DX LISTENING DIGEST 12-01, January 4, 2012 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 1598 HEADLINES: *DX and station news about: Algeria non, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Bhutan, Brazil, Burma non, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus Turkish, Czechia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Kuwait, Libya, Micronesia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Solomon Islands, Somalia non, Sudan non, Taiwan non, Tajikistan, Ukraine, UK, USA, Zimbabwe non SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1598, Jan 5-11, 2012 Thu 2200 WTWW 9479 [confirmed] Thu 2230 WBCQ 7490 [confirmed] Fri 0430v WWRB 3195 [confirmed] Sat 0900 WRMI 9955 Sat 1600 WRMI 9955 Sat 1830 WRMI 9955 Sun 0500 WTWW 5755 Sun 0900 WRMI 9955 Sun 1630 WRMI 9955 Sun 1830 WRMI 9955 Mon 0330v WBCQ 5110v-CUSB [maybe] see http://www.worldmicroscope.com Mon 1230 WRMI 9955 Tue 1030 HLR 5980 Hamburger Lokal Radio Thu 0430 WRMI 9955 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/ ** AFGHANISTAN. 7200, 1543-, Radio Afghanistan. Dec 24. A tentative logging, but I suspect highly that I'm listening to Radio Afghanistan. Propagation down from yesterday, but perhaps since I don't think Ethiopia is on, or at least not propagating leaving the frequency in the clear for RA and hams. The latter more problematic compared to yesterday (LSB talking about turkeys). USB works best. English programming with news until 1541:37 by a male that's relatively easy to follow. Then a woman that I couldn't follow until 1543:00 when there was a short music bridge, and back to a male speaker whose first words were, 'Salam Aleichum' and into a lengthy monologue until 1549. Short bridge and back to the YL. Lost the frequency at 1553:00. ? transmitter break? On the Perseus SDR all I can see now is a very weak carrier on 7200.000. Tough copy, but surely them! Transmitter came back with central Asian music at 1557:35. I'm 99% certain this is Afghanistan. IS-like tune at 1600 followed by a YL, in presumed Urdu. 7200, 1532-, National Radio of Afghanistan, Dec 29. Success! After battling poor propagation and cochannels, as well as hams, I'm finally hearing the National Radio of Afghanistan (as they ID'd at 1532) with fairly decent reception. Minor splatter noted, but otherwise excellent modulation (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Your AFG loggings are spot on! (G. Victor A. Goonetilleke 4S7VK, "Shangri-la"' 298 Madapatha Road, Piliyandala. Sri Lanka, DX-plorer via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) 7199.998, Footprint of English news from RTV Afghanistan Kabul noted at 1536-1540 UT followed by - I guess - a Russian or CIS pop song -, S=7 on SDR remote unit in Japan, news heard like undisturbed, only a very weak bar string visible on 7200.019 kHz just under threshold, discovered later as Sudan at 1646 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 29, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews 4 Jan via DXLD) 7200, 1533-, National Radio of Afghanistan, Dec 31. The English program seems to be making more regular appearances. Tuned in at 1533 to hear English news in progress with lots of mentions of Afghanistan. Depending on ham QRM, one needs to tune either USB or LSB to avoid the worst. Today, LSB is working best (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) All signals down today Dec 31, but did hear the "usual" English ID from Afghanistan and announcements at 1530 today on 7200. At 1600 quite a jumble, plus amateur radio signals so nothing decipherable then. 73 (Don Moman, Lamont, Alberta, ibid.) 7200, National Radio of Afghanistan 1532-1601 missed s/on, but clearly in English, with news, mentions of Afghanistan, a delegation and the constitution, 1542 technobeat style of Western music, 1549 spoken word resumed but hams too strong now, at re-check 1557 Afghan music, 1601 announcement but again hams too strong. Best in LSB. Poor to very poor. Jan 2 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna on the car roof, ibid.) ** ALASKA. 257 kHz, 1634-, Multiple AWOS stations, Dec 31. As MW TP propagation was very poor, I went down to the LW band and was surprised to see an enhancement of conditions there. Many AWOS aviation NDBs were heard with aviation weather including: 251, 347, 355, 358, 385, 391 392 or 393 (not sure, since very weak and audible on each of the frequencies 391, 392 and 393), 411, and 529 kHz (here). These are rare in the lower 48 and unheard of in Canada (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALASKA. 680, 1559-, KBRW, Barrow, Dec 25. NPR programming ending with two KBRW Barrow IDs at good level. Performance Today followed at 1600. Nice to hear Barrow, which is not that easy to hear, and only available when the northerly path is open (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALASKA. 780, KNOM, Nome, 1305, presumed with ABC news, then music variety program. Deep fades, but all alone on frequency, 23/12 (David Sharp, NSW, partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALASKA. 9655, 1523-, KNLS, Dec 23. Not a good choice at all for their English broadcast from 15 to 16 UT. Instead, I'm hearing Radio Romania International very much over KNLS with Arabic programming. 'Huna Bucharest' at 1524. KNLS is dominant, however, if I switch over to my 300 degree BOG, but at only fair level (it's not a SW antenna) (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA. 7530, 2116-, Radio Tirana, Dec 26. Nice to hear them on the air after their recent absence. Good reception to Europe in English. After some music, and the IS, left abruptly at 2128 without any announcement, and the carrier cut (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALGERIA [non]. Besides many RFI transmissions, see FRANCE, an RTA frequency via Issoudun is also missing: Jan 4 at 0610, nothing on 5865. See the HFCC schedule at http://www.hfcc.org/data/schedbybrc.php?seas=B11&broadc=TDA but note that it mixes in imaginary transmissions by sites inside Algeria, and also includes dates not currently in effect. Removing all the chaff, the remaining current daily schedule is: 5865 0400 0500 37S,38W,46E,47,48W 162 500 30-Oct-2011 24-Mar-2012 5865 0500 0600 37S,46 194 500 30-Oct-2011 24-Mar-2012 7295 0500 0600 37S,38W,46E,47,48W 162 500 30-Oct-2011 24-Mar-2012 5865 0600 0700 37S,46 194 500 30-Oct-2011 25-Feb-2012 9390 1800 2000 37S,38W,46E,47,48W 162 500 30-Oct-2011 24-Mar-2012 7455 1900 2100 37S,46 194 500 30-Oct-2011 24-Mar-2012 9390 1900 2100 37S,46 194 500 30-Oct-2011 24-Mar-2012 7455 2000 2100 37S,38W,46E,47,48W 162 500 30-Oct-2011 25-Feb-2012 9390 2000 2100 37S,38W,46E,47,48W 162 500 30-Oct-2011 24-Mar-2012 5865 2100 2300 37S,46 194 500 30-Oct-2011 24-Mar-2012 7455 2100 2200 37S,38W,46E,47,48W 162 500 30-Oct-2011 24-Mar-2012 Please confirm whether any of these are still on the air. No point in my checking 9390 at 1800-2100, due to Brother Scare 9385 WWRB (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RTA-TDA HQ at 19-20 UT, 7455 11955 kHz, but not on 9390 kHz (Wolfgang Büschel, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [11955 is not scheduled in HFCC until 26 Feb, and then at 18-19 (gh)] Can't trace either 7455 or 9390 now, shortly after 2000. Still this does not say that they are really off air; for 31 metres Issoudun should be in the dead zone here now, and on 41 metres I have at present such an amount of local noise that it may well drown out a faint signal, as still noted around Christmas here. An interesting detail: These transmissions, alongside with the LJBC relays, used to originate from an old transmitter plant, internally being referred to as "Centre E", abandoned by RFI in the nineties and reactivated for other customers in 2001: http://tvignaud.pagesperso-orange.fr/am/rfi/e1970-1980.htm http://tvignaud.pagesperso-orange.fr/am/rfi/centre-e.htm Of course it is possible that the remaining Radio Algérienne transmissions have in the meantime been moved to the new transmission units and the old facilities been mothballed or even shut down for good (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Jan 4, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANGOLA. 4949.740, 0339-, Rádio Nacional Angola, Dec 28. Just a tentative logging. Nice strong signal, but no audio, so if it is them, then either not modulating, or extremely low modulation, or simply an open carrier. 7216.754, 2148-, Rádio Nacional Angola, Dec 28. Presumably them. Waterfall measurement only on the Perseus. Not strong enough for any audio, though (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANGUILLA. 6090, Jan 2 at 0633, PMS was off, uncovering weak het, presumably between Nigeria and Brasil. I think it was on earlier that evening. And also 11775 was on at later 1430 check (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANTARCTICA. Alguns dos amigos sabem se a LRA36 está transmitindo? Já faz um bom tempo que não se tem relato dela. Grato (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W, Dec 29, condiglist yg via DXLD) Creo que no, Jorge! La he buscado de tarde, en su horario habitual y también de mañana, cuando fue escuchada sobre 14 UT hasta hace un mes y medio. 73 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Dec 30, ibid.) ** ARGENTINA. 11710.8, RAE, Radio Argentina al Exterior with multi- language IDs including Spanish, French and English among others, from 0200 to 0202, into English OM/YL read news headlines, then general introductory chit-chat between them. They took a ‘musical break’ at :09 with some Argentinian vocal traditional sounding music into talk that never appeared to be a real news bulletin. They did talk about things like computer use in children and played lots of different Argentinian music -- everything from traditional sounding stuff to rock & at :45 they had a “DX Special” programme with a feature about CRI’s anniversary for all of 3 minutes, into a biography of a writer from Argentina who grew up in Buenos Aires. Sign/off with IS starting at :55 & continuing with QRM getting worse and het turning into splatter. After IS and multi-lingual ID they went into French with OM talks and music. Intermittent and brief QRM at S4+ at beginning of broadcast which swamped them but ended before :15 and even when present mostly in the clear, but getting weaker. SINPO was 3 5-1 44 4-1 at 0200 down to 2+4443 by 0245 0200-0310 29/Dec (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI, MARE Tipsheet 30 Dec via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. [Re 11-51] Sobre las transmisiones de pruebas de DRM Radio --- Muchas gracias a todos los amigos del DX y radioaficionados que han manifestado su apoyo para las transmisiones experimentales de nuestra emisora. Estamos muy contentos de poder contar con su colaboración. Gracias José Luis Vicente por colaborar con tu DX desde Bogotá. Esperamos que con los pequeños vatios que dispondremos poder llegar hasta tu bello país. Gracias Alejandro Alvarez por tu ayuda y seguramente necesitaremos de la experiencia de Ustedes. Y en tal sentido te comento que estuvimos discutiendo sobre la alternativa de bajar la frecuencia de transmisión. Estábamos analizando utilizar alguna de las siguientes frecuencias: 7155 y 7165 Khz. Según los datos que tenemos la primera frecuencia estaría bastante libre, salvo por algunas emisoras asiáticas: (En los 7145 Khz emite Lao National Radio de 2330 a 0000 UT de lunes a viernes en idioma vietnamita con una potencia de: 10 KW. / Radio Ginbot también utiliza esta frecuencia pero con 100 Kw.) Nos queda ahora volver a monitorear varias alternativas de frecuencias, para determinar el cristal definitivo del equipo. Sí nos gustaría poder estar en contacto fluído con ustedes para intercambiar opiniones al respecto y su colaboración sería de gran ayuda. También habíamos analizado utilizar una antena EH. Pero debido a su complejidad constructiva, difícil calibración y opiniones encontradas sobre su operatibilidad, decidimos quedarnos con la conocida dipolo cortada para la frecuencia e instalada en un terreno alejado de la ciudad. Por ahora es todo y seguimos trabajando en el proyecto. (Amontonando diagramas, transistores, capacitores, PCbs, etc, etc,) Un abrazo afectuoso a todos los amigos del DX desde Córdoba (Jorge Villavicencio, Dec 30, condiglist yg via DXLD) Looks like a rather brazen pirate, planning to use 40m (gh, DXLD) Jorge: La banda de radiodifusión de 41 m que antes comenzaba en 7100 ahora comienza en 7200, 7100 a 7200 es una atribución exclusiva de radioaficionados y además en Argentina entre 7150 y 7200 y en particular las citadas son bastante utilizadas por estaciones de radioaficionados LU en AM, algunos de los cuales emiten con hasta 1 kW y algunos de ellos desde la provincia de Cordoba, desaconsejo esa idea, propongo buscar canales arriba de 7400 y/o analizar la banda de 25 m como alternativa para que rinda mas los 10W Las emisoras que citas en las frecuencias de 41m no deberían estar allí pero aun no mudaron frec. y estarían ilegalmente en las mismas (Laos y Ginbot) Tene presente que si utilizan una antena dipolo horizontal, la altura de la misma con relación al suelo influye significativamente en el angulo de disparo y por lo tanto el rendimiento de DX. Juga con los programas de propagación que permiten cambiar el angulo de disparo y veras como el resultado se modifica mucho. Lo ideal seria que el dipolo este a media onda de altura como mínimo, lo cual a 7 MHz es como 20 m de altura. La otra es hacer una antena vertical con planos de tierra que asegura un ángulo bajo. Exitos (Alejandro D Alvarez, LU8YD (ex LU2HCQ) condiglist via DXLD) Muy buenas! Quisiera hacer dos puntualizaciones. La primera referente a la frecuencia inicialmente sugerida por Jorge, 7145 kHz. Las dos emisoras que transmiten en la frecuencia no llegan con habitualidad al sur de Sudamérica. Laos tiene en la QRG un servicio regional y sólo esporádicamente, en zonas rurales y con excelentes condiciones de propagación puede ser escuchada (además que sólo puede hacerse este DX con receptores superheterodinos). Respecto a Radio Ginbot emite para el Cuerno de Africa y en esa frecuencia no es posible captarla por estos lares (de hecho creo que la abandonó). La conclusión es que la frecuencia de 7145 no sería interferida por las estaciones antes indicadas. En segundo punto tiene que ver con al sugerencia de Alejandro, a la cual adhiero. En los últimos 20 años, las experiencias de transmisiones especiales o alternativas para Sudamérica que se encararon más allá de los 7.4 Mhz fueron recepcionadas sin interferencias (casos de Radio América-Asunción-; Radio Samba-Brasil-, etc.) 73 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, ibid.) ** ARGENTINA [non]. Historia secreta de la radio montonera: COSTA RICA ** ARMENIA. 4810, 1530-1545* 31.12, Armenian Public R, Noratus, Gavar vernacular, Bell IS, National Anthem, ID: "..... Yerevan", talk, 1545 IS, National Anthem and s/off. Not scheduled FS, maybe relay HS, 34343, QRM AIR Bhopal (Anker Petersen, in Skovlunde, Denmark, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** ARMENIA. 7590, 1837-, PCJ Media Network Plus, Dec 24. Attempted to hear the DRM broadcast to Europe from Yerevan. Band clearly visible on the Perseus waterfall, but too weak to demodulate. PCJ Media is supposed to be broadcast Saturdays from 1830. I noted the DRM signal over an hour ago, though (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ASCENSION ISLAND. 7255, 0550-, BBC, Dec 23. BBC Network Africa ID at 0550, cochannel at good level with almost equally strong, presumed Radio Belarus. A bit of a mess on frequency as a result. Rechecked at 0620 to find Belarus all alone on frequency, and rather nice, EZL female vocal. Good to very good signal using my Europe directed ALA 100 antenna (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ASCENSION. 11985, Jan 3 at 2149, VTC music loop is playing on poor signal. Must have lost feed from FEBA Pulaar broadcast scheduled daily [except Wed, but this was Tue] 2145-2215 via BaBcoCk for 250 kW, 27 degree transmission from English Bay (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. 2368.5, 1709-, Radio Symban, Dec 26. They must be on an extended schedule since there's still a weak carrier present at this late hour. Too weak to make anything out, though. 2368.5, 1644-, Radio Symban, Dec 23. I wonder whether they've gone 24 hours or a very extended schedule. Very poor reception from Australia this morning. It's now 8:45 AM local here, but still dark in Masset. Poor to fair reception with Greek music, much better than when I checked a couple of hours ago (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. 9580, went with R. Australia for 2012y arrival at the shifted time of 1300 UT (9590 had heavy CCI at 1255, presumably CRI Russian despite due NW from SZG site). At 1257 two guys with timecheck for 11:56. Seems they are on rooftop of the ABC building in Melbourne awaiting fireworx display; 1259, 1 minute to go. At 1300 no timesignal, just a verbal countdown ending about a sesquisecond late. Then lots of explosions as the guys tried to be heard over them. Said fireworx were set off from tops of other buildings, controlled by 30 computers. Mentioned Triple J and 774, i.e. the ABC Melbourne frequency better(?) known as 3LO. 1305-1310 back to studio for delayed RA newscast mentioning bigger/biggest fireworks show at Sydney. 1310 music and back to the roofguys who in the meantime have gone down to the studio too, mentioning simulcast with RA for the next two hours, phone numbers with 774 in them too. Sydney`s fireworks are set off from barges in the harbo, rather than downtown buildings as in Melbun (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Should`ve listened more Melbourne Mishap --- I was listening to Radio Australia's countdown to midnight from just after 1100 through to 1400 UT on December 31st. It had a phone-in program that took calls from well wishers and played some New Year's-related music. One call came in from Alaska during the first hour of monitoring. The announcers went up to the roof of the ABC building to view the fireworks and noted that the stage had caught fire. They continued with their program and noted that the firetrucks had just arrived at 1329 UT. The following link is for a story on some damage caused by misfiring fireworks. I guess the Australians are real good at "blowin' up real good!" http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/arts-centre-sets-alight-during-fireworks/story-fn7x8me2-1226234097761 (Mark Coady, Peterborough, ON K9J 6X3, ODXA yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. HCJB Kununurra Antenna update - Dec 2011 http://www.hcjb.org.au/docs/143_Voice_and_Hands_Newsletter_HCJB_Australia_Dec_2011.pdf The above pdf doc provides an update to the new Kununurra Antenna site work AND an explanation of some of the features/workings of an curtain array. Regards & 73's (Ian Baxter, Dec 30, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) Viz., but see the pdf for illustrations, color-coded: KUNUNURRA UPDATE by Peter Michalke Work continues as we strive to build a new broadcasting facility in Kununurra, to enable transmission of a stronger clearer signal. Our year began with a plan to create three new antennae this season which meant raising 4 towers, manufacturing thousands of components, cutting wires, cables and ropes, bolting, welding or fastening them together and hauling them into the air. It was an extraordinary effort requiring hundreds of man-hours but with God’s help all was achieved and on time! We are also on track with transmitter building fit out. It’s a great feeling to be this far ahead with the plan and we trust you share in our excitement as you read on. One of our resident “spiders”, Chris Webb (our electrician), in his element connecting wires on a reflector screen! [caption] Daniel Forrer with the ‘Hard hat girls’: including six visiting volunteers Assembling Wires [caption] Electricity to the new transmitter site was switched on by Horizon Power at 7 a.m. on 6th August. We have lights, air conditioning and power tools. What a range of things we have to be thankful for: funding, Traditional Owner agreements, Native Title approval, close cooperation with the power company during installation, and protection for all workers. The prayers of the faithful have been richly rewarded. [sic] It’s really hard to capture the true scale of the project. Just try to imagine the three kilometres of 3 mm wires that make up each rear reflector screen. Our engineer, Stephen Sutherland, managed to weave all the guy cables that hold the towers and screens into place (literally 100’s of them) and lift the towers without getting into an awful tangle. Stephen also (in his spare time!) redesigned our transmitter building roof structure to take the additional weight of antenna switches and cooling systems. We’re delighted that the local Shire passed these modifications within the same week of application. This is testimony of Stephen’s thoroughness and our overall standing with local authorities. We so much appreciate our wonderful volunteers who travel great distances at their own expense to provide labour for our projects, mostly during the dry season (May to October). Most are well into retirement but their time belongs to God so they give us the benefit of their wisdom, skill and experience. The ‘hard hat girls’ get into the tough work too. All hands are needed when an aerial is being raised even if it is 6am!! [caption] Our Mission: To serve with Global Partners as the Voice and Hands of Jesus [how presumptuous!] HOW DO THOSE ANTENNAS WORK? By Daniel Forrer The photo above shows an overview of the antenna farm: to the left, the antenna-trio built this year. We call them the DP antennas (DiPole antennas). The middle one that faces the viewer (just finished 23 October 2011) is ready to go. It is aimed at China. To the left is the South Pacific antenna, and to the right the India antenna. Further back you see some towers ready to hold up next year`s antennas. To the far right is the versatile TCI antenna that is able to direct the radio beam towards any country within a 60 degree angle. This antenna is ready to go as well (that’s the one on the front page). So what exactly enables an antenna to transform the electrical signal of a transmitter into a radio beam that can travel through the air? In the case of the DP antenna it is (as the name suggests) the dipoles (see photo bottom left: the dipoles are highlighted in black). Using several dipoles increases the radio beam’s strength. Each dipole is fed by the feeder line coming up through the centre (in red). We still need to build the transmission lines. They will connect the feeder line across the paddock to the transmitters in the transmitter building. Kununurra Antenna Farm as at 27 Oct 2011: Four towers on left have aerials erected on them, as do two towers on extreme right. Others will be erected as time permits. [caption] Four Dipoles, stacked on top of each other [caption] Stubs and Transformers In the above picture the top 2 dipoles are highlighted in black and feed lines in red. Highlighted in green are the electrical structures called ‘stubs’ and ‘transformers’. Their job is to ‘match’ the antenna (also called ‘tuning the antenna’). The reason for tuning is to eliminate all electrical obstacles from the feed path so that the radio signal is able to travel up to the dipoles without being distracted. An ‘unmatched’ antenna, even as big as this one, would not be able to send off a strong radio signal, simply because the signal would arrive at the dipoles weak and disturbed. That is where the stubs show off their muscles. Placed at the right spots (and built to exact dimensions) they will ‘match’ the antenna and the full power generated by the transmitters will leave the antenna and travel to their destination in India, China and (with these new antennas) beyond. Photos by Dave Brewster, Graphic art by Daniel Forrer (Voice and Hands Australia, December, via DXLD) ** AUSTRIA. 11955, 1517-, Adventist World Radio, Dec 31. Turkish at good to very good level, but with long/short path echo with a woman in 'slow Turkish' with a child-like voice (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AZORES. AÇORES, 1503, AFN, Base Aérea das Lajes, Terceira, 2344- ..., 30/12, English, c&w menu; 22441, QRM de Espanha (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BAHAMAS. Radio Bahamas ZNS-1 captado en 1540 kHz, 44444, 0530 TU, 31-Dic-2011, musica muy alegre, identificacion y saludo deseando feliz año 2012. Señal muy estable y limpia, muy buena propagación hacia el caribe. jlvt. Verificado contra señal en vivo via internet http://www.znsbahamas.com Grabacion de lo captado http://www.goear.com/listen/c48e603/r-bahamas-1540-am-jlvt Rx: Sangean ATS-909 Ant: Loop Magnetico. 73 y Buenos DX (José Luis de Vicente T. - HK3ORT, Bogotá D.C., condiglist yg via DXLD) Good recording of it (gh) ** BAHRAIN. 9745, 2155-, Radio Bahrain, Dec 24. Finally hearing what I'm assuming is Radio Bahrain with Arabic music, and heard only on USB, and not on LSB (plus Carrier). Cochannel Chinese station. Fair at best. I've been trying for this one for years! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6010-USB, 0342-0352, Radio Bahrain, Abu Hayan, 02/01, English, OM short talks with ID at 0351'10 as "Radio Bahrain ... 96.5 ..", western pop songs - fair-poor with CLM in the background (Mikhail Timofeyev, North-East part of the St. Petersburg city, Russia, Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: long wire (30 m), DSWCI member no.2987, http://dxcorner.narod.ru HCDX via DXLD) 6010, R Bahrain, 1857, Jan 2, mellow New Age kind of music interrupted for English news at TOH. Threshold signal but in the clear for about 30 minutes between co/channel CRI off and VOIRI on 1927. Presumed as no definite ID, BLR still off the air here (Martien Groot, Schoorl, Netherlands (TenTec RX-340, 25m. longwire), dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Did you notice if both sidebands were on? Usually when I've heard Bahrain on 6010 there has been only upper side band available (AM/U I guess). 73, (Jari Savolainen, Finland, ibid.) 6010, R Bahrain, 1900-1907, Jan 3, English news read by female, sung ID, better than yesterday. As Jari Savolainen rightly remarked this is AM + USB. Fortunately BLR continues to be off (Martien Groot, Schoorl, Netherlands (TenTec RX-340, 25m. longwire), dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELARUS. 7255, 0500-, Radio Belarus, Dec 24. ID with local time check at 0500 in presumed Belarussian over cochannel BBC from Ascension Is. Good reception (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also BAHRAIN above ** BELGIUM. 927 is empty here now. That's nothing new at night, but this time the Wolvertem transmitter will not come back. As a replacement are VRT's Radio 1 and Radio 2 available free to air on Astra 1L since Dec 29. For that all VRT had to do was lifting the encryption of the existing feeds in the 12.722 GHz mux where until now everything was scrambled. The shabby 64 kbps mono feeds that so far constituted a separate Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal (which went away from shortwave already in 2009 after the foreign language services disappeared even earlier, in 2005) will presumably soon be terminated if that has not already happened. If not seen yet: http://www.radiovisie.eu/be/nieuws.rvsp?art=00088837 The old Brown Boveri transmitter was until now in use on 927. The two other ones were until 2008, when this frequency has been shut down, responsible for the 1512 outlet; the Telefunken S 4006 at night with 300 kW for RVI and RNW programming, the Nautel during daytime with 25 kW as Brussels city service, for some time including two hours of Deutsche Welle in German a day. Happy New Year! (Kai Ludwig, Germany, 0012 UT Jan 1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BHUTAN. Ron, I tried morning after morning for Bhutan after Christmas, but they were never on at 1445 or 1500 when I checked. Has anyone heard them since the 26th, and if so, when did they sign off. I do have some Perseus wav files from the time after the 25th to Jan 1st. 73 (Walt Salmaniw, BC, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Walt, From my observations BBS was last heard on Dec 25 and not since them, through Jan 3, on either 5030 or 6035.05. All we can do is continue to monitor these frequencies and hope for the start of their regularly scheduled broadcasts. Or are they waiting till they attend the Global Shortwave Coordination Conference from Jan 9 to 13 in Malaysia and will try to get a new frequency assignment there before they start regular broadcasting? (Ron Howard, Monterey, Calif., Jan 4, ibid.) BBS: No operations 28th full day and 29th (morning so far) 5030 / 6035.043 (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, 4S7VK, DXplorer Dec 29 via BC-DX 4 Jan via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) Note: 5030/6035 BTN was off the air on 31.12 and 01.01 at 0015 and 1345 (Anker Petersen, in Skovlunde, Denmark, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) With reference to reception of BBS Bhutan mentioned in latest postings DXLD, I am getting them on 6035 when I checked today 4 Jan 2012 from around 1130 UT. Reception is fair with some interference. However 5030 has not been heard lately. -- Thanking you, Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India, http://www.niar.org dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) Hi Jose, BBS must have signed off early today, as I tuned in at 1316 to hear PBS Yunnan in Chinese with nice Chinese ballads; at 1400 heard an unusually clear ID in English: “This is the Voice of Shangri-La, brought to you by Yunnan Radio”. No hint of BBS, with Yunnan stronger than normal. After 1400 Yunnan switched to Vietnamese. Nothing heard on 5030 [see CHINA] (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, Calif. Jan 4 Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BHUTAN. (NOT). Bhutan Broadcasting Service. 6035 Thimphu // 5030 Thimphu. Jan 03, 2012, Tuesday. 0200-0310. Re DXLD 11-52. Surprised to read that Jo'burg is normally excellent for receiving subcontinental transmitters on 60 mb via a remote receiver. In my experience they are very scarce here. What am I doing wrong? Is it just that I'm seldom DX'ing from 2100 to 0200 UT (11 pm-4 am local)?? I do get subcontinental stations on other frequencies (usually higher) and at other times, propagation permitting of course. Tonight, checking for Bhutan, no sign of it on either 5030 or 6035 at various checks from 0200 to 0310, but they are four hours ahead of Jo'burg. According to time&date.com, sunrise in Thimphu today is at 0652 (local); that is 0052 UT, so it is already daylight there. Will try again tomorrow night, a bit earlier. Jo'burg sunrise 0321. Bhutan (NOT). Bhutan Broadcasting Service. 6035 Thimphu // 5030 Thimphu. Jan 04, 2012, Wednesday. 0002-0131. Looking for subcontinentals on 60 mb (actually 4700 to 6100). Bhutan is not there on either 5030 or 6035, and nothing from the subcontinent either. But Myanmar is there, head to head with co-channel Iran on 5915, along with the usual suspects Sri Lanka and Turkestan (plus others from around the world, including my first South American, all listed in this log). According to time&date.com, sunrise in Thimphu today is still at 0052 UT, so there is only a 50 minute window between BBS sign on at *0000 and sunrise, hence only 50 minutes of total dark path to Jo'burg. BBS is not making it to Jo'burg during that window today, at least with my receivers and antenna. But Myanmar just makes it, although it's only a hen's kick south east of Bhutan. Jo'burg sunrise 0321 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 5580.26, Radio San José, San José de Chiquitos, 0000 om en slow español, 0013 música, 0020 to 0025 voice ute on top, más música, ments de ”... la hora próxima..” 0040 fade to 0040 om talk and some music; on the phone with Russell Scotka whose QTH a half a mile away. This the best reception for Radio San José this season. Russell Scotka Using the Drake TR7 transceiver with a 40 meter dipole. Using 746Pro here. 28 December (Russell Scotka, via and Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida, Jan 3, NASWA yg via DXLD) 5580.2 is on but weak (Bob Wilkner, 2352 UT Jan 3 ibid.) ** BOLIVIA. 5952.37, everyone's favorite CP mining town station, Radioemisoras Pio XII, Oruro, heard with news show in progress at 1010 on 12/27. Never an easy logging, this one is much more likely of late to be heard in early local evenings than in the mornings (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100; Knightkit Star Roamer; Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 + Quantum Phaser antenna unit; Longwires (150' + 100'); Tuned Multi-Turn 20" Small Loop; Single-Turn Coax Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOTSWANA. 909, VOA, Mopeng Hill, 1810, All alone on frequency and fair on peaks with hilife, // 4930. 29/12 (David Sharp, NSW, partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4930, 0337-, VOA, Dec 28. Excellent reception with English to Africa broadcast with news about Pakistan (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 15580, Jan 3 at 0629, surprisingly bigsig from VOA African service, with program promos for `Hip-Hop Connection` and then for `South Sudan in Focus` at 1630-1700 on ``9675 on 31m, 121-5 on 24.9 m, and 13870 on 21.6 m`` 121-5??? That`s how the announcer, who obviously knows nothing about SW, pronounced 12150? The trouble is, none of these are in the B-11 schedule for this `special service for Sudan` in the VOA English listings on page 489 of the 2012 WRTH: instead, 9790 bot, 11905 wer, and 13635 wer, M-F at 1630-1700 --- and the latter are still shown in the latest HFCC. So that promo was hardly helpful to anyone axually trying to hear the service. At 0630, 15580 continued with VOA`s `International Edition` news, whilst BBC on 15400, also a good sig via SOUTH AFRICA, was concentrating on African news in English. This opening did not affect Nigeria on 15120, which was JBA at 0636. 15440 DW Rwanda in Hausa was also in well at 0637, and CVC 1Africa Zambia was also good at 0632 way up on 17695 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see SUDAN [non] ** BRAZIL. 4865.03, Rádio Verdes Florestas, Cruz[eiro] do Sul, signal holding up quite late most mornings, from approx 1000 s/on to nearly 1100, and at times, surprisingly, the best Latin in the 60 mb here. Heard 12/29 with seguéd ballads, no announcements at all until 1055 when into an ID sequence -- live OM with clear "Rádio Verdes Florestas!" ID and then YL with canned ID and frequencies run-down. Propagation on this one behaves much more like a Peruvian than a Brazilian, thanks to far western Brazil QTH. Holds up long after other Brazilians like 4885 have faded away (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100; Knightkit Star Roamer; Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P- 408 + Quantum Phaser antenna unit; Longwires (150' + 100'); Tuned Multi-Turn 20" Small Loop; Single-Turn Coax Loop, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 4885.02, Brazilian here with "The Lady in Red" music / singing at 0420. More pop music and Portuguese announcements. Through BOH, with lengthy announcements giving frequencies and mention "...Para" twice, maybe ID for R. Clube do Pará? Music continued in Portuguese. Very strong tonight. Mixes with second Brazilian earlier, probably Rio Branco. Short break at 0500 TOH, back to pop music program. This Brazilian always seems either over-modulated or distorted (maybe both?), but was strongest from Brazil in California. 1/3 (Jim Young, Wrightwood, California, ICOM IC-756 ProIII + 40-M yagi + 80-M inverted Vee, NASWA yg via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 4915.0, Dec 30 at 2315, pop music vs CODAR, 2317 quick Portuguese announcement maybe mentioning ``nove`` (9), a bit more music before vanishing in noise level. At first I thought some neighbor had turned on an appliance, raising my noise to its usual over-level, but then with BFO I could not detect a carrier other than CODAR swishing across 4915. Presumably R. Daqui, Goiânia, the currently active Brasilian here, which LA SW Logs shows signing off around 0000, while R. Difusora, Macapá has not been reported since Jan 2011; DSWCI TBM has latest log of that as Feb 2011. WRTH 2012 shows them both as active. Aoki still has the former identity of the Goiânia station, R. Anhanguera, as well as Macapá. EiBi has two separate entries from Daqui, one of which I suppose was meant to read Macapá (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 5955.00, unID Brazilian but suspect the listed Rádio Gazeta, São Paulo, but no clear ID yet. Noted with classic US pops (Doors: "Love Her Madly") at 1020, then into long telephone interview by studio announcer and remote interviewee in Portuguese. 1029 another fairly strong station came on frequency, but signals were exactly zerobeated so no het trouble, but difficult to listen to anyway (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100; Knightkit Star Roamer; Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 + Quantum Phaser antenna unit; Longwires (150' + 100'); Tuned Multi-Turn 20" Small Loop; Single-Turn Coax Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Current HFCC listings show 5955 with nothing opening at 1030; at 10-11 with only RNW via Wertachtal, and CRI English via Xian. EiBi and Aoki add Eritrea, and both have Gazeta, as does WRTH 2012, not inactive, altho R. Gazeta last reported in April 2010 per http://www.mcdxt.it/LASWLOGS.html ``5955v B R Gazeta, Sao Paulo SP [1845-1043](54.95-55.3) Apr10 W PP // 9685, 15325 (a) "Radio Gazeta AM" / "Gazeta 890!" (r)"A Voz do Brasil" at 2200-2300[-1]`` In DXLD 11-23, both 5955 and 9685 were reported active as of 6 June 2011, with few reports from 2010, mostly 2008 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 5970, Rádio Itatiaia, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, good sig 2240 12/30 with ID. Early fade-in as befits far SE Brazil QTH (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100; Knightkit Star Roamer, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 + customized (tropical bands) Quantum Phaser antenna unit, Longwires (150' + 100'); Tuned Multi-Turn 20" Small Loop; Single-Turn Coax Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Rádio Itatiaia. 5970, Belo Horizonte. Jan 04, 2012, Wednesday. 0117- 0131. Portuguese, OM's talking; didn't hear an ID but one OM mentioned "Belo Horizonte". That’s good enough for me; my first South American received in Jo'burg. At 3.30am local time I can celebrate by going to bed. Fair. Jo'burg sunrise 0321 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also 6900 spur (?) below ** BRAZIL. 5990, Rádio Senado, terrific reception this week, very early, noted several mornings blowing in with a big signal on nice clear frequency. 12/29 at 0755 with Portuguese pop song, followed by taped ID extravaganza at 0801, with chimes, OM in echo, mentions of frequencies and ondas curtas, "Bom Dia!" and another ID as "Rádio Senado, a música regional de . . ." Then into a program of ranchera- like musical selections. Also pinning the S-meter needle at 0959 on 12/30 (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100; Knightkit Star Roamer; Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 + Quantum Phaser antenna unit; Longwires (150' + 100'); Tuned Multi-Turn 20" Small Loop; Single-Turn Coax Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 6059.96, Super Radio Deus é Amor, Curitiba, 2300 on 12/30 OM clear ID for "Super Radio Deus é Amor" and then into program of Portuguese pop love songs featuring YL with orchestra. Big booming signal, easy listening. None of the SRDA // frequencies noted coming through at this time (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100; Knightkit Star Roamer, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 + customized (tropical bands) Quantum Phaser antenna unit, Longwires (150' + 100'); Tuned Multi-Turn 20" Small Loop; Single-Turn Coax Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 6150, Dec 30 at 2300, pop music atop one or two other weak stations with SAH, so I keep listening hoping for some Turkish from Northern Cyprus` R. Bayrak; but no, 2304 announcement definitely in Brazilian Portuguese, so R. Record (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Re: [radioescutas] Rádio Itatiaia de BH harmônicos -- Aqui em Goiânia e também no interior, em Silvânia-Go. Ouve-se a Itatiaia com sinal "limpinho" em 6900 kHz (Cássio Secundino Borges Santos Secundino, Goiânia-Goiás, ``2:17 pm 29 Dec``, radioescutas yg via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. R Cultura shift 3 kHz --- Feliz 2012! Estou fazendo um band scan e observo a Cultura em 9587 kHz. 73s (Sarmento Campos, Dom, 1 de Jan de 2012 2:16 am, Sent from my Nokia phone, radioescutas yg via DXLD) What Cultura? Brasil not specified in item. Must be referring to nominal 9590? No such station known anywhere. There used to be R. Cultura/São Paulo on 9615 which has been absent for a few years. There has been a Brasilian variant around 9585, SRDA São Paulo. WRTH 2012 frequency pages have it as inactive on 9592. LA SW Logs: 9586.69v B Super Rádio Deus é Amor, Sao Paulo SP [0911-0300](1.6- 9.29) Aug11 W PP *0800 exCBN/Excelsior/Globo (n)9585 //9565v 9594.1v B Super Rádio Deus é Amor, Sao Paulo SP [0911-0300] Apr11 L PP (d)9581.6-9594.35v And also says RC/SP 9615v last reported in Nov10. 73, Glenn Hauser (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Good question Glenn. I've just taken a look at my notes and it's recorded an interview with a Brazilian congressman over this frequency using a Sony (it´s properly aligned). That´s why I posted this short message although accurate in frequency - not sure about the station. Maybe crappy Davi Miranda broadcasting news or relaying "A Voz do Brasil" over 9587 kHz at that time? This weekend I will go hunting again. Regards (Sarmento Campos, radioescutas, ibid.) ** BRAZIL. Voz Missionaria Camboriú, 9665, is coming in S4 at my location with some QRM from Cuba on 9660 [Mesa Redonda TV simulcast // 6000]. This at 2250 UT, 04 January 2012. This station is located in the southeastern state of Santa Catarina in Brazil and may be a harbinger of good SAm DX for this evening. Long-winded announcer extolling the virtues of Jesus, Mary and Josef. Sounded like he was chiding the audience at one point. Several station IDs. Full station ID given by a woman on the hour, including a singing ID. 73 (Al Muick, Whitehall PA USA, WinRadio G-303e, Wellbrook ALA1350P active loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 9725, possible reactivation of R. Clube Paranaense? See UNIDENTIFIED ** BRAZIL. 11780, Dec 30 at 0635, strong open carrier, and just about the OSOB, from RNA; 0645 finally starts modulating with Portuguese wake-up talk in progress (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Much of it currently on DST, they imagine that 2012 arrives at 0200 UT instead of 0300 or 0400, so I check out RNA 11780 at 0158 UT January 1: good signal with upbeat song, 0159:30 to legal ID for 980 kHz with 300 kW from EBC, but no mention of SW which has slightly greater reach, no timesignal, standard opening of ``Aló Brasil`` show ``nesta madrugada de domingo``, ``novo dia, novo programa`` and finally: ``feliz ano novo``. And now it`s time for the New York Philharmonic on PBS` NYE (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Link “Nova Brasil FM”, Brazilian popular music of quality: http://www.novabrasilfm.com.br/ao-vivo/audio.php Link with some photos of my city, are not updated. The anthem of the city in a good interpretation: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1443186 Escutas (listening, my blog): http://www.ipernity.com/doc/75006 73 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, dxldyg via DXLD) A rather large city - semi-mega, I had not heard of much before Jorge, because it never had a SW station? (gh, DXLD) ** BRUNEI. For New Year`s in the UT+8 zone I decided to try something exotic, according to Lou Josephs` recommendation at http://newyearslive.blogspot.com/ Listened online to RTB from about 1520 Dec 31, mostly pop music with DJ in local language; 1555 Qur`an segment; 1600 no timesignal but apparently marking new year, 1602 sounds like national anthem, followed by speech, probably by the Sultan, one of the world`s richest oligarchs, until 1612 jingle ID ``National FM, Radio Brunei`` but only the ID and occasional words were in English, back to pop music (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BULGARIA. 9700, 2154-, Radio Sofia, Dec 24. Very good reception with their English to Europe broadcast. Parallel 5900 also good reception. Can only occur in the depth of winter! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9400, Jan 4 at 0606, good open carrier from R. Bulgaria, kilowasting kilowatts long before the next transmission at 0630 in German. Not on // 7400, however. Both frequencies are supposed to be in Turkish at 0600-0630, and may well be in the opposite direxion, from other Plovdiv transmitters, as we have previously heard that barely audible under the big carrier, but not tonight. Axually, HFCC shows 5900, 7400 and 9400 for 0600-0630 Turkish, but WRTH shows only 5900 and 7400 --- With the single exception of one Bulgarian language broadcast, RB never uses more than two SW frequencies at once, so one of those at 0600 is wooden (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BURMA [non]. A recent letter from Democratic Voice of Burma states that they have had to drop one of their daily transmissions. Gives schedule as 1430-1530 on 4514 (Allen Dean, UK, DX News, Jan WDXC Contact via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) So no longer broadcasting at 2330-0030 as shown in the schedule in last month's column. 