same frequency of Sout Alamal 17670; it's impossible now to hear anything on that frequency !!! Around 1233 the jamming suddenly stopped!!? 1235 the same unique ID again ``Sout Libya dar al idhaat al Libya fil mahjar`` !!!! Thinking of changing their ID!?? 1239 UT a slight jammer is back on the frequency! On 17660 and 17670 it's the great Jamaheriya radio, not Voice of Africa --- but of course with a different program then the network on 17680 kHz. I heard them announcing a list of all the MW frequencies as follows: 1053 Tripoli 1251 South/West libya and southern Europe. 648 center of Libya 972 the coast of Libya 1125 northern eastern Libya 1080 Kufra (south Libya) 693 the oasis of Libya 675 Benghazi and the coast of Libya 1449 the central and coastal cities of Libya 828 south west Libya All the best DXers (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, May 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Saludos cordiales, hoy 6 de Mayo en 17680 La Voz de África con su emisión musical, ID "Idahat al Jamaeriya al de Ozma", parece abandonar la frecuencia de 17660, Sawt Alamel por 17670 con buena señal (José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Checking the situation May 6 from 1335: 17680 had Arabic music equal to or overriding CVC, very unusual here; something weak on 17675; Arabic talk on 17670. Not // Arabic talk on 17660; at 1353 17660 went into music, and at 1354, 17680 had the usual drumming which used to be on 17660, so the two are still switched. 17660 went off at 1400* after an announcement mentioning several different MHz. 17670 went off at 1401*, and 17675 continued after that with what I could now identify as the African music jammer. Therefore, Sawt al-Amel itself was probably also on 17680 on this occasion (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello Glenn, according to my observation in 2 different receivers, different locations, one in Cairo and one in UK via Dxtuners, I can confirm that Sout Alamal was on 17670 for the whole transmission 1200 ~14.00 UT. All the best (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello Tarek, Valencia, Spain. 1200-, 17665 Sawt Alamel, SINPO 45554 1200-, 17689 [sic] Idahat al Jameiriya al de Ozma, ID, Music árabe, SINPO 55555. 17660 Sin emisión 73 (José Miguel, via Tarek, ibid.) Saludos cordiales, nos emisoras no identificadas a las 1300, 17660 en árabe y en 17665 en francés (José Miguel Romero2, May 7, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hola José, I think the station on 17660 is Idhaat al Jamaheriya al Ouzma (Great Jamaheriya Radio) according to my observation yesterday! and it's different than the other great Jamaheriya radio on 17680 which is only Music. 7/5/06 they signed on around 1200 UT on 17665 kHz with the usual ID Sout Alamal followed by the Qur`an recitation. 73s de Cairo (Tarek Zeidan, Egypt, ibid.) V of Hope (Libya non) Today VoH opened on 17665 at 1200, appears to be the first time under 17670. V of Africa in Arabic stayed on 17660 and 17670 throughout until 1400 as did the music channel via KCH on 17680 [not 17880 as originally posted]. The sensational new event was that RFI French sometime between 1205 and 1220 changed from 17620 to 17665, where they stayed to at least 1400, so the French are becoming even more involved in the dirty activities. Money may not smell, but sometimes it does stink. VoH went to 17670 after 1300 and the Afropop station started on this frequency at 1308 with VoH Arabic remaining in the background. BTW, V of Africa in Swahili from 1200 was noted in parallel on 17610 and 17725, also via France (Olle Alm, Sweden, May 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Olle, Your observation is indeed quite remarkable. So far we knew only from your excellent monitoring that TDF apparently provides two transmitters (I would assume Centre E, used for regular LJB transmissions as well) for jamming on behalf of the Libyan authorities. But now one has to assume that they lost any shame, or do they really think that nobody would figure why the transmitter carrying RFI on 17620 moved to 17665 and so did not bother to switch it to another audio source (as RFI outlet it should be one of the new ALLISS units, presumably with no LJB feeds connected)? And what may TDF's contracts with Radio France say about such sudden frequency changes for RFI transmissions? I would assume that they did not notify RFI, otherwise RFI would be involved in this practice of jamming from a country of the European Union as well. One could get the idea to contact TDF's Jacques Gruson who posts in the drmrx forum. But I assume that this would be a complete waste of time. By the way, Swahili from 1200 on 17610 and 17725 is in accordance with what Radio Bulgaria recently reported, so their schedule information appears to be correct. But 17680. Still means that it is no longer true that this transmission is always on 17660, as still listed by Radio Bulgaria DX Mix (Kai Ludwig, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Saludos cordiales Glenn, cuando he estado escuchando la emisión en francés de 17665 me he ido a 17630 de África Nº1 para verificar si era la misma retransmisión, pero no lo era; sin lugar a dudas se trata de RFI con noticias de África y Senegal. Yo personalmente descartaría la implicación de Gabon y apuesto por Francia; creo que con toda seguridad, todas las transmisiones jammer contra Sawt Alamel provienen de ahí, hoy en 17660 en árabe, 17665 en fráncés, 17670 con emisión musical y en 17680 con la emisión musical de Idahat al Jamaeriya al de Ozma, que parece abandonar la frecuencia de 17660 que hasta ahora venía usando. Sawt Al-amal empieza con una nueva estrategia: la primera hora elige una frecuencia, por cierto cada vez mas escasas; en la segunda hora cambia hacia arriba o hacia abajo 5 kHz. Lo novedoso está en que en la transmisión de la segunda hora, cuando comienza la emisión musical, vuelve a cambiar de frecuencia. Con esta estrategia parece salvar gran parte de su programación. 73 (José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DXLD) 7 Mayo --- Saludos cordiales, chequeando hoy a Sawt Al-amal se ha podido observar varias circunstancias novedosas: a las 1155 en 17680 se aprecian tonos previos a la emisión de Idahat al Jamaheriya al Ouzma, a las 1200 comienza su habitual retransmisión con identificación por locutora. En 17665 a Sawt Al-amal, que en esta primera hora tan solo sufre interferencia débil por señal de burbuja de forma discontinua. A las 1300 Sawt Al-amal cambia a la frecuencia de 17670 y a las 1308 se inicia emisión musical. A las 1323 Sawt Al- amal cambia a la frecuencia original de 17665. Ya a ésta hora se aprecia una emisora en francés no identificada, probablemente RFI y en 17660 otra emisión en árabe, probablemente La Voz de África. 1200-1300 Sawt Al-amal 17665 1300-1323 Sawt Al-amal 17670 1308- Jammer musical 17670 1323-1414 Sawt Al-amal 17665 1200-1400 Voz de África (Música) 17680 1300- Voz de África, árabe 17660 1300- Emisión en francés ¿RFI? 17665 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LITHUANIA. 11690, R. Vilnius, Sitkunai, 0052 5/3 Mailbag in English, two men, one reading N.H. DX’er Scott Barber’s comments from a reception report (I have it on tape); Closed program with ID & IS; carrier off 0102 (John Callarman, TX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So the mailbag is UT Wed ** MALAYSIA. 