DX LISTENING DIGEST 6-112, July 29, 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 1323: Sun 0230 WWCR3 5070 Sun 0530 WRMI 9955 Sun 0630 WWCR1 3215 Sun 0832 WRMI 9955 [from WRN] Mon 0300 WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0415 WBCQ 7415 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 ** ALBANIA. Semi-Tirana? Checked the R. Tirana 0145 UT broadcast July 29, and nothing audible on 7450, but heard on 6115 with usual poor audio. Ukraine audible on 7440 but fairly weak. Wonder if others will hear both Tirana frequencies for the 0230-0300 English broadcast to NAm? (Glenn Hauser, OK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) No replies ** ARMENIA. The Public Radio of Armenia, known also as ``Voice of Armenia,`` has announced that at the end of October it will close down its emissions on short wave for foreign countries. At present, the station can be heard daily [in English] from 1910 to 1930 hours on 4810 and 9960 kHz. By the way, in Gavar, Armenia is located one of the world`s largest radio centers with powerful transmitters relaying programs of Voice of America, Voice of Russia, Transworld Radio and others (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX Program July 28 via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) Original item in 6-106 merely said leaving shortwave would be ``soon``. So will Gavar relays also go silent? Cf UZBEKISTAN which kept foreign relays going whilst abolishing R. Tashkent International (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARMENIA. 9960, Public Radio of Armenia, 1827-1830, escuchada el 26 de Julio en árabe con segmento musical y locutor con despedida de programa, dirección, SINPO 45444. Una escucha similar tuve el pasado 15 de Julio, en aquel momento puse que era en armenio, pero al tratarse de una emisión en paralelo por 4810 tuvo que ser en árabe, por otra parte no consta ningún servicio en esa frecuencia a esa hora y después de varios días de chequear en ese horario sin encontrar ninguna transmisión, hace suponer que tanto la del 15 de Julio cómo la del 26 de Julio son transmisiones accidentales (José Miguel Romero, Spain, Sacañet en Castellón (España), a 1016 m de altitud y con Sangean ATS 909, antena de hílo de siete metros, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Arabic is indeed scheduled only on 4810 at 1800-1830 per WRTH A-06 supplement; in B-05 it had been 1745-1815 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. VL8A, Alice Springs, is also reactivated on 2310 at night, in addition to 4835 daytime. Nigel Holmes tells me they may be testing on 3 MHz as well (Chris Hambly, Victoria, July 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3 MHz rarely if ever used from the NT stations. WRTH 2006 says the alternate frequencies are: 3230 Alice, 3315 Tennant Creek, 3370 Katherine (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOUVET [non]. SILENT KEYS (SK) --- N4BQW - Chuck Brady, DXer and retired space shuttle astronaut, became "SK" on July 23rd. His age was 54. Many may remember him by his 3Y0C Bouvet Island operation and his work on the SAREX (Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment) program (KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 July 31, actually issued by July 29, via Dave Raycroft, ODXA via DXLD) See INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [and non] OBIT ** BRAZIL. 5990, Rádio Senado, Brasília, 2157-2200, 24-07, locutor, portugués, identificación: "www.senado.gov.br/radio Senado Federal, Radio Senado transmite também en ondas curtas, 5990 kHz, faixa de 49 metros, Radio Senado, informação...". A las 2200 desapareció de repente la señal. 34333. 11804.9, Rádio Globo, Rio de Janeiro, 2101-2105, 23-07, portugués, comentarios de fútbol. 23222. También 2037-2048, 24-07, locutor, comentario de fútbol, equipo Palmeiras, identificación: "Rádio Globo", "Rádio Globooooo". 24322. También 26-07, 0922-0931, locutor, anuncios, noticias y comentarios "O Jornal", ID "Rádio Globo". 24322. También, 0900-0930, 26-07, inicio de la transmisión de la mañana, locutor: "Seis horas, Rádio Globo, noticias", locutora. 24222. 11815, Rádio Brasil Central, Goiânia, 0932-0944, 26-07, programa diario "Na veira da mata", con canciones, comentarios y anuncios comerciales, locutor: "Rádio Brasil Central, seis e trinta e cuatro en Goiânia". "Na veira de mata", anuncio comercial: "Eletrónica Mineira". Buena señal. 34333 variando a 44444. 11830, Rádio Anhanguera, Goiânia, 0945-1003, 26-07, locutor: "Rádio Anhanguera, noticias do Brasil e do mundo". 34333. 11925, Rádio Bandeirantes, São Paulo, 2045-2052, 23-07, locutor, portugués, transmisión partido de fútbol. 23222 (Manuel Méndez, Camping de Reinante, costa del Mar Cantábrico, 90 km N de Lugo, España, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, antena de cable, 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Manuel`s complete logs, including many more from Brazil, appear in the dxldyg ** BURYATIA. Russia. From Central Asia on the frequency of 4795 kHz have been received Kyrgyz Radio and Buryat Radio from Ulan-Ude. It has been announced that Buryat Radio from the Buryat Republic in the Russian Federation already uses the frequency of 3955 kHz when broadcasts its own programs, as well as programs of Radio Rossii from 10 to 11 and from 21 to 4 hours. The QSL address is: Buryat GTPK, Erbanon Street 7, 670 000 Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Russia (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX Program July 28 via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) ** CAMEROON [non]. RADIO FREE SOUTHERN CAMEROONS RUSSIA, 15695, Radio Free Southern Cameroons, 1840 July 2. African music with drums, whistles, and singing. American-accented English at 1847 with questions for chiefs who side with the central leadership in Cameroon - Why do you betray us? What shall history say about you? Where on earth is your spine? Announcer added that those who won't change their ways will be considered traitors and dealt with. 1852 reggae music. Good signal. 1859 Same announcer with an ID, "You have been listening to Radio Free Southern Cameroons." A bit of jazz music and then open carrier. Via DX Tuner in Sweden http://www.dxtuners.com (Hans Johnson, FL, in JihadDX via CRW via DXLD) Sunday only ** CANADA. The fearless editor of Listening In magazine apparently has a life away from shortwave radio. Click the link to find out more... http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/People_Profiles/story/3606830p-4169243c.html Excellent article Harold. Well done (Brian Smith, ODXA via DXLD) Viz.: PASSION FOR NATURE Jul 25, 2006 --- Caroline Grech For most people, preparing for an 18-kilometre trek for their very first hiking expedition might serve as a deterrent, but for one Newmarket resident, it only made his desire stronger. For Harold Sellers, that first hike in late 1997 unleashed a passion that has seen him not only take up hiking, but become integral in maintaining and expanding the Oak Ridges and Nokiidaa trail systems... http://www.tiny-url.net/?go=bc1699f2be (via Brian Smith, ODXA via DXLD) ** CHILE. DESCARTADO SERVICIO EXTERIOR EN SW DESDE CHILE == DESCARTADO DEFINITIVAMENTE SERVICIO EXTERIOR EN ONDA CORTA DESDE CHILE Por Luis Valderas, San Antonio, CHILE Ha quedado definitivamente descartada la reanudación del servicio exterior de onda corta desde Chile hacia el exterior, por parte del Gobierno. Así se desprende de las razones entregadas por Cristian Núñez Pacheco, Jefe de la División de Política Regulatoria y Estudios de la Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones de Chile. Cristian Núñez no desconoce sin embargo, la utilidad que en su tiempo prestó la onda corta a nuestro país, pero en estos momentos la misión del gobierno a través de la Subtel es regular y fiscalizar el adecuado funcionamiento del mercado y NO EXPLOTAR DIRECTAMENTE servicios de telecomunicaciones. Explica el personero que ``la radiodifusión es un mercado abierto para que cualquier persona o entidad pueda participar.`` Por lo mismo Cristian Núñez informó que ``la iniciativa de reactivar una radioemisora en onda corta con programación nacional destinada al extranjero, incluida la instalación de estaciones en otros continentes, es responsabilidad de entidades privadas, con o sin fines de lucro``, agregando que ``la Radiodifusión es un mercado abierto para que cualquier persona o entidad pueda participar``. El funcionario de la Subtel chilena señaló además que la radiodifusión por onda corta no es la única forma de difundir nuestro país, siendo justamente Internet o la televisión satelital (TV Chile dirigida al extranjero) nuevas alternativas de operación, sin dejar de mencionar las actividades de diversas entidades destinadas a promover el turismo o las exportaciones mediante seminarios, ferias u publicaciones en revistas y periódicos extranjeros. Por otra parte, a título informativo cabe señalar que para instalar, operar y explotar una radioemisora en onda corta en nuestro país se debe obtener una concesión; para mayor detalle de cómo solicitar una concesión de radiodifusión sonora, puede encontrar en la página http://www.subtel.cl sección de trámites de autorización, señaló finalmente Cristian Núñez (via Luis Valderas, CANAL 2 TV SAN ANTONIO, San Antonio, 2660000 CHILE, July 28 via José Miguel Romero, dxldyg via DXLD) Were they seriously considering reviving SW external service? Should have held onto transmitters, stead selling to VC. Silly Chile (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 5910, Marfil Estéreo, Puerto Lleras, 0704-0730, 25-07, canciones colombianas, identificación: "Desde Puerto Lleras, transmite Marfil Estéreo", "Dos de la mañana con nueve minutos aquí en Marfil Estereo". 34333. También, 0722-0733, 26-07, bonitas canciones colombianas, locutor, identificación: "Marfil Estéreo, para todo el departamento del Meta, ondas de Paz". "Dos treinta de la mañana en Marfil Estéreo, ondas de paz". "Continuamos con canciones llaneras colombianas y venezolanas, sonido Marfil Estereo". Excelente señal. 45444. 6010.1, La Voz de tu Conciencia, 0640-0655, 22-07, español, locutor, comentario religioso: "El pueblo de Israel". 24322. También, 0734-0750, 26-07, canciones colombianas y comentarios religiosos, identificación: "Desde Lomalinda, Colombia, transmite Alcarabán Radio, 1530 AM y en la banda internacional de 49 metros, 6010 kHz, La Voz de tu Conciencia, porque la verdadera radio se hace en equipo". Buena señal hoy, y sin interferencia. 24322 variando a 34333 (Manuel Méndez, Camping de Reinante, costa del Mar Cantábrico, 90 km N de Lugo, España, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, antena de cable, 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR [and non]. RADIO STATION ADVOCATES FREE ELECTIONS IN CONGO War-ravaged Congo is to hold its first free elections in more 40 years (Keystone) July 29, 2006 - 10:10 AM Related story: Radio gives peace a chance in conflict zones http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/front/detail/Radio_gives_peace_a_chance_in_conflict_zones.html?siteSect=105&sid=6865386&cKey=1153725232000 July 30 looks set to become an historic date for the Democratic Republic of Congo when the central African state holds its first free elections in more than 40 years, thanks in part to a Swiss contribution. Despite years of violence and misery, an estimated 25 million Congolese will go to the polls to elect a new president and a parliament on Sunday. It is a long-awaited moment for a country which has suffered years of armed conflict and the rule of the late dictator, Mobutu Sese Seko. If the former Zaire – an erstwhile colony of Belgium - can now hope for a better future, this is also due to the Swiss-based Hirondelle Foundation. Convinced of the importance of free information in the democratisation process, the organisation launched Radio Okapi in a bid to provide the most effective tool for ensuring that the election runs smoothly. . . http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/front/detail/Radio_station_advocates_free_elections_in_Congo.html?siteSect=105&sid=6926720&cKey=1154160588000 (via Media Network blog via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. Now that this Google Earth Imageries has become a fad, here are my two cents upon this. Mauno Ritola has the right appreciation on DGS Cahuita transmitters (6x50+/-? ELCOR) location over 9 44 18n 82 50 26w. This point is located at Cantón de Talamanca, on our South Caribbean shore line, some 40 miles from Puerto Limón. While REE 3 X 100 Continentals at Cariari, Cantón de Pococí, properly 10 00n 83 30w are inland, some 55 miles West, almost in straight line from Puerto Limón (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 5025, Radio Rebelde, 0616-0650, 27-07, programa de canciones cubanas "A esta hora", presentado por Llarima Vargas: "Desde Cuba y para todo el mundo, A esta hora, toda una madrugada plena de cubanía". "Les rogamos nos reporten controles de sintonía al Apartado 6277". Excelente señal. 