DX LISTENING DIGEST 6-082, June 2, 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 1317: Sat 0400 WRMI 9955 Sat 0800 WRN 13865 DRM via Bulgaria Sat 1430 WRMI 7385 Sat 1600 WWCR 12160 [or later] Sun 0230 WWCR 5070 [start varies 0225-0235] Sun 0300 WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0530 WRMI 9955 Sun 0630 WWCR 3215 Mon 0300 WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0415 WBCQ 7415 Mon 0500 WRMI 9955 Wed 0930 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 ** ARGENTINA. Arnaldo: Con respecto a la AM 1710 que informaste en un anterior mensaje tuyo, me surge un interrogante. Si mal no recuerdo, existe un colegio que depende de la Escuela Superior de Buenos Aires (ESBA), cuyo QTH se halla situado sobre la Avenida Triunvirato Nº 4671, de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, a pasos de la estación de ferrocarril del Barrio de Villa Urquiza --- donde vivís vos. La AM 1710 emite desde ese lugar??? La pregunta es porque esta gente es bastante misteriosa, pues nunca han dicho la dirección de sus estudios y no dan teléfonos al aire, tal vez ante el temor de ser denunciados, y más ahora que la Comisión Nacional de Comunicaciones (CNC), ha lanzado una campaña para, según ellos, terminar de una vez por todas con las radios "no autorizadas" del espectro (Marcelo A. Cornachioni, Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires, condig list via DXLD) Aparentemente sí, MAC, estoy seguro que transmite desde allí pero no pude ver nada que así lo denote. Me gusta mucho la emisora ahora que tiene una programación más armada. Viste que ahora se identifica como Radio Estudio Esba, no??? La escuchas desde Lomas???? Te mando un abrazo y nos tenemos que encontrar a tomar un agua mineral!!!! 73 (Arnaldo Slaen, ibid.) OK, Arnaldo. Tal vez tenga una antenita que usa de "Link" entre el estudio, que puede estar allí, y su planta transmisora, que seguramente está situada en alguna otra parte. Acá en Lomas se escucha con muy baja señal, pero claramente audible, en especial por las noches. Cuando quieras, tomamos un "aguita mineral", preferentemente de color amarilla y con espuma. 73s. (Cornachioni, ibid.) ** AUSTRALIA. 11880, ABC-Radio National via RA, May 30, 0939-1002, program "Australian Talk Back", with discussion about a proposal for Queensland to merge political parties into one party, takes on-air phone calls, mentions that "Late Night Live" will be on later, ID's "ABC, Radio National", ToH RA ID and RA news (Ron Howard, Shanghai, China, Etón E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Alice relay? (gh) ** BOLIVIA. RADIO FIDES IS SELLING A 50 KW AM TRANSMITTER Trasmisor de 50 KW, marca CCA, modelo AM-50000D con las siguientes características: Modulación en placa de alto nivel, de tipo convencional Enfriamiento por aire de tipo convencional Circuito de RF y Moduladores Convencionales. Puede ser sintonizado por personal no técnico. Tubos y componentes de calidad comprobada Tubos de modulación y amplificadores de tipo moderno y de larga vida (4CX35000C y 4CX15000A) Contenido en tres Gabinetes. Reserva substancial --- capacidad de potencia de 55 KW Baja distorsión, insensible a variaciones de impedancia de antena. Rectificadores de silicio con reserva de 300% Características técnicas: Potencia de salida 50 KW. Capacidad de potencia de salida máxima 55 KW Rango de frecuencia 500 a 1600 KHz (calibrada a 760 KHz) Estabilidad de frecuencia +/- 5 Hz Impedancia de entrada de AF 150/600 ohms Nivel de entrad de AF para 100% de Modulación +10 dbm +/- 2 dbm Respuesta de AF: 50-10000 Hz a 95% Modulación +/-1.5 db Distorsión de AF (modulación de 95%) 3% Nivel de ruido -55 db Modulación Alto nivel Tipo de emisión A3 Conector de salida de RF 3 1/8" EIA Impedancia de salida 50 ohms Desplazamiento de portadora a 100% de modulación 3% Voltaje de RF para monitor de modulación 10 V, 75 ohms Voltaje de línea 380/460 V, 3 fases Frecuencia de línea 50/60 Hz Consumo de potencia de línea 0% de modulación 95 KW Programa normal 103 KW 100% de modulación 140 KW Variación de voltaje tolerada +/- 5% Temperatura ambiente 0ºC a 45ºC Humedad relativa 95% Especificaciones Mecánicas Tres gabinetes Espacio de piso requerido 4.74 m2 Tamaño de cada gabinete 122 x 130 x 218 cm Peso total aproximado 6800 Kg Se incluye en el precio del transmisor un transformador de modulación, transformador 220 V a 380 V trifásico, una lámpara 4CX35000, 70 metros de cable coaxial 3 1/8" Eliax, puentes de diodos del rectificador de alta y media tensión, algunos repuestos menores. Precio base del transmisor es de $us55.000 (CINCUENTA Y CINCO MIL CON 00/100 DOLARES AMERICANOS), negociable, con factura. (Per Radio Fides website) (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, May 31, dxldyg via DXLD) see also UNIDENTIFIED ** CANADA. THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BIG 8 --- CBC DOC EXPLORES RISE, FALL OF CKLW --- CBC doc explores how the No. 1 station in Windsor was brought to its knees --- By BILL HARRIS -- Toronto Sun CKLW programmer -- the "girl with the golden ear" -- Rosalie Trombley poses with her daughter and members of KISS. [caption] All CKLW wanted was for its unique position in a unique society to be recognized by the Canadian government. Of course, that sounds a lot like René Levesque's argument for sovereignty association in Québec. Be that as it may, Windsor radio station CKLW now is far removed from its days as "The Big 8." It was an AM juggernaut that dominated musical airwaves in nearby Detroit -- and beyond -- in the late 1960s and through the 1970s. The fascinating documentary Radio Revolution: The Rise And Fall Of The Big 8, which won a Gemini Award two years ago and airs tonight on CBC Newsworld (10 p.m.), details not only the staggering influence of CKLW at its peak, but also how the long regulatory arm of the CRTC eventually quashed the station's innovative identity. With no disrespect intended, Windsor is a weird place, caught as it is between two national psyches. The mighty American metropolis of Detroit is just across the river, and as is opined in Radio Revolution, Windsor looks upon Detroit with "a combination of smugness and envy." Back in the mid-1960s, one thing CKLW definitely envied was the large number of potential radio listeners in Detroit. So CKLW came up with a rebellious format: As much music as possible, no long speeches by DJs (who learned how to talk over the intros of records right up until the singer's first words) and frenzied newsmen who presented stories in a theatrical and arguably offensive manner. CKLW quickly became the No. 1 station in Detroit, appealing to both white and black audiences. Many listeners in the Motor City had no idea the station was situated in Canada. The marquee acts of the day in music-rich Detroit understood the importance of CKLW. They often would make the trek across the river in an attempt to impress The Big 8's "girl with the golden ear" -- musical director Rosalie Trombley. Ever hear the Bob Seger song Rosalie? Guess who it's about? "CKLW, we owe everything to them," Alice Cooper says in Radio Revolution. Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman of the Guess Who once drove all night from Winnipeg to Windsor just so they could take Trombley out to lunch. Trombley convinced Elton John to put out Bennie And The Jets as a single. And Trombley's daughter convinced her mom to start playing Beth by Kiss -- voilà, big hit. Canadian-content laws came into effect in 1971 that required stations to play at least 30% Canadian music. Given the benefit of hindsight, those laws did what they set out to do (whether they still are needed today is another debate). But 35 years ago the policy cut CKLW at the knees, since there wasn't a lot of Canadian music that appealed to the rhythm-and-blues-loving audiences in Detroit. CKLW somehow maintained its top-drawer status for another decade. But The Big 8's open mocking of Can-con rules -- playing the shortest Canadian songs possible, holding overnight Can-con marathons, saying "Here's one for the CRTC" rather than even bothering to announce who the band was, etc. -- hardened the government's resolve to bring the cocky station down a notch. By the early 1980s, The Big 8 knew it had to move to FM to remain competitive. The CRTC told the station to shove it. Elements of The Big 8 format had been adopted by countless radio and television stations, including a little something called MTV. But in 1984, the format died at CKLW. The Big 8 never thought it should be exempt from Can-con laws, but it believed it deserved special status, since the bulk of its competition came from the U.S. As it turned out, Canada as a nation rejected that point of view, much in the same way it rejected René Levesque's point of view. Ultimately, the unique position and mindset of Windsor contributed to both the rise, and the fall, of The Big 8 (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** CANADA. CORUS RE-BRANDS CHMJ-AM IN VANCOUVER Corus Radio Vancouver is reformatting its CHMJ-AM frequency to better serve the needs of the Vancouver community. Signing on Monday, June 5 at 7:30 a.m., the new AM 730 Continuous Drive Time Traffic and the Best of Talk provides Vancouver listeners with an essential service in a brand new way. The reformat and restructuring has resulted in the reduction of 14 full-time staff. In a completely unique and innovative format, AM 730 Continuous Drive Time Traffic and the Best of Talk delivers continuous traffic reports during the critical morning and afternoon drive periods. The new station also features the Vancouver Whitecaps and Giants and the Seattle Seahawks play-by-play games as well as the "best of talk," offering original programming and time-shifted CKNW signature programming. . . http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/issues/ISArticle.asp?id=56566&issue=05302006 (via caj-list via Ricky Leong, DXLD) ** CHINA. China Business Radio/CNR-2, seems to change from daytime frequencies (15500, etc.) to nighttime frequencies (6065, etc.) about 1000 UT [1800 local]. Believe that FM 91.4 here in Shanghai is parallel to these frequencies 24 hours a day (Ron Howard, Shanghai, China, Etón E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA [non]. Radio Intercontinental Madrid, 918 kHz relays the Colombian Station ``W Radio``. Schedule is 1200-1430 Spanish time. (UTC+2 in summer) You can see http://www.wradio.com.co/ I`ve checked R. Intercontinental and W Radio (audio on-line) and the on-line sound was in parallel with two minutes of delay. They have had some local breaks and I listened to ads of Colombian business in Madrid. W Radio is present in the USA, Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Chile and Spain (Juan Antonio Arranz, Spain, May 30, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR [non]. Re 6-081, what has become of Okapi? HIRONDELLE FOUNDATION 0400 0600 11690 250 1234567 Central Africa French/Various 11690 0400-0600 52 MEY 250 342 -25 USA NEW MER 1600 1700 11890 250 1234567 Central Africa French/Various 11890 1600-1700 46E,47W MEY 250 330 25 USA NEW MER (via Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So they were scheduled, but still being heard? (gh, DXLD) ** EGYPT. BBC MAKES FORMAL COMPLAINT TO EGYPTIAN AUTHORITIES FOLLOWING ASSAULTS ON JOURNALISTS The BBC has made a formal complaint to Egyptian Minister of the Interior Habib Al-Adly following assaults by members of the Egyptian security services on four journalists, two of whom work for the BBC, it was announced today (Friday, June 2). The assault was made in full view of uniformed Egyptian security service officers who did not intervene. . . http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/06_june/02/egypt.shtml (BBC Press Office via DXLD) ** FINLAND. SCANDINAVIAN WEEKEND RADIO, JUNE 2-3 SWR's 2nd-3rd of June transmission Program schedule (times local Finnish time [UT +3]) 00-02 Tricky Trev Crazy Show 02-04 Jari-JiriBand-illanvietto. Vetäjinä dj J4 & Wsi M -0,5 04-08 SWR crew - open studio 08-10 Huomenta Virrat - Good Morning by Häkä 10-11 Pohjanmaa vuonna nolla - väkevimmät iskut osa 2. Seurassanne toimittajat Olavi Letku ja Tenho Liiteri 11-12 SWR crew - open studio 12-13 Suomirokkia kantoaallolla höystettynä by Esa 13-14 Radio news by Rick Random 14-15 Virrat Tänään - Virrat Today 15-17 EDXC Special. Kolme vuosikymmentä kokouksia Suomessa. 