4514 is a strange frequency to choose, may be a mistake, frequency reported as 6225 via Almaty last month (Mike Barraclough, ed., ibid.) ``DVB will be producing limited content over the coming week`` says a streamer at top of their webpage dated Jan 4 http://www.dvb.no/ --- and just *try* to find what their SW schedule is, or was. The only `DVB` entry in HFCC as of Dec 29 was: ``5905 2330 0030 41,49 WER 100 75 -15 215 1234567 301011 240312 D 6650 burm D DVB MBR 2239 311`` (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENIING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 560, 0324-, CHTK, Prince Rupert, Dec 31. I've been listening to our local AM station in Prince Rupert. They no longer ID as 'The Mix 560 AM', only their new FM 91.9 frequency. 'Prince Rupert's 91 - 9, Easy Rock'. Wonder when they'll pull the plug on the AM transmitter. They never give a legal AM ID anymore at the TOH. Only 250 watts at night, and 1000 watts during the day. One of the local power houses, though! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 910, CKDQ, Drumheller, AB, 1148 UT, 12/27/11, C&W music followed by some ads and ID, "Your voice in southern Alberta, Q91." G signal for only a few minutes. Take care and best of DX to you! (Kirk Allen, Ponca City OK, Sony T-615, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 1560, 2225-, CBC Radio One, Dec 29. I'm quite surprised that I'm able to hear a 40 watt repeater from High Level AB [CBKD] relaying CBX 740 from Edmonton. This is at 2:25 pm local! I'm also hearing CBKC from Fort Vermillion AB, also with 40 watts (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The latter listed on 1460 (gh) ** CANADA. 6924.755, 0027-, Pirate, Radio True North, Dec 30. Happened to be looking at the pirate band, when carrier suddenly came on at 0027 UT with a song with only the words, 'music'. Very good reception. Transmitter cut at 0029:25, though. I'm assuming that this is the Northern Relay Service due to the frequency and strength of transmission. Didn't return up to 0039. Carrier did come back with music at 0052. Same very strong signal. Nope, it was Radio True North, as announced at sign-off (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 6930.21, 0128-, Northern Relay Service, Dec 24. Very good reception, with relay of The Crystal Ship program with ID for both. AM reception, but not as good as the absolutely armchair copy of another pirate on 6924.633, also in AM. 6930.255, 0204-, Pirate, Northern Relay Service, Dec 31. Very good reception on an otherwise poor night propagationally. Earlier heard some talk about Commander Bunny and the FCC. Also mentions of the FRN. At 0206, ID for the Northern Relay Service, as being 'better than Aspirin.' Then, the Crystal Ship ID. TCSshortwave @ gmail.com and thanks for listening to the Crystal Ship. Finally off about 40 minutes later with the classic P.E. Trudeau 'go ahead and bleed' quote (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA [non]. China. Radio Canada International, 9635 Xian. Jan 03, 2012, Tuesday. 1526-1536. "The Link", id at 1529 "Radio Canada" and "RCI". Then talking to the biographer of someone called D'Arcy McGee ??, a founder of Canada. Good. Jo'burg sunrise 0321 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 5745, VIETNAM, Voice of Vietnam, 0328, in English. Mellow guitar music, ID, news including sound bites in Vietnamese translated into English. Poor. 1/1/12 (Mark Taylor, Madison WI, WinRadio g313e, Grunding G1 & G5, Satellit 800; EWE, Flextenna, NASWA Flashsheet Jan 1 via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) This is of course not direct. 5745 must be a leapfrog of 6175 Sackville over 5960 Sackville with R. Japan, another 215 kHz lower. WWRB is not really using 5745 at this hour or ever altho registered (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. [DRM] 9800, 2124-, Vatican Radio, Dec 23. Musical tour of Christmas past, and into music of the present. Excellent reception without any drop outs. SNR 21.9 dB (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Re: [dxld] Glenn Hauser logs Dec. 22 ---- CKZU is on 24 hours to the best of my knowledge. They were always there in Masset from around 1445 tune in throughout the day past 0700 UTC in any case (Walt Salmaniw, BC, Jan 3, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. La demolición de Canadá -- Alberto Rabilotta ..."Entre las instituciones canadienses que peligran, porque los conservadores no aceptan críticas ni mención de otra opinión que la gubernamental, está la emisora pública Radio-Canadá/Canadian Broadcasting Corp...." Enlace: http://www.alainet.org/active/51796&lang=es (Via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, Jan 4, DXLD) It seems there is not an English version of this at alainet; I already searched; rather serious subject, demolition of CBC/Canada (gh, DXLD) ** CANARY ISLANDS. RNE-Canary Islands special program. The last night of every year brings us a unique opportunity for catching the RNE stations in the Canary Islands with own programming at night. All RN and R5TN outlets leave the national network at some point around 2230 UT/Canary Is. time (2330 in mainland Spain) for a regional special program to receive the new year. The content is usually funny music with phone calls from listeners and messages from the Regional Government President and some other Authorities. This program ends some minutes after the midnight Canary Is./UT. These are the RNE stations in the Canary Islands: RN Las Palmas 576 kHz RN Tenerife 621 kHz R5TN Tenerife 720 kHz R5TN Las Palmas 747 kHz Happy New Year! 73s (Mauricio Molano, Salamanca, ESPAÑA - SPAIN RX site: Aldea del Cano, Cáceres. LAT: 39º17'09.70 N LONG: 6º19'00 W RX: PERSEUS. ANT: WELLBROOK ALA1530S+ [later: this year it has started later (at 2305). It will end at 0100z. http://moladx.blogspot.com/ dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Unlikely to hear these MW in North America; were they webcast? See SPAIN where RNE/REE did link up with Canarias for local midnite (gh) ** CHAD. Radio Chad, 6165, N'Djamina. Dec 29, 2011, Thursday. 0125- 0145. French, all talk but mostly unreadable. Much too early in the morning for Zambia. Very weak, JBA. Jo'burg sunrise 0317 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So still 24h 6164.96, 0212-0230, 0440-0448, Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne, Ndjamena, 02/01, French, OM talks, Afropop music - strong signal, but fair only due to RNW, and weak starting from 0228'45 under BBC (24 h a day during during last two months at least?), almost good at 0440-0448 (Mikhail Timofeyev, North-East part of the St. Petersburg city, Russia, Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: long wire (30 m), DSWCI member no.2987, http://dxcorner.narod.ru HCDX via DXLD) 6165, Office National de Radio et Télévision du Tchad, 0527 French. African music, 0529 wood drums, 0530 woman with full ID and announcements, 0531 man with a speech with an international focus, mentioning countries such as Niger and Mali, 0533 announcer briefly and then back to speech. Fair. Jan 4 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna on the car roof, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6164.96, RNT, 2225-2256, French talk. Local Afro-pop music and French pop ballads. Fair to good but with some adjacent channel splatter. Still running past their normal 2230 sign off time. Jan 4 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** CHINA. 1089, CNR6? surprised to hear a Chinese station fade-up from the mush, with talk by a man, 1130+. Fair on peaks with domestics nulled. 23/12. 1179, Unknown QTH (presumed Chutian), 1440, noted with nice traditional Chinese vocals after cochannel 3RPH nulled. 29/12 (David Sharp, NSW, partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 1269, 1734-, Voice of Russia World Service, Dec 28. Quite good reception fighting it out with KBS1 Korea with discussion about Christmas trees and New Year's celebrations in Russia. Very clean modulation. Listed with 600 kW. With time, became the dominant station, well over the Korean. Oops, it's 'New Year's' trees. Program was 'In-between'. Very good reception at 1740 (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Site? Not listed in the China domestic sexion of WRTH 2012 on page 149 but on page 533 in MW by Region as 600 kW from `YN` which must mean somewhere in Yunnan (gh, DXLD) ** CHINA. 4220, Qinghai, Xining, 1223, presumed with talk by man in local dialect, heavy ute QRM but readable in USB. 29/12 (David Sharp, NSW, partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 4750, 1710-, CNR 1, Dec 23. Noticed that they're off frequency today. Not noticed this is the past, but I'm measuring 4750.022 on my Perseus SDR. Still very good. Weak cochannel audible well underneath (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 4989.99, PBS Hunan (Xiangtan) from 1405-1447 1/2, talking by F voice in Chinese 1/2. Seldom very strong here, and has been on this frequency (measured) since late December 2010, as is R. Apintie (Surinam). Announcements by M at 1456, music/singing, break TOH, normal PRC TS 6 sec late. More Chinese talking by M & F voices followed (Jim Young, Wrightwood, California, ICOM IC-756 ProIII + 40-M yagi + 80-M inverted Vee, NASWA yg via DXLD) ** CHINA. BBS must have signed off early today, as I tuned in at 1316 to hear PBS Yunnan in Chinese with nice Chinese ballads; at 1400 heard an unusually clear ID in English: “This is the Voice of Shangri-La, brought to you by Yunnan Radio”. No hint of BBS, with Yunnan stronger than normal. After 1400 Yunnan switched to Vietnamese. Nothing heard on 5030. My best ever MP3 audio of the ID in English posted at http://www.box.com/s/hn9l3t0xks5uv0x12o80 with ID at 01:34 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, Calif., Jan 4, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non]. 6040, Nei Menggu PBS, Huhehot, 0030, Jan 1, Mongolian service all alone here after co/channel CNR-2 had closed and before Vat R opened 0100. To my utter delight BLR was off on this freq, as on 6070 where Newstalk 1010 was in the clear on 6069.96. Belarus freqs 6040 and 6070 (probably 6010 too) still off the air as I'm typing this at 0932 (Martien Groot, Schoorl, Netherlands, TenTec RX-340, 25 m. longwire, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 6155, CNR 2 China Business Radio, 1430-1442, Chinese. EiBi lists this channel as China Business Radio and says it would be in English at 1430-1500, but I heard only Chinese. Western music, such as Rod Stewart, and woman often speaking over soft, instrumental music. Poor with splatter, Jan 3 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Harold, For many years CNR2/CBR had a show called "English Evening" that I regularly listened to on their many // frequencies. Alas it is about a year since I last heard it and am fairly sure it is off the air. I have heard a similar show, with announcers who sound to be the same, now via CRI. So it has been a long time since I last listened to CNR2/CBR. In the past they were good with regular IDs in English for "China Business Radio". MP3 audio of "English Evening" sign off announcement from Sept 10, 2009 at http://www.box.com/s/y2yptsncs0nv41bk443n (Ron Howard, Monterey, Calif., ibid.) Thanks Ron. I believed you'd have some useful history on this, and I was right! (Harold Sellers, ibid.) ** CHINA. CNR 11, 9480, Baoji-Sifangshan. Dec 31, 2011, Saturday. 1527-1532. Tibetan, with Chinese music and song. Fair. Jo'burg sunset 1704. CNR 11, 9480, Baoji-Sifangshan. Jan 03, 2012, Tuesday. 1400-1411. Tibetan. OM then YL talking. Fair - poor, accompanied by 1 kHz sine wave or a het very close in frequency to that, possibly WTWW, Lebanon, Tennessee on 9479 ?? (although no WTWW programming can be heard). Occasional ute QRM as well. Jo'burg sunrise 0321 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, WTWW very likely source on 9479 (gh, DXLD) ** CHINA. 9880, 0005-, Radio Canada International, Dec 23. Good reception with a bit of splatter from 9875 VOR Spanish from Montsinéry, French Guiana. English programming to south-east Asia. I can hear short/long path echo as well with stories from 2011 (Tsunami in Japan, Somalia, etc.) (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Site: Kunming ** CHINA. CARTA DE BEIJING PROXIMO DOMINGO --- SI NO HAY PROBLEMAS Y LA DIFUNDEN SIN CORTES, CREO QUE OS GUSTARIA ESE PROGRAMA QUE ME GRABARON APROVECHANDO MI CORTA ESCALA EN PEKÍN EL UNO DE ENERO PASADO. INCLUSO PUEDE COLGARSE EL ENLACE PARA EL ARCHIVO. FELIZ 2012 A TODOS. CORDIALES SALUDOS / GOOD LUCK / (JUAN FRANCO CRESPO, Spain, Jan 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 1098, 1902-, Firedrake, Dec 26. Lest you think that Firedrake is only found on SW. Not true! At 1900 tune-in on 1098, I heard the very familiar Firedrake. Puzzled, I checked the PAL and sure enough, RFA is scheduled in Chinese from 1900 from Taiwan, until 2200. So, makes sense. Fair to good value, despite it being after 11:00 AM local! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dec. 25, 1033. Haven`t been up at this hour in a while, but made note that I had checked all Firedrake frequencies, none heard on any (Rick Barton, Wickenburg AZ (denotes closest town to my campsite on Federal BLM Land at base of Vulture Peak), ATS-803A, RF-2200, DX-375, Slinky antenna, 9' Tomato stake antenna, tent: Coleman "Meadow Falls", ABDX via DXLD) Firedrake Dec 30: none found 18-7 MHz 1346-1350, except: 12500, good with flutter at 1349; another search at 1437+ lacked even this. Firedrake December 30 before 2400: 9200, good with flutter at 2340; none in the 11s, 10s 12500, good at 2338 13970, poor with flutter at 2334; maybe over some CCI 15900, fair at 2335; none in the 14s 16100, fair at 2335 16980, poor at 2336 17170, fair at 2337 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CNR1, 21685 ?? Dec 31, 2011, Saturday. 0651-0700* Mandarin, jamming Radio Free Asia tibetan. Cut off immediately after time pips at 0700. Poor. Jo'burg sunrise 0319 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake, 01 Jan 1352 9200 VG (Leonard J. Rooney, Springfield, Delaware County, PA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Jan 1, 2012, before 1400: 9200, good with flutter at 1352; no others up to 18 MHz by 1357 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Leonard, Nice selection of Firedrake. Jan 2 from 0230 to 0250 I heard 13 FD: 9200, fair-poor 12230, good 12300, good 13130, good 13850, good - not on Aoki list, but you also heard this one 13920, fair 13970, good 14400, good 15900, good 16120, good 16700, good 16980, good – all of the above against SOH 17730, poor – against RFA (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake, 02 Jan : 0235, 9200 Fair,13850 VG, 13920 G 0938, 12230 Fair, 13850 Poor,13970 Poor, 14700 G/VG 1228, 12230 Flux : F/VG 1712, 9355,9455 Good 11945 Firedrake with Japan 1800, 9355,9455 Good 11945 Firedrake with Japan 1900, 9355,9455 Good 11945 Firedrake and weak voice 2000, 9355, 9455, spoken word (failed to note 11945) (Leonard J. Rooney, Springfield, Delaware County, PA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 03 Jan: 0041, 14700 Good : spoken word jamming 0143, 14700 Firedrake, Fair. 13850 G. 13970 Fair, 9200, 16100, 16980, all weak (Leonard J. Rooney, Springfield, Delaware County, PA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake 04 Jan: 0032 9200, 13920, 13970, all Good; 15900, 16980, Poor (Leonard J. Rooney, Springfield, Delaware County, PA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11640, Firedrake music of S=7 level noted here in Europe on 04-06 UT slot against RTI Chinese from Kouhu, Taiwan site weak underneath. 0508 UT Jan 4 (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 4 via DXLD) Jan 4 on 7385 at 1305 heard BOTH Firedrake and CNR1 (unusual) against RTI. Probably double jamming to block out the following story from Taiwan: “Taipei, Jan. 4 (CNA) Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Lai Shin-yuan urged Beijing Wednesday to give Chinese people greater freedom in order to help narrow the gap in the core values held by each side of the Taiwan Strait.” Full story at: http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aIPL&ID=201201040033 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Jan 4 1455-1500: NONE found 7-19 MHz (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. 7540, 29/Dec 222,0 TAJIKISTAN (Relay), Sound of Hope, (PRESUMED) in Mandarin (listed Eibi). OM and YL talk. At 2227 short instrumental music and YL talk. Signal degrading. Weak signal. At 2230 off the air. 7615, 29/Dec 2235, TAJIKISTAN (Relay), SOH Xi Wang Zhi Sheng, (PRESUMED) in Chinese (listed Aoki). OM and YL talk. At 2247 interview a man out of the studio. At 2256 OM and YL speak slowly. At 2300 out the air. Fair signal (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S, 38 58´W, Brasil, Degen 1103 - All listening in mode of filter Narrow the 6 kHz, Dipole antenna, 16 meters - east/west - Balun 4:1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. I don't know if anyone has answered, but your Asian on 1540 could either be CHIN Toronto http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHIN_(AM) Or KGBC Galveston http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KGBC The Toronto station is independent and multilingual (including non- Asian languages), the Galveston station is CRI (100% Chinese government controlled programming). I believe both stations have webstreams, so the next time you run into this you should be able to figure out which one it is, if you are near a computer. Both have been heard here in St. Louis Missouri, with the Toronto station being downright regular. Sincerely, (Earl Higgins, RX-321 and 15 m end fed wire thing outside, St. Louis, Missouri, USA (W 90.32 N 38.65), IRCA via DXLD) Many trying for the WKVQ DX test were hearing Chinese (gh) ** COLOMBIA [and non]. 5910, Sun Jan 1 at 0648, Alcaraván [note spelling] Radio with music in the clear since TWR at 0645-0700 in Polish is M-F only via Wertachtal; that also clear of 7225 via Austria (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5909.958, Alcaraván Radio, Puerto Lleras. 0407 January 1, 2012. Good and in the clear with nice Colombian vocals, male canned "Alcaraván Radio, 1530 KHz... y 5910 kHz onda corta." A short inspirational talk segment, but worth sitting through for the music before/thereafter. Note that it's Alcaraván Radio, nor Radio Alcaraván as frequently and wrongly reported for some reason (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6010.04v, 0353-0411, La Voz de tu Conciencia, Puerto Lleras, 02/01, Spanish, mostly OM talks - poor-fair in LSB to avoid BAHRAIN [q.v.] till 0400, then poor-weak with strong splashes from 6015 (RFE) (Mikhail Timofeyev, North-East part of the St. Petersburg city, Russia, Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: long wire (30 m), DSWCI member no.2987, http://dxcorner.narod.ru HCDX via DXLD) ** CONGO. 6115, R Congo, Brazzaville, 2333, Dec 31, French announcer, highlife music to 2359 off after NA. Freq was clear. Presume late s/off is just a one-day event to celebrate the New Year? (Martien Groot, Schoorl, Netherlands, TenTec RX-340, 25m longwire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Wow, sorry missed that; normal sked with much earlier closing is just about impossible in NAm (gh) ** CONGO DR. 5066.342, 0341-, Radio Candip, Dec 28. Only a highly tentative logging. No audio, but a poor/fair carrier which I measure about 5066.342. A particularly good African opening this evening. Wonder whether anyone closer could measure their frequency and let me know! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. SPECIAL DX TEST FROM COSTA RICA Radio Miami International, in cooperation with our client Radio República, will be conducting a special DX test at 2000-2100 UT January 7, 2300-2400 UT January 7, and 0200-0300 UT January 8, 2012 on the frequency of 5954 kHz from Cariari, Costa Rica. (These times are 3-4 pm, 6-7 pm and 9-10 pm Eastern Time Saturday, January 7 in North America.) The programming aired will be Radio República in Spanish. The power will be 10 kilowatts. Shortwave listeners may be aware of the fact that Radio República has used this frequency in the past, but it has been off the air for several weeks now. Radio Miami International will verify all reception reports with a QSL card indicating the special tests. Reports may be sent to Radio Miami International, P. O. Box 526852, Miami, Florida 33152 USA, or by e-mail to info @ wrmi.net Thank you to the DXing community worldwide for monitoring these special tests and for letting us know if you are able to hear them in your area. Transmisión Especial de Prueba desde Costa Rica Radio Miami Internacional, en colaboración con nuestro cliente Radio República, estará haciendo una transmisión especial de DX de 2000 a 2100 UT y de 2300 a 2400 UT el 7 de enero, y de 0200 a 0300 UT el 8 de enero, 2012 en la frecuencia de 5954 kHz desde Cariari, Costa Rica. (Estos horarios son equivalentes a 3-4 pm, 6-7 pm y 9-10 pm hora del Este de los EEUU el sábado, 7 de enero). La programación será la de Radio República en español. La potencia será 10 kilovatios. Oyentes de onda corta sabrán que Radio República ha utilizado esta frecuencia en el pasado, pero ha estado fuera del aire por varias semanas ya. Radio Miami Internacional verificará todos los informes de recepción recibidos con una tarjeta QSL indicando las pruebas especiales. Los informes se pueden enviar a Radio Miami Internacional, Apartado Postal 526852, Miami, Florida 33152, EUA, o por correo electrónico a info @ wrmi.net Gracias a la comunidad internacional de diexistas por monitorear estas transmisiones especiales y por reportarnos los resultados en su área. (Jeff White WRMI Radio Miami International 175 Fontainebleau Blvd., Suite 1N4 Miami, Florida 33172 USA Tel +1-305-559-9764 Fax +1-305-559-8186 E-mail: radiomiami9 @ cs.com http://www.wrmi.net Dec 30, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Jeff, I already heard them a few nights ago before 2400 on 5954. Cariari? Is this at the same site as REE? Has ELCOR/Republica always been from there? (Glenn to Jeff, via DXLD) Glenn: They're supposed to be on 2300-0000 UT daily for the time being, till further notice. The 2000 and 0200 UT hours will be only on January 7/8. How are they sounding up your way at 2300-0000? I haven't had a chance to listen here yet. Yes, they've always been from Cariari, and it's a separate site from that of REE (Jeff to Glenn, via DXLD) We had thought a place called Guápiles applied to ELCOR. Is this another name for their Cariari place, or is it incorrect? (Glenn to Jeff, ibid.) Glenn: I think Guápiles is a city somewhat close to Cariari, but the station is definitely in Cariari or just outside it (Jeff White, WRMI, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. LA HISTORIA SECRETA DE LA RADIO MONTONERA Diciembre 23rd, 2010 [note year] Esta historia ocurrió hace 31 años, en Costa Rica, cuando un grupo de argentinos sentaron en aquel país centroamericano las bases para el lanzamiento de un medio. Uno que sirviera de inyección ante el discurso único que dictadura militar diseminaba en Argentina. . . por Juan Pablo Mansilla. En la fuente hay un audio http://www.diasdehistoria.com.ar/content/la-historia-secreta-de-la-radio-montonera (via Jose A Kucher, Argentina?, Dec 31, condiglist yg via DXLD) Already published and discussed a year ago in DXLD 10-52 (gh, DXLD) http://www.elortiba.org/notapas868.html Acá hay una nota y hay un especial sobre la radio que se hizo para una Bienal de Radio en Mexico (Marcelo Oscar Filipo, Jan 1, 2012, condiglist via DXLD) ** CROATIA. 3985, 0511-, Voice of Croatia, Dec 28. About the weakest of the 75 m stations heard tonight, but still at fair/good level in presumed Croatian (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 671, 0415-, Radio Reloj, Dec 30. I don't have internet access at the DX cottage, but I recall Glenn Hauser mentioning hearing a 1 kHz tone on 670. It's easily heard in Masset using a Misek phaser. KBOI, ID is the main station on 670 phasing to the south (otherwise, KDLG Dillingham, AK dominates) (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) You definitely got Reloj programming or ID? (gh) ** CUBA. Re 11-52, MW antennas: Dear Ben, Allow me to wish you Seasons Greetings and a Happy New Year 2012. May you have any comments on these two (one reserve?) sites at Cuban island? see my screenshots as attached. I assume there are perfect east west Cuban islands jamming sites, As well as directional reserve installation in direction of 340/350 degr towards Florida and further north to Chicago ... on which MW frequency ??? Kind regards de Wolfy from Germany, DF5SX (to and via Ben Dawson, WA, DXLD) Wolfy, I don't know if the person on this thread who described the tower heights is speculating or has good data. But I looked at these on Google Earth, and it appears the feedline only goes to the driven tower, the penultimate southerly one. It's the road that extends north. And these are pretty obviously classic "sideways Yagi" antennas, and certainly not mini-sunrise (Zarya) antennas. The shortest Zarya I have ever seen is 1.5 km long, and the zayra antennas are all fed, since it is a traveling wave antenna. The "sideways Yagi" design was (so far as I am aware) first promoted by Eubank-Preece (who are now a part of a much bigger A&E conglomerate, but of whom I have always had a poor opinion), and was sold to various of their clients, mostly in the middle east. Examples were built by Marconi and by Continental Electronics, both responding to RFP's from broadcasters requiring this configuration. They are a very bad design. I would go so far as to say an incompetent design. They have extremely poor bandwidth, and although they have reasonable main lobe gain, they have significant sidelobes. And, of course, they are very frequency specific. One can do a much better job with simpler systems - equivalent forward gain, lower sidelobes, much better bandwidth. From the dimensions I would guess that one is on 1180 (R. Martí frequency) and the other on 710 (R. Mambí frequency) since those are both major Cubano jamming targets. And yes, the two tower arrays would seem to be good jamming system designs (Ben Dawson, WA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) More jamming sites on the island? Jamming masts are 220 kilometers apart between Martí and Chambas, so I wonder, whether are two more smaller jamming sites erected on the western (390 km distance) and eastern tip (550 km distance) area ? Martí location: planned MW foreign service towards USA during time of crisis? 2 x 6 masts, 350 degrees, in direction towards Miami and Chicago 23 00 10.25 N 80 55 02.98 W and at 23 00 07.75 N 80 54 37.17 W 710 / 1180 kHz Jamming station, 2 x 2 masts, covers east-west 90 and 270 degree main direction 22 59 46.84 N 80 55 06.65 W and at 22 59 45.76 N 80 54 36.74 W Chambas location planned MW foreign service towards USA during time of crisis? 220 kilometers distance - south-easterly of Martí MW station. 2 x 6 masts, 340 degrees, in direction towards Miami and Chicago 22 22 45.16 N 78 53 28.07 W 58 small masts, like feeder line and matching stubs at 125 / 305 degrees, 570 (420+150) meters in length. and at 22 22 44.47 N 78 53 01.21 W 66 small masts, like feeder line and matching stubs at 50 / 230 degrees, 640 (470+170m) meters in length. 710 / 1180 kHz, Jamming station, 2 x 2 masts, covers east-west 125 and 305 degrees main direction 22 22 15.12 N 78 53 06.57 W and at 22 22 27.39 N 78 53 36.16 W (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 23, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews 4 Jan via DXLD) Highly speculative? (gh) Below is text approved for release by Wolfgang Büschel. Other parts have been posted initially on SWSites. GREAT WORK, Dan. See my screenshots as attached. I assume these two combined installations, both jamming and foreign broadcast sites towards north via Florida to Chicago main lobe line, are R E L I C S of the CUBAN-RUSSIAN radio equipment cooperation teamwork in 1960 till 1992 era. But station erection never finished after the collapse of the former Soviet Union. And never used before for Radio Moscow foreign service too towards the USA and Canada? I came never across such a MW direction service, due to lack of free MW channels in the US. How does work 710 or 1180 kHz channels further north of Florida? Combined are both MW installations at Chambas and Marti for perfect east west Cuban islands jamming sites, on frequencies 710 and 1180 kHz? As well as directional installation in direction of 340 / 350 degrees towards Florida and further north to Chicago IL... About the stub I asked some radioamateur, mostly these stubs are used at one quarter wavelength. {also LW Oranienburg Zehlendorf 177 kHz has one or more stubs} Comment of look at these on Google Earth: [as above from Ben Dawson] I hope that you enjoy this. I will try to copy the emailed screenshots now sitting in my Yahoo inbox! 73s (Dan Goldfarb, mwmasts yg via DXLD) ** CUBA [and non]. After lack of DentroCuban Jamming Dec 28, I am listening carefully for it Dec 30 at 1343 vs VOA Spanish service frequencies during newsmagazine `Buenos Días, América` 1330-1400 M-F: none detectable on 9885 or 15590, but slight bubble jamming audible underneath 13750. 9885 had slight CCI from another broadcaster, i.e. VOR Hindi via Tajikistan. VOA was running a promo for `De Capital a Capital` show which is ``música y más música``, but failing to reveal any time for it! Now need to check for jamming against VOA`s evening broadcast in Spanish, which may be more problematic if part of it is still shared with Radio Martí. UT Dec 31 I am checking the VOA Spanish service at 0030-0200 whether it is still heavily jammed, unlike the morning service at 13-14: at 0030, yes, 5890, 9885 and 12000 are all jammed; 5890 has a better signal vs jamming than the others. Next check at 0148, oh-oh, 5890 is buried by WWCR preacher about Yahweh, can just make out SAH, VOA Spanish and jamming underneath; 9885 and 12000 are still mixed with jamming; not // 9825 R. Martí which is much atop the jamming since it`s from Sackville. See USA: WWCR entry for more on the collision on 5890 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6120, Radio Havana Cuba, Dec. 25, 0410. F announcer. Carrier strong but choppy, but this broadcast is all signal and no sound. Audio barely heard (Rick Barton, Wickenburg AZ (denotes closest town to my campsite on Federal BLM Land at base of Vulture Peak), ATS-803A, RF- 2200, DX-375, Slinky antenna, 9' Tomato stake antenna, tent: Coleman "Meadow Falls", ABDX via DXLD) 13750, Jan 1 at 1437, RHC `En Contacto` with this week`s birthday greetings, then relisting the 80+ most regular listeners of the show in 2011y, ranking country by country up to #1: Cuba itself {where RHC is the only SW station `safe` to be caught listening to}. All five Americans had Spanish names I did not recognize. This part of the show repeats last week`s but it`s not a 100% replay. Initially 13750 had a SAH from some other carrier, I thought maybe Greenville still on after 1400* but Iran in Hindi is also scheduled; plus Oman per HFCC, presumably wooden. RHC comes up on 13750 only on Sunday mornings, a remnant of the long-gone Venezuelan relay, making no sense now. UT Monday Jan 2 at 0639, I am about to conclude that the jammers are off during R. Martí`s break, nothing on 7405, but on 6030 I can still hear weak residual pulsing, rather than CFVP. 15380, 13780, etc. Jan 2 at 1435-1454 I find RHC with an anniversary show for its fiftieth year, about its involvement in the Angolan civil war, ending apartheid in South Africa, etc., etc. Of particular interest were clips of long-gone services, such as ``La Voz de Cuba``, RHC-produced overnight programming on MW in the 70s, with its lovely chime interval signal played a few times, including a wow in the tape sending it off-pitch [not in the archive at http://www.intervalsignals.net/ ]. Voice of Cuba was also in English for a while. They admitted its purpose was to block frequencies from counter-revolutionary stations, a task later taken over by R. Rebelde 24-hour programming. Also a clip of ``CMCA, the Friendly Voice of Cuba``; sexta-lingual Radio Juventud temporary station for a youth congress, but no mention of Radio Taíno. Perhaps this heavily politicized retrospective will repeat this afternoon, evening, who knows when (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I was all set to record but no show 22-24 UT Revista IbAm (gh) ** CYPRUS. 9760, 2217-, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, Dec 23. Excellent reception in Greek. Parallel 7220 fair, and 6135 not heard (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CYPRUS TURKISH. 6150, 2210-2245, Turkish Northern Cyprus, Radio Bayrak International, definitely // the web site. By 2240 strong enough to remove any lingering doubt. This is one time SW needs to thank the computer! I noticed something behind it. Perhaps this is Taiwan, and perhaps I did hear Taiwan mixing with Bayrak last night and then signing off at 2400. I suspect this is the situation. In any case Bayrak definitely there tonight. December 30 (XM - NRD 525D ~ Sony 2010, Cedar Key - South Florida, via Bob Wilkner, FL, Jan 3, NASWA yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) Unfortunately for me, no Bayrak on 6150, only probable Radio Taiwan International from 2200 in definite Chinese. Man and woman in Chinese with what probably is news, they alternate with brief ``punctuations`` of music between items. Poor to sometimes fair. So far, nothing noted mixing with this but will continue on the frequency, hoping (Don Jensen, WI, Jan 3, NASWA yg via DXLD) Or the ChiCom CNR1 jamming (gh) Hi Don, Me neither, was a good log and he had // on web site. Have the radio on now and conditions are terrible (Bob Wilkner, 2352 UT Jan 3, ibid.) So my logging of Bayrak Radio at the Shadow Lake Radio Camp in November was not a fluke (Mark Coady, Ont., ibid.) ??? It`s still so hard to get in NAm, that all logs amount to fluxe, not a bad thing (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** CZECHIA. R. Prague 2012 QSLs: 12 Czech Painters, illustrated: http://www.radio.cz/es/static/qsl/qsl-2012 (via Yimber Gaviria, noticiasdx yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) ** CZECHIA. R Bila Hora --- Hallo, Listenhörer, wie seit 2008 gehört zu jedem Sylvester ist heute Radio Bila Hora wieder auf 3333 kHz. aktiv. Das Signal ist hier im Raum Dresden stabil, aber viele RTTY- und QRM auf der QRG. Leider beschränkt man sich auf Tschechische Ansagen und Musik, zumindestens in dem von mir gerade verfolgten Zeitraum 1800-1830 UT. Mein SINFO : 43343. Best`73, (Klaus Fuehrlich, 1833 UT Dec 31, A-DX via Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DXLD) Ja, und kommt gut rein; Die Liste kann nicht besser sein als wir selbst, ohne unsere AKTIVE TEILNAHME. Danke Christoph !!! QTH: Radebeul bei Dresden, RX: NRD 545-DSP, Ant..; 20-m-long wire (A-DX Dec 31, 2011 via WB, ibid.) As every year on last night of the year Radio Bila Hora is on the air. Orchestra Karla Blaha at 1900 UT. CZECH REPUBLIC, R Bila Hora. Um 1844 UT auf 3333.444 kHz die Tschechische Version eines Peter Alexander songs. Die Musik kommt aus den 50ziger und 60ziger Jahren - Nostalgie pur. 73 (wb df5sx wwdxc germany dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3333.4, R. Bila Hora (presumed), 1911-, 31/12, unreadable talks, some music; 15331; still on at 2140 when just a little bit better. The frequency of 2458 was scheduled to be used on this day, but no signal was detected down here (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sabato 31 dicembre 2011, 2235 - 3333.4 kHz, RADIO BILA HORA, IDs OM e musica varia. Segnale sufficiente-buono. Solo il 31 dicembre (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, Jan 1, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Czech pirate Radio Bila Hora heard on December 31 with its annual New Years Eve broadcast on 3333.4, a weak but clear channel here at 2240 (Dave Kenny, BDXC-UK via Jan WDXC Contact via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) They had broadcast December 17 on 2458.3 which was heard in the UK, also listed for their New Years Eve broadcast as well as 3333.4 but no reports of this frequency at deadline (Mike Barraclough, ibid.) Not as every year: This time it's even audible portable indoors here, on peaks strong enough to make out that the modulation is pretty good, with talk allegedly being done with a vintage condenser mic: http://rbh.czechian.net/fotky.htm The home page also mentions 2458 kHz where nothing can be traced through the noise floor here (Kai Ludwig, Germany, 2351 UT Dec 31, dxldyg via DXLD) 3333.44, 0030-0050 01.01, R Bila Hora, Czech ann, annual special New Year programme of Czech songs, 34333, QRM CHU timesignals on 3330 (Anker Petersen, in Skovlunde, Denmark, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** DIEGO GARCIA. 4319, 2345-2355, DGA, 30.12, AFRTS feeder, English ads, 32433, heavy CWQRM (Anker Petersen, in Skovlunde, Denmark, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) BIOT. 4319.00 (USB), AFN, first heard at 1357 tune-in 1/2. Light music, short break TOH, back to music, ballads, break at 1413 with M/F announcers, terribly weak, back to singing music at 1419. Same format to past 1446, signal never much above background. Pop music after 1500. Last heard here 12/7 (report sent 12/8, QSL received 12/20), as ute QRM was dominant here for nearly a month in almost daily checks, for both evenings/ mornings. Not heard on 12579 same time period, as well as 0030-0200 time frame. Re-check at 1532 was slightly stronger with music (Jim Young, Wrightwood, California, ICOM IC-756 ProIII + 40-M yagi + 80-M inverted Vee, NASWA yg via DXLD) Hi Jim, As usual we were enjoying some of the same stations today. Indeed the digital/data/ute totally covered AFN here and had dominated this frequency for a while now. Jan 1 and 2, randomly from 1407 to 1503, I again heard them, but was very different from the last time I heard them. Clearly with both LSB and USB at about the same level, with AM being weak and distorted (now FM?). They have the non-standard AFN format of mostly music; the “Z Rock” show of hard rock music; with ABC news at 1410 followed by military PSA and back to rock music; 1445 again with PSA. The standard AFN format on not // 5765-USB (AFN Guam) and 7811-USB (AFN Key West) is either talk shows or the audio feed from TV shows. Guam and Key West also not // (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, Calif., NASWA yg via DXLD) ** DJIBOUTI. Reactivated: Hearing Djibouti now - 4780 - 1645 UT Jan 4 with HoA music. Not noted previous day. Very good signal in NSW (David Sharp, NSW, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks to tip from Victor Goonetilleke via Mauno Ritola on WRTH Facebook page, currently hearing Radio Djibouti back on 4780 kHz with fair clear signal, but rapid fading (at 1930 UT). Local songs and female announcer (Alan Pennington, Caversham, UK, AOR 7030+ / long wire, Jan 4, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) Look for it in NAm around sign-on 0300; used to put a pretty good signal over here (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EAST TURKISTAN. 3950, China, PBS Xinjiang, Urumqi. December 31, 0148-0156 studio female and outside male in Chinese talks, male on music sounding like ads. 35433, (lob-B). 4500, China, PBS Xinjiang, Urumqi. December 31, 0214-0222 Mongolian (listed) male talks, exotic and strange instrumental music, predominant female and male talks, short instrumental music, back male. 35433, (lob-B). 4330, China, PBS Xinjiang, Urumqui. December 31, 0223-0233 Kazakh (listed) male and female talks, short folk music, female outside. 45433, 73’s (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil (23 39’S-46 53’W), SW40 - Dipoles and Longwire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) CHINA. 4980, 1557-, PBS Xinjiang, Dec 26. Uyghur programming at very good level. Not at all like Chinese. More akin to central Asian languages. A bit overmodulated (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. 4814.98, R El Buen Pastor (presumed) first heard at 1005 in Spanish. Talk (sermon) by M in Spanish at 1043, slow deliberate and distinct talk with mentions of 'Cristo'. Continued through TOH with no break. Latin flavor music at 1108 with Spanish singing. Sounded like ad/jingle with M & F in Spanish at 1114, more announcements, music and time pips(?) sounds at 1019. Very lively music with drums and brass at 1125. This same format through BOH, and time pips again several times. 1/3 (Jim Young, Wrightwood, California, ICOM IC-756 ProIII + 40-M yagi + 80-M inverted Vee, NASWA yg via DXLD) ** ECUADOR [non]. 12025, good signal Dec 29 at 2135 nice music, not obviously evangelical, from HCJB Arabic service via CANADA, 2144:30 cut abruptly to RCI IS until 2145* (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. 6270, 2154-, Radio Cairo, Dec 28. English program with very strong signal, but virtually no modulation. A real shame. Listed to western Europe (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9855, 04/Jan 2041, R Cairo (PRESUMED), in Arabic. Only the carrier, no modulation. Anyone can listen to Radio Cairo in some transmission?? When no modulation, very low modulation or modulation distorted. 73 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15065, Radio Cairo, Abu Zaabal. 1406 January 1, 2012. Presumed the one with Qur'an, female in presumed Pashto (listed 1400-1600), into central Asian vocals. Good, and one of the few Cairo transmitters reasonably problem-free (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA. 7140, 0311-, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea 2nd program, Dec 31. Not sure who I'm listening to with western music at fair level, and no immediate ham activity in the area. My notes only have a 'Ginbot 7 Dimts Radio' from Eritrea, but only from 0600 UT, and definitely nothing 'Horn of Africa' sounding at all. There was brief talk at 0313 but too weak to make anything out. Weaker than the Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea on now at fair/good level on 7175. Now, 7140 has improved and clearly the two are //, so mystery is solved! 7180, 1536-, VOBME 2, Dec 31. Particularly good reception with a woman speaking, but at 1537:20, a sudden white noise jammer obliterated the signal 5 kHz above and below. 7110 may be in parallel, but was weaker. Fascinating, since Eritrea then jumped to 7175 to avoid the jammer! A much stronger and broader white noise presumably jammer obliterated 7110 too. Jumped again to 7165 at 1541:30. Having the Perseus waterfall makes following them a cinch! Jammers now off, and 7110 back in parallel (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9730.03, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea, 0310-0335, local Horn of Africa music. Vernacular talk. Very weak modulation. // 7175 - fair but with some occasional HAM adjacent channel splatter. Dec 31 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) 4770 \\ 7110.03 kHz, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea, 1500-1700 also 7175 kHz. 1500-1600 UT wiped out by Chinese jamming machine all three frequencies. After 1600 UT all 3 free of jamming. The Chinese white noise jamming puts the cold war years diesel generator noise jamming to shame (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, 4S7VK, DXplorer Dec 29 via BC-DX 4 Jan via DXLD) ** ERITREA/ETHIOPIA. Once again on Dec 28th some twins of Asmara-ERI program and Ethiopian white noise jamming. Sometimes the engineers of regular Radio Ethiopia site at Gedja MIX UP their WHITE NOISE jamming audio with regular Radio Ethiopia programming, very strange. 9705.034 Asmara ERI mixed with broadband White Noise jamming at 0455. 7101-7119 White Noise jamming, fake by ETH, no peak of ERI visible, 0515 UT. 7184.992 Asmara ERI mixed with broadband White Noise jamming at 0520. 7161-7179 White Noise jamming, covered Asmara-ERI on 7159.992 at 0533 UT on Wed Dec 28. 7235.023 kHz at 0525 UT - Despite different times mentioned on WRTH 2012 and Aoki list, I noted a HoA station in Unknown language, like Tigrinya of Voice of Democracy via Addis Ababa Gedja, which schedule is one hour earlier in WRTH 2012. Normally 7235 even is covered by Belarus Radio, but failed this morning (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 28, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews 4 Jan via DXLD) R Ethiopia using 7200 kHz now, 1430-1700 UT, with English 1600-1700 UT \\ 9559 7235 kHz, created a fine soup with Afghanistan and Sudan (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Laka, 4S7VK, DXplorer Dec 29 via BC-DX 4 Jan via DXLD) 9705.034, R Ethiopia English program checked here, when heard \\ Footprints 7199.999, same program to sudden cut off at 1654 UT Dec 29. Asmara ERI left 7199.981 at 1646 UT. Omdurman Sudan was still on at 7200.020 kHz. 7174.988, Asmara ERI mixed with broadband White Noise jamming at 1630 UT, 7100.025 at 1656 UT, S=7-8 poor in EUR, compared to much stronger 7179.992 at 1713 UT, S=9+10dBm. Ethiopian jammer was on 7106 to 7133 kHz instead, not on 7100 kHz, but caught it at 1658 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 29, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews 4 Jan via DXLD) 6110.004, Radio Fana, Addis Ababa in Amharic, HoA mx, 0340 UT at S=9+40dB. 6090 [tentat.], Voice of Amhara State, Gedja-ETH, Amharic, at 0344 UT Jan 4, S=9+15dB. 6030 [tentat.], Voice of Oromia, Gedja-ETH, S=9+10dB, young girls chorus, like HoA mx at 0346 UT Jan 4. 