44444. 9505, Radio Rebelde, 1003-1012, 27-07, programa "Haciendo Radio", noticias de Cuba y del mundo. 24322. 11655, Radio Rebelde, 1615-1659, 25-07, transmisión de los Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe, desde Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, transmisión pruebas de atletismo, y partidos de polo acuático, identificación: "Aquí Radio Rebelde". "Van a ser las 12 y 57 minutos en todo el territorio Nacional". A las 1659 completamente interferida al comenzar Radio Nederland en la misma frecuencia. 23222 (Manuel Méndez, Camping de Reinante, costa del Mar Cantábrico, 90 km N de Lugo, España, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, antena de cable, 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) R. Rebelde, 11655, very good July 28 at 1725 with really slickly produced roundup, always including the mandatory anti-American political ``news`` about the 5 heroic Cuban prisoners in the US, and the support they supposedly enjoy in Puerto Rico, but never a word about all the political prisoners rotting in Castro`s jails; also the birthday of some old revolutionary gal. ``Rebelde FM, La Habana`` ID and audio off immediately at 1730 with carrier on a while longer (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [and non]. The DentroCubano Jamming Command is still wasting its watts on Brother Scare: nothing but jamming heard on WRMI 9955 at 1754 UT check July 28. I am also the victim of this during WORLD OF RADIO in the same semihour on Saturdays, as rechecked around 1750 July 29. If you`re reading this, Arnie, please get word to those in charge of this (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Bro. Stair is cutting back to just 1800-1900 UT Sunday-Friday as of next Tuesday. So we'll probably go back to WRN again for the other hours (Jeff White, WRMI, July 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA ECUATORIAL. 15190, 0754-0925, 26-07, Radio Africa nº 2, programa religioso: "This is the Living Word Broadcast", identificaición: "Thank you for listening to Radio Africa number 2". Excelente señal. 45444. En cambio 27-07 a la misma hora fuera del aire. Las transmisiones de esta emisora no parecen ser regulares (Manuel Méndez, Camping de Reinante, costa del Mar Cantábrico, 90 km N de Lugo, España, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, antena de cable, 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. Radio Finland also plans to discontinue its broadcasts on short wave in March, 2007 (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX Program July 28 via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) Last we heard it would be at end of December 2006. Where does the March 2007 date come from? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** GABON. 19160, África Nº 1, 1841-1905, escuchada el 19 de julio en francés con programa musical, cuña de identificación, tonos horarios y noticias, SINPO 24342. Esta frecuencia es un armónico de 9580; en un primer momento no le di mucha importancia a la escucha. Sin embargo una vez que la vi publicada en el Africalist actualizada el 22 de julio le presté algo de atención y el 25 de Julio realicé un cheque de Gabón. El resultado fue el siguiente: 9580, África Nº 1, 1725-1730, escuchada el 25 de Julio en francés a locutora con identificación y locutor con cuña, programa musical, SINPO 33443. 15475, África Nº 1, 1800-1810, escuchada el 25 de julio en francés a locutor con boletín de noticias, conexión con corresponsal en Kinshasa, SINPO 45544. 19160, África Nº 1, 1720-1725, armónico de 9580 escuchada el 25 de julio en francés a locutor con comentarios en programa de música pop y afro-pop, cuña de identificación, programa ``la musique africaine``, SINPO 24332 (José Miguel Romero, Spain, Sacañet en Castellón (España), a 1016 m de altitud y con Sangean ATS 909, antena de hílo de siete metros, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. QSL: The following verified via DTK-Telekom. a) 9820 via Wertachtal, 125 kW, Voice of Oromo Liberation b) 9890 via Wertachtal, 125 kW, Christliche Wissenschaft (Christian Science) c) 9405 via Juelich, 100 kW, Voice of the Diaspora-Save the Gambia Democracy Project d) 6015 via Juelich, 100 kW, Bible Christian Association Full data e-mail verification reply in 5 months (postal report initially), 32 days after sending a e-mail follow-up. It's best to send e-mail reports to the V/s: as his time is limited in replying. V/S: Walter Brodowsky E-mail: Walter.Brodowsky @ t-systems.com (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, CANADA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. AIR latest changes --- Dear Friends, Here are latest changes for AIR SW Home & External Services. External Services: To Sri Lanka: 0000-0045 7360 Chennai Tamil 100 kW 0045-0115 7360 Chennai Sinhala 100 kW 1000-1100 7270 Chennai English 100 kW 1115-1215 7270 Chennai Tamil 100 kW 1300-1500 7270 Chennai Sinhala 100 kW To China: 1145-1315 9425 Bangalore Chinese 500 kW (ex 11840 Khampur, Delhi) from 28 July 2006 Home Service 0130-0430 7360 Chennai 100 KW AIR FM Gold in Tamil (ex 7270, AIR FM Gold in Hindi) AIR Mumbai on 7195 was lately noted on 7190. It was corrected to 7195 within a minute after my telephone to the station yesterday afternoon. 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082, India, July 28, dx_india via DXLD) ** INDIA. Re 6-111: Could you pass on my appreciation of his measured response to the more bad-tempered responses to his reported logging on 1566? I'm of the "never say never" school of DXing myself, especially when it comes to propagation. With my limited understanding of the subject, I'd say it's unlikely, but then I suspect some of our regularly reported overseas receptions also fit into the category of unlikely, at least using convention ionospheric propagation models, but I'm not smart enough to prove that one way or the other. Adam's logging is in my propagation database for sure. Someday we may understand it, either the actual reception, or the error that led to its reporting. Best wishes, (Nick Hall-Patch, Victoria, B.C. Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [and non]. Note the two entirely different stories on the death of Astronaut Chuck Brady - N4BQW: I wonder what this "long illness" was that the ARRL was trying to use as sugar coating. 73, (Bill Lauterbach - WA8MEA, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DR CHARLES E. "CHUCK" BRADY JR, N4BQW, SK NEWINGTON, CT, Jul 27, 2006 -- Retired space shuttle astronaut and DXer Chuck Brady, N4BQW, of Oak Harbor, Washington, died July 23 following a lengthy illness. He was 54. During his years as an active astronaut in the 1990s, Brady was among the pioneers of SAREX (Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment). An ARRL member, he was active on ham radio during the 16-day STS-78 shuttle mission in 1996, then the longest ever. . . http://www.remote.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/07/27/1/?nc=1 ASTRONAUT BRADY'S DEATH STUNS AREA BY JOHN CHAPPELL: STAFF WRITER Astronaut Charles E. Brady, formerly of Robbins, is dead at 54. His home town is in mourning over the loss of one of its most illustrious sons: an Eagle Scout, an athlete, a doctor, a Blue Angel, and a space traveler. A huge mural depicting Brady and the Space Shuttle Columbia overlooks the railroad across from the Old Elise Depot and the town hall. Now the town is puzzled and saddened by reports of the circumstances of his death. According to Chuck McCarty, a dispatcher with the Sheriff's Office in San Juan County, Wash., Brady died of apparently self-inflicted wounds. . . http://www.thepilot.com/stories/20060727/news/local/072806Brady.html (via Bill Lauterbach, MI, DXLD) OBIT ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. SATELLITE RADIO GROWS UP, BUT WHICH SERVICE TO USE? --- Michael Booth, Denver Post, July 27 When it involved just a few thousand gadget freaks, satellite radio was easy to ignore. Now there are nearly 11 million Americans who roll with subscription radio. Listeners love their Sirius or XM service. The music is fantastic, the sports offerings have no equal, the talk stations are dynamic and entertaining, and reception is better than anyone planned. But how to choose? Both plans are $12.95 a month, both offer a variety of receivers from car stereos to boom boxes to portable MP3 players. XM boasts Snoop Dogg and Bob Dylan programs; Sirius has Howard Stern and a 24-hour Rolling Stones channel. After weeks of reviewing the two services, my answer is mixed. Newbies should give Sirius a slight edge if programming alone will make up their minds. . . http://www.startribune.com/389/story/578500.html (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) No mention there about Sirius' far superior offerings à la public radio and international radio content. BBC PRI stream (mostly news and spoken word), World Radio Network, CBC Radio One, NPR Now, NPR Talk, PRI World for English language listeners plus similar and varied offerings for French, Spanish and Korean listeners. XM's offerings in this regard are very limited (John Figliozzi, NY, ibid.) WILL STRUGGLING XM BE TAKEN OVER? Speculation is rampant that XM Satellite Radio -- beset by woes including a share price in steep decline, strong competition from rival Sirius Satellite Radio, high marketing costs and regulatory difficulties -- will be the subject of a takeover bid. http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/26/commentary/mediabiz/index.htm (CNNmoney.com (7/26) via NAB via DXLD) http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/earnings/2006-07-26-xm-usat_x.htm (USA TODAY (7/27), ibid.) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non]. NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE-LIGHTSHIP WEEKEND QSO PARTY (NLLW-2006). The NLLW QSO Party will be held August 5th, 0001z to August 6th, on through 2359z. The activity is to promote public awareness of ham radio and lighthouses; to contribute to the recognition that lighthouses, lightships, and their keepers deserve; to foster camaraderie within the ham fraternity; and to provide fellowship amongst the members of the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society. Awards are available. Please visit: http://arlhs.com/NLLW-2006-guidelines.html Also, visit: http://arlhs.com/ (KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 July 31, actually issued by July 29, via Dave Raycroft, ODXA via DXLD) ** IRAN. IRANIAN PRESIDENT ORDERS FOREIGN WORDS STRICKEN FROM OFFICIAL VOCABULARY --- Canadian Press Published: Saturday, July 29, 2006 http://www.canada.com/topics/news/oddities/story.html?id=6b91eb4a-719c-4e84-bfe9-ff6385b321fc&rfp=dta TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has ordered government and cultural bodies to use the modified Persian words instead of foreign words, turning pizzas into "elastic loaves," official and domestic media reported on Saturday. The presidential decree, issued earlier this week, orders all governmental agencies, newspapers and publications to use words deigned more appropriate by the official language watchdog, the Farhangestan Zaban e Farsi or Persian Academy, the Irna official news agency reported. The academy has introduced more than 2,000 words as alternatives for some of the foreign words that have crept into the Farsi vocabulary, mostly western. The government is less sensitive about Arabic words, because the Quran is written in Arabic. Among other changes, "short talk" is the alternative to "chat" while a "cabin" will be renamed a "small room," according to official website of the academy (via Fred Waterer, ON, DXLD) Not sure if the effect of this will show up in IRIB's English broadcasts. Perhaps it fits in under your "Language Lessons" category. Cheers (Fred Waterer, ON, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tough call; they make themselves laughingstock. BTW, as good a place as any to point out another element of DXLD style. Altho it does not always happen, my intention is to put the web link at the top after the headline if the entire story appears here, and at the bottom if there is more to be read, so you need to go to it (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. Hi Glenn and all, No trace of Galei Tzahal on 15785 or 6973 for many days, but Jul 28 at 0940 on 15760 Kol Israel in English, 0945 in Ladino and 1000 in French. SIO 454. Every time I hear Ladino I am surprised that I understand it so well. But that goes, of course, only for news and weather. 