7295, Traxx FM, 1041-1055, May 6, English, noted again with 80's pop music by Hall & Oates; other artists. OM between selections and IDs. Poor, unusable, fading by tune-out. Huge "ham" signal still on 7294L. Yet again at 1016-1032, May 7, with more of the same; pop music and OM between songs. Poor with 7294L ham absent; must be sleeping in this AM! (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH-USA, R75, 200' Beverages, MLB-1, DTS-4, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7295, Traxx FM (RTM), May 6, 1240-1400, ``Traxx Chart Toppers``, playing the top 20 songs (``#10 this week is Gwen Stefani with `Crash`. Last week was #11.``), 1300 ``Here is the 9 o`clock news from the Kuala Lumpur News Center``, end of program: ``There you have 20 of the biggest stars on the airwaves of Traxx FM, on Traxx Chart Toppers every Saturday. Tune in next Saturday from 8 to 10 PM``, fair (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, Etón E5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7295, RTM Kajang relaying Traxx FM, 1720 UT May 6. I could enjoy only seven minutes of English phone-in-program with excellent reception. Reception was ruined by co-channel IRIB Tehran starting at 1727. Glad to see Malaysia back on this frequency. Even better reception at 1845 with no QRM. Signal strength even S9 +10dB! 73 (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALI. 4834.89, R Mali, Kati, Bamako, 1900-2240, Apr 29, 30, May 01 and 02, French talks and announcements, West African pop music. Often mentioned Malienne and Bamako in the last minutes on 4835; it`s 100% Mali back on the air // 5995! Poor but clear signal. QRM Alice Springs *2130 (Gonçalves, Monferini, Ratzer, Ritola and Petersen, Europe, DSWCI DX Window May 3 via DXLD). Has been off on 4835 since Nov 2004 (DSWCI Ed) 6 May at 1910 noted Mali (ORTM) with their usual Saturday News Magazine in English on about 4834.85 with weakish signal. Similar weakish parallel was on 5995. Just noted a report from Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal in DX Listening Digest that the reactivation of this transmitter happened already at least a week ago (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. A MERCED DE LOS POLÍTICOS Por: Fernando Mejía Barquera Publicado en la Revista: Etcétera Abril de 2006 El pasado 6 de marzo, la Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes (UAA) anunció en conferencia de prensa que a partir de mayo, la emisora XEUAA (1370 de AM), que opera desde 1978, saldría del aire y en adelante esa institución educativa contaría con una nueva emisora ubicada en la banda de FM: XHUAA, 94.5 MHz. Este cambio ha generado protestas y discusión básicamente por cuatro razones: 1) la negativa de la SCT para que la UAA opere dos estaciones, una en AM y otra en FM; 2) la "participación determinante" del señor Felipe González González, ex gobernador de Aguascalientes, ex subsecretario de Gobernación y actual candidato a senador por el PAN, en el otorgamiento del permiso para operar en FM; 3) el despido de 40% de la planta laboral con el argumento de que una emisora de FM "requiere menos trabajadores"; 4) el cambio de formato de la emisora, antes muy crítica, por un formato "musical juvenil". No a combo universitario La negativa de la SCT para que la UAA manejara dos frecuencias no tiene justificación. Pero, aparte de eso, sorprenden las maniobras realizadas por esa secretaría. La UAA solicitó permiso para operar en FM hace tres años y esperaba que se le renovara el de su estación en AM, con lo cual tendría una combo. El permiso para la emisora de AM tenía vigencia del 17 de noviembre de 2000 al 16 de noviembre de 2005, o sea que debió salir del aire hace cuatro meses, pero una maniobra de la SCT permitió que siguiera en operación. Aunque las autoridades de la UAA dieron a conocer el 6 de marzo de 2006 la noticia de que ya tenían frecuencia en FM, la verdad es que lo sabían desde noviembre de 2005. Según los registros de la SCT, el permiso para operar XHUAA FM fue otorgado el 4 de noviembre de 2005 con una duración de siete años: vence el 3 de noviembre de 2012. Y aquí viene lo interesante. Como el permiso de la estación de AM vencía el 16 de noviembre de 2005, se le dio un "permiso provisional" del 4 de noviembre de 2005 al 15 de mayo de 2006 con el fin de que fuera en esta fecha cuando se hiciera el cambio de frecuencia. Ese día, entrará en operación la emisora en FM y dejará de transmitir la de AM. ¿Por qué la SCT no dio a la UAA oportunidad de contar con dos frecuencias? ¿Temió una protesta de los radiodifusores comerciales que desean combos? ¿Por qué se decidió que el cambio de AM a FM fuera en mayo y no en noviembre de 2005 cuando vencía originalmente el permiso de AM? ¿Qué pasará con la frecuencia de 1370 de AM que la UAA deja vacía? ¿Maniobra electoral? Pero hay más preguntas: ¿por qué las autoridades de la UAA han exaltado la participación del ex gobernador y hoy candidato a senador por el PAN, Felipe González, como el hombre a quien la Universidad de Aguascalientes "le debe tener una frecuencia de FM"? El 6 de marzo, al anunciar en conferencia de prensa el cambio de AM a FM, el director de difusión de la UAA, Jorge García Navarro, destacó que esta transformación es parte del acuerdo que se tuvo con el secretario de Comunicaciones y Transportes, Pedro Cerisola, a solicitud del (entonces) subsecretario de Gobernación, Felipe González, el mes de diciembre (ya vimos que el permiso se otorgó el 4 de noviembre de 2005, no en diciembre). Asimismo, Arturo Llamas, director de Radio Universidad de Aguascalientes, declaró el 8 de marzo: "Fue muy importante el apoyo del ex gobernador Felipe González, porque siendo subsecretario metió el hombro para que esto pudiera darse" (Reforma, 9/III/06). El bachiller Felipe González fue gobernador de Aguascalientes de 1998 a 2004 y faltando unas semanas para que concluyera su administración pidió licencia para ocupar el cargo de subsecretario en Gobernación. Aparentemente en sus seis años como gobernador, no pudo "meter el hombro" para que la SCT otorgara el permiso de FM. En cambio desde la Subsecretaría de Gobernación y en víspera de renunciar para irse como candidato a senador por Aguascalientes, sí logró mover sus influencias con el fin de que Pedro Cerisola, su compañero de partido, aprobara la solicitud. ¿Por qué antes no y luego sí? ¿Cerisola le hace más caso a un subsecretario que a un gobernador? ¿Por qué en la SCT pesa más la influencia de un político poderoso que la petición formal de una institución educativa? Cuando políticos y autoridades ocultan la verdad, aparecen las sospechas. Y una que recorre los círculos universitarios y políticos de Aguascalientes sugiere una maniobra de Felipe González para, de cara a la campaña electoral en que él participará, "limar" las asperezas de Radio UAA que se había distinguido por promover el debate plural y la crítica durante los procesos electorales. Desde el 6 de marzo toca solamente música. --- Periodista. (via Roberto Edgar Gómez Morales, May 1, Noticias DX via CONTINENT OF MEDIA 06-04, DXLD) ** MEXICO. EL ENGAÑO DE LAS REFORMAS PARALELAS Gabriel Sosa Plata 11 de abril de 2006 Hasta el último momento conservé la esperanza que el Presidente de México vetaría la Ley Televisa . Qué ingenuidad. Mucho se ha dicho de la visión estrecha y de los intereses que prevalecieron en el Poder Ejecutivo en un tema fundamental para el país. Pero también Vicente Fox incumplió una promesa más que hizo luego de ganar las elecciones presidenciales. . . http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/editoriales/34035.html (via Roberto Edgar Gómez Morales, May 1, Noticias DX via DXLD) ** MONGOLIA. 