DX LISTENING DIGEST 6-100, July 8, 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 1321: Sun 0230 WWCR3 5070 [start varies 0225-0235] Sun 0530 WRMI 9955 Sun 0630 WWCR1 3215 Sun 2230 WRMI 9955 Mon 0300 WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0415 WBCQ 7415 Mon 0500 WRMI 9955 Wed 0930 WWCR1 9985 Complete schedule including non-SW stations and audio links: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html For updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL] http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS: www.obriensweb.com/wor.xml CONTINENT OF MEDIA 06-06 available from July 8: (stream) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0605.ram (download) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0606.rm ** ANGUILLA [and non]. DGS not on 6090 on July 8 from 0000 past 0200. Also checked 11775 same day after listening to WOR on 12160 at 1630 and also not on. Seems Costa Rica and WWCR broadcasts of DGS still on though. Both Anguilla and Costa Rica sites have been off and on recently. Wonder if they're finally running out of money? Have heard his widow in some broadcasts several months ago threaten to close down the radio broadcasts if donations don't pick up (Threat or a promise, hi!). So I wonder if lack of funds is behind these silent periods? Gotta run; keep up the good work, Glenn! (Alex Vranes, Jr., Harpers Ferry WV, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BAHRAIN. See UNIDENTIFIED ** BRAZIL. Nice reception of R. Bandeirantes on 6089.95 from 0000 past 0200 on July 8 as DGS Anguilla was off. However, had to use LSB as 6090 was bothered by noise; is this more Digital Radio Mess? (Splatter from Luxemburg on 6095?) (Alex Vranes, Jr., Harpers Ferry WV, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Most likely is Lux DRM, scheduled 24 hours on 6095; it does not splatter, exactly, just occupies the entire 6090-6100 kHz band. RNZI is also using 6095 DRM at other parts of the day. There must be some dayparts and worldparts where the two DRM signals are roughly equal. Then what happens? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Nova Scotia/PEI Bandscan --- I spent the last week of June/first week of July up in Greenwood, Nova Scotia with a side trip to Prince Edward Island, and here is a quick report of what there is to hear on the bands up there. All I had was my Kaito KA-1103, no external antenna. Living in Delaware and being used to a congested AM band, it's striking how relatively empty the AM band is during the day in some parts of Canada. But there is plenty to hear at night. My real aim was to check on some Newfoundland stations, as many of them put in decent signals across the Maritimes, but I have yet to hear one in Delaware. Greenwood, Nova Scotia and Cavendish, Price Edward Island RADIO - Kaito KA-1103 with no external antenna 540 UNID French station 590 CJCW Sussex NB, "Your station for inspiration" VOCM St Johns NF, talk at night with call-in shows, country at other times. I have heard IDs for "the All Newfoundland and Labrador Call In" in years past, but didn't hear that slogan this time. 610 UNID French station 620 CKCM Grand Falls NF- call-in show. VOCM network? I think it was // 590. 630 CFCY Charlottetown PEI, country. 720 CHTN Charlottetown PEI, "Good Time Oldies" 780 CFDR Dartmouth NS, "Continuous Classic Country", "KIXX Country" 810 UNID French w/country mx (heard in PEI). CJVA Caraquet NB? 870 UNID NF station. Part of the "VOCM/CFCB network", country. // 1230. CFSX Stephenville? Stephenville ads, but no CFSX ID (from PEI) [see below] 900 CKDH Amherst NS. "Lite Rock 900" 920 CJCH Halifax NS Adult contempoary format. "AM920 CJCH" 930 CFBC Saint John NB, "Oldies 93", "Good Time Oldies" 950 UNID from PEI/daytime with A/C mx. CKNB Campbellton NB? 960 CHNS Halifax NS, "Oldies 96", "Good Time Oldies" 1070 CBA Fredericton [sic] NB CBC-1 1230 UNID NF, see notes under 870. Presume CFGN Port-aux-Basques (heard on PEI). VOCM network? [see below] 1350 CKAD Middleton NS, country, "AVR" (Annapolis Valley Radio) 1420 CKDY Digby NS, country, AVR (Annapolis Valley Radio) 1450 CFAB Kentville NS, country, AVR (Annapolis Valley Radio) Other notes: 990 CBAO St Stephen NB, a low-powered CBC-New Brunswick relay. Can only be heard in the St. Stephen/Calais, Maine area. 40 watts? [below] 90.1 Central Nova Scotia Information Radio. Unsure of QTH, somewhere between Amherst and Truro. Lots of tourist info, weather, traffic reports for Confederation Bridge (between New Brunswick and PEI). It has a higher power than the 96.5 station below, as this can be heard along the Trans-Canada highway throughout western Nova Scotia. There are signs along the Trans-Canada advertising this station. 96.5 St. Stephen Information Radio, St. Stephen NB. They play loops of customs and border crossings, weather and local St. Stephen tourist info. Low-powered. They have signs along US1 in Calais, Maine, asking you to tune to 96.5 for customs info. No calls are ever used. 101.9 Moncton (NB) Information Radio, with similar programming to 90.9 and 96.5 above. 93.9 Confederation Bridge Information Radio, with traffic reports for the bridge to PEI. Similar format to the other FM stations above. There seems to be a network of these stations across sections of the Maritimes, but can't find any info on the internet on them [see below] The AVR stations are Annapolis Valley Radio, a network of AM and FM stations throughout the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. They mainly play country music. VOCM in St. John's NF also runs a network of stations throughout Newfoundland. My listening picked out 620 and 870 as network stations in Grand Falls and Stephenville but that was all I could hear on this trip. I believe the two PEI AM stations in Charlottetown are supposed to be moving to FM but both were still on normal AM operations when I was up there. The 630 outlet tends to put out a somewhat better signal into Nova Scotia, especially during the day than the 720 outlet (John Cereghin, Smyrna, Delaware, July 6, IRCA via DXLD) See below Glad you enjoyed your visit to Atlantic Canada, John! 810 UNID --- Yes, indeed. CJVA is our local "pest" when we go to Miscou each September. They put in a dandy daytime signal through the northern Martimes, but WGY is usually in here at night in central New Brunswick. 870 UNID NF station. --- Yep, it was CFSX. The // network makes them tough to ID sometimes. 1230 UNID NF --- Yep. At only 250 watts it's a nice catch because of the great path over the Gulf of St. Lawrence. I have frequently heard a "CFCB" ID on this one, but it's CFGN. 990 CBAO St Stephen NB, 40 watts? --- I believe so. There are only a very few AM LPRTs left in New Brunswick. Practically everything from CBC has moved to FM. 93.9 Confederation Bridge Infomation Radio -- Yes, they are all owned out of Halifax (3077457 Nova Scotia Limited) and operate in several cities and border crossings. Typical power is 50 watts. 720 -- Yes, according to Phil Rafuse on PEI the FM has started up and the AM has no more than three months to go. I tried contacting both stations to arrange DX tests before they go dark, but neither replied (Brent Taylor, VE1JH, Doaktown, NB, IRCA via DXLD) ** CANADA. NORTHERN BOOMTOWNS CATCH FM RADIO FEVER APPLICANTS SET SIGHTS ON NEW STATION LICENCES By Laura Severs - Business Edge Published: 07/06/2006 - Vol. 6, No. 14 http://www.businessedge.ca/article.cfm/newsID/13004.cfm Radio talk, not talk radio, is lighting up the dial in northern Alberta's FM landscape. Nineteen applicants are setting their sights on new FM licences for the booming communities of Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie - some are applying for both - and have recently completed presentations before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in Edmonton. The applicants include major market players such as Standard Radio Inc., Canada's largest privately owned broadcast company and Newfoundland Capital Corp. (Newcap), which holds 73 licences across the country in small- and medium-sized radio markets. Smaller players include Calgary-based Vista Broadcast Group, which is seeking to become a significant operator in western Canada, and the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. partnership based in Kamloops, another regional participant. Commissioners say as many as two or even three licences per market could be awarded. But industry analyst Ian Morrison of Friends of Canadian Broadcasting - a national group that promotes quality Canadian programming - says while the commissioners may muse about licensing two or three (stations), "they might just be doing that to tease out comments from people appearing at the hearings." He adds that it could take six months before the actual decisions are announced. Both Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie each now have two radio stations, plus CBC Radio and public broadcaster CKUA. Station formats proposed by applicants for Fort McMurray are generally classic hits or adult contemporary, with listener demographics targeting the 18- to-54 age group. In Grande Prairie, the applicants are suggesting either classic rock, classic hits, adult contemporary or some combination, going after an overall wider audience range of 18-64. Two applicants, King's Kids Promotions Outreach Ministries Inc. and Touch Canada Broadcasting Inc., want to broadcast a Christian music service in Fort McMurray, while one, Grande Prairie Radio Ltd., is seeking the same for that market. "Both of those radio markets (Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie) are booming and there is considered to be a lot of disposable income available and that is what attracts the applicants," says Morrison. "The income of the communities is what attracts the advertisers." Applicant CJVR Ltd., eyeing a classic-hits station in Fort McMurray, estimates that there could be $2 million to $2.5 million available in annual ad revenue to a new entrant there, though they said they expect it will take some time for them to reach those numbers should they be licensed. In Grande Prairie, the O.K. Radio Group Ltd. forecasts that by fiscal 2007, the first full year of operation for the new station, it would generate more than $1.1 million in sales, though it noted the revenue would not entirely be new- market spending. While revenue predictions vary, several applicants told the CRTC hearings that they have also allowed for higher operating costs because of the booming economy, especially in Fort McMurray. All the applicants said they feel their operations can be adequately staffed, even in the tight labour market. In some cases, applicants with existing stations elsewhere said they may be able to transfer staff if necessary (via Kevin Redding, July 6, ABDX via DXLD) ** CHINA. July 8 looked again for Chicom jammer on 20 meters, but none found. Instead, very good signal on 17350 at 1322, which must have been today`s Sound of Hope frequency, // 15285 CNR-1 jammer against BBC. Nor anything in the 18 MHz range. 