73/ (Johan Berglund, Trollhättan, Sweden AOR AR7030, 30 meter longwire, July 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Perhaps the people who run GTz have been called up for even more active duty. However: (gh, DXLD) 15785, Galei Zahal, 1629-1638, escuchada el 23 de Julio en hebreo a locutor con comentarios, saludo hebreo y conexión con corresponsal, cuña publicitaria, identificación ``Galei Zahal``, segmento musical y se corta la emisión bruscamente. Compruebo en 6973 y sin señal hasta un minuto después en que se activa, SINPO 45554 (José Miguel Romero, Spain, Sacañet en Castellón (España), a 1016 m de altitud y con Sangean ATS 909, antena de hílo de siete metros, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also LEBANON! ** ITALY [non]. IRRS-Shortwave revised schedule effective July 29 2006 Hello There from Milano, Italy, In the last few weeks IRRS-Shortwave and European Gospel Radio have been testing successfully on 9310 kHz with 20, 100 and 250 kW to Europe and the Middle East. Effective July 29, 2006, we will operate according to the following schedule: IRRS-Shortwave and European Gospel Radio (EGR) to Europe and Middle East (except as otherwise specified), effective July 29, 2006, UT: Fri,Sun: 1600-1800 9310 100 kW to EU/ME (NEW, replaces 5775) Mon-Fri,Sun: 1800-1900 9310 250 kW to EU/ME (since June) Sat: 1800-1900 9310 100 kW to EU/ME (NEW) Mon-Thu: 1900-2030 5775 20 kW to EU Fri,Sat,Sun: 1900-2200 5775 20 kW to EU Fri: 1200-1300 15750 100 kW to EU & W Africa Fri: 1300-1330 15750 100 kW to India (NEW) Sat,Sun: 0700-1200 9310 20 kW to EU (replaces 13840) Sun: 1200-1300 9310 100 kW to EU (NEW) We will appreciate receiving reception reports and comments over our programming by email to: reports@nexus.org - Please also check our schedules at: http://www.nexus.org/NEXUS-IBA/Schedules/ For more information about European Gospel Radio, please visit: http://www.egradio.org - All programs are also available 24/7 via our Internet streaming services at: http://mp3.nexus.org Stay tuned! 73 de (Ron Norton, NEXUS-Int'l Broadcasting Association, email: ron @ nexus.org http://www.nexus.org July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Via BULGARIA tho they will never admit it (gh, DXLD) ** JAMAICA. France on FM? Could be Jamaica! THE SOUNDS OF RADIO FRANCE HIT AIRWAVES published: Friday | July 28, 2006 Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20060728/social/social4.html As of Thursday July 6, 2006, Radio France Internationale (RFI), was heard in Kingston on 96.5 FM. The station was officially launched at Alliance Française on Lillford Avenue in St. Andrew. At exactly 12 noon, French Ambassador to Jamaica, Francis Hurtut, the Director of International Affairs of RFI Georges Lory, and President of Alliance Française, Pierre Lemaire, turned the dial and French culture poured into Jamaica like never before. Ambassador Hurtut stated that RFI will be a very important tool in promoting France, its culture and language. He noted that Jamaica is the first Anglophone country to have launched RFI. President of Alliance Française, Pierre Lemaire, was of the view that nothing could be a better tool to carry the French language and culture, especially to teachers of French. He noted that RFI would bring the rest of the world to Jamaica; especially Africa, as 60 per cent of its listeners live in Africa. Jamaicans would also be introduced to music of the world by artistes who are already famous in their own country. RFI is broadcast in 19 languages, with English and Arabic being most popular after French. For Director of Alliance Française, Thomas Curelli, this was a dream come true as RFI was a project initiated three years ago. RFI will be a very important tool in promoting France, its culture and language ... Jamaica is the first Anglophone country to have launched RFI (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) They say again. What does ``launch RFI`` mean? Surely there are other Anglophone countries with RFI somewhere on FM. But will 96.5 Kingston carry ANY of RFI`s English broadcasts? I bet not! In DX openings, this could also be mistaken for Martinique, Guadeloupe, or even Haïti (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** JAPAN. NHK Radio Japan - Reduction plan of SW broadcast According to the Press Release on July 25, the detailed plan of the reduction of shortwave broadcast of NHK Radio Japan is as follows: 1) Transmissions to North America, Hawaii, and Europe (except Russia) will be discontinued. 2) Programs in Italian, German, Swedish, Malay will be discontinued. 3) Programs in French will be limited for Africa only. 4) Programs in Spanish will be limited for Central & S America only. 5) Further reduction of the languages. These plans will be in practice in B07 season (Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KAZAKHSTAN. QSL: 12150. Family Radio via Alma-Ata. Full data (with site) 'Three Decades of Faithful Service' with religious material in 38 days via California address (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, CANADA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 9855, Shikoze (Sea Breeze program) 1030 July 2 [Sunday] in English with male announcer who had a Japanese accent. Gave their schedule and explained their organization. They also gave contact information for anyone having information on the missing persons that they believe North Korea abducted. At 1033 they went into news, which for them was stories on North Korea or missing persons. Quite a few items on the planned NK missile launch as well as on an abducted South Korean person who met his family again after nearly 30 years. ID's were, "This is Shikoze, Sea Breeze, from Tokyo, Japan." At 1055 he gave the schedule again but the program was pulled in mid- sentence at 1057 (Hans Johnson, WY, JihadDX-ML via CRW via DXLD) Schedule since changed. Haven`t managed to catch them in English yet; Saturday July 29 at 1300 on 9485 it was in Japanese including a solo YL vocal at 1315-1317 as reception via Taiwan was deteriorating. BTW, beaming from Taiwan to Korea is favorable for further reception in NAm, much more so than from the other side, Russia as before (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH. Recortes en KBS World Radio --- Sonia Cho, Jefa de la Sección Española de KBS World Radio, a través de su mensaje del 29 de julio, me comunica que la noticia de NHK World Radio Japón les afecta mucho y que KBS también está en búsqueda de reformas. "Creo que se reducirán las emisiones de onda corta, no hay cierre de departamentos sino de frecuencias por ahora..", dijo Sonia. KBS World Radio transmite en 11 idiomas, la sección recientemente incorporada ha sido la vietnamita, pero no todas las secciones están igualmente consideradas. "En KBS, los idiomas estratégicos son el inglés, chino, japonés y el coreano... Así que hay poca consideración hacia el español", concluyó Sonia Cho (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Argentina, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LAOS [non]. 11785, Hmong Lao Radio via WHRI, July 29, *1259-1324, on with IS, ToH WHRI ID, asked for reception reports (PO Box 12, South Bend, Indiana), into assume Hmong; news, followed by commentary about the Middle East. Fair at sign-on, by 1324 poor, with heavy QRM. Tuned in at 1254, noted two Chinese language stations mixing together. Believe VOA via Thailand (had recording of recent Bush speech), with China/CNR programming jamming them (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, Etón E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) WHRI usually well above the QRM here (Glenn Hauser, OK, DXLD) ** LEBANON. LEBANESE NEWS NETWORK DRAWS FIRE AS ARM OF MILITANT GROUP After Bombing, Al-Manar TV Keeps On Broadcasting; Sign of Hezbollah Resolve --- By JAY SOLOMON and MARIAM FAM July 28, 2006; Page A1 BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Soon after the fighting began here, Israeli jets were dispatched on a mission: Take Al-Manar Television, the satellite news channel run by the militant group Hezbollah, off the air. The jets destroyed the station's five-story headquarters in a southern suburb of the city, then returned to strafe the rubble in case the network was broadcasting from underground, say Al-Manar executives. But thanks to elaborate advance planning, Al-Manar's signal returned after just two minutes of downtime, filling Middle East airwaves with the channel's unique mix of front-line war reporting and overt anti- Israel and anti-U.S. propaganda. Faced with more Israeli raids on its telecommunications infrastructure, Al-Manar's staff vows to press on. . . [large portion of article snipped] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115405116966320004.html?mod=todays_us_page_one . . .Israel first attacked Al-Manar's headquarters on July 13, one day after Hezbollah sparked the latest hostilities by taking two Israeli soldiers hostage. Al-Manar had already devised emergency plans. Exits had been identified and the staff had been drilled on how to get out if the building came under attack. When the big Israeli air attack came on July 16, Al-Manar had only a skeleton staff of 15 working at the headquarters in Haret Hreik, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut, station officials say. When the bombing began, staffers called their bosses and cars dispatched to the building whisked them to safety. Two employees were injured slightly and were treated on the way to alternative locations that had been readied so that the channel could continue broadcasting. At one of these secret locations, other staffers quickly got the channel up and running, Al-Manar officials say. A team of 10 engineers called "Al-Manar's fedeyeen," or loyal fighters, try to keep Al-Manar on the air. The team includes specialists in broadcast transmission and in handling studio equipment. Engineers, some of them Western-educated, are on call around the clock. "They are always ready with alternatives for the transmission towers," says Mr. Kassir, Al-Manar's general manager. "They prepare alternative places in case our main studios are attacked. They work to repair any damage. They use all technical means to keep the broadcast going." When Al-Manar reappeared on the air after its headquarters building was flattened, Israel tried to jam its signal, says Mr. Kassir. There were short-term problems, he says, and teams are working on ways to neutralize future jamming. Al-Manar officials won't say where its broadcasts now originate. Some Lebanese intelligence officials say the company employs mobile transmitters operating from cars or trucks. "Al-Manar's staff is now spread out