4830, Mongoliin [sic] R, Altay, *2100-2220, Apr 25, IS, Mongolian ID, national hymn, 2104 news read by man and woman, folk music, 34333, at the end of the broadcast heard // 4895 and 7260 as well (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window May 3 via DXLD) ** MONGOLIA. 12085 kHz, Voice of Mongolia, full data QSL-card (excluding transmitter site), cards shows the mountains and 'Visit Mongolia', v/s Z. Densmaa, mail editor VoM. The letter also contained a schedule, a few stamps, a further postcard, an edition of the Mongol Messenger (in English) and a personal letter of the v/s. In 41 days for a report in English with no rp to V. of Mongolia, CPO Box 365, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (MARTIN SCHOECH, Eisenach, Germany, RX: Sony ICF 2001D ANT: Sony AN 1; QSL Information Pages QIP : http://www.schoechi.de/qip.html GRDXC via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. NEW RADIO NETHERLANDS LOGO LAUNCHED http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4657/259/1600/rnworldwide200.jpg Radio Netherlands is since 1st May rolling out a new logo and corporate identity. The old branding has always been something of a compromise. In Dutch, the full name is Radio Nederland Wereldomroep, in conversation abbreviated to Wereldomroep. But the logo simply had the letters RN. From now, the logo has been changed to RNW, and the Corporate name in English will be Radio Netherlands Worldwide. There will be no change to the on-air identification as "Radio Netherlands". The new logo is the same design as the old one, but the shade of blue is lighter. The new design will be replacing the old one gradually over the next few months. # posted by Andy @ 11:02 UT May 5 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS ANTILLES. RNW VERNIEUWT ZENDERPARK BONAIRE Caribische redactie 28-04-2006 Het zenderpark van de Wereldomroep op Bonaire wordt de komende tijd verbouwd. De Antilliaanse minister van Economische Zaken Burney El Hage legde de eerse steen voor de nieuwbouw. Het bouwproject zal zo'n anderhalf jaar duren. . . http://antilliaans.caribiana.nl/curacao_bonaire/car20060428_zenderpark.html (found with Google by Guido Schotmans, Belgium, BDXC via DXLD) How about an English version? The Bonaire transmitter station is being rebuilt in the next semiyear, and a local pol has lain the cornerstone (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. Dutifully checking for R. Insurgente, 6000v, and LRA36, 15476v, UT Friday May 5 around 2030 and hearing nothing, I moved on at 2033 to 15720, surprised to find RNZI with a bunch of DX tips and clips. This must be Mailbox at an unscheduled time; yes, it was John Durham, and at 2041 over to Adrian Sainsbury and back from her absence, Myra O. So do we add Fri 2030 for this show to the DX program schedules? ``Relay of National Radio`` is supposed to air then per their website. Do they just throw on other programmes on the spur of the moment? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Solar-terrestrial indices for 05 May follow. Solar flux 87 and estimated mid-latitude A-Index 16. The mid-latitude K-index at 2100 UTC on 05 May was 0 (4 nT). No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours (SEC via DXLD) Below is the latest RNZI times/frequencies taking effect as of tomorrow the 8th of May 2006. Radio New Zealand International The Voice of New Zealand, Broadcasting to the Pacific Te Reo Irirangi O Aotearoa, O Te Moana-Nui-A-Kiwa 08 May 2006 - 02 Sep 2006 UTC kHz band Target Azimuth Days [all daily] 0600-0700 15720 & 7145 19 & 41 Pacific 0 0706-1059 7145 41 All Pacific 0 1100-1259 9870 31 NW Pacific, Bougainville, PNG, Asia 325 1300-1650 7145 41 All Pacific 0 1651-1850 7145 41 Cook Islands , Fiji, Niue, Samoa 35 1851-1950 9630 31 All Pacific 0 1951-0600 15720 19 All Pacific 0 Cheers (Robb Wise, HOBART RADIO INTERNATIONAL, http://www.hriradio.org Rosny 7018, Tasmania, Australia, shortwave yg via DXLD) Yes, they`ve changed it again, showing two frequencies at once for one hour only, 06-07. But what about the long-promised DRM??? (gh, DXLD) ** NIGERIA. V. of Nigeria: I picked them on 3/5/06 around 1630 UT with the program in Arabic; they announce that they use 7255 but actually use 15120 kHz, with ID in Arabic followed by Qur`an recitation and the news. Around 1700 the English section signs on with ID by OM (Tarek Zeidan, Egypt, May 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 6990 USB, KCBM, Mojave Desert, California (150 watts), 0317, Apr 30, good, though rather tinny reception. They have been very regular for a few weeks now each Saturday (local) nights. Strength improving through the evening. They usually run for two to three hours before signing off, and are very good e-QSLers via FRN or KCBM_2 @ hotmail.com (Walt Salmaniw, BC, Dxplorer via DSWCI DX Window May 3 via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. Pakistán. Radio Pakistán fue sintonizada en una frecuencia que había abandonado, la de 5081, para su noticias en inglés desde las 16 hasta las 1614 horas, así como por las bandas de 4790, 9375 y 11570 kilohercios. La emisora comunicó que aumentará sensiblemente sus emisiones en onda corta y los programas se emitirán en mayor número de lenguas. Por Rumen Pankov; Versión al español: Kremena Túneva (R. Bulgaria Espacio Diexista May 7 via José Miguel Romero2, dxldyg via DXLD) ** PERU. 3172.64, R Municipal, Panao, 0950-1020, Apr 18, "flauta andina", announcement, fair signal. Signs on about 1020 on Sunday (Robert Wilkner, FL, DSWCI DX Window May 3 via DXLD) 4620.43, R Espacial. I have been following this one and discovered it signs on between 0900-0915. They play a canned announcement over music at sign-on. I feel certain it`s an ID, but have not been able to copy it yet. Definite mention of "sintonía" and possibly Otuzco, Perú, and Espacial (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, Apr 26, DSWCI DX Window May 3 via DXLD) ** PERU. A one-minute voice message from Iván Tito Vizcarra, Gerente General de Radio Carráviz, forwarded by Alfredo Cañote, says in summary translation: We are on 1560 AM, callsign OAU7Z, with 1.5 kW, from Juliaca; had to move 10 kHz due to QRM; licenced on 1570. Heard by several; in Finland; in Sweden by Henrik Klemetz; in Lima by Alfredo Cañote; in Chimbote by César Pérez Dioses. Please write to me at [spelt] carraviz @ gmail.com (via Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I assume Henrik did not actually pick it up on 1560, but as always provides excellent research and background info (gh, DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. Radio Pilipinas announced in its emission from 1730 to 1930 hours its old winter frequencies; however, it is received in Sofia on 11720, 15190 and 17720 kHz. The program is in vernaculars and some English. The QSL address is: Radio Pilipinas, 4th Floor, P.I.A. Building, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City 1100, Metro Manila, Philippines (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX May 5 via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** POLAND. 