DX LISTENING DIGEST 17-08, February 22, 2017 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 2016 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html [also linx to previous years] 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 1866 CONTENTS: *DX and station news about: Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Cuba non, France, Germany non, Greece, Guatemala, India, Madagascar, New Zealand, North AMerica, Pitcairn, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, Sudan South non, Uganda non, USA, Uzbekistan, Zambia SHORTWAVE AIRINGS of WORLD OF RADIO 1866, February 23-March 2, 2017 Thu 1230 WRMI 9955 6855 [confirmed] Thu 2130 WRMI 11580 [confirmed] Fri 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB [confirmed] Fri 2230 WRMI 5950 6855 11580 [all confirmed except 6855 preëmpt] Sat 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB [confirmed] Sat 0630 HLR 6190-CUSB Hamburger Lokalradio [confirmed Bulgaria] Sat 1531 HLR 7265-CUSB Hamburger Lokalradio Sat 2030v WA0RCR 1860-AM Sat 2330 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB Sun 0410v WA0RCR 1860-AM [confirmed from 0422] Sun 1130 HLR 9485-CUSB [confirmed in Bulgaria] Mon 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB [confirmed] Mon 0400v WBCQ 5130v-AM Area 51 [confirmed] Mon 0430 WRMI 9955 [confirmed] Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 6855 Tue 2130 WRMI 15770 Tue 2300 WRMI 9955 Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB Wed 1000 WRMI 5850 6855 Wed 1415 WRMI 9955 6855 Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB 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 WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS: Tnx to Dr Harald Gabler and the Rhein-Main Radio Club. http://www.rmrc.de/index.php/rmrc-audio-plattform/podcast/glenn-hauser-wor ALTERNATIVE PODCASTS, tnx Stephen Cooper: http://shortwave.am/wor.xml ANOTHER PODCAST ALTERNATIVE, tnx to Keith Weston: http://feeds.feedburner.com/GlennHausersWorldOfRadio NOW tnx to Keith Weston, also Podcasts via iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/glenn-hausers-world-of-radio/id1123369861 AND via Google Play Music: http://bit.ly/worldofradio OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org DAY-BY-DAY ARCHIVE OF GLENN HAUSER`S LOG REPORTS: Unedited, uncondensed, unchanged from original version, many of them too complex, minutely researched, multi-frequency, opinionated, inconsequential, off-topic, or lengthy for some log editors to manage; and also ahead of their availability in these weekly issues: http://www.hard-core-dx.com/index.php?topic=Hauser NOTE: I have *resolved* to make DXLD leaner, more selective, as I seriously need to reduce my workload, much of which has been merely editing gobs of material into presentable form. This makes it even more important to be a member of the DXLD yg for additional material which may not make it into weekly issues (gh) DXLD YAHOOGROUP: Why wait for DXLD? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our yg without delay. When applying, please identify yourself with your real name and location, and say something about why you want to join. Those who do not, unless I recognize them, will be prompted once to do so and no action will be taken otherwise. Here`s where to sign up: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/ ** ALASKA. [re 17-07:] The HAARP campaign will run 19 to 22 February https://sites.google.com/alaska.edu/gakonahaarpoon/operations-news (Tony Molloy, UK, Feb 18, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Someone at ARRL must have a hard time with time conversions. The original HAARP page gave only local time, AKST as starting at 7:30 pm which = 0430 UT, not 0330. However, the latest info has changed and also gives correct UT conversions. Bookmark this page for updates:’ https://sites.google.com/alaska.edu/gakonahaarpoon/operations-news Here`s what it shows as of 1655 UT February 19: (gh) 19 Feb 2017 --- Campaign time! Experiments begin in the mid morning 19 February Alaska Standard Time (AKST) and continue intermittently through the evening each day through 22 February. Luxembourg Broadcast The first radio modification of the ionosphere occurred in the early 1930s and was an accidental consequence of the new and powerful Radio Luxembourg transmitter. In certain situations, listeners of other weaker broadcast radio stations found that they sometimes heard Radio Luxembourg programming even though it was transmitted on a completely different frequency. Scientists and engineers eventually concluded that signals from powerful Radio Luxembourg and less powerful stations were being mixed in space, that is, through ionosphere modification. HAARP will transmit a sequence of tones and music using amplitude modulation (AM) on two different radio frequencies (2.7 MHz and 3.3 MHz) in a sort of reproduction of this so-called Luxembourg Effect. If conditions are sufficient and you tune-in to one frequency or the other, you will hear tones and music from both frequencies. The tones and music have been specifically composed to take advantage of the Luxembourg effect. The Luxembourg broadcast will begin as early as 6 p.m. on 19 and 20 February Alaska Standard Time (AKST) and conclude by 6:40 p.m. In Coordinate[d] Universal Time (UT), the broadcasts will begin as early as 0300 on 20 and 21 February and conclude by 0340. Tune in to 2.7 MHz or 3.3 MHz (2700 KHz or 3300 KHz), or both! Program is approximately 10 minutes in duration and will repeat until 6:40 p.m. AKST or 0340 UT. Artificial Aurora Aurora photographers in Alaska, Yukon Territory, and northwest British Columbia have a chance to photograph artificial aurora created with HAARP, starting immediately after the Luxembourg Broadcast and continuing until the ionosphere critical frequency over Gakona drops below about 2.7 MHz. See the artificial aurora page on this site for more details on this effect. Radio listeners can still tune-in to these operations, but the transmissions are slightly more complex in order to test a scientific hypothesis. Also, at least in these initial experiments, the broadcast will only sound like a silent carrier wave, as if a radio DJ fell asleep and neglected to change the record (or now, more likely, the digital file). The specific transmission sequence is as follows: MAIN: Repeat the following 480 second sequence if foF2 > 2.80 MHz 90 seconds : 2.80 MHz 30 seconds : OFF 90 seconds : 2.80 MHz, O mode, CW modulation, MZ direction 30 seconds : OFF 90 seconds : 2.82 MHz, O mode, CW modulation, MZ direction 30 seconds : OFF 90 seconds : 2.84 MHz, O mode, CW modulation, MZ direction 30 seconds : OFF BACKUP: Repeat the following 240 second sequence if foF2 < 2.80 MHz 90 seconds : 2.75 MHz 30 seconds : OFF 90 seconds : 2.75 MHz 30 seconds : OFF (via DXLD) HAARP EXPERIMENTS TO GET UNDER WAY ON FEBRUARY 20 UTC, REPORTS INVITED ARRL February 18, 2017 On February 20 (UT), Alaska’s High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) will launch its first scientific research campaign since the facility was taken over by the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Geophysical Institute 18 months ago. UAF Space Physics Group Assistant Research Professor Chris Fallen, KL3WX, reports that he will be ready to go starting Monday, February 20, at 0330 UT (Sunday, February 19, in US times zones). His campaign will run through February 23 (transmissions will start 1 hour later on February 22 UT). Fallen plans to start and stop each experiment block with an audio broadcast, transmitting AM carriers at 2.8 and 3.3 MHz, with the resulting skywave signal — the “Luxembourg Effect” — being a mix of both frequencies. He told ARRL that he will transmit a short, simple piece of music, composed locally, specifically to help demonstrate the Luxembourg effect. Transmissions to create radio-induced airglow or “aurora” that potentially can be photographed from nearly anywhere in Alaska will take place afterward; Fallen said on February 18 that he wasn't quite ready to announce precise frequencies for that experiment. “Initially the airglow experiments will be a silent carrier, but if things go well the first night I may try a single AM-modulated tone to make the broadcast easier to hear,” Fallen told ARRL. He said net radiated power would be in the 2 MW range. Fallen is working under a National Science Foundation grant. He’s posting additional information on his “Gakona HAARPoon 2017” blog. He points out that exact times, transmit frequencies, and experiment modes “are subject to change in response to a variety of factors.” Selected updates will be posted via Twitter. Fallen encourages radio amateurs and SWLs to record the events they hear and post reports to social media or e-mail him (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Tuned into 2800 before announced start of their test transmission, and am hearing at very good levels intermittent grouped keying.lasting 4 seconds, then repeated every 30 seconds. Presumably them? 73, (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, ibid.) Both 2800 and 3300 on the air now (0300 UT) with a test transmission! Listen if you can! Walt __._,_.___ Posted by: (Volodya Salmaniw, BC, UT Feb 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) After tones, started to hear music and some voice at 0306 on both 2800 and 3300 kHz. Up to good levels into Victoria, BC. Stringed instrument at 0307 UT (Walt Salmaniw, Feb 20, ibid.) Also heard here in SoCal starting at 0300 with nice signal on 3.3 MHz – varied 6 kHz tone patterns and music. 3.3 MHz better quality than 2.8 MHz. SINPO 45333 on 3.3 and 25332 on 2.8 MHz. Using my Wellbrook loop pointed 340 deg towards Alaska (Bruce Churchill, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Bruce, I'm not sure whether they're finished yet or not. I'm getting strong OC on 2840, and 2800 (just went off now on 2800 at a few seconds before 0353, but back again. May them? 73, (Walt, Feb 20, DXplorer via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) 2820 kHz now at 0411 = 20 over OC. 73 (Mick Delmage, ibid.) HAARP, 3.300 MHz Feb 20 - Second series of tones started at 0312 – SINPO down to S3 with heavier QSB for this series. Music from 0316; back to tone sequence for 3rd series at 0322. Tone sequence changed at 0324 from longer interval to approx. 1 second interval. Solid tone after silence at 0325.5 to 0326.5. Weaker tones at 0327 followed by music and announcement by man at 0327.5 with music ending 0331 and carrier off at 0331.5. Last series started at 0332 with approx. 2 second tones switching to 1 second tones at 0334 to 0335. Silence then solid tone at 0335.5. Music again at 0337.5 to 0341.5. Carrier off at 0341.5. Summary: Series 3 was best, then series 1 with series 2 and 4 being the weakest (Bruce Churchill, CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The first HAARP test for 0300-0340 UT Feb 20 was a bust here, as a lightning storm was hitting us, so antennas and computers disconnected! Another one was scheduled 24 hours later, Feb 21, on ``2.8 and 3.3 MHz``. Closest I could come were two S7 carriers drifting slowly downward from 3295 and 2810 as of 0305, reaching 3262 and 2787 by 0340 or so --- but this is not what HAARP was supposed to be doing, a repeating 10-minute program including music; so I conclude these must have been generated within the NRD-545. I often encounter birdies on the lower SW frequencies, but ignore them as soon as I hear the drift. Kept checking closer to 3300 and 2800 but nothing heard during this span. Reports of what others were getting: https://twitter.com/ctfallen More to come UT Feb 22 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Monday night/UT Tuesday, twitter feed https://twitter.com/ctfallen mentions these frequencies recently or currently: 3300 4440 4750 4800 4900 5200 Volodya, please keep us up to date on what you are hearing (Glenn, 0244 UT Feb 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) On now - 2800 and 3300 kHz (Colin Newell - CoffeeCrew.com - VA7WWV - Victoria - BC, 0333 UT Feb 21, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) Filthy/glitchy signal. Sure it's not some dude with a messed up modified ham radio? (Kurt, KD7JYK, 0421 UT Feb 21, ibid.) Glenn, I was out this evening, so had to leave before the 0300 official start. Prior to that, around 0230, a loud carrier at S9 + 10 at least, was audible on 4440 kHz. I thought I had set the bandwidth properly for Mestor, but unfortunately, I hadn't, so nothing from the prime frequencies of 2800 kHz and above tonight (I cut off a 3 MHz; darn). Hopefully others were listening and having more luck! 73, (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria BC, 0643 UT Feb 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) HAARP for tonight UT 22 Feb: Already present on both 4600 and 9500 kHz with a big OC. I'd say they've done very well so far! Likely using 2.8 MHz again at 0300 tonight, so wait for it. Chris Fallen at the site, and in charge is updating via Twitter almost immediately: https://twitter.com/ctfallen 73, (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, 0158 UT Feb 22, dxldyg via DXLD) Nothing at 0300, but HAARP is back at 0413 with an OC on 2800 kHz. Very strong into Victoria, BC 73, (Walt Salmaniw, ibid.) Indeed it is -- open carrier - 0426 (Colin Newell - CoffeeCrew.com - VA7WWV - Victoria - BC dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Chris Fallen? @ctfallen 24m24 minutes ago No Luxembourg broadcast tonight; my time starts at 0430 UT, time for artificial aurora --- if there is still enough ionosphere remaining! (Twit UT Feb 22 via DXLD) 3400 kHz carrier faintly detected here in NB and also on the waterfall of the U. Twente WebSDR receiver (Richard Langley, 0452 UT Feb 22, dxldyg via DX LISTENNG DIGEST) Chris also said he might use ``3.33 MHz`` --- better not; doesn`t he know about CHU? After that, nothing new on his twit (gh, DXLD) ** ALBANIA. No signal of Radio Tirana on shortwave, Feb 10-13, probably due to maintenance of damaged transmitter in Shijak 0800-1000 on 7390 SHI 100 kW / 310 deg to WeEu Albanian Daily 1830-1900 on 7465 SHI 100 kW / 310 deg to WeEu French Mon-Sat 1900-1930 on 7465 SHI 100 kW / 310 deg to WeEu Italian Mon-Sat 2031-2100 on 7465 SHI 100 kW / 310 deg to WeEu German Mon-Sat 2100-2130 on 7465 SHI 100 kW / 310 deg to WeEu English Mon-Sat 0000-0100 on 7475 SHI 100 kW / 310 deg to ENAm Albanian Daily 0230-0300 on 7475 SHI 100 kW / 310 deg to ENAm English Tue-Sun (DX RE MIX NEWS #994 from Georgi Bancov and Ivo Ivanov, February 17, 2017, via DXLD) If this RTirana "SWITCH OFF" behaviour continues, they will lose their small audience figure even of MW and SW here in Europe very soon. Log to report, Radio Tirana's 3rd program Albanian, 08-10 UT Febr 16: Nothing heard in 41 mb on 7390v kHz at all, Shijak site 100 kW Made in China BBEF unit off air this Feb 16 morning. A very tiny weak peak seen around Balkan, Austria, or Italy remote SDR unit screens - on exact 1394.976 kHz, seemingly only the 'TX EXCITER' signal of Fllaka Albania appears this morning. In northwestern Germany and Amsterdam the Netherlands also 1395.007 kHz covered by low powered music hobby station heard on air around 0920 UT Feb 16. Another very weak tiny string visible on 1394.996 kHz. 73 (wolfie, DX LISTENING DIGEST) No signal on Feb 16 in 16-17 UT in 1458v kHz from Tirana Albania, Fllaka site. Only heard co-channels Asian Network from London-UK and Romanian Radio Constantsa. 73 (wolfie, dxldyg via DXLD) Log to report, Radio Tirana's 3rd program Albanian, 08-10 UT Feb 18: Nothing heard in 41 mb on 7390v kHz at all, Shijak site 100 kW Made in China BBEF unit off air this Feb 16 morning. A very S=4-5 weak peak seen around Balkan, Austria, or Italy remote SDR unit screens - on exact 1394.969 kHz, seemingly only the 'TX EXCITER' signal of Fllaka Albania appears this morning. No modulation on AIR. In northwestern Germany and Amsterdam the Netherlands also 1395.009 kHz covered by low powered music hobby station heard on air around 0830 UT Feb 18. Another very weak tiny string visible on 1394.995 and 1394.979 kHz. 73 wolfie btw. The Chinese relay Cerrik Albania in Romanian on 7285 kHz at S=9+35dB powerhouse non-directional signal! (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks, Wolfie. Agreed, there seems to be no activity on SW, nor on 1395 in the afternoon/evening. The pirate - - or whatever it is - - is back on 1395 today (Saturday) and with a s-9 signal for most of the time. I heard an ID but didn't copy it clearly. It appears to be on exactly 1395 as far as I can tell. I'll try to remember to check for when they go off. Continues to play pop 'music' with only occasional announcements of who they are. 73 from (Noel Green, Blackpool, NW England, 1153 UT Feb 18, ibid.) 7465 kHz 2030-2127 UT on Feb 20, RT Shijak not on AIR, no broadcast service tonight. 73 (wolfie, ibid.) Radio Tirana's Albanian language morning service Feb 21: NOT ON AIR on shortwave Shijak 7390v kHz, scheduled 0800-0958 UT. 1394.984 kHz exact measured at 0925 UT on Tue Feb 21. BUT mediumwave Fllaka was on air, scheduled 0900-0958 UT daily, noted S=8-9 signal in southern Italy Calabria / Sicily, Pop music program played, mention on festival "concurenza". 73 (wolfie, ibid.) Radio Tirana's Albanian language morning service Feb 22, BUT mediumwave Fllaka was on air, scheduled 0901-0958 UT daily. 1394.976 kHz exact measured at 0940 UT on Wednesday Feb 22. Noted S=9+5dB signal in remote SDR unit in southern Italy Calabria / Sicily area. Modern pop music program played, female singer voice performance. NOT ON AIR on shortwave Shijak 7390v kHz, scheduled 0800-0958 UT. 73 wolfie df5sx. btw. CRI in Romanian service from RTC Cerrik Albania relay site, non- directional outlet heard on S=9+40dB signal level. 0900-0958 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) ** ALGERIA [and non]. 891 kHz, test tone, noted at 1850 UT on Feb 14 (H. Meixner, BC-DX 19 Feb via DXLD) 891 kHz, RTA Algiers ONCE AGAIN testing by the engineers, this noon on 15 Feb at 1110 UT, some S=9+40dB or -30dBm strength in Northern Italy, Riviera, Marken etc. 1000 Hertz tone audio, very strong TEST signal, full power 600 kW? Contains carrier peak on screen, as well as 4 x exact 1000 Hertz apart distance audio peaks visible, on either side. Channel adjacents: 882 kHz, BBC heard in Italy on S=9+10dB level, 900 kHz, Rai R1 Milano Italy S=9+25dB (Wolfgang Büschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 15, 2017, BC-DX 19 Feb via DXLD) Just checked for the test tone but heard music instead (2145 UT 21/2) Usual excellent signal. 73s. Nick Buxton, Sent from Samsung Mobile on O2 (Nick Rank, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) ** ALGERIA [non]. 9710.00, Feb 20 at 2129, Qur`an at S3-S4. It`s RTA via FRANCE, also during the previous hour (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANGOLA [non-log]. 4949.74, R. Nacional de Angola, on Feb 19, was clearly off the air; 0314 and subsequent checking through 0519. Was very decent today for other African stations (Zambia, Zanzibar, etc.), so not due to poor propagation. Back on the air today (Feb 20), after being off yesterday; 0224, and still on at 0518; well above threshold level audio, but also with QRN (static). (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4950. Feb 21 at 0200, Rádio Nacional de Angola, Mulenvos, in Portuguese. Time pips, são 3 horas em Angola (03:00 AM), ID; Man and woman present "Jornal da Hora": a short space with News; 0203 "RNA Desportes": sport news; 0205 A musical program: A song by Gal Costa, Brazilian singer; Other songs. Transmission with fair signal and poor modulation, 35332 (sometimes, 35431). (DXer: José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-PB, Brazil, Degen DE1103 & Tecsun S-2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** ARMENIA. 17695, SM Radio International, Gavar. Unfortunately, the 1200 service to Australia on this frequency was a poor signal. I also tried via Mark Fahey's remote SDR outside Sydney and it was about the same signal strength there, too. At this time when the smoothed sunspot numbers are getting quite low, reception on 17 MHz can be notoriously unreliable - one day good, next day poor, even on our summer evenings. I think they may have struck a bad day. 15 MHz MAY have been slightly better. Or perhaps use a transmitter site in Asia. Pity it couldn't be heard well because the program sounded quite entertaining, Dec 25 (Rob Wagner, VK3BVW, Mount Evelyn, VIC (Yaesu FTDX 3000, Kenwood TS2000, Yaesu FRG100, Sangean ATS909, Tecsun PL- 680, Double Bazooka antennas for 80, 40 and 20 metres, Par EF-SWL End Fed antenna, BHI NEIM1031 Digital Noise Eliminating Module, MFJ-1026 Noise Cancelling Module, ATU), Jan/Feb Australian DX News via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Unique Radio NSW 3210 test imminent --- Reminder of the test from Unique Radio starting at 1259 UT Friday Feb 17, lasting about 6 hours, on 3210, as explained on the website: http://www.uniqueradio.info Welcome to Unique Radio 3210 and 5045 kHz Shortwave Northwest NSW Australia --- Our primary domestic coverage is Northwest NSW but can be listened to elsewhere. We aim to have services on 3210 and 5045 Gunnedah, Northwest NSW, on as soon as possible. Some testing will be available on 3210 Friday night 17th February 1159 PM through Saturday morning till 6 AM or so AEDT. This will determine if the low power service will continue and whether support is there to go high power through a US shortwave broadcast relay. Reports welcomed. Please feel free to contact Aussie Tim today on our 'contact us' link, thankyou. *If you want to see us continue and to provide a service we are still fundraising so please help us to do this by either: A) Purchasing airtime B) Becoming a supportive sponsor C) Or perhaps a donation (Donations can be sent through Paypal to email nri3@yahoo.com.au) *Please note: Our licences are non commercial and are largely operated as hobby based. We however are here to provide an alternative. NB: Thankyou to all commentators and program providers who have been fair and open with regard to Unique Radio, it is appreciated. You all support the listeners too. Thankyou also to the many 'dxers' who have been supportive of a small, micro broadcaster and a big :-) to you. Posted by: (Glenn Hauser, 0617 UT Feb 17, dxldyg via DXLD) Tim, Tnx for the update. Hope you will find a way to continue. Of course greater power would be nice. Please confirm whether the overnight test will be on 3210 and/or? 5045? (Glenn to Tim, Feb 17, via DXLD) 3210, Feb 17 at 1225, all set for the Unique Radio test publicized to start at 1259 and run about 6 hours, upon which the fate of it will be decided by Tim Gaynor --- and there is already a JBA carrier. I resume at 1256 past 1303 and the JBA carrier continues with no change at 1259, S4 level including noisy band. Tim could tell us if he had it on as early as 1225, but I doubt this was it. The R75 also gets JBA carriers on many other `even` 90mb frequencies, maybe receiver artifacts or traces of MW harmonix. I really didn`t expect to hear this low power over here, as I never have before. Note Aoki still lists Vintage FM on 3210, 24h with 100 watts (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) According to Tim via the Unique Radio website, the test broadcast has been rescheduled to Saturday night 11.59PM to 6 AM Sunday AEDST (1259- 1900 UT Saturday [Feb 18]) due to power outages in Gunnedah (Brian Powell, NSW, 0840 UT Feb 18, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) So I could not have heard it on UT Feb 17; and I didn`t get this until well after sunrise on UT Feb 18, so couldn`t even retry for it (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, it's on 3210 kHz. Many thanks for your support. All the best (Tim, 1310 UT Feb 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3210, test of Unique Radio on Feb 18, at 1300, seemed that I was hearing a JBA open carrier that was not there minutes earlier; well below threshold level; totally unusable; subsequent checking through 1450 had extreme challenge to even tell for sure if the open carrier was still there or not. My conclusion is that this will probably be mostly unusable for us in the States. Seemed today was not an issue with propagation, as most days Korea, on 3219.9 (5 kW), is just an open carrier, but today had definite singing at 1451, so generally good propagation and Korea on 3320 (100 kW) had the usual good reception (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The Unique Radio website has been updated once again to announce there will be another test tonight 11.59 pm to approx 4 am local (1259-1700 UT Sunday {Feb 19]) using an end fed antenna on 3210 kHz. Tests may be starting earlier at 9 pm local (1000 UT). I haven't been able to hear them as I missed last night's test and Friday's tests were cancelled due to power outages at Gunnedah. Conditions in Sydney last night would not have been the best anyway as we've had some large lightning storms pass through these past couple of evenings. Regards, (Brian Powell, (Base QTH – Southern suburbs of Sydney Australia. Base setup Winradio G305e w/ Buddipole. Mobile setup Baofeng GT3TP) 0535 UT Feb 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Unique Radio 3210 monitored on 2/19 AEDT from Perseus site in Brisbane – all I could see was a semi-imaginary carrier presence from 1730 to 1800 and 1825 to 1900 UT and certainly no audio of any type. If the signal was getting out on 3210, Brisbane would hear it via ground wave if nothing else. The frequency was also very quiet at the Brisbane site. I agree with Ron - little chance this will ever make it to WCNA at the current (unknown) power level (Bruce Churchill, ibid.) Groundwave, really? It`s 477 km = 296 statute miles from Gunnedah to Brisbane, per distancefromto (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Unique Radio Tests Logged === Unique Radio heard on 3210 in Sydney, 1020-1026 UT Sunday 19th with music (Identified clips included “She’s Got The Look” by Roxette at approx. 1020, “We are Australia” at approx. 1023, “Man from Snowy River” at 1031), interspersed with ID’s, other short music clips and snippets of comedy audio skits. Signal would be pretty good here in Sydney if it wasn’t for local storm crashes ruining the bands tonight. SINPO 35132 at S5-S7 levels with music cutting through the lightning crashes a lot better than the spoken word. Regards, (Brian Powell, (Base QTH – Southern suburbs of Sydney Australia. Base setup Winradio G305e w/ Buddipole. Mobile setup Baofeng GT3TP), dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks to Brian’s tip, I heard Unique Radio on the SDR receiver at Freemans Reach NSW, from tune in at 1125 UT [Sunday Feb 19 on 3210]. Fairly weak but steady signal there, with a lot of static. Programming included World of Radio starting at 1134. 73s (Dave Kenny, England, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Unique Radio test broadcast also heard from Perseus site in Brisbane at 1739 tune with pop vocals and ID by man “Unique Radio” at 1742. SINPO 34433 with a het about 9 kHz. Atmospheric noise was not too bad – no lightning crashes, anyway. Best in LSB to avoid the het. I’m not as good IDing songs as Brian, Hi! Assuming Tim will again go to approx. 1900 UT again on this test. Looks like Gunnedah is about halfway between Sydney and Brisbane. Tnx for heads up, Brian! (Bruce Churchill, CA, 1753 UT Feb 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Unique R 3210 abruptly signed off at 1807.5 after a short announcement which I could not discern as some local electrical noise (pulses across the band) started after 1800 that made the program harder to understand. Checked for Unique R on the Thailand Perseus site with nothing heard there and Global Tuner sites in Broome and Port Hedland (both in WA) - nothing heard on either of those sites circa 1800 UT. The pulse noise started at 1805 and consisted of pulses 50 kHz apart from below 3 MHz to above 3.3 MHz. These were notched out but still degraded the signal somewhat after 1805 (Bruce Churchill, ibid.) An U.R. signal of 3209.998 kHz measured against WWVH around 1345 UT on Feb 19, at remote SDR installation in Brisbane Queensland (Wolfgang Büschel, BC-DX 19 Feb via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) As of early UT Feb 22, the website http://www.uniqueradio.info/ no longer has any info about the tests or their results (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. A REPRIEVE FOR SHORTWAVE? by Barclay White February 16, 2017 http://www.sheppnews.com.au/2017/02/16/74225/a-reprieve-for-shortwave The shortwave broadcast station which beamed Radio Australia to the Pacific from Shepparton could be coming back online. South Australian senator Nick Xenophon earlier this week introduced a bill to parliament, which if passed would force the ABC to bring back shortwave broadcasts. The ABC shut down international shortwave broadcasting from its Shepparton facility last month, at the same time it stopped domestic shortwave broadcasts in the Northern Territory. Senator Xenophon criticised the decision, which was made by ABC management and not the Federal Government, labelling it shortsighted. ‘‘The response to the shortwave cut-off demonstrates the woeful inadequacy of the ABC’s consultation process,’’ Senator Xenophon said. ‘‘Not only have we heard from many rural Australians concerned about the decision, our near neighbours such as Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea have also voiced serious concerns.’’ When he introduced the bill to the senate, Senator Xenophon said the ending of shortwave diminished the voice of Australia in the important Pacific region. ‘‘The cost-cutting decision will save $1.9million a year — a tiny fraction of the ABC’s $1billion-plus annual budget,’’ he said. Former radio engineer at the Shepparton shortwave station Gary Baker had lobbied various politicians to avoid the shutdown and was glad Senator Xenophon was pushing the government on the issue. But he warned that if the shutdown was reversed, it could be difficult to get the broadcasts back online. He said many of the technical staff who worked at the site had lost their jobs and shortwave engineering was a highly specialised field. ‘‘Staffing will be the biggest issue. You can’t just grab someone off the street and get them to run Radio Australia,’’ Mr Baker said. ‘‘It is a bit like going to a GP and saying ‘right, now you are a brain surgeon’.’’ By Barclay White February 16, 2017 (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. VIDEO FROM PARLIAMENT ON THE ABC SW CUTS Shortwave Cuts by the ABC - YouTube Video for Shortwave Cuts by the ABC? 4:58 2 days ago - Uploaded by WarrenSnowdonMP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXAr5p1t5Bw Published on Feb 15, 2017 First day back at Parliament and I was up and speaking on the ABC's callous move to end the vital shortwave radio service in the Territory. The federal NT Labor team will continue the fight to #saveourshortwave when we're in Canberra representing you. Comments • 1 HamAndShortwaveRadio 5 days ago You spoke 100% correct. ++ Not only should the internal shortwave services be reactivated, and even have their budgets increased, but the same applies to the external service - Radio Australia. Radio Australia on shortwave is a vital voice in the Asia pacific region, one which often is heard worldwide. It promotes the views and culture of Australia, it benefits tourism and the arts, and combats views from other nations that have their own 'agenda'. With Radio Australia now silent, who will move into their void? China perhaps, or maybe North Korea. Who now will be the voice in the Asia pacific region? It won`t be us; we just packed up our bat and out ball and went home with no consideration of the other 'global' players, and spectators (via Artie Bigley, Feb 17, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) News from Club HQ (with John Wright) --- Welcome to the combined January/February 2017 edition. We need your contributions! Well, as we go to print, the awful political decisions about Radio Australia and the ABC are about to happen. The ABC and Radio Australia has been the ears and eyes of the Pacific and of internal Australia. I wonder how many lives are to be lost over this short-sighted decision. 14.2 million dollars per year; it’s a crazy decision. Politicians gravy trains and being found out - still keeps going, yet no prosecutions! Why? Snouts in the trough, is rampant on the gravy train (Jan/Feb Australian DX News via DXLD) ** AUSTRIA. 6155even, ORF1 Vienna radio program via ORS Moosbrunn broadcast center site, S=9+10dB heard in FL-US remote post. ORF1 program in progress at 0650-0655 UT on Feb 19 with a report on pilgrims` visit to Palestine. Social help from Austria towards poor people living in Bethlehem and Nazareth. 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, Feb 19 dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BANGLADESH. 4750.00, Bangladesh Betar, Feb 15 1400-1410, 33443, Bengali, Music and news, ID at 1404 and 1405 (Kouji Hashimoto, JAPAN, RX, IC-R75, NRD-525+RD-9830, ANT, 130m Sloper Wire, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4750, Bangladesh Betar - HS, on Feb 21; well above the norm; propagation favoring BB and not CNR1; 1251-1253 ID and daily "weather forecast" in English; high today 31.2 C, sunrise at 6:27 AM and sunset at 5:56 PM (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 3310. R. MOSOJ CHASKI. Febrero 18. 0935-0945 UT. Hombre habla en quechua nombrando a la Unión Cristiana de Cochabamba, la biblia, tecnología y otras palabras en español. SINPO: 45444 (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 95 metros de largo a 10 metros de altura; QTH: Barraza Bajo, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. BOLÍVIA, 5952.5, R. Pío XII, Siglo XX, 2213-2225, 16/2, castelhano, texto; 35332 (Carlos L R de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, 16-22 Feb SW coast obs., Feb 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5952, [5952.4], R. PIO XII. Febrero 21. 1146-1158 UT. Noticiero “Bolivia en contacto” con especial énfasis en el paro de 48 horas convocada por la Central Obrera Boliviana por el preaviso de despidos, junto con entrevistas a dirigentes sindicales mineros que están en contra del gobierno y del imperialismo chino. A las 1150 avisos comerciales. SINPO: 44454 (Claudio Galaz; RX: TECSUN PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 40 metros; QTH: Ovalle, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 6025, RED PATRIA NUEVA. Febrero 16. 0424-0440 UT. Informaciones sobre labores administrativas del gobierno boliviano. A las 0128, ID, luego prosiguen las noticias. SINPO: 43433 con QRM marcado como splatter de Martí más Cuban Noise Jammer (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL 660; ANT: Hilo de 40 metros; QTH: Ovalle, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** BOUGAINVILLE. PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3325, NBC Bougainville, 1122-1143 long speech by M with mentions of Bougainville. 