in different locations," says Mr. Kassir. "Not everyone knows where the others are." (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** LEBANON. LEBANON AL-MANAR TV MEDIA BEHAVIOUR NOTE 28 JUL 06 Lebanese Hezbollah TV Al-Manar between 0400 gmt and 1700 gmt on 28 July was observed to devote the majority of its programming to reports and interviews on cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel and related security and political developments. Audio and video reception is good. Al-Manar carried dispatches from various Lebanese cities on the situation on the ground and the humanitarian situation in various Lebanese cities, in addition to carrying several "urgent" reports, as screen captions, on the latest Israeli air raids on various Lebanese targets and the Islamic Resistance's "retaliation" for these attacks and the firing of rockets on Israeli settlements. Between 0400 and 0430 gmt, Al-Manar carries Koranic recitations and religious supplications and chants. Between 0430 and 0530 gmt, Al-Manar carries a newscast that includes reports on "the Zionist acts of aggression against Lebanon", a statement by the Islamic Resistance on the "martyrdom" of three members, which was followed by an interview with the mother and sister of "martyr" Mustafa Zilzili, who express support for the resistance and Hasan Nasrallah and wish victory for the resistance; a report on the Lebanese Council of Ministers' session and the statement read by the information minister following the session; and other reports on world reaction to the developments in Lebanon. At 0533 gmt, Al-Manar carries a review of Lebanese and Arab press, focusing on the Bint Jubayl battle, the Arab failure to stop the Israeli "aggression", the latest political and security developments, and other reports and articles. Following its 0630 gmt newscast, Al-Manar carries songs glorifying the resistance. At 0655 gmt, Al-Manar conducts a studio interview with poet Ghassan Matar, a former parliament member, on the Bint Jubayl battle and other related issues. He praises the "resistance men", saying that the Israeli attacks will not make the "noble resistance men" abandon their cause. He also praises the Lebanese people for their steadfastness, unity, and cooperation to provide assistance to the displaced people. He adds that Israel will not succeed in defeating the resistance. At 0830 gmt, Al-Manar carries songs glorifying Nasrallah, Hezbollah, and the Islamic Resistance. Al-Manar leads its 0830 gmt newscast with a message sent by "the mujahidin of the Islamic Resistance" to Hezbollah Secretary-General Hasan Nasrallah pledging to continue defending Lebanon. This is followed by a report on the death of six Lebanese in an Israeli bombardment of a building in Bint Jubayl. This is followed by a report citing head of the Islamic Majlis in Iran as calling on Hezbollah fighters to preserve their unity, promising them "victory". This is followed by a report on demonstrations in Malaysia against Rice's visit there. The report highlights demonstrations elsewhere against the Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Then, Al-Manar reports on developments in the Gaza Strip. Afterwards, the anchorman reads again the message aforementioned from the "mujahidin of the Islamic resistance" to Nasrallah. The news ends at 0925. After the news, the station resumes its in-the-studio programme featuring an interview with poet Ghassan Matar. At 1000, Al-Manar starts to carry Koranic recitation and religious supplications. At 1030, Al-Manar caries another newscast featuring previously-aired reports on firing rockets at Israeli settlements and repeats the message of the "mujahidin" to Nasrallah. It also carries live dispatches by correspondents in southern Lebanon. The Al-Manar correspondent in Al-Nabatiyah reports that three civilians were "martyred and nine others were wounded" in Israeli bombing there. A report rounding up Israeli raids on Lebanese areas is carried. Al- Manar also cites US State Department Spokesman Adam Ereli as saying that hinting that the Rome Conference gave Israel a green light to resume its attacks against Lebanon is "shameful". The station also reports on demonstrations in Gaza and the West bank against the Israeli "aggression" against Lebanon. The news ends at 1100. At 1105, Al-Manar continues its special in-the-studio programme featuring an interview with Lebanese Deputy Hasan Ya'cub. Several people call in to share opinions on developments, such as retired Brig-Gen Walid Sukkariya who says that Hezbollah's management of the battle has been "successful". Al-Manar leads its 1230 gmt newscast with a repeat of the message the "mujahidin" addressed to Nasrallah. This is followed by a round-up of security developments in Lebanon and an account of casualties resulting from Israeli raids in addition to dispatches by correspondents updating the security situation. Al-Manar also cites the Egyptian president as saying that Israel's war on Lebanon will not solve Israel's problem with Hezbollah. At 1307, the station airs excerpts of Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah's Friday sermon. Within the newscast as well, the station reports on a meeting between Parliament Speaker Nabih Birri and Russian ambassador to Lebanon who says in a news conference that the Security Council should take a clear position calling for an "immediate cease-fire". Al-Manar at 1355 gmt resumes its in-the-studio programme featuring an interview with Ibrahim al-Masri, vice-president of the Arab Islamic University in Lebanon. The interview is interrupted to read a Hezbollah statement on firing "Khaybar 1" rocket on Afula. At 1500, Al-Manar carries another news summary mainly highlighting the firing of rockets on Afula. The in-the-studio programme is resumed after the news mainly featuring people calling in to voice support and solidarity with Hezbollah. Source: Al-Manar Television, Beirut, in Arabic 0400 gmt 28 Jul 06 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** LEBANON [and non]. WAR AND FLACKERY --- LIFTING THE COVER OF THE HEZBOLLAH PR EFFORT --- Paul McLeary Jul. 27, 2006 - 5:22 PM Writing on his blog Wednesday while reporting from southern Lebanon, freelance journalist and Time magazine contributor Christopher Allbritton, in what almost looked to be a throw-away line, relayed that "To the south, along the curve of the coast, Hezbollah is launching Katyushas, but I'm loathe to say too much about them. The Party of God has a copy of every journalist's passport, and they've already hassled a number of us and threatened one." (Emphasis ours.) This jogged our memory of some reports earlier in the week about how journalists are getting around parts of Lebanon, and how Hezbollah is trying to shape the coverage. One was an exchange on Howard Kurtz's Reliable Sources show on CNN, in which Kurtz interviewed CNN's Nic Robertson about reporting from Lebanon. Just a few days before, Hezbollah minders had taken Robertson on a tour of a neighborhood in southern Beirut that had been hit by Israeli missiles. Robertson told Kurtz, "Hezbollah has a very, very sophisticated and slick media operation," and in southern Beirut, "they deny journalists access into those areas. They can turn on and off access to hospitals in those areas." He also said that Hezbollah "designated the places that we went to, and we certainly didn't have time to go into the houses or lift up the rubble to see what was underneath ... Hezbollah is now running a number of [press tours] every day, taking journalists into this area. They realize that this is a good way for them to get their message out, taking journalists on a regular basis." This is a tricky issue, disclosure-wise, but in his initial report of July 18, Robertson did tell viewers at the start that "We went in to those southern suburbs of Beirut with that media representative from Hezbollah. They haven't let western reporters into some parts of that very, very, very carefully controlled southern suburbs ... they took us in because they wanted to show us what was being damaged." He then ended by again reminding viewers that it was a "very, very brief and swift tour escorted by Hezbollah." The disclosure that Hezbollah acted as tour guide does put the report into perspective, but still, Robertson could have dwelled a bit more on the calculated photo op CNN's cameras were provided by an obviously interested party. But given that he filed the report from the middle of a very hot war zone, we're willing to cut him some slack and give him points for broaching the subject of Hezbollah's PR initiative at the top, and at the end, of his report. Anderson Cooper followed up this past Monday with a similar report, telling viewers that "we found ourselves with other foreign reporters taken on a guided tour by Hezbollah ... They only allowed us to videotape certain streets, certain buildings." "This is a heavily orchestrated Hezbollah media event. When we got here, all the ambulances were lined up. We were allowed a few minutes to talk to the ambulance drivers. Then one by one, they've been told to turn on their sirens and zoom off so that all the photographers here can get shots of ambulances rushing off to treat civilians ... These ambulances aren't responding to any new bombings. The sirens are strictly for effect." Reporting from a war zone almost invariably entails certain moral or ethical compromises made on the fly that are, more often than not, necessary. If being led around by Hezbollah "press officers" is the only way for reporters to tour bomb-damaged neighborhoods in Beirut, so be it -- as long as they disclose as much. Cooper did, and in the process pulled the curtain back on a tragi-comic scene that seems just as PR-savvy as it does sickeningly calculated. Just as disturbing, and so far flying under the radar, is Allbritton's report that Hezbollah has copies of reporters' passports, and may be using that as leverage over them. This in no way means that reporters are being swayed by the terrorist group, but it does bring the question of intimidation, and journalists' ability to report freely, into focus. [See also the comments appended]: http://www.cjrdaily.org/politics/lifting_the_cover_of_the_hezbo_1.php (CJR Daily via DXLD) ** LEBANON [non?]. LEBANON/ISRAEL: ANTI-HEZBOLLAH RADIO MASHRIQ MONITORED Radio Mashriq (also rendered as Machrek, meaning East] was monitored by BBC Monitoring via internet audio on Friday 28 July. The Arabic- language station is anti-Hezbollah but is generally measured in its tone. It was also heard to announce transmissions on 756 kHz mediumwave, AM, which it is believed can be heard in the Lebanon/Israel border region. At 1200 gmt there was a station identification - idha`at almachrek - followed by a brief news bulletin. The news bulletin covered latest statements/movements of Bush, Rice, Blair, UN envoy, the French Foreign Minister and an Israeli spokesman. At 1204 there was a 20-minute monologue, by phone from Washington D.C., by Mr Harb (first name in Arabic indistinct) the secretary- general of the International Lebanese Committee for the Implementation of Resolution 1559. Internet checks suggest his name is Tom Harb. He spoke on 18/19 May at the first annual convention in Washington of the World Council of the Cedars Revolution. From 1224 to 1228 there was a commentary about Al-Manar TV, referred to several times as the “TV of hot air and lies”. There were also references to Hezb al-Shaitan (party of the devil) and links with Tehran and Syria, knocking a report that morning by a named Al-Manar TV correspondent from southern Lebanon. This commentary was repeated at 1313. At 1236 there was a one-minute commentary/recital wondering how long Lebanon will remain subject to an Iranian-Syrian agenda. From 1249 to 1305 there was a political commentary on the current situation and its background. The transcript of some of these commentaries, such as the one at 1249 on 28 July today, are posted on the website http://www.almachrek.org - click on Hassad and New Machrek links on the right of the page. History of similar stations Similar stations have been heard before on 756 kHz in this region. In December 2000 a radio initially identified itself as ``Experimental Radio from the Mediterranean Basin``. When surveyed in October 2001, news and commentaries had a pro-Israel, anti-Syria and anti-Iraq slant. The radio criticized Palestinian and Hezbollah ``terrorism`` and dealt with Arab issues and Lebanese domestic politics. Other programmes contained Arab songs and modern Arab music. At that time the radio gave a website of carmelnews.org - a Washington-based pro-Israeli website, which now has a hyperlink to almachrek.org. The station was also reported to be on the air briefly in November 2004, according to the Islam Online website. The same frequency was previously used by Voice of the South - a radio station operated by the Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army since July 1985 from Kafr Killa in southern Lebanon. That station closed in May 2000 when the Israeli army withdrew from southern Lebanon.) (Source: BBC Monitoring research 28 Jul 06 via July 28th, 2006, 19:00 UTC Andy, Media Network blog via DXLD) ** LIBYA [and non]. Hi Glenn! Today July 29th, I logged Sawt al Amal at 1343 until sign-off at 1400 UT on 17695 kHz with talks about Libya and ID "Sawt al Amal" repeated four times at 1357. SINPO was 34333; The signal from LJB on the same frequency was only audible very weak in the background. 