DX LISTENING DIGEST 11-29, July 20, 2011 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 2011 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 WORLD OF RADIO 1574 headlines: *Anomalies from Andaman, Australia, Cyprus, Greece, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Korea North, Madagascar, Malaysia, Netherlands, Romania, Sao Tome, Serbia non, Tibet non *More news about Belarus, Belgium and non, Canada, China, Indonesia, Italy non, Libya, Mongolia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sudan non, Taiwan, Uganda, UK, USA SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1574, July 21-27, 2011 Thu 0330 WRMI 9955 [jammed, inaudible except on webcast] Thu 1500 WRMI 9955 Thu 2100 WRMI 9955 Thu 2100 WTWW 9479 Thu 2130 WBCQ 7415 Fri 0330 WWRB 5051 [confirmed but not on webcast] Fri 0500 WRMI 9955 [NEW; jammed but audible] Fri 1430 WRMI 9955 Sat 0800 WRMI 9955 Sat 1500 WRMI 9955 Sat 1730 WRMI 9955 Sun 0400 WTWW 5755 Sun 0800 WRMI 9955 Sun 1530 WRMI 9955 Sun 1730 WRMI 9955 Mon 0300 WBCQ 5110v-CUSB Mon 1130 WRMI 9955 Mon 1530 WRMI 9955 Mon 2130 WRMI 9955 Tue 1530 WRMI 9955 Wed 1530 WRMI 9955 Wed 2130 WBCQ 7415 [canceled? But still on July 20] Latest edition of this schedule version, including AM, FM, satellite and webcasts with hotlinks to station sites and audio, is at: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html or http://schedule.worldofradio.org or http://sked.worldofradio.org For updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://193.42.152.193/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS VIA WRN: http://www.wrn.org/wrn-listeners/world-of-radio/ http://www.wrn.org/listeners/world-of-radio/rss/09:00:00UTC/English/541 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org DXLD YAHOOGROUP: Why wait for DXLD? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our yg without delay. When applying, please identify yourself with your real name and location, and say something about why you want to join. Those who do not, unless I recognize them, will be prompted once to do so and no action will be taken otherwise. Here`s where to sign up: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/ ** ALASKA. 11870, 1254-, KNLS, Jul 9. Creation moment, then drums, and sign-off announcements thanking the listener for listening, and inviting them to listen again tomorrow. Followed by a vocal piece. Very good reception. 9920, 1305-, KNLS, Jul 10. Is KNLS being jammed? There's a pulse noise at 9920.77 making the Mandarin programming difficult, but audible using LSB. Reception is only fair. If China is jamming KNLS, I was unaware. [It`s a utility band, really --- gh] 9920, 1517-, KNLS, Jul 10. Perfect reception with S9+20 signal strength with their final English program for the day. Excellent strong modulation (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11870, KNLS Anchor Point, Jul 11 1008 - Good reception in English with a report on travel, and travel websites. 9655, KNLS Anchor Point, Jul 11 1710 - Very strong reception of Russian broadcast (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA. 13735, Radio Tirana; *1845-1853+, 19-July; Tinkle tune IS noted at 1843; on with ID and complete SW sked; 1847 News from Albania, with weather at end to commentary at 1852; all in English. SIO=3+53- (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow- tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Tirana, Shijak transmitter site, 13735 kHz, 2000 July 19, 33333, English program start at 2000 with station ID and frequency info, followed by newscast by man in English. Song by female artist at 2009. Fair signal with static S-7 (Nick Rumple, Kannapolis, North Carolina, U.S.A., Yaesu FRG-100, 125 foot longwire - 40 feet high, shortwavelistening yg via DXLD) ** ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS [and non]. Re 11-28: ``INDIA. At least in the last two days AIR Port Blair has been off 4760 kHz which made me thrilled hoping I could get Leh, but only Swaziland. What a disappointment having waited for this situation! (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, 4S7VK, DXplorer July 4 via BC-DX 11 July via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD)`` Info by Jose Jacob: Enquiry with AIR Port Blair shows that currently they are running at low power on SW (4760 & 7390 [daytime]) and that some maintenance work is in progress there. By the way their MW Tower fell down last year and they were on low power on 684 kHz also with temporary arrangement. The station is not currently heard by me on MW or SW. No luck with AIR Leh also on 4760 currently. 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082, India, July 18, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANGOLA. 4949.8 RNA-Canal "A", Mulenvos, 2158-2203, 09/7, talks, music, TS, [unreadable] talks, possibly newscast; 35332, but extremely low modulation level (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, July 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. Argentina 1600-1700 AM [X-band] Echo de menos una lista actualizada de las emisoras argentinas de la banda X. Trato de identificar una en 1700 y acudo a Conexión Digital, las últimas ocho ediciones, y no encuentro nada. Miro el sitio llamado Amplitud Modulada y no figura ninguna en 1700. Pregunto a Google y me sale con una AM1700 Radio Manantial de Vida, de La Plata. Pero ?es un dato reciente? ?Hay más? ?Por qué no ofrecen ese servicio a título permanente y regular en Conexión Digital? (Henrik Klemetz, Suecia, July 20, condiglist yg via DXLD) Para ayudar a financiar la edición bimensual de nuestra revista en papel, Conexion GRA, editamos una lista completa y actualizadísima de onda media de la Argentina con datos completísimos de cada emisora. Promocionamos la misma en cada edición semanal de Conexión Digital. Desafortunadamente tenemos muy pocos pedidos de la misma. Acá va un segmento de lo que hay en la X Band actualizado a la fecha con los datos del autor y su QTH para encargar Listado completo. 73 1600 a [SL] RADIO ARMONÍA 1600 a [SL] RADIO METROPOLITANA 1600 c [SL] RADIO BELGRANO 1610 a [SL] RADIO GUABIYÚ 1610 a [SL] RADIO LUZ DEL MUNDO 1610 a [SL] RADIO BUENAS NUEVAS 1610 c [SL] RADIO MARANATA 1610 b [SL] RADIO FÓSIL 1620 a [SL] RADIO SENTIR 1620 a [SL] RADIO VIDA ("Red de Vida") 1620 a [SL] RADIO ITALIA 1620 a (A) RADIO AM 1620 1630 a [SL] AM RESTAURACIÓN 1630 a [SL] RADIO SUPER SPORT 1630 c (A) [FP] 1640 b [SL] RADIO NUEVA BOLIVIA 1640 a [SL] HOSANNA AM 1640 1640 a [SL] RADIO BONAERGES 1650 a [SL] AM FÉNIX 1650 a LRI-227 ANTARES AM 1650 1660 a [SL] AM REVIVIR 1670 a [SL] RADIO BETHEL 1680 a [SL] RADIO HOSANNA TROPICAL 1690 a [SL] RADIO CRISTO LA SOLUCIÓN 1700 a (A) AM 1700 (Fantástico) 1710 a [SL] AM 1710 URQUIZA Abreviaturas utilizadas: [FP] Futuro Plan (Adjudicación) [a] Emisora con emisiones regulares [b] Emisora con emisiones irregulares o activa de forma esporádica [c] Emisora reportada inactiva (A) Emisora autorizada aún sin señal distintiva [SL] Emisora Sin Licencia legalmente adjudicada Nota: Se agradece el envío de cualquier dato que tienda a actualizar, modificar o suprimir la información suministrada en el presente listado. Comentarios, consultas y sugerencias que quiera formular relacionadas con este trabajo, deberá ser dirijida a la siguiente dirección: Marcelo A. Cornachioni Alvarez Thomas 248 (B1832DNF) Lomas de Zamora Buenos Aires Argentina (via Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, ibid.) Henrik, El GRA mantiene actualizada una lista de emisoras de Onda Media de la Argentina que ofrecemos a modo de servicio al oyente de AM. Dado que no nos fue posible mantener actualizada nuestra Página Web -solo el Blog- es que no pudimos hasta ahora publicar la nómina de estaciones en la X-Band Argentina. Sin embargo, por este medio, a vos te ofrecemos esta información que nos gustaría compartir con el resto de nuestros amigos: *X-BAND ARGENTINA:* *Actualizació n: 20-06-2011* 1600 KHz / Radio Emanuel [*] QTH: Yatay 628, (B1804CMH) Ezeiza, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4232-7070 + DG: Jorge A. Baragiotta 1600 KHz / Radio Armonía QTH: Wenceslao Paunero 2915, (B1678DSG) Caseros, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4716-6495, 4716-2279 + E-mail: armoniaam1600 @ arnet.com.ar + Web: http://www.am1600armonia.com.ar + DG: Carlos Héctor Lavoro + 1600 KHz / Radio Metropolitana / “La Radio” QTH: Robertson 1249, 1º Piso "3", (B1838AIE) Luis Guillón, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4296-3396 + E-mail: am1600 @ netmetro.com.ar + Web: http://www.netmetro.com.ar + DG: Germán Rubido + Cxs: FM Metro / 96.9 MHz + Obs: Ex Radio Ciudadana. Ex 1300, 940, 1530 KHz. + 1600 KHz / AM 1600 Región Centro QTH: Montes de Oca, Santa Fe. OP: Federación de Entidades Mutualistas de la Provincia de Santa Fe y Mutual Edukar + DG: Matías Torres + 1610 KHz / Radio Éxitos [*] QTH: Madrid 3440, (B1712NMF) Castelar, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4692-3303 + / Oy: 4656-6356 + E-mail: info @ am1610.com.ar + Web: http://www.am1610.com.ar + DG: Hernán A. Zabala + Obs: Ex Radio Shopping (Moreno). Ex Radio Popular. Ex 1540 KHz. 1610 KHz / Radio Guabiyú QTH: Soberanía Nacional 2945, (B1757KHY) Gregorio de Laferrere, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4457-3674, 4457-8712 + E-mail: oyentes @ guabiyu1610.com.ar + Web: http://www.guabiyu1610.com.ar + DG: Nelson Vicente Scaramuzzino + Obs: Tmp 1590 KHz 1610 KHz / Radio Luz del Mundo QTH: Catamarca 2560, (B1847CXH) Rafael Calzada, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4219-1150 + E-mail: radioluzdelmundo @ hotmail.com + Web: http://www.radioluzdelmundo.com.ar (-) OP: Ministerio Quíntuple El Amor de Dios + DG: Jorge Antonio Daniel + Potencia: 0.05 Kw 1610 KHz / Radio Buenas Nuevas QTH: Dr. Luis Tozzini 40, (X6120DDB) Laboulaye, Córdoba. + Tel: (03385) 42-6664 + E-mail: radiobuenanuevas @ gmail.com + Web: http://www.radiobuenasnuevas.com.ar + DG: Pedro Saavedra + Potencia: 0.5 Kw + 1610 KHz / Radio Maranata [*] QTH: Hipólito Yrigoyen s/n esq. Andresito, (N3370) Puerto Iguazú, Misiones. + Tel: (03757) 42-2713, 42-2557 + E-mail: icn.futuro @ hotmail.com OP: Iglesia Evangélica Misionera Camino Nuevo + DG: Hugo Eidinger + Cxs: FM Futuro / 101.7 MHz + // Radio Baluarte (SW 6215 KHz) + 1610 KHz / Radio Fósil QTH: Gral. José Gervasio Artigas 253, (S2013ALA) Rosario, Santa Fe. + Tel: (0341) 455-4827 + // Oy: (0341) 15-654-3458 + DG: Alfredo José Angeletti + Web: http://www.radiofosil.com.ar + Obs: Activa sólo durante los días Domingos desde las 2200 UTC + Potencia: 0.2 Kw + 1620 KHz / Radio AM 16-20 QTH: Hipólito Yrigoyen 2629, (B7600DPG) Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (0223) 494-1428 + E-mail: am1620 @ 1620laradio.com + Web: http://www.1620laradio.com + P: La Prensa S.A. + OP: Difusora Austral S.A. + Obs: Adjudicada por Decreto 1577/99 Potencia: 10/1 Kw 1620 KHz / Radio Sentir QTH: Merlo, Buenos Aires. Tel: (0220) 470-4265 + DG: Daniel Barrientos - Estela Sánchez + 1620 KHz / Radio Vida / (Red de Vida) QTH: Mariano Alegre 23, (B1842FSA) Monte Grande, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4281-4094 + E-mail: contacte @ radiovidaam.com + Web: http://www.radiovidaam.com + OP: Iglesia Evangélica y Misionera “Paz y Esperanza” + DG: Rolf Ricardo Bucj + Cxs: FM 104.9 MHz [*] Obs: Ex 1240 KHz. Ex QTH: Carlos Pellegrini 1251 (Monte Grande). Potencia: 1 Kw 1620 KHz / Radio Italia QTH: Gral. Martín Miguel de Güemes 5025, (B1603CUE) Villa Martelli, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4709-1172 + E-mail: radioitalia.am @ gmail.com + Web: http://www.amitalia.com.ar + OP: It-Ar Producciones S.R.L. + DG: Juan Berardis + Obs: Tmp 540 KHz / Ex R. Eurolatina (1230 KHz). 1630 KHz / Radio Restauración QTH: Av. Gral. Pedro Díaz 1460, (B1686IQH) Hurlingham, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4662-6387 + E-mail: amrestauracion @ hotmail.com + // restauracionam @ hotmail.com + Web: http://www.radiorestauracion.com.ar + OP: Iglesia Cristiana Evangélica “Piedra Viva” + DG: Osvaldo Adrián Silva, Silvia Ferrara de Silva + 1630 KHz / AM Súper Sport QTH: Bombero Ariño 1150, (B1834IAX) Temperley, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 5290-0075, 5290-0076 + // 4264-1152 (+) E-mail: lasuper @ lasupersport.com.ar + Web: http://www.lasupersport.com.ar + OP: Orlando Tomás Giambuzzi 1640 KHz / Radio Nueva Bolivia -[irr]- QTH: Av. Int. Francisco Rabanal 1465, PA, (C1437FPB) CA Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4919-3659 + / 4919-2994 + E-mail: radioboliviafm @ hotmail.com + Web: http://www.radiobolivia.net + DG: Jorge Luis Zelaya + Obs: Ex Radio Bolivia. Tmp 1510 KHz. 1640 KHz / Hosanna AM 1640 QTH: Zufriategui 871, (B1765CKQ) Isidro Casanova, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4467-2468 + E-mail: hosannaam1640 @ hotmail.com + Web: http://www.radiohosannaam1640.com + OP: Iglesia Pentecostal “Cristo El Rey” + DG: Graciela Diez 1640 KHz / Radio Bonaerges [*] QTH: Av. Santa Catalina 5330, (N3300PPO) Posadas, Misiones. + Tel: (03752) 45-4425, 47-1304 + OP: Iglesia Jesucristo La Roca Viva + DG: Jorge Eidinger + Cxs: FM 102.3 MHz + 1650 KHz / Radio Renacer [*] QTH: Av. Hudson -Calle 893- Nº 1844, (B1879KWU) Quilmes oeste, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4212-8972 + DG: Lorena Bravo Obs: Ex 1560 KHz 1650 KHz / RDB - Radio de la Bendición [*] QTH: Carlos Pellegrini -Calle 312- Nº 3048, (B1879DKX) Quilmes oeste, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4200-4416, 4280-3932 + E-mail: info @ radiordb.com.ar + Web: http://www.radiordb.com.ar + DG: Raúl Darío Surmüller + Cxs: FM 95.3 MHz + 1650 KHz / LRI-227 / Antares AM 1650 / “La Radio de la Familia” QTH: Cjal. Manuel Martitegui 598, Fátima, (B1629JGL) Pilar, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (02322) 49-9899 + OP: Radio Familia S.A. + DG: Norberto Eugenio Chindemi + Potencia: 1/0.5 Kw 1650 KHz / AM Fénix QTH: Coronel Suárez 554, (B1834GHL) Temperley, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4244-1843 + E-mail: amradiofenix @ hotmail.com + Web: http://amfenix.webcindario.com + Web: http://www.amfenix.ya.st + DG: Juan Ignacio Grassini y Roberto José Cignoli + Obs: Ex Radio Cóndor. Ex 1630 y Tmp 1520 KHz. 1660 KHz / AM Revivir QTH-: Juan Sebastian Bach 3687, (B1765KKM) Isidro Casanova, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4694-6470 + E-mail: radio @ radiorevivir.com + // ljrevivir @ hotmail.com + Web: http://www.radiorevivir.com + OP: Iglesia “Esposa de Jesús” + DG: José Ramón Triulcio + Obs: Ex 1260, 1650, 1680 KHz + 1660 KHz / Radio Esperanza [*] QTH: Alejandro Volta e/ Vesalio y Dubalia, (B1763) Virrey Del Pino, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (02202) 49-3745 + Cxs: FM 88.3 MHz + 1670 KHz / Radio Central [*] QTH: Rawson 53, (C1182ABA) CA Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4983-6947, 4958-6831 + E-mail: internet @ basilio.org + Web: http://www.radiobasilio.com + OP: Escuela Científica Basilio + DG: Hilario Fernández + Obs: Nuevo nombre: Radio Basilio ? 1670v KHz / Radio Bethel QTH: Benito Pérez Galdós 688, Villa Fiorito, (B1821EON) Banfield, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4267-5194 + OP: Iglesia Asamblea de Dios + Obs: Ex 1640 KHz. / Anteriormente Radio Ciudad de Bánfield (1470 KHz) y luego Radio Contemporánea (1530 KHz) + Cxs: Frecuencia variable 1680 KHz / Radio Hosanna Tropical QTH: Reconquista 27, (B1804CFA) Ezeiza, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4232-0321, 4389-1905 + E-mail: canaanchanel @ hotmail.com (-) Web: http://www.radiohosanna1660.com.ar (-) OP: Centro Cristiano Internacional Nueva Jerusalem + DG: Víctor Zabaleta Alcázar + Obs: Ex Hosanna AM 1660. Ex 1660 KHz. 1680 KHz / Radio Jetro [*] QTH: Magallanes 3136, (B1824PYB) Lanús Oeste, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4267-1031 + OP: Iglesia Jesucristo La Roca Viva + DG: Viera Huberuk de Podpokrowny + 1690 KHz / AM 1690 Cristo la Solución QTH: Av. Brig. Gral. Juan Manuel de Rosas 4357, (B1754FVB) San Justo, Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4484-4517, 4484-7617 + E-mail: contacto @ cristolasolucionsj.com.ar + Web: http://www.cristolasolucionsj.com.ar + OP: Ministerio "Cristo la Solución" (San Justo) + DG: Alfredo Dimiro + Cxs: FM 90.7 MHz [*] Potencia: 1/0.25 Kw Obs: Ex Radio Apocalipsis II. Ex QTH: Monseñor Bufano 3386, San Justo. + 1700 KHz / Radio Cristiana Príncipe con Dios [*] QTH: Salta 4198, (Banfield Oeste) Buenos Aires. Tel: (011) 4693-4570 DG: Delia A. Parodi 1700 KHz / AM 1700 QTH: Montevideo 418, 12º Piso, (C1019ABJ) CA Buenos Aires. (+) Tel: (011) 4373-4228 (+) Fax: (011) 4373-4329 (+) QTH (TXR): Tigre, Buenos Aires. + OP: BMG Industrias del Disco S.A. + DG: Oscar Kirovsky (+) Cxs. Rtxn de Fantástico FM / 91.9 MHz (CA Buenos Aires) + Obs: Adjudicada por Decreto 1577/99 -(Categoría V)- 1710 KHz / AM 1710 Urquiza QTH: Av Triunvirato 4671, (C1431FBJ) CA Buenos Aires. + Tel: (011) 4521-3931 + E-mail: mensajes @ am1710.com + Web: http://www.am1710.com + OP: Grupo Educativo ESBA, Escuela Superior de Buenos Aires (Sede Villa Urquiza, CF) + DG: Marina Estela Palacios + Cxs: Radio Milagros / FM 94.5 MHz + // C5C, TV Canal 5 Urquiza Comunitario + Obs: Ex AM 1700 (1700 KHz). Ex AM 1710, Radio Estudio ESBA. + Potencia: 0.3 Kw + ============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= *Abreviaturas utilizadas** :* Cxs: Comentarios DG: Director General o Propietario FP: Futuro Plan ID: Identificación Obs: Observaciones OP: Operada por ... Oy: Teléfono/s para oyentes P: Permisionario de la licencia distinto al DG QTH: Dirección postal de la emisora QTH (TXR): Ubicación del transmisor Rpt: Reportada en xxx KHz Rtxn: Retransmisión de una emisora o programación Tel: Teléfono/s de la emisora [i] Irregular [R] Relay [*] Emisora reportada inactiva [+] Dato correcto y confirmado (+) Dato posiblemente correcto (?) Dato no confirmado (=) Dato anteriormente correcto que se ha modificado (-) Web o E-mail inactivo (x) Web aún sin activar o en construcción ============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ======= (Marcelo A. Cornachioni, *GRA*, ibid.) ** ASIA [non]. Frequency changes of Radio Free Asia: Korean 2100-2200 NF 12070 SAI 100 kW / 325 deg to EaAs, ex 12075 Tibetan 0100-0300 NF 7530 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg to CeAs, ex 9365 1000-1100 NF 13775 KWT 250 kW / 078 deg to CeAs, ex 15330 1100-1200 NF 11640 KWT 250 kW / 078 deg to CeAs, ex 17815 1200-1300 NF 13840 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg to CeAs, ex 17545 1300-1400 NF 11520 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg to CeAs, ex 12025 1500-1600 NF 7530 KWT 250 kW / 070 deg to CeAs, ex 11590 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, July 17 via DXLD) Updated summer A-11 of Radio Free Asia: Burmese 0030-0130 on 13820 15625 17835 1230-1330 on 7390 9335 13675 1330-1400 on 7390 9335 12140 1400-1430 on 7390 9335 1630-1730 on 9945 Cantonese 1400-1500 on 6025 7365 2200-2300 on 9720 11785 Chinese 0300-0600 on 13760 15120 15615 15635 17615 17855 21550 21580 0600-0700 on 13760 15120 15615 15635 17615 17855 21550 1500-1600 on 9455 9905 11540 11965 12005 13640 13675 1600-1700 on 5855 9455 9905 11540 11870 12005 13675 1700-1800 on 5855 7280 9355 9455 9540 9905 11870 13800 1800-1900 on 5855 7280 7355 9355 9455 9540 9690 11540 13800 1900-2000 on 1098 5855 7260 7355 7435 9355 9455 9875 9905 11785 13800 2000-2100 on 1098 5855 6140 7260 7355 7435 9355 9455 9905 11785 2100-2200 on 1098 5855 6140 7355 7435 9455 9905 2300-2400 on 7540 9535 11760 11785 15430 15585 Khmer 1230-1330 on 12140 15145 2230-2330 on 5840 13740 Korean 1500-1700 on 1350 5895 7210 7455 1700-1800 on 1350 5895 9975 1800-1900 on 1350 5895 7465 2100-2200 on 1350 7460 9385 12070 Lao 0000-0100 on 15545 15690 1100-1200 on 9355 15145 Tibetan 0100-0300 on 7530 9885 11695 15225 17730 0600-0700 on 17510 17765 21500 21690 1000-1100 on 13775 15435 21530 1100-1200 on 7470 11640 13830 15670 1200-1300 on 7470 11605 13830 13840 15670 1300-1400 on 7470 11520 11605 13830 15670 1500-1600 on 7530 9370 11585 11795 2200-2300 on 5865 7505 9880 2300-2400 on 5860 7505 9805 9875 Uyghur 0100-0200 on 9350 9490 11895 11945 17640 1600-1700 on 9370 9530 9555 11750 Vietnamese 1400-1430 on 1503 7520 9465 9715 11605 11680 12140 1430-1500 on 7520 9715 9805 11605 11680 12140 2300-2330 on 1359 2330-2400 on 1359 7520 11605 13740 15560 0000-0030 on 7445 11605 13740 15560 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, July 18 via DXLD) [Annotations to parts of the above by Wolfgang Büschel, adding sites, or noting changes:] Burmese 0030-0130 13820IRA 15625(ex13865TIN) 17835SAI Chinese 1700-1800 5855 7280 9355 9455 9540 9905 11870 13800(ex13625TJK) 1800-1900 5855 7280 7355 9355 9455 9540 9690 11540 13800(ex13625TJK) 1900-2000 1098 5855 7260 7355 7435 9355 9455 9875 9905 11785 13800(ex13625TJK) Korean 1500-1700 1350# 5895TIN 7210IRK 7455TIN 1700-1800 1350# 5895TIN 9975IRA 1800-1900 1350# 5895TIN 7465TIN 2100-2200 1350# 7460MNG 9385TIN 12070(ex12075SAI) {# 1350MNG replaced by 648 kHz Razdolnoe-RUS, half way between Ussuriysk and Vladivostok, Russian FE. 648 kHz 1000 kW 230 degr Srednyaya Zarya MW directional antenna, 25 masts at 2 kms length. loc 43 32 06.30 N 131 55 07.30 E, wb.} Tibetan 0100-0300 7530(ex9365KWT) 9885TJK 11695UAE 15225TIN 17730MNG 0600-0700 17510TJK 17765KWT 21500(vary21770TIN)? 21690UAE 1000-1100 13775(ex17750KWT) 15435TIN 21530TIN 1100-1200 7470MNG vary11640/17850?(ex17750KWT) 13830TJK 15670UAE 1200-1300 7470MNG 11605TIN 13830TJK vary13840/19000?(ex11590KWT) 15670TJK 1300-1400 7470MNG vary 11520?/rather12025?/15230?/19000?(ex11590KWT) 11605TIN 13830TJK 15670TJK 1500-1600 vary 7530?/12070?(ex11590KWT) 9370TJK 11585TIN 11795UAE 2200-2300 5865KWT 7505TJK 9880SAI (del7470MNG) 2300-2400 5860KWT 7505KWT 9805UAE 9875TJK (del7470MNG) (Wolfgang Büschel, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See TIBET [non] 19000 ** AUSTRALIA. 2368.5, 1151-, Radio Symban, Jul 9. Actually measured a little low, on 2368.488 kHz with Greek music. Fair to almost good level. Precious little else heard around this time from the tropical bands. Stronger past 1200 to good level, with nice ID at 1215 UT. A lot more talk in Greek than I'm used to with the same male announcer. Checked again the following morning (July 10) at 1201 and wow, what a fantastic signal! Very strong with plenty of Greek announcements and music. Great modulation too. Continues at very strong levels at 1324. Difficult to believe that they're only 1 kW or less! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 2368.5, Radio Symban, Jul 11 0753 - Surprising, but there they were, already at good level so early during our night. Symban was heard at best ever levels (often very good, near armchair levels) during this visit to Haida Gwaii. Usual Greek music, but plenty of Greek talk as well (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 2368.5, Radio Symban, 1248-1302, July 14. Songs in Greek; approaching fair reception; MP3 audio with 2 minutes of Greek songs http://www.box.net/shared/o2inntc1772rmpz59eho (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 2368.5, Radio Symban, 1250, July 19. Continues to be approaching fair reception with Greek songs; 1301-1306 series of ads(?) or announcements of some type. July 20 from 1231 to 1311. Hard to think of this anymore as a low powered station, with such decent reception. MP3 Audio at http://www.box.net/shared/26dm8er1ag0pu4mz6f4f with ID at 00:23 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. 2485, VL8K ABC Katherine NT, 1218, July 19. Fair; jazz; BoH news, sports and weather; 1240 start of “Tony Delroy’s Nightlife”; IDs and promos for ABC Darwin 105.7; // 2310 VL8A Alice Springs NT and 2325 VL8T Tennant Creek NT (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4910, VL8T Tennant Creek, NT, Jul 11, 0813 - Poor to fair reception. Also noted VL8A, Alice Springs at the same time at same level, on 4835 kHz. Scheduled to switch to 90m [you mean 120: they do have alternate frequencies on 90m, never? used --- gh] at 0830, but didn't check that (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. 15415, July 20 at 0550, RA with ``what is a dingo?`` quiz for immediate responses from Asia, not // much stronger 15160 / 15240 on the Pacific service. 9710, surprised to hear RA English on here, July 20 at 1140, since it`s supposedly scheduled only at 07-11 and 16-20 via Shep. Has live broadcast of British parliament all-day debate over Murdoch; sounds just like Question Time, constantly with rude noise interruptions. Is // 9590, 9580, 9475, and instead of 9560, weakly on 9570, but prior to CRI Cuban carrier on 9570, I think this may be a 9590/9580 mixing product in the receiver if not the transmitter. Per HFCC, including current info for ABC via http://hfcc.org/data/a11/index.phtml 9560 is supposed to take over the 353 degree beam from 9710 at 1100, so did they just miss the switch or is this a deliberate change? 9710 remained on: 1159 cut away from House of Commons, as ACI from 9715 Bonaire started, but by sidetuning, 9710- remained listenable for 1200 RA news, 1205 `Asia-Pacific` rather than back to London. Got some more shut-eye, and at next check 1341, 9710 was *still* going with promo for `Saturday Night Country`, then YL DJ talking about the UK situation, and still nothing audible on 9560 (Glenn Hauser, OK, o WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello Glenn, Thanks for the note. I'm looking into this one. QSY is automated at Shepp. so it could be possible for this to happen. We will be watching the QSY 9710/9560 tonight (with manual intervention if it fails) so should have an explanation tomorrow. I'll let you know what I discover. Kind regards, (Nigel Holmes, RA, via DXLD) 9560, July 21 at 1213, RA is back here instead of 9710; Nigel Holmes of RA says the automation may have failed to make the switch yesterday (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello Glenn, I was prowling around Andy Sennitt's RNW blog and noted the link to your website so thought I'd have a look. I was reading the one of the digests where you wrote at length about the impact of Cyclone Yasi on FNQ and thought I might correct a minor error there. The transmitter I used was indeed the "brand new" Continental a 418G and it was programmed to run 9710 into the JR rhombic (day) and 6080 into J6/005 (night). I dropped 13690/JR to PNG and mounted 13630/AR to Pacific on the standby tx. The other two Continentals are third-hand (AWR->CVC->RA) and are a 418E & 418F. Kind regards, (Nigel Holmes, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nigel, I think the article you saw must have been one of the AWR Wavescan scripts by Adrian Peterson. I did not write it. In DXLD, credits always follow the item/article in ( ). Sometimes also at the top if it has a title. I`ll be interested to see what the story was with the 9710 extension. Fortunately looks like no one else was on it except maybe China domestic? Might have been a problem in your target (Glenn to Nigel, via DXLD) ** AZORES. AÇORES, 1503, AFN, Base Aérea das Lajes, Terceira, 2245- 2256, 07/7, English, c&w menu as it only too often the case with them; 33432, QRM de E (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, July 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELARUS. 7280, presumed Belaruskaye Radio, Grodno, 0211-0229, July 11, listed Belarussian. W announcer with Russian sounding talk between folksy/ballad type music; poor and wiped out by R. Farda-Wertachtal s/on at 0229; very tentative // 7235 buried under noise (Scott R. Barbour Jr. Intervale, N.H. USA, NRD-545, MLB-1, 200' Beverages, 60m dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11930, Radio Belarus International (Minsk), 0359-0409, 7/14/2011, Belarusian. Announcements by woman at 0359 mixing with low side interference from Radio Japan via Bonaire. Pips on the hour. News by man and woman plus field reporters. Poor to moderate signal strength with fading. In the clear after Bonaire sign-off at 0400. Made on Tecsun PL-380 with whip antenna (Jim Evans, Germantown, TN, Cumbre DX yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) 11930, Radio Belarus, Jul 11, 0407 - This summer, compared to the last few years has not resulted in any propagation from this station. Tonight, at Rose Spit, it`s just barely there. Normally, in Masset, it`s always propagated extremely well. In Victoria, I`m lucky to see a trace on the Perseus waterfall (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELARUS. More Photos of the Radio Belarus Transmitter site --- After consulting with Wolfgang Bueschel about what kind of the towers were in the pictures I put on #1848 (towers, not the TV or MW masts); it became quite clear that ( as W.B. put it ): 'Only a former transmission engineer from the Tx site near Kalodzicy can tell you the true station purpose in that era.' But now thanks to Wolfgang, we can add to our collections some of the photos of the Radio Belarus Shortwave transmission masts (with minimal doubt about it!), located more northerly from Kalodzicy (exact coordinates are 53 58 21.34N and 27 46 49.52E) [RBL SW site] [Kolodishchi3] [Kolodishchi4] (Lev Lytovchenko, Canada, July 16, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) ** BELGIUM. Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal to close The Flemish government has reached agreement on a new strategy for VRT for the next five years. The Flemish public broadcaster will launch a full national TV network aimed at teens. Currently two services share the second channel - Ketnet (mainly for children) up to 2000, and from 2000 Canvas (with news, science, history and sport). From 2013, these will become two separate networks, and Ketnet will expand to show programmes aimed at teenagers after 2000. Canvas will also be available for more hours per day, providing an improved service to seniors who are not so eager to stay up for late night programmes. Rival commercial channels are not happy about VRT’s plan to enter the youth market. Peter Quaghebeur, general manager of the Femish Media Society (VMMa) which represents the commercial broadcasters, said: “VRT has no need for a third channel. They already have a market share of more than forty percent.” The advent of a third television channel for VRT has been mooted for some time. “We have already protested against it from the beginning, but the Flemish government clearly did not take into account the concerns of the commercial broadcasters,” says Mr Quaghebeur. There are already two commercial networks aimed at teens. Besides the third television channel, VRT is also getting a bigger budget. From 2012 the VRT will receive 293.4 million euros a year. This is 18 million euros more than at present. Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal (RVi), the Flemish Worldwide service, will disappear, but as an alternative Radio 1 and Radio 2 will be broadcast worldwide via satellite, and all radio channels will also be available worldwide via the Internet. It’s not yet clear exactly when RVi will close. (Sources: RS/RadioWereld.NL)(July 18th, 2011 - 11:32 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) 4 Comments on “Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal to close” #1 ruud on Jul 18th, 2011 at 14:36 The question is, will they close 927 AM. #2 Will Fallon on Jul 18th, 2011 at 17:11 A better question might be, will anybody even notice? #3 Jonathan Marks on Jul 18th, 2011 at 17:48 The press release from VRT says they will also develop a plan to inform non-Dutch speakers (presumably living in Flanders) about Flemish current affairs and culture. They have already been experimenting with this for years since RVI English closed. http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english #4 Jonathan Marks on Jul 18th, 2011 at 17:58 I see the English version of the page is different. It says the expat service will launch at the end of the year. http://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/news/110716_VRT_third_channel (MN blog comments via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) ?? For SWLs, RVi has been gone for a few years. All that was left was MW 927, per WRTH, mostly carrying domestic service relays (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) ** BELGIUM [non]. FRENCH GUIANA, 17755, 2123-, TDP Radio Disco Palace, Jul 10. Precious few DRM broadcasts anymore. Found this one with its same monotonous disco music. Big question is: why? I would think that varying the music genres would pique more interest than this stuff! 100% copy with SNR of 28.9 dB. A/K indices are not very favourable today with fairly high A index (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BERMUDA. 7/18 Es Bermuda > SC 7/18 Es - Canadian ch 2-6 in/out all morning. [presumably EDT = UT -4] 1300 ZBM-89.1 BM Hamilton - ID (883) 1300 ZFB-94.9 BM Hamilton - Power 95 FM (883) I was trying for TX as Pat Dyer was receiving local 94.3, but instead got Bermuda on the back of the antenna. Maybe TX DXers could get double hop to Bermuda? There's lots of skip clouds out there now (Fred Nordquist, Moncks Corner, SC, 33.21756N 79.95798W, KJ4BUG Grid FM03AF, WTFDA via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 5952.46, Radio Pio Doce, 0025-0205, July 16, Spanish talk. Bolivian music. “Pio Doce” song at 0100. Poor to fair. QRM at 0146 when a strong Okeechobee carrier came on the air on 5950. Very difficult copy after 0146 due to Okeechobee on the low side and Radio República on the high side (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) Thanks to Ron Howard and Brian Alexander at NASWA for this tip: 5952.46, Radio Pio Doce at 0036 July 20 in a local dialect (Aymara and Quechua listed) with local vocal music and a man and woman with possible religious talk and into a man with brief excited talk with crowd responses from 0040 then an interview of a woman by a man at 0043 and back to local vocals at 0046 and a man and woman with talk with mention of “Radio Pio” at 0051 then a child with talk from 0055 then time pips at 0100 and into local instrumental music with a woman with definite ID - Poor – best heard in LSB on an Alinco DX R8T and a loaded inverted vee dipole (Mark Coady, Peterborough, ON K9J 6X3, cumbredx yg via DXLD) 5952.38, Radio Pio Doce, Siglo Veinte, 0207-0220*, July 20 with some Bolivian music; suddenly off in mid-song without the usual full sign off format; poor, but the signal was improving (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 6134.82, Radio Santa Cruz, *0857-0925, July 14, sign on with choral music and Spanish talk. Flute IS at 0858:25, followed by opening Spanish ID announcements at 0859. Santa Cruz song at 0900. Ads, jingles. Bolivian music. Fair (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** BRAZIL. I always get excited when I can hear at least, some of the Brazilians big guns around mid-Summer. Here's a sample from last night where I could hear São Paulo's ZYK694, Rádio Globo on 1100 kHz after phasing out semi-local WTAM, Cleveland. Distance is 8200 km / 5095 Miles: http://www.quebecdx.com/mp3/brazil_radioglobo_1100a.mp3 With the exception of ZYJ458 1220 (R. Globo, Rio de Janeiro) and ZYK522 1000 (R. Record, São Paulo), I wonder if there are other fairly "reachable" Brazilian DX targets from the North East? (Sylvain Naud, Portneuf, QC, http://www.quebecdx.com July 19, IRCA via DXLD) NE of what? Québec is in SE Canada, hi. Or did you mean NE Brasil (gh, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 13/07/11 - Secretaria atualiza dados de outorga de radiodifusão --- Olá pessoal, O PY3FF Rafael Haag, via twitter, compartilha esta notícia interessante e fonte de dados de emissoras BR http://www.mc.gov.br/radiodifusao/dados-de-outorga http://www.mc.gov.br/noticias-do-site/23587-130711-secretaria-atualiza-dados-de-outorga-de-radiodifusao (Huelbe Garcia, Brasil, 20 July, radioescutas yg via DXLD) Updated government info about broadcasting license grants (gh, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 3375.4, RADIO MUNICIPAL. São Gabriel de Cachoeira, Brasil. 2318-2340 julio 16. Anuncios comerciales. " ..a Rádio Municipal de São Gabriel de Cachoeira informa..." comunicado (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá D.C. - COLOMBIA, -Equipo Winradio G303I, Antena Dipolo de 12 metros, más en http://dxdesdecolombia.blogspot.com/ condiglist yg via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 4915.03, Radio Daqui, 0925-0935, July 14, Portuguese religious music. Portuguese announcements. // 6080.02. Both frequencies weak (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** BRAZIL. 4845.2, R. Cultura do Amazonas, Manaus AM, 2231-2251, 08/7, songs; 44343, CODAR QRM. Sometimes R. Cultura leaves an empty carrier, on the occasions the audio seems to be fed via a poor telephone line. 5035, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 2119-2132, 12/7, interview in program Amigo da Terra, songs; 25331, \\ 6135 (useless here due to QRM), 9629.9 (useless due to their extremely low modulation level) & 11855 (fair). 5035.03, R. Educação Rural, Coari AM, 2219-2240, 11/7, talks, infos, ballads; 24321, QRM de R. Aparecida on 5035. 5990, R. Senado, Parque do Rodeador DF, 2143-2205*, 12/7, long, exalted speech by a lady senator, ID+fqs+closing announcement prior to 2200 when they're supposed to s/off, but A Voz do Brasil was fed and remained on till 2205; 55433. 9629.9, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 2118-2129, 12/7, unreadable, too weak modulation; 34433, adj. QRM. As in many similar circumstances this is reflecting their carrier. Parallel to 5035, 6135, 11855. 11915, R. Gaúcha, Pt.º Alegre RS, 2153-2158, 17/7, foot/ball match report; 22431, QRM de ARS. One's able to get some of their signal by using either L or USB, otherwise the ARS signal ruins reception completely. 15190, R. Inconfidência, Belo Horizonte MG, 2217-2235, 07/7, A Voz do Brasil; 34443, QRM de Family R in Portuguese, also very strong, but separable thanks to using different Beverage antennae (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, July 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6010.01, Radio Inconfidência, 0045-0100, July 21, local Brazilian ballads. Portuguese talk. Poor. Weak with adjacent channel splatter. // 15189.98 - very weak but in the clear after WYFR 0045 sign off (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** CANADA. 1610, CHHA, ON, Toronto, with classical music & Spanish announcements, mention of Radio Canada at :58 but they kept cutting out during announcements! Annoying! 253+43, 2041-2101 10/Jul 1650, CINA, ON, Mississauga, with Indian “pop” music & announcement block in Hindi & English at :08 both mentioning Canada with local ads and in English mentioning this station is for “people who are proud to be South Asian” & SID for “CINA Radio” (with CINA pronounced “See- na”), into more Hindi pop music. Kinda fadey but peaking at 35443+, 1905-1910 10/Jul 1690, CHTO, ON, Toronto, with MoTown pops to ToH, then into Greek news without anything resembling an ID, read by an OM at ToH. 2+4+443+ but occasional deep fades. 1950-2005 10/Jul. Greek music at recheck 2027 and English (with Greek accent) announcer taking a call and talking about Serbian Canadians until :37 when they went back into Slavic language/Greek? and mention of Toronto, by YL at :38. Echo ID of station name (not call) that I couldn’t really catch! 2027-2041 10/Jul (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI, MARE Tipsheet ``July 20`` issued July 18 via DXLD) ** CANADA. 6924.66, Radio True North, Jul 11, 0352 - Pirate broadcaster at very good level playing, Sweet Dreams (are Made of This) by the Eurythmics. Remarkably stronger than I`ve heard them in past weeks, and continuing to boom in at great levels (S9+20) in Victoria. Alternate frequency occasionally 6305 (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See UNIDENTIFIED ** CANADA. 6030, CFVP, Calgary, Jul 11, 0447 - Obviously back on the air with C&W music at good/very good level. 'AM 1060' ID at 0449 (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UT Monday without CubaRM 6030, Calgary - CFVP relaying CKMX (AM 1060). Monday (UT) with no R. Martí and no Cuban jamming; nice to finally find the jamming off, but now with QRM from Radio Oromiya [see ETHIOPIA] from their *0323 to their fading out by 0420; Calgary weaker than last Monday; 0320 to 0435, July 18; coverage of the Calgary Stampede’s Rangeland Derby; C&W songs (Jimmy Dean “Big Bad John”, Del Reeves “Girl On The Billboard”, etc.) (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHAD. CHADE, 6165, Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne, Gredia, 2221-2229*, 07/7, French, news bulletin, pops, announcements and national anthem at closure; 54433, overmodulated, adj. QRM de CRI in Portuguese on 6175 via some Euro relay. 6165 ditto, 1348-1438, 10/7, [unreadable] talks, vernacular at 1430; 15331, but improving (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, July 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6165, RNT, *0428, July 20 on with IS; then National Anthem; in French with African Hi-Life music; mixing with Zambia; 0442 tune out (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 5050, Beibu Bay Radio (BBR), 1230-1247, July 14. Multi- language IDs (“FM 96.4 Beibu Bay Radio”); in Vietnamese; “Road to health”; multi-language series of “Hello B-B-R”; MP3 audio http://www.box.net/shared/erv3hzr9oe5km68q77hi Fair; now in the clear without Ozy Radio QRM (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. CNR RTC registrations [believed to be new, or at least new site specifications in HFCC] Chengdu Chinese 6060 1000-1515 43S CDU 50 358 0 141 Zho 6060 2155-0135 43S CDU 50 358 0 141 Zho 7225 1000-1515 43S CDU 50 0 0 925 Zho 7225 2155-0135 43S CDU 50 0 0 925 Zho Hailar Chinese 3900 0900-1440 33SW HLR 10 0 0 925 Zho 3900 2130-0700 33SW HLR 10 0 0 925 Zho 4750 2000-1730 33SW HLR 10 0 0 925 Zho 6080 0935-1440 33SW HLR 10 0 0 925 Zho 6080 2150-0530 33SW HLR 10 0 0 925 Zho Lanzhou ?Tibetan? 3990 0350-0650 43N LAN 50 0 0 925 Bod? 3990 1020-1310 43N LAN 50 0 0 925 Bod? 3990 2250-0100 43N LAN 50 0 0 925 Bod? Nanjing Chinese 5860 1400-1800 44S NJG 100 161 201 Zho (ITU registrations July 8 via BC-DX 17 July via DXLD) ** CHINA. 9705, Voice of Pujiang-Shanghai, 1254, 7/13/11. Poor at tune-in with woman speaking in Mandarin; song at 1257; chime-like TS and announcement by woman at 1300 and back to talk by a male voice; still audible with talk at 1315. Thanks to Ron Howard, Glenn Hauser, and Mauno Ritola for help with this log (Jim Ronda, Tulsa, OK, NRD- 545; R-75 + PAR-SWL, NASWA Flashsheet via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) ** CHINA. 11765, 1410-, CRI, Jul 9. No sign of KNLS, but instead CRI in English with several sites with slight delay (as opposed to long/short path echo). Good reception (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15600, July 18 until 1327* a bit of Chinese music, not Firedrake and off. Scheduled as CRI via Kunming in Malay at 1230-1327. 13590, July 20 at 1149, glib announcers in English and music I at first assumed were from CVC Zambia, but 1154 ID as CRI `Beyond Beijing`, 1155 into Chinese Studio, ``I want to learn Chinese; it can be fun!``. This buffer often gets cut off before finished as transmitter switching requires. Must be frustrating for students. Lusaka is registered here all the way from 06 to 20 UT, 100 kW, 315 degrees aimed at Michigan, but no sign of it now; while CRI is 500 kW, 193 degrees from Beijing site, way off-target here but still easily listenable; not much else propagating above 12 MHz this early except lo-latitude Guiana French, Cuba and close-hop Canada (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non]. 7990, CHINA, Firedrake, 7/12, 1000 UT, alone on the band, and mixing with a co-channel "bonker" station (73 and "goood listening" from El Mirage, AZ ! Rick Barton, Drake R-8; Palomar Loop, outdoor slinky; Hammarlund HQ-180A, HQ-200; 75' Inverted L, Random wire, ABDX via DXLD) 11500, "Firedrake" music station, July 16, 1130. Fair. only one other than a // on 14700. 13800, Firedragon music jammer 7/18, 1730, good with usual. Couldn`t find any others at this session. 16100, Firedrake music station 7/19, 1330. Fair with powerhouse // on nearby 15970. Also heard //s on 7990, 13920, 14700. 12279, "Firedrake" 7/21, 1030. VG, and only one heard during this bandscan. 73 and Good Listening.......! (Rick Barton, El Mirage, Arizona, Hammarlund HQ-180A, HQ-200, Drake R-8, outdoor slinky, 70' inverted-L wire, 100' random wire, ABDX via DXLD) Probably typo: 12270 Firedrake July 15, all //: 11500, fair at 1227 12175, good at 1228. New frequency never reported before in DXLD, but 12180 has been, against SOH jumparound. In 11-21, we had it April 18 on 12180, and at that time Aoki was listing it on 12175 i.a., via Tajikistan. Current Aoki only shows 12165 and 12190 for SOH and not during this semihour. They are flexible. 12175 used to be the only SWBC frequency from Iceland, long ago. And the dirty spur from Brasil 11765 used to show up around 12175. 12600, very good at 1230 14700, very good at 1231 14970, very good at 1232 15670, good at 1246, even atop CNR1 jamming; at 1235 the FD was NOT on 16100, fair-good at 1235 Firedrake July 16 found some anomalies; first time group before 1301: 11500, fair at 1257; no 12`s at this time 11980, fair at 1258; no 10-9-8-7`s at this time. 11980 is an unusual frequency reminding us to search for FD just as thoroly inband as outband. This lasted past 1300 until about 1300:15, when switched to a few words of Chinese, and a bit of other music until 1300:20*. Then another very weak signal from algo was uncovered. Why would FD be on 11980? HFCC condensed shows: 11980 1200 1300 49,54W KUN 150 177 270311 301011 Eng CHN CRI RTC 11980 1200 1300 18 WOF 125 45 080711 301011 13650 Eng G PRW BAB Possibly a switching error at Kunming, putting FD on instead of CRI English?? Tough luck for Poland. Note also the second entry effective 8 July: there must have been some change, possibly insignificant, since Poland`s English was already on 11980 for A-11. Aoki does not have anything additional on 11980 until 1300 accounting for jamming. 13920, very good at 1250 14700, very good at 1251. While listening to this one, noted a quick break at 1251:47, and then a change in the music. This rough edit seems to be a standard feature of the current playbacks, often heard before on any frequency. 14970, fair at 1252 15970, good at 1252 16100, very poor at 1255, providing BFO for some SSB 2-way, presumed maritime; this happens very rarely: FD QRMing utilities despite all the out-of-band frequencies employed by SOH and FD. Second time group, 13-14 UT: 11500, fair at 1345 12980, good at 1343 13920, very good at 1342 14700, very good at 1341 14970, good at 1340 15430, fair at 1328 until 1330:05*! Normally this *starts at 1330, vs V. of Tibet via UAE; has its schedule changed? Nothing heard after 1330. 16100, poor at 1338; no ute QRM now BTW, S. Handler`s article about Firedrake, updating and expanding the one in July NASWA Journal, appears in the latest DXLD: http://www.w4uvh.net/dxld1128.txt (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, A couple of interesting Firedrakes today, 15230 and 15700. Got a late start this morning. 