17-19 Tricky Trev Show 19-20 SWR crew - open studio 20-21 Progressive rock and other strange things by Esa 21-22 Saunan lämmitys by Häkä 22-23 SWR crew - open studio 23-24 Closing ceremony by Häkä Here's our A06 schedule for this transmission day: MW 24 hours 1602 kHz 48 MB 00-01 (21-22 UT) 6170 kHz 01-06 (22-03 UT) 5980 kHz 06-19 (03-16 UT) 6170 kHz 19-21 (16-18 UT) 5980 kHz 21-24 (18-21 UT) 6170 kHz 25 MB 00-09 (21-06 UT) 11720 kHz 09-14 (06-11 UT) 11690 kHz 14-21 (11-18 UT) 11720 kHz 21-24 (18-21 UT) 11690 kHz 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, June 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) If you can hear this in NAm, you have a terrific catch with a power of ``50 mighty watts`` tho in Finnish only the page mentions an ERP of 2.5 kW, on what frequency? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** GERMANY. Re 6-081, callsigns: The ITU register in 1958 offers other interesting callsigns for broadcasting stations as these from Germany (Federal Rep.): DMR20, DMR25, 27, 28, 30 (broadcast & fixed service), 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 40, 41, 45, 46, 50, 51, 52, 55, 56, 60 & 61 from Nordenosterloog. DMR26 Muehlacker, DMR27 N.D.R & W.D.R, DMR29 Muenchen, DMR32 Bad Duerrheim, DMR251 Frankfurt Main. All short wave, or some MW?? (Mauricio Molano, Salamanca, Spain, HCDX via DXLD) Querido Mauricio, all shortwave calls and frequencies used for decades. DMR20, DMR25, 27, 28, 30 (broadcast & fixed service), 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 40, 41, 45, 46, 50, 51, 52, 55, 56, 60 & 61 from Nordenosterloog. DMR26 Muehlacker, 6030 kHz DMR27 N.D.R & W.D.R, 6075 and 3970 kHz (frequencies later used for Deutsche Welle services) DMR29 Muenchen, 6085 kHz DMR32 Bad Duerrheim, 7265 kHz DMR251 Frankfurt Main, 6160 kHz, but latter ceased service totally in the 50ies. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) Not used, I got a mail from the Bavarian BC Munich that they still used DMR24 (DMR24 not DMR29) for that station. As if it's still QRV, as I did not check since I heard only white noise on that channel. I ask every time when I send out RRs that the stations give me their real name on the QSL. It's their name, even when it's not used on the air. But not many stations even know that they still have callsigns. Only the ORF wrote that they found after a long search in the law archive their licence giving their callsign as OEI. Looks like we have to ask them every time we write them; maybe they will check for them if they were asked by several 100s of us ;-) 73, (Tom Rösner, DL8AAM, ibid.) Yes, that '29' seems a typing error, was always DMR24. BR Munich was the only German public broadcasting station which used that registration callsign widely on these decades. NDR 2nd program was broadcast via Norden Osterloog site G.C. 07E12 53N38 according: 6075 kHz 20 kW in use since 1st Aug 1950 3970 kHz 5 kW in use since 2nd Oct 1954 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) ** GERMANY [and non]. The DW schedule has again a lot of changes due to the re-organisation of the German program to the two-hour segments last autumn. The question is, does the overseas listeners follow the regular important changes of the programs and frequencies or is DW losing a lot of listeners due to this uncomfortable situation. Here is a list of the new frequencies: German: 0000-0159 to North America on 9430 from Sines 300 degr 0000-0155 to GUS and Western Asia on 12095 from Trincomalee 345 degr 0200-0357 to Eastern Europe, Middle East on 9825 from Sines 65 degr 0200-0359 to North America, Mexico, Cuba on 9830 from Bonaire 320 degr 0200-0355 to Arabian Peninsula on 15640 from Trincomalee 300 degr 0400-0600 to Congo region on 9620 from Kigali 180 degr 0400-0600 to Sudan region on 17575 from Trincomalee 270 degr 0600-0757 to Scandinavia on 9480 from Nauen 30 degr very bad reception here near Frankfurt/Germany 0600-0800 to Northern and Westafrica on 15325 from Wertachtal 210 degr 0600-0800 to Centralafrica on 15545 from Nauen 175 degr 0800-1000 to Iberian Peninsula, Northern Africa on 15325 from Wertachtal 240 degr 0800-1000 to North Western Europe on 9480 from Nauen 280 degr bad reception 0800-1000 to Australia, NZL on 9855 from Bonaire 230 degr audible here not worse than 9480 to Europe 0800-0955 to South Asia Australia on 15680 from Trincomalee 120 degr 1000-1200 to Central America on 5905 from Bonaire non dir of course not audible here 1000-1200 to South America (Northern part) on 15595 Sackville 176degr 1000-1200 to South America (Northern part) on 17770 Wertachtal 255degr 1200-1355 to Southern GUS, Indian subcontinent on 9565 from Trincomalee 345 degr. Fade in around 1300 UT 1200-1400 to Eastern Nortn America and Central America on 11900 from Sackville 212 degr 1200-1400 to Canada, USA on 15620 from Wertachtal 300 degr 1400-1500 to Western USA, Mexico on 15445 from Bonaire 320 degr not audible here due to DRM DW on 15440 1500-1600 to Western USA, Mexico on 15445 from Sackville 272 degr difficult due to "Radio Liberty" Russian on same frq 1600-1955 to Central Africa on 6150 from Kigali 190 degr not audible here 1600-1800 to Eastern Africa, Arabian Peninsula on 15680 from Trincomalee 270 degr 1800-1955 to Western Africa on 15275 from Kigali 295 degr 2000-2155 to Oceania, Australia on 7330 from Trincomalee 120 degr 2000-2155 to Australia, NZL on 9875 from Kigali 115 degr 2200-2400 to China on 7420 from Almaty 94 degr0000000000000000000 2200-2355 to Latin America on 9775 from Kigali 265 degr 2200-2355 to South East Asia on 11935 from Kigali 85 degr 2200-2400 to East Asia on 11965 from Irkutsk 180 degr 2200-2400 to Eastern China, Japan on 15640 from Petropavlovsk- Kamchatka 247degr not audible here. All programs audible here, if not mentioned otherwise. The frequency choice is much better than other seasons because most are free. But I criticise the switch off of many frequencies 5, 3 or 1 minute before the end of the programme of many segments. Many listeners cannot follow the transmissions until the end. The Foreign Language Service has not so many changes: 0000-0100 English on 9430 to Iran Afghanistan from Kigali 30 degr 0000-0058 English on 9885 to Indian subcontinent from Trincomalee 15 degr (ex9505 now German) 0000-0058 Russian on 13810 from Trincomalee 15 degr (ex13690) 0000-0100 Russian on 11660 from Vladivostok 320 degr (ex11895) not audible here 0000-0100 Russian on 15135 from Petropavlovsk Kamchatka 263 degr (ex15140) not audible here 0100-0200 Bengali on 9895 from Trincomalee 25 degr (ex11760) 0100-0200 Bengali on 11820 from Singapur 315 degr new frq 0100-0158 Russian on 11790 from Trincomalee 345 degr (ex13720) 0200-0400 Russian on 15595 from Trincomalee 345 degr (ex17800) Fade in around 0300 UTC 0300-0400 Swahili on 9495 to Central Africa from Sines 140 degr new frq 0400-0530 Russian on 5910 to European part of Russia Wertachtal 55degr 0400-0530 Russian on 11650 to European part of Russia from Wertachtal 45degr (ex7155) 0400-0500 English on 12045 to East Africa from Wertachtal 150 degr (ex11945) 0430-0500 Ukranian on 5980 from Wertachtal 75 degr (ex5910) 0500-0530 Bulgarian on 7170 from Nauen 135 degr (ex7180) 0530-0630 Albanian, Bosnian and Serbian on 5910 from Wertachtal 120 degr (ex9750) 0530-0600 Turkish on 15640 from Wertachtal 105 degr (ex15215) 0800-0900 Pashtu/Dari on 15525 from Armavir 110 degr to Afghanistan (ex0800-0850) 1030-1055 Chinese on 9460 from Vladivostok 230 degr new frq not audible here 1030-1055 Chinese on 15360 from Trincomalee 45 degr (ex15490) 1200-1257 Indonesian on 11770, 15105, 17800 (ex1200-1250) 1200-1257 French to West Africa on 21780 from Kigali 295 degr (ex21665) 1300-1350 Chinese on 15425 from Singapur 13 degr (ex15445) 1400-1459 Russian on 15620 from Wertachtal 75 degr (ex15425) 1430-1500 Turkish on 15595 from Wertachtal 105 degr (ex17820) 1430-1500 Turkish on 13590 from Nauen 128 degr (ex13740) 1500-1557 Swahili on 11670 to Southern Africa from Kigali 180 degr (ex11665) 1500-1557 Russian on 15620 to Western part of Russia from Kigali 30 degr (ex15425) 1600-1658 English on 9485 to Central Asia, Indian Subcontinent from Trincomalee 345 degr (ex7225) 1600-1657 French on 11670 to East Africa from Kigali 115 degr new frq 1700-1730 Urdu on 9645 from Trincomalee 345 degr (ex13755) 1700-1730 Urdu on 15190 from Nauen 195 degr (ex15360) 1700-1758 Russian on 15620 to Western part of Russia from Sines 50degr (ex15425) 1730-1800 Bulgarian on 5905 from Wertachtal 120 degr the only new time segment on the foreign language service 1800-1900 Hausa on 15620 to Western and Central Africa from Wertachtal 195 degr (x15390) 1900-1957 English on 15620 to Eastern part of Africa from Wertachtal 150degr (x15520) 2000-2200 Arabic on 13650 to North and WeAfrica Kigali 310 degr new freq 2200-2300 Indonesian on 7430 from Almaty 141 degr new freq 2200-2300 Indonesian on 9855 from Trincomalee 105 degr (ex9670) not audible due to strong R Kuwait on same freq 2200-2257 Indonesian on 6000 from Trincomalee 120 degr (x2200-2250) 2300-2350 Chinese on 9865 from Dhabbaya 65 degr (ex6175) 2300-2400 Chinese on 11660 from Novosibirsk 125 degr new freq 2300-2400 Chinese on 11830 from Komsomolsk Amur 213 degr new freq not audible here 2300-2400 English on 17860 to South East Asia from Irkutsk 152 degr not audible here Note: Transmissions from Pacific coast in Russia from VLD, P.K, KA very difficult to trace here in Central Europe at the beginning of summer season. The expansion of DRM (Jamming) transmissions from DWL is not as quick as the other seasons: Only some new regular transmissions 0400-0600 9690 from Moscow to Central Europe 0600-0800 6130 from Wertachtal to Central Europe (ex 5970) 0800-0859 13810 from Sines to Central Europe (ex 15440) 0800-1025 21820 from Trincomalee to Central Europe and Middle East (ex 21675) 1200-1559 6130 from Wertachtal to Central Europe 1600-1800 3995 from Wertachtal to Central Europe new freq 1900-2100 7515 from Moscow to Western and Central Europe (ex 7390) 2200-2230 9800 from Sackville to USA new program (Udo Krueger-D, May 21, wwdxc BC-DX May 31 via DXLD) ** GUAM. KTWG, Agaña, 801 kHz. Received full data oversized Guam postcard with friendly note from v/s Leilani Dalulig, KTWG 1868 Halsey Drive, Piti Guam 96915. Note said that she could verify my report after reviewing the station log and that the local ID jingle I heard was actually a recording of her youngest daughter (14 years) and oldest granddaughter (9 years). (Craig Edwards, NT, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. INDIA PLANS TO SET UP ARMY RADIO STATION LIKE ISRAEL'S GALEI ZAHAL Mike Brand writes: The Indian military attaché arrived at the Israeli Army radio station "Galei Zahal" on Monday to learn about the station, with the intention of setting up a similar station in India. The Indian Defense Minister was impressed by the structure of the station, and is intending to set up an army radio station in India, and found that the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will be willing to help. During the tour of the station, the attaché, with a representative of the station, Daniel Zilberstein, was deeply impressed by the station, and made sure to write everything down in their notebooks. ``We are planning to form a radio station like this in our country, and we were told to come and see how the Israeli Army station works``, the attaché told the Israeli website "Walla". Captain Ramah Sari said that the tour was "fascinating, I enjoyed myself very much, and I have passed all the details on to the Indian Chief of Staff." (Source: Walla via Mike Brand) # posted by Andy @ 09:07 UTC May 30 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. SCREAMER RADIO - INTERNET RADIO TUNER AND RECORDER I have been using a new program recently to listen to radio on the internet and can thoroughly recommend it. The product is called