17350 gone at 1455 recheck. Must get in habit of tuning down to 17300 in 16m bandscans, else easily overlooked. We also need to check the jammed frequencies at hourtops during Chicom monitoring pause for any trace of Sound of Hope itself (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. I found many a pleasant "son" on Radio Revolución, a long gone net, I'm afraid. As we discussed over lunch, that fine day, Progreso is a holdover from pre-Castro, but was on 690 during my Florida years. RHC Cadena Azul became Rebelde, and was on 590, I think, as its key station. Revolución was on 640 Habana, 630 Santa Clara, and was the former Circuto CMQ "cadena" owned by the Mestre brothers, who hightailed it out of Fidel land once he nationalized their CMQ stations, network, TV stations, and TV network. They went on to great fortune in TV in Argentina. Quite a story. I think RCA is still owed for CMQ-TV (now Cubavisión) channel 6 VCR's. Just before Fidel, Habana was on 630 and Santa Clara on 640. Both DA. Just trying to remember after a long day. 640 was cardioid, with nulls towards Canada St.Johns (CBN?) and KFI. 630 the same, but protected Savannah, Washington, DC, and adjacent 620 Tampa. Both DA's 24/7. This before Castro. The treaty, and DA protections (that I have somewhere here, but again, long day) does give Cuba I-B status on 1010. Hence the WINS, and all those Canadian nulls towards Havana. And even though no Cuban has been DA for decades, a I-B is a I-B, and hence Tampa 1010 has always nulled Havana. Even in their former status as a daytimer. I will look for my 1958 Cuban treaty pattern book. 570 and 590 both ran DA's, and yes, 570 protected WQAM 560 (Brock Whaley, GA, July 6, dxflorida yg via Jerry Kiefer, NM, DXLD) ** CUBA. Re 6-099, Cubavisión on satellite: The complete, original ICRT bouquet with five TV and six radio programs, including RHC, is on Hispasat 1D at 30 degrees West, 11.884 GHz vertical, according Lyngsat using this footprint: http://www.hispasat.com/media//FlotaSatelites/Hispasat_1D/hispasat1D_America.jpg i.e. available to smaller Ku band dishes in the USA. I guess that Hispasat 1D is also the source for Cubavisión Internacional on PAS 9, uplinked from the Panamsat Teleport at Ellenwood, Georgia (!). This PAS 9 signal should again be the source of Cubavisión Internacional on Hispasat 1C and Astra 1KR, uplinked by Globecast España at Madrid. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. 1350, HCVP2, Teleradio AM, Guayaquil (02 12'S 79 54'W) JUN 18 0703 - "Por Teleradio 1350 las noticias más destacadas del día... Informe en Teleradio 1350 Digital." Promo for show, "Integración Nacional por el Doctor... Integración Nacional." 0704 ID, "Teleradio 1350 Digital." Romantic music. Dominant, heard almost every night and now #3 South American here after Brazil 1220 and 1280 (Richard E. Wood, Keaau BIHI (19 38'N 155 02'W); FRG 100, longwires 350-ft northeast, 175-ft north/northeast, NRC IDXD July 7 via DXLD) ** EGYPT. EMISIONES EN ESPAÑOL PROGRAMACIÓN DEL SEGUNDO SEMESTRE 2006 Horario: 0045-0200 (UTC) (GMT) Horario de verano: 0345-0400 [sic] am. Tiempo local de El Cairo Horario de invierno: 0245-0400 am. Tiempo local de El Cairo Vía satélite: Nilesat 7 grados oeste, frecuencia 11766 GHZ polaridad hori-zontal, programa No. 7 Onda corta. Banda de 31metros, Frecuencia 9415 KHZ. Banda 25 metros, Frecuencia 11755 KHZ, Frecuencia 7270 KHZ, Banda 41 metros Correo postal: Radio El Cairo Programa español Apartado postal 566 El Cairo –Egipto Correo electrónico: Radioelcairoespa @ yahoo.com Programas permanentes: GMT 0047 Música GMT 0048 Resumen de las principales noticias GMT 0100 Primer noticiario GMT 0150 Noticias de última hora Programas diarios [quiere decir: semanales] GMT Lunes 0050 Mensaje del Islam 0110 Comentario político 0115 Tema semanal 0130 Tarjeta Postal 0135 Música de América Latina 0140 Papel y lápiz GMT Martes 0050 Tarjeta postal 0055 Charla Variada 0110 Luces sobre Oriente Medio 0120 Últimas ediciones sobre Egipto 0130 Panorama egipcio 0140 Historia de la civilización árabe GMT Miércoles 0050 Cultura islámica 0110 Comentario político 0115 El cancionero egipcio 0130 El deporte en una semana 0140 Preguntas y respuestas GMT Jueves 0050 Cruce de civilizaciones 0110 Comentario político 0120 Tesoros de Egipto 0125 Música de América Latina 0130 Perspectiva latinoamericana 0145 De la enciclopedia egipcia GMT Viernes 0050 Exégesis del Corán 0110 Comentario político 0120 Del patrimonio cultural 0130 Tarjeta Postal 0135 El Cairo contesta GMT Sábado 0050 El Profeta 0110 Comentario 0115 Amplie sus conocimientos 0120 El Micrófono en la calle 0135 Tradiciones y costumbres 0140 Tarjeta postal 0140 Música latinoamericana GMT Domingo 0050 La mujer egipcia 0110 Comentario político 0115 Egipto al vuelo 0125 El Cairo contesta 0140 Personalidades y eventos (R. Cairo, July 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. Checking for V. of Oromiya Independence, Sat July 8 at 1500, nothing heard on 15650. Some other European signals were making it on 19m, tho not very well (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ETIOPÍA. 15650, Voice of Oromia Independence, 1500-1530, escuchada el 8 de Julio en Oromo, comienza con sintonía y una identificación en inglés y oromo; la transmisión de los trece primeros minutos con fuerte efecto de eco, luego un locutor con comentarios y comienza un segmento musical con una identificación a las 1515, SINPO 45444. Archivo de audio: http://valenciadx.multiply.com/music/item/151 (José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Geez, they think all that artificial echo improves intelligibility?? Or they just aren`t thinking (gh, DXLD) ** FRANCE [non]. Re 6-099: Glenn wrote "[shortwave? It`s news to us that RFI has ANY SW transmitters in any of those countries; WTFK?! --- gh] This is a cooperative venture between RFI and the Voice of Nigeria. Therefore I imagine the broadcasts will go out on VON shortwave frequencies. It is misleading to phrase it in the way they did, but if I had a dollar for every badly worded press release I've seen over the years, I'd be a very rich man :-) (Andy Sennitt, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [and non]. Christian Zietz reports in the German-language A-DX mailing list that Deutsche Welle blocks the webstream of DW-TV to IP's from the USA. Attempting to view DW-TV from such IP's brings up this message: ``DW-TV's live stream is no longer available to US viewers.`` As a collateral damage they also lock out AOL customers anywhere else. Deutsche Welle ignored two enquiries by an affected viewer about this (Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also POLAND ** GREECE. GREEK REMBETIKA MUSIC --- CLICK TO HEAR: http://www.greecetravel.com/music/rembetika/index.html (John Babbis, MD, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Launches auto, and additional mp3 links (gh, DXLD) ** GUIANA FRENCH. Montsinéry: DRM tests, new transmitter TDF started DRM tests from Montsinéry on 17875 and 21645 (exact times not given), cf. http://www.drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1450 The herein mentioned new transmitter is already shown at http://www.tdp.info/f.html Apparently this TSW2250D has been installed because it's a dedicated DRM transmitter, not because there would be a lack of capacity. My data suggests that never more than three of the six AM transmitters are on air simultaneously, with the peak hour being 0300-0400 when there are BBC Spanish on 6110, NHK on 9660 and CRI on 9720. Ironically they have no RFI on air at this time. A sample of 17875 reception near Halle/Saale is in the yg (Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ICELAND. (presumed) Rikisutvarpid, 12115 at 2319+ in Icelandic. Extremely faint. Went past 2340. Man and woman talking, which is the usual format. Haven't heard may reports about this lately (Liz Cameron, MI, July 7, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 17810, All India Radio. July 2 at 1140-1150. SINPO 35433. As reported in DX Listening Digest 6-096, 25th week of DX program "Vanoli Ulagam" was heard with Tamil talk which introduced Media Network website and short segment of DX logging in English (Iwao Nagatani, Japan Premium via DXLD) All India Radio Chennai`s DX Program (26th week) --- Dear Dxers. All India Radio Chennai`s 26th week of Vanoli Ulagam (Radio World) program will broadcast on 09 July 2006 (Sunday). The Content of the program is like this --- In the First, segment some details about the Auroral Zone Part II. In the second part, `Radio History` contains History of radio in Belarus with their Signature Tunes. In the third part `Radio Today` contains, Radio Alakal, Wellenforum MW Competition details, DW Start new service, Radio Mi Amigo Fourth part with the DX Logging in English. The Fifth segment for DX Book review: In this week edition, we review the Tamil Book called `Panbalai Brammaakkal` (FM Radio Pen Friends in Tamil Nadu) In the six part of that day program, we give the detail review of the http://www.ilg.de web site Those who are want to get the special limited edition World Smallest QSL card (6x3.5CM), and pennant send your Reception Report with 1 New IRC to the following address. Indian listener must send Rs.10/- mint stamps for return QSL. N.C. Gnanaprakasam, Program Executive, Vanoli Ulagam Thiraikadal Adaivaram Thamiizh Naatham All India Radio Kamarajar Salai Chennai 600004 Tamilnadu, India The schedule of the Tamil DX Program `Vaanoli Ulagam` (Radio World) is as follows: Sundays between 1115-1215 UTC (for about 10 minutes) To Sri Lanka : 1053 kHz Tuticorin (200 kw) 15050 Khampur, Delhi (250 kw) 17860 New Delhi (100 kw) To SE Asia: 13695 Bangalore (500 kw) 15770 Aligarh (250 kw) 17810 Panaji (250 kw) 73`s, (Jaisakthivel, Producer and Presenter, Chennai, 08-07-2006, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, Surely you remember the AWR quest for the smallest card? The Chennai variety ``beats the AWR `World´s smallest` from 1997``, says a knowledgeable colleague of mine. It is on glossy cardboard, both sides printed, the f/d info laboriously inscribed on the reverse side. Next QSL hype could be to rank the world´s thickest card. And speaking of caliper gauges, when does paper become cardboard? (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. Google Earth coordinates. RRI/Voice of Indonesia, Cimanggis Jakarta site, at 06S23.27 / 106E51.51, 5 x 250 kW Marconi site. Seemingly the second RRI/VOI SW station at Bonto Sunggu, Jeneparto, Ujung Pandang, Sulawesi. See exact 05S16.11 / 119E25.27 and see a single MW mast, and two row lines of curtains: three masts each. Registered at 080 and 280 degrees, slewed (75 and 275 degrees). 9565 1300-0700 51 UJU 250 080 251098 280399 RRI 11750 2000-1400 54 UJU 250 280 251098 280399 RRI 11855 2300-1000 51 UJU 250 080 251098 280399 RRI 4 x 250 kW Marconi site. . . . and not UJU Ujungpandang INS 05S10 119E25 as ITU entry. One of the biggest mysteries of RRI/VOI operations, - what happened to the FIVE 250 kW Marconi made transmitters at Ujung Padang site? Only two 250 kW units at Cimanggis are in regular usage (wb, wwdxc BC-DX July 5 via DXLD) HISTORY *** NASWA 1996: I paid a visit to RRI Ujung Pandang. I spoke to the kepala stasiun Mr. Beni Koesbani and the head of the technical department Mr. Ashan Muhammad. Mr. Ashan Muhammad informed me that RRI is on SW now with 2 programs via 5x 250 kW txs from the location Bontosunggu (times and frequencies: see info from Gerhard Werdin). The schedule of RRI Ujung Pandang is as follows: 0000-0800 9550 ( 7.5 kW) 2100-2400 4750 (20 kW) 0800-1600 4750 (20 kW) 0000-0800 2490 ( 2 kW) 4719 kHz SW is standby with 50 kW in case the 20 kW 4750 kHz transmitter breaks down. Reception reports can be sent to : Mr. Beni Koesbani, Kepala Stasiun and Mr. Ashan Muhammad, Kepala Bidang Teknik Departemen Penerangan RI Stasiun RRI Nusantara IV Jalan Riburane No. 3 Ujung Pandang 90111, Indonesia (van Arnhem/DX Window/Yamada-JPN/Jembatan DX; 1996) Info on the inauguration of RRI's new txs by David Foster. RRI's nine new 250 kW transmitters were officially inaugurated on Sep 14. In a 1- 1/2 hour live broadcast of the opening ceremony near Ujung Pandang, beginning at 0245 UT on RRI Jakarta Programa Nasional, it was announced that five of the nine transmitters, all believed to be supplied by Marconi, are situated at Bonto Sunggu in Kabupaten Gowa, 19 km south of UP. The other four are located at Cimanggis (Jakarta). A sked was announced, itemizing eight (not nine) frequencies: Bonto Sunggu: 9565 kHz, (?)