11500 Fair 1328 and 1349 12180 Fair 1328 12980 Fair 1349 13920 Good 1329 and 1350 14700 Good 1329, 1350 and 1426 14970 Good 1329, 1348 and 1423 15230 Fair 1358 15275 Fair 1348 and Weak 1426 15700 Fair-Good 1424 15545 Good 1330 s/off shortly thereafter 16100 Fair 1328 and 1348 (S. Handler, IL, July 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake July 17: 16100, JBA at 0454; only one audible during the ChiCom noon hour 11500, good at 1250; rough break in music for several sex at 1251; good at 1335 11980, at 1247 very poor in English, must be CRI Kunming as scheduled, // 9760; no Firedrake here unlike 24 hours earlier until 1300* 12980, good at 1252, good at 1335 13920, good at 1333; none in the 14`s now 14700, very good at 1254 15275, poor at 1359 15430, very good at 1329-1330 like 24 hours earlier. Might have been something underneath, but not during 1330-1330:25* open carrier or afterwards 15520, very good at 1358; not on earlier in hour 15670, FD poor under CNR1 jamming at 1255; 1331 now it`s over the CCI from CNR1; and at 1358 good over CNR1 (with victim far underneath) Firedrake July 18, first during ChiCom post-noon hour: 15970, JBA with flutter at 0524 16100, very poor with flutter at 0527 16980, JBA with flutter at 0527 Before 1300: 11500, fair at 1253 12980, fair at 1254 13130, good at 1256 14700, fair-good at 1257 15545, poor at 1258 15900, poor at 1259 16100, good at 1259 After 1300: since 15430 had been heard past two days until 1330* I tuned here to try to catch it coming on. Certainly not on during first few minutes of semihour, but it turned out that the signal was not strong enough on second receiver with indoor antenna to catch my attention whenever it oncame. At 1327 check it was already on, until 1330* off immediately 15545, very poor-poor at 1327, vs carrier on 15542 1330-1400: 16100, poor-fair at 1331, fair at 1359 15970, good at 1331, 1358 15900, fair at 1331, poor at 1358 15520, fair at 1358; down from 15545 vs V of Tibet earlier 13830, poor-very poor at 1333; none in the 12`s or 14`s now 12980, poor at 1356, not earlier in semihour 11500, poor at 1336 Firedrake July 19, first at midday in China: 16100, fair at 0516: only one heard 12-18 MHz Before 1200 UT: 7990, trying to detect here under TADIL-A bonker at 1158, but not 11500, fair at 1158 12270, fair at 1158 12980, JBA at 1158 [not 1258 as typoed in original report, of course] 14700, poor at 1159 14970, poor at 1158 Before 1300 UT: 11500, poor at 1257 12980, poor at 1257 13920, poor at 1255 14700, fair at 1255 14970, poor at 1255 15900, good-very good at 1254 16100, very good at 1253 16980, good at 1253 After 1300 UT: 11500, very poor at 1329 13920, very poor at 1327 14700, poor at 1326 15430, unlike previous two days, no FD here before 1330; see CYPRUS 15545, fair at 1324 15970, good at 1325; no 15900 now 16100, very good at 1326 Firedrake July 20, before 1200: 11500, JBA with flutter at 1146 12600, very poor with flutter at 1147, no others audible up to 18 MHz Before 1400: 16980, poor with heavy flutter at 1331 16100, fair at 1328 15970, poor with flutter at 1331 15430, poor at 1329-1330* -- it`s back 13920, fair at 1332; none in the 14`s or 12`s 13130, good at 1333 11500, fair at 1335 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, Two new Firedrake frequencies this morning July 20th 15520, Fair 1341 previously unheard frequency in the A11 season 17575, Weak 1416 s/on. Unusual to catch a sign on especially for a previously unheard frequency in the A11 period. Fair at 1427 Today's Firedrake monitoring - July 20, 2011 11500, Weak 1156 nothing lower 12270, Fair 1157 12600, Fair 1156 13130, Weak 1340 13920, Fair 1340 14700, JBA 1426 and 1455 15520, Fair 1341 15670, Weak 1341 also with CNR1 Mandarin audio jamming RA 15795, Weak s/on 1416 then fair 1427 15970, Weak 1342, 1428, JBA 1458 16100, Fair 1342 16980, Fair 1343 Nothing Higher (S. Handler, IL, July 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I had 15520 on July 18; see above. The ones 15.5-15.6 jump around so much, that sooner or later could occupy every 5-kHz step therein (gh) Firedrake July 21; propagation quite poor. OSOB on 16m was Chile 17680: 16980, JBA at 1236 16100, JBA at 1236 15900, poor at 1233 14700, poor at 1230, seems to be mixing with algo, Sound of Hope? 13130, very poor at 1232 12980, fair with flutter at 1233 11500, fair at 1233 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non]. 11605, CHINA/N MARIANAS, China broadcasting CNR- 1’s Mandarin broadcast as a jamming tool against Radio Free Asia in Tibetan (via Tinian per HFCC), 1240-1242, 7/5. China on top-Fair, RFA underneath-Poor. Same heard 1248 on 7/12. China on top and RFA underneath. (Handler-IL) 11665, CHINA/TAIWAN, Radio Taiwan International, 1125, 6/30, in Mandarin being jammed by another Mandarin broadcast possibly but unconfirmed China’s CNR-1. On July 2 at 1222-1245 Mandarin with heard two female presenters talking, music, and also male and female presenters talking. Good. On 7/6 1210-1215 China using CNR-1’s Mandarin broadcast to jam Radio Taiwan International’s Mandarin broadcast. China on top-Good with Taiwan underneath-Fair. (Handler-IL) 11785, CHINA/THAILAND, 1205-1207, 7/5. China broadcasting CNR-1’s Mandarin broadcast as a jamming tool against the VOA in Mandarin (via Udorn per HFCC) China on top-Fair, VOA underneath-Poor. (Handler-IL) 11805, N MARIANAS/CHINA. VOA (via Saipan per HFCC), 1323-1325, 7/12, in Mandarin. VOA on top (Good) being jammed by CNR-1 in Mandarin underneath (Fair). (Handler-IL) 11825, PHILLIPINES. China broadcasting CNR-1’s Mandarin broadcast as a jamming tool against the VOA in Mandarin via Tinang, 1210-1212, 7/5. VOA on top-Fair with China underneath-Poor. (Handler-IL) 11990, CHINA/N MARIANAS. China broadcasting CNR-1’s Mandarin broadcast as a jamming tool against the VOA in Mandarin (via Saipan per HFCC), 1206-1219, 7/5. VOA on top-Fair. China underneath-Poor. Also 6/30 with VOA 1128 via Saipan in Mandarin being jammed by CNR-1 also in Mandarin. Jamming on this freq is every day. 6/30. Also on 7/8 CNR-1 Mandarin was being used to jam VOA’s Mandarin Broadcast from 1130-1153 (Handler-IL) 12040, PHILLIPINES/CHINA. China broadcasting CNR-1’s Mandarin broadcast as a jamming tool against the VOA in Mandarin (via Tinang per HFCC), 1221-1224, 7/5. VOA on top-Good with China underneath-Poor. (Handler-IL) 13830, CHINA. Using the broadcast of CNR-1 in Mandarin to jam the broadcast of Radio Free Asia in Tibetan, 1144, 6/30. This jamming can be heard almost every day and sometimes CNR-1 is joined in its jamming by Firedrake. (Handler-IL) 14700, TAIWAN. Sound of Hope, 1537, 7/3, in Mandarin. In the clear with no jamming. Weak (Handler-IL) 15115. N MARIANAS/CHINA. China broadcasting CNR-1s Mandarin broadcast to jam the VOA’s Mandarin broadcast, 1306, 7/4. Also 7/10 at 1302 VOA (via Saipan per HFCC) ton top with female presenter speaking Mandarin (Good) being jammed by CNR-1 in Mandarin underneath with male presenter (Fair) (Handler-IL) 15330, CHINA. Using CNR-1 Mandarin broadcast as a jamming tool, 1305, 7/4. The only user scheduled on this frequency at this time is the BBC in Uzbek. Also the same heard at 1307 on 7/12. CNR-1 heard on top with station (unid) playing a song underneath. (Handler-IL) 15480, CHINA. China National Radio CNR-1 in Mandarin, 1220-1245, 7/6. This frequency is an excellent source to use to compare to the Mandarin audio being used to jam VOA, RFA, AIR and other stations. (Handler-IL) 15670, CHINA. Using the Mandarin broadcast of CNR-1 and also using Firedrake’s musical jammer, jamming the broadcast of Radio Free Asia in Tibetan, 1129-1200, 6/30. At 1159:55 Firedrake music stopped and was immediately followed by a series of time pips and at 1200 CNR-1 audio in Mandarin broadcast by the Firedrake transmitter. On 7/6 1220- 1223 China using the Mandarin program of CNR-1 to jam the Tibetan broadcast of Radio Free Asia. Only CNR-1 was being used today, not Firedrake. (Handler-IL) 15795, INDIA/CHINA. All India Radio, 1252, 7/2, in Mandarin. Male singer, being jammed by China ’s CNR-1 also in Mandarin with female presenter talking. Fair. CNR-1’s Mandarin program again being used as a jammer again heard 7/4 at 1307 jamming AIR’s Mandarin program. I am not sure of China is intentionally targeting AIR or looking for the Sound of Hope which is scheduled to use this frequency in about 53 minutes. (Handler-IL) 17705, INDIA. All India Radio, 1148, 6/20, in Mandarin being jammed by China ’s use of CNR-1’s Mandarin Broadcast. Fair (S. Handler, IL, Icom IC-7200, Sony ICF-7600GR and dipole antennas, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) 17855, July 15 at 0515, R. Free Asia, Chinese via SAIPAN is usually in the clear, but this time mixed with another signal in Chinese plus SAH, no doubt ChiCom CNR1 jamming also propagating. 17735, July 15 at 0515, Chinese, tried to // second station on 17855 but not for sure; likely also CNR1 jam, since not in HFCC, but this is: 17735 0400 0600 42,43W UDO 250 324 1234567 Tibetan THA IBB IBB (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also EAST TURKISTAN ** COLOMBIA. 5910, R. Alcaraván, Puerto Lleras, 0006-0020, July 13, Spanish. Ballads and indigenous music with brief announcer between selections; solid "Alcaraván" at 0018; fair (Scott R. Barbour Jr. Intervale, N.H. USA, NRD-545, MLB-1, 200' Beverages, 60m dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. 6070, 0134-0211, Voz de la Resistencia (FARC clandestine), 21/07, Spanish, two OM long parallel talk looks like a translation from some language to Spanish with frequent words such as "Libre", "Comunismo" or "Estalinismo, 0147 patriotic music, 0148'45 OM talk again, 0202'38 march music, etc. - almost good-fair at the beginning with distorted audio, then fair-poor due to downward propagation, local noise and BLR on the same channel 73! (Mikhail Timofeyev, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Drake R8A and 30 meters long wire, HCDX via DXLD) So UT Thursday, not just Sundays (gh, DXLD) ** CONGO DR. CONGO-Kinshasa, 5066.3, R. Télé Candip, Bunia, 1848- 1901*, 10/7, [unreadable] talks, some music at 1858 and abrupt closure; 15331 (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, July 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR [non]. 11690, Radio Okapi via Meyerton, 0448-0459*, July 20, in French and vernacular, many singing "Okapi" jingles, fair (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. 28490-USB, July 15 at 2044, TI4CF making many quick contacts including Spain, Italy, USA, default language English but Spanish when appropriate; keeps changing fonetix for his call. Few other signals on band, one from Arizona. Presumably TI was working multi-hop Es to Europe rather than F2. Looked him up in qrz.com: TI4CF CARLOS FONSECA P.O.BOX 4300 SAN JOSE 1000 Costa Rica (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) and see CUBA [non] ** CROATIA. 3984.917, Croatian Radio, Deanovec, observed at 0304 UT July 17, S=9+10dB level (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 17 via DXLD) ** CUBA. 9240, CUBA (reported), Spanish Female 5-digit number station. 7/20, 1015, in progress to BOH, then pause, heading numbers given (88880), then more five figure groups to close at 1040 (Rick Barton, El Mirage, Arizona, Hammarlund HQ-180A, HQ-200, Drake R-8, outdoor slinky, 70' Inverted-L wire, 100' random wire, ABDX via DXLD) ** CUBA. 13880, July 16 at 1332, RHC leapfrog mixing product weak but clear, of very strong 13680 over 13780 another 100 kHz higher; time check as 9:30 am, close enough for Commie government work, and news headlines (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [and non]. JAILED CUBAN DISSIDENT LISTENED DAILY TO VOA-RADIO MARTI SHOW “A FONDO” [gh tires of putting in missing accents] Washington, D.C. — July 15, 2011 — One of Cuba's most prominent dissidents, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, says the joint Voice of America - Radio Marti program A Fondo kept him informed about news events during his long incarceration in a Cuban Jail. Ferrer, who had been serving a 25 year sentence in connection with his effort to bring about constitutional changes in Cuba, was released from prison in March. Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia [caption] In an interview with VOA, the Cuban dissident called the hour-long A Fondo, a “very good” show. He said “the particular stories, the news selected for A Fondo, is what gives the show its quality, very professional. I listened to the show in prison on a daily basis.” The director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Carlos Garcia-Perez, who oversees Radio and TV Martí, says “Mr. Ferrer’s comments are further proof of the great risks undertaken by thousands of Cubans who seek fair and unbiased information from outside the island, as well as the important role of Radio Marti and the VOA in fulfilling that need." VOA Executive Editor and Acting Director Steve Redisch says it is “always encouraging to hear that our programs are having an impact, and A Fondo is a great example of Voice of America and Radio Marti working together to produce a show that is relevant for our audiences throughout Latin America and the Carribean.” A Fondo, is a Spanish language news magazine and interview program focusing on regional and world news. It airs on VOA from 8 to 9, weekday evenings and on Radio Marti from 4 to 5 in the morning. Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, is best known as one of the organizers of the Christian Liberation Movement's Varela Project, an effort to collect signatures for a referendum on constitutional change in Cuba. He was sentenced to prison in 2003 during the so called Black Spring when the government arrested dozens of activists on the island. He was declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International while in Las Tunas prison and chose to remain in Cuba following his March release. For more on VOA Spanish language programs visit http://www.voanews.com/spanish/news For more on Radio and TV Marti visit http://www.martinoticias.com/noticias Voice of America and Radio and TV Martí are funded by the U.S. government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. For information about VOA in English or any of our language services visit http://www.voanews.com Media inquiries can be made to Kyle King in Washington at kking @ voanews.com (VOA press release July 15 via DXLD) ** CUBA [non]. CANADA (non) [sic]. New [sic] schedule of Radio República in Spanish: 2300-2400 on 9490 SAC 100 kW / 227 deg to Cuba Sat/Sun 0000-0200 on 9490 SAC 100 kW / 227 deg to Cuba Sun/Mon (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, July 17 via DXLD) As ya in DXLD ** CUBA [non]. 5954.29, 2335-2350, CLANDESTINE, 13.07, R República, via ELCOR, Guápiles, Costa Rica. Spanish interview and music, 32332 (Anker Petersen, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with a 28 metres longwire here in Skovlunde, Denmark, via Dario Monferini, 20 July, playdx yg via DXLD) Was the I=2 due to Cuban jamming or something else? (gh, DXLD) See also NETHERLANDS [non], 5955 QRM ** CYPRUS [and non]. BBC Cyprus Zygi - damage ? Hi dear Dave, do you have any information at hand, that BBC broadcasts moved from Cyprus to U.K. or different Babcock TX sites recently now? 73 - kind regards de (Wolfy DF5SX Büschel, to David Porter, G4OYX, Woofferton, July 15, via dxldyg via DXLD) Hi Wolfy, Yes you are correct in thinking that CYP is mostly off the air due to the lack of mains electricity on the site. Ladies Mile MF is operating at 150 kW on 1323 kc/s. Zygi has only two HF transmissions a day running thro' it at present with the rest of its commitment being covered in the UK, in Al Dhabbya, Meyerton and Seychelles at Babcock operated stations. The power station operated by the Cypriot authorities has been totally destroyed, so we are unsure when there will be a full resumption of HF from Zygi. However the CYP authorities are looking to obtain two floating power stations and restore the country's generating capacity. All is OK at Zygi apart from broken windows and doors. No doubt the BBC etc will issue a press release sometime. It will be interesting to see the audibility differences at the targets between the CYP and other outputs! 73 (Dave Porter, to Büschel, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, ibid.) And here are the "n o t Zygi Cyprus" anymore registrations of BBC schedule from July 12: 5875 0600 0800 WOF 1234567 English 5875 1900 2000 NAK 1234567 English 5925 1800 1830 SEY 1234567 Somali 6040 0300 0400 RMP 1234567 Arabic 6155 1700 1730 NAK 1234567 Dari 6155 1730 1800 NAK 1234567 Pashto 6155 1800 1830 SNG 1234567 Dari 6155 1830 1900 NAK 1234567 Dari 6195 0200 0400 RMP 1234567 English 6195 0300 0400 SKN 1234567 English 6195 0900 1100 NAK 1234567 English 7375 0400 0500 RMP 1234567 Arabic 7375 1900 2100 SKN 1234567 Arabic 7395 0000 0100 RMP 1234567 English 7395 0100 0200 RMP 1234567 English 7445 0200 0230 RMP 1234567 Pashto 7445 0230 0300 RMP 1234567 Dari 9440 0300 0400 RMP 1234567 Arabic 9480 0130 0200 WOF 1234567 Urdu 9500 0230 0330 WOF 1234567 Farsi 9565 0330 0430 RMP 1234567 Farsi 9605 1700 1730 RMP 1234567 Hindi 9795 1800 1900 RMP 1234567 Dari 9860 1545 1615 SNG 1234567 Tamil 9895 0200 0230 DHA 1234567 Pashto 9895 0230 0300 DHA 1234567 Dari 9895 0300 0330 RMP 1234567 Pashto 9915 0300 0400 WOF 1234567 Arabic 9915 1800 2100 RMP 1234567 Arabic 11740 0400 0500 WOF 1234567 Arabic 11755 0500 0600 RMP 1234567 English 11760 0700 1400 SLA 1234567 English 11820 0400 0700 SLA 1234567 Arabic 11820 0600 0700 RMP 1234567 Arabic 11820 1700 1800 RMP 1234567 Arabic 11845 1800 1830 RMP 1234567 Somali 11855 0300 0330 RMP 1234567 Pashto 11855 0330 0430 DHA 1234567 Farsi 11865 1830 1900 RMP 23456 Krwanda/Kr 11945 0400 0600 SEY 1234567 English 12015 0400 0429 RMP 1234567 Somali 12035 0300 0500 SKN 1234567 English 12095 0300 0600 SKN 1234567 English 12095 0400 0600 RMP 1234567 English 12095 0600 0700 SLA 1234567 English 12095 1700 1900 WOF 1234567 English 12095 1900 2100 CYP 167 English only Fr/Sa/Su 12095 1900 2100 SLA 2345 English 13660 0400 0700 SKN 1234567 Arabic 13660 1400 1500 NAK 1234567 Dari 13660 1500 1600 RMP 1234567 Pashto 15180 0700 0800 RMP 1234567 Arabic 15420 0500 0700 SEY 1234567 English 15420 1500 1800 SEY 1234567 English 15420 1800 1900 WOF 1234567 English 15430 0600 0629 RMP 1234567 French 15470 1400 1500 SNG 1234567 Hindi 15470 1500 1600 SNG 1234567 Urdu 15530 1100 1130 DHA 1234567 Somali 15575 0700 1100 RMP 1234567 English 15575 0700 1100 SKN 1234567 English 15575 1100 1400 NAK 1234567 English 15690 1545 1615 NAK 1234567 Tamil 15790 0500 0700 WOF 1234567 Arabic 15790 1630 1700 WOF 23456 Krwanda/Kr 17640 0500 0700 WOF 1234567 English 17640 0700 1316:SEY:1234567 English 17680 1400 1500 RMP 1234567 Somali 17695 1300 1330 NAK 1234567 Uzbek 17780 1100 1130 DHA 1234567 Somali 21470 0800 1400 SEY 1234567 English 21590 1300 1330 DHA 1234567 Uzbek 21660 0900 1100 NAK 1234567 English an maybe also 9605 BBC 1700 1730 Hindi smtwtfs SoAs 250 090 from Aug 1 (Wolfgang Büschel, July 15, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re: BBC Cyprus Zygi - damage ? Concerning the shortwave transmissions that remain at Zygi it must be noted that the Greek Fri-Sun only is in fact a programme from the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation. When has this slot changed the last time, beyond mere frequency changes? In 1990 it was in place already the way it still is, three transmitters 2245-2315, staying at the same UT time in summer which clearly indicates that it is just a legacy broadcast, presumably of > the same kind than widely seen on IBB and DW facilities. [No, it`s 2215-2245 Fri-Sat-Sun, currently 5925, 7220, 9760 --- gh] Below the cover provided by other sites for Zygi at present, perhaps not fully complete or correct to the last detail because I have no intention to waste even more time on it. Remarkable is the site switch on 6155 for just 30 minutes from Thailand to Singapore and back, perhaps dictated by some engineering reason. Rampisham: 0000-0200 7395; English 0200-0300 6195; English 0200-0400 7445; Pashto/Dari 0300-0330 9895, 11855; Pashto 0300-0400 6040, 9440; Arabic 0300-0400 6195; Englisch 0330-0430 9565; Persian 0400-0429 12015; Somali 0400-0500 7375; Arabic 0400-0600 12095; English 0600-0629 15430; French 0700-0800 15180; Arabic 0700-1100 15575; English 1400-1500 17680; Somali 1500-1600 13660; Pashto 1700-1800 11820; Arabic 1800-1830 11845; Somali 1800-1900 9795; Dari 1830-1900 Mon-Fri 11865; Rwanda/Burundi sce. Skelton 0300-0400 6195; English, synch with RMP 0300-0500 12035; English 0300-0600 12095; English, as of 0400 synch with RMP 0400-0700 13660; Arabic 0700-1100 15575; English, synch with RMP 1900-2100 7375; English Woofferton 0130-0200 9480; Urdu 0230-0330 9500; Persian 0300-0400 9915; Arabic 0400-0500 11740; Arabic 0500-0700 15790; Arabic 0500-0700 17640; English 1630-1700 Mon-Fri 15790; Rwanda/Burundi sce. 1700-1900 12095; English Al-Dhabbaya 0200-0300 9895; Pashto/Dari 0330-0430 11855; Persian 1100-1130 15530, 17780; Somali 1300-1330: 21590; Uzbek Seychelles 0500-0700 15420; English Nakhon Sawan 1100-1400 15575; English 1300-1330 17695; Uzbek 1400-1500 13660; Dari 1545-1615 15690; Tamil 1700-1800 6155; Dari/Pashto 1830-1900 6155; Pashto 1900-2000 5875; English Singapore 1400-1600 15470; Hindi, Urdu 1545-1615 9860; Tamil 1800-1830 6155; Dari And a nice if not already kitschy view of the station [Zygi sunset]: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/4986210 ``Ladies Mile MF is operating at 150 kW on 1323 kc/s.`` That would be a slight reduction, but not necessarily new or related to the lack of power. How old is this transmitter actually? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 15, via Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) If this given location name is right, the Ladies Mile location is n o t at Zygi site, but rather 32 kilometers southwestwards on the 500 kW high power station at Limassol at CYP BBC Zakaki / Ladies Mile 639 kHz / 720 kHz 500 kW 34 37'10.86"N 33 00'07.32"E 8 masts visible so, seems as alternative solution an old reserve 150 kW unit at Limassol is on regular service now. http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/41101746.jpg http://www.panoramio.com/photo/41101746?source=wapi&referrer=www.panoramio.com http://v3.cache7.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/40195855.jpg?redirect_counter=1 http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/43291377.jpg http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/30581230.jpg http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/28153514.jpg - - - - CYP BBC Zygi 1323 kHz 200kW 150deg BBC V-group radiator 34 43'18.35"N 33 19'41.09"E http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/37101172.jpg http://v4.cache5.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/37101172.jpg?redirect_counter=1 http://v1.lscache2.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/23600826.jpg Zygi power station http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/24858965.jpg 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, July 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CYPRUS. 16380-16405, July 19 at 1326, weak OTH radar pulses, presumed from here. Also 15420-15445 at 1330 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DIEGO GARCIA. 4319, 1247-, AFRTS, Jul 9. Something strange here. I went looking for Diego Garcia. An hour ago, there was no one there, but now there's someone there in USB plus carrier. Nothing on the lower side. Signal improved. It is in English. NPR programming interviewing someone with piano playing in the background. Not // to excellent reception from Guam on 5765U with a consumer program (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. La Rosa de Tokio para este fin de semana: Entrevista a Teo Veras La Rosa de Tokyo es un programa dedicado a difundir el apasionante mundo de la radio y del diexismo que se transmite semanalmente desde los estudios de LS11 Radio Provincia de Buenos Aires. En el programa de este fin de semana --- que en días sucesivos puede escucharse en http://programasdx.com/larosadetokio.htm --- escucharemos una interesantisima entrevista realizada a Teo Veras, prestigioso comunicador radial dominicano autor del libro "Las Comunicaciones en América y República Dominicana: origen y desarrollo". Puede ser escuchada los días sábados de 1200 UT a 1300 Tiempo Universal Coordinado (09:00 a 10-00 hora LU) por los 1270 kHz y en Internet por http://www.amprovincia.com.ar/ Además, una extensa red de emisoras de frecuencia modulada de toda la República Argentina retransmite en forma semanal nuestro programa en diferentes días y horarios. La Rosa de Tokyo también sale por onda corta gracias a las facilidades brindadas por WRMI Radio Miami Internacional, http://www.wrmi.net/ También puede ser escuchada en cualquier momento entrando en la página ProgramasDX y haciendo "click" en http://programasdx.com/larosadetokio.htm Desde este vínculo también podrán acceder al archivo que recaba ediciones anteriores del programa. La Rosa de Tokyo es producida y conducida por Omar José Somma y Arnaldo Leonel Slaen y cuenta con la colaboración habitual de Rubén Guillermo Margenet (Slaen, July 16, noticiasdx yg via DXLD) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Video clip of HIJB-2 from this morning Here's a clip of Channel 2 in the Dominican Republic as seen from Navarino, NY (just south of Syracuse) this morning at 10:45 EDT [1445 UT July 14]. The stylized "TA" logo at the top right sharpens up nicely 33 seconds in. At 3:00, there is a brief headlines update, with the top story being the death of the brother of Dominican narco trafficker, Orlando Florian Feliz. At the end, she says they'll be back with more news at 12:35, and mentions, "su emisora de las Antillas." Things get pretty garbled after that. If you can spot any clues to what the other station(s) are that are inferring, please pass them on. After 5 minutes or so, there's not much, except a Quaker Oats ad. As my family and workmates would tell you, I'm pretty excited about this catch! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD7mm5cToYE (Richard McVicar, AB2FN, On the outskirts of Navarino, New York, WTFDA via DXLD) Around 1610 UT today [July 15]. Their logo can be seen at the beginning of the clip. This was the positive offset station on Ch A2; the warbler on zero offset was quite weak, not causing much CCI. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSlY9sh2V8c (Mr Hugh Hoover, Portugal, ibid.) A wonderful clip, Hugh! You must have quite a set-up to be able to stabilize the signals so well (Richard McVicar, AB2FN, On the outskirts of Navarino, New York, ibid.) Hi, thanks. I'm basically reducing the IF bandwidth, applying local sync and using dscaler noise reduction software. See here: http://dx.3sdesign.de/ Look on the left side about halfway down, "Improving Video" and "TV card mods" (Hugh Hoover, ibid.) ** EAST TURKISTAN. 17540 // weaker 17505, July 15 at 0520 CRI English about quotas on rare earth exports. 173 and 269 degrees respectively via Kashgar (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. 9315, R Cairo, English, The Holy Koran and its Meaning with reciting Koran in Arabic, then explanation/translation into English. Now please sit down, because what I’m about to type will shock anyone who has monitored Cairo in the last 25 years. The modulation was clean. Not just ‘not as mushy as usual’ but actually pretty clean. That is until :13 when they had pips (leading up to 0213:30!) and went into the anthem [sic] and news read by a YL. THAT was just as mushy as usual (well, maybe a LITTLE better than usual) and there was a lot of thumping like the microphone wasn’t isolated from the table well and/or she was puffing air into the mic. Disappointing after such a good start! Into vocal music at :25. But for a bit of splatter/HF het from 9305 (also Egypt but in Arabic) this would have been perfect. 54544/54543 during mush modulation 0204-0230 9/Jul (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI, MARE Tipsheet ``July 20`` issued July 18 via DXLD) Radio Cairo, Abu Zaabal transmitter site, 15270 kHz. 2020 UT, 33333, Arabic type music and talk with woman in English at 2025. For unknown reasons they gave TOH/BOH time pips at 2027. Transmitter off at 2029, Fair signal low modulation. S-7 (Nick Rumple, Kannapolis, North Carolina, U.S.A., Yaesu FRG-100, 125 foot longwire - 40 feet high, shortwavelistening yg via DXLD) ** ERITREA. 9820.03, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea, *0256-0320, July 16, sign on with ID. Vernacular talk at 0300. Some Horn of Africa. Very weak. Also very weak on // 9730.03. // 7174.99 - fair to good but occasional ham QRM (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ERITREIA, 7170, Voice of the Broad Masses, Selai Dairo, 1706-1732, 13/7, vernacular, music, talks; off at 1800 after a program in Arabic, and closed with the national anthem; 25432. 7165 ditto, 1721-1746, 07/7, vernacular, chanting, talks; off at 1800; 35433. 7175 ditto, 1751-1802*, 16/7, Arabic, talks, national anthem at closure; 45343. If listened to carefully, the anthem does reveal the name of the country (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, July 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA. ETIÓPIA, 9705, R. Ethiopia, Geja Dera, 1120-1225, 08/7, Vernacular, local songs, talks, jingle at noon [sic], news (presumed); 35443; deteriorating after 1200. 9705 ditto???, 1207-1305, 18/7, English, feature on national parks, music, chimes prior to vernacular announcement & program at 1300; 34443, some QRM de NIGER [q.v.] until 1225. I was unable to follow the program from top to bottom, and no particular reference to Ethiopia was heard, so can't say this was ETH for sure, but the vernacular at 1300 did sound like those aired by R. Ethiopia. Their foreign service is usually on 9560v (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, July 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA. 6030, Radio Oromiya, *0323-0420, July 18. Best ever grayline reception; Monday (UT) clear of R. Martí and Cuban jamming; QRM from Calgary; on with repetitive xylophone sounding IS till 0329; announcer in language that sounded similar to French; played a lot of music; 0400 seemed to be OM and YL with news and back to music; had faded down to unusable by 0420; certainly the clearest and longest reception I have had to date (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA. 6110, Radio Fana, *0256-0322, Jul 17. IS with man announcer in Amharic (?) language with several IDs, music fanfare followed by a woman announcer with news. Horn of Africa music after the news. Fair (Rich D'Angelo, 2216 Burkey Drive, Wyomissing, PA 19610, Ten-Tec RX-340, Drake R-8B, Eton E1, Eton E5, Alpha Delta DX Sloper, RF Systems Mini-Windom, Datong FL3, JPS ANC-4, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** GERMANY. I just uploaded some [20] photos from a visit to the Lampertheim station nine years ago. At this time the shortwave transmitters at Holzkirchen were still operational and remote-controlled from Lampertheim. Noteworthy is also the huge C-band dish for picking up feeds from 27.5 deg. West. I understand that meanwhile the C-band is no longer protected for satellite reception in Germany. If so they could not even do anything if some terrestrial microwave link disrupts the signal (and the Media Broadcast teleport at Usingen could not either when, as an example, they this way loose the CRI feed they relay to Hotbird as feed for Pori 963 kHz). Compared to the C-band monster the Hotbird dishes, simply screwed onto the building, looked almost like toys. At this time Lampertheim transmitted not only BBG programming but also something for what is now Media Broadcast, some missionary stuff around 9.4 MHz they picked up from Hotbird if I recall correctly. This was an old "Programmauslagerung" as done when Jülich ran out of capacity. But no further cases of such third-party use of Lampertheim or Biblis followed afterwards, actually no surprise in light of the very limited antenna facilities there. Of note is here the 120 degrees capability at Lampertheim, added after 1990 for transmissions into the collapsing Yugoslavia and giving the station at least a single opportunity to beam transmissions into any other direction than the former Soviet Union. Meanwhile it is used also for transmissions to Africa, such as Radio Sawa at present (Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 19, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) ** GERMANY [and non]. A11 Media Broadcast July 12, 2011 FREQ BTIM ETIM BRC RLY PWR AZI TARGET DAYS BDATE EDATE ===== ==== ==== === === === === ================ ======= ====== ====== 5930 0000 0057 YFR GUF 500 215 12,14 31 1234567 130611 291011 5930 1700 1900 IBB WER 250 45 28E,29W 1234567 270311 291011 5940 0030 0230 IBB WER 250 105 40 1234567 270311 291011 5945 0700 0730 BVB WER 100 300 27,28N 1 270311 291011 5945 0700 0745 BVB WER 100 300 27,28N 7 270311 291011 5945 1100 1115 MWA WER 250 ND 27,28 1 270311 291011 5955 0558 0800 RNW NAU 500 210 27,28 1234567 270311 291011 5955 0800 1000 RNW NAU 500 210 27,28 17 020711 291011 5955 0800 1000 RNW WER 500 ND 27,28 23456 270311 291011 5955 1000 1459 RNW NAU 500 210 18S,27,28 1 020711 240711 5955 1000 1459 RNW NAU 500 210 18S,27,28 234567 020711 240711 5955 1459 1657 RNW NAU 500 210 27,28 1234567 020711 291011 6040 1600 1630 IBB WER 250 135 28E 1234567 270311 291011 6040 1630 1930 IBB WER 250 105 40 1234567 270311 291011 6045 0900 1000 HLR WER 100 ND 27E,28 1 270311 291011 6055 1030 1100 EMG WER 125 ND 27,28 17 270311 291011 6060 1500 1700 IBB WER 125 60 28E,29W 1234567 270311 291011 6065 0300 0330 AWR WER 250 135 48 1234567 270311 301011 6065 0400 0430 AWR WER 100 120 28E 1234567 270311 301011 6095 0230 0330 IBB WER 250 105 40 1234567 290311 291011 6105 0645 0750 TWR NAU 100 285 27 1 270311 301011 6105 0700 0750 TWR NAU 100 285 27 23456 270311 301011 6105 0715 0750 TWR NAU 100 285 27 7 270311 301011 6105 1700 1800 IBB WER 250 60 28E,29W 1234567 270311 291011 6115 2000 2200 YFR WER 250 210 37,38W 1234567 270311 291011 6120 0759 1000 RNW WER 500 255 27S,37N 23456 270311 291011 6125 1959 2200 RNW NAU 500 225 27S,28SW,37N 1234567 300511 040911 6130 1800 1815 BVB NAU 100 69 28,29 56 270311 291011 6130 1800 1830 BVB NAU 100 69 28,29 3 270311 291011 6130 1800 1900 BVB NAU 100 69 28,29 1 270311 291011 6130 1815 1845 BVB NAU 100 69 28,29 7 270311 291011 6140 0900 1000 MVB WER 100 ND 27,28 1 270311 291011 6140 1300 1400 MVB NAU 100 126 28 1 270311 291011 7215 1400 1430 TWR WER 100 60 28-30 2 270311 301011 7215 1400 1430 TWR WER 100 60 28-30 3456 270311 301011 7215 1400 1500 TWR WER 100 60 28-30 17 270311 301011 7230 1900 1930 FEB WER 250 105 39N 1234567 090711 291011 7280 0230 0400 IBB WER 250 105 40 1234567 270311 291011 7310 0300 0330 BVB WER 125 120 39S 1234567 270311 291011 7360 2200 0057 YFR GUF 500 170 12,13,15 1234567 130611 291011 7375 0100 0300 HRT WER 100 315 2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10 1234567 070911 291011 7375 0300 0500 HRT WER 100 325 2,3,6,7W,10 1234567 070911 291011 7375 2200 0300 HRT WER 100 240 11,12,13,14,15,16 1234567 070911 291011 7375 2300 0100 HRT WER 100 300 6,7,8,9,10 1234567 070911 291011 7405 0030 0100 BVB WER 250 90 41 1234567 270311 291011 7420 2200 2300 YFR WER 250 210 37,38W 1234567 270311 291011 9430 1800 1900 BVB NAU 250 125 39,40 7 270311 291011 9430 1815 1845 BVB NAU 250 125 39,40 1 270311 291011 9440 1529 1600 TWR WER 100 105 28 7 270311 301011 9440 1529 1600 TWR WER 100 90 29S,39N 23456 270311 301011 9445 0030 0130 GFA WER 250 90 40E,41NW 1234567 270311 291011 9470 1900 2100 AWR WER 250 120 38E,39 1234567 040711 291011 9505 0300 0330 AWR WER 250 135 48 1234567 270311 301011 9515 1930 2000 PAB NAU 250 150 37,38 1 180711 291011 9515 1930 2030 PAB NAU 250 150 37,38 7 270311 291011 9520 2330 0030 GFA WER 250 75 41NE,43S,49N 1234567 270311 291011 9585 1800 1900 CHW NAU 100 90 28E,29 7 270311 291011 9590 1900 2000 YFR WER 250 150 37E,38 1234567 270311 291011 9595 1159 1600 RNW WER 250 300 27 1234567 020711 240711 9595 2000 2100 YFR NAU 500 180 46E,47,52N 1234567 270311 291011 9600 1900 1930 IBB WER 250 150 47,48 1234567 040711 291011 9610 0530 0600 RMI WER 100 180 46SE 23456 110611 291011 9610 1900 2200 YFR WER 500 180 46,47,52 1234567 090611 291011 9620 1159 1600 RNW NAU 500 11 18 1234567 020711 240711 9620 2200 2300 NHK WER 500 135 38,39,40 1234567 060411 291011 9655 1400 1500 TOM MOS 100 275 18,27,28 1234567 080711 291011 9675 1630 1700 IBB WER 250 150 47,48 23456 270311 291011 9715 2100 2200 YFR NAU 500 180 46E,47,52N 1234567 270311 291011 9735 0200 0500 VOR GUF 250 320 6-8,10,11 1234567 270311 301011 9735 0500 0515 BVB WER 250 105 39,40 6 270311 291011 9740 0659 0800 RNW WER 250 300 27 1234567 300511 040911 9740 1600 1700 IBB WER 250 60 19,29,30 1234567 270311 291011 9760 1630 1800 IBB WER 250 105 40 1234567 270311 291011 9765 1900 1930 AWR WER 100 210 37,38W 1234567 270311 301011 9765 1930 2000 AWR WER 100 210 37,38W 1234567 270311 301011 9765 2000 2030 AWR WER 100 210 37,38W 1234567 270311 301011 9780 1700 1800 IBB NAU 250 90 40E,41NW 1234567 070711 291011 9790 0900 1000 AWR NAU 100 180 28W 1 270311 301011 9805 1900 2000 IBB WER 250 60 29,30 1234567 270311 291011 9810 0000 0200 VOR GUF 250 195 12,14,16 1234567 270311 301011 9810 2030 2100 IBB NAU 250 190 46,47 23456 260411 291011 9815 0300 0330 IBB NAU 250 160 47,48 1234567 270311 291011 9815 0330 0400 AWR WER 250 135 48 1234567 270311 301011 9815 1800 1830 IBB WER 250 150 47,48 1234567 270311 291011 9830 1600 1630 AWR WER 100 120 28E 1234567 270311 301011 9830 2000 2030 AWR WER 100 180 46E,47W 1234567 090611 301011 9895 0459 0557 RNW WER 500 120 28S 1234567 270311 291011 9895 0559 0659 RNW NAU 500 220 27S,28SW,37N 1234567 270311 291011 9895 0800 1000 RNW NAU 500 220 27S,28SW 17 270311 291011 9895 1000 1459 RNW NAU 500 220 27S,28SW,37N 1 270311 240711 9895 1000 1459 RNW NAU 500 220 27S,28SW,37N 234567 020711 240711 9895 1459 1559 RNW NAU 500 220 27S,28SW,37N 1234567 270311 291011 9895 2059 2127 RNW NAU 250 320 17 1234567 300511 040911 9925 0100 0300 HRT WER 100 315 2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10 1234567 100511 060911 9925 0300 0500 HRT NAU 100 325 2,3,6,7W,10 1234567 100511 060911 9925 1800 1900 YFR WER 500 165 57 1234567 270311 291011 9925 2200 0300 HRT WER 100 240 11,12,13,14,15,16 1234567 100511 060911 9925 2300 0100 HRT NAU 100 300 6,7,8,9,10 1234567 100511 060911 9935 2200 2300 YFR GUF 500 215 12,14 31 1234567 270311 291011 9935 2300 2357 YFR GUF 500 215 12,14 31 1234567 130611 291011 11605 2200 2400 VOR GUF 250 180 12,13,15 1234567 270311 301011 11645 1400 1500 IBB WER 250 105 39N,40 1234567 270311 291011 11670 1730 1800 AWR WER 100 210 37,38W 1234567 270311 301011 11695 1500 1530 EMG WER 250 60 29,30 7 270311 291011 11755 2030 2100 AWR WER 100 180 46SE,47W 1234567 270311 301011 11810 0500 0530 BVB NAU 125 185 37,38,46N,47N 1234567 090611 291011 11810 1500 1600 IBB WER 250 90 29SE 1234567 270311 291011 11840 1900 2000 YFR NAU 500 205 37,46 1234567 080611 291011 11855 1800 1815 BVB NAU 100 105 39,40 7 270311 291011 11855 1800 1830 BVB NAU 100 105 39,40 246 050711 291011 11855 1800 1900 BVB NAU 100 105 39,40 35 270311 291011 11855 1830 1900 BVB NAU 100 105 39,40 1 270311 291011 11885 1700 1759 YFR ISS 250 110 39 1234567 270311 291011 11905 1730 1800 IBB NAU 250 140 48 23456 090611 291011 11905 1800 1900 IBB NAU 250 140 48 1234567 090611 291011 11925 1800 1900 IBB WER 250 150 48 1234567 090611 291011 11925 1900 1930 IBB WER 250 150 48 23456 090611 291011 11940 1500 1530 IBB WER 250 75 30S 1234567 270311 291011 11945 1930 2000 RMI WER 100 180 46SE 1234567 080611 291011 11955 1800 1900 YFR WER 250 150 37E,38 1234567 270311 291011 11960 1730 1800 BVB WER 100 120 39,40 17 170711 291011 11975 1830 1900 LWF ISS 500 167 46S,47SE 1234567 270311 291011 11980 0700 0800 AWR WER 100 210 37,38W 1234567 270311 301011 11980 0800 0830 AWR WER 100 210 37,38W 1234567 270311 301011 11995 1600 1630 RMI WER 500 135 47E,48 1 150611 291011 12010 0800 0830 AWR WER 100 210 37,38W 1234567 270311 301011 12010 0830 0900 AWR WER 100 210 37,38W 1234567 270311 301011 12015 1630 1700 IBB WER 250 150 47,48 23456 180711 291011 12050 0400 0600 AWR WER 250 120 38E,39 1234567 040711 291011 12080 1500 1600 IBB WER 250 180 46,47,52,53,57 1234567 270311 291011 12140 1530 1730 BVB WER 100 105 39,40 1234567 270311 291011 13570 1500 1600 IBB WER 250 90 39N,40W 1234567 270311 291011 13580 1700 1720 BVB ISS 250 115 39,40 2356 270311 291011 13580 1700 1735 BVB ISS 250 115 39,40 4 270311 291011 13590 1530 1815 BVB NAU 100 130 39,40 1 270311 291011 13590 1545 1600 BVB NAU 100 130 39,40 24 270311 291011 13590 1545 1615 BVB NAU 100 130 39,40 6 270311 291011 13590 1545 1620 BVB NAU 100 130 39,40 3 270311 291011 13590 1545 1645 BVB NAU 100 130 39,40 5 270311 291011 13590 1545 1700 BVB NAU 100 130 39,40 7 090411 291011 13590 1700 1800 BVB NAU 100 130 39,40 3 270311 291011 13600 1615 1700 BVB NAU 100 130 39,40 246 040711 291011 13600 1700 1730 BVB NAU 125 130 39S 1234567 270311 291011 13615 1400 1500 IBB WER 250 75 30S 1234567 020611 291011 13615 1600 1700 YFR NAU 500 95 40 1234567 020711 291011 13620 0527 0557 PNW NAU 500 156 47,48W 1234567 180711 301011 13630 1532 1547 BVB ISS 250 91 39,40 1 300511 291011 13645 1600 1700 YFR WER 250 120 39 1234567 240511 291011 13700 0959 1459 RNW WER 500 240 27S,28SW,37N 1234567 020711 240711 13700 1159 1459 RNW WER 500 120 28S,37W 1234567 020711 240711 13700 1459 1557 RNW WER 500 120 28S,39W 1234567 270311 291011 13700 1459 1657 RNW WER 500 240 27S,28SW,37N 1234567 300511 040911 13710 1100 1130 EMG NAU 250 30 19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26 7 270311 291011 13720 1630 1730 BVB WER 100 150 47,48 1234567 240511 291011 13730 0459 0557 PNW WER 250 150 47,48W 1234567 180711 301011 13730 1400 1500 YFR WER 250 75 30S,40N 1234567 270311 291011 13740 1500 1515 BVB WER 250 90 41,49NW 1 040711 291011 13740 1700 1800 YFR NAU 500 95 40 1234567 070711 291011 13740 1900 1930 BVB WER 125 180 37,38,46N,47N 1234567 080611 291011 13745 1600 1700 IBB WER 250 90 29SE 1234567 280411 291011 13750 1800 1900 YFR WER 500 180 46SE 1234567 270311 291011 13790 1500 1558 YFR ISS 500 85 41SE 1234567 270311 291011 13810 1500 1600 TOM NAU 100 130 28,29W,38E,39 1234567 080711 291011 13810 1600 1800 BVB ISS 100 131 38S,39S,47,48 25 270311 291011 13810 1600 1830 BVB ISS 100 131 38S,39S,47,48 16 270311 291011 13810 1630 1800 BVB ISS 100 131 38S,39S,47,48 34 270311 291011 13810 1630 1830 BVB ISS 100 131 38S,39S,47,48 7 270311 291011 13830 1630 1700 IBB NAU 250 150 47,48 23456 040711 291011 13830 1700 1758 SBO ISS 100 126 38E,39S,48 14 270311 291011 13840 1700 1800 YFR WER 100 180 37,38 1234567 270311 291011 13870 1730 1800 IBB NAU 250 140 48 23456 270311 291011 13870 1800 1900 IBB NAU 250 140 48 1234567 270311 291011 13870 1900 1930 IBB NAU 250 140 48 23456 270311 291011 15110 1530 1600 IBB WER 250 105 40 1234567 270311 291011 15155 1730 1800 AWR WER 250 135 48 1234567 090611 291011 15160 1600 1700 YFR NAU 500 140 48 1234567 270311 291011 15205 1400 1430 PAB NAU 100 95 41 1 080711 291011 15205 1415 1430 PAB NAU 100 95 41 234567 080711 291011 15205 1430 1445 PAB ISS 250 83 41 1 270311 291011 15205 1900 1930 AWR NAU 100 200 46S 1234567 270311 301011 15205 1930 2000 AWR WER 250 180 46SE,47W 1234567 270311 301011 15215 1530 1629 GFA ISS 250 86 40E,41NW 1234567 270311 291011 15255 1500 1529 AWR ISS 250 90 41N 1234567 300511 301011 15255 1530 1600 AWR ISS 250 75 41N 1234567 300511 301011 15260 1900 2000 AWR NAU 100 215 37,38W 1234567 270311 301011 15275 1515 1530 BVB ISS 100 90 40,41 7 090411 291011 15275 1530 1559 BVB ISS 100 90 40,41 456 270311 291011 15320 1300 1330 AWR WER 250 75 42,43W 17 270311 291011 15320 1300 1330 AWR WER 250 75 42,43W 23456 270311 291011 15320 1330 1500 AWR WER 250 75 42,43W 1234567 270311 291011 15350 1230 1500 GFA WER 250 90 41 1234567 240511 291011 15360 1500 1530 AWR NAU 250 85 41N 1234567 270311 301011 15360 1530 1559 AWR ISS 250 80 41N 1234567 270311 301011 15380 1430 1630 IBB WER 250 105 40 1234567 240511 291011 15380 1700 1800 IBB WER 250 105 39N,40 1234567 070711 291011 15390 1330 1530 GFA WER 250 90 41NE,43S,49N 1234567 270311 291011 15410 1700 1715 ABA ISS 250 140 48SW 7 030711 291011 15445 1700 1900 NHK WER 250 135 38,39,40 1234567 240511 291011 15495 1500 1559 YFR ISS 500 85 41E 1234567 270311 291011 15495 1759 1957 RNW WER 500 150 48SW,52E,53W 1234567 270311 291011 15565 1400 1459 YFR ISS 500 83 41E 17 250611 291011 15565 1400 1500 YFR NAU 500 90 41E 23456 250611 291011 15565 1500 1600 IBB WER 250 90 29SE 1234567 260511 291011 15650 1400 1700 IBB WER 250 75 30S 1234567 270311 291011 15670 1400 1559 YFR ISS 500 85 41 1234567 020711 240711 15670 1400 1600 YFR NAU 500 95 41 1234567 260711 291011 15680 1230 1330 IBB WER 250 90 40 1234567 240511 291011 15690 1400 1459 YFR ISS 500 90 41S 1234567 270311 291011 15710 1659 1727 RNW WER 500 180 47,52N 1234567 270311 291011 15715 0400 0900 IBB WER 250 90 40E,41NW 1234567 270311 291011 15720 1529 1627 PNW WER 500 150 47,48W 1234567 180711 301011 15720 1659 1727 RNW NAU 500 155 47E,48,52E,53 1234567 270311 291011 15750 1600 1700 YFR WER 500 150 47,48 1234567 180711 291011 17485 1500 1600 TOM WER 100 165 38 1234567 080711 291011 17495 1345 1415 BVB NAU 250 95 41 1st Sun 250611 291011 17495 1415 1500 BVB NAU 250 95 41 1 250611 291011 17495 1430 1500 BVB NAU 250 95 41 7 250611 291011 17535 0900 1000 BVB WER 100 135 38,39 6 270311 291011 17535 1200 1230 AWR WER 250 90 41NE 1234567 270311 301011 17535 1230 1300 AWR WER 250 90 41NE 1234567 270311 301011 17575 1630 1700 AWR ISS 250 130 48 1234567 300511 301011 17580 1300 1500 YFR WER 500 90 41E 1234567 090711 291011 17750 1400 1500 IBB WER 250 120 39N,40 1234567 280611 291011 17800 1400 1559 YFR ISS 500 90 41S 1234567 020711 240711 17800 1400 1600 YFR WER 500 90 41S 1234567 260711 291011 Data from http://www.media-broadcast.com/en/radio/analogue-radio-networks/short-wave.html Reformatted by Dan Ferguson, for: NASWA - North America Shortwave Association; http://www.naswa.net NASWA Combined Schedules lists at http://www.hfskeds.com/skeds/ General SWBC discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shortwave-radio SWL chatroom: #swl on StarChat.net (via Dan Ferguson, July 16, NASWA yg, tidied up by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GHANA [non]. AUSTRIA, "Coverage map" QSL came in today from AWR Ghana (via Austria). Power and xmtr QTH weren't filled in. (16 July) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, HCDX via DXLD) WTFK? ** GREECE. 9420, 1402-, Voice of Greece, Jul 9. A difficult channel. Checked for RUI, but nothing heard. Instead, presumably VOG in Greek, but really marred by a ute right on frequency with hash above and below the frequency, so no escaping them. Good otherwise (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. I've just heard Radio Filia's French programme this Thursday July 14 at 0930-1000 UT (1230-1300 local time in Greece). At the end, they said that from July 15th, new times will be in effect. French will be at "1030 local time" (so should be at 0730 UT). Nothing heard about the other transmissions. Regards (Jean Michel Aubier, France, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 14 via DXLD) 15650, noted Voice of Greece in Greek at 09-10 UT July 16 on 15650 kHz instead of regular 15630 kHz, // 9420 kHz. The Asian immigrants program on Saturdays only heard on 11645 kHz, like "Bangladesh Community Program" or "Filipino Community Program". VoGRC Avlis stopped at 0959:45 UT today, for usual 10-11 UT break, and was followed co-channel by DWL interval signal of DWL German service via Trincomalee Ceylon relay towards South East Asia and Pacific. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 14/16, ibid.)) ERT V Of Greece widely received today 20 kHz up, on new 15650 kHz (ex 15630). At least at 0800 til 1000, then 1100-2300 UT? {maybe also 0300-0800 UT ?} Co-channel QRM noted at 1000 UT by DWL Pacific service, but followed by ERT 55 minutes break. 