screamer radio, and is freeware and as far as I can ascertain does not contain spyware. It enables you to tune to a variety of radio stations from around the world. Also very useful is the facility to record the programmes to your hard drive in MP3 format. To do this you have to go into the set preferences and delete %track% and then it will record continuously. It can divide the programme up into chunks, e.g. each tune, or to record it as a continuous stream if you leave it blank. I have noticed that you can get Radio London and Caroline on it. There is a station from Canada which plays continuous Elvis Presley. It has a variety of stations in the UK, Greece, you name it they are all there. You can search by music genre and also by country. I even saw Offshore Music Radio on it. It really is much better than searching out individual sites. There is a facility in the program to set a level volume for all of the stations, which means you get a good constant level no matter how soft or loud each station transmits at. If you want try this out or find out more visit Screamer Radio. I wonder how long it will be before the moderator says no more internet sites or programs? I am listening at the moment to Riviera Radio from Monaco - it was hard to catch in St Maxime in the South of France so great getting it on the pc. http://www.screamer-radio.com/ K (Keith Knight, UK, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [non]. XM PULLS FM MODULATORS At least two models of XM radio receivers containing FM modulators have been pulled from XM kiosks and their online store. An exception is the Pioneer Inno which has the ability to download firmware to solve the problem with the receivers. The problem in question stems from an FCC investigation into the FM emissions from the receivers, which may or may not be in compliance with the Commission's regulations. The FCC has yet to hand down a decision. Two weeks ago, Audiovox stopped shipping its Xpress Model XMCK10 XM satellite radio receivers when notified that the models did not comply with FCC bandwidth or emission regulations (Draft story courtesy of TV Technology magazine via CGC Communicator June 1, via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) see also RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM MORE ON MINI FM TRANSMITTERS A CGC Communicator continues to receive letters regarding mini FM transmitters that transmit out of band (below 88 MHz) and/or use too much power - beyond the limits imposed by Part 15. While we appreciate these letters, we do not have the staff resources to verify individual claims, and we suggest that you pass your findings along to the FCC at fccinfo @ fcc.gov Ask that your comments be copied to the Enforcement Bureau, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and FCC Labs. An example of a transmitter that is apparently designed to transmit on just 87.9 MHz is the "RoadTrip! FM Transmitter 87.9 MHz" shown at the URL below. In terms of raw output power of these mini transmitters, a Communicator reader adds, "One of the games these manufacturers play is when they find out that the Part 15 intentional radiator field strength limit produces marginal results in real world use, they increase their products' output power after certification to where their marketing and sales people are happier. There's a bit of a war being fought by manufacturers to see who can get the best reviews posted on the Internet." http://www.newertech.com/roadtrip (CGC Communicator June 1, via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [and non]. Long analysis of Worldspace prospects in Italy from the International Herald Tribune; note the mention of a new satellite: A GADGET-HAPPY ITALY LOOKS TO SATELLITE RADIO By Elisabetta Povoledo, International Herald Tribune In introducing Europe's first satellite radio, set to take off in early 2007, WorldSpace Italia is partly banking on at least one byproduct of Italy's perennially chaotic traffic: a captive audience. "There are 33 million cars in circulation in Italy; it's nearly impossible to avoid car queues," said Luca Panerai, chief executive of WorldSpace Italia. Panerai is betting that the appeal of a thematic, commercial-free service at a relatively low cost (the initial monthly fee will be 5 Euros to 12 Euros, depending on the number of channels) will easily hook millions of listeners. "Traditional radio stations all sound the same," Panerai said in his office in the Milanese headquarters of Class Editori, an Italian financial publishing house that is the major shareholder of WorldSpace Italia and will produce about 30 channels for the new venture. The real innovation, he said, will be the 50 channels that will kick off the service in its first year, using WorldSpace's existing satellite, AfriStar. The launching of a new satellite, FM3, in the spring of 2007 will add another 100 or so channels. Full article: http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/05/29/business/wireless30.php (via Mike Barraclough, DXLD) It doesn't seem to be that well researched, though; since when is Italy "very open to new technology" (apart from mobile phones)? It's very much the opposite, if the statistical data is any indication. Even pay TV still only has 3.5m subscribers, almost two decades after the launch. I would really like to know what makes them think that there's a market in Europe for that sort of thing (Giuseppe via alt.radio.digital via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. All about hurricane season, with lots of great maps and graphics: http://www.crownweather.com/tropical.html (via Pim Ripken, BDXC via DXLD) GULF FACILITIES BRACE FOR HURRICANES "Satellite phones and text-messaging devices used last year are being supplemented by short-wave radio systems and enhanced fiber-optic lines, said Kevin Kolevar, director of the Energy Department's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability." This article might be referring to actual shortwave radio systems, and not something else, like VHF or UHF comms mistakenly called shortwave. http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/local/states/california/14714394.htm (Kim Andrew Elliott, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WX4NHC HURRICANE SEASON 2006 STATION TEST SET The National Hurricane Center's WX4NHC http://www.wx4nhc.org will conduct its "Hurricane Season 2006 On-the-Air Station Test" Saturday, June 3, from 1300 until 2200 UTC. (08.00 to 17.00 EST [sic – this really is the conversion to EST rather than EDT, but do they really mean it? --- gh]). " Here's the URL for more detailed info: http://www.qrz.com/ib-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=3&t=123410 73, (J. D. Stephens, Hampton Cove, Alabama, USA, UDXF via DXLD) ** ITALY. See INTERNATIONAL VACUUM ** JAPAN. World Interactive, NHK weekly listeners’ show has changed their e-mail address. New E-mail address is interactive @ nhk.jp Best regards, (MD. AZIZUL ALAM AL-AMIN, RAJSHAHI, BANGLADESH, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. RADIO PYONGYANG --- THE VOICE OF KOREA Introduction North Korea, officially known as Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country located in East Asia. It occupies the northern portion of the Korean peninsula, and bordered by China and Russia to the north and by the Republic of Korea (South Korea) to the south. North Korea has an area of 47,399 square miles, occupying about 55 percent of the peninsula. The national capital, Pyongyang, is a major industrial and transport centre near the west coast. Mountains and valleys characterise most of the country. Mount Paektu [2,750 metres] is the highest mountain in North Korea and on the peninsula, rises at the northern edge of this plateau it is an extinct volcano topped by a large crater lake. Large river-valley plains have developed between the western mountains; they merge along the narrow, irregular coastal plain on the west coast. International Relations North Korea has remained one of the most isolated and inaccessible countries in the international community, with severe restrictions on travel into or out of the country, a totally controlled press, and an ideology of self-reliance. In the 1970s and '80s, the North Korean government maintained its balanced diplomatic position between the country's only two significant allies, China and the Soviet Union, while sustaining a hostile attitude toward the United States. The collapse of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and subsequent dissolution of the U.S.S.R. in the early 1990s left China as North Korea's sole major ally. Even China, however, could no longer be relied upon fully, as it cultivated friendly relations with South Korea that culminated in the establishment of full diplomatic ties in August 1992. The press The daily newspapers, the Rodong sinmun (Labour News), published by the Korean Workers Party Central Committee, and the government's Minju Chossn [sic] (Democratic Korea) have the largest circulations. The monthly Kulloja (Workers) of the KWP Central Committee is one of the most influential periodicals. The Korean Central News Agency controls the dissemination of information, and all papers are strictly censored. Radio and TV Broadcasting The central broadcasting committee of the DPRK is known as KRT, controls national and international Radio and Television broadcasting from the country. KRT was established on October 14,1945.This day is celebrated as the Broadcasting day every year. KRT has signed agreements with 50 countries for mutual co-operation in the broadcasting field. There are also several local broadcasting committees organised on a Provincial, city and country basis. The government has long recognised the importance of radio and television as mass media, and they have played a great role in ideological education. Radio broadcasts reach all parts of the country. Almost all North Korean households have access to radio broadcasts as a result of a government project to link household loudspeakers to village receivers. Television broadcasting in North Korea also has been made available to all parts of the country, and the number of television sets, both imported and domestically produced, has increased. The Voice of Korea The Voice of Korea, formerly Radio Pyongyang is the external radio broadcasting service of the DPRK. Radio Pyongyang was established on March 16, 1947 with its Korean and Chinese Service. Voice of Korea now broadcasts in 9 languages to various parts of the world, which includes Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, English, French, Arabic and German Services. Voice of Korea broadcasts from high power short wave transmitters located at Pyongyang, Kanggye, Kujang and from some other unknown locations. Most of the transmitters are rated at 200 or 250 KW power. But actual transmitter details and locations are not known due to the restrictions and secrecy maintained in the country. Voice of Korea's broadcast can be listened easily with a moderate receiver. But their programs are not worth listening to! The usual English broadcast starts with regional and international news with North Korean viewpoint followed by political commentary that praises Kim Jong II and his leadership. One of the interesting aspects about Voice of Korea is related with the usage of unusual frequencies outside the normal broadcast bands. KRT regularly use the frequencies 3560, 4405, 7570 kHz etc for their transmissions. Although the broadcast from Pyongyang is not that much interesting, they are considered as very Dxer friendly. Unlike many western broadcasters, Voice of Korea still value the listener's receptions reports and like to receive their correspondence. All reports are verified with colourful verification cards, which depict nice Korean sceneries. The QSL Card will be accompanied with additional printed materials like propaganda literature, books on Kim Jong II, Korea Today magazine, Newspaper, stencil, badge etc. Voice of Korea still supplies a very attractive station pennant for listeners. Incidentally Voice of Korea does not have any e-mail address or website. All correspondence to Voice of Korea should be addressed to: Voice of Korea, Pyongyang, DPR Korea (North). Since mail from the USA are reportedly lost in transit or not received by the station, it is worth trying to mail the reports via Dxers in Europe or Asian countries like that maintains good relations with them. Compiled by T. R. Rajeesh, India, for Contact Magazine (World DX Club, June via DXLD) ** LAOS [non]. 