1143 brief deadair, and into music. 1151 reggae-like island pop song. 1155 live W with closing ID announcement "...broadcast on NBC Bougainville." and mention of SW and FM frequencies, another ID, date, and mentions of Papua New Guinea, "ogala night", Monday, and suddenly off at 1156:55 before she could finish. Pretty nice signal. Not as strong with the Delta Loop but quieter than the Wellbrook for some reason. 17 Feb. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S and 153 foot Delta Loop, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. [complete report sic w/abbrs. for 16-22 Feb:] BRASIL 4805, R. Dif.ª do Amazonas, Manaus AM, 2205-2217, 16/2, noticiário regional; 34332, QRM de CODAR. 4865, R. Verdes Florestas, Cruz.º do Sul AC, 2336-2344, 17/2, recitação do terço [third part of rosary], ID e anúncio das freqs., música; 35342. 4885, R.Club do Pará, Belém PA, 1955-2014, 19/2, relato de jogo de futebol, anúncios comerc., comentários; 25432, em rápida ascensão. 4895, R. Novo Tempo, Cp.º Grande MS, 2235-2247, 20/2, canções; 35332. 4905, Nova R. Relógio, Rio de Jan.º RJ, 2238-2249, 20/2, texto; 22331, QRM da CHINA. [Tibete] 4925.2, R. Educação Rural, Tefé AM, 2202-2214, 16/2, noticiário nacional A Voz do Brasil; 35332. 4985, R. Brasil Central, Goiânia GO, 2334-..., 17/2, música; 43331, QRM de teletipo. 5035, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 2208-2221, 16/2, canções no âmbito do prgr. Com A Mãe Aparecida; 35332, modulação muito fraca. 5939.7, R. Voz Missionária, Camboriú SC, 2211-2223, 16/2, propag. relig.; 45333. 6040.7, R. [R]B2, Curitiba PR, 2216-2226, 16/2, retransm. da R. Aparecida c/ o prgr. Com A Mãe Aparecida; 45433. 6080, R. Marumby, Curitiba PR, 2218-2229, 16/2, noticiário nacional A Voz do Brasil; 34432, QRM no mesmo canal. 6090, R. Bandeirantes, São Paulo SP, 2245-..., 20/2, texto; 22441, QRM de AIA [ANGUILLA] e outro. 6135.2, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 2226-2237, 16/2, prgr. Com A Mãe Aparecida; 45433. 9515, R. Marumby, Curitiba PR, 2201-2214, 19/2, propag. relig. "temperada" c/ canções a condizer; 35443. 9630, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 1058-desvan. total 1125, 18/2, texto; 14441, QRM adjacente. 9630, idem, 2202-2216, 19/2, canções relig.; 35443. 9664.9, R. Voz Missionária, Camboriú SC, 1909-1918, 17/2, texto, canções; 35332. 9664.9, idem, 1057-1300, 18/2, canções, texto, propag. relig.; 14441, QRM adjacente, e, às 1300, QRM no mesmo canal. 9674.9, R. Canção Nova, Cachoeira Paulista SP, 2239-2253, 18/2, noticiário; 34443, QRM adjacente. 9724.9, R. [R]B2, Curitiba PR, 1916-1929, 21/2, canções folclóricas; 33432, QRM adjacente. 9819.1, R. 9 de Julho, São Paulo SP, 1911-1922, 17/2, canções; 24432, QRM adjacente. 9819.1, idem, 1102-desvan. total 1125, 21/2, canções, texto; 15431. 11735, R. Transmundial, St.ª M.ª RS, 1913-1924, 17/2, canções; 34432, QRM da TZA [Zanzibar]. 11764.7, SRDA, Curitiba PR, 1915-..., 17/2, canções; 35433, áudio distorcido e c/ problemas. Situação regularizada, em 18/2. 11815, R. Brasil Central, Goiânia GO, 1305-1325, 18/2, texto; 15441. 11854.9, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 1946-1959, 17/2, canções, 9.ª Romaria Nacional do Terço dos Homens ; 34443, QRM adjacente. 11925, R. Bandeirantes, São Paulo SP, 2232-2245, 16/2, relato de jogo de futebol Palmeiras x São Bernardo (t); 34443, QRM no mesmo canal. Habitualmente, em 11925.2. 11934.8, R. [R]B2, Curitiba PR, 2234-2245, 18/2, retransm. da R. Aparecida, prgr. de dedicatórias musicais; 34443, QRM adjacente. 11895.1, R. Boa Vontade, Pt.º Alegre RS, 1956-2012, 19/2, propag. relig, anúncios vários, Terço do Pai Nosso, música legionária; 33442, QRM adjacente. 15190, R. Inconfidência, Belo Horizonte MG, 2235-2247, 16/2, prgr. de futebol; 25432. 15190 idem, 1257-1445, 18/2, canções, anúncios vários, ID e anúncio das freqs., às 1303, texto, canções; 15431 (Carlos L R de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, 16-22 Feb SW coast obs., Feb 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 5939.829 kHz, R. Voz Missionária, Camboriú SC At 0622 UT on Feb 19, S=5 or -94dBm weak music play [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Büschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 17 / 19) BC-DX 19 Feb via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 5990, R. Senado, Brasília. Heard at 1942, 8/12, with a live commentary of a football match in Portuguese, including scores of other games (Dennis Allen, Milperra NSW (Icom R75, Realistic DX-160, Longwire), Jan/Feb Australian DX News via DXLD) Good signal with mix of male and female talk in Portuguese interspersed with a mix of electronic music backing track. From 1955 on 14/1 (Phil Brennan, Darwin NT (JRC NRD 515, CommRadio CR1, Icom IC R75, Yaesu FRG 7. EF SWL), Jan/Feb Australian DX News via DXLD) But apparently never on in the evenings (gh, DXLD) ** BRAZIL [and non]. 11780, Feb 16 at 0706, NO signal from RNA/RNB. It`s normally one of the best on 25m at this hour, after RNZI 11725. Yet weakie Brazies` carriers are detectable on 11854.9+, 11764.62. Then I check RNA`s other frequency 6180 and find only a JBA carrier. Nothing else scheduled at this hour, so maybe it`s RNA on exciter only, drastically reduced power; 6180 normally blasts in as it is less subject to propagational variations than 11780. 11780 also checked at 1544 Feb 16, no signal either, altho at this time of day it`s normally weak. 6180 & 11780, Feb 17 at 0213 check, RNA/RNB is off again tonight. What`s wrong? A few months ago there were rumors that this SW station was endangered. There had not been any audible technical issues lately. How about it, Lúcio Haeser in Brasília, or other radioescutas? First RAE gone from Argentina, now this. 11780, Feb 18 at 0142 check, RNA/RNB is still off. 6180, the other RNA/RNB frequency, Feb 18 at 0152 has algo on it other than Brasil, about S6, presumably CRI English southward via Kashgar at 00-02. 11780 & 6180, Feb 19 at 0729, for the fourth night in a row, no signals from RNB/RNA. We still await any news about what has caused this absence; Brazilian DXers are not discussing it on the radioescutas yg with 1380 other members. Perhaps they overlook anything in English? 6180 does have a JBA carrier from alguma coisa at this time. 11780 & 6180, Feb 20 at 0013 check, RNA/RNB still AWOL from both frequencies (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Rádio Nacional da Amazônia fora do ar --- Enviado por: "TV Capital do Interior" --- Olá a todos da lista, Gostaria de saber se alguém conhece o motivo pelo qual a Rádio Nacional da Amazônia está fora do ar desde a última semana, tanto em 49 quanto em 25 metros. Até o amigo Glenn Hauser se pôs surpreso com a emissora fora do ar, queria saber se a EBC está fazendo manutenção nos transmissores ou decidiu fechar a RNA sem aviso prévio. 73's a todos, (Ian José Silva, PS8023SWL, Fronteiras - Piauí - Brasil, 20 Feb, radioescutas yg via DXLD) Em 25 metros é falta de propagação, aliás a ionosfera anda bem desionizada. Em 49 metros se trata de manutenção. Nesta QRG 6180 kHz há espúrios fortes da 6090 kHz da Rádio Bandeirantes de São Paulo. -- São constantes asinterrupções da RNA, não se sabe por quê (Luiz Dhaine Neto, Limeira SP, 20-2-2017, ibid.) Obrigado, Luís, Sua resposta me ajudou muito. Sempre ouço a Nacional durante minhas escutas; passei uma semana sem fazê-las, e quando eu voltei a ouvir ondas curtas me surpreendi ao encontrar a RNA fora do ar ou com fraqueza de sinal, como você explicou. 73's a todos, (Ian José Silva, PS8023SWL, Fronteiras - Piauí - Brasil, ibid.) [non]. CHINA. 11780. CRI. Febrero 21. 0020-0025 UT. Via Jinhua. Mujer presenta, al parecer, noticias en chino mandarín. SINPO: 35343 sin R.N de Amazonia en la misma frecuencia (Claudio Galaz; RX: TECSUN PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 40 metros; QTH: Ovalle, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) 11780. Feb 21 at 0220, Radio Nacional, Brasilia, in Portuguese. Sign- off. On 6180, sign-off, too. 11780. Feb 21 at 1015, Radio Nacional, Brasilia, in Portuguese. Sign- off and 6180, sign-off, too. 11780. Feb 21 at 2127, Radio Nacional, Brasilia, in Portuguese. Sign- off and 6180, sign-off, too (JRX, Paraíba, HCDX via DXLD) SIGNED OFF 6180 & 11780, Feb 22 at 0736, RNB/RNA is still AWOL. 11780, Feb 22 at 2100, JBA carrier, gradually fading in until 2120 I can tell it`s in Brazuguese, so RNA/RNB is reactivated after about a week. Much better by 2159 with ACI from 11775 Anguilla which hasn`t quite signed off yet. After 2200 news in the clear. `A Voz do Brasil` government hour should have been running at 21-22 during DST, but Brazil resumed standard time UT-3 except in the West, on Feb 19, so now the `live` time is 22-23 UT again. Nothing audible now on 6180, and at 0030 Feb 23 recheck, nothing but weak CRI to be heard there. 11780 remains on, S9+10/20 at 0710 and no 6180 reactivated yet (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1686, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Later, off and on, again, big spur around 6144-6158 (gh) 11780. Feb 22 at 2101, Rádio Nacional da Amazônia, Brasília-DF, in Portuguese. Man announcer presents a musical program; ID. RNA today on-air, but it´s awful transmission. On 6180 kHz, sign[ed]-off (DXer: José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-PB, Brazil, Degen DE1103 & Sony ICF-SW100S, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 11815. Feb 21 at 2255, Rádio Brasil Central, Goiânia-GO, in Portuguese. Retransmission program "A Voz do Brasil" with news of Legislative Power; 2300 ID; Man announcer presents a program "A Noite é Nossa": a musical program with variety songs and rhythms. Station with fair signal and modulation, 35433 (sometimes, 35432).(DXer: José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-PB, Brazil, Degen DE1103 & Sony ICF- SW100S, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 11854.99, Feb 17 At 0240, very weak R. Aparecida is almost sticking to nominal. 11855.08, Feb 20 at 0036, R. Aparecida has varied up to here during Portuguese talk, and frequency is also unstably wobbling slightly (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 15190. Feb 16 at 0130, Rádio Inconfidência, Contagem-MG, in Portuguese. Men announcers make a football transmission game between Cruzeiro vs Volta Redonda; Talks and comments; ID. R. Inconfidência returns signal to my location after a long time, with a fair transmission, 35333 (sometimes, 35332). (DXer: Jose Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-PB, Brazil, Degen DE1103 & Tecsun S-2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) 15190.021 kHz, noted on Feb 17 at 1925 UT, S=7-8 in Europe, England and southern Germany, BUT NIL signal in FL and MI-US North America at same time. Co-channel underneath R Filipinas, Tinang-PHL on even 15190 kHz, but weak signal in Europe. [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Büshcel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 17 / 19 via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) 15190, Radio Inconfidência, Belo Horizonte, 1140-1202, 19-02, Portuguese, comments, Brazilian songs. 14321. Also 0915-0933, 20-02, Brazilian songs, Portuguese, comments, program "Trem Caipira", ID Inconfidência, "6 e 17". 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Lugo and Reinante, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. DIGITAL RADIO – 1-hour discussion of how great it is: http://www.telemidia.puc-rio.br/~rafaeldiniz/public_files/radio_digital_audio/94.1_Programa_Radio_Digital_20_02_2017.ogg (via Ariovaldo Lobrito, 22 Feb, radioescutas yg via DXLD) DAB? ** CANADA. Members, Sad news that via the Facebook link to Canadian Radio News I learn that CKRW 610 kHz Whitehorse is thinking of applying to leave AM. The poor condition of the antenna is to blame. This is not surprising considering the severe climate which the mast is subjected to. On the other hand you would think that Klondike Broadcasting would have planned stricter maintenance to lessen such deterioration! We will see what the CRTC decide. Conversion to FM only is likely to be applied for next month. I will of course ask Andy Reid to keep me abreast of how this develops. Attachment(s) from 1 of 1 File(s) DM#2809813 - APP - CKRW Letter of Request.pdf 73 and 88 (Dan Goldfarb, UK, Feb 21, mwmasts yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) Letterhead for CKRW shows logo as the RUSH (as in Gold) (gh) Viz.: February 10, 2017 Secretary General CRTC Ottawa Ontario K1A 0N2 RE: Klondike Broadcasting Company Limited, Request for emergency temporary authority to originate programming on repeater transmitter CKRW FM, Whitehorse YT Dear Secretary General, Klondike Broadcasting Company Limited (Klondike) is the licensee of Commercial radio station CKRW AM, Whitehorse YT, with an FM repeater transmitter in Whitehorse, and eight other repeater transmitters throughout Yukon and the Northwest Territories. In October 2016, Klondike’s engineer conducted a visual inspection of the CKRW AM transmission plant and tower. That inspection revealed significant structural wear, ice and wind damage to the tower components, and ultimately concluded, “…the structural integrity of the tower has been compromised”. (Please see email report, attached) Klondike immediately began investigating various options, including repairing the existing tower or replacing the structure entirely. It was determined that the tower would need to be dismantled completely, and a new one erected. This would require CKRW AM and each of its rebroadcast transmitters to “go dark” for no less than six months while demolition and construction took place, leaving Whitehorse and other communities without a commercial radio service. This option was deemed unacceptable. Klondike had previously considered a permanent conversion to the FM Band in Whitehorse, and will now seek that option with the Commission in the coming weeks in order to rectify this situation. Klondike Broadcasting Company Limited 2 CKRW AM provides a totality of programming to eight low-power rebroadcast transmitters across Yukon and into the Northwest Territories, in addition to CKRW FM Whitehorse. Call sign Location VF2143 Watson Lake, Yukon VF2266 Carcross, Yukon VF2267 Carmacks, Yukon VF2269 Haines Junction, Yukon VF2268 Mayo, Yukon VF2270 Teslin, Yukon VF2063 Faro, Yukon CKRW-FM-2 Inuvik, NT Application for Emergency Temporary Authority The present application represents Klondike’s request for emergency temporary authority to originate programming on repeater transmitter CKRW FM. News, community information, and music programming will remain identical to what is currently offered on CKRW AM. Moreover, should the Commission grant this request, the above-noted repeater transmitters will, by necessity, carry the CKRW FM broadcast feed in its entirety. Since CKRW FM is already a commercial presence in Whitehorse, there will be no impact on the financial performance of any other broadcaster in the community. Approval will not generate any additional revenue for the Klondike radio station. Further, there will not be an increase in population coverage as a result of this temporary authority. The chart below shows the present AM population coverage, and the existing FM repeater coverage in Whitehorse, as authorized by the Commission in CRTC 2004-169. [table disorganized when reproduced:] 3 mV/m CONTOUR (FM) 15 mV/m CONTOUR (AM) 0.5 mV/m CONTOUR (FM) 5 mV/m CONTOUR (AM) Population: Existing AM 21,200 24,300 Population: Existing FM 22,700 25,900 Households: Existing AM 8,500 9,700 Households: Existing FM 9,400 10,500 Under this emergency temporary authority, Klondike will adhere to the CRTC Conditions of License for FM Stations, CRTC 2009-62, as well as maintaining the Conditions of License set out in the most recent CKRW AM renewal, CRTC 2014-137. Klondike Broadcasting Company Limited 3 Moving Forward --- Klondike is currently developing a CRTC application to permanently convert CKRW AM to the FM band, and expects to submit an application to that effect, on or before March 10, 2017. The structural integrity of the AM tower is such that Klondike is not comfortable waiting for a CRTC decision regarding conversion to the FM Band. The Commission undertakes its own due diligence in these matters, then issues a public call for comments. Such a process necessitates a minimum of six months between application and decision from the Commission, while the CKRW AM tower structure continues to degrade. The CKRW AM tower will begin to be removed within 30 days following approval of this emergency temporary authority. Expedited Consideration Klondike requests this application be dealt with administratively via an expedited process. This request is due to the uniqueness and immediacy of the situation presented. The AM tower site needs to be shut down and removed as soon as possible as a result of the potential risk to public safety noted by the engineer in the attached memo. CRTC Information Bulletin 2010-960 allows for an expedited process, and the Commission reserves the right to issue an administrative decision within 15 working days following the receipt of the application, under certain circumstances. It should be noted that Klondike has made every opportunity to contact the three other non-commercial broadcasters in Whitehorse; CHON FM Northern Native Broadcasting Yukon, Christian station CIAY-FM Life 100, and CJUC FM Community Radio. Those broadcasters are aware of this current request, and supporting letters are attached from each potential respondent. None object to an immediate temporary order from the CRTC in this matter. Each reserves the right to comment in future on Klondike’s upcoming application to permanently convert CKRW to the FM Band, during the Commission’s intervention process. As per CRTC guidelines, each broadcaster will be served with a copy of this application as well, following submission to the CRTC. Klondike has completed CRTC Form 303 – Technical Amendment, based on Staff recommendations. Many of the questions in that Form do not apply directly to the current issue. For example, ISED does not require any submissions for this temporary authority. (Please see attached email from ISED). Klondike has endeavoured to provide the full scope of the request and the situation it is facing. However, should there be any further questions from the Commission, I am pleased to respond. Sincerely, Kevin Benson CPA, CMA President, Klondike Broadcasting Company Limited kbenson@hougens.com 867-668-4931 (via DXLD) ** CANADA. Re CJRN, 1610, Montreal comments last time, not that I myself have heard it with CHHA Toronto in the way: "Their about-us page does not explain what Humsafar means" [...] Dear Glenn, "humsafar" means "soulmate", and there are plenty of Bollywood titles on the subject. One of my all time bollywood music favourites is "aye mere humsafar" from "all is well", e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKtEuD0OhkY Don't watch, just listen. Kind regards, Dr Hansjoerg Biener, a regular listener to http://gaana.com/radio/meethi-mirchi Feb 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Lest you see a 6-minute romantic but inexplicit hetero Aryan lovemaking scene abed (gh) ** CANADA [re 17-07]. Hi Glenn! In case you haven't heard, Stuart McLean, host of the CBC radio show 'Vinyl Cafe' passed away yesterday (FEB 15th) of melanoma. The tributes and accolades are pouring in. One of my favorite radio shows. He will be missed! 73, (Al Stephens, Woodstock, ON, VE3NXP, DX LISTENING DIGEST) He had a pretty good sense of humour and knew how to make light of the ridiculous. I will miss his brand of good homespun fun. One of the saddest parts of the CBC NQS going off 9625 was the loss of an 'easy' way to hear his show regularly! I wonder who will cook the Turkey this year? --kvz (Kenneth Vito Zichi, MARE Tipsheet Feb 17 via DXLD) ** CANADA. 15034-USB, Feb 20 at 1521, CHR, Trenton Military, ``no report received`` from nearby Ottawa, and Toronto! ID still giving wrong local timecheck as ``1420 zulu``, on to successful aviation weather as of 1500Z for Calgary, Cold Lake (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHILE. Estimados amigos: Radio Triunfal Evangélica avisa que realizará un test el 21 de Febrero a las 2030 UT, 1730 Horas de Chile por los 5825 kHz, con 100 Watts desde Talagante, Región Metropolitana. Luego se seguirá en el horario normal de 22 a 2359 UT, en la misma frecuencia. Informes de recepción a: radiotriunfal@gmail.com Saludos y 73! (Claudio Galaz, Chile, Feb 21, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) 5825, R. TRIUNFAL EVANGELICA. Febrero 21. 2235-2359 UT. Música de índole metodista pentecostal consistentes en coros e himnos interpretados coralmente. A las 2300, predicación. A las 2328, espacio musical misceláneo incluyendo un especial de Steve Green en español. A las 2351 identificación de la emisora, pequeño devocional al cierre, despedida y gong a las 2355 hasta las 2359. SINPO: 35323 con desvanecimiento cada 24 segundos dentro de 1 minuto y 15 segundos. Desde las 2304 UTC hasta el fin de la emisión con SINPO: 45433, por algunos momentos SINPO: 44444 como a las 2315, 2335 y 2345 (Claudio Galaz; RX: TECSUN PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 40 metros; QTH: Ovalle, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** CHILE. 6925, RCW. Febrero 16. 0010-0100. Música de los años 60 en inglés. A las 0038 saludos de Cucho Zavala, luego lectura de noticias, y prosigue la música hasta las 01. SINPO: 45333. A las 0024 en adelante. SINPO: 45433 con momentos de fading. Grabación a las 0024: https://soundcloud.com/claudio-radioham-dx/6925-rcw-feb-16-at-0024-utc (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL 660; ANT: Hilo de 40 metros; QTH: Ovalle, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) 6925–AM. RCW – RADIO COMPAÑÍA WORLDWIDE. Febrero 18. 2200-2322 UT. Desde las 22 hasta 23 UT con saludos, comentarios de noticias y pronostico del clima acompañado de música en inglés. Desde las 23 hasta las 2322, el espacio pasa a emitir música de rock and roll en español, junto a comentarios y saludos. SINPO: 45454 hasta las 2300, momento en el cual Radioham brasileños interfieren la señal. SINPO: 43443. 6925-AM. RCW – RADIO COMPAÑÍA WORLDWIDE. Febrero 19. 0221-0305 UT. Música romántica en español y avisos de contacto de la radioemisora, además de noticias e informaciones variadas. Luego el noticiero de NHK en español. Despedida de la emisión a las 0305. SINPO: 45444 (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 95 metros de largo a 10 metros de altura; QTH: Barraza Bajo, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** CHINA. 7300, CNR1 presumed jammer, 1002 news by W in Chinese with actualities and occasional breaks, // 9500. Getting an echo here and on the Pardinho Brazil web receiver, so guess there are 2 transmitters on the frequency. Heard another weak station underneath presumably station it was jamming. Don't see a listing for this frequency 17 Feb. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S and 153 foot Delta Loop, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** CHINA. 7470 & 7480, CNR-1 at 2225 jamming these two frequencies with Chinese talk. Radio Free Asia uses both from Tajikistan for Tibetan program. Talk seemed to be over music, but the music seemed to be CNR’s (at same level) and not RFA’s. - Jammers were good and very good and nothing heard from RFA, Feb. 17 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, listening on a CommRadio CR-1a with a 50 ft outdoor wire connected to a Sony AN-1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 4900, VoS, 1438-1510+ 3 Feb., 1523-1603* 4 Feb. Nice evening magazine/pop music show with lots of music, chat, apparent ads. 5+1 pips & (presumed) ID announcement at TOH. Audio off after pips/ID at 1600, carrier off 1603. Thanks to Ron Howard's tip on radio.chobi.net for the info (4900 sked 1200-1600, QSY from 6115 1000[?]-1200). 6115/4900 is in Minnan/Amoy with ID: "Haikiap chi xia kongpo tiantai Banlam go kongpo" or "Haixia zhi sheng guangbo dientai Minnan hua guangbo" in Chinese. Sed from radio.chobi.net shows weather 1455, 1555, ads 1500-1505 followed by music. Re-check 1438-1502+ 9 Feb. Fair with fading, but 1455 "weather" clear with flute background, partial TOH ID as "Haixia zhi sheng guangbo.." (Dan Sheedy, CA, PL380/6m X wire via Bob Wilkner, NASWA yg via DXLD) 4900, VOS (Minnan language service), still remains here on Feb 18, at 1456, with fair reception. Hard to tell if this will turn out to be just a temporary move from ex: 6115? 4940, Voice of Strait, 1500-1530, Feb 18. Saturday only English program "Focus on China"; a filler (anomaly) program; not their standard news format at all; audio from the CCTV documentary "A Bite of China," segment "Inspiration for Change," about making tofu, rice wine and soy sauce; one continuous announcer (native speaker of English); no breaks for IDs; 1530 ID in English - "This is the Voice of Taiwan Strait News Radio"; mostly readable. Believe some of the VOS staff must still be out on holiday, or would assume they would have had their normal Saturday news format. 4990, PBS Hunan, 1402, Feb 17. Better than normal reception; "ni hao," the standard Chinese phone greeting; many on air calls. 9575, CNR1 echo jamming of AIR, via Bengaluru, in Tibetan; Feb 17, at 1247; scheduled 1215-1330 (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non]. 9575, TAIWAN/CLANDESTINE, Sound of Hope, 1226 with commentary in Chinese, jammed by Firedrake, fair to almost good, (9 Feb. 2017) (XM - Cedar Key - Florida, NRD525D - R8A - E5 via Bob Wilkner, NASWA yg via DXLD) ** CHINA. 9829.00 [sic], 1240-1250 12.2, China Business R, Baoji. Chinese entertainment with pop music, 35233 // 9775 (35233) 11740 (35333) (Anker Petersen, Denmark, latest SW-tips heard in Skovlunde on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, wbradio yg via DXLD) ??? When something is really off-frequency like that, should mention it explicitly, to forestall suspicions of typo. Was it really 9820? Checking Aoki, for this hour, no Baoji site shown for either frequency, but 9830 is CNR1 from Beijing and 9820 is CNR2 from Xianyang 594 site. WRTH 2017 shows Baoji on 9810 with CNR2 until 1230. Per Aoki, 9775 & 11740 are indeed CNR2, from other sites (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 11660, CNR1 at 1318 in Mandarin jamming VOA via Thailand with usual format of a man and woman with excited talk over Firedrake – Fair Feb – It shows how badly the Chinese want to jam the VOA when they use two different jammers (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA yg via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. At 0130 UT Feb 17, I got this from my new contact in Colombia, Luís Hernando Cardozo, HK2MIZ: ``DXreport from Bogotá, Alcaraván Radio loud and clear at 0120 today February 17th on 5910 kHz. No signal at the same time from La Voz de tu Conciencia (6010). SINPO 55555. Typical Colombian music and some religious messages``. As I told him, until 0300 it`s blocked by Romania here, but there he reports no interference at all. So I make a point of checking during my next session: Feb 17 at 0206 there is a low het between them, adding up to S9+10, RRI in Romanian, and Alcaraván in Spanish talk is up about 5910.06. By 0252, RRI is weaker and/or HJDH is stronger so they are closer to equal levels; and with USB tuning I can also notch out the carrier/het from RRI if not its modulation. ``Running water`` ute interrupts briefly as often happens on this frequency. I`m busy after 0300, but quick check at 0345 finds the carrier from 5910.06 still evident. Maybe it will stay on late into this night? Only remaining obstacle on 5910 is NHK in Russian via Lithuania at 0430- 0500. Alcaraván Radio had been missing for weeks, at least from my hearance. As for sibling station Conciencia, at 0254 Feb 17 I find a JBA carrier on about 6010.04, which could be that, or since Luís is not hearing it, Radio Inconfidência, Brasil. 5910.155, Feb 17 at 0659, HJDH is indeed still on late into the night after reactivating, first heard about 6 hours earlier, but frequency has drifted way up from 5910.06. Just music, including Mexican at 0702, no Alcaraván Radio ID or timecheck heard circa 0700. S8 including the rather high QRN level (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5910.18, R. Alcaraván [sic], First time heard in a while and way off frequency, 1012 religious program with M host in Spanish with mentions of corazón, Santa Cruz, Colombia, gloria de dios, la voz del pueblo, la palabra, and many cristiano. Into soft vocal song at 1014, then M host returned. Really faded badly, almost complete fade/out, but came back up at 1027. Program finally ended at 1043 with outro, studio M announcer giving TC twice, then into lively LA tropical music. Went off the air suddenly in mid-song at 1111:30. 17 Feb. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S and 153 foot Delta Loop, Hard-Core-DX mailing list WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) DX report from Bogotá. Just now February 18 at 0015, both stations Alcaraván Radio, 5910, excellent signal, and La Voz de tu Conciencia weak but audible, on the air. 73's (Luis Hernando Cardozo, HK3MIZ, UT Feb 18, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5910. ALCARAVAN RADIO. Febrero 18. 0025-0050 UT. Espacio de música llanera y de rancheras románticas. ID a las 0040, y luego música de salsa, canciones llaneras y folklor colombiano. SINPO: 45444. 6010. LA VOZ DE TU CONCIENCIA. Febrero 18. 0110-0130 UT. Boleros en español. A las 0024: ID: “La voz de tu conciencia…” por parte de una mujer, se prosigue con música en inglés, nuevamente ID a las 0128. SINPO: 43443 con QRM de otras emisoras en la misma frecuencia (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 95 metros de largo a 10 metros de altura; QTH: Barraza Bajo, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) Excellent on 5910.166 kHz at 0618 UT Feb 19. S=8 -76dBm signal in Detroit Michigan remote SDR unit, S=9+10dB powerful signal in central Florida post. 20 kHz widespread signal in Florida unit! Never seen such broadband before on that channel. Great flute and harp, and Latin American singer music. Also 6010 kHz both heard, likely Brazilian tiny S=4 on 6010.038 kHz, but stronger S=7 Colombian Latin AM music signal on 6010.145 kHz at 0645 UT on Feb 19 heard in central Florida US. [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Büschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 19, 2017) BC-DX 19 Feb via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) 5910, Alcaraván Radio, Puerto Lleras, 0707-0810, 19-02, Spanish, religious comments by Martin Stendal, Latin American songs, id. "Alcaraván Radio". 34433. (Méndez) 6010, La Voz de tu Conciencia, Puerto Lleras, 0715-0745, 19-02, Spanish, religious comments. Very weak. 14321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Lugo and Reinante, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5910.17, Feb 20 at 0018, weak music vs ``running water`` ute QRM which fires irregularly. At least this is before Romania blox Alcaraván Radio from 0100 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO. -Brazzaville, 6115 R. Congo, Brazzaville, 1903-..., 21/2, música pop' africana; 43442, QRM adjacente. Pelas 1920, o sinal já tinha desparecido (Carlos L R de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, 16-22 Feb SW coast obs., Feb 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 1450, Radio Mayabeque, Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque. 1133 February 20, 2017. Station theme with male ID atop -- (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater FL, NRD-535, IC-R75, wires, active loop, All times/dates GMT, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 11530.5 CUSB, Radio Habana Cuba – uncertain which location, 2223, 2/12/16, mostly in Arabic. Male announcer, fanfare, female announcer into alternating announcers, Cuban music, announcers alternating between Spanish and Arabic (maybe a language lesson?), dramatic Mid East music, woman with radiorhc.cu web site, more Mid East music, male announcer, brief Mid East music, dead air with carrier off at 2257. As best I know this isn’t a RHC frequency; however it is a known Cuban spy numbers frequency starting at 2300, so I wonder if it was another spy numbers error and the ops messed up the feed (Mark Taylor, Madison, Wisconsin, Perseus, SDRPlay RSP1, RTL2832 V3 dongle for SDR’s; E1, Satellit 800, PL 660, and various other portables for physical radios; 40 meters dipole, 100’ long wire, Mini whip, NASWA Flashsheet via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) No doubt, but Arabic isn`t scheduled on any RHC frequency at this hour (gh, ibid.) Both intermodulation signals of Bauta Cuba originate of fundamentals 5025 and 5040 kHz, occured on slightly odd signals on 5010.007 and 5054.998 kHz at 0600 - 0610 UT Feb 19. S=5 or -88dBm signal strength observed on remote SDR unit in Detroit-Michigan US. 5010v signal was seemingly stronger modulation; and better to understand. CUBA only heard 5025 and 5040 in 60 mb, and RHC English 6000 and 6100 kHz in 49 mb at 0650 UT Feb 19. Nothing of RHC noted on 6060 nor 6165 kHz (Wolfgang Büschel, Feb 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Wrong frequency of Radio Habana Cuba in Esperanto, Feb 19 0700-0702 on 6000 QVC 250 kW / 010 deg to ENAm and off, instead 0700-0730 on 6100 BAU 100 kW / 310 deg to WNAm Esperanto Sunday http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2017/02/wrong-frequency-of-radio-habana-cuba-in.html 73! (Ivo Ivanov, QTH: Sofia, Bulgaria, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17730. RHC. Febrero 19. 1550- UT. Fin de un programa de música de películas, luego noticias nacionales e internacionales. Despedida de la transmisión a las 1559, gong y a las 1600 anuncio, en Español, de un servicio en Esperanto que sólo dura 35 segundos al aire, en donde solamente se escucha el gong [song?] de la emisora en este idioma. Salida del aire a las 1603 (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 95 metros de largo a 10 metros de altura; QTH: Barraza Bajo, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) 9330, Wed Feb 22 at 0728, spy numbers alternating with digital blasts, usual very strong signal from a shared RHC transmitter, 100 or 250 kW? Helpful to spies with crummy SW radios. The voice parts are on AM, equally USB and LSB. Not a trace of WBCQ on extended BSchedule, but could well be on and not propagating / totally buried by espionage. (Spies have to be up all night, by definition.) Recheck 24 hours later at 0703 Feb 23, neither station on 9330, i.e.: Ivo Ivanov explains scheduling change as of Feb 22: (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) NUMBERS STATIONS, Cuban Spy HM01 in 9 MHz, Feb 22 Cuban Spy HM01 with new start and new end of transmissions xx55-xx20 broadcasts 25'; xx20-xx25 open carrier/dead air; xx25-xx50 broadcasts 25'; xx50-xx55 change of frequencies: 0655-0750 9330 secret/hidden tx Su/Mo/We/Fr Spanish AM, strong signal 0755-0850 9065 secret/hidden tx Su/Mo/We/Fr Spanish AM, heavy QRM RTTY 0855-0950 9240 secret/hidden tx Su/Mo/We/Fr Spanish AM, fair to good 0955-1050 9155 secret/hidden tx Su/Mo/We/Fr Spanish AM, weak to fair 73! (Ivo Ivanov, QTH: Sofia, Bulgaria, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [non]. 