-1400 UT to Maluku & Irian Jaya; 9630 kHz, 2100- 1000 UT to Sumatra, Jawa Barat & Kalimantan, both with Programa Nasional 1; 11750 kHz, 2000-2400 UT to Sumatra, Jawa Barat & Kalimantan; and 11885 kHz, 0500-0900 UT to Maluku & Irian Jaya, both with Programa Nasional 2. Cimanggis: 9680, 11790 (prob. 11785), 15125 & 15150 kHz, no sked announced. There are four new antenna arrays at Bonto Sunggu, six at Cimanggis. Info was also given on costs, the area of the sites, elec. generators, modulation systems, and that two channels are available on the Palapa satellite for the feed to Banta Sunggu. This project was Marconi's third in Indonesia. Information Minister Harmaka opened the facility, and the ceremony was also attended by a representative from Marconi UK and the First Secretary of the British Embassy. A fourth Marconi project will involve three new 250 kW FS transmitters, believed to be located at Cimanggis. Notes to the above: (1) Programa Nasional 1 and 2 are new references. There has only been one Programa Nasional until now, although it was known to split into two networks at 0030-0200 and 0830-1000 UTC (not daily). [See October LN-AQ] (2) Scheduled times have actually been changeable, although it is interesting to note that 9630 kHz was announced to close at 1000* and has actually done so over the past few weeks. (3) Perhaps the missing ninth frequency represents a standby transmitter or one still to come on-line. (4) Possibly Marconi's previous two projects involved the establishment of the presently-inactive 250 kW transmitter site at Padang Cermin near Medan, and the current high power FS transmitter on 9525 kHz. (Foster/OZDX/Jembatan DX/BCDX/Bueschel; 1996) This seems only logical since at least the regional (nusantara) RRI stations have had a 2nd program for some time already. Concerning the different IS method, RRI Programa Nasional uses the Rayuan Pulau Kelapa (Song of the Coconut Islands) as an IS just before the news on the hour. The VOI uses an instrumental version of RPK at the end of each language section. RRI PN usually plays the NA (Indonesia Raya) at the end of the news, as does VOI at the end of each transmission block. There is also a 'Pancasila' song heard sometimes (Pancasila being the state ideology). There's also a jingle '..Radio Republik INS..' heard occasionally (Werdin/OZDX/Jembatan DX/BCDX/Bueschel, NASWA 1996, BCDX July 7, 2006 via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 810, RRI Merauke, JUN 21, 1355 - Lagu-lagu music, 1359 ID, "RRI Merauke. Selamat malam." (Good evening.) 1400 time pips into news, "RRI Jakarta dengan warta berita." Fair, new, first station I have ever heard from the island of New Guinea. Merauke is the most southeasterly town in Indonesia, on the Arafura Sea, in Papua Province. [Wood-HI] 1242, RRI Bogor, JUN 22, 1430 - Asian news by two men, countries mentioned included Congkok (China), Vietnam, Republik Democratik Rakyat Korea (PDRK), Republik Korea. 1440 ID, "...RRI Bogor." 1442 "Berita politik hari ini" (Today's political news). Good, new, Indonesia #3. Bogor is in West Java Province, south of Jakarta. [Wood- HI] 1287, RRI Palembang (02 55'S 104 45'E), JUN 18, 1442 - Two women giving health and beauty tips, 1445 male announcer, "Sandara penengar" (ladies and gentlemen listeners), pop music, 1454 man, "dari Jakarta," Indian-influenced pop music, 1502 local ID, "Saudara penengar... programa dari RRI Palembang... sentule Sumatera Selatan... (for South Sumatra). Saudara penengar." Good, new country. Sumatra is the most distant island from here (Richard E. Wood, Keaau BIHI (19 38'N 155 02'W); FRG 100, longwires 350-ft northeast, 175-ft north/northeast, NRC IDXD July 7 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [and non]. The Satellite Radio Wars July 6 2006 Jeff Davidson TMZ.com http://www.tmz.com/2006/07/06/the-satellite-radio-wars/ OK, so it's not as big a rivalry as Coke and Pepsi, but the competition between satellite radio companies XM and Sirius is heating up with great implications for the music and entertainment industries. XM Radio recently added Willie Nelson to its stable of celebrity broadcasters, which already includes Snoop, Oprah and Bob Dylan. But while XM has been busy adding celeb spinners and talkers, Sirius has been busy adding listeners. In the last three months, Sirius added more than 600,000 subscribers compared with 398,000 new listeners at XM. Between the two, there are now more than 11 million satellite subscribers. Traditional or "terrestrial" radio is clamoring to remind people they can still listen to regular radio for free. Many stations have even gone as far as renaming themselves "Free FM" - as if we're too stupid to realize we're not paying. What these stations are missing is that we are not only not stupid, but that we are smart enough to know what we're missing over on satellite. The creativity that's been lacking on regular radio is alive and well at both XM and Sirius. And I don't just mean Howard Stern or Opie and Anthony. The depth and breadth of the music selections and exclusive music performances on both are amazing. No wonder people are willing to pay instead of listening to the same couple dozen songs recycled between over-hyped "DJs" on regular radio. Besides all the great programming, another interesting aspect here is the long run rivalry between these two companies. It may be that they decide not to beat up on each other, but instead join forces to really put the hurt on traditional radio. If these companies do merge, "free" radio may have to covert to a payment system. But, I'm not talking about a subscriber system for regular radio - it'll be the other way around. If they don't start playing catch up with the fun factor and increase diversity in play lists they'll have to pay us just to tune in (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) FCC Flags More Sirius Devices Auto equipment maker Directed Electronics received a letter from the FCC stating that its Sirius ST2 and Sirius S50-C wireless devices are out of compliance with emission limits or the applicable operating frequency range. . . http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=9314 (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** IRAN. Enjoyed some ME music for a while on 13710, fair and a bit fluttery at 0520 July 8. Per EiBi this is IRIB in Azeri (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. See UNIDENTIFIED ** ITALY. Re 6-099, transmitter sites found with Google Earth: MW 846/1332 kHz location is 41N42 12E35 Santa Palomba, exact 41N42.15, 12E34.55. 846 kHz, tall mast, and a small reflector on western side. 1332 kHz, three masts on the right side. --- NO MORE IN USE, SOON WILL BE DISMANTLED New MW site outside Rome, 90 kilometers away PLANNED: at 42N13 11E59 at ITU registration entry. --- NO MORE PLANNED (Roberto Scaglione, Sicily, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. NEW RADIO PIRATE ITALIAN IN AIR --- Lunedì 10 luglio 2006, sarà in aria con 15W in LSB una nuova emittente pirata: "Pirate E- Radio", questo sarà il suo nome. La piratona dell'estate 2006 tutta italiana, trasmetterà sui 13875 kHz, a partire dalle ore 1800 UT. Per il momento non abbiamo ricevuto notizie riguardo a rapporti di ricezione e conferme, se ci saranno novità v'informeremo tempestivamente. http://www.rapportoradio.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=161 (via Gianni, July 8, condig list via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 9855, Shiokaze (Sea Breeze) via TAIWAN (presumed site), July 2-July 7, *1030-1057*, a different language schedule this week; observed entirely in English on Sun., Tue. and Fri; with Japanese or Korean on Mon. Wed. and Thurs. Hard to keep up with their changing schedule! Jamming (noise) noted every day (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, Etón E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KURDISTAN [non]. See UNIDENTIFIED ** LATVIA. Re SLOVAKIA [non], 6-099: The operation of a transmitter like Kuldiga needs both a relay license and a concept that is convincing and profitable for LVRTC. Both do not exist at this point; the license of KREBS TV (51% owned by Jan Telensky, owner of RTI) expired and the transmitter was running practically without audience. It will be up to LVRTC to decide about the fate of the transmitter (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, MWDX yg via DXLD) ** LIBYA [and non]. 8 de julio: a las 1200 comienza emisión de La Voz de África en 17660 en paralelo por los 17670 y la emisión musical en 17665. A las 1211 cesa emisión en 17670 y pasa a 17625 con fuerte interferencia con RFI en 17620 en francés, también para Africa Nº1 en 17630. 73 (José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) July 8 at 1509 (and much earlier) I found continuous African music on 17620, about equal signal but not // ANO Gabon on 17630. Around 1520 there was a brief announcement in French, but not sure what they said; maybe mentioned RFI. Off at 1530 sharp, the usual habit for the music jammer against Sawt Al Amel (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAYSIA. 6050, Asyik FM via RTM-Kajang (ex-6025), July 4 & 8, 1240-1320; YL DJ plays pop songs and takes on-air phone calls; both days at 1244 reciting from the Qur`an; no news at ToH; positive, clear IDs for ``Asyik FM`` and nothing heard on their former 6025. Asyik FM and Nasional FM (5965) have both been consistently fair all week (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, Etón E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. XEXQ, 6045, audible with classical music at 1247 July 7. I wonder how much farther this can make it in the mornings. Has also been reported by John Wilkins near Denver (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONTENEGRO. YT6ML, Doc, was on 14197 kHz at 0600Z and then on 18138 kHz at 1030Z. YU6DZ, Rajko, showed up on 14018 kHz around 1600Z and then on 7012 kHz after 0230Z. YU6AO continues to show up on the HF bands (ARRL DX News July 6 via Dave Raycroft, ODXA via DXLD) YU6AO ---> The Daily DX reports that "it is now been confirmed that the station producing highest number of Montenegrin QSOs with the callsign YU6AO is actually a VHF only license and has been operated by several Serbian hams. Upgrading of the license to HF privileges is pending and suggests that QSOs made up to that point will be very questionable for DXCC purposes" (425 DX News, ibid.) ** NIGERIA. See FRANCE [non] ** NORWAY. 1314: *Kvitsoy-Tower* is the name for the aerial tower of the 1200 kiloWatt transmitter of the broadcasting company of Norway for the frequency 1314 kHz, which was built in 1981 /82 Kvitsoy-Tower is 117.5 metres high, free standing, and constructed of a grounded steel framework. Horizontal crossbars are located at its top and at a height of 67.5 metres above ground to support the cables for a medium wave aerial, which are strung \\ to the tower. The vertical cables hanging from the lower crossbar are fixed to the ground with anchors. The Norwegian public broadcaster NRK switched off the Kvitsoy transmitter at 2200 UT on Friday June 30th 2006. Kvitsoy-Tower http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvitsoy-Tower#column-one search http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvitsoy-Tower#searchInput Radio masts at Kvitsoy (Kvitsoy), Norway http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Radio_masts_kvitsoy_Norway.jpg Enlarge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Radio_masts_kvitsoy_Norway.jpg Radio masts at Kvitsoy (Kvitsoy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvits%C3%B8y (via Robert Wilkner-USA, DXplorer July 1 via BCDX via DXLD) Re: Kvitsoe mediumwave tower. Sorry Bob, Wikipedia sites show only Kvitsoe SW antenna pictures, curtain array on the left, and the removable antenna on the right side. 1314 Kvitsoe MW mast on the seaside you can see on the website of Bernd Waniewski, an engineer belonging to Transradio (formerly TELEFUNKEN) Berlin company. Click http://www.waniewski.de/id87.htm http://www.waniewski.de/id279.htm http://www.waniewski.de/id280.htm http://www.waniewski.de/id281.htm http://www.waniewski.de/id282.htm http://www.waniewski.de/id284.htm The location of this antenna directly at the sea was chosen, to use the excellent conductivity of the sea water. The problems of this place in Norway with the aggressive climate of the Northsea (hefty storms with much rain) are - to guarantee the voltage safety for a transmitting power of 1200 kW - to avoid corrosion On Bernd Waniewski's website you will see also other MW installation pictures taken from Tunisia, Spain, Vatican Radio, Netherlands, TWR via T-systems Mainflingen, LW Norway, WDR Cologne Langenberg, RIAS Berlin - now DLF Berlin Britz (also 6005 kHz cross dipole antenna picture) etc. etc. (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX July 2 via DXLD) ** NORTH AMERICA. United States: Northwoods Radio (Pirate) 6935 USB at 0300 UT. Commander Bunny, Supreme Commander of the Rodent Revolution hosting the "Monkey Dance Program" until 0315. Asking for reception reports to be sent to northwoodsradio @ yahoo.com Sent Slow Scan TV until from 0315 to 0327 sign-off (7/8 Jeff Imel, Muncie, IN, dxldyg via DXLD) How do you know this is in the US rather than Canada? Not to jump to such conclusions, SW pirates are generally filed in DXLD under a continent. Without embargo, see ITALY, as claimed (gh, DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. 