5950, Voice of Tigre Revolution from Ethiopia in Tigre language, S=9 at 0351 UT Jan 4. Talk on political matter by two men. 7174.991, V of Broad Masses from Asmara in Eritea. Arabic news at 0400 UT Jan 4, S=8 at Perseus unit in Ukraine. 7234.885, Voice of Peace & Democracy in Tigrinya, heard S=8 in Ukraine at 0407 UT Jan 4. 9559.791 ... 809 kHz, transmitter wandered within a half hour. Female singer and HOA music of Radio Ethiopia at 0432 UT today Jan 4. Program hit heavily by co-channel XJBS PBS Xinjiang Urumqi in Uighur on even 9560 kHz, also R. Tupi / Super R. Deus é Amor nearby played light music at 0435 UT, mentioned Paulista, 9564.863 kHz at 0437 UT. 9704.998, tentative-Niger? and stronger 9705.030, latter seemingly V of Broad Masses 2 (Dimtsi Hafash) from Eritrea program hit heavily by Ethiopian jammer White Noise jammer on 9693 to 9717 kHz. \\ Asmara Selae-Dara outlet on 9820.027 jammed also by Ethiopian station at S=9 level. 7169.991, Another Asmara outlet at 0544 UT Jan 4 on S=9+5dB level, accompanied by Ethiopian jamming on 7160-7180 kHz (Wolfgang Büshcel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 4 via DXLD) ** ERITREA/ETHIOPIA. [INTRUDER ALERT] BC jammers on 7 MHz --- The BC jammers by white noise (carrier + 2 both sidebands) from Radio Ethiopia are still daily active. Radio Ethiopia is jamming Radio Eritrea between 7100-7200 kHz, today with 20 kHz bandwidth. Please observe the attached screenshot from Dec. 4th at about 1600 UT (7120 and 7160 kHz). Earlier complaints to Ethiopia and Eritrea by the German PTT were not observed. 73 from Wolf, DK2OM, Jan 4 INTRUDERALERT mailing list (via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** ESTONIA. QSL: TWR EUROPE, Tartu, 1035 kHz, E-mail ed E-QSL come allegato JPG in 22 giorni. No RP. QTH: P. O. Box 141 - A-1235 Vienna (Austria). V/s: Kalman Dobos kdobos @ twr.org - Broadcast Monitoring & Frequency Coordination. Inviato CD MP3 (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, Jan 1, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA. 9705.00, R. Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, heard 1947-2020 on 12/15 on a nice precise frequency. Initially heard underneath Family Radio Meyerton on same, which thankfully clears out after ToH. Good signal by 2010 with pleasant program of Horn of Africa style pops and jazz. OM announcer in English and presumed Amharic (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100; Knightkit Star Roamer; Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 + Quantum Phaser antenna unit; Longwires (150' + 100'); Tuned Multi-Turn 20" Small Loop; Single-Turn Coax Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7200, 1514-, Radio Ethiopia, Dec 23. Parked on this frequency just after 1500. The dominant station, which now appears to be the external service of Radio Ethiopia, is quite strong in a presumed local language (?Amharic). There is definitely a much weaker cochannel as well. Horn of Africa music. I continued monitoring the channel past 1530. The signal improved substantially. I'm still hearing the dominant station, but there is clearly a cochannel playing music (I can't be sure of the genre; could be Horn of Africa, or more central Asian?). The male speaker on the dominant station has been speaking non-stop (not in English) and does not sound Arabic. I have to use LSB to avoid ham QRM on the high side of 7200. At 1600 there was a weak ID in English under a cochannel station mentioning the 41 meter band and also 300 and something on the Medium Wave band. I couldn't make out the ID for certain. This fascinating station remains a real mystery to me! Listening again at 1630, fair level English news. This must be from Ethiopia, but levels down from an hour ago. Finally, transmitter is off when I rechecked at 1647 (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also AFGHANISTAN 9705, 2034-, Radio Ethiopia, Dec 26. Presumably them, with Horn of Africa type music at good level. Seems to be right on 9705.00 on my AOR 7030+. Could also be La Voix du Sahel, as well. Music only during the 15 minutes I've been listening. Sounds more Saharan than Horn of Africa. Well, listened to the sign-off and into the National Anthem. The language was apparently Amharic, so difficult to understand, but obviously was Radio Ethiopia at very good level! Open carrier remains after 2102. Something down there in the mud, but can't be sure. Measured with my Perseus, and it's on 9704.985 kHz (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7235.23v, 0424-0432'08*, Radio Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, 02/01, Tigrinya, OM talks with fragments of typical Horn of Africa music, then empty carrier during two minutes - fair and even better with local noise only (Mikhail Timofeyev, North-East part of the St. Petersburg city, Russia, Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: long wire (30 m), DSWCI member no.2987, http://dxcorner.narod.ru HCDX via DXLD) ** EUROPE. PIRATE. 6205.15, Radio Star International, 0845-0935, lite pop music. DJ chatter. Easy Listening music. Contact information. Caught ID at 0933-0934. Weak. Poor in noisy conditions. Jan 1 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** EUROPE. "Crazy Wave Radio" from Germany is also on 6300 right now with a big signal to the US. He's been strong here since 4 pm EST [2100 UT] (Tim Tromp, West Michigan, 0119 UT Jan 1, ABDX via DXLD) PIRATE --- 6300, Crazy Wave Radio, 12/31/2012, central Germany, with New Year`s Eve special program, pops and DJ in, mostly English, some German bits. Per Herkimer tip, first tuned at just barely audible level shortly after 2100. Steadily improved to fair to good by 2200. Nice eQSL quickly for an MP3 file of reception. Surprising that a Europirate noted here in the midwest US so early and, ultimately, so well! Wonder what power it was running. Surely not as low as the earlier reported 60 watts. Must have been at least 10 times that or more (Don Jensen, Kenosha WI, NASWA yg via DXLD) PIRATE. 6300, Crazy Wave Radio, 2130-2315+, pop music of the 70’s- 80’s. DJ chatter. Sound effects. IDs as “Crazy Wave Radio” and “CWR”. Music by Pink Floyd, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Donna Summer, Boston, ELO and others. Weak at tune-in but improved to a fair level by 2150 and improved further by 2220 with a good signal. Dec 31 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) 6300, GERMANY (PIRATE), Crazy Wave Radio. 2248 December 31. Pop/dance tracks such as Rod Stewart "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy"; Ann Peebles "I Can't Stand the Rain"; Simple Minds "Alive and Kicking"; The Clash "This Is Radio Clash" with male DJ between and atop songs with frequent ID's, also occasionally shifting into German. Canned "CWR" acronym ID's with laser SFX. Very good (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EUROPE. QSL: Pirata: SHORTWAVE MALTA RADIO, 6933 kHz, E-QSL come allegato jpg in 161 giorni. E-rpt con ID MP3 spedito a: shortwavemalta@hotmail.com (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, Jan 1, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) See also CZECHIA ** FAROE ISLANDS. 531, Kringvarp Føroya, Akraberg, DEC 28 0146-0149 - Good atop channel with a woman in Faroese playing short bits of instrumental music and taking phone calls. Fading and mixing with Algeria at 0149. First time heard this year (Marc DeLorenzo, South Dennis MA; JRC NRD-525, 75 x 75 x 60-ft east/west dual feedline Delta with remote variable termination, 350-ft north/south longwire, Mini MWDX-3 phaser, NRC IDXD Dec 30 via DXLD) Although solar activity has been on the rise, the result so far has primarily been an increase in geomagnetic disturbances without an accompanying increase in solar indices, enough to disrupt transoceanic DX but not auroral enough for tropical enhancement. However the logging of Faroe Islands this week defies the approaching solar maximum, proving that anything under the sun is possible as Solar Cycle 24 sputters along with an anti-climactic peak now forecast for 2013 (Bruce Conti, ed., ibid.) [and non] Faroe Islands/Algeria-531 --- Faroe Islands-531 fair with classical music 2105-2112 UT // webstream - mostly under Algeria with discussion between man & woman in Arabic // 549 kHz. No trace of RNE Spain at this time. But, since 2115, Algeria has been all alone on the frequency with light music - some uncharacteristically Western style (like a movie soundtrack) and some light Arabic vocals with violin. (Marc DeLorenzo, South Dennis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, http://www.wtfda.info/showthread.php?t=228 Jan 1 IRCA via DXLD) ** FAROE ISLANDS. 1641, OXJ Tórshavn Radio, “Sécurité sécurité all stations all stations Tórshavn Radio calling Tórshavn Radio calling – with a repetition of gale warning issued at 1106 UT” etc in USB, G, 1200 31/12 mah Best wishes for 2012, (Martin A. Hall, Clashmore, Scotland. Perseus SDR, RPA-1 preamp, MFJ-1026 phaser (modified), beverages: 550m at 338 degrees, terminated, http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/clashmoreradio/ http://www.qrz.com/db/GM8IEM MWCircle yg via DXLD) ** FINLAND. Scandinavian Weekend Radio will hit the airwaves on 13th/14th Jan 2012, mark your calendar. The start to the New year brings new faces to SWR, have a sneak preview of the new people at http://www.swradio.net/ SWR broadcast dates: 13th-14th January 2012 3rd-4th February 2012 2nd-3rd March 2012 (Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, India, Jan 2, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) Finland: SWR returns 13-14 January Licensed Finnish station Scandinavian Weekend Radio (SWR), Virrat, Finland returns to the air earlier than expected on Friday 13th January (usually from 2200 UT) to Saturday 14th January (closing usually at 2200 UT). They had previously said they were having a winter break and would return in Spring 2012. SWR frequencies are: 11690 alternating with 11720 kHz; 5980 alternating with 6170 kHz (plus locally on 1602 kHz) - see website nearer the date for which frequencies are in use at each hour throughout the 24hr broadcast. http://www.swradio.net/schedule.htm Broadcast will also feature some new DJs: "The start to the New year brings new faces to SWR our "Dream Team" of new faces will hit the airwaves on the 14th January. You can have a sneak preview of the new people at :- http://www.swradio.net " (Scandinavian Weekend Radio Facebook page 2-Jan via Alan Pennington, BDXC-UK yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) ** FRANCE. What`s heard on 1593 with DRM kaput: see GERMANY [and non] ** FRANCE [and non]. South Africa. Radio France International relay. 11605, Meyerton. Dec 31, 2011, Saturday. 0626-0636. Abba, followed by YL talking French, then OM talking over "Dancing Queen". RFI jingle at 0630 followed by news. Very poor, to Central Africa (EiBi), so probably going right over my head. RFI should "make a plan" as we say here. Jo'burg is one of the most influential cities in sub-Saharan Africa, RFI even re-broadcast from here, and yet they are missing us. Jo'burg sunrise 0319 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio France International webpage updated December 3 gives English shortwave schedule as to East Africa 0400-0500 on 9805 7425, 0500-0600 on 11995 and 0600-0700 on 15160. To Central and West Africa 0600-0700 on 9765, 0700-0800 on 15615. The broadcasts have been affected in recent months by strike action (Mike Barraclough, DX News, Jan World DX Club Contact via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) Please confirm whether any of these are still on the air! (Glenn Hauser, Jan 3, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7220, Jan 2 at 0611, RFI is finally back in the scheduled language Hausa instead of English! After at least a month in English by mistake at 0600-0630. Our loss. Altho when I intuned there was clip in English, soon voiced-over in Hausa. BUT:::!!! 7220, Jan 3 at 0620, RFI is still in Hausa, so I try to hear English on 9765, but not there, just propagation? Doubt it, as e.g. RNW via further PRIDNESTROVYE is in well on 9895. More RFI frequencies are missing, so I fear there have been unexpected cutbacks for 2012y: 17690, RFI Spanish missing via GUIANA FRENCH at 1403, 1627 for the 1400 and 1600 broadcasts. Will it also be missing at 2100 from 17630? 17620 and 15300 direct from Issoudun also absent at 1403, 1644; 21560 at 1403 with the NHK relay was barely audible, so the site is still funxional. Also need to check 21690 which is scheduled for RFI Issoudun, and at 17-20 from Montsinéry. Nothing on it so far before 17. No news of any strikes at the moment, and besides, during previous strikes the frequencies stayed on the air with RFI Musique fill. [Later:] Many, but not all RFI broadcasts previously scheduled continue to be missing in 2012y. We are trying to find out whether permanent cancellations have been made, or there is some other problem such as industrial action at the transmitter sites, and/or at certain language sections? 21690, Jan 3 at 1831, French is still poorly audible. The 17-20 segment has been scheduled via GUIANA FRENCH. Jorge Freitas, Brasil also heard this Jan 3 until closing at 1959. 17630, the Spanish broadcast at 2100-2130 is still missing Jan 3 at 2116 check, (and Jorge Freitas agrees). Mike Cooper says: ``RFI Spanish programming found on satellite as usual at 2100, nothing heard on 17630. I don't know of any reason for the frequencies to be missing. No reference to frequency issues seen at RFI Spanish page(s). Review of French news, including AFP in French, turns up nothing mentioning TDF or anything unusual out of French Guyana.`` So are all RFI Spanish broadcasts off? 1000-1030 UT M-F on 7375, 9825, and 1200-1230 on 17610, 15515, all GUF, I have not yet checked. But Mike Cooper reports Jan 4: ``Glenn: Meteo Marine not heard this morning on 13640 at 1130, nor Spanish on 17690 at 1400`` 11995, Jan 4 at 0555, no signal from RFI English as scheduled at 05- 06, altho the band was about dead, so can`t be sure it`s off. 9765, Jan 4 at 0603, no signal, scheduled for 06-07 English, and the band is certainly open, e.g. Turkey 9820, 9700; Pridnestrovye 9895; Bulgaria 9400, etc., etc. 7220, Jan 4 at 0607, RFI Hausa is still on the air, ex-English by mistake until 0630. 7390, Jan 4 at 0607, RFI French is weakly audible and seems undermodulated; also on 5925 vs heavy splatter from WWCR 5935. 15300 and 17620, Jan 4 at 1410, RFI French are missing, and so is Spanish via GUF on 17690. Ditto next Spanish after 1600 on 17690. Meanwhile, other DXLD monitors have also been checking out RFI: Walt Salmaniw, Victoria BC: ``Glenn asked whether RFI in English was on at 04 to 08 UT. I checked tonight 4 Jan, and conditions were not very good, and all that was audible was very weak carriers on 9805 between 04 and 05, and 15160 between 06 and 07. Both far too weak to ID, and nothing at all on any of the other frequencies`` Harold Sellers, BC: ``I was also hearing 15160 very weak - but IDable - in the 0600-0700 period tonight, January 4`` That conflicts with wb`s note about 15160 below, and I must point out that R. Australia is also on 15160 in English at 05-08 --- this entry is missing from current HFCC, but in RA`s own schedule http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pdf/frequency_guide.pdf Should be easy to identify by // 15240, 13690, 13630 if propagating. Wolfgang Büschel, Germany: ``Cease of RFI? or strike at TDF personnel? At 0630-0700 UT Jan 4 heard only: RFI French on 5925 and 7390 kHz. BUT NOT on air on 7340, 9765, 9790, 11700, nor 15160 kHz. RFI Hausa 0700-0730 UT 13685, 15315 kHz. Not on 11830 kHz. RFI English 0700-0757 UT not 11725, not 15615 kHz. RFI French 0700-0800 UT 9790, 11700 2x 190/204degr, 13695, 15170-MEY relay, 15300 2x 155/190degr, 17850 kHz. RFI French 0800-0900 UT 13695, 17620, 21580 kHz. RFI French 0900-1000 UT ceased totally, nothing on 13695, 15300, 17620, 17850, 21580 kHz. RFI French 0900-1000 UT ceased totally, nothing on 13695, 15300, 17620, 17850, 21580 kHz. RFI French 1000-1100 UT ceased totally, nothing on 6175, 15300, 17620, 21690GUF kHz. RFI French 1100-1200 UT ceased totally, nothing on 6175, 15300, 17620, 21690GUF kHz. Only 1100-1130 UT French/Laotion was on air via Tainan-TWN relay on odd 15679.980 kHz RFI French 1200-1300 UT on air 15300, 17660MEY, 21580, 21690GUF kHz. Missed 6175 kHz, and Spanish 15515 17610 kHz. All French public radio LW and MW outlets here in Europe are on air regularly. Seemingly only the technicians at TDF are on - partly - strike? Spanish section missing, but Hausa service was regular on schedule. RFI via Meyerton and Taiwan relays functioning well. vy73 Wolfy`` The original/complete RFI HFCC schedule is here: http://www.hfcc.org/data/schedbybrc.php?seas=B11&broadc=RFI (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also ALGERIA [non] I suspect the "problem" is the transmission contract for the equipment set up at Issoudun during the nineties. This contract had been signed in 1991 and was valid for 20 years. See here, also for the reactivation of the seventies vintage facility in 2001: http://tvignaud.pagesperso-orange.fr/am/rfi/e1991-2001.htm Right now Radio Taiwan International in Spanish is on air on 3965, on which the carrier came on at 1958, after a few seconds followed by program audio, the end of the French broadcast supposed to be transmit until 2000 from Issoudun on 11875. These RTI transmissions are booked by RFI, they are a classic airtime exchange; the RFI slots in Taiwan, of which a number is on mediumwave, are shown in WRTH 2012. So RFI has not ceased to use the TDF-operated shortwave transmitters entirely, apparently "just" cut back after the old, binding contract has expired. I would not cling to theories like industrial action, after all the reports about AEF allegedly planning to cut back on radio in favour of TV (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Jan 4, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RFI Monitoring, 4th part, til 1900 UT. RFI Prop of 17 and 21 MHz..., could only heard in US on Chuck Rippel's Perseus unit on Atlantic Virginia coast. Chuck has the best remote SDR radio/and antenna on access via network I have ever seen/heard from US. Excellent quality. Re YFR, RTA-TDA, not heard now during strike time, I guess the TDF manager select the more well PAYER like NHK, RTI, M&B/BVB transmission ON AIR, but stop broadcasting YFR and TDA now for the strike period. Remember the sudden breaks in broadcasting by IRIB via Sitkunai, which to do with the renting bc-hours payment. Maybe the managing directors at TDF Issoudun run the station on remote basis now, when the blue- collar workers ON STRIKE? 73 wolfy (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) Only 1100-1130 UT French/Laotion was on air via Tainan-TWN relay on odd 15679.980 kHz. RFI French 1100-1200 UT ceased totally, nothing on 6175, 15300, 17620, 21690GUF kHz. RFI French 1200-1300 UT on air 15300, 17660MEY, 21580, 21690GUF kHz. Missed 6175 kHz, and Spanish 15515 17610 kHz. RFI French 1300-1400 UT ceased totally, RFI French 1400-1500 UT not on air French 15300, 17620, 21690 kHz. On air Russian sce 11860, 15530 kHz, not on alternat. 13720, 17850 kHz. On air Vietnamese 14-15 UT via Tainan-TWN relay on 7379.990 kHz. Not on air Spanish 17690GUF. Also on air NHK World R Japan via 21560-ISS relay 1400-1430 UT today. RFI Persian 1430-1500 UT 15360, 17850 kHz, S=9+35dB in Ukraine. 15530 (only strong carrier, modulation only 1%, engineering fault? rather STANDBY unit in reserve) RFI French 1500-1600 UT not on air French 17850 kHz. On air Vietnamese 15-16 UT via Tanshui-TWN relay on 9564.909 kHz. On air Swahili 15-16 UT via Meyerton-AFS relay on 15160 kHz. RFI French 1600-1700 UT not on air French 15300, 17850, 21580 kHz. On air Russian sce 1600-1630 UT 9805, 11670 kHz, not on alternat. 11795, 13640 kHz. On air Hausa sce 1600-1700 UT 17615 kHz Not on air Spanish 17690GUF. Not on air Portuguese 17605. On air YFR Amharic 15160-ISS, and Oromo 13660-ISS, Not altern.11975-ISS 1600-1700 UT. On air RTI English 1600-1700 UT 12055-ISS. On air BVB Oromo? lang 1600-1700 UT 13810-ISS. RFI French 1700-1800 UT on air 13695, 15300, 17850, 21690-GUF kHz, Not on air French 11705, 17620 kHz. On air RFI Persian 1700-1800 UT 11955-ISS, but not alternat.11995-ISS. On air BVB Amharic/Tigre lang 1700-1800 UT 13810-ISS. On air RTI Russian 1700-1800 UT 7465-ISS. On air RTI English 1700-1800 UT 15690-ISS. On air NHK World R Japan in Japanese, 17-18 UT 11945-ISS. Not on air YFR Swahili 15160-ISS. RFI French 1800-1900 UT on air 11705, 11995, 13695, 15300, 21690 kHz, Not on air French 9790, 17850 kHz. Not on air RFI Portuguese French 13675 kHz. On air NHK World R Japan in Japanese, 18-19 UT 11945-ISS. On air CRI Russian 9535-ISS. On air RTI English 1800-1900 UT 3965-ISS. Not on air YFR Sesotho 12015-ISS. RTA-TDA HQ at 18-19 UT, not heard due co-channel RRI English 11955 kHz, but I guess NOT on air, also NOT on 9390 at this hour.. All French public radio LW and MW outlets here in Europe are on air regularly. Seemingly only the technicians at TDF are on - partly - strike? Spanish section missing, but Hausa service was regular on schedule. RFI via Meyerton and Taiwan relays functioning well. NHK relay via ISS functioning well. vy73 Wolfy (Büschel, Jan 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15300, 04/Jan 1756, FRANCE, RFI, in French. ID. No signal on 9790. // 11705 very weak signal, 13695 weak signal, 15300 regular signal, 17850 very weak signal, 21690 weak signal. 13675, 04/Jan 1817, No signal from RFI in Portuguese. 11995, 04/Jan 1849, RFI, in French. YL talk with a man on the phone. Good signal. // 13695, 15300. No signal on 9790. 9790, 04/Jan 1908, RFI, in French. OM and YL present news. No signal on 9940, 13695. // 11995, 11705, SINPO 35433. 7425, 04/Jan 1900, from my point of view a collision between RFI in Russian, and RNW in English, at the same frequency. RFI present. 7350, 04/Jan 2216, No signal RFI in Russian. Also remote receiver in Hong Kong, Global Tuners. 7205, 04/Jan 2014, RFI, in French. A lively interview, with a rapper. Good signal. // 9790 good signal, 11995 weak signal. No signal on 11705. 17630, 04/Jan 2014 [must mean 2114] No signal from RFI via Montsinery in Spanish (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) log 5th part, from 1900 UT Jan 4: RFI French 1900-2000 UT on air 9790, 11705, 11995, 21690GUF kHz. Not on air French 13695, 15300 kHz, both on M12 season. Not on air RFI Portuguese 13675 kHz, 1900-1930 UT. Unfortunately couldn't trace remote DX Tuner at Johannesburg for 5945- MEY Portuguese check. On air RFI Russian 5905, 7425 kHz, but not on 9940 kHz - latter M12 season. On air RTI French 1900-2000 UT 11875-ISS. RTA-TDA HQ at 19-20 UT, 7455 11955 kHz, but not on 9390 kHz. CRI Czech relay 1930-2000 UT 7305-ISS. RFI French 2000-2100 UT on air 7205, 9790, 11995 kHz. Not on air French 11705 kHz. RTA-TDA HQ at 20-21 UT, NOT on service ... 5865 7455 9390 kHz. CRI Polish relay 2000-2100 UT 6145-ISS. KBS French relay 5915-ISS. RTI Spanish relay 3965-ISS. RFI French 2100-2200 UT on air 7205, 9790 kHz. Not on air RFI Spanish 17630-GUF. RTA-TDA HQ at 21-22 UT, NOT on service ... 5865 7455 9390 kHz. CRI Albanian/Hungarian relay 2000-2100 UT 6145-ISS. RTI German relay 3965-ISS. RFI Chinese 22-23 UT, nothing heard on 7350 kHz from Novosibirsk relay site. Checked from various rxs in Europe, North Finland, Moscow, Ukraine, Australia and Japan. vy73 de Wolfy (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, summarized on WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Later emerged info that RFI has cut 32 hours of SW broadcasts, totally English, Portuguese and Spanish, and a lot of French. More detail in next DXLD, or already in dxldyg, and see this article via J M Aubier: http://www.radioactu.com/actualites-radio/noi_139246/rfi-l-ifg-preconise-l-arret-de-la-diffusion-en-ondes-courtes-et-moyennes/ (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. QSLs: Germania: HAMBURGER LOKALRADIO via MV BALTIC RADIO, Göhren, 7265 kHz, Cartolina QSL speciale e cartolina illustrata in 11 giorni. RP: 1$. QTH: Michael Knitter - Max-Eichholz- Ring 18 - DE- 21031 Amburgo (Germania). Inviato CD MP3. - HCJB, Weenermoor, 3995 kHz, Lettere, scheda e QSL come allegati PDF in 51 giorni da deutsche @ andestimme.org e via posta tradizionale da Quito in 74 giorni. RP: 1$. QTHs: 1) Arbeitsgemeinschaft Radio HCJB e. V. - HCJB World Office Germany - Verdistrasse 13 - D-26810 Westoverledingen - 2) Radio HCJB - Die Stimme der Anden - Postfach 17- 17-691 - Quito (Ecuador). VV/ss: Marco Schaa e Iris Rauscher via e- mail, Horst Rosiak via posta tradizionale. Inviato CD MP3. - XVRB, Wertachtal, 6045 kHz, QSL pieghevole in 65 giorni. E-rpt con ID MP3 spedito a: xvrbradio @ gmail.com (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, Jan 1, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** GERMANY. News aus Kall (6085 / 3995 kHz) News from Kall TX site: Hallo zusammen: News aus Kall: die 6085 und 3995 kHz Sender haben eine neue Röhre bekommen. Um diese zu schonen läuft die 3995 kHz nun täglich von 6-22 Uhr MEZ (6-21 Uhr UTC) durchgehend ohne Abschaltung. Der Röhrenverschleiss wäre langfristig höher beim 2-maligen ein- und ausschalten als der Stromverbrauch beim durchsenden. Sendepläne für alle Frequenzen unter http://www.shortwaveservice.com LG (Christian Milling, Jan 5, A-DX via Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DXLD) Viz.: The 6085 and 3995 kHz station got a new tube. To conserve the TX tube, the 3995 kHz now on air throughout daily from 6-22 Clock CET (6-21 Clock UT) consistently. Tube wear in the long term would be higher in the 2-times ON and OFF as the power consumption by the end (Chistian Milling in A-DX via Büschle, ibid.) ... and to preserve the 3995 kHz frequency usage for new A12 registration too? (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 4, 2012, ibid.) ** GERMANY. Deutsche Welle Customer Service Team sent a “Season's Greetings 2012” with the following message: “We wish you all the best for 2012, from all of us here at DW. 2011 was a very moving and emotional year. We were happy to be able to share some of it with you – online or with our television and radio programming. And we want to use this opportunity to thank you for putting your trust in Deutsche Welle over the last 12 months. It was our pleasure to provide you with information on Germany and Europe. In 2012, we will be introducing a new framework for information with even more of the reliable, independent news and information that we are known for: A new design, a new website and a range of new programs. Changes are on the way – we will keep you informed! Are you getting all you need? Let us know what interests you! Here is your chance to voice your suggestions and opinions. Come see us again soon: http://www.dw-world.de/english ” It seems they care less and less about reaching a shortwave listening audience with each passing year (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 Jan 1 via DXLD) ** GERMANY. DLF-Quiz Und das gibt es zu gewinnen: 1. Preis: eine Funkhausfuehrung (inkl. Hotelaufenthalt sowie An- und Abreise mit der Bahn innerhalb Deutschlands). 2. Preis: ein "Noxon"-USB-Stick zum Empfang des Digitalradios DABplus. 3. bis 50. Preis: Jeweils ein USB-Memory-Stick mit Deutschlandfunk- Logo Wir freuen uns auf Ihre Zuschriften per Mail unter: Am 1. Dez. 1962 begann Mainflingen mit 300-kW-Sendungen fuer den Deutschlandfunk. Aufgrund seines Programmauftrags war der Deutschlandfunk fuer Sendungen "fuer Deutschland und Europa" zustaendig. Fuer die Europasendungen wurden zeitweilig die Mittelwellen Mainflingen und Neumuenster aus dem deutschen Programm ausgekoppelt und fuer fremdsprachige Sendungen eingesetzt. Am 12. Juni 1963 begannen auf 1538 kHz stark wortorientierte Informationssendungen in Polnisch (20.00 Uhr Ortszeit), Tschechisch (20.30 Uhr) und Serbokroatisch (21.00-21.30 Uhr). 1963 begannen auch Sendungen in Franzoesisch (7.10.), Rumaenisch und Ungarisch (6.11.) auf 1538 kHz (Dr. Hansjoerg Biener website via BC-DX 4 Jan via DXLD) ** GERMANY [and non]. Radio Netherlands reported that the 700 kW German station on 1539 would go dark 31/12/11 but it was still on this morning. The DRM German station on 1593 was also to go dark but didn't! Best wishes (Barry :-) Davies, (Carlisle UK, PERSEUS), 1415 UT Dec 31, IRCA via DXLD) Dec 31 was not over yet! (gh, DXLD) And so it happened. 1593 is clean here now, revealing a jumble of fast SAH from which Romania stands out on peaks. > On New Year's Eve all analogue mediumwave transmitters of > Südwestrundfunk will be shut down as well. Not yet, they're still on air, but the cry comes on apace. An anonymous posting, which appears to originate from a well placed source (the official PR stuff is useless, blabbering unspecifically about "early January"), indicates that the 576, 666, 828 and 1017 transmitters will be turned off on January 8 at 2200 UT. The Ulm transmitter on 1413 is off already since yesterday (Dec 30), apparently engineers had to drive out to kill it with their own hands. http://forum.mysnip.de/read.php?8773,957958,969575,sv=1#msg-969575 (Kai Ludwig, Germany, 0012 UT Jan 1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi everyone and especially Barry, WDR 1593 in Germany seems to be gone. I'm living approx. 40 km from the transmitter. I do receive Romania Actualtitati and a weak French signal. 73 and a Happy New Year to all Medium Wave Aficionados, (Michael Wlochinski, QTH: Moenchengladbach, JO31fe, 0052 UT Jan 1, MWCircle yg via DXLD) Re 1593,.it was a pleasure to hear music (of a sort!) on this frequency today - the 1st - at 0800 instead of an incessant roar. I didn't catch any ID but I suspect it to be the French station recently reported testing, and heard briefly in WDR fades. Would this be the one listed in the 1012 WRTH as Bretagne 5, St. Goueno? There was background rumble from others unknown on the channel. 73 (Noel R. Green, England, Jan 1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes. The irony here is that this station, in its former incarnation Littoral AM, started on 1593 in February 2008 as incessant roar as well, resulting in a nice DRM vs. DRM constellation. After only four months they shut it down again; in 2009 a shortwave test from Norway followed, then they had done with DRM, as explained in a farewell message reproduced here: http://radio29.forumactif.net/radios-en-am-f20/littoral-am-t177.htm For the 1593 facility see http://tvignaud.pagesperso-orange.fr/galerie/am/22stgoueno.htm http://www.transradio.de/download/Articles/Transradio_LITTORAL_MEDIAdeu.pdf However, in 2008 one message could be read in such a way that the TRAM 25 transmitter has been taken away, so probably the current AM signal is produced by another rig now. Right now 1593 has here in eastern Germany again severely interfered Romania (Kai Ludwig, 1737 UT Jan 1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hearing France and Kuwait here. Kuwait had a programme in Portuguese [?? gh] discussing Canada at 0158 then into Arabic at 0200 with "Iraq Al Hurra" id (Paul Logan, Lisnaskea, Northern Ireland, MW Circle yg via DXLD) 1593 Bretagne 5, Saint Gouéno, France --- Op 1593 Langenberg DRM zender uitgeschakeld nu. Met de Wellbook ri. Zw nu duidelijk ontvangst van Bretagne 5 tx: Saint Gouéno non stop muziek en announcements in Frans. SIO 4 4 4 mwlist quick and easy geeft aan ook DRM tests periode 21-10-2011 - 20-01-2012, ex R. Littoral. Nu dus een AM zender op deze QRG -- testing 21.10.2011-20.01.2012, ex R.Littoral DRM tests Blog: http://radiospotting.blogspot.com/ (Marc van Gerwen, Netherlands, Jan 1, bdx mailing list via DXLD) Ja, dat is tot nu toe het beste nieuws van 2012: die ruisbak uit Langenberg is eindelijk weg! Ik verwachtte nu Roemenië te horen (die slapen al?), maar het is dus Bretagne. Had ik nog niet eerder ontvangen. Ik geef ´m hier nu lang geen 444, maar wel leuke muziek bij een redelijke ontvangst. 73, (Jan Reint, ibid.) Rond 1600 uur UT was zo'n drie kwartier Radio Tirga Mures te beluisteren, gevolgd door Radio Cluj met Antena Sibiliuii. Rond 1830 uur UT ging Bretagne 5 overheersen. Inderdaad een matig signaal; lokaal heb ik een stevige splash van Radio Paradijs op 1584 kHz (zit op circa 6 km afstand daarvan). Voor Roemenië is dus de overgangstijd tussen het donker worden in Zuid Oost Europa en ons land de beste tijd om te luisteren. 73, (Henk Portvliet, Jan 1, ibid. 1593 kHz --- Bretagne 5, St. Goueno being received here in Faversham with excellent signal SIO 444. No more DRM noise from WDR. 73s (John Hoadd, 1040 UT Jan 2, NRD515 + ALA1530, Jan 2, bdxc-uk yg ** GERMANY. 6190, Deutschlandfunk. I wonder how much longer this service will continue, given that Deutsche Welle no longer thinks it's worth broadcasting to Europe on SW (or in German on SW at all)? Aoki says this is 20 kW beamed at 45 degrees, i.e. straight up the Baltic. Reasonably good signals here, well off the beam, giving slightly better reception on 6190 than on parallel 153 and 207 (Chris Greenway, heard around 1230-1330 on 1 January, while on a small island in the Thames at 51 27'42"N 0 57'47"W close to my home, England, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. 11905, 1745-, VOA, Dec 27. Very good reception with listed Oromo program with 250 kW at 150 degrees. Slight short/long path echo noted (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. Mini report on 1179 and spurs on 1238 and 1283 : Today I visited the local office of ERT 3 and spoke with the chief technician. He seems to be aware of the problem for 1044 with the buzzing sound but not aware of the spurs of 1179 and told me that the next days will try to solve it. Moreover on 1260 since 1-1-12 I hear a pirate relaying 1044 with a signal S9 at my house and continued next morning. Later at 1130 in the ERT3 office he changed with his own program (Zacharias Liangas, Thessaloniki, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. 9420, Dec 31 at 2259 noticed VOG back on this frequency after more than a week`s silence, but I already missed their midnight at 2200. Still on at 0011 check Jan 1 with Greek talk. 9420, Jan 3 at 2150, VOG is active with classical violin solo, Greek announcement, then some sacred choral music until 2200 news. Wonder if they are taking feed from a different domestic network than usual, or just observing Orthodox Xmas season with less secular music than usual (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. National and Public holidays in Greece National in 2012 2012 Date Name Remarks January 1 New Years Day January 6 Epiphany February 27 Ash Monday Orthodox Shrove Monday. Movable March 25 Independence Day 25th March Day April 13 Orthodox Good Friday Movable April 16 Orthodox Easter Monday Movable May 1 Labour Day June 4 Holy Spirit Monday Whit Monday or Pentecost Monday August 15 Assumption Day The Falling Asleep of the Virgin October 28 The Ochi day December 25 Christmas Day December 26 Boxing Day (John Babbis, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. 4055, 0459-, Radio Verdad, Dec 28. Quite good reception with Spanish language religious broadcasts after an instrumental, 'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas'. Normally not so well heard this far north (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4055, Radio Verdad, 1227, Spanish, fair on peaks with sermon by a man, hymn, more talk. 28/12. Even better at 1239 on 29/12, with choral hymns (David Sharp, NSW, partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUIANA FRENCH GUIANA. 17755, 2007-, Disco Palace, Dec 26. 100% copy with usual monotonous beat of the Disco Palace. Text shows: 'Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. For details visit our website. Visit our website at http://www.thediscopalace.com ' 20.96 kbps EEP AAC + P- Stereo. The Disco Palace. English. United States. Pop Music. ID: A06021. Rare occurence that RNZI is also broadcasting in DRM close by on 17675 (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUIANA FRENCH. 17690, Jan 1 at 1405 and still at 1420, no signal from RFI Spanish service at 1400-1430; TDF Montsinéry staff still recovering from NYE festivities near Devil`s Island? Some stations may make unexpected changes Jan 1 due to funding expirations by calendar rather than HFCC seasons (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also FRANCE! ** HONDURAS. 3250, Radio Luz y Vida, San Luís, 0031 to 0035 music, improving signal 28 December (Russell Scotka, Pompano Beach, South Florida - Drake TR7 transceiver with a 40 meter dipole, via and Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida, 746Pro and Noise reducing Antenna, Jan 3, NASWA yg via DXLD) Noted often 1000 to 1100 also (Wilkner, ibid.) ** INDIA. 4760, 1543-, AIR, Dec 27. Something's not right with the AIR transmitter(s) here. There's quite a strong carrier here, but barely, if any audio (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 4775, 1544-, AIR, Dec 27. English news headlines at the end of the 9:00 o'clock news (which started at 1530 UT). Back into local language without any ID (ad instead). Back into English after the ad, though (not // to other channels). I note that the Indians seemed to have peaked about 1500, whereas the Chinese stations dominated after that (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 4870.03, Voice of Kashmir, Delhi, *1430 with terrible hum at start. Transmitter difficulty, into Indian music, but poor and weak audio. Hum gone by 1436. Weak RTTY same freq. F voice at 1446. Propagation very poor this morning! More singing at 1453, but poor at best. Not enough audio at TOH for details, and closed at 1530:24* 1/3 (Jim Young, Wrightwood, California, ICOM IC-756 ProIII + 40-M yagi + 80-M inverted Vee, NASWA yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. 4880, 1530-, AIR Lucknow, Dec 26. Best ever reception into English news right at 1530. Very clear modulation and strong signal makes for armchair copy. Parallels heard are: 4760 (fair), 4775 Imphal (very good, with only minor CODAR interference), possibly 4800 Hyderabad, way under CNR1, 4810 Bhopal (good), 4834 (not on 4835!) Gangtok (good to very good), NOT 4840 AIR Mumbai (fair to good in Hindi), 4895 Kurseong (very good), 4910 Jaipur (fair with lots of splatter from Holy Tibet on 4905 which was very strong!), 4920 Chennai (fair under incredibly strong Holy Tibet). I hadn't checked anything higher before they changed back to local programming at 1545. Just an incredible 60 m morning! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 4940, 1549-, AIR Guwahati, Dec 26. An interesting morning, indeed! Normally, Voice of the Strait dominates, but today, the AIR station is completely dominating the channel, with the Chinese station just audible cochannel. Nice Hindi music (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4940, 0008-0045 31.12, AIR Guwahati, Assamese folksongs, 0023 talk, sitar music, 0030 news in Assamese (presumed) with break for 1 minute, 0035 English news from Delhi, 0040 talk in Assamese (presumed), 35433. Early schedule (Anker Petersen, in Skovlunde, Denmark, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. 4970, 1552-, AIR Shillong, Dec 26. Incredibly strong reception with lovely Hindi music. Some transmitter buzz noted as well. Completely in the clear. Armchair copy! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4970.01, AIR Shillong, 1454-1525 1/2, announcements, "Mrs. Robinson" (Simon & Garfunkle) music 1505-09, ballad, F anmts, possible English ID by F in difficult accent. Then national program feed, jingles, ads, etc., all in Hindi. Shillong is consistently strongest AIR regional this time frame. Talking past 1521, with normal hum for this outlet. Normal AIR ID by F at 1530 after TOH (for India) 6 pip TS, "The Headlines" followed in English (Jim Young, Wrightwood, California, ICOM IC-756 ProIII + 40-M yagi + 80-M inverted Vee, NASWA yg via DXLD) Hi Jim, As usual we were enjoying some of the same stations today. Indeed Shillong is the best heard AIR regional. Nice that they have so many programs in English. At 1511 had usual local ID and told when the next program of “western music” would be. 1512 to 1515 ads in Hindi; then the news in Hindi. Almost fair reception. Always a fun station to listen to! (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, Calif., NASWA yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. 5050, 1500-, AIR, Dec 27. Just happened to be listening when I came across English, almost as strong as Beibu Bay Radio. I wasn't expecting English until 1530. What was announced was that this was information about the recent Parliamentary session. The 3 or 4 other AIR frequencies I checked were all relaying the same English program. Unfortunately it ended a couple of minutes afterwards. The Indians again appear to be present at very strong levels this morning. By 1522 (as I type this), AIR is well over the Chinese cochannel here (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. All India Radio disturbing 40 m-band 6960-7040 kHz (also: 7800-7880 kHz) spurious emissions by All India Radio on 7410 kHz daily - sounding like white noise. The disturbations are audible in Europe after 1500 UT. Transmitter location: Area of New Delhi. On Dec. 24th the spurious emissions were not audible, so I believed that the transmitter would have been repaired. But on Dec. 25th the pest was back again. The German PTT took measurements and bearings and filed an official complaint. VU2GMN informed All India Radio about the situation. Nothing happened. Please inform your national PTTs and give us your assistance! Best 73 and HNY, (Wolf, DK2OM, Hadel, Dec 29, INTRUDERALERT mailing list via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** INDIA. All India Radio. 9620, Aligarh. Dec 31, 2011, Saturday. 1616-1624* Persian. Nice persian music, then at 1620 OM talking. Carrier cut off at 1624 and had not returned by 1630. According to Aoki and EiBi this transmission should continue in Persian, Arabic and French until 2030, so maybe there was some sort of disaster in Aligarh. Fair. Jo'burg sunset 1704 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. All India Radio, 9620, Andrate. Jan 03, 2012, Tuesday. 1508-1519. A mix of two languages with Indian and Chinese music according to the fade. Must be CRI in Pashto from Kashi to Afghanistan, and AIR in baluchi from Andrate to Pakistan (according to EiBi). Neither readable. Jo'burg sunrise 0321 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ooops, the `a` site under India is Aligarh; `a` under Italy is Andrate, in EiBi`s readme.txt (gh) ** INDIA. [DRM] 9950, 2010-, AIR, Dec 26. Just about 100% copy with Hindi programming. No music when I tuned in, despite the 'Hindi Folk Music' on the text. Mentioned the 'Supreme Court', also Pakistan, so must be a news program. Listed as in Hindi until 2045 when it's supposed to switch to English. Will see! Listed as 50 kW from Delhi. Nice haul! 'All India Radio' ID in Hindi at 2019, and into a program about Christmas. 'I convey my warm greetings to the people of India, especially the Christian community of India'. Probably the President or PM of India (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. [DRM] 11715, 0207-, AIR, Dec 26. The Nepali service is listed here. I'm demodulating about 50% of the signal which is all Hindi music. Demodulated text states: 14.04 kbps EEP AAC Mono. Hindi Folk Music. India. SNR mostly in the 8 to 10 dB range. Likely my most distant DRM signal ever (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA [and non]. The only other thing that comes close is the DRM crap that soils the broadcast bands. I just don't understand why DRM HAS TO BE INSIDE THE TRADITIONAL ANALOG BANDS. I am probably the only listener who has a DRM capable receiver in Sri Lanka for AIR's Sinhala DRM [15045-15050-15055 13-15 UT]. Gave the engineer a report in Khampur and helped him get his setting right, while on skype making adjustments, recordings and what have you. But no more reports as long as they are inside the band. I like BBC doing it on 5845 kHz, also AIR on 15050, 9950 kHz, but no way when on 15140 kHz, Vatican 15190 kHz (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, 4S7VK, DXplorer Dec 29 via BC-DX 4 Jan via DXLD) ** INDIA. Happy New Year 2012 to all Dx India members and readers! Many stations of AIR will be operating on SW & MW with extended special broadcasts today 31 Dec 2011 past 1830 UT (Midnight Indian Time) to usher in the new year. On SW, the following stations were heard last year. 4775 Imphal 4800 Hyderabad 4810 Bhopal 4835 Gangtok 4940 Guwahati 4950 Srinagar 4965 Shimla 5010 Trivandrum So look out for these stations this year also. 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082, India, dx_india yg via DXLD) [and non]. And at 1730 UT heard these regionals from India: 4775, Imphal - sehr, sehr duenne, nicht verwertbar, ist aber Subcontinentmusik zur Erkennung. 4800, Hyderabad, da ist eher etwas zu verstehen, hoert sich wie Hindi Nachrichten an 1737 UT, der Chinese war um 1734 UT kurz unterbrochen kam dann aber noch mal 5 Sekunden on-air, und hat auch eigentlich scheduled Sendeschluss um 1735 UT, war im Staerkevergleich aber staerker als AIR. 4809.997, Bhopal, einen Hauch staerker als 4800 Hyderabad. 4835, Gangtok-Sikkim, irgend etwas Musikalisches, aber unter der Grasnarbe. 