15260, CLANDESTINE (Laos), Hmoob Moj Them (presumed), June 2 (Fri.), 0206-0226, non-stop talking, clearly some type of SE Asian language, 0226 nice songs (sounded like folk music), signal fluttery and only fair, but by 0230 was poor. Not heard after 0230, so probably did signed off, bit I was unable to make out any sign-off announcements (Ron Howard, Shanghai, China, Etón E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LUXEMBOURG. Re 6-081: This site: http://www.dxinfocentre.com/lw.htm shows LXAA as the callsign for the LW frequency. None of these calls (LXA, LXAA) seems to be correct, at least in 1958!. The ITU registered calls for broadcasting are LXRA, LXRE, LXRF & LXRG (Mauricio Molano, Salamanca, Spain, HCDX via DXLD) See also GERMANY ** MEXICO [and non]. 325(C) PERMIT GRANTED TO XEK The FCC has granted Section 325(c) cross-border program authority to XEK, 960 kHz, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, subject to standard conditions. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-265433A1.pdf (CGC Communicator June 1, via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS [and non]. Radio Netherlands summer schedule updated A minor update to the summer frequency schedule of Radio Netherlands is effective from today until 31 August. It involves some additional transmissions for our Dutch service beamed to Northern Europe, which are always added for three months in the summer. The revised schedule is now online. Also on that page is the planned schedule for coverage of the three group matches involving the Dutch team at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Please note there may still be some additions to this schedule. It will be updated as soon as we get the information. And before anyone asks, the listed power of 150 kW for Bonaire transmissions beamed to Surinam is NOT a typo! http://www.radionetherlands.nl/features/media/schedule060326.html (Andy Sennitt, Media Network newsletter June 1 via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. RNZI anomalies --- Glenn - I've been trying to listen to RNZI in DRM mode on 13730 kHz between 0200 and 0315 UTC 02 Jun 06. The station is switching between 13730 and 15720 in AM mode. This is my post to the reception results forum at drmrx.org: "Checked for the DRM transmission on 13730 at 0210 UTC 2 June and was surprised to find RNZI in AM mode on this frequency - very weak AM signal on 15720 khz. The signal stopped at 0214 and 15720 was at good strength at 0218. Nothing on 13730 up to 0305. About 0309 15720 dropped out and 13730 was back in AM mode." I checked the RNZI website and as I read the schedule as currently posted, it appears that DRM will be the only broadcast mode after 4 Jun. See what you think: http://www.rnzi.com/pages/listen.php Of course, we know from experience that the website is "fluid". 73, (Alan Johnson, N4LUS, Reno, NV, UT June 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, that`s what it literally shows at the moment: the only analog schedule expires June 3 and DRM schedule lasts until September 2. But see next item from someone who does have an analog schedule for the rest of winter. You`d think while they are getting the DRM transmitter going, they would also make a point of keeping the original AM transmitter running on a reliable schedule (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) Here is the latest RNZI schedule effective 4 June 2006 - 3 September 2006 --- Regards Mark Nicholls Editor New Zealand DX Times New Zealand Radio DX League http://www.radiodx.com/ ripple via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: RADIO NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL TE REO IRIRANGI O AOTEAROA, O TE MOANA-NUI-A-KIWA P O Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand Phone: +(64 4) 4741 437 Facsimile +(64 4) 4741 433 E-mail address: info @ rnzi.com Web Address: http://www.rnzi.com 04 June 2006 - 03 September 2006 UTC NZ Time kHz Mode Primary Target 1300 - 1650 0100 - 0450 7145 AM Pacific 1650 - 1850 0450 - 0650 6095 AM All Pacific 1851 - 1950 0651 - 0750 9630 AM All Pacific 1951 - 0658 0751 - 1035 15720 AM All Pacific 2236 - 0458 1036 - 1658 13730 AM All Pacific 0459 - 0658 1659 - 1858 9615 AM All Pacific 0659 - 1059 1859 - 2259 6095 AM All Pacific 1100 - 1259 2300 - 0000 9870 AM Solomon Islands, PNG, Timor Please note: A DRM Capable Receiver is required to hear these digital transmissions --- 04 June 2006 - 03 September 2006 UTC NZ Time kHz Mode Primary Target 1300 - 1650 0100 - 0450 6095 DRM All Pacific, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Cook Islands 1651 - 1850 0451 - 0650 7145 DRM All Pacific, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Cook Islands 1851 - 2250 0651 - 1035 13730 DRM All Pacific 2251 - 0458 1036 - 1658 15720 DRM All Pacific 0459 - 0658 1659 - 1858 9440 DRM All Pacific 0659 - 1300 1859 - 0059 7145 DRM All Pacific (via David Ricquish, ripple, also via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** NORWAY. NRK HIT BY STRIKE NRK, Norway's public television and radio broadcaster, was hit by a strike beginning at 3 p.m. this afternoon. The Norwegian Union of Journalists (NJ) and LO-Stat, a confederation of unions for employees in the public sector, declared a strike after rejecting a suggested solution submitted by state mediation eleven hours after the deadline for negotiations. Two of the other union organizations involved reached an agreement. NRK head of broadcasting John G Bernander expressed regret that all parties failed to reach agreement, and said that the action would not mean blank TV screens and silent radio stations. "There are trade unions and other personnel that are not on strike and we will compose the best possible schedule. But news and sports broadcasting will be hit hard," Bernander told NRK. Bernander claimed that NRK had offered wage increases that were among the more generous in this year's negotiations. (Source: Aftenposten English Web Desk) # posted by Andy @ 18:34 UT May 31 (Media Network blog via DXLD) BBC WORLD SERVICE ON FM AND DAB IN NORWAY DURING NRK STRIKE As the strike at Norwegian public broadcaster NRK goes into a second day, the 24-hour all-news channel Alltid Nyheter has been replaced by BBC World Service. The network broadcasts on FM in 17 cities, on DAB and on the Internet. NRK management is worried that the industrial action could affect NRK's World Cup coverage, and is considering whether it should broadcast the matches without sound, or even sell on the rights to another broadcaster. (Source: Aftenposten English Web Desk) # posted by Andy @ 18:45 UT June 1 (Media Network blog via DXLD) Actually Alltid Nyheter does not broadcast 24 hours but relays BBC WS at times (like 22 PM to 6 AM on workdays). During the Christmas season 2003 NRK put these BBC rebroadcasts inadvertently on shortwave as well: After the closure of RNI the shortwave transmitters were supposed to carry P1 when no Alltid Nyheter programming was on. During the holidays season Alltid Nyheter was on a grossly reduced schedule (or paused altogether, like it does right now), but nobody bothered to adjust the shortwave schedule, and so they put BBC WS on air. Why bother when the transmitters were to be shut down just a few days later anyway? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, 06.02.06 - 12:14 pm, ibid.) ** OKLAHOMA. Re recent discussion of TV stations not running 24 hours: As of June 1, OETA is staying on past local midnight [0500 UT] with PBS repeats, and apparently all night. As noted on KETA-13 Oklahoma City and their online and newspaper schedules, presumably applying to all other OETA relays and translators. The overnight service was previously available only on Cox Cable OKC, and possibly some other systems, not including Enid`s (Glenn Hauser, Enid, WTFDA via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. 12130, FEBC, May 31, 1417-1434, in unID language till BoH, into "Haven Today" with Charles Morris. Seems this is the only English program they broadcast. Fair (Ron Howard, Shanghai, China, Etón E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. 15270, R. Pilipinas/VOP, June 2, 0235-0245, in English, program "Where in the Philippines?" travel program with suggestions about visiting certain islands, fair/QRM from Chinese language station (Ron Howard, Shanghai, China, Etón E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN. See COLOMBIA [non] ** SWEDEN. INTERNATIONAL RELAYS TO DISAPPEAR IN STOCKHOLM SR Director General Peter Örn [caption] Listeners to Radio Sweden and SR International in Stockholm will probably see some major changes next year, including the disappearance of relays of BBC World Service and National Public Radio. Swedish Radio’s management has announced the changes in channel structure resulting from months of studies into the future of public service radio in this country. The result is a restructuring of channels in Stockholm, with no changes in the rest of the country. . . http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/International/nyhetssidor/artikel.asp?nyheter=1&ProgramID=2408&Artikel=870788 (SCDX/MediaScan via DXLD) ** U K. VT COMMUNICATIONS LAUNCHES PIONEERING DRM 26 MHZ SERVICE IN LONDON --- PRESS RELEASE Tuesday 30th May 2006 VT Communications continues to push the boundaries of digital radio broadcasting by launching its dual-channel Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) transmission service from Crystal Palace in South East London into Greater London. Partnering with Deutsche Welle and UBC Classic Gold, VT Communications can now provide two discrete broadcast services over a single 20 kHz transmission band centred at 25.7 MHz. This is the first time the double channel mode of DRM has been used for extensive field trials and further enhances VT Communications digital offering. The 26 MHz band is designated as an international broadcast band, but is underused and could also be used to provide local "FM" type coverage. Demand for both FM (88-108 MHz) and DAB (band III) spectrum in the UK is very high, and DRM could offer broadcasters access to additional spectrum in addition revitalising existing MF and LF frequencies with enhanced audio quality. The ability of the 26 MHz band to provide local and digital radio coverage adds to VT Communications existing regional and international DRM capability. In 1999 VT Communications started regular "ITU compliant" DRM tests from the Rampisham transmitter site in Dorset UK, to Europe. In 2003 a new high power MF transmitter was added to the portfolio, which now transmits the BBC World Service in digital quality to the Benelux countries. In March 2006, VT Communications announced a significant investment in a new high power HF transmitter at its Woofferton (Shropshire, UK) transmitter site. This will be operational by mid 2006. VT Communications are also investing in a new broadcast centre designed to distribute audio in a totally digital format from studio to listener, including distribution of DRM. This will eliminate audio degradation caused by repeated conversion between analogue and digital, a surprisingly common problem with digital transmissions. The broadcast centre will also be able to format & distribute audio via a number of different routes, including archiving, podcasting, content repurposing and audio on demand. The 26 MHz service in London will showcase the broadcast centre technology, as data channels, Electronic programme guides (EPG) and a 3rd audio service are all scheduled for test during the course of 2006. "VT Communications ongoing investment in DRM 26 MHz and HF capability is part of our new Global Media Network" says Bryan Coombes, General Manager Broadcast at