15650 0600 0657 37,38S,38NW,46 SIN 250 140 Deu POR DWL 15650 1000 1100 49S,50S,54 TRM 250 120 Deu CLN DWL 15650 1100 1157 54 TIN 250 256 Indones USA RNW 15650 1400 1700 30S WER 250 75 Turkmen D IBB 73 wolfy (Wolfgang Büschel, July 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dear Wolfy: Same 15650 kHz. and noisy here at 2034 UT; wonder if it is an engineer error? (John Babbis, MD, July 16, via Büschel, DXLD) John, as you predicted yesterday: Re 15650 fault. Was apparently an engineer fault on the Avlis TX site at 0300-2300 UT July 16. Is back on 15630 kHz as usual on July 17. vy73 de (Wolfy, ibid.) 15650, July 16 at 2147, Greek music from VOG on wrong frequency; supposed to be on 15630 except at 23-03 for 15650. Seems they were on 15650 by mistake all day, back to 15630 next day, per Wolfgang Büschel, and as also noted here July 17 at 0455, 1331 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Good evening Demetri: They are asleep at the switch again. ERA5 was supposed to leave 15630 kHz, at 2250 UT and go to 15650 at 2300 Checking at 2315 and 0015 UT it is still on 15630/7475/9420. Regards, (John Babbis to Demetri Vafeas, Greece, UT 19-20 July, cc to DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15630, July 20 at 0136, fair signal with Greek music. As John Babbis pointed out, VOG is again on the wrong frequency, staying here instead of switching to 15650 at 2300. ERA axually registers both most of the day in HFCC, so they are covered but never using more than one at a time (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. Anybody having info about the new sched. of Filia's morning broadcasts on 11645? Can't find any info (in English) on their web site. Vy 73, (Erik Koie, Copenhagen, July 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) New schedule of international languages on 11645 kHz now. On 9420 / 15630 kHz Greek service at usual this morning. 11645 kHz channel, totally reshuffled schedule? But July 18 at 0900 UT heard undoubtedly SERBIAN language section and at 0940 UT men`s voice in Arabic language! vy73 de Wolfy (Büschel, July 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello Erik, I checked this morning at 04-11 UT all VoGRC / R Filia channels as well as .asp WEB LIVE RADIO streams from Athens. But un-discovered the "English portion" of these 13 languages program unfortunately. See my report to John Babbis (92 years old) Greek national in Wash. DC of July 19 - see below! We had some discussions yesterday before, because I discovered Serbian and Arabic segment on 11645 kHz recently and I asked John to LOOK OUT the Greek websites and translate that NEW retimed R Filia program schedule and translate it further into English. As Jean-Michel Aubier from France told me earlier last week, the VoGRC / R Filia re-timed also French morning service, starts as from July 15! vy73 wolfy df5sx # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Dear John, please read the ERT websites in Greek language and translate the new schedule of international languages on 11645 kHz now. On 9420 / 15630 kHz Greek service at usual this morning. 11645 kHz channel, totally reshuffled schedule? But July 18 at 0900 UT heard undoubtedly SERBIAN language section and at 0940 UT mens voice in Arabic language ! vy73 de Wolfy Good afternoon Wolfy: Where is VOG web site? I looked at voiceofgreece.gr? I see nothing about new schedule of international languages on 11645 kHz. Can you send me that link so that I can look at it? Regards, John Babbis, July 18, via WB Good morning, kalimera, dear John, > Where is VOG web site? I looked at voiceofgreece.gr? I see nothing about new schedule of international languages on 11645 kHz. SAME ME ! --- nothing available on website http://www.ert.gr/ click to RADIOFONO, right side column, 3rd row from top click to FILIA http://tvradio.ert.gr/radio/index.asp?id=18 or direct to http://tvradio.ert.gr/radio/liveradio/filia.asp listen to ONLINE WEB LIVE RADIO // 11645 kHz for example at 05.00 UT Bulgarian section. S=9+5 dB strength, increasing S=9+30dB at 0540 UT R Filia WEB LIVE RADIO 27 seconds later than shortwave signal. 11645 kHz 0500 UT Bulgarian 0530 UT Albanian 0550 UT ID in Greek, frequencies and schedule 0551-0552 UT news in Albanian, 0552 UT 11645 kHz left the air. 17705 kHz 0553:35 TX on at 17705 kHz channel. At 0554 UT still R Filia WEB LIVE RADIO 27 seconds later than shortwave signal on 17705 kHz. 0600:26 UT time pips end. Followed with Filia ID in Spanish at 0601, till 0605 UT Spanish, but at 0606 check program in Greek too, in // 9420, 15630 kHz. Signal increasing S=8 at 0620 UT. 17705 kHz in Greek to Africa 0553 till 0802:14 UT TX off. 11645 kHz started again at 0805 UT with R Filia in Turkish, S=9+25dB. Followed by Russian at 0830-0900 UT. # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # V of Greece 0400-0450 UT Greek program, heard in Germany 7475 S=9+30dB strength 9420 S=9+20dB 15630 S=5 on VoGRC WEB LIVE RADIO 13 seconds later than shortwave signal. click to RADIOFONO, left side column, 4th row from top click to http://tvradio.ert.gr/radio/liveradio/voiceofGreece.asp 0457 UT Identification in Greek, 0458-0500 UT played GREEK NATIONAL ANTHEM. 0500-0600 UT 9420 S=9+20dB, increasing S=9+30dB at 0540 UT 15630 S=7 at 0520, increasing S=9+20dB at 0540 UT http://tvradio.ert.gr/radio/liveradio/voiceofGreece.asp from 0458 UT VoGRC WEB LIVE RADIO 27 seconds later than shortwave signal. 0600-0800 UT 9420 S=9+30dB 15630 S=9+20dB 17705 S=8 Interval signal 0750 UT, followed by station identification. 0750:40 UT news bulletin in Greek started, till 0754:15 UT. ID and IS at 0754:50 UT. Greek talk till 0759:50 UT. 9420/15630 kHz TX off at 0800 UT. 17705 kHz TX off but later at 0802:14 UT. # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # http://tvradio.ert.gr/radio/liveradio/voiceofGreece.asp 0000-0450 7475 Greek daily Eu,Af,Am 0000-0450 9420 Greek daily Eu,Am 0300-0800 15630 Greek daily Eu 0500-0800 9420 Greek daily Eu 0500-0530 11645 Bulgarian mtwtf.. Eu 0530-0553 11645 Albanian mtwtf.. Eu TX frequency change move 0554-0559 17705 Albanian mtwtf.. Af 0600-0605 17705 Spanish daily Af (late switch by mistake?) 0606-0750 17705 Greek daily Af 0800-1000 9420//15630 Greek m.wtf.. Eu 0800-0830 11645 Turkish mtwtf.. Eu also Tue 0830-0900 11645 Russian mtwtf.. Eu also Tue 0900-0930 11645 Serbian m.wtf.. Eu off Tue 0930-1000 11645 Arabic m.wtf.. Eu off Tue # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # R Filia changed the language sequence as of July 15, 2011. 11645 kHz // MW 666 kHz. R Filia WEB LIVE RADIO 27 seconds later than shortwave. http://tvradio.ert.gr/radio/liveradio/filia.asp 0500 Bulgarian, 0530 Albanian, 0600 Spanish, 0630 German, 0700 Russian, 0730 French, 0800 Turkish, 0830 Polish, 0900 Serbian, 0930 Arabic, 1000 Romanian, -- but couldn't find English section time table yet. 73 wolfy (all via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) Differs on weekends ** GREECE. Here are two exclusively rare photographs of the Voice of Greece transmitter site near Avlis. An aerial view was taken by Athanaspoulos, another photo was semi-panoramic: it was taken by Tasos. My thanks go to them for their enthusiasm. [Avlis, Voice of Greece.22] [Avlis, Voice of Greece. 33] (Lev Lytovchenko, Canada, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) ** GREECE. Greek Public Radio to face severe cuts closing radio stations, mediumwave transmitters and reducing staff. [BUT NOT SW!] Severe cuts for the Greek Radio are included in the new business plan of the Greek public broadcaster ERT, according to reports last week. The cuts are expected to lead radio stations to ceasing operation, selling land, but also drastically reducing the number of employees. Specifically, the business plan of ERT suggests merging 19 regional radio stations into 13, which is estimated to save about 1.5 million euros. Though, this suggestion, according to Eleftherotypia "has caused strong opposition by regional members of the Parliament who do not accept this. This is why this move has stalled for now, as it requires a political decision and such period ... the government would avoid any inner conflict." At the same time there are scenarios of giving the regional radio stations to the municipalities, a solution that had also been proposed in the past but didn't take place. Apart from the merger of regional radio stations, the ERA appears to be moving towards reducing the cost of emissions, leaving bands that are proved to be unpopular, according to the same reports. It has been proposed to abolish a range of frequencies in the mediumwave (MW), which consume large amounts of energy. **** However, abolishing the "Voice of Greece" (ERA5) has been ruled out, given the great response from the Greek communities living abroad and the ocean-going shipping. **** Finally "there is a plan to sell property, particularly expensive land near broadcast centers in the possession of ERT SA. Leakages and reports estimate that this piece of ERT property amounts to 300 billion euros", announced the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists (POESY). These cuts are expected to accompany measures also taken on greek public TV, such as closing a digital channel. The reforms being planned have already caused the reaction of employees who are going on strike and say they will appeal to international organizations and any remedy in order to prevent the violation of their labor rights. "The government, instead of promoting by every means to convert the ERT stations into public bodies, eliminating their dependency on the government, prefers to continue with the downgrading of information for the benefit of private broadcasters who (except in promotion of business activities of their owners) tend to play official government propagandists." The Board of POESY requires the abandonment of any plan of shutting down stations or reducing redundancies of ERT in the center and the periphery and requires signing a new Collective Labor Agreement. Source: Eleftherotypia, To Vima, Poesy http://www.thegreekradio.com/node/2788 (via paokara66, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 4055, 0559-, Radio Verdad, Jul 10. About as well as I've ever heard them with sign-off announcement in Spanish, then presumably Chiquimula [sic]. No English tonight, though. Gave address, frequency, etc. Then into NA (quite a long choral anthem) to 0605. Transmitter was still on at 0608 (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4055, Radio Verdad, Jul 11, 0442 - No sign of them this night, but back as usual the following night to 0606 sign-off. Very nice reception of late (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) They sign off about 2 hours earlier on UT Mondays (gh, DXLD) Estimado Sr. Hauser: Le informo que 14 de julio en Mérida, Yucatán, capté a Radio Verdad (Guatemala) en 4055 kHz con buena señal e identificación a las 0300 UT anunciándose en 4.05 MHz. Le envío enlace a archivo de audio. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SN1EMK07 Atte: (Ing. Civ. Israel González Ahumada, M.I., July 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4055+, July 20 at 1125, R. Truth in English mentioning Chiquimula; 1127 into Chinese! with some musical background, still at 1131. Signal surged briefly to S9+8 at 1128, sunrise enhancement. Theirs: 1138; Mine: 1129. Frequency very slightly high compared with BFO to JOZ+ 6055. Never heard R. Verdad in Chinese before. This 700-watt regional station acts like a trans-oceanic broadcaster, which it can be for the DXers (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUINEA. 7125, Rdif Nationale, 2210-2257*, July 14, French talk. Wide variety of Afro-pop music, hi-life music and rustic tribal music. Abrupt sign off. Fair. 7125, Radio Conakry, 0552-0610, July 20, African hi-life music. Local Afro-pop music. French announcements. Local chants. Fair (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** HAWAII. 10000 at 0544, and 15000 at 0545 July 16: following one of the feature announcements, and then the propagation info, WWVH inserted about 4 seconds of tone during otherwise atonal minutes before announcing the next minute`s time; bad editing? Occasionally noted before. One expects perfexion from NIST! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. AIR Lucknow is noted today 15 July 2011 on 4884 instead of 4880 from sign on at 0025. It is scheduled till 0430. 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082, India, dx_india yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) Thanks for the tip Jose, checked at 0147z, on 4884.0. Regards, (Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, UT July 18, dx_india yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) See also ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS ** INDIA. AIR Employees to go on strike --- Some employees of AIR & Doordarshan TV have announced to go on Relay Hunger strike from 19 to 21 July 2011 to press their demands. So watch out for any interruptions on All India Radio stations on these days. 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082, India, July 18, dx_india yg via DXLD) Delhi on 5053 --- No major interruptions noted on AIR stations although some staff is on a Relay Hunger strike. Last night at around 1630 UT (19 Jul 2011) an AIR station was noted on 5053 kHz. Delhi 5015 kHz was missing at that time. Other AIR stations were noted on regular frequencies. Today (and on some other days) 5990 was noted with Urdu Service instead of Sindhi signing off at 0100 UT. 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082, India, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, ibid.) 5015, AIR Delhi (Kingsway) – presumed. Is it really possible? Heard a clean audio from assume AIR. The terrible hum is gone? For some time now they have been unlistenable due to a horribly strong hum. Seems that is completely gone; just nice audio now. I am presuming AIR heard on July 20 at 1346 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 3344.970, 1318-, RRI Ternate, Jul 10. Despite being Sunday, there was an English broadcast after 1300. A travel program as they were talking about various islands and facilities. Fair level, as dawn occurred some time ago. A call in show, as they accepted several calls, all in English (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA [and non]. 4750, 1233-, RRI Makassar, Jul 9. A messy frequency for sure with several cochannels. The dominant station is centered around 4750.011 and is presumably Makassar. There may be another station mixed in around this frequency. There's also another measuring 4749.962. Listened a little more carefully, and it seems that Makassar is the station on the low side, whereas the high side, although stronger, is lower in modulation and is likely Bangladesh Betar and probably another in the mix. This station had non-stop talk around 1235 UT (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 9525.975, 1310-, Voice of Indonesia, Jul 9. Very good reception in English with news headlines, followed by a comment about the large number of civil servants, followed by a bribery scandal (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. The availability of internet radio (comment after reading DXLD 11-28) I was reading the hot-off-the-press DX LISTENING DIGEST 11-28, July 14, 2011 on a 90 minute train journey a few hours ago on my iPad, and saw Kraig Krist's insightful (and spot-on) remarks re shortwave being mainly a vehicle for propaganda. Kraig also mentioned the challenges of being tied to a PC to listen to internet radio. The technology is changing fast, in fact as I was reading Kraigs words I was listening live to AIR Chennai in my earbuds - yes while on the train in the Australian countryside. If you haven't tried the new TuneIn radio (OSX and Android devices) you really should have a look. At least in Australia (i.e. within 3G Cell range which covers the majority of the population) you can now listen to 50,000 plus radio station live either at home or on the move. I even now use TuneIn in the car (via bluetooth) to my car radio. TuneIn feels like a real radio and also has the added advantage that my stations saved as favourites also become the presets on my internet radios at home. New stations are added pretty well instantly, for example the new stream from Gambia mentioned in today's DXLD is already available and the recently opened station in Muscat was added on the launch day. With mobile data rates now being so cheap in Australia I don't hesitate to listen to world radio while mobile. Of course not everywhere in the world has the same access to mobile data, but at least here in Australia internet radio is now totally portable. Cheers, (Mark Fahey, Sydney, Australia, July 15, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello, if I also I have a IPAD and I'm using these holiday days via my 3G network operator. I also use it to listen radio via the internet, but my real hobby is well on the receiver to listen to shortwave or to take advantage of tropospheric FM propagation. I prefer it. Cordially (Tomás Méndez, Spain, Enviado desde mi iPad, ibid.) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. It appears that NASA is determined to prevent us from monitoring a possible repeat of the extraordinary daytime MW DX opening two years ago in April, when an STS landing occurred in the morning well after sunrise all the way across the CONUS --- our theory being that passing thru the ionosphere near us disrupted the D-layer normally blocking propagation via the higher E-layer, which funxions at night for distant `skywave` propagation (or somehow enhancing the E-layer itself), producing night-like daytime reception in OK of MW stations in CO, WY, NE, SD and ND. The final STS 135 mission schedule at http://www.nasa.gov/tvschedule/pdf/tvsked_revi.pdf shows as of July 20: orb event MET CDT EDT UTC 197 DEORBIT PREPARATIONS BEGIN 12/ 13:25 11:54 PM 12:54 AM 04:54 THURSDAY JULY 21: 198 PAYLOAD BAY DOOR CLOSING 12/ 14:45 01:14 AM 02:14 AM 06:14 200 ATLANTIS DEORBIT BURN 12/ 17:25 03:54 AM 04:54 AM 08:54 200 MILA C-BAND RADAR ACQUISITION OF ATLANTIS 12/ 18:16 04:45 AM 05:45 AM 09:45 200 KSC LANDING KSC 12/ 18:29 04:58 AM 05:58 AM 09:58 This means that like several previous ones, landing path will be in the dark before sunrise, so any such effects would be obscured with MW propagation in nighttime mode anyway. This page shows landing paths: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/news/landing.html coming in over Central America and/or Mexico in the night. If delayed one orbit, coming in from further up over Mexico, but not USA. If further delays should be necessary or even a change in landing site to CA or NM, because of ground weather, all this will be different. So as usual, keep alert for any changes in the original plans (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) And so it went, nominal (gh) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Does anybody know anything about the currect situation about World Space? Here in Copenhagen I still can receive 5 programs from Afristar: WRN 1 and 2, Esperance, NPR, RFI and BBC World. I actually thought that everything had been discontinued. 73, (Erik Køie, Denmark, July 17, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) AFAIK, the company was bought back by his original owner, Mr. Samara, through one of his other company in the US, Yazmi LLC. That was for $5.5m after a more substantial offering by Liberty Media expired. I really don't know who's paying for the uplink now. Perhaps I can ask one of their past business partner in Italy. 73s (Andy Lawendel, Italy, ibid.) Thanks indeed, Andrea, for the reply! Wonder if they have a web site for more info? Vy 73 from a rainy Copenhagen @ 16 C (Erik Køie, ibid.) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [and non]. July 19 PCJ Media Network Plus 30 min edition now available at http://www.facebook.com/l/eAQD-lejFAQAq5Sq6yxHweTtzMIUv-23yFeg1-wI-aSK6RA/www.pcjmedia.com/medianetworkplus We begin on WRN July 30th (Keith Perron) (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) The August 6th edition of Media Network Plus weekly edition will look at jamming from China and from the former USSR. The monthly edition of Media Network Plus will have Jan Hoek the DG of Radio Netherlands and Nigel Holmes of Radio Australia. July 30th (Keith Perron, ibid.) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. VOA Zimbabwe Programs on Intelsat 10 See ZIMBABWE [non] ** IRAN. 4884.954, Iranian government security authority jammers against - tentatively - Voice of Iranian Kurdistan - program noted here parking a bubble jammer at 0310 UT July 17. VoIK not heard at this time slot (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 17 via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. 17755, poor July 18 at 1306, lofi audio with hum during conversation; maybe bad phone connexion. 1312 music without hum, 1316 Farda ID in passing. Is 100 kW, 77 degrees via Lampertheim, GERMANY (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Summer A-11 of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Part 2 of 2: Persian Radio Farda 0030-0100 on 1314 1575 5860 5940 7585 0100-0130 on 1314 1575 5860 5940 7295 7585 0130-0200 on 1314 1575 5860 5940 7295 7585 9805 0200-0230 on 1575 5860 7295 7585 9805 0230-0300 on 1575 5860 7280 7585 9805 15690 0300-0330 on 1575 5860 5885 7280 9805 15690 0330-0400 on 1575 5860 5885 7280 9805 11635 15690 0400-0430 on 1575 5860 5885 11635 13810 13860 15690 0430-0530 on 1575 5860 5885 11635 13810 13860 15690 17880 0530-0600 on 1575 5885 7220 11635 13810 13860 15690 17880 0600-0630 on 1575 5885 7220 11635 13810 13860 15690 17845 17880 0630-0800 on 1575 5885 7220 11635 13860 15690 17810 17845 17880 0800-0830 on 1575 5885 7220 13860 15690 17810 17845 0830-0930 on 1575 5885 7220 13860 15690 17695 17810 17845 0930-1000 on 1575 5885 13860 15610 15690 17695 17845 1000-1130 on 1575 5885 7435 13860 15610 15690 17695 1130-1200 on 1575 5885 7435 13860 15690 17695 1200-1330 on 1575 7435 13860 15690 17695 17755 1330-1400 on 1575 7435 13860 15680 15690 17695 17755 1400-1430 on 1314 1575 11520 13860 15680 17695 1430-1500 on 1314 1575 11520 13860 15555 15680 17695 1500-1530 on 1314 1575 11520 15555 15680 17695 1530-1600 on 1314 1575 7585 11520 15110 15555 15680 17695 1600-1630 on 1314 1575 7585 11520 15110 15555 15680 1630-1700 on 1314 1575 7585 9760 11520 15110 15555 15680 1700-1730 on 1314 1575 7585 9760 11520 15110 15680 1730-1830 on 1314 1575 5830 7585 9760 1830-2130 on 1314 1575 5830 7585 2130-0030 on 1314 1575 7585 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, July 18 via DXLD) ** IRELAND. Irish Music Radio e-QSL received from Tony at the station. Heard 5 July 2011 from 0210 to 0235 UT on 6930 kHz AM. e-QSL lists power at 60 W. In SSB mode, this seems possible across the Atlantic with darkness, but in AM mode? If this is indeed the case, Glenn, then my European QRP has been reduced! Hope all is well as I write this. 73's, (Ed Insinger, NJ, July 16, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. [Re 11-28:] 14 July, 2148 - 9235 kHz, GALEI ZAHAL - Lod (Israele), Ebraico, tk OM/YLs. Segnale buono-sufficiente. 6977 era spenta, 15850 accesa. Notata anche il 15 luglio a vari orari diurni (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Galei Zahal has been found last Friday 16 and Saturday 17th (at least) on 9235 replacing the 6977 kHz. On 16-7 at ca 1900 with talks in Hebrew then a song and signal 45xx4 being in // 15850. Tested with PL200 and DE1102 (Zach Liangas on Fourka Chalkidiki, Greece, Standard rig: ICOM R75 / 2x16 V / m@h40 heads Sennheiser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9235.004 (ex-6973), 0810 UT July 16. Ganz schwach ueber der Grasnarbe zur Zeit das Hebraeisch Programm vom Israel Armeesender Galei Zahal, in \\ 15850.004 kHz. Das 32 mb Signal wird heute Nachmittag dann hier in Europa staerker einfallen. Der Aussendung dieses schwachen 5 kW Stimmchens ist bestimmt auch eine psychologisch stabilisierende Wirkung zur Bindung der Agenten in NoAF, NE und ME zuzuschreiben? Oder welchen Zweck erfuellt dieser Service? (Wolfgang Büschel, July 16, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 17 via DXLD) 15850, July 20 at 0137, poor signal with fluttery music, must be Galei Zahal. So I check their other, new, frequency which I have not yet heard: 9235 --- this one is now audible but very poor with music (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non]. IRRS-Shortwave new daily broadcast to Asia and Australia --- Hello There from IRRS-Shortwave in Milan, Italy, Effective today, June [sic] 18, 2011, we are adding another daily broadcast to Middle East, Asia and Australia from 1300 to 1400 UT on 15610 kHz. All our broadcasts can also be heard online at: http://mp3.nexus.org or http://www.egradio.org You can find our updated frequency schedule at: http://www.nexus.org/schedules/ We welcome your comments and reception reports for these new broadcasts at: reports (at) nexus (dot) org Thanks, and stay tuned! 73s, (Ron Norton, NEXUS-Int'l Broadcasting Association, http://www.nexus.org July 18, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Also via ROMANIA? Frequency schedule page shows it`s 300 kW in English, unlike the other SW frequencies with 150 kW. I`ll bet it`s a preacher, but they never say what their new programming is, and it`s not yet on the day-by-day programming schedule pages as of July 19. Does Tiganeshti have a spare 300 kW transmitter during this hour? Yes, per EiBi, only two of the three are in use for RRI: 1300-1330 on 17600 and 15435; 1330-1400 on 11835 and 15140. In each case one of the frequencies would be 2-3 kHz off to the low side; see ROMANIA. So on July 19 I tune 15610 in at 1258, and guess what, Brother Scare is already on, past 1301 with no sign-on or ID from IRRS/NEXUS- IBA/EGR, talking about being on 5 satellites, etc. Not // WWCR 9980, until I found a music bit starting on 15610 about 72 seconds after it started on 9980 (The BS from BS is so generic and repetitive that it`s hard to make a match on that at such a long delay.) By 1358, 15610 has declined to JBA with flutter. At 1359 another voice is heard, and a `news` cast starts before 1400, about Republicans until off at 1401* Or by then, was it WEWN instead? HFCC and FCC show they start 15610 at 1500, but WEWN website, EiBi, Aoki all show from 1400. I was alert for any Queen of Heaven mix before 1400 but heard none. BTW, July 19 Aoki already lists the 13-14 IRRS on 15610 as Overcomer via Rimavská Sobota, Slovakia. I don`t think so. A certain downunderite also believes the Slovakia story. True to form, BS is all mixed up about his own schedule, with this flashing red on the Overcomer homepage: ``New Shortwave 300,000 watt starting July 18 at 18:00 UTC 15.610`` It`s still not on the less-than useful SW frequency schedule with non- specific local times at ftp://www.overcomerministry.org/RadioSchedule/Short%20Wave%20Radio.htm l 1800 would be Pakistan time for 1300 UT. Just what the Pakis need! (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) June 18? Or July 18? Not shown at http://www.nexus.org/schedules/ I find it interesting that each of the coverage maps at http://www.nexus.org/NEXUS-IBA/Shortwave/maps/index.html has been generated from [a very old version of] VOACAP using an antenna with a constant 17 dB gain in all directions. That entry in the antenna database of VOACAP was put there to facilitate station planning. Since no such antenna exists, I assume IRRS does not have one, so the maps would seem to me not to really provide any reasonable picture of actual coverage. df (Dan Ferguson, ex-VOA, ODXA yg via DXLD) Shown here : http://www.nexus.org/schedules/IRRS-SW_A11.html Log from Japan: I can hear them on 15610 kHz. SINPO 25332. Religious talk - Hironori Takeuchi. Regards, (Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, ibid.) And I failed to note that not all (any?) of the transmissions are from Milan, anyway. df (Ferguson, ibid.) ** JAPAN. 40, JJY, Jul 11, 0527 - Quite easy to hear this Japanese LW time signal station with time pips. Nothing else besides the pips audible. Fair level. Also heard them during the day. WWVB on 60 kHz by comparison always very strong (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KASHMIR. 4950.00, *0030-0040, INDIA, 11.07, R Kashmir, Srinagar. Vernacular ann[ouncer/ouncement?], Vande Mataram hymn, ann, native folksongs. New sign on time, 34232, QRM Angola (Anker Petersen, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with a 28 metres longwire here in Skovlunde, Denmark, via Dario Monferini, 20 July, playdx yg via DXLD) See also ANDAMAN ** KAZAKHSTAN. This weekend, 9 and 10 July, managed to take some photos of the antenna field, which is located 20 km from Almaty on route A350, Almaty - Taldykorgan. Its coordinates are N 43 ? 30 '14'', E 77 ? 0' 20'' well seen on Google Maps. It is situated near the village of Bayserke Ili region, which until 2000 called Dmitrievka in WRTH 2010, by the way, he remained Dmitrievka. I remember before encountered in this publication name Nikolaevka but this village is located 15 kilometers to the north, hence information was not accurate. A few photos I have posted on the DF-site (unfortunately original photo resolution 12MP here can fill in): http://dxing.ru/fotoalbom/mesta.html On one of the images are clearly visible under the mast structure, from which there were only walls. Hence the question is brewing, whether it is used-Broadcasting Center at this time? I have not yet had the time and possibility is to check ... I wonder, what are / were an antenna strung between the short masts (of pipes) that are visible in the foreground? By the way, about a kilometer to the southeast of the field are seen as soon as the mast with antennas. Here they are: http://imageshost.ru/photo/859364/id728674.html May belong to other entities, and therefore are separated? There is a small airport nearby, where you learn to fly and jump to the parachute, may their antenna? It will be interesting to know the views of knowledgeable people. PS: In the same section HH-portal posted pictures of last year the station antennas ADD RJH66, located on the territory of Kyrgyzstan, near the border with Kazakhstan (Dmitry Puzanov, Kazakhstan / "open_dx" [via machine translation], RusDX 17 July via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. Voice of Korea is using shortwave feeders on 3560 and 4405 this evening. They were previously in daily use, but I haven't heard them for a while. As I write (1505 UT) English is running on 3560 and Russian on 4405 kHz (Martyn tokyoscoop, July 16, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. KOREA D.P.R., 11679.844, heavily wandering around x.820 .... to x.860 kHz, today main power stability problem on the peoples republic? KCBS Pyongyang Kanggye, shrill ladies singer chorus, S=6-7, at 0228 UT July 17. // 9665.310, violin music at 0240 UT July 17, noted on remote SDR unit at Tokyo-JPN. 11735.123, heavily wandering around x.104 .... to x.140 kHz, Voice of Korea from Kujang in Spanish, soldiers chorus, S=7 at 0231 UT, July 17, 0232 UT report on patriotas corea, poetas, hombres cultura, la literatura. 9729.966, Voice of Korea from Kujang in Chinese, piano music at 0245 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 17 via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. JAPAN, 5985, 1330-, Shiokaze, Jul 9. Sign-on in presumed Korean at this time, and quite heavily jammed by a grinding / bubble jammer. Still good to very good reception, though. Also a 900 Hz tone. The following day, in Japanese, I don't hear the jammer, but the tones (there are 2) around 900 Hz high are still present. Excellent reception. The tone on the high side is most likely Myanma Radio now that I think about it! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. RADIO BROADCASTER HOPES TO CONTRIBUTE TO GRADUAL CHANGE IN NORTH KOREA Deutsche Welle talks to 'Open Radio for North Korea' founder Tae Keung Ha about the importance of outside broadcasters for the people of North Korea. The North Korean regime suppresses all forms of free information within the country. "Open Radio for North Korea" broadcasts international news via shortwave and FM from neighboring South Korea for the North. World in Progress talked to the radio station's founder, Tae Keung Ha, about the role of outside broadcasters for the people of North Korea. More at : http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15235363,00.html (via Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, July 19, cumbredx yg via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. Updates to ITU Reference Tables BROADCAST.TXT REFERENCE TABLE 07-JUL-2011: add: MND, MND Radio (KOR) Reference Table Freq. Management Org. 07-JUL-2011: add: MND, MND Radio Global HF Transmitter Site Table 07-JUL-2011: add: CHC ChunCheon, KOR, 37N56 127E46 (Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) So what new station/service is on SW from that site?? (gh, DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [non]. via Ukraine, 11530, Voice of Mesopotamia, 0402- 0435, July 16, tune-in to National Anthem. Local Kurdish music at 0404. Indigenous vocals. Fair to good at tune-in but slowly deteriorated to a weak level by 0437 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** KUWAIT. 7430, VOA, Umm Al-Rimam, 0047-0102, July 13, English. Book review program in slow English; cut off at 0057 mid-sentence; carrier back at 0059; crash start at 0100 with news re Karzai brother assassination; referring listeners to VOA website for more news; fair at best with fluttery het of sorts on frequency (Scott R. Barbour Jr. Intervale, N.H. USA, NRD-545, MLB-1, 200' Beverages, 60m dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17840, July 19 at 1249, South-Asian sounding song, but 1250 Arabic announcement and current rock song in English by some American female star; I can never remember which is which, and could not care less. Warbly carrier with BFO, compared e.g. to France on 17850. This is R. Sawa until 1300 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also TIBET [non] 19000 ** KUWAIT. 21540, July 19 at 1246 fair signal in Arabic, breaking into S Asian-sounding song; can`t hear Spain mixing. At 1332 Kuwait is stronger with Arabic music, drama. 13m conditions improving slightly, with solar flux up to 102 July 18, but K-index 3 at 1500 July 19 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LAOS [non]. 9355, July 20 at 1157-1158* good signal, ``You have been listening to Radio Free Asia``, then Lao-sounding music until off. If they are going to bother to insert a closing ID in English, why not add the language it has been? Scheduled Lao at 11-12, 100 kW, 285 degrees via SAIPAN (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBYA. 17725, July 17 at 1401, V. of Africa from the Great Jamahiriyah ID at start of English bihour; not heard this well, S9+10 peaks, for several weeks, usually just a JBA carrier. So any new news of Libya? Ha! First dekaminute presents nice hilife music with cora; 1411 YL starts talking about the Jamahiriyah but her accent is so heavy I will not employ the concentration necessary to try to decode her blab. 1425 back to the perpetual program introduced by riff from Beethoven`s Ninth, OM with part 1 of ``solution of the problem of democracy``. Yawn! (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADAGASCAR. 5010, R. Madagasikara. Rather surprised to find them with full carrier and both sidebands being present (double sideband AM); for a long time this frequency was normally in USB + carrier mode, until July 1 when they started broadcasting here in LSB + carrier mode. Almost fair from 1326 to 1336, July 16; light AIR QRM. Recently have been hearing them daily with a nice signal and // to a weaker 6135.28, which continues as always with double sideband AM (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Malagasy, 5010.00, Radio Madagasikara, 0027-0035 July 17, Heard a Interval Signal barely followed by comments from a person, possibly a female. The signal was being squeezed by noise and such. Later a male talks as the signal improves from a threshold to a fair level. At 0040 flute type music briefly over talking. Signal remained fair (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston FL, 26N 081W, Excalibur, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Chuck - In double sideband AM? (Ron Howard, ibid.) 5010, R. Madagasikara, 1353-1404, July 20. Kids singing; many “Radio Madagasikara” IDs; hearing them with full carrier and both sidebands being present (double sideband AM), BUT the LSB in somewhat stronger than the USB; so I guess it should be called “unbalanced double side band AM”; thanks to j-Peace for providing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdXJUQkfghk with the first 15 seconds in LSB, then switching to USB and later back to LSB again. My receptions had both LSB and USB almost equal, with LSB only slightly better. Would welcome comments as to the significance of this unbalanced LSB- USB situation. J-Peace speculates “two transmitters, however, I think they are using a broken transmitter”. Is this likely? Thanks for any ideas! (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAYSIA. 6050.0. It was back in June 2006 that Malaysia moved from 6025v up to 6049.6. All this time they have always been on 6049.6 (very slight variation) until today. I thought I was seeing things, but it’s true. It’s now 6050.0. Is this a new transmitter or have they finally, after 5 years, adjusted the old one? Heard the R. Suara Islam program from 1409 to 1500, July 20. Almost non-stop reciting from the Qur’an. Had to stay with it till ID’ed finally at 1500 and into the Kuala Lumpur news; fair (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) We`ll miss that het, as we always knew it meant Malaysia, even if we could hear nothing else (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) 9835, 1345-, Radio TV Malaysia, Sarawak FM, Jul 12. Strong reception from this Kajang 100 kW transmitter, but suffers from severe adjacent splatter. Vietnam is on 9840 in English at good level, but I don't think they're the culprits. Rather, I think it's from 9845 jamming the VOA with their own CNR1 programs (also on 9830). No sign at all from direct Sarawak on 5030. Empty channel when checked these past 4 mornings (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sarawak FM. Glenn astutely noted in WOR 1573 that the best chance to hear Malaysia in NAm is on 9835. Heard July 14 from 1332 to 1444. Pop songs; 1400 pips (1+1); business news; 1430 promo for upcoming movie “Johnny English Reborn”, a parody of James Bond movies; sound bite from the trailer; fair with light adjacent QRM. For those not familiar with what the language sounds like, http://www.box.net/shared/q3tgob4e42a1qhg1hta2 contains an MP3 audio clip with about 6 minutes of fairly decent reception (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MAURITANIA. 4845, Radio Mauretanie [sic], 0728-0735, 17-July-2011, in Arabic. Male announcer with news discussion, local music at 0732, excellent signal (Ed Wlodarski, N2ED, New Jersey, Ten Tec RX340 & 100 Ft Long Wire, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) 7245, July 19 at 0540, IGIM is already on earlier than usual with chants, stronger than Vatican 7250. I had not heard on this frequency for some time, perhaps signing on later than I sign off, as reported by others. 0625 still on, now with Arabish talk in normal tone of voice. In the NASWA Flashsheet, Ed Wlodarski in NJ had reported Mauritania back on 4845, excellent signal July 17 at 0728-0735. That frequency had been off for many months. If past performance be any guide, their usage of both and switchover times will be highly irregular. 7245, July 20 at 0600, IGIM is on today with chanting. Nothing of course on night frequency 4845, where it was reported recently from NJ around 0730. Altho Nouakchott stix way out into the Atlantic, longitude 16 west, so really ought to be on UT-1 timezone, UT is observed, de-facto yearound DST, and per gaisma.com today`s sunrise is 0638 UT; at latitude 18 north there is a one-hour variation during the year, to be 0739 in six months. So now, much of a signal at 0730 on 60m is unlikely, an hour after local sunrise. What else could he have been hearing on 4845 with an ``excellent signal in Arabic``, 17 July at 0728-0735? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7245, ORTM, *0552:30-0610, July 20, abrupt sign on with local chants. Very good signal (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** MEXICO. Bits of analog sporadic E TV DX, July 15 UT: 1330 on 2, Spanish from the south, fade out 1438 on 2, Azteca 7 promo, large 7 on screen briefly; but could have been carried on sister network Azteca 13? 1502 on 3, weak video from WSW, probably XHBC Mexicali; traces on 5 1515 on 2, signals building, CCI peaking SSW to S 1518 on 2, net-7 show `en vivo` from beach, UR bug is now a clear big 7, CDT clock and temp LR 1519 on 2, mixing with net-4 `f` bug LL 1520 on 3, net 5 toons 1523 on 4, MUF up to here now, net-5 toons atop Continued from last report, Es in progress, July 15, UT: 1555 on 2, Kaplan College ad in English; south, surely XHRIO; it`s one of those online `colleges` with no particular campus; about fraud lawsuits see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaplan_College 1603 game show, `Are You Smarter Than a Fifth-Grader`? Yes, on XHRIO sked today too at 11 am; formerly weekly primetime show must be daytime M-F stripped now, only reruns? 1603 on 2, net-13 dominating, YL fashion show; CCI to above 1616 on 4, snow-free, ads and promos, net-13 1617 on 5, net-5 toons, plus/minus offset 1617 on 2, soccer amid the CCI 1659 on 4, net-13 with ALEGRIA program bug in LR 1702 on 4, net-13 peaking SW with novela 1703 on 2, novela, UR bug with `canal` under a cloud(?), and 11:04 clock = MDT/CST. Probably XEPM Ciudad Juárez, Tu Canal 1703 on 3, net 2, CCI, bécalos on crawler, novela 1705 on 5, net-13, but NOT // net-13 on 4; 5 has cooking show seen previously from XHAQ Mexicali, so delayed in UT-7 zone? Text scroll DX on channel 5: mixing with net-13 signal peaking roughly from SW I have been seeing as ghost three lines of black text at top of screen scrolling upward, 1705-1725+ UT July 15. Can`t make out any words, whether Spanish or English. Any ideas about this? Like teletext maybe, but on open channel. No, nothing like that on local cable to radiate. Some translator/LP does this on 5? Tijuana/Mexicali also in on 6, 3. CiJz on 2. [Later:] This is still going on continuously at 1745 UT. The A-13 station on 5 this is mixing with is XHAQ Mexicali. When that fades in strongest, the text disappears, so I am pretty sure it is from a separate signal. Still hard to make out, but I suspect it`s an ID roll of relayers with a lot of `words` starting with X- at the left, blank in the middle, matched with other info at the right side. Now the entire opening seems to be diminishing as often happens by 1800. [This part posted immediately to four lists, but no replies] 1714 on 5, adstring including Lotería Mexicana [used to be called Lotería Nacional], net-13 at 1716 1722 on 6, video now below the MUF, looks gringo, WSW, so XETV Tijuana 1722 on 3, now has signature almost-zero CCI between XHBC and XHTJB 1738 on 5, in upper LEFT: AZTECA on one line and below it in much smaller type: BAJA CALIFORNIA. Ergo XHAQ Mexicali. Had not seen such a localized net-13 bug before 1748 opening starts to fade down as MUF descends 1801 on 2, net-7 YL talk show from S, call-in number on screen; bug in LR of large 7 and to its right 32C, under that 1:05 clock = CDT. Not monitoring for next few hours but: 2337 on 2, fade-in Spanish video from S/SSW 2348 on 2, Televisa promo UT July 16: 0025 on 2, net-2 0210 on 2, from south, apparently movie, dark 0418 on 2, movie dubbed in Spanish 0331 on 2, novela amid CCI; also CCI on 3 0331 on 4, brief video from algo, SW Starting monitoring ch 2 for Es July 17 around 1430 UT; around 1505 signals from south start to show. 1512 on 2, net-7 with Monterrey vs Independiente fútbol; bug in UR has large 7 and underneath it 27 [degrees] and 10:13 clock; has 10-kHz CCI talking about Veracruz. Very likely XHTAU Tampico and XHFM Veracruz, offset zero and plus respectively per http://www.dxinfocentre.com/TV2.pdf 1513 on 2, Fox News grafix and bug LL; 1516 Toyota ad in English, amid CCI. No doubt XHRIO Matamoros. Can`t // it to local KOKH-24 since `Fox News Sunday` was on earlier here. Map above shows XHRIO is 2+ offset 1516 on 3, CCI between novela and algo 1518 on 3, net-5 with movie/drama film 1519 on 5, promo for televisa.com/lafuerzadeldestino on net-2, ads, snow-free for a bit 1525 on 5, toons with net-2 bug, unusual, a Sunday-morning thing? 1525 on 6, different toons, no bug, or traces of one UR, maybe the low-contrast Galavision one? 1541 on 4, net-13 movie about skating (roller or ice?), 1542 ads 1556 on 2, net-5 Harrison Ford movie with him driving. In addition to net-5 bug UR, has another bug LL, a 2 in a circle with two additional curved lines at the top of the circle. No call letters. Which net-5 relay on 2 does this?? Don`t find a logo match on http://tvdxtips.com/mexlogosch2.html At 1556, to right of the LL bug, briefly adds text ``Estás Viendo --- `` but ruined by CCI surge 1558 on 3, same dubbed net-5 movie // 2 but without the 2 bug LL 1607 on 2, soccer from net-2 1610 on 4, diarrhea ad, 1611 program promo reviving the net-13 bug UR briefly, but off during the ads 1615 on 4, net-5 movie 1620 on 3, net-5 movie fades in; MUF has been falling 1620 on 4, talento program promo, can`t make out bug UR 1625 on 2, toon fades in briefly, again at 1631 1635 on 2, toon title Phineas Ferb (?); can`t make out bug UR 1639 on 2, Spanish speech about violencia fades in, or is it a church sermon, referring to `nuestro señor`; mostly no signals now A bit more sporadic E TVDX continued from last report, UT July 17: 1655 on 4, explosive sounds tho not much video; perhaps more of the Harrison Ford movie seen earlier 1842 on 2 and 3, CCI from S/SSW; then on 3, net-2, post-game football interview. 2126 on 3, KFC ad in Spanish; weak CCI on 2, 3, 4 and 5 to 2230 or so July 18, another big opening also into FM, from turn-on and tune-in 1423 UT: 1423 on 5, Azteca noticias from WSW, Azteca 13 bug in UR, `AM` program bug in LR along with 8:26 clock, i.e. one hour fast for XHAQ Mexicali in the UT-7/PDT zone 1424 on 3, from WSW, Notivisa with distinctive N logo, this one with correct clock 7:25 in LR; snow free at times from XHBC Mexicali. I switch to FM: 1427 on 90.7, ``Cuarenta Principales`` jingle, 7:27 TC ``en 40 Principales, 90.7`` them mentions Mexicali, temps in C and F, now 27/81, hi to be 43/109 (almost like Enid has been). XHMOE, 100 kW is in for some time at further chex: 1506, English rock, 1507 YL with Galería Fashion Cards ad, http://www.galerias.com.mx then DJs chatting, 1522 8:22 TC, song. That URL leads to an image blog under construxion, while the national mall chain with the Fashion Cards is at http://www.galeriasmx.com/index.asp and I don`t see one in Mexicali 1429 on 92.3 algo in Spanish; 1442 IFE PSA, then Gilberto Marín with self-help talkshow, plugging his upcoming monthly workshops starting with ``Taller de la mujer y su auto-estima`` to lick crying, on Sat 23 July, reservations at 565-6235; offices are at La Placita; more of them on 13 Aug, 10 Sept, 15 Oct, some for kids, others for couples. 1452 ad in Spanish for a breakfast buffet at a steakhouse, back to Gilberto. Here`s his blog in Mexicali, http://radioterapia.over-blog.com/ so, per Cantú: XHMMF La Poderosa Mexicali, B.C. 21,900 altho it`s only one fifth as powerful as 90.7! [non] 1429 on 92.7, Spanish music, and Fiesta 92.7 ID, ad in gringo Spanish by a doctor of The Prostate Treatment Center, Wichita, so KANR again pretending to be a DX Mexican. This 12 kW signal makes more of an impression here than on the Wichita-market outlet on the other side of KOMA, 100 kW 92.3 which is really further in Newton. 