6045 kHz, Radio Polonia, full data QSL-card (excluding transmitter site), card shows 80 years Polskie Radio (2005), no v/s. The letter also contained a schedule and a few stamps. The envelope had (as promised) a special rubber stamp '70 years Radio Polonia (2006). In 48 days for a report in German with no rp to Radio Polonia, Deutsche Redaktion, P. O. Box 46, Al. Niepodleglosci 77/85, 00-977 Warszawa, Polen. The report had been mentioned earlier in their listeners mailbag-program (MARTIN SCHOECH, Eisenach, Germany, RX: Sony ICF 2001D ANT: Sony AN 1, QSL Information Pages QIP : http://www.schoechi.de/qip.html GRDXC via DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. Actually the name of the company running Sines is even more complicated: "Pro-Funk GmbH Gesellschaft für Rundfunkförderung im In-und Ausland" (or a little different "Pro-Funk Gesellschaft für Rundfunkförderung im In- und Ausland mbH") which means "company for broadcasting support at home and abroad". However, even Deutsche Welle refers to the company simply as Pro-Funk GmbH in documents like http://www.dw-world.de/popups/popup_pdf/0,,1381392,00.pdf where you can also find in a footnote that in 2004 the wind-up of Pro-Funk Antigua Ltd. was under way. And yes, GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung = company with limited liability) is the German equivalent to the British Ltd., taking aside various legal details. The quoted response from Sines suggests that they cancelled the SFN test (synchronized operation by both Wertachtal and Sines) 0700-0900 on 7265, still shown at http://www.drm-dx.de ? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, May 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Perhaps it should be noted that the Krasnodar Territory transmitter site is the one that is shown in HFCC as ARM (Armavir) and also known as Tbilisskaya. Would really like to see the mentioned pictures. . . Buran is a series of high power transmitters introduced by the Soviet industry (Komintern Leningrad works I think) around 1970. And an ARRT is what is in the USA known as a Franklin if I am not terribly wrong (Kai Ludwig, Germany, May 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. RUSSIA CELEBRATES DAY OF RADIO MOSCOW, May 7 (Itar-Tass) - Russia’s radio-broadcasting companies and their personnel are marking the Day of Radio. In 1895, Russian scientist Alexander Popov represented at a meeting of the Russian Physico-Chemical Society the first-ever radio receiver in the world he had designed. Only 50 years ago, May 7 was proclaimed the Day of Radio. At present, radio remains one of the most popular mass media sources successfully competing with TV and press. According to statistics, 85 percent of adults listened to the radio last year. ``Although we get most of the information visually, radio helps us in thousands of situations when we are unable to switch on a TV-set and look through a newspaper,`` a member of the Radio Guild – the national organization of mass media workers Mediasoyuz, Igor Malov, told Itar- Tass. ``Radio is one of the most democratic mass media and the promptest source of information,`` he said. He believes that ``real revolution that may be only compared with the invention of radio will embrace domestic radio broadcasters in the near future.`` ``In the shortest time possible, radio will transfer to digital broadcasting,`` Malov said. During the day Russia’s radio-broadcasting companies will surprise their listeners and make presents to them. For instance, the Voice of Russia will hold a radio-marathon devoted to the Russian language as a tool of inter-ethnic communication. Different Russian-speaking radio stations from the CIS and non-CIS countries will be on air of the Voice of Russia for eight hours. Scientists, politicians, writers, public and cultural figures will discuss on air what role the Russian language plays in the modern world and whether it has chances to become the language of international communication. Source: TASS.ru (via Sergei Sosedkin, dxldyg via DXLD) Any of this presented in English? ** SINGAPORE. Today 6 May, elections were held in S`pore. I had by chance listened to the Warna service, at first looking at music at about 1505. To my surprise, little later checking to City sounds on 6000 and Warna 7235 at same time, there were short announcements from votings in English followed by translations in Chinese and Malay for each corresponding channel/frequency. Both signals continued with signal after their nominal sign off time at 1600 and Warna heard past 1730 until IRIB? started on this channel. Signal on 6000 was at 1700 fading out. Checked with IC R75 inside house, and with PL550 and DE 1103 outboards. BTW: The winner is PSP with 66.6 % http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4980812.stm http://straitstimes.asia1.com/ http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-05-06T201138Z_01_SIN154232_RTRUKOC_0_US-SINGAPORE-ELECTION.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsArt-L3-International+NewsNews-7 (Zacharias Liangas, Thessaloniki, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The last URL he gave originally did not work when I tried it since it had been updated to the one shown now; the same could have happened again so you may need to backtrack or search (gh) ** SPAIN. RTVE Complaints --- Hey Glenn, Today's EL PAIS (May 5) reports that the newly appointed advocate for television viewers and radio listeners at Radio-Television Espanola has received 624 questions or complaints since he has been at the job Feb. 2. Manual Alonso Erausquin, "a university professor in excellence," was appointed by the board that oversees RTVE to deal with complaints and answer questions concerning the quality of television and radio broadcasts in the state-controlled conglomerate. Of the total he has received, 94 percent were related to television content and six percent concerned the transmissions on Radio Nacional de España. More than 85 percent of the inquiries have been received through e-mail. This might be a good time to tell Mr. Alonso Erausquin about the poor transmissions of REE to North America. By the way, they are barely audible here in Madrid even though they broadcast to Africa and the Middle East. His email is: defensor @ rtve.es Thanks, (Marty Delfín, Madrid, Spain, May 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. GOOD FACES FOR RADIO: UNMASKING THE BROADCASTERS Peter Donaldson, one of many familiar voices we welcome into our homes, is leaving Radio 4. Who are the personalities behind the microphone? This is well worth reading, with profiles of Peter Donaldson, Corrie Corfield, Brian Perkins, Charlotte Green Vaughan Savidge and Harriet Cass. Some of their most memorable bloopers are mentioned - but if you're offended by strong language, be warned there are no **** in the text; otherwise it wouldn't be funny! http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article362090.ece (Andy Sennitt, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. Tinker, Tailor, Composer, Spy --- Phil Atwell alerted me to this programme which may interest those in the group who are interested in wartime communications: BBC Radio 4, Tuesday May 9th, 1330-1400 BST [1300 UT], repeated Saturday 13th May 1530-1600 (FM only) [1430 UT] Tinker, Tailor, Composer, Spy --- Composer Elisabeth Poston is best known for her carol Jesus Christ the Apple Tree but during the Second World War she led a secret life, sending coded musical messages into occupied Europe under the cover of a staff job in the World Service, Kenneth Shenton tells her story (Mike Barraclough, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U K. KENNY EVERETT'S WORLD`S WORST WIRELESS SHOW WEBSITE Many on the list will have heard about, and some heard, Kenny Everett's Worlds Worst Wireless Show, I have just come across a website dedicated to this including online audio of all the programmes: In January 1977 the legendary British radio DJ Kenny Everett made British radio history by dedicating a whole 