12130, FEBC. July 1 at *1431-1501*. SINPO 34433. Sign- on with female announcement in English. Preach followed. At the end of the program, they announced their address: Leading the Way, Radio Lifeline, Post Box 4658, Bangalore 46. e-mail: leadingtheway @ radio882.com 15325, Another English broadcast of FEBC was heard at 0959(IS & ID)- 1029* on July 2. SINPO 45444. IS & ID "This is FEBC Radio, broadcasting from Manila, Philippines." Religious program "Heaven Today" started at 1000 (Iwao Nagatani, Japan Premium via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. 1296, DXAB, Davao City (07 03'N 125 35'E), JUN 20, 1343 - Lively Tagalog discussion between two women. Numerous words and complete phrases in English and Spanish: "Nacionalismo, love of country, patriotismo..." 1401 "salamat" (thanks, ending show), show would be back "sábado." 1403 detailed sign-off by U.S. accented man: "DXAB Radio operates on 1296 kilohertz. Our transmitter is located at... (Shine) Hills in Davao City. DXAB..." Listed license number and phone numbers, then Filipino national anthem by a military band, off and carrier cut, leaving 1ZH Hamilton. Note early sign-off, only 10 p.m. on Mindanao in the Philippines. New, very good. [Wood-HI] 1314, DWXI, Parañaque NCR (14 30'N 120 59'E), JUN 25, 1437-1502 - Preacher in Tagalog, numerous Spanish and English words and phrases, "In the morning... a las 4 de la mañana... amen... Dios... Señor..." 1502 DWXI ID. Good, Philippines #4. [Wood-HI] 1512, DYAB, Cebu City, JUN 18, 1414 - ID, "Radio DYAB, diez mil wats AM. DYAB," ad, "Pamilia (Filipino replaces Spanish f with p)... Radio DYAB Happy Father's Day... salamat... seguridad pamilial... Internet." 1417 news with many words in English and Spanish. Cebuano is like Tagalog but with the highest percentage of Spanish words of any Filipino language. Very good, trace of an Aussie, first Filipino heard here since the 1980s. [Wood-HI] 1530, DZME, Radyo Uno, Quezon City (14 39'N 121 01'E), JUN 22, 1450 - Evangelical preacher in Tagalog mixed with countless English words and phrases but only a few Spanish words, "the reality of his life... verse 3... we are all of us blessed..." 1459 man in strident voice, "Libertad" (may have been title of show), DZME ID, began live show from R. Uno studio, "DZME music... open prayer meeting every Friday a las cuatro... Radyo Uno, telephone 311-5144 (in English)... on 1530 AM, praise the Lord." Good to very good, booming at times, new, Philippines #3 (Richard E. Wood, Keaau BIHI (19 38'N 155 02'W); FRG 100, longwires 350-ft northeast, 175-ft north/northeast, NRC IDXD July 7 via DXLD) ** POLAND [and non]. The controversial Radio Maryja at present gathers new friends in Germany by severely interfering with a domestic station. Recently reports appeared about Radio Maryja from ´´Luban´´ on 95.2 ruining reception of RBB Radio Eins via the Calau transmitter on 95.1 in the southeastern part of the service area. Yesterday I had an opportunity to check it out at Hoyerswerda, and indeed I am stunned about the signal level of 95.2 there, turning 95.1 (a 30 kW signal from a transmitter just 30 km away) into a DX target. In fact the origin of 95.2 is no longer a site at/near Luban, instead it now originates from the 1107 metres tall Stog Izerski mountain. But this is not the full story because I could not hear a whimp of the 90.6 and 93.2 Stog Izerski outlets at Hoyerswerda, although the frequencies are clear. Makes me really wonder how much watts (kilowatts) the Radio Maryja transmitter blows out towards northwest. This is the Stog Izerski site: http://www.senderfotos-bb.de/stogizerski.htm The vertically polarized antennas put out the offending 95.2 signal, while 90.6 and 93.2 are on the antenna system on top of the tower. And this is the real Luban site, in the past (when still the OIRT band was in use) listed as Zgorzelec and actually located in between these towns, at the village of Nowa Karczma: http://www.senderfotos-bb.de/luban.htm (Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWEDEN [and non]. R. Sweden, 15240, in Swedish at 1300 July 7 had an echo for a few seconds, presumably at Hörby overlapped with Sackville (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. 1575, R. Thailand via VOA, Ayutthaya (14 24'N 100 47'E), JUN 23, 1505 - Rambling, unscripted Thai-accented man in English, discussing weather and road conditions, then Thai politics, cabinet minister's resignation. Fascinating spontaneous show full of local color. Excellent (Richard E. Wood, Keaau BIHI (19 38'N 155 02'W); FRG 100, longwires 350-ft northeast, 175-ft north/northeast, NRC IDXD July 7 via DXLD) ** U K. BBC ANNUAL REPORT 2005/2006 PUBLISHED TODAY The BBC has today published its annual report for 2005/2006. It`s a huge document containing over 140 pages of information. It can be downloaded from the Web complete (6.1 MB PDF file), or you can download individual sections. All the links are on this page. http://www.bbcgovernors.co.uk/annreport/report06_keysections_dl.html (July 7th, 2006, 14:02 UTC by Andy, Media Network blog via DXLD) Including: BBC World Service publishes its own annual review which is available online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/us/annual_review (via DXLD) ** U K. Re: Radio 1 and 2 distinct from commercial sector says Thompson --- While I don't agree with everything that the BBC is doing (or saying) at the moment, it seems rather ridiculous for the Commercial Radio lobby to be complaining that it is doing too well. They complain if the BBC does well and say that it should be restricted and complain if it is not doing well that it is not worth keeping. Perhaps if Commercial Radio was more interesting to listen to then they might do better (Andrew Tett, UK, July 8, BDXC via DXLD) ** U S A. BRING BACK THE USIA? DISMANTLING VOA ENGLISH From the Washington Times [Moony] --- Former VOA Staffer and USIA employee Vello Ederma comments on plans to dismantle VOA English: ``The elimination of English-language broadcasting is just another anomaly in the annals of a dictatorial bureaucracy called the Broadcasting Board of Governors. It never should have been given the powers it has. In short, it should be reorganized or abolished.`` Read the whole article by clicking on http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20060626-094640-1719r_page2.htm Viz.: GOVERNMENT BROADCASTING THEN AND NOW Suffice to say that George Lesser's Thursday Commentary column, "Bring back the USIA," was right on the money. However, the return of the U.S. Information Agency probably would be too late to do any good for this administration for the simple reason that good, effective public- diplomacy planning takes years and is in very short supply. The issue is complicated and requires more room than a letter to the editor provides. This writer spent 13 years as an editor in the Voice of America newsroom, 10 years as a deputy chief of the European Broadcast Division and finally, another 10 years as a media analyst and Euro/Soviet expert in the U.S. Information Agency, the parent agency of the Voice of America. All three areas were crucial in their own right in the battle "for hearts and minds" in winning the Cold War. Of course, it involved a lot more than the simplistic shorthand of "hearts and minds." Yet, it has been customary for the United States to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Both Democrats and Republicans were anxious to dismantle the structures instrumental in victory, erroneously thinking history had ended. They set about destroying the agency and putting its remnants back into the Department of State, from whence they had been removed in 1953 after it was determined that the two had no business cohabiting. The destruction of USIA was one of the worst mistakes ever made in the post-Cold War era. We are reaping the whirlwind. A number of studies have been conducted over the past several years, all of them urging the revival of public diplomacy. Some have tried to be nice to the State Department, suggesting improvements within the current framework. Others have been more forthright, practically demanding the re- creation of the USIA as an independent agency. For this writer, the only way to wage the "word war" in today's world is to agree with Mr. Lesser and bring back the USIA. From the time of the divorce, the State Department had been waging a war to regain control over the USIA and finally succeeded in 1999 because of total misunderstandings in Congress of the missions involved. Efforts by many professionals to prevent the administrative butchery failed. One of USIA's most notable directors, Edward R. Murrow, set the tone: "To be persuasive, we must be believable; to be believable, we must be credible; to be credible, we must be truthful." We must be able to tread the fine line between journalistic credibility and national-security interests. That is a very difficult issue, as one must be truthful while not sacrificing the security of the American people. Especially in today's war against terror. Finally, as one of my newsroom colleagues used to say, "In your otherwise excellent story," Mr. Lesser is a bit faulty in an otherwise good cause. He says that "the reason many if not most people listen to the Voice of America is to learn English." The millions who listened to VOA in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union did so for far more cogent reasons, such as to learn the truth and cling to hope while risking arrest. The great majority did so by listening to VOA in their native languages. A program called "Special English" was a learning tool — and a very good one. This does not take anything away from the importance of broadcasting in English, America's native language. The elimination of English- language broadcasting is just another anomaly in the annals of a dictatorial bureaucracy called the Broadcasting Board of Governors. It never should have been given the powers it has. In short, it should be reorganized or abolished. --- VELLO EDERMA, Springfield [VA] To read George Lesser's commentary, on which Ederma is commenting, click here http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20060621-085647-9726r.htm In its July 1st issue, the Times printed a letter to the editor from Stacey Savage of Santa Barbara, California, outlining the BBG's use of taxpayer dollars for a study on weaknesses at VOA. Read her letter by clicking here http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20060630-084937-5586r_page2.htm Viz.: INEPTITUDE AT THE BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS I agree with Vello Ederma's remarks in his letter ("Government broadcasting then and now," Tuesday). The Broadcasting Board of Governors has demonstrated on several occasions that it is inept and incapable of running an organization such as the Voice of America. Not only has the board shown a lack of proper judgment by