4860, ein starker Traeger, koennte AIR in Urdu sein, aber kein audio Feed um 1758 UT. 4880, nix, ist Zimbabwe R- R SW Africa von Meyerton-AFS anstatt ... und AFS 4895 auch. 4920, nix Chennai, aber PBS Xizang Lhasa verabschiedet sich mit "Auld Lang Syne", soweit sind wir schon in Tibet / China im Jahr 2012... 4940, Guwahati, zwei Programme um 1740 UTC, aber beide sehr schwach. Da ist der Chinese VOICE OF STRAIT aus Fuzhou im Hintergrund. 4950.007, Srinagar phone-in program, und einen begleiteten Interfrenztone von 257 Hertz aus Pakistan? auf 4949.750, manchmal noch eine ute CW Station etwas hoeher 4951.500 kHz. 4965.004, Shimla, noeh, das ist kein Inder, dagegen CVC Lusaka mit internat Pop mx, aber auf der oberen Flanke gestoert, auf 4965 bis 4969 kHz ein digitales STANAG Signal. 5010.006, Trivandrum, na da kappeln sich aber Zwei. Da muss man schon die das scharfe Schwert in Form eines Notchfilters von 5010.070 und hoeher heraus fahren. Madagascar wie ueblich Gleichkanal als Fussprint etwas hoeher bei 5010.189 kHz zu entdecken... Auf 5015 schmelzt der "Only You" song, das wird doch wohl nicht AIR Delhi sein? Eher Turkmen Radio Asghabat aus Turkmenistan. 5040 muesste vom Klangbild der Lady wohl Hindi von AIR Kalkutta aus Jeypore sein. Duenn, sehr ver-noist. 73 Wolfgang (Büschel, Dec 31, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews 4 Jan via DXLD) ** INDIA. Early today morning at 4.00 am (2230 UT) the following stations from Tamilnadu were noted with running commentary in Tamil of some temple festival. 720 kHz Chennai 936, Tiruchirapalli 999, Coimbatore 1197, Tirunelveli 1269, Madurai 4920, Chennai Our members from Tamilnadu may inform us as to which local festival it is today. Thank you. 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, UT Jan 3, via Ron Howard, dxldyg via DXLD Hi Jose, Was thinking it must be the Mylapore Festival being held from January 5th to 8th. Mylapore being a southern portion of the city of Chennai. Tomorrow will be looking for continued coverage of the festival. Thanks for the alert! (Ron Howard, San Francisco, California, USA, ibid.) ** INDONESIA. 810, RRI, Merauke, 0900+, very good in null of cochannel ABC; local pop music with occasional Christmas carols thrown in for good measure (i.e. "Silent Night" at 0920). 23/12. 909 RRI- Sorong, 1334, this and at least one other station mixing with cochannel China; this one occasionally on top for brief periods with nice local music, "Radio Republik Indonesia" by a man. Faded below China at 1345 and didn't return. 23/12 (David Sharp, NSW, partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 7289.93, RRI, Nabire, 0806, on late with talk by a woman, RRI ID, local music. "Drifty" and warbly transmitter if tuned in sideband. 24/12 (David Sharp, NSW, partial list of equipment: FT- 950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 9525.970, 1926-, Voice of Indonesia, Dec 26. Not very good reception in English. Sounds off. Quite distorted audio, despite good signal strength. Not like what I heard here last summer (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9526, Voice of Indonesia, 21051 [sic; 2051?]-2059*. Nice selection of Indonesian vocal by a woman singer hosted by a woman announcer with brief French talks. ID by woman announcer in English at 2058 including frequency announcement. Program ended but carrier stayed on until 2112. Poor. Dec 30 (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 Jan 1 via DXLD) 9525 [sic], 01/Jan 1838-1802, Voice of Indonesia, in German. YL talk, at 1839 sequence of short music and YL talk. At 1841 local pop music. At 1844 YL with short talk and more music. At 1853 ID by YL, then music. At 1859 ID. At 1900 full ID in English. I realized that in 9527 the reception is better, but the Degen is not accurate. 25332 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, Degen 1103 - All listening in mode of filter Narrow the 6 kHz. Dipole antenna, 16 meters - east/west, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) So really 9526- 9525.96, VOI, 1911. Surprised at reception. Weak modulation on a fair to good signal. English chatter by YL and pop music was programming. Overall fair by 1935 1/1/2012 (Jerry Strawman, Des Moines IA, Perseus SDR + Wellbrook 330S 1.1M Loop, NASWA Flashsheet Jan 1 via DXLD) 9526-, Jan 3 at 1435, VOI in drama with great emotion, gamelan background, fair signal with no QRM during Indonesian hour, while English at 13-14 is still a total loss (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL. As mentioned last month, the Global HF Pirate Weekend will take place on January 14 and 15. Several new stations will be participating. Schedule is 0700-1100 from Europe to Asia, Japan and Oceania, 1200-1600 from Europe to North America and vice versa, 2200-2400 from North America to Asia and Oceania. Most stations will transmit between 15 and 22 MHz. I will publish a detailed station list very close to the weekend (Harri Kujala, http://hkdx2.blogspot.com via DX News, Jan World DX Club Contact via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL. Music Programme List - B-11 period by Alan Roe I am very grateful to Rafael Martínez and Edwin Southwell for their suggestions and encouragement in drawing up the first Listening Post Music Programme List. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to everything that can be heard - just some suggestions - however, I do hope in future that we can expand the list further. I plan next month to have a similar list of programmes covering programmes about History, Culture and Traditions. Programmes such as China Horizons from CRI, The Sunday Show from Voice of Vietnam and Pro-Memoria from R Romania International come to mind as examples. If you have some suggestions, then please send them in time for next month's CONTACT Magazine. Also, any comments about any programme that you've recently enjoyed is also very welcome! Start Stop Days Station Lang Programme Title Principle Frequencies 0025-0100 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 0035~0050 mo R Bulgaria EN Folk Studio 5900 7400 0100-0200 mo R Romania Int RO Zi-le D-Alead-Ale Noastre (Folk mx) 5910 7345 [see ROMANIA for more about this programme] 0115~0125 su V of Vietnam EN Weekend Music 6175sac 0130-0200 su V of Russia WS EN Folk Box 7250 7290 0130-0200 mo V of Russia WS EN Songs from Russia 7250 7290 0200-0300 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 0200-0300 mo Blues R Int EN Blues mx (planned from 2 Jan) 9955 via WRMI 0230-0300 tu R Taiwan Int EN Soundwaves 5950 9680 0235-0300 th R Taiwan Int EN Jade Bells and Bamboo Pipes 5950 9680 0245-0255 su R Tirana EN Folk Traditional Music 7420 (or 7425) 0245~0255 su V of Vietnam EN Weekend Music 6175sac 0300-0400 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 0330-0400 su-mo V of Russia WS EN Jazz Show 12040 0330-0400 tu R Taiwan Int EN Soundwaves 6875 0330-0400 tu-sa V of Russia WS EN Music and Musicians 12040 0335~0350 mo R Bulgaria EN Folk Studio 5900 7400 0335-0400 th R Taiwan Int EN Jade Bells and Bamboo Pipes 6875 0345~0355 su V of Vietnam EN Weekend Music 6175sac 0400-0435 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 0425~0445 su V of Turkey EN Turkish Pop Music Past to Present 7240 9655 0425-0500 su-mo V of Russia WS EN Russian Hits 12040 0425~0435 mo V of Turkey EN Turkish Folk Music 7240 9655 0505-0530 sa NHK R Japan EN Music Cafe (W/E Cruise) 5975wof 6110sac 9770iss 0530-0600 su R Rossii RU Music Hall 9840 0610-0630 su R Rossii RU World Cinema Music 9840 0630~0700 varies OE1 Austria GM Classical music excerpts 6155 0740~0755 mo R Bulgaria EN Folk Studio 7400 9400 0740~0755 tu R Bulgaria EN Folk Studio 7400 9400 0800-0900 su HCJB Global SP Musica del Ecuador 3995 0800-0900 su MV Baltic & others EN MVB & relays (rock/oldies) 9480 0800-0900 mo-fr HCJB Global EN Rock Solid 3995 0830-0900 sa HCJB Global EN All That Jazz 3995 0900-1000 su Mighty KBC EN Jukebox – Eric van Willegen 6095wer 0900-1000 su MV Baltic & others EN MVB & relays (rock/oldies) 9480 0900-1000 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 0900-1000 sa Mighty KBC EN Coast To Coast Country (Emperor Rosko) 6095wer 0902-1000 sa R Netherlands DU Cabaret 5955wer 9895vat 0912-0930 su R Rossi RU Balloon (Oldies mx) 12075 1000-1100 su Mighty KBC EN Jukebox – Eric van Willegen 6095wer 1000-1100 su MV Baltic & others EN MVB & relays (rock/oldies) 9480 1000-1100 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 1000-1100 sa Mighty KBC EN Coast To Coast Country (Emperor Rosko) 6095wer 1002-1100 sa R Netherlands DU Canta America 5955wer 9895vat 1005~ su RNZI EN Old pop songs and dance band mx 9765 1100-1200 su Mighty KBC EN The LA Connection (Emperor Rosko) 6095wer 1100-1200 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 1100-1200 sa Mighty KBC EN Radio But Not As We Know It (Dave Mason) 6095wer 1200-1300 su Mighty KBC EN The LA Connection (Emperor Rosko) 6095wer 1200-1300 sa Mighty KBC EN Paul Spindley 6095wer 1205-1230 sa NHK R Japan EN Music Cafe (W/E Cruise) 6120sac 9695 1245-1300 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 1300-1400 su Mighty KBC EN The LA Connection (Emperor Rosko) 6095wer 1300-1400 su V of America EN Jazz America 7575 1300-1400 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 1300-1400 sa Mighty KBC EN Golden Age Of Rock n Roll (Dave Mason) 6095wer 1305-1330 sa NHK R Japan EN Music Cafe (W/E Cruise) 11730uzb 1355~1405 su V of Turkey EN Turkish Folk Music 12035 1355~1420 sa V of Turkey EN Turkish Pop Music Past to Present 12035 1400-1500 su Mighty KBC EN Swinging Radio England (Ron O’Quinn) 6095wer 1400-1500 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 1400-1500 sa Mighty KBC EN Saturday Rock & Roll – Mike Marwick 6095wer 1405-1430 sa NHK R Japan EN Music Cafe (W/E Cruise) 5955 11695uzb 21560iss 1435~ su All India R EN Film music 11620 1435~ fr All India R EN Memories Linger On (Old film mx) 11620 1435~ sa All India R EN Mixed bag (music & songs) 11620 1500-1600 su Mighty KBC EN Swinging Radio England – Ron O’Quinn 6095wer 1500-1600 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 1500-1600 sa Mighty KBC EN Saturday Rock & Roll – Mike Marwick 6095wer 1505-1530 su V of Nigeria EN Musical Heritage 15120 1505-1600 mo-fr V of America EN Border Crossings 12150ira 17715bot 1510-1600 mo-fr R France Int FR Couleurs Tropicales 15300 17850 21690 1520~ th,sa Pyongyang BS KO Trad mx with opera type singing 6250 1600-1700 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 1615~1625 sa V of Vietnam EN Weekend Music 7220 7280 9550 9730 1700-1740 daily AIR Vividh Bharati HI Mostly Indian variety music 9870 1715-1730 mo-fr R PMR OO Varied music programme 7290 1730-1800 mo R Taiwan Int EN Soundwaves 15690 1730~ mo-fr V of Croatia CR Croatian songs & music 3985 1735-1800 we R Taiwan Int EN Jade Bells and Bamboo Pipes 15690 1745-1800 mo-fr R PMR OO Varied music programme 7290 1755~1805 su V of Turkey EN Turkish Folk Music 11735 1755~1820 sa V of Turkey EN Turkish Pop Music Past to Present 11735 1815-1830 we V of Nigeria EN Evergreens 15120 1815~1825 sa V of Vietnam EN Weekend Music 5955moo 1830-1900 mo R Taiwan Int EN Soundwaves 3965 1830-1900 fr V of Nigeria EN Nigerian Popular Music 15120 1835-1900 we R Taiwan Int EN Jade Bells and Bamboo Pipes 3965 1845-1900 mo-fr R PMR OO Varied music programme 7290 1900-2000 su HCJB Global SP Musica del Ecuador 3995 1900-2000 su R Romania Int RO Zi-le D-Alead-Ale Noastre (Folk mx) 5990 7430 1900-2000 su V of America FR Soul USA 12080 15225 1900-2000 mo-fr HCJB Global EN Rock Solid 3995 1900-1930 sa V of America FR Du Blues au Jazz 12080 15225 1915-1930 mo-fr R PMR OO Varied music programme 7290 1920~ tu All India R GOS EN Artist of the Day 7550 1930-2000 su V of Russia WS EN Jazz Show 7330 1930-2000 sa HCJB Global EN All That Jazz 3995 1930-2000 sa V of Russia WS EN Russian Hits 7330 1935-2000 sa V of America FR Reggae and Hip Hop 12080 15225 1945-2000 mo-fr R PMR OO Varied music programme 7290 1955~2005 su V of Turkey EN Turkish Folk Music 6050 1955~2020 sa V of Turkey EN Turkish Pop Music Past to Present 6050 2000-2030 daily V of America FR Musique (with Matthew Lavoie) 9780 12080 15225 2000-2100 sa-su V of America EN Music Time in Africa 4940bot 15580bot 2000-2100 mo-fr V of America EN African Beat 4940bot(-2030) 15580bot 2005~ daily PBS Xizang CH EN Oldies pop songs (under Turkey) 6050 2010-2100 mo-fr R France Int FR Couleurs Tropicales 7205 9790 2012-2100 su R Rossii RU Exotica (Varied mx) 5905 2012-2100 tu R Rossii RU Doctor Blues 5905 2012-2100 we R Rossii RU Balloon (Oldies mx) 5905 2012-2100 th R Rossii RU Going Beyond Three Seas (Folk) 5905 2012-2100 fr R Rossii RU Endless Approximation (Jazz mx) 5905 2030-2100 su V of Russia WS EN Russia - 100 Years of Music 7330 2030-2100 su or mo V of Russia WS EN Musical Tales 7330 2045-2100 mo-fr R PMR OO Varied music programme 7290 2100-2130 th WWCR-1 EN Into the Blue (Bluegrass) 7465 2100-2130 th WWCR-2 EN Blues music programme 9350 2105-2200 mo V of America EN American Gold 6080 15580 2105-2200 tu V of America EN Roots and Branches 6080 15580 2105-2200 we V of America EN Classic Rock Show 6080 15580 2115-2130 mo-fr R PMR OO Varied music programme 7290 2115-2125 sa R Tirana EN Folk Traditional Music 7530 2130-2200 tu V of Russia WS EN Musical Tales 7300 2130-2200 we V of Russia WS EN Jazz Show 7300 2130-2200 th V of Russia WS EN Russia - 100 Years of Music 7300 2130-2200 fr V of Russia WS EN Folk Box 7300 2130-2200 sa V of Russia WS EN Songs from Russia 7300 2145-2200 mo-fr R PMR OO Varied music programme 7290 2150~2157 th R Romania Int EN The Skylark 7310 7380 9435 2155~2205 su V of Turkey EN Turkish Folk Music 9610 2155~2220 sa V of Turkey EN Turkish Pop Music Past to Present 9610 2210-2230 su KBS World R EN Korean Pop Interactive 3955ske 2215-2230 we KBS World R EN Sounds of Korea 3955ske 2235~2250 su R Bulgaria EN Folk Studio 5900 7400 2245-2300 su-th R PMR OO Varied music programme 7290 2305-2355 sa R Ext de Espana SP Mundofonias (World mx) 6125 9535 9620 11680 2325~2335 su V of Turkey EN Turkish Folk Music 5960 2325~2345 sa V of Turkey EN Turkish Pop Music Past to Present 5960 Languages: CH=Chinese; CR=Croatian; DU=Dutch; EN=English; FR=French; GM=German; HI=Hindi; KO=Korean; RO=Romanian; RU=Russian; SP=Spanish; OO=No announcements Note: all times are approximate; symbol ~ indicates times are more approximate than most! With thanks for additions, corrections & updates to Rafael Martínez and Edwin Southwell V of Russia's Musical Tales was not broadcast as scheduled, and I have noted a couple of other programmes being aired on different days, but at the same times, on the station. I've not been able to determine if these are permanent changes, or just temporary over the Christmas/New Year period. I have therefore left them in the listings as they are scheduled, but you may therefore find them on days other than those I have shown (Alan Roe, January World DX Club Contact via DXLD) Rafael Martínez being the lister in Catalan of music shows on SW we already published in DXLD 11-52. This is of course Europe-orientated, so some of the stuff such as low-power Germans or 75m will be inaudible in NAm, but much of it is applicable here; where we would certainly add a number of music shows on R. Habana Cuba (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. OVERSEAS RADIO NETWORK A new online station, Overseas Radio Network, starts broadcasting today, January 2, 2012 at 8 am EST (1300 UT) at http://overseasradio.com It's "the exclusive online network for the expatriate community and sovereign minded. ORN was created for everyone interested in a life abroad. From the expert traveler and investor....students of liberty and life....to the would-be expat waiting to take that next step." Fifteen countries will be represented. Here's the proposed schedule https://overseasradio.com/RadioShowSchedule.php Looks good. The only turnoff is that ORN requires a paid subscription with a rather steep monthly plan of $7.95. I doubt that the network will have any following. So hopefully ORN will drop its subscription model very soon. 73, (Sergei S., Jan 1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. SHR Returns in 2012 --- Hi Everyone, Happy New Year! I hope that 2012 is better than 2011 for you. This is the first email of the year from us here at South Herts Radio. Join us on Sunday 8th January for our first broadcast of 2012 from 1200 to 2000 UT. The programme line up this time will be as follows: 1200-1300 The Happy Station Show with Keith Perron. Listen Again (sponsored show) 1300-1330 Glenn Hauser's World of Radio - DX radio news for enthusiasts. Listen Again (sponsored show) 1330-1400 Frequency Cast - UK TV & Tech from Carl & Pete. Listen Again (sponsored show) 1400-1430 Media Network Plus (short version) - New media magazine with Keith Perron & Paulette MacQuarrie. Listen Again (sponsored show) 1430-1630 Jazz for the asking - Keith Perron plays jazz from around the world. Listen Again (sponsored show) 1630-1730 Media Network Plus (long version) - New media magazine with Keith Perron & Paulette MacQuarrie. Listen Again (sponsored show) 1730-2000 Our Music with Brendan & Tim - Join Brendan Bradley and Timmy Wing for their own selection of music and fun. Listen Again That is our normal schedule and as it is the first transmission of this year, we decided to run with the usual line up. This will change from time to time with other shows on rotation like Vintage SHR - A selection of landbased and offshore radio shows, clips and documentaries past & present from the SHR archive. Listen Again Details of all our shows can be found at http://www.southhertsradio.com/progs.html We will be streaming on the internet and on air in Hertfordshire UK on 87.8 FM in stereo in some places. We are always grateful of those who relay our internet stream on other FM or SW frequencies. Our stream URL is http://89.238.166.194/south_herts_radio That is underscore south_herts_radio for all you people with smart phone apps who want to add our URL or for those who have different browsers to internet explorer. Our listen live page is at http://www.southhertsradio.com/live.html if you want to see more options and our website should get a bit of an update within the next few days. If our live stream goes down for whatever reason as it sometimes does but thankfully not too often, you will be able to hear anything you may have missed from our listen again page http://www.southhertsradio.com/again.html Some people have problems with flash media in their browsers so download links will be available on request and the listen again player from Sunday's shows is normally uploaded on Monday's. One last thing you might like to check out is our downloads page http://www.southhertsradio.com/downloads.html which has more from our archive of great radio. I hope you find the time to join us and help spread the word. It's the best way to keep us going Smile Near or far we bring you SHR. Best 73, (Gary and the team. http://www.southhertsradio.com SHR - International Radio From South Hertfordshire, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [non]. NASA LAUNCHES RADIO STATION IN ATTEMPT TO REACH AMERICAN YOUTHS --- Chicago Sun-Times January 2, 2012 http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/9725759-418/nasa-launches-radio-station-in-attempt-to-reach-american-youths.html NASA has come up with a plan that gives a whole new meaning to moon rocks. In its new quest to be relevant to American youths now that the space shuttle program is over, NASA has launched a radio station on the Internet that airs rock, indie and alternative music — punctuated by messages about career opportunities and news at the space agency. Called “Third Rock, America’s Space Station,” it can be found via NASA’s home page — nasa.gov and at http://rfcmedia.com/thirdrockradio The station, catering to the 4G audience, went online Dec. 12, and is a collaboration with RFC Media in Houston. NASA says no taxpayer money was used in developing or operating it. (Scripps Howard News Service). (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** IRAN. 3965, Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Zahedan. 0223- 0228* January 1, 2012. Talk in SE Asian language (Urdu listed 0130- 0230), EZL instrumental music, transmitter abruptly cut off 0228:38. Caught a few seconds parallel audio on 6100 (Kamalabad) but that transmitter's audio fell silent before 3965 did. Something with Qur'an poetry on 6185 under XEPPM at 0222 which prompted my frequency checks, but unable to tell if 6185 was actually parallel by the time I got back to it. Someone (Iran, still?) left a slightly warbly carrier on from 0228+ checks through 0245 tune-out (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7200, 0331-, Voice of Justice (VOIRI), Dec 28. Excellent reception at sign-on in English after flute signature tune. At 0332:30, Qur`an reading began. 7365 equally strong. I earlier noted Tajikistan on 60 meters propagating very well. 7365, 0407-, VOIRI Voice of Justice, Dec 24. Good reception with their North American program, Voice of Justice with two American accented females debating human rights. Jamming (Cuba) is just audible in the background. Parallel 7200 is very good (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7200, Voice of Justice, Sirjan. *0328 January 1, 2012. Carrier up with EZL piano music in progress, into male ID mentioning 7200, 7365 (Kamalabad) and an FM channel (something one point five) in Tehran as well as a URL and Hotbird channel for streaming. Into someone (name stated, so apparently we should think he's important) with his Qur'an poetry reading, then upcoming program teaser, news. 7365 barely audible under blasting Rihanna dance music via Radio Martí, and a weak Cuba jammer (bad job, Arnie). And stupid frequency choice, Iran (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Even from 0500 UT onwards heard all Kamalabad outlets with empty carrier, scheduled to start later at 0530 UT in Arabic or foreign languages. Guess it`s the maintenance hour by Iranian engineers? But in contrast heard very bad audio from Zahedan site in Arabic on 15735 kHz at 0540 UT Jan 4. The final power amplifier tube reached end of life. 7200.003, English service of IRIB Sirjan site noted at 0400 UT Jan 4. Strongest station on mess sound, S=15dB, but two weaker stations underneath, one on 7199.984 kHz. Interview by phone about Pres election candidates and Pres Obama. \\ 7365 kHz from Kamalabad, honest debate on American Jewish people, Pope and US policy in Palestine other Arab states. Very strong, S=9+30dB observed on remote SDR unit in Ukraine, thanks Vlad (Wolfgang Büschel, Jan 4, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 4 via DXLD) 11860, fair with flutter Dec 30 at 1513, SW Asian music, strumming and singing, 1518 YL mentions Azerbaijan, 1521 more singing, 1526 definitely Russian talk, more music cut off abruptly at 1527:10*. Aoki reveals this was VIRI Russian Service, 1430-1528, 500 kW, 330 degrees from Sirjan, also USward (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. 13850, 1538-, IBA, Dec 29. Very good reception of IBA's Persian service. Minimal splatter from 13845 WWCR. Mentions of Canada, dollars, etc. Not sure in what context, but possibly to do with the controversy over the Museum of Human Rights being constructed in Winnipeg? Lots of mentions of Iran. 9985 in parallel only at poor to fair level. I still remember the days of a full SW service from Israel including English. A shame! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. LA FINE DEL NOTTURNO ITALIANO Ho trovato questo link dove si possono riascoltare gli ultimi minuti della trasmissione RAI "Notturno italiano": http://www.iz1cqn.it/notturno.htm Sul sito della RAI non vi è traccia di questa trasmissione e tramite il podcast si può ascoltare e scaricare solo la sezione "Notturno australiano" : che tristezza! Roby (Roberto Rizzardi, SWL I/0216/GR, Porto S. Stefano (GR) Italy, Jan 3, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Grazie Roberto per questo link. Non avevo potuto ascoltare la trasmissione. Mi ricordo che, quando ero ``piccolo`` e non conoscevo di frequenze, ma semplicemente giravo la manopola di sintonia della radio familiare, scoprii il Notturno dall`Italia fermandomici perchè stavano trasmettendo la bellissima ``Cast your fate to the wind`` di Sounds Orchestral (andate a sentirvela su You Tube!). Debbo dire che ascoltando gli ultimi momenti del Notturno mi commuovo --- se invece penso a dove finiranno i quattro soldi risparmiati spegnendo il Notturno e le onde medie, mi inc. Buon Anno a tutti, (Stefano Valianti, ibid.) Viz.: 01/01/2012 - Ha accompagnato la notte degli italiani dal luglio del 1952. Dopo quasi 60 anni di trasmissioni in onde medie (ma non solo...) il programma radiofonico notturno per eccellenza della RAI non verrà più trasmesso... La splendida canzone "La notte dell'addio" (nell'ultima trasmissione del 31/12/2011) introduce l'annuncio fatto da Paolo De Bernardin e da Piero Galletti. Potete ascoltare sia la canzone sia l'annuncio attraverso questa breve registrazione che ho reso disponibile su YouTube (IZ1CQN as above via DXLD) ** ITALY. 5000, IBF (Standard Time & Frequency Station), Turin. 0129 December 29, 2011. Weak but clear with Morse ID. Again 0235 January 1, 2012 with Morse ID poking though but no voice announcements heard, or maybe they are at another minute. Look at, say, the 1978 WRTVH and you'll see IBF ran these lengthy multi-language voice ID's in the old days, and there was also the IAM, Rome (STFS) station on 5000 kHz. Never heard that one, though I believe I logged IBF at least once in the wee hours back in the late 1970's/early 1980's from the QTH near Orlando, or else on a CANAVDXpedition same circa. Maybe there's even a QSL mothballed somewhere here? Was it B&W with a round grid of the time announcements per-minute? Or was that someone else? (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Does anybody have the correct (ordinary mail) address for QSL to IBF 5000, Instituto Elettrotechnico Nazionale Galileo Ferraris, and maybe the V/S? Giampiero Bernardini? 73, (Erik Koie, Denmark, Jan 4, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Erik, The tests were conducted by hobbyists and sponsored by Radio Maria. IBF as such no longer exists. The email for the QSL is: qsl @ radiomaria.org The snail mail address would be: Mr. Giampiero Bernardini Via Tertulliano 35 20137 Milano Mr. Bernardini is their QSL Manager. 73 (Al Muick, Whitehall PA USA, ibid.) Al, no, not 100% correct ;-) I had a contact with Giampiero and he informed me that the Italian telecommunications authority had officially re-allocated the former IBF callsign to them. So, "IBF" re- exists again ;-)) 73, (Tom Rösner, Germany, ibid.) Servus Tom, Thanks for the update! Little items like this are very important to the community as a whole. I wasn't aware of the re- allocation of the call signs. Can you say if this was a permanent re- allocation, or an experimental license arrangement wherein they could broadcast on the frequency for certain period of time only? I do not notice any actual time services being provided, so perhaps this is only a standard frequency station? If so, then what are they using for a frequency standard? It would be nice to know if "IBF" has returned permanently, or just as an experiment. 73 (Al Muick, ibid.) Servus Al ;-) no, I don't know, but from the "feeling" I would say, that the recent IBF transmissions are just a temporary "memorial" special event. There are not many details "why?" (etc.) available in the net. I just found some postings from the IBF guys on the Italian http://air-radiorama.blogspot.com blog, but you have to scroll down to November or so. They show even some pictures. That all looks like more a hobbyist usage as a real needed standard/time signal "purpose" (including the technical parameters to fulfill that task...hi) Best regards. BTW, "Servus" is more Austrian and in parts Southern German. We here, in the "State of Lower Saxony" say Moin Moin ;-)) In the past Moin Moin was used mainly by the people of our coastal regions (fish- heads), but now it is common even for the Dixie's of the deep deep South of Lower Saxony (I'm) and is used by the mountaineers in the darkness of the Hercynian forest and remote valleys just next to us...hi 73, (Tom Rösner, ibid.) Hey, Tom, Well, My family is Austrian from Burgenland and "Galizien", so Servus is entirely appropriate for me, but I am familiar with "Moin, Moin." Your Hercynian Forest is quite beautiful, actually! Thanks for the link! I almost didn't make it past the cutie in the Sekt glass (champagne's too expensive these days...). 73 and thanks again, (Al Muick, ibid.) it's a shame... > So, "IBF" re-exists again ;-)) no, this is not the IBF... (Roberto Scaglione, Sicily, http://www.bclnews.it ibid.) Yes, Roberto, it's far away from being "the" good old IBF, but "times are changing" as they wrote ;-) ``Yes, IBF is also today the official Callsign. The broadcasting was officially authorized from Roma, Ministero delle Telecomunicazioni. Here is your eQSL. Times are changing. Ciao Giampiero`` And better a temporary special event as nothing at all. Better commemorate and remember them, as to forget them. If "all" former and now inactive "legendary" utility stations would get such a temporary memorial re-activation "transmission" for bringing them back into the remembering, it would be nice, or? I like reenactments, not only by radio but also with muzzle-loader ;-) At least I have now both IBF QSLs in my collection, even when the verification from today is an eQSL, better as nothing, but it's far far away from being a real QSL. For me, a QSL is something physical from "you for me" and not a 1-to-0 modification of my "own" bits and bytes on my own computer HD ;-) 73, (Tom Rösner, ibid.) ** JAPAN. 1188, 0610-, NHK 1, Dec 23. Checking for TAs (there were none tonight) but I did catch a number of split channel frequencies. None are very strong, but amongst the best in 1188, which turns out to be JOKP, a 10 kW NHK 1 station in Hokkaido, which still hasn't seen the sun set. Many other 9 kHz channels are beginning to appear including 1287 (JOHR Sapporo), and several others (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN. 1575, 1754-, AFN, Dec 29. This indeed is an interesting frequency. Earlier in the morning, around 1445, it was dominated by VOA Thailand. About 60 to 90 minutes later, Radio Farda became dominant, and now, I'm hearing two AFN Japan feeds that are different. One is chatting between a man and woman (about bullying), and the other has music. Both are only at poor to fair strength, so won't likely be able to get much if any IDs. Fun to watch the transition from station to station. By 1800, switched back to Radio Farda (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Three AFN stations in Japan are listed at only 1000, 600 and 250 watts (gh) ** JAPAN [and non]. NHK World Radio Japan always has a live music show on New Year`s Eve, from domestic radio or TV, so well before 1500 UT = midnite I start listening to that from 1313 via CANADA 11655 relay. Lots of songs, audience applause in big auditorium with PA reverb by announcers, chatting between performances. 1348 `Sukiyaki` in heartfelt, not bouncy rendition; 1357 `Sakura` in a poppier version. 1443 Auld Lang Syne ending that program, 1445 back to pre-produced feature, including 1449 banging on something. Knowing that Sackville will cut off the transmission just before 2012, I have retuned to 9750 direct which by 1458 has just as a good a signal if not better, but with some SAH, likely PBS Nei Menggu, Hohhot as in Aoki, or maybe Kuwait, but not defunct Malaysia as still in HFCC. 11655 does cut off by 1459, and 9750 continues with gong, then accurate timesignal at 1500, more gongs periodically during speech (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) France. NHK Radio Japan relay. 21560 Issoudun. Jan 02, 2012, Monday. 1422-1429*. English lesson (number 40), including talking about Japan becoming an ageing society, and the value of hobbies. At 1426, music by Bach. Sign off from "Our studios in Tokyo" at 1429*, and "You have been listening to NHK World, Radio Japan in Tokyo". Good. Jo'burg sunset 1704 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN [non]. 60th Anniversary of Japan Short Wave Club "This year marks the Japan Short Wave Club’s 60th anniversary, and we are planning to air special broadcast to celebrate our anniversary. The details will be announced in the bulletin when we are ready." (Source : Mr. Toshi Ohtake of Japan Short Wave Club via http://sw-radio.blogspot.com/2012/01/60th-anniversary-of-japan-short-wave.html via Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, Jan 1, dxldyg via DXLD) ** KAZAKHSTAN. 7515, 1628-, Voice of Orthodoxy, Dec 23. Clearly EiBi has the wrong information, stating that this program starts at 1630. It's actually 1600 to 1630. I caught the s/off announcements in Russian at 1629. Good reception. Tuesdays and Fridays only (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. Hi Everyone, and Happy New Year. Belated comments on the coverage of Kim Jung-Il's funeral: Al Jazeera, BBC and CNN all had rolling coverage, while FNC continued with regular programs for international viewers. Interesting to note, that while Al Jazeera and BBC accepted the feed from KCTV as live, CNNi (on several occasions) noted they could not confirm if the coverage was live, or delayed. They made the comment based on the fact "pictures and comments from mourners were looped and had been seen previously." They also mentioned that the pictures (feeds) they were receiving were "at least 20-minutes" later, than the presumed start of the funeral, though mentioned that proceedings "may have been delayed" due to the bad weather in Pyongyang (David Sharp, NSW, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. 4557.03, Pyongyang BS, 1214, fair, with 'mournful' commentary by a man, followed by rendition of "The East is Red." (Interesting to note, I've also heard "The East is Red" on several occasions, following Kim Jung-Il's death, on the Russian service of Voice of Korea.) 29/12 (David Sharp, NSW, partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6285, Voice of Korea. Service in Korean to Europe. There was much better reception on parallel 9325. Usual shouting style of presentation (which they also use on their domestic TV service). Both 6285 and 9325 had better signals than 7570 and 12015, which had the English service to Europe at the same time, though Aoki says all four frequencies are 200 kW and on the same beam (Chris Greenway, UK, Jan 1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9335, Voice of Korea Dec. 24, 1545. Music, somber instrumental to military chorus, closing TOH. could hear distinct sound of jammer station during quieter moments. 9335, V of K. Dec. 25, 1458. OC heard, while waiting for Sign/on of English program from Pyongyang, heard clearly sound of a broadcast jammer. Strong audio at TOH. // 11710 barely audible. Almost all programming patriotic military marches today. 73 and Good Listening! (Rick Barton, Wickenburg AZ (denotes closest town to my campsite on Federal BLM Land at base of Vulture Peak), ATS-803A, RF-2200, DX-375, Slinky antenna, 9' Tomato stake antenna, tent: Coleman "Meadow Falls", ABDX via DXLD) Voice of Korea Observation --- All SW transmitters of the Voice of Korea were off the air from at least 0715 to about 0745 UT (Checked all their SW frequencies using remote SW receivers in Hong Kong and Europe.) I guess the electricity blackouts still affect VoK's transmitting centers. But the issue isn't as bad as a few years ago. Right now, at 0807 UT all transmitters are on (Sergei S., Jan 2, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. Voice of Korea and VOA in 7570 --- 7570, 02/Jan 2215, NORTH KOREA, Voice of Korea, in Spanish. YL presents news. Moderate QRM from VOA at the same frequency. QRM also observed in a radio remote from Italy and Spain, Global Tuners. In Remote radio in Spain, I heard the ID signal of the Family Radio(??). From 2230, the VOA QRM begins to predominate. 23432 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9665, Jan 3 at 1420, beautiful harmonious music from soprano and chorus on KCBS, which must mean the DPRK is full of harmony, right? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 5985, Dec 30 at 1341, via JSR Tokyo/Yamata, JAPAN, Shiokaze in Japanese with lite het from off-5985 Myanmar; 1421 I thought it was Korean, but definitely another Japanese ID at 1422, so as expected, no English this Friday (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH. 1566, 0555-, HLAZ, Dec 29. Pretty amazing to already be hearing the South Korean religious broadcaster over 2 1/2 hours before their LSS. About 30 minutes ago, I was hearing them at almost armchair level! Only in the winter! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH [non]. 9650, KBS World Radio`s Korean hour via Sackville at 14-15 happens to be during the final hour of 2011y there, so I listen to a bit tuning back and forth with Japan. They did play Auld Lang Syne at 1409; also goes off too early at 1459 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KURDISTAN [non]. via UKRAINE. 11530, Denge Mezopotamya, 1435-1600*, Kurdish music. Talk in listed Kurdish. Time pips at 1531:30. Sign off with time pips at 1600 and off. Poor. Weak. Running late on this frequency. Should sign off at 1500. Thanks to Bill Bingham tip. Also tentatively heard on 7540 at 1603 sign on with a threshold signal. Too weak to catch any program details on 7540. Jan 2. 11530, Denge Mezopotamya, 1450-1600*, indigenous vocals. Kurdish instrumental music. Talk in listed Kurdish. 5 time pips at 1600 followed by a short announcement and off. Poor. Weak but readable. Still running past their normal 1500 sign off time. Also tentatively heard on 7540 at 1601 sign on with a threshold signal. Jan 4 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** KUWAIT. 7560, 2121-, VOA, Dec 23. Good reception of VOA English to Afghanistan with an English lesson (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KUWAIT. Hi Glenn, Happy NY's to you. I noticed Kuwait is back on 15540 after 1900 UT with English programming. Strong here in Mass. I'm sure you will get a lot of reports on this one. Take care. Best,(Mark Carlsen, Jan 4, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Maybe `back` in the sense that the MUF is cooperating today, if they have remained on the air when it was not? English at 18-21 (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) ** LAOS. 6130, RN Lao, Vientiane: Highlight of the month has been the reëmergence of this one, loggable on many mornings. Was best in early Dec, after Chuck Rippel tip, but still hearing this week tho not as well as earlier in Dec (12/3,4,5,6). Propagation window for here opens up around 1245 and holds thru 1300+, tho was hearing as early as 1230 in early Dec. Best signal was on 12/4 with very enjoyable program of Laotian pop music -- very familiar to me after my years of working in Laos. Very enjoyable programming! Usually tones on the hour, but one time noted playing straight thru on a local Sunday nite in Laos (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100; Knightkit Star Roamer; Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 + Quantum Phaser antenna unit; Longwires (150' + 100'); Tuned Multi-Turn 20" Small Loop; Single-Turn Coax Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBERIA. ELWA LIBERIA BACK IN FULL OPERATION BY 2013 After surviving a court case against it and conceding to an arson attack on its broadcast facilities, donations have started pouring in to ELWA Ministries in Liberia to change the topography of the 137 acres of land it occupies. Photo credit: http://twitpic.com/7chabd ELWA Rev Kedrick L White, Executive Director ELWA Ministries, on Thursday 28 December, 2011 began a very brief press statement about the master plan. “As you may recall, on 8 November 2011, the ELWA radio building was burned to the ground. It was a major lost to our radio ministry; except for about 30% of our recordings everything was total lost - radio equipment, furniture and the building structure. We estimate a loss of US$250,000 and a replacement cost of about US$400,000.” Rev White explained that many supporters in and out of the country have expressed a willingness to help ELWA rebuild its broken-down infrastructure. He said the construction of the new studio building begins in early 2012 and that the entire broadcast facility will be fully operational by next year. According to the ELWA Ministries Director other construction related developments include a new high school, an amphitheatre, a guest house, the refurbishing of the ELWA housing stock and a new hospital. Money for the construction of the hospital to the tune of US$3.5 million is made available by the Charity Group Samaritan Purse in fulfillment of earlier promise made by its founder and president the world Evangelist Franklin Graham, son of the legendary world evangelist Billy Graham when he visited Liberia in March 2011. ELWA Ministries had a tough time last year when its legitimate ownership of the 137 acres of land it occupies was challenged by the Government of Liberia in court. The government, after acrimonious confrontation with ELWA Ministries, took the matter to court in an attempt to retrieve the land which it considered as its property. But facts surrounding the land revealed that the said property was duly given to ELWA as an eleemosynary grant, by an act of the national legislature, a tribal certificate and a well probated deed by the late President Tubman Administration (Source: The Analyst)( January 4th, 2012 - 12:19 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) ``Full operation`` ought to include SW, which was already off the air when it burnt down, but don`t bet on it (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** LIBYA. 11600, 1617-, Radio Libye, Dec 23. Surprisingly good reception with the music modulating very nicely (classical), interspersed with French muffly audio. ID by a YL at 1620:35, but at lower level than the music and the first announcements. Not muffly anymore, but very low modulation. Very strong when rechecked at 1714 with ongoing French language programming (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11600, was off the air with French broadcast 1600-1800 on 28.12 (Anker Petersen, in Skovlunde, Denmark, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) 11600, 30/Dec 1750-1804, R Libya, in French. YL talk, short music, constant reproduction of the song "Limelight". Modulation low, but audible. At 1758 pop music. At 1800 OM talk and ID. Out the air at 1802. Only the carrier of 1802 until 1804. 35433 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W, Brasil, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11600, Radio Television Libye – Sabrata, 1736-1807*. Man announcer with talk in the French language. This was followed by a pop vocal selection. At 1745 a woman announcer gave the station identification: “Radio Television Libye”. She began a talk alternating with instrumental music. Nice close down ID at 1806 before program closed with very brief instrumental music. Poor with some fair peaks toward the end of the transmission. Dec 31 (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 Jan 1 via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR [and non]. 5010.175, 1605-, Radio Madagasikara, Dec 26. A strong signal, but difficult to [separate from?] even stronger signal (open carrier) from presumed AIR Thiruvanan (Chennai) on exactly 5010. Oops, after looking closely, I think I have the situation reversed, with Madagascar being the OC and AIR heard with strong carrier but somewhat anemic modulation. Non-stop talk by a man and woman in presumed ?Hindi? (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Two very tiny weak signals 'visible' on the remote SDR unit browser at 1556 UT Dec 29. 5010.006 AIR, and upper side 5010.183 Malagasy (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 29, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews 4 Jan via DXLD) 5010.18, Radio Madagasikara, *0229-0245, sign on with local African pop music. Short 25 second IS at 0230 followed by choral National Anthem. Opening announcements at 0233. Malagasy talk. Weak. Poor in noisy conditions. Dec 31 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** MALAYSIA (SABAH): Regarding Voice of Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu. Checking now at 1315, 1475 kHz is empty. This would cover also their old schedule time: 1300-1530. VOM is also off of SW (Mauno Ritola, Finland, IRCA DX Monitor Dec 31 via DXLD) Was rated 700 kW, so a relatively easy target for DX, also on a unique frequency instead of proper 1476, and equally split from 1470 and 1480 (gh, DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. 5964.708, RTM Klasik Nasional FM / R. Satu Kajang program, ID in bahasian Malay, S=9+15dBm observed on remote SDR unit in Japan, at 1600 UT, Dec 29 (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews 4 Jan via DXLD) see also SARAWAK [non] ** MALI. 5995, Radiodiffusion-TV Malienne, 0554 Carrier, 0555 stringed instruments music at s/on, very weak; re-check 0611 Malienne song; and at 0653 slightly better with drum music, woman in French and songs. Poor. Jan 4 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna on the car roof, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MAURITANIA. 7245, Friday Dec 30 at 0636, IGIM has not shown up yet. 7245, Dec 31 at 0645, IGIM Nouakchott is on and chanting, a lot weaker than the Gregorian chanting on 7250 Vatican. 