1431 on 95.1, CCI to Wichita, Spanish ID missed, ``La`` algo 1449 on 91.5, Spanish CCI to KJZZ [see USA], more likely XHJC, Exa FM, Mexicali with 14568 watts than the only other 91.5 in western Mexico, XHSOA, R. Sonora, Caborca with 1510 watts. Yes: at 1451 ad for a Shakira appearance in Mexicali 1503 on 87.75, drama, movie? In English with `urban` accents; but CCI from something else in English. One is surely XETV ch 6 Tijuana, but the other? 1537 urban movie is still in as MUF almost falls below FM 1541, 3 and 5 Mexicali are still in 1555, rotate to SSW for peak of heavy CCI on channels 2-5 1600 on 6, net 5 with Smurfs, CCI 1600 on 5, net 5 with Smurfs much better than // 6; same audio also on // 3 1636 on 88.1, KWOU Woodward overridden by Spanish ads for an embotelladora, PSA from gobierno de Michoacán extolling it with slogan ``Michoacán trabaja``, best economic situation in the region; then ``Los 40, 88.1`` jingle. Is XHZN in Zamora, heard a few times previously this season; 1659 ad for a maquinaria store in Durango, mentioned twice, but there is no 88.1 anywhere near Durango, so maybe it is just the name or address of one in Zamora 1700 on 5, animated bug in LR looks like a heart, in novela, then net- 2 bug, mixing with Smurfs still from net 5 1701 on 88.1, Los Cuarenta again, abrupt moodchange to ``Ave María`` song introduced as ``La Hora de Leche[?]``, but only lasts about a minute, outro as sponsored by Agencia Ford de Zamora. After switch to XHRE below, XHZN regains at 1706 with music, RDS: XHZN-FM 1702, 88.1 CCI takes over from above, ``88.1 FM y 920 AM, --- XERE`` and mentions Acir group; 920 is XERE in Celaya, Guanajuato, simulcasting XHRE 88.1, per WRTH 2011. 1809 on 4, now more WSW, peaks SSW, Salud es Belleza ad 1810 on 5, net 5 animated, not kidtoon 1813 on 5, Se Vale gameshow from net-2; 1819 snow free briefly 1836 on 2, net-13, novela? Briefly atop CCI Opening continues on TV, mostly weaker CCI channels 2-5 past 1836 as I am busy with lunch and compiling this report, not paying full attention. Following the Es opening into FM July 18 past 1836 still on TV, occasional chex showed some signals the rest of the UT day, mostly ch 2. UT July 19: 0125 on 2, net-4 talk show with f bug LL; also has smaller f bug in UR 0215 on 2, Televisa promo, unknown which net 0353 on 3, net-5 with lucha libre (wrestling); also CCI on 2 0403 on 2, promo mentioning Monterrey, so maybe XEFB; 0407 local newscast, unfamiliar round bug in UR: not XEFB per Oglethorpe 1403 on 2, turn on to find Es in progress mentioning Veracruz; also some weaker signals up to ch 5. During following sesquihour, mostly just CCI on 2 peaking SSW. 1547 on 3, net-5 with Smurfs; algo on 4, CCI; MUF is building 1548 on 5, net-2 with HOY variety morning show, 10:48 clock 1549 on 4, net-13 with grafic of a large 6, game show? 1552 on 5, Televisa Música promo, then shots of pope (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yucatan FM bounces in --- Hello Glenn, Odd night tonight with a spotty E-opening on FM and some light tropo as well. Miami was slipping in with WFEZ on 93.1 at about 7 pm local time tonight (Tuesday) then I was starting to get some Spanish on 95.7, 93.7 and 97.3. Popping over to my favorite fishing hole on 96.9 some very loud Spanish at about 8 after the hour, a young lady with "Cadena Rasa Noticias...informado Yucatan" a few more words then completely gone. Looking it up we find the Google hit for Merida, Yucatan's XHUL about 1320 miles away! Estado #5 from here, and second XH on 96.9 (XHCPH in Chihuahua being the other). Take care! (Eric Loy, Catlin IL, July 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Es opening of July 19 continued from last report, UT: 1632 on 3 from WSW, grafic at bottom shows towns including San Luís Río Colorado, so must be in XHBC Mexicali coverage area; then Baja California Turismo ad. 1635 on 3, bug lower right I have seen several times from XHBC has a leaf on a stem, hard-to-read slogan partly in script on two lines, and cut off by overscanned TV screen corner, so look up the website: it is; DE TODO UN POCO which means A Little Bit of Everything, M-F at 8 am PDT. 1741 on 3, the almost-zero-beat video CCI from WSW is growing, and at 1747 briefly overcoming XHBC is XHTJB Tijuana, with ONCE NOTICIAS in lower right, YL with map showing all of Mexico, hurricane in Atlantic. 1753 on 3, novela from net 2 in UR, Televisa oval logo in UL. CCI indicates this is still XHBC. Kept an eye on channel 2, most of early UT July 20, and some signs of activity, but things really start hopping at: 0235 on 2, net-13 0237 on 4, net-2 novela 0314 on 2-5, lots of CCI Then start monitoring 88.1 FM for signs of skip over KWOU. 0358 on 88.1, finally some soul music fades in over KWOU jazz, back out again 0358 on 5, 10:58 bug in LR, so from CDT zone, plus temp 0400 around here: see U S A 0419 on 5, WSW, net-13 novela, so XHAQ Mexicali 0419 on 6, English, show for fat ladies; CW bug LR, so XETV Tijuana 0419 on 3, usual almost-zero CCI between XHBC and XHTJB 0424 on 3, audio mix of Spanish, YL introducing concert acts with lots of audience noise; and much lower modulated, something in English! 0429 still some English, woman being interviewed; 0430 now both in Spanish, and 0432 Baja California PSAs atop. The channel 3 map at http://www.dxinfocentre.com/TV3.pdf shows there are a couple of analog ch 3 LP/translators in central CA and UT, but the closer ones in southern CA, and AZ are DTV. I think the English must have been from XHTJB: it`s not inconceivable that a border educational station would have a little English now & then. Per zap2it/SD Union, the Tuesday show until 9:30 pm is ``Colegio Nacional, Grandes Pensadores Mexicanos``, unseems what I was getting. 0434 on 4, ads in Spanish for Gatorade; salud-es-belleza/Walmart; snow-free briefly 0440 on 90.7, briefly a bit of Spanish overcomes the local overload as I maneouvre the whip on the DX-398. Probably Mexicali 0536 on 3, XHTJB is atop with ONCE NOTICIAS at LR, starting with dust storm in Phoenix. 0530-0600 UT is their `Noticiario Nocturno` block Next morning JBA signals from WWCR 15825, 13845, no sporadic E tipoff today from that direxion, but: 1430 on 2, something infades weakly from SSW; 1435 net-5 toons atop. Weak CCI next sesquihour, nothing identifiable 1607, weak signals showing on 3, 4 and 5, still 1634, but too weak and mixed to ID anything. 1648, now all channels 2-6 have growing CCI but nothing dominates; time to check FM 1651 on 88.1, like TV, CCI mix of at least two stations, one with music, one with adstring including Soriana department store, Michoacán government PSA, so XHZN Zamora again 1651 on 88.5, Spanish breaking thru now and then, 1655 mentions ``88 punto 5``. Rest of this opening will have to wait for my next report. Big sporadic-E FM opening on July 20, UT; I usually report in chrono order, but this time I am going by frequency first. Assume the language is Spanish u.o.s. References are Emisoras de FM by Jim Thomas, 2010y; Cantú`s online http://www.mexicoradiotv.com/frec_fm.htm presumably current, and FM Atlas XXI of 2010y, which does not list Mexico by frequency but rather inconveniently by location. BTW, I would like to encourage other TV/FM DXers, especially when reporting foreign catches, to include more detail like I do. Each log is a potential learning experience about language, culture, geography, broadcasting, commerce, propagation, but if details are just generic abbrs. crammed into one line, they make rather boring reading. The most important thing to them may be whether it`s a new or re-log, definite ID or not, station count number, distance, but what about other readers? {Admittedly, I ought to say more about distances, but generally central Mexico is in the 1000-1200 mile range from Enid.} 88.1, at 1651 ad for Soriana department store, 1652 Michoacán government PSA, so it`s XHZN Zamora, Mich. again 88.5, at 1655, bit of Spanish pokes thru the ACI, ``88 punto 5`` 90.5, at 1700, news with 6-note stingers between items, `Noticiero el Grupo`. Thought it might be XEDA/Imagen, but does not match its webcast. 1703 some ID and tones while Imagen web has YL with news. 90.5, at 1832, about some event on 21 de julio, political talk, $, RDS? Now sounds like same on XEDA webcast. At 1855, re-fade-in with political discussion about PAN y PRI; sounds like same thing in a few sex on XEDA Imagen webcast I have left running. After this, MUF below FM 90.5, at 1847, Brazilian romantic song; 1848 sounds like ``Radio Ben``, but now I think it was Radio UDEM, XHUDEM, Monterrey, then fadeout, 1854 back with more Brazilian music. EFM puts it in San Pedro Garza García NL, and UdeM evidently means Universidad de Monterrey 90.7, at 1704, `Noti-Sistema`, but same stingers as on 90.5; news of Michoacán, Jalisco, huracán. In fact sounds like same news items as heard a few minutes earlier on 90.5, including something about diplomata Anthony Wayne. ``Noti-Sistema en Red Nacional``. 1706, full ID with street address but with fades, ``Avenida --- 2289, Colonia --- , con 200,000 vatios, Señal 90, XHOY, y la Onda de la Alegría``. Cantú shows XHOY, Guadlajara, with 49.97 kW. So is the 200 kW the ERP? 1708 ``Señal Noventa --- sin límites, hits, clásicos favoritos``, DJ introducing ``Enola Gay`` song. 1736 instruxions for preparing or eating chau-mein Tal-Pak(?), ``en Guadalajara, Señal Noventa``, $tereo ID with echo on right channel 91.5, at 1710, M&W with phone numbers, website, but too much CCI and fading to copy details. Note that all Mexican stations give phone numbers as fast as they can. With decent reception, I can understand fast Spanish quite well, but even in English I would have trouble remembering them long enough to copy down. Don`t they want everyone to get them? Or is my digit span failing? (I am not rolling tape on all this DX: takes enough time to do the DX, compile the reports, without also having to listen again and again!) 91.5, at 1717, TelMex ad, RDS icon flickers, tries and fails to display, as usually the case in this unstable opening. Maybe same: 91.5, at 1738, M&W&M talk show about ropa, accesorios, cravatas, RDS displaying fragments as it fades in and out, including [underscores here indicate blank space on 8-character RDS display]: DA_Y_TEN _NA_TRES _ZONA_3_ ZONA_H_- at 1740 At 1741, shoe color advice, ``Lo nuevo en 91.5``, seems it`s a program for hombres titled ``Zona 3``. 1742 gobierno federal PSA and RDS: MI_RCOL. INEGI__ At 1743, ``Fábricas de Francia, Shopping Time, Guadalajara`` [as also heard on 97.9]. The 91.5 station in Gja., not just the program, is in fact called Zona 3, XHGEO. What is the allusion; to gay men, maybe?! Who else would care about shoe color? Hi 92.7, at 1711, Es signal with PSA ``del estado``. A lot of these federal or state government PSAs are required on Mexican stations; finally a real one overriding faux-Mexican KANR KS; at 1744 RDS: _CLASSIC There are about five possibles in central Mexico per Cantú; EFM has only four 92.7s in the whole country, none matching classic 93.1, at 1826, Spanish music, RDS? Does not lock in. Heard when 93.3 local cuts off; 1827 M&W DJ, phones 749 11 93 y 94, ``Hits FM``, dinero electrónico mention. Closest match in EFM and Cantú is Stereo Hits, XHCTO in Torreón, Coah. Phone number matches for XHCTO 93.3, at 1745, Spanish music while K227AT Enid cuts off the air; also heard other OK station ads from KKNG 93.5, at 1729, phone number, but then local intermittent 93.3 translator cuts back on, and off and on; again at 1829 some Spanish 93.9, at 1728, YL in Spanish; 1729 two YLs discussing Mexican Air Force and Army; 1731 mentions Villahermosa, but there is no Tabasco station on 93.9, so dead lead. Guadalajara and several others here 95.3, at 1746, ``sólo música romántica, Amor 95.3`` with YL DJs. In EFM we have: XHSH Mex DF, La Nueva Amor, and XHNB SLP SLP, Amor so neither slogan is an exact match. Cantú has them both as just Amor 96.3, at 1719, ``en el centro de Guadalajara``; 1722 classical music; 1732 also but fading; 1746 still classical; 1759 back-announce a flute sonata, by Marco Antonio Rubio, locutor; fading as full YL ID comes at 1801, XEJB, AM, FM, watts. Here`s the schedule along with AM 630: http://www.sjrtv.jalisco.gob.mx/JaliscoRadio/programacion.html EFM has XEJB on 96.3 from Sistema Jalisciense in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, variety format. FMA XXI shows it noncommercial with an mc format – maybe that adds up to variety in EFM terminology. Cantú lists as Jalisco Radio, in Guadalajara itself. Note the 96.3 channel fits in with Guadalajara dial sequence 95.5-97.1 etc. I recall this station from sesquidecades ago with classical. Great music may have been banned from 96.3 in Albuquerque and New York, but it lives in Jalisco! Too, XE- calls on FM are rare, indicating it is a very old station originating on AM 96.5, at 1732, ``Estoy volviendo loco por tu amor`` song, VG in $; 1746 M&M mention Zacatecas. (One must be careful, especially in ads: every town has streets or something named for every other state). But in this case there is XHZER, Estéreo ZER, in Zacatecas, Zac. 97.3, at 1720, ads for muebles, ``Shopping Time`` 97.7, at 1721, ads, including for Plaza Sendero, in San Luís(?) (Potosí?). XHSNP, La Caliente is listed in SLP. Plaza Sendero is a national chain of malls, including in SLP, but there is also a 97.7 and a Sendero in Saltillo, Coah., etc. Still, XHSNP very likely 97.9, at 1726, Fábrica de Francia, Guadalajara mentioned several times. Gja. station is XETIA, Fórmula Melódica per Cantú 99.3, at 1748, ads in pesos for Suburbia, gran venta, Chevrolet. RDS icon flickers but no display 99.5, at 1749, romantic music in Spanish; 1750 ``Romance 99.5``. Would be XHLS Guadalajara, in EFM as ``Romance FM``; Cantú as ``Romance`` 101.1 at 1724, ``Exa FM 101.1``, stereo, 12.24 TC, over OK stations; 1733 RDS: EXA FM, ads, $, 1735 Superfarmacia Guadalajara. Is XHMA 101.1 is the highest DX frequency in this opening. I tune up to 108 a few times, but almost everything above 100 is blocked by locals and/or overload even if propagating. Once [``wunce``] FM had faded out, I resumed TV monitoring: 1916 on 6, net-7 UR, talk show 1920 on 6, event ad in English, San Diego 6, CW, so XETV Tijuana, and of course peaks from WSW; 5 and 3 Mexicali are also in; 1929 and 1938, XETV has [same?] ads for Kaplan College with three local campi 1952 on 6, XETV still unusually steady 1952 on 3, XHTJB is atop XHBC CCI, with credit roll, then Once logo 2000 WSW signals fade out, still weak CCI on 2 from SSW but soon gone (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MICRONESIA. 4755.44, (FSM), PMA The Cross, Pohnpei, Jul 11, 0813 - Good to very good reception this morning. Great time to listen! At 1000 ID'd as, 'It is 9:00, and this is the Cross 88.5 FM' by a child. Went into a program about the sinfulness of sin (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4755.44, PMA-The Cross Radio. Have just heard from Sylvia Kalau, station manager. “You may have noticed that our station is off the air from 12 to 5 PNI [Pohnpei] time. We are having power load shedding and are on a turn off schedule. Should go back to normal in another week. Stay tuned! Sylvia”. In past emails she had commented on the fact they do not have their own backup power generator. Believe only the middle of their broadcasting day (0100 to 0600 UT?) would be affected and should not impact NAm reception much, as we tend to hear them towards the end of their broadcasting day (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, July 14, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONGOLIA [and non]. 12015, 1527-, Voice of Mongolia, Jul 10. Too bad that the Voice of Korea is cochannel here marring an otherwise relatively good signal from Mongolia. Until 1530 Mongolia is in Japanese, and at the bottom of the hour, there's their IS, followed by an ID in Mongolian, and then in English. Voice of Korea is in Russian during this hour. Both are on-frequency. Mostly, Mongolia is over Korea (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MYANMAR. 7185.75, Myanma Radio, 1217-1228:09*, July 20. Thanks to a tip from Victor Goonetilleke (Sri Lanka), heard their extended broadcast (ex: 1220*). 1219 their usual new signature theme music (indigenous) as if they were about to sign off, but instead of going off at 1220, they continued with music; fair. MP3 audio at http://www.box.net/shared/is9hk7s55ndf8h5vd2s0 Victor heard abrupt 1328* on July 19, closer to their former sign off time of 1330 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. SRI LANKA, 9800, 1412-, Radio Netherlands Worldwide, Jul 9. Very good reception in English with the usual great programming. This time about undercover agents. // 11835 from Madagascar was fair to good (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 12065, PHILIPPINES, Tinang, RNW, Jul 11, 1030 - First time I've noted Radio Netherlands via 250 kW sender in Tinang, Philippines at very good level. English program mentioning Africa's newest country, South Sudan (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS. DUTCH RADIO/TV TRANSMISSIONS DISRUPTED BY TWO FIRES On Friday, fire broke out in separate incidents at two major radio/TV transmission towers at IJsselstein (Lopik) and Hoogersmilde (Drenthe). The intense heat that developed in the 200 metre high steel mast at Hoogersmilde proved costly. The mast gave way and collapsed at around 1530 hours with a thundering roar. Fortunately, nobody was injured, as firefighters had vacated the area shortly before the collapse due to the heat. After the Hoogersmilde incident Novec, which owns both towers, decided to take the IJsselstein site off the air as a precaution. The company says there has never been a fire at a domestic transmitting station in the Netherlands and added that two incidents on the same day raise many questions. At the moment, parts of the Netherlands can no longer receive terrestrial FM and television signals, and this affects both commercial and public stations. Reception at home via cable systems is not affected. The telecommunication networks also have problems. A search is now under way to find alternative locations for broadcasting the public networks, and possibly some commercial stations, on a temporary basis. It’s possible that some parts of the reception area could be served as soon as this weekend, said a spokesman. Novec is investigating the causes of both fires. It’s still unclear whether there is a connection between the two incidents, but a spokesman for Broadcast Partners said that isn’t an issue. The mast at Hoogersmilde will be out of use for a long time, but it’s not yet known how quickly the Lopik site can be put back into service. In the meadows around the Hoogersmilde site, in a sparsely populated area, the remains of the steel structure are still smoldering. An area within a radius of 300 metres around the tower has been evacuated. As a consequence of the signal disruption, the mediumwave transmitter on 747 kHz that normally carries Radio 5 is now carrying the national news/talk network Radio 1 until further notice. This network is designated as the one which carries official announcements in the case of a national emergency, so it has priority (Source: ANP)( July 15th, 2011 - 22:56 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) 1 Comment on “Dutch radio/TV transmissions disrupted by two fires” #1 TK Wood on Jul 15th, 2011 at 23:54 BBC has posted the video footage at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14168281 Impressive! NETHERLANDS - TOWER DISASTERS LEAVE DUTCH RADIO OFF AIR Radio World 15 July 2011 Video of the Hoogersmilde Tower Collapse from RTV http://www.rwonline.com/article/tower-disasters-leave-dutch-radio-off-air/23936 Fires hit two large Dutch radio-TV transmission towers on the afternoon of Friday, 15 July, disabling transmissions from Lopik/IJsselstein and collapsing the mast at Hoogersmilde. Transmitters at Lopik/IJsselstein were shut down after a fire broke out in the transmission facility. There were concerns that it was caused by a short circuit and the entire facility had to be depowered so that fire inspectors could determine the cause of the blaze and to ensure that no further damage was done. Fire officials expected the facility to remain off the air at least through Saturday. The Hoogersmilde disaster will have a longer term impact for Dutch broadcasters. A fire, possibly sparked by lightening, damaged the tower leading to a partial collapse of the mast. No one was injured in the collapse, but it is unclear how quickly the transmitting stations can be put back into use. Before the collapse of its upper section, the Hoogersmilde tower was one of the tallest in the Netherlands. According to Dutch press reports, about 80 percent of the Netherlands is without over-the-air FM radio due to the twin transmission tower troubles. Stations are continuing to carry programming online and via some cable systems, as well as on medium wave from other sites. Jonathan Marks has more details and links on his blog, "Critical Distance": http://criticaldistance.blogspot.com/2011/07/mediumwave-back-up-to-cover-two-fires.html (via Mike Terry, mwdxyg via DXLD) Viz.: MEDIUMWAVE BACK-UP TO COVER TWO SERIOUS FIRES IN FM TOWERS IN NETHERLANDS Rather spectacular fire this afternoon in the TV/Radio/Mobile mast in Hoogersmilde in the province of Drente. A fire broke out at 12 hrs UTC in the top section of the mast which houses antennas, leading to its total collapse as shown in the video above around 90 minutes later. No-one was injured. The area around the mast was cleared by the police but it is farmland and no damage was done to property. A horse was slightly wounded by some of the flying debris. The video was made by the local Radio and TV station, RTVDrenthe. Engineers working in the tower discovered the fire and concluded it was unsafe to continue. They evacuated the tower and called the emergency services. Fire fighters were quickly on the scene but it quickly became obvious that there was little chance of fighting the fire, since it occurred 80 metres above the ground. Digitenne (digital terrestrial TV service similar to UK's Freeview) has been off the air as well as the local repeaters for Sky Radio, Radio Veronica, BNR, Slam!FM, Q-music and 100procentNL. They are working on efforts to restore services. The programmes of Radio 1 (national public radio news network) have replaced the music programmes on Radio 5 broadcast on 747 kHz AM from the Flevopolder. FM reception in Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe and parts of the province of Overijssel of both public and commercial networks has been seriously affected. But the problems are in fact wider, extending into areas around Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam which are served by another transmitter site. Earlier in the day a smaller fire also broke out at the TV/Radio mast in IJsselstein (Lopik) which means that transmitting centre is also off the air until further notice while the site is inspected by the fire departments and police. Early official statements indicate that the two fires were not related, but it's too early to draw definite conclusions. The public FM radio networks of Radio 1, Radio 2, 3FM and Radio 4 have lost around 75% of their national coverage as a result of these two fires. Cable and satellite relays of the programmes have been unaffected. Source. nu.nl, nosnieuws. There are also more photos and video on the website of RTVDrenthe, which is running a special page instead of its usual website. I note the BBC site carried these pictures but without sound...perhaps they realised that people next to the camera were swearing. I think I would have done the same.... Posted by Jonathan Marks at Friday, July 15, 2011 (via DXLD) DUTCH FM UPDATE: TEMPORARY TRANSMITTERS ACTIVATED Some parts of the Netherlands affected by the loss of two main FM transmitter sites on Friday can already receive some temporary signals from alternative sites, and more are expected to come into operation over the weekend. A Radio 1 transmitter on 98.9 MHz has been activated from the mast in Hilversum. This YouTube video shows the mast at Smilde collapsing, and the aftermath [linked]: In parts of the northern Netherlands, Radio 1, 2, 4 and 3FM are again audible on FM from emergency transmitters at Tjerkgaast in the province of Friesland. Q-Music is broadcasting from Tjerkgaast on 100.4 MHz. BNR Nieuwsradio on 89.6 MHz is also being broadcast via an emergency transmitter in the north of the country. BNR also has an additional channel in use from Gilze in North Brabant on 95.4 MHz to improve reception in the southern part of the central belt. This transmitter was already coordinated for BNR but not operational until now. The transmissions of Radio 1 on 747 kHz will continue for as long as necessary. Radio 5, which is normally carried on this frequency, must make do with Internet and cable delivery (Source: MediaMagazine.nl)(July 16th, 2011 - 10:49 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) FM RADIO & TV OFF AIR IN NETHERLANDS AFTER MAST COLLAPSE The mast at Smilde in North Netherlands has collapsed after a fire taking FM radio and TV off air. There are also problems at Lopik possibly another fire but my Dutch is not up to it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14168281 http://nos.nl/artikel/256505-zender-lopik-deels-uitgeschakeld.html Also see it happen on this NOS news bulletin. http://nos.nl/uitzending/43298-20110715-200000-nos-journaal-2000-uur.html Rgds, (Gareth Foster, UK, 0925 UT July 16, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) I made out 'air conditioning' and 'cooler' in the interviews. I also wondered what that helicopter was doing flying by just as it seemed to happen? These masts don`t seem as substantial as ours for BBC/ITV etc (Rog Parsons (BDXC 782) Hinckley, Leics., ibid.) In a word --- wow. 500 M/1640 ft. tower. The mast appeared to be either tubular or skinned skeletal up to a certain point, then open skeletal above. I would concur with the assessment that an antenna fault was not reacted upon and started multiple fires at standing wave hot spots along the transmission line(s) of the impacted station. If other stations didn't have similar protections, they too would simply feed the fire. While it appears the tower is of some age, I just don't see any reason for the tower to buckle as it did 1000 ft. up without some sort of external force or influence, such as extreme heat weakening a leg. Whether it's one of those European things or a specific reason, this is an odd installation to be certain with a 100 ft or so base column being the TX building as well. MM (Mike McCarthy, of McCarthy Radio Engineering, http://mre.com/ on RT list via Bob Foxworth, July 16, ABDX via DXLD) OVERHEATED CABLES THOUGHT TO HAVE CAUSED LOPIK FIRE The fire in the Lopik transmission tower in IJsselstein yesterday is thought to have been caused by overheated cables, according to the director of owner NOVEC in an interview with NOS. “We have concluded that a number of cables become overheated and partially burned. We now assume that was the cause, but the experts have yet to confirm it,” sad Jan Willem Tom. It is hoped to bring the Lopik facility back into service by the end of the weekend. NOVEC cannot say anything yet about the cause of the fire and partial collapse of the tower in Smilde. The police must first complete their investigation before the company is allowed access to the tower. However, there is not thought to be a link between the two fires, merely a bizarre coincidence. “The towers have been there for more than fifty years, so it’s strange that suddenly there’s a fire in two of them on the same day. The first thing you think is that there must be a link between the two fires, but so far we have no evidence to suggest it,” said the director. Both masts were undergoing maintenance when the fires broke out. IJsselstein was under routine maintenance and at Smilde cables were being replaced. Earlier today a report showed that in 2007 management was alerted to security and safety risks at the sites. NOVEC has today carried out checks on all the masts in the Netherlands - some 50 in total. (Source: Radiofreak.nl) Meanwhile, NOVEC has received permission to construct a temporary mast on land belonging to the Ministry of Defence in Assen. The mast will be around 100 metres high, and should be able to take over “a substantial part” of the functions of the collapsed mast at Smilde. Construction of the mast will commence either on Sunday or on Monday morning (Source: ANP) (July 16th, 2011 - 17:12 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) 1 Comment on “Overheated cables thought to have caused Lopik fire” #1 ruud on Jul 17th, 2011 at 14:53 Do You Remember the fire in the 540 meter high tower in Moscow???? The Ostankino tower got fire in August 2000 killing 3 people. Never the exact cause was mentioned, but in the radio world everone knows that TX powers are increased without replacing the coax cables between the TX and the antenna, since replacing hundreds of meters massive cable vertically is a hell of a job, requiring all transmitters to be switched off. So these cabels get hotter and hotter, the rest is history. In Lopik the cable replacement already takes a couple of days, since Friday afternoon, now end of Sunday afternoon, no signals coming from the Lopik tower. The Ostankino tower carries about 20 TV stations and 25 radio channels, including the East Europa FM band. Very efficient (MN blog comment via DXLD) Further comments may have been added to each item DUTCH FM UPDATE: LOPIK BACK ON AIR LATE SUNDAY The Lopik transmitter site which serves a large part of the central Netherlands is expected to be back in operation late on Sunday evening. Tests are being carried out on low power prior to the resumption of full service. The full technical investigation into the fire in the tower at Hoogersmilde still cannot begin, as an inspection of the site by the local council has shown that the area in the immediate vicinity of the tower is not safe. Apparently there is material within the remains of the mast that might still fall down. This means that the occupants of the houses near the foot of the mast cannot return to their homes. The municipality has asked Alticom, the owner of the concrete structure, to take steps to improve the situation on the ground. Alticom must do this in consultation with the Public Prosecution Service. Meanwhile, the tactical and technical investigators have already had discussions with maintenance personnel who were working in the tower prior to the accident on Friday. The regional public broadcaster, RTV Drenthe, can now be received in the southwest of the province on 90.5 FM from a relay station in Meppel. The construction of the temporary mast in Assen to serve the north of the country is expected to take until the end of the week to complete. Mast-owner Novec says that Assen may become a permanent site for RTV Drenthe and KPN’s digital terrestrial TV service. Furthermore, the power of the RTV Drenthe transmitter on 99.3 FM in Klazienaveen, which serves southeast Drenthe, has been temporarily increased. (Sources: RTV Drenthe, NOS, RadioFreak.nl)(July 17th, 2011 - 19:26 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) DUTCH FM UPDATE: CLEAN-UP STARTS AT HOOGERSMILDE The owners of the television/radio tower in Hoogersmilde, Novec and Alticom, have started cleaning up the debris around the tower that partially collapsed Friday after a fire. Access to the tower is being strengthened, so that cranes can get to the mast. On Tuesday an above-ground tunnel to the tower will be constructed from sea containers, so the mast can be safely approached for technical research, said a police spokesperson. According to the municipality of Midden-Drenthe the area around the tower is still unsafe. Some remains of the mast are still in danger of falling down. The debris will be removed to a location where the police can do further research into the cause of the fire and the collapse of the mast. The remains of the Hoogersmilde mast. Photo © ANP [linked] An area within a radius of 300 metres around the tower will remain off limits for at least the next few days. In the meantime, people living near the tower who were evacuated cannot return to their homes. (Source: ANP)( July 18th, 2011 - 10:43 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) POLITICAL FURY AT DUTCH BROADCASTING “CHAOS” The Dutch Christian Democrat Party (CDA) is furious about the “chaos” at the weekend following fires in the transmission towers at Lopik and Hoogersmilde. CDA MPs Maarten Haverkamp and Ger Koopmans yesterday evening expressed their indignation in written questions to the government. “How can it be that the it takes 160 hours to resume full technical coverage for [regional public broadcaster] RTV Drenthe? This is designated as an emergency broadcaster, and what would happen in case of a real disaster?” they ask. The regional public broadcasters, along with national network Radio 1, are designated as the stations which carry official announcements in case of a national or regional emergency. There is widespread anxiety at the situation over the weekend, when hundreds of thousands of radio listeners were duped. Already in 2007, a report warned against the risk of “serious technical disasters”. “It appears that many different parties may be working in the towers, and sometimes even at the same time,” noted Alticom, the organization that manages the transmission towers, in a four year-old safety report. (Source: MediaMagazine.nl) (July 18th, 2011 - 12:10 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) 2 Comments on “Political fury at Dutch broadcasting “chaos”” #1 ruud on Jul 18th, 2011 at 14:34 Actually, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Mr Verhagen is CDA member and in charge of radio distribution!!! It is clear the MP’s have not a single conclusion how radio distribution works. If they want 100% back up each tower needs a second tower next to the present one. There are already back-up transmitters and antenna systems, but when the tower collapses it is just game over. #2 Andy Foad on Jul 18th, 2011 at 17:12 Might have been quicker to get a feed to Orfordness. At least it would have been heard well on Holland ;-) (MN blog comments via DXLD) DUTCH FM UPDATE: LOPIK BACK ON AIR AT REDUCED POWER The broadcast tower at Lopik (IJsselstein) is now transmitting all regular services again, but at the moment all are on reduced power. This is to make sure that no fire can occur again, because it’s still not clear exactly how the fire started early on Friday. The fire damage inside the tower is considerable, said Broadcast Partners Director Robert-Jan Van der Hoeven to RTV Utrecht. For the last few days reports have been talking about a small fire in the tower, but the damage is more extensive that first thought. Repairs have taken longer than predicted, and have been carried out more slowly in order to inspect everything thoroughly. Mr Van der Hoeven said that there was always the chance of discovering some additional damage that wasn’t expected. Dutch Public Broadcasting (NPO) wants the government to mount an independent investigation into the problems, and NPO will also start its own investigation. Residents living near the mast also want to know the risks to themselves and their property. (July 18th, 2011 - 16:02 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) COMPLETE OFFICIAL LIST OF TEMPORARY FM FREQUENCIES The Dutch Radiocommunications Agency has issued a complete list of the temporary FM frequencies currently in use following the collapse of the mast at Hoogersmilde last Friday. This list is updated as of today, 20 July, but will be revised again when the temporary mast at Assen is brought into service, hopefully by the end of the week. In addition, Radio 1 remains on 747 kHz mediumwave in place of Radio 5 until further notice. View the list (PDF): http://www.agentschaptelecom.nl/binaries/content/assets/agentschaptelecom/Media-en-omroepen/overzicht-radiofrequenties-d.d.-20-juli.pdf (July 20th, 2011 - 15:07 by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. 11725, 0551-, RNZI, Jul 10. Who needs DRM when analogue comes in so clearly. Fabulous reception in AM mode, and difficult to tell signal quality compared to DRM on 11675, and without the hassles. Well perhaps not. I just tuned in the DRM, and it indeed is FM or even CD quality. Very nice! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7440, RNZI, Jul 11, 1702 - RNZI news at good level. No sign of the scheduled DRM broadcast on 6170 (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGER. NÍGER, 9705, La Voix du Sahel, Goudel, 2215-2229, 07/7, vernacular, local songs & music; 45433; weak modulation observed on 08/7, at 2200. 9705 ditto, 1103-1120, 08/7, vernacular, talks; gone at about 1120; 34443, QRM de ETHIOPIA [q.v.] (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, July 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9704.99, LV du Sahel, 2210-2259*, July 14, vernacular talk. Afro-pop music. Rustic tribal music. Qur`an at 2254. Short flute IS at 2257 followed by National Anthem. Seventeen second test tone at 2259 and off. Poor to fair. Threshold signal at times. Irregular. 9704.99, LV du Sahel, 2245-2257*, July 20, vernacular talk. Afro-pop music. Qur`an at 2251. Short flute IS and National Anthem at 2255 to sign off. Weak. Poor in noisy conditions (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** NIGERIA. 756, R. Oyo (presumed), Ibadan, 2143-2157, 15/7, vernacular, tribal songs; 14441, QRM de POR+E+D. 6089.9, R. Nigeria, Kaduna, 2210-2224, 08/7, vernacular, talks; 55444, but overmodulated (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, July 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. Voice of Nigeria Ikorodu transmitter site. 15120 kHz. 1800 UT July 15, 34433, News about Nigeria and Africa in English read by woman at 1800. Station ID by woman in English at 1815. Broadcast time and frequency info at 1816. Fair signal. S-7. Signal started out bad, but got better as the program progressed. Abruptly off the air in mid- song at 1850. Voice of Nigeria, Ikorodu transmitter site, 15120 kHz. 1800 UT July 17, 44334, Broadcast start, station ID and newscast by man in English. Time and station ID by woman in English at 1805, followed by program about South Sudan. Off the air at 1811. Back on at 1814. Dropped off the air several times during this broadcast. Good signal. S-9. Voice of Nigeria Ikorodu transmitter site. 15120 kHz. 1800 UT July 18, 33333. Switch from Arabic to English at 1800 UT. Woman with English ID and frequency info at TOH, followed by newscast by man with thick African accent. Fair signal with fading S-6. Voice of Nigeria, Ikorodu transmitter site, 15120 kHz, 0500 UT July 19, 43433, Station ID and website info at 0500, followed by "News Magazine" - news stories read by woman in English. Military news by man at 0520. QRM from China on same freq. S-8 (Nick Rumple, Kannapolis, North Carolina, U.S.A., Yaesu FRG-100, 125 foot longwire - 40 feet high, shortwavelistening yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) I often look for this, but mostly China is way on top if anything at this hour (gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) Also 1815 UT July 19, 44434, Station ID at 1815 followed by African drum and flute music. Postal and e-mail addresses by woman in English at 1827. Good signal S-9 (You can easily notice the grey-line effect on this one, the signal gets stronger with every minute). (Nick Rumple, Kannapolis, North Carolina, U.S.A., Yaesu FRG-100, 125 foot longwire - 40 feet high, shortwavelistening yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) ?? There is no grayline between you and Nigeria at that time (gh, DXLD) ** NORTH AMERICA. [Pirate]. 6950.17, Captain Morgan Shortwave, 0325- 0340, July 16, blues music. ID. Email address. Strong but announcements were distorted (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA Equipment: Icom IC-7600, two 100 foot longwires, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. KWTV FIRES MASON DUNN, their longtime chopper pilot, who refused to keep flying in severe weather after the legal 8 hours and he was exhausted. Very long 100+ thread, about station`s new news director, and then about tornado coverage in general: http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=26034 (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 93.3, K227AT, one of my several DX-blocking local gospel huxter translators in Enid, noted cutting off the air and on, mostly off, July 20 at 0541 UT; relays KIMY 93.9 originating in much smaller town Watonga OK. Has been known to relay DX when the 93.9 input signal is overridden, but I`d rather have it off for good. A few days ago when I was trying to DX 93.1, noticed its ACI coming and going abruptly. It`s still/again off at 1616 UT check (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Some resultant logs in MEXICO ** OMAN. 15140, Radio Sultanate Oman, 2154-2200, 12-July-2011, in Arabic. Female announcer with commentary followed by middle eastern music at 2155, clock chimes at 2200, followed by station ID by male announcer then news, fair signal (Ed Wlodarski, N2ED, New Jersey, Ten Tec RX340 & 100 Ft Long Wire, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. To send reception reports via eMail the exact eMail address is: fmcell @ radio.gov.pk Bye from north of Italy (Dario Gabrielli, cumbredx yg via DXLD) Re 11-28: Hi Mauno, Yes, when they are on air; those timings are exactly as heard here - give or take a few seconds! 73 from (Noel Green, England, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15265, 1820-, Radio Pakistan, Jul 9. Good reception of their Urdu service to Europe with local area music. Radio Pakistan heard at 1821 (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) RADIO PAKISTAN LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan launched a completely redesigned and enhanced bilingual website of Radio Pakistan with mobile streaming‚ video streaming and a You Tube channel‚ at PBC Headquarters in Islamabad on Tuesday. The new website‚ with a fresh appearance and format‚ contains many modules including latest news‚ top news‚ headlines‚ reports‚ multimedia‚ programmes‚ bulletins in text and audio format and services for mobile phones. The Director-General of Radio Pakistan, Murtaza Solangi, gave a comprehensive briefing to the Minister about the latest initiatives of the organization. He said despite financial and other constraints‚ concerted efforts are being made to equip Radio Pakistan with the latest technology. He said that during the last three years Radio Pakistan established community channel FM-93 besides launching current affairs channels NBS and English Channel FM-94. He said Radio Pakistan is broadcasting its programmes in 22 languages fulfilling needs of people from Gilgit to Gwadar. About the launching of the new website‚ the Director-General said this is the fourth upgrade during the last three years. All upgrades have been done through indigenous resources without any additional expenditure. (Source: Radio Pakistan)( July 20th, 2011 - 10:10 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA [and non]. 3385, NBC, Radio East New Britain, Jul 11, 0813 - Very good reception in Tok Pisin, and always a real treat to monitor. Other 90 meter stations heard at the same time include: 3364.99 Radio Milne Bay (good reception), 3325 (either RRI or PNG, but too weak to tell), 3290 Voice of Guyana at fair/good level with Hindi (?) chants, 3275 Radio Southern Highlands at poor level, and 3260 Radio Madang at poor/fair level (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3205, NBC Sandaun (West Sepik) continues to be off the air through July 18. 3290, NBC Central relay of Radio Gadona 95.5 FM, 1158-1333, July 18. Fair; well above the norm. 1201-1207: PNG birdcall; news and weather in English; // 3365-NBC Milne Bay and 3385 NBC-East New Britain. 1207-1255: National program in Tok Pisin with YL telling an impassioned tale of her dealings with the government regarding a land issue over which she had to hire a lawyer and go to court in Port Moresby. 1301-1305: “Good night Papua New Guinea. The News Roundup. I’m Dave …” with news and weather in English; item about the legal issues dealing with the health of the Prime Minister, etc.; did not start with the normal birdcall. 1305-1333 (tuned out): relay of Radio Gadona 95.5 FM; dedications show of island songs with announcers in Tok Pisin; several “Radio Gadona” IDs as well as “FM 95.5” and “95.5 FM”. Entertaining programming at an enjoyable level! http://www.box.net/shared/stnbj5fh28iylr9cdlp0 contains MP3 audio with IDs and song (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3205, NBC Sandaun (West Sepik) continues to be off the air through July 20. 3290, NBC Central with relay of Radio Gadona 95.5 FM, 1311-1336, July 19. Another day of good PNG propagation; YL DJ in Tok Pisin playing variety of songs (Jimmy Cliff “I Can See Clearly Now”, etc.); IDs for both “Radio Gadona” and “N-B-C Central”; fading down at tune out (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 5960, Radio Fly, Kiunga, Jul 11, 0850 - Very good reception at tune-in at 0850 UT. Music until 0856, followed by local news including a foot-bridge closure, baby of the month award, etc. Into international news at 0902. At 0903: 'That's the news in general', followed by 'Radio Fly sports' (ID at 0906), and then 'Radio Fly's news team', and back into music. Still very nice reception at 0922. No sign at all during my 4 days here of their // of 3915. Besides 3385, the best PNG station by far (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5960, 0825-, Radio Fly, Jul 12. Heard superbly last night at Rose Spit (DXing from a vehicle with 2 BOG antenna towards NZ and Australia. 