1-hour radio show to records that were so bad they were "good". Of course other DJ's (Dr. Demento, Red Blanchard etc) had dedicated shows to novelty records prior to this - but these were mainly in America or US armed-forces radio. Kenny Everett's show was main-stream, prime-time British radio - not niche. Another distinction was that most of the records played were not intended to be funny or novelty. Rather they were (nearly) all honest, earnest attempts at making a record that, well, just fell so-far from the mark they deserve a special category all their own. Broadcast in the Greater London area (UK) on Captal Radio this hilarious celebration of enthusiasm over ability was enjoyed only by a relatively small UK listening audience. The final 2-hour show was called the "Bottom 30" based on a public vote. This was released as an LP by K-Tel (with a slightly different tracklisting). This page provides details of these shows with full playlists and with as much information about each artist/group I could find (click on artist name to reveal info). Audio streams of the shows are also here! Kenny broadcast a second "Bottom 30" in April 1980 - a show that was also the result of a public vote (see link below for full details). http://www.chronoglide.com/wwwshome.html (Mike Barraclough, Letchworth Garden City, May 4, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U S A. Re 6-070, continuing the thread started by Kim Elliott`s RW article: No tears here, Scott! :-)) I use my iPod, satellite radio and computer to hear "radio" as well. I just also use my shortwave radio too. (And you know that old NRA chestnut about prying things from cold, dead hands? Well, for me, that applies to my shortwave radios.) Now, in partial rebuttal... If that be true, then the BBC's assertions about declining audiences can't be substantiated. The truth is there are numbers, they are credible and they have been compiled by -- among others -- the BBC and VOA for decades. And the numbers compiled are not confined to just those two broadcasters. Now we can argue about how accurate we think they are and whether the proper conclusions have been drawn from them. But there most assuredly is audience research for shortwave and it's been around for quite a long while. What's really driving the decline of shortwave are (1) the availability of alternatives; and (2) the expense of shortwave relative to those alternatives. ``No such statistics were ever kept on the sales of shortwave-capable radios.`` Again, not true. There are figures for the sales of shortwave capable radios and those sales had been rising even as broadcasters like the BBC undertook plans to de-emphasize shortwave. If one looks at the trends in content distribution (including broadcasting), a strong one is the effort to shift costs directly to the consumer. Shortwave is dirt cheap for the consumer, but as mentioned above considerably expensive for the program producer/provider. Much of the effort of managements today is to shift as much of those costs directly to the end user as possible. No doubt there will be an effort to charge for podcasts sometime down the road. IMHO, the numbers available actually show that stations do have audiences. It's the availability of cheaper alternatives that can also produce "instant statistical data" (you see, I agree with you to a point) -- whether real, illusory, or just plain misleading (you know, lies, damned lies and statistics), combined with management's current love affair with bean counters, that's the real culprit here. (Parenthetically, isn't it a pity that the same passion for rationalizing budgets and spending decisions doesn't apply to oil company profits and CEO compensation.) Apples and oranges, IMHO, my friend. Different situations demand different solutions. The Commando Solo approach works for some; the fixed operations for others (John A. Figliozzi, swprograms via DXLD) On John's first simile, dealing with streetcars, here's a different perspective. Consider that many streetcar companies were purchased by GM in the 1950s because their owners (private and public) were poorly funded and didn't maintain the systems. GM bailed out these ailing / bankrupt streetcar companies -- who were grateful for the cash -- and replaced the streetcars with GM-built buses. On Scott's note, I have this additional thought. In areas where SW is still deemed desirable -- primarily Africa, South Asia, and the Pacific -- one presumes that inexpensive, analog multiband portables are probably what most folks have access to. Will one frequency per target region be good enough for these folks on their analog portables? If they can afford digitally tuned radios, they are more likely living in environments where FM / Worldspace / TV reception is doable for them. Kim's comment about Kavala and the range of reception reports needs to be kept in context -- I'd wager many of those reception reports -- especially those from improbable locations came from hobbyists with decent equipment, not a remote villager with a cheap analog portable. QSL reports as an accurate reflection of a listening demographic would be an interesting academic exercise, as well. Over the years, what percent of QSL reports came from hobbyists vs. "villagers"? While I don't have an Ev-DO connection --- not yet anyway, I do use Replay Radio http://www.replay-radio.com and podcasts to digitally record, save and transfer audio to an MP3 player. With three clicks each evening I automagically record two BBC programs and either a CBC program (AIH) or Marketplace for the next day; rarely does the technology malfunction, and fading / propagation issues are nonexistent (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, ibid.) 1.) Hmmm. GM as civic-minded rescuer of dying mass transit systems. Have to admit I've never seen GM in quite that way... :-)) Weren't these the guys who used to say rather arrogantly, "What's good for GM is good for America"? 2.) To clarify, the "one frequency per region" suggestion I posed was intended for more affluent areas also accessible via other media. Presumably, Africa and Asia would continue to receive the same multi- frequency treatment they get now at least until their characteristics begin to resemble those others. The point was to suggest that maintaining a global shortwave service in English is not the budget- busting enterprise some opponents of such an option like to suggest. 