9490. R. REPUBLICA. Febrero 18. 0204-0218 UT. Hombre con acento cubano habla de Donald Trump, a las 0208 ID. Luego se hablan de las sanciones a Cuba. SINPO: 43443 con QRM de ruido blanco. (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 95 metros de largo a 10 metros de altura; QTH: Barraza Bajo, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) Radio República --- Strong signal this evening at 0245 UT on 9490 kHz here in NB. Not even a hint of jamming could be heard. Still going strong at 0315, well past listed 0300 sign off. So, new schedule? And still on at 0405. Special weekend schedule? -- (Richard Langley, Feb 19, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) FRANCE, 9490, R República program from Issoudun, the ITU/HFCC requests details are more confusing: In A-17 season R Republica program from Issoudun still requested at 0000-0259 UT to Zone 11 from Sept 3rd, but 0200-0500 UT in A-17 total, too. 9490 kHz 0000-0500 UT 11 ISS 150kW 285degr Spanish RMI FMO TDF Also MBR Nauen broadcast of NHK R Japan on 9490 kHz towards NE/ME at 03-05 UT ??? (Wolfgang Büschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 16, dxldyg via DXLD) Thanks, Wolfy. I'm going to set up my automated procedure to record 9490 kHz using the U. Twente WebSDR from 0000 to 0500 UT for the next few days to confirm Radio República's current schedule. The receiver is a bit in the shadow zone of the Issoudun transmitters but there should be enough of a signal to determine sign-on and sign-off. 73 (Richard Langley, Feb 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) From the first night of monitoring (19/20 February UT) using the U. Twente receiver: 2350 VOIRI in Chinese; off at 0020 UT, Then nothing until 0200 UT, Radio República sign-on with Cuban national anthem ("La Bayamesa" -- has interesting lyrics; Google them) and "Habañera Eres Tú" (What's the best translation of this song title? "You Are Habanera"? -- Habanera is a type of dance/music) 0457 UT Transmitter off in mid-sentence. So, it seems there may be a new schedule for Radio Republica; nominally 0200-0500 UT. By the way, no jamming noted (-- Richard Langley, NB, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ask Mr. Jeff White at WRMI Florida; he is the FMO Frequency Management Organization manager on this R República 9490 kHz entry request, also in A-17 from September 3, 0000-0200 UT. 73 wolfie (Büschel, DXLD) Thanks, Wolfie. Jeff: Any comment? 73 (-- Richard, ibid.) Second night of monitoring/recording (21 February UT): Radio República signed on just after 0200 (carrier on about 20 seconds earlier). Signed off at 0400 (carrier off about 5 seconds later), one hour earlier than yesterday. Schedule seems variable. Will continue to monitor (-- Richard Langley, ibid.) Again, on at about 0200 UT and off at 0400 today (22 February). Mauno Ritola is speculating that there may be a separate weekday and weekend schedule: 0200-0400 UT (Monday to Friday in North America; Tuesday to Saturday UT and 0200-0500 UT (Saturday and Sunday in North America; Sunday and Monday UT). Will continue monitoring/recording the rest of the week to confirm this (-- Richard Langley, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [non]. From the Isle of Music, Week of February 20-25, 2017: This week, special guest Julio Montoro shares the music of Alma Latina; some music from one of Cuba's first JoJazz competition winners, Carlos Sarduy, and the Timba of Pedro Pablo & La Rebambaramba. WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0100-0200 UT (8-9 pm EST Mondays in the Americas) Channel 292, 6070 KHz, Fridays 1100-1200 UT (1200-1300 CET) and Saturdays 1200-1300 UT (1300-1400 CET) (Bill Tilford, Feb 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Special Sunday Test Transmission of From the Isle of Music from Bulgaria --- The following is of special interest to DXers in Russia and neighboring countries: On Sunday, February 26, from 1500 to 1600 UT, From the Isle of Music, a program dedicated to Cuban music, will be broadcast in a special test transmission on shortwave using Spaceline, 9400 kHz, from Kostinbrod, Bulgaria using an array especially suited for reception in Russia. If the test and a subsequent one are successful, we may use this to improve access to the program for listeners in Russia and neighboring countries. I would be grateful if you could inform interested DXers of this test. I will be monitoring an SDR near Moscow but would appreciate any and all reception reports. Thanks in advance for spreading the word. Email for reception reports: tilfordproductions@gmail.com (William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer, Tilford Productions, LLC, Feb 21, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) One clarification regarding this test broadcast: we will be continuing on Channel 292 and WBCQ for their target areas regardless of the outcome of the tests on Spaceline (Tilford, Feb 23, ibid.) ** ECUADOR. 6050. HCJB. Febrero 18. 1012-1035 UT. Versión de la canción: “Cristo, te ama, la Biblia dice así” [Jesus Loves Me, This I Know ---] en quechua interpretado por mujeres, luego avisos de Iglesias en el mismo idioma, a las 1017 se nombran las frecuencias de las emisoras en FM que emiten el programa y la hora local, luego espacio de música, reflexiones breves y lectura de la hora local de forma intercalada e ID a las 1025: “…HCJB manta…”. SINPO: 45444 (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 95 metros de largo a 10 metros de altura; QTH: Barraza Bajo, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** EGYPT. 9325.06, R. Cairo, Abis. Horrible modulation, grossly distorted at 2050 with what sounded like possibly music in what was scheduled as the Hausa service to Nigeria (although you couldn't really tell!). Fair to weakish signal till s/off 2100 (they got that bit right!) on Dec 17 (Rob Wagner, VK3BVW, Mount Evelyn, VIC (Yaesu FTDX 3000, Kenwood TS2000, Yaesu FRG100, Sangean ATS909, Tecsun PL- 680, Double Bazooka antennas for 80, 40 and 20 metres, Par EF-SWL End Fed antenna, BHI NEIM1031 Digital Noise Eliminating Module, MFJ-1026 Noise Cancelling Module, ATU), Jan/Feb Australian DX News via DXLD) ** EGYPT [and non]. WTWW Plus Noise on 9475 kHz --- There is a mess this afternoon centred on 9475 kHz with weak audio but noise of some sort stretching from about 9455 kHz to 9495 kHz. Can be seen clearly on the U. Twente SDR waterfall. Does the noise originate from the WTWW transmitter or somewhere else? (Richard Langley, 2025 UT Feb 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I've no clear opinion, need a DF direction finding unit measure; scratchy metallic like audio sound, similar like China mainland jamming in past 5 years against VoA and BBC English services, 20 kHz broadband. Could it be a new OTHR signal from western Russia towards North America, or an Alaska HAARP test? First reported in Austrian newsgroup A-DX on Feb 13, signal lasted til 2258 UT cut off at this evening. Covers the range 9467 to 9497 kHz broadband. Not heard in Japan, Thailand, India, nor Qatar remotes. But heard well in western Europe, also in KY, MA, NJ / USA, and also at Alberta Canada remotes. Wolfie (Wolfgang Büschel, 2110 UT Feb 16, ibid.) Radio Cairo, comes nicely using FM 50 kHz filter in North Italy (Mauno Ritola, 2122 UT Feb 16, ibid.) Language? From where is it supposed to be? HFCC shows ABS after 21 UT no closer than 9800, 9895, 9900; and before 2100 on 9325, not all of which would really be in use, anyway (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Wow! That's a seriously messed up transmitter. Thanks for the tip, Mauno. Can use FM mode on the U. Twente receiver to make out the English audio (at 2140 UT), which seems to be parallel to the very weak audio on 9900 kHz. The "buzz" centred on 9475 kHz is heard well here in NB with WTWW struggling to be heard above it (-- Richard Langley, dxldyg via DX LISTENNG DIGEST) 9540, R. Cairo. Italian service to Europe, 1830. Appeared to be dead on-frequency today (sometimes operates between 100-200 Hz higher than this)! With clear-ish audio, I could actually identify the language although there was a background transmitter hum. Fair signal, Jan 12 (Rob Wagner, VK3BVW, Mount Evelyn, VIC (Yaesu FTDX 3000, Kenwood TS2000, Yaesu FRG100, Sangean ATS909, Tecsun PL-680, Double Bazooka antennas for 80, 40 and 20 metres, Par EF-SWL End Fed antenna, BHI NEIM1031 Digital Noise Eliminating Module, MFJ-1026 Noise Cancelling Module, ATU), Jan/Feb Australian DX News via DXLD) ** EGYPT. \\ Webstreams Die Streams lassen sich nicht direkt abspielen, indirekt aber mit einem leichten Zeitversatz. Dazu grabbt man die Streams mit rtmpdump und hoert sich die gestreamte Datei mit dem VLC Player an. Es ist ein flv-container mit mp3 darin: (Roger Thauer-D, A-DX ng Febr 18 via BC-DX 19 Feb via DXLD) ** EL SALVADOR. RDS Stations in San Salvador, El Salvador Hello! Mike Bugaj asked me about RDS info on my local stations; here is a preliminary list auto logged with the RTL-SDR running with SDRConsole logger. I think a couple of station are missing; later this week I will post my results using different radios, specially for the scrolling text info. Saludos. SDRConsoleRDSlogForSanSalvadorFeb202017.txt (Humberto Molina, San Salvador, El Salvador, Feb 20, WTFDA Forum via DXLD) ¿Se usa el campo de frecuencias alternativas? Se destaca la presencia de frecuencias pares en ese campo como la 105.6. ¿Tienen estas estaciones repetidoras en frecuencias cercanas? También faltan nombres que no son de prueba en diversas estaciones tales como Radio Nacional de El Salvador 96.9, Club 92.5, Globo 93.3 y Eco 95.3, más la 88.1 que es AL Radio (emisora de la Asamblea Legislativa). (Raymie Humberto, AZ, ibid.) Creo que ninguna usa frecuencias alternativas, deben haber quedado por error al configura el codificador RDS de las estaciones. Los nombres de algunas como 92.5, 93.3 y 88.1 no salen en el archivo porque se despliegan con desplazamiento en la pantalla y queda la parte de frase o palabra que estaba en el momento de cambiar la frecuencia. El año pasado le comenté a un locutor de Radio Nacional sobre su RDS pero creo que no sabía de qué le estaba hablando (Molina, ibid.) Work in progress...Click image for larger version. Name: 88-1 RadioLegislativa.jpg Views: 10 Size: 70.3 KB ID: 20032 Name: 89-7 RadioBautista.jpg Views: 10 Size: 72.5 KB ID: 20033 Name: 92.5 Club.jpg Views: 7 Size: 71.2 KB ID: 20034 Name: 93-3 FMGlobo.jpg Views: 7 Size: 70.8 KB ID: 20035 Name: 95-3 OrbitaFM.jpg Views: 6 Size: 70.8 KB ID: 20036 Name: 96-1 Scan.jpg Views: 6 Size: 72.3 KB ID: 20037 Name: 96-9 RadioNacional.jpg Views: 4 Size: 67.0 KB ID: 20038 Name: 98-9 LaMejorFM.jpg Views: 5 Size: 65.9 KB ID: 20039 Name: 99-3 MesiasRadio.jpg Views: 4 Size: 69.8 KB ID: 20040 Name: 107-3 RadioMaria.jpg Views: 8 Size: 70.3 KB ID: 20041 Name: 107-7 Fuego.jpg Views: 5 Size: 69.1 KB ID: 20042 (Molina, Feb 21, ibid.) Why Radio Maria spectrum looks so bad? Is it too far from your location? (Gargadon, Campeche, ibid.) No, all stations are very close, I made the logs with the stock antenna of the RTL-SDR on my office desk; also I think there is a power problem on R. María transmitter. Last edited by Humberto; 02-22- 2017 at 04:14 PM (Molina, originally Feb 21, ibid.) From my QTH, even though San Salvador is Es distance, possibly 92.5 would be my only (or best) shot at RDS; 92.5 is somewhat available here, but the only El Salvador 92.5 I have heard is Doremix in Santa Ana. Sure would like to hear that new 88.1 but there are a few 88.1's in FL and there is also the strong Fabuestereo in Guatemala cd (Chris Dunne, Pembroke Pines FL, ibid.) ** ETHIOPIA. 11835 JAMMING. Heavy and effective jamming here, I suspect covering VoA-Ban Dung [Thailand] for their service to EAf in Amharic at 1820. No doubt the Ethiopian authorities are at it again. Also noted on 12110 kHz for the parallel VoA-Lampertheim outlet. Both these frequencies were new in mid-December. I just couldn't hear a trace of either VoA broadcast under this wall of sound today, Jan 12 (Rob Wagner, VK3BVW, Mount Evelyn, VIC (Yaesu FTDX 3000, Kenwood TS2000, Yaesu FRG100, Sangean ATS909, Tecsun PL-680, Double Bazooka antennas for 80, 40 and 20 metres, Par EF-SWL End Fed antenna, BHI NEIM1031 Digital Noise Eliminating Module, MFJ-1026 Noise Cancelling Module, ATU), Jan/Feb Australian DX News via DXLD) ** GERMANY. 6070.00, *1700-1705 13.2, SDXF, via Rohrbach. Swedish programme about the World Radio Day, heavily covered by CRI, Xian, in Russian 21311 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, latest SW-tips heard in Skovlunde on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, wbradio yg via DXLD) ** GERMANY. Atlantic 2000 on the air this Saturday --- Because we had technical problems last Sunday, Atlantic 2000 will be on the air this Saturday 18th of February, with a replay of our programme, from 1000 to 1100 UT on 6005 and 7310 kHz. The programme will be streaming at the same time on our website (Radio Strike) Posted by: (Mike Terry, Feb 16, dxldyg via DXLD) ** GERMANY. "Atlantic 2000 International" Enviado: 18/02/2017 11:00:56 Asunto: on the air now 6005 and 7310 kHz + stream Visit our website: http://radioatlantic2000.free.fr (via Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, 1003 UT Feb 18, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6005, Atlantic 2000 International, Kall Krekel, 1003-1025, 18-02, French, comments, id. "Atlantic 2000 International". // 7310. 14321. (Méndez) 6070, Swedish DX Federation, Rohrbach, *1500-1558, 19-02, Identification in English, "Welcome to a program to the Swedish DX Federation, this transmission is to celebrate today is the World Radio Day, ... transmission mainly in Swedish...", comments in Swedish, pop music, at 1543 English , reading reception reports from listeners. "Mailbox to listener letters". 34433. (Méndez) 6085, Radio Mi Amigo, Kall Krekel, 1652-1830, 19-02 and 0730-0810, 20- 02, commencing transmission earlier and closing later than the habitual time 0800-1700, pop music, identification, English, comments. I have sent an email to the station asking about the extended time and here is the reply: "Hello Manuel, at the moment we are testing a bit outside our normal time, as we like to see, if we could extend our broadcast time on SW from starting into "Summertime" We will let you know on our Homepage and on Facebook. kind regards Cpt. Kord" 6180, Deutscher Wetterdienst, Pinneberg, 0617-0625*, 20-02, German, weather report. Radio Nacional da Amazonia out of air. 25332 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Lugo and Reinante, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [non]. 15215 kHz single Tuesday Feb 21, 1600 UT operation, Radio Oeoemrang, Amrum Island, German North Frisian Islands Requested on ITU / HFCC database at present: 15215 kHz via TDF Issoudun, France. 15215 kHz 1600-1700 UT to North American zones 4,8,9 via ISS TDF Issoudun site 500 kW, azimuth 300degrees towards MA/NY ITU ant#217 curtain type. single day 3=Tuesday 210217-210217 Multi language F MBR request #18602 via feeder 'A.nusae' wb (Wolfgang Büschel, df5sx, Feb 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Now that will be interesting, i've always wanted to hear what English's closest living relative sounds like. Thanks (Tim Bucknall, England, ibid.) It sounds a lot more like German to us (gh, Anglo, DXLD) Last year's broadcast is archived here: https://archive.org/details/RadioOomrang15.215MHz21February20161600UTC and here: https://shortwavearchive.com/archive/radio-mrang-february-21-2016?rq=oomrang Will this year's broadcast be much different? Guess we'll have to wait and see. – (Richard Langley, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15215, Tue Feb 21 at 1557, very poor carrier. If this is Radio Öömrang, we are going to have a hard time hearing it --- nothing else is scheduled here. Wham! Huge S9+10 OC cuts on just in time at *1559:54, so maybe I was just hearing the exciter at Issoudun, FRANCE at first. But dead air for more than a minute, causing more apprehension, another transmission failure? No, starts modulating at 1601:15 with sign-on in Frisian/German, website www.###-radio.de and I can`t recognize the full URL. Mentions Jahr 2006, so an old repeat? No, 1603 into English saying these broadcasts began in 2006y, but this is a new edition for a wonderful day in February, 2017. About someone`s 50-th wedding anniversary, and the rest of the hour is a long interview with her, mostly in Frisian, which is a lot more like German than English, with occasional bits of English. Could have used a bit of typical Frisian music interludes. 1615 mentions Radio Caroline. 1620, Big-Ben style home clock chimes stop at 4 bongs; English announcement with frequency 15215, at 17 hours (local) giving Amrum address, and will be repeated at 19h on internet. Someone had worked in New York, and draws a US pension. 1622, ``The Frisian Voice of Amrum, broadcasting for more than ten years``. Etc., etc. 1658 closing says the 2018 Ausgabe will also be on 21 February at 5 pm on 15215, repeat address, 19h Wiederholung. 1659:45 UT stops, open carrier for 20 seconds and off*. QSLs in previous years have only been proxy via Media Broadcast, never direct. Last year`s sending did not have a transmission failure of an hour of dead air, requiring a make-good. That was in 2015, when they finally got it on March 8. This was a big steady signal with hardly any fading for the whole hour – a fine example of what DW, RFI or any European broadcaster could accomplish in English every day, if they cared to broadcast 500 kW at 300 degrees toward New York as in HFCC, per Wolfgang Büschel. It even overcame my computer noise so I could leave it on. I gather that reception was not so good in UK/Europe itself, of course in the skip zone and/or off-beam (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Quite a weak signal here this year, from tune-in at 1620 utc, its better on the Twente SDR receiver, currently with a discussion in German. 73s (Dave Kenny, England, 1633 UT Feb 21, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) Radio Oeoemrang via MBR Issoudun Feb 21, video Very poor signal of Radio Oeoemrang via MBR Issoudun Feb.21, video http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2017/02/radio-oeoemrang-will-be-air-via-mbr.html 73! (Ivo Ivanov, QTH: Sofia, Bulgaria, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Gehoert nur fuer einige Minuten zwischen 1613 und 1618 UT; andere Zeiten almost zero signal (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, via wb, dxldyg via DXLD) FRANCE / GERMANY, 15215 kHz 1600-1700 UT to North American zones 4,8,9 via ISS TDF Issoudun site 500 kW, azimuth 300degrees towards MA/NY, ITU ant#217 curtain type. Single day 3=Tuesday 210217-210217 15215 kHz on Feb 21, 2017: TDF Issoudun TX switched on at 1559:51 UT, start program content at 1601:10, S=9+10dB in NY/NJ/MA east coast North America. S=9+30dB noted in Detroit Michigan remote SDR unit, many thanks to Brian W8GTX. End of program transmission at 1659:45 UT cut, Issoudun TX of switch at 1700:05 UT on Feb 21, 2017. listen to uploaded recording files in MP3 format: https://app.box.com/s/hmx3alz95ga7g7q4vtbt0zau61ozx2bj https://app.box.com/s/a9n4b67m8lzsea5sviram0m92938qz1j 73 wolfie df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) So, was it mostly the same as last year's broadcast or were there some new recordings? (-- Richard Langley, ibid.) ** GERMANY. 15560 kHz - request of 19 meterband channel, in A-17 season at 16-20 UT to zones 18, 19, 27, 28, 29, 37N, maximal 20 kW power, ITU antenna type #975 from Kall Eifel Germany. Non-directional azimuth, vertical monopole in 19 mb. Usually fit propagation from 2000 km onwards, like Finland, St.P., Moscow Russia, Bulgaria, Turkey or Greece, Canary Islands; Who should hear this? In which language? (Wolfgang Buschel, BC-DX 19 Feb via DXLD) ** GREECE. Voice of Greece on 9420 kHz & 9935 kHz on Feb 13: from 0815 on 9420#AVL 170 kW / 323 deg, open carrier tx#3 from 0835 on 9935 AVL 100 kW / 285 deg to WeEu Greek tx#1 0835-1305 on 9420 AVL 170 kW / 323 deg to WeEu Greek*tx#3 0835-1305 on 9935 AVL 100 kW / 285 deg to WeEu Greek*tx#1 from 1305 on 9420 AVL 170 kW / 323 deg, continues at 1600 from 1305 on 9935 AVL 100 kW / 285 deg, continues at 1600 *including 4-6 minutes news bulletin in Spanish at 0905; Russian at 1005; Romanian at 1105; Albanian at 1155; relay First (Proto) program 1200-1300; English at 1300 UT #co-ch China National Radio 13 CNR13 in Uyghur from 1100 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2017/02/voice-of-greece-on-9420-khz-9935-khz-on.html (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) English 9420, Feb 20 at 2127 tuneby, surprised to hear English from VOG, but I know it can`t last. A guy with Scottish(?) accent is talking about the Greek people, interviewed by a woman also in English. I have the impression he may be a second-generation emigrant. 2128 she switches to Greek presumably explaining what they were talking about rather than a verbatim translation. Do not to expect the English segment to recur at this time (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE [and non]. Great Music Just 25 kHz Apart -- These afternoons here in NB when the sun is now still shining after 5 p.m., we have great reception of the Voice of Greece on 9420 kHz and All India Radio on 9445 kHz even using a portable receiver indoors with just its whip antenna. It's difficult to choose which station to listen to (-- Richard Langley, 2121 UT Feb 22, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM. Weak to fair signal of KTWR Trans World Radio Asia, Feb 21 1527-1600 on 12120 TWR 100 kW / 293 deg to SEAs English Mon-Sat http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2017/02/weak-to-fair-signal-of-ktwr-trans-world.html 73! (Ivo Ivanov, QTH: Sofia, Bulgaria, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. 4055, UT Wed Feb 22 at 0155, Radio Verdad mentions `Mundo Sorprendente`, which is the title of a program with media/DX elements we hadn`t heard or heard about in a few years. Berny Solano in Costa Rica started it in 2013 and invited me to participate. Sked http://radioverdad.org/?q=programaci%C3%B3n shows nothing of the kind nor some other programs we`ve really heard, so seems to remain far out of date, RV is about to celebrate its seventeenth anniversary. It has issued a number of anniversary QSLs, and perhaps there will be another this year. I can`t find any on the website, except for the page explaining that it costs them up to $10 to QSL along with pennant, sticker, other printed material, and postage. That can be remitted by PayPal. However, the last we heard, postal service was out in Guatemala, and only e-QSLs could be sent. The 11-page illustrated pdf station history http://radioverdad.org/?q=system/files/RV_Historia_Grafica_Radio_Verdad_0.pdf says ``"Radio Verdad" salió al aire el 25 de febrero, a las 5:20 p. m., y fue inaugurada el 5 de marzo del año 2000``, and I had the pleasure of first publicizing it to the DX world. This was after a very long process since founder Dr. Édgar Amílcar Madrid first conceived it in 1967 as a 25-watt SW transmitter to put his new `Volviendo a Jesús` program on the air. The leadup takes about half the history file. It was written in 2014, the last part emphasizing internet transmissions, but nothing about the strange, never explained worldwide shortwave relay service without transmitters near the same frequency, which I always thought was a scam, and about which we have heard nothing further lately (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUINEA. 9650, R. Guinea, Feb 11 0716-0726, 24332-32332, French, Talk and afro pop, ID at 0717. 9650, R. Guinea, Feb 17 0714-0724, 34333-33333, French, Talk and afro pop, ID at 0715 and 0716 (Kouji Hashimoto, JAPAN, RX, IC-R75, NRD- 525+RD-9830, ANT, 130m Sloper Wire, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I guess this is just before VOK hits 9650 at 0730? (gh, DXLD) 9650, R. Guinée, 0945 long phoned-in report by M journalist in French to 0951 with annoying double 'beeps' every 3 seconds. Studio M announcer, then another report with beeps again. 1000 fanfare then canned ToH ID announcement with several IDs by M, and M with news. Don't usually hear Guinea at this time as it fades earlier. Presumed North Korea underneath. 17 Feb. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S and 153 foot Delta Loop, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) 9650. Feb 21 at 1020, Radio Guinea, Conakri, in vernacular. Man announcer talks; 1028 Woman announcer talks, ID. Transmission with slight interference by Voice of Korea, on 9650 kHz, at 1029 (IS, National Anthem, etc), 44433 (DXer: José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-PB, Brazil, Degen DE1103 & Tecsun S-2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** INDIA. Latest Changes to AIR External Services: 0015-0430 Urdu Delete 6145, 11620 0100-0200 Sindhi Delete 5990 0130-0230 Nepali 9800 (B) (ex P) 0315-0415 Hindi 15185(B) (ex P) 0415-0430 Gujarati 15185(B) (ex P) 0430-0530 Hindi 15185(B) (ex P) 1215-1245 Telugu Delete 9810, Add 13695(B) 1215-1315 Burmese 9940 (B) (ex 9950) [back to 9950, see below] 1230-1500 Sindhi Delete 6165 1315-1415 Dari 11560 (B) (ex P) 1415-1530 Pushtu 11560 (B) (ex P) 1530-1545 English 11560 (B) (ex P) 1615-1715 Russian DRM 9595(B) ex 11620 1745-1945 English Add 17670(B) 2045-2230 English 9910 (B) (ex A) 2300-2400 Hindi 9910 (B) (ex A) A= Aligarh B= Bengaluru P= Panaji, Goa The updated schedules are in the following links: External Services: Time Wise: http://qsl.net/vu2jos/es/time.htm External Services: Language Wise: http://qsl.net/vu2jos/es/Language.htm Complete SW schedule: Frequency Wise: http://qsl.net/vu2jos/sw/freq.htm SW Schedule : Station Wise: http://qsl.net/vu2jos/sw/loc.htm Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India, Mobile: +91 94416 96043, http://www.qsl.net/vu2jos Feb 16, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) All India Radio is the station Glenn reports as unidentified, and is being heard as I type at very good strength as reported by Ivo Ivanov and Jose Jacob. Radio Pakistan external service is not operational currently. Both transmissions via Bengalaru. It seemed to be // a much weaker 9380 during the English news at 1530. 1415-1530 Pushtu 11560 (B) (ex P) 1530-1545 English 11560 (B) (ex P) 73 (Noel R. Green (NW England) dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) AIR External Service, Change in frequency from today 17 Feb 2017, 1215-1315 UT Burmese, 9950 via Bengaluru (ex 9940) Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India Mobile: +91 94416 96043, http://www.qsl.net/vu2jos dx_india yg via DXLD) Just what we need, more ACI to WRMI 9955 (gh, DXLD) ** INDIA. Hi Glenn, Greatly appreciate the following observations and comments from GK. Wonderful to get confirmation from within India as to what I have reported recently hearing here in California. Ron - - - - - email from Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK), on Feb 16: Thanks for all your latest e-mails. And special thanks for all your recent observations about All India Radio(AIR)-Port Blair, AIR- Gangtok, AIR-Shillong, etc. And at the early morning hour here in my QTH AIR-Port Blair can be audible with fair overall reception in general here on 4760 kHz with slight QRM; side band splatter from a radio station broadcasting on 4765 kHz. But sometimes QSA improves to good. And you are right, there is significant improvement on their signal quality. And also observed a marked improvement of audio quality of AIR- Shillong on 4970kHz for past week or so. Earlier despite its strong carrier, audio quality, signal level was slightly of low intensity. Now its audio intensity level has improved. AIR-Thiruvananthapuram is also giving me now-a-days fair reception quality on 5010 kHz both on morning & night. I posted earlier a report of AIR-South Zone Stations reception quality on my blog http://www.gkcalling.blogspot.com Once I heard AIR-Chennai on 4920 at night here with strong signal with very weak PBS QRM [PBS Xizang - Ron]. This is very rare; posted a message on Facebook with audio link about it. AIR-Chennai was also audible with good to fair reception on the morning on 7380 kHz from 0300 UT. I didn't however monitor it for several days. Also there is an improvement of reception quality of AIR-Gangtok and its QSA here specially in the morning. And also on some occasions I received AIR-Gangtok on the evening also with good QSA. And AIR-Aizwal is usually blasting in on the morning after initial 40 miniutes or so of its signing on time. Its signal is facing QRM from PBS stations [Guangxi Beibu Bay Radio - Ron]. Excellent reception, in Amateur Radio reception code 59+ should be the proper ratin. And yes, its evening transmission signal plays hide and seek with PBS station. Though sometimes audible to some extent. Anyway thanks for your observations etc. More updates etc soon. 73 & 55 Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK) (Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India) - - - - - - Ron wrote on Feb 14: ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS. 4760, AIR Port Blair (presumed) . . . Am hearing this daily now with significantly stronger signals than ever heard in the past; nicely above threshold level audio. . . . . When they were recently off the air, suspect they made repairs or adjustments to their transmitter or antenna? Signal strength would seem to indicate Port Blair and not Leh (Kashmir). . . . . AIR Shillong, on 4970, continues with better than normal modulation, which is a nice change . . . . (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. ÍNDIA, 5010 AIR Thiruvananthapuram, Muttathura, 1717-1740*, 19/2, música indiana, noticiário das 1730, repartido em períodos iguais, entre inglês e uma líng. indiana, e, por brevíssimos instantes, música, até ao fecho; 25432 (Carlos L R de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, 16-22 Feb SW coast obs., Feb 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 6030, AIR Delhi (Kingsway - 250 kW), 1311, Feb 21. Unique propagation here at this time preiod, as normally would have CNR1 mixing with Calgary (CFVP), not AIR; subcontinent music and announcer in Hindi; underneath China (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA [and non]. Great Music Just 25 kHz Apart -- These afternoons here in NB when the sun is now still shining after 5 p.m., we have great reception of the Voice of Greece on 9420 kHz and All India Radio on 9445 kHz even using a portable receiver indoors with just its whip antenna. It's difficult to choose which station to listen to (-- Richard Langley, 2121 UT Feb 22, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 15210: I got a paper QSL from the All India Radio. The frequency 15210, reported to in "Listening corner" on their website There You need to register. Said transmitter: AIR Goa Panaji site, I have this in It does not have the collection. Waiting for a response 87 days, but the Indian postal stamp - December 19 !!! In my opinion, Athanasius Nikitin, who walked three seas, India to get there faster. Pictures: By the way, the Indians are working hard to improve their QSL-branding - Deputy. AIR director general mailing list recently registered "Corner" the audience said: "Regarding printed QSL, we have raised our speed and issuing QSL on priority to our registered listeners". And in the F_B group "QSL Chasers" India's DX-ist Sandipan Basu Mallick. He writes that AIR for all of last year sent the audience of all the QSL some 700, and one only January 2017 - more than 700 cards. Progress is noticeable to the naked eye! (Dmitri Mezin, via RUSdx #911 via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 12) {funny translation.} via BC-DX 19 Feb via DXLD) ** INDIA. ANALOGUE SIGNALS TO END NEXT MONTH ---- ABU The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has stated that the deadline will not be extended for the switching off of analogue signals in digital addressable system (DAS) Phase III. It is to be noted that deadline for both Phase III and Phase IV were extended last year until January 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 respectively, by the ministry due to ongoing court proceedings. Phase III cable subscribers are requested by the ministry to obtain their set-top boxes from the multi-system operators (MSOs) or local cable operators (LCOs) in their areas. Failing to do so will prevent the subscribers to have access to TV services through cable networks. Instructions have also been issued to all broadcasters for the non- transmission of analogue signals over cable networks in Phase III urban areas after deadline.Further, it is to be noted that DAS Phase III covered 33.18 million TV households across 630 districts and 7,709 urban areas. Phase IV, on the other hand, covered 61.08 million homes. Posted by: (Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) So refers to cable TV only? ** INDIA [non]. 15235, EAST GERMANY, Athmeeya Yatra Radio (via Nauen) at 1344 with closing announcements for Noctel program and into Kokborok program at 1345 – Fair Feb 20 – With AWR on 15255 (see below) I find it interesting that there are two different religious programs in Kokborok at the same time. Which one should good Christians listen to? 15255, SRI LANKA, AWR at 1348 in Kokborok with a man with talk – Fair Feb 20 (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA yg via DXLD) EiBi readme.txt shows: KBO Kok Borok/Tripuri: India (0.8m) [trp] (gh) ** INDONESIA. 