VT Communications. "This underlines our commitment to provide a digital service to satisfy all of our customers' broadcasting requirements, from local through to truly international coverage". (Kirsty Love, via Laura Jelf, VT, also via Mike Barraclough, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1317, DXLD) ** U K. LILIANE LANDOR NEW EDITOR BBC WORLD SERVICE NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS BBC World Service has appointed Liliane Landor as its new Editor BBC World Service News and Current Affairs. She is responsible for all the BBC World Service News and Current Affairs programmes in English. Stephen Mitchell, Head of Radio News says: "Liliane has a great track record in World Service as well as the vision and experience to build on the success already achieved during Mary Hockaday's tenure." Liliane Landor was born in Lebanon and educated in France and Switzerland - speaking five languages including Arabic. She joined the BBC in 1990 - working for the BBC French Service after experience as an interpreter in Paris and as a print journalist. She had been Head of BBC World Service News and Current Affairs Programmes since 2002, and in 2004 spent six months as Head of the BBC Arabic Service. More recently, she has played a key role in leading flagship news and current affairs programmes across BBC World Service - while also being part of the Creative Future for journalism team led by the BBC's Deputy Director-General, Mark Byford. Liliane Landor says: "I'm delighted to have been offered the job and I'm very excited at the prospect of leading such an impressive department. It has a deep understanding of our huge and diverse audiences and has always delivered strong and creative journalism. The World Service is a special place to be and we'll focus our energies on delivering value and quality to our audiences." Liliane Landor replaces Mary Hockaday who has now been appointed Deputy Head of BBC Radio News. (Source: BBC Press Office) # posted by Andy @ 18:07 UT May 31 (Media Network blog via DXLD) see also EGYPT; NORWAY ** U K. BBC WORLD TURNS PAY AND ENCRYPTED Wednesday - May 31, 2006 Televisionpoint.com Correspondent From June 15, BBC World, the BBC's commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel, will turn pay and encrypted. Gerry Ritchie, regional director of distribution and business development, Europe, Middle-East & South Asia for BBC World explains said, "As a commercial channel, the transition from 'free-to-air', to a subscription model is a natural progression for BBC World in South Asia. This change is in response to the dynamic and rapidly expanding cable TV and DTH satellite market across the region." . . . http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2006/newsfullstory.php?id=1149068670 Regards & 73’s (via Mukesh Kumar, THE COSMOS CLUB, MUZAFFARPUR - 842002 BIHAR, INDIA, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U S A. The Voice of America is a 24-hour, international multimedia news broadcast facility open to the public by reservation (202-203- 4990). VOA journalists broadcast seven days a week from 43 radio studios and four television studios. During free guided group tours, visitors learn our history and how VOA has expanded from the shortwave broadcasts of the 1940s to today's AM, FM, television, and Internet. Our central newsroom, radio, and television studios feature prominently in the tours, which are approximately 45 minutes long. Tour Days and Times: The new VOA Studio Tour is now open to the public. Tours are conducted Monday-Friday, at 12:00N and 3:00 p.m. (excluding federal holidays). Make reservations through our online reservation and ticketing site, or call (202) 203-4990. The VOA Studio Tour is wheelchair accessible. When making your reservation, please advise us if a member of your party uses a wheelchair or requires other assistance so that we may better serve you. Reservations are recommended. Tours are free. Our online reservation and ticketing site provides you with an instant overview of available VOA events. You may also contact the Office of Public Affairs by calling (202) 203-4990, or sending an e-mail to tickets @ voanews.com Tours are limited in size. Facilities: The VOA Newscenter was launched in late February 2004. The 36,000-square-foot Newscenter houses the central newsroom, staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are 5 radio studios with control rooms, 6 video edit suites, 2 voice booths and 2 digital audio mix/dub centers. Fronting the newsroom are control rooms and 3 sets for television programs. Security: All visitors to the Voice of America must go through security to enter the building. Visitors should plan on arriving at least 10 minutes before their scheduled tour in order to have enough time to enter and go through security. Minimizing the number of bags you bring in will speed your clearance. Please do not bring any weapons or sharp objects with you. Historic Ben Shahn Mural: The Cohen building which houses VOA is also home to a historic mural, "The Meaning of Social Security," commissioned by the Works Progress Administration in 1940. Voice of America 330 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20237 (202) 203-4959 For Tours: (202) 203-4990 http://www.voanews.com/english/about/visitVOA.cfm (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U S A. Where the careers of former U.S. international broadcasting luminaries go. Marc Nathanson, former chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, is now champion of the flush-free urinal. NO-FLUSH URINALS, CABLE BARON'S CAUSE, THWARTED IN LOS ANGELES http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aHMHhB7JfAV0&refer=us (Bloomberg, 31 May 2006 via kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. PSYOPS GOES TO THE WEEKEND WARRIORS. "The U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command transferred operational command and control from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command to the U.S. Army Reserve Command." http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,98387,00.html (Army News Service, 24 May 2006 via kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) "The psyops group has 1,300 soldiers and will grow to 2,300 by 2011." http://www.fayettevillenc.com/article?id=233759 (Fayetteville (NC) Observer, 24 May 2006, ibid.) ** U S A. Glenn, these people have applied for an HF station in Pensacola FL, and the FCC today marked the application acceptable for filing: http://www.smyrnabaptist.org/ (Benn Kobb, DC, June 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) God help us! Yet another gospel-huxtering SW outlet besmirching the image of the USA abroad. Don`t see anything about the SW on their website; they do have audio and link to an ``Old Fashioned Christian Radio Station`` meaning webcast, in Grand Prairie TX (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. FCC yesterday granted STA's [special temporary authority] to several "expanded band companion" stations whose sunset date was already past or imminent to allow resumed or continued operation pending resolution of the Petition recently filed for modification/revocation of the sunset clause in expanded band allotment proceedings. See: http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1127666 as one example [KLIB]. The number of grants is unknown, as there has been no public notice, and one may not be issued, as reportedly the Commission was not excited about wide publicity regarding this action. When it comes to the FCC, never say never and never say for sure, and no date is for sure unless it was set in stone by Congress, and even then it may be pumice or soapstone! (Aaron Zawitzky, June 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. The Radiomarine list brings you information about the on- the-air activities of the Maritime Radio Historical Society including stations KPH, KSM and K6KPH. For more information see our Web site at: http://www.radiomarine.org VY 73, MRHS (Richard Dillman, via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. ALL I WANT ON THE RADIO: COOL TUNES, QUIET VOICES Anna Hanks, LOCAL CONTRIBUTOR Tuesday, May 30, 2006 COMMENTARY Radio waves are all around us. They penetrate into buildings and travel through car windshields. Unfortunately, if you turn on the radio, those radio waves often magically transform into yelling. Much of the time, in an effort to keep things "exciting," DJ's speak in that dreadful "radio announcer voice," interspersed with blaring commercials. Thanks to a childhood spent in the front rows of a terrifying old-school, fire-and-brimstone Southern Baptist Church, I have a strong aversion to men yelling at me. All I ask for on the radio are buttery­voiced male DJ's playing the latest indie pop. I want an announcer trying to seduce my ears into hanging around through the next commercial break. I don't want to be yelled at anymore. I also want my pop music to be no older than the mustard in my refrigerator. Preferably as fresh and free-range as my eggs, but no older than my mustard. Exactly what do I mean by indie pop? Rather than rattling off band names --- many of whom will be playing the Austin City Limits music festival in September --- let's assume that if a tune has turned up on TV in "Grey's Anatomy," "Medium" or "Veronica Mars," it's likely indie pop. Still confused? Let's compare pop to publishing. At one end of the dial, KGSR plays the equivalent of serious, literary fiction, the type reviewed by The New York Times. In contrast, Britney Spears, et al., are the musical version of a tatty paperback romance, complete with a lurid cover and formulaic plot. I'm looking for a middle ground, perhaps the pop equivalent of Dan Brown's book, "The Da Vinci Code." Alas, there isn't often anything on Austin radio for me. Sweet-voiced Andy Langer's fabulous new and local music show "The Next Big Thing" is only on 101X Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m. By the time the University of Texas student radio station KVRX comes on-air at 7 weeknights, I have dinner to make and TV shows to watch. I can't listen to radio while cooking. If a song comes on by groups like the Moldy Peaches or Everclear, who knows what will end up in the soup? Why should you care about how local radio isn't meeting my needs? Isn't that my problem? Well, actually, it is everyone's problem. Radio frequencies are a finite natural resource, and we should all be concerned about how they are being used. I was first introduced to the concept of radio frequencies being a limited natural resource by Robert Jensen, associate professor in the School of Journalism at UT-Austin. An offhand comment Jensen made about radio was my personal Eureka moment. "We live in a society where the assumption is that everything is private," Jensen said, explaining my revelation. Part of what I find particularly troubling about this use of a finite natural resource is the casual aggression towards women endemic on today's radio. This misogyny can be heard in popular songs, including Kanye West's "Gold Digger" with lyrics describing women using men for their money. Even worse, I double-dog-dare you to flip around the Austin radio dial for an hour without hearing the unprintable term best describing a female canine. Being frustrated by local radio, I've put some effort into finding outlets for my tastes, although nothing that works in my creaky car. One satisfying solution was DJ Ghosty on the Left of Center channel on the subscription-only Sirius Satellite Radio. With a voice like well- ripened Brie, Ghosty gave me what I wanted, sans commercials. Alas, this past week, Ghosty moved from Left of Center to another Sirius channel. This has caused me more distress than I thought possible. Thank goodness for the Internet. There are zillions of international radio stations available online. You can listen to a station broadcasting live from Denmark, while lounging in Del Valle. Since reporting a story on SXSW for The Baltic Times, a newspaper based in the post-Soviet capital of Riga, Latvia, my ears have been lunching with a