7245, Jan 1 at 0647, IGIM with poor signal in talk and music, not chanting for a change, aside much stronger Vatican 7250. 7245, Jan 2 at 0612, good signal from IGIM chanting, on earlier than usual, but transmitter turn-on varies very widely. 7245, Jan 3 at 0614, IGIM is still not on unlike the day before. 0646 next check, it is on with YL wailing (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 630, MÉXICO unidentified. 1209 December 31, 2011. Tune-in to different version of the anthem from what almost all the others play (a small band, not the common choral version), then male, "Buenos días, buenos días..." and lost to local 620 WDAE IBOC up at 1213. 630, MÉXICO, unidentified. 1200 January 2, 2012. The same one as heard with this different and unusual version of the anthem on December 31, then at 1209 (a small band, not the common choral version). Today, sitting on the channel just before 1200, nothing until right at 1200 when the band anthem poked through but immediately lost in the mud. 630, MÉXICO, unidentified. 1206 January 2, 2012. The common choral anthem up at 1206, "Buenos días... 2 de enero...", calls ending in either U or Q. Three possibilities: XEFB, Monterrey 10 kW DA power; XEFU (XHFU relay) Cosamaloapan, Veracruz 10 kW DA power; and a coveted XECCQ (XHCCR simulcast) Cancún, Quintana Roo at only 500 watts. Into oldie Mexican vocals from 1210, clarinet/instrumental version of "The 5th Of September" at 1221. Obliterated by local WDAE 620 IBOC up at 1228. Best USB, as on LSB, a low and slightly warbly carrier on 629.94 was present (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 710, Jan 3 at 1346, gobierno federal PSA with whistling, but didn`t catch from which department; `Noticiero 7-10`, timecheck before 7 am local = MST, negative-C temp, mentioning several Chihuahua cities, so it`s the usual dominator XEDP in Cuauhtémoc, supposedly 7 kW, and occupying the frequency instead of much closer 10 kW KGNC Amarillo, which makes it here on daytime groundwave some 400 km away. A bandscan found little else from Mexico at this hour except XEG-1050 and XERF-1570 --- not even XETNT-650, still occupied by WSM. Today`s Enid LSR is 1343 UT, almost to our yearly latest of 1344 in a few days, when the Sun is closest (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Strong northern Mexicans into IL --- Lots of northern Mexicans noted here around local midnight [0600 UT] in low to mid band. Mex mx on 550, 580, 660 playing NA, 690 El Paso and 800 Juarez tremendous. 900 had Mex mx so not XEW which is talk on web stream so prob. Cd Cuauhtehmoc. Perseus recording should reveal a few more. Something on 700 as well o/u WLW. Also 760 o/u WJR likely common XEES as was mx. Presumed new is 1030 XESDD from Tijuana logged at 0615 UTC atop a nicely back nulled WBZ. "La Tremenda Mil Trenta AM" with Mex mx. Per Cantu list these guys are on nights now with 5 kW. How long has this been going on? I cannot find anything else with that slogan. 73 KAZ Barrington IL (Neil Kazaross, Double KAZ antenna due west and Perseus 0643 UT 3 Jan, IRCA via DXLD) ** MEXICO. 1320, XEJZ, Ciu. Jiménez, CH, 1409-1445+ UT, 1/4/12, all talk was heard from this one with stiff competition from XECPN (Coahuila). Surprisingly, this station's signal came up to a good level around 1415 UT; that's 0815 CST. Good copy for about 20 minutes. Radio Fórmula IDs as well as a promo for a upcoming basketball game in Juárez. They also had a short program called "Información de Juárez." After 1430, a M and W were taking phone calls from listeners. 1310, XEVB, Monterrey, NL, 1350-1415 UT, 1/3/11, mostly all Spanish chatter by a W (mostly political talk about the IA vote coming up.) They did play a couple of pop styled songs though. Clear IDs noted, "XEVB, la mujer en trece-diez AM." Mixing with another XE who I'm guessing was XEAM (Tamaulipas). A third XE came on the air on this channel around 1416 UT with el himno nacional. Far too weak to have a chance for any IDs from that one (Kirk Allen, Ponca City OK, Sony T- 615, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 6009.96, Radio Mil, Mexico City, to answer question recently posed on a DXer user group, yes, XEOY is still here. Noted 1022 on 12/31 with Spanish pop vocals. Good signal after phasing away the co-channel crud. Lite het was un-notchable. Segued songs to 1028 ID by OM, "En Radio Mil, muy buenos días y cordiales saludos, amables oyentes . . . Mexico . . ." (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100; Knightkit Star Roamer, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 + customized (tropical bands) Quantum Phaser antenna unit, Longwires (150' + 100'); Tuned Multi-Turn 20" Small Loop; Single-Turn Coax Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Dec 29 at 1728 UT check of ch A2 finally shows some signs of E-skip, peaking SSW, music and Spanish, mix of several weak signals. Nothing in the TV-FM Skip Log yet, and in DX Sherlock on 6m, only one red contact between FL and TX showing. 1734 news about Coahuila, but may be national. It`s net 4, with f bug in lower left. Now ch 3 is starting to propagate, sounds like a net-5 toon, but next video is visibly human. Mostly gone by 1740, and nothing further developed in the next hour. Another bit of NTSC video on ch 2 appeared briefly at 0030 UT Dec 30. By then there was lots of 6m Es activity on the Sherlock map centered over Missouri, which is too close to be useful here. So far this `winter sporadic E` season has been a bust. 73, (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. A UN AÑO DE RADIO MÉXICO INTERNACIONAL | IMERsión 9 diciembre, 2011 Radiomexicointernacional está a punto de cumplir sus primeras 8 mil 760 horas de transmisión interrumpida. Con la frase “Escucha México, México te escucha” ha llevado a usted la cultura, las costumbres y los fenómenos sociales de nuestro país dentro y fuera de sus fronteras. Lo que inició como un proyecto de Onda Corta en 1968, se ha renovado para llegar a otro medio; el cual ha sido un detonante para el desarrollo, y en algunos casos, de revoluciones sociales: el internet. Lo que hace algunos años era un motivo de encuentro para los diexistas, hoy es un punto de partida para comprender a México más allá de las fronteras que nos delimitan. . . http://bit.ly/s8vmaV (Via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, DXLD) = INTERNATIONAL INTERNET ** MICRONESIA (FSM). 4755.47, 0708-, PMA The Cross, Dec 26. Very good reception tonight. Probably conditions, but possibly with a new BOG. I took down my normally great BOG 750' to the NW, but there are many downed thinned trees in the way, and the antenna had lots of ups and downs and hasn't been performing well since my arrival. I therefore took it down, pending tree/limb clean-up, and replaced it to the north with a shorter length BOG of 450' terminated with a 610 ohm resistor I had on hand and aimed 300 degrees. It's also has a RPA-1 amp too located at the antenna base using the same coax that was originally used for the 750' BOG, simply moved about 50 or 60' closer to the ocean. Excellent performer! Since 0630, I'm hearing plenty of TP (mostly Japanese) [MW presumably] activity with good audio, as well as the tropical bands (PMA, but also SIBC on 5019.9). I'm very pleased! Now, just 24 hours later, 0709 on UTC Dec 27th, no sign at all of The Cross! I suspect that they're not on the air tonight (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks for a lovely report, Walter: I saw the carrier at around 2015 and was too sleepy to measure the frequency but noticed that it was about 400 Hz up from 4755. Last year got bits of audio around 1230 our sun set. Thank Walt (G. Victor A. Goonetilleke 4S7VK, "Shangri-la"' 298 Madapatha Road, Piliyandala. Sri Lanka, DX-plorer via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) 4755, PMA-The Cross Radio. December 31, 0814-0828 eloquent preacher in English “not according; God”, male on music “we hope”, fraternal instrumental music. Partially readable, 25333 (lob-B). Happy new year for everyone. 73’s (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil (23 39’S- 46 53’W), SW40 - Dipoles and Longwire, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Heard Dec 31 at 0850 UT just above threshold, on remote SDR unit in CA: measured against WWV 5 MHz, just exact on 4755.459 kHz. 73 wolfy df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Stations running late Dec 31 - PMA-The Cross Radio on 4755.44 was on late, but gone by 1315 (Ron Howard, California, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONGOLIA. 4830, 0711-, Mongolian Radio, Dec 27. Hard to believe that they're just 10 kW ND, as reception is almost very good with presumed Mongolian talk by a YL announcer, with music in the background. Much stronger than the other Mongolian outlet on 4895 which is just barely audible, so I can't tell whether it's in parallel or not. Generally conditions are not as good as last night. More the 'norm' rather than some pretty exceptional conditions last night and this morning (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MOROCCO. MARROCOS, 595 SNRT-"A", Oujda, off channel again, 2302- 2316, 31/12, Arabic, end of the news bulletin; 43443, QRM de POR on 594 (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also NIGERIA ** MOROCCO [and non]. 15349.1, IMM is fortunately absent Jan 2 at 1504, not producing a huge het with RVA via Vatican 15350.0 during this hour. Nor is IMM to be found on former 15341 or 15344. Still off at 1655 check (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) MOROCCO/ARGENTINA/IRAN In 1840-1855 UT time slot on Jan 2nd: 15345.008, IRIB Tehran in French to Africa. 15345.128, ... wandering to x.133 kHz, RAE Buenos Aires with typical radio studio sound. Not strong, will be better signal later the evening. 15349.139, SNRT / RTMaroccaine Nador relay back, lovely Moroccoan lady voice in Arabic (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 2, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15349, 03/Jan 2015 MOROCCO, RTV Marocaine, in Arabic, OM talk. QRM moderate from RAE in 15350. Was present here for at least one week. Better reception in 15351, to escape the RAE signal. 33433 (Jorge Freitas-B) 15349.1, Jan 2 at 2147 check, IMM is back on, making ~4 kHz het with RAE 15345v, and off during the following hour. It`s been missing in our mornings, fortunately: no het against RVA/Vatican 15350.0 Jan 2 at 1504, 1539, and Jan 3 at 1316, no het against TRT on 15350.0. Nor is IMM to be found anywhere in the vicinity (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MYANMAR. Radio Myanmar. 5915 Naypyidaw. Jan 04, 2012, Wednesday. 0042-0056. Burmese, talk and song, Poor. Head-to-head with co-channel VOIR Iran in Bengali, from Kamalabad. Jo'burg sunrise 0321 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9590, Myanmar has a new frequency on 9590 kHz at 0130-0330 UT. This doesn't include the English Service 0230-0330 UT, which is on one of the old Yangon TXers on 9730.85 kHz (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, Jan 2, 4S7VK, DXplorer via BC-DX 4 Jan via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) ** NEPAL. 5005, 1602-, Radio Nepal, Dec 26. Very tentative reception. Piano, or some stringed instrument heard clearly at 1604 UT. It's been forever since I've heard Nepal. Can't see who else it could be, propagationally at this time, unless a spur or something. At 1605, a little stronger. Sounds like a guitar with a male vocal accompanying. Assistance please! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. 9895, 0608-, Radio Netherlands Dec 29 Dutch language broadcast to Europe at very good level. Perhaps RNW will be gone in the near future as so many other very good broadcasters. Let's hope not. It's already difficult to find their English broadcasts (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) via PRIDNESTROVYE 9830, RNW Dutch at 06-07 via Wertachtal, GERMANY is missing Jan 4 at 0605, but still VG on BONAIRE 9865 and a couple seconds later on PRIDNESTROVYE 9895. As well as BONAIRE 6165 and VATICAN 5955. I believe I also noticed 9830 absent 24 hours earlier. The latest schedule still shows 9830: http://www.hfcc.org/data/schedbyfmo.php?seas=B11&fmor=RNW (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS. NEW ANTENNA MAST AT HOOGERSMILDE WILL BE TALLER http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/new-antenna-mast-at-hoogersmilde-will-be-higher The new transmitting mast in Hoogersmilde, which is being built to replace the old one that collapsed following a fire in July 2011, will be several metres taller than the old tower, according to owner Novec. A spokeswoman said the extra height would increase the range of the transmissions. The rebuilding process has been accelerated, and the new tower should be operational in the summer. The Dutch Government is providing extra funding for the accelerated rebuilding process. (Media Network Netherlands By Andy Sennitt January 3, 2012 via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. 9765, 1651-, RNZI, Dec 23. It's so refreshing to hear an Interval Signal these days, especially the beautiful RNZI bird call IS. Extremely strong reception with the IS, followed by a Maori chant, and English ID for the Pacific Service of RNZI. 11675 provides FM quality of the same program in DRM with Christmas carols. 9890, 1626-, RNZI, Dec 23. Searching for RNZI, instead of my listed 5950 in DRM (perhaps old information), I'm hearing them on 9890 with 100% decoding. 13730, 0541-, RNZI, Dec 23. 100% copy with 25 dB SNR. Not sure why, but the newest DReaM version I have on my laptop (1.14) won't demodulate audio, despite very strong signals (the text portions work well), whereas the older 1.12b works just fine. Political news (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGER. 9704.99, LV du Sahel, 2230-2300*, French talk. Euro-pop and Afro-pop music. Local chants at 2255. Closing announcements at 2258 followed by flute IS. Choral National Anthem at 2258:35. Two second test tone at 2300 and off. Poor to fair with some adjacent channel splatter. Irregular. Dec 29 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) See also ETHIOPIA ** NIGERIA. Sabato 31 dicembre 2011, 2240 - 594 kHz, FRCN - Kaduna (Nigeria), Vernacolo, talk OM e canti locali. Segnale sufficiente- buono!!! R7 Drake con PBT in LSB e filtro AM da 2.3 kHz per evitare una portante su 595 (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, Jan 1, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) See MOROCCO ** NIGERIA. 6090, 0355-, Radio Nigeria, Kaduna, Dec 28. Probably them at good strength but under much stronger World University Network, Anguilla. I look forward when WUN is off the air! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6089.86, Radio Nigeria, Kaduna, 0605-0640, vernacular talk. Local tribal music. Some talk a little muffled. Fair signal with Anguilla 6090 off the air. No sign of Brazil. Jan 2 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** NIGERIA. 7275, Radio Nigeria Abuja, 0630, English. As Tunisia left the frequency, Nigeria was revealed. Woman mentioning news headlines and saying “good morning”, gave a phone number, 0635 fanfare music and into news, heard mentions of “correspondent” several times. Very weak signal and by 0645 signal had faded to point that content couldn’t be determined. Jan 4 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna on the car roof, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. 15120, 1842-, Voice of Nigeria, Dec 30. Good reception with modern African sounding pops. Female DJ noted at 1843. Frequent mentions of Nigeria (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. New YouTubes of The Big Q, Undercover Radio on 1720: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhGW9kqu6Nc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc4QifrkIiE (Tim Tromp, Fruitport MI, MARE Tipsheet 30 Dec via DXLD) ** NORTH AMERICA. ? CANADA, 6924.633, 0130-, Radio True North, Dec 24. Just about pegging the meter here in Masset, with superb audio quality with very nice modern instrumental music. No IDs so far since tuning in about 10 minutes ago. They're interfering with a slightly weaker signal from the Northern Relay Service on 6930.21 in AM as well. I see the signal splatter between 6911.69 and 6939.53 kHz. Very interesting to see two very powerful pirates, possibly both in North-western Canada battling it out within 5 kHz of each other! ID'd and signed-off at 0137 as Radio True North. Interesting! Radio True North, and The Northern Relay Service! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also CANADA ** NORTH AMERICA. UNKNOWN, 6925, 0201-, Pirate, Wolverine Radio, Dec 24. Moments after the two presumably Canadian pirates left the air, at 0200, I started seeing a strong signal on 6925-USB. Turns out to be Wolverine Radio, with a nice brief ID at 0214, and onto Beatles music. Also excellent audio quality, with some minor fading (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 6940-AM, Jan 1 at 0559, S9+10 with XFM ID as I intune, 0604 DJ with live UT timechex, ``4 after 6``, also mentions it`s midnight = 2012y in the Central zone; offering QSLs for reports to xfmshortwave @ gmail.com Music interludes I don`t recognize; 0609 mentions chatting on IRC, starts sign-off before last track, hopes to remain in the pirate scene in 2012y, maybe back on Valentine`s Day and other holidays; 0610 last track, 0613:20 cut off and back on; 0616:30 some kind of canned ID, off at 0617:18*. I expect this was a long NYE broadcast, but I missed most of it (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) More logs of same transmission: 6940, PIRATE (No. Am.), XFM, 0448. Rock with talk and ID’s. Shouted out to various folks who logged on several pirate logging sites (including me), announcer recognized midnight in East and Central time zones at the appropriate times. Kept on until shortly after 0600 (midnight local) when I pulled the plug. Fair improving to good. 1/1/12 (Mark Taylor, Madison WI, WinRadio g313e, Grunding G1 & G5, Satellit 800; EWE, Flextenna, NASWA Flashsheet Jan 1 via DXLD) 6940, USA (PIRATE) XFM. 0550-0617* January 1, 2012. CSN "Wooden Ships" followed by male ID into Atlanta Rhythm Section "Imaginary Lovers", "XFM, the power of X" and "X shortwave" canned IDs, mentioning winding down the show at 0604, acknowledged listeners by name and city who emailed xfmshortwave @ gmail.com Very good signal. Not sure if the same as the pirate heard earlier on 6940, this being much stronger. AM mode (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. [Pirate]. 6925 USB, Radio Ga Ga, 0645-0658*, pop music. SSTV and ID at sign off. Poor to fair. Jan 1 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** NORTH AMERICA. [Pirate]. 6950 USB, Wolverine Radio, 0112-0135, IDs. Classic oldies music of the 40’s-50’s. Excellent signal and excellent music. Jan 1 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** OKLAHOMA [and non]. Glenn, Was 1640 OK ever all comedy? If so, and not any longer, how did that pan out. We're they booed off the arbitron stage? (Saul Chernos, Ont., DX LISTENING DIGEST) Saul, Yes, I vaguely recall that they were, probably more or less coinciding with the dates KFNY was the call, per FCC facility 87168 info: KFXY 03/30/2005 KFNY 02/16/2004 Probably. Ratings bore me to death and don`t try to keep up with them. (Glenn to Saul, via DXLD) Thanks, Glenn. Likewise, I could also actually care less, but a local DXer (Wayne Plunkett) was wondering and asked me. Seems CKSL 1410 has gone all comedy. I'm sure that'll work bigtime in London Fookin' Ontario. Sheesh. Anyhow, figured you might be able to pinpoint if they actually carried comedy. Least it'd make it an easy target to ID, and it beats the talk drivel from left and right or non-stop infomercials promoting hemorrhoid-curing green tea antioxidant cash remover (Saul Chernos, ibid.) ** OMAN. 15140, Radio Sultanate of Oman, 1428-1450, tune-in to lite pop music. Chimes at 1433 followed by the usual filler theme music. ID. English news at 1434-1447. Pop music at 1448. Poor in local noise. Jan 2 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA. Icom IC-7600, two 100 foot longwires, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. RADIO PAKISTAN SEEKS RS1.7 BILLION The building of many voices. - Photo by White Star [caption] ISLAMABAD: With Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation`s (PBC) problems multiplying, its management has sent a request to the finance ministry seeking Rs1.7 billion bailout package to overcome its financial woes. According to sources, the government had approved Rs4 billion for PBC in 2011-12 budget but the ministry released just Rs2.1 billion. They said the management had also sought creation of posts to absorb nearly 1,100 persons recruited during the Musharraf regime. However, the proposals have failed to produce any results. The sources blame recruitments during that period for the present situation prevailing in the organisation. An officer of PBC on condition of anonymity said: “Being a public sector organisation, PBC depends on government grant but during the last few years, it had been unable to meet its ever-increasing expenditure.” He said the organistaion paid Rs600 million as pension and over Rs1.4 billion as salaries annually, besides other expenses under different heads including payment to contractual employees such as artists, writers, announcers, news readers, and others who contribute in different programmes and news. The expenditures on electricity bills, security, and medical facility, etc., are in addition to that but the finance ministry is not ready to release funds, he said. The financial woes had forced the PBC management to postpone development work of new stations and extension of coverage area till the release of funds, he maintained. He said 15 per cent raise in salaries announced in federal budget 2011-12 was also subject to approval of the finance ministry. The PBC Board of Directors had approved the increase and sent request to the ministry for release of funds. The 50 per cent increase, announced last year, was given to the PBC employees from its own budget, which further aggravated financial woes of the organisation, he said. PBC spokesman Mubashir Ahmed Majoka said despite financial crunch, there was all round improvement in programmes, news, and technical cadre of PBC and the quality of its broadcasts had greatly improved matching with international standards. However management of the PBC has been trying its best to overcome the financial problems. SOURCE: Dawn.com Entertainment http://bit.ly/tVfZ1R (Via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) RADIO PAKISTAN HIT BY FINANCIAL PROBLEMS - newspaper The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation - popularly known in the subcontinent as Radio Pakistan - is facing a severe financial crunch due to which the future of over 3,000 employees and artistes all over the country has become uncertain. Permanent employees of the corporation have not been paid the 15 percent increase in salary announced in the federal budget 2011-12, while contractual and daily- wage workers are waiting for their salaries for the last two months, Dawn News reported. Some employees said the management has told them the Ministry of Finance was yet to release the funds needed to pay them the raise. A daily-wage employee said that in the Urdu unit there were 35 employees out of which three were regular and the remaining were daily earners. The same was the case in the units of different languages like Punjabi, Seraiki, Balochi, Sindhi, Kashmiri, Balti and Hindi, he said. Another employee alleged that only those who have good relations with officers of the accounts section get their cheques on time while others have to wait for months. An artiste said usually they earn around Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per month, but the management has not been able to give them even that on time. Due to this delay, most artistes want to leave the corporation. Station director for Islamabad, Abdul Hafeez has said most corporations across the country were facing similar financial problems (Source: twocircles.net)(December 30th, 2011 - 15:44 UT by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. 11575, Radio Pakistan, at 1347 in listed Urdu with Asian subcontinental vocals then a man with brief talk at 1350 and more vocals to 1400 then a single time pip, ID, and into news (Fair but noisy Dec 28 (Mark A. Coady, Chemung Lake, ON, Alinco DX-R8T Eton E-1 and loaded, inverted vee dipole, Jan ODXA Listening In via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Stations running late Dec 31 --- NBC East New Britain on 3385 wth phone in calls and island pop songs past 1355 (Ron Howard, California, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 5960, R. Fly, nice looking Ok Tedi Mining QSL card and form letter signed by James Koltabie via surface mail after sending f/up email report with mp3 clip to Kabua Momo on Dec 7th. I did receive an eQSL from Kabua within 24 hours of sending that last report but wasn't expecting the postal version which looks like it was posted in PNG on Dec 16th. The eQSL has the correct date and time; the mailed card is blank except for a signature and my handwritten name and address. The colorful PNG stamps and bold Ok Tedi Mining logo on the envelope is a reminder of the days when we used to get our QSLs in the mail (John Herkimer-NY-USA, DXplorer Jan 3 via BC-DX 4 Jan via DXLD) Radio Fly QSL. Ditto; very same situation here. Card and form letter from Koltabie via surface mail today, following early December eQSL. Yes, indeed, the stamps on letter is a nostalgic reminder of past days!! (Don Jensen-WI-USA, DXplorer Jan 2, ibid.) ** PERU. 1610 kHz --- Estimados Amigos DX: Con alegría les informo que he captado una nueva radio en la X Band; es peruana, desde Puno emite Radio Inca. Manhana espero grabar el ID. Espero lo logren sin QRM. Son 1141 UT y presenta un SINPO de 14321. Un abrazo. 73 (Alfredo Cañote, Perú, 0220 UT Jan 3, condiglist yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) ** PERU. 4789.85, Radio Visión, 1115, presumed with Spanish sermon by a man; noted in passing, didn't stay with it. 29/12. 4824.49, LV de la Selva, 1056, no ID so tentative -- but it certainly "sounds the part" with mensajes by a man, then huaynos. Low audio. 29/12. 5039.17, R. Libertad, 1105, talk by excited Spanish man, noticias or mensajes, into huaynos. Strongest of all OA's here. 29/12 (David Sharp, NSW, partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5039.317, Perú, Radio Libertad de Junín, Junín, 1100 strong signal with Havana absent in the mornings (XM - NRD 525D ~ Sony 2010, Cedar Key - South Florida, and Bob Wilkner, FL, Jan 3, NASWA yg via DXLD) 5039.38, Radio Libertad de Junín, noted many mornings this month with poor-fair signal, often opening day's transmission around *1000. Noted on 12/1 with taped organ and echo-voiced ID announcement at 1001 and then live announcer from 1004. Interestingly, this one seems to have become the most reliable Peruvian in the 60 mb for me this winter, taking the crown from nominal 4790 R Visión de Chiclayo, which has been missing in action. Am hearing Junín more frequently even than R. Tarma on nominal 4775. Unfortunately, it's a matter of this one being the best of a bad lot, as other Peruvians are just not coming thru very well this month (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100; Knightkit Star Roamer; Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 + Quantum Phaser antenna unit; Longwires (150' + 100'); Tuned Multi-Turn 20" Small Loop; Single-Turn Coax Loop, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Long-delayed report if date correct ** PHILIPPINES. 9579.45, PBS Radyo Magasin, presumed. Tune/in at 0700 to hear only Africa Number One (on nominal), then heard a weak het lowside, about 0705. Was finally able to pull some audio (by tuning in LSB) around 0720 with Tagalog man. Station soon faded again, audible only as a het against ANO. From memory, I don't recall any of the Japanese loggings mentioning Africa Number One when hearing this; is Gabon not propagating to that part of the world, 0700+? 29/12 (David Sharp, NSW, partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. 9760, Jan 2 at 1535 during Spe-cial Eng-lish, VOA Tinang-2 transmitter has again descended into just-barely-modulation despite very strong S9+22 signal. 9760, Jan 3, VOA is on before 1501 with news, but cuts off the air for a few sex, quite undermodulated with some hum from Tinang #2 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. Radio Veritas Asia. 9520 Palauig. Jan 03, 2012, Tuesday. 1412-1427*. Tamil, OM and YL talking. (Certainly not mandarin, from PBS Nei Menggu, the only other option listed by Aoki and EiBi). Change of tempo at 1420 to another OM talking with a musical backing. Caught by surprise at 1422, by ID "??? Veritas ???", then OM's talking again to sign off at 1427* after another ID "??? Veritas ???" and a bit of trumpet music. The trumpet music continued very weakly after sign off, until I eventually (being rather slow in my old age!) realised that I was hearing an adjacent channel; the transmission had just shifted frequency, down one channel to 9515, and continued in Telugu. Just as listed by Aoki and EiBi. One day I'll get the hang of this hobby. 9520 and 9515 both fair - good, to South Asia (EiBi). Jo'burg sunrise 0321. Radio Veritas Asia. 9515 Palauig. Jan 03, 2012, Tuesday. *1430-1441. Telugu, continuation of the transmission from 9520 which signed off at 1427*. 9515 and 9520 both fair - good, to south asia (EiBi). Jo'burg sunrise 0321 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES [non]. VATICAN CITY, 15350, 1514-, Radio Veritas, Dec 30. A mess of a frequency with Radio Veritas in Filipino at very good level, but also RTV Marocaine on 15349.139 with strong carrier but low modulation (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** POLAND [non]. UNITED KINGDOM, 7330, 2200-, Polish Radio, Dec 24. Very good reception of their Polish hour, as announced, directed to Polish fishermen and Poles overseas. Parallel 15260 superb, via Sackville. UNITED KINGDOM, 9545, 1752-, Polish Radio, Dec 27. Excellent reception with the distinctive Hebrew language. Last time I heard them (while in Europe), all that seemed to be on was music, but there's a discussion between a man and woman at the moment. Into music at 1756. Transmitter cut at 1759:30 with no sign-off information. 9545, 1730-, Polish Radio, Dec 29. Listened to the sign-on of Polish Radio's Hebrew service. No interval signal, just a crash start with an ID and into news. Very good reception, although some long/short path echo. UNITED KINGDOM, 11905, 1615-, Polish Radio, Dec 27. Fair to good reception of the Ukrainian Service of Polish Radio. Another of the few broadcasters still having a Ukrainian service (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) QSL: Regno Unito, POLSKIE RADIO, Woofferton 11980 kHz, Cartolina QSL e lettera in 97 giorni. No RP. QTH: Al. Niepodleglosci 77/85 - 00-977 Varsavia (Polonia). V/s: Slawek Szefs - English Service (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, Jan 1, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** PRIDNESTROVYE. MOLDOVA. 1548, 0327-, Voice of Russia, Dec 28. Strongest MW TA signal on the band so far tonight is the 1000 kW TWR transmitter in Grigoriopol, Transdnister, Moldova. Russian sign on after test tones. Sometimes at very good level. Another 15 or so TA signals, but none better than '7/10' signal level. 7290, 1749-, Radio PMR Dec 27 Absolutely armchair copy with Soviet style Russian ballad. 7290, 1942-, Radio PMR, Dec 26. Good reception with German language program. Schedule and frequencies, address announced at 1945, then went on to a music program. Into Russian program at 2000. Cochannel CNR1 heard under dominant Radio PMR (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. 5950, 2027-, Radio Romania International, Dec 26. Caught a rare appearance of RRI in Ukrainian with their IS at sign-off at poor level. One of very few broadcasters that still has a Ukrainian presence on SW. 7220, 2312-, Radio Romania International, Dec 24. Good reception with English to Europe at very good level, but with significant cochannel interference, presumably from CRI Xian in Vietnamese. Reported on the funeral of Václav Havel. 7310, 0648-, Radio Romania International, Dec 23. One of my favourite stations when I'm at my DX cottage is RRI. They continue to be very well heard in English, listed to Europe, but at very strong levels in Masset as well. A travel program was followed by Romania soccer news. As always, excellent clean and very strong modulation. Sign off announcement at 0655 mentioned this program as being carried for Western Europe and the Pacific. 7370 [DRM], 2109-, Radio Romania International, Dec 26. Decoding about 3/4 of the transmission in French. Text on my Dream screen shows: 'Galbeni EM2'. I'm actually surprised over how many DRM signals I've heard/seen during the past few days! 9435, 2140-, Radio Romania International, Dec 28. Excellent reception with English to ECNA. Equally strong was 7380, whereas the DRM transmission on 6030 is just barely visible on the Perseus waterfall. 9530, 2344-, Radio Romania International, Dec 28. Excellent reception with classical music. Music program, and further re a Romanian opera singer. Parallels 7300, and 6015 also excellent, while 7220 is only slightly weaker. To Asia and Europe. There is a 1000 Hz tone on 6015. Wonder if it's one of the Chinese stations coming on at 0000. They announce this at the end of the broadcast as to Japan and Europe. 9650 [DRM], 0612-, Radio Romania International Dec 29 What seemed like an easy catch with very strong signal wasn't enough to decode audio on their rather high 20.96 kbps in mono. 'Galbeni TX1' was seen in the display window. French is listed at this time, and presumably for Europe? 9655, 1513-, Radio Romania International, Dec 31. I was looking for KNLS, Alaska in English at this time, but all I hear is RRI in Arabic at very good level. Perhaps an open carrier from KNLS? Maybe KNLS is off for the new year? 9745 [DRM], 1851-, Radio Romania International, Dec 26. Noticed this signal which I'm only able to demodulate text. Reads 20.96 kbps EEP AAC + P-Stereo. SNR Tiganesti E1. My SNR only 12.7, so not good enough for this high quality audio (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. Google Earth imagery. Some high resolution places as from Dec 7. A lot of changes on older Saftica site. ROU -- Saftica site, old Espana Indepedente AND Radio Portugal Livre site, communist exile mouthpiece in 50ties. 20/50 kW shortwave 44 38 14.41 N 26 04 24.27 E Tiganesti-ROU nichts auffaelliges, aber die alte Anlage Saftica aus den 50zigern hat zwischen 2002 und 2010 viele Aenderungen erfahren. Siehe gelbe Pins. siehe Screenshot, dazu muss man den Schieberegler der Historie schieben! In 2006 wurde die drehbare log-per vom Nordwesten umgesetzt und zwar suedlich vom Senderhaus, dort wo 2002 noch eine corner-reflector Rundstrahlantenne stand. in 2009 kam eine zweite drehbare log-per Antenne dazu. Danach umgewidmete Wohnhaeuser Anlage in 2010 im Nordwesten Gelaende (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 25, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews 4 Jan via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. R Romania International --- If you enjoy Romanian folk music - here's a programme worth seeking out on RRI - "Zi-le D-alead- ale Noastre" (which seems to best translate to something like "Those Days of Ours" and is described as "Folk Music show for Romanians everywhere", and is presented by Catalin Maximiuc. The programme of Monday 5 December featured for a large part of the programme a single female folk singer singing typical Romanian folk music and accompanied by an interview by Catalin Maximiuc of the artist. I heard the word Moldova during the introduction, so she maybe perhaps lived or lives in Moldova, and the interview seemed relaxed. For non-Romanian speaking listeners, the discussion still included plenty of music, and overall was a very pleasant way to pass an hour. "Zi-le D-alead-ale Noastre" is broadcast Mondays at 0100 on 5910 and 7345, and Sundays at 1900 on 5990 and 7430. It seems that sometimes episodes are also available to listen again for a week after broadcast - but I couldn't seem to download the programme - only stream it, and neither the programmes of 12 or 19 December were available to download (Alan Roe, Listening Post, Jan World DX Club Contact via DXLD) Radio Romania International on shortwave --- In a reply to a listener in Bulgaria on the "Listener's Letterbox" program of the January 1, 2012 Radio Romania International broadcast 15460 kHz around 1238 UT. OM, from RRI reading letter, "Our listener adds the following. It's great that Radio Romania International communicates with listeners via email and regular mail. And notices our many reception reports too. This indicates that many people still listen to shortwave radio and Radio Romania International serves listeners with a lot of useful information, great music and interesting programs." YL from RRI, "So to tell you the truth shortwave is, to a certain extent, a dying hobby. But for you and several hundred thousands of shortwave enthusiasts all over the world apparently this type of listening is as much alive today as it was in the 1920's when shortwave listening became a so called 'official practice'. And as long as you and everyone else continue to take an interest in our broadcasts, we are compelled to do our job flawlessly. Thanks for writing and keep tuning into our station." Here is the recording; it is 51 seconds in length. http://misc.kg4lac.com\RRomaniaInt_2012-1-1_15460kHz_1239UTC.wav 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, Manassas, Virginia USA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) They continue to send me kindly the Bulletin of the programming, I do not even write to them for more than one year. I will listen to their programming in Spanish. 73 (Jorge Freitas, Brasil, ibid.) ** RUSSIA. 648, 1455-, Radio Free Asia, Dec 31. Very strong OC with test tones, so obviously was a Soviet era transmitter. At 1500, came on with, 'This is Radio Free Asia. The following program is in Korean.' Armchair copy (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. 5930, Radio Rossii. Poor signal with a noticeable flutter, and data QRM on LSB. WRTH 2012 and Aoki say the transmitter is in Murmansk Oblast, and such a far northern location might account for the fluttering. Aoki says it's beamed at 340 degrees, i.e. towards Svalbard. Wikipedia says about 400 Russians and Ukrainians live there, and WRTH 2012 does not list any Russian transmitters in the archipelago, so there might indeed be a use for this SW service. Heard in parallel on 7310 (from Taldom, near Moscow) with a much stronger signal (Chris Greenway, heard around 1230-1330 on 1 January, while on a small island in the Thames at 51 27'42"N 0 57'47"W close to my home, England, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. 6075, 0521-, Radio Rossii, Dec 23. Superb reception with a radio play. Noted Vatican Radio's IS. Listed for German at this time. Would itself be at fair to good level, if not for RR. I'll be looking for any local programs from Kamchatka during my time in Masset. 7205, 1540-, Voice of Russia, Dec 31. Was listening to Radio Afghanistan and noticed a strong signal on 7205. Tuned to it in Russian (a language lesson?), and they then switched to the listed Farsi. Russian again at 1551. Very good level. Listed with either 200 or 400 kW at 147 degrees to Iran, from St. Petersburg. 7300 DRM: see UNIDENTIFIED 7320, 0418-, Radio Rossii, Dec 24. Checked out the domestic Russian stations tonight. Magadan (listed with 100 kW) is very strong with Radio Rossii programming, parallel to equally strong 6075 (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatka also with 100 kW), and 7230 (Yakutsk with 100 kW). Other Russian stations heard, but not in // include: 6085 Krasnoyarsk with 50 kW at good level with Kyzyl on 6100 in parallel with possibly only 5 kW at very weak level), and finally 5930 Monchegorsk, Murmansk at good level with piano music. 6195 Ulan Ude is also // to 6085 and 6100 but not evident until NHK signs off at 0430 from Bonaire in Spanish. Heard at fair level at 50 kW. Not a bad haul tonight! 7320, 1954-, GTRK Magadan, Dec 26. Confirmed local program from 1910 to 2000. ID as Radio Rossii Magadan at 1955, into the local weather. Parallel 5940 stronger (excellent reception). 7340 [DRM], 0640-, unID, Dec 23. Another interesting DRM signal which was present until 0640, then gone for a minute or so, then returned at even better level. I couldn't decode any audio, but the text states: 'DRM RUVR 2A. English news. Russian Federation. DRM RUVR 2A | aac + Mono (13.60 kbps) + MM (0.96 kbps)'. They must be testing, or having problems, as the signal again dropped at 0646 UT (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Stations running late Dec 31 - R. Rossii on 5940 // 6075 // 7320 on past 1402 (Ron Howard, California, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. R Rossii ceased Regional programs on SW? It is perhaps a too strong assertion from me but it really looks like Radio Rossii ceased regional programs relayed on shortwaves at the end of 2011. During the first week of January I failed to hear at least one of those transmissions I heard in December. That is why I compiled a detailed list of all regional programs on SW (acc. To WRTH 2012) grafically into a table and started to check specific frequencies. Here are few examples of my results: Magadan 5940+7320 kHz - no Reg at 2200 UTC (scheduled) Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy 6075 kHz - no Reg at 0610 and 1800 (scheduled) Krasnoyarsk 6085 kHz - no Reg at 2310 (scheduled) Arkhangelsk 6160 kHz - no Reg at 0910 and 1410 (heard in December) Ulan Ude 6195 kHz - no Reg at 2110 and 2210 (scheduled) Yakutsk 7230 kHz - no Reg at 0810 (heard in December) There are always relays of Radio Rossii (EUR version or Duble versions for Far East) at those time scheduled for regional programs. I have found out that this year (2012) I have not heard any R.R. regional program on SW yet. Maybe some of our Russian friends are able to confirm or deny it. It is a pity if it is true (Karel Honzik, CZECHIA, Jan 4, HCDX via DXLD) Karel, The point is that we are on traditional New Year holiday here in Russia from Dec 31 till Jan 9. All regional programs will be on the air again starting from Jan 10. 73! (Mikhail Timofeyev, St. Petersburg, ibid.) Hi Mikhail, thank you very much for your info! I am happy about your New Year holiday :-) because there is a hope that I will hear the regional services again after Jan 9. I am especially interested in Magadan and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskyi. Now I have checked all frequencies and noted down times when there are some signals on them. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy 6075 kHz will be tough as there is much QRM especially from Vatican. One gap is at 1800 UTC. Magadan 5940 could be possible at 2200. Ulan-Ude 6195 can be heard at 2100-2300. So we will see, in this part of the year it seems to be the right time for trying. 73 (Karel Honzik, CZECHIA, ibid.) ** RUSSIA. Voice of Russia World Service --- I listened to the 333rd edition of the VoR programme “Musical Tales” on 18 December at 2030 (although not scheduled at this time according to their programme schedule). Musical Tales is a described as “a series of weekly programs for classical music lovers who want to know more about world musical culture and history”. The theme on 18 December was 3, 33 and 333. So there's a quick mention of <<“The Tale of Tsar Sultan opera by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov where you get three miracles coming one after another.”>> and <<“A troika is also a means of transport that once was very popular here in Russia. Indeed, you can find a mention of a carriage drawn by three horses in just about every piece of classical Russian literature. Immediately bringing to mind a snowy road, a horse drawn sped and monotonous ringing of bells.”>> amongst others, together with some clips of music including Frederic Chopin's mazurka Opus 33, number 3, and Mozart's opus number 333. Yes - an entertaining programme. Scheduled Mondays at 2030, Tuesdays at 2130 but I heard it on a Sunday (18th December at 2030) and it was not broadcast on Monday 19th December - so you may have to hunt around a little for it! (Alan Roe, Listening Post, Jan World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. SCHEDULE OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING Validity period: 30.10.2011 - 24.03.2012 Date of last change: 23.12.2011 (changes in the schedule of the Voice of Russia with 01.01.2012 ) RADIO-CENTRE No 11 [St. Petersburg site] Coverage broadcasting: the Baltic countries and Northern Europe - 1494 kHz the countries of the Middle East - 5935, 5985, 7205 and 7215 kHz the countries of north-western Africa - 5920 and 9825 kHz the countries of Latin America - on the frequency of 6135 kHz kHz / UTC / Radio / broadcasting Language 1494 / 1700-1900 / Voice of Russia / Russian 5920 / 1900-2400 / Voice of Russia / Arabic 5935 / 1500-1700 / Voice of Russia / Farsi 5935 / 1700-1800 / Voice of Russia / Arabic 5985 / 1500-1700 / Voice of Russia / Turkish 6135 / 0000-0100 / Voice of Russia / Spanish 6135 / 0100-0200 / Voice of Russia / Russian 6135 / 0200-0300 / Voice of Russia / Spanish 7205 / 1500-1600 / Voice of Russia / Farsi 7205 / 1600-1657 / CRI (China Radio International) / Arabic 7215 / 1400-1500 / Voice of Russia / Russian 7215 / 1500-1600 / Voice of Russia / Kurdish 9825 / 1600-1700 / Voice of Russia / Arabic (RusDX Jan 1 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. At 1600-1700 UT, the Voice of Russia is broadcasting on 27625 kHz, I hear them faintly but they are there (David Crystal, Israel, Jan WDXC Contact via DXLD) How so? Does not work out as a likely harmonic, e.g. 2 x 13812.5. Language? (gh, DXLD) ** RWANDA. 