3344.869, Feb 19 at 1345, JBA carrier on signature off- frequency of RRI Ternate. Confirmed regularly active at http://rri.jpn.org/ (as ``3345``) until sign-off close to 1500*. Sign- on times vary widely from as early as *1959 to as late as *2051. This is one of only three remaining active RRI tropical stations, the others being 3325 and 4870-. Ron Howard put it on 3344.85 until 1503* Jan 29. Walt Salmaniw reported 3344.867 on Jan 6. Last time I measured it was Sept 2, 2016 at 1234 on 3344.865 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Checked at 2105 UT on Febr 19 on remote SDR installation in Eastern Thailand: 3344.866 kHz at fair S=6 or -93dBm strength level. [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Büschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 19, 2017, dxldyg via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 9525. Feb 16 at 2030, Voice of Indonesia, Jakarta, in French. Woman announcer talks. Station with very poor signal and modulation; Awful transmission! (DXer: Jose Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-PB, Brazil, Degen DE1103 & Tecsun S-2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) It`s been close to 9526 again lately (gh) Good signal of Voice of Indonesia on Feb 21: 1300-1400 on 9525.9 JAK 250 kW / 010 deg to EaAs English http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2017/02/good-signal-of-voice-of-indonesia-on_22.html 73! (Ivo Ivanov, QTH: Sofia, Bulgaria, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET & VACUUM. WRN Web Site For those interested, the http://wrn.org website is once again up with a message on the title page that reads: "Welcome to the WRN website, we hope to have the site fully functional again soon.” Any attempt to access another page yields a request for a username and password that obviously none of us has. However, this is progress. (John Figliozzi, Sarasota, FL, Feb 17, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) After a long-term absence, the website at wrn.org is now operational with the message "Welcome to the WRN website, we hope to have the site fully functional again soon." It still lacks much but at least it`s back! Posted by: (Mike Terry, Feb 18, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD ** IRAN [and non]. 1575 kHz interference --- Does anyone have any information on the interference source on 1575 kHz. It is audible throughout Europe on Perseus remote receivers? (Paul, Troon, Scotland, Crankshaw, 2143 UT Feb 18, MWC yg via DXLD) See DXLD 17-07 (gh) Or As it is also extremely strong via Qatar Perseus (usually on the air between 1530-0330), it must be from Iran (Mauno Ritola, Joensuu, Finland, MWC yg via DXLD) Currently (2313) very loud on the New Delhi perseus receiver and just audible in Thailand (Paul, Troon, Scotland, Crankshaw, ibid.) Audible here under RAI as a very noticeable "buzz" at 1700 UT today, 20 February. 73's (John, Faversham Kent UK, Hoad, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) Recently Bill Whitacre of IBB-BBG R Farda told me that Washington DC is aware of these jamming transmissions since February 1st. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Feb 20, ibid.) ** IRAN. 7380.3, Feb 18 at 0148, carrier open averaging S6. This could be something interesting. Then searching my archive on that off- frequency I get ONE hit, from 11 years ago: ``Freqs changes for VOIROI / IRIB: 1930-1957 Italian NF 5910.0 (55544), ex 6100.0 1930-1957 Italian NF 7380.3 (55454), ex 7355.3 (R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX June 28 [2006] via RusDX)`` In current Aoki we have this starting less than half a sesquihour later: 7380 VO ISLAMIC REP.IRAN 0230-0530 1234567 Arabic "Al-Quds TV" 500 289 Zahedan One other less likely possibility listed on 7380(.0) is AIR Chennai starting at 0300 with 50 kW (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRELAND. [Re 17-07]: RTÉ longwave 252 to continue until at least 2019 Given the last paragraph, I'd wait for this promised statement in the coming weeks despite the headline. There was a newspaper report a year or so back that stated that longwave would continue, only for RTE to deny it some weeks later. I don't see how RTE saying their position remains as it has been ties in with them "not denying that the service is set to continue through 2017 and 2018". What is interesting is this section in the just released government consultation on commercial radio deregulation on the DCMS website. Page 20 onwards: "One of the requirements of the current structures is that radio stations have to be based in the UK to secure a licence. This contrasts with the position on television 20 where audio visual services can be licensed in any EU or EEA country under the provisions contained in the AudioVisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). This approach for radio services clearly made sense when spectrum was limited in order to allow for the development of commercial national and local FM services. However, the restriction also applies to digital sound programme (DSP) licences carried on DAB. This restriction has had a direct impact on RTE radio, the Irish National broadcaster. Although their services have been carried in the UK since the 1930s on Long Wave, they are not able to offer services in DAB. As part of wider radio deregulation, we want to consider whether Ofcom should have more flexibility to license overseas radio stations carried on DAB. If this were extended, overseas stations that were licensed would need to meet the normal requirements for DSP services (including meeting the Ofcom Broadcasting Code). Q2. We would welcome views on this proposal and whether it should be limited to Irish broadcasters or more widely and if so whether Ministers should need powers to allow licensing to be extended to other countries?" RTE was due to be carried on the Manchester small scale DAB trial multiplex. It was not carried because of the regulatory issues mentioned above. If this proposal goes ahead, and I can't see any particular objections, it would enable them to be carried on local multiplexes in areas where there is a significant Irish community or indeed on a national multiplex, which would prove expensive unless perhaps they used DAB+. The statement that they have been carried on LongWaves since the 1930's should read Medium Wave and/or Long Wave. Other foreign broadcasters are on DAB but the licence holder in most if not all cases is World Radio Network who are responsible for compliance issues (Mike Barraclough, Feb 16, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) ** ITALY. Please be advised that Marconi Radio International will be on the air Sunday 19 February, from 1315 to 1615 on 7700 kHz USB Mode. Reception reports with audio clips (mp3-file) are welcome and confirmed by QSL verification. Some lucky listeners will ALSO receive our printed QSL card, so don't forget to include your postal address. E-mail: marconiradiointernational (at) gmail.com Last but not least, we need your help! If you are a DX blogger, or use social networks, please post an announcement on your own blog and/or Facebook or send out a tweet. You can also forward this message to a friend. This should help increase our potential audience. We hope to hear from a lot of shortwave listeners about our transmissions. Best 73's (Marconi Radio International (MRI), Feb 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN [and non]. 13650, Feb 17 at 2259, NHK IS prior to Thai direct from Yamata, under big open carrier from CUBA about to start Portuguese. On the BST-1 caradio whose memory scan would not have stopped here without the Cuban carrier. I had this frequency programmed from a previous season when Iran was on it in English to North America, nevermore (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. New Internet Address of Voice of Korea, Pyongyang, DPR Korea --- Hello! Voice of Korea, the official external services broadcaster of the DPR Korea (North) from Pyongyang, has again changed their internet address: new: http://vok.rep.kp/CBC/index.php?CHANNEL=6 old: http://vok.rep.kp/CBC/index.php?CHANNEL=6&lang='english' Still no times and frequencies available on the website. Vy 73, (OM Arnulf Piontek, Berlin, Germany, Feb 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Abundantly cautious, I would be very careful about going to any NK website (gh, DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. 11680, KCBS. Febrero 18. 0220-0320 UT. Marchas militares, a las 0230 se escuchan pitidos avisando el cambio de hora, luego una mujer y un hombre hablan alternadamente en coreano, nombrando varias veces a Kim Jong Il hasta las 0238, cuando se da un espacio de cantos corales, marchas militares, trot de estilo juche y música instrumental hasta las 0317, luego música instrumentales y cantos corales masculinos. SINPO: 45343 con mucho ruido ambiental, desde las 0239 con SINPO: 45444. 11735, VOK. Febrero 18. 0330-0427 UT. Servicio en español. Himno nacional, marchas de Kim Il Sung y de Kim Jong Il. Luego informaciones sobre los saludos internacionales por el aniversario del nacimiento de Kim Jong Il. La celebración de juegos de gimnasia en memorias del General Kim Jong Il. Junto a una descripción de las celebraciones conmemorativas de este aniversario, dentro de Norcorea, como aquellas realizadas por el Ejército y escuelas revolucionarios. A las 0355 se lee una declaración sobre la reunificación coreana. Luego piezas musicales hasta las 0412 cuando se emite un reportaje del Festival de Kimjongilia realizado por la Voz de Corea, donde se recogen impresiones del pueblo coreano en torno a la celebración. A las 0420, música conmemorativa de tipo instrumental hasta las 0427 cuando se da fin al servicio. SINPO: 55555 // 13760 SINPO: 55444 // 15180 SINPO: 45444 (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 95 metros de largo a 10 metros de altura; QTH: Barraza Bajo, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. DPR, Echo of Unification (???????? [name in Korean]), a North Korean radio station that broadcasts propaganda towards South Korea, dropped all mediumwave (AM band) broadcasting on December 21. The move seemingly confirms the futility of the broadcasts, which consumed large amounts of electricity but were blocked by powerful South Korean government jamming transmitters, but the station isn’t giving up. In their place, it has brought on air additional shortwave and FM transmitters. It’s all part of a game that’s been going on for decades. North and South Korea both broadcast propaganda at each other while trying to stop their own citizens from hearing the other’s broadcast. Similar battles used to be played out across borders around the world but have largely moved to the internet and social media. The lack of internet in North Korea and South Korean censorship mean radio still plays a part on the Korean peninsula. Echo of Unification launched in December 2012 with three blocks of programming each day: from 7am to 9am; from 1pm to 3pm; and from 9pm to 11pm (Pyongyang time). The programs were broadcast on shortwave 3970 and 6250 kHz, mediumwave 684 and 1080 kHz and FM 97.8 MHz. The mediumwave broadcasts were strong and could be heard across a large part of East Asia at nighttime, but suffered severe interference in the Seoul area where the South Korean government broadcast noise on the same frequency to drown them out. FM was also blocked in Seoul but could be heard very close to the border and shortwave was completely clear, perhaps a recognition that few homes have shortwave radios these days. With the end of mediumwave broadcasts, Echo of Unification has added shortwave 5905 kHz and FM 97 MHz and 89.4 MHz. Here’s the announcement from the radio station’s website: The additional shortwave frequency gives listen[er]s in South Korea an extra spot on the dial to tune into the station, although because shortwave radio ownership is so low and there’s terrible electrical interference in most Korean cities, this is really only reaches people who are already sold on the propaganda message. No South Korean is going to stumble across the station on shortwave like they might while tuning a car or kitchen radio on mediumwave. South Korea has already started jamming the FM broadcasts giving them limited reach into the country, but perhaps the target here is bored soldiers stationed along the border. The FM signal can be clearly heard in the border region and North Korea might be hoping to reach a few people here (Martyn Williams, North Korea Tech via Jan/Feb Australian DX News via DXLD) Aoki shows Echo of Unification started 5905 on Dec 21, 100 kW ND from P`yongyang, at 0430-0632, 1230-1432, 2330-0032. Chris Kadlec reported this in DXLD 16-52, but I don`t think I`ve seen any North American DX reports of it; CRI Russian is also on 5905 at 12-17 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 7520. NATIONAL UNITY BC. STA. - UBS. Febrero 18. 1250-1210 [sic] UT. Vía Dushanbe-Yangiyul, Tajikistan. Clandestina. Mujer habla en coreano, luego temas de baladas y luego habla un locutor en el mismo idioma, canciones de KPOP. A las 1301, ambos locutores hablan intercaladamente y luego música de pop antiguo o trot. SINPO: 55454 (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 95 metros de largo a 10 metros de altura; QTH: Barraza Bajo, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH [and non]. [Re 17-06, 6170:] Voice of Korea jamming. Well, if you had heard it, and the way it started, you would also conclude that it was deliberate. It was far too effective and precise to be accidental, and it was very much stronger than the very strong VOK. I stand by my conclusion in the absence of a more credible explanation. Others may draw different conclusions if they have more comprehensive information. Does anyone believe that only totalitarian nations jam undesirable signals? BTW, jamming of VOK has been reported many times by a wide variety of listening stations. It’s not a new phenomenon (Vince Henley, WA, NASWA Flashsheet Feb 29 via DXLD) South Korea jams lots of MW and FM from the North, but that`s a domestic thing. And the SW clandestines between the Koreas are reciprocally jammed (most of them). But VOK in German to Europe?? Please cite examples of the ``jamming of VOK reported many times by a wide variety of listening stations. It`s not a new phenomenon`` VOK services in Korean, partly domestic programming, are one thing; VOK external services in western languages are quite another. If SK were attempting to block VOK reception in German in Europe, looks like it was pretty ineffective. They certainly know how to apply noise to jamming carriers (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH & SOUTH. Jayu FM 97.7 -> 97.8 --- An update for those who keep track of East Asia, though it will be of interest mostly to Japanese listeners who regularly catch this network: JAYU FM (former 97.7, South Korea) moves to 97.8 vs. ECHO OF UNIFICATION (97.8, North Korea) As part of the ongoing radio war on the Korean Peninsula, there are even more changes on the FM dial. I don't believe the station broadcasts on SW or ever has, but it's in relation to the shuffling of Echo of Unification on SW 6250, which returned to its old 97.8 blowtorch signal out of Haeju. Jayu FM (translated as "Freedom FM") has been moved from its long-time spot on 97.7 in the Seoul metro area and bumped up to 97.8 to be smack on the same frequency as Haeju, which runs at about an ERP of 100-200 kw. from along the sea. In addition to that, the transmitter at Seoul Namsan (Seoul Tower) about 25 miles to the south has turned its 97.8 jammer back on as well. The move applies only to the main Paju/Yeoncheon transmitter site and not to its other signals on 94.5, 96.1, and 100.6 elsewhere along the border to the east. The move to a frequency that South Korean radios cannot generally tune to indicates its desire to focus solely on North listeners as opposed to what had always appeared as a station, like RFK on MW, feeding propaganda to Seoul residents as well as running local ads at times. In addition, it also will serve as a second jammer to 97.8 Echo of Unification in the northern suburbs to prevent South Koreans from tuning into Echo of Unification, which is drastically more powerful than the Seoul jammer. This means there are now signals on 97.8 in Seoul, east Paju, and Haeju, all within 70 miles (113 km.) of one another aiming in different directions. 97.8 Haeju aims southeast at Seoul, 97.8 Paju aims west toward Haeju and Kaesong, and 97.8 Seoul I believe is omnidirectional to cover the city right from downtown. Haeju and Seoul had long been battling it out on 97.8 until Haeju's signal turned off in 2015. The signal was parallel to 684 Kaesong and 1080 Haeju broadcasting six hours a day, two hours in the morning, two in the afternoon, and two at night. Both signals, the former of which was extremely intermittent to begin with, switched off in late December last year in favour of numerous FM outlets from Haeju to Kaesong, which lies in the Seoul metro area, leaving the south's government scrambling to set up FM jamming transmitters it was lacking, having concentrated on MW until that point. All former MW propaganda signals along the border area migrated to FM signals recently, harder to block for the south and in mountainous Korea, easier to pick up in areas where the jammer signals don't reach so well. 97.8's signal from Haeju reaches about 120 miles (193 km.) on average, i.e. about 50+ miles (80+ km.) beyond Seoul, which lies 20 miles (32 km.) from the border. 97.7 (now 97.8) is one frequency featured in my Seoul AM Radio Listening Guide. A full 24-minute clip of their sign-on sequence recorded last summer can be heard here: http://www.beaglebass.com/dx/external/Jayu_FM_Sign_on.MP3 (-Chris Kadlec, Seoul AM Radio Listening Guide http://www.beaglebass.com/dx/seoul/ Feb 20, IRCA via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH [and non]. Seoul AM Radio Listening Guide (Update) For those who may have downloaded my Seoul AM Radio Listening Guide project (linked at the bottom), I uploaded an update of it recently, which includes the audio, map, and guide. The update should be the only one. It corrected a few tiny errors and some larger ones that I had noted but procrastinated. 612 Radio Taiwan International is included and 684 Kaesong, North Korea as well. Both stations have since gone off the air permanently, so the update turns out to be more of a historical one I suppose. The 612 clip had been misidentified as I had been unaware the station was there and was only on for a number of hours a night with very high power and hard to hear ID-wise with 603 slop from down the road, but a Chinese DXer corrected me on their very distinctive broadcast. 684 is included only in my groundwave log (and in the list by country and network near the end) though it was off the air more than 80% of the time over the course of a year, at least. It was //1080 before they turned off in December. All updates aside, there will be new content related to that project in the upcoming month. Fellow DXer Ryan Grabow and I talked about a video bandscan collaboration a whole year ago and it is finally coming to fruition. Not only that, but he has taken the initiative to put together a Seoul daytime video bandscan with my own extra audio clips that I had lying around. This wasn't originally planned, so it should be interesting releasing some new content (not to say it's all that fascinating honestly). You can see his other video bandscans at his YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/egrabow440/videos -- which will give an idea as to what this may end up looking like in the end. It should be nice for those who are stimulated more by the visual side of things. My Seoul AM Radio Listening Guide project has been visited by 1,100 people in the past 7 weeks (slightly up from my predicted 30 visitors), some of them visiting every week, showing it must have some sort of database quality to it. I guess this is good. (-Chris Kadlec, Seoul AM Radio Listening Guide http://www.beaglebass.com/dx/seoul/ Feb 22, IRCA via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. Adventures in QSLing: I sent a reception report to ELWA after hearing them once again while on a DXpedition at French Creek State Park. I got a fast reply from Moses Nyantee (elwaradio54@gmail.com) but it was only a non-descript e-mail message very similar to one I got a few years ago when they first returned to shortwave. I thanked Moses for his reply and suggested perhaps he could develop a simple full data PDF attachment for future verification requests. That apparently started the ball rolling within the organization. I have been copied on several e-mails. The first was from Moses, “Thanks a million for the advice. We will try to send you one of our QSL by email attachment. We appreciate your reception report.” Another was a copy of a message from Judy Koci in Illinois (ELWA Ministries Association, USA https://www.elwamausa.org/ to certain staff members mentioning “Not sure which of you does this, but this is a good report on ELWA reception in Pennsylvania, requesting a QSL verification. Could one of you reply, and let me know?” After about a week I saw a reply from someone named Alan Shea (location unknown at this point) who wrote “This is really nice to hear. We do have some QSL cards, and I will try to get one sent out”. Perhaps this will lead to a nice verification card after the dust settles (Rich D`Angelo, Wyomissing PA, NASWA Flashsheet Feb 19 via DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR. 5011.3v, R.M. Was watching from 0210 and it didn’t come on by 0232 tune-out. But upon recheck at 0243, found it here playing pleasant choral music. 0253 went into dance pop music. 0257 bubbly W announcer, back to music. 0259 took a quick dive down to 5011.0 but then came back up. Notched out the QRM from 5010.01 Rebelde mixing product. 15 Feb. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S and 153 foot Delta Loop, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) 5011.27, Feb 17 at 0249, JBA carrier varying as I listen, in much stronger sideband of the 5010 Cuban leapfrog spur. Another thing I wanted to check tonight, since Ron Howard was hearing R. Madagasikara ``Feb 15 on 5011.28v, at 0239, with announcer``; he first heard it reactivated by long path: ``5010.78v, R. Madagasikara, 1518-1532, Feb 14. After being off the air here for a month (or more?)``. No doubt that`s it, yet all I have to go on is the almost exact frequency match with Ron`s log, as it will be tough to separate any audio here as long as Cuba is on 5010, but all it will take is for 5025 or 5040 to be missing to get rid of 5010 too. During previous activity, Madagascar would vary well below 5010, and was always unstable (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes. Just now, 1910 on feb 17, a station signed off from 5008.0 - but judging from the slightly variable carrier, it's very likely that it was Madagaskar. 73 (thorsten hallmann, germany, dxldyg via DXLD) 5008.3, R.M. Found way down on this frequency at 0241 with Afro Pop music. 0245 M announcer. 0247 song sounded like a remake of "Last Friday Night" by Katy Perry. Usually wobbly signal. Dropped down below 5008 briefly at 0247, and down to 5008.1 when next song started at 0355. So the frequency drops every time there's a change in audio (song to song, announcement to song, etc.). 0300 mention of Madagascar but couldn't tell if it was an ID. Had to notch out the Rebelde mixing product on 5010. 18 Feb. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S and 153 foot Delta Loop, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR. 11868.4, MWV. Finally figured out who this is. It’s a spur of 11610 Madagascar World Voice. Also noted the spur below on 11351.6 as well. Heard with Chinese religious programing from 2106 to 2143. Fundamental 11610 is quite good here. 15 Feb. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S and 153 foot Delta Loop, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) Checked 2145-2158 UT on Feb 18, S=8-9 spurs noted some 258.458 kHz away distance on 11868.458 and 11351.542 kHz. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, HCDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) 11868 & 11351, Feb 18 at 2155, seem to be some blobs here which soon disappear along with 11610, MWV Chinese until 2156*. Dave Valko had been hearing such spurs, but I tuned in too late to investigate them here today. How about after 2200 from another fundamental? Checked 9535 and found RHC Spanish with weak Chinese QRM. If same ~258 kHz separation, would land on 9277 and 9793. More likely would be from 11770 Arabic, circa 11512 & 12028, so look for those henceforth (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 2100-2200 11610 MWV 100 kW 325 deg to WeEUR Chinese tx#1 re MWV Mahajanga Madagascar MDG 11610 kHz fundamental, S=9+15dB or -57dBm at 2121 UT on Febr 19. Checked 2145-2158 UT on Febr 18, S=8-9 spurs noted some 258.458 kHz away distance on 11868.458 and 11351.542 kHz. Checked 2105-2121 UT on Febr 19, S=8-9 spurs noted some 258.343 kHz away distance on 11868.343 and 11351.657 kHz (Wolfgang Büschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 18 / 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11868.40 & 11351.60, Feb 20 at 2120, approx. centers of distorted S2 spurblobs, enough modulation on the upper one to match it to the Chinese from MWV 11610 tuned on aux receiver G8, while 11610 is S9-S7 on the JRC. Plus and minus 258.4 kHz: so what is significance of that figure?? Too bad that their newish Continental would be emitting these parasites. Fortunately, nothing is scheduled on 11865 or 11870 at this time, but 11351 is an aero mobile service channel. Now to look for more at similar displacements from all other MWV frequencies, but for only 57 minutes each. 11351 & 11868, Feb 21 circa 2130, spurblobs from MWV 11610 Chinese are again detectable. Next frequency after 2200 is 11770 in Arabic, so I was going to look for same separations from it, circa 11512 and 12028, but the normally well-audible fundamental is missing, apparently not on today. Another prospect I`ve yet to seek is the 1900 Arabic on 11945 whose parasites might show circa 11687 and 12203. But many transmissions are missing sporadically as we suspect they have only one of their two transmitters funxional even with the spurs (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17640, Feb 22 at 1845, the reliable good signal from MWV in English prompts me to look for parasitic spurs as have been coming out from the 11610 Chinese broadcast after 21 UT --- but none found on or near plus/minus 258 kHz from 17640. 11945, Feb 22 at 1938, MWV Arabic good but with flutter, and again no spurs located around 258 kHz from this (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADAGASCAR. 17720, Feb 18 at 1716, S9 in Swahili. That`s AWR via Talata at 1700-1728 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALI. 9635, R. Mali, Kati, 1305-..., 17/2, texto (noticiário?); 35443, mas quase nenhum áudio (Carlos L R de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, 16-22 Feb SW coast obs., Feb 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. RAYMIE`S MEXICO BEAT updates this week --- [DTV included] Bidding in the AM auction ended at 10am for 20 stations, and another six have since wrapped up. Here is the current list of high bids. http://www.ift.org.mx/sites/default/files/industria/espectro-radioelectrico/radiodifusion/2016/4/ift-49oreporteampp016feb20171400hrs32003.pdf The last five remaining stations to be bid out, with time extensions, are Chihuahua Capital, San Luis Potosí, León and one of two in each of Saltillo and Querétaro. UPDATE: It's over. http://www.ift.org.mx/comunicacion-y-medios/comunicados-ift/es/las-1800-horas-de-este-dia-concluyo-el-concurso-de-66-frecuencias-de-radio-en-el-segmento-de-535 16 participants made high bids for another 133 million pesos. We might even get some bidder identities now: "En las siguientes horas se dará a conocer la lista completa de las personas físicas y morales participantes en la licitación de las frecuencias de radio AM y FM, incluyendo las ofertas más altas y los números de folio correspondientes." ——— Grupo Radio Centro http://expansion.mx/empresas/2017/02/16/grupo-radio-centro-se-adjudica-cinco-frecuencias-radiofonicas-fm confirmed today that it is bidder P9-520100 in a Relevant Event release http://www.bmv.com.mx/docs-pub/eventore/eventore_728557_1.pdf to the BMV, picking up Cancún, Chetumal, Campeche and an Acapulco duopoly. We now know the identities of winners representing six stations. Last edited by Raymie; 02-16-2017 at 10:56 PM. (Raymie Humbert, Phœnix AZ, Feb 16, WTFDA Forum via DXLD) Time for our look at the AM winners! http://www.ift.org.mx/sites/default/files/industria/espectro-radioelectrico/radiodifusion/2016/4/resumentotaldeamvf.pdf 14 of the AM stations were acquired by bidder E1-344425 which did not participate in FM. One of the few bidders to win in both was GJ-234220 which nabbed Río Grande and Sombrerete FMs and 720 AM at Juan Aldama, all in Zacatecas. M1-404031 picked up FMs at Apatzingán and Ciudad Hidalgo and an AM at Uruapan, all in Michoacán. The winner of the Querétaro AM is the same as that of the FM at San José Iturbide, Guanajuato. Additionally, the Super Bidder, T1-005324, did win an AM, 1340 Cuernavaca (Raymie, Feb 17, ibid.) FULL LIST OF WINNERS - http://www.ift.org.mx/sites/default/files/industria/espectro-radioelectrico/radiodifusion/2016/4/listadodeparticipantesofertasmasaltas.pdf Note that the actual Fallo comes down the pike in late March, but this is going to show us the winners and losers. The Super Bidder is Tecnoradio, S.A. de C.V. Nobody knows who this is. http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/entrada-de-opinion/columna/mario-maldonado/cartera/2017/02/16/el-misterioso-grupo-que-aposto But Carlos Slim is evidently involved, reviving the ACIR-Inbursa rumor. I've got a full list here for FM: http://jmp.sh/mlw4OEa I can tell you some big winners right now: Empresa Turquesa, S.A. de C.V., and Pantalla Líquida, S.A. de C.V. They're not really new, honestly (hint: Radio Turquesa in Q. Roo, and Pantalla Líquida's name appears on stuff related to the XHZCM-XHCOZ social wolves in Cozumel), but they soaked up stations in the southeast. Zacatecas' cleanup unit was TV Zac, S.A. de C.V., a unit of NTR Zacatecas. Radio Centro is Promotora de Éxitos, S.A. de C.V. —*which is, predictably, headquartered at Constituyentes 1154. I could have unmasked them had they not gone to the BMV and done it themselves. Also, anyone got an idea on Centrado Corporativo? ——— The AM big winners were Escápate al Paraíso, S.A. de C.V. (14 AMs) and, to a lesser extent, Media FM with 5. Media FM was primarily in central Mexico. Looks like the first one hawks vacations... https://www.escapatealparaiso.com.mx/quienes-somos1 that's gonna be a lot of waste on AM. One big winner: La Rancherita del Aire, S.A. de C.V., which picked up...well, you can guess which one AM they picked up. Piedras Negras 580. XEMU will come back from the dead! (Maybe with new calls.) (Raymie, Feb 17, ibid.) XEMU 580 is not dead, as I originally confirmed when you previously reported that (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Analysis: All About IFT-4’s High Bidders --- This post is a follow-up to the materials I posted earlier about the IFT-4 high bidders. Big Winners A number of brand-new names made their splash today. Without a doubt, the headliner is Tecnoradio, S.A. de C.V. Tecnoradio has ties to Grupo Inbursa, a Carlos Slim holding, and it was reported by El Economista that Tecnoradio has a relationship to Grupo ACIR. If true, it marks a return to large scale radio for ACIR, something it shed when it sold many stations to Radiorama and its regional partners in the late 2000s. With 34 FMs and three more AMs (and having attempted to get as many as 67 stations), Tecnoradio is the biggest question mark of IFT-4 by far, but if they pony up for all those stations, it could be a force. And they will have to pony up, as in some cases their offers were 870 times the next highest bidder. Should they not be able to pay for some or all of their stations, it could result in a major realignment depending on what was beneath them. Also noteworthy newcomers (about which none is known) are Centrado Corporativo, S.A. de C.V. which picked up eight stations, and Media FM, S.A. de C.V, with seven FMs and five AMs. Centrado will enter primarily in Guerrero and Oaxaca with a presence in Sinaloa and Veracruz. Media FM made a play exclusively in two states. On FM, it won all seven of its stations in Michoacán. On AM, it gained stations in Uruapan and Morelia but also Saltillo, Torreón and Piedras Negras. A few regional players will also emerge. Enza Telecom will be tuning in three cities, all in Oaxaca. Energía Radial en Comunicación nabbed two stations, at El Fuerte and Navolato in Sinaloa. Más Radio Telecomunicaciones, representing a return to radio for a former Grupo Imagen head (in the pre-GEA days), enters in Tulúm. And speaking of Tulúm, La Mera en Playa will be giving listeners both there and in Puerto Morelos new commercial radio stations. Meanwhile, Campeche was nearly completely divided between two regional players: Mediasur, S.A. de C.V., which owns the Telesur regional cable network (no relation to that Telesur), and Edilberto Huesca Perrotín, a former head of NRM who also serves as a link back to prior radio bids when he won stations like XHTXO and XHAVO. The rest of the state fell to Tecnoradio, Cancún Radio Net (what an oxymoron of a name now) and Radio Centro. Group Me In Promotora de Éxitos, S.A. de C.V., was one of the big, uh, hits of IFT-4. It came away with the most expensive station, Cancún at 86.5 million pesos, and four others including a duopoly in Acapulco. This business, as you now know, is a subsidiary of Grupo Radio Centro; it was listed in its 2015 annual report as “not in operation”. That’s about to change big time. Another group that came away with stations is Multimedios Radio with six stations, split between its two concessionaires: Multimedios Radio, S.A. de C.V., and Radio Informativa, S.A. de C.V. RI is recognizable as it currently holds seven MM Radio station concessionaires. Notably, the stations picked up by MM are mostly in new markets: Ensenada, Mazatlán, Compostela in Nayarit and central Veracruz, with one in Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua. A few other groups snapped up stations. The Promomedios group in Sinaloa had bids from its Culiacán and Mazatlán divisions, which will expand to El Salto, Pueblo Nuevo, Dgo. and Guasave, respectively. Televisa Radio, throwing it back with the concessionaire Cadena Radiópolis, S.A. de C.V., won out in Ensenada and Puerto Vallarta. Grupo Imagen makes an appearance, picking up an FM in Chilpancingo (Administradora Arcángel), and through Medios Digitales RMX, an FM at San José Iturbide in Guanajuato and an AM in Querétaro. Grupo Radiofónico ZER also appeared through two bidders. Arnoldo Rodríguez Zermeño himself won the Tamazula de Gordiano, Jal. station, which will go nicely with his new holdings in Ciudad Guzmán. A separate concessionaire, Radiodifusora XHZER, S.A. de C.V., struck by picking up a station in Armería, Colima, the third holding of ZER in that state and giving it statewide coverage. Empresa Turquesa, S.A. de C.V., almost certainly part of Grupo Turquesa, picked up Felipe Carrillo Puerto, José María Morelos and Nicolás Bravo in Quintana Roo and Temax in Yucatán. Sofía Valanci snuck in in Tapachula, giving Grupo Radio Digital a presence in southern Chiapas beyond a social wolf. Speaking of social wolves, a few appeared to claim real commercial radio stations. Grupo La Voz del Viento, S.A. de C.V., quite clearly connected to the civil association that runs XHMICH-FM and the Respuesta newspaper in Morelia, struck in Quiroga and Tacámbaro, Michoacán. Pantalla Líquida, S.A. de C.V., which is listed in some business directories as being related to the social wolf cluster of Cozumel (XHCOZ-TDT/XHZCM-FM), nabbed five stations in Quintana Roo and Yucatán. Cross-Media Interests Some newspapers and TV stations showed their appetite for radio, too. Two stations each are going to the Tribuna newspapers (Compañía Periodística Sudcaliforniana) of Baja California Sur, at La Paz and Los Cabos; and Expreso (Medios y Editorial de Sonora), at Guaymas and Navojoa. Debate por Yucatán picked up the cheapest station of all: 5,000 pesos at Tunkás. In Zacatecas, TV Zac, S.A. de C.V., part of NTR, cleaned house with five stations in six cities, one in every city in Zacatecas that was available. Cable, broadcast and newspaper interests are all part of NTR, which also controls the social wolf Fundación Cultural por Zacatecas, A.C. The aforementioned Mediasur also belongs in this category, having pursued a similar strategy to TV Zac. One journalist, Mario Óscar Beteta Vallejo, who is on the Los 300 list of Líderes Mexicanos and hosts radio programs, also came up a winner, with a station at Holbox, Quintana Roo. His program airs on Radio Fórmula — one of a few large groups that was conspicuously absent from IFT-4, along with Radiorama, MVS and Capital Media. The Elephant in the Room Perhaps the worst news came from the bidder that claimed no less than 14 AM stations of the 31 that people actually had interest in. Escápate al Paraíso, S.A. de C.V., appears to be in the business of selling vacations to tourist destinations (including many that got FM activity). They got more AM stations than Facebook likes. Not all was lost on AM. La Rancherita del Aire, S.A. de C.V., and Torres Corporativo Radio, S.A. de C.V., managed to have their cake and eat it too, buying back their old AM frequencies after migration (for XEMU and XEEL, respectively). But interest was low. The IFT should consider not doing more AM bids and focusing its future attention on FM (Raymie, Feb 18, ibid.) I noticed the winning AM bid from R9-114150 / La Rancherita del Aire S.A. de C.V while glossing over the IFT file you posted. Cool. XEMU with its low frequency carries deeply into the US during the day. XEMU had a close relationship with our departed WTFDA member Joe Gragg. I was quite pleased the night I heard XEMU in Michigan, including a full ID, and the La Rancherita del Aire name (Robert Grant, Feb 20, ibid.) It might have taken forever, but the 2017 PABF is finally modified. It adds various new stations. We don't have the full modified PABF yet, so no way to dig through its contents (Raymie, Feb 20, ibid.) All news — it's what Jalisco TV viewers will soon get from the Universidad de Guadalajara, which is changing its 44.2 subchannel to all-news. https://twitter.com/jmospina/status/834122163909181441 Presumably once the Ciudad Guzmán and Lagos de Moreno transmitters get built, they will also have this subchannel (Raymie, Feb 21, ibid.) ** MONGOLIA. (Part 2) SWSites YG Member Challenge --- I looked around Uliastai with Google SV today, but no signs of a previous MW/SW site around the area that I can locate. I see 3 or 4 cellphone tower sites & one or two comms sites only. I suspect the site or antennas from site dismantled some time ago, unless the site is a long way from the township - which I doubt. The petrol stations are interesting to view. Often one or two vertical (what look like) antennas sticking straight out of the ground of 12-15 meters or so in height. Appears to be no base mount to poles, so seems doubtful they are antennas. Any clues? Anyone been to Mongolia? I've seen these in other petrol/gas stations throughout Mongolia with SV (Ian, Feb 16, shortwavesies yg via DXLD) Haven`t looked at them, but maybe dipstix into petrol tanx? 73, Glenn Hauser (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Hi Glenn, Actually I now think they are lightning rods. They are around gas/petrol stations, gas storage tanks etc - everywhere throughout Mongolia. Lightning must be a big problem there? (Ian, ibid.) ** MYANMAR. 