25 km from the nearest power line), so I tried again at the cottage via timer. Sure enough, they're there again at good level. Much better to listen at around this time rather than the normal mornings when the frequency is splattered terribly by adjacent transmitters. No sign of 3915 at all during the past 4 days. Can't be on the air (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 7324.95, Wantok Radio Light, Jul 11, 0808 - Fair to good reception with Christian music. Heard a number of nights, in the 0800 to 0920 times, at decent levels. Unlike the old days, when they first came on the air on 60 meters, I recall hearing them at armchair level with a portable and built in whip! Now much more of a DX catch. English news at 0909, but significant splatter. Reported over 100 deaths from a Volga River boat tragedy. Weather at 0911, then main points of news at 0912. NBC National news ID, followed by ?local programming in Pidgin. Mentioned '7325 in the 41 m band', and Port Moresby. Bible verse at 0921 (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7324.95, 0855-, Wantok Radio Light, Jul 12. Had my remote on tonight to Wantok Radio Light, as I heard them reasonably well last night at Rose Spit. Sure enough, they were there at 0855 tune-in with music past the TOH, then around 0902 went into what sounded like NBC news. The feed was lost at 0907, and didn't return for the next 15 minutes of the mp3 file. Sounded like an OC only. Fair to good reception (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. EL CHASQUI DX especial visita a RADIO JPJ LIMA, 3360 kHz EL CHASQUI DX JULIO 2011 CQ, CQ, CQ --- Aquí Pedro F. Arrunátegui para compartir algo con los que disfrutan y aman el DX latinoamericano, desde la tierra de los incas, les informo mediante este Quipus lo siguiente: Una nueva radio lanza su voz desde un rincón en Monte de los Olivos, San Martín de Porres, Lima, Perú. Después de algunas coordinaciones con Henrik Klemetz con quien me comprometí a darme un tiempo para visitar la estación ubicada por radio, partí el día El día 18 de Julio a las 9:00 am con mi esposa en una expedición del cono este de la ciudad de Lima, Chaclacayo lugar donde resido, hacia el Cono norte de la ciudad de Lima, casi dos horas de donde estaba, en una urbanización que consta de cuatro etapas y todas con las mismas numeraciones; después de un recorrido por la zona, al tocar dos puertas con la misma dirección, encontrándonos en el camino con pistas por construir, en medio de maquinaria para elaboración de pistas y personas que felizmente nos guían llegamos a Monte de los Olivos segunda etapa, a la altura del paradero doce de la Avenida los Olivos; una zona bastante lograda frente al Colegio San Agustín; Eran aproximadamente las 14 horas y esta sería nuestra tercera puerta con la misma dirección que tocaríamos, pero una gran sonrisa se esbozó en nuestros rostros al ver que en esa Mz D Lt 9, en el segundo nivel de un pequeño edificio yacía un gran letrero que presentaba a Radio JPJ del Perú O.C.T 3360 KHZ. Preparamos cámara fotográfica, la agenda, lapicero y todo la buen onda para lograr esta gran entrevista porque como comprenderán no sólo el auto de había llenado de tierra sino que en nuestro morral estaban guardadas nuestras energías y en nuestros cuerpos ya se reflejaba un poco de mareo y cansancio; sin embargo valió la pena. Cuando bajamos del auto nos encontramos con un señor que salía del edificio con una amable sonrisa a quien le preguntamos si estaba funcionado allí la radio y nos contestó que sí, invitándonos a pasar; él era nada menos que JPJ, para todos el Doctor Jesús Párraga Jiménez, cirujano dentista; quien es el dueño no sólo de la radio sino de un gran espíritu solidario ejercido a través de sus policlínicos en las zonas más necesitadas de su asociación de vivienda en unión con otros profesionales. Realizamos una entrevista acompañados de una deliciosa Inca cola, donde aparte de explicarle que era el DX y como realizábamos nuestros reportes, conocimos un poco sobre su persona, además pudimos rescatar los inicios de la radio; es así que nos enteramos que a Jesús, en su afán de ayudar al Perú le surgió la idea de esta radio a fin de que mediante ella pueda ayudar a crecer en cultura y lazos familiares en los rincones más alejados de las ciudades donde llega su señal; todo después de vivir 7 años en Milán y de quedar viudo ante la muerte de su esposa en esa ciudad. Es entonces cuando Vuelve a Perú invierte sus fondos en esta radio y después de 6 años de constancia y gestión ha obtenido su resolución Nº1040 – 2010 como empresa peruana de radiodifusión. Es una radio con equipos de elaboración nacional; están en los inicios de su señal y en busca de personas interesadas en manejar el perfil informativo y de valores que quiere transmitir para ocupar las horas en la radio, amigos de Italia que la escuchan han contratado algunas horas (de 8 -10pm en Perú) para hacer sus saludos, escuchar la música de su agrado, en fin rescatar momentos familiares y amicales. Jesús quedó muy contento al ver los correos impresos alcanzados de Henrit Klemetz y su paisano Hasse Mattisson así como el correo donde se me informa el escucha de los dos amigos finlandeses y un checo, quedo a la expectativa de la próxima visita a Lima de Dario Monferini en el mes de agosto para conversare in italiano su rostro y su sonrisa reflejaban la alegría que desde sus inicios su señal llegaba a tantos lugares del mundo de donde vio los mail que llevamos impresos. Pudimos ingresar a las instalaciones de la cabina de locución, donde obtuvimos algunas fotos para el recuerdo y de donde se emite la señal a la planta de Puente Piedra. Luego nos despedimos con el firme propósito de seguir visitándonos y llevar nuevos amigos dxistas a fin de seguir recibiendo comunicación del mundo nos entregó esta información valiosa: su mail dr_parraga @ hotmail.com o a sus teléfonos (01) 484 8379. Después de esta aventura que termina casi a 15:15 horas cerramos nuestra expedición, con un almuerzo en un centro comercial de ese cono con mi esposa, mi hija quienes me acompañaron. Espero que este reporte de esta gran experiencia vivida sea de su agrado. 73's Lima, 19 de Julio del 2011 PFA (via Henrik Klemetz, DXLD) Original has some photos, doc via http://www.w4uvh.net/Peru3360JPJ.doc Glenn, Here is an audio sample which you could use on the air if you wish. This station was in the news in DXLD quite recently. Paco Arrunátegui believes the manager might be interested in international feedback. The audio clip is from an streaming transmission I managed to get a few weeks ago, UT Tuesday 0430: http://www.w4uvh.net/Peru3360JPJ.mp3 (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 3329.6, ONDAS DEL HUALLAGA. Huánuco, Perú. 0045-0110 julio 17. Música tropical y folclórica, mencionando Huánuco. "....Yo escucho Ondas del Huallaga..." las 0102 "...tres frecuencias y una sola señal... desde Huánuco, ciudad primaveral; transmite Radio Ondas del Huallaga..." más tarde fuera del aire sin cierre a las 0230* 4775, RADIO TARMA. Tarma, Perú. 0140-0201* julio 17. Música folclórica, a las 0157 con completo s/off: "... estimados oyentes en Radio Tarma, empresa individiual de responsabilidad limitada, [so that`s what EIRL means --- gh] finalizamos nuestras transmisiones correspondientes a la fecha..." Mencionan la operación en FM, MW y SW, además de página web en http://www.radiotarma.com y correo-e contacto en gerenciageneral @ grupomontervede.com 5120.6, ONDAS DEL SURORIENTE. Quillabamba, Perú. 2250-2300 julio 16. Transmisión de fútbol Copa América. Argentina vs Uruguay"... la información de Ondas del Suroriente y la gran cadena nacional..." 5460.4, RADIO BOLÍVAR. Bolívar, Perú. 0120-0134* julio 17. Música tropical y anucnios comerciales, entre canción "...estamos haciendo historia.. Radio Bolívar" o, "...Radio Bolívar la número 1 en tu corazón..." siguen más canciones a las 0130 "...cuando te pregunten qué radio escuchas, responde Radio Bolívar; la primera y la mejor..." fuera del aire sin cierre a las 0134* 6174, RADIO TAWANTISUYO [sic]. Cusco, Perú. 0025-0035 Julio 17, Música folclórica. "...desde la cuna del Imperio Inca, la ciudad de Cusco... Radio Tawantisuyo. .." (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá D.C. - COLOMBIA, Equipo Winradio G303I, Antena Dipolo de 12 metros, más en http://dxdesdecolombia.blogspot.com/ condiglist yg via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. 15190, 1829-, Radio Pilipinas, Jul 9. Very nice reception except for transmitter hum with ID as 'Radio Pilipinas, the Voice of the Philippines', and that this was a transmission in Tagalog. 250 kW from Tinang listed at 283 degrees (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. 11650, 1514-, FEBC, Jul 10. Radio Teos program in Russian at very good level with a Russian preacher. 100 kW to Siberia, so we're getting the back end of the transmission (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PUERTO RICO [and non]. PUERTO RICAN STATION DROPS PBS SHOWS Would prefer to carry them in Spanish Published on Current.org, July 12, 2011 By Dru Sefton Puerto Rico’s government-controlled WIPR dropped its PBS membership on July 1 — the fourth member station to quit this year. Puerto Rico TV logo - Canal 6 Puerto Rico TV, which produces and broadcasts mostly in Spanish, carried only the English versions of PBS Kids programs. A separate station — Sistema TV (WMTJ), licensed to the private Ana G. Méndez University System — carries a selection of general audience PBS programs. PBS lost WIPR fees amounting to $713,000 a year. The network earlier lost KCET in Los Angeles on Jan. 1 and two Florida stations as of July 1: Orlando’s WMFE-TV, and Daytona’s WDSC-TV, which shared their service area with a third station, which continues as a PBS outlet. Pedro Rua, WIPR’s executive v.p., said WIPR and PBS negotiated for about a year but could not reach an agreement that would retain the station as a member. Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corp., controlled by the territorial government, has built the station into a production powerhouse that produces seven hours of programming a day and in addition operates the only 24-hour news service on the island. Productions include current affairs, culture, sports, music, talk shows and food shows. In May WIPR President Ray Cruz announced a move into drama production. He wants to transform the station into the “premier workshop for local actors.” The station is also completing a deal to distribute its the programming on the mainland. The governor appoints WIPR’s top executives every four years. With an annual budget of some $19 million, it has about 196 employees and 150 contractors. Its primary channel is branded Puerto Rico TV. Others are its news channel, Noticias 24/7; Kids TV; V-Me, the pubTV Spanish channel; and Echo, which airs retro and historic Puerto Rican programming. It also operates three radio channels. The children’s channel is “by far” the most successful multicast, Rua said, “sometimes with bigger numbers than the primary station.” There is children’s programming on commercial stations, he said, “but it’s more like, Japanese animation with sword fights. Not really appropriate.” The station’s main goal with Kids TV is readying children to learn in school, Rua said. But many viewers find English-only shows difficult to understand. A U.S. Census study based on 2005-2009 data said 85 percent of residents on the island reported they “did not speak English very well.” Spanish-language versions of PBS Kids programming are available only to foreign broadcasters but not to WIPR, which is treated as a U.S. station in program licenses. “We spoke to PBS about this, but they couldn’t help us,” Rua said. PBS explained that it only has the English language broadcast rights for programs, “so there is no way for PBS to preclude producers from selling their programming in Spanish-speaking markets.” Because each producer negotiates their own international distribution deals, there is not one blanket agreement with PBS. Instead of spending $700,000 on PBS fees, WIPR will use it for local productions, Rua said. “I can do a lot with that much,” he said. “All public TV stations are decreasing local programming. But we identified two years ago that we could be successful in that niche, so we’re growing that.” (Current via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. [Re 11-28]. 13797.6, R Romania International with English, Olympic Profiles about a Romanian boxer read by OM. ID by OM at :51. S/off with sked for next broadcasts (22 & 00 hours) then IS. 11880 then went off, but others continued for another minute; curious. Unusual frequency -- punch up error or transmitter? //s were on channel: 11880 34444 & 11940 3443+3 (splatter) 354+44 2049-2056* 8/Jul (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI, MARE Tipsheet ``July 20`` issued July 18 via DXLD) Ken would have gotten credit for first monitoring of this if his report had not been delayed so long (gh) 7333.84v, R. Romania International, 0338-0342*, July 13. In English; with language lesson and new words; suddenly went off the air; poor. 300 kW tx at Tiganesti continues to be off frequency; higher than originally heard on July 9 and 10 (7333.73). Thanks to Wolfgang Bueschel (Germany) for his assistance (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Romania International, Tiganeshti transmitter site, 13798 kHz. 2030 UT July 14, 44444, Newscast read by man in English at 2030, followed by station ID and website information at 2040. "Traveler's Guide", about travel and tourism in Romania at 2045. Good Signal. S-9 (R. Romania is on frequency on 11940 kHz with equal strength). (Nick Rumple, Kannapolis, North Carolina, Yaesu FRG-100, 125 foot longwire - 40 feet high, shortwavelistening yg via DXLD) Radio Romania Internacional fuera de frecuencia --- Hola Colegas, A esta hora RRI por los 11953.2 kHz (nominal 11955); reportan también otras emisiones de esta emisora fuera de frecuencia a través del DXLD 11-28 de hoy. Las otras frecuencias de esta hora en español sin problemas (Rafael Rodriguez R., Bogotá D.C. - COLOMBIA, 2357 UT July 15, condiglist yg via DXLD) 7383.88, R. Romania Int., ID at 0058, 0100 instrumental music, W with French ID, program intro, then news by M in French. Strong and off- frequency (17 July) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, HCDX via DXLD) 7398.887, RRI Tiganeshti faulty transmitter since July 9, is still in bad shape today. Noted at 0256 UT July 17. S=9+20dB, ID and internet address given (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 17 via DXLD) Radio Romania International, Tiganeshti transmitter site, 9788.50 kHz. 2205 UT July 18, 44333. Still off frequency with English news by woman at 2205, followed by website info and station ID at 2210. "Song Of The Day" - music program and contest announcement at 2218. Fair signal S-7 (Nick Rumple, Kannapolis, North Carolina, U.S.A., Yaesu FRG-100, 125 foot longwire - 40 feet high, shortwavelistening yg via DXLD) 17767.3, July 19 at 0515, RRI VG in French, // weaker 15340.0. Since there was no het I at first assumed it was on proper 17770 until measured. One of the Tiganeshti transmitters has been 2-3 kHz low in frequency on all broadcasts since July 9, first discovered by Ron Howard, and tracked extensively by Wolfgang Büschel, but this is the first one I have run across. WB notified the Romanians about it, but nothing has been done (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7333.83v, R. Romania International, quick check at 0314 on July 20 found them still off frequency, even though Wolfy notified them about ten days ago of all the frequencies he had found that were not exact. Noticeably drifting a little. 7398.84, RRI, 0205, July 20 in Spanish. Another odd frequency (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also ITALY [non] ** ROMANIA. Radio Romania contest --- June 16, 2011 http://www.rri.ro/art.shtml?lang=1&sec=16&art=143712 Dear friends, Radio Romania International invites you to participate in a new prize-winning contest, this time dedicated to the "2011 George Enescu Festival". This music festival was inaugurated in 1958, in recognition of the appreciation George Enescu, the best known Romanian musician of all times, enjoyed worldwide. The 20th edition of the festival will take place between September 1st and 25th, in Bucharest and other major cities across Romania. The festival includes almost 120 concerts and shows, grouped in various categories: "Great World Orchestras", "Chamber Music Recitals and Concerts", "Midnight Concerts", "World Music", "Opera and Ballet", "Music of the 21st Century", and, of course, "Enescu and His Contemporaries". As usual, this event attracts some of the best names in symphonic music worldwide. You can get details on these events in our broadcasts, as well as on the website http://www.festivalenescu.ro --- (the English version). The "George Enescu" International Competition has four sections: piano, violin, cello and composition. The artistic director of the event is the world famous music manager Ioan Hollender, who was born in Timishoara, western Romania, who headed the Vienna Staatsoper, between 1992 and 2010. In this contest, we grant prizes related to Enescu and Romanian symphonic music, but also to Romanian culture in general. The contest is sponsored by "Monitorul Oficial" Publishers, with support from the "Casa Radio" Record and Publishing House. A violin virtuoso known all over the world, composer, pianist, conductor and teacher, George Enescu was born 130 years ago, on 19 August 1881 in Liveni, Botosani county, in north eastern Romania. He is considered one of the greatest composers of the first half of the 20th century. His work includes three completed symphonies, various other important pieces for voice and orchestra, chamber music, one opera ("'Oedip"), solo works and lieder. Such great names as Yehudi Menuhin and Dinu Lipatti are two of the musicians Enescu had a great influence on. In order to qualify for one of our prizes you have to provide correct and complete answers, in writing, by 30 September 2011, posting date, to a few questions: 1. When and where was George Enescu born? 2. Name at least three compositions by Enescu. 3. Name at least three prestigious musicians attending this year's edition of the festival (soloists, conductors or orchestras). 4. Which edition of the "George Enescu" International Festival is running this year? Please answer by mail, fax, e-mail, on our Facebook page, or by filling in the form posted on our website. We would also ask you to tell us what motivated you to participate in the competition. Our address is: Radio Romania International, 60-64, G-ral. Berthelot Street, sector 1, Bucharest, Romania, PO Box 111, code 010171, fax no. 00.40.21.319. 05.62. Our e-mail address is: engl @ rri.ro We are waiting for your answers by 30 September 2011, posting date. The winners will be announced in the second half of October 2011 (via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. [INTRUDER ALERT] 7009.0 kHz - A3E --- 16.7.2011 2048 UT, 7009.0 kHz, A3E emission, Music and sometimes voice, IM product? 73 (Peter, HB9CET, Switzerland, INTRUDERALERT mailing list via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) As usual, Voice of Russia Armavir Krasnodar transmitter site intermodulation of Mediumwave religious Yevangelskiye Chteniya program in Russian 1089 kHz 1200 kW plus Shortwave 5920 kHz = 7009 kHz Voice of Russia in Spanish 2000-2100 UT. 1089 kHz 2000-2100 UT Krasnodar 1200 kW Evangelical religious programm to CIS-Caucasus 5920 kHz 2000-2200 UT Krasnodar 200 kW Spanish and Portuguese, at 280 degrees to zone 37 EUR, NoWeAF YEVANGELSKIYE CHTENIYA (Religious) kHz: 612, 1089. Summer Schedule 2011 Russian Days Area kHz 15.00-16.00 mt.t..s RUS 612msk 20.00-21.00 daily RUS 612msk 20.00-21.00 daily ME 1089arm <<<<<<<<<<<<< [WRTH format info] When the 5920 kHz transmitter switches on air, even before 2000 UT, like around 1948 ... 1952 or so, you will hear the intermodulation on 7009 kHz also. Location coordinates Armavir 45 28 22.60 N 40 06 18.89 E http://maps.google.de/maps?q=45+28+22.60+N++40+06+18.89+E&hl=de&ll=45.47248,40.107265&spn=0.02215,0.054975&sll=45.436688,40.341007&sspn=0.177308,0.439796&t=f&z=15&ecpose=45.45607342,40.10795974,4192.4,-1.7,24.025,0 Same matter has been discussed on German Bandwatch / Bundesnetzagentur on August 12, 2010 already. vy73, (Wolfgang DF5SX Büschel, ibid.) ** RUSSIA. 5930, July 21 at 1223, R. Rossii with music, but transmitter breaking up badly. Same music on much weaker // 5940 not breaking up. 5930 is Petropavlovsk/Kam (same as winter frequency 6075), and 5940 is Magadan (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Hi Wolfgang, Here http://dxing.ru/novosti/21-radioveschanie/1494-izmenenija-v-drm-transljatsijah-golosa-rossii.html you'll find info about changes in DRM sked of VoR. Best 73 Vadim Alexeyev, VoR Russian service, DX programme editor (via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) Viz., once Google translated: Changes in the DRM-broadcast "Voice of Russia" Starting from July 15, 2011 introduced a new broadcast schedule in the mode of DRM software to FSI WGD "Voice of Russia" with the filing of programs in the format of MDI. On Europe: - 15545 kHz from Moscow 0800-1200 UTC - new frequency; - 9850 kHz from Kaliningrad 0800-1300 UTC - frequency was specified before the start of the season; - 9715 kHz from Moscow 1300-1900 UTC - 9750 kHz instead of 1300-1800 UTC; - 6155 kHz from Kaliningrad 1500-1800 UTC - frequency was specified before the start of the season; - 9880 kHz from Kaliningrad 1600-2100 UTC - frequency was specified before the start of the season; - 6065 kHz from Kaliningrad 1900-2300 UTC - new frequency. Programs for MDI channels will be filed in the following languages: 0800-0900 - English, Russian, 0900-1000 - English, Russian, 1000-1100 - Russian, German, 1100-1200 - Russian, German, 1200-1300 - English, Russian, 1300-1400 - English, Russian, 1400 - 1500 - English, Russian, 1500-1600 - German, Serbo-Croatian, 1600-1700 - German, Serbo- Croatian, 1700-1800 - German, Italian, 1800-1900 - English, French, 1900-2000 - English, French; 2000-2100 - English, French, 2100-2200 - English, Portuguese, 2200-2300 - English, Russian. In Asia: - 9445 kHz from Irkutsk 1200-1600 UTC - frequency was specified before the start of the season; - 9405 kHz from Irkutsk 1700-1800 UTC - new frequency. Programs for MDI channels will be filed in the following languages: 1200-1300 - English, Chinese, 1300-1400 - English, Hindi, 1400-1500 - English, Urdu, 1500-1600 - English, Hindi, 1700-1800 - English, Hindi. On 15/07/11, the broadcasts ceased at the following frequencies: - 7225 kHz from 1400-1600 UTC Krasnodar in Europe, in English; - 15735 kHz from Komsomolsk-na-Amur in Asia, 0100-0300 UTC in Russian and 0300-0500 UTC English. Department for the dissemination of WGD "The Voice of Russia" (via DXLD) [what is WGD? gh] Voice of Russia - new DRM schedule --- On July 15, the Voice of Russia started to broadcast a multiplex of programs in two different languages (DRM MDI stream): [what is MDI? gh] To Europe: – 15545 kHz (Moscow) 0800-1200 UTC (new freq) – 9850 kHz (Kaliningrad) 0800-1300 UTC – 9715 kHz (Moscow) 1300-1900 UTC (ex 9750 kHz 1300-1800 UTC) – 6155 kHz (Kaliningrad) 1500-1800 UTC – 9880 kHz (Kaliningrad) 1600-2100 UTC – 6065 kHz (Kaliningrad) 1900-2300 UTC (new freq) 0800-0900 – English, Russian 0900-1000 – English, Russian 1000-1100 – Russian, German 1100-1200 – Russian, German 1200-1300 – English, Russian 1300-1400 – English, Russian 1400-1500 – English, Russian 1500-1600 – German, Serbian 1600-1700 – German, Serbian 1700-1800 – German, Italian 1800-1900 – English, French 1900-2000 – English, French 2000-2100 – English, french 2100-2200 – English, Portuguese 2200-2300 – English, Russian To Asia: – 9445 kHz (Irkutsk) 1200-1600 UTC – 9405 kHz (Irkutsk) 1700-1800 UTC (new freq) 1200-1300 – English, Chinese 1300-1400 – English, Hindi 1400-1500 – English, Urdu 1500-1600 – English, Hindi 1700-1800 – English, Hindi On the same day, VOR cancelled following DRM broadcasts: - 7225 kHz (Krasnodar) 1400-1600 UTC to Europe in English - 15735 kHz (Komsomolsk-on-Amur) to Asia 0100-0300 UTC in Russian and 0300-0500 UTC in English. Source: http://dxing.ru/novosti/21-radioveschanie/1494-izmenenija-v-drm-transljatsijah-golosa-rossii.html (via Aleksandr Diadischev, Ukraine, July 19, dxldyg via DXLD) ** SAO TOME. USA [presumed Non] Voice of America heard booming-in at tune-in at 2045 on 18 July on 4960 in African language with talk and music clips before signing off at 2100 with standard Voice of America ID in English and Yankee Doodle Dandy signature tune. Cannot see this frequency scheduled at this time, and was much stronger than 4930 Botswana and 4940 São Tomé is normally heard here at 2000 (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) São Tomé have reversed their morning and evening frequencies before, by mistake? (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) VOA back on 4940 19 July - heard with big signal from 2010 tune-in with English up to 2030, then into Hausa (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, ibid.) ** SAUDI ARABIA. Broadcasting Service of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 17560 kHz. Riyadh transmitter site 1730 UT July 14, 34433 Non - stop man chanting in Arabic. Man with short talk in Arabic at 1740, followed by more chanting. Off at 1753. Fair signal. S-3 (Nick Rumple, Kannapolis, North Carolina, Yaesu FRG-100, 125 foot longwire - 40 feet high, shortwavelistening yg via DXLD) [non]. 15250, July 20 at 1151, as usual BSKSA`s only English broadcast is blocked by China, plus a het which could be additional jamming of VOA Chinese as scheduled before and after 1200. SA obviously does not put any priority on PR abroad among English-speaking listeners; we can hear it on many frequencies in Arabic (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SERBIA [non]. Radio Serbia International, Bijeljina transmitter site, 9685 kHz. 0100 UT [Sunday] July 17, 55555, Interval signal, station ID and news by man in English at 0100 UT. Station ID 3 times by woman in English at 0105, followed by political related show by man in English. Popular music of Serbia at 0111. Extreme huge signal S-9 + 40dB (Nick Rumple, Kannapolis, North Carolina, U.S.A., Yaesu FRG-100, 125 foot longwire - 40 feet high, shortwavelistening yg via DXLD) 9685, UT Sunday July 17 at 0101, IRS via BOSNIA with news in English mostly about former Yugoslavia; VG signal but modulation slightly distorted. Original A-11 schedule has NO English on UT Sundays to NAm, only Mon-Sat at 0030 and supposed to be off the air at 0100* except for another semihour in Serbian on UT Wednesdays only. So are they now doing English at 0100-0130 daily? Or just tardy in turning off the transmitter. 9685, July 20 at 0113, VG open carrier, must be IRS. I leave it on until it finally cuts off a few sex before 0133. Not only did IRS stay on past 0100 in English on UT Sunday when it was not supposed to, but on the only day of week when it *is* supposed to be on after 0100 for an additional semihour of Serbian, it was dead air! Who wants to stay awake all night in Bijeljina, BOSNIA, or Beograd to make sure everything worx? (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. 5019.88, SIBC, Jul 11m 1014 - Fair to good reception with mentions of 'National program'. Usually much stronger, and was heard at better level on other nights (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALIA [non]. Giovedì 14 luglio 2011, 2125 - 11650 kHz, Musica pop tipo Eritrea o Etiopia e s/off 2130. Segnale sufficiente- insufficiente. Ho già notato tale emissione qualche sera fa. Radio Australia sembrava spenta (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) HFCC: 11650 1930 2130 48,52NE,53NW DHA 250 205 1234567 270311 301011 D Somali UAE BAB BAB Aoki: 11650 1930-2130 UAE R. Damal (V of Somali People) Som Dhabbaya 1-7 EiBi: 11650 1930-2030 KEN R Damal-V of Somali People SO SOM /UAE (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. New Overcomer relay on 15610: see ITALY [non] ** SPAIN. 6055, REE (Noblejas), 7/17 0030, not much more than a smoky mumble, what I expected. 6055 is a bad frequency for the mid-summer months, especially out here, so far away from the east coast. Heard pips at BOH, and re-check had them fair to good after 0130 in Spanish (Rick Barton, El Mirage, Arizona, Hammarlund HQ-180A, HQ-200, Drake R-8, outdoor slinky, 70' Inverted-L wire, 100' random wire, ABDX via DXLD) [and non]. 11910, July 15 at 1225, REE in Spanish via CHINA, lower-fi audio than // 11880 via COSTA RICA, but a couple words ahead of CR 21610 direct, July 19 at 1203, REE Spanish very poor but some signal at least and rather early for band open at all lately. Did not improve in following hour and weaker // 21540 never bothered KUWAIT, q.v. (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN [non]. Radio Pirenaica (Aventura de una radio clandestina) Tvrip Español --- He encontrado este programa emitido en TV española y que he procesado para sincronizar el audio con la imágen, pues estaba desajustado y vuelto a resubir. Es un buen documento histórico. Si hay una segunda parte en la web, no lo sé. 73 (Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, condiglist yg via DXLD) RADIO PIRENAICA (AVENTURA DE UNA RADIO CLANDESTINA) TVRIP ESPAÑOL «Aquí Radio España Independiente, estación Pirenaica, la única emisora sin censura de Franco...». Así iniciaba sus emisiones una radio clandestina que, durante más de 30 años, se enfrentó a la propaganda del régimen franquista, polemizó con sus medios de comunicación e informó de las luchas obreras, campesinas y estudiantiles, desde un imaginario emplazamiento pirenaico. Fue Dolores Ibárruri «Pasionaria», quien bautizó a Radio España Independiente con el sobrenombre de «Pirenaica», para acortar psicológicamente la distancia que les separaba de sus oyentes en el interior del país. Pocos españoles habrá -al menos de la generación que participó en la contienda y de la que maduró en una dilatada posguerra- que no escucharan en algún momento esta emisora comunista que los más ingenuos creían en Los Pirineos, los «enterados» situaban en Praga y que estuvo realmente en Moscú primero y en Bucarest después. Radio España Independiente (REI) nació en los albores de la posguerra española. El 22 de julio de 1941, sus ondas llegaron a España desde Moscú por primera vez, y no nos abandonaron hasta el 14 de julio de 1977, día en que su director, Ramón Mendezona (alias Pedro Aldamiz) se despedía de todos los oyentes. De un plumazo se dejaban atrás 35 años de emisiones clandestinas esquivando la censura impuesta por el franquismo a los medios de comunicación. A pesar de la lejanía física de la emisora, sus responsables crearon la leyenda de que emitía desde algún punto indeterminado de los Pirineos. De esa forma, trataban de alimentar la idea de que dentro de las fronteras seguía encendida la llama de la resistencia a la dictadura. Radio Pirenaica se convirtió en un verdadero dolor de cabeza para Franco, que autorizó el mantenimiento del Servicio de Interferencia Radiada (una red de estaciones de interferencia controlada por el almirante Carrero Blanco) para dificultar que la señal llegase a los receptores. El dinero y el apoyo tecnológico llegaron desde EEUU. La REI permanecía en alerta y contraatacaba con emisiones volantes desde Bulgaria o Hungría, subiendo la potencia o cambiando frecuencias. Pero a pesar de los esfuerzos del gobierno franquista, de los pitidos, zumbidos y ruidos de fondo, La Pirenaica se convirtió durante años en el referente de la radio en España. Muchos sintonizaban por convicción, otros por curiosidad.. ., pero todos escuchaban, tras la melodía de Suspiros de España, su saludo diario al oyente, que ha quedado grabado en la memoria de la generación de posguerra: “Aquí Radio España Independiente, estación pirenaica, la única emisora española sin censura de Francoâ€?. Esa radio y los esforzados que la crearon y mantuvieron, jugaron un papel decisivo en la búsqueda de los caminos de la Libertad: político, psicológico y periodístico. Su programación era compleja y variada, aunque buscaban el lenguaje directo y los vocablos naturales. La jornada comenzaba a las 7 de la mañana. Los programas se grababan y, tras un control técnico, eran emitidos a lo largo de todo el día y sin ninguna variación, a menos que algún acontecimiento realmente importante obligara a ello. La jomada de la redacción terminaba a las 2 de la tarde con un nuevo boletín de noticias que abría el programa de sobremesa. Por la tarde, a partir de las 5 hasta las 10 de la noche, un redactor y un locutor preparaban las noticias que iban llegando por los telex y redactaban nuevos boletines informativos. Tratando de aumentar la potencia y vencer las interferencias franquistas, se llegaron incluso a inventar «ondas volantes» que cambiaban constantemente; se llegaron a enviar programas grabados para ser retransmitidos desde otros países a horas y por ondas imprevistas. Era una auténtica guerra radiofónica. Desde el punto de vista del contenido propagandístico, se trataba de ser cada día más convincente, menos lejano, más informado. Su periodismo enganchó a varias generaciones de españoles, que mandaban multitud de cartas de agradecimiento. Hubo meses que la redacción recibió más de 1.200 cartas de todas las provincias españolas...; incluso de países extranjeros. La preocupación de los redactores y locutores se centraba en evitar que pareciese "algo de fuera" o "de la emigración", sino una emisora que bien podría haber estado en Madrid, Alicante o Sevilla. Su parrilla abarcaba programas como "Antena de Burgos" (realizado por los presos dentro del Penal de Burgos) hasta el atentado en el que murió Carrero Blanco. Siguieron el proceso de Julián Grimau; la campaña Pro-amnistía; y el mensaje de Menéndez Pidal con el documento firmado por 1.161 intelectuales, estudiantes y obreros, exigiendo libertad de asociación, libertad sindical, derecho de huelga, libertad de información y expresión. Además, estuvieron en las minas de Asturias, en las montañas de Cuba cuando se inicó la Revolución, en el nacimiento de CC.OO, en la enfermedad senil del Franquismo, en Palomares... La Pirenaica se despidió de sus oyentes el 14 de julio de 1977, emitiendo desde Madrid la sesión inaugural de las Cortes Constituyentes. En la despedida de Radio España Independiente decía Pedro Aldamiz: "Expreso mi agradecimiento a todos los que con su ayuda desinteresada hicieron posible estas 108.360 emisiones. Doy las gracias a los miles de colaboradores anónimos que con sus crónicas han difundido la verdad de lo que pasaba en España, y a los camaradas que desde la cárcel de Burgos, dejándose la vista y arriesgando mucho en el empeño, aseguraron durante 8 años la emisión semanal de "Antena de Burgos". Esta aventura es un caso sin parangón en la historia de las emisoras clandestinas. En la meta ya del largo camino, a la natural tristeza, que causa abandonar la labor entrañada y entrañable, se une la alegría de ver a nuestro pueblo reconquistar la libertad". La gente ha perdido la memoria. Es como si la consideraran algo ¿inutil? Si me quitas los recuerdos ¿Que queda de mi? M. Vazquez Montalban rar 335MB 50 minutos 550x412 Wmv Archivo .rar en 4 partes, que se unen con WinRAR Enlaces de bajada pirenaica.part1.rar (100 MB) http://www.multiupl oad.com/KZG3BTJ9 5R pirenaica.part2.rar (100 MB) http://www.multiupl oad.com/BQCAIBKH LO pirenaica.part3.rar (100 MB) http://www.multiupl oad.com/GIZ9CGZV LR pirenaica.part4.rar (33.32 MB) http://www.multiupl oad.com/IZPWXALA 2Q (via Horacio A. Nigro, Uruguay, July 18 condiglist yg via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. [DRM] 15640, 1424-, BBC/DW, Jul 9. Listed as Hindi with about 90% copy and SNR around 14 dB. Secondary window shows News Service Journaline, but without any content. 90 kW listed, but not useful due to drop outs (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) [DRM] 15640, 1433-, BBC, Jul 10. Hindi programming from the BBC at just about 100% copy. Best I've ever heard them. Lots of English words added too. 'Luxury, deep sea diving, inspiration', etc. At 1500, switched to English. At 1507 listened to an item about Sri Lanka and the two years since the end of the civil war. Also received is the Journaline News Service, with brief items in English from DW, but also Hindi from DW-World's Hindi World, and BBCHindi.com (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. 15745, SLBC, with OM DJ in English doing a “morning show” with lots of greetings to listeners in places like India, Pakistan & sometimes with specific places like Mumbai. Playing listener requests for both familiar pop tunes [like Juice Newton’s The Sweetest Thing (I’ve ever known) and Beatles` Hard Days Night as well as some local things like a song called The Fisherman by someone about whom the announcer said, “I think this is about his only song in English”. SLBC mentioned at :58 into more music & at :03 (BOY did they miss the ToH!) into The Gospel of the Kingdom with Kenny Lewis -- they do a lot of American Bible Thumping on this station. Pretty good at first, 35543+ at tune in and still 2553+3 at tune out; better than the last couple of times I’ve tried them. 0225-0305 2/July (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI, MARE Tipsheet ``July 20`` issued July 18 via DXLD) Got a very nice personal e-mail confirmation from S.N. Dissanayaka (Technical Assistant) at the SLBC, Sri Lanka for snail mail report of reception at Assateague Island, MD in May. Says All Asia Hindi service is on 11905, 7190, and 6005 from 0020-0230 and 0930-1215, and the A-ll Asia English service is on 15745, 9770, and 6005 from 0130-0300 Mon-Fri, 0130-0330 Sat, and 0130-0500 Sun. (Seems to be a contradiction on 6005 at 0130. Maybe 6005 changes over from All Asian Hindi to All Asia English then??) Both services are beamed to India. Goes on to say they have only one SW station in the SLBC. There are several types of transmitters;. 300 kW Kukusai, 35 kW Collins and 10 kW Phillips. Don't know which are used on SW. I'll have to ask. (17 July) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, HCDX via DXLD) ** SUDAN. 7200, R. Omdurman, Al Aitahab, *0232-0245, July 11, Arabic. Carrier into vocal music/chanting; barely audible announcer at 0239 and bits of indigenous music; talk over HoA music at 0242; more chanting at tune/out; poor-weak (Scott R. Barbour Jr. Intervale, N.H. USA, NRD-545, MLB-1, 200' Beverages, 60m dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. New schedule of Radio Dabanga in Arabic effective from July 18 0430-0530 13620 MDC 250 kW / 330 deg EaAf/Sudan, not 13730 0430-0500 0430-0530 15550 DHA 250 kW / 255 deg EaAf/Sudan 0500-0600 13730 WER 250 kW / 150 deg EaAf/Sudan 0530-0600 13620 NAU 500 kW / 155 deg EaAf/Sudan 1530-1630 13730 MDC 250 kW / 330 deg EaAf/Sudan 1530-1630 15720 WER 500 kW / 150 deg EaAf/Sudan (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, July 18 via DXLD) cf DXLD 11-28 As in previous report, R. Dabanga has expanded schedule since July 18. On July 19 monitored: 13730, fair at 0523 via Wertachtal, GERMANY, a few sex behind 13620 via Madagascar; S9+10 at peaks. Had not been hearing 13730 when it was UAE, just some oscillating jamming at times. Now no jamming heard. Still not hearing the UAE frequency which is now 15550. 13620 at 0523, still has tone jammer; 0527 brief overlap at site switch from MADAGASCAR to Nauen, GERMANY, and continues audible but weaker. Tone jammer stops at 0530: ha, they don`t know about the extended schedule. During the 0529 minute, singing IDs and kHz announcements. At 0530 I compare 13620 and 13730: now they are only an echo apart from the two German sites (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. Radio Miraya FM via TDP in English/Arabic: 0300-0600 11560 SMF 250 kW / 180 deg to EaAf, heard every day in BUL 1400-1700 15710 SMF 100 kW / 180 deg to EaAf, maybe cancelled, no transmission from July 14. 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, July 20, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN SOUTH. Hi Glenn, Ref. DXLD 11-28: the name of the new state is definitely South Sudan. The first article of the new state's constitution says: 'South Sudan is a sovereign and independent Republic, and it shall be known as "The Republic of South Sudan".' The text of the constitution is at: http://www.sudantribune.com/IMG/pdf/The_Draft_Transitional_Constitution_of_the_ROSS2-2.pdf Confusion arose because the new country occupies the territory of the former autonomous region of Southern Sudan. Sudan (formally, the Republic of Sudan) continues with no change of name. It is incorrect to refer to it as North Sudan, though many in the south are doing so. Regards, (Chris Greenway, UK, July 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re 11-28: South Sudan independence TV coverage For David and other interested Australian DXers, Southern Sudan TV is broadcasting in digital live 24x7 via Intelsat 8 KU band 12726 Horizontal Symbol Rate 28066 FC 3/4. The station has an extremely strong signal right across Australia, also on an adjoining channel is ERI TV and Dimtsi Hafash Radio from Eritrea. Cheers, (Mark Fahey, Sydney, Australia, July 15, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) [Re 11-28]. Somebody is still looking for NEW radio country? It looks like this evening we'll have another one... :-) cursory viewing WRTH did find this: 693 Juba, 100 kW nothing active on HF from there? ... (Vlad Titarev, Ukraine, DXplorer July 9, via BC-DX July 17 via DXLD) New radio country. JUBA - SSDN Juba, probably MW 693 kHz 100 kW mast 04 51 03.31 N 31 35 19.15 E SOUTH SUDAN - Rep of: Is the location of this US-supported Radio Assalam 4740 / 5895 kHz service published somewhere? Google search failed so far. Nagoya table xls list shows veiled "Nuba Mountains" location. 2 SW dipole masts at 04 51 03.02 N 31 35 22.55 E near Juba airport, mast on the left side UN communication station mast communication mast at 04 50 36.29 N 31 35 00.32 E Kadugli 1602 kHz 5 kW G.E. loc 11 00 15.65 N 29 42 58.57 E another mast visible some 85 meters southwesterly telecom mast in the background (Wolfgang Büschel, July 9, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 17 via DXLD) The attached photos, courtesy Bruce Churchill, show the shack where the R. Peace transmitter is/was and the station's antenna. These don't seem to match any of the antenna photos above (Don Jensen-USA, DXplorer July 9, ibid.) Radio Peace is apparently silent on SW. No news reported about its reactivation from Juba. In 2004 there was a project near Narus to start official radio station called Voice of New Sudan on shortwave. They had a 50 kW ELCOR transmitter on 9310 kHz. They managed to make some tests with about 7 kW for a few days. Technical problems and the project seemingly was terminated soon. Last I heard about this transmitter a couple of years ago and it was still at the place and some staff was trying to keep it somewhat dry and clean for possible future use. But fear was, after so many years unused, it couldn't be saved anyway (Jari Savolainen, Finland, DXplorer July 9, ibid.) ** SUDAN SOUTH. >>> NEW DXCC ENTITY: THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN <<< On 14 July the UN General Assembly admitted the Republic of South Sudan as the 193rd member of the United Nations. Consequently, South Sudan has been added to the DXCC List as a new Entity (the 341st on the "current" list, thus moving the Honor Roll threshold to 332), by way of Section II, 1(a) of the DXCC Rules. The DXCC entity code assigned to Republic of South Sudan is 521. This is a totally new Entity for all DXers (i.e. the deleted Entity of Southern Sudan, ST0 has NOT been reinstated, as per DXCC Rules), and the DXCC Desk will begin immediately accepting QSOs for it, with a start date of July 14, 2011. "The deadline for the Honor Roll and annual listings is December 31, so you must submit the new entity to DXCC by then in order to retain your Honor Roll status," Bill Moore, NC1L explained. "For Logbook of The World (LoTW), you may submit all your QSOs with the Republic of South Sudan stations anytime. There is no need to hold them out of your log or do anything differently from what you already have been doing. You do not need to assign country names or identifiers. After we issue certificates to the Republic of South Sudan license holders, LoTW will make matches and assign the correct entities automatically. " The Republic of South Sudan is also the newest addition to the CQ DX Award Countries List (it is #342, as CQ counts Kosova). Verifications confirming contacts after July 14, 2011 are acceptable for credit. No award credit is available for southern Sudan contacts made during the 1980s and 90s. The new addition will be reflected in CQ DX Honor Roll totals to be compiled near the end of September. South Sudan will count as a country (entity) multiplier for the CQ DX Marathon, the CQ World Wide DX Contest and any other CQ contests that use country multipliers. As of 14 July, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has not announced a prefix block for the Republic of South Sudan SOUTH SUDAN ---> In their latest press release (14 July) the DX Friends and The Intrepid-DX Group http://www.dxfriends.com/SouthernSudan2011/ state they "continue to move forward with their plans to activate this new entity with a multi-national DXpedition team. With our visas in hand, the teams will soon be making their way towards Africa and ultimately to Juba, the new capital of this new nation. We will have five active stations, operating 24 hours a day. We will be in regular contact with our US, EU and JA Pilot Stations and we will pay close attention to propagation reports from them. We ask that you please make contact with the pilot stations only during the DXpedition and to please refrain from contacting the team members directly via email. We will announce our call sign once we are in Juba and ready to become active". On 15 July MM0NDX (EU Pilot for the DXpedition) released the following schedule: "The Intrepid DX Group is meeting the DX Friends in Cairo on July 21st. On July 22nd, they all fly from Cairo to Juba, South Sudan. On July 23rd, they will meet with the Ministry of Communications to amend licenses to the new ITU prefix. They expect to be active later on July 23rd, or July 24th until shut down on August 10th, 2011". (Both: 425 DX News July 16 via Dave Raycroft, July 15, ODXA yg via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. Another program in PCJ Archives is up. This one is a studio copy of Radio Sweden's Saturday Show from 1966. Yes you heard me right! It's taken directly from the studio tape http://www.facebook.com/l/nAQAztf1KAQARAKeDOyNXfwpaGA-vZ7sr4eZofwZJML6vgg/www.pcjmedia.com/archives (Keith Perron)(via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. 9725, July 15 at 1220, YL in Chinese with long strings of 8 tonal syllables between pauses; and more occasionally a few words of normal speech. Suspect this is a numbers station. HFCC shows a gap from 12 to 14 on this frequency, but we know how incomplete it is when concerned with Chinas! Aoki fills this and other gaps: 9725 0500-0530 TWN XingXing guangbo diantai Chi Kuanyin 1-7 9725 0600-0630 TWN XingXing guangbo diantai Chi Kuanyin 1-7 9725 1200-1230 TWN XingXing guangbo diantai Chi Kuanyin 1-7 9725 1300-1330 TWN XingXing guangbo diantai Chi Kuanyin 1-7 As far as I can tell, this is missing from the WRTH 2011, both Taiwan sexions, Target sexion, and master frequency list. It`s Star-Star Broadcasting Station, discussed in DXLD 10-06 under TAIWAN, altho not at that time on 9725: http://www.w4uvh.net/dxld1006 A report of it on 9725 at 0622 June 1 was in DXLD 11-23 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. Hi Everyone, From this pm, 9745 kHz, Han Sheng V of Kuanghua, Kuanyin, 1715 UT, Asian pop music then jingles YL in Mandarin possible phone in. TWN to mainland China I think I`ve seen listed. This is what I heard http://www.box.net/shared/6a1yq86l4cuqe7q8y307 Is this station jammed usually? (Mark Davies, Anglesey, Wales, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Mark, Interesting station! I have never heard any jamming. Wikipedia indicates “The Voice of Han also broadcasts propaganda programs to Mainland China on shortwave and mediumwave frequencies under the callsign ‘Voice of Guanghua’”. Voice of Han http://www.voh.com.tw/ Voice of Guanghua (a.k.a Kuanghua) http://www.khmusic.com.tw/ Audio streaming http://www.khmusic.com.tw/program.aspx along with program guide (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, ibid.) What the...? Guys, I've just had a listen to the audio file. The program is definitely that of RTI (Radio Taiwan International) with Taiwanese accented Mandarin. There's a HUGE RTI musical ID in the audio at the 34 second mark of the recording - I'm really surprised that you both missed it; anyway. Mystery for me is: What is an RTI Mandarin program doing on 9745kHz at that time when VO Kuanghua should be on? Has this program been heard since? Regards (Ian Baxter, NSW, 0227 UT July 21, ibid.) Of course, that other horrible thought passed my mind. What if V of Kuanghua was doing a program at the time about RTI that sampled parts of RTI programming that included the RTI singing ID? What's the chances of that? The rest of the recording was however Taiwan accented Mandarin (Ian, 0324 UT, ibid.) Hi Ian, Also I was thinking, unlikely they would ever actually relay anything from RTI, right? I confess I am rather cavalier in listening to others recordings. Usually I am only paying attention to the quality of the recording and not the content. With my own recordings I do study them intently to hear what details I can dig out. That’s why it was great you actually did listen for content. Nicely done! Not a problem at all to report it as you have. For myself, I am always pleased when someone does correct me, as it shows that someone was really paying attention. Most times when I post logs to dxldyg, I never know if anyone (other than Glenn) really looks that closely at them. That is why I like Glenn’s attention to details. He does not miss much, which is good. Keeps us on our toes. Am sure Mark feels the same way. We both want the best (most accurate) information out there with our name on it. So, a BIG thank you for posting the correction. Never be afraid of my reaction to be corrected. Really, it's a good thing!! Best regards, (Ron Howard, CA, July 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN [non]. 