73, (Patrick Robic, Austria, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Unusual to hear SAA itself well enough any more to ID; checking around the same time, I only had something on 17685 aside CVC 17680, perhaps the African music jammer (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADAGASCAR. 27 July noted R. Madagasikara on 5000 instead of its normal 5010. Heard them from tune-in 1750 until s-off 1900. No spoken ID, but normal sign-off with N/A and couple of IS's at 1900 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAYSIA. 5965 Nasional FM (RTM), July 29, 1326-1341, Woman DJ in vernacular, pop songs/ballads, several distinct Nasional FM IDs, fair. A good day for Malaysia: also heard Asyik FM, on 6050, with good reception, Wai FM, on 7270, fair and Traxx FM, on 7295, with weak signal. It is not every day that I hear all four (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, Etón E5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 4810, XERTA, Radio Transcontinental de América, 0521-0527, 25-07, español, locutor, comentarios y canciones religiosas. Se escucha en LSB. 24222. También 0535-0552, 26-07, locutor, comentarios y canciones religiosas, identificación: "Radio Transcontinental de América". LSB. 24222. 6010, Radio Mil, 0612-0645, 23-07, canciones en español, locutora, anuncios comerciales, anuncio mencionando "Puerto Vallarta", comentarios mencionando "Ciudad de México", locutor y locutora, canción identificativa: "Radio Mil". Señal débil. 23222 variando a 13221. También 0654-0712, 27-07, locutora y locutor, respondiendo mensajes de los oyentes, canciones, "Siga con nosotros en Buenos Días México", anuncios comerciales, saludos a los oyentes que cumplen años "Nosotros continuamos en Buenos Días México", canción identificativa, "Radio Mil, Radio Mil". Señal limpia y sin interferencia hoy de La Voz de tu Conciencia. En cambio ayer 26-07 sólo se escuchaba la colombiana. 24322, incluso por momentos 34333. Hacía tiempo que no lograba sintonizar a Radio Mil, y observo que cambió su programa que se escucha luego del amanece aquí en España, aproximadamente 0615-0730 UT, cuando las condiciones son buenas, pues antes tenían un programa de música sólo interrumpida entre canciones por locutor para dar la hora e identificar a la emisora, y ahora emiten "Buenos Días México", presentado por una locutora y un locutor, con amplios comentarios, anuncios y música. Dado que a esa hora es entre la 0115 y las 0230 en México, tal vez sea un programa que se emite en directo a primera hora de la mañana y se repite en la madrugada, pues "Buenos Días México" no parece un nombre adecuado para un programa emitido a la una de la madrugada (Manuel Méndez, Camping de Reinante, costa del Mar Cantábrico, 90 km N de Lugo, España, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, antena de cable, 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MOLDOVA. QSL: 9665, Voice of Russia via Kishinyov. Full data (with site) 'Assault of Sapun Hill - 60th Anniversary Card'. Reply in 89 days, 21 days, e-mail follow-up report to world @ vor.ru (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, CANADA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONGOLIA. One Response to ``International Herald Tribune says Free North Korea Radio is broadcasting from Mongolia`` --- Since 1980s the Mongolian SW transmitters have had a notoriously poor modulation. It was difficult to pick their signal up even without jamming. How can they make it through a North Korean ``radio defence``?! I think this is a bogus story. I won`t be surprised if one day we learn that Free North Korea Radio is coming from Irkutsk or one of those sites (Sergei [probably Sosedkin, IL], July 27th, 2006 at 17:51, Media Network blog via DXLD) Maybe not all Mongolian SW transmitters are bad; R. Free Asia has used them (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONTENEGRO. Montenegro is Making the News. The Montenegro International DX Festival July 20 until August 13 to mark the latest addition --– the Republic of Montenegro --– to the DXCC List is now in full swing. A number of outstanding DXers and contesters have put the new DXCC entity on all bands and modes almost around the clock. Although the call sign to be used was announced as 4O3NT, 4O3T is being used instead. At least two other call signs have been worked by our DX Editor – YU6AO and YU6DZ from there, also attracting huge pile ups. The announced frequencies for 4O3T are: CW --- 1826.5, 3522, 7022, 10106, 14022, 18072, 21022, 24892 and 28022 kHz; SSB --– 3795, 7055, 14190, 18145, 21290, 24945 and 28490 kHz; 6 meters --– 50106 kHz CW and SSB. The excellent operating skill of the participants and the way they handle the enormous pile ups is to be praised. Their goal is 200,000 contacts! QSL cards should go to YT6A (Dimiter Petrov, LZ1AF, R. Bulgaria DX Program July 28 via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) 4O3T AND YU6AO, MONTENEGRO NEWS. Both 4O3T and YU6AO operations are still very active all over the bands (CW/SSB/RTTY). Activity will continue through August 13-15th. There are no press releases or updates to report on from the YU6AO team. However, the YU6AO team now has a Web page with an online log search at: http://www.yu6ao.info/ As this was being typed, the log was only updated through July 25th. Martti Laine, OH2BH, (one of the operators of the 4O3T team) has put out a few press releases over the past week with some pictures. On Thursday, July 27th, Martti informs that the first wave of operators have done a mammoth job and 50k QSOs have been made. The first team of operators are preparing to leave as the second team is beginning to arrive. Martti states, "DXpedition leader Ranko Boca, YT6A, indicates that everything is on track for the next 50K QSOs with a new and fresh operator fleet." OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive all of Martti's press releases (minus the picture) as an additional bulletin. JUST A REMINDER: The 4O3T online log is available at: http://www.yu6scg.cg.yu/log-book-search.html Additional Bulletins for OPDX InterNet Subscribers. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- From: "Jarmo J. Jaakola, OH2BN" oh2bn @ kolumbus.fi Subject: 4O3T --- Montenegro --- 75M SSB From The Beautiful Coastal City of Bar Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 16:31:01 +0300 The following message is from Martti, OH2BH now in Montenegro: 4O3T --- MONTENEGRO 75M SSB From The Beautiful Coastal City of Bar During the first weekend, with more than 30.000 QSOs in the books, the 160/80M emphases were on cw with low-band powerhouse Ditmar, DL3DXX and the likes of him at the helm. In spite of the summer season, they were able to get their signals deep into the Midwest of the U.S. on 160M using a Titanex vertical. On Monday, first steps were taken to prepare 75M SSB activity for the coming weekend from Ocas near the coastal city of Bar. Trial operations will be conducted tonight by Dragan, YT6Y. The location is part of a navy radio station utilizing large commercial wide-band conical antennas with a gain of 5dBi. It's a low- band dream location with a large sloping plateau next to the Adriatic Sea with an open shot toward the United States, Japan and Europe. While the place looks like a paradise, it hides an extensive radial field buried into the ground. We heard stories about 200-watt ship radios relaying messages with S9 telephone-like signals below 2 MHz from Cuba and other long distance maritime locations. In the evening, sipping the best local wines during a planning session, Nick, LZ1JY was heard making a rock solid commitment to put three-thousand 75M QSOs into the books from this marvelous QTH. "I'm not gonna leave the country before the job gets done", Nick affirmed. Nick will be operating with his personal low-band gear while Acom Bulgaria has lined up their best amplifiers for this activation. On the regular 4O3T sites, plans were made to boost the second weekend run for an even stronger performance than the first because the sites are now built up and fully stabilized. Latest on July 27, RTTY will added when the IK1PMR and K2LEO duo arrives. Also the first 6M QSOs were made yesterday, and soon the magic band will be up and running. ------------------------------------------------ From: "Jarmo J. Jaakola, OH2BN" oh2bn @ kolumbus.fi Subject: OH2BH: WHAT DO YOU DO IF ONE MORNING YOU WAKE UP IN A NEW DXCC COUNTRY? Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 12:36:51 +0300 The following report is from Martti, OH2BH, now in Montenegro: WHAT DO YOU DO IF ONE MORNING YOU WAKE UP IN A NEW DXCC COUNTRY? While in Montenegro, one thing is a must. Find Rajko, YU6DZ who has been a most productive local operator in the Republic of Montenegro since its birth and who has delighted the bands with his solid presence. Driving to his house through and under climbing gravevines and honeybee hives shows immediately that there is a ham there spelled with a capital H --- a 4-element quad overlooks the property and the man himself with Mama Margarita are there to welcome us. Over an expresso and cookies we talk, and we talk some more over some homemade brandy. Ugh, gulping the stuff down, it is strong like the signals on 20M this morning. "Life will never be the same again now that QSOs are coming in left and right", says Rajko, a 65-year old retired Chief Naval Security Officer. "My days have got a new routine. Yes, there's breakfast and lunch and dinner, but nowadays there are QSOs in between them. It's only some twenty days and I have more than 6500 of them", Rajko muses. He is considering on updating his current Yaesu FT101B to more modern gear but Mama Margarita objects. "If Rajko gets into this changing mode, he may update everything - and I may have to go as well". Margarita is full of happy life and humor and nowadays even more so. "I have started to collect stamps and I get a full bag every day. We are now seen as popular favorites by our mailman". And then we open some of the letters that have arrived today. "It only took a few days until I realized that it would not work on my own frequency but I saw that the tubes of my separate VFO would still light up, and I gave them some rock and roll", Rajko continues. But I find many people not in the log - and we start leafing through the pages of Rajko's logbook filled with handwritten entries that look like objects of art. The QSOs go fine all the way, but then in the final stage people do not understand that the confirmation phase is equally important. It's a matter of not leaving a good affair halfway through. "I cross them out - look at these... there was a QSO but no more. They should