5985, Myanmar Radio, 1538, Feb 18. Segment in English; "the weather" (outlook for the next two days); "End of the news from Myanmar Radio"; 1540-1555 with the Saturday program “Voice of ASEAN, Beyond Boundaries"; seemed to be produced by PBS (Philippines), as the announcer was Edward Santos, who I have heard many times over Radio Pilipinas, talking about relationships between Malaysia and the Philippines; 1556 "Welcome to our program, ASEAN News"; item about Cambodia, etc.; covered at 1600 by China (CRI); mostly readable. It will be recalled that Myanmar and the Philippines signed a Memo of Understanding http://210.5.104.56/treaty/scanneddocs/616.pdf BTW - 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEWFOUNDLAND. 6160, CKZN St. John's, 1117, with music and commentary, very poor (5 Feb. 2017). With commercial cod fishing still not permitted in the Grand Banks I wonder how much longer this one can last. I think its primary purpose was to serve the fishing fleet (XM - Cedar Key - Florida, NRD525D - R8A - E5 via Bob Wilkner, NASWA yg via DXLD) Maybe originally, but lately relays Goose Bay for Labrador (gh, DXLD) [and non]. CANADA/AUSTRIA, 6159.972, CKZN St. Johns observed on remote SDR FL-US station at 0653 UT, S=9 signal strength on Florida east coast SDR. But reception suffer on lower flank, as a strong spill over overflowing into the channel area of 6155even ORF1 Vienna radio program via ORS Moosbrunn broadcast center site. 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, Feb 19 dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6159.97, CKZN, 0404, Feb 22. Better than normal reception. While it's unfortunate that Vancouver (CKZU) still remains silent, it does give us on the west coast a good chance to hear this one in the clear; Newfoundland & Labrador weather after the news. Brief audio attached (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. Frequency changes of Radio New Zealand International from Feb 15: 1059-1258 NF 9700 RAN 100 kW / 325 deg NW Pacific AM Daily, ex 11610 1959-2050 NF 13840 RAN 050 kW / 035 deg All Pacific AM Sat, ex 15720 1746-1835 NF 7285 RAN 025 kW / 035 deg Tonga/Samoa DRM Su-Fr, x 11690 1951-2050 NF 13840 RAN 025 kW / 035 deg All Pacific DRM Su-Fr, x 15720 2259-0258 NF 15720 RAN 050 kW / 035 deg All Pacific AM Daily, ex 17675 Poor/fair reception of Radio New Zealand International on new 9700 kHz on Feb 15 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2017/02/frequency-changes-of-radio-new-zealand.html (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) NOVA ZELÂNDIA, 7355, RNZI, Rangitaiki, 1300-1515, 22/2, inglês, noticiário, ... boletim meteorológico, às 1510, quando o sinal já era muito melhor, apesar da QRM adjacente; 15431. 9700 idem, 1105-1258*, 22/2, inglês, noticiário, ..., canções, ..., noticiário das 1200, ... entrevistas, sinal de ID e fecho; 25432. 15720 idem, 2255-2310, 18/2, inglês, texto, noticiário das 2300; 15331 (Carlos L R de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, 16-22 Feb SW coast obs., Feb 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) texto = audible talk (gh) ** NEW ZEALAND. [Re CANADA: CKRW] The same remarks apply to the two former Radio New Zealand masts that were felled at Titahi Bay, Wellington. Maintenance would have saved them. But, as the excuse for a government we have, froze their funding at 2008 levels, they’re strapped for cash. There have been a number of programme cutbacks and the last I heard they were selling their Auckland building with the intention of leasing it back. I guess maintenance was a lower priority (Paul, NZ, mwmasts yg via DXLD) ** NICARAGUA. NICARÁGUA, 8989bls, El Pescador Predicador, QTH?, 2338- ..., 17/2, propag. relig.; 25342 (Carlos L R de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, 16-22 Feb SW coast obs., Feb 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. 7254.92, V. of Nigeria:::: Feb 11 0728-0734, 35232-33232, vernacular, Drums IS, ID at 0730, Talk Feb 14 0557-0614, 25332-35333, Hausa, Drums IS, ID at 0600, Opening announce, News Feb 14 0649-0706, 35433, Hausa and French, Local music and talk, Closing announce 0656, Drums IS from 0657, Opening announce 0658, News Feb 17 0651-0708, 35433-45433, Hausa and French, Talk, Closing announce at 0656, Drums IS from 0657, Opening announce at 0659, News (Kouji Hashimoto, JAPAN, RX, IC-R75, NRD-525+RD-9830, ANT, 130m Sloper Wire, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7254.923, Feb 18 at 0610, Voice of Nigeria in Hausa, as usual. No further signs of // 9690- as I heard once lately, at least after 0700 in French (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, heard VoNIgeria in French today Febr 19 from 0700 UT, noted on remote SDR unit across the Atlantic Ocean via central Florida-US post. 7254.920 VoNigeria, drums music and woman shrill chorus performance, from West Africa around 0658-0659 UT too. S=6 or -86dBm signal strength. But spill-over overflowing into the other channel area - like high pitch from Sunday program of Vatican Radio on 7250 kHz adjacent, at 0657 UT on Febr 19, latter as S=9+20dB signal during Latin mass liturgy language prayer from Santa Maria di Galeria SMG (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA [non]. 12050. Feb 19 at 1910, Dandal Kura Radio, Ascension Island, in Kanuri. Man annnouncer talks and says Nigeria many times; Talks and talks. Very good signal and modulation, 45544 (DXer: José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-PB, Brazil, Degen DE1103 & Sony ICF- SW100S & Twente WebSDR, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** NORTH AMERICA. 4085, PIRATE, X-FM, 0307, 2/19/17. Mellow rock ballad, Redhat talking, “How long has this been going on?”, “all right” into next song, 0325 abruptly off or gone. Poor building to fair – good at peaks. 0322-0336 back on, hardly audible with a song. 4085 USB, PIRATE (No. Am.), Pee Wee, 0337, 2/19/17. “Highway song,” CW (missed it), “Baby did a bad thing,” CW – “Pee Wee” then “PW testing,” Hank Williams Jr, 0353 off. Poor – fair (Mark Taylor, Madison, Wisconsin, Perseus, SDRPlay RSP1, RTL2832 V3 dongle for SDR’s; E1, Satellit 800, PL 660, and various other portables for physical radios; 40 meters dipole, 100’ long wire, Mini whip, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** NORTH AMERICA. Gents: A couple of logs from last week -- PIRATE-NA. Radio Illuminati, 6150 AM, 1743-1748*, 02-11-17, SIO: 343. Just heard the sign off announcement/ID, USA National Anthem at QRT [Lobdell-MA] PIRATE-NA. Captain Morgan, 6950 AM, 0145-0212+, 02-12-17 SIO: 444. The Good Captain with the best signal in many months! Tunes by The Band, Hendrix, Bonnie Raitt, Rolling Stones, Avril LaVigne (Chris Lobdell, Tewksbury, MA USA, Receivers: Eton E1, JRC NRD-535, Aerial: G5RV Dipole, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 7615, Feb 17 at 0243, Station YHWH is now on with usual stuff, S5-S3. Was not on during previous tuneby earlier in this hour. I never catch him signing on, I suppose at no exact times. 15529.97, Feb 20 at 2113, an S4 signal where there should not be one, so my ears perk up for another Station YHWH appearance, since I had previously heard him this time of day on the 19mb (15300) --- fades up a bit to S8, and yes, it`s Martin K. Elliott with his usual shtick, ``breaking the spell of Satan --- Christianity, greatest hoax ever``, Still going at 2141 check (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 6924.927, Feb 18 at 2248, VP S4 carrier, presumably a pirate. One guess here is Liquid Radio on 6924.95, as early as 2018 and as late as 2325: https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php?topic=32955.0 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORWAY. Dear DX-friends, 5895.00, *1600-1605 13.2, Bergen. Kringkaster, Erdal, Norwegian ann, World Radio Day programme, but heavily disturbed by BBC World Service via Toshkent, 31431 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, latest SW-tips heard in Skovlunde on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, wbradio yg via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. 87.73 MHz-AM, Feb 20 at 1410, turn on the YB-400 to one of the memories I use for internal FM feeding, and what do I hear? Spanish, from Radio Habana Cuba, soon confirmed as such by // 11760 with an echo on the R-75. Must be a mixing product overload between a local signal and a super-strong RHC SW frequency, and my first computation nails it: 87.73 plus 15.37 = 103.1, KOFM Enid. First I`ve noted this kind of thing on the YB-400 with some internal wire clipped onto the whip antenna (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA [and non]. 90.1, Sat Feb 18 at 1949 UT on caradio, open carrier/dead air. Still so quite a few minutes later. Apparently KUCO, which would be running Metropolitan Opera at this time. Occasional bits of the Met come thru the OC, from KHCC, also a Met carrier. KHCC, Hutchinson, Radio Kansas is always a CCI problem depending on tropo enhancement, antenna orientation, but KUCO normally stronger, i.e. the one with dead air. Earlier today KHCC was bothering KUCO more than usual, altho nothing special was showing on the tropo maps (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 92.1, Feb 18 at 1950 UT, open carrier/dead air from KAMG- LP Enid, not to be outdone by KUCO. But this could go on for days, judging from previous unattended behavior. It`s a Spanish gospel huxter satellator when funxional, not exactly a locally programmed station as originally envisioned (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. RF 45, 42, 38, 11, Feb 20 at 1530, Bad DTV signals register thanks to area tropo across central OK extending into KS and TX, per Bill Hepburn`s map for 1500 UT. I sit on 38 hoping it will break thru, but not; probably the OETA translator in Ponca City, K38AK-D, altho my antenna is not pointed that way. BTW, concerning OETA not having to repack, but losing translators above channel 37, Mark Norman`s reply to me about unsolid reception of KETA-13 in Enid, compared to KOCO-7: W9Wi.com shows twice the power on KOCO, 101 vs 50 kW from KETA, HAATs 370 and 462m respectively. It could also be that my antennas provide less gain at the hi end of VHF compared to the lo end of hiband. The higher frequency should also require more precise aiming. So KETA should at least double its power rather than forcing fringe viewers to improve antennas. So if KETA ERP were comparable to KOCO by doubling it, that might solve the problem. Not, I suppose, likely to be possible. I see Mark`s predecessor has taken a job in Enid, of all places. I wonder if he has the same problem now. Maybe I am getting reflections messing up KETA, altho I am not very near any grain elevators or tall (for Enid) buildings (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks for your note. Oeta was given 50kw of power and that is all we will have. Not fair. It FCC treats non-commercial stations that way. (Mark Norman, Interim Executive Director, Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA [and non]. RF TV channel 48, February 22 at 1530 UT, yay! Still ONE NTSC analog station operating around here, but visible only with tropo enhancement, which is big per Bill Hepburn`s maps, possibly extending from here to Michigan, but at least with my antenna aimings, have to be satisfied with closer stuff. 48 is KOCY-LP Oklahoma City, per W9WI.com with 18.1 kW, and a CP for 15 kW from exactly the same site, 35-37-51, 97-29-30, why? Programming is Estrella TV but including large full-screen local IDs, // and almost synchro with the full power KTUZ-RF 29 transmitter but virtually remapped as ``48-1``. Estrella TV is the low-brow SS network with more T&A than the others, and that guy in a clown costume hosting a talkshow. Real ch 48 signal is weak, sometimes with no audio. I tune thru the entire UHF and VHF bands on the analog TV looking for any other NTSC, but none found. Are there any others still operational in the OKC market? Or anywhere in OK? So switch to DTV DX: At 1530, RF 26 has KTEN Ada in well, as 10-1 KTENNBC, 10-2 KTENCW, and 10-3 KTENABC. Caught a local weather break-in to Today Show. At 1535, RF 11, KOED Tulsa is in solid with the four OETA channels, while ``our`` // 13 KETA is breaking up as usual. Signal quality meter shows it constantly fluxuating up and down even under dead conditions, no possible CCI. Zenith STB bandscan around 1535-1540 UT gets all these BAD signals too weak to decode: 8, 12, 14, 19, 21, 22, 28, 31, 36, 38, 42, 44, 47. And these `locals` are not making it either, obviously due to DX QRM: 15, 17 Enid, 23, 27, 46. (As for K17JN-D, the six-channel 3ABN satellator, it`s still very much on, altho Rabbitears.info makes it DK17JN as if Deleted!) At 1541, RF 18 bears KFSM-DT 5-1, NBC from Fort Smith AR, along with 5-2 KXNW-DT 34 with a 34 bug in LR, listed as MyNetwork; and 5-3 as AntTV. City-to-city distance for my `greatest` DX now is 333 km = 207 miles. Also on RF 20, 19-1 KQCW-HD = CW Tulsa On RF 45, my Sanyo screen remaps to 6-1 without showing or hearing anything, yet labeled as KSN-HD, which is the RF-45 in Wichita, really 3-1! Same on 6-2 and 6-3. Then at 1553, RF 45 = 6-1, KOTV Tulsa is black and silent, ``scrambled program`` --- ha ha, another defect of this TV set; not transmitted scrambled but confused by DX CCI. Its OTA DTV tuner is much less sensitive than the Zenith STB, and does not display any signal meter, nor will it tune up and down thru each channel, only from what has been auto-programmed not during a DX opening. Also ``scrambled program`` are 6-2 labeled as KQCW-SD, and 6-3 as NewsOn6. Note that CW is on both RF 20 and RF 45 in Tulsa, why? They will soon have to dispense with everything on 45. At 1647, RF 45 is now remapping to 3-1 ``scrambled program``, i.e. KSNW Wichita which is certainly NOT scrambled. Enough of that, as tropo is burning off this morning. Next morning, Feb 23, similar situation as we are just beyond the western boundary of a slightly enhanced tropo area. (This is to be a near-record February day with highs in the 80s!) At 1523 UT I start by checking analog 48, and KOCY-LP OKC with Estrella TV is in much better than 24 hours ago --- BUT the transmitter keeps dumping off the air for about a minute and back on, e.g. approx.: -1527*, *1528-1529*, 1530-1539*, 1540-1541*, *1542- 1544*, etc. etc. No such interruptions on DTV simulcast via RF 29, KTUZ as 48-1. Real 48 fades out around 1630. Bandscan finds these BAD ones around 1530-1533: 28, 31, 34, 35, 36, 45, 47; also 21, 19, 12. All of these could be Okies if not adjacents. At 1533-1537 UT I survey RF 42, KBZC-LD OKC with its multichannels, before it fades into BAD. All of them show same PSIP ID as KBZC-LD, so one must look for bugs elsewhere to figure out what each of 7 channels carries: 42-1, ? [rabbitears shows American Sports Network] 42-2, Live from Studio 6B [re: Tuff TV] 42-3, game show, unknown [re: BUZZR] [does that lead to KBZC calls?] 42-4, Country LR bug [re: The Country Network] 42-5, QVCover [re: plain QVC] 42-6, QVCPlus 42-7, another shopper with jewelry, LC [re: Shop LC] This signal is normally invisible here. W9WI.com agrees with the subchannel lineup on this 7.2 kW ERP station, explaining that LC means Liquidation Channel (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OMAN. 15140, Feb 19 at 1411, no signal at all from RSO. It hasn`t been enough for easy listening in a long time, but if on, surely there would be a trace. Ivo`s reports indicate it is quite sporadic with English not always occupying this hour and only this hour. 15140, Feb 20 at 1520, RSO is S9-S7 with Qur`an, so certainly on and propagating today (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15140 - Radio Sultanate of Oman - English program on this morning,1436 utc, although signal is at poor level and only audible at peaks over noise level. Heard R & B/ dance music followed by DJ in English speaking over music. intermittent audio only so was only able to get pieces of announcements, heard mention of Tiger Woods,some laughter and canned ads/ promos, "tonight at 8:30" (Stephen C Wood, Harwich, MA, Feb 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4774.9, R. Tarma, Tarma, 2325-2335, 17/2, castelhano, noticiário local; 43342, QRM de CODAR e do B[RASIL]. (Carlos L R de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, 16-22 Feb SW coast obs., Feb 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4775, R. TARMA. Febrero 18. 0013-0025 UT. Música de cumbias peruanas, luego ID de la emisora, luego saludos a personas en la ciudad de Lima y a comunidades peruanas que viven en Santiago de Chile. A las 0022 retorna a la música. SINPO: 55444 (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 95 metros de largo a 10 metros de altura; QTH: Barraza Bajo, IV Región, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) 4747, R. HUANTA 2000. Febrero 20. 2327-2343 UT. Avisos de grupos musicales y de cooperativas de ahorro y organizaciones educacionales SINPO: 45333. (Claudio Galaz; RX: TECSUN PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 40 metros; QTH: Ovalle, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** PERU. 4955, R. CULTURAL AMAUTA. Febrero 16. 2342-2353 UT. Lectura de declaraciones judiciales de personas que deben presentarse el 19 de febrero, en tribunales. Luego avisos de trabajo de construcción de canales de regadío (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL 660; ANT: Hilo de 40 metros; QTH: Ovalle, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) 4955, R. Cultural Amauta, Huanta, 2330-2340, 17/2, castelhano, anúncios comerc., informações várias, música; 45332 (Carlos L R de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, 16-22 Feb SW coast obs., Feb 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) R. CULTURAL AMAUTA. Febrero 20. 2344-2355 UT. Programa en quechua donde se reciben llamados de los auditores hasta las 2350. Luego informaciones locales en español. SINPO: 45444 (Claudio Galaz; RX: TECSUN PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 40 metros; QTH: Ovalle, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** PERU. 5025, R. QUILLABAMBA. Febrero 17. 0032-0043 UT. Radioteatro en quechua donde habla una voz de niñas y una de un varón de modo intercalado. SINPO: 54444 con leve QRM de R. Rebelde en la misma frecuencia y que se recibe con mucho fading, sin heterodinos entre ellas como es acostumbrado a esta hora, cuando ambas emisoras tienen buenas condiciones de propagación (Claudio Galaz, RX: Tecsun PL 660; ANT: Hilo de 40 metros; QTH: Ovalle, Chile, condiglistas yg via DXLD) ** PERU. 5980, Feb 17 at 0101, R. Chaski JBA carrier, standing by for autocutoff which happens at 0101:42*, i.e. 20 seconds later than last catch three nights earlier, Feb 14 until 0101:22*, averaging right on six and two-thirds seconds per noctem; ah, such precision, and total disregard for whatever programming is in progress, but hardly audible here (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5980, R, CHASKI, Febrero 18. 1200-1210 UT. Devocional con avisos de Radio Transmundial, luego música instrumental, ID: “Red Radio Integridad”, a las 1210 se inicia un estudio de doctrina básica. SINPO: 42452 con mucho QRM de Martí, PBS Gannan en la misma frecuencia [sic; really 5979] u otras emisoras en frecuencias contiguas. 5980, R. CHASKI, Febrero 19. 0000-0013 UT. Música instrumental e ID: “Red Radio Integridad, en 700 am desde Lima, Perú”. Luego el microprograma “Alimento para el Alma” realizado por Radio Transmundial y datos de contactos en Perú. Luego espacio musical, primero instrumental, luego de coros infantiles de escuela dominical. ID y avisos de aplicación de R.R, Integridad. SINPO: 54555 con leve QRM de heterodino que muchas veces es inaudible. 5980, R. CHASKI. Febrero 20. 2314-2327 UT. Programa: “El camino de la vida” hasta las 2320, luego cantos protestantes e ID de Red Radio Integridad más avisos de materiales disponibles en la oficina de la emisora. SINPO: 53443 con heterodino permanente (Claudio Galaz; RX: TECSUN PL-660; ANT: Hilo de 40 metros; QTH: Ovalle, Chile, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES [and non]. 15190. Feb 19 at 1921, Radyo Pilipinas, Tinang, in Tagalog. Some songs; 1928 Man announcer talks, ID, frequencies and addresses; 1929 National Anthem and sign-off at 1930. Station with good signal and fair modulation, 45433. After 1930 UT, appears the signal of Radio Inconfidência, on 15190 kHz, in a transmission of Brazilian football game and a very poor station, 35332 (DXer: José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-PB, Brazil, Degen DE1103 & Sony ICF-SW100S & Twente WebSDR, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** PITCAIRN ISLAND [and non]. Glenn: Yesterday morning I stumbled on a new country while tuning about on the SDR, hearing VP6EU working DX to Europe from Adamstown, Pitcairn Island, on 21222 kHz, at 1539-1715 GMT. It's the station of the "Pitcairn DXpedition 2017". Their website is http://pitcairn2017.de/ [2 from Germany, one from Netherlands, until March 5] I wondered if it was via long path because I was hearing RNZI on 7355 a few minutes before. Last week I heard 9H5BZ from Gozo Island, Republic of Malta, on 14165 kHz, at 2005 GMT, working North America. Another station I've heard several times on 20 meters is VE100VIMY, commemorating the battle of Vimy Ridge, in April, 1917. Good DX (Richard Allen, OK, G313e & ALA1530LNP, Sent from my iPad, 1427 UT Feb 20, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn: It's now 1520 GMT and I hearing VP6EU on 21283 USB working Europe (mostly German and Italian stations) in English and German language (Richard. Sent from my iPad, ibid.) Tnx to Richard Allen near Perry OK, for a tip, I hear VP6EU on 21283- USB, Feb 20 at 1557, German accent, working Europeans only such as IK4GRO, LX1EA and a DF7, in no hurry to utter own callsign until hourtop 1600. Says is listening 5-15 kHz up. Had ACI from CO6AZE calling CQ on 21281-USB. You might think this is a bit early for a Pacifican to be propagating on 15m, but the island is on UT -8 just like the North American west coast. {Longitude 130+ west, about the same as Prince Rupert BC} (Hmmm, VP6 used to be Barbados). Richard was also hearing VP6EU yesterday at 1529-1722 on 21222-USB. He refers to: "Pitcairn DXpedition 2017", website is http://pitcairn2017.de/ (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn: Also, heard them working CW on 18085 with the past couple of hours. They are working on more than frequency at the same time. Preparing to work on 160 meters later. Adamstown is 4733 miles from here at 211 (Richard Allen, between Perry & Billings OK, Sent from my iPad, 1840 UT Feb 20, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PUNTLAND. 13800, SOMALI, Puntland Radio presumed the one at 1543 [sic] in Somali with a man with a telephone interview of another man with many mentions of “Somalia” and a possible mention of “Puntland” just as Radio Tamazuj was signing on via Madagascar at 1459 – Fair Feb 17 – This is the first time I have noted this one as Radio Tamazuj via Nauen or Madagascar is often covering it up (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Drake SPR4 Receiver, Drake TR7, Kenwood TS440S, and YouKits TJ5A Transceivers, AEA AT-300 and MFJ-941E Manual Tuners, LDG Z-100 Plus Auto Tuner, 40 meter and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA yg via DXLD) R. Tamazuj starts 13800 at 1430 via Nauen, switch to Mad. Circa 1500. I assume his ``1543`` time must be a typo for 1453 (or something before 1500) to make sense. Be VERY careful in sorting out Radio Puntland from the South/Sudan surrogates (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA [and non]. 'I thought I was smarter than almost everybody': my double life as a KGB agent | World news | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/11/thought-smarter-everybody-kgb-spy-jack-barsk (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) Long story mentions shortwave spycomms in passing a few times, no details about that (gh, DXLD) ** RUSSIA [non]. USA, 5850, Thrilled me, heard via WRMI Okeechobee an Ukrainian/Russian ? language program at, talked about "Radio Sputnik" ID at 0638 UT. S=9+10dB signal heard in central Florida-US. Mentioned a lot of FM radio station talk, about Ukrainske Radio and Media. Nothing visible yet in detail on the shaded blue RMI schedule, System 'D' https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nEVwCMB9RSKowLzLXamyayVpCzjmPAw_SB1r3YOdzQc/edit?pref=2&pli=1#gid=0 (Wolfgang Büschel, UT Sun Feb 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) as in DXLD 17-06: The new broadcast schedule of the program "Radiopanorama" through WRMI (time - UT): Sun 0630-0700 - 5850, 7730 to the Far East [and surely 6855] Mon 2000-2030 - 11580 for Eastern Europe (http://dxing.ru/ via RusDX Feb 5 via DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA. 17615.069v, Feb 16 at 1457, Qur`an from BSKSA, poor signal and off-frequency; recheck at 1523, now measured on 17615.005v, and audibly drifting as I listen with BFO. This one is 190 degrees from Riyadh, not good for us. 13710.015, Feb 16 at 1534, dead air; no, wait, there`s some Qur`aning, with very long pauses, BSKSA with flutter from S9 to S6. 295 degrees from Riyadh, better for us (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SIKKIM. 4835, INDIA, AIR Gangtok, 1448 UT, February 16. An English program of western pop music such as Red Hot Chili Peppers "Californication". Fair. Absolutely the first time I have ever heard anything other than Indian music on an AIR Regional station. Also heard February 17, 1457 to 1600 UT Sign off in English except the 1515 to 1530 Hindi newscast. Good (Mick Delmage Sherwood Park, Alberta, Perseus SDR; Wellbrook loop, NASWA Flashsheet via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) 4835, AIR Gangtok, 1457-1515, Feb 17. Nicely above threshold level audio; at most times able to make out the language used; 1457-1512 alternating announcers in Hindi; 1512 the usual tone to start the New Delhi audio feed, with commercial announcements in Hindi, till news in Hindi at 1515. Certainly one of their better days (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4835, AIR Gangtok, on Feb 21, with unusually good propagation; the best reception I have had here since ABC went silent; 1508 with subcontinent music; 1512 switch over to audio feed from New Delhi, starting with tone; singing ads in Hindi; 1515 tone before news in Hindi. My audio at http://goo.gl/BDcirm (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX WORLD OF RADIO 1866, LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. 5020, Wantok FM (via SIBC) 1415-1505+ 10 Feb. Presumed Wantok FM with segued pop/reggae/ballads. If the DJ spoke at all, I missed it. Still nice to know they're occasionally running late (Dan Sheedy, CA, PL380/6m X wire via Bob Wilkner, NASWA yg via DXLD) 5020, SIBC, 1157 usual transmission ending religious inspirational segment. 1200 instrumental music and canned English voice-over closing ID announcement by W "You've been listening to the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, R. Happy Isles. We have been transmitting on 1035 kilohertz in the mediumwave band and the shortwave frequency of 5020 kHz, and 9545 kHz in the 60 and 31 meterbands. We're now closing down for today but we resume transmissions tomorrow morning at 6 o'clock. So until then, from all of us at SIBC, goodnight everyone", instrumental NA, and signal off at 1202:16. Despite Rebelde, this was the most readable signal in a long time. 17 Feb. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S and 153 foot Delta Loop, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) 5020, SIBC. In Dec, noted many days with extended broadcasting post- 1200*, but in Jan, did not hear any and now in Feb am again hearing some, but certainly not on a daily basis. Feb 18, tuned in at 1303 to hear SIBC with extended airing of non-stop pop songs ("My Boyfriend's Back," etc.); no IDs heard, so clearly not a Wantok FM relay; 1314 audio ended and went to dead air (open carrier), which was still on at 1608. Very unfortunate that they ended the audio early, while still keeping the transmitter on for many hours after that. Why not just keep the audio going? (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5020, Feb 19 at 1407, music at S4-S6, so SIBC must be on late again, perhaps simulcasting Wantok FM. Ron Howard reported yesterday they were extending past 1200* again but not daily; on Feb 18 he says they ended modulation at 1314, dead air past 1608! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5020, Wantok FM relay via SIBC, 1404-1448 & 1517-1537 and still on at 1550, Feb 19; being as it's Sunday, heard with all contemporary worship songs in English (song "Broken Vessels - Amazing Grace", etc.); only very brief IDs - "Wantok FM 96.3. Good times, great music" and "The hottest sounds ... with the hottest DJs, 96.3"; mostly fair. They must have read my comments yesterday - "Very unfortunate that they ended the audio early, while still keeping the transmitter on for many hours after that. Why not just keep the audio going?" Yes, was very nice today to have audio! My recording of ID and "Broken Vessels - Amazing Grace" at http://goo.gl/UJmXHd (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5020, Wantok FM relay, via SIBC. Yes, Feb 21, with yet another day of a long, extended broadcast; 1244, till past 1518; strong signal during unique propagation; good reception at times; pop songs (Bette Midler - "From a Distance [God Is Watching Us]," etc.); short IDs - "Listen non-stop, non-stop, 96.3," "This is Wantok FM 96.3. Good times, great music" and "Listen to the hottest sounds ... with the hottest DJs, 96.3." My edited audio of a few IDs attached (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. 7170-LSB, Feb 21 at 0716, H44MS, Bernard, in Honiara in QSO with Bill who is thrilled, W1ZY. H44 is much weaker but still more readable than SIBC ever is (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, 60 meters has been really good here in central Alberta the past week. Here is Solomon Islands at 1455 UTC this morning Feb 21. Stayed this way past 1600 UT. 73 (Mick Delmage, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALILAND. 