5950, R Taiwan via WYFR-Okechobee, must be in turmoil. This was strong as ever, but both 49 metres and // 9680 had BOTH English & Chinese Taiwan feeds, and as a result, neither was really useable. I hope Taiwan isn’t paying the bill to Brother Camping until this gets fixed! 5454+1+ is a rather weird SINPO, but the accurate one! I noticed this same problem in the AM of the 9th, but this reception was 0240-0245 10/July (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI, MARE Tipsheet ``July 20`` issued July 18 via DXLD) ** TATARSTAN [non]. 15195, *0810-0825, RUSSIA, 13.07, GTRK "Tatarstan", Kazan, via Samara. Tatar report with musical interludes, 45344 (Anker Petersen, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with a 28 metres longwire here in Skovlunde, Denmark, via Dario Monferini, 20 July, playdx yg via DXLD) ** TIBET [non]. TAJIKISTAN, 15542, 1330-, Voice of Tibet, Jul 10. Just came across this one by accident. Fair to good level. Jamming was not obvious. Mentions of Tibet and heard, I believe, www.voiceoftibet.? My sources have them on 15552. Tibetan listed (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) VOT frequency and jamming keep hopping around (gh) ** TIBET [non]. 19000, nothing audible after 1200 July 20; Wolfgang Büschel suggests R. Free Asia via Kuwait at 12-14 has been trying this frequency instead of scheduled lower ones, and Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, did hear it July 18 at 1205. Nothing at all is currently scheduled on this band in HFCC (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See ASIA [non] ** UGANDA. [Re 11-28]. 4976, R. Uganda, Kampala, 1900-1936, 10/7, English, news bulletin followed by African pops; 45332 (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, July 19, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4975.98, 2035-2045, 10.07, UBC R, Kampala. Vernacular ann, Afropop, talk with a listener on phone, 45333 (Anker Petersen, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with a 28 metres longwire here in Skovlunde, Denmark, via Dario Monferini, 20 July, playdx yg via DXLD) 4976, 16/7 0315, R. Uganda - Kampala, Swahili, MX, buono (Roberto Pavanello, Vercelli / Italia, via Roberto Scaglione, shortwave yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) 4976, UBC-Kampala, 0326, 7/16/11. Poor at tune-in with Euro-pop vocals; marginal improvement by 0338 with more traditional African harmonies; persistent noise and flutter; best in ECSS-USB (Jim Ronda, Tulsa, OK, NRD-545; R-75 + PAR-SWL, NASWA Flashsheet via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) ** U K [non]. South Africa, 3255, BBC WS relay, Meyerton, 2011/07/11 mon *1401-1408, "World Briefing". Now starts 2 hours before the *1600 listed by HFCC, Aoki and EiBi. A welcome extension and not interfering with anyone else. Poor at start, but improved rapidly. Good by 1407. Also: 3255, 2011/07/12 tue 1551-1800 Sport, followed by ID and world news at 1600. "Focus on Africa" at 1700. Good. As previously reported for 4th July, at 1559 sudden echo and rapid severe pulsing of the carrier; quickly back to normal at 1600. Change to another transmitter at the same site? No noticeable change of signal strength, variable at around s9+10 / s9+20. Jo'burg sunset 1532 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K [and non]. Hello Glenn: Not much activity here at present, but I do have a mystery. July 16 at 2155 UT when listening to BBC WS from Cyprus on 12095 kHz up came another station which used a section of an orchestral melody as a signature or interval tune, repeating this tune segment a few times for 3-4 minutes. Much stronger than BBC heard beneath. But the station did not come on at 2200 UTC but disappeared. BBC went on undisturbed. A test of this kind at a weekend seems strange. 73 from (Ullmar Qvick, Norrköping, Sweden, July 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Ullmar, There was a big explosion at the power plant in Cyprus [q.v.] on July 10, and BBC relay nearby has had to greatly reduce transmissions, handing many of them off to other relay sites. The latest HFCC shows: 12095 1900 2100 48,52NE,52S,53W,57N CYP 250 177 67 110711 301011 D 16725 English CYP BBC BAB 18139 12095 1900 2100 48,52NE,52S,53W,57N SLA 250 210 2345 110711 301011 D 13650 English OMA BBC BAB 18143 12095 2100 2300 46S ASC 250 27 1234567 270311 301011 D 10750 English G BBC BAB 3712 So after 2100 it`s Ascension, not Cyprus. And before 2100 it depends on the day of week (167 vs 2345) whether it will be Cyprus or Oman. Are you familiar with the Merlin/VTC fill music loop? Perhaps that was what you heard, as in confusion another BBC relay site came on air. It`s heard at various times on other sites, such as when South Africa messes up, and to fill out a couple minutes of the Vietnam relay via Canada on 6175, e.g. 0527-0529*. The only other current user of 12095 is FEBC, but not supposed to start until 2300. 12095 2300 2330 43S,49 BOC 100 293 1234567 230511 301011 D 11500 Mul PHL FEC FEC 17630 B0001S 73, (Glenn to Ullmar, via DXLD) See also CYPRUS! 12035, July 17 at 0457, about equal mix of BBCWS English, and REE IS prior to its 05-12 broadcast in Spanish. BBC is 300 kW, 110 degrees from Skelton at 03-05. Spain needs to crash-start not earlier than 0459; it`s 250 kW, 60 degrees from Noblejas and bound to overlap not only here but eastward tho CIRAF targets of the two are officially non-duplicated. 9740, July 19 at 1221, BBCWS via Singapore, fair in Newshour, Robin Lustig says expanded to next 4 hours today to cover the events at Westminster (testimony of Rupert Murdoch et al. in the phone-hacking scandal), but then on to other news. At 1339 had declined to poor (and nothing better from BBCWS audible anywhere on SW), with seemingly live testimony by ex-police commissioner Yates, but could not match it to audio on CSPAN2. (By the time Murdochs came on, around 1355, CSPAN2 had to switch to Sen. Tom Coburn, on budget matters as the US Senate always comes first. But then MSNBC, CNN, and even Fox News were live from London.) 17830, July 20 at 1409, BBC poorly audible, 65 degrees via ASCENSION, interviewing reporter at House of Commons about ``all-day debate`` in Parliament on the Murdoch affair; earlier I had heard live broadcast of that until 1159 on R. Australia [q.v.]. In the meantime looked for it on any US cable TV network, but unfound. Enough is enough, even for the BBC? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. FRIDAY STRIKE BY BBC JOURNALISTS AFFECTED WORLD SERVICE OPERATIONS. Posted: 15 Jul 2011 The Guardian, 15 July 2011, Ben Dowell: "The strike by BBC journalists on Friday leaves the corporation's TV and radio services without star reporters including Nick Robinson, Robert Peston and Laura Kuenssberg on one of the biggest days so far in the phone-hacking story following the resignation of Rebekah Brooks. ... The BBC World Service's English-language service will be running five-minute news at the top of the hour and two minutes on the half hour." BBC press release, 15 July 2011: "World Service – of 27 language services 21 are operating normally. English, Arabic, Persian, Azeri, Russian and Turkish language services are running bulletins, summaries and pre-records in lieu of normal operations. All BBC World Service online services, apart from Azeri, are being maintained". journalism.co.uk, 15 July 2011, Joel Gunter: "According to the [National Union of Journalists], more than 100 people are at risk of compulsory redundancy at the BBC World Service alone, with staff in BBC Monitoring, BBC Scotland, BBC Wales, BBC 4, BBC Sport and TV Current Affairs also potentially at risk." National Union of Journalists, 14 July 2011: "Ahead of strike action being taken at the BBC tomorrow, the National Union of Journalists has called for the Government to re-examine the licence fee deal in light of revelations made around News International in recent weeks. The NUJ, whose members will take 24-hour strike action tomorrow against compulsory redundancies being made at the BBC, has questioned the influence of Rupert Murdoch on the Government while agreeing the licence fee deal." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) Hmmm, I did not notice anything lacking in BBCWorldNews (TV) July 15 at 2200 via OETA; but that originates in Washington DC (gh, DXLD) BBC JOURNALISTS STRIKE TO PROTEST PLANNED JOB CUTS - NYTimes.com July 15, 2011 By JULIA WERDIGIER LONDON -- Journalists at the British Broadcasting Corporation walked off their jobs Friday to protest planned job cuts as a result of lower government funding. About 3,000 journalists who are members of the National Union of Journalists took part in the one-day strike, which caused some disruption to programming. In a statement on its Web site, the BBC said it was "disappointed" that the strike went ahead and apologized "to our audience for any disruption to services." Some programs, including its flagship radio news program "Today" were cut short and the BBC was forced to run repeats of old shows in Britain and on the World Service. . . http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/16/business/media/bbc-journalists-in-one-day-strike-over-job-cuts.html?ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=print (via Mike Cooper, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) ** U K. BBC RADIO 4 DOCUMENTARY: FUNDS FOR SOFT POWER "MAKE NO DIFFERENCE WITHOUT CREDIBILITY AND SOME SEMBLANCE OF INDEPENDENCE." BBC Radio 4, 11 July 2011: "In this two part series, Rajan Datar examines how organizations in China and the Middle East are flexing their media muscle and spending billions of dollars to win the hearts and minds of people around the world. He'll investigate who the key players are, who the winners will be and why it matters to us. In part one, Rajan explores the roots of the term Soft Power, and examines how the Middle East has wholeheartedly embraced the notion that news brings influence. ... On the other side of the globe, China's CCTV is fast expanding, and now has a vast newsroom in London, and operations around the world. Like France 24, Russia 24, Press TV (Iran), Al Jazeera, and many more, CCTV is the latest attempt for a nation to make the world see things through their eyes, and it's backed by serious government fund. But, as Rajan discovers in part two, those funds make no difference without credibility and some semblance of independence. ... Former media superpowers like the BBC World Service are shrinking, and increasingly wealthy and powerful new ones are vying for their place." With audio. Second in the series will be available 18 July (kimandrewelliott.com 13 Jul 2001 via DXLD) BBC - BBC Radio 4 Programmes - Soft Power Hard News, Episode 1 I spotted this at Kim Andrew Elliott's blog; looks like an interesting analysis of media organizations that target global audiences. "In this two part series, Rajan Datar examines how organizations in China and the Middle East are flexing their media muscle and spending billions of dollars to win the hearts and minds of people around the world. He'll investigate who the key players are, who the winners will be and why it matters to us." Rajan Datar is also the host of "Over To You", the audience feedback program on the BBCWS; it used to be 20 minutes each week but is now 10 minutes each week. Link the BBCR4 documentary: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012fc5n (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, July 14, internetradio via DXLD) In BBC Radio 4 documentary, Alhurra is described as 1) funded by the US Defense Department and 2) a failure. BBC Radio 4, 11 July 2011, "Soft Power Hard News": This audio excerpt http://www.kimandrewelliott.com/audio/BBC_Radio4_doc_on_USIB.mp3 (mp3, 2 min 8 sec) begins with the assertion that Alhurra is "funded by the US Department of Defense" (which, of course, it isn't). Later, Harvard professor and coiner of the term "smart power" Joseph Nye said "since it's regarded as American government propaganda, they [Nye's friends in the Middle East] don't watch it. ... I think the fact that the BBC is viewed and has credibility indicates that there is some possibility there." Another interviewee said Alhurra "was a complete failure in the Arab world." He also suggested a continuation of the VOA Arabic Service would have been "a better vehicle for disseminating the US point of view." (In part two of the series, which will discuss BBC World Service, will it be described a "vehicle for disseminating the British point of view"?) It is to be expected that Alhurra will have audiences smaller than the intra-Arab news channels Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya. But wouldn't it be interesting if audience research from the region were to show that Alhurra has an audience larger than that of BBC Arabic and the other Arabic news channels from non-Arab countries? See previous post about the documentary (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com 14 July via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. Summer A-11 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Pt 1 of 2 [? What comes after Uzbek?][Farda, altho not alfabetically: see IRAN] Arabic Radio Free Iraq 0200-0700 on 1593 1500-1530 on 1593 1830-2000 on 1593 2100-2300 on 1593 Azeri 1500-1600 on 12025 15565 Avari/Chechen/Chercassian 0300-0400 on 7290 9480 1500-1600 on 11810 15545 Belarussian 0300-0500 on 612 6105 6120 1500-1700 on 612 6060 7270 1700-1900 on 612 5930 6105 1900-2100 on 612 5995 7475 Dari Radio Free Afghanistan 0300-0330 on 999 1296 15680 17670 17685 0430-0530 on 999 1296 15680 17670 17685 0630-0730 on 999 1296 15680 17670 17685 0830-0930 on 999 1296 15090 15680 17685 1030-1130 on 999 1296 15090 15680 17685 1230-1330 on 999 1296 11550 15090 15680 1400-1430 on 999 1296 11550 15090 Kazakh 0100-0200 on 7215 9750 1300-1400 on 12005 15360 Kyrgyz 1200-1230 on 15165 15265 17730 1500-1530 on 11780 15185 Moldovan 0400-0430 on 5945 Mon-Fri 1500-1530 on 9495 Sat/Sun 1600-1630 on 9850 Mon-Fri 1800-1830 on 6065 Mon-Fri Pashto Radio Free Afghanistan 0230-0300 on 999 1296 15680 17670 17685 0330-0430 on 999 1296 15680 17670 17685 0530-0630 on 999 1296 15680 17670 17685 0730-0830 on 999 1296 15680 17670 17685 0930-1030 on 999 1296 15090 15680 17685 1130-1230 on 999 1296 15090 15680 17685 1330-1400 on 999 1296 11550 15090 Pashto Radio Mashaal 0400-0900 on 621 12130 15715 15740 0900-1000 on 621 12130 15715 15740 15360 1000-1100 on 621 12030 12130 15360 1100-1300 on 621 12130 15320 15360 Russian 0300-0400 on 5925 7435 9845 17825 0400-0500 on 5925 7435 9520 9760 0500-0700 on 9520 9760 11850 17560 0800-1000 on 15130 15460 17730 1200-1300 on 7205 13745 15460 17810 1300-1400 on 7205 11975 13745 15460 1400-1500 on 7205 11730 13745 15460 1500-1600 on 7355 9520 11860 15460 1600-1700 on 9520 9740 9840 11860 1700-1800 on 5990 9520 9840 11805 1700-1800 on 12080 15545 >>>>> Caucasus Echo 1800-1900 on 5990 9520 9840 11805 1900-2000 on 5920 7285 9795 9840 2000-2100 on 7285 9795 Tajik 0100-0200 on 9760 13760 0200-0400 on 9760 15525 1400-1600 on 9790 11975 1600-1700 on 7485 9790 Tatar 0300-0400 on 7390 9635 0500-0600 on 9635 1500-1600 on 9730 15445 1900-2000 on 9805 Turkmen 0200-0300 on 864 9550 15560 0300-0400 on 9550 15560 1400-1500 on 12075 15650 1500-1530 on 9830 15650 1530-1600 on 864 9830 15650 1600-1700 on 7350 15650 1700-1800 on 9485 11860 Uzbek 0200-0300 on 9855 12025 15145 0300-0400 on 12025 15145 17770 1400-1500 on 7555 12005 13615 1600-1700 on 7555 9445 11975 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, July 17 via DXLD) ** U S A. BBG CHAIRMAN SAYS VOA MAY LAUNCH BALOCHI SERVICE The chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors has said that the Voice of America (VOA) will put the adding of a Balochi language service on its agenda. Walter Isaacson was a guest speaker at a National Press Club luncheon on Friday. In recent years, since the launch of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, US interest in the Balochi language has grown by leaps and bounds. Read more at Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/foreign-policy-in-baltimore/voa-balochi#ixzz1SHrfbGEn (July 16th, 2011 - 16:43 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) viz.: The chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the agency that operates the Voice of America, has said the VoA will put the adding of a Balochi language service on its agenda. Walter Isaacson, celebrated editor, book author and intellectual, who heads the VoA, was a guest speaker at a National Press Club luncheon Friday hosted for world-renowned blogger and his old friend Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief of Huffington Post Media Group, and Tim Armstrong, chairman and CEO of AOL. After the event, to a question from this correspondent, Isaacson said he will take up the matter of adding Balochi language service in real earnest. He repeated his promise he will take up the issue of adding Balochi language as he left the NPC building. In recent years, since the launch of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan U.S. interest has in Balochi language has grown by leaps and bounds. At present, VoA broadcasts in 44 languages including Urdu, Persian and Dari but Balochi is missing though Balochistan is one of the sexiest geo-strategic territory. Meanwhile, the pro-independence American Friends of Balochistan has welcomed Mr. Isaacson's statement and hoped that Balochi will be added to the VoA broadcasts in the interests of freedom and peace in the Greater Middle East region. The A.F.B. said Balochi was a critical language in the context of the Afpak conflict. However, Isaacson's interest in promoting VoA services is looked upon with grave suspicions by key players in the so-called Great Game that is evolving in the region, namely Russia (see video). Continue reading on Examiner.com VoA to ponder launching Balochi language service, says Isaacson - Baltimore Foreign Policy | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/foreign-policy-in-baltimore/voa-balochi#ixzz1SJhkmkkV BBG chairman, pressed, says that he will "take up the issue of adding Balochi" as a VOA language. Posted: 19 Jul 2011 [as above] Note that Examiner.com is more "citizen" than "journalism." Balochi is spoken in adjoining regions of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Advocacy for a VOA Balochi service was first reported here in January 2010 (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. [Re 11-28] REPORT: VOA HORN OF AFRICA CHIEF "WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER SECTION." Posted: 16 Jul 2011 Addis Voice, 14 July 2011, Abebe Gellaw: "The Voice of America (VOA) has faced fresh controversy over its decision not to air news coverage on a high profile public meeting held Sunday at the Sheraton National Hotel, in Arlington, Virginia. Despite the fact that VOA Horn of Africa section, including the Amharic service, had sent reporters to cover the public event that was focused on the future of Ethiopia, the decision to censor a report on the event was made by senior VOA bosses, informed sources told Addis Voice. ... “It appears now that Bereket Simon, an arch enemy of free press, has become the editor-in-chief of VOA by proxy,” [one participant]said. According to [him], Ethiopians will petition US Congress to look into complaints of malpractice and censorship at the VOA that seems to be willfully bending itself too much to lullaby insolent dictators that do not understand the rights and liberties of others. ... VOA has first raised eyebrows among Ethiopians when it decided to suspend its Horn of Africa chief, David Arnold, who has now been reinstated, over critical comments he made on a June 23 VOA report, which was deleted from its website without any explanations, apologies or corrections. But it has emerged that Mr. Arnold will not serve as Horn of Africa chief as he will be transferred to another section, our investigation can reveal." Abugidainfo.com, 15 July 2011, Ephrem Madebo: "[A]s recently as last week, the VOA suspended its Horn of Africa chief, Mr. David Arnold; and this week, in a very dramatic shift of events, the VOA reinstated Mr. Arnold. I see deeply troubling multiple events here. Why was Mr. Arnold suspended? Who suspended him? Is the VOA really censoring itself in defense of a ruthless African dictator? ... This week, on his written message to Addis Voce, VOA’s acting Director and Executive Editor, Mr. Steve Redisch said: 'There have been inaccurate reports about the tone and substance of an official meeting on June 22 between members of the US Broadcasting Board of Governors and Ethiopian Communication Affairs Minister Bereket Simon'. Mr. Redisch, did you say inaccurate reports? Are you telling me that the report aired on June 23 on VOA Amharic Program and appeared on its website [eventually removed] was inaccurate? This is either a joke of the week or a cover up to appease the Ethiopian dictator. You better tell me which one it is!" See previous post about same subject. ETHIOPIAN-AMERICAN JOURNALIST CONTINUES TO DIG INTO THE VOA HORN OF AFRICA CONTROVERSY. Posted: 19 Jul 2011 Addis Voice, 18 June 2011, Abebe Gellaw: "In response to a recent Addis Voice investigative report, VOA embroiled in fresh censorship row, Voice of America issued a very brief statement Thursday explaining why VOA skipped coverage of a high profile public meeting held at the Sheraton in Arlington, Virginia. The event was jointly organized by the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Ginbot 7 and the Alliance for Liberty Equality and Justice in Ethiopia (ALEJE). 'There are many news events going on in the Washington area and VOA cannot cover them all. That is all we will have for you on this matter,' David Borgida, VOA Director of Public Relations, said in an email. ... "Meanwhile, Addis Voice has also learnt that the controversial June 23rd VOA report on the visit of three Board of Broadcasting Governors (BBG) and VOA delegation to Ethiopia contains no factual errors. Mr. Arnold accurately revealed that Bereket Simon, Meles Zenawi’s close confidant and Minister of Government Communication Affairs, demanded the delegation to ban a long list of dissidents and critics from VOA airwaves. Arnold was suspended in a letter written by BBG Governor Michael Meehan, a member of the delegation that met with Ethiopian government officials last month. While the official VOA position on the report in question is that it contained unacceptable inaccuracies, it emerged that no single factual error was found in the report." Addis Voice, 19 July 2011, Abebe Gellaw: Names "in a 42-page document submitted by the Meles regime to VOA and Board of Broadcasting Governors (BBG) officials as 'evidence' to support its complaints against VOA Amharic service." With the list of names. Nazret.com, 18 July 2011, Alemayehu G. Mariam: "[D]emocracy in East Africa remains on life support. It suffered a massive stroke in Ethiopia in May 2010 when dictator Meles Zenawi declared election victory by 99.6 percent. Since 2005, Zenawi has put that country’s tiny private independent press on the ventilator and tethered the rule of law to the heart-lung machine. He put human rights in intensive care and has managed to anesthetize the population into silence. A couple of weeks ago, he secretly sought to negotiate a deal with the Governing Board of the Voice of America (VOA). If the VOA blacklists and blackballs his critics in the U.S. and banishes them from ever appearing on VOA broadcasts, the electronic jamming will be lifted." (kimandrewelliott.coms via DXLD) Because of the competing demands of numerous factions, international broadcasting to the Horn of Africa is a minefield. So is reporting about international broadcasting to the Horn of Africa. More sources, included at some from outside the Ethiopian exile press, would be helpful here (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) ** U S A. FORMER VOA DIRECTOR ARGUES THAT US INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING *IS* A "STRATEGIC ASSET." Posted: 16 Jul 2011 Public Diplomacy Council, 8 July 2011, David Jackson, former VOA director: An "argument could be made for whether VOA is a 'strategic asset.' Helle Dale, a Senior Fellow at the Heritage Foundation and a staunch believer in the value of Voice of America, recently posted a comment on Heritage’s The Foundry blog that took the president to task for, among other things, waiting so long to give an interview to the Voice of America. '…It would be encouraging,' she noted, 'if the White House finally realized that it has a strategic asset in U.S. international broadcasting….' "Her comment provoked an immediate (and prickly) response from Kim Andrew Elliott, an audience research analyst at the International Broadcasting Bureau, a support agency of VOA under the BBG, who wrote on his own blog: 'When a president considers USIB (U.S. international broadcasting) to be a "strategic asset," USIB is screwed. How can a "strategic asset" provide a comprehensive, reliable, and independent news service, which is the main reason for the audience to tune in?' The answer to that question is easy: VOA not only can be 'comprehensive, reliable, and independent' and also be a 'strategic asset,' it has been for nearly seven decades. Just ask the millions of people in countries around the world who have relied on VOA – and the country that supported it – as the only source of information they trusted. ... "I don’t know of any U.S. president – or any U.S. diplomat, for that matter – who doesn’t consider that a 'strategic asset.'" (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) This interesting essay is recommended reading. David Jackson is correct that an entity providing "comprehensive, reliable, and independent" news to countries that do not have such a news service domestically could be considered a strategic asset. Such an external news service makes it more difficult for the dictator in charge of such a target country to engage in pernicious activities. I was prickled, however, because I don't think this is what Helle Dale and some of her colleagues at the Heritage Foundation mean by strategic asset. They want an international broadcasting service whose content would be "coordinated" by a new strategic communication superbureaucracy. It would broadcast more of this, less of that, in line with US policies. The audience for international broadcasting, which is collectively smarter than Washington's decision makers and distinguished think tank fellows, would immediately notice the change of tone. The credibility of US international broadcasting would disintegrate. The United States would be left with a strategic asset that has no audience. Earlier in his essay, Mr. Jackson states that US international is, in addition to being a strategic asset, A. a tool of American public diplomacy, and B. An editorially independent news organization. My view is that international broadcasting and public diplomacy should be separate and complementary activities. Take this recent example of an Alhurra reporter asking Secretary of State Clinton a tough question about Syria. Such a question could only be asked by an independent journalist, not by a practitioner of public diplomacy. The question was international broadcasting, the answer was public diplomacy. Additionally, Reuters recently cited an Alhurra report about South Sudan establishing diploatic relations with Israel. Would Reuters do that if it thought Alhurra to be nothing more than an outlet of US public diplomacy? (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.; for linx see http://kimelli.nfshost.com/index.php?id=11656 via DXLD) "AMERICAN WORLD SERVICE" WOULD COMBINE "PROPAGANDA MEDIA " OF USIB WITH "RESPECTED JOURNALISM" OF NPR AND PBS. Posted: 19 Jul 2011 Columbia Journalism Review, July/August 2011, Lee C. Bollinger: "To be sure, CNN provides one home-grown model of a successful American news broadcaster with global editorial reach. Along with a small handful of our national newspapers and wire services, it continues to have bureaus and correspondents abroad while our three major broadcast networks largely have withdrawn from the field. When there is major breaking news either in the US or abroad, CNN and CNN International have frequently excelled at providing live coverage. But we know that commercial pressures, as well as loss of domestic audience share to more explicitly ideological competitors on the right and left, have caused CNN’s international news coverage to become more reactive and less committed to sustained, in-depth reporting. While natural disasters or violent conflicts typically bring out the best in CNN’s reporting, American viewers and listeners must turn to our own public broadcasters, NPR and PBS, for day-to-day insight into important but more routine political and business news stories from around the world. The ironic fact is that, in addition to NPR’s own high-quality international coverage, these US public broadcasters are providing American audiences with the news reporting of the BBC and the BBC World Service, which comes to us largely courtesy of British taxpayers. ... "[F]or reaching global audiences, the US has a series of government- sponsored broadcasting entities set up primarily during the Cold War to combat Communist propaganda by communicating the position of the United States. Voice of America and Radio Free Europe are the legendary institutions of this group, which also includes Radio Free Asia, Radio and TV Marti (for Cuba), and Alhurra (for the Middle East); collectively, these entities receive nearly $750 million in government funding annually. ... "[An interesting problem] is why the US would continue to maintain and fund this dual system of respected journalism in NPR and PBS, on the one hand, and the international propaganda media, on the other, when what we — and the world — need more than anything is truly global journalism capable of reporting the news in an independent, objective, and professional manner. "That is why I propose something new, an American World Service: a media institution with sufficient funding to bring the highest-quality American journalism to the global public forum." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) 1) Mr. Bollinger is on to something. One element of the UK's success in international news broadcasting is that it is consolidated into one organization, BBG Global News, unlike US international broadcasting, which is dysfunctionally fragmented. The other is that BBC Global News can tap into the resources of the formidable BBC domestic organization. Conversely, BBC domestic can make use of BBC Global journalism and expertise. 2) He sells CNN International short. CNN International is the most successful single element of US international broadcasting, even though it is not under the Broadcasting Board of Governors and costs the US taxpayers nothing. It has the largest audience of any global English news channel, and it is profitable. Americans would have access to more world news if CNN International were available on more US cable systems. (Even better, cable systems should offer all of the big three global English news channels: CNN International, BBC World News, and Al Jazeera English.) As for "commercial pressures," keep in mind that much of BBC's international English-language output is also commercial, e.g. BBC World News, BBC America, BBC.com, etc. 3) BBC no longer comes to US audiences "largely courtesy of British taxpayers." That was true when BBC World Service was transmitted on shortwave to North America. Now, however, public stations pay for the BBC content. (If Republican efforts to defund public radio stations succeed, we might be hearing less BBC on the FM band in the United States.) 4) Mr. Bollinger's description of US international broadcasting as "propaganda media" is ham-fisted. For all the broad scope of his proposal, it needs to be researched more thoroughly. 5) In the present deficit-cutting mindset, it may be several years before Congress is willing to fund any new entity. And, because enough members of Congress are convinced that public broadcasting has a left- wing bias, a merger of US public and international broadcasting is unlikely. 6) In Foreign Service Journal, October 2010, I proposed an international-domestic partnership. The main commercial US broadcast news organizations -- ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, and NBC -- would collectively manage US international broadcasting for a fixed period, say five to ten years, with a renewable contract. The domestic and international elements would share resources. The excellent journalism and analysis of US public broadcasting notwithstanding, America's newsgathering horsepower still belongs to the private networks. See previous post about Lee Bollinger (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) ** U S A [non non]. BBG OFFICIAL BRIEFS PD COMMISSION ON EFFORTS TO REPEAL BAN ON DOMESTIC DISSEMINATION. Posted: 17 Jul 2011 Broadcasting Board of Governors press release, 12 July 2011: "BBG Executive Director Jeff Trimble briefed the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy today about the Board's position on Smith-Mundt, particularly seeking to repeal the ban on domestic dissemination of BBG broadcasts. The meeting was held on the Hill and was an excellent opportunity to discuss the administration-backed amendment to the Smith-Mundt Act that was recently sent to Congress. In a diverse media environment, adhering to Smith-Mundt is increasingly difficult. For example, in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, BBG worked with Sirius satellite radio on a proposal to make VOA Creole products available on radios to be donated by Sirius to Haitian citizens. This required Congressional approval as these broadcasts were then also available to U.S. audiences although they were not targeted to them. Trimble outlined the Board's view that in a global media environment where U.S. international broadcasting stories go viral, are picked up by media competitors and aggregators, and often are played back to the U.S. public, a new examination of Smith-Mundt is very much in order." NAFSA, 14 July 2011, Ursula Oaks: "In Dearborn, Michigan, where the country’s largest concentration of Arab-Americans and a significant diaspora from the Arab world live, there’s a great demand for Arabic- language news. Al Jazeera is a readily available option; Alhurra Television and Radio Sawa, produced by the U.S.-funded Middle East Broadcasting Networks, are not. In Minneapolis, a Somali-language FM radio station that serves a community from which many young men have been recruited to the Islamist extremist group Al-Shabab was turned away when it inquired about airing Somali-language content from the Voice of America. Radio Marti broadcasts from its Miami studios to the island of Cuba – but it cannot legally be aired on the radio in Florida. What’s going on? Within the borders of the United States, American citizens have no legal access, via traditional broadcast and print media, to programming developed by their own government for non-U.S. audiences. This is because of the Smith-Mundt Act, otherwise known as th e U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, or Public Law 80- 402." Pundit Wire, 13 July 2011, Dan Whitman: "At a hearing on Capitol Hill this past Tuesday, the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy acted to dismantle a 1985 provision which stated that 'No program material prepared in the United States Information Agency shall be distributed within the Unites States' (P.L. 99-93.) ... No one argued against the measure, and a member of the Commission had to ask three times what possible arguments there might be against it, to get ready just in case. What was all the fuss about, and what do we lose by canning Smith-Mundt? Global information is here to stay, and anything going up on the internet is and should be available to all. ... At the hearing July 12, Jeff Trimble, the able administrator of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (a bipartisan group that oversees the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and other U.S. government broadcast entities) said convincingly that U.S. government broadcasters would 'make no particular effort to disseminate in the United States.' Well, that was the point – and the modern meaning – of Smith-Mundt.One audience member said, 'Let’s say we trust Jeff Trimble totally, but don’t want to give carte blanche to all of his successors.'" See also Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy website. http://www.state.gov/pdcommission/ (kimandfrewelliott.com via DXLD) First, the internet does not make the domestic dissemination prohibition unenforceable. On the contrary, it makes it, after all these years, enforceable, because US international broadcasting and public diplomacy entities can use IP geoblocking to prevent US internet from accessing their content. By not imposing such IP blocks, US agencies are flouting Smith-Mundt. Second, the Advisory Commission did not "act" to dismantle the domestic dissemination provision. Unlike the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which has decision making authority, the Advisory Commission can only, as its name indicates, advise. Third, the domestic dissemination prohibition is a nuisance. Repealing it, however, it not so simple. It must provide a means to stop the process halfway down a slippery slope. Yes, a Somali-language program on a Minnesota AM radio station should be able to use VOA content if it wants to. But, no, future administrations must not purloin the resources of US international broadcasting and public diplomacy to rally domestic support for their policy goals. No money should be spent on domestic dissemination other than very small amounts for the administrative costs of handling domestic redistribution requests (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) ** U S A [and non]. USA/DIEGO GARCIA/GUAM/HAWAII/PUERTO RICO Google Earth imagery. Some high resolution place. VE Update - Google Earth historical image. Re AFRTS Antennen, ueberall die gleichen Antennengruppen, ob Florida, Diego Garcia, Barrigada-Guam, Isabela-Puerto Rico. Ich kann da nicht erkennen, welches nun eine typische AFRTS SW Antenne ist, ich glaube die meisten Antennengruppen, auch die 6mast Gruppenantennen sind auf alle AFRTS Radio Programm Frequenzen anpassbar, ist ja eh nur SSB mode, die Antennen muessen also nicht sehr breitbandig sein. USA Florida US Navy, AFRTS Saddlebunch Keys, 26 Antennen 24 38 50.60 N 81 36 09.54 W Auf QSLs wird Boca Chica genannt, das liegt aber 11.8 km westlich auf dem Airport. "AFRTS Florida broadcasts with a 48 foot inverted cone antenna from Boca Chica, Florida with 8 kilowatts of power." - das muesste diese 1. Antenne rechts am Eingang der Station sein: 24 38 36.36 N 81 35 47.58 W PTR AFRTS Puerto Rico, Isabela 6458.5 kHz "Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Puerto Rico broadcasts with a groundbased, omnidirectional wire antenna with a 30 foot diameter. The signal is broadcast at 10 kilowatts from Isabela, Puerto Rico." [no longer on] PTR VLF navy NAU 40.75 kHz Aguada Puerto Rico 18 23 55.64 N 67 10 38.69 W die QSL sagen aber die Ortschaft Isabela, 30 foot / 8 m Durchmesser non-dir rundstrahl wire antenna. die US Navy hat aber 19 km suedwestlich die hohe VLF Antenne in Aguada installiert. hier sind 39 Antennen sichtbar. AFRTS Puerto Rico, Isabela 6458.5 kHz 18 27 45.75 N 67 04 03.27 W sogar ein Schwarz-Weiss Foto aus 1993 in Google Eearth. 21 Oct 2004 ist das beste image ? oder eher 30 Nov 2006? Aber solch eine geschilderte 8 m Durchmesserantenne sehe ich nicht, dafuer viele groessere von 30-40 m Durchmesser. BIO / DGA Diego Garcia (US Navy), 23 Antennen 07 25 50.62 S 72 26 29.56 E welches davon die AFRTS Masten sind erklaert sich nicht sofort. vielleicht 07 25 50.94 S 72 26 22.42 E fuer 60 mb ? AFRTS antenna in 24 mband 07 26 00.19 S 72 26 16.09 E ist erst vor 6 Jahren aufgebaut worden. HWA VLF NPM 21.4 kHz - AFRTS Lualualei Hawaii, Pearl Harbour das sind die hohen 2 Masten rechts 21 25 19.56 N 158 09 16.75 W dazu mindestens weitere 55 Antennen - auch Gruppen, wenn ich richtig gezaehlt habe. [no longer on air] GUM AFRTS Barrigada, Guam. 4 tall masts dismantelled in 2006 year? 13 28 41.16 N 144 50 16.29 E Barrigada ist tuechtig umgebaut worden seit 2006. Die vier hohen Masten sind verschwunden. Welche Funktion die 4 grossen Masten hatten, erklaert sich mir nicht. Fuer eine Ersatz U-Boot VHF Antenne sind die Masten zu kurz, sieht eher wie ein Blitzableiter fuer die teure Technik im Gebaeude aus. Muss eine alte Technik gewesen sein, irgendwas mit frueherer LORAN-C Navigation zu tun, obwohl die alte LORAN Anlage weiter westlich lag? LW 126 kHz koennte vielleicht von der Mastlaenge her gehen? dort "Barrigada Guam stillgelegt" bei 13 27 50.37 N 144 49 32.89 E der alte LORAN Sender auf Yap war bei 09 32 46 N 138 09 56 E (Wolfgang Büschel, July 4, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 17 via DXLD) Military bases are so full of antennas that it would be hard to sort out exactly which ones are used for AFRTS relays, especially since they are in utility bands already (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** U S A. The Thursday 21-22 UT feast of three WORLD OF RADIO broadcasts confirmed July 14: WTWW at 2106, altho webcast of WTWW-1 still not working, 9479 VG altho this transmitter has a squeal on it like at least one each from WWCR, WEWN, RHC WRMI at 2105, confirmed on webcast, but inaudible on 9955, not jammed WBCQ at 2150 check JBA on 7415 in high noise level, loud and clear on webcast also with new 1573. WWRB broadcast also confirmed on webcast (lo mod), and on 5051 with 5050 het, 0330+ UT Friday July 15. New 0500 UT Friday broadcast on WRMI 9955: audible, but still with too much Cuban pulse jamming and still going this date, unlike others, past 0531 vs. R. Praga in Spanish. At 1440 could not hear me on 9955, tho no jamming either. WORLD OF RADIO 1573 monitoring: Sat 1500 broadcast on WRMI, no jamming but JBA at 1520 with SAH from YFR Taiwan, confirmed on loud & clear webcast. Remaining WRMI repeats are: Sat 1730, Sun 0800, 1530, 1730, Mon 1130, 1530, 2130, Tue 1530, Wed 1530. Best remaining chances this weekend on SW: UT Sun 0400 on WTWW 5755; UT Mon 0300 on Area 51 WBCQ 5110v-CUSB. Allan Weiner advises that what had been the usual final repeat, Wed at 2130 has been canceled, but the first airing Thu at 2130 continues on 7415 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) However we still heard WOR 1573 on 7415 webcast, Wed July 20 at 2130 (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF RADIO 1574 monitoring: first airing UT Thursday July 21 at 0330 on WRMI confirmed on webcast, just jamming on 9955; tnx a lot, Arnie! Further WRMI times: Thu 1500, 2100, Fri 0500, 1430, Sat 0800, 1500, 1730, Sun 0800, 1530, 1730. On WTWW: Thursday 2100 9479, UT Sunday 0400 5755 On WBCQ: Thursday 2130 on 7415, UT Monday 0300 on 5110v-CUSB On WWRB: UT Friday 0330v on 5051 On WRN via SiriusXM 120: Sat & Sun 1730, Sun 0830 Full schedule: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html Allan Weiner tells me the Wed 2130 repeat on WBCQ 7415 has been canceled, but WOR 1573 was still there July 20 as heard on webcast (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 10000.56 and 9969.45, WWCR spurs, 0910-0920, July 14, threshold signal of WWCR spurs from 9985. 15.56 kHz separation between each frequency. Thanks to Glenn Hauser tip (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA, Icom IC-7600, two 100 foot longwires, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) And thank you for measuring them precisely 15825, Friday July 15 at 2035 check, WWCR is still running `Unshackled`; sporadic-E enhanced. BTW, Brian Alexander in PA also heard the WWCR-1 spurs when 9985 was the fundamental, and he measured them more precisely than I could: 10000.56 and 9969.45, i.e. plus and minus 15.55 or 15.56 kHz (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15825, WWCR, 1152, 6/30, in English. Preaching, distorted audio / modulation. Extremely strong. Possible multiple spurs 15608-15640 kHz (S. Handler, IL Icom IC-7200, Sony ICF-7600GR and dipole antennas, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) 9985, July 20 at 0558, surprised to find VG signal with gospel music. WYFR used to be here before their drastic cutbax to nothing of their own after 0500. I`ll bet it`s WWCR-1 on wrong frequency, so I quickly check 3215, and sure `nuff, it`s missing. Back to 30m, and also quick check of 10000 whether the spur on 10000.6 can be heard, but not before 9985 which was S9+22 with squeal, cut off at 0559*. Then retuned again to 3215 and it cut on at *0559:30 amid same music continuing, without benefit of steel drums or QSY announcement. 9985 is scheduled for 09-11 UT only; a mistake, or propagation test? Too much noise on 90m to hear the spurs (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3199.45, 3230.55, WWCR Spurs, 0205-0215, July 21, very weak spurs of 3215. Note 15.55 kHz separation between each frequency (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** U S A. News broke on July 14 that Pastor Pete Peters had died July 7, so I made a point of listening to Scriptures for America via WTWW on July 15: 0527 on 5755, sounded like him; and at 1214 with squealy transmitter. 1259, Ted Randall interrupts a cowboy song just starting to announce QSY to ``9480``, and off at 1259:19*, back on 9479 a few sex later. After the TOH IRN `news`, from 1305 there was a program dated ``tonight, July 14``, conversation mostly between two guys, one of whom has a similar voice and accent to PPP, not as extreme, but could be mistaken for him. Until 1343 reversion to cowboy music fill, they discussed what had been happening, summarized here: Pastor Peter John Peters died on July 7. He had been having health issues, but kept them private, only among close friends and family. Had not been on the air with new material during June, ``on sabbatical``, but did attend an event in Branson in early June, driven there and back by one of his associates. The Laporte Church of Christ and Scriptures for America deliberately kept his death secret until after the July 13 funeral, in order to prevent the media from showing up and bothering the family, and this was successful, a nice funeral with a totally clear sky for a change. One of them speaking on the radio Sunday had a hard time not letting on what had happened. Among the enemies PPP took on were: ADL, JDL, various police agencies, attorney general, secretary of state (presumably both meaning state of Colorado), FBI, DOJ, BATF. It`s ``full steam ahead`` for SFA ministry; ``he left us with over 1000 messages.