6055, 2028-, Radio Rwanda, Dec 26. Fair to good signal, best heard in LSB to avoid splatter on the high side. French language programming. It's been a long time since I've heard them on shortwave (besides DW Kigali) (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Around noon local; long or short path? Watch out for some other stations in French on 6055, but not at this time (gh, DXLD) 6055, Radio Rwanda, 2025-2300+, on late for New Years celebrations with a wide variety of US pop, Euro-pop and Afro-pop music. Vernacular and French talk. Interviews. Party atmosphere at times. Possible National Anthem at 2158. Speech at 2200. Possible National Anthem again at 2205-2208 followed by local music. Fair. Weak co-channel QRM from India at their 2244 sign on. Covered by a strong Spain at their 2259 sign on but still slightly heard under Spain. Dec 31 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA, Icom IC-7600, two 100 foot longwires, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6055, Dec 31 at 2251, lively music and French talk, mentioning Rwanda; fair signal until totally blocked by *2259 REE IS before its French service. Tnx to tip from Brian Alexander who heard RRR`s extended broadcast on Xmas Eve and said they also do it on NYE. Local midnight was already at 2200 UT (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6055, Radio Rwanda, 2030-2101*, Afro-pop music. Vernacular talk. Abrupt sign off. Fair to good. Jan 4 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** RWANDA. 9655, 2107-, DW, Dec 26. Very good reception with African accented English program calling for peace in Nigeria. Hard to follow due to the accent. Superb reception on 11865, and very good on 12070. All, of course, now from Kigali. 12070, 2009-, DW, Dec 28. English program at very strong level, as are the other 31 m parallels: 9655 and especially 9735. Armchair copy. Discussing new fighting in Congo. 6055, Radio Rwanda itself is heard at this time with African music and French announcements at fair/good level at this time as well (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SARAWAK [non]. MALAYSIA. ?? RTM Sarawak FM ?? 11665, Kajang ?? Jan 01, 2012, Sunday. 1635-1644. YL taking phone calls. Her standard greeting is "Salaam Aleikom" so presumably a predominantly Muslim nation. Which seems to narrow it down to Malaysia and Sarawak FM, listed as irregular by EiBi. Poor. Jo'burg sunset 1704 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9835, 03/Jan 1049-1104, MALAYSIA, RTM Sarawak FM, in vernacular (listed). Chant of the Qur`an. Transmissions from Malaysia are always present here in 31 or 25 meters. At 1100 beep signal and OM talk, newsletters. 35333. 9835, 04/Jan 2053, MALAYSIA, RTM Sarawak FM, in vernacular. Pop music, at 2055 YL talk. Moderate QRM unidentified. Going back at 2137, constant interruption of the modulation. 33433 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SARAWAK [non]. QSLs. Clandestine. RADIO FREE SARAWAK, Yangi Yul 17560 kHz, Cartolina QSL in 13 giorni. RP: 1$. QTH: Bruno Manser Fonds - Socinstrasse 37 - CH-4051 Basilea (Svizzera). V/s: non leggibile. Inviato CD MP3. Il rapporto inviato tramite il sito http://www.radiofreesarawak.org non ha ottenuto risposta (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, Jan 1, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA. 9714.932, BSKSA Holy Qur`an program, on non-dir antenna towards NE & ME target, scheduled 03-0955 UT, noted at 0502 UT Dec 28, S=6 only in southern Germany, path is across the grey line on Turkey/Balcan. 1000 Hertz time pips observed at 0500 UT on Jan 4, S=7- 8 signal today on 9714.928 kHz (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 28/Jan 4 via DXLD) 15249.97, 1122-1144, Saudi Radio, Riyadh, 01/01, English, YL dialogues about Islam, 1127'35 short YL talks, western pop songs and more YL talks about Saudi students - fair-poor under local noise, QRM from 15255 (ROU) (Mikhail Timofeyev, North-East part of the St. Petersburg city, Russia, Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: long wire (30 m), DSWCI member no.2987, http://dxcorner.narod.ru HCDX via DXLD) BSKSA`s only intentional English SW broadcast, from 1000 (gh, DXLD) ** SEYCHELLES [non]. 7265, 1717-1727, AFS, FEBA Radio, Meyerton, 01/01, FEBA classic interval signals and ID, 1718 Yawo OM talk, native music and singing - strong signal, but fair only due to CRI on the same frequency (strange, but at 1714-1715 Meyerton tx with FEBA IS was on 7261.0) (Mikhail Timofeyev, North-East part of the St. Petersburg city, Russia, Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: long wire (30 m), DSWCI member no.2987, http://dxcorner.narod.ru HCDX via DXLD) ** SIKKIM. Re 11-52: 4834.0, AIR Gangtok, 1502-1515, Dec. 26. Ex: 4835.0; first day I noticed them on this lower frequency; playing subcontinent music till 1512 joining the audio feed from New Delhi and becoming // with the other usual AIR regional stations with ads in Hindi after the tone/gong; poor. Time will tell if they continue on this new frequency. Perhaps someone with a Perseus SDR can provide a more accurate frequency? (Ron Howard, San Francisco at Ocean Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi, Ron! I was listening at that time and I too saw them on 4834 kHz. I happened to have my Perseus running, and I measure things as 4834.000 (I checked against WWV/H which was reading 3 Hz low, as was Sikkim, so should be right on frequency. Great morning that was. I have the Perseus recordings to prove it! Holy Tibet also came in exceptionally well that morning. 73, (Walt Salmaniw, Jan 1, ibid.) ** SIKKIM [and non]. INDIA -- 4835, AIR Gangtok, 1/1/2012, 0050-0130, subcontinental openings rare in Wisconsin at this hour, and this instance was the best opening in at least several years. AIR Thiruvananthapuram on 5010 was good; AIR Gangtok, fair on 4835 and AIR Hyderabad (Chenai) fair on 4800 being the best, though several other AIR 60 mb freqs showed poor signals. As 4835 was a new station for me, I spent most of the opening here. Nice subcontinental music, woman singing, typical instrumentation, flutes, sitar, etc. and woman in presumed Hindi speaking between rather long music selections. By the way, Aoki sked shows 4800 AIR Hyderabad (Chennai) in Hindi at this time but I heard English at 0129 with end of interview in English by woman of a male guest about 2012 economic predictions and, yes, astrology. As good as any prediction technique, I guess. At same time, various Lhasa outlets doing quite well but, unlike mornings, few of the more easterly Chinese heard. Speaking of mornings, e.g. 1245-1330, some number of AIR outlets heard various recent days on 60 mb, ranging from fair to poor, but, unfortunately, nothing at all from 4760 Port Blair nor 4747 Leh. And no joy either with Bhutan, 5030 (Don Jensen, Kenosha WI, NASWA yg via DXLD) The NASWA Country List, committee chaired by Don, grants Sikkim separate radio country status, altho alfabetized as ``INDIA - SIKKIM (AS) British protectorate until 1947; Indian protectorate to May 15, 1975; state of India since. Station location: Gangtok; active since 1993`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. 5019.863, 0735-, SIBC, Dec 26. Good reception with EZL music. Not nearly as good as The Cross on 4755, but still quite nice reception, although there is some utility interference on the high side, as well as 5025 splatter. Nice to hear them again! LSB works best to cut through the noise, bringing almost armchair copy (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALIA [non]. RADIO BAR-KULAN ANNOUNCES TO LEAVE SHORTWAVE Radio Bar-Kulan has announced to drop shortwave transmissions with effect from 1st Jan 2012; per RBK this follows a continuing reduction of audience and the need to expand their FM network within Somalia. Outside of the country, RBK is still available on Thaicom 5 satellite, and web streaming on the RBK website. --- (Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, India, Jan 3, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Surely it is also available inside Somalia thus for those with capability (gh) Please, what is their present [former] SW schedule? 73, (Erik Koie, Copenhagen, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Erik, website is difficult to read, but see visible few items from Aoki list on wwdxc topnews. 73 de wolfy df5sx website on SW according Aoki list 9960 Radio Bar-Kulan/Meeting Place 1600-1700 UT 1234567 Somali 500 kW 20degr Meyerton AFS EDC b11 BAB 15750 Radio Bar-Kulan/Meeting Place 0500-0600 UT 1234567 Somali 250 kW 225degr Al Dhabbaya UAE EDC b11 BAB (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 3, ibid.) But canceled SW 1/1 as above (gh) 9960 Radio Bar-Kulan/Meeting Place 1600-1700 Somali 500 20 Meyerton 15750 Radio Bar-Kulan/Meeting Place 0500-0600 Somali 250 225 Dhabbaya (Alokesh Gupta, ibid.) Thanks for your and Wolfy's fast replies! Have been trying 9960 at 16 without any luck - that's why I asked! 73, (Erik Koie, Denmark, ibid.) ** SOMALIA [non]. 11970 04/Jan 2105 UAE (Relay), R. Damal (V of Somali People), in Somali. OM talk. A long talk of OM. The 2128 pause and OM talk slowly. Abruptly off the air at 2129. 25332 (Jorge Freitas, Brasil, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Can anyone help with an address, e-mail or postal for RADIO DAMAL? Cant find it anywhere but I do know that both addresses are available somewhere as I note on a website that a DXer hase sent in a report by both e-mail and postal abd received a response. Appreciate any help. Thanks (Ian Cattermole, New Zealand, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Its website - http://radiodamal.com/ - gives an email address of yourvoice @ radiodamal.com WRTH 2012 gives a postal address of PO Box 104668, Nairobi 00100, Kenya, and also gives an alternate email address of radiodamal @ gmail.com (Chris Greenway, ibid.) ** SOUTH AFRICA. 15235, 1755-, Channel Africa, Dec 27. Good/very good reception with heavily accented English. Interview with an American accented male, so I was able to easily follow at least half of the conversation! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 9955, Jan 3 at 0618, WRMI is now relaying WRN relaying Channel Africa M-F at 0600-0630; talk about the UN and the Arab Spring; compared to propagating 15255 ChAf direct, but not the same program (or so far out of synch I could not tell); 0621 on 9955 the program brought to you is `Rise & Shine`. 15255 continues past 0630 in English, while WRMI goes on to R. Praga in Spanish. 9955, Jan 4 at 0615, Channel Africa via WRN via WRMI, program ID as `Rise & Shine`, about residents of town in Sudan war zone having to flee. No signal on 15255 direct unlike 24 hours earlier. Suspect WRN at this hour is playing back earlier live show at 03, 04 or 05 UT, as by 06 (8 am local) everyone should have risen and be shining if not fleeing; but can`t get a connexion to their program info at http://www.channelafrica.org/portal/site/ChannelAfrica/menuitem.0bf72ee75b8a898a4de34de3674daeb9/ as linked from http://www.worlddxclub.org.uk/WDXC_links_stations.html nor even to their plain old homepage (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) In fact the relay was probably still live. "Africa Rise and Shine" airs live from Meyerton weekdays till 0900 local (0700 ut). Prompted by Glenn's log, this morning I forced myself to listen to Channel Africa on 7230 and confirmed that this is still so. Saturdays and Sundays I guess we are supposed to stay in bed. Also please note that the Prime Time Shortwave, Aoki and EiBi schedules are still showing a sign on time of *0800 for Channel Africa on 9625. It is currently coming on air at *0700 just as the 7230 service goes off air (Bill Bingham, South Africa, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. From January 2, 2012 the re-transmission of "Amateur Radio Today" program via Sentech will change to 1730-1830 UT. The transmission will remain in the 60 metre band on a frequency of 4895 kHz. The transmitter power will be 100 kW feeding an omni-directional antenna. Reception reports are invited and can be emailed to artoday @ sarl.org.za. All reports received of the January 2nd, 2012 transmission by 5th January, 2012 will be participating in a lucky draw for the "ARRL RFI handbook", you can also fax your report to 012 991 5651 (SARL NEWS - Sunday, 1st January 2012) Schedule for SARL "Amateur Radio Today" program via Sentech : 0800-0900 UTC on 17760 kHz (Sunday) 1730-1830 UTC on 4895 kHz (Monday) (ex 1630-1730 UT) --- (Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, India, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The Sun 08 broadcast is supposedly also on 7205 via SENTECH per HFCC; and don`t forget the genuine ham transmitter on 7082-LSB, as in our DX PROGRAMS schedule (gh, DXLD) ** SPAIN. Onda Melodía 540 kHz --- Hi all, Onda Cero Radio has left 540 kHz (Barcelona) and now on this channel Onda Melodía can be heard. Onda Melodía is the music channel of the same network and presents non stop music with identifications: "Onda Melodía, música siempre". (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain, Jan 4, My blog: http://maresmedx.blogspot.com/ playdx yg via DXLD) ** SPAIN [and non]. REE can be depended upon for a good time on New Year`s Eve. (No more competition from Defunct Welle in the UT+1 zone for our attention.) I pick the strong CR relay on 15125 for the Jahrwechsel at 2300 UT, tuning in at 2259 to hear bells, 2300 twelve strikes of some big clock, ``Feliz 2012`` and cut immediately to IS and sign-off! At least they kept it on a few minutes longer than usual for the big moment, before the CR transmitters take their usual break, so then it`s back to Noblejas: 9535 as usual is the best signal here after 2300, and I wind up listening to it for two hours straight (also on weaker 9620, 6125, and poor 11680). At 2301 a novelty song is playing, which turns out to be the first of many; harmonies are sorta Sephardic, tho this is hardly Jewish New Year. 2304, ``Bienvenidos a 2012 en Radio Nacional, Radio Exterior, Radio Cinco y Radio Tres`` as the four networks are combining for this special dance party of music from the 30s to the 50s. I noted most of the details for the first hour. The two M hosts spoke very rapidly and I couldn`t catch all the titles. Much of the music was American, with Nueva York mentioned often: ``Boola, boola, boola`` sorta English lyrix, by Orquesta de Swing. 2307, ``Swing, swing, swing, swing; sing, sing, sing, sing``. 2310 acknowledged their first cablegrama de 2012; were encouraging listener input, dedications. Then something by Louis Prima from 1951y. Messages in from Boston, Nueva York, París, mentioned 78 rpm and some of their records sounded that old altho not scratchy. A mambo by Tito Puente. 2317 mentioned that show lasts until las 2 de la madrugada = 0100 UT; 4-network ID again; song from 1947y. 2321 Conga de NY, also 1947? 2323 QSL an e-mail from Belén, Nuevo Méjico. 2328 ``Cannonball Yodel`` from Manhattan, 1953y, a train engineer yodeling about going thru a tunnel, no, not the Wabash. 2332, really funny if somewhat sexist novelty song about women who ``Talk, talk, talk``; 2335, bluegrass on banjo; 2337 segué to promo for a show on R. 3, ``de ocho a nueve, no se mueve``. 2338, ``Ain`t Nobody Here But Us Chickens``, etc., etc. RNE has an impressive library of old American tunes. They also played some more from Latin America. 2355 crosses to RNE in the Canarias where another midnight is imminent, playing greetings from individuals in each(?) of the seven islands. Jan 1, 2012 at 0000 full toll of twelve with each counted off upward, one by one; 0002 back to music. 0005, 9535 cuts off air so I quickly check the alternates as above, but by the time I get back to 9535 it has resumed. I also checked English on 6055, but nothing special there, probably playing back something from last year. On 9535 at 0015 mentioned they had got 5 mil mensajes, and more great music bits until 0100. Don`t need no stinkin` Internet to enjoy all this direct on my SW radio! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN. Domingo 1 de enero de 2012. DX: 5067.9 kHz - LA VOZ DE LAS CAÑAS --- después de 23 años, ¡calentando motores! Recientemente se celebró el vigésimo tercer aniversario de la salida al aire de "La Voz de las Cañas, una emisora Po-Pu-laaarrrr" (¡Y vaya que lo fue, je,je,je!). Con dicho motivo, el Director Técnico decidió "calentar filamentos" y lanzar a los cuatro vientos un puñado de milivatios para conmemorar el evento y ¡quién sabe si para algo más! Desde las 1300Z del 29DIC2011 hasta las 0820Z del día 30 se emitió una portadora que variaba +/- 5 Hz, para crear la forma de onda que se ve en el gráfico. La potencia empleada fueron 125 mW (sí, milivatios!) aplicados a una antena de unos 8 metros de longitud, a 20 de altura. Tan portentosa señal fue emitida desde algún punto en el norte de Madrid y captada desde Aldea del Cano, a 300 km! Publicado por Mauricio Molano http://moladx.blogspot.com/ (via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. 7189.755, 0055-, SLBC, Dec 25. Actually, quite good reception, if not for ham QRM with lovely sub-continental music. Parallel 11905 very good reception in Hindi (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9770.2, 0234-0304'10*, Sri Lanka BC, Ekala, 02/01, English, OM short talks, pop songs - poor under local noise, QRM from 9765 starting from 0257 (ROU), // http://220.247.227.7/live with 20 seconds delay (Mikhail Timofeyev, North-East part of the St. Petersburg city, Russia, Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: long wire (30 m), DSWCI member no.2987, http://dxcorner.narod.ru HCDX via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. 7480, 1931-, VOA, Dec 26. Excellent reception in English (slow English). Listed at 250 kW at 316 degrees towards ME. Parallel from Biblis, Germany on 9590 is just barely audible (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN. ?? Radio Omdurman ?? 7200, Al Aitahab ?? Dec 29, 2011, Thursday. 0247-0302. Arabic, Kor`an. Replaced at 0250 by OM's singing, with mentions of Allah. OM with unreadable ID at 0300, followed by more Kor`an. Aoki says Omdurman should sign on at 0300*, but EiBi lists a continuous transmission from 0235-0430. Very poor, mostly at noise level. Jo'burg sunrise 0317 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7200, SRTC R Omdurman. 0255 January 1, 2012. Soft-speaking Arabic man, ID 0259 and talk across the hour with no time sounders heard, into Qur'an just after 0300, different announcer from 0302, back to Qur'an recitals. Clear and good, until Voice of Justice from Iran smashed the shit out of it from 0328 (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. FRANCE, 7315, 0530-, Radio Dabanga, Dec 23. Very good reception with their well-known 'Radio Dabanga' jingle. Arabic programming. Didn't hear any other // frequencies (MUF is quite low tonight) (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. RADIO TAMAZUJ BEGINS TEST TRANSMISSIONS TO SUDAN A new radio initiative of Free Press Unlimited has started test transmissions today. Radio Tamazuj will carry special programming for people in the conflict areas between North and South Sudan, such as Abyei, Blue Nile and South Kordofan. Tamazuj means “across the border”. Since November 2011 they have produced half an hour per week within the Radio Dabanga time slot. But from 5 January, 2012 they will produce half an hour a day from 0400 to 0430 UT before the existing Radio Dabanga transmissions. Until that time, test transmissions, which started today, will be broadcast at 0400-0430 on 7315 (Issoudun), 11940 (Madagascar) and 13800 (Dhabbaya) kHz. Reception reports are welcomed via this address. rnwmonitoring @ gmail.com We really would welcome reception reports from within Sudan! A website will be launched shortly at http://www.radiotamazuj.org (Source: RNW Programme Distribution) (December 29th, 2011 - 11:50 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD 11-52, WORLD OF RADIO 1598) 7315 via FRANCE, better than // 11940 via MADAGASCAR and only a trace on 13800 via UAE, Dec 30 at 0413, Radio Tamazuj, new target broadcast for the South/North Sudan border conflict area, with indigenous music and presumed colloquial Arabic, as publicized here: http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/radio-tamazuj-begins-test-transmissions-to-sudan Their own website hasn`t been activated yet (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) via FRANCE. 7315, Radio Tamazuj, *0359-0430, sign on with opening ID announcements. Echo announcements. Arabic talk. Local music. Many “Huna Radio Tamazuj” IDs. Into Radio Dabanga programming at 0429 with ID jingles. Good. Fair on // 11940 via MADAGASCAR. Very weak/threshold signal on // 13800 via UAE. 11940 about 1-2 seconds ahead of 7315. Dec 31 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA, Icom IC-7600, two 100 foot longwires, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn and Andy, Thanks for sharing R. Tamazuj information. At 0400 Z a really strong carrier start on 13800 kHz Al-Dhabbaya UAE, s/on abruptly with YL, ID and talks, followed by a jingle with echoes and several local interesting musics. At 0413 OM speaks the frequencies. On 7315 kHz Issoudun was 32132, heard with 8 kHz filter and for sure // 13800. On 11940 kHz MDG was weak, almost a visible carrier only (I made some recordings here). Minutes before the adjacent 11935 was fully occupied by R. Japan Bonaire with radio drama program, 54334, with possible CNR Peking as weak background noise. Have to say that Sudan Radio Service on 13720 kHz had an astonishing signal sent via Al-Dhabbaya according to Aoki, beginning at 0359. After the talks, a great local folk music sequence did not allow me to change the channel until 0429, when YL came with IDs and frequencies references (Flávio Archangelo, SDR-IQ and 7 MHz dipole, São Paulo - Brazil, Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 13800, 01/Jan 0401 UAE (Relay), Radio Tamazuj, in Arabic/Sudanese. Short pop music, OM and YL talk, various ID. At 0406 Sudanese pop music. At 0413 ID, then Sudanese pop music. Occasional interruptions in the modulation // 11940 with 25433, but signal fading. 7315 with 35433. 13800 with 45444, almost local (Jorge Freitas, Brasil, ibid.) CLANDESTINE, 7315, Radio Tamazuj via Issoudun, France, 1/2/12, Strong signal at 0420 tune in with terrific Sudanese pops, great sounds! Many IDs (sounded like Radio Tamazee), mentioned various frequencies at 0429, and segued right into Radio Dabanga`s catchy ID jingle and programming (Don Jensen, Kenosha WI, NASWA yg via DXLD) France. Radio Dabanga, 7315 Issoudun // 13800 Dhabbaya. Jan 03, 2012, Tuesday. 0428-0435. Too late to hear the new Radio Tamazuj test transmission. But caught multiple IDs and jingles for Radio Dabanga from 0428-0430, followed by talk in Arabic. Dhabbaya on 13800 was very weak and poor, JBA but clearly there and //, whilst the supposed // on 11940 from Madagascar (or Issoudun ??) was just a weak 1 kHz sine wave, could have been a jamming signal but I doubt it (I have been wrong before with Dabanga!). 7315 Issoudun was good, 13800 Dhabbaya was JBA, 11940 questionable (DX Mix News, Aoki, and EiBi all say 11940 is from Issoudun, RNW Media Network News seems to be the only one saying it is from Madagascar). Jo'burg sunrise 0321 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7315-ISS, Typical Sahel drums music from France relay site, S=9+25dB on remote unit in Ukraine. 0412 UT Jan 4. ID "Radio Tamazuj" heard on 11940-MDG at 0413 UT, very weak here in Europe, different azimuth, prop not steady enough, much flutter... S=7 signal of 13800-UAE relay at 0416 UT Jan 4. From 0430-0549 UT heard constant 1000 Hertz pause tone, TDF Issoudun lost the feed to Radio Dabanga program, S=7 signal in Eastern Europe, but was back on 0550-0557 UT. But 13800 kHz channel from Al Dhabbaya and also 7315 kHz from Issoudun, both on powerful level of S=9+5 dB at 0444 UT. Male voice comment on Sudan, ID at 0445 UT. 7315 at 0550 UT Jan 4 noted fluttery on S=9+10dB level, but audio background via feed suffered by some metallic noise on the phone line (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 4 via DXLD) 13800 01/Jan 0429 UAE (Relay), Radio Dabanga, in Arabic/Sudanese. Various ID, vignettes. // 7315 and 11940 the weakest signal. 45444 (Jorge Freitas, Brasil, ibid.) ** SUDAN [non]. UNITED KINGDOM, 17745, 1520-, Sudan Radio Service, Dec 30. Very good reception. The very high MUF so early in the morning makes up for the poor MW condtions this morning. Sudanese male vocal. Non stop music continued until 1530. No English noted (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11800, 01/Jan 0438 UAE (Relay), Sudan Radio Service, in Arabic. Two OM talk. At 0440 YL joins the conversation, seems tell a story. 35433 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. Germany. Voice of America relay, 11905 Wertachtal. Jan 02, 2012, Monday. *1630-1636. Tuned in at *1630, just in time to catch "Welcome to the VOA's Sudan in Focus". Good, to Sudan (EiBi) and hence in the general direction of South Africa. Jo'burg sunset 1704 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also U S A ** SWAZILAND. 3239.93, 0308-0316, TWR Africa, Manzini, 02/01, vernacular, OM talk - poor-weak under local noise, blocked by utility transmitter on 3241-3242 at 0311 during one minute or so (Mikhail Timofeyev, North-East part of the St. Petersburg city, Russia, Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: long wire (30 m), DSWCI member no.2987, http://dxcorner.narod.ru HCDX via DXLD) 4774.90, TWR, here at 0415 with music program, then M voice in German with announcements. Religious music/singing followed (terrible CODAR!). M/F voices with announcements in German at 0421. Music till BOH, with some announcements, and into possible discussion past 0437, but nearly gone now. Heard previous nite at *0342 with IS, and on exact same frequency; 1/3 (Jim Young, Wrightwood, California, ICOM IC- 756 ProIII + 40-M yagi + 80-M inverted Vee, NASWA yg via DXLD) 9499.796, Very odd frequency signal appeared Dec 28, TWR Manzini Swaziland. Scheduled 1630-1900 UT, S=9+5dB here in Europe, English sermon at 1840 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews 4 Jan via DXLD) They just can`t manage to reach the exact frequencies (gh, DXLD) ** SWITZERLAND. MW QSLs: Svizzera: LA VOCE DELLA RUSSIA Cima di Dentro 558 kHz, Cartolina QSL in 27 giorni. E-rpt spedito a post_it @ ruvr.ru - MISSIONSWERK WERNER HEUKELBACH via VoR Cima di Dentro 558 kHz, Cartolina QSL, lettera, schede e opuscoli religiosi in 49 giorni. No RP. QTH: DE-51700 Bergneustadt (Germania). - RADIO FREUNDES-DIENST via VoR Cima di Dentro 558 kHz, Cartolina QSL in 20 giorni. No RP. QTH: Postfach 1432 - DE-79705 Bad Säckingen (Germania). V/s: non leggibile (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, Jan 1, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. 7280, Sound of Hope at 1251 in Mandarin with a man and woman with talk with music bumpers between items then high-spirited talk from 1255 then a woman with definite “Xiwang zhi sheng guoji guangho diantai” ID and time pips and off at 1300 (Poor and noisy Dec 28) (Mark A. Coady, Chemung Lake, ON, Alinco DX-R8T Eton E-1 and loaded, inverted vee dipole, Jan ODXA Listening In via DXLD) 7540, 02/Jan 2206 TAIWAN (Relay) Sound of Hope, in Mandarin (listed). YL with comments of taped interviews. In the air this time without jammer. 25432. SOH Xi Wang Zhi Sheng. Now, without jammer: 7615, 02/Jan 2237 TAIWAN, SOH Xi Wang Zhi Sheng, in Chinese. OM talk, without jammer. 35433. 7105, 03/Jan 2248 UNID, Probable SOH and jammer from CNR, not musical Firedrake. Also QRM of amateur Radio. 32332 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also CHINA [non] ** TAIWAN. 9745, 04/Jan 2144, Han Sheng, V. of Kuanghua, in Chinese. It seems an interview in the studio. At 2152 instrumental music. At 2159 YL talk. Begins to undergo strong QRM from the VOR in 9750. 24332 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. 15265.151, RTI Tanshui relay in Chinese, observed here in Europe at 1258 UT, just before 13-14 UT scheduled program starts. Not jammed til 1300:39 UT Dec 29. When China mainland jamming started, heard CNR relay word program, not Firedrake (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 29, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews 4 Jan via DXLD) ** TAIWAN [non]. Further chex for RTI`s missing Spanish broadcasts, UT Dec 30: at 0215, WYFR 9355 again has RTI English // 9680, while 5950 is open carrier; 11995 via GUF also in open carrier and still so at 0222. By 0220, 5950 achieved undermodulation // weaker signal, more modulation on 9355 and best 9680, i.e. RTI English, not Spanish. At 0638, 6875 was still in German, not Spanish. More attempts to hear R. Taiwán Internacional as scheduled in Spanish relays: 11885, Dec 30 at 2353, Chinese vs Chinese, i.e. RTI Taiwan vs RTI WYFR at about equal levels, instead of Spanish via WYFR. 2359 blotted by CRI turned on early with tail of usual end-of-hour dispensable filler, `Let`s Learn Chinese` lessons, giving chinese@cri.com.cn address. I was thinking CRI English at 0000 would be Sackville, but on 11885 that`s only at 13-14; at 00-01 HFCC shows it`s 500 kW, 200 degrees from Xi`an. After 0000 Taiwan was off and WYFR continued in WYFR English, instead of scheduled WYFR Portuguese; by 0030, it was atop Xi`an. At 0227 Dec 31, once again RTI Spanish was missing from 9355, instead RTI English // 5950 and 9680, but 11995 via GUIANA FRENCH finally bore RTI in Spanish with ID instead of open carrier or silence. After 0600, 6875 via WYFR still in German, not Spanish. 6875, Jan 2 at 0610 check, RTI via WYFR starts another year still in German instead of Spanish; mixed with Chinese being translated. 11995, Jan 4 at 0205 check, RTI Spanish service via GUIANA FRENCH is confirmed for a change, instead of dead air or no signal. Montsinéry may have got the message that something was amiss with this transmission. Meanwhile, everything remains amiss at WYFR, still running RTI English on 9355 during this hour // 9680 and 5950, instead of scheduled Spanish on 9355. And German instead of Spanish after 0600 on 6875 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAJIKISTAN. 252, Tajik Radio now on 252.028 kHz, a bit higher than earlier. Schedule still 0100-2200 UT, different from SW: 2300-2000 UT. (Mauno Ritola, Finland, MWoffsets Jan 2 via BC-DX 4 Jan via DXLD) LW 252 kHz Dushanbe Yangi Yul at (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) ** TAJIKISTAN. Google Earth imagery. Some new high resolution places as from Dec 7. Two changes to fulfill the contract with US IBB: Orzu site, MW 972 changes close to 37 32 15.13 N 68 48 03.04 E 3-mast installation for IBB 972 kHz 800 kW at 165 deg azimuth. 1400-0200 UT in Urdu to Pakistan/ME area. Shortwave antennas close to 37 31 00.40 N 68 48 37.82 E TJK. Orzu, two new curtain antennas, started with in B-10 season, from 31 Oct 2010 also IBB only 250 kW 105 degrees registered in 105 degree azimuth, and even minus -15 degree slew installation, range from 49 to 19 mb. B-11 schedule at 105 degree antenna 9670 01-03 RFA Tibetan 11980 03-07 RFA Mandarin 11720 09-12 VOA Mandarin 15375 12-14 RFA Tibetan 11945 15-22 RFA Mandarin 7420 22-24 RFA Tibetan (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews 4 Jan via DXLD) ** TAJIKISTAN. 4765.061, 1547-, Radio Tajikistan, Dec 26. Very good reception earlier before 1530, but still at good level with talk in presumed Tajik. Note slightly off frequency. 4975, 1554-, Voice of Russia, Dec 26. Good reception (except for some splatter from AIR Shillong on 4965) with English programming. VOR ID at 1556 (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. 7600, 1727-, BBCWS, Dec 29. Interesting item about Samoa changing time zones on the 29th of December, jumping to the 31st December. It will now be the first country in the world to welcome the sunrise. World Briefing program. Excellent reception (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. 9535, 2032-, Radio Thailand, Dec 28. Good/very good reception with English to Europe with financial news (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET. 4905, 1533-, Holy Tibet, Dec 23. Excellent reception with much better modulation and accents from the presenters. Also heard on 4920, but this frequency is cochannel with AIR (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TONGA. 50 YEAR-OLD A3Z RADIO MAST DECOMMISSIONED COMMUNICATIONS - ICT Development http://www.pmo.gov.to/ict-development/3079-50-year-old-a3z-radio-mast-decommissioned [HRH Highness Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu decomissioning the 50 years old mast ] [illustrated] 24 October 2011. Today, Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu'ilukutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili graciously honored a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Information and Communications to decommission the Tonga Broadcasting Commission's 50 years old Radio AM Medium-wave Mast, at the village of Popua. Her Royal Highness joined by the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, Minister for Justice and Public Enterprises, Hon. Clive Edwards, other distinguished guests with members of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission Board and staff, celebrated the significance of the day with a prayer service and traditional entertainment. It is anticipated that with the installation of a new antenna mast, will improve the effectiveness of the old deteriorating radio mast, in boosting the signal of Radio Tonga all over Tonga, and thus improved its reception by the areas around the two most northern islands of Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu. Prior to the scheduled decommissioning of the Radio mast today, a team of engineers from the Korean Communications Corporations (KCC) and the Haijin Electronic Industries Limited of Korea were in Tonga in May this year to begin site inspection work, which spurred the initial preparations work and survey required to the installation of the new AM transmission mast. Following this was a ground-breaking ceremony for the proposed new Radio Mast, launched on July 4, during the Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) fifteenth anniversary celebrations. The commissioning of the new mast will be held next month on November 4, coinciding with Tonga's national observance of the National Day and Constitution Day. ENDS Issued by the: Ministry of Information and Communications, Nuku'alofa, 2011 (via Ian Baxter, mwmasts yg via DXLD) 1035 kHz Looks like (from further reports), that the new antenna was installed in November, just to the south of the former antenna at the same site. [Different position at same site]. I wonder if DXers have noted improved reception of A3Z? (Ian Baxter, ibid.) ** TURKEY. 9410, 1453-, Voice of Turkey, Dec 23. Fair to good reception with VOT's Russian broadcast. Co-channel BBC from Oman is just audible cochannel. 9610, 2149-, Voice of Turkey, Dec 28. Very good reception with Letterbox program starting at 2151. Listed to Australia/Asia. Contact address given for postal mail, and email address. The host is a little difficult to follow, unfortunately. Mentioned a letter from Finland. 9655, 0453-, Voice of Turkey, Dec 28. Excellent reception of their IS. Perhaps they concluded the program a little early, as they cut the transmitter off just before 0453:30 UT. 500 kW at 335 degrees sure gets out! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE. NRCU WILL GO ON BROADCASTING ON MEDIUM WAVE WITH THE HELP OF DRM-TRANSMITTERS Two channel of Ukrainian radio will go on broadcasting on medium wave with new digital radio transmitters DRM format, since they do not have a network of FM broadcasting. About it in interview "Telekritika" said the chairman of the State committee for television and radio broadcasting Alexander Kurdinovich. "Taking into account that the National radio company does not have a systematic network in the FM-broadcasting and will not have due to the lack of frequency resource, and the insane competition with commercial broadcasters, so collegium of the committee and it was decided to transfer a minimum of two programs of the NRCU to broadcast on medium wave", - he explained. According to him, the appropriate license is, the frequency resource is also, not only high quality transmitters. "It is a question of purchase of modern 15-16 digital radio transmitters DRM-format, which can work in both numeric and analogue radio broadcasting. By placing them on the whole territory of Ukraine, we will be able to provide the possibility of access to the National radio of at least 85-90% of the population ", - noticed mr. Kurdinovich. According to him, the replacement of obsolete analog transmitters will save money, since the new transmitters consume three times less electricity. He specified that the funds for this re-equipment of the direct line in the budget is not provided, but they must be received at the expense of centralized distribution of capital expenditures. "There is a respective instruction of the president of Ukraine Cabinet of ministers and the Ministry of finance to make specific proposals on this issue. We have prepared all the technical documentation, the project of creation of such a network. The only thing that remains for us is to get financing, announce a tender and purchase transmitters. The problem will be solved seriously and for a long time. After the transition to digital broadcasting standard we will have created a normal digital radio network ", - underlined the chairman of Goskomteleradio. Source : http://www.telekritika.ua/news/2011-12-27/68421 P.S. Translation using Google. (Serhiy1970, Chernihiv, Ukraine / "open_dx" & "from deneb-radio-dx" via RusDX Jan 1 via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) ** UKRAINE. 11980.07, 0808-0824, Dneprovskaya Khvylya, Zaporozhye, 01/01, relay Ukrainian 1st program in Ukrainian, "Ukraina sevodnya" (=Ukraine today) with YL/OM talks about the results of 2011, UEFA EURO 2012, etc. - fair with local noise, // http://www.radio-rating.ru/cat/potok/2018 with 29 seconds delay. 73! (Mikhail Timofeyev, North-East part of the St. Petersburg city, Russia, Receiver: Drake R8A, Antenna: long wire (30 m), DSWCI member no.2987, http://dxcorner.narod.ru HCDX via DXLD) ** U A E. 1575, 1713-, Radio Farda, Dec 26. Probably not going to equal yesterday morning's strong reception, but they are present with nice ID at 1715, and then into western pop music. I did hear the weaker parallel yesterday of 1314, but today at this time I'm hearing solid JOUF from Osaka, plus a weaker cochannel Chinese station (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U A E. 6175, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, Voice of Vietnam (relay). *2031:26 December 31, 2011. Transmitter abruptly up with German programming in progress. Mostly news-type topics by female with really odd accented German, maybe she's a native Viet? Audio abruptly cut at 2059, then back up with opening of German programming (again) with ID. Very good. Thanks Glenn Hauser tip in dxldyg (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U A E. 17810, Jan 2 at 1500-1503*, VTC/BaBcoCk music loop fill, presumably overrun after the YFR Telegu & Tamil relays via Dhabayya scheduled at 13-15, 250 kW, 100 degrees (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. OUTAGES: MSF SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERIODS The MSF 60 kHz standard frequency and time signal broadcast by VT Communications on behalf of NPL [National Physical Laboratory?] is occasionally taken off-air to allow maintenance work on the masts and antennas at Anthorn Radio Station to be carried out in safety. The dates and times of the forthcoming scheduled maintenance periods are as follows: 8 December 2011 1000 to 1400 UTC 8 March 2012 1000 to 1400 UTC 14 June 2012 1000 to 1400 BST 13 September 2012 1000 to 1400 BST 13 December 2012 1000 to 1400 UTC 14 March 2013 1000 to 1400 UTC 13 June 2013 1000 to 1400 BST 12 September 2013 1000 to 1400 BST 12 December 2013 1000 to 1400 UTC Short unscheduled breaks in transmission occur occasionally in addition to the scheduled breaks for maintenance. We have permission to publish the above (Ken Barry, Making Contact, Jan WDXC Contact via DXLD) That`s planning ahead; take that, Mayas. Windows for DX (gh) ** UNITED KINGDOM. 1215, 0602-, Absolute Radio, Dec 31. Just about nothing propagating TA wise tonight, except Absolute Radio which is heard quite well at times, but then fades into oblivion. Interesting that I didn't find anything else propagating. At this time, the TPs are beginning to come in, though (1287 and 1188 for example, both Japanese) (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. London Calling for BBC World News | News | C21Media BBC is resurrecting the phrase "London Calling", but not for a publication; rather, for a series of special programs about London in advance of the summer Olympics. http://www.c21media.net/archives/74480 (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, Swprograms mailing list via DXLD) Ha! After I pointed out that V. of RUSSIA now has a program by that name: BBC better ``reclaim that brand`` (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** UNITED KINGDOM. 3955, 0505-, BBC World Service, Dec 28. Unable to demodulate audio, with SNR maxing out at about 7 dB, but a clear broad DRM signal easy to see on the Perseus waterfall. 90 m is also propagating quite well tonight (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K [non]. 5845, Dec 31 at 1327, very weak B-B-C- chimes, prior to what? Bengali, 250 kW, 325 degrees via Thailand at 1330-1400. And I see in HFCC that`s followed at 14-18 by BBC DRM, 100 kW, 290 degrees from Thailand on 5840-5845-5850; for the DRM listener in Sri Lanka? 15715, Dec 31 at 2218 something is here on this normally vacant frequency, and I do mean vacant: nothing ever listed on it in any of the B-11 schedules: Africanish music, good signal with flutter, then French announcements, 2221 discussion mentioning Dakar and Sénégal several times, mixing with more music. 2236 finally ID in passing as ``BBC Afrique, programme spécial pour 2012``. Signal degrading, but still heard past 2300, 2318, even 0006 Jan 1. The flutter is typical of Ascension on 19m, likely site. 11890, Jan 2 at 1406 I am again hooked from my bandscanning by tuning across BBCWS Monday starting `Hardtalk`, this time an excellent interview with James Earl Jones; had to keep listening until 1429, meanwhile resentful that BBCWS provides such a choppy signal from Thailand, which only by coincidence is also aimed USward. Audio available clearly for 7 days via: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mhpmr (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. 6430, UNID, 1734-..., 01/1, Arabic, news (?), reports; 45443, but frequently worse due to the adjacent utility QRM... unless the noise I'm getting is from a jammer. At 1800, a familiar BBC tune, so this is the BBC Arabic Service, and 6430 is surely the result of some external mixing. 73 e votos de Bom Ano Novo (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6430 works out to be a leapfrog mixing product of 5790 over 6110 another 320 kHz higher. Except latest HFCC shows one is Skelton, the other Woofferton: 5790 1700 2100 37S,38W SKN 300 195 15 211 1234567 171211 250312 D 6615 Arabic G BBC BAB 18159 5790 1800 2100 38E,39SW,47E,48NW SKN 300 125 15 211 1234567 021211 250312 D 6617 Arabic G BBC BAB 18046 6110 1700 1900 37S,38W WOF 250 172 0 551 1234567 241111 250312 D 5990 Arabic G BBC BAB 17379 I`ll bet that today they were axually from the same site, perhaps one substituting for the other due to maintenance, or whatever. Right? And that would account for no signal on 6430 otherwise. Ever heard again? (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, ibid.) ** U S A. 10000, 1520-, WWV, Dec 29. Has anyone noticed the very strong utility on 10 MHz and above. Noted just about all the time in Masset, forcing one to use LSB to clearly hear WWV. Wonder who they might be. Surely unwanted! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 10000, Dec 29 at 2118 checking WWV propagation minute: SF 147, A=6, K@21=1, no, minor-G1. There was crosstalk underneath, sounded like a previous prop report incompletely erased, which stopped as soon as the new one did. 10000, Dec 31, 2011y at 2359, I didn`t even try to find an audible BBC frequency, amid my bihour with Spain, but on #2 receiver cannot miss the official start of UT 2012y, precisely pipped by WWV at 0000:00. It seems that leap seconds are currently in abeyance, as the horologists debate whether to bother with them any more (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. [Re 11-52]: Confirmação Recebida - Guarda Costeira dos EUA, Point Reyes 8416 kHz USB - Guarda Costeira dos EUA - Point Reyes Station, Bolinas (Califórnia)/ EUA --- Recebida carta confirmatória, 62 dias (2ª tentativa), V/S: Cary J. Porter. IR enviado por carta. QTH: Assistant Commandant for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Information Technology (COMMANDANT CG-6) - US COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS - 2100 2ND ST SW, STOP 7101 - WASHINGTON DC 20593-7101 Obs 1.: Anteriormente eu fiz uma tentativa para o endereço direto da Point Reyes Station, na Califórnia, mas não obtive resposta. Através de Wáshington deu certo. Obs 2: Na carta, o verificador expõe uma informação ineteressante e: na verdade o parque de emissão fica a 15 milhas ao sul de Point Reyes, na cidade de Bolinas. Visualização em breve no http://pqslfabricio.blogspot.com/ 73 (Fabricio Andrade Silva, PP5002SWL, Tubarão, SC, radioescutas yg via DXLD) ** U S A. VICTOR ASHE ANNOYS PEERS Staff Reports Wednesday, December 28, 2011 MetroPulse [Knoxville TN] http://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/dec/28/victor-ashe-annoys-peers/?print=1 Former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe is not endearing himself to his fellow Broadcasting Board of Governors, the bipartisan group that governs what used to be called the Voice of America broadcasting to totalitarian counties. [sic] First Ashe embarrassed them at a live streamed video meeting by pointing out that 40 percent of the agency's workers are contract and they didn't get flu shots like regular employees. Ashe said the flu does not discriminate between civil service and contract workers. So the flu shots were extended. Now Ashe has raised public objection to the closing of a shortwave broadcast station in North Carolina, pointing out it is the last station under the complete control of the U.S. that broadcasts to China. Ashe said other countries, like the Philippines, are discouraging the agency from broadcasting anything negative because they do not want to offend China. Ashe argues the U.S. has to have free rein for the broadcasts. A blog that covers the BBG called Ashe's public dissent "unprecedented" by a member since the members, appointed by the president, do not publicly criticize the running of the agency. Ashe has been traveling to various stations and talking with employees and can be expected to continue to be a thorn in the side of his colleagues. The board, which is required to have Republicans and Democrats as members, is headed by Walter Isaacson, the former editor of Time magazine and CNN. Ashe was appointed to the board as a Republican member after he left his job as U.S. Ambassador to Poland. Scripps Lighthouse (c) 2012 Scripps Newspaper Group -- Online (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. Nothing ever happens on weekends, so VOA Spanish doesn`t bother with newscasts, just music fill shows at 13-14 UT Saturdays: I check again Dec 31 whether there is any jamming, none heard on 9885, 13750 or 15590. At 1317 `Música Country` is underway with top 2011 hits from Billboard; 1329 dead air almost a minute as usual, 1330 reopening with 5-4-3-2-1 countdown, `Éxitos Latinoamericanos` yet this show presents Spanish-language hits from inside USA, as of course EUA is now officially part of LA (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 15580, BOTSWANA, VOA on air at 1730 with ID followed by "Press Conference USA" Fair to Poor Dec 11 (Joe Robinson, Scarborough ON, Sony ICF-2010 and slinky inverted vee, Jan ODXA Listening In via DXLD) Glenn Hauser mentions that this often tunes up on 15570 to avoid causing havoc with the signal from Greenville before 1730 (Mark Coady, ed., ibid.) That is not what I mentioned. It`s before 2100 that VOA Botswana tunes up on 15570 to avoid interfering with VOA Bonaire which is on 15580 until 2100. Altho there may be similar instances, as VOA keeps bumping the site on this frequency around. Current HFCC shows at 1730, Greenville is handing 15580 over to Botswana (gh, DXLD) ** U S A [non]. Just to mention, R. Azadi KWT 15335 kHz, 0450, 33333 (with several mentions of "Washington Post"), RFA MRA 17880 kHz, 0339, 54444 and VOA THA 17860 kHz, 0344, 54333, all sounds without jamming, far different from the heavy Asian radio war that I found days ago on 21 MHz (Flávio Archangelo, SDR-IQ and 7 MHz dipole, São Paulo - Brazil, Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. VOA Spanish still being jammed in evening: see CUBA [and non]; WWCR colliding with VOA 5890: see USA [and non]: WWCR ** U S A [and non]. 5890, WWCR is colliding with VOA for at least an hour, 01-02 UT: this apparently has been going on for weeks, unnoticed by FCC, IBB, WWCR --- or me until now in a daypart I don`t monitor much. Dec 31 at 0148, WWCR is dominant with preacher about Yahweh, can just make out SAH, VOA Spanish and jamming underneath. Looking at latest HFCC Dec 29 for what`s supposed to happen on 5890: VOA Greenville Spanish: Tue-Sat 0030-0200 from 7 November to 10 March WWCR Nashville English: daily 0200-1200 from 7 November to 10 March daily 0100-1100 30 Oct-6 Nov and 11-24 March In other words, WWCR was supposed to shift to a one-UT-hour-later start at 0200 since DST went off Nov 6, but instead has kept starting at 0100 UT producing this collision. I assume this is due to the inexperience, to put it politely, of the current WWCR frequency manager Jerry Plummer, who has also been appointed frequency manager for the Caribbean Beacon to HFCC, taking over from George McClintock who is plenty busy expanding his own SW station; so don`t be surprised if Anguilla starts colliding with something in upcoming seasons. Aren`t alarm bells ringing at HFCC? 5890 is officially a collision in CIRAF target 11, but obviously also affecting the rest of North America. VOA is due to shift one UT hour earlier after DST resumes 11 March 2012, but will they all put up with the clash until then? WWCR website transmission schedule as of Dec 19 admits WWCR-4 starts 5890 at 0100. The more detailed pdf program schedule shows the start times vary: 0100 on Tue-Sat, 0130 on Sun, and 0400 on UT Mon. But the days that matter, when VOA is on 5890, it`s a full hour too early. Earlier at 2331 Dec 30 I checked 3195 while WWCR was using it: wacky survivalist ad by hempusa.com which has broadened its scope to iodine. After 0200 Dec 31, exchanging 90 mb frequencies with 3195 WWRB, WWCR had the same programming on 3215 and 5890, `Call to Decision` with Pastor Butch Paugh, subtitled ``this is war``. BTW, HFCC shows the Vatican Radio added itself to the 5890 mix Nov 20, but little consequence here at the other worldside, if they can tolerate interference from multiple W Hemisphere transmitters: daily 0015-0040, 100 kW, 186 degrees from Tashkent to S Asia, and 0040-0200, 500 kW, 90 degrees from SMG to same (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5890, well, what do you know! UT Jan 3 at 0120 check, WWCR is NO LONGER on this frequency, colliding with Cuban jamming and VOA Spanish. It`s not due to propagation, as DGS is inbooming on 5935. Someone must have noticed my report last Friday night that WWCR has been colliding with VOA for an hour at 01-02 on 5890, probably since DST went off November 6. The transmitter schedule, still dated 19 Dec hoping no one will notice it`s been altered, now shows instead of 12-01 and 01-12: Transmitter #4 - 100 KW - 90 Degrees 9.980 1200 – 0200 (6:00am – 8:00pm CT) 5.890 0200 – 1200 (8:00pm – 6:00am CT) But I can`t hear them on 9980, altho WYFR is weakly audible on 9985. Of course, staying on 9 MHz one hour *later* during the winter than in the summer doesn`t make any sense propagationally, but that`s what they get for trying (and failing) to make schedule changes according to DST clox rather than Propagation 101. The WWCR-4 pdf program schedule dated 1 January now shows 9980 with programming until 0200, 5890 from 0200 --- even tho that means an isolated half-hour broadcast on 9980 at 0130-0200 UT Sundays following the hiatus starting at 2100. (And UT Mondays still not opening 5890 until 0400). Tsk2, if WWCR had treated me civilly and ever asked me, I would have helped them out privately with their frequency management, instead of exposing their mistakes in this instance. (As any competent monitor could have noticed.) On 5890, VOA still has DentroCuban jamming to cope with, and it`s way underneath the noise, same as 9885. Third frequency 12000, however, is well atop the jamming in `De Capital de Capital` pop music show with announcer ranking female singers. Why is VOA wasting OUR money with this crap instead of meaningful programming in Spanish? Well, at least it is threatening enough to keep some jammers occupied. 9885, 13750 and 15590, VOA Spanish in the mornings, Jan 3 at 1312 remain unjammed, during nonsensically-named `Estudio 45` 1300-1329 show with US news. Modulation on 13750 was rather rough. Gave some temps around the US and below, such as 20 in Acapulco, -12 in Des Moines (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 11714.8, Jan 3 at 1410, 1643, no signal from KJES, this being the deadline for them to reply to the FCC Notice of Violation about being too far off-frequency (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re the 25910, 25950, 25990 NBFM transmissions from Dallas and Denver: IFB means interruptible feedback, a special intercom circuit that consists of a program feed sent to an earpiece worn via a wire, telephone, or radio receiver (audio that is being "fed back") that can be interrupted and replaced by a producer's intercom microphone. It is so the people in the field can be cued without an 8 second delay (Wikipedia, nd5y, Texas, Radio Reference.com shortwave broadcast forum via Jan WDXC Contact via DXLD) 25990, TEXAS, KSCS, Arlington. 1645 January 1, 2012. Country vocals, female jock, commercials at 1652, "New Country 96.3" slogan. Fair- poor, with weaker pieces of WBAP, Dallas 25910 and very good KOA, Denver 25950 also in. All NBFM mode RPU Marti's (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 26985, MICHIGAN, "Bar Of Soap Man". 1619 January 1, 2012. The usual compu-generated MP3 looping "Watch your ass, motherf*cker... Jackson County... dropped the bar of soap..." (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 27314.95, MICHIGAN (PIRATE), WKCQ 98.1 "98-KCQ", Saginaw (relay). 1615 January 2, 2012. Good signal. 1649 live jock mentioning Books & Dunn, Trace Adkins songs coming up, into Kroger grocery store spot, another for a brew your own beer store, 1653 weather ("Windy and cold, scattered snow, low of 11") and back to music. Legal ID 1700. Audible same time as upper Michigan "Bar Of Soap Man" was on 26985 primary channel, suspect via the same source (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also UNIDENTIFIED 27315.4 ** U S A. WORLD OF RADIO 1597 monitoring: confirmed Thursday Dec 29 at 2200 on WTWW 9479; and at 2230:30 on WBCQ 7415, after a filler following Amos `n` Andy, `12 Days of Red Neck Xmas` by The Cable Guy. After 0430 UT Friday Dec 30 confirmed on WWRB 3195 (5050 was back on earlier with separate programming, but not heard by 0415). The 0600 UT Friday WRMI broadcast, checked 9955 at 0627, WOR confirmed fading up and down vs the pulse jamming; R. Praga at 0632 seemed to achieve a better average S/N ratio. Further scheduled WOR airings: WRMI 9955: Sat 0900, 1600, 1830, Sun 0900, 1630, 1830. WTWW 5755: UT Sun 0500 WBCQ 5110v-CUSB: UT Monday 0330 (not 0430 as I misspoke on WOR 1597) and biweekliness already confirmed on the UT January 2 schedule at http://www.worldmicroscope.com/ WORLD OF RADIO 1597 monitoring. 9955, Sat Dec 31 at 1830, my internal noise sources are off, so I try to hear me on WRMI: yes, can just barely make out the WOR theme. I assume it`s better in the Caribbean and Latin America. WRMI is currently on the air between 15 and 23 UT only on Sats & Suns. Repeats Sunday at same time, plus 1630. Other airings: UT Sunday 0500 on WTWW 5755; UT Monday 0330v on Area 51 via WBCQ 5110v-CUSB. WORLD OF RADIO 1597 monitoring: 5755, Jan 1 at 0500, confirmed with an upcut on WTWW. Next SW chances: Sunday 1630, 1830 on 9955 WRMI, UT Monday 0330v on 5110v-CUSB Area 51 via WBCQ; Tuesday 1030 on 5980, Hamburger Lokalradio (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. QSL: WTWW, Lebanon-TN, 5755 kHz, E-QSL in 1 giorno. E-rpt con MP3 inviato a George @ wtww.us V/S: George McClintock - President and Manager. Un primo rapporto spedito nel 2010 via posta tradizionale non ha mai ottenuto risposta (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, Jan 1, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** U S A. 5050, Dec 30 at 0215, WWRB is back on this frequency; was previously // 3195, but now has two separate preachers. Next check at 0415, 5050 inaudible and presumably off the air, or just outfaded? Anyhow, only 3195 audible during Friday 0430 WORLD OF RADIO. 5050, Dec 30 at 2330, WWRB is running with ``The Bible on Shortwave``, announcing its own Box 7, Manchester TN 37349 address, into Psalm CXII. Nothing on 3215 at this hour, registered to start as early as 2100. 5050 still on at 0315 Dec 31 with same programming. 3215, Dec 30 at 0156, WWRB has now been on for a while, and is open carrier, 0157 Dave ID announcement, 0158 bit of accordion/organ music, 0159 QSY announcement to 3195, while WWCR steel drums briefly overlap on 3215 which it is opening, ex-3195. BTW, the WRTH 2012 schedule for WWRB on page 497 bears little resemblance to reality, nor does WWRB`s own website; nor do registrations with FCC, including three unused frequencies, 2390, 5745 and 15795; longer hours than really used on 3215, 5050; no entry for 3195 which is really used at 02-05 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WRMI has updated its program schedule again as of January 1; see grid at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AivhtkIEGb3_dENObnZrMkt1YmtUWGxkbkd3TGNzOXc&hl=en#gid=0 WORLD OF RADIO has some new/shifted/resumed times: Mon 1230, 2330, Thu 2300, but no longer UT Thu 0430. That is, assuming R. Martí really appears, as it did not last week: Radio Martí relays are now scheduled: M-F 13-14, Tue-Sat 00-01, Wed- Sat 04-05. [changed again: see below] The only other major exile broadcast is currently Foro Revolucionario, Sun 2130-2330. Others may resume after an hiatus. World Radio Network hours have been added Tue-Sat 0500-0630, replacing numerous 0600-0630 programs including WOR on Fridays. The full WRN grid recently updated is at http://www.wrn.org/listeners/assets/PDFs/WRN_ENGLISH_NORTH_AMERICA_B11.pdf The 0500-0630 block consists of RFI at 05-06, and Channel Africa 0600- 0630. Note that Israel Radio is back on SW again tnx to WRMI, M-F at 0745-0800. Another new WRN block is M-F 11-12, containing RRI and DW. Note the M-F 17-23 block is when WRMI is NOT on SW 9955; nor the 15-17 M-F group containing many DX programs including WOR at one time or another every day. The new Blues Radio International show is scheduled UT Thursdays at 0200-0230, contrary to previous publicity. [rather, see below] The latest WRMI times for WORLD OF RADIO, Wavescan, and Viva Miami have been updated on our DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html as well as the WOR schedule: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Jeff White corrects and updates further: Glenn: Note: Foro Revolucionario is Sunday 2130-2230 (not 2330). I've added a few more changes to the scheduled this evening. Blues Radio International IS UT Mon 0200-0230. The UT Thursday 0200 airing is a repeat. [and gh has just been listening to it Sunday nite on webcast] See changes to 0400-0500 UT Tues-Sat. Most everything is subject to change (Jeff to Glenn, via DXLD) Jeff, Could you reconfirm whether SW is still OFF M-F at 15-23 (only)? Tnx for moving WOR back to some times when it is on (Mon 1230, 2330, Thu 2300). Media Network plus: one hour Sat 02 and Sun 13, but half an hour Sat 22, correct? (Glenn to Jeff, via DXLD) Glenn: Actually, we will be off air Mon-Fri 1500-2400 UT, at least for the time being. That could change. You're correct on Media Network Plus times, days and lengths. The Sat 1300 airing is temporary. The Sat 2200 half-hour is the weekly half- hour edition of MNP from WRN (Jeff to Glenn, via DXLD) So never mind about the Mon 2330 and Thu 2300 airings of WOR being on 9955; just webcast. As for the 0400-0500 period, the Noticiero, which is axually from R. Martí, now appears only on UT Wed & Fri; on UT Thursday, 0400 Wavescan and 0430 WORLD OF RADIO show again. 9955, UT Monday Jan 2 at 0215, WRMI with début of new show Blues Radio International, scheduled Mondays 0200-0230 and repeated UT Thursdays 0200-0230. Axually I was only listening to the webcast, presumably simulcast on 9955. WRMI has put up a new program schedule grid in UT-5 with quite a few changes, and more to come: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AivhtkIEGb3_dENObnZrMkt1YmtUWGxkbkd3TGNzOXc&hl=en#gid=0 Note that WRMI is NOT really on SW M-F at 1500-2400, just webcast (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. I’d like to announce a new program I am debuting on WBCQ Area 51 called the Hall of Fame Spotlight. Airing Friday nights after the conclusion of Allan Weiner Worldwide around 9:15 eastern [0215 UT Saturdays] on 5110 kHz. Each week we will be exploring a station in the North American Pirate Radio Hall of Fame. For about an hour we will talk a bit about their history and listen to a extended air check of their audio art. Check out the show on 5110 on Friday nights or download the podcast Sunday mornings from Piratesweek.info (Ragnar Daneskjold, Free Radio Weekly Dec 30 via DXLD) 7490, Jan 3 at 0613, 0623 open carrier, presumably WBCQ has not been turned off following `Financial Survival` at 04-05. Maybe to keep the transmitter from freezing; low Wednesday morning in the area is forecast to be -7 F (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 17486, approx., Jan 3 at 1402, distorted talk, won`t demodulate on SSB, more like FM, and I then match this spur`s modulation peaks with 17365-USB, WLO in robotic traffic list, both off a minute later (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 870, WPWT, TN, Colonial Height[s], with “870 AM/100.7 FM” non-IDs but no legal ID at ToH (unless it faded in a non-obvious way!). This station popped up under WKAR and was audible for several minutes after WKAR went off the air for the evening at 2158 and until WWL started to dominate at about 7 minutes after the top of the hour. Playing bluegrass music to ToH into “IRN/USA Radio News” at ToH. Into local news and weather mentioning the “Tri Cities” repeatedly [address in Bristol], but again not using the station call letters at any point. Back to bluegrass music after the news. They call themselves “powertalk” on the web, but there was no evidence of Dave Ramsey before 5 as they advertise (off for Xmas?). This station (and its owner a Kenneth Hill) are apparently at the epicenter of some right wingnut political silliness in Tennessee and the owner and his father are two of the principles in IRN/USA Network which was formed by merger in 2008 to provide a ‘Christian alternative’ to the liberal media bias. You would NOT know this from a quick fade up hearing the station, however! In well on the car radio on my ride home for the evening and during the dusk fade 2158-2209, sandwiched between WKAR and WWL, 26/Dec (Ken Zichi, Williamston MI, MARE Tipsheet 30 Dec via DXLD) ** UNITED STATES. 1090, KPTK, Seattle WA, 1145, presumed. Rising up as big het against 1089 and mostly in mush, but noted CBS News at 1200 (and I believe KPTK is a CBS affiliate?). 23/12. 1100, KFAX, San Francisco CA, 1207, "Turning Point" ministries with talk by a man about "Why we call 'Him', Jesus." Fair on peaks. 23/12. 1190, KEX, Portland OR, 1220, causing big het against 1188 2NZ; copyable in USB with "Coast-to-Coast AM." 23/12. 1250, WHNZ- Tampa FL, 1231, surprised to hear this at a time, all other logs were WCNA; mostly in mush but by 1239 had better copy, news from the Wall Street Journal, "Impact Radio" slogan or promo. Ironically, I worked for these "calls" years ago, when they were "parked" on 570 kHz and licensed to Pinellas Park. 23/12 (David Sharp, NSW, partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1530, FLORIDA, WYMM "Radio Única", Jacksonville. 1215 December 30, 2011. Male canned "Radio Única" ID at 1217, into Spanish version of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" followed by Merry Christmas greetings (a few days late), 7:29 time check, "WYMM A-M, la poderosa de Jacksonville" into more Christmas vocals. This is my unidentified from a few days ago, a presumably relatively recent format change from the listed English Gospel (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1540, Dec 31 from 0657 to 0715 UT, tried to hear the WKVQ Eatonton GA DX test, which was scheduled with only two days notice, but never heard any Xmas music, CW IDs or sweep tones, just this: 1540, Dec 31 at 0702 UT, after Mexican music, ID in English ``This is KEDA, San Antonio, Texas, your Jalapeño radio station``. It was dominant even on my E-W longwire also suitable for the high end of MW on the FRG-7; also tried to null it on the DX-398 but not much success, only bringing up some weaker talk station, presumably KXEL. 0710 another ID for `Jalapeño Radio` mixing Spanish and English. No sign of the other Texans, closer KZMP, or KGBC with CRI, which must have lesser signals at night than KEDA`s 1 kW. BTW, those calls mean in Spanish ``stay`` as in ``with us`` = queda. I guess they don`t consider `Jalapeño Radio` to be a politically incorrect stereotype. As for the WKVQ test, no power was stated in the publicity but they have a 10 kW non-direxional daytime authorization, which should have been employed for this post-midnite test. Yet initial reports I have seen indicate spotty reception even in the East with several 50 kW stations to contend with, but did make it as far as Manassas, Kansas City and Omaha (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Heard in Manassas, Virginia from 0700 to 0800 UT. Christmas music, cw and sweep tones. KXEL and station with China Radio International (either CHIN or WNWR) were hammering WKVQ. 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) This was a nil-heard at my QTH. The station is a Class D, meaning that it is severely restricted to 250 watts or less at night if it operates then at all. According to FCC records, they are allowed 1600 watts during "critical hours" (2 hours after sunrise and 2 before after sunset) and there is no record of them having nighttime authorization or power. This is done to protect the nighttime contours of other stations and to reduce skywave. Perhaps this would have required FCC exemption and authorization and it did not come in time or was refused? Did anyone else hear them? 50 kW WOCN [?? Must mean WDCD Albany] and nighttime 30 kW CHIN would have made things difficult, but I should have heard the oscillator tones or morse. 73 (Al Muick, Whitehall PA USA, Dec 31, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) WKVQ was heard in Kansas City, MO during the DX Test session. Report will be going in to station with details (E. "Mac" MacDonald, kr0I, K.C., MO, ibid.) Glad to see that someone heard it. Nil heard up here in PA, but everything was hammered by CHIN and WDCD, though I would have expected to hear the tones or morse at some point during the fades. 73 (Al Muick, Whitehall PA USA Even daytime-only stations are allowed to test, after local midnight. Should have been 10 kW non-direxional, but I couldn`t hear it either 0700-0715, just KEDA San Antonio and some KXEL (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Hi Glenn, Two reports from Virginia and Missouri were posted earlier. I guess our respective high-power heavyweights just prevented us from hearing WKVQ, especially if they were supposed to be omni. Maybe next time, I hope. You are correct, Sir. :-) AM stations do NOT require authorization, provided they are not transmitting any portion of their regular programming. FCC regs in pertinent part: § 73.1520 Operation for tests and maintenance. (a) Broadcast stations may be operated for tests and maintenance of their transmitting systems on their assigned frequencies using their licensed operating power and antennas during their authorized hours of operation without specific authorization from the FCC. (b) Licensees of AM stations may operate for tests and maintenance during the hours from 12 midnight local time to local sunrise, if no interference is caused to other stations maintaining a regular operating schedule within such period. No AM station licensed for “daytime” or “specified hours” of operation may broadcast any regular or scheduled programs during this period of test and maintenance operation. (c) Licensees of AM stations may obtain special antenna test authorizations, and operate under the provisions described in §73.157, to operate with nighttime facilities during daytime hours in conducting directional antenna field strength and antenna proof of performance measurements. [43 FR 32783, July 28, 1978, as amended at 45 FR 6401, Jan. 28, 1980] 73 (Al Muick, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The DX test was heard here in Moklinta, Sweden. The test should last 30 min, but I heard the last CW and sweep tones at 0746. Very strong QRM from CHIN relaying CRI´s `The shuffle`` programme (Bernt-Ivan Holmberg, Sala-Moklinta, Perseus, broadside bev. array, MWCircle yg via DXLD) I heard the WKVQ test the last time it was run but this time 1539 and 1540 CHIN were too strong. Can you tell me the offset of the CW? (Paul Crankshaw, Troon, Scotland, ibid.) Looks like 1.2 kHz on each side of 1540 kHz when I watch the signal in waterfall window of Perseus. Got a QSL 6 min after my report! 73´s (Bernt-Ivan, ibid.) Heard here in Albany under local WDCD and KXEL. Not much made it through but I was able to copy some of the Morse IDs. Relog. Heard their test last year also. Thanks to everyone who made the test possible! (Dave Hochfelder, Albany, NY, Drake R8B and Wellbrook loop indoors, IRCA via DXLD) WDCD has an extremely direxional pattern, mainly null toward KXEL, putting some `holes` in its local signal (gh, DXLD) I heard Morse code, sweep and touch tone beeps at 0702:44 UT. Here's how it sounded at my place: http://www.quebecdx.com/mp3/wkvq_dxtest_1540.mp3 In that clip, it starts right after the Christmas music at sec. 21. Happy New Year to everyone! (Sylvain Naud, Portneuf, QC, CANADA, IRCA via DXLD) Unlike everyone else out west, I did hear one very small portion of last night`s test. At 00:02:50 I heard an ID in morse followed by what can only be described as a "whoop whoop" sound. Listened to the whole half hour and never heard any more, and what I did hear was only made possible because someone very kindly mentioned the times of when they had heard the morse IDs. Without this prior knowledge I don't think I would have heard it. I guess this makes up for me not hearing the previous test. Heard with my Perseus using my east/west beverage. Many thanks to Craig Baker, Jim Chenard and Saul Chernos for making this possible. (Mike in St Isidore, AB Stonebridge, ibid.) WKVQ QSL and StarStation Brochure 2011 received in 1 day for email report. 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, Manassas, Virginia, USA, Jan 1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1550, Jan 3 at 1324 UT as I tune in, a dominant signal as ``News New Mexico on KIVA AM 1550``; trouble is, there wasn`t any news during the following dekaminute as the signal faded in and out vs multiple SAHs from countless QRMers. 1330 promo for Dennis Miller at 1-4 pm on ``KIVA 1550, The Truth``; various ads; 1334 promo for Dr Joy Browne; finally back to a live show at 1335, two guys with local talk, still not news; 1337 lamenting long construxion period disrupting traffic on the main drag in Santa Fe, Cerillos Road. KIVA is a 10 kW non-direxional daytimer (plus 27 watts at nite), address at 1213 San Pedro NE in Albuquerque. `News New Mexico` is their weekday 6-9 am show ``Hosted by Jim Spence and Michael Swickard`` per their blog, http://1550kiva.blogspot.com/ which is titled The ``Truth``, the quotation marx tacitly admitting that their truth = far-right wingnut opinion, not only Dennis Miller but Michael Savage, Alex Jones. FCC info at http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=4705 shows January sunrise in ABQ is not until 1415 UT, so is this 27 watts? Hardly! However, per http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=3811 KIVA does have a PSRA starting at 13 UT of: 89 watts! Is this 89 watts? Hardly! When 1550 was starting up with Program Test Authority, FCC also sent them a letter dated June 25, 2009 http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=12836 warning KIVA of intermodulation products on 450, 550, 2100, 2150, 2550, 4100 kHz which had not been demonstrated to be suppressed by at least 80 dB. Call sign history http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=4705&Callsign=KIVA shows KIVA since 5/18/09, and this facility had *eight* previous calls dating back past 1994y --- but most of them were not on 1550, I know, since this frequency appeared only a few years ago when the ABQ MW band was reconfigured. I also know that the calls KIVA have applied to numerous other stations over the years mostly in New Mexico, but also in Yuma AZ. For the uninitiated, they`re desirable because of a SW reference to kivas, the circular religious ceremony pits of the Pueblo Indians and Hopi, which have long since been adopted by the Anglos. For instance, there is a general-purpose sunken class/meeting building at UNM campus Albuquerque called The Kiva. NRC AM Log 2011-2012 says KIVA programming is also on KQNM 1100, which is a 250/20 watt station in Milan NM (near Grants, W of ABQ), but I don`t see anything about that on the KIVA blog (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1560, SOUTH CAROLINA, WAGL, Lancaster. 1240 December 30, 2011. "Concepts Of Faith" by Charles Caps (preacher) with closing on how to order his book, ending 1245, then gospel vocals till near 1300 male canned, "This is 50,000 watts... WAGL, Lancaster..." and "Waggle Country" jingle. So, not just Oldies format, but also Gospel. And recheck December 31 (also a week day) at 1228, with Frank Sinatra and other oldies. So apparently they fill the unbrokered time with oldies. To their credit, the audio on this one is one of the nicest, warmest I've ever heard. I wonder what vintage their transmitter is (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. A PROGRESSIVE - LIBERAL RADIO STATION RETURNS TO OHIO! Moderators: gounion, Bernie the union guy, plunderer Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 7:44 pm Columbus Ohio will soon see the return of the Progressive - Liberal News talk format to the AM radio landscape ruled by the rightwing bloviators. AM 1580 will return as WVKO in a couple of days! Although it might be just outside my listening area, this is very welcome good news in this state. http://www.wvko1580.com/ In Solidarity, Bernie... [more] http://radiofreeliberal.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3126 (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. FLORIDA PUBLIC BROADCASTERS SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS TO THEIR FUNDING CRISIS By Eric Deggans, Times TV/Media Critic, Tampa Bay Times In Print: Saturday, December 31, 2011 At WUSF Public Media, they shut down a program to read periodicals for the blind, laid off two people and declined to replace two more. At WEDU-Ch. 3, they've avoided fully replacing departing staffers and may drop programming from the Florida Channel. And at bohemian-friendly Tampa community radio station WMNF-FM (88.5) -- which already announced a scrap-metal drive to earn money -- there is another, even more unlikely fundraising project under development: a golf tournament, possibly at the tony Belleair Country Club. This is the local legacy among area public broadcasters after Gov. Rick Scott's decision in June to veto nearly $4.8 million in state funding for such outlets across Florida. Each public TV station lost more than $300,000; each radio station more than $60,000. Across the Tampa Bay area, WEDU, WMNF and WUSF radio and TV stations saw total losses of up to $1 million. "There's no sugar daddy out there to replace the ($62,000) the governor took away from us. I wish the public would realize how dire the situation is," said Rob Lorei, WMNF's longtime news and public affairs director. The cuts mirror a nationwide trend. . . http://www.tampabay.com/features/media/florida-public-broadcasters-search-for-solutions-to-their-funding-crisis/1208476 (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. US: Republican’s plan to commercialise PBS Republican presidential nominee frontrunner Mitt Romney is pledging to cut Federal funding for America’s Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Quizzed by voters in Clinton, Iowa regarding the future of PBS, Romney said: “You might say, ‘I like the National Endowment for the Arts’. I do. I like PBS. We subsidise PBS. Look, I’m going to stop that. I’m going to say, ‘PBS is going to have to have advertisements.’” Read more from The Spy Report http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2011/12/29/us-republicans-plan-to-commercialise-pbs/ (December 29th, 2011 - 13:39 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) 5 Comments on “US: Republican’s plan to commercialise PBS” #1 John Figliozzi on Dec 29th, 2011 at 16:00 Brain dead, stupid, uninformed comment; but not surprising given his orientation. Can’t expect a slave to the corporate sector to comprehend that there are essential and socially useful differences between a broadcaster that serves commercial advertisers first and one serves the interests of the public first. Having both makes media in general stronger and more comprehensive. Besides, following his prescription saves almost no money and will adversely affect media diversity most devastatingly in rural areas… like Iowa, for instance. But we will have to be confronted by this verbal swill for another 11 months here in the U.S. #2 Richard Cuff on Dec 29th, 2011 at 16:57 Certainly the truth. It will be a tiresome year in this election season. #3 Benny Brown on Dec 30th, 2011 at 13:39 Mitt Romney’s a fool, yet all the Republican contenders are fools. Their value lies only as entertainment…. sort of. #4 Jonathan Marks on Dec 30th, 2011 at 22:26 I would argue that many of the underwriting messages on NPR are just another word for commercials. And organisations already know this. http://www.uuchicago.org/index.php/about-cauuc/program-resources/54-advertise-on-npr #5 John Figliozzi on Dec 31st, 2011 at 04:07 No argument here, Jonathan. What used to be underwriting recognitions have morphed into mini-ads, a classic case of “the camel’s nose under the tent.” Of course, if public media is to reflect the culture from which it springs, it would be impossible to exclude all aspects of America’s commercially saturated culture from showing up there in some form. Nonetheless, the apparent willingness of public media everywhere–even the sacred BBC–to adopt the methods, metering and values of the commercial culture is something of an infection that threatens to erase what once was a bright line (MN blog comments via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. PUBLIC RADIO IN SPANISH GIVES US LATINOS A VOICE By GOSIA WOZNIACKA Associated Press Posted: 01/01/2012 07:06:25 AM PST FRESNO, Calif. — Phones at the radio studios on the outskirts of town kept ringing. Saul from Visalia lamented cuts to public education, calling in on a December afternoon to Línea Abierta, the first nationwide Spanish- language public affairs show. Miguel from Madera asked how county taxes are distributed and Manuel from Calexico wanted to know whether schools still receive lottery funds. The public affairs show is produced daily by Radio Bilingüe, the nation's only public, non-commercial Spanish-language radio network. With seven FM stations in California and more than 100 affiliates nationwide airing its programs, the Fresno-based network reaches an estimated 500,000 Latino listeners per week. Controlled by Latinos and run by a Harvard-educated former farmworker, the network fills a crucial gap in public broadcasting, which attracts overwhelmingly white, middle- or upper-class, English speaking audiences. The industry has been struggling to capture Latino listeners. "We want to offer news and information that's relevant to the lives of our listeners," said Línea Abierta's executive producer Samuel Orozco, "so that they can use it as citizens, to be able to participate in the decision making process and be active members of society." Radio Bilingüe focuses on immigrant and first generation Latinos who are predominantly low-income, young and under-educated. It offers a platform to the working poor, the undocumented, Indians from Mexico and farmworkers. The network is now expanding and building five stations along the U.S.-Mexico border. Experts say Radio Bilingüe's efforts to foster civic engagement are key as the number of Latinos in the U.S. keeps growing and the nation moves toward a presidential election. "They're a model of how Latino public broadcasting can flourish," said Florence Hernández-Ramos, director of Denver-based Latino Public Radio Consortium. "There are a lot of people in the U.S. that speak primarily in Spanish. They have a right to engage in the national conversation." Hugo Morales, a former farmworker who graduated from Harvard Law School, founded Radio Bilingüe more than 30 years ago because he felt poor Latino farmworkers had no voice. "I was shocked that the mainstream saw our community as basically having no brains," Morales said. A Mixtec Indian born in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, Morales arrived in California when he was 9 years old, joining his farmworker father on a prune farm near Santa Rosa. He worked in the orchards, studied and helped his brother run a local Spanish-language radio show. After graduating from law school, Morales lectured for La Raza Studies at California State University in Fresno and founded the radio station. The all-volunteer station eventually went professional and grew into a network with nationally distributed programming. Morales won a MacArthur "genius" grant and the Edward R. Murrow Award, public radio's highest honor, for his work. The Latino population nearly quadrupled in size since Radio Bilingüe began broadcasting, to more than 50 million or 16 percent of the nation last year. But Latino participation in public media remains minimal. So the network's mission changed to fill that gap: it would serve Latinos in general, not just farmworkers. The network struggles to secure funding. Unlike traditional public broadcasting — which relies on donations from well-off listeners — Radio Bilingüe relies on grants from private foundations and the government. It has had difficulty securing stations in urban areas, especially Los Angeles, because new frequencies are not available in major markets and purchasing a station is expensive. About 1,000 public radio stations broadcast today, and fewer than two dozen are Latino, said Joseph Tovares, senior vice president for diversity and innovation at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which gives federal funding to public media. Non-Latino stations, Tovares said, have been struggling to provide culturally authentic, relevant content to Latinos. "We have not been able to provide the content this demographic will need going forward," Tovares said. "There's been a population explosion and we're playing catch-up." Only about 5 percent of the listeners of NPR, the largest producer of public radio programming, are Latino, which the network is trying to change through diversity initiatives. "If we are to survive," Tovares said, "we need to reach these folks." The number of commercial Spanish-language stations, on the other hand, has skyrocketed to over 1,300, according to Arbitron research. But some commercial programming perpetuates stereotypes against gay and indigenous Latinos, Orozco said. "What investors are seeing is not Latinos as citizens, but as consumers, as dollar signs," he said. "The service for them is cheap entertainment that caters to the lowest common denominator." In addition to the public affairs show, Radio Bilingüe produces a national news service, a talk show in Mixteco that simultaneously airs on stations in Oaxaca, a call-in youth show about sexuality and original reporting on topics from the arts to the environment. It airs programs from radio partners in México. The network, which also has Internet broadcasts, refuses to air narcocorridos, the popular drug ballads, and doesn't accept money from alcohol companies. It produces educational messages and guides listeners to resources. Music — from Cuban jazz to mariachi to rock en español — is used to attract different audience subsets. In addition to professional producers, 90 volunteers host programs and help at the stations. "Where Radio Bilingüe is pretty extraordinary is that it's pro-social; it uses radio as a medium for positive impact," said Ed Kissam, an independent researcher who has studied the network's impact. ——— Online: http://www.radiobilingue.org LISTEN: mms://oscar.csusm.edu/radiob SOURCE: http://www.marinij.com/tablehome/ci_19656369 (Marin Independent Journal Via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, DXLD0 ** U S A. WILLITS HOMETOWN RADIO IS ON THE AIR IN TESTING MODE - The Willits News http://www.willitsnews.com/ci_19660571 Willits Hometown Radio, 1610 AM, is on the air in testing mode, at least. "Yes, it's up and running," said Roger Wilson, one of the founders of the local low-power radio station, which is operating out of a small office in the Little Lake Grange on School Street. "We've now got a mile and half radius." Right now, the AM signal can be heard during weekdays "almost out to Howard Hospital" on the south, "about up to the light at Sherwood and 101" to the north, "out to the curve at Hearst-Willits Road" to the east, and "almost out to the KOA" to the west. Wilson and other volunteers are broadcasting music right now, to test, tune and improve the signal. They hope to get some original local programming on the air in February. The group is putting out the call to anybody in the community interested in participating. "If people want to be DJs, now's the time," Wilson said. Plans are to have training for potential DJs in January, to teach volunteers "how do you do a radio show, what you can and can't say on the air, how do you turn it on and off, and how to speak properly." Dickey Weinkle, another founder of Willits Hometown Radio, said the station would regularly be broadcasting live from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. "Anyone who has a passion for anything is invited," he said. "It will be all local programming by local people. All we're going to have is 95490." Weinkle said he'd been talking to people from "a lot of different parts of the community" who might want to do an hour-long show. "Churches, service groups, people who are into different types of music, people who travel, or do crafts, beekeepers. I'm going to do an interview show," Weinkle said, "'The Fool on the Hill' I'll interview anybody around here that I think is interesting." Weinkle said the group was working with the Willits Chamber of Commerce to do an on-air Willits events calendar at least three times a day. A big motivation for organizing Willits Hometown Radio was to have a local source of information during emergency situations. "One of our primary focuses is emergency communications," Weinkle said. "When there's a forest fire, or anything like that, we'll be having call- ins, we'll be on the air 24/7, we'll be giving info out as soon as we get it, letting you know block by block what's going on." There are plans to install a couple of 200 watt solar panels on the roof of the grange, so the radio station can stay on the air if the power goes out. "Radio doesn't take much power," Wilson said. Future possibilities also include putting a repeater in Brooktrails and up on Pine Mountain, to improve the signal. The radio group eventually hopes to create an FM station, with a greater range and a better signal, and to stream Willits Hometown Radio on the internet. The acquisition of a computer will not only enable streaming, Wilson said, but will also mean the station can broadcast prerecorded shows in the evening. In the meantime, Wilson says, anybody now getting the musical test broadcasts can feel free to make requests by emailing him at roger @ jollyone.com Those interested in becoming DJs or learning more can send an email with their contact information to pgodess @ hotmail.com (via Kevin Redding, TN, Jan 2, ABDX via DXLD) Geez, they write as if everyone knows where Willits is! Only clue is 95490 which looks suspiciously like a zip code, and that leads to the town in northern California between Fort Bragg and Ukiah (gh, DXLD) Interesting article but no mention if the station is a legal Part 15 LPAM or what the power is? If it is a legal Part 15 there is no way it would be heard at 1 1/2 miles radius. The FCC only expects a Part 15 AM transmitter to carry several hundred feet. 73 - (Todd WD4NGG Roberts, ABDX via DXLD) More at RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM ** VATICAN CITY. 3915 [sic], 0503-, Vatican Radio, Dec 27. Not a particularly good night for trans-Polar route. Fair reception, occasionally good with VR's Polish service [Frequency wrong: yeah, 3975 as follows] 3975, 0507-, Vatican Radio, Dec 28. Good reception of their Polish program with lively Polish music, interspersed by a male (likely a priest) talking. Youth matters, I'm assuming. Signal strength reaches S6 or S7, and with virtually no noise, it's perfectly adequate to follow the program nicely! 