make a solid one and not run away", Rajko points out. He tunes up the trustworthy FT101B and lets his old electronic key sing, and sure it does. We realize that he wants to be perfect on the end part - maybe even throw in a CQ before starting the next QSO. Do we all remember that CQ means "I seek you"? Surely Rajko does that and then some more. That gives us a chance to review his logbooks and find out the first ten that got him during his first days. USA: W7CB, W6LZ, W3UR, W3LPL, NG8Z, W3BGN, N4OA, N6AR, K2VV, W5UN JA: JJ2LPV, JA4DND, JA3FGJ, JE2LUN, JA1EOD, JA2XKM, JG3FPD, JJ2LPV, JA2FMW, JR2JLO EU: YZ7AA, I2ZBX, HB9AFI, DL6KVN, LA6CF, LX1NO, SM5DJZ, OK1TM, SP8AJR, OH2BU But we find a treasure there as well: with his transverter and 7 watts Rajko has added HI3TEJ, NL7AU/4, N4IS and W1JR to his book on 6M! Mamma Margarita is packing up something for us to take home, as they do in those friendly corners of the world. We get two jars of honey and two bottles of brandy made by YU6DZ from their own berries. We are hugging and hoping to see again. It's a warm feeling to have met Rajko and Margarita in their own element - under the climbing grapevines and and the 4-element cubical quad. As we back out, my cell phone sends a text message - it's from Bernie, W3UR. "I am just working Rajko on RTTY". But Rajko is still standing on the driveway and waving us goodbye. We did not see anything looking like RTTY in the house. But I just answer Bernie: "DX Is". ----------------- From: "Jarmo J. Jaakola, OH2BN" oh2bn @ kolumbus.fi Subject: OH2BH: 4O3T OPERATION HITS THE 50.000 QSO MARK AFTER FIRST WEEK Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2006 15:38:54 +0300 The following story is from Martti, OH2BH: 4O3T OPERATION HITS THE 50.000 QSO MARK AFTER FIRST WEEK It is Thursday with 50K QSOs under the belt and the first wave of operators having done a mammoth job, coupled with building the camp in temperatures often reaching 45 degrees C (115 F). They have not seen clouds or rain during the entire week. The home going ops will be saying goodbye on tonight's dinner cruise while welcoming many of the second week people to Montenegro. DXpedition leader Ranko Boca, YT6A indicates that everything is on track for the next 50K QSOs with a new and fresh operator fleet. He also wants to recognize Hans, PB2T for acting as site manager in Klinci and other members of the Organizing Committee for their valuable contributions as well as all the guest operators for giving their best effort and time out of their summer schedules. The 4O3T powerhouses, Ranko, YT6A and Dragan, YT6Y were heading home yesterday to see their families after ten days away, only to return today to lead the dinner cruise. Ranko's message to the world is: "Allow us to celebrate on Thursday night, we will be back on duty on Friday". Many people have commented on the huge signals emanating from 4O3T. Here is the lineup: the Obosnik site is located on top of a 600m mountain overseeing the beautiful Boka Bay with the following antennas: 10M: 5-L, 15M: 3-L & 4-L, 20M: 3-L and 5-L beams fed together, 40M: 5-L beaming to USA, 80/160M: slopers from a 45m tower plus NE and NW beverages; on the Klinci site a TB36 tribander is used plus a Titanex vertical and a variety of other vertical and wire antennas. On both locations they use 2-L SteppIR beams on WARC bands donated by SteppIR and the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF). Five (5) Yaesu FT1000 transceivers with a range of amplifiers are employed while a new FT2000 has undergone severe field testing, driving a huge Henry amplifier to provide Yaesu with a complete field report. Other smaller radios are used for a number of special tasks (KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 July 31, actually issued by July 29, via Dave Raycroft, ODXA via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. RNZI does it again: announces a frequency change and fails to implement it. July 29 at 0458 on 13730, said to retune to 9615, two minutes of Bell Bird, but then 13730 remained on with news at 0500 and still on past 0530. Did they ever get around to making the switch to 9615 this date? Yes, the current posted schedule shows 9615 analog is supposed to start at 0459. RNZI takes the cake as the station most unable to follow its own schedule. If the automation is so unreliable, they ought to have a human being on duty at all times to be sure things are properly switched (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. 'pirate' Radio Hauraki documentary on RNZI News from the folks at the non-profit Radio Heritage Foundation http://www.radioheritage.net New Radio Heritage Documentary now at RNZI Baby Boomer Radio - the Radio Revolution! ------------------------------------------ From the Radio Heritage Foundation [www.radioheritage.net], the latest in our series of radio heritage documentaries now available at RNZI http://www.rnzi.com In 1966, 'pirate' Radio Hauraki began a radio revolution in New Zealand. It resulted in the overturning of the state broadcasting monopoly. Founder David Gapes said later 'The message from the people to the State was clear. GET WITH IT, OR GET OUT.' You'll hear the first broadcast from '1480 Top of the Dial', original ID jingles, commercials and some of the top Kiwi pop music of the era. You'll also hear how state radio changed to meet the Radio Hauraki challenge, more jingles and more great Kiwi music. It's not just about 'free radio' or 'pirate' broadcasting. This was a full out assault on state control by the young baby boomers of the 1960's. The documentary places the radio revolution in social and historic context, and celebrates their ultimate success. Again, quoting founder David Gapes, 'The government finally chose to get with it, and our lives are the better for it'. Visit http://www.rnzi.com, click on 'more audio' and find Mailbox, then download the audio file from July 24. Welcome to the Radio Revolution! Website Celebrates pirate Radio Hauraki 40th Birthday ----------------------------------------------------- The official 'pirate' Radio Hauraki 40th anniversary pages are at http://www.radioheritage.net Register online for news about birthday events, exhibitions, the 1480 Club, competitions and much more coming soon. Just click on the pirate Radio Hauraki logo and welcome aboard the good ship Tiri! **WIN** Radio Hauraki Souvenir Book** ENTER NOW. FREE ENTRY. CLOSES JULY 31 ------------------------------------- Visit http://www.radioheritage.net and enter our July competition today! Be quick, competition closes July 31. Open worldwide. Just answer the simple question 'what was the first song played on pirate Radio Hauraki' and be in to win this great souvenir book. Full details at http://www.radioheritage.net Final days, ends July 31. Watch for our new competition starting August 1! Radio Heritage Foundation http://www.radioheritage.net (via DXLD) RHF stuff reads so much like a commercial, I cringe but usually go ahead and run it. Perhaps publicity person is adman in real life (gh) ** NIGER. 9705, La Voix du Sahel, 1901-1911, escuchada el 26 de julio en francés a locutora con titulares, boletín de noticias, locutor, SINPO 32432 (José Miguel Romero, Spain, Sacañet en Castellón (España), a 1016 m de altitud y con Sangean ATS 909, antena de hílo de siete metros, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGER [and non]. I would like to ask Mr Staniforth if he checked the medium wave transmitters in the country and if they were off (already then)? 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn and Mauno, Niamey was still on 1125 kHz medium wave when I left at the end of 2002. This transmitter was reliable with good transmission quality. I tried to receive the other Niger MW transmitters without success. This does not mean that they no longer exist as MW propagation in West Africa is very poor. For instance at night most stations audible in Niamey are from Europe and the Middle East, especially Spain, southern France, Italy etc. Occasionally one of the Nigerian stations would come up for a short time and then disappear again. The VOA on 1530 kHz from São Tomé was always a good to strong signal however. Niamey on 1125 kHz can be heard at night in Agadez, 1000 km away but it is rather weak and suffers some interference from European stations (John Staniforth, UK, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 6114.9, Radio Unión, Lima, 0631-0655, 25-07, español, locutor: "A las 2 estamos de nuevo con todos Ustedes", anuncios comerciales, canciones. Señal débil. 24322 variando a 14321 (Manuel Méndez, Camping de Reinante, costa del Mar Cantábrico, 90 km N de Lugo, España, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, antena de cable, 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. QSLs: 15750, Family Radio via Wertachtal. Full data (with site) 'Three Decades of Faithful Service' with religious material, via California address. Reply in 73 days. 7560, Trans World Radio via Novosibirsk. Full data pdf E-mail QSL, which shows the TWR towers on the Island of Bonaire. Also sent a confirmation e-mail statement along with the attached file. Reply in 109 days, 48 days after posting e-mail follow-up on their web site. v/s: E. Daniel Devadoss E-mail: ddevadoss @ in.twrsa.org 15555, Voice of Russia via Vladivostok. Full data (with site) 'Assault of Sapun Hill - 60th Anniversary Card', with verification letter. Reply in 82 days, for postal report. v/s: Elena Osipova, Letters Dept. 15595, Voice of Russia via Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Same card (with site) with this listing as above (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, CANADA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also BURYATIA, MOLDOVA, VATICAN ** SEYCHELLES [non]. UK, Armenia & Russia. UK-based station FEBA, previously transmitting from the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, now broadcasts in English via transmitters located in Russia and Armenia as follows: from 16 to 1615 hours Friday on 9850 kHz, from 14 to 1415 hours daily on 9500 kHz, from 15 to 1545 hours daily on 7320 kHz, from 1 to 115 hours Tuesday through Friday on 7365 kHz. The QSL address is: FEBA Radio, Ivy Arch Road, Worthing, BN14 8BX, United Kingdom (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX Program July 28 via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA [and non]. Propagation conditions were depressed on the higher bands, July 28 around 1750; so I tried 9 MHz, where I would not expect to hear much at midday in summer. Trans-equatorial was working with CVC La Voz ID on 9635 from Chile at 1759, and to my surprise on 9620 at 1755 the TWR music-box IS was heard, into unID language. This is via Meyerton, scheduled with 500 kW at 318 degrees to WAf --- and thenceforth carrying on to NAm --- with 500 kW in Pular at the odd time of 1755-1825, but French at same time on weekends. This is in HFCC, but in WRTH A-06 supplement `Pulaar` is listed on 9745, so 9620 may be a recent change. Google reveals that Pular is an official regional language in Guinea, a.k.a. Fulfulde, also spoken in western Mali. And by golly, we`re going to turn them all into Protestants! (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Solar-terrestrial indices for 27 July follow. Solar flux 74 and mid- latitude A-index 7. The mid-latitude K-index at 1800 UTC on 28 July was 3 (25 nT). Space weather for the past 24 hours has been moderate. Geomagnetic storms reaching the G2 level occurred. Space weather for the next 24 hours is expected to be minor. Geomagnetic storms reaching the G1 level are expected (SEC via DXLD) No -- 9620 was registered already on March 22nd with very low request No. 1098. Same request for B06 season, 1755-1825 UT 9620 1755-1825 46,47 MEY 500 318 Pul/FRA AFS TWR 9745 1830-1915 46,47 MEY 500 335 HUA/Kan AFS TWR 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. Brother Scare, via French Guiana, 17815, was already underway at 1756 tune-in July 28; I thought this started at 1800. Same contact info blather he spends so much time on, as heard on WWRB 9385 but not in synch. Probably many seconds delayed on one or the other as previously measured. If he was // WRMI 9955, that was totally buried in Cuban jamming, q.v. (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWAIN`S ISLAND [and non]. KH8S. Operators Kan/JA1BK (Team Leader), Uti/KS6FO, Paul/F6EXV, John/K1ER, Tets/AH7C and John/K8YSE are on their way to activate the new DXCC entity (#337) under the callsign KH8SI. According to a press release by Larry Gandy, AH8LG, the team set sail for Swains Island on the "MV Tokelau" from Pago Pago harbor on Thursday, July 27th, at 12:30 local Samoan time which is 2330z. The trip will take about 24 hours to get to Swains Island (OC-200) and should be operational about 6 hours after landing. This means they should be on landing around 0000z Saturday and possibly be on the air around 0600z. The team would have liked to have been there earlier but transportation availability in American Samoa has been the reason for their delay. This will be a short operation. The team will leave Swains Island on Tuesday, August 1st. They need to be back in Pago Pago on August 3rd to catch their flights. The team will be concentrating on 160-17 meters CW/SSB because of expected propagation conditions. They are also taking plenty of equipment with them. This list was released earlier in the week: 1 EA FT-2000 TXR Many other dipoles for other bands. 