3.) I think Kim's larger point about Kavala was that if you were picking sites to mothball, Kavala is a particular hard loss given its ability to be heard across a comparatively much wider swath of the globe. I think the reception reports references were simply intended to reflect that geographical range, not address the "which audience are we reaching" question (John Figliozzi, ibid.) Indeed, indeed. The whole issue of propagation is one that I simply opted to not address in my last message. I don't know about anyone else, but my HF reception has been UNDER the toilet (not just IN it) for nearly two years. Of course I know about solar cycles and all of that. I also realize that NAm is no longer a prime target. Still, you can't base operations on a medium that's so fickle. We didn't have much choice twenty years ago (Scott Royall, Conch Republic, ibid.) I think we all agree that "base" is the operative word here...SW, to NA anyway, is now an adjunct medium in a thicket of alternatives --- perhaps subscription satellite radio ought to be considered the mainstay medium given its subscriber count and country-wide (USA/Canada) access (Richard Cuff / Allentown, ibid.) ** U S A [and non]. NEW: Is it the truth? Or "truth-based" information? Detailed examination of the Defense Department's information and disinformation programs in Iraq. It includes a sentence that succinctly describes the strategy of psyops: "The reason I tell you the truth is so that when I lie, you will believe me." Columbia Journalism Review, May-June 2006 issue. [long] http://www.cjr.org/issues/2006/3/schulman.asp (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** U S A. Not on the posted WBCQ schedule at http://www.zappahead.net/wbcq/main.php?fn=sked&freq=18910 but on Sat May 6, 18910-CLSB was still on after 2200 with This Week In Amateur Radio International, very good signal, at 2202 promising 40 minutes of ham news starting now! Trouble is, at 2219 this was interrupted for a DUI PSA with WBCQ jingle, and some piece of music, before resuming ham news. There is a lot of irrelevant music in this show, as apparently the producers feel because they *can* do music on a show not heard via the usual ham transmitters, they *must* include music. Anyhow, a new/unscheduled time for this show; can we depend on it? Checked 7415 and 9330 and neither was // (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. From Allan, WBCQ Radio Dear Glenn, With the coming of springtime in northern Maine, much happening at WBCQ. Shortwave listening is on an ever upswing here at the Planet. New listeners all the time. What they want is more diverse programming --- especially music. To fill the need: Starting Sunday morning May 14th at 1:00 AM eastern time [0500-0800 UT] on 7415 the new program "Shortwave Overnights --- Free Speech Rock and Roll". Hosted by the Timtron. This once a week program will feature three hours of rock & roll plus open phone lines for listener comments on any topic with NO LIMITS as to what they wish to speak about. This will be true free speech --- no limits on content or language. The format will be patterned after my "free radio days" on my stations in New York. Lots of great rock tunes, phone lines open all the time. When a call comes in, after the current song finishes that caller will be put on the air live to talk about whatever they desire. Then back to the music. Hopefully if this format for overnights on WBCQ is successful, and we find a sponsor to cover airtime costs, we will expand to more nights. Next thing is Space Transmissions: Installed at the WBCQ site is an optical laser transmitter designed to send high power modulated laser signals directly into outer space. With this facility people can send messages into space for possible interception by other intelligent beings. By going to our website http://spacetransmissions.com they can send a personal message for a small fee. To kick off this new unique service, on Friday June 2nd during my program Allan Weiner World Wide on 7415 8 PM Eastern [00-01 UT Sat], I will be asking callers to call in with their outer space messages which we will transmit directly thru the Space Transmissions laser photon cannon into space. At the same time over WBCQ 7415 during my program. All free of charge. Should be fun! Who knows, may even contact someone special out there. This will be a monthly feature, first Friday of each month. So you see we are always trying new things at WBCQ the Planet. After June 24, me, Jennifer, Larry Will, Scott Becker, and Timtron will be going to Boston to get the MV Katie ready for another summer of "offshore broadcasting" via the WBCQ transmitters. Should be a real blast! Cheers, (Allan Weiner, WBCQ, May 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. World of Radio Saturday 0230 UT, 5070 --- While enjoying Glenn's WoR program, I heard WWCR was also running a religious program mentioning Christian Liberty and giving an address in Colorado on the same frequency. There was even a WWCR ID at 0257 UT. WOR was clearly dominant but it was a bit distracting to have 2 programs coming from the same station at the same time. Best wishes, (Martin Gallas, Jacksonville, IL 62650, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Impossible to hear WOR last night, Sat. May 6, 0400, on Radio Miami International. Heavy Cuban jammer minutes before RMI went to the air on 9955. Completely different panorama this morning after 1300 while playing Wavescan with a huge story about Singapore radio beginnings. Magnificent audio for a SINPO 45333. Hey, I thought they were supposed to leave at 1300 for 7385, right? (Raul Saavedra, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) No, switch from 9955 to 7385 is now at 14. Is that a new time for Wavescan, Jeff? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn: Actually, I put Wavescan on at that hour this morning as a filler, but this is not a permanent scheduling (Jeff White, WRMI, May 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. I checked again Sunday May 7 for CVC La Voz, Miami via Chile, on 17680, for the sole program condescending to deal with the arts, scheduled Sunday 13-14 UT. However, El Mundo del Arte concluded at 1330, so apparently they have halved it. That makes less than three-tenths of one percent of their weekly output, instead of less than six-tenths of one percent (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Brought up webcast of KWIT Sioux City IA at 1700 UT Friday May 5 for their almost-hour of film music. Technical difficulties prevented them from getting NPR News, so at 1701 they went to local news instead, which apparently usually runs right after NPR. Trouble is it started with a time check for 12:06, and near the end, for 12:10, some 5 minutes fast! Could it be --- the local ``news`` was pre-recorded? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. After an absence of a few years, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival is again broadcast. I had no publicity about this, but ran across it on the current schedules of a few public radio stations. No doubt there are many more, but I can`t find any info at the Fest website http://www.santafechambermusic.org or at the syndicator`s, http://www.wfmt.com/main.taf?p=12,2 which is notoriously outdated and incomplete about what they are actually doing. So far we have found it on these webcasting stations, UT times and days: Sun 1400-1500 KXMS [lo fi, unfortunately] Sun 1730-1830 KTEP Thu 0200-0300 KSUI [not Monday as first published] We`re not sure if this is a 13-week series, and whether it started with April and is thus already well underway. The show we heard so far was from the summer 2004 season, so they have been saving up recordings, and no doubt could run for much more than 13 weeks of one- hour concerts. If anyone knows of other stations carrying it, webcasting or not, please provide details (Glenn Hauser, OK, CONTINENT OF MEDIA 06-04, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, I found this: http://www.sfcmf.org/news/ (Kevin Kelly, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA PublicRadioFan.