likeable Latvian lad on their local pop station SWH. Buttery- voiced DJ Toms doesn't yell at me. But the best part of listing to international radio stations is knowing I'm unlikely to be supporting the Clear Channel monolith, headquartered just down the road in San Antonio. Clear Channel operates more than 1,200 stations in the United States --- six here in Austin. In a glum sign for any music fan --- or struggling singer- songwriter --- Clear Channel prominently displays its stock ticker on its Web site. Like any corporation, Clear Channel is being run for the benefit of its stockholders, not its listeners. Earlier this month, it reported revenues of $1.5 billion for the first quarter of 2006. It's clear that corporate radio today isn't using the natural resource of radio frequencies in the most beneficial way for me. And if my needs aren't being met, chances are the needs of other people aren't being met, either. If you aren't happy with the way radio frequencies are being used, tell the folks in Washington. Or just have your ears flee the country via the Internet. It won't solve the underlying problem, but at least you'll be entertained. And if you can't get any satisfaction, you can escape limited local radio at http://www.radio-locator.com Hanks is a freelance writer in Austin. From the Austin American- Statesman (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A. DESPITE 9/11, RADIO REPEATERS STILL RARE IN NYC --- A TOWER ON TIMES SQUARE GETS NEW RADIO EQUIPMENT TO HELP EMERGENCY WORKERS By KAREEM FAHIM Published: June 1, 2006 The owners of a Times Square tower have wired their building with radio equipment designed to help emergency workers better communicate with each other once inside — especially in parts of the building where radios tend to drop signals. The installation of a so-called repeater system in the building, the 52-story Condé Nast building at 4 Times Square, took about a year and a half and cost less than $300,000, the owners said. Behind the project were the communication failures among firefighters on Sept. 11, 2001. Continued at [registration not required]: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/01/nyregion/01fire.html (via Sergei Sosedkin, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U S A. WEATHER WARS IN TERRE HAUTE --- WTWO brags about their weather coverage... I'm sure a lot of you have already seen this. Shows how in the dark I am that I just discovered it this morning! WTWO rips on WTHI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJH-nvnCqLI Jon Stewart rips on WTWO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm9miT0ZznM WTWO strikes back: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DVvgzaDRpY The last 2 are "not safe for work." Now this is what I call "weather wars!" (Joe, KD8ATU, Veldhuis, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. Re KCKN 1020 Roswell NM: KCKN recaptured the calls in February. We go from classic country to block religion at 8 pm Mountain time [0200 UT]. The former KCKN ownership in Kansas City has declined to pull down the KCKN web site from their former facility so Roswell's web site is http://KCKN1020.com 1340 in Kansas City is now programming Spanish and dumped the calls, good for us but sad for them as they were legendary calls in KC (Jerry Kiefer, General Manager & leader of a band of AM DXers, dxhub yg via DXLD) ** U S A. SENATE CONFIRMS APPOINTMENT OF ROBERT McDOWELL AS COMMISSIONER The FCC once again has five Commissioners with Friday's Senate confirmation of telecommunications attorney Robert McDowell to fill the seat vacated by Kathleen Abernathy. McDowell, 42, previously represented a trade association made up of telecom companies competing with large carriers like AT&T and Verizon. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/technology/27fcc.html?_r=1&oref=slogin http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-265591A1.doc (CGC Communicator June 1, via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A. 88.5 FM WIPZ Kenosha, WI ... huh?? Here's a new one that popped today (June 1st). Identifying as WIPZ, formally on 101.7 FM with a frequency change today to 88.5. Their website: http://www.wipzradio.com/news/index.php says they're at Univ. Wisc - Parkside, but not found on the W9WI, RadioLocator, or FCC ULS database. What kind of station is this that I'm hearing 45 miles away ??? (John K9RZZ, Milwaukee, June 1, WTFDA via DXLD) I get them here in Muskego. Since there is no record of `em, I consider this station a "pirate". Other people would argue with me on this (John L., Muskego, WI, ibid.) ** U S A. SPECIAL EVENT. The Texas DX Society (TDXS) and friends will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the "Great Armadillo Run of 1986" with special event station K7A. The operation and reunion will be held in Virginia City, Nevada (Storey County), at the QTH of K5RC. Operations will be over the Field Day weekend, June 24-25th. From 1983 through 1985, TDXS sponsored "Armadillo Runs" which, over three years, activated every county in the 5th call area. In 1986, they celebrated the Texas Sesquicentennial by sponsoring the Great Armadillo Run of 1986, where they attempted to activate every county in the USA over two weekends. See the story in April's 1986 QST and CQ Magazines. They also created and activated "Armadillo County, Texas", during the Sesquicentennial celebration, which is now a deleted county. Twenty years later, over 50 of the participants, friends and supporters are gathering at the K5RC Ranch to commemorate the event and operate K7A during Field Day. QSL via W7RN. For details, visit the Web page at: http://www.consultpr.com/Armadillo.htm (KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 May 29 via Dave Raycroft, ODXA via DXLD) ** VATICAN. 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF VATICAN RADIO Pope Pius XI inaugurated Vatican Radio on Feb. 12th, 1931, with an address in Latin broadcast all over the world. On the day after the signing of the Lateran pacts of 1929, the Pope asked Guglielmo Marconi to build a radio station inside the new Vatican City State in order to be able to communicate freely across borders and speak to the Catholics of all countries. In fact, in many parts of the world the free expression of the Catholic faith was hindered by totalitarian regimes. Vatican Radio gradually grew and so did the number of languages of its broadcasts. In 1939, the commentaries to the Conclave, election and inauguration ceremony of Pius XII's Pontificate were broadcast live in nine languages. In fact, at the beginning of the Second World War, the Radio was regularly broadcasting in nine languages. During the war, the Radio was an important source of free information. While Goebbels swore to silence Vatican Radio, its broadcasts were being secretly transcribed and distributed by members of the French resistance. In 1940, at the request of Pius XII, an information office was especially set up to launch radio appeals and provide information that could help trace civilians and soldiers and send messages to prisoners on behalf of their families. Over a six-year period, more than 1,200,000 messages were broadcast during more than 12,000 hours of transmission. After the end of the war, the communist control of Eastern Europe led to an increase of broadcasts in the languages of the oppressed populations. Consequently, more powerful antennas and a network of directional antennas were needed. Thus the Transmission Centre of Santa Maria di Galeria was built and inaugurated by Pius XII in 1957. Broadcasts specifically directed towards Africa, Latin America, and Asia were further developed. Three thousand hours of broadcasts in 30 different languages were dedicated to the Second Vatican Council. Paul VI greatly encouraged the development of the production of informative quality programs. The offices were moved to new headquarters in Palazzo Pio, at the beginning of Via della Conciliazione. In 1970, the number of employees rose to 280 persons from 38 different countries broadcasting in 32 languages. Paul VI`s Pontificate marked the beginning of important international papal trips, which reached a high peak during John Paul the Second's papacy. Vatican Radio accompanied the Pope in his travels, thus broadening its horizons and international relations. Modern technology has rapidly transformed radio broadcasting. In the 90's, a leap forward was made from traditional Short and Medium Wave to satellite transmission, with two ground-stations right in the Vatican --- and then to the Internet. An ever-growing number of radio stations of all inspirations and dimensions --- many Catholic, but not only --- can thus re-broadcast Vatican Radio programs in their own languages: in 2005 they numbered more than 1,000. Analogical technology in program production has given way to digital technology: tape recorders have been replaced by computers. News events of worldwide importance like the Great Jubilee Year and the death of John Paul II deeply engaged Vatican Radio in its mission to spread the message of the Catholic Church throughout the world, and offer new occasions of collaboration with radio stations and news agencies of every sort. On its 75th Anniversary Vatican Radio features: -- Sixty-four and a half hours of daily broadcasts (23,480 hours per year), in a total of 45 different languages -- Broadcasts in shortwave, medium wave, and FM with 20 transmitters and 36 antennas. -- Satellite transmissions (eight channels available: two over Europe, and six affording global coverage). -- Audio transmission of all programs via Internet (live and on demand). -- Live broadcasts of all the Pope's Angelus recitations and Wednesday General Audiences. -- Live broadcasts of the major papal celebrations with commentaries in six languages. -- A multimedia Internet site (featuring texts, audio, video and podcast) in 30 different languages. Newsletter provided by e-mail. Employees number 384: 269 men, 115 women, of 59 different nationalities: priests, laymen, laywomen, religious men and women of 12 different congregations (Radio Vaticana April-October printed frequency schedule via Jonathan Murphy, June World DX Club Contact via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. Re 6-081: Virgen de Remedios on 4545 problem [BOLIVIA] --- Last night I checked what happens every night around 0100 UT on 4545 kHz. I used the SpectrumLab program and it says that the frequency is very stable around 4545.19 kHz ahead of 0100 but then momentarily changes to 4545.9 and drifts downwards about 100 Hz. My conclusion is that it is the same transmitter all the time but the voltage to the transmitter changes causing the jump and then the drift due to rising temperature (Gert Nilsson, Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, R71+R75 + beverages, June 2, dxing.info via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED [non?]