1 EA FT-1000MP TXR A pushup mast and other types. 1 EA ALPHA 87A AMP Lots of rope and a slingshot for 1 EA PL-922A AMP getting rope in the coconut trees. 1 EA VL-1000 AMP Plus all the other stuff like food, 1 EA FT-900 water, coax cable, computers for 2 EA HB9CV BEAMS ONE FOR 18 AND 14 logging, gas for generators, tents 1 EA 3EL SPIDERBEAM 15-17-20 and nets for bugs. 1 EA 5500 WATT GENERATOR 1 EA 4500 WATT GENERATOR 1 EA FOLDED DIPOLE 3-30 MHZ OPDX and its readers would like to wish the team the best of luck and a safe operation. The KH8SI team is calling this a "FRIENDLY DXPEDITION IS!" operation. PLEASE NOTE: The team "WILL NOT" be in the IOTA Contest, so please DO NOT ask for a contest report. If you need OC-200 for a new island, PLEASE JUST MAKE A NORMAL QSO CONTACT. QSL this KH8SI operation via JA1BK. ONE LAST NOTE: A couple of the team members were active this past week from American Samoa. John, K8YSE, informed your editor on Wednesday that he made 900 QSOs as KH8/K8YSE. QSL via K8YSE. Paul, F6EXV, was also active as WH8/WH7S. QSL via F6EXV (KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 July 31, actually issued by July 29, via Dave Raycroft, ODXA via DXLD) ** SYRIA. Re 6-111: So just another confirmation of this well- established fact from Europe where 12085 puts in a quite strong carrier: The modulation depth on the Radio Damascus shortwave transmitters is indeed extremely low. My random checks suggest that it varies to some extent from day to day; one day it is possible to follow the programming, the other day one has to turn up the volume to make sure that there are traces of modulation at all. I saw no complaints about such problems on Eutelsat Hotbird so far, suggesting that the audio level is OK there (Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. QSL: 9280, Family Radio via Taiwan. Full data (with site) 'Three Decades of Faithful Service' with religious material in 38 days via California address (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, CANADA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. 5 MHz Experiment Extended to 2010. UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom and the Ministry of Defence okayed extending the 5 MHz Amateur Radio experiment until June 30, 2010, and adding two new channels – 5368 and 5373 kHz (center frequencies). Under the expanded plan, the UK and the US now will enjoy three center-frequency channels in common – the two new channels and 5405 kHz (Dimiter Petrov, LZ1AF, R. Bulgaria DX Program July 28 via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U K. Ofcom Changes to Amateur Licences.... Ofcom today took what they described as an important new step to reduce QRM on amateur frequencies by setting standards for voice speeds. The changes to the current amateur licence will become official in the October 2006 amateur regulations changes, effective April First 2007. Citing frequent complaints about "long, boring conversations" on the ham bands, especially 80 meters, Ofcom moved to impose a new standard on voice operations requiring all conversations to be at a speed of "at least 200 spoken words-per-minute". Ofcom in its ruling was especially critical of what they called "long winded, often endless conversations by old men talking about their prostate problems and other needs to get up and go to the bathroom several times during the night". RIS Staff say they have personally heard conversations about nothing that went on for hours and tied up frequencies that could be used by faster talkers. Official Observer stations have received instructions to listen to suspect conversations and count the number of words-per- minute spoken. Those QSOs which fail to meet the minimum speed requirements will be noted and the operators involved will receive Pink Ticket Advisory Notices encouraging them to follow the rules or risk receiving Notice of Breach of Licence by Ofcom. Some hams in the South East complained the new regulation will impose a burden on them because they naturally talk more slowly than those up North. They are suggesting that frequencies be set aside for slow speed discussions concerning favorite country music artists (particularly Don Williams), the quality of washing machines, and how to make a dipole. Ofcom says it may consider that in future rulemaking. In a separate press release, the RSGB said they are also concerned about two-meter operation where little is discussed except "full quieting and items to be picked up on the way home". The Society said that sort of thing is boring and is usually spoken very slowly as well, far below the 200 words-per-minute minimum. The RSGB suggested conversations on how to help raise more money for RSGB activities would be especially welcomed and will be encouraged. Future issues of RadCom will contain special pull-out sections containing recommended topics for on-air discussion to brighten up QSOs (via A. Rees, monitoring monthly yg via DXLD) Just in case anyone didn't spot it, this is of course a joke. Some found the remarks about RSGB Fund Raising a little too true to be humour. I must admit that I have found the RSGB "echelons" to be narcissistic, incestuous almost (in the sense of being applied to a social group, that is). But as Radio Amateurs in the UK, we have no other alternative to the RSGB (I know someone tried starting an alternative), and so I suppose we will have to go along with them. (That should start a few emails !!) 73 (Adrian MW1LCR Rees, ibid.) ** U S A. Glenn, Change my address back to WD9INP @ isp.com --- I've got to separate social from hobby-related messages. Too much stuff going to Thanks, (Charlie Taylor, Grifton, N.C., DX LISTENING DIGEST) So anything radio-related, such as the Yankee Doodle Dandy project (gh) ** U S A. Saturday, July 29, 2006: In addition to today's Lumpy Gravy Radio show at 2200, Jane and I will be doing WBCQ's Shortwave Overnight - Free Speech Rock and Roll radio show from 0500 to 0800 UT (starting at 1 AM Sunday, eastern time) this evening. We're looking forward to hearing from you! (Larry Will, Radio Free Mount Airy, via DXLD) So back to 3 hours? Had been only 2 nominally for a while; but 0700 or 0800 is too late for me (gh, DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. DGS via WWCR, 13845, July 28 at 1732 check was again developing some lite continuous crackle; worse if one tuned to either sideband. Also about the same level via Anguilla 11775 July 29 at 1325 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. RADIO FREE MINTURN NOW ON THE AIR Vail Daily Staff Report July 28, 2006 http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20060728/AE/107280053 MINTURN, COLORADO - Nearly eight years ago, an idea was born to create a community radio station in Minturn - one that would reflect the musical and cultural interests of the region, and offer a learning environment for fledgling broadcasters and students of journalism and communication. On June 23, the idea came to fruition as Radio Free Minturn hit the airwaves on the FM dial at 107.9. The non-commercial, non-profit station is entirely run by community volunteers. "After an arduous application process, fundraising, building a studio, installing tower equipment, and wading through the final FCC licensing process, we are up and running," said Leo Spaziani, Radio Free Minturn's Board President. "We'd like to congratulate everyone involved from the founders, to the folks that don our t-shirts- we could not have done it without all of you." Radio Free Minturn's On the Air Party at the Saloon on Saturday, Aug. 12, will be the official launch celebration with live music, sign ups, silent auction, door prizes and, of course, beer tickets. Education programs, community information, helpful announcements and entertainment are all integral parts of Radio Free Minturn's vision. All suggestions and input are welcome at info @ minturnradio.org "In recent years, starting a radio station had been completely out of reach of the general public," said Liz Campbell, RFM's board secretary. "The FCC created the Low Power FM service to give communities an affordable opportunity to create their own stations and bring back localized broadcasting to the airwaves. The upper Eagle Valley now has a valuable asset with unprecedented individuality. Our wonderful mountain community now has a voice in an media dominated by giants." For more information, visit http://www.minturnradio.org or call 827- 9079. Facts about low power FM service - Stations can have only non-commercial programming - More than 300 LPFM stations have been licensed - 3,200 applications were submitted in 2000 and 2001 - Broadcast strength cannot exceed 100 watts - RFM operates at 28 watts (via Ken Kopp, Amateur Radio: KKØHF, dxldyg via DXLD) Call is KLNX-LP ** U S A. ARBITRON PUBLISHES 2006 EDITION OF PUBLIC RADIO TODAY US audience research company Arbitron has just published the 2006 edition of Public Radio Today. This free-to-download 45 page report gives a glimpse at the 26 million people who listen to public radio in the US each week. It contains valuable insights into their education and income profiles, and shows the types and amounts of public radio programming they`re consuming. There are fascinating qualitative profiles, too. You can download or view the report online from the link on this page http://www.arbitron.com/study_h/publicrt.asp (Source: Lou Josephs) (July 28th, 2006, 13:37 UTC by Andy, Media Network blog via DXLD) Very interesting; political affiliations of listeners on page 16. Otherwise obsessed with what public radio listeners may purchase; breakdown by census regions and format combinations, such as news/jazz. Strange that there is a consistent dip in listenership in the 45-49 age group; faulty research methodology? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. AIR AMERICA RATINGS DOWN AGAIN http://radioequalizer.blogspot.com/2006/07/air-america-ratings-seattle-denver.html Like an ice cream cone left in the hot July sun, Air America Radio's ratings are melting in some key (read: liberal) regions of the country. Based on fresh ratings data released Thursday evening, the "progressive" radio network has lost strength in three cities where it had previously found the most listener support: Portland, Seattle and Denver. Representing the spring 2006 Arbitron reporting period, these results provide one of the two most important report cards for the entire year. A quick rundown: In Seattle, AAR affiliate KPTK-AM had increasingly been providing a rare bright spot for liberal talk radio, but that wasn't the case this time: it fell from a previously respectable 2.8 share to a bottom- feeding 1.7 among all listeners 12 and older. That had KPTK tied for 23rd place overall. Up against baseball on rival KOMO- AM, the increasingly left- leaning KIRO- AM also fell, from 4.3 to a 3.9. Conservative talkers were mixed: KVI- AM dropped from a 3.1 to a 2.5, while competitor KTTH- AM held just about steady, with a 2.8 share. In Portland, KPOJ- AM, which had been Air America's biggest nationwide success story, also took a dive: it dropped from 4.1 to a 3.5 share. Conservative and other talk formats had better luck in the Rose City, with KXL and KEX-AM both up slightly and far ahead of Franken & Co. Until now, KPOJ's ratings had held fairly steady and it was considered a model for liberal radio's potential future national success. Denver's KKZN-AM had also provided a previous pocket of libtalk support, but that proved to be short- lived. The station finished the spring ratings book with a mere 1.3 share, leaving it near the bottom in the overall market (via Craig Seufert, DXLD) ** URUGUAY. Google Earthing SODRE's site --- Glenn, As there exists some interest in finding transmitting sites via Google Earth, I have tried to find SODRE's site at Santiago Vázquez, near Montevideo. In fact all published coordinates for this site, e.g. ILG data base, or even URSEC's website http://www.ursec.gub.uy are definitely wrong. Horacio Nigro phoned the operators at the site and tried to find out what the exact coordinates were, but they had no idea (cf. DXLD 6-100) A direct search on Google Earth gives the following coordinates as almost sure location of the site: Building at 34º 48' 25" S, 56º 21' 43" W Tall mast (perhaps CX6 650 kHz) 34º 48' 38" S, 56º 21' 40" W Second mast (perhaps CX26 1050 kHz) 34º 48' 26" S, 56º 21' 47" W Third, smaller mast (may be CX38 1290) 34º 48' 27" S, 56º 21' 40" W There is no trace of SW antennas, which might have been dismantled or may be unsophisticated dipoles too thin to be seen. The group of buildings seen about 1 km in NE direction and close to a major route (where Google Earth places the label "Santiago Vázquez") is in fact a prison. Santiago Vázquez is the small town situated about 1 km N of the prison and almost on the shore of the Santa Lucía River (34º 47' 30" S, 56º 21' 08" W). As to the possibility of SODRE's shortwaves being active, there are contradictory statements (see DXLD 6-100). I haven't heard them for a long time. The only reason I can imagine to keep them on the air which such ridiculous powers would be plain inertia. 73, (Moisés Knochen, Montevideo, Uruguay, July 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also UNID non ** VATICAN. QSL: 9860, Voice of Russia via Vatican. Full data (with site) 'Defense of Sevastopol - 60th Anniversary Card'. Reply in 89 days, 21 days, e-mail follow-up to world @ vor.ru (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, CANADA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Does anybody have any idea who is transmitting on 6110 kHz? I heard this transmission from 1815 to 1900 UT, a sort of phone interview show, typical African style, in a mix of French and native language. It was blocked at 1900 by China Radio. I have searched all available lists and none of them show any African station on this frequency. Thanks (Marcelo Toníolo, Auckland, New Zealand, JRC NRD 545 DSP + Longwire Antenna, Yaesu FRG-7, DX'er since 1978, July 28, dxing.info via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. Please cancel my logging of 7/27/06 with a frequency of 6127.50 kHz, which I thought might be SODRE, from Uruguay. It turns out that this was a spur of Radio Martí, which broadcasts from Miami, Florida a close city to my location. Sorry for the error (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Chuck, glad you have identified this, but it is also important to keep track of transmitted spurs. R. Martí does not transmit from Miami, but from Delano, California at this hour on 5980 and 6030 (as well as 9805), so apparently emanating from one of those transmitters. Why don`t you look an equal distance in the other direction from both for a matching spur, and be sure the audio is synchronized – 5832.5 and 5932.5 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) These spurs that I often hear are a big tease. They sound so inviting being just off of a good frequency by a kHz or two and then the audio is really bad, so identifying them is a major endeavor (Chuck Bolland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Chuck, Don't worry about errors from time to time! You are looking for new stations rather than re-logging stations a day behind others. Over the last few years, you have found some great stations. Keep up the good work! 73 (Bob Wilkner, FL, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 15130, normally dominated by WYFR Spanish, had some competition July 29 at 1327, South Asian singing underneath, and at 1330 a few words in what sounded like Burmese. But online schedules show VOA Kurdish via Sri Lanka as the only possibility. As for who has Burmese at this hour, http://www.addx.de/cgi-bin/hfp.cgi shows only CRI, on other frequencies, tho the ADDX Burmese listing has some misplaced entries at 16-22 for RFE/RL on several frequencies, certainly no Burmese there, so its reliability is questionable (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thanks for the understanding. You are doing a excellent job these days - as you have always done. I appreciate your work and friendship (Chuck Bolland, FL) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ POSSIBLE NEW ACTION ON BPL BY THE FCC FYI -- For those among you who may be interested: The FCC's posted Agenda for its Open Commission Meeting -- on Thursday, August 3 -- lists two Action Items re Broadband Over Powerlines (BPL), including the consideration of action on Petitions For Reconsideration of last year's final rule. The Agenda may be found through a link on the FCC's Web Site at http://www.fcc.gov Yours, (Don Schellhardt, AC 415, July 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DIGITAL BROADCASTING ++++++++++++++++++++ FEDERAL AID FOR SET TOP BOXES, TO RECEIVE DTV I noticed an article earlier this week in USA TODAY about the government grants to help over-the-air viewers view digital broadcasts. The grants were announced months ago, but I have not heard anything about a date the vouchers would be made available. Anyone know of a date? (Dave Pomeroy, Topeka KS, WTFDA via DXLD) 2008 -- The timeline is here: http://www.benton.org/index.php?q=node/1257 January 1, 2008 -- March 31, 2009: US households may obtain $40 coupons towards purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes by making a request. All coupons expire 3 months after issuance. The NTIA is to ensure that each requesting household receives, via the United States Postal Service, no more than two coupons (via Mike Bugaj, Enfield, CT USA, ibid.) HD RADIO ALLIANCE TO KICK OFF MAJOR MARKETING CAMPAIGN --- July 28, 2006 The HD Digital Radio Alliance will launch a new major marketing campaign this Monday in 50 markets around the country. The "Discover It!" campaign will roll out a new brand identity for HD Radio, with new advertising elements on-air and online and much more. It is part of the Alliance's $200 million dollar campaign announced last December. The "Discover It" campaign will make the HD Alliance one of the top two advertisers in each market, with over 90 spots in rotation. The new ads can be heard at http://www.hdradioalliance.com ``The Alliance has been aggressively marketing HD Digital Radio since our inception,`` said HD Alliance President/CEO Peter Ferrara. ``The marketing campaign announced today represents the full range of our commitment to helping consumers discover this amazing new technology - -- from compelling branding and creative to a strong online presence to retail availability.`` HDRadio.com will also be revamped, with more features and information about HD Radio. Amazon.com will also begin carrying HD-ready receivers (FMQB.com via Brock Whaley DXLD) And here are a bunch of commercials anyone can download; witness the marketing strategy: http://www.hdradioalliance.com/commercials.php (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DRM-PAGINA OP MIJN SITE Voor de liefhebbers: Ik heb een nieuwe pagina toegevoegd aan mijn `Sounds off the Wireless` met korte opnamen van DRM-uitzendingen. DRM voor de minder ingewijden: hier in de originele betekenis Digital Radio Mondiale en niet in de Digital Rights Management van Micro$oft en de platenmafia. De link is simpel genoeg: http://www.cisquet.nl en dan onderaan in de tabel klikken op "DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale"). 73 de (Frank van Gerwen, Bakkum-Noord / Netherlands (52?33'56" N / 4?39'18" E), ICQ #2231692, Weblog: http://www.dwarslezing.blogspot.com (in Dutch), July 29, BDX via DXLD) DRM not mentioned elsewhere, 6-112! RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ GOOGLE EARTH TRANSMITTER SITE SEARCHES Dear Glen[n], how do the people get the images from Google for the radio towers and such? I saw some in the last DXLD and would like to search some. I saw a post about two towers in Tripoli and towers in Qatar. Could you give me some help? Thanks (Steve Price, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Stephen, look at the E n g l i s h BETA version 4.0.1693 (beta) of http://earth.google.com/earth4.html and Download the latest XP operating system Version of Google Earth Version. See attached releasenotes V 4.016xx Desktop PC should NOT elder than 4 years, notebooks not elder than 2 years. PC System Configuration Minimum: - Operating System: Windows 2000 or Windows XP - CPU: Pentium 3, 500Mhz - System Memory (RAM): 128MB - Hard Disk: 400MB free space - Network Speed: 128 Kbits/sec - Graphics Card: 3D-capable with 16MB of VRAM - Screen: 1024x768, "16-bit High Color" Recommended: - Operating System: Windows XP - CPU: Pentium 4 2.4GHz+ or AMD 2400xp+ - System Memory (RAM): 512MB - Hard Disk: 2GB free space - Network Speed: 768 Kbits/sec - Graphics Card: 3D-capable with 32MB of VRAM - Screen: 1280x1024, "32-bit True Color" Linux and MAC versions also available. Google Earth supports Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP-x64. Use ISDN ADSL flat rate access to the Internet server of a speed of 1000 / 2000 / 6000, or even 16000 kbit/s More Resources Google Earth-Community Questions Product comparing Product Tour Sightseeing - Top-locations SketchUp 3D-Modelle design 3D-Warehouse Network-Link http://earth.google.com/tour/ Use the ITU registered locator coordinates on Google Earth; see attached ITU list. These entries show often wrong locator data, so start search in the vicinity of the cities and look out for transmitter site images. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ SAMSUNG WORKING ON ATMOSPHERIC BROADCASTING Researchers and employees of Korean company Samsung are devising a method to use the ionosphere as a medium for ``long distance communication`` without the need for expensive satellites. The ionosphere already plays a role in communications as a ``radio reflector`` for shortwave signals. But by launching UHF signals behind a 1 GHz carrier signal, scientists hope to alter the behaviour of the ionosphere to create an alternating current, which can then be modulated at a particular frequency in order to create an antenna of global proportions. Read more at engadget http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/28/samsung-working-on-atmospheric-broadcasting/ (Media Network blog via DXLD) But, but, we already have ``atmospheric broadcasting``` --- it`s called shortwave. Follow links to actual US Patent page. http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220060121859%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20060121859&RS=DN/20060121859 Keeps talking about frequency range being ``several MHz to 2 GHz``, and admits that this range is used only by satellites and hams --- nothing about broadcasting, especially HF broadcasting, which might be severely impacted by this process if implemented (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###