7120-AM, Feb 21 at 0333, Qur`an at S8-S9, better signal and modulation than usual but intermittent co-channel but LSB QRhaM upon Radio Hargeisa (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) SOMÁLIA, 7120, R. Hargueisa, Hargueisa, Somalilândia, 1843-1856, 21/2, líng. aparentada c/ o árabe, texto; 35433, QRM esporádica, de radioamadores. Dado que passo estes relatos ao Glenn Hauser, e ele os reproduz no grupo DXLD yg e usa no seu boletim DXLD, é admissível que muitos não falantes de português estranhem certos nomes estrangeiros grafados de forma não habitual...; ora, no caso particular de "Hargueisa", o -u- é mesmo necessário, caso contrário, ler-se-ia -geisa e não -gueisa (Carlos L R de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, 16-22 Feb SW coast obs., Feb 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. 15399.978, also slightly odd frequency, S=8-9 signal. BBC English from SenTec site at Meyerton-AFS/RSA, at 0735 UT on Feb 19. 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, Feb 19 dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. 17760, Nothing heard today Sunday only South African amateur radio program of SARL, via SenTec Meyerton, 08-09 UT at 0845 UT. They close often earlier. Maybe finished the program already at this time? 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, Feb 19 dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. 5129.840-AM, Feb 16 at 0712, Brother Scare is audible poorly on this WBCQ; and also on 7490.046-AM. Supposed to be on 9330 too, inaudible, maybe transmitting but totally unpropagating. No Cuban spy numbers now on 9330 but there should be, four other nights of the week circa 0700. 9329.92v-CUSB, Feb 20 at 1525, Brother Scare is VP at S2-S4 via WBCQ, varying audibly with BFO. Contrary to Ivo`s guess that this was not on in our mornings. Supposedly it`s 24 hours, filling all time not already committed to other programming (and subject to preëmption for special bookings). Much weaker than e.g. 9315 Tinian: see TIBET [non]. 11825, Feb 22 at 1427, Brother Scare on WRMI is talking about being on 5765 and 5015, which were canceled almost two months ago, and on 6000 --- apparently a listener report from UK, and he also mentions Bulgaria/Romania in same breath as a relay site. As far as we know it`s only Bulgaria now (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN [and non]. 7157-LSB, Feb 16 at 0723, ZL1HX in contact with weaker EA3BOX, call copied at 0725. I had found 40m almost devoid of any ham signals so started hunting for anything. It is the middle of our night, but still, skip must be really long, so we don`t hear much from within North America if any be active. ZL1HX is Bowden Ashton (BOW), in Wellsford NZ per qrz.com. EA3BOX is a Catalonian separatist at least for DXCC purposes, Joan Solà Vilaseca, 17220 Sant Feliu de Guixols, Catalunya, Spain (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN. 15390. Feb 16 at 2152, Radio Exterior de España, Noblejas, in Spanish. Man and woman announcers present "Españoles en la Mar"; 2155 ID, website; REE announcements; A song; 2200 time pips and next, program "Cinco Continentes": variety news and themes about many countries. REE with very good signal and modulation, 45544 (DXer: Jose Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-PB, Brazil, Degen DE1103 & Tecsun S- 2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. 12035, Feb 16 at 1543, JBA talk with flutter. HFCC shows it`s AWR in Marathi via Trincomalee this semihour only; after a one- hour buffer following Turkey in case VOT runs over. 345-degree azimuth is favorable for us (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN. 7205. Feb 22 at 0345, Radio Republic of Sudan, Al Aitahab, in Arabic. Open carrier and dead air (DXer: José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-PB, Brazil, Degen DE1103 & Sony ICF-SW100S, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** SUDAN SOUTH [non]. Tuning in to Eye Radio's afternoon broadcast (1600-1700 UTC) on 15250 kHz via Issoudun yesterday and today hoping to hear some direct coverage of the famine situation in South Sudan in the English segment, all I heard was interviews about the military situation and the difficulties that the UN team monitoring the "permanent" ceasefire are having in reaching conflict areas to assess ceasefire violations, with the South Sudan Army barring them from doing their job. Of course, the famine situation is not completely divorced from the military situation – (Richard Langley, Feb 22, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Good signal of Eye Radio via TDF Issoudun, Feb 15 1600-1700 on 15250 ISS 250 kW / 130 deg to EaAf Arabic/English* *including other languages Dinka/Nuer/Shilluk/Bari/Zande/Lutoho http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2017/02/good-signal-of-eye-radio-via-tdf.html (Ivo Ivanov, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWAZILAND. Evening Glenn. TWR Africa via Manzini, Swaziland on 20- Feb-2017 at 1826 UT on 6130. SINO mostly 4444 but sometimes 2222 due to occasional interference from an unknown source. Can't be sure that this was TWR Africa but I ran the frequency past shortwaveschedule.com while listening and that site said there was nothing else on 6130 at the time I was listening. The log was taken while using the radio of a BMW car from my employer's fleet: I am lucky to regularly drive vehicles that have a small shortwave band (5900-6250 kHz). 73 (Dave Harries, Bristol, England, Feb 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. Latest changes of Radio Taiwan International from Feb 15: Updated winter B16 of Radio Taiwan International may be found here http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2017/02/latest-changes-of-radio-taiwan.html 73! (Ivo Ivanov, QTH: Sofia, Bulgaria, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. RTI voted world's best Spanish-language shortwave radio station --- Taiwan Today Date: February 14, 2017 http://www.eyeontaiwan.com/rti-voted-worlds-best-spanish-language-shortwave-radio-station RTI's Spanish-language broadcasters are all smiles outside of the radio station's headquarters in Taipei City. (Courtesy of RTI) [caption] Radio Taiwan International was named the world's best Spanish-language shortwave station for 2016 by a Brazil-based association of radio enthusiasts, RTI announced Feb. 10, highlighting the global reach of the state-run broadcasting service. DX Clube Sem Fronteiras members from 14 countries, predominantly Latin American nations including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba and Chile, voted for the award online between Sept. 1 and Dec. 15 last year. RTI beat out Spanish-language competitors from Japan, South Korea, the U.S. and mainland China to claim the top honor. Several of RTI's programs also performed well in the awards. The station's "El Cartero" show placed second in the all request category, while two of its broadcasts finished in the top 10 in the variety show rankings. RTI also had three representatives each in the categories for best male and best female presenters (via Mike COoper, DXLD) The rest of the story: turnout in this survey was so small (not publicized) that the results are not significant, but don`t let that stop the self-promoters (gh, DXLD) ** TAIWAN [non]. 7730 > 5850 > 6855, Thursday Feb 16 at 0710, here`s Keith Perron from PCJ on three WRMI frequencies, once again appearing 24 hours before the Friday hour shown on the WRMI skedgrid (when we axually hear `Viva Miami` to start the hour, then `World Music`). The PCJ homepage http://www.pcjmedia.com/ still doesn`t show this regular broadcast of `Media Network Plus`; tho it may be an unofficial bonus, might as well publicize it. Another one is Wed at 22-23 on 5950 (and also 11580, 6855, still not displayed on the WRMI schedule --- better monitor for that to be sure). (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAJIKISTAN. 4790, BBC Uzbek, 1302 and 1330* (almost 1331), Feb 21. Poor, but about the best reception I have had here; good propagation, but the usual heavy CODAR QRM; CNR1 jamming extremely faint; a long radio drama; 1330 BBC ID and pips. Not often I can actually make out the ID. My audio at http://goo.gl/TmzlQU (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. 5875, R.T. End of Vietnamese program at 1114. Usual bells IS, M in English with ID and lang. program announcement, and several more reps of the bells IS. Good signal. 17 Feb. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S and 153 foot Delta Loop, Hard- Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** TIBET [non]. 9315, Feb 20 at 1525, English clip about high blood pressure, then back to Tibetan, for it`s RFA via TINIAN this hour only (earlier via Tajikistan). Strangely, HFCC as of Feb 16 still does not show any broadcasts on 9315, while Aoki says 9315 for this started November 11! Maybe that`s why no ChiCom jamming is to be heard? Noted as much stronger signal than 9329.92v-CUSB, Brother HyStairical via WBCQ (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA [non]. 15240, Sat Feb 18 at 1711, 1935 chex, no sign of WWRB with Radio Munansi clandestine. Neighbor WWCR managed a VP 15825 carrier at 1711. Is Munansi gone for good? Also look for it Sunday sometime between 16 and 22 [Not heard Feb 12, 25, 26 either] (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE. RADIO ON THE FRONT LINES IN UKRAINE February 13, 2017 donbas realities http://pressroom.rferl.org/a/28307044.html Donbas Realities FM broadcasts are a crucial source of reliable news and information in war-torn eastern Ukraine, and proof of the enduring power of radio. RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of Donbas Realities, a one-hour live FM radio broadcast airing weekdays to more than 15 cities in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, including the occupied cities Donetsk and Luhansk. Although the Ukrainian Service also reaches audiences in the troubled east under Ukrainian government control via web, television, and social media, the radio has repeatedly proved a powerful platform that listeners turn to for reliable information in times of crisis. Since the outbreak of fighting with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014, residents in occupied territories have been effectively cut off from most international media on TV and radio, and websites that don’t support the separatist line are periodically blocked. The signal carrying Donbas Realities is also sometimes blocked, but the program’s producer Tetiana Iakubovych says listeners who rely on the show are in constant touch with her staff in Kyiv, a demonstration of the more personal connection listeners have to radio. “In separatist held cities sometimes there is a signal and sometimes not,” said Iakubovych. "But listeners call in and tell us ‘Gorlovka hears you! Donetsk hears you!’” Broadcasting in both Russian and Ukrainian, Donbas Realities covers local and international news stories that are either ignored or misrepresented by pro-Kremlin media targeting audiences in the region. Recent programs have focused on transportation and infrastructure problems caused by the fighting, difficulties accessing medical care and education, and the recent flare-up in fighting in the city of Avdiyivka. “The U.S. election was also a huge story for us because our listeners know that the outcome has an impact on the course of the war,” said Iakubovych. Donbas Realities also holds regular live shows from eastern cities featuring panels of local people discussing their lives and the hardships they face living on the front lines. These shows were also especially popular with listeners in western Ukraine, who Iakubovych says are curious about how people live in the parts of their country affected by the war, but who have little opportunity to hear from them. Newsgathering in a war zone presents its own challenges. According to Freedom House, open warfare in the east has made Ukraine “one of the most dangerous working environments for the media.” Donbas Realities has reporters working in both the occupied and government controlled areas, with correspondents in the occupied territories contributing anonymously and observing very strict security protocols. With divisions running deep, Iakubovych says the most important thing is that Donbas Realities is a reliable source of news and information for both Russian and Ukrainian speakers. “Our motto is ‘Without Dividing Lines,’” said Iakubovych. “And we dissolve those dividing lines by applying RFE/RL’s rigorous standards of accuracy to ensure our credibility.” --Emily Thompson (via Volodya Salminiw, BC, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U A E. The 4th Babcock transmitter unit at Al Dhabbaya-UAE always odd frequency, noted at 0729 UT on Feb 19 here in Europe: 17640.132 kHz measured when BBC English program heard, an interview report on "British Design and Technology Museum" at London. S=9+20dB signal, easy armchair listening. 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, Feb 19 dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC AND MPS CLASH OVER SALE OF CAVERSHAM PARK GLOBAL LISTENING POST --- Dispute over who will cash in from disposal of monitoring centre at stately home [illustrated] https://www.ft.com/content/29b0085e-f2a8-11e6-8758-6876151821a6 (via Chuck Albertson, DXLD) The link takes me to a subscribe page, FT.com does allow sharing if you do it using a share facility under the article on either Facebook or Twitter. The link from this tweet does work for me, even if I am not signed in to my Twitter account. https://twitter.com/doufani/status/832557724957286400 (Mike Barraclough, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) ** U K. 9485, BaBcoCk Test Transmission, Woofferton. Testing on Dec 5 between 0840 and 0910 with the usual snippets of royalty free music and frequent short announcements, requesting reception reports. Fair signal and no QRM, just thunderstorm noise. Email duly sent along with 30 second video clip. Reply back in six minutes (!) from Dave Porter, G4OYX (Rob Wagner, VK3BVW, Mount Evelyn, VIC (Yaesu FTDX 3000, Kenwood TS2000, Yaesu FRG100, Sangean ATS909, Tecsun PL-680, Double Bazooka antennas for 80, 40 and 20 metres, Par EF-SWL End Fed antenna, BHI NEIM1031 Digital Noise Eliminating Module, MFJ-1026 Noise Cancelling Module, ATU), Jan/Feb Australian DX News via DXLD) Dave is retired, but seems to have taken upon himself QSLing duties (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. 7435-USB, Sat Feb 18 at 1728, MARS net at midday, 8TX1, with full call AFA8KX, 1729 says the net is now free without NCS supervision, secure at will, full callsigns are required. Notable that at night this is a Radio Martí broadcast frequency (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 13557.539, Feb 19 at 1418, HIFER beacon sending MTI ID at very slow rate every 13.5 seconds or so, or slightly more than 4 times per minute. It`s from Stone Mountain, GA near Atlanta. Haven`t heard this one since Oct 14 at 1447. 13565-CW, Feb 16 at 1537, beacon K6FRC from California is JBA between fades, and vs CODAR; call sent about 7 times per minute. 13564-CW, Feb 16 at 1538, beacon GNK from Madison WI is JBA vs CODAR, sent about 8 times per minute (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 2500 poor, 5000 good, 10000 poor, 15000 very poor, Feb 21 at 1555, WWV is still on the air rather than publicized hiatus for electrical upgrade. Of course, I`ve been careful to be sure I am hearing WWV rather than WWVH, which is underneath on 15000. Not rechecked until 1948, when on 15000 I am getting WWVH at S7 but no WWV; this close could still be a trace not completely skipping over. On 1000, WWV is S9+20 and no WWVH. 5000 is fair with WWV. Nothing audible on 2500 or 20000. So what is WWV announcing at 2004? Still the same announcement as for weeks about the Feb 21 and Feb 22 outages, from 1400 for no more than 8 hours each. Should try to hear LOL at 1400-1500. 10000, 5000, 2500, 15000, Feb 22 at 1450-1453 checks, WWV is not a no- show for scheduled electrical upgrade outage, i.e. I am still hearing it (and on 5000 also WWVH). Perhaps the breaks have been intermittent as I am not listening for this all days Feb 21 & 22. May not be WWV`s fault as the contractor may have rescheduled the whole thing, but WWV should have kept us up to date with the announcements at :04 past every hour (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WWV outages: it seems there were some on Feb 21 & 22, and more on an additional day beyond what was publicized, but nowhere near 8 hours max. Website has a roster of outages going way back, the latest being: ``WWV and WWVH Broadcast Outages https://www.nist.gov/pml/time-and-frequency-division/time-services/wwv-broadcast-outages The tables below show the date and times when NIST Radio Stations WWV and WWVH were off the air. During normal operation the signals are available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. The tables list all outages since January 1, 2000 that lasted for more than 5 minutes. WWV Broadcast Outages [MJD = Mean? Julian Day] Date MJD Began Ended (UTC) Frequency 02-23-2017 57807 1439 1626 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 MHz 02-22-2017 57806 1936 2156 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 MHz 02-21-2017 57805 1608 1848 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 MHz 09-15-2014 [. . .]`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. VOA Radiogram, 18-19 Feb 2017 --- VOA Radiogram this weekend includes a story about bumblebees, and some text in ??????????? [ukrainskiy]. Mostly MFSK32, with some Olivia 64-2000. http://voaradiogram.net/post/157361241402/voa-radiogram-18-19-february-2017-bumblebees-and Posted by: (kimelliott, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) VOA Radiogram this weekend includes a story about bumblebees, and some text in ???????????. Mostly MFSK32, with some Olivia 64-2000. "Comrade, this is what MFSK32 sounds like!" ;-) http://www.rhci-online.net/radiogram/VoA_Radiogram_2017-02-18.htm#Comrade "... text in ???????????" - Not so difficult. In the old days, a similar language was teached here in school, with similar characters and view: Russian. And Comrade Putin still had his job in Dresden. (roger, germany, ibid.) 15670, Sun Feb 19 at 1406*, steady S9 open carrier goes off seconds after I tune in --- no doubt VOA Greenville testing for later Radiogram broadcast Sunday at 1930 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. HOW TO MAKE THE VOICE OF AMERICA COME THROUGH LOUD AND CLEAR The broadcaster's purpose isn't just to entertain, or even to inform. It's to wage the battle of ideas. Photo: AUDIO ENGINEERING SOCIETY By Robert Reilly Feb. 17, 2017 6:48 p.m. ET 15 COMMENTS https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-make-the-voice-of-america-come-through-loud-and-clear-1487375332 After Ronald Reagan was elected in 1980, a Voice of America broadcast said that "now for the first time, the United States will have as president a former actor, a divorced man, and the son of an alcoholic." When I handed this transcript to my boss, Charles Wick -- the new director of the U.S. Information Agency, which then oversaw the broadcaster -- he exploded with anger. I wonder how President Trump would react if he saw the Robert De Niro video that Voice of America's Ukrainian service posted online last October, adding subtitles and VOA's logo. In the video, which was created by an initiative called Vote Your Future, Mr. De Niro unloads about Mr. Trump: "He's so blatantly stupid; he's a punk; he's a dog; he's a pig; he's a con" -- and so forth. No context was provided for this rant, and the Ukrainian service took it down after being criticized. One doesn't have to be a Trump supporter to ask why a taxpayer-funded news service, whose job is to tell America's story to the world, would do this. Voice of America began to lose its mission when the U.S. Information Agency was abolished in 1999. Instead it was placed under an eight- person, part-time Broadcasting Board of Governors. Having so many executives in charge created a lot of confusion, but to make matters worse, several governors had made their fortunes in media and sought to apply commercial criteria to the Voice of America. As a result, who listens became less important than how many listen or the content the VOA was broadcasting. Youth audiences became a primary target. In 2002, Voice of America's Arabic service was eliminated altogether and replaced with a pop-music station, Radio Sawa--and in the middle of a war, no less. As Voice of America's director at the time, I questioned the wisdom of this decision. The chairman of the board justified it by saying that "MTV brought down the Berlin Wall." What was the effect of this superficiality? A few years later, a Jordanian journalist named Jamal Nimri summed it up to me by saying: "Radio Sawa is fun, but it's irrelevant." Others were less charitable. In 2013, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Congress that the Broadcasting Board of Governors "is practically defunct in terms of its capacity to be able to tell a message around the world. So we're abdicating the ideological arena, and we need to get back into it." Thanks to the work of Rep. Ed Royce (R., Calif.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, there is a chance that the Voice of America can finally get back into the ideological arena. Last December, Congress passed Mr. Royce's bill taking authority over the broadcaster away from the board of governors and returning it to the executive branch. Mr. Trump now has the authority to appoint, with Senate confirmation, a full-time CEO who will report to the president, just as cabinet secretaries do. The first thing the Voice of America's new leader will have to face is how seriously disoriented the broadcast has become. Walter Issacson, chairman of the Board of Governors from 2010-12, once said something all too typical: "We just want to get good news, reliable news, and credible information out." Reliable news was always a part of American broadcasting, but the mission is more. When the Dalai Lama called Voice of America's Tibetan service "the bread of the Tibetan people," and when Aung San Suu Kyi called the Burmese service "the hope of the Burmese people," they were not merely talking about "news." News is something commercial broadcasters can do well. Government broadcasting is needed when the U.S. wants to communicate a message to a key audience that would otherwise not hear it. This is why the Voice of America was never envisaged in its charter as simply a news organization. Its duty was always to reveal the character of the American people and thereby the underlying principles of American life. It owes its listeners the truth of how free people live -- and a corrective of the distorted images that our own popular culture sometimes creates, which help inflame anti-American sentiment. That is why news is not enough. Equally important, the Voice of America is supposed to present and explain the policies of the U.S. government through what is effectively its "editorial page." Such programming offers the most direct means to ensure that America's friends and foes know what Washington is doing and why. Yet the broadcaster's Policy Office staff, which produces the editorials, has been cut 50%. Symptomatically, in 2008 Jeffrey Trimble, the staff director of the board of governors at the time, said: "It is not in our mandate to influence." If this is so, why bother? Why should the taxpayer keep funding Voice of America? VOA's job should be to advance the justice of the American cause while simultaneously undermining our opponents'. This was very successful during the Cold War. Why not implement a refashioned version of the strategy today? Information warfare is being waged against the U.S. by Islamic State, China and Russia, among others. President Trump should nominate someone to lead the Voice of America who knows how to fight such wars- -just as well as Defense Secretary Jim Mattis knows how to fight kinetic ones. Together, they could win. Mr. Reilly is director of the Westminster Institute. He served as director of Voice of America, 2001-02 (via Mike Cooper, David Cole, DXLD) ** U S A. Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse.... BBG management followed, legitimized fake VOA Iran Twitter feed for years http://bbgwatch.com/bbgwatch/bbg-management-followed-legitimized-fake-voa-iran-twitter-feed-for-years/ (Dan Robinson, Feb 22, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. WORLD OF RADIO 1865 monitoring: first SW broadcast confirmed Thursday February 16 at 1230 on WRMI 6855, good S9, and 9955, better S9+10 atop pulse jamming; tnx a lot, Arnie! Next: Thu 2130 WRMI 11580 to NE Fri 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Fri 2230 WRMI 11580 to NE, 6855 to WNW, 5950 to S Sat 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Sat 0730 HLR 6190-CUSB to WSW Sat 1530 HLR 7265-CUSB to WSW Sat 2030v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sat 2330 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Sun 0410v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sun 1130 HLR 9485-CUSB to SW Mon 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Mon 0400v WBCQ 5130v Area 51 to WSW Mon 0430 WRMI 9955 to SSE Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 to WNW Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Tue 2130 WRMI 15770 to NE, 6855 to WNW Tue 2300 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Wed 1030 WRMI 5850 to NW, 6855 to WNW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW WORLD OF RADIO 1865 monitoring: confirmed Thursday February 16 at 2130 on WRMI, 11580, S8-S9. Also confirmed UT Friday Feb 17 at 0040 the 0030 on WBCQ 9330.07v-CUSB, S9+10. As I listen, it drifts up from 9330.05 to 9330.09. Next: Fri 2230 WRMI 11580 to NE, 6855 to WNW, 5950 to S Sat 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Sat 0730 HLR 6190-CUSB to WSW Sat 1530 HLR 7265-CUSB to WSW Sat 2030v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sat 2330 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Sun 0410v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sun 1130 HLR 9485-CUSB to SW Mon 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Mon 0400v WBCQ 5130v Area 51 to WSW Mon 0430 WRMI 9955 to SSE Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 to WNW Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Tue 2130 WRMI 15770 to NE, 6855 to WNW Tue 2300 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Wed 1030 WRMI 5850 to NW, 6855 to WNW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) GERMANY, Reception of Hamburger Lokalradio on 6190 kHz, Feb 18: Media Network Plus 0700-0730 on 6190 GOH 001 kW / 230 deg to CeEu English Sat CUSB World of Radio#1865 0730-0800 on 7190 GOH 001 kW / 230 deg to CeEu English Sat CUSB http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2017/02/reception-of-hamburger-lokalradio-on_18.html 73! (Ivo Ivanov, QTH: Sofia, Bulgaria, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF RADIO 1865 monitoring: confirmed Friday February 17 at 2230 on WRMI 11580, 6855 and 5950. Yes, 6855 is back on and not 6870 as I was hypothesizing earlier. Missed checking next airing, UT Sat 0030 on WBCQ 9330v-CUSB. Confirmed by Ivo in Bulgaria, 0630 UT Sat Feb 18 on HLR 6190-CUSB. I try to confirm Sat 1530 on HLR 7265, but once again via UTwente SDR can hear only two other stations mixing, one of them with S Asian music, CRI Hindi via Kashgar. I now think the understation is CNR2 from Baoji site, listed in Aoki until 1605. Recheck at the end, still no WOR/HLR audible, *1601 everything blotted by huge CRI Russian. WOR 1865 also confirmed Sat Feb 18 at 2330 on WBCQ, 9329.84v-CUSB, good. Next: Sun 0410v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sun 1130 HLR 9485-CUSB to SW Mon 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Mon 0400v WBCQ 5130v Area 51 to WSW Mon 0430 WRMI 9955 to SSE Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 to WNW Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Tue 2130 WRMI 15770 to NE, 6855 to WNW Tue 2300 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Wed 1030 WRMI 5850 to NW, 6855 to WNW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) EMR, WOR and Radio Tropicana via HLR Goehren, Feb 19: European Music Radio 0900-1000 on 9485 GOH 001 kW / 230 deg to CeEu English 3rd Sun CUSB World of Radio#1865 1130-1200 on 9485 GOH 001 kW / 230 deg to CeEu English Sun CUSB Radio Tropicana 1200-1300 on 9485 GOH 001 kW / 230 deg to CeEu English Sun CUSB http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2017/02/european-music-radio-wor-and-radio.html 73! (Ivo Ivanov, QTH: Sofia, Bulgaria, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) AUSTRALIA. I heard Unique Radio on the SDR receiver at Freemans Reach NSW, from tune in at 1125 UT [Sunday Feb 19 on 3210]. Fairly weak but steady signal there, with a lot of static. Programming included World of Radio starting at 1134. 73s (Dave Kenny, England, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF RADIO 1865 monitoring: confirmed UT Sunday February 19 at 0437 on WA0RCR, 1860-AM, MO, S9+20, at Nigeria item, 18 minutes into show, so started circa 0419. Ivo in Bulgaria confirms Sun Feb 19 at 1130 on HLR 9485-CUSB. Next: Mon 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Mon 0400v WBCQ 5130v Area 51 to WSW Mon 0430 WRMI 9955 to SSE Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 to WNW Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Tue 2130 WRMI 15770 to NE, 6855 to WNW Tue 2300 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Wed 1030 WRMI 5850 to NW, 6855 to WNW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW WORLD OF RADIO 1865 monitoring: confirmed UT Monday February 20 at 0030 on WBCQ 9329.86v-CUSB, JBA, having faded down severely since 0015. Also confirmed UT Mon Feb 20 at 0402 on Area 51 via WBCQ 5129.8 --- during a thunderstorm here as I briefly plug in the antenna, and the computer remains off as precaution. Miss confirming the following 0430 on WRMI 9955 either way, but am confident it was aired. Next: Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 to WNW Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Tue 2130 WRMI 15770 to NE, 6855 to WNW Tue 2300 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Wed 1030 WRMI 5850 to NW, 6855 to WNW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW WORLD OF RADIO 1865 monitoring: confirmed UT Tuesday February 21 at 0030 on WRMI, 7730, good; also a few seconds later on WBCQ 9329.9v- CUSB. Also confirmed Tue Feb 21 at 2130 on WRMI 15770, good, but NO carrier even detectable on // 6855, off? Still nothing on 6855 at 2159, but it is audible at 2259 ID, 2300 into Radio Adventista Mundial // 5950. WOR 1865 also confirmed Tue Feb 21 at 2300 on WRMI 9955, holding own against wall-of-noise jamming, tnx a lot, Arnie! Which has diminished to nothing by 2328 recheck. Not confirmed UT Wed Feb 22 at 0030 on WBCQ, but something is JBA on 9330, probably WOR. Next: Wed 1030 WRMI 5850 to NW, 6855 to WNW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW WORLD OF RADIO 1865 monitoring: confirmed, Wednesday February 22 at 1422, the 1415.5 broadcast on WRMI 9955, S7-S4, and // 6855, S5-S4, no jamming on either. Also confirmed Wed Feb 22 from 2200:05 on WBCQ 7490, poor-fair. Financial Survival ended at 2159:40 ``It`s so sad``, but then fill music instead of WBCQ ID. Also confirmed UT Thu Feb 23 at 0030 on WBCQ, 9329.89v-CUSB, fair. WORLD OF RADIO 1866 confirmed first SW airing Thursday February 23 at 1230 on WRMI, checked at 1256 with 6855 at S9-S7, 9955 at S9+10 to S9 with no jamming. Next: Thu 2130 WRMI 11580 to NE Fri 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Fri 2230 WRMI 11580 to NE, 6855 to WNW, 5950 to S Sat 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Sat 0730 HLR 6190-CUSB to WSW Sat 1530 HLR 7265-CUSB to WSW Sat 2030v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sat 2330 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Sun 0410v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sun 1130 HLR 9485-CUSB to SW Mon 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Mon 0400v WBCQ 5130v Area 51 to WSW Mon 0430 WRMI 9955 to SSE Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 to WNW Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Tue 2130 WRMI 15770 to NE, 6855 to WNW Tue 2300 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Wed 1030 WRMI 5850 to NW, 6855 to WNW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE, 6855 to WNW Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. TONE ON 7490 --- Tuned into WBCQ (right wing stuff) at 0030. WBCQ is on 7489.994, while there is another transmitter that's drifting slowly down, on the lower side, and almost as strong on 7489.453, and 5 minutes later on .441. Tone only, so maybe from WBCQ? Anyone else noticing this. Heard the same last night. 73, (Walt (Victoria, BC), UT Fri Feb 17, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) There's audio there now, both are loud. VORW Radio International http://swling.com/blog/2017/01/vorw-radio-international-now-broadcasting-weekly-over-shortwave/ is what I heard, on 7489.369 at 0105 (Don Moman, Lamont, Alberta, ibid.) Walt, heard here in Germany and Netherlands too: relig sermon 7489.993 at 0106 UT Feb 17 and some talk on radio matter program on adjacent 7489.368 wanders down constantly now to x.361 kHz. Yes, now music program 7489.335 at 0117 UT x.314 at 0123 UT, talk on listener phoned-in from Norway, questions of a listener from Ireland to answer. wolfie df5sx (Büschel, ibid.) It`s WWCR on wrong frequency!! instead of 7520. ID at 0100. Blasted away Broad Spectrum Radio if on WBCQ at 0030 -- WBCQ is only a weak het slightly off frequency, while WWCR is S9+50. 7490 is authorized for WWCR only in the mornings (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Glenn, it's loud here. Overcomer is on wobbly 7489.179 at 0205, while presumed stable WBCQ on 7489.994 as I measured, also with a more mainline religious show (about sex right now). Both, just about equal in strength. 73 (Walt Salmaniw, ibid.) Walt, you had them backwards at this point. WBCQ is the one way low in frequency. I notified Allan Weiner and board ops in Monticello, and by next check 0229, WWCR was back on 7520 and BS on WBCQ was clear on 7489.12v (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Glad you cleared that up. What's wrong with WWCR? I don't recall them ever being off frequency. Thanks, Glenn! (Walt, ibid.) It can happen when you have frequency memories stored, two of them on the 7 MHz band, hit the wrong one at the wrong time. However, it`s not quite that straightforward. 