. Finally someone else on the UDXF list reported a station on 17260, so maybe this is my previous unID, merely WLO (gh) 17260.0 kHz usb, WLO just ending with sales spiel, weak but readable 0324:45 UT (2006-05-29) (Vambo in Colorado, USA on ZIRC:#monitor, UDXF via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LANGUAGE LESSONS ++++++++++++++++ SPANISH DIALECTS Glenn, Re 6-080: The test I suggested is essentially a proficiency test. The Chinese substratum is not much of a problem on RTI´s Spanish language crew. All of them speak excellent Spanish. In fact, so well that you can readily hear who was educated in Venezuela and who was not; who was brought up in Central America and who was not, etc. It is no easy proposition to describe what a language or an accent sounds like without recurring to linguistic jargon. Some people will find it easier to imitate an accent than describe it. Here is one feature which I think is typical to Chilean Spanish: in words like ``mujer``, ``gente``, ``general``, the fricative sound written as G or J is followed by a gliding, non-standard E, almost like a IE, and this will make them sound almost like ``mujier``, ``giente``, ``gieneral`` (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) All this denotes the influence of the Portuguese language felt since the times of territorial dispute, particularly since the time of the foundation of "Colónia de Sacramento" & "Colónia de Montevideo" until the Treaty of Santo Ildefonso which finally put an end to all quarrelling. I'm greatly convinced that's one major possibility, the other being that Brazil is really very close. "À tarde, à noite", or "de tarde, de noite" are common Port. Forms, but not entirely used at will for there's a subtle difference depending on the sentence enhancement. Years spelling is like Moisés reported: 1985 in Portuguese would be "mil, novecentos e oitenta e cinco, so here too we find a remarkable similarity. Glenn, can't you also detect a bit of Italian influence upon the Uruguayan & Argentinian accents? That's what I can tell every time I listen to RAE in Castilian! (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, ibid.) Hello out there! This is coming to you from the country of the ``majes``, a Mexican term that found fertile ground in my Tiquicia (yes, that`s Costa Rica) thanks to the common people Mexican movies we had in our theaters during the 50s. Most ticos (Costa Ricans) despite being men or women, and in most cases despite their ages, can`t have a talk without mentioning ``maje`` at least three times between every ten words --- it sounds exaggerated, doesn’t it? Well, let me say that ``maje`` goes for ``buddy``, as well as cubanos, and in a second place, Puerto Ricans and even Panamanians have their ``chico``. But Venezuelans, who in some instances to us ticos exhibit an intonation like most Spanish-speaking Caribbean countries, have the term ``vale``, as well as Argentinians use the word ``che``. Now, we have found that Argentinian Bonaerenses show the same ``cantadito`` --- or ``singing`` in their talking --- as we define here their accent, as their neighbors on the other side of Río de La Plata or River Plate. And this clearly Italian accent spoken in Spanish. Must be for the great migration of Italians to Argentina in the 18th century. And we ticos, and even our ``nicas`` northerly neighbors, have something in common with those ``rioplatenses`` by trusting people with the word ``vos`` instead of ``tú`` as most of the Spanish-speaking community do; as an example we say ``si vos querés, venís conmigo`` in place of ``si tú quieres, vienes conmigo`` meaning bu that ``if you want to, come with me``. How is it in your case, Moisés (Knochen) in Montevideo, do you speak with ``vos`` or ``tú``? Once I knew this Uruguayan boy who had the rioplatense accent but strangely for me, he spoke using ``tú`` not ``vos``. Now I don`t find it difficult to identify a Chilean but in the past all sounded to me like Argentinians trusting people with ``tú``. Bolivians, Peruvians and Ecuadorians may sound alike by the fact that they share a good portion of The Andes. But let me tell you, I once knew a Peruvian guy at Miami Airport, and until he said he came from Perú, I couldn`t identify his accent, thinking myself that because of his fine modals, he came from Guatemala. Until the day I met José Pérez Del Río, that well-known personality many years ago behind the mike for Buenos Días América on VOA Spanish service, I kept wandering from where this guy came from. He visited Costa Rica in 1979 and in a few interchanged words, because of the informal talking, he couldn`t hide his Mexican accent. But see how different it is when you find professional announcers. Some Nicaraguans worked for VOA Spanish, but on the air they didn`t sound like common nicas. This is so evident that when I listen to some countryside stations from Perú or Bolivia on the tropical bands, don`t go thinking that rural tico announcers will be far from them, even counting accents. For people not having Spanish as their first language, it all depends where they learn to spoke it. It is funny when you see a person that learnt Spanish in Spain: they will pronounce clearly the Z letter, as I remember a Danish fútbol player who was signed to the CF Barcelona. And I have seen Chinese and Japanese with plain Spanish accent. But the funniest of all was an Austrian guy who being married to a tica, learnt Spanish in the ``pachuco`` style, that is, the way that common people of the street do. But I think that everybody in Latin America can`t deny they have their very own ``singing`` while speaking. Even in Stateside, you see how different the people from Boston sound if you compare them with those of Texas or the Deep South. And completely different from the British. And the British-influenced Caribbean English, you hardly can guess if it is from Kingston, Puerto Limón or even Monrovia. Regards (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ ADVENTURES IN AMPLITUDE MODULATION - Part 18 [actually about SHORTWAVE] I haven't posted all of the entries in this series, as I assume those who are interested would have started following on their own by now, but this one includes a request for audio and other content. Some on this list might be interested in providing audio: http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2006/05/adventures_in_a_1.html It`s a great series that is hopefully exposing people to something they might not otherwise know anything about. 73, (Ken Kopp - Topeka, Kansas, Amateur Radio: KKØHF, More than just a hobby! http://www.qsl.net/kk0hf dxldyg via DXLD) CGC COMMUNICATOR ARCHIVE [several items quoted in this issue] http://www.bext.com/_CGC/ (CGC Communicator June 1 via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) WORLD OF TELEPHONY ++++++++++++++++++ THE 212-796-0735 MYSTERY "Interesting" story about number stations and voip. This caught my eye, despite being HF related: http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/05/31/the-212-796-0735-mystery/ http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2006/06/01/another-phone-numbers-station-415-704-0402/ (Paul M0YET, http://www.uhf-satcom.com monitoringmonthly yg via DXLD) The subject of the two URLs has kept the 'Spooks' list busy for a few weeks now. It would be interesting to see how long it will run and whether anyone tops up the account. I 'd be interested to know if anyone is aware of anything similar apart from the obvious radio based numbers transmissions. Best regards (Kevin Nice, ibid.) Pages won`t display with IE: prompts to use Firefox instead (gh, DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ DAYTON HAMVENTION 2006 ~FINAL, PICTURES & STORY LINES POSTED !!! OK Gang, Basically got the Dayton page set up and running. Worked on it on and off this week as I found the time. I'm sorry about the picture quality but we had to bring down the resolution for the guys still running dial up connections! Heck I'm still using an FT-207R hand held, so who am I to speak! Anyway. I think I got all the good pix on line now. You can see Gordon West, Bob Heil, Chip Margelli, Riley Hollingsworth, all of the big time players in Yaesu Engineering and more. Oh yes and me too! SEE: http://foxtango.org/Dayton%202006/Hamvention%202006.htm Got to run. Best Regards (Carol W4CLM, FRG-7 yg via DXLD) Emphasis on Yaesu Musen MUSEA +++++ ORKNEY WIRELESS MUSEUM One weekend in mid-May, we visited Orkney for a few days and were based in Kirkwall for sight-seeing. Whilst there I took the opportunity to visit the Orkney Wireless Museum. It's a small museum, just a single room - but it's simply full of radios and broadcasting ephemera, as you can see from the two photos on the next page. There are a number of racks displaying radios from the inter-war years, as well as later radios from the 50's and 60's. Also some military models. Also of interest were the folders containing dozens, probably hundreds, of Archive photos of "Wartime Orkney", which included a number of photos of transmitter sites in Orkney. In addition, there was a folder of information about Netherbutton - one of the "Chain Home" stations which was located in Orkney. There is a helpful printout which you can borrow giving much more details about the various exhibits. If you're in the area - it's well worth a visit. The Wireless Museum is at Kiln Corner, Junction Road, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1LB. And the entrance fee is just £2-00 (Alan Roe, June World DX Club Contact via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ SANDFORD MILL RADIO MUSEUM - IMD PICTURES AVAILABLE A report and pictures of the recent International Marconi Day held in the Radio Museum at Sandford Mill, Chelmsford can now be seen by clicking http://www.g0mwt.org.uk/events/imd06fold/imd06.htm The event was very popular attracting nearly 600 visitors. Colin G0TRM's morse demonstrations created quite a lot of interest, particularly with the younger visitors. Among the pictures are some early German Morse Keys and Automatic morse sender/readers. An introduction to Sandford Mill is at http://www.g0mwt.org.uk/events/sandford/sandford.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2006/sandford_mill_imd.htm (via Mike Barraclough, BDXC-UK via DXLD) FOUR DIE IN ARMY CHOPPER CRASH DOERUN, Georgia --- An Army helicopter clipped a television station [WFXL] tower wire and crashed Thursday in south Georgia --- For more of this story, click on or type the URL below: http://www.mdjonline.com/articles/2006/06/02/268/10220368.txt (via Greg Hardison, DXLD) Good shot of "bend" at top of tower. Another version: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/0601chopper.html (via Greg Hardison, DXLD) Chopper hits towers [has 5 or 6 videos] http://www.walb.com/ (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) SAFELY STORING GEAR FOR TRAVEL For quite a while I've pondered the question of how to safely store my radio gear for travel. Just in case I ever do any real DXing. I wanted something really secure; something I could even trust as checked airline baggage. After a lot of research and quite a bit of hemming and hawing about how much I wanted to spend on this, I finally decided I should do it right. I've spent a lot of money on the radio gear and it deserves to be protected properly. I won't bore you with the details of the rest of my search for the right case and all the hours I spent trying to figure out how to fit everything in. I'll just jump to the part where I decided on the Stormcase 2750 as the case for me. It's a rugged polymer case. There's egg crate convoluted foam in the lid and six layers of scored foam in the main part of the case. There are four very secure latches, two on the front and one on each side. The case also has wheels and a retractable handle, which is a very good thing because it's pretty heavy when loaded. It cost about $200 delivered. After even more pondering and some trial and error with the layout, I finally starting picking and plucking the foam to customize it for my gear. I wanted to fit my AR7030, DSP-599zx, QX Pro antenna, QX Phaser, all the power supplies, and something that would allow me to plug it all in. Today I finished gluing a few pieces back together and have decided I'm done, at least for the moment. (I'm still undecided about gluing the foam layers together. It would make the whole thing stronger, but I'd be unable to make any further changes.) (Jay Heyl, ABDX via DXLD) Very impressive Jay, that will withstand even the "savage baggage masters" noted in the movie Apollo 13 - a bunch of unruly chimps set loose on airport luggage. For less severe duty - e.g. car trips etc. I find soft sided padded coolers work well. Also, the aluminum briefcases from wal-mart and Canadian tire work well. But what you got is the ultimate, and is truly airline/airport worthy (Phil Rafuse, PEI, ibid.) NEW YORK COPS TOLD TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CELLPHONE GUNS Although their existence has been mostly anecdotal to date, the New York Police Department is warning officers to use caution when handling cellphones taken from arrestees, just in case one might be a .22-caliber pistol in disguise. The four-shot "cellpistols" are alleged to be of European manufacture, and overseas law enforcement