7365, 1741-, Vatican Radio, Dec 29. Was listening to the Russian service of VR on 9585, and thought that Ukrainian might follow, but the transmitter cut before 1740. Instead, the two frequencies I can hear at fair to good levels are 7365 (best), and 6185 a bit weaker). Both transmitters are from the Santa Maria Galeria site and are listed at 250 kW with a 54 or 55 deg azimuth (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6075, Dec 30 at 2309, Swingle Singers music, good signal, but as I tune back across at 2311 it is gone. That`s because VR is in fact scheduled 2200-2310 in Italian to W Europe, 250 kW, 330 degrees from SMG, also USward; odd scheduling (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also CANADA ** VENEZUELA. VENEZUELA TELECOMS AGENCY CLOSES 27 RADIO STATIONS IN 10 STATES IN 2011 A total of 27 FM radio stations were shut down in Venezuela in 2011 by the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel). Five of the stations were closed in the state of Zulia, and a similar number were shut down in the state of Miranda; Monagas (4), Nueva Esparta (3), Táchira, Falcón and Carabobo (2) and Barinas (1). The Venezuelan telecoms regulatory agency said that such stations were illegally using the radio spectrum. However, some affected private radio operators disagree with that statement. For instance, Ricardo Hernández, director of Carabobo Stereo station claimed after the closure of his radio station, that it was operating legally. He stated that Conatel had inspected the radio station in 2010, and made no warnings about the alleged illegal use of the radio spectrum. On Monday, 31 October, a group of Conatel technicians visited Cosmopolitan 107.9 FM radio station located in Valencia, the capital of the state of Carabobo and took it off the air arguing that they were executing an “administrative procedure.” Conatel denied that the radio station had been shut down. However, Cosmopolitan is no longer on the air and the radio station Frenesí 107.9 is now using the frequency. The Venezuelan Chamber of Broadcasters is pleased with the measures taken by Conatel. In the words of Enza Carbone, the president of the Chamber, “2011 has been a very positive year for broadcasters, who are satisfied with the measures taken by the Executive Office against underground radio stations.” (Source: eluniversal.com)(January 4th, 2012 - 17:46 UT by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) ** VIETNAM. A few interesting greetings arrived. In Saturday’s mail was one from the Voice of Vietnam which sends a New Year card each year providing two e-mail addresses for correspondence: englishsection @ vov.org.vn and btdn.vov @ hn,vnn.vn [sic with the comma] (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 Jan 1 via DXLD) ** VIETNAM [and non]. Re my Dec 29 report, oscillating tone jamming against nothing on 9990, S. Hasegawa, Japan replies: ``Dear Glenn, RFA-Vietnamese via Agingan Point was broadcasted on 9990 kHz at 1400 to 1500 UT until Nov. 23; this service QSYed to 9400 kHz from Nov. 24. Vietnam is thought not to yet notice this change. And 9400 kHz received Nov. 30 to clearing it. de Hiroshi`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also CANADA ** ZAMBIA [and non]. ZNBC2, 6165, Lusaka. Dec 29, 2011, Thursday. 0302-0309. "Daybreak Africa" from the VoA, in perfect sync with // 909 and 4930 from Botswana. Fair, slight wavery het presumably from co- channel Chad, but Zambia is quite readable. But 4930 from Botswana is best, by far. Jo'burg sunrise 0317 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZAMBIA. 4965, 1707-, Christian Voice, Dec 23. It's a shame there's so little to hear on the tropical bands anymore. Good to very good reception of CV in English with contemporary programming aimed at young people. 4965, 1746-, CV, Dec 27. Good reception still noted at 9:50 AM local with English programming (rap at the moment) to south/central Africa. This propagation path only open in the depths of winter! 4965, 0351-, CVC, Christian Voice, Dec 28. Very good reception with American accented preacher with a Bible story about multi-headed beasts. One of the strongest signals on 60 meters at this time. 13590, 2011-, CVC, One Africa, Dec 28. Superb reception with American inspirational songs in English (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17695, Dec 31 at 1940, CVC 1Africa VG signal, better than CVC Chile 17680, but lots of IADs making a salvation story unlistenable; not that their thinly-disguised monomania is ever listenable. Then a longer period of dead air. I see that Jorge Freitas in Brasil independently noted the same problem after change to 13590, Dec 31 at 2016-2021, ``Transmission with constant cuts in the modulation``. God`ll get `em (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: 13590, 31/Dec 2016-2021, ZAMBIA (Relay), CVC, in English. OM with religious comment and pop gospel. At 2018 ID and vignettes. Transmission with constant cuts in the modulation. At 2020 African gospel music. 35333 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE. 4828.00, Voice of Zimbabwe, 0349 tune in with African music and singing. Considerable hum on signal, but strongest heard in months. Pop music followed at 0354, then short interlude to 0400 with F singer and ballad. No break at TOH. African singers at 0401 with tape/recording speed varying. Jazz piano music followed past 0411, with station ID in English by F as "....the Voice of Zimbabwe. Music program continued, but it faded badly by 0427. 1/3 (Jim Young, Wrightwood, California, ICOM IC-756 ProIII + 40-M yagi + 80-M inverted Vee, NASWA yg via DXLD) Voice of Zimbabwe, 4828 Gweru. Jan 03, 2012, Tuesday. 0254-0304. Can't make out the language, certainly not English as listed (EiBi). Western pop music. Very poor, with severe hum. Jo'burg sunrise 0321. Voice of Zimbabwe, 4828 Gweru. Jan 04, 2012, Wednesday. 0002-0006. Afro music. Poor, with awful hum. Jo'burg sunrise 0321 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. Zimbabwe Community Radio on 5890 kHz --- ZiCoRa via Meyerton changed the schedule. It was received in UnID on 5890 kHz at 1630-1700 UT on Jan. 1, and Jingle of SW Africa was copied at 1700. Jan.2 at *1600-1700* UT confirmed with ZiCoRa by some Japanese DXer. On 4895 kHz received UnID English until 1830* on Jan. 2. South Africa Radio League? (S. Hasegawa Jan 2 dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DX LISTENING DIGEST) As retimed; see SOUTH AFRICA UNIDENTIFIED. NÃO IDENTIFICADAS/indentificada, 1038.5, 2312-2317*, 26/12, silent carrier; same station observed on 12/11, at 2209?; 34433 (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1053, at 1145, I'm again hearing a strong bubble jammer here, clearly audible when cochannel domestics are nulled. Korea? PDR Korea? Someone else? 26/12 (David Sharp, NSW, partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) N. Korean 1053 jammer is commonly heard in WNAm (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Spanish on 1189.85 --- For the past month I've noticed a station that I can occasionally separate that plays nondescript Spanish music (nothing that I could say is definitely Mexican, Tropical, nor Cuban) on the low side of a crowded 1190. This is best towards my south. Any ideas? 73 KAZ Barrington IL (Neil Kazaross, NRC- AM via DXLD) HJCT, L. V. de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia has been a bit off channel before, but usually towards the high side (~1190.3) so maybe something else this time. Terry Krueger or one of the other guys down in FL should be able to help (Mark Connelly, WA1ION, South Yarmouth, MA + Billerica, MA NRC AM, via DXLD) Seems to be strongest via Custer KY remote receiver. S/on & offs (or power switch) at 1210 and 0010. Is KJJI White Hall AK on the air? 73, Mauno Ritola, Finland, 1047 UT Jan 4, ABDX via DXLD) You mean ARkansas, not AlasKa. KJJI was not yet on air yet for NRC AM Log; 25000/350 U2 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I can`t find much on KJJI except some recent posts on an engineering forum about tuning up the antenna. Have you managed any audio from this? 73 and thx (KAZ Jan 4, ABDX via DXLD) Just once Latin music as you for a couple of minutes, no talk. This is a tough one! And I meant the state AR, not AK of course. 73, (Mauno Ritola, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 1440, 0044 January 1, 2012. Derek & the Dominoes "Layla" and male, "... right here... Saturday... New Year's eve..." into another song, followed by Blondie "Call Me" and later, "Some Kind Of Wonderful" by Grand Funk Railroad. I was hoping for Ft. Lauderdale vicinity pirate KQV Radio reactivated (it's been heard here on 1440 and previous above 1600 channels from here), and while the format fits, inconclusive who this was. Several Oldies stations (GA, NC for beginners) listed on 1440 and probably something licensed. Best USB to avoid someone unidentified off-frequency, around 1439.8 (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, Abridged pile of junk: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Aqua Guide 705 Radio Direction Finder; Sangean PR-D5; Sony ICF-7600GR; GE SuperRadio III; RadioShack DX-399; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X in-room random wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Who is on 1700 with classical music? I was listening around midnight and the ID was not understandable. Endless classical with a verbal break on the hour. I heard ESPN pop up very weak with another station and presume that is Iowa. I have a habit of hearing strange things above 1600. Maybe it is too easy to pirate here. (zz6, 0453 UT Jan 5, location unknown, ABDX via DXLD) Some Cuban stations have a habit of operating like that. Endless music with a voice break on the hour and no commercials. I hear a Cuban station nightly on 530 that operates that way except the verbal breaks are in Spanish. Sometimes nice to listen to with no commercials. 73 - (Todd WD4NGG Roberts, ibid.) This [530] is Radio Encyclopedia from Havana and many of us on the ABDX list call them "Relaxing with Raul" (Kevin Redding, Crump, TN, ibid.) Yep, thanks, I even hear a classical station here [where??] mid day on 1700 that never IDs (not very strong and last night was in a different area) Otherwise I have a TIS on 1610 and multiple ones on 1670. Much else up here all that comes through are Canadians (at night). Nothing day but 1660 NJ. I hear a 1620 Spanish all the time. 530 was Turks&Caicos a few years ago and then of course Cuban classical but now I'm not sure as there seem to be multiple. CIAO Toronto comes through at times (different languages I think) I have problems with 540 WLIE here. Never-ending splatter (zz6, ibid.) WLIE is on Longisland, so zz6 must be close to that. Cuba 530 does not play classical music, but EZ listening. There is an entire other network for classical, CMBF R. Musical Nacional on many other frequencies. But no Cubans really known on 1700 (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 3875, 0452, English. UnID with poor signal varying from 3875 to 3880. Sounded like a radio related show with mentions of the 1970’s, CB radio, amplifiers, and Donna Summers. 28 Dec 2011. Poor (Joe Wood, TN, Eton E1, 7 meter random wire, NASWA Flashsheet Jan 1 via DXLD) That`s in the `AM Window` of the `80m` hamband, where I am sure law- abiding amateurs would rather not put up with pirate broadcasters. Or maybe this was legit ham QSO talk; any music? I assume the log was in AM tho not specified (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. LA - 4875.46, mountain of garbage on this frequency in the mornings this week, but underneath it all seems an LA broadcaster, with badly distorted modulation and potentially spurious. Believe language is Portuguese, so likely a Brazilian. Noted several mornings about 1015. Ute on frequency and het make this even tougher. Not sure what this is, but interesting; haven't heard anything on this frequency of late. Anyone? (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100; Knightkit Star Roamer; Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 + Quantum Phaser antenna unit; Longwires (150' + 100'); Tuned Multi-Turn 20" Small Loop; Single-Turn Coax Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. 5085.0, Dec 31 at 0637, S9+22 big carrier, with continuous middle-C tone (circa 256 Hz); continued for a while; next check at 0650 it was gone. Suspect a test from WTWW-2 on one of its planned frequencies (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, later confirmed as WTWW on another test (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. 6925, 0038-, Pirate, Anne Hoffer Radio, Dec 25. It's officially Christmas (UT) and my first logging is a pirate, sounding a lot like Anne Hoffer. Poor to fair reception with Merry Christmas, and some ramblings by Anne (?). No sign yet of the exceptionally strong stations heard last night. ID'd at 0048 UT as Anne Hoffer, so my suspicion was confirmed. Left the air after her ID. First time heard! (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) so not really unID, just unID location like most pirates. Who was/is/will be Anne Hoffer? (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. 7300 DRM, at 0624- UT, Dec 23. Nothing I could find listed in my resources to indicate who this might be, and from where. No audio decoded, but the text indicates: 'KRTPC TUAPSE' in Russian. Any ideas? (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) DRM mode transmission Tbilisskaya Armavir Krasnodar on 7300 kHz on our afternoon 1530-1900 UT slot. [later] Tuapse is a city on Black Sea on Krasnodar Krai, approx. 170 km distance from Tbilisskaya transmitter site. See Google. Morning DRM Test from Tbilisskaya Armavir Krasnodar site on 7300 kHz probably uses regional radio station program from Tuapse? PS. I guess heard testing DRM Tbilisskaya recently also in 75mb like 3995 kHz? 73 wolfgang df5sx (Büschel, Jan 2, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 4 via DXLD) OK, now that's interesting, indeed! Too bad I couldn't demodulate the audio. Thanks again, Wolfy! (Walter Salmaniw, Jan 3, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 9725, BRAZIL, Radio Clube Paraná presumed the one at 1243 in Portuguese with a man and woman with talk then a brief musical interlude and two men with talk with definite mentions of “Brasil” and “Paraná”. Weak but audible Dec 27. This is not listed in the WRTH but it shows up on a number of updated lists such as Dan Ferguson's compilation of HFCC, Aoki, PTSW, and Eibi (Mark A. Coady, Chemung Lake, ON, Alinco DX-R8T Eton E-1 and loaded, inverted vee dipole, Jan ODXA Listening In via DXLD) This would never be listed by HFCC or PTSW (English-only) whether active or not. It originated only in Aoki: ``9725 R. Clube Paranaense 0900-2300 1234567 Portuguese 7.5 25 Curitiba PR B 04925W 2525S Clube`` Which in the case of domestic Latin Americans means it is more likely to be long-outdated info than brand-new `updated` info. Of course, a reactivation is always conceivable. In DXLD 8-030, of February, 2008, this was reported definitely off the air by a local monitor in Paraná. And this appeared a few issues earlier in 8-026: BRASIL - A Rádio Clube Paranaense, de Curitiba (PR), teve seu equipamento de transmissão danificado e não deve mais emitir em 6045 kHz. A informação foi dada por Fernando Cunha, daquela emissora, a Ulysses A. Galetti, de São Paulo (SP). Era a última freqüência que a emissora curitibana mantinha em ondas curtas, já que havia apagado as emissões em 9725 e 11935 kHz (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Feb 24 via DXLD) It may have been off a lot longer than that: LA SW Logs files it in the `former reports` section: ``9725 B R Clube Paranaense, Curitiba PR [0823-2233] Nov04 B 2207* // 6040, 11935`` No listing for it in the 2012 or 2011 WRTHs. Certainly bears further monitoring. The only thing known to be on 9725 at this hour is Iran in Pashto. 9725, Jan 2 at 1243, I tune in at exactly the same time as on Dec 27 that Mark Coady, Ontario, reported hearing Portuguese mentioning Paraná, on 9725 --- no, no Portuguese today, only presumed Pashto mentioning Afghanistan and Pakistan, i.e. V. of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the only station now scheduled at this time on 9725. Listened for several more minutes, but tempted to shift to 9720 for Thailand in English. I also posted Mark`s presumed log of R. Clube Paranaense to S American lists, and this reply so far in radioescutas: ``Radio Clube Paranaense sintonizada por 1430 kHz (ondas médias), anunciando em sua identificação ‘...vem aí uma nova B2, ‘RB2’ um feliz Natal, a rádio que toca você’. Recepção em São José, Santa Catarina em 30/12 0135 UTC. Provavelmente estejam nos planos o retorno a alguma frequência em ondas curtas. Vamos acompanhar! Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo SP`` So hearing them on MW, he thinx they probably have plans to resume some SW frequency. The others RCP had, off the air for maybe 8 years, were 6040 and 11935. 9725, Jan 3 at 1249, still no sign of Portuguese from possibly reactivated R. Clube Paranaense; just a weak signal in something else, presumably still Iran in Pashto (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Country ?? Bible Voice Broadcasting. 11700, Location ?? Jan 01, 2012, Sunday. 1652-1717. YL Christian preacher in English, borrowing freely from what sounds like the theme music to "Ben Hur". Nothing in English listed at this time in Aoki, EiBi or HFCC, but IDs at 1658 as "House of Prayer, P O Box ??? Egypt", and gave email address as "host.prayer @ gmail.com", then a few secs later as "Bible Voice Broadcasting" and "biblevoice.org". Then into Christian songs by choir, followed by OM preaching. Still going strong at 1717, but searching for "11700" on the suggested website produced no hits. Nor did a search of B11 DXLD's and DX Mix News. Fair. Jo'burg sunset 1704 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 27315.4, (PIRATE) 1630 January 1, 2012. English female vocal, into male vocal, Southern Gospel-ish (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also USA for Michigander pirates on CB ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ ACKNOWLEDGED ON WORLD OF RADIO 1598: Thanks to Will Martin, St Louis MO, supporting WOR and DXLD with a check in the mail to P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702. TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED ON SUBSEQUENT PROGRAMS: A contribution in my appreciation of all your radio related activities (Kraig Krist, Manassas VA, with a check in the mail to P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702) Glenn, I wish I could give you more money. Our 5 month old, now 3 and a half years old, listens to your show because it`s some of the only good talking around. Bill and Judy liked too (Fred Jodry, New Rochelle NY, with an MO to P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702) Thanks to a check in the mail marked ``confidential`` with a postit ``Keep up the great work``, to P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702 Thanks to Jack Smith, Newport NC, for an MO in the mail to P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702. Hi Glenn: Thanks for another year of WOR - a great source of info! All the best for 2012! Regards, (Mike Beu, KD5DSQ, Austin, Texas, with a contribution via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com) Thanks for a contribution from Chuck Ermatinger, MO. Hi Glenn, I know that not all DXLD supporters celebrate their New Year at the same time we do, but nevertheless this seems an appropriate time to thank you for all the work you put into the group, and to thank all the regular contributors who send in information and reception reports for publication. I have been DXing since the early 1960's, but my understanding of the technical aspects of our hobby has increased greatly since I became involved with DXLD about a year ago. My thanks to all. Regards, (Bill Bingham, Johannesburg, RSA) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ WRTH 2012 I ordered it from Amazon Dec. 14; a response indicated I would get it by Dec. 24. A subsequent E-mail notified me that there was a shipping delay and that it would not go out until February. Another E-mail after Christmas said it was now on the way. It arrived yesterday (12/30). Base cost was $22.40 which grew to $28.64 after shipping and WA tax (Pete Taylor, Tacoma, WA, 12225w 4719n, NRC-AM via DXLD) LANGUAGE LESSONS ++++++++++++++++ VIRTUAL LANGUAGE DIRECTORY 3/1, 15135, RFE RL with program in Caucasian languages on 1500-1600, as per Aoki´s listing, from TOH with Avari, at 1520 with Chechen and at 1540 with Circassian. Samples of these languages can be found on my new virtual language directory on mediafire here: http://www.mediafire.com/?7fwpl575bnw5u together with other languages (Zacharias Liangas, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF HOROLOGY +++++++++++++++++ SAMOA - INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE CHANGES PLANNED Re: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/09/samoa-plans-to-move-clocks-24-hours (Ian Baxter, NSW, Oct 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sunday, January 1, 2012 8:49 AM --- They just did it: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/back-to-the-future-pacific-nation-of-samoa-crosses-international-dateline-and-skips-a-day/2011/12/28/gIQAFqaLNP_story.html?hpid=z12 73 (Fabrizio Magrone, Italy, Jan 1, dxldyg via DXLD) TOKELAU too Re: ``BRAZIL. Much of it currently on DST, they imagine that 2012 arrives at 0200 UT instead of 0300 or 0400, so I check out RNA 11780 at 0158 UT January 1: good signal with upbeat song, 0159:30 to legal ID for 980 kHz with 300 kW from EBC, but no mention of SW which has slightly greater reach, no timesignal, standard opening of ``Aló Brasil`` show ``nesta madrugada de domingo``, ``novo dia, novo programa`` and finally: ``feliz ano novo``. And now it`s time for the New York Philharmonic on PBS` NYE (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` Hi Glenn, I think there is a misunderstand here. For sure RNA knows about DST but in Sydney for instance New Years Day is not supposed to be celebrated using UTC time but local time as we do. Nothing related to RNA or official Brazilian station. If I got the point. Please check it. Regards and happy 2012 (Sarmento Campos, radioescutas yg via DXLD) Hi Sarmento, My real point is that DST is a fantasy, wherever it is observed. Standard time should be retained. A few years ago before DST was instituted in Brasil, the New Year occurred at 0300 UT, and now it is at ``0200``, altho the Sun and the position of the Earth have not changed at all on January 1 of whatever year! 73 (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) MUSEA +++++ MISSING CLUES AND CRACKING CODES IN THE PACIFIC WAR Issue: Proceedings Magazine - December 2011 Vol. 137/12/1,306 By Elliot Carlson, U.S. Naval Institute Shortly before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Admiral Husband E. Kimmel (center, conferring in 1941 with chief of staff Captain William W. Smith, right, and assistant chief of staff Captain Walter S. Delany) sought out a meeting with cryptanalyst Commander Joe Rochefort to discuss the likelihood of impending aggression. Did Joe Rochefort Unwittingly Mislead Admiral Kimmel about Pearl Harbor? Early in the afternoon of 27 November 1941, Admiral Husband E. Kimmel wanted to see Commander Joe Rochefort. Perplexed by Japanese moves in the Pacific, besieged by troubling and often confusing communications from Washington, D.C., and looking for answers no one else seemed to have, Kimmel sought out the gifted, if sometimes acerbic, officer who ran Station Hypo, the U.S. Navy’s cover name for its codebreaking unit at Pearl Harbor. . . http://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2011-12/missing-clues-and-cracking-codes-pacific-war Radio traffic analysis, cryptanalysis, and interpretation just before Pearl Harbor (via Gerald T. Pollard, NC, DXLD) COLD WAR SHORTWAVE AUDIO MONTAGE ON YOUTUBE This 6 and a half minute montage was featured in an edition of Communications World in October 2000. As well as the montage the full edition of Communications World featuring it has also been uploaded, link at the top right of the page. Description by Paul Dougherty: Cold War Shortwave was created in 1989 using off-air recordings made while I was traveling in Europe circa 1985. This was a time when propaganda was harsh, before the Gorbachev inspired thaw. The collage was done with Soundwave from Impulse, my first experience with non-linear, random access editing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ3ZAUEpnJA (Mike Barraclough, Dec 30, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 1940 - UNCLE SAM'S TELEVISION A link to a 1940 British Pathé newsreel film which shows the development of American television. http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=11905 (Southgate via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) There is a vintage film that I saw of the same scene that was made by RCA introducing TV to the masses. At that time there were two TV stations in existence in the USA. One in Philadelphia that was part of Philco and one in New York that was built by RCA that was the embryonic origin of the NBC television network. These stations are still in existence as WNBC-TV in New York and what was once WPTZ-TV in Philadelphia which is now KYW-TV. The origins of the station that was part of Philco was an experimental station that operated in Philadelphia for many years before what was then the predecessor to the FCC licensed stations as a regular broadcast entity in 1940. These stations were preserved during WWII and when TV took off after the War they were well established as broadcast entities (Richard Lewis, Forest, MS, ibid.) VINTAGE "BROADCAST NEWS" A link to a copy of the RCA publication Broadcast News, from December 1956. It includes a promotion for a helpful folder that shows at a glance how to start a radio station. Features include 'Radio station on wheels' and 'New WMCA studios typify today's resurgent radio station'. http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RCA-Broadcast-News/RCA-BC-92-com.pdf Sent in by Ron O'Quinn to http://www.radiolondon.co.uk/kneesflashes/happenings/octnovdec11/octnovdec1101.html (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) WLW HISTORY IRCA, Many of you may have already read this, but just in case I am sending it along. I really enjoyed reading it and laughing with joy at some parts. http://www.ominous-valve.com/wlw.html (Stephen Hawkins NG0G, IRCA via DXLD) Who wrote this? The writing is absolutely marvelous! Regards, (Mark Durenberger, ibid.) Mark, I thought so too, and it has taken me this long to find out who wrote it. I have been reading everything on the entire site and enjoying it all. ominous-valve.com is Hugh Stegman NV6H. I think he also writes, or has written, for Monitoring Times (Steve Hawkins, ibid.) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM See ARGENTINA; ARMENIA; CANADA; FRANCE; ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GERMANY; GUIANA FRENCH; INDIA; NEW ZEALAND; ROMANIA; RUSSIA; UKRAINE; UK; UNIDENTIFIED 7300 RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ Winradio ExcaliburPRO: Video Hi - just uploaded a video to You Tube, explaining/showing some basic working with Winradio's ExcaliburPRO: http://youtu.be/m9o-wRi5Ii4 -- (Nils DK8OK Schiffhauer, Germany, ExcaliburPRO, SDR-IP/GPS, W-Code, 2 x 20 m active quad loop (90 ), Jan 4, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE PAGE --- Southgate January 1, 2012 Mark Demeuleneere, ON4WW, has a useful page, with sound clips, that covers the many cases of interference he's dealt with over the years, covering everything from a Rain Gutter to Plasma TV's and LED lighting. The ON4WW EMI - RFI page http://www.on4ww.be/emi-rfi.html http://www.southgatearc.org/news/january2012/electromagnetic_interference_page.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AmateurRadioNews+%28Southgate+Amateur+Radio+News%29 (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) THILO KOOTZ DL9KCE DEMONSTRATES THE INTERFERENCE THAT CAN BE CAUSED BY LED LIGHT BULBS Dear friends, I have just got this email about Interference caused by electronic light bulbs from Juergen Wagner from Deutsche Welle, the Voice of Germany. Besides the threat by BC and digital emissions in the past has arisen a very big threat to Amateur Radio and BC Listening: The interference caused by electronic light bulbs to replace the old bulbs with Edison style and a glowing thread inside. Pse spread this news among your fellow radio hams! Regards, (Uli Bihlmayer DJ9KR, Jan 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: Page last updated on: Monday, January 2, 2012 LED Light Bulb Interference --- Watch LED light bulb interference http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=o8zMhjXcmoA 2010 - Interference from light emitting diode (LED) technology http://www.southgatearc.org/news/august2010/led_interference.htm (via Juergen Wagner, DW, 3 Jan via DJ9KR, DXLD) IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT RF SYSTEMS Dear John, First of all I like to thank you for the nice testreports you put on internet about the DX One MK 2. I hope your antennas are still working well. It is some time ago we had contact, but I have important news. For 23 years, Deltron trading was the exclusive distributor of my RF Systems products. Deltron was sold to a new owner, Henk Brink, 3 years ago. Now this has come to an end. I found first recently out, that Deltron delivers copies of RF Systems antennas. All this is explained in the attached announcement, but you can also go to the official RF Systems website: http://www.rf-systems.nl This caused big problems for us, because shortwave listeners and radio amateurs who have ordered a RF Systems product got a bad copy. Deltron has to come for court on 12 January 2012. They are not willing to give me the names of the buyers and dealers of fake RF Systems products. We hope that the judge will force them to give the names, but in the mean time I am spreading this news around, hoping that buyers of fake products will mail me, as I want to ask the judge to compensate them. I know that you are active on internet forums. Please be so kind to give attention to this announcement. It will be of great help, not only for me, but also for all the shortwave listeners who have got a fake product without knowing it. Thanks in advance, good wishes for X- Mas and new year from (Willem Bos, RF Systems, Dec 22, to John Plimmer, RSA, MWDX yg via DXLD) Hi Willem, Sad news indeed, but please clarify for me: 1.] I take it that one should NOT buy RF Systems products from DELTRON? 2.] You do not say WHERE buyers can purchase genuine RF Systems products from in future? (and how since the website is down) Despite all this I wish you a Merry Christmas and a good New Year (John Plimmer, Montagu, Cape Province, South Africa, ibid.) Hello John, Indeed it is bad news and it gives a lot of problems. The deceit of buyers by Deltron have to be published on internet in order to prevent that more shortwave listeners and Hams become the victim of the copying activities of Deltron and to find as many as possible buyers who got an imitation instead of an original product. I hope that I can find a way to replace all these copies by an original product. For me this is at the moment more important than my sales. All the correspondence and sales over my RF Systems website was handled by Deltron. After I found out that they delivered imitation products if it were RF Systems products, I have taken over the control of my website. As clearly stated in the announcement, it is not longer permitted to Deltron, to act as RF Systems, Hoogeveen or to sell RF Systems products. As soon as possible after the session on court on 12 January, I will launch a new RF Systems website and webshop. Sales will be handled by RF Systems and through some reliable dealers. It is possible that some dealers (like Universal Radio in the USA) have RF Systems products in stock, but as Deltron is not cooperating in giving information to which dealers imitation products are delivered, I have to find out first which dealers have only original products. You can understand that I am extremely busy with the juridical proces against Deltron as well as building-up a complete own sales organistation. If some buyers want to order and they know what to order, they can send a mail to the wellknown email address info @ rf-systems.nl This is also valid for repairs. Unfortunately we can only deliver after 12 January. I hope this has answered your questions. I wish you and your family a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year. Kind regards, (Willem Bos, RF Systems Dec 23, to and via John Plimmer, RSA, Jan 1, mwdx yg via DXLD) re: WILLITS HOMETOWN RADIO IS ON THE AIR IN TESTING MODE [see U S A] ``Interesting article but no mention if the station is a legal Part 15 LPAM or what the power is? If it is a legal Part 15 there is no way it would be heard at 1 1/2 miles radius. The FCC only expects a Part 15 AM transmitter to carry several hundred feet. 73 - Todd WD4NGG Roberts, ABDX via DXLD)`` I don't know about the FCC expecting a Part 15 to only go several hundred feet. In fact, any Part 15 station on AM (at least, the ones I've heard) that are broadcasting with the legal limit of one-tenth of 1 watt DO get out a mile with ease, and, with a decent receiver, can be heard up to 2 miles away (although it's a very faint signal by that point). CV-KOTD, on 1680 AM in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, is a good example. 73, (Rick Dau, South Omaha, Nebraska, Jan 2, ABDX via DXLD) Todd, you nailed it. There actually is NO LPAM at all. The Part 15 allows 100 milliwatts and a very short antenna which means you likely will cover your house. And there are NO commercial full time stations allowed on 1610 for the present time. It doesn't matter if you are transmitting the "legal limit" with an illegal antenna. 3 feet [sic] maximum *INCLUDING* coax. Some stations tried getting around this with a "long ground wire" as part of the system and the FCC nixed this and fined some folks for it (Powell E Way III, SC, W4OPW and WKDK, ibid.) I believe the legal limit for a Part 15 AM antenna is 3 meters maximum, not 3 feet. 3 meters is almost 10' (Larry Wild, Old guy from South Dakota, ibid.) Right you are; I am asleep with my eyes open !! (Powell, ibid.) The FCC states that, for a MW-band Part-15 transmitter, the antenna plus ground lead cannot exceed three meters (10 feet) in total. However, the FCC is still vague about stuff like how a capacitance hat is measured into the overall length, whether a loading coil counts into the length (what winding spacing is considered a coil and not a long length of wire bunched up - is it illegal to use a helical?), and where exactly your ground-lead length measurement stops (the point where the rod enters the ground, or the entire ground rod/radial?) What HAS been done VERY successfully to absolutely maximize the signal radiated by a 100mw transmitter while remaining within the Part-15 parameters is to use an 8-foot pole with umbrella-type tophat (2-foot radius) and a large-diameter loading coil JUST BELOW the tophat (not at the pole base), and the 100mw transmitter's chassis clamped DIRECTLY to BURIED tuned ground radials, or a long 10-foot ground rod (apparently, the FCC counts anything that is ABOVE the surface of the soil as a ground lead, but not what is buried). It works very well - especially on the lower end of the band. If the modulation is very well compressed, the signal can be heard three or more miles around while remaining perfectly legal. Frankly, having a lot of experience with low-power transmitters on the MW band, I think the restrictions seem quite unreasonable - more like overkill (using a sledgehammer to swat a fly) in the quest of prevention of interference on the MW band. Today, there is so much interference on MW because of being cluttered with too many stations, noise from badly-designed/maintained power grids, and poorly-designed receivers full of images and lack of sensitivity that there would be little or no actual threat of harmful interference being directly caused by unlicensed low-power AM stations, even if experimenters were allowed something more reasonable like one watt out of a 50-foot tower (such as that allowed here in the U.S. on Longwave 160-190 kHz). If the FCC wastes time in shutting down 100mw stations that exceed the physical-dimension maximums, such as using a ground lead too long or a 200-foot wire, they're certainly overlooking the elephant(s) in the room, such as over-radiating powerlines causing broadband interference for miles, shoddy light dimmers or CFL units, noisy appliances and industrial machinery coupled directly to powerlines, or LICENSED wide- band emissions such as iBOC - these cause FAR MORE harmful interference for a larger number of stations than a single-frequency low-power MW radio station. Also, if a 100mw station is causing significant interference to a legit broadcaster, even with a huge antenna or ground, they're probably located WAY, WAY beyond that licensed station's protected contour anyway to not be a legitimate issue even if someone HAD been straining to hear the signal of the affected licensed station being interfered with by the unlicensed radiator... either that or they would probably be sitting right at the location of the unlicensed radiator (Darwin Long, Buras, LA, ibid.) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ PROPAGATION REPORT FOR JANUARY with James Welsh propagation @ bdxc.org.uk Links: http://www.jameswelsh.org.uk Propagation Summary The Solar Flux charts have shown a sharp increase in sunspot activity since mid November and by the end of November, average sunspot numbers have actually risen to 95 for the first time since 2003. This has even exceeded the predicted peak forecast for the first quarter of 2013. http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/ Solar activity was at very low levels on 19 December and increased to low levels from 20-24 December, and finally ending the period (25 December) at moderate levels. Region 1376 was the most active group with frequent B- and C-class flare production until 25 December when new Region 1387 began producing multiple C-class flares and one M- class flare. On 22 December at 0208 UTC, Region 1381 produced a C5 flare associated with weak Types II and IV radio sweeps and a faint CME, determined to be non-geoeffective. Region 1386 produced a C5/Sf flare at 0839 UTC. Region 1376 produced a long-duration C4 flare on the west limb at 1236 UTC associated with a non-Earth-directed CME. On 25 December at 1816 UTC, Region 1387 produced an M4/1N flare that was accompanied by Type II and Type IV radio emissions. A slight proton enhancement was observed on 25 December and achieved a max flux of 3 pfu at 0135 UTC. More information can be found at: http://www.windows2universe.org/sun/solar_activity.html Solar activity is expected to be at low to moderate levels until 31 December when Region 1387 is forecast to rotate off the disk. Activity is expected to return to low levels with a slight chance for isolated M-class activity for the remainder of the period. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to be at normal to moderate levels during the period. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at active levels from 28- 29 December due to CME (Coronal Mass Ejection) arrivals. Diminishing effects from said CMEs will have brought geomagnetic field activity to unsettled levels by 30 December. Mostly quiet conditions were predicted for 31 December, 3-4 and 7-23 January. Activity is expected to be at predominately quiet to unsettled levels 1-2 and 5-6 January due to recurrent coronal hole high speed streams. Although radio blackout warnings have been issued at the end of December, reception conditions are predicted to be good during the quiet periods. http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/ 2012 Meteor Showers The next major meteor shower will be the Quadrantid shower, which is expected to peak after midnight on the morning of January 4, 2012. This shower favours northerly latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. If the peak happens as predicted – at 0700 to 0800 UT, means eastern North America might be in a good position to watch the 2012 Quadrantid shower. Predicting the peak and the intensity of a meteor shower is always a tricky business, though. No matter where you live, the best time to watch is before dawn on January 4. Best months of the year for meteor scatter are August, October, November, December, and early January. Actually, anytime of the year is good. Sometimes certain dates are just better than others, due to the occurrence of meteor showers. Average peak daily time for night time showers: 0500 to 1200 local time (There are a handful of daytime showers that almost rival the big night time showers and the only way you can be aware of them is to do some research of when they occur.) Best frequencies for meteor scatter: 50 to 100 MHz (The entire 88 to 108 MHz band is usable for meteor scatter DXing.) General distance of reception is 600-1200 miles. Receiving satisfactory meteor skip signals depends on where you live, what type of equipment you are using, and availability to the peak times of the day http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earthskys-meteor-shower-guide Links to these articles can be found at http://www.jameswelsh.org.uk Thanks to Ken Fletcher and Mike Terry for regular updates during 2011 (James Welsh, BDXC-UK, Dec 30, for DX LISTENING DIGEST) And posted pre-January in the dxldyg SW DEAD ZONES I currently reside in N. Alabama, have multiple SW radios. (ICF-2010, Panasonic 2200, DX-160, some Kaito's, ISF-SW07 & more). I see a lot of listings at various sites, but here I seem to be in a partially dead zone. SW signals do bounce, could Northern Alabama and surrounding area just be out of the bounce area? I can pick up a few power houses, usually religious, but most others are faint or unlistenable. What areas are better for reception. I assume the coastal areas are better. Are there any known, or suspected areas of reduced reception? Thanks.. (gwfrks, Dec 30, ptsw yg via DXLD) Skip zone problem should apply only to relatively close US stations. The higher the frequency the larger the skip zone. You don`t say what stations you are trying to hear. You should get plenty of SW stations outside North America in N Alabama, just like anywhere else. If you are trying for weak DX signals, tropical bands, being on the coast would help some. Many international broadcasters direct from Europe or Mideast (the ones that are left) aim more or less for the east coast, so inland signal strengths are somewhat weaker, and also more subject to polar absorption. AL is a lot better positioned than OK in that regard. 73, (Glenn Hauser, Enid, ibid.) I mostly try for English Broadcast stations. Cuba easy, but tired of the propaganda. S. America comes in occasionally, Several local religious stations from Tenn, Alabama, & Florida. When I see some of the listings, I wonder what I'm missing. I've hung 50-100 feet wire outside the house. Helps some, but still not many stations. Even WBCQ comes in marginally, all year long, on all my varieties of radios. Thanks for your interest, just trying to confer with an outside source. Guess I'll have to upgrade to a base type unit. Thanks again (gwfrks, ibid.) I know that there is iron ore in AL, especially around Birmingham, not sure of the north. Such areas in northern Minnesota have a reputation for being very poor for MW radio reception as the deposits ``suck up`` the signals, but not sure whether this would apply to SW (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) The geomagnetic field was at quiet levels during 26 - 28 December. Activity increased to quiet to unsettled levels on 29 December due to weak CME passages associated with filament eruptions observed on 25 and 26 December. Field activity decreased to mostly quiet levels during 31 December - 01 January. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 04 JANUARY-30 JANUARY 2012 Solar activity is expected to be at low levels with a slight chance for isolated M-class activity. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels during 04 - 07 January. Normal flux levels are expected during 08 - 30 January. The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels during 04 - 06 January due to recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream effects. Predominantly quiet conditions are expected during 07 - 30 January. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2012 Jan 03 2308 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 2012-01-03 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2012 Jan 04 140 8 3 2012 Jan 05 140 8 3 2012 Jan 06 140 8 3 2012 Jan 07 135 5 2 2012 Jan 08 130 5 2 2012 Jan 09 130 5 2 2012 Jan 10 125 5 2 2012 Jan 11 125 5 2 2012 Jan 12 125 5 2 2012 Jan 13 135 5 2 2012 Jan 14 140 5 2 2012 Jan 15 140 5 2 2012 Jan 16 140 5 2 2012 Jan 17 140 5 2 2012 Jan 18 140 5 2 2012 Jan 19 140 5 2 2012 Jan 20 140 5 2 2012 Jan 21 140 5 2 2012 Jan 22 145 5 2 2012 Jan 23 145 5 2 2012 Jan 24 150 5 2 2012 Jan 25 150 5 2 2012 Jan 26 150 5 2 2012 Jan 27 140 5 2 2012 Jan 28 135 5 2 2012 Jan 29 135 5 2 2012 Jan 30 135 5 2 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1598, DXLD) ###