proposing to eliminate the very language of our nation from our government's international broadcasting network. But they have also wasted tax payer dollars. Last year the BBG commissioned a study at VOA by the consultancy Booz Allen Hamilton to identify weaknesses and problems in the agency. After extensive research, the report was handed in to the board, which immediately dismissed the findings. The report showed that the problem with VOA was its management — including the board. So what did the board do with this report? Nothing. The American Federation of Government Employees informed the VOA staff that the board had been given a report that it didn't like, so it refused the findings. It instructed Booz Allen to come up with a second version. When the union asked to see the second version, it was told that there was to be no second version. The cost of this to taxpayers? $400,000. And the best idea that the BBG can come up with is to eliminate English-language broadcasting at a time when the world needs it most. --- STACEY SAVAGE, Santa Barbara, Calif. Read more! http://savevoaenglish.blogspot.com/2006/07/from-washington-times.html (all the above from Save America`s Voice blog, July 5, via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. AFN TO END RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY SPORTS IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 633-06 July 5, 2006 http://www.dod.mil/releases/2006/nr20060705-13385.html The Department of Defense announced today that the American Forces Network (AFN) will cease broadcasting play-by-play sports on radio later this summer. The decision to discontinue live play-by-play sports on radio was based upon a series of Department of Defense worldwide audience surveys of military members and civilian employees stationed overseas, which showed the preference of viewers to watch sports, rather than just listen to them. The impact of live sports on overseas local affiliate radio schedules was also factored into the decision. ``AFN audiences prefer to watch the greater variety of sports on television rather than listen to them on the radio,`` said Mr. Robert Matheson, director of broadcasting at the AFN Broadcast Center in Riverside, Calif. ``When radio sports coverage comes on, most listeners tune out. Our mission is better served when the largest possible audience tunes in to non-sports programming and spends more time listening.`` AFN radio play-by-play sports broadcasts were, as recently as 10 years ago, broadly listened to. Since then, AFN television sports coverage has expanded exponentially [really??]. ``More and more sports fans have been turning to AFN television for the greater variety of sports,`` Matheson observed. ``We used to air only one or two TV games a week. Now, since the introduction of AFN- sports and recently AFN-xtra, our multiple AFN television services, including AFN-prime, carry nearly 80 events a week.`` Most play-by-play sports on AFN Radio ended with the conclusion of the NBA Championships. Some motor sports programming will remain on AFN radio`s schedule in order to complete their seasons, with the September 9 NASCAR Nextel Cup race from Richmond International Raceway scheduled to be the final AFN radio sports play-by-play broadcast. "We signed agreements with the Motor Racing Network and the Indy Racing League before reassessing our approach to radio sports," Matheson said. "We'll honor those agreements." (via Dave Alpert, DXLD) WASHINGTON --- The days of sitting around the barracks listening to a ballgame on the radio are apparently over. The Defense Department said Wednesday (July 5) it is discontinuing later this summer play-by-play radio broadcasts of sporting events. The reason? Armed Forces Radio "audiences prefer to watch the greater variety of sports on television rather than listen to them on the radio," Robert Matheson, director of broadcasting at the AFN Broadcast Center (Riverside, Calif.) said in a Pentagon statement. "When radio sports coverage comes on, most listeners tune out." Most AFN radio coverage of major sporting events ended with the NBA championships in June. The radio finale will be a NASCAR race from Richmond, VA, on Sept. 9. The DoD network has been steadily expanding TV sports coverage that is beamed to U.S. military posts around the world. The network now carries about 80 events a week. I wonder how those troopers in the field think about this? (From EETIMES http://www.eetimes.com via Art Blair, Folsom, CA, IRCA via DXLD) We'll never know. Nobody ever asked if turning off the SW broadcasts via the VoA facilities, in 1988, was a welcome move "out there." No reason to think they'll ask now. Unless they asked "which would you prefer?" and anybody would take the NFL on TV over radio. But to assume preference is exclusionary would be inaccurate. It's inane of them to carry the same event on TV and radio, but explain that to them. AFN had a long history of being just somewhat out of touch with their target audience, IMHO. That declining audience probably still includes the guys at the guard shacks, on watch, patrol.you get the idea, people without TVs in front of them. Those guys on the Korean DMZ better get used to missing events they used to hear (Gerry Bishop, Niceville, FL, ibid.) Wouldn't Marshall McLuhan chuckle were he alive today? Wouldn't he proudly own the finest audio instrument known to man - HD radio? ( Why HD even cures lumbago!) Sure it's fun to lay about the barracks ogling sports and bimbos who pretend to sell chicom trash when in fact they're the 'massage', to use a McLuhanism. Then combat pays unwelcome call. One must watch incoming, rather than TV. After all, why exclude oneself from the next Nielsen sweep? All goes back to mr. bouffant and the wooden indian's 1994 emotional outburst re inability to compete with 'three hours of limbaugh' and those pesky 'voices of hate on shortwave'. McLuhan claimed TV was a 'cool medium', better than radio for controlling and also better controlled by those who seek to dominate others due to their own lack of boundaries. Compelling radio had to be submerged in favor of mindless albeit totally absorptive TV. Entirely too many subversives swanning about who can toss a wire out a window and reach the world, as did Nixon's attache during a South American 1950's riot. Can't have that. Isn't it fun to watch the swells slowly outsmart themselves? Snarkily, =Z.= pvz mk fl bt "Talkin' to the ceilin', Feelin' kinda ill. If the radio doesn't get me, the TV will." - "Lights in the Night" c. 1980, 'Flash and the Pan', Vanda & Young (Paul Vincent Zecchino, FL, IRCA via DXLD) Andy Sennitt comments: I find it interesting that the Department of Defense claims to be so concerned with audience figures, as a commercial operation would be. I would have thought that in a forces environment, not everyone will be in a position to watch a match on TV, especially given the time differences. The real reason for ending play-by-play coverage is surely as much about saving money as it is about the size of the audience. Similar arguments could be put forward for public broadcasters not carrying the World Cup on radio as well as TV, but the radio coverage is provided as a service to those who have paid their TV licence fee but cannot be in front of a set at the time of the game (Media Network blog via DXLD) I agree with your comments, Andy. Put another way, while I might *prefer* to watch a game or match, having the opportunity to listen where television is not available or practical is the next best thing… certainly better than nothing at all. Somehow I can picture troops in a foxhole listening to a portable radio… I can’t picture them watching television, no matter how much they might *prefer* it. Yes and I, too, thought AFRTS was a service for an audience with unique needs. The managers` arguments are weak at best, illogical at worst (John Figliozzi July 7th, 2006 at 19:41, ibid.) AFN PULLS PLUG ON RADIO SPORTS, CITING DIMINISHED APPEAL By Rusty Bryan, Stars and Stripes Mideast edition July 7, 2006 http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=123&article=38451 The expansion of its television services and contraction of its staff have prompted the American Forces Network to end more than a half- century of radio sports broadcasts, network spokesmen said. "A decade ago, AFN [television] could schedule only a few sports events a week," Pentagon spokesman Greg Hicks wrote Wednesday in response to an e-mail query. "Now, since the introduction of AFN- Sports and the recent launch of AFN-Xtra, AFN is offering more live and tape-delayed play-by-play sports than ever before." The total approaches 80 events per week, according to Robert Matheson, director of broadcasting for AFN in Riverside, Calif., far more than the average 10 per week provided to radio. According to AFN audience surveys, support for the switch from radio to TV is overwhelming. "AFN audiences prefer to watch the greater variety of sports on television than listen to them on the radio," a press release quotes Matheson as saying. "When radio sports coverage comes on, most listeners tune out." Random questioning of a dozen or so potential listeners at a recent sports event in Heidelberg, Germany, appeared to bear Matheson out. Only one person said he missed radio sports. "I'm a radio guy," said Jim Moss, 62, of Kaiserslautern. "I love to listen during the wee hours of the morning." However, according to Matheson, the wee hours were part of the problem. "Many of our radio stations didn't carry the games when they were provided," he said in the AFN press release. "U.S. East Coast games start at 1 a.m. Central European Time, when very few people are awake to hear them. Those same games start at 8 a.m. in Japan and Korea, when many stations there won't interrupt their morning radio shows for play-by-play sports." Loyal listener Moss said he keeps three of his car radio buttons set on AFN frequencies in Frankfurt, Mannheim and Bavaria to keep the network in range as he drives across Germany. But Hicks downplayed the idea that sports fans in Europe listened to sports events in their cars. "Radio sports events usually last a couple of hours," he wrote, "far longer than most people can drive overseas and stay tuned to an AFN station. On the other hand, music shows are composed of short songs, which is more compatible with the average car trip." Reduced staff also factored into the decision to drop radio sports, Hicks said, noting the radio division has been trimmed by one-third. Play-by-play sports requires a staff member to operate equipment to air a replacement for the stateside commercials, which AFN is prohibited from airing, he wrote. The switch to TV potentially affects just 10 percent of the AFN audience, Hicks wrote. "On-base personnel have access to all of AFN's TV channels ... while off-base personnel are being given an AFN decoder and satellite dish in many locations," he wrote. "Overall, about 90 percent of the AFN audience now receives all of the ... TV channels." More than a half-century of tradition will end Sept. 9, when AFN radio broadcasts its final scheduled live event, a Nextel Cup stock car race. For longtime listeners who remember hearing Don Larsen's perfect World Series game or Joe Namath's Jets' upset of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III via AFN radio, it's a quiet ending to decades of excitement. Matheson, however, sees the situation as "duty first." "Our mission is better served," he is quoted as saying, "when the largest possible audience tunes in ... and spends more time listening." (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ?? Isn`t Defending Our Country a 24-hour job? Aren`t military people working shifts in all dayparts, and thus more available than civvies to listen to games at times live from the US? (gh, DXLD) I have to say, from the point of view of a sports fan, that is an absolute disaster. However, from the point of view of AFN/AFRTS, most Stateside