7490 in the mornings is on transmitter 2, while 7520 in the evenings is #4. More hypothetical: perhaps for some reason they needed to swap transmitters but failed to swap frequencies? (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) 7490, Feb 17 at 0046, checking for `Broad Spectrum Radio` on WBCQ, but find a much too strong signal for that, S9+50, and hardly left-wing: instead, ad for something by L Ron Hubbard and My Company Tis of Thee, with an address for CSC Talk Radio, California, Missouri, and back to a talk show with Beth Ann, a far-right, anti-American extremist. This is definitely not BSR. And James Branum is planning to cut back to non-weekly broadcasts. OMG, it`s WWCR on the wrong frequency, nothing on 7520! And it`s blotting out WBCQ which is nothing but a JBA het, must be considerably off-frequency, so weak by comparison that at first I can`t tell if it`s plus or minus. Ad break at 0057 repeats same one heard a few minutes ago; 0100 WWCR ID, and into `Real Radio`. Meanwhile other reports of this have come in, first as a ``tone`` on 7490, where the signals must have been closer to equal. Some were able to make out VORW = Voice of the Report of the Week, as newly scheduled this hour on WBCQ --- tough luck! Here are the WWCR programs supposed to be on 7520, Central M-F and UT: 6:00P News/Commonsense Coalition Beth Ann 0000 7:00P Real Radio Jack Hibbs 0100 7:30P Truth for Life Alistair Begg 0130 8:00P Renewing Your Mind R.C. Sproul 0200 8:30P Focus on the Family Jim Delay 0230 WWCR still here past 0111+. So at 0121, I e-mail Allan Weiner and the Monticello boardops: ``Allan, You might want to raise hell with WWCR. They are on 7490 instead of 7520 tonight, blasting WBCQ away with S9+50, before and after 0100 (ID WWCR heard). Some reports say they were also doing it last night. 73, Glenn`` I resume monitoring at 0200, and at 0205 find WWCR is still blocking WBCQ, the latter carrier measured on 7489.17, and now I can barely recognize the dulcet tones of Brother HyStairical under the presumed WWCR program as above. But next check at 0229, BS/WBCQ is in the clear on 7489.12v, and WWCR is finally properly back on 7520. Then I check the other `BCQ frequencies: 5129.90-AM, at 0217 with Canadian political discussion show `Just Right`; 9330.1v-CUSB at 0232 with BS, while Blalock the blaster this hour is now on 9265 WINB instead (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I recorded from the Perseus site in Grenoble (French Alps) last night (16/2/17) [UT THU] starting at 0141 on 7490.04 that was clearly Radio Mi Amigo International with a male announcing both ID and frequency as well as QSL info at 0142 and 0148. Program was rock tunes and by 0154 had faded into the noise. I assumed this was WBCQ as Radio Mi Amigo Int’l doesn’t normally use 7490 but rather Kall-Krekel site in Germany. Sounds like this may not have been the case but might explain the QRM on 7490 after 0100 (Bruce Churchill, Fallbrook CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5129.863, Feb 17 at 1318, about sunrise here, JBA carrier on off- frequency typical of WBCQ, presumably remnant of that still on, altho supposedly stopping at 1100 after a night of BS. 5129.83-AM, UT Sat Feb 18 at 0129, WBCQ // 7490, but 5129.83 is axually better by 0142, despite considerable storm noise; the only Blitzortung around North America is off the coast of Louisiana. Allan Weiner Worldwide and Timtron are discussing what an impressive facility the other SW station in Maine was, WCSN. This sounds familiar, a repeat from months ago? Someone says it was sold to Adventist World Radio --- no, it went to Voice of Historic Adventism, WVHA for a while, a splinter sect who would not appreciate being confused with mainstream Adventists. (Whatever happened to them after they got out of the SW biz? I think the single 500 kW transmitter in Maine wound up with WHRI after LeSEA took over the WSHB site in South Carolina.) 9330.00, meanwhile at 0134 check, the other WBCQ is close to on- frequency! with Blalock the blaster. It was probably on OK for WOR at 0030. 9329.82v-CUSB, Feb 18 at 2157, Brother Scare in expanded WBCQ relay schedule, 2159 cut to WBCQ ID and promo, 2200 to test broadcast from Radio Mi Amigo International as publicized for this date and frequency. Sounds like same opening disco tune as last week on 7490 but this one mentions being on 9330 and requesting reports. Frequency is drifting up and down, e.g. 9329.83 shortly; 9329.85 at 2243, mentioning oldies from the 70s. S9 to S7. 7490.13, Sat Feb 18 at 2238, this WBCQ is also on an hour early with different rock music than Amigo on 9330v --- British DJ with oldies from the 60s, Beatles `Hold Your Hand`. Sounds like the guy heard exactly one week ago, so Atlantic Oldies 2NG, here to stay at 22-23 Sats? Anyway per http://2ngradio.com/ he is scheduled again for this Sat Feb 18 and also two hours later UT Sun Feb 19 at 0000 on 9330, unchecked. Meanwhile the WBCQ combined program schedule http://schedule.wbcq.com/ still does not show any of these recent changes, nor even the greatly expanded Brother Scare hours (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Mi Amigo International 9330 --- Listened to the rebroadcast of the test transmission via WBCQ at 2200. Stronger earlier in the broadcast, then fading down to poor/fair and a terribly unstable transmitter as shown here (I hope): Inline image 1 Mostly too weak for any enjoyable listening to the west coast. 7490 was a better choice I found, and much stronger earlier in the week. 73, (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, 2317 UT Sat Feb 18, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) A weak but audio signal from Maine USA is being heard on 9330 kHz until 2300 UT [Saturday 18th February 2017] at this QTH West of London. re: special test-broadcast to America Dear Radio Mi Amigo Listener, We have had reports that another radio station (WWCR 7520) was broadcasting on 7490 during our test transmission on Wednesday Feb 15 (8-9 pm Eastern) [Thursday 01-02 am UT] ... So our show may not have been heard. So we will do another test next Wednesday/Thursday as well as this weekend. Below you will find the dates, time and frequencys. We love to get your reception report to decide about futher broadcasts, thanks in advance. The last 2 tests are as follows: Saturday, February 18 on 9330 kHz 2200-2300 UT (5 - 6 pm EST local time) Thursday, February 23 on 7490 kHz 0100-0200 UT (Wed. Feb. 22, 8 - 9 pm EST local) kind regards, Radio Mi Amigo International Posted by: (Nick Sharpe, BDXC-UK yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) 5129.840, WBCQ with relay of Brother Stair TOM sermon, at 0604 UT S=9 signal in Detroit-MI remote SDR unit. S=6 or-93dBm rather tiny in central Florida remote SDR, at 0632 UT on Feb 19. 9329.782, WBCQ at 0707 UT, unstable fq, wanders up and down 10-12 Hertz, S=9 sermon signal heard in central Florida-US remote SDR installation (Wolfgang Büschel, Feb 19, dxldyg via DXLD) 9329.86v-CUSB, varying audibly on the BFO as I try to measure it, Feb 20 at 0005, WBCQ with a disjointed discussion of the DC Women`s March about trans-genders. I didn`t think this would be Overcomer, but nothing shows on the WBCQ program schedule until WOR at 0030. This is axually stronger than 7490.07 with `Le Show`, measured at 0032 during an S9 song, but that carrier is rippling, unstable. By 0016, 9330 into deep fades, and stays down, also 7490. Third WBCQ, 5129.82 remains S9+20 vs greater storm noise on lower band, with Twilight Zone music; that would be `GRITS Radio` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7490.131-AM, Mon Feb 20 at 2140, WBCQ with continuous disco/rock music, no announcements until 2159 ID and 2200 into the `Remnant Ministry` pushing Yahwahism, sponsored by gold-pushers Financial Survival, which is the show itself missing from previous hour (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. COMING SOON TO WBCQ 7490: UNCLE BILL'S MELTING POT I'm launching a second program, Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, a half hour music variety program, on March 2 on WBCQ, 7490. It will be a combination of Americana, World Music, Comedy, Novelty, and I will do my best to ensure that it will be one of the most musically eclectic programs on any band along with a few laughs here and there. WBCQ pegs its long term schedule to EST/EDT and translates to UT. UBMP will air 7:00-7:30 pm EST/EDT Thursdays (for the first couple of weeks, 0000- 0030 UT Fridays, then 2300-2330 Thursdays). Promo graphic attached. Wish me luck (Bill Tilford, Producer and Host, From the Isle of Music, Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, Feb 19, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 6855, Feb 17 at 0214, WRMI-5 is off the air! Next three up, 7570, 7730 & 7780 are nominal. During this hour, 6855 has been duplicating programming on WRMI-1, 11580, which like tonight at 0247 check is faded to JBA S3 during presumed Radio Prague. Sure hope it`s temporary, as 6855 duplicating various other frequencies throughout the night and into the day, has been very helpful; altho it`s not as strong as we would like and expect, on listed 285-degree azimuth, same as 7730, which is much stronger here. 6855, Feb 17 at 1225, WRMI-5 is still off. I don`t think to tune around for a replacement until 1424 when I do find a JBA carrier on 6870, where IIRC WRMI started off, before being required to QSY, so back there now? I struggle to match traces of 6870 modulation with 9955, unseems so but it`s really too late into the dayside to be certain. If it has moved to 6870, this will affect several WORLD OF RADIO airings, starting with Friday 2230 // 11580 & 5950. 6870 could have been the RHC semiharmonic from 13740, except that fundamental is not on at this hour. If WRMI does run 24/7 on 6870, it will encounter some QRM from that when 13740 is on. I`ve asked Jeff White about this. 11580, Sat Feb 18 at 2330, this WRMI is starting yet another replay of the DSWCI tribute special {originally early December, instead of scheduled Hobart Radio International; ditto Sat Feb 25} Something new at the WRMI skedgrid, a new entry in magenta called ``System E`` only for 0000-0100 on 6855: `Christmas R.` on UT Mondays, of all things; blanx for rest of week. Rest of the time, 6855 is still shown matching many of the other Systems on other frequencies. As of Jan 14, here`s what was on 6855 at 00-01: 0000-0030 System H AWR = 5950 0030-0100 System F Slovakia = 11580, 5850 This is a pre-log, I hope, if I can get it; otherwise will have to wait a week. Others please try it, too. I don`t notice anything else significantly changed in the non-9955 program grid, http://tinyurl.com/WRMIfqs but monitoring has: Wolfgang Büschel reports a media program in Ukrainian or Russian at 0638 UT Sunday Feb 19 on 5850. I would guess that is the expanded to a semi-hour `Radio Panorama` in Russian, replacing World Music. 6855, Feb 19 at 2359, I`m set for the new entry on the WRMI skedgrid for UT Monday 0000-0100, `Christmas R.` After an eastern European song // 5850, a Rudy Espinal ID, from 0000 UT Feb 20 on 6855 only: DEAD AIR. (5850 // 11580 go to Slovakia in Slovak; 0030 English). Further chex thru 0045 find 6855 still open carrier. Maybe, next week we`ll find out what Christmas Radio is all about, as February is ending? {no show UT Feb 26 either} No! Altho not yet on the air, it is already on the Programming page: ``Countdown2.Christmas Radio --- Since November, 2014, Countdown2.Christmas Radio has been a home for those who know the world would be a better place if the Christmas spirit ruled hearts year-round. Broadcasting Christmas music 24 hours a day (every day of the year) via its web site http://c2c.audio , TuneIn, iTunes, Nobex, iPhone and Android apps (and more), Countdown2.Christmas Radio is proud to extend its reach through shortwave radio on WRMI. Tune in weekly for a live broadcast with Alan and various other members of the Fahrner family; and join in the Christmas cheer with the likes of Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Julie Andrews, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, and all your other Christmas music favorites! 0000 UTC Monday on 6855 kHz`` Well, I am an advocate for MUCH LESS Xmas music in October-December, but not necessarily 30 minutes a week elsewhen, certainly not 24/7! WORLD OF RADIO 1866, 7730, Feb 20 at 0009, WRMI with a preacher, undermodulated, so WOR is not the only show so affected on this transmitter. 9955, Feb 20 at 0024, this WRMI with romantic song in Spanish and NO jamming! It`s `Trova Libre`, scheduled UT Mon 0000-0030. So the DentroCuban Jamming Command must be paying some attention, as it`s wall-of-noise jamming during this hour Tue-Sat for Radio Libertad --- can`t allow advocating any freedom for the oppressed Cuban masses! From what the WRMI Programming page says about TL, [sic: unaccented], it isn`t exactly apolitical: ``Trova Libre con Michael Mendez mmendez.jpg [illustration] Radio Miami Internacional 175 Fontainebleau Blvd., Suite 1N4 Miami, Florida 33172 USA Tel +1-786-517-4333 or +1-888-551-5433 WRMI Offices +1-305-559-9764 MySpace link [sic]: http://www.MySpace.com/TrovadorMendez http://cdbaby.com/cd/mmendez Conduccion: Michael Mendez La organizacion cultural independiente sin fines de lucro, Trova Libre, presenta su programacion con el mismo nombre dirigido por el productor Michael Mendez, cantautor del tema controversial "Amanece". El programa transmitido todos los domingos de 7:00 PM a 7:30 PM ET, expondra la musica de trova con canciones de amor, temas sociales, entrevistas y artistas invitados de toda Latinoamerica. Nuestro concepto es abarcar mucho mas alla del compositor y su guitarra y la tradicion trovadora, sino compartir sus historias y sensaciones de lucha y resistencia con solaridad y agradecimiento. Nuestro objetivo es desarrollar una organizacion cultural para fomentar la musica de la trova y invitamos a los interesados, ya sean artistas, cantautores o disqueras que envien su material discografico para este programa a Radio Internacional, Sr. Michael Mendez, a la direccion mencionada al final de la pagina. Si desea adquirir el CD "Amanece" (con ocho temas musicales ineditos) pueden hacerlo en la misma direccion. Favor de incluir money order por US$18 por cada CD. Ver una edición de Trova Libre con la cantante Maria Lourdes en YouTube:`` http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs6OcNU3OTg 6855, Feb 21 at 0030, WRMI is dead air again like 24 hours earlier when Xmas Radio was not to be heard. Nor is anything else to be heard now, including previously carried Slovakia in English. BUT --- I can hear light pulse jamming on 6855, first time for that. Did Jeff put some Cuban exile program on 6855 sometime? Not that I am aware of. Now, 9955 is buried in a wall-of-noise, vs Radio Libertad, unlike 24 hours earlier on Sunday until 0030 with `Trova Libre`. I`ve notified Jeff White about the dead air and the new jamming threat. 11580, Feb 21 at 2000, WRMI starting `Jazz from the Left` as sked for this hour on Tuesdays, but only S9-S6 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 15240, Sunday Feb 19 at 1641, no signal from WWRB with R. Munansi, while 15825 WWCR is poorly audible. Not heard since a JBA signal on Feb 4, so deleted? (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 5830, Sat Feb 18 at 1725, WTWW-1 night frequency is on at midday! And not on 9475 where first noticed silence. Usual SFAW stuff, and surprisingly good signal S9+20, so this close, 9 MHz not really needed. Almost the OSOB on 49m at this time, just a trace of 6070 CFRX. Before 1900, 9475 is back on. After 1900, WTWW-2 on 9930 with `Theater Organ from the Ozarx`, continuous organ/piano concert until 1933, over to `Amateur Radio Newsline`. An hour earlier, another good music program despite the title, `Talking Machine Show` was heard on WWCR 12160 until 1830 12105, Feb 20 at 2118, WTWW-3 is AWOL, no Bibling now (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Hi Glenn, California is getting more rain again Feb 20. Ray Robinson notified me at 1521 UT, that "KVOH, Los Angeles (17775 kHz) is off the air this morning for weather-related reasons. We're trying to dry things out, and may get back on later this morning." Thanks to Ray for the update (Ron, from very wet Monterey, Calif., Howard, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Not flooding on mountaintop? (gh) ** U S A. 12050, Feb 21 at 2001, WEWN is very suptorted here, which is certainly better than overmodulated/splattering all over the band (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 780: [767 & 793 peaks] Yep! The dreaded WBBM IBOC is back on. WBBM was off the air Monday morning and I suspected it was to repair their IBOC. We had a little more than seven weeks of peace and quiet on 770 and 790 (Tom Jasinski, Joliet, IL, 0350 UT Feb 22, NRC-AM via DXLD) Curious to see if Entercom does anything with the iBoc when it takes over the CBS properties (Bob Galerstein, WB2VGD, Monroe, NY, ibid.) ** U S A. [Re 17-07] Glenn: -- "WQXI-790 Atlanta probably on day power..." My bet exactly, after hearing them clearly dominate the frequency on a recent night, tuning an SDR remote in Indiana. This is rather bemusing to me, having grown up in the NW Atlanta surbub of Marietta in the '60s. While we were lucky to have the one and only WFOM/1230 right there in town, keeping us Rock fans very adequately entertained, it was always a source of irritation that the decent-daytime signal of main metro rocker WQXI submerged each and every night while going DA- N, under co-channel adversaries from Memphis, Norfolk, Miami, Houston and of course Cuba, among other locations, leaving WABC as the only substantive music alternative (along with WLS), to WFOM. I remember checking 790 every night, for probably at least two years running, in hopes of discovering a full-force local day-ish signal overpowering 790 at night; never happened. WQXI was orthodox-religious about never cheating their night-DA (as most other stations were, back when there was an FCC); it's a bit ironically funny to see them cheating now that everything is in Korean. Just an old phart here sharing memories (GREG HARDISON, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. ACROSS THE DIAL --- 850, KFUO MO, Clayton – 2/13 2115 [EST = 0215 UT Feb 14] noted with choral music on Sacred Music, “KFUO, KFUO- dot-org” ID at 2118, promo for Moments of Assurance “here on Worldwide KFUO”, PSA for CHI. A fair at times to poor signal was noted over WKNR (Paul Snider, Welland ON, Canada, ICOM IC-R75, Pixel RF Pro-1B loop, MFJ-1020C tuner, Eastern DX Roundup, IRCA DX Monitor Feb 25, published Feb 22, via DXLD) This was left on overnight; sign-off is 1900 ELT [0000 UT] in February, to coincide with sunset at KOA Denver (Eric Bueneman, MO, ed., ibid.) ** U S A. How come WYLL-1160 in Chicago never goes off the air? If they did, I'd be able to get the ski reports from KSL in Salt Lake! (Billy Brooks, IRCA via DXLD) They have separate day and night facilities. The night site is about 10 miles NE of me. I wish they would fix their night site broadband spurs, one of which is around 940 kHz that has been heard for the past few years! This trash signal interferes with the new Montreal station! But why should WYLL care? Who else listens to 940 in this area, it's sandwiched in between 930 & 950 with their // signals (Tom Jasinski, Joliet, IL, ibid.) NRC AM Log for WYLL shows 50/50 kW U4, pattern change at KSL sunset. NRC Pattern Book for WYLL shows day is almost circular tangent to SE; night is tight slightly east of due north. KSL of course is ND day and night (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1410, IOWA, KGRN, Grinnell. 1214 February 18, 2017. Female "... right here on KGRN..." then male announcer, CT time check into Friday grain crop commodity numbers. Parallel station website stream. Quite a surprise, at 500/47 watts, presumably already on 500 psra -- (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater FL, NRD-535, IC-R75, wires, active loop, All times/dates GMT, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Another industry sell-out, no hope for real change at the FCC http://www.radioworld.com/business-and-law/0009/under-my-chairmanship-radio-wont-be-neglected/339174 (Bruce Carter, TX, Feb 16, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A. WHY GOOD BROADCASTERS LEAVE THE INDUSTRY http://www.thebdr.net/articles/bus/view/Leaving.pdf Sent from my iPad (Dennis Gibson, IRCA via dXLD) The author of the article is Mike Dudding. In December 2007 I managed to hear 1530 KDSN, running day power at night (thanks to a tip from KAZ). For a minute or so of clear signal in WCKY null, Mike Dudding, owner and manager, was airing a recorded ad looking for new sales staff for KDSN. And I did get a QSL from him for this reception. We need more people like him in the radio business (Tom Jasinski, Joliet, IL, ibid.) ** U S A. It might surprise some that one of our regular views has been RELIGION & ETHIX NEWSWEEKLY from PBS via OETA, which is going off after 20 years, allegedly due to lowering ratings, final two shows retrospectives, Feb 19 and 26 (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2017/02/17/looking-back/34727/ ‘RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY’ TO SIGN OFF AFTER 20 YEARS By Mark Pattison • Catholic News Service • Posted December 22, 2016 http://bit.ly/2l83jEU WASHINGTON (CNS) — Even in the 500-channel universe, PBS’ “Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly” was really the only program of its kind: a weekly half-hour program that took a serious look at religion and religious issues across the spectrum of belief, and how faith intersected with politics, society and culture. However, that voice will be silenced, as the last installment of more than 1,000 episodes of the newscast will make its way to PBS stations the weekend of Feb. 24. According to Arnold Labaton, the executive producer of “Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly,” it was the digital broadcast milieu that killed off the show. After public TV stations starting adding subchannels, “a number of them, including a number of (stations in) major markets, took us off their main channel and put it on a secondary channel. That led to a significant diminution of our broadcast audience,” he said. “However, our online presence has increased exponentially and continues to increase exponentially,” Labaton added. Every episode of “Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly” will remain on PBS’ website for three years after the last broadcast. The Lilly Foundation had underwritten the series from the beginning, but with viewership down, WNET, the program’s host, saw the end coming. “I think it was in the spring of this year” when the bad news was delivered, Labaton said. The cancellation of “Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly” means 15 people will be out of a job, including Kim Lawton, who has been a reporter for the show from the beginning. Asked what she’ll do next, she replied, “That’s a very good question. I don’t know what my next phase will be. I’d like to stay in religion reporting.” Lawton told Catholic News Service in a Dec. 20 telephone interview from the show’s Washington base, “I didn’t set out to be a religion reporter. I had been a general assignment reporter. My radio outlet (UPI Radio) wanted to do more coverage of religion so they could appeal to more religious stations. My manager asked me if I would take this on. So I had been doing more religion in broadcasting.” UPI, once a rival to The Associated Press, suffered from a series of financial setback, and Lawton was laid off from there. “There was someone from television, Bob Abernethy. who had was looking at doing something for television on religion,” she said. “He had heard about me. And I had heard about him. I was interested form the beginning.” Lawton repeated, “I didn’t set out to be a religion reporter, but because I am a religion reporter, I’ve covered the Supreme Court, I’ve covered the election, I’ve covered politics and religion, I’ve covered denominational meetings, I’ve covered pop culture and music and art, so it’s just been a wonderful beat to really dig down and look at those things that are so important to so many people.” Her assignments have taken her to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, to New Orleans after the catastrophic levee failure following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, to Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami,and to refugee camps in Jordan and Turkey near the border with Syria. “When it first came on the air, we said it was going to be dedicated to religion,” Labaton said. “But within a brief time afterward, the content changed and we became more about religious beliefs and traditions.” Even with the shift in focus, there was nothing like it “whether it’s cable or the news networks or anyplace else that has a program or segments based on religion news coverage. Typically, in the major news media, coverage of religion, except for the National Catholic Reporter, has been more about controversy and scandal and division. While we will cover those things, that is not most of what we try to do.” I remember interviewing Abernethy twice before “Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly” debuted, jokingly telling him at one point “This interview is over!” once I learned he was not a Catholic but a member of the United Church of Christ. I’d wondered if the show was going to succeed, given the absence of anything like it in the TV landscape. Well, 20 seasons isn’t quite the same as 27 and counting of “The Simpsons,” but a thousand-plus episodes and some 200 awards and honors is a distinctive mark of success. It’s too bad that 200 awards and honors — that’s 10 per year on average — couldn’t save the show. And it’s too bad that after two decades, it remained the only show of its kind. Pattison is media editor for Catholic News Service (via DXLD) ** UZBEKISTAN. 15755, Feb 19 at 1407, S Asian song at S4-S6 with heavy flutter. HFCC B-16 shows since 30 Oct: 1300-1530 TWR via Tashkent, multilingual. But what is it, exactly? NOT in latest Aoki of Feb 18, nor in EiBi of Feb 7. Not in WRTH B-16 update version 2 (incorporating some of my correxions), either. Plowing thru the extremely complex TWR INDIA schedule in the WRTH 2017 itself, the only Sunday 1400+ transmission listed via Tashkent is Hindi on 7505, so perhaps 15755 is a replacement for that. The 7505 schedule showed 100 kW at 131 degrees, 1400-1415 Hindi daily except Awadhi on Wednesdays. Nor have I found 15755 in Ivo Ivanov`s reports (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VANUATU. [Re 17-06, Radio Vanuatu 3945, Jan 31 at 0750-0900:]. I hear Radio Vanuatu quite regularly, even if I don’t log and/or report it, and I know what it sounds like. I like the accent and rhythm of Bislama on the occasions when they speak it. Also, I have to believe a station is who it says it is when they make an ID. I have no idea why I don’t hear RN2 on 3945, but propagation up here in the islands of the Pacific Northwest is frequently a bit squirrely, both good and bad, unlike the flat plains of the Midwest. There is no way to account for why I don’t hear what someone else hears when they hear it, or why they don’t hear what I hear. It is what makes the hobby interesting. There is no way to answer Glenn’s question. Best I can say is “I dunno.” (Vince Henley, WA, NASWA Flashsheet Feb 29 via DXLD) Ron Howard in California says on Feb 24: ``Radio Vanuatu, on 3944.2, has not been heard by me for some time now. Am still hearing them on 7259.95, with best reception about 1430 and usually playing EZL pop songs. Your comments regarding using caution on 3945 to distinguish between Japan and Vanuatu receptions are right on the money. Good advice!`` Was Vince hearing them on 3944.2? That off-frequency would have been a helpful datum if measured (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7259.96, R. Vanuatu, Feb 14 0740-0805, 34443-33443, Bislama, Music and talk, ID at 0759 (Kouji Hashimoto, JAPAN, RX, IC-R75, NRD-525+RD-9830, ANT, 130m Sloper Wire, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VATICAN [and non]. Times and frequencies of shortwave broadcasts to Africa and the rest of the world remain the same: 0140-0200 5940 SMG 250 kW 086 deg to SoAS English till March 4 0140-0200 7410 SMG 250 kW 090 deg to SoAS English 0140-0200 9515 SMG 250 kW 086 deg to SoAS English from March 5 0300-0320 15470 PHT 250 kW 283 deg to SoAS English 0300-0330 7360 MDC 250 kW 320 deg to CeEaAF English 0500-0530 9660 MDC 250 kW 250 deg to SoAF English 0630-0700 9660 SMG 250 kW 210 deg to WeAF English 0630-0700 11625 SMG 250 kW 184 deg to WeCeAF English 0730-0745 15595 SMG 100 kW 107 deg to NE/ME English Mon-Sat 0900-1130 21550 SMG 250 kW 145 deg to CeAF English Special events 1130-1200 17590 SMG 100 kW 112 deg to NE/ME English Fri 1130-1200 21560 SMG 100 kW 113 deg to NE/ME English Fri 1530-1600 9510 PUG 250 kW 285 deg to SoAS English 1530-1600 11695 PHT 250 kW 283 deg to SoAS English 1530-1600 11940 SMG 125 kW 090 deg to SoAS English DRM 1730-1800 9660 MDC 250 kW 258 deg to SoAF English 1730-1800 11625 SMG 250 kW 148 deg to CeEaAF English 1730-1800 13765 SMG 250 kW 184 deg to NoWeAF English 2000-2030 9660 SMG 250 kW 210 deg to WeAF English 2000-2030 11625 SMG 250 kW 184 deg to WeCeAF English (Ivo Ivanov-BUL, hcdx via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 17 via BC-DX 19 Feb via DXLD ** YEMEN [non]. 11860, Feb 17 circa 1300, hardly any signal from Republic of Yemen Radio, via SAUDI ARABIA? Recheck at 1505, very poor S5-S3 with Qur`an, interrupted by some brief non-musical Arabic announcements a few times at 1508, 1510, 1513. Has it resumed marking vespers at Sana`a? Current sunset is 1508, creeping a sesquiminute later per week. Or maybe it`s just because the Fribbath is about to finish. Seldom is any Qur`aning to be heard from this at random chex elsewhen (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) SAUDI ARABIA 11860 Republic of Yemen Radio noted at 1740 UT Feb 17 on remote SDR in Brisbane Queensland Australia, on S=7-8 signal level. Speech by a wife to the crowd, at 1749 UT, emotional program and speeches. 10.4. kHz broadband signal. S=9+20dB in remote Doha Qatar unit, seemingly skip zone fluttery. S=9+25dB or -46dBm here in central Germany. S=9+10dB in western England SDR unit. 1752-1754 UT speech of a child very emotional to the crowd, many mention of Yemen, and much applause then. 73 wolfie (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. 5915, ZNBC/R. One, 0310 M DJ in local vernacular playing Afro pop songs and announcements between songs. Great signal on the web receiver in Pardinho, Brazil. Nonexistent on the receiver in South Africa. 0329:20 M ended announcement with ID and TC "5:29". 0330 W announcer with religious program segment giving Christian English words every so often. 14 Feb. 5915, ZNBC/R. One, 0305 leaving Madagascar, came up here to find it totally in the clear as Romania had signed off, and still no sign of 5920 WHRI. Fair signal with M hosting African Pops. 15 Feb. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S and 153 foot Delta Loop, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) 5915. Feb 16 at 0301, Zambia NBC, Lusaka, in vernacular language. Man announcer talks; 0307 A musical program with local songs. ZNBC has a very poor transmission this dawn, and free of interference on 5910 and/or 5920 kHz, 35332 (DXer: Jose Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-PB, Brazil, Degen DE1103 & Tecsun S-2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) 5915, Feb 17 at 0242, ZNBCR1 with Fish Eagle IS, usual splatter from both sides, Romania and WHRI; 0251 anthem is playing (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5915, R. One/ZNBC, 1603, Feb 18. Via long path; mixing with Myanmar(?); China (CRI) had already signed off; in vernacular; at times almost fair (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5915, ZNBC/Radio One, on Feb 19, with strange anomaly. For a long time now, they have gone off the air well before their local sunrise, due to "load shedding." Lusaka sunrise today was at 0405 UT. Tuned in at 0333, to follow them up to the time of their closing. Major surprise! Not only did they not close down by sunrise, but continued on past 0518 UT. Amazing! This has not happened for a long time now. The question is, will it happen again? In vernacular; 0400 music & call of fish eagle; 0403 sound of rooster; baby crying and seemed to be PSA; many on air phone calls; almost fair till affected by fading about 0450; 0459 music & call of fish eagle; into the news in English by soft spoken OM; many sound bites; almost readable, but went down hill quickly; unable to say when English ended. Regarding "load shedding": recent news story - "Vice President Inonge Wina says the much loathed load shedding will come to an end next year [2018]. Wina's sentiment may not sit well with the public given her sentiment was based on the yet to be commissioned US$ 4 billion Batoka Hydro Electric Scheme." Full story: http://goo.gl/Yue22d (Ron Howard, Calif., dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I wonder if electricity load shedding in Zambia has ended, or has ZNBC1 managed to obtain some diesel to run their own generator? This is at least the second consecutive morning that ZNBC1 has stayed on air well beyond the normal load shedding time. Thanks to Ron Howard for spotting this "extended" transmission yesterday (Feb 19) 5915 Zambia, ZNBC 1, Lusaka. Feb 20, 2017 Monday. 0703-0710. Typical ZNBC1 music and song. Just above noise level. Jo'burg sunrise 0356 (Bill Bingham, Johannesburg RSA. Drake R8E, Sony ICF2001D. dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks, Bill, for your monitoring help. Yes, Feb 20, another day of longer than usual broadcasting from Zambia, on 5915. At 0239 the start of their IS (call of the African fish eagle), with almost fair reception; strong signal; in vernacular; many phone calls; 0415 a segment about the new railway construction - "Northwestern service . . . North-Western Province . . . $1.2 billion . . . 179 km . ."; 0500 music & call of fish eagle; "One Zambia. One Nation": news in English; "King Mohammed VI arrived in the country last night," at Lusaka airport, etc.; better signal strength today, but terrible QRN (static). (Ron Howard, California, ibid.) Hi, Bill and Ron. The Voice of Hope chief engineer in Lusaka reports that it has been a very wet rainy season so far, and that water levels at the Kariba dam have increased significantly. As a result, over the last two weeks, load shedding has been greatly reduced, and eliminated completely in some areas. Apparently last week local TV news showed the kick off of repairing the walls of Kariba dam by a French company. The project will take 3 years. There are also several smaller power generation projects underway, both for new hydro and for upgrading of existing plants, which should be commissioned by June. There is hope that by as early as this summer [meaning Northern?], load shedding will be a thing of the past. It is highly unlikely that ZNBC will have got its genset working again, but much more probable that grid power at their transmitter location has just stayed on (Ray Robinson, VOH, Feb 20, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5915, ZNBC-Radio 1, Lusaka, 1905-1920, 21/2, líng. local, texto, cânticos; 43442, QRM adjacente. Good DX & 73, Carlos. (Carlos L R de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, 16-22 Feb SW coast obs., Feb 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Ray and Bill, Feb 22, found that ZNBC/Radio One (5915 kHz) went off the air at about Lusaka sunrise (0405 UT), so no "extended" broadcast past 0518+ today. Seems "load shedding" might become intermittent (Ron Howard, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZAMBIA. ZÂMBIA, 4965, Voz da Esperança, Rancho Makeni 2016-..., 16/2, português, propag. relig., canções a condizer; 35443 (Carlos L R de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, 16-22 Feb SW coast obs., Feb 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Really in Portuguese? I thought it was all-English. Ray? (gh, DXLD) Voice of Hope - Africa --- Fair signal on 6065 kHz with non-stop Christian tunes from around 2100 UT tune-in using a Tecsun PL-880 with just its whip antenna indoors. Used narrow BW to avoid some splatter from Vatican on 6070 kHz and VOIRI on 6060 kHz. Late sign-off at 2211 UT with nominal 1100 Hz (plus harmonics) tone but no sign-off announcement (Richard Langley, Feb 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 13680, Sunday Feb 19 at 1415, S4-S6 Voice of Hope - Africa but in American accent with a story about Galilee & Simon Peter`s doings. This weekend-only broadcast is now our best chance to hear it with the suspension of weekday mornings on 11680. 4965 & 6065 in the weekday evenings until 2200 are really too early for us (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DX LISTENING DIGEST) But as I've mentioned before, 6065 kHz is coming in well on the east coast in the late afternoon until sign-off -- at least here in NB (-- Richard Langley, 2138 UT Feb 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZANZIBAR. TANZANIA, 6015. Feb 21 at 0334, Zanzibar BC, Dole, in Swahili. Woman announcer talks; 0343 Woman and man announcers talks. Transmission with interference by motor audio? Stanag? It´s a jamming, presumably, 43332 (DXer: José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-PB, Brazil, Degen DE1103 & Tecsun S-2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 3325, Feb 17 at 1305, carrier at S5-S8 level but can`t detect any modulation. I suppose RRI Palangkaraya more likely at this hour than NBC Bougainville. Anyhow, best signal on band when I was also seeking Unique Radio, NSW on 3210 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENNIG DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 4750, Feb 17 at 1313, YL talking at S7-S9 level vs CODAR, but unsure of language. Most likely is CNR1, Hailar, with Bangladesh Betar also listed, while RRI Makassar has been inactive for a long time now, last reported June 8, 2016 by Atsunori Ishida. At this time a few minutes before sunrise here, many carriers, mostly JBA on 60m from Tibetan, Indian, Chinese frequencies (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 6270.00-USB, Feb 19 at 0737, JBA 2-way, seems Italian. This is a legit ship communications frequency, channel 15 paired with 6321.0, per Kingenfuss of 2002y. When Cuba was on both 6060 and 6165, it would put a leapfrog on 6270, often checked but not heard lately, maybe not from same site to possiblize this any more (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. EGYPT [sic], station with Egyptian music on Feb18 1020-1036 on 9400 unknown tx / unknown to UNID, fair/good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2017/02/unidentified-station-with-egyptian_18.html 73! (Ivo Ivanov, QTH: Sofia, Bulgaria, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 9425-LSB, Feb 22 at 0740, very poor 2-way INTRUDERS, maybe in Indonesian or similar (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 9520.32-USB, Feb 19 at 0735, very poor 2-way signals in Spanish, INTRUDING (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 11560, Feb 16 at 1547, 1 kHz tone at S7-S5 with heavy flutter. HFCC shows Islamabad, Pakistan, and Panaji, Goa, India on 11560 but both only until 1530 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 11742, Feb 16 at 1546, bonker INTRUDER at S9 centred approximately here. No sign of a CNR transmitter on 11740 scheduled until 1605 per HFCC; Vatican is finished with 11740 at 1500 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 12255, Feb 16 at 1542, JBA carrier here which instantly brings to mind this pirate in Aoki, but it`s supposedly Sundays only: 12255 ReflectionsEurope 1400-2230 1...... English 0.2 ND IRL //6295. And then it`s gone, so probably something else (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ ACKNOWLEDGED ON WORLD OF RADIO 1866: Donation to WOR, Glenn, pls keep up the great work. Tnx much. 73, Bob New Jersey (Robert Zerilli, with a contribution via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com) Dear Mr. Hauser, here is a donation toward World of Radio. I enjoy your show very much. I listen to WOR on WBCQ almost every week. No acknowledgment of my donation is necessary (anon.) TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED FUTURELY: Hi Glen[n], Just wanted to let you know we are still out here. Thanks for the info and mention of WBCQ in your reports. All the best from the Tippecanoe River in Indiana & Furthermore 29/54. Ramsey (James Reynolds, with a contribution via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com) One may also contribute by check or MO in US funds on a US bank to World of Radio, P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702 DX-PEDITIONS ++++++++++++ RON`S RAINBOW WHILE RADIOING Picture of a rainbow at Asilomar State Beach Park (Calif.), today (Feb 21), at 1530 UT, across the street from where I sit in my car to SWL - http://goo.gl/qPnFNv (Ron Howard, DX LISTENING DIGEST) AIH65 FINNISH LAPLAND DX PEDITION - FINAL REPORT Hi Glenn, here the Web link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwMHVTs6DUijQUtyWTJuZ0hubGM/view?usp=sharing Best regards (Francesco Luigi Clemente, Italy/Italia, MCDXT group, Piancada, IT http://www.mcdxt.it DX LISTENING DIGEST) Very interesting, compressed pdf of 13 pages, lots of illustrations, background info, but the official log list is yet to follow (gh, DXLD) WORLD OF HOROLOGY +++++++++++++++++ LOVING RADIO IN THE INTERNET AGE Paul Fernandes | TNN | Updated: Feb 13, 2017, 02.24 PM IST (Representative image) (Representative image) Goa News >> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/loving-radio-in-the-internet-age/articleshow/57115622.cms Panaji: Extending its use to highlight social issues, storing audio recordings to archive oral history and relaying news bulletins and other programmes in market places and public spaces could help radio regain its position as a dynamic medium. A few radio enthusiasts nostalgic about the glorious days when their short-wave radio sets shaped their lives debated at an interactive session on myriad ways to revive the medium. "Radio programmes can be aired to listeners at Goa's bus stands, markets, parks and beaches. Educational institutions and NGOs can use radio to highlight social issues," Roland Martins, coordinator of Friday Balcao, the fortnightly discussion event said. With Unesco asking radio stations and others to join it on World Radio Day 2017 - February 13 to celebrate the radio and how it helps to shape lives, the participants discussed at the Mapusa event how use of radio could be promoted in the state. The radio station in the city had its window to the world before Goa's liberation, the participants at the discussion were told. But the fragmentation of audience and other factors have seen a downturn in the number of radio sets in Goan homes being used. The medium is trying to adapt to 21st century changes and challenges, especially from television. "We grew up listening to the radio when newspapers and other entertainment was not easily available. They say audio is a poor cousin of the video, but I feel radio is a very powerful medium. In video, you get everything readymade, but in audio you have to imagine," Frederico Noronha, a journalist and radio enthusiast, said. Radio still enjoys its position in binding the community together, but needs to evolve through new ways of boosting interaction and participation, participants said. "All India Radio has many programmes for farmers, youth, women and children, and professionals," Saish Deshpande, an AIR official said. The radio programmes need to be publicized, participants said. Animesh Nerurkar, an AIR fan, suggested a mechanism to receive listeners feedback about various problems, especially traffic woes. Another major point of discussion was how audio recording of oral history could be done and stored. Noronha who promotes community radio said that non-expensive equipment has 48-hour recording capacity. "It is simple to record, store and upload on archive.org. Goa is full of people with traditional knowledge and when a person dies, it is like losing a library," he said. The information stored on the internet archive, a non- profit library can be used as free content for a community radio. Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DTV See also INDIA; MEXICO; OKLAHOMA ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SPECTRUM AUXION All, I'm tracking all the announcements here: https://www.rabbitears.info/blog/index.php?post/2017/02/09/What-We-Know-Incentive-Auction-Results (Trip Ericson, [whose day job is with FCC], WTFDA gg via DXLD) Notably link to PBS ranked by market size, many missing, including Oklahoma, but we already know about us (gh) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM See INDIA; NEW ZEALAND; VATICAN ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DAB See BRAZIL?; IRELAND ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- IBOC See USA: 780 WBBM +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ USING A PORTABLE HEATER WHILE DXING I'd like to know how many of you use one on the REALLY cold winter nights while DXing, and if you mostly go with an electric heater or a kerosene heater. I'm going to be a guest at my parents' farm east of Council Bluffs, Iowa all this week and have come up with the idea of bringing along a Stanley 1500-watt utility heater to keep my surroundings warm should I decide to stay up into the wee hours. I've run into a bit of a quandary, though...it requires plugging into an outlet. My obvious choice would be to go with a tractor shed on our place, but it's one that was constructed in the mid-1980s. As is the case with most modern tractor sheds, it is of a steel construction and has fluorescent lighting overhead, so there will be a bit of a buzz issue, although not intolerable. To get away from the buzz completely, my other way to go would be to DX from a wooden shed on our place that was built during the 1920s in which we raised chickens when I was a kid. Most sheds and outbuildings on farms that were built back then are going to be all-wood, and would naturally be more appealing for DXing, but many that are THAT old don't have outlets, and that's the situation with this one. In that case, I would think a kerosene heater would be a better choice. Anyway, I welcome all feedback on this. I'm just happy to get out of the city for a week and get back to a place where I won't have to deal with images, spurs, and mixing products on the AM band! 73, (Rick Dau, South Omaha, Nebraska EN21af, MW: Sony ICF-2010, Grundig AN-200 antenna; LW: Sony ICF-2010, Quantum Q-Stick paired with Ratzlaff "cake dummy" loop; FM: Sangean ATS-909X with extended stock whip. I was hoping Shawn Axelrod would chime in on this topic, which he did in an off-list message to me. I had always wondered what he, Niel Wolfish, Morris Sorenson, and Wayne McRae used to keep warm during all those DXpeditions at Valhalla Beach (65 miles - 104 km - almost due north of Winnipeg), where I'm sure the temps in January can get brutal. If memory serves me right, they set up shop inside an abandoned school bus. THAT must have been fun! Very helpful that Shawn included pics so I know what to look for in the future. 73, (Rick Dau, South Omaha, Nebraska EN21af, NRC-AM via DXLD) Viz.: Rick, When we were DX'ing from the Valhalla site we used small propane heaters. They used one pound Propane cylinders and that ran a small heater that attached straight to the cylinder. Worked great for many years. Came with a stand to keep things safe. Pics below of a similar model to what we used. Way safer that kerosene as these cylinders don't spill. Screw the heater on tight and light her up. Shawn Image result for 1 pound propane cylinder Image result for 1 pound propane cylinder heater (via Rick Dau, NE, NRC-AM via DXLD) Hi Rick. I've had great luck with the propane powered Mr. Heater, "Portable Buddy" Model. It will run for several hours on a standard 1 pound camp stove propane cylinder, but I use mine with a 20 pound barbeque grill tank. I've used this in a lot of places, including a tent when outside temps were well below freezing. It's far less messy than kerosene, and also safer. No fumes or nasty particles for your lungs. https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-F232000-Indoor-Safe-Portable/dp/B002G51BZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487559188&sr=8-1&keywords=mr+heater https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-F232000-Indoor-Safe-Portable/dp/B002G51BZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487559188&sr=8-1&keywords=mr+heater I bought mine at Wally World years ago and haven't used kerosene since. Good Luck and 73, (Mike Gorniak, Braham, MN, ABDX via DXLD) Any heater which operates using an electric thermostat will probably produce noise whenever it cycles on and off. This applies to fish tank heaters and furnaces - and everything in between (Russ Edmunds, WB2BJH, Blue Bell, PA, IRCA via DXLD) Rick - Many kerosene heaters are OK for internal use, but there are some that are not OK indoors. And some are OK, but only if provided a certain amount of fresh air. And of course in general there is a fire hazard, although some have a fairly safe design. I dodge those issues by using a catalytic propane heater like the "Buddy Heater". Models run from $60 to $120 on Amazon (Chuck Hutton, ibid.) I second the recommendation for the catalytic propane heaters, such as the "Buddy Heater. I`m in the TV production business, which often requires us to work outdoors in cold weather. It`s not uncommon for us to improvise shelters for clients and actors in these conditions. But safety is always our top concern. Power isn`t always available in remote areas, so the Buddy Heaters have proven to be a great solution. DX is great, but nothing is worth dying over. Catalytic propane heaters are safe to use indoors and provide decent amounts of warm. BTW, the cheapest solution is insulation. Don`t overlook the value of keeping your feet and body off the cold ground (which robs body heat). Wood is great for this. Placing some fiberglass or foam insulation overhead is great too. Good luck, I envy you! 73, (Les N1LF, Les Rayburn, director, High Noon Media Services, 130 1st Avenue West, Alabaster, AL 35007-8536, ibid.) Agree with Chuck, Mr. Buddy is your friend, but do keep a window, vent or door cracked. My experience here in the wilds of BC has been very satisfactory; they are almost the de facto standard here! Those who have previously frozen a YL, will also appreciate the reduction in static (Terry Baugh, ibid.) I've done it as the beach house in Narragansett wasn't heated very well. However, with the wx here in the Midwest you may need A/C instead. 73 KAZ (Neal Kazaross, ibid.) I used a kero heater in my unheated attic in Rochester for many years. VERY important to have fresh air coming in. My mistake was being so focused on DXing that I would sometimes forget to refill the kerosene and as it died it produced enough fumes to be dangerous. Then I'd have to open the windows to air the place out. And then everything got real cold quick. That propane unit sounds like a much better idea. With kero I would never run it unless I was in that room and awake at all times (Jim Renfrew, Clarendon NY, ibid.) I'm not comfortable with the "awake at all times". CO poisoning tends to make you sleepy and before you know it, you're taking a permanent nap. It's far better to use a catalytic propane heater that is rated for indoor use (Chuck Hutton, ibid.) *rasies hand* Talk about DXing in extreme cold. My boss and I discuss my hobby from time to time and this is what he has suggested to me: An ice fishing shelter and a propane heater: http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/mobile/Eskimo-Quickfish-3-Ice-Fishing-Shelter/productDetail/Eskimo/prod99990133782/cat125203 A small propane heater would warm it up in 20 seconds. My boss and many here are avid outdoorsmen and do stuff like this regularly (Paul Walker, AK, ibid.) I think the key to remember is that safety must come first. It would not be extreme to recommend that you take along both a fire extinguisher and a CO Alarm to detect concentrations of carbon monoxide. Many things being recommended by well-meaning DX?ers tonight are dangerous and potentially fatal. Open faced propane heaters are NOT safe for indoor use. Read this and educate yourself before doing something potentially life-threatening. http://campsafe.org/?p=1 73, (Les N1LF, AL, ibid.) KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INDOOR-SAFE AND OUTDOOR ONLY PROPANE HEATERS === Posted on February 7, 2014 With sub-zero temperatures and winter storms continuing to plague the U.S., portable propane heaters have become an alternative choice for providing residences with temporary heat, especially in areas hit by power outages. There are various sizes and styles of portable heaters that operate using propane fuel to heat chilly workspaces, garages, sheds and other ventilated spaces where electric power is not available. During a power outage, consumers need to be aware of the differences between outdoor only, and indoor-safe propane heaters in order to avoid taking an outdoor use only heater inside that could result in Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. There are portable propane heaters specifically designed for temporary indoor use. When you are looking for a portable heater to use during a power outage, it is vitally important that you read the packaging and the operating instructions. It could mean the difference between life and death. Indoor safe heater Outdoor-only heaters, such as propane tank mounted radiant heaters and portable forced-air propane and kerosene heaters (sometimes called “torpedo heaters”) have traditionally been used at work sites and football sidelines. When these types of heaters are brought inside a, residential home or garage, the risk of CO poisoning is significantly increased. CO is a colorless, odorless and highly poisonous gas that is produced from incomplete combustion. CO interferes with the blood’s ability to transport oxygen to the lungs and can result in flu-like symptoms including headache, nausea and dizziness. Increased exposure without exposure to fresh air can lead to death by asphyxiation. If you have, or are planning to purchase, a portable propane heater for use as an emergency back-up for power outages or to heat a chilly garage or workshop, you need to make sure that you look for a heater that is identified as indoor-safe. Indoor safe heaters feature an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) that will automatically shut the heater off if the available air flow is reduced below a safe level. Be sure to follow these safe heating tips: Always read the manufacturers’ packaging and operating instructions for proper use and handling. Be sure to look for, and read information about indoor safe use and safety features. Heaters identified as “outdoor use only” burn fuel at a high rate and must never be used indoors or in tents, campers, residential garages, trailers and other enclosures. Know the symptoms of CO poisoning (e.g., nausea, dizziness, headache, etc.) If you think that you may be affected, immediately turn off any possible source of CO and move to an area with fresh air. Remember that portable gas-fired generators operate on fuel combustion and should never be operated indoors. When operating a generator outdoors, place it away from windows and air intakes. No matter how cold, no fuel-burning appliance, including indoor- safe appliances, should be left unattended or operated while sleeping. (via Les Rayburn, ibid.) As this is an important issue, I'd rather have you say specifically what you consider unsafe. Otherwise, confusion may result in some of tonight's advice being accepted while unsafe and other advice being rejected while safe (Chuck Hutton, ibid.) I think it`s unsafe to use any portable fuel-based heater that is not specifically designed for indoor use. My understanding is that this will limit your choice to propane heaters specifically rated for indoor use. Indoor safe heaters feature an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) that will automatically shut the heater off if the available air flow is reduced below a safe level. Even with an indoor-rated heater, you should know the symptoms of CO poisoning. These include nausea, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, etc. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should immediately switch off the potential source of CO and move outside to fresh air. I personally would recommend buying an inexpensive battery powered CO detector, and having it with you at all times. A fire extinguisher is also a good precaution. Getting up and going outside once every hour for fresh air is another reasonable precaution, and will help maintain the focus on DXing. To be clear, any fuel based portable heater relies on combustion for heating. Any appliance that has combustion is a potential source of CO gas. You should NEVER sleep with one of these running, even one that is indoor rated for safety. Interlocks can fail. This is a serious topic and I would recommend doing your own research and educating yourself on the issue. Hope that it works out for you. Good DX and be safe. 73, (Les N1LF, ibid.) SPY BABY --- IF YOUR CHILD HAS THIS DOLL, YOU SHOULD GET RID OF IT NOW Carla Wiking 5 days ago There's a toy in your daughter's bed that is taking in your nighttime stories, transmitting her every giggle, listening to her every breath. And possibly talking back to her. . . http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/family-relationships/if-your-child-has-this-doll-you-should-get-rid-of-it-now/ar-AAn3JzC?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=iehp (via Terry Krueger, DXLD) Enforcement Bureau Meets With Field Agents --- ELEVEN FIELD OFFICES HAVE CLOSED; 14 REMAIN, AND STAFF HAS BEEN REDUCED February 17, 2017 By Randy J. Stine http://www.radioworld.com/business-and-law/0009/enforcement-bureau-meets-with-field-agents/339187 Radio World has learned of a video conference call held between Michael Carowitz, the new acting chief of the FCC’s enforcement bureau, and some 33 current FCC EB field agents and their supervisors. The meeting comes as the FCC continues to implement a cost-saving modernization plan created by the former chairman, Tom Wheeler, that closed offices and trimmed the number of field agents. According to a person familiar with discussions at the Monday meeting, Carowitz and FCC Field Director Charles Cooper mostly “stuck to the modernization plan talking points and gave no indication whether they might be changed” to better reflect the enforcement views of new Chairman Ajit Pai and some in Congress. The FCC official confirmed the meeting and said, “Mr. Carowitz wanted to take time to talk to, and most importantly, listen to his colleagues in the FCC’s field offices.” A commission spokesperson declined to provide specifics on the internal staff conversations. The commission tells Radio World it has now closed field offices in Anchorage, Buffalo, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Norfolk, Philadelphia, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa and San Juan, Puerto Rico as part of the modernization plan. It has 14 regional field offices remaining. The FCC has approximately 34 field agents remaining from a staff of about 60 prior to the reorganization. Several openings remain for field agents in Denver, New York and Washington, according to the source, though they are likely to remain open in light of the Trump administration’s federal hiring freeze. As we’ve reported previously, the FCC’s overhaul plan also included the formation of several so-called “tiger teams” that would act as emergency on-call staff to address interference issues across the country. At least one special response team has been formed, according to a person familiar with the developments. The move to reorganize field operations had been met with some opposition from industry observers worried that the moves would put additional pressure on remaining staff and create potential holes in the enforcement fence. As a minority commissioner, Pai was critical of Wheeler’s plan to streamline field offices when it was announced in 2015 predicting the closures would “further erode the FCC’s enforcement abilities and lead to fewer enforcement actions.” It is not clear whether Pai has yet focused on this issue in his early time leading the agency. “The chairman has not outlined any such specifics (about enforcement issues) thus far in his tenure,” the commission spokesperson said. “He has already been working to bolster commissioner engagement with the Enforcement Bureau, as seen in his process change to ensure that he and his colleagues vote on some settlements. In general, the Enforcement Bureau under Chairman Pai will be guided by the law and by evidence found during careful investigations.” Separately, House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Rep. Marsha Blackburn this week discussed the FCC during an interview on C-SPAN. Blackburn said “the FCC is due for a reauthorization” that could come in the second half of this year. The FCC hasn’t been reauthorized since 1990. She signaled that it’s time to look at the structure of the FCC and figure out where needs are not being met. “I would like to see the revitalization of the regional offices for the FCC so that if someone has as problem they are not finding themselves calling Washington, D.C., and then wait for someone to call them back and waiting even longer for someone to get out to them,” Blackburn told C-SPAN. “I think the convenience of working with a federal agency and having those regional offices operational is important.” You can watch Blackburn’s C-SPAN interview here. https://www.c-span.org/video/?423634-1/communicators-representative-marsha-blackburn (via Dennis Gibson, IRCA via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ :Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts :Issued: 2017 Feb 20 0107 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/weekly.html # # Weekly Highlights and Forecasts # Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 13 - 19 February 2017 Solar activity was at very low levels with only weak background flare activity observed. An 11 degree long filament eruption, centered near N08E02, was observed in SDO/AIA 193 imagery beginning around 19/0525 UTC. A faint CME was observed off the NE limb, observed in LASCO C2 imagery, at around 19/0648 UTC. WSA-Enlil analysis indicated a possible glancing blow at Earth mid to late on 22 Feb. No other activity was observed. No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels on 13-14 Feb with moderate levels observed on 15-19 Feb. Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels on 13-15 Feb, quiet to isolated unsettled to active levels on 16 Feb, quiet to active levels on 17-18 Feb and quiet to unsettled levels on 19 Feb. A recurrent, positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) became geoeffective early on 17 Feb affecting the geomagnetic field through late on 19 Feb. During this period, solar wind speeds generally ranged from 500-600 km/s, total field Bt peaked at 13 nT early on 17 Feb while the Bz component reached a maximum southward extent of -8 nT early on 17 Feb. Phi angle was in a predominately positive orientation. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 20 FEBRUARY - 18 MARCH 2017 Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels with a chance for isolated C-class activity throughout the period. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels on 20-27 Feb and 01-13 Mar. Normal to moderate levels are expected for the remainder of the outlook period. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm levels on 28 Feb and G1 (Minor) storm levels on 24 Feb, 01-02 Mar and again on 16 Mar due to recurrent CH HSS influence. Active geomagnetic field activity is expected on 23 and 25 Feb, 03-05 Mar and 17 Mar due to CH HSS influence. Isolated active conditions are likely on 22 Feb due to a glancing blow from the 19 Feb CME. Quiet to unsettled activity is expected for the remainder of the period under a nominal solar wind regime. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2017 Feb 20 0107 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 2017-02-20 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2017 Feb 20 82 12 4 2017 Feb 21 82 10 3 2017 Feb 22 82 12 4 2017 Feb 23 82 15 4 2017 Feb 24 82 20 5 2017 Feb 25 82 18 4 2017 Feb 26 80 10 3 2017 Feb 27 76 8 3 2017 Feb 28 76 30 6 2017 Mar 01 75 25 5 2017 Mar 02 75 20 5 2017 Mar 03 73 15 4 2017 Mar 04 73 15 4 2017 Mar 05 72 15 4 2017 Mar 06 72 8 3 2017 Mar 07 72 5 2 2017 Mar 08 73 5 2 2017 Mar 09 74 5 2 2017 Mar 10 75 5 2 2017 Mar 11 75 5 2 2017 Mar 12 75 5 2 2017 Mar 13 75 5 2 2017 Mar 14 75 5 2 2017 Mar 15 74 10 3 2017 Mar 16 75 20 5 2017 Mar 17 77 15 4 2017 Mar 18 79 10 3 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1866, DXLD) GLENN`S PROPAGATION OUTLOOK FOR MEDIA NETWORK PLUS AS OF FEB 23, 2017 Keith, from IPS in Australia, the global HF propagation forecast thru February 25: normal to fair at all latitudes. From Spaceweather South Africa, thru February 25: magnetic conditions unsettled, shortwave fadeouts unlikely, MUF unstable. From Met Office UK: Geomagnetic activity mainly quiet February 25 and 26. From F K Janda in Prague, the Geomagnetic field will be: quiet to active on February 25, March 3, 6 quiet on February 26, March 8, 11 - 12 active to disturbed on February 27 - 28, March 1 - 2, 5 quiet to unsettled March 4, 7, 13 - 15 mostly quiet on March 9 - 10 From SWPC in Boulder, Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm levels on Feb 28 with A and K indices of 30 and 6; and G1 (Minor) storm levels on Feb 24, March 1 and 16 with A`s and K`s of 20 and 5. Lowest A`s and K`s of 5 and 2 on March 7 to 14. Solar flux declining from 82 on Feb 25 to 72 on March 5 and up to 79 by March 18. William Hepburn`s VHF UHF DX maps show extreme tropospheric ducting: along the Texas-Tamaulipas coast February 24 off the coast of Namibia February 27 and 28 between Arabia and India all week between India and southeast Asia Feb 24 and 25 off the west coast of Australia Feb 24 to 27 (via DXLD) TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING ++++++++++++++++++++++++ NPR NEWS TEAM COVERS TRUMP`S CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Marilyn Geewax (photo by Doby Photography) The election of Donald J. Trump as president has ushered in somewhat uncharted waters in terms of ethics and conflicts of interest. In the past, wealthy presidents have taken steps to divest themselves or move their assets into a blind trust. But Trump has so far resisted such calls to distance himself from his business dealings. NPR has created a new initiative to cover possible conflicts of interest in the Trump administration, tapping veteran business editor Marilyn Geewax to lead. The Conflicts Team has three full-time staffers and will utilize other NPR reporters as needed. Poynter interviewed Marilyn about the new project, at the link below. NPR has created a team devoted to covering President Trump’s conflicts of interest --- By Melody Kramer • February 20, 2017 http://www.poynter.org/2017/npr-has-created-a-team-devoted-to-covering-president-trumps-conflicts-of-interest (KGOU via DXLD) DO THESE 10 THINGS, AND TRUMP WILL BE TOAST Friends, I welcome you to “The Michael Moore Easy-to-Follow 10-Point Plan to Stop Trump.” First, let’s acknowledge what we all know to be true: Trump is in deep, deep trouble — in the pocket of Russians, surrounded by alt.right idiots, alone in his bathrobe in a mostly-empty White House — and caught inside a disgusting “shit-sandwich”, so said his supporter who turned down the NSA job. Only one month into his So-Called Presidency — and yet there is good news, as this is what the American landscape looks like: • Tens of thousands of citizens across the country have stormed Congressional district offices and town hall meetings to express their rage at the Trump agenda (a dejected Republican congressman, after a 3-hour verbal assault from his angry constituents, said on TV last night, “let’s face it – they [the Obamacare supporters] have won.”). • A federal court halted Trump’s first Muslim Ban — actually, make that FOUR federal courts have ruled against him! He’s conceded defeat and will not appeal to the Supreme Court (though he will try a new ban – and good luck with that, you son of a Scottish immigrant). • Progressive Democrat Congressman Keith Ellison appears to be the front-runner for this Saturday’s vote to head the Democratic Party — and to FIX the whole damn mess! Also, a recruitment drive has begun across the country to find the best local candidates to run for state and federal offices in 2018. Millions are committed to never letting the Debacle of ‘16 happen again. • Our beautiful Army of Comedy – with its Platoon of Satirists led by Alec Baldwin and Melissa McCarthy – is killing it! The devastating impersonation of White House spokesman Sean Spicer by McCarthy has Trump fuming to the point where he has considered getting rid of Spicer. Politico says he simply can’t watch one of his top aides being portrayed by --- a woman! So the momentum is with us right now — and if we all just take a little time to do the Action Plan below, I’m convinced we’ll succeed in halting the dark force that is Trump. We can tie him up in knots at every turn, and eventually, we can bring him down. So let’s get started with our… 10-POINT ACTION PLAN TO STOP TRUMP --- http://michaelmoore.com/10PointPlan/ (via DXLD) ###