DX LISTENING DIGEST 18-28, July 10, 2018 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 2018 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 1938 contents: Albania non, Australia, Bougainville, Brasil, China, Cuba, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan and non, Korea North non, Kuwait, Mongolia, Newfoundland, New Zealand, North America, Papua New Guinea, Perú, Somalia non, Tajikistan/Uzbekistan, UK, USA, Vietnam non; and the propagation outlook SHORTWAVE AIRINGS of WORLD OF RADIO 1938, July 10-16, 2018 Tue 2030 WRMI 5950 7780 [1937 replayed? inaudible] Tue 2130 WRMI 5950 [presumably; inaudible] Tue 2330 WBCQ 9330v [not aired] Wed 1030 WRMI 5950 [not monitored] Wed 2100 WRMI 9955 [not monitored, but presumably] Wed 2100 WBCQ 7490v [not monitored, but presumably] Wed 2330 WBCQ 9330v [confirmed] Thu 2330 WBCQ 9330v [not aired] Fri 2330 WBCQ 9330v [not aired] Sat 0630 HLR 6190-CUSB Hamburger Lokalradio Sat 1431 HLR 6190-CUSB Hamburger Lokalradio [confifrmed] Sat 1930v WA0RCR 1860-AM Sat 2130 WBCQ 9330v [or 2330? not aired] Sat 2300 WRMI 7780 [canceled!] Sun 0200 WRMI 7780 [canceled!] Sun 0310v WA0RCR 1860-AM Sun 1030 HLR 9485-CUSB Hamburger Lokalradio Sun 2330 WBCQ 9330v [maybe] Mon 0130 WRMI 5850, 7780 Mon 0300v WBCQ 5130v-AM Area 51 Mon 0330 WRMI 9955 Mon 0400 WRMI webcast only Mon 2330 WBCQ 9330v [maybe] Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 Tue 2030 WRMI 5950, 7780 [or #1939?] 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 IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!! WOR IO GROUP: Effective Feb 4, 2018, DXLD yg archive and members have been migrated to this group: https://groups.io/g/WOR [there was already an unrelated group at io named dxld!, so new name] From now on, the io group is primary, where all posts should go. One may apply for membership, subscribe via the above site. DXLD yahoogroup: remains in existence, and members are free to COPY same info to it, as backup, but no posts should go to it only. They may want to change delivery settings to no e-mail, and/or no digest. The change was necessary due to increasing outages, long delays in posts appearing, and search failures at the yg. Why wait for DXLD issues? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our io group without delay. NEW! DX LISTENING DIGEST IN PDF, HTML VERSIONS Jacques Champagne in Ville-Marie, Québec, has developed programs to convert DXLD .txt into PDF and HTML versions for his own use, and now has made them available to the rest of us. Starting with 18-24, they have been posted as attachments to the WOR iog. He says it takes about an hour to do this, once each issue is published. Merci, Jacques! (gh) ** ALBANIA [non]. 9395, Saturday July 7 at 0240, surprised to hear R. Tirana via WRMI, which is supposed to be at 0200-0230, then Oldies. What happened? Change, or error? Press review in English about Albania, 0242 Albanian music break. VG S9+20/10 but with selective fading distortion (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [Later: confirmed Tirana retimed to 0230-0300] ** ANTARCTICA. 15476, 6/7 1850, R. Nac. Arcángel San Gabriel - Base Esperanza, SS MX suff. (Roberto Pavanello, Vercelli / Italia, via Roberto Scaglione, Sicilia, shortwave yg via DXLD) That was a Friday, so evidence it is still active on that DOW, besides Méndez` logs of it before 1800 on Wednesdays only (gh, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. AUSTRÁLIA, 6230-BLS, Estação Marítima VMW, Wiluna, Austrália Ocidental, 1831-..., 01/6, avisos meteorológicos; 15341. // 8113 pior. 8113-BLS, idem, 1833-..., 01/6, avisos meteorológicos; 15341. // 6230 algo melhor, mas ainda