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tnx, Kevin. Has station list, but most of them tba. A few of them have later start dates in June or July. It is only a 13-week series. Started first week of April, u.o.s., strictly UT days and times here, including discoveries above: Sat 0000 KMFA [station grid seems to show 0100] Sat 0200 KGLP Sun 0000 KOHM Sun 1400 KXMS [lofi] Sun 1730 KTEP *April 19 [but inaccessible May 7] Sun 2300 KSJE Tue 0100 KWAX Tue 0200 WQXR Wed 0200 KUAT Wed 2000 KUNR Thu 0200 KSUI Sun 2200 WCLV *June 4 Sat 1730 WBAA-FM *July 8 Here are some of the webcasting stations with TBA times; not yet shown on their websites: KVPR *July 1, WUFT *July 1, KPBX, WNMU, KXCV, WXXI, and in Santa Fe, KSFR. The SF series may replace the NY Chamber Music series some already had scheduled. Content of the May shows, the last one preëmpted, is on the WQXR website http://www.wqxr.com/cgi-bin/iowa/air/article.html?record=4093 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re 6-063, Philadelphia Orchestra returning to radio, it appears roughly once a month on NPR`s SymphonyCast, alternating with other orchestras. Schedule, and links to stations carrying it: http://www.npr.org/programs/symphonycast/shows/schedule.html Or known schedule and direct links at http://www.publicradiofan.com/cgi-bin/program.pl?programid=1283 Philadelphia started April 30, then May 28, June 18, or anytime during the following fortnights. Shorter excerpts also appear on Performance Today (Glenn Hauser, OK, CONTINENT OF MEDIA 06-04, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Call Letters Assigned or Changed: LA, Kenner, 105.3, WWL-FM (ex-WTKL), but said to be seeking 95.7 in place of WKBU New Orleans, with 5500 h,v; 164 m. Now nt [newstalk], mono, parallel 870 AM. This leads to a question --- is it a trend for wide-coverage 50 kW AMs to gather FM affiliates that simulcast Such has happened with KSL-FM 102.7 Midvale UT, // KSL 1160 AM SLC, and WTOP-FM 103.5 Washington DC, // AM 1500 (May FMedia! via DXLD) Stereo – or to be Stereo: IL, St. Anne, WXNU, 106.5, testing with mainly classical, but also with hard rock and Polynesian music. Heard well up to 96 km, and with fragmentary reception in Urbana, but after that it was ``creamed pretty good by other distant 106.5 stations.`` (May FMedia! via DXLD) On Air – Real Stations and Pirates (Selected): OR, Depoe Bay, KPPT 100.7 ``has the most disgusting signal I`ve noted in many a year; it has such strong spurs on 100.3 and 101.1 you can listen to them in stereo, and they`re quite obvious at Cape Falcon, 150 km north. They`ve been noted on each visit to Cape Falcon since Feb. 2, so it`s not like I caught KPPT on a bad day! Cape Falcon, near the town of Manzanita, is a really exciting location for FM reception. It`s about 100 meters above the sea, providing a gorgeous view, and the mountainous ground to the NE of the western turnout almost totally squelches Portland (FM reception) (May FMedia! via DXLD) ** U S A. Re L.A. Times piece on KCDX; Glenn: -- Nice to see some attention paid to non-Corporate Radio, but did you catch this glaring misstatement?: "When rock 'n' roll emerged in the mid-1950s, it was ignored by most AM stations. Soon, disc jockeys named Wolfman Jack and Murray 'the K' began filling FM airwaves with electric guitar solos and B-side tracks." I'm guessing the writer was born sometime long after you & I grew up. Tom Donahue essentially intro'ed FM to Rock in the mid-'60s, in San Francisco. To my knowledge, the Wolfman's only FM exposure was via syndication in the early '80s over WZLX/98.5 in Tupelo, MS. I don't believe Murray The K was EVER heard on FM. " 'I remember listening to those songs when I was a teenager,' said Maureen Kane, 52, a lawyer who became a devoted KCDX listener after she heard a 1960s Fabulous Poodles song." The Fabulous Poodles were of this world from 1976 to 1980, according to MusicMatch. Check it out: http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/artist/artist.cgi?ARTISTID=340314 The article did give a good perspective on the world of corp-radio, though. 73z (GREG HARDISON, CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. $70,000 for one watt fulltime! Pennsylvania WPEB-FM/Philadelphia PRICE: $70,000 TERMS: Asset sale for cash and note BUYER: Scribe Video Center, headed by Exec. Director Louis Massiah. Phone: 215-222-4201. It owns no other stations. SELLER: West Philadelphia Educational Broadcasting, headed by President Atika Hashim Bey. Phone: 215-224-4297 FREQUENCY: 88.1 MHz POWER: 1 watt at 49 feet FORMAT: Adult Standards COMMENT: A $5,000 non-refundable payment will be made within 3 days of the execution of the asset purchase agreement, along with $35,000 paid to the escrow agent within 30 days of first payment. The payment will be released to the seller at closing, along with $30,000 to be paid in monthly installments of $2,500. (radioandrecords.com via Brock Whaley, DXLD) I suspected this was a misprint for maybe 1 kW, but FM Atlas also shows it with one watt. Since when does the FCC licence regular stations with such lack of power? Location3 (gh, DXLD) ** VANUATU. 3944.77, (Presumed) R. Vanuatu, 1011-1030, May 6, vernacular, Noted again with local music, OM and YL banter between selections. Poor, unusable/fading by tune-out. Yet again at 0957-1012, May 7, ballads between OM with "animated" religious sounding talk. Poor (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH-USA, R75, 200' Beverages, MLB-1, DTS-4, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIRGIN ISLANDS US. 1620, WDHP Frederiksted, St. Croix (17 43'N 64 53'W) MAR 31 0530 - BBC World News, 0535 into "The Beat" music show, 0545 mentioned Elvis Presley, Mexican rancheras, Julio Iglesias, feature on the death of Buck Owens and samples of his C&W songs. 0559 female with slight West Indies accent, ID, "You are listening to WDHP, 1620 AM, Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands. Our telephone number is... in Frederiksted, and in Charlotte Amalie the telephone number is..." Jingle, "We are in St. Croix." 0600, "Visit our website at wdhp.com." Time pips, "It's 6 o'clock GMT, the news, read by..." 0606, "In the BBC World Service..." Still good at 0645. Booming, dominant, mostly over KSMH. The most distant western hemisphere station which is heard here every night, and my first USVI catch in 49 years of DXing! (Richard E. Wood, Keaau, HI, NRC IDXD May 6 via DXLD) REW is now reporting numerous Mexican and other LA MW DX from HI (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. 729, TAHITI. RFO. Papeete, APR 22, 1139 - Tentative; man in French with network programming, then woman, sounds like news/talk format. Moved from 738? unID Aussie noted on 738 kHz. Poor to fair, het de 730 kHz (Dale Park, HI, NRC IDXD May 6 via DXLD) Note that Ben Dangerfield received 738 Tahiti during his April cruise to French Polynesia. Does RTM Malaysia broadcast any programs in French? (Bruce Conti, IDXD Ed., ibid.) How about this? (gh) --- . . .Media control has always been a major political issue in New Caledonia, which has very few stations compared to French Polynesia. RFO recently opened a new 20 kW relay mediumwave station at Touho on 729 kHz. Cheers (David Ricquish, Radio Heritage Foundation, http://www.radioheritage.net Nov 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST 5-199) UNIDENTIFIED. Firedrake jamming 11560, 5/6/06, 1148-1200, SINPO 14333. No signal besides the music audible at my location on that frequency at that time. Usual "firedrake" Chinese opera with end at 1200. Consulting with the usual sources (ILG, EiBi, last two months of DXLD, public version of HFCC), I'm still not clear what they might have been jamming. The only thing I notice is WYFR in Burmese at this time. Maybe a worthy target for Myanmar government, but not likely China (Mark Taylor, Madison, WI, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ I appreciate your work. Thank you for all that you do. 73 (Jeff Imel, Muncie, IN, with a PayPal donation) Glenn, You got mixed up with the DX Doll on this week`s Pirates Week pod