`` (So it looks like we have another Gene Scott on our airwaves, outliving his earthly existence on the radio; assuming funding can be maintained.) There will be a memorial service live on the radio Tuesday July 19 for two hours, including call-ins; I never heard a time given, evening? I then checked the website http://www.sfaw.org but there is still nothing there about his death. For an idea of what he was about, check out the latest ``Dragon Slayer`` newsletter from April, including photos and info about WTWW, including one of him by a transmitter, presumably WTWW: http://www.sfaw.org/newsletters/Volume%204%202011%20for%20web.pdf And rather negative local Fort Collins press about him, DXLD member Pat Blakely found first: http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20110714/UPDATES01/110714025 and http://www.coloradoan.com/comments/article/20110714/UPDATES01/110714025/Pastor-LaPorte-Church-Christ-dies-preached-virulently-racist-message An updated version adds (an old) portrait of him: http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011107150328 9479, July 16 at 1348 tuning across WTWW, the heirs of Pastor Pete Peters are discussing the live memorial broadcast Tuesday evening. One says it will be 3 hours long starting at 7 pm MT, or a little earlier, ``until 9``, which according to my calculations amounts to 2 hours. Anyhow, from around 0100 UT Wednesday July 20, i.e. right after 5755 comes up. An updated version of the local Fort Collins newspaper story adds (an old) portrait of him; see also the comments: http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011107150328 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I've heard Pastor Peters occasionally on private US shortwave station, most recently WTWW in Lebanon, Tennessee. He was unabashedly racist and antisemitic (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) 5755, July 20 at 0138 past 0151, I belatedly remember that the memorial service for Pastor Pete Peters was supposed to start at 0100 via WTWW. Phone calls are on air one after another, and never heard the number given, so must have a full bank and/or set up in advance. Everyone shared their memories and esteem for the late PPP; some of the calls were quite distorted. 9479, July 20 at 1339 as I tune across WTWW, hear one of the same YL callers the night before on 5755 in tribute to the late PPP. According to http://www.sfawbn.org/schedule.html 13-14 UT M-F is the customary playback time of ``last night`` `Live from Radio Ranch` at 01-02 UT (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 12100, trying to hear WTWW-3, July 17 at 0458, a JBA signal beside good BBCWS English 12095. Since no other station in the world is currently scheduled on 12100 at any time, I suppose it may be WTWW, just not propagating. Hmmm, or a 2 x 6050 Cubharmonic? However, WTWW was definitely off the air at 1252, so while hunting Firedrakes I leave another receiver on 12100 to catch it coming on: *1256:30 joining Arabic Bible in progress, no sign-on announcement. 12100, July 18 at 1245 check, WTWW is already on in Arabic, unlike yesterday (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 12100, WTWW?? 2110 July 17 talks by OM in Spanish with many refs to Cuba but also some ref to Israel, 22432 (Zacharias Liangas, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ?? Since Cuba did not exist as a political entity or even island name in Biblical times, and 12100 is allegedly nothing but verbatim Bible readings in various languages, this cannot be. Misunderstood a word, or are they slipping in contemporary stuff? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 15420-CUSB, July 16 at 2111, WBCQ is still on the air past scheduled 2100* this Saturday as it was a biweek ago, with continuous rock music, but except for canned ID break at 2130, no announcements, so is not `Radio TimTron Worldwide`. Still on at final check 2209. Was running S9+18. Maybe a propagation test? Much better here than 7415 if it were on (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 9370, July 20 at 1208, WTJC is out of whack again, distorted on fundamental and outspurring to 9345/9395 with dirty noise disrupting other stations including N Korea 9345, peaking closer to 9350, 9390. 9370, WTJC even more out of whack, July 21 at 1340, distorted on fundamental and scratchy spur field out to 9270 and 9425. Worst peaks around 9350 and 9390. Disrupting among others, WBCQ on 9330, FEBC on 9400 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 11714.787, KJES, Vado NM, Jul 11, 1309 - Good level with some deep fades, with the usual children responding to prayer, and singing as well. Haven't heard them in a while (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11714.85, (NM), KJES (Las Cruces, NM area). 7/13, 1445. outstanding signal this morning and with good audio. 7555, (NM), KJES, 7/14, 0115. Little boy, older male, in Spanish with religious talk ("dios mio"). very strong and with excellent audio. 11714.85, (NM), KJES (on the strip between El Paso and Las Cruces). 7/14, 1430. "Campfire" music, i.e., religious songs with acoustic guitar and multiple adolescent singers. Outstanding signal this AM, with mudulation [sic] up with the carrier; excellent audio (73 and "goood listening" from El Mirage, AZ ! Rick Barton, Drake R-8; Palomar Loop, outdoor slinky; Hammarlund HQ-180A, HQ-200; 75' Inverted L, Random wire, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A [and non?]. Finding WWV inbooming on 20000, i.e. sporadic E opening, July 18 at 1407, I look for higher signals. Zero activity on 15 and 12m hambands, no 25950 KOA; but 27455-USB has QSO in Spanish underneath a Good Ole Boy in English. 28425-USB, July 18 at 1413 the OSSBSOB, Paul, KW7D in Deming (he keeps spelling it as if we didn`t know), New Mexico calling CQ, then contact with KC5SNJ/NA168, Lee, also audible more weakly. Never heard his QTH but QRZ.com shows: KE5SNJ, Lee G Mallahan, Jr, PO BOX 448, Grand Isle, LA 70358 USA. After their brief repeat contact, KW7D immediately worked someone else I could not hear. Before heading to VHF, July 18 at 1416, I checked 11715, KJES, also in NM, and it was S9+20, not unusual, sufficient modulation in English catechisms call and repeat. Hey, should look for their second harmonic when we know the MUF is up, 23430, but nothing audible (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. 12050, July 19 at 0533, fair signal in Arabic. Nothing in HFCC, but Aoki shows AWR via Wertachtal, GERMANY at 05-06 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. 9585, WYFR? English preacher talking about the Gospels. Very weak and hard to dig out (there was something on 9585.4 which created a horrible LF Het (or maybe THIS station was off frequency? -- hard to tell for sure). Into music then ID and email & postal address info, including a “NEW” PO Box address at 40, and then into more traditional religious music. Offer of a “postcard” in response if you send them your address in an email. Full Legal ID at :44 as WYFR, Okeechobee FL then into the LONG version of “Harold’s Horns, to s/off at :45. This was very poor reception: 32+442 even with notches and filters. 0230-0245* 9/Jul --Zichi MI2 Family Radio (non) -- I did a quick scan of WYFR & other Family Radio outlets at 1605 3/Jul. The ONLY channel heard was 17545 from Ascension (and that had the ‘soothing voice’ guy who became more prominent after the rapture that fizzled. As for the other channels, 11830, 18980, 17555, 13695 and 21525 were all completely silent. 17795 had BBC World service from Ascension which in the past has been buried by WYFR and the UAE relay 11850 was also silent. Has brother Harold given up? Is there an issue in with the Florida transmitter? Was the rapture late and they are now no longer here to carry on? Is this whole operation really so dependent on Harold C, that he has a stroke and they all clam up & hide? Inquiring minds want to know! (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI, MARE Tipsheet ``July 20`` issued July 18 via DXLD) See also TAIWAN [non] If he had read my log reports or DXLD or listened to WORLD OF RADIO, he would have known that the Okeechobee schedule was drastically reduced 17 June, on air with FR only between 2200 and 0500 (gh, DXLD) USA Family Radio (WYFR) has made drastic cuts in its shortwave transmissions, reducing its output by several hundred frequency hours per day. Relays via overseas transmitter sites have been cut back since early June and cuts to output from Family Radio’s own WYFR transmitter site at Okeechobee, Florida, took effect from 17 June. The Okeechobee site is now on the air only from 2200-0500, whereas previously it operated multiple frequencies per hour continuously throughout the 24 hours. Family Radio/WYFR reduced English schedule on SW from 17 June 0000-0100 Am 7360-my 7520-ok 0200-0300 Am 5930-my 5985-ok 0300-0400 Am 11740-ok 0900-1100 As 9465-tw 1100-1200 As 15560-aa 1300-1400 As 11520-tw 12155-tw 13820-aa 1400-1500 As 9365-ta 11560-tw 1500-1600 AfAs 6280-tw 11560-tw 11605-dh 15520-dh 17580-as 1600-1700 AfAs 11850-dh 17545-as 1700-1800 Af 7395-md 17545-as 1800-1900 Af 5905-me 7395-md 13750-we 1900-2000 Af 3230-me 6020-md 7270-me 7395-me 9610-we 9775-dh 2000-2100 Af 6020-md 9610-we 12060-as 15195-as 2100-2200 Af 9610-we 12060-as 2300-0000 Am 11580-ok 15255-ok The above is based on HFCC registrations and monitoring observations since 17 June. I estimate that about 70% of Family Radio’s English- language SW frequencies have been dropped. Some broadcasts are also relayed on MW via Lesotho (1197 kHz) and Taiwan (1503/1359/1557) but the Taiwan MW freqs were only carrying music when I checked using Global tuners (observations 17-21 June) (Dave Kenny, UK, July BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) This observed schedule has probably been overtaken slightly by further cuts as I see from Family Radio's web site they no longer list 1503 or 1359 kHz from Taiwan so there must have been a reduction to Taiwan output since I checked (Dave Kenny, July 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ASCENSION: 12060 Family Radio; 2056-2101+, 19-July; English program to Harold's horns IS; off briefly and back on at 2100 with Bible reading by Bro. Henry van Dyke. SIO=353; not // 15195 also via Ascension & not // 9610 via Germany. (Frodge-MI) 15195, Family Radio; 2056-2100*, 19-July; English feature on adultery (does that include screwing the flock?); Listener-supported Family Radio; gave tomorrow's program sked, "Lord willing"; off with Harold's horns. SIO=454; not // 12060 also via Ascension; may have been // 9610 via Germany, but sig too poor. GERMANY: 9610, Family Radio; 2101, 19-July; Familyradio.com spot into Laughing Stock Harold talking about earthquakes. SIO=322 with strong hiss QRM. LSB cuts out most of it leaving QRM sounding much like a jammer. May have been there before 2100. (Frodge-MI) 13750, Family Radio; 1835-1843+, 19-July; "Christ-centered, listener- supported Family Radio"; Sed they'll send me their post card (Is Laughing Stock Camping on it?); traditional religious music. SIO=353; no trace of 9770-UAE or 7395-MDG. (Frodge-MI) 6915, WYFR Family Radio, Okeechobee FL; 2356-2401+, 19/20-July; Spanish religious program; Harold's horns IS at 2358, IDs and more horniness; new Spanish program at 2400. SIO=3+53- (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. NEWS ALERT: VIETNAM MASSACRE OF HMONG CHRISTIANS; PASTORS “BEHEADED” --- Thursday, July 14, 2011 (10:31 pm) By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife Vietnamese security forces have reportedly killed Hmong Christians. HANOI, VIETNAM (BosNewsLife)-- Vietnamese security forces beheaded pastors and shot to death "many" other Hmong Christians who gathered to await Christ's return after a false prophecy by an American preacher, according to a leading advocacy group's leader. James Jacob Prasch, executive director of Moriel Ministries (MM), said Thursday, July 14, that the massacre was the horrific aftermath of shortwave broadcasts by Harold Camping of California-based Family Radio. Camping, 89, claimed that Jesus Christ would return to Earth to "rapture" his followers to heaven on May 21 as mankind had run out of time. Following the broadcasts, some 7,000 Hmong Christians attempted to gather "on a mountain praising God" in late April and early May, but instead found "police and military police" who slaughtered "many of them at gunpoint beheading two pastors," Prasch told supporters in an electronic message to supporters obtained by BosNewsLife. International rights activists had suggested that dozens of Hmong Christians may have been killed, but Prasch suggested the real figure may be higher. "I am told by Hmong pastors that so many were shot dead that they were buried in mass graves bulldozed over," he added. Others were reportedly detained. . . http://www.bosnewslife.com/17610-news-alert-vietnam-massacre-of-hmong-christians-pastors-beheaded (via Zacharias Liangas, Greece, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) A comment appended: Dr. Ken Matto Says: July 15th, 2011 at 2:34 pm Family Radio (FR) must be held accountable for their heresy of date setting. These Hmong people have been persecuted enough. Family Radio is still perpetuating Camping’s lies by now setting another date of October 21. They will no doubt continue to broadcast this through their mindless minions who have now begun to teach on FR in place of Camping who is in a nursing home. FR has a strong hatred for churches and will do what they can to continue destroying them. There should be no attention paid to their broadcasts. They are almost broke anyway and mybe they will just fade away. These heresies of Camping have been going on since he predicted the end in 1994. He has twelve wrong dates to his discredit and October 21 will be number 13. It is better if the brethren in Vietnam listen to Far East Broadcasting or Trans World Radio rather than the ranting of a deluded false prophet and yet so many in the USA are still clinging to Camping and his deceptions. God truly has begun to separate the wheat from the tares (via DXLD) Was Hmong included in their Vietnamese language transmissions? I don't remember Hmong listed for Family Radio (Mauno Ritola, WRTH, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) It would be nice to have some independent confirmation of this rather vaguely-sourced story (gh, DXLD) Hi Glenn, A reserved and rather skeptical analysis by Carlyle A. Thayer on May 28: http://www.scribd.com/doc/56694663/Thayer-Hmong-Incident-Dien-Bien-Province-Vietnam His background: http://hass.unsw.adfa.edu.au/staff/profiles/thayer.html (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: BACKGROUND BRIEFING: HMONG INCIDENT DIEN BIEN PROVINCE, VIETNAM Carlyle A. Thayer, May 28, 2011 [client name deleted] Could we have your assessment of the following: - Vice-Chairman of Dien Bien People's Committee claimed the Hmong demonstrators were followers of Vang Chu. What do you think really sparked this gathering? The above is important in terms of: Why hasn't such a large gathering happened before? Could it happen again? How do you assess the government's handling of it? At bottom, doesn't it seem like a purely religious incident, rather than a political one? And that any talk of autonomy was simply driven by the Hmong King idea and hence was religious? ANSWER: My bottom line is that it was most likely a millenarian gathering with little overt political overtones except that if a call for autonomy was made it would send up a red flag to security authorities. They would have been concerned about a swift gathering of so many people without advance warning. I cannot prove a negative and say no Hmong were killed but I remain unconvinced by Washington reports of large numbers killed in a brutal manner by a fleet of armed helicopters. I think some of the references to senior Vietnamese military leaders is pure embellishment to give these accounts more credibility. I do not believe the advocacy groups have access to anyone remotely able to tell them what the Defence Minister of Chief of Staff ordered. I am skeptical also because of the lack of photos. When Catholics demonstrate I receive hundreds of photos taken by mobile phones that have been downloaded. Professional Background Carl Thayer was educated at Brown University in the United States. He holds an M.A. in Southeast Asian Studies from Yale and a PhD in International Relations from The Australian National University (ANU). He studied Vietnamese language at Yale, Cornell and Southern Illinois University, Thai language at The University of Missouri at Columbia, and Lao language at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. [much more] (via Ron Howard, dxldyg via DXLD) Skepticism is warranted, as the source Glenn cites boasts itself as "Central Europe's First Christian News Agency" in its "About Us" page. Nothing rallies the Christian troops like a sordid tale of persecution. If a reputable news agency like Reuters, AP or such hasn't reported this, you might as well chalk it up to the ilk of the 500 Club "news". A number of Christian publications have something about this story but none of the mainstream news agencies. As in NONE. And of the Christian publications I've looked at about this story, they all have cited a single man as the source of this story: James Jacob Prasch, executive director of Moriel Ministries. I smell a skunk, and this sounds like a personal demonization in progress (Clara Listensprechen, ibid.) Well, Camping-critiquing Christian Post has also picked up the story but they also quote toward the end a major news agency, AFP about Something which happened, altho the truth may have been exaggerated: The Christian Post > Fri, Jul. 15 2011 11:52 AM EDT HAROLD CAMPING LINKED TO HUGE 'MASSACRE' OF 100'S OF HMONG CHRISTIANS By Nicola Menzie | Christian Post Contributor http://www.christianpost.com/news/harold-camping-linked-to-huge-massacre-of-100s-of-hmong-christians-52351/ Hundreds of Hmong Christians are said to have been gunned down by security forces in Vietnam after the group had gathered near a mountain to await the rapture and return of Jesus Christ. The group of believers apparently learned of the rapture's timing from Family Radio broadcaster Harold Camping. Related [linked, sidebar] Harold Camping Follower Shot Man Over Rapture Belief? Survey: Majority of Evangelical Leaders Believe in Rapture; Imminent Return of Jesus Rapture Preacher Harold Camping's Radio Segment Canceled Family Radio Affirms Harold Camping's May 21 Prediction in New Post Harold Camping Still on Leave From Family Radio; Recovering in Nursing Facility Harold Camping's Stroke Punishment From God? A Biblical Response Harold Camping Suffers Mild Stroke; Released From Hospital Harold Camping Suffers Stroke; Receives Sympathy Tweets Harold Camping 'Doing Very Well' After Being Hospitalized for Stroke, Reports Wife Harold Camping Hospitalized by Stroke; Speech Affected Harold Camping: Dead Bodies Will Surface from Graves on Oct. 21 Doomsday ---- Pastors among the group were also beheaded, according to a report by the executive director of Moriel Ministries. James Jacob Prasch, executive director of Moriel Ministries, regularly makes mission trips around the world. He said in a report that while visiting the Hmong Christian community, he learned of the persecution that occurred in late April and early May. The group of about 7,000 believers was inspired after listening to shortwave broadcasts by Harold Camping to head to a mountain top to worship God and await Christ's return, according to Prasch. Camping, a California-based preacher, has been insisting for years through his study of the Bible that he had discovered the date of the rapture of Christians and the return of Jesus Christ. That date was supposed to have been May 21, 2011. Camping, currently recovering from a stroke, later appended his questionable teachings when on May 22, he and those who took his Family Radio broadcasts to heart found themselves still here on Earth. The fallout from Camping's much-criticized teachings among his American followers is now overshadowed by what has happened to these Hmong Christians in Vietnam - if Prasch's allegations prove to be true. In his report sent to Moriel Ministries, Prasch writes: “I am told by Hmong pastors that so many were shot dead that they were buried in mass graves bulldozed over in an episode that I read about in Britain but did not understand the magnitude of until I got here. I am now trying to clean up the mess at the request of local Hmong leaders.” The report indicates that those who managed to escape being killed or imprisoned are possibly still in hiding in the jungle. The Hmongs live in the mountainous and jungle regions of Vietnam. Hmong Christians are regularly persecuted by the Vietnamese government, and have been branded as a cult. Vietnamese officials in the Dien Bien province accused “sabotage forces” of stoking secessionist demands, and denied reports of a massacre, according to BosNewsLife. A spokeswoman from the Foreign Ministry also told the news agency that “extremists” had been detained and did not mention if anyone had been killed or injured. A report published on May 27 on International Christian Concern's persecution website supports much of what Prasch reported learning from his visit with the Hmong Christian community. An article from the Agence France-Presse published on May 29th reports that Hmong Christian groups had been camped out for a week in the mountains when they were confronted by security forces. British-based religious freedom group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) told the AFP that Camping's prophecy was key to the gathering's timing. The AFP report doesn't make mention of any violence, but says that a truck “loaded with armed soldiers,” some hidden under tarpaulin, were in the vicinity of the gathering. It is unclear how many may have died in this crackdown by security forces (Christian Post via DXLD) There's a May 13 story posted by Christian Solidarity Worldwide about the background to the operations in that area. Paragraph 3 is of particular interest: http://dynamic.csw.org.uk/article.asp?t=news&id=1008 (Mike Barraclough, UK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: VIETNAM: CULT FOLLOWERS ENDANGER ETHNIC MINORITY CHRISTIANS 13/05/2011 Thousands of people from the Hmong ethnic group have been following two cults; as authorities move in and arrest 130 followers, Christians are at risk of being caught up in the events. Military disbands doomsday cult followers Military personnel have been sent to Dien Bien province, north-west Vietnam, to seal off an area where followers several cult movements were disbanded by local military and the Vietnam People’s Army last week. The group of ethnic Hmong had gathered following the teaching of two cult movements that have been active among the Hmong ethnic group in recent months. The military detained 130 people and three children have been confirmed dead. Several thousand cult followers, mostly women and children, were sent home, but some sources suggest up to 3,000 people remain in the area. Poor sanitation, outside communication cut off CSW’s contacts reported that two cult leaders fled into the forest and were beaten by the military. Journalists and foreign diplomats are being denied access to the Muong Nhe area and all telephone communications have been cut. There are concerns for those who remain in the area due to the lack of access to outsiders, poor sanitary conditions and the high military presence. Thousands of Hmong have migrated from other areas of the country, including from as far as the Central Highland region, to follow the cultic teaching. Church leaders express concern for local Christians Church leaders in Vietnam told CSW they are concerned that the Hmong Protestant Christians who are not cult followers will be caught up in the trouble. Lending weight to these concerns, a Vietnamese government website erroneously portrays the cult’s followers as Protestant Christians. Up to 350,000 Hmong have converted to Protestantism since the late 1980s after hearing short-wave radio broadcasts in local languages. The US-based Harold Camping cult, which teaches that the world will end on 21 May, has gathered a following among the Hmong after literature was distributed in the Hmong language. In addition, two men both claiming to be messiah figures have appeared in Muong Nhe district. Hmong mythological belief suggests that a messiah will appear and establish a pan-Hmong kingdom. Religious restrictions create ideal conditions for cult influence The mountainous north-west region has suffered some of the most severe abuses and restrictions on religious freedom in Vietnam. While the general situation has improved in recent years, the cumulative effect of limitations on religious freedom, such as restricting access to theological training and preventing a legal version of the Hmong Bible from being printed, has created conditions where cult teaching spreads easily... (via DXLD) Wikipedia has two Strait Times reports linked, both from AFP, and a Washington Post report sourced from Associated Press, the link for which is no longer active: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_end_times_prediction#Reaction_from_Harold_Camping_believers It's certainly the case that there is harsh religious repression in Vietnam. Human Rights Watch released a 46 page report March 30 2011 on religious repression of Montagnards: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/03/30/vietnam-montagnards-harshly-persecuted "While this paper focuses on Central Highlands Protestants, serious issues of freedom of religion affect nearly every other denomination in Vietnam, particularly those whose followers do not wish to associate themselves with an officially-registered -religious organization." "The government bans any religious activity deemed to oppose "national interests," harm national solidarity, cause public disorder, or "sow divisions." While many unregistered religious groups are able to operate freely in Vietnam, those considered a threat to the party's authority are sharply repressed on grounds that they pose a threat to national security and public order." "When a so-called religion becomes a tool in the hand of evil people, it should be considered evil and unlawful and should be eliminated. — Radio Voice of Vietnam." Found the Associated Press report quoted in the Washington Times [Mooney]: http://departout.com/viewtopic.php?t=1821 It's from a forum discussing Harold Camping's teachings which also has a thread on the latest account of the Hmong repression: (Mike Barraclough, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: VIETNAM SAYS ‘EXTREMISTS’ DETAINED AFTER HMONG GATHERING; AREA STILL OFF LIMITS TO MEDIA --- By Associated Press, Published: May 12 http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/vietnam-says-extremists-detained-after-hmong-gathering-area-still-off-limits-to-media/2011/05/12/AFo8KwxG_story.html HANOI, Vietnam — Vietnam’s government said Thursday it detained “extremists” after rare unrest involving thousands of ethnic Hmong belonging to a religious group that assembled to await the arrival of their God. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga’s statement Thursday is Vietnam’s first acknowledgment of arrests in the incident. Nga did not say how many were detained or whether there were deaths or injuries as has been alleged by overseas Hmong groups. Officials in northwest Dien Bien province have accused overseas groups of using the incident to influence some Hmong to call for an independent state. Vietnam has not granted foreign journalists or diplomats access to the area since security forces broke up the gathering in Muong Nhe district in early May. Nga said the Hmong have all returned home. U.S.-based Human Rights Watch has called for a full investigation and for journalists and diplomats to be allowed access. Up to 5,000 Hmong had gathered in the district town to await for God, expected to take them to the promised land on May 21. There is a long history of mistrust between the government and many ethnic hilltribe groups, collectively known as Montagnards. Many anti- communist hilltribe fighters were allied with the United States during the Vietnam War, and many Hmong refugees resettled there after the war (via Erich von Manstein, California, via Barraclough, ibid.) ** U S A [non]. Germany, 9925, Family Radio relay, Wertachtal, 2011/07/09 sat 1828-1833. Still listed as Xhosa (Aoki, EiBi, HFCC), but the dreaded and unmistakable drone of Harold in English caught my attention as I was band-scanning. Very poor, almost unreadable but also unmistakable. Jo'burg sunset 1531 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Family Radio schedules have been updated on Jul 16; but cancelled languages still remain (J-M Aubier, France, July 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 25950/FM, KOA, Denver CO studio feeder; 1658-1703+, 20-July; "News-Radio 8-50, Colorado's only station with news, weather and traffic"; Accu-Weather Forecast; Fox News at ToH. Good. Gone at 2003 check (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re 11-28: KBSU 730 selling out, jazz leaving AM I'm here on a job in Kalispell, MT doing biological fieldwork. There is a Smooth Jazz station on 1340 AM (KQJZ) and simulcasting with a 70 watt FM translator on 103.5. The AM signal is decent for 1 kW - about 70 miles over mountains and valleys during the day. The AM is mono (always was), and the FM is also mono but with a stereo pilot. They're a very decent sounding station. It's really weird how it has gotten so hard nowadays to find a Smooth Jazz format station in many major markets where you'd expect the listening demographic, but can stumble across one in a small town in northern Montana. There's also KOFI 1180 (50 kW) here that has Newstalk and Oldies mixed together all day - probably one of the last 50 kW Full-Service format stations remaining in the nation. Used to be C-QuAM, but now just mono (they even edited their "1180 AM Stereo... K-O-F-I" jingles by chopping out the word "stereo". They could have just kept the stereo on and saved themselves some editing work! (Darwin Long, currently in Kalispell, MT, July 14, ABDX via DXLD) Well, for KOFI I guess that confirms they are not going to fix anything and are mono for good. I wrote to them a few years ago but never got a response about their AM stereo status and if it was going to be fixed. At that point they were still playing the "1180 AM STEREO" jingles. Been about 10 years since I've been up that way. At that time they still were AM Stereo and sounded great! Listened to them all the way from just north of Missoula through Glacier National Park and into Canada. Still good to listen to them. I like the full service format; reminds me of the good old days when MANY of the 50 kW big boys did that. I can pick them up here late in the day still, although it is much less listenable with KSL 1160's I-hash. On the original topic, I remember KBSU being in stereo and picking it up in stereo here at night on numerous occasions. I don't think it's been that long ago they dropped the stereo but I do want to say it's been at least a year or two (Michael n Wyo Richard, Evanston, ibid.) KBSU was actually iBOC stereo last I heard them. I don't think they're running that now, as I can't hear any sidebands at this time (I'm here in WA state for a week now), nor the last time I was actually in Boise a year ago. I am glad I recorded KOFI 1180 in stereo using an SRF-42 in 2003. Again, what the heck's the cost of continuing stereo? Virtually nothing except the amp or so power that's drawn to run it (a 25W lightbulb worth). The exciter shouldn't just quit and 'break down' - there are no moving parts... except perhaps the fan. I can't imagine a radio engineer that can't remove four screws and change out a fan module. I think the "exciter burned out, and we can't afford to replace it" excuse is just that (then the station goes talk-radio (more expensive), and adds HD (more expensive). (-Darwin Long, ibid.) KBSU 730 has been sold to In Impact radio. Right now they are repeating Michael Jackson's THRILLER; per Bill Hale new call is KINF (Frank Aden, N7SOK, ID, 0125 UT July 19, IRCA via DXLD) ** U S A. WBBM-AM 780 ACTS ON TALK, TO SIMULCAST ON FM STARTING AUG. 1 http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0715-wbbm-radio-20110715,0,1001334.story Defending its turf as Chicago's longtime all-news radio station, WBBM- AM 780 will begin simulcasting on the FM dial Aug. 1, in an apparent move to blunt expected competition. No other radio station has announced plans to introduce a news-related format on FM, but that doesn't mean it's not going to happen. On Thursday, WKQX-FM — Q101 — was airing the last hours of its alternative rock format ahead of an anticipated switch to news/talk. Last month, Merlin Media, a new company headed by former Tribune Co. CEO Randy Michaels, agreed to acquire WKQX along with Chicago's WLUP- FM 97.9 and New York's WRXP-FM from Emmis Communications. "We've been talking about this for the last several years," said Rod Zimmerman, CBS Radio Chicago's senior vice president and market manager. "Certainly in the last month we've been able to zero in on it a little more, and really have come to the conclusion that this was the best thing for our cluster moving forward." WBBM-AM, which has been broadcasting its all-news format since 1968, is the top-ranked and top-billing station in Chicago. CBS Radio owns seven stations in the market, including 22nd-ranked WCFS, Fresh 105.9 FM, an adult contemporary music station that will give way to a growing industry trend — the influx of talk on FM. "There's a significant number of people that just listen to the FM dial," Zimmerman said. "We want to have our product accessible to those people." The migration of news/talk from the AM to the FM band has picked up steam over the last several years, with larger and younger audiences creating a new market for the format. The flagging fortunes of music stations, which have seen audiences splintered by a host of digital alternatives, also has played a role in the proliferation of talk on FM. "It's a very smart move for them to take a brand that's as powerful and successful as WBBM-AM, and put it on the FM dial, because the future of AM is not as solid as the future of FM, and the future of music is not as solid as the future of talk," said Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers Magazine, a leading trade journal. Several major AM news/talk stations have broadened their audiences in recent years with an FM simulcast. In 2008, KCBS-AM in San Francisco began simulcasting its news format on a CBS-owned FM. The combined stations currently rank second in the market. News/talk station WSB-AM in Atlanta began simulcasting on FM last August and saw overall listenership grow by 44 percent. The flagship media cluster of Cox Broadcasting includes five radio stations, a TV station and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In the key 25 to 54 demographic, which is most attractive to advertisers, the simulcast format moved up from sixth to second in the market over the same time frame, according to Pete Spriggs, the station's program director. "When you go to FM, you're really going to where all the traffic is," Spriggs said. "You have the ability to pick up the people that don't even know you exist. It's a brand new product for those people, especially under the age of 40." With Merlin set to take over operations at its three new stations Friday, the disc jockeys at Q101 said their goodbyes on-air Thursday, playing the fading strains of an alternative music format that provided the soundtrack for many Generation Xers during the 1990s. The station is expected to "stunt" beginning Friday — a transitional musical format — before rolling out the new permanent format. While not confirming specifics for WKQX, Michaels conceded a head start to WBBM in any FM news/talk competition. "I can tell you that we won't be going all news on August 1st," Michaels said in an email Thursday. If WKQX does go news/talk, some industry analysts think the format will sound very different from WBBM. "I think Merlin's version of all-news could be something very different," said talk radio consultant Randall Bloomquist. "It may be much more personality-oriented, and it will probably aim younger." Meanwhile WBBM-AM is preparing for the simulcast by beefing up its production values for the cleaner stereo sound of FM, with the stations positioned as "WBBM Newsradio 780 and now on 105.9 FM," according to Zimmerman. In addition to news/talk, WBBM-AM is the home of the Chicago Bears, which means that if the NFL lockout ends in time, the games will also be broadcast on FM this season. Zimmerman expects the gains from simulcasting to quickly eclipse the lost audience from Fresh 105.9. "It's not going to happen overnight, but over a short period of time, there should be significant growth," he said (via Kevin Redding, TN, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. Re 11-28: KXEL Waterloo, IA knocked off air --- DX alert: KXEL was knocked off the air by a strong thunderstorm. They say, on their website, http://kxel.com right now, that should be back Friday (Tom Nyberg, IA, July 14, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks, Tom, for the tip! Some nice catches tonight on 1540 at sunset with KXEL off - so far (1) WKVQ Eatonton GA at 2044 EDT/0044 UT with instrumental Star-Spangled Banner and ID at sign-off, only heard before on DX test; (2) WBNL Boonville IN at 2101 EDT/0101 UT with Pat Hughes intro "And now back to Cubs baseball on AM 1540 WBNL Boonville" fair but clear, 518 miles at 250 watts; and (3) WBTC Uhrichsville OH at 2115/0115 UT with "News-Talk, Sports-Talk, AM 1540 WBTC" ID into Cleveland Indians baseball, 207 miles at 5 watts listed night power. CHIN is dominant with China-related programming, but WBTC and several others in the mix at 2130 EDT July 14/0130 UT July 15. The KXEL web site says KXEL has power back and will resume broadcasting when the transmitter check is complete (David Yocis, Harpers Ferry, WV (39-12-51 N, 77-48-01 W), Drake R8B, Quantum phaser, LWs, ibid.) ** U S A. Re 11-28: In RE: 1640 and DFW. Driving through the TX 121 construction on the north end of DFW there indeed was NO 1640. However, the car radio stopped on a carrier only signal on 1680. Don't know what that's supposed to be. However, we have a local 1110 and 570 that would add to 1680, but no audio was heard (David R. Block, TX, July 18, ptsw yg via DXLD) ** U S A. Besides all the Mexican FM DX, see MEXICO, some sporadic E from this side of the border, July 18, UT: 1434 on 99.1, phone 445-2900, City of Prescott promo, magic991.com promo for ``local heroes`` every Thursday Morning. KTMG, Prescott AZ, 6 kW per FM Atlas XXI 1447 on 88.1, KCFY mentioned, Christian; i.e., 3 kW from Yuma AZ. I was axually sidetuned to 87.95 on the DX-398, where best heard vs the CCI on 88.1. Does this mean it has a wider bandwidth than the others, or even transmits off-frequency? Or just a strangeness of the receiver under prevailing DX conditions, relative strengths, antenna orientation? 1449 on 91.5, KJZZ news break during NPR Morning Edition, but it`s national, not local Phoenix AZ news, e.g. oysters in Louisiana. Has CCI in Spanish; see MEXICO 1455 on 99.3, frantic music in Spanish, fading in and out vs Ponca City; 1500 mentions El Centro, La Tricolor. FMA XXI has 6 kW KMXX ``Mix`` in Imperial but with Spanish format. I do get a Google hit matching KMXX, El Centro and Radio Tricolor. 1503 on 87.75, drama, movie? In English with `urban` accents; but CCI from something else in English. One is surely XETV ch 6 Tijuana, but the other? 1537 urban movie is still in as MUF almost falls below FM 1527 on 97.7, NPR-type news talk, no doubt 6 kW KQVO Calexico CA, relay of KPBS 89.5 San Diego as heard before, outsticking sorethumbly midband 1530 on 94.9, national ads including GEICO, then ``94-9 The Outlaw, the best country, with a Texas attitude``. Not Es DX, but groundwave 50 kW KOLI, Electra-Wichita Falls, included here for slogan reference During Es opening from NW Mexico, UT July 20: 0358 on 88.7, SRN ``news`` strong and steady, not // local KLVV translator 98.5, so 88.7 is not our semi-local KLVV. 0400 IDs for KJIL et al. Their only 88.7 outlet per website http://kjil991.com/index.php?page_id=uxt9bg4e&description=Listen_Almost_Anywhere! is Tribune KS. But FM Atlas shows the only non-translator Kansans on 88.7 are in Dodge City, Oketo and Eureka. Dodge is the one I ought to be getting if any, the other two far away in other parts of KS, but KVDC is hi-power 45 kW and would surely block little Tribune translator which is on the west-central edge county next to Colorado. Anyway, KVDC would not be on this network since the KJIL base station on 99.1 is not far away in Copeland. During daytime-dead conditions July 20 at 1616, 88.7 is again // 98.5 translator, so KLVV. The question remains, why was I hearing KJIL on 88.7? 0401 on 90.5, SRN ``news`` in strong with Es fading during TV opening from BCN; see MEXICO. RDS icon flashes, but doesn`t stay strong enough long enough to display; this network always worx in stories on hot- button topix to far-right religious extremists, often in a disapproving tone, and with optional cutaways every minute. 0403 back to gospel rock and fade. KSOS, 100 kW in Las Vegas NV looks like the best bet: program schedule shows some `News on the Hour` but not from where, and not exactly at 9 pm PDT (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. PIRATING FELONIOUS IN NEW YORK --- June 30, 2011 at 2:02 pm --- NY Assemblyman George Latimer is continuing to push his bill that would make operating a pirate radio station in NY a felony, with a fine of no less than $10,000. The NY State Senate is also considering a similar bill. Currently, Florida and New Jersey have similar legislation. Pirates have been around for years, interrupting the signals of commercial operators, who have obtained their licenses to broadcast and paid the associated fees, and interfering with their advertising revenue. Pirates range from activists and advocates of a variety of causes, to people simply trying to make money easily. Despite the negative view, some continue to support pirates, claiming they serve a valuable public service at the local level. Bud Williamson of Digital Radio Engineering Inc., a broadcast engineering company in upstate NY, told The Deal Magazine that piracy is an issue in large markets other than NY as well. "The broadcasters have to live up to certain criteria. If you're not going to do that, you can't be on the air." (via Ragnar Daneskjold, FRW July 16 via Ed Insinger, DXLD) ** VANUATU. 3945, Radio Vanuatu, Jul 11, 0813 - Didn't hear much from Vanuatu this time in Masset, compared to Grayland in February, where they were very well heard. Poor to fair only. Rechecked at 1034 to an open carrier. Someone still on 7260, but too weak to hear anything useful (Walt Salmaniw, Rose Spit, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC overnight dc only DXpedition, two BOGs employed, one aimed at NZ, while the other was more to central Australia. The NZ BOG measured about 750’ in length, while the latter was about 800’. As well, I used a PA0RDT active antenna located about 50’ from my vehicle elevated about 7’. Receivers used were an AOR 7030+ and a Perseus SDR/Dell Studio quad core laptop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3945, Radio Vanuatu. Checking sign off times after the National Anthem July 15 - 1215* July 16 - 1211* July 17 - early sign off; sometime before 1200? July 18 - 1215* (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VATICAN. Vatican Radio, Santa Maria di Galeria transmitter site 7250 kHz, 0525 UT, 33433, Religious radio Dramatized program in English with peculiar one second echo on everything being said. Station ID and change to unknown language at 0530. Moderate Signal S-5 (Nick Rumple, Kannapolis, North Carolina, Yaesu FRG-100, 125 foot longwire - 40 feet high, shortwavelistening yg via DXLD) I often tune across 7250 around that time, and have not noticed an echo, but HFCC shows that on Sundays only, which this was not, they have two transmitters from SMG on 7250 between 0600-0645, a 250 kW at 326 degrees, and a 100 kW at 54 degrees. So it`s possible for VR to double up; maybe by mistake at this hour, and of course should be exactly synchronized if doing so (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. Did Harold Camping`s BS lead to Hmongs being massacred? See U S A [and non] ** VIETNAM. 12019.359, 1303-, Voice of Vietnam, Jul 9. No IS noted before the TOH, but into the familiar VOV fanfare and into Indonesian at fair level. Quite markedly off channel. English is scheduled at 1330 (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. CLANDESTINAS, 1550, Polisario Front, Rabouni, ALGERIA, 1252-1300*, 08/7, Arabic, songs; 25443; silent on \\ 6297.15 not only that day but also for quite a number of days now, even for their first broadcast of the day. Their evening schedule reads 1700- 2300 in Arabic, 2300-2330 in Castilian. E.g.: 2306-2330*, 10/7, 55444 (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, July 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZAMBIA. 6165, Radio 2, at 0427, July 20 with pops songs and DJ in English; also African Hi-Life music; Chad QRM started 0428; poor with the two of them mixing together (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZAMBIA [and non]. 13590, 0611-, CVC One Africa, Jul 10. Except for a very broad band of CODAR type interference ruining [sic] between about 13380 and 13605 kHz, CVC would be quite good with American accented programming. A bit too much interference to make much out of the content, though (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also CHINA 13590, CVC One Africa; 1854-1903+, 19-July; English feature on building friendship; CVC spot at 1858+ into religious rap tune; 1900 troubled youth feature. SIO=353 (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZANZIBAR. 