agencies have reportedly confiscated several caches of the illegal weapons. http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/66184.htm (CGC Communicator June 1, via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) REPORT: XM & SIRIUS MAY HALT RADIO PRODUCTION May 30, 2006 Due to a small issue with FCC transmitter compliance rules, both XM and Sirius Satellite Radio may have to temporarily halt production on certain radios in order to address recent inquiries from the FCC. "The FCC issue could be more pervasive than previously believed," wrote analyst Jonathan Jacoby, according to a report from Forbes. "We believe that XM and Sirius could temporarily suspend retail shipments of certain radios, but the fix would be relatively quick and inexpensive and likely would not lead to stock-outs at retail." So far, the devices in question are XM's SKYFi2 and Audiovox Xpress. The FCC has said that the transmitter for these devices is not in compliance with the operating bandwidth specifications of the commission's rules or the related emission limits. Other XM devices along with some from Sirius could possibly have compliance problems as well, says Forbes. However, the FCC compliance could be attained with the addition of one small and inexpensive part and a new product could begin shipping again in a month or two. "If that is the case, we believe the retail channel would remain sufficiently stocked to maintain a normal level of unit sales and sub numbers would not be impacted," said Jacoby (fmqb.com May 30 via Brock Whaley, DXLD) see also INTERNATIONAL VACUUM DIGITAL BROADCASTING ++++++++++++++++++++ RADIO INDUSTRY DILEMMA: ATTACHING TO THE BEST You can moan all you want about the state of radio today, but just wishing it were better isn't the secret. Getting others to acknowledge that radio is embracing a new, high tech approach is the magic needed to get people talking....... While at Best Buy I decided to ask about their supply of HD Radios (knowing that they would not have any, I was curious about how much the employees knew of it.) Over the years I've come to respect Best Buy employees as knowledgeable about everything which was up-and-coming. So I turned to the individual who was helping me pick out a memory card for my digital camera. "Can you point me to the HD Radio display," I asked. The early-twenty- something employee (who blew me away with her knowledge on digital cameras) responded with "What's that?" I explained that broadcasters had introduced a new lineup of digital radio's and hoped she could point me to where they might be in the store. She responded "do you mean satellite radio?" After I replied "no," she admitted having never heard of HD Radio. Though, she was sure someone in the stereo and TV department could lead me to them. So was I. Walking over to the display area for stereos and TVs, I was lucky enough to bump into the manager of the department. That's when the converation was déjà vu: "Where are your HD Radios?" I asked. This mid-thirty-something person didn't hesitate with "What's that?" Going through the explanation process again, the manager stated he had never heard of HD Radio but it sounded interesting. His next words are the prelude to HD Radio's main problem, and I'll paraphrase them: "But, why would broadcasters want to introduce new channels on their existing stations when nobody's listening to the current programming." Full article: http://www.audiographics.com/agd/053006-1.htm (From audiographics.com 30/5 via Mike Barraclough, DXLD) AM HD RADIO PERFORMANCE AT NAB 2006 Bob Gonsett noticed a new Boston Acoustics radio in the Press Room at NAB2006 and spent some time trying it out. The radio was fed by coax from an unidentified source and the internal AM antenna was found to be disconnected. His observations on the performance of the AM portion of this HD radio - a device that should have been tweaked for flawless operation - follow: o during the few seconds of analog-to-digital transition after the one and only AM HD demo station was tuned in with voice programming, an annoying echo or second audio source was heard, o once the receiver locked into the HD mode, the high frequency response of the voice-only programming improved markedly and the echo disappeared, but was replaced by annoying digital compression artifacts. It was not clear whether the average listener would prefer digital with artifacts or reduced- fidelity analog for long term listening, assuming the echo was removed, and o few members of the press paid any attention to the HD Radio receiver (CGC Communicator June 1, via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) TENTATIVE DIGITAL CHANNEL DESIGNATIONS RESULTING FROM THE FIRST AND SECOND ROUNDS OF DTV CHANNEL ELECTIONS http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A1.pdf http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf (CGC Communicator June 1, via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) DIGITAL RADIO SHOW - DAY ONE 1 June 2006 Radio Today Day one of The Digital Radio Show went, to my eyes, to perfection - I think it can be safely said that the whole day was enjoyed by all! Delegates were treated to a great array of the very latest in digital broadcasting technology - from the Morphy Richards' DRM/DAB/FM/MW receiver with sleek and simple functionality to suit the mass-market of new British DRM consumers to the Orban stand, enough to blow even those hardest parted with their cash away! The focus of the afternoon's sessions was truly multinational and rather refreshing. From South Korea to Norway, and onto Sweden, Denmark and France, there was a chance for all to be enlightened with talks the countries' aims and ambitions for the future of digital broadcasting in their areas. Of particular interest was the panel analysing global digital radio markets - Joan Warner, CEO of Commercial Radio Australia, spoke about the country's plans for using Eureka 147 with AAC+ encoding. No doubt, as one of the follow-ups to the event here on Radio Today, we'll focus-in on 'DAB+'. More to come later today as day two is now upon us! http://www.radiotoday.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=810&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) DRM: see GERMANY; NEW ZEALAND; U K POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ BPL NOW RESPONSIBILITY OF ENFORCEMENT BUREAU AT FCC CQ Magazine says it has learned that responsibility for acting on interference complaints regarding Broadband over Power Lines has been transferred from the FCC`s Office of Engineering and Technology to the Commission`s Enforcement Bureau. According to the CQ website story, there have been repeated complaints of interference to hams and other licensed HF radio users by certain BPL systems but FCC response so far has been negligible. It is expected that transferring this responsibility to the Enforcement Bureau will result in stronger FCC action against those systems causing interference. CQ also says that that BPL appears to be losing some of its luster among FCC commissioners. What was once described by former Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy as ``broadband nirvana`` was virtually ignored by Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein in a speech before the National Spectrum Managers` Association in mid-May. Adelstein told the group that the so-called third channel for broadband access, in addition to cable internet and telephone DSL service --- once touted to be BPL --- is likely to be wide area wireless networks now being deployed in various communities around the country. Meantime, a bill containing a provision requiring the FCC to conduct a study of BPL`s interference potential has been passed by the House of Representatives and was awaiting Senate action as we go to air. The amendment to the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act of 2006 in House Resolution 5252 was proposed by Arkansas Representative Mike Ross, WD5DVR, one of two hams currently in Congress. The ARRL is urging members living in states represented by members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee to contact their senators to urge support for a similar amendment to the Senate version of the bill, which the ARRL Letter reports passed the House over the strong objections of the BPL industry (CQ website via ARNewsline June 2 via John Norfolk, dxldyg, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ The KN4LF Daily LF/MF/HF Radio Propagation Outlook #2006-005 has been published on 0000 UTC Friday June 02, 2006 at http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf6.htm This propagation outlook is very large and it might run into trouble getting posted on eLists/Groups, so I direct you to my website above where it has been published. --... ...--, (Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF, Retired Meteorologist & Space Plasma Physicist, Lakeland, FL, USA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) THE FUTURE OF SOLAR ACTIVITY Some good news and some bad news for those who follow the Suns activity so as to know when the best time to work DX. It comes from the folks whose job it is to predict the Suns future. Graham Kemp, VK4BB, has the details: NASA Scientists predict that Solar cycle 24 will be the best ever with solar activity the highest ever experienced but cycle 25 which should peak around 2022 is expected to be the worst ever for radio propagation. The reason for this is a slowing of the Sun`s Great Conveyor Belt, a massive circulating current of hot plasma inside the Sun. The belt has two branches, in the north and south which normally move at about 1 metre per second. This means each belt completes a circuit in approximately 40 years. Researches believe that the turning of this Conveyor Belt controls the sunspot cycle. Recent measurements indicate that both the northern and southern branches of the belt have slowed to a crawl. This slowdown will affect future sunspot cycles, with cycle 25, peaking around the year 2022, predicted to be less than half the strength of Cycle 23. Cycle 24 however, is predicted is to be one of the strongest sunspot cycles since the 1960`s. A full explanation of the Conveyor Belt can be found on the NASA website at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/10may_longrange.htm While 2022 might seem a long way off for some, remember that this is 2006 and so that really bad cycle is only sixteen years away. (WIA News, Chris Flack via ARNewsline June 2 via John Norfolk, dxldyg, DX LISTENING DIGEST) TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING ++++++++++++++++++++++++ DÍA MUNDIAL DEL AIRE PURO Glenn, Hoy es el día mundial del aire puro. Permítame consolarme con Ud. ya que sufrimos la misma agresión en la vía pública o ambientes cerrados: el humo cancerígeno de las y los adictos al tabaco. Aquí en mi provincia de Santa Fe está vigente desde este año una ley que prohibe fumar en lugares públicos pero ningún fumador la respeta; al contrario, veo ahora más gente fumando que antes de la ley antitabaco. Además yo soporto la presencia de un tabáquico activo en mi ambiente laboral, con tal molestia de que me obliga llevar siempre conmigo una pastilla de jabón perfumado para oler en los momentos que hay humo. En fin, muchas gracias por la atención y perdone el haber distraído su valioso tiempo DX con este comentario ajeno a nuestra afición. Envidio a su país respecto de la ley antitabaco ya que allí sí se respeta esta ley. Le desea buenos dx: (Emilio Pedro Povrzenic, Argentina, May 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Anti-smoking is another of my concerns. Altho it is spreading, there is not universal prohibition of public smoking in the US; it varies by state. Oklahoma finally made its restaurants non-smoking this March (or if they insist, smoking must be in totally separate rooms). This means that you cannot go into or out of such a building without encountering smokers standing right next to the door burning poison gas, blocking access, --- often encouraged by permanently mounted ashcans (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###