cast. You can get to it here: http://www.piratedxer.com/dxprograms.htm It's the April 30 edition and the DX Doll is towards the very end. Can you include the audio on this week`s World of Radio?? (Artie Bigley, OH) DIGITAL BROADCASTING ++++++++++++++++++++ DRM TRANSMISSIONS FOR NASB CONFERENCE Please note a change and an addition to the special DRM transmissions that will take place next week during the American Shortwave Conference in Silver Spring, Maryland. Radio Canada International/CBC will broadcast NASB member station programming from 1400 to 2100 UT May 11 and 12 on 11730 kHz (replacing the previously-announced three frequencies). [well, it`s still on three frequencies, 11725-11735] HCJB will broadcast DRM programming tentatively at 1700-2100 UT May 10, 11 and 12 on 15370 kHz [actually 15365-15375] (Jeff White, May 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Later: NASB DRM Transmission Schedule Barring any unforeseen last-minute changes, we have established the following program schedule for the CBC/RCI DRM transmissions of NASB member station programs May 11 and 12 from 1400-2100 UT on 11730 kHz. Thursday, May 11 1400-1500 KAIJ 1500-1530 KFBS (Russian drama in English) 1530-1600 Beth Shalom Center Radio 1600-1700 KNLS in Russian 1700-1730 WRMI (Viva Miami 1) 1730-1800 HCJB (Música del Ecuador) 1800-1830 AWR Wavescan 1 1830-1900 World of Radio 1900-1930 Good Friends Radio Network (Radio Weather 1) 1930-2000 HCJB (DX Party Line) 2000-2100 KNLS in English Friday May 12 1400-1500 KNLS in Chinese 1500-1530 KFBS (Chinese drama in English) 1530-1600 WRMI (Viva Miami 2) 1600-1630 HCJB (DX Party Line) 1630-1700 AWR Wavescan 2 1700-1730 World of Radio 1730-1800 Good Friends Radio Network (Radio Weather 2) 1800-1900 KNLS in English 1900-1930 HCJB (Música del Ecuador) 1930-2000 Beth Shalom Center Radio 2000-2030 AWR Wavescan 1 2030-2100 AWR Wavescan 2 Please note that some organizations, including NASB, AWR, KNLS and WRMI are offering special QSL cards for reception reports on these transmissions. Also, for those who do not have DRM receivers and want to hear this special programming, WRMI will simulcast the programming in analogue format from 1400-1600 UTC on May 11 and 12 on 7385 kHz to North America. WRMI will retransmit the 1600-2100 UTC programs on a delayed basis from 0400-0900 UTC May 12 and 13 on 9955 kHz to the Caribbean and Latin America (in the same order as the 1600-2100 UTC broadcast). And finally, HCJB in Quito, Ecuador will have special DRM transmissions of its own programming for the USDRM-NASB annual meetings on May 10, 11 and 12 at 1000-1200 UTC on 9745 kHz and at 1700-2100 UTC on 15370 kHz (both transmissions using an azimuth of 0 degrees and a power of 4 kilowatts). (Jeff White, May 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The two times for WOR may carry separate editions (gh) DRM: See also ECUADOR; GERMANY; NEW ZEALAND; PORTUGAL CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ WEBCAM FROM DAYTON, MAY 20-22 This will be our 4th year to broadcast live video of our drive to the Dayton Hamvention (550 miles) and then the 3 days outside in the fleamarket. This year the helmet cam will be back. It will let people around the world get a view of all the things we look at as we walk around. The streaming cam page also has its own chat room and hams from around the world watched, chatted, and enjoyed it the past 3 years. We will be broadcasting from the beginning until the end of the show each day Friday May 20th through Sunday May 22nd from our outside fleamarket spaces 3350-3351 WA5KUB’s STREAMING AUDIO & VIDEO http://wa5kub.com/ (via Tom Medlin, Cordova, Tennessee, May Radio HF Internet Newsletter via DXLD) When I went to it, some storm video was already playing, then IE crashed (gh) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ EUROLOOP This is a proposed supplement to the ETCS Level 1 train control system. However, the radio-based ETCS Level 2 system is actually supposed to do what this Euroloop is supposed to do, so who should introduce it? Siemens pages about ETCS: http://www.siemens.com/ts/etcs A loop-based train control system called Linienzugbeeinflussung (abbr. LZB) is in operation here in Germany since the seventies and has been adopted by Austria and Spain (don't think they use the German term there) since. LZB works at 36 and 56 kHz, in case somebody wants to check it out. . . By the way, LZB works so well that German railway operators are less than enthusiastic, to say the least, about replacing it by ETCS, since this requires huge investments without a corresponding use. And the railway system in the UK is terribly incompatible anyway, not allowing standard vehicles from the European mainland to run there (at least not without restrictions) because they are of a bigger size (Kai Ludwig, Germany, May 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ FM DISTORTION: TRAFFIC LIGHTS, LIGHTNING Two questions I've wondered for quite a long time --- simple probably, but questioning yet: This post is mostly about distant stations (not really "DX", but instead fringe stations especially) FRINGE-TRAFFIC LIGHT DISTURBANCE: In many suburbs these days, there are traffic lights that really mess around with my radio signals. When you're within a certain distance of traffic signals, the stations become rather filled with static or distorted. This is typical especially with newer signals I find --- whether it's a certain type of wiring or electrical frequency or something --- I don't know. I once was in the transportation business but no way would I ever know the answer to this. Anyone out there have an idea?? FRINGE-LIGHTNING DISTURBANCE: My second question is related --- and is probably a hell of a lot easier to answer. Even tho I've got a really good idea, but I'm wondering maybe if there's a little more to it. Fringe stations on TV are often affected by what I personally just call "lightning lines" on the TV when a big bolt of lightning flashes (or just a flash --- whatever you wanna say). However, local signals are unaffected. This is a similar case with fringe FM stations, except instead of being SEEN, the static is HEARD, sometimes enough to take out the station completely for a second. So it's obvious there is an electrical disturbance between the transmitter and receiver. Duh. Obvious. Often Es is unaffected by this --- in my experience. Tropo as well - sometimes. If the answer is as obvious as I think it is --- what is the reason that only fringe stations are affected by this? Is the signal just not powerful enough to overcome the disturbance from the lightning strike??? (Chris Kadlec, Fremont MI, FM News Editor, amfmtvdx at qth.net via DXLD) I've noticed the traffic lights do hurt AM badly, close by, and can sometimes, though rarely, affect FM. My experience with lightning is that it can create a large crackle sound, often overtaking fringe FM signals, but sometimes enhancing them or bringing in new ones. Lightning Scatter. I have one actual log --- got a sudden loud and clear burst "JR-FM" on 104.9 that coincided *precisely* with a flash of lightning. That's CFJR Brockville ON, which comes in regularly by tropo scatter but tends to fade up and down, in and out. I had a mention of "Mount Pleasant" that way, once, on 106.9 and strongly suspect WMUS Muskegon MI. But decided that wasn't enough to log it. Of course, I strongly advise using an indoor antenna during storms. The DX may be good and perpetual on the other side, but I'm in no rush to make the big move (Saul Chernos, Ont., ibid.) ###