6015, RTZ, *0258-0402, July 20. Another grayline reception; transmitter on at 0254; started with xylophone sounding IS; 0302 Islamic singing/chanting; into monologue; by 0318 was very impassioned (I am thinking religious?); BoH YL, could have been news; 0336 brief Islamic chanting; into excited sports coverage; ToH YL with assume news; poor (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. VOA ZIMBABWE PROGRAMS ON INTELSAT 10 Washington, D.C. — July 19, 2011 — Voice of America’s popular radio programs to Zimbabwe are now available “direct to home” on satellite. The free satellite feed on Intelsat-10 includes the VOA news program, Studio 7, which broadcasts to Zimbabwe in English, Shona and Ndebele, and Live-Talk, the Zimbabwe Services’s call-in program. VOA Africa Division Director Gwen Dillard says home satellite use is growing around the world and this new service “demonstrates Voice of America’s commitment to bringing objective and reliable news programs to our audience on platforms they are comfortable using.” Studio 7 is also broadcast to Zimbabwe on shortwave, medium wave, mobile and streamed on the Internet. In addition to Studio 7, VOA’s popular English to Africa programs, as well as VOA French to Africa and Portuguese language programs are also available on the new 24-hour a day satellite feed, which can be received on virtual channel (VC) 23, throughout Southern Africa. Studio 7 has been providing Zimbabwe with objective, reliable and balanced radio news broadcasts since 2003 and has become a valued information alternative on the airwaves there. Blessing Zuli, co-host of "LiveTalk" [caption] The program covers politics, civil society, the economy, health, sports, music, and the arts, and can be heard evenings Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. local time, followed by LiveTalk with hosts Blessing Zulu and Gibbs Dube from 8:30 to 9 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, Studio 7 news runs for an hour from 7 to 8 p.m. Studio 7 broadcasts at 909 on the medium wave band, and on shortwave on the 4930, 7210 and 12130 kiloHertz frequencies. Listeners in the Harare region may experience intermittent jamming on 909 medium wave band. For more on the VOA’s Intelsat-10 feed, visit http://www.voanews.com/zimbabwe/news To see this release online visit http://www.insidevoa.com For more information about any of VOA’s language services visit http://www.voanews.com Media inquiries can be made to Kyle King in Washington at kking @ voanews.com (VOA press release July 19 via DXLD) 3 Comments on “VOA Zimbabwe programmes on Intelsat 10” #1 Kim Andrew Elliott on Jul 20th, 2011 at 10:58 “Virtual channel 23? is, of course, insufficient information. Here are the details: Intelsat 10 at 68.5 E. 12602 MHz, vertical polarization, symbol rate 26.6. FEC or forward error correction is 1/2. The SID, or virtual channel, is 23. It should be identified as “VOA Southern Africa.” When VOA Studio 7 programming English, Shona and Ndebele is not on, the channel transmits other other VOA English, Portuguese, and French to Africa programming. Ku-band channels on the same satellite are used by several channels that are free to home and therefore somewhat popular in Zimbabwe. Many of the channels are religious, but Press TV is among them. I wonder how many dish owners in southern Africa listen to radio via satellite. #2 Andy Sennitt on Jul 20th, 2011 at 11:12 Thanks, Kim. Yes, the same thought struck me. The phrase “on platforms they are comfortable using” is a strange one to use for Africa, especially for Zimbabwe. #3 Kai Ludwig on Jul 20th, 2011 at 12:55 Intelsat calls this beam just “South Africa”, and indeed the footprint is shown as having its 55 dBW core just over that country, with kind of a secondary coverage of 55…49 dBW over Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. North and east of these countries the signal is shown to drop off very quickly. Others have already jumped on this platform; the radio channels relayed here include Channel Africa, Trans World Radio and the CVC service known from the shortwave transmitter in Zambia (”1 Africa”), but also Deutsche Welle and IRIB. And what used to be known as Adventist World Radio is there with its TV service (”Hope Channel”), in the same way they replaced shortwave radio by satellite TV in Europe. The question about the number of satellite dish owners that use it not only for TV but also for radio is one that applies not only in this region. I seem to recall that in the early and mid-nineties satellite radio (Ku-band, as opposed to the S-band systems in North America) has been praised as the future of international broadcasting, and at least Deutsche Welle distributed some programs for Europe via satellite exclusively after taking them off shortwave. But within a few years all these services had been closed altogether, and they went away almost unnoticed (MN blog comments via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 1710 station lately --- This past week I've been hearing a 1710 station right at the noise level. It might be Spanish, definitely isn't English. Except for today the format sounds like a regular station, with M/F DJs who speak after every song, and the music has been vocals with a strong beat. And the format has been the same until today. Today a man began speaking, apparently preaching, at 1310 UT and continued until fadeout at 1330. If Spanish, he spoke rather slowly, not like commercial fast-paced SS stations. Frequency is always low, around 60 Hz low. Best on the E/W longwire. And I haven't heard the Puget Sound Russian station for several weeks now, and that one was always close to the proper 1710 frequency. I've been tuning there once the LF beacons and AMBC TPs fade out, around 1230. Peak signal on this 1710 station seems to be around 1305 currently. Anyone else hearing something similar to this? (Steve Ratzlaff, NE Oregon, July 16, R75, longwires, IRCA via DXLD) Steve, The Russian 1710 is still there, noted nightly here and on a rare occasion I do hear a second station behind them, I think may be SS. 73, (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 3990 kHz DRM, July 13, 1945 UT. Wer sendet denn da auf 3990 kHz im DRM Mode? Bei mir reichts leider nicht zur Dekodierung, koennte auch am Sender liegen. 73, (Stephan Schaa, Germany, A-DX July 13 via BC-DX July 17 via DXLD) Re: 3990 kHz DRM. Gute Frage - sowohl DREAM als auch das alte FhG- Radio (das sich dekodierungsmaessig manchmal gar nicht so schlecht schlug) liefern nicht viel mehr als irgendwas mit 13.9 kbps in Mono. Ob das wirklich stimmt, weiss man nicht. RX: Pappradio. [later] ... scheint inzwischen off air gegangen zu sein, oder? Ich tippe ja auf Krasnodar, Russia. (73, Douglas Kaehler-D, A-DX July 13, ibid.) Was a weak signal read on Perseus receiver browser display, originate not from Central Europe (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) jammer? UNIDENTIFIED. 6900.0, July 19 at 0540-0543:40* strong multiple carriers 1 kHz apart roughly up to plus and minus 5 kHz beating against each other, seemingly centred here. Back on at 0544 until 0545:35* and not resuming in next few minutes. One suspects HAARP acting like this (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 6924.7 AM, July 15 at 0525, poor signal, pirate with country music, lots of T-storm noise hindering; maybe Willie Nelson until 0536 DJ announcement with ID, maybe W + three letters (surely not `WEAK`); until 0544 song ``Doctor, doctor, give me the news I got a bad case of lovin` you[se?]`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That's Robert Palmer's "Bad Case of Loving You." He did the original, at least (Nathan Adams, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6924.8 AM, July 21 at 0605 music just above the noise level, on low side compared to 11925 carrier, presumed Brasil on the hi side; never any announcements, and 0612 no longer heard, either off or outfaded. It so happens that this frequency and another unID of mine a while ago on 6305 match the frequencies just reported by Walt Salmaniw in BC for the pirate Radio True North, which I think he previously thought to be coming from the Yukon. Well, almost: he put it on 6924.66, July 11 at 0352 [see CANADA]. My 6305 was July 2 at 0540 as in DXLD 11-27 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 7160, 1328-, Jul 12. Who might this be. A Chinese speaker weakly heard with talk by both a man and a woman. Sounds like a typical CNR transmission to me. A single tone at the BOH. Nothing listed in my databases (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is), BC, 270 deg 750’ BOG, and a 30/210 degree large diameter ALA 100 magnetic loop. Receivers as usual were my Perseus SDR, AOR 7030+, and NRD 535D, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 9515, July 18 at 0541 repetitive music on guitar, almost seemed like Merlin, but scheduled here is CRI via Albania in Arabic at 05-07. HFCC also has Oman, surely wooden (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 13380.0 AM, July 20 at 0552, S9+20 open carrier, then multi-tone digital bursts. Search at UDXF yg gets several hits from February this year, such as this for 13380-USB at a different time: ``It's MFA [Ministry of Foreign Affairs] Sofia using the RFSM8000 software package. There seems to be a misconfiguration in their system, as you can frequently hear the typical Windows error sound between the data bursts. Similar activity has been noted around 9052/9053 kHz. BRGDS //Leif Dehio [Germany]`` However, this was so strong I would guess Cuba rather than Bulgaria (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 15300, July 19 at 1206, 1000 Hz tone test on yet another frequency, still at 1230 and 1254 but not at 1323 check. RFI is scheduled here all the way from 04 to 20 UT, but not heard: poor propagation or was the tone axually coming from Issoudun? (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 17461, July 17 around 2125 very strong and steady open carrier; gone at next check, but back at 2321 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 17790, July 18 at 1305, 1000 Hz mystery tone test, fair; gone before 1330 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 18393.5-USB, July 18 at 1401, Colloquial Spanish 2-way, one side much stronger than the other; some terms I made out were ``diez pulgadas``, ``puta``, ``kilos``, ``puta madre``, and some whistling. Poachers or narcotraffickers? Mixing English and metric units (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS See TAIWAN 9745 ++++++++++++++++++++++++ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ THE EPOCH TIMES Contributions to radio groups have pointed out that THE EPOCH TIMES website, http://www.theepochtimes.com often has items of interest to DXers. I’d like to put in a plug for the newspaper itself. Many of the items in the paper concern New York City, and there are also items about other areas; one recent issue even had an article about Kansas! But there are frequent stories about democracy movements, not only directed at China but other countries as well. Some of these organizations have shortwave broadcasts which are familiar targets for DXers. And almost every issue has an article about Falun Gong. The issue I picked up today not only has a story about Falun Gong but an item from The Voice of Tibet concerning Tibetans sentenced to prison in China for celebrating the birthday of the Dalai Lama. I pick up free copies of THE EPOCH TIMES at a Chinese buffet near my home, and I suspect they also may be available at other Chinese restaurants around the country (Wendel Craighead, Prairie Village, Kansas, USA, July 17, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) NEW ISSUE OF USC CPD PD MAGAZINE IS DEVOTED TO INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING. Posted: 19 Jul 2011 PD Magazine, Summer 2011, of the University of Southern California Center on Public Diplomacy, is devoted to international broadcasting. http://kimelli.nfshost.com/index.php?id=11680 Its contents include: [each article has its own link, before pdf] Alan Heil, "VOA and BBC at a Crossroads" Shawn Powers, "R.I.P., Broadcasting" Philip Seib, "Al Jazeera English in Focus" Oliver Zollner, "International Broadcasting in the Social Network Era" Interviews with former members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors James Glassman and Ted Kaufman and current members Michael Meehan and S. Enders Wimbush Philip Wang, "Transformation of Radio Taiwan International" Alex Oliver and Annmaree O'Keefe, "Struggling to be Heard: Australia's International Broadcasters Fight for a Voice in the Region" Kim Andrew Elliott, "In International Broadcasting, Even the Static Must be Credible" Also available is the pdf version (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ RMRC - Einladung zum Besuch der Deutschen Welle, Funkhaus Bonn. SIGHTSEEING TOUR, BROADCASTING HOUSE DEUTSCHE WELLE RADIO, BONN. Hallo Freunde, DXer, Radiofreaks, am Freitag dem 12. August 2011 besucht der RMRC - Rhein-Main-Radioclub die Deutsche Welle in Bonn, Kurt-Schumacher-Strasse 3 ab 14.00 Uhr MESZ mit Fuehrung. (Nach den Einsparplaenen der Deutschen Welle koennte dieser Besuch der letzte bei DW-Radio sein.) Eingeladen sind alle Interessierten. Dauer ca. 2 Stunden, anschliessend gehen wir noch etwas Essen. Bitte um Anmeldung bei mir. Besuch fuer RMRC Mitglieder kostenlos, Nicht-Mitglieder 10 EUR. Wir treffen uns um 14.00 Uhr MESZ am Eingang. Harald Gabler RMRC Vorstand Rhein-Main-Radio-Club, Frankfurt (Dr. Harald Gabler-D, July 9, A-DX July via BC-DX July 17 via DXLD) RMRC - INVITATION TO VISIT THE DEUTSCHE WELLE, RADIO BONN Fri 12 Aug Ortsehen tour, Broadcasting House, German radio wave, Bonn. Hello friends, DXer, Radio geeks, Friday the 12th August 2011 visited the RMRC - Rhein-Main Radio Club, the German Welle in Bonn, Kurt- Schumacher-Strasse 3, from 14.00 BST clock with leadership. (According to the German Einsparplaenen this wave could visit the last one at DW-Radio.) We invite all interested parties. Duration: 2 hours then we go eat or something. Please register with me. RMRC visit for free members, non-Members 10 EUR. We meet at 14.00 BST on clock input. Harald Gabler, RMRC Board, Rhein-Main-Radio-Club, Frankfurt (Dr. Harald Gabler D, A-DX July 9 via BC-DX July 17 via Google translation via DXLD) It`s unclear why Google translates ``freaks`` as ``geeks`` and ``MESZ`` [UT+2] as ``BST`` [UT+1]! (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DTV ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ MOBILE DTV, SOME EARLY OBSERVATIONS I know someone, either on this forum or in the VUD, wrote a quick review of the RCA DMT335R Mobile DTV receiver a few months back. I've had one of these sitting on my desk at work for a few weeks. It also receives "regular" DTV, about as well as you'd expect from a set with a 9" telescoping whip antenna. But we didn't have any Mobile DTV stations in Nashville to test with. Until last night. I got to stay after work until about 2:30 am activating the mobile DTV on WSMV. We'd actually run a few earlier tests, but transmitter issues caused serious glitches on cable & satellite, and we had to turn it back off. The issues were solved earlier this week. We expect to be running ATSC-M/H from here on out. Some rather unscientific tests suggest Mobile DTV is significantly more reliable than "regular" DTV, but by no means perfect. I took the little RCA up to a park in Joelton, Tennessee. This is about 15 miles from our West Nashville tower. Our station is on RF channel 10 (195 MHz), so the 9" antenna is way too short. Walking around the park, reception of our Mobile DTV signal is about 97% reliable. It dropped out briefly twice as I walked under a power line. Our "regular" DTV signal at that location is about 80% reliable. This park is about 5 miles from a larger tower cluster, housing the three Sinclair stations (WZTV-RF 15, WUXP-RF 21, WNAB-RF 23), TBN's WPGD-RF 33, WTVF-RF 5 & 50, among a few others. These "regular" DTV signals were about 90% reliable.* Our Mobile, despite being more distant, was more reliable. I am able to receive our mobile signal at several locations inside my house, 25 miles from the tower. Reliable reception of the "regular" DTV signal is not possible with an indoor antenna here (WZTV is the only "regular" DTV station to deliver reliable indoor-antenna reception). Mobile DTV promises to be a useful feature for the DXer. It's not going to be as reliable as the old snowy analog DX signals were, but it's looking to be considerably easier to receive than "regular" DTV. Of course, Mobile DTV will only help on those stations that are using it!) * except WTVF on RF-5 which was almost completely non-existent on the 9" antenna -- (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, July 15, WTFDA via DXLD Am I in the minority here in not having any level of awareness that there's "mobile DTV" vs "regular DTV"? I suppose that could be since I've only very reluctantly been dragged into the DTV era ;-} (Russ Edmunds, WB2BJH, 15 mi NW of Philadelphia, ibid.) I haven't been recently drawn into the DTV area as I have been using digital since early 2000 when there was only one digital channel on in KC. However, like Russ, could use an explanation of how mobile TV works. I have been aware of mobile TV for some time and looked for a set at Radio Shack and Best Buy but was met with someone knowing even less than I do (Dave Pomeroy, Topeka, Kansas, currently missing all DX in Anchorage, AK, ibid.) Probably not(grin). Mobile DTV is a set of backwards-compatible enhancements to ATSC "regular" DTV. The intent is to make reception possible in temporary locations where a proper antenna cannot be installed (especially, on cell phones). Mobile DTV is broadcast over the same transmitter, and on the same frequency, as "regular" DTV. It is fully backwards compatible, any ATSC receiver can receive the "regular" DTV broadcasts of a station with mobile DTV. Of course you have to have a special mobile receiver to receive the mobile signal. To vastly oversimplify, Mobile DTV is one or more subchannels of fairly low resolution (240i if I recall properly) video/audio transmitted with massive redundancy, so that reception remains possible even if a substantial amount of data is lost. There are also significant battery-saving features. (For one thing, as I understand it the tuner portion of a mobile receiver actually turns itself off right after receiving a mobile TV packet. It knows when the next mobile packet will come along, and knows how to turn itself back on just in time to receive that packet.) Again, it's backwards compatible, so a station with Mobile DTV can still be received just fine on a non-mobile receiver. – (Doug Smith, W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, ibid.) Here's a list of stations that purports to show the status of Mobile DTV nationally. http://www.mdtvsignalmap.com/ (Mike Hunter, W2MHZ, Neshanic Station NJ, ibid.) I don't trust that site, as there are some definitively wrong entries in it. I prefer my own site's list. http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=atscmh (Trip Ericson, ibid.) LPTV AND CLASS A TRANSITION RULES SET BY FCC The FCC yesterday announced its new rules regarding the transition of low-power and Class A stations to digital. I've parsed the document and posted some nice bullet points about what's in the document on RabbitEars. http://www.rabbitears.info/blog/index.php?post/2011/07/16/LPTV-and-Class-A-Transition-Rule-Set-by-FCC (Trip Ericson, July 16, WTFDA via DXLD) Viz.: By Trip Ericson on Saturday, July 16 2011, 11:02 - News - Permalink Yesterday, the FCC set the new rules that will apply to LPTV and Class A stations in making a final transition from analog to digital operations by the end of 2015. While the full document is availabe at this link, I have decided to break the important points out of the legalese and try to make them a little more accessible. According to the document, 60% of low-power stations already hold permits to transition to digital in one way or another. 2980 flash- cuts and 1354 companion channels have been granted, out of 7240 low- power stations total. September 1, 2015 has been set as the deadline for transition. This date was chosen for several reasons. First, and most important, is the hope that the National Broadband Plan will have progressed enough that low-power stations will not be forced to build twice. The FCC also noted the preference of a summer transition date to facilitate easier roof antenna adjustments for viewers and tower work for stations, an argument that should have been made for the full-power transition's original February date. Finally, the FCC rejected the arguments of several Franken FM operators on channel 6 that no hard deadline should be set. All existing permits for low-power digital TV conversions have been automatically extended to September 1, 2015. No extensions are required between now and the transition date. The FCC will grant a single extension beyond September 1, 2015 to March 1, 2016, but all analog broadcasts must cease on the original expiration date. This means any station not operating digitally by September 1, 2015 must remain off the air until a digital facility is constructed. Additionally, any requests for extensions must be filed by May 1, 2015. After that date, stations must use "tolling" to receive an extension, a process which is not often used and thus I will not go into detail here. No specific consumer education requirements were adopted, but the FCC does suggest that their 888-CALL-FCC number will make information available. Stations operating in the out-of-core channels 52-69 have until September 1, 2011 to file for displacement into the core, and all stations must cease operation in that band by December 31, 2011. The FCC states that if a permit is not granted by that date, stations will be granted STAs to use the applied-for in-core channel. The power limit for low-power VHF stations has been increased to 3 kW ERP, up from the previous rule of 0.3 kW ERP. All pending applications for new analog stations that were not modified to specify digital facility have been dismissed. Stations which have not made their digital transition plans clear by a date within about 30 days of the September 1, 2015 deadline must file a notice with the FCC stating their intent. Stations currently operating on digital companion channels may operate them up until the deadline, and given that they were listed in this section of the document, I assume that means they would have to file such notices. If a station is silent in analog for more than a year, or holds an unbuilt analog permit that goes unbuilt by the end of the three year deadline, the presence of an unbuilt flash-cut or digital companion channel will NOT save the license. Stations are required to provide notice of impending transitions from analog to digital. If a station can locally originate such a warning, then it should do so on-air during period of high viewership. Otherwise, notice in a local newspaper or, in the case of a translator, notification on the parent station are both acceptable options. Currently-licensed Class A companion channels will be allowed to file a license modification to specify the companion channel as their new protected channel. No permit process will be required. Low-power stations operating under STA are now subject to the 5% fee regarding ancillary services, joining licensed full- and low-power broadcasters. Minor change rules now require new transmitter sites be specified within 30 miles of existing stations, as is the case with displacements. If the need for a move of more than 30 miles is demonstrated, waivers of the rule will be granted. Coverage contours are still required to overlap. Low-power stations are now optionally allowed to specify vertical antenna patterns. Low-power and class A stations are now allowed to use full-service mask filters without seeking a waiver. I think that about covers it. Please feel free to either e-mail or comment with any questions, omissions, or errors that you find. Comments 1. On Saturday, July 16 2011, 12:27 by w9wi I'm rather surprised they're allowing this much time. I expected a drop-dead date late next year or sometime in 2013. Otherwise, I don't see anything surprising here. I suppose the "FrankenFM" operators will launch a complaint storm. But I don't think most of them really believed they'd be allowed to continue in analog forever. And I suspect many of them are actually happily surprised they're getting this much time. 2. On Saturday, July 16 2011, 17:45 by re_nelson >> Otherwise, I don't see anything surprising here. I think the increase to 3 kW from 0.3 kW is rather noteworthy if not surprising. A 10 dB upgrade just *might* be enough to encourage some LPTVs to migrate away from UHF back down to VHF, saving a few dollars in monthly electric bills (Rabbit Ears via DXLD) Interesting. Note that DESPITE what their deluded owners had hoped, the FCC did not exempt Channel 6 "Franken FMs." Buh-bye. PB (Peter Baskind, J.D., LL.M., N4LI, Grid: EM55, Germantown, TN 38138, 901- 413-4006, WTFDA via DXLD) I have my doubts that *anyone* -- even their owners -- felt these stations would be exempted. Except for a literal handful of deluded fans on Radio-Info. I think many of their owners felt they could make a few bucks operating these things as radio stations for a few years, then sell them off & let someone else worry about converting them into DTV stations. – (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, ibid.) Interesting: with the website rebuild, if you pull up the original FCC document the way an ordinary web user would http://www.fcc.gov/document/rules-digital-lptv-tv-translator-and-class-television-stations it converts it to HTML, allowing you to read the thing without having to wade through a balky PDF plugin, wait for the entire Word document to load & then wait for Word itself, or try to separate the footnotes from the text in the text version. It's a LOT easier to read than it would have been in the old website design. I'm impressed (but I still downloaded the Word version...) – (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, ibid.) I hope you're right, Doug. It was pretty obvious that the FCC wants to get out of the analog business. Still, the specific person to whom you refer (I suspect) is, I understand, an owner, at least in-part. And, this gentleman seemed to think that either a) Santa or the FCC would magically allow his station special status, or b) Some ingenious lawsuit would convince the FCC that their clearly proper action was somehow improper. I was somewhat befuddled by that thinking. Further, if you read through the filing, you'll note that other owners, e.g., WLFM, had tried to convince the FCC that a deadline wasn't necessary. Desperate, perhaps, but they did try to argue it. So, where does that leave the Franken FMs? Sure, they can continue to operate for a while. And, sure, they can attempt to sell their facilities to someone like 3ABN, etc. But perhaps these operators were too clever. By moving from nice, cushy UHF allocations (my local 6 was on channel 26, between our ABC affiliate and our CBS affiliate) to the graveyard of DTV, they have managed to devalue their properties. A low-band DTV can't be worth much, compared to a UHF, anyway. And, what of the stations like the one in NYC which seemingly plan to operate an analog aural transmitter along with their flash-cut DTV? While I don't fully understand the mechanics -- I know you got into a colloquy about it on Radio-Info -- it seems that the language of the Rule might preclude that. The filing calls for "the termination of all analog low power television facilities." See 2. That seems pretty comprehensive. The only argument contra would be that the FM transmitter is not a "television facilit[y]," an argument that opens up significant other problems. Perhaps you and I are looking at this too rationally. When you have skin in the game, you can become taken with your own rhetoric. I see that a lot. And, so it goes (Peter, N4LI, ibid.) Well, then there's that guy. Actually, I'd forgotten about him (though even there, one wonders -- way down inside, did he *really* think he was going to get to stay analog? Or did he just hope that if he raised enough hell, Santa would leave enough coal in Julius Genachowski's stocking to keep WJMF analog?) > Further, if you read through the filing, you'll note that other > owners, e.g., WLFM, had tried to convince the FCC that a deadline > wasn't necessary. Desperate, perhaps, but they did try to argue it. Oh, I suppose you argue it. You might get lucky! FWIW, Venture, one of the other filers against a deadline, operates at least three FrankenFMs, four other channel 6 analog LPTVs, and has filed to move a fifth analog LPTV from channel 30 to channel 6 in Pittsburgh. > So, where does that leave the Franken FMs? The sensible thing to do is to have a digital application on file, hopefully including a decent UHF channel. You can sit on it, now that they've decided no digital conversion permit will expire until 2015. You may need to play a bit of a game of chicken: will you be able to talk the FCC into extending that digital permit until March 2016? If you can, by May 2015, then you don't have to build the digital facility. You just sell the permit and let someone else worry about it. If you *can't* get it extended, then you have to either build the digital yourself or write off the license and just let it expire. > And, what of the stations like the one in NYC which seemingly plan to operate an analog aural transmitter along with their flash-cut DTV? What the NYC station seems to think is that by careful filtering, they can keep the digital signal out of the upper 500 kHz or so of the channel, opening up space for the analog aural. It looks to me as if they're right -- they submitted a paper prepared by a respected engineer and it all makes sense. What it didn't address was whether any *receiver* could receive that signal, with the big honking analog aural signal in the top of the bandpass. They may be able to narrow down the transmitter bandpass to 5.5 MHz, but they have no control over the bandpass in the *receivers*. Literally, the text of the rule reads: "? 74.731 Purpose and permissible service. * * * * * (l) After 11:59 pm local time on September 1, 2015, low power television, TV translators and Class A television stations may no longer operate any facility in analog (NTSC) mode." I suppose they could argue the aural facility is not operating in "NTSC mode", as it meets the FM broadcasting technical standards. Seems unlikely any court would buy it, but you never know. I'm sure we'll have a better handle on this next week! -- (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, WTFDA via DXLD) You're right to go straight to the Rule. To be sure, the Rule is poorly-written. Adding "(NTSC)" is unclear. Does the Rule specifically mean NTSC or does NTSC simply illustrate what "analog" is intended to mean? Further, is this a distinction without a difference? NTSC is, of course, a video signal with an analog aural signal in FM. That "FM" signal, then, is part of the NTSC package. Or, that's what one would argue on the other side of the Franken FM argument. The lawyer in me could argue it either way, and an Administrative Law Judge might actually rule on it. But I think the stronger argument is that the intent is clear -- the FCC wants out of analog. 'Cause they do. But again, in making this argument, the owners may be, again, too cute. When arguing the meaning of an administrative rule, victory is often temporary. If the agency -- in this case, the FCC -- doesn't like a judge's interpretation, the agency can simply rewrite the rule. In any event, I think it's obvious... this little experiment (adventure?) into silliness now has an end point. PB (Peter Baskind, ibid.) NORTH AMERICAN DTV QUESTIONS 1. Eventually all LPTVs must transition to digital? 2. When will Canada be all digital; they are in their analog "grace period" now? 3. When will the VHF band be reallocated to data services? Will every market lose VHF for dxing? Bob Indy (Robert Timmerman, 19 July, WTFDA via DXLD) >1. Eventually all LPTVs must transition to digital? Yes. Details will be in the August VUD. Bottom line is, LPTVs must switch to digital or go dark by September 1, 2015. That date was set late last week, so there's a good reason you haven't heard about it earlier. >2. When will Canada be all digital; they are in their analog "grace period" now? There is no hard-and-fast deadline in Canada anymore; they changed their mind. Stations in larger markets must convert or shut down this fall -- September 31st [sic] if I recall properly but it may be the end of next month. A fair number of stations are choosing to shut down rather than convert. Stations in smaller markets ARE NOT REQUIRED TO GO DIGITAL. Someone mentioned the Global station on channel 2 in Manitoba earlier this week -- that station is one of those that IS NOT REQUIRED TO GO DIGITAL and may continue in analog indefinitely. >3. When will the VHF band be reallocated to data services? Will every market lose VHF for DXing? I think it is unlikely VHF will be reallocated. Telecommunications interests (mobile broadband & cellular) would like to have *UHF*, and there is a proceeding open at the FCC that may lead to removing further channels from the top of the UHF band. The FCC has inquired into ways to encourage more TV stations to move *to* VHF, in the hope of freeing more UHF channels for possible removal. VHF antennas are too big, and there's too much noise (and E-skip!) for non-broadcasting groups to have much interest. Pretty much the only other folks interested in VHF, besides television, are hams and a few folks who think the FM band should be expanded (I don't see much interest in FM expansion among broadcasters). (Doug Smith, ibid.) Jeff Kruszka reminds me that it can't possibly be September 31st. (see your calendar, or the old saying "30 days hath...") It's August 31st, by which all Canadian stations *in "mandatory markets"* must convert to digital. – (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, ibid.) IMPORTANT TV RULE CHANGES The Commission bills this item as, "Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission's Rules to establish rules for Digital Low Power Television, Television Translator, and Television Booster Stations and to amend rules for Digital Class A Television Stations." This is the Second Report and Order in the series and many topics are being discussed. For example, LPTV broadcasting in the 700 MHz band (CH-52 to 69) is to cease by the end of 2011 and all LPTV stations are to be converted to digital by September 1, 2015, but more changes yet are on deck. Download the URL below and read Section I entitled "Introduction" for an overview. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-11-110A1.doc (CGC Communicator July 19 via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- IBOC +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Subject: [Tvfmdx] NYC IBOCs off Noticing that many NYC FMs seem to have their IBOC off right now; in fact the only ones in the commercial dial I'm seeing with it on are WPLJ, WQHT, and WCBS. Sadly, it makes a difference even down here 61 miles away, so a heads up to anyone still up to the north of me. -- (Nick Langan, Florence, NJ, My DX page: http://www.wnjl.com/dx/ early July 20, WTFDA via DXLD) Maybe these guys have figured out this is the biggest dog in radio since Quad (Rick Shaftan, NJ, ibid.) They're doing maintenance at Empire tonight. The auxiliary sites that are used when work is being done on the Empire FM master antenna don't have IBOC. WPLJ, WQHT and WCBS (the historic WABC-FM, WNBC-FM and WCBS-FM network O&Os) are not on the main Empire master with everyone else, but rather on a separate "mini-master" antenna just below it. If the mini-master is on but the big master (89.9, 92.3, 93.1, 93.9, 96.3, 97.9, 98.7, 99.5, 100.3, 101.9, 102.7, 103.5, 104.3, 105.1, 105.9, 106.7, 107.5) is off, that tells me they're probably actually working on the combiner on the 85th floor, not the antenna itself. It's possible that at least some of the difference you're noticing, Nick, isn't just the lack of IBOC but also a somewhat weaker main- channel signal from the auxiliary sites. If I'm remembering right, the auxes for 93.1/93.9/96.3/97.9/103.5/104.3/105.1/105.9/106.7 are at Four Times Square, putting out signals almost as good as Empire. 98.7/101.9 are in New Jersey near the 94.7 site. 102.7 is in New Jersey on one of the 1010 WINS towers. 92.3 was on the Viacom building at 1515 Broadway, and I don't think 99.5 has an aux --- which means if you check, you're likely to find a much weaker signal on 92.3 than usual and you might not hear 99.5 on the air at all. s (Scott Fybush, Rochester NY, ibid.) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM See also BELGIUM; NEW ZEALAND; RUSSIA; ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SRI LANKA; UNIDENTIFIED 3990 9 Comments on “New DRM receivers on show at IBC 2011 - Amsterdam” #1 anthony on Jul 14th, 2011 at 10:34 When are these radios finally gonna hit UK and European stores though? That is what I want to know. It’s all right showing off the new am/fm/dab/drm/drmplus sets every year but we need them on sale! The DRM Consortium seems to be all show and no go. #2 Richard Hunt on Jul 14th, 2011 at 11:15 Anything affordable (say, below US $75) and available? #3 Kim Elliott on Jul 14th, 2011 at 13:21 Hope they have plenty of batteries on hand. #4 ruud on Jul 14th, 2011 at 15:01 Hope they have plenty of arguments on hand against my attitude to ban DRM30 from the MW/LW band since this causes interference with analogue distribution. Maybe they also can give an explanation why in the development process of DRM30, the focus not was on compatibility. They missed the idea about transition completely and really believed that AM broadcasters would flip to DRM, and wait and wait and wait and wait until all listeners had a DRM receiver. In the meantime going bankrupt several times. (And please WDR Germany, switch off DRM 1593, which interferes with LOW power Channels 1584 and 1602, being the most anti social station on the band) Yes, I am license holder of 1584 in Holland. #5 anthony on Jul 14th, 2011 at 16:50 Well Ruud, why don`t you talk to WDR and the DRM Consortium in a reasonable manner instead of ranting and raving about it? Even if WDR gives up DRM, other European broadcasters on MW and SW are still using it and are still doing broadcasts in it. #6 ruud on Jul 14th, 2011 at 17:25 More and more DRM’s on MW/LW have been switched off, so there is no future for it. On SW more and more broadcasters also see no future in it, and are dropping it. DRM is no alternative. Best example in my eyes is Radio Netherlands, that initially was very enthusiastic about DRM, but has dropped it for good reasons. And everybody knows that it causes interference, so there is nothing to discuss. What remains is the question, why do they leave it on. Convincing others on this is like discussing why 1+1 = 2. #7 anthony on Jul 15th, 2011 at 07:21 You’re not quite correct, Ruud, look at the live broadcasts schedule on http://www.drm.org click on Europe and you will still find a fair number of DRM broadcasts via MW, LW and SW that you can receive. I don`t think everybody is giving up on DRM just yet; there are still those broadcasters who are sticking with it who think it can work. #8 Nigel Holmes on Jul 15th, 2011 at 08:12 “And everybody knows that it causes interference,” c’mon Ruud - be fair - any inappropriately assigned broadcast has the potential to cause adjacent or co-channel interference. The mode is less important. Australia’s ACMA will look as far afield as 2,000 km when gauging the interference potential of a MF assignment. Would the German station on 1593 cause you any less grief if was running well-processed 20K0A3E? Perhaps you need to talk to your spectrum Administration? Must dash now --- have to throw another vat of C-cells into the Di-Wave 100 #9 ruud on Jul 15th, 2011 at 14:12 DRM causes much more interference then a normal analogue signal. DRM band spectrum is a block, where AM creates a nice clock. At DRM the whole 9 kHz is filled with max power, also the mod is 100%, just on/off, and this causes in the real world much more interference then analogue. Yes, I had 1584 up and running when 1593 was analogue, and no problems. The DRM interference would be acceptable if it was compatible, and had a future. DRM is no use, only for the investers and pushers who want their money back. I cannot receive any DRM, I only hear noise on those channels. No, I will not buy a DRM receiver, since nobody does. Oh yes, you can push DRM, you can even push a complete population to become communist or even worse (Media Network blog comments via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ Video of WWZN Reception I have had some very welcome feedback from my posting earlier this week of the reception of WWZN on 1510 kHz. I thought it would be interesting for members to actually see the DXing "live". I have uploaded a video on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNRteNJAIM4 showing the actual "recording" I made with HDSDR of a portion of the MF band at 0300 using the scheduling function built-into HDSDR (I was fast asleep at the time!). I get the feeling that many members of BDXC are still sceptical of using receivers and computers at the same time. However this is where the state of the art in DXing is. There is no reason (beyond bandwidth constraints) why SDRs cannot be used to record frequency bands and the raw IQ data made available for everyone to DX in their own time. It's DXing, Jim, but not as we have known it... Regards (Stuart satnipper, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) LPFM AND FM TRANSLATOR NEWS The FCC has taken steps to implement the Local Community Radio Act to promote Low Power FMs and resume FM translator application processing. The floodgates aren't open yet but that day is coming due to considerable effort by the FCC: Radio World's overview: http://radioworld.com/article/fcc-eyes-2012-lpfm-window/23897 http://tinyurl.com/MoreLPFM-Xlator http://tinyurl.com/MoreLPFM-Xlator2 RBR's overview: http://tinyurl.com/RBRonLPFM-tranlators FCC's overview: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-308352A1.doc FCC's Third Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making (32 pages): http://tinyurl.com/LPFM-XlatorURL (CGC Communicator July 19 via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ IARU R1 PRESIDENT TALKS ABOUT HAM RADIO AND EVEN PLT Hi folks, please, read here my interview to IARU Region 1 President, PB2T, for DXCoffee.com: http://www.dxcoffee.com/eng/2011/07/20/pb2t/ Hans Blondeel Timmermann talks about ham radio, broadcasting and even PLT/PLA. Cheers, (Chris Diemoz, IX1CKN, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ We get a lot of email about solar activity, including some from non-hams curious about something they read in the news. Some people mention that in the same week they see articles claiming we're in for some sort of dangerous solar maximum, but then they read about a dearth of sunspots. I ran across this at a NASA site, which reminds me of some of the questions I get: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/ask-an-astrobiologist/question/?id=16490 (QST de W1AW, Propagation Forecast Bulletin 28 ARLP028, From Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, WA July 15, 2011, To all radio amateurs, via Dave Raycroft, VA3RJ, ODXA yg via DXLD) Viz.: Question What exactly is sunspot hibernation because I am worried. I know it happend back in the 17th centuary [sic] but what exactly will happen? AND I have heard many people that dispute "Global Warming" attempt to use sunspots as a direct mechanism for the heating or cooling of earth. Isn't that a weak argument? AND The solar flare of June 7, 2011 was really intense. Does this change the prediction by scientists about how intense the solar maximum will be in 2013? [Answer] Predictions about the behavior of the Sun are an endless source of confusion, as illustrated by these three questions. Individual solar flares or CMEs happen almost randomly and provide almost no evidence for predicting future solar activity. In addition, many websites and even some newspaper articles use solar activity as a means to further their political objectives. Many climate science denialists try to blame the Sun for global warming, ignoring the very precise data we have on the brightness of the Sun and the energy that falls on the Earth - data that show that the variations in solar energy output are extremely small. Anyone who claims that solar activity or "sunspots" are the cause of global warming is either ignorant or finds it convenient to ignore the data. In just the last few days there are stories about a gap in solar activity or "sunspot hibernation". It is interesting that many of the same people (and websites) who have been warning us about the dangers of solar activity are now saying that solar activity is winding down. Even if this is true, it has no direct impact on us. The idea that the very small decrease in solar energy near sunspot minimum could lead to an ice age is absurd. The increase in heating due to greenhouse gases (what climate scientists call a "forcing") is far greater than any possible decrease from reduced solar energy. The worst danger from these stories is that they are used to undercut public understanding of climate science. David Morrison, Astrobiology Senior Scientist, June 29, 2011 (via DXLD) VHF DX OPENING MAPS These maps, automatically updating, show when there is 6m activity among hams, and also the theoretical (but not necessarily actual) MUF. They don`t work very well with Mexico where there are so few hams active on 6m. http://www.vhfdx.info/spots/map.php?Lan=E&Frec=50&Map=NA (Glenn Hauser, ABDX via DXLD) And linx to other bands, also color- codes different DX propagation modes, not always correctly (gh) Geomagnetic field activity began the week at unsettled levels with some active periods (and some isolated storm periods at high latitude). This initial activity appears to have been caused by a combination of effects from a coronal mass ejection (observed on 09 July) and a high speed stream from a coronal hole. Conditions gradually subsided for 12-14 July as the high speed stream persisted but weakened; typical activity levels were quiet to unsettled with isolated active periods and isolated storm periods at high latitude. Quiet levels prevailed for the remainder of the period from 15-17 July. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 20 JULY - 15 AUGUST 2011 Solar activity is expected to be very low to low for most of the outlook interval. However, there is a chance that new, rapidly emerging flux regions could increase activity to moderate levels at any time during the outlook period. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at background or moderate levels for most of the outlook interval. However, increases to high levels are expected for 21-24 July, 28-30 July, 1-3 July, and 6-9 August in response to recurrent high speed streams. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be unsettled with a chance for active periods for 20-22 July due to a favorably positioned coronal hole. Quiet levels are expected to prevail for 23-26 July. An increase to unsettled levels is expected for 27 July to 2 August due to another recurrent coronal hole. Quiet levels are expected for 3 August followed by another increase to unsettled levels for 04-10 August due to recurrence. 11-13 August is expected to be quiet and an increase to unsettled is expected for 14-15 August, again due to recurrence. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2011 Jul 19 1731 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # Product description and SWPC contact on the Web # http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2011-07-19 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2011 Jul 20 100 12 3 2011 Jul 21 96 12 3 2011 Jul 22 94 8 3 2011 Jul 23 92 5 2 2011 Jul 24 92 5 2 2011 Jul 25 90 5 2 2011 Jul 26 90 5 2 2011 Jul 27 90 8 3 2011 Jul 28 90 10 3 2011 Jul 29 90 8 3 2011 Jul 30 90 8 3 2011 Jul 31 90 8 3 2011 Aug 01 90 10 3 2011 Aug 02 90 8 3 2011 Aug 03 95 5 2 2011 Aug 04 95 8 3 2011 Aug 05 95 12 3 2011 Aug 06 95 12 3 2011 Aug 07 95 12 3 2011 Aug 08 98 8 3 2011 Aug 09 100 8 3 2011 Aug 10 100 8 3 2011 Aug 11 100 7 2 2011 Aug 12 100 5 2 2011 Aug 13 100 5 2 2011 Aug 14 100 8 3 2011 Aug 15 100 10 3 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1574, DXLD) ###