sports events, especially during the week, are scheduled at completely unsuitable times for Europe, i.e. in the middle of the night, and for the Far East, around breakfast time, but surely the same applies to television. As for the weekend, though, there are still some daytime sports events which would be suitably timed for the European evenings. However, unfortunately, it`s another case of radio becoming the poor relation of television (PAUL DAVID, Wembley Park, United Kingdom, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Not only that, but the servicemen who used AFN to listen to sports also. I found it very useful in Florida in the late 70's and early 80's when there was no baseball to be found. You could always rely on then AFRTS, now AFN (Ron Trotto, IL, ibid.) ** U S A [non]. Voice of Joy: see UNIDENTIFIED ** U S A. Hi, Glenn! Still the same problem with the crosstalk on 12160 kHz for the 1600 UT broadcast of W.O.R. on Saturday. So they didn't do anything about it (not that I thought they would!). They also didn't reply to my e-mail about the problem (not that I thought they would!) (Alex Vranes, Jr., Harpers Ferry WV, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DGS 13845 was also/still extremely broken up July 8 (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Ran across Radio Weather, UT Sat 0514 on 13650, as I later found scheduled on KWHR at 0500-0530. Rod Hembree was talking about Norway relaying Denmark (or vice versa?) on SW as if this were current news; also four 100 kW transmitters being installed at Far East Broadcasting ``Corporation`` in Manila, as if that were news. Said he used to work on their transmitters, something to do with Cold War jamming?? Then he went on to push a CD-ROM disputing evolution as portrayed on PBS` Nova. He thinks URLs are case-sensitive before the / ! Hembree is STILL re-running very old shows mixing fact and fancy; what a crock; I am sorely tempted to ban him from our DX/SWL/MEDIA programs schedule, meant to be inclusive (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Am getting KSL Salt Lake relay on 26190 NBFM, slope- detected, around 1500 UT July 8, fading in and out, talk show, ABC News on hour, local news after. IDs for 1160 and 102.7, but not 26190! No sign of KOA on 25950 --- Denver is almost half as far from here as KSL. Signs of another NBFM broadcast on 25965, however (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. July 8 at 1341, heard W1AW portable 4, Mark in Tennessee working some contest, with ``59ARRL`` reports to some rather close-in contacts primarily in the 5, 8 and 9 areas, on 21303-USB. Sporadic E in play, of course; also heard two Spanish-speaking freebanders in Chicago discussing being next to the Lake, and cabañas, on 26585 AM at 1350. CB a mass of QRM and hets. Some SSB ham activity too on 12 and 10 meters, including a W9 who admitted he was in Arizona (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Night of Nights VII - Official Announcement [UT Thu July 13] HISTORIC MORSE CODE RADIO STATION KPH RETURNS TO THE AIR FOR "NIGHT OF NIGHTS VII" Former RCA Station KPH Celebrates Its 101st Anniversary Coast Station KSM Celebrates Its 1st Anniversary Coast Stations WLO, KLB, NMC and NOJ To Be On The Air New Frequencies for KSM, KLB and NOJ ------------ In the seventh annual event that has become known as the "Night of Nights", historic Morse code radio station KPH will return to the air in commemoration of the last commercial Morse message sent in the United States. Frequencies and reception report information for all stations appear below. KPH, the ex-RCA coast station located north of San Francisco, will return to the air for commemorative broadcasts on 12 July at 1701 PDT (13 July at 0001 GMT), 7 years and one minute after the last commercial Morse transmission in the US. These on-the-air events are intended to honor the men and women who followed the radiotelegraph trade on ships and at coast stations around the world and made it one of honor and skill. Transmissions are expected to continue until at least midnight PDT (0700 GMT). Veteran Morse operators, including former KPH staff members, will be on duty at the receiving station at Point Reyes, CA listening for calls from ships and sending messages just as they did for so many years before Morse operations were shut down. The transmitters are located 18 miles south of Point Reyes in Bolinas, CA at the transmitting station established in 1913 by the American Marconi Co. The original KPH transmitters, receivers and antennas will be used to activate frequencies in all the commercial maritime HF bands and on MF as well. Many of the KPH transmitters will be 50s vintage RCA sets. KSM will use a 1940s vintage Press Wireless PW-15 transmitter will be on its 12 Mc frequency. Power output will be 4 to 5 kW. The transmitting antennas include a Marconi T for MF, double extended Zepps for 4, 6 and 8 Mc and H over 2s for 12, 16 and 22 Mc. KPH will send traffic lists, weather and press broadcasts as well as special commemorative messages, some of which will be sent by hand. At other times the KPH and KSM "wheel" will be sent to mark the transmitting frequencies. Members of the public are invited to visit the receiving station for this event. The station will be open to visitors beginning at 1500 PDT (3:00pm). The station is located at 17400 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and is on the route to the Point Reyes lighthouse. Watch for a cypress lined driveway on the right about a mile past the entry to Coast Guard station NMC. KPH is operated by the Maritime Radio Historical Society in cooperation with the Point Reyes National Seashore, part of the National Park Service. Further information may be found on the Maritime Radio Historical Society Web site at http://www.radiomarine.org or by contacting Richard Dillman at +1 415-990-7090 (email: rd @ radiomarine.org ) or Tom Horsfall at +1 510-237-9535 (email: wa6ope @ hotmail.com ). BT Station Information follows... ------------ KPH --- KPH will transmit on 4247.0, 6477.5, 8642.0, 12808.5, 17016.8 and 22477.5 kc on HF and 500 and 426 kc on MF. These frequencies have been made available through the generous cooperation of Globe Wireless, the current owner of the KPH and KFS licenses. KPH operators will listen for calls from ships on ITU Channel 3 in all bands. The Channel 3 frequencies are 4184.0, 6276.0, 8368.0, 12552.0, 16736.0 and 22280.5 kc on HF and 500 kc on MF. Reception reports may be sent to: Ms. DA Stoops P. O. Box 381 Bolinas CA 94924-0381 USA Denice is a former KPH operator and was the first female telegrapher hired at the station. ------------ KSM --- (Note the addition of a 16 Mc channel for KSM this year.) KSM will transmit on 426, 500, 6474, 12993 and 16914 kc. KSM will listen for calls from ships on 500kc and HF Channel 3 (see KPH listing for frequencies). Reception reports may be sent to: Ms. DA Stoops P. O. Box 381 Bolinas CA 94924-0381 USA ------------ WLO --- (This information has not been confirmed by WLO at the time of this announcement.) WLO will transmit on 438, 500, 8514.0 and 12660.0 kc WLO will listen for calls from ships on 500 kc and HF Channel 3 (see KPH listing for frequencies). Reception reports may be sent to: WLO/KLB 700 RINLA AVENUE MOBILE, ALABAMA 36619 USA Or via email to: wloradio @ wloradio.com ------------ KLB --- (Note the expanded frequencies for KLB! This year KLB has added MF, a 2 Mc frequency and a 12 Mc frequency. A tip of the MRHS earphones to CJ of KLB for all the work he has done to bring this about.) KLB will transmit on 488, 500, 2063.0, 6411.0 and 12917.0 kc KLB will listen for calls from ships on 500 kc and HF Channel 3 (see KPH listing for frequencies). Reception reports may be sent to: WLO/KLB 700 RINLA AVENUE MOBILE, ALABAMA 36619 USA Or via email to: wloradio @ wloradio.com ------------ NMC --- NMC will transmit on 448, 472, 500, 6383.0, 8574.0 and 17220.5 NMC will listen for calls from ships on 500 kc and HF Channel 3 (see KPH listing for frequencies). Reception reports may be sent to: COMMANDING OFFICER ATTN ITC ERIC SIMMONS COMMUNICATIONS AREA MASTER STATION PACIFIC 17000 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BLVD POINT REYES STATION, CALIFORNIA 94956-0560 USA ------------ NOJ --- (Note that NOJ will be operational on MF this year!) NOJ will transmit on 416, 470, 500, 8650.0, 12889.5 and 16909.7 kc. NOJ will listen for calls from ships on Channel 3 (see KPH listing for frequencies). Reception reports may be sent to: COMMANDING OFFICER ATTN OSCM WILLIAM KECKLER US COAST GUARD COMMUNICATIONS STATION KODIAK PO BOX 190017 KODIAK, ALASKA 99619 USA BT BV ES VY 73 TO ALL, MRHS ================================= Richard Dillman, W6AWO Maritime Radio Historical Society http://www.radiomarine.org Collector of Harleys, Willys and Radios over 100 lbs. ================================= (UDXF via Pim Ripken, BDX via DXLD) We have a special request for those who will be monitoring KPH on 12808.5 kc on Night of Nights. The Transmitter Department plans to alternate transmitters and, more important, antennas on this frequency at the top of each hour during this year's Night of Nights. Both antennas will be directional H over 2 types but one will be oriented north/south, the other east/west. The Transmitter Department will keep a careful log of which antenna is being used at which time and compare this against incoming reports. So for all reception reports, but especially those for 12808.5, please include the time you heard the signal and a detailed signal report. The two transmitters on 12808.5 will be an early 1990s vintage Henry and a 1950s vintage RCA "L" set. Some slight difference in keying may be noted between them. Best Regards, (Richard Dillman, W6AWO, July 7, UDXF via DXLD) ** U S A. WRIB-1220 is dark --- As of lunchtime today, Providence station WRIB-1220 went silent. The web site (which I own) explains it. http://www.wrib.com/ The copy posted was not written by me, though I have no questions of its content. As of tomorrow morning I am resigning. I started as CE in 1975 there, but cannot continue with a group such as that. I simply do not have faith in their direction, nor execution (Craig Healy, Providence, RI, July 7, IRCA via DXLD) Viz.: FAITH CHRISTIAN CENTER BUYS WRIB; CHURCH KO'S R. I. PIONEER RELIGIOUS & FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAMS AS STATION PLUNGES INTO DARKNESS Our beloved radio station today was officially given "dark" status as the new owners, Seekonk, MA mega-church Faith Christian Center completed their purchase of WRIB and unexpectedly pulled the plug at 12:30 PM. Several foreign language programs who had office space in the building were set to scrambling to remove music and personal effects before they were declared to be "trespassers" by the new ownership. While some people were aware of the impending sale, they had been assured by the church that they would be given a 30 day notice, but were informed at the last minute that on the advice of church attorneys WRIB would be shut down and closed indefinitely while new owners constructed new studios. And NONE would be invited back for the future grand re-opening. This meant that many long time broadcasters were unceremoniously shown the door with no chance of even saying "goodbye" to their loyal listeners. The Armenian Radio Hour had been on the air since 1947, actually signing on when WRIB first began operations in the old Narragansett Hotel in Providence. Hoping to celebrate their 60th anniversary next year, director and founder Russell Gasparian simply vanishes from the airwaves. The Voice of Italy, founded in 1951 was given no opportunity to say "arrivederci". And while Spanish language programming practically dominates local airwaves now, the pioneer Spanish show "La Inconfundible" heard on WRIB since 1973 was the first Hispanic voice ever heard on Rhode Island radio or TV. Now, just a memory. Portuguese listeners have lost "Radio Dinos" without so much as a good-bye. Religious programs faired equally poorly. "The Victory Hour" (1960), "Thru The Bible (1972) and Father John Randal's "Spirit & The Word" (1984) have all been deep sixed. Heavily weighted in favor of Catholic programming, (reflecting the state's large Catholic population) many of the station's religious programs knew their time was nearly up based on the religious leanings of Faith Christian Center, but no one could imagine that the end would be so incredibly sudden. Simply put, the lack of compassion by a so-called Christian church almost defies belief. Rallies and demonstrations are now reportedly in the works. This show of solidarity amongst the former foreign language program directors will doubtless cause Faith Christian Center some small amount of consternation, if not outright embarrassment. As of this writing, WRIB sits dark and quiet. We were not a station that everybody knew about, yet we like to think that we were beloved by those who did --- a friendly connection to the home from whence so many of our hard working immigrants came. And WRIB was also a "home" to those who worked there. WRIB was a special place --- and now it's nothing. Perhaps one day Faith Christian Center will grow tired of preaching to the choir, and perhaps one day WRIB will once again belong to the people of Rhode Island. But only one thing is certain --- someday all this will belong to the meek. Imagine that! (via DXLD) Craig, How terrible!! A new outfit with no regard to any of the people that made the station popular. Hopefully these groups can find new homes for the programming. I totally agree with you. I would have nothing to do with them either. They call themselves a Christian group? 73, (Patrick Martin, OR, ibid.) Craig, How sad. I remember all the DX tests you conducted from WRIB, beginning with the one in January of '76. I remember the Monday morning in the early fall of that year when you noticed WGAR in Cleveland was off, and you went to WRIB and did an impromtu test. AM radio seems to be falling into the hands of so many people who care nothing for history or tradition. How I miss the local entrepreneurs and colorful characters who used to own them (Steve Francis, Alcoa, Tennessee, ibid.) Craig, for some reason I picture a group of men wearing cheap suits replacing a colorful operation with an antiseptic one aimed at smug self-gratification rather than community service. If I'm right, there is little hope for consternation or embarrassment there. I pray I'm wrong (Gerry Bishop, Niceville, FL, ibid.) Well, for what it's worth, the antiseptic suit image isn't far off. This particular church is radical enough that they think music in church is blasphemy. They allow a cappella singing, and that's it. I drop my keys off after breakfast. I think I'm better off. I only made a few hundred bucks a month from this client, so it's no big deal to me. Unfortunately, I doubt they would have a clue as to what a QSL or a DX test is. With luck, they will keep it for a while, sell it, and move on to something else. What I am seeing is that religious groups seem to have a greater percentage of stations than years ago, even with the ones like WAWZ- 1380 and their ilk in the past. What is troubling is that they rely less on advertising and broad popular support, and more on donations from a narrow demographic. It may be that using a station as a bully pulpit to reach a sliver of society may one day run afoul of the "Public Service" requirement. I can hope they find it less useful, and simply sell it off in a few years. From what I saw and heard yesterday, they certainly are susceptible to bad PR. Their "flock" nurtures off a feel-good energy from the church. Disturb that with a demonstration that shows their church did wrong, and it can be quite damaging. There are a lot of people who truly do not understand the need for presenting an organization in a good and positive light. We have all seen that (Craig Healy, Providence, RI, July 8, IRCA via DXLD) I shared the station's plight with my Wife and she said it was sad about that radio station. She asked if you could find another station somewhere. I told her I didn't think it would be that easy. She then added, "Damn Christians." (Bert New, Watkinsville, Georgia, Proudly Serving You Since 1964! ibid.) I think it's just this particular group. I've worked with religious organizations in the past, and they are OK, for the most part. I really don't know what it is with these people. Their lead pastor is someone who used to study karate in the same group I'm in some years ago. I remember him from that time, close to 30 years ago. He was a good student, and made 2nd degree black belt before he left. I always enjoyed working out with him. But, he found a calling, it seems (Craig Healy, Providence, RI, ibid.) Craig, There are many good Christian organizations that would not do such a thing. I stop short to call some of the religious organizations "Christian". Doing such a deed is not a Christian thing to do. Some of the companies today let power & greed stand in their way. That has become more important to them. But I do hope the programmers can find a new home. 73, (Patrick Martin, OR, ibid.) ** U S A. CHICAGO`S JAZZ RADIO GETS THE BLUES, BOWS TO iPod The iPod and a growing need for local news have done the unthinkable: They have cost Chicago, one of America`s great jazz cities, its last major source for jazz programming on local radio. WBEZ, Chicago`s National Public Radio (NPR) member station and among the oldest public radio outlets in the United States, has decided to scrap scheduled music programming - the bulk of which was nightly jazz - and move to a 24-hour news and public affairs format. The change - which has sparked a backlash from loyal fans - speaks volumes about the worries facing independent radio stations. Downloadable music and streaming Webcasts are competing for their music listeners, and local news, threatened by consolidation in the commercial media, is taking on greater importance. In addition, WBEZ and many other public radio stations say their programming has not kept pace with a changing US population. ``Local news has simply been abandoned by the commercial broadcasters and sometimes even the commercial newspapers,`` Ken Stern, executive vice president of Washington-based National Public Radio, told Reuters. ``What you see as a trend is stations like WBEZ investing heavily in local news and information,`` Stern said. WBEZ and NPR`s other so-called member stations raise their own operating funds - much of them from individual listeners - and pay providers such as NPR for syndicated shows such as the daily news program ``All Things Considered.`` Around the United States, changes similar to WBEZ`s are taking place. Connecticut Public Radio`s WNPR-FM dropped most of its classical programming in favor of news and information early in June. WETA, another public FM station in Washington, DC, made the switch to all-talk more than a year ago. Stations in New York, Boston and elsewhere have made similar moves. To loyal listeners, the format changes don`t go over easily. WBEZ`s plan, which doesn`t take effect until next year, has sparked a backlash from public radio patrons in the nation`s third-largest city, once the country`s jazz and blues hub and still home to a thriving alternative music scene. ``We feel very empty,`` said Mike Widdell, co-founder of the Web site http://www.savethemusiconwbez.org a grass- roots effort that has collected more than 3,500 names on a petition to veto WBEZ`s plan. ``It seems like a decision that was made arbitrarily and without the input of listeners.`` Chicago Public Radio said it also took a hard look at demographic trends before announcing in 2004 that WBEZ would shift to all talk. The station`s audience has become increasingly homogeneous, yet public radio is compelled by a federal mandate to serve as broad a group as possible, station manager Torey Malatia told Reuters. In any given week, about 600,000 people, or roughly 8 percent of the 7.6 million potential listeners in the greater Chicago area, tune into its channel at 91.5 on the FM band. Most are white, upper middle class and well- educated; many live on the tony suburban North Shore, he said. Chicago Public Radio`s new strategy calls for reaching a more diverse audience - putting mics in the hands of listeners, for instance, to let them produce their own shows, and adding satellite bureaus in the inner city. The station aims to go after untapped Hispanic, black and youth listeners, among others. ``The problem is if you look at that slot of audience vs. the population we are meant to serve … this is just a sliver,`` Malatia said. ``This is a major decision for us and we knew it would have a strong reaction from people.`` (Source: Reuters)( July 6th, 2006, 13:19 UTC by Andy, Media Network blog via DXLD) ** U S A. It seems not so long ago that KRVN Lexington NE owned 880 here in the daytime. Yes, super ground conductivity here in Tornado Alley makes such 300-mile reception routine. But the other day getting a courtesy ride in a new Honda, I had just enough time to tune thru the entire MW band, and among other things detected some co-channel interference on 880. Looking at the 2005-2006 NRC AM Log, there are only two likely possibilities: KGHT Sheridan AR, near Little Rock, 50 kW, U2 KJOJ Conroe TX, near Houston, 10 kW, U4 The AR station should be somewhat closer, and is higher powered. BUT, ground conductivity is so poor in that direction that AR stations just don`t make it this far, not even 1090. So at 2320 UT (still very much daytime) July 8 I took the ATS-090 outside and tried to get a fix on it. There was a SAH of very close to 5 Hz between KRVN and the other station, but when KRVN nulled, so did the other, indicating they are approximately opposite in direxion, while AR would be close to right angle, and should have been audible with KRVN nulled. BTW, KJOJ is supposed to have a Vietnamese format, which would be an interesting addition to the dial here. Maybe it`s listenable in southern OK. I might have reached the opposite conclusion consulting my other three-ring binder containing the NRC Antenna Pattern Book, which shows AR with a much bigger non-direxional daytime circle reaching almost to Enid, and TX with a smaller one as appropriate for 1/5 the power, but it is direxional toward Enid (and Lexington!) barely reaching the Red River (not Vietnam, not ND/MN/MB). I wonder why? There is enough signal going south to cover Houston, but looks like they may also want to get into The Metroplex, if being adjacent to low-powered 870 there will allow. The nighttime lobe is designed to cover Houston for sure, but not much else. As for AR`s circular pattern, this is a good example that these do NOT represent measured coverage, but what is going out from the antenna, in terms of relative amount of signal in each direxion. No doubt due to AR`s poor conductivity, there is a big dent in its real coverage toward Enid. Its low-power night lobe, when they are really using it, barely covers Little Rock (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re 6-099: Hello, I just read the notation from Bob Smoak of Bamberg, SC, concerning a dead carrier with network news at :55 during the overnight hours interfering with WWL. If the network news is SRN, then I would bet that it's WINU-870 from Shelbyville, IL -- a daytimer that's been known to be on well past midnight in the past. I would also agree that it probably runs unattended -- I sent them a cassette about a year or two back, along with followups seeking a QSL, and they have yet to acknowledge my correspondence. Hope this helps (Eric Berger, Detroit, MI, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) OTOH: Glen[n], The interference that Bob Smoak mentions on 870 AM is from WPWT Colonial Heights TN. They tend to leave an open carrier, and along with that they have a sister station on 1090, WHGG that tends to at times stay on all night with oldies programming. Neither station to my knowledge is licensed to broadcast at night. WHGG sometimes will run at night without WPWT leaving a carrier on, but most of the time here, if carrier is on 870, then the Mighty 1090 is on. Hope that clears up the confusion. Also, WFHG 980 AM is now Fox Sports Radio; the Supertalk format continues on 92.7, licensed to Abingdon, VA (Ed from TN, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WALTER CRONKITE, KB2GSD, LIFE CHRONICLED IN NEW PBS FILM JULY 26TH TV news stars of past and present, including Tom Brokaw, Robert MacNeil, Don Hewitt, Mike Wallace, Andy Rooney, Morley Safer and Bill Moyers, appear in a new documentary about legendary CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD. Written and produced by Catherine Tatge for the Public Broadcasting series American Masters, ``Walter Cronkite: Witness to History,`` chronicles Cronkite`s 70 year career in journalism. But the film reportedly goes well beyond a simple biography of KB2GSD by also telling the story of television news from its infancy through the explosion of cable TV, and in doing so it chronicles how Cronkite rose from a reporter to become anchorman of the CBS Evening News for 19 years and in that time became known as the most trusted voice in America and most trusted man in television news. Hosted by incoming CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, ``Walter Cronkite: Witness to History`` will premiere on most PBS stations on Wednesday July 26 at 9 p.m. but you are advised to check local listings of the PBS station serving your area. More information on the show is at http://www.pbs.org/previews/am-cronkite (News reports via ARNewsline July 7 via John Norfolk, dxldyg) ** U S A. SSB in CW: Some morse code and music --- and it was not two stations being heard at same time... http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2006/morse-anthem-p1.php Regards (Petra Henderson, July 8, FRG7 yg via DXLD) ** URUGUAY. Contacté a Dirección Técnica del SODRE, al Jefe de Planta, escribí mails a Cuello y a planta emisora. No me han contestado nada. Asi es acá. Cuando pedí para hablar con José Cuello, Director Técnico, sentí por el teléfono que le decía al funcionario subalterno que me atendió primero. "Está loco...". Sí, me disculpe que estaba atrás de un dato un poco sui generis, fuera del alcance habitual. Aproveché para hablar con él sobre las Ondas Cortas; me dijo que estaban activas, cosa que no es cierta! ¿De qué se cubre? El Sr. Ramela y otro en la planta me habían dicho horas antes que en efecto estaban inactivas, y que no había fecha de reinicio. Pero que había tres o cuatro expedientes para reinstaurarlas. Una serie de contradicciones, mezcladas con desidia, la misma de gente que hace añares está ahí, porque como son inamovibles. La prioridad son las AM. Se ve que siguen sin tener UN PESO. Y Cuello no es muy apologista de las Ondas Cortas, pues es luchar como enanos en tierra de gigantes (España en 9620). Se requeriría mucho dinero, energía eléctrica que no sobra. La historia de las Ondas Cortas del SODRE yo la conozco un poco más de cerca, porque los intentos de reflotarlas se han empantanado. Ni siquiera contactos satelitales, ni transcripciones. Nada. A esta altura del nuevo gobierno, con Sacomani al frente de Radiodifusión Nacional, yo no veo cambios significativos. Este incluso, había adelantado que la CX26 iba a tener nombre propio; hasta ahora nada. El sitio web hace tiempo está en veremos. Yo no veo levante (Horacio A. Nigro, Montevideo, Uruguay, July 7, condig list via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. 1039.61, YVLB, La Voz de Carabobo, Valencia (10 08'N 67 57'W) JUN 14, 0032 - Sports-related Spanish teletalk or interview; good (Mark Connelly, Rockport MA (42 40'N 70 37'W); R8A, DXP-6, cardioid array on roof of car = 3-m whip (MFJ-1954) to 81:1 xfmr to DX Engineering RPA-1 amp + 2-m square broadband loop to 1:1 xfmr to RPA-1 amp, peak east-west, null north-south, NRC IDXD July 7 via DXLD) JUN 24 0300 - Good; Carabobo ID and nostalgia, easily separated from 1040 CJMS in ECSS mode (Bruce Conti, Camden ME (44 14'N 69 03'W); R8B, MWDX-5, longwires 150-m east and 200-m south, ibid.) ** VIETNAM. 4739.77, R. TV. Son La, Jun 29 1157-1205, 35232 Vietnamese, Opening music, ID at 1158, Talk, (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan Premium via DXLD) ** VIETNAM. 1170, Long Xuyen, JUN 18, 1426 - News, voice of U.S. politician denouncing "fear and intimidation" followed by Vietnamese translation of same. Good, new. [Wood-HI] 1242, Voice of Vietnam, Thoi Long, JUN 23, 1510 - English news, item on treatment of ethnic minorities in Cambodia, report of UN High Commissioner on refugees, Viet officials interviewed with English voice-over translation. Very good. This frequency previously only heard in Vietnamese (Richard E. Wood, Keaau BIHI (19 38'N 155 02'W); FRG 100, longwires 350-ft northeast, 175-ft north/northeast, NRC IDXD July 7 via DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE. MASSIVE PURGE AT ZBH --- Zim Independent A MASSIVE purging of staff is going on at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (ZBH) in a bid to clean up what are seen as undesirable elements. Sources say a senior army officer will be appointed to take over as chief executive of the troubled national broadcaster under a new structure announced three weeks ago by the late Information minister Tichaona Jokonya. The names of Brigadier-General Sibusiso Moyo and current managing director of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), Air Commodore Michael Karakadzai, are being touted as possible candidates for the CEO's post. Retired and serving army officers are already running parastatals, other government-owned companies and state departments as part of President Robert Mugabe's militarisation of public institutions. Observers have said militarisation comes about as government paranoia increases due to national discontent over the country's governance. The new chief executive is expected to be announced next week to coincide with the appointment of a new board of directors. Sources say the new board is likely to be chaired by current Zimpapers chief executive Justin Mutasa who was vice chairman of the board dissolved by Jokonya. Already there was involvement of the army through Major-General Engelbert Rugeje who was chairman of Radio Zimbabwe under the ZBH board dissolved by Jokonya two weeks ago. "It is part of the militarisation which has been going on but the other main reason is that under Rino Zhuwarara's tenure as chairman there was chaos," said a source. "Zhuwarara did not have the respect of his managers. "There were cases of sabotage, sexual harassment and insubordination. Even now there is confusion." The source said the nine chief executives of the nine companies that came out of the unbundled ZBC during the controversial restructuring under former Information minister Jonathan Moyo have been told to either resign or reapply. Others have been offered jobs at the Ministry of Information and Publicity. Christopher Chivinge and Tazzen Mandizvidza who currently occupy the same position of editor-in-chief of Newsnet are among the heads that are understood to have been offered posts in the Information ministry. There is currently confusion as to who is in charge at Newsnet between Chivinge and Mandizvidza. Sources said former broadcasters who left ZBC during the 2003 restructuring and retrenchments altogether would replace those either posted to the ministry or forced to resign. A source said ministry officials have since approached former broadcaster Happison Muchechetere, retrenched three years ago, to head the troubled ZTV which is currently in the red and failing to pay its employees (via David Pringle-Wood, DXLD) Hi Glenn, Thanks for your attention to radio issues back here. A melting pot it seems as well with the military now seemingly to be taking over the running of ZBH (Zimbabwe Broadcast Holdings) formerly ZBC. 73 (David Pringle-Wood, Harare, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED: I've been trying to see if I can hear Bahrain on 9745 kHz after HCJB leaves the frequency for 2 hours at 2300 and before CRI comes on in Spanish for an hour at 0000 UT. However, right after HCJB goes off, the frequency is covered by noise; is this a jammer, and who would they be jamming in this time period. Or is this just Digital Radio Mess? I noted, though, earlier this week one day that the jammer went off about 2350, and yesterday (July 7), it went off at 2345, and both days I could hear Arabic music with a fairly weak signal in USB? Could this hopefully be Bahrain? Any help on both of these would be appreciated (Alex Vranes, Jr., Harpers Ferry WV, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It`s DRM, per http://baseportal.com/baseportal/drmdx/main with Vatican scheduled as follows: 2300-2345 daily 9750 300 N America 60 Vatican Radio CVA English Santa Maria Vatican So looks like the only window you can expect is 2345-2400. Getting a definite ID is tough, but if it`s in Arabic, on USB (no LSB), the circumstantial evidence is pretty strong (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Re V. of Joy and other stations on 15720: RUSSIA. 15720, V. of Iranian Kurdistan, Jul 01 1255-1259* 45444 Farsi, Talk and Kurdish music, ID at 1256 and 1259; this was transmitted by mistake???? A carrier same as V. of Joy: 15720 V. of Joy, Jul 01 *1300-1340 45444 English and Japanese and Russian, 1300 sign on with ID, Opening announce, IS, Music, Talk (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan Premium via DXLD) Same situation as the previous Saturday. How do you know these are via Russia? I doubt it. Have also enquired to V. of Joy whether they are really broadcasting in languages other than English? (gh, DXLD) Remembered to check 15720 today and there really were two segments of Kurdish talk between 1254-1255 and 1258-1301. It appeared to be part of Voice of Mesopotamia programming // 11530 kHz. At 1301 it changed abruptly to talk about football/soccer in French and at 1330 the language was changed to German. No ID at all, but they sounded very much like RFI and DW productions. Then at 1358 ID for Voice of Joy featuring series of programmes in more than 20 languages by "Athletes in Action" [interviews with World Cup soccer players] and giving web page as aia.com . Straight after this at 1400 another ID was heard: "Inja Urshalim, Sedaye Esrayil" and then plug off. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Mauno, Very interesting. I wonder what in the world is going on here, with Voice of Israel Persian service even involved (Glenn to Mauno, via DXLD) Per EiBi, Israel`s Persian hour from 1400 is on 15760, 13850, 11605, and is not known to use any relays (gh, DXLD) And yes, I am also puzzled because the whole lot (Denge Mezopotamya, V of Joy and Kol Israel) sounded like coming from the same transmitter. I attach the last three minutes of the transmission. I used SSB and I think there is an offset of about 20 Hz (Mauno Ritola, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DIGITAL BROADCASTING DRM: see BRAZIL; GUIANA FRENCH; UNIDENTIFIED ++++++++++++++++++++ PROPAGATION +++++++++++ DXERS UNLIMITED HF AND LOW BAND VHF PROPAGATION FORECAST Some nice 6 meter band sporadic E openings picked up here on Thursday and Friday, indicating that the E skip season is still in progress. Solar flux around 80 units and the A index was a at a nice low level on Friday, and should probably continue at low levels for the next two to three days. Expect some interesting late evening propagation to your WEST, and don't forget to set your alarm clocks as early as possible in the morning to enjoy the best propagation possible at this time of the year, that is happening from about 4 o'clock in the morning local time until about an hour after local sunrise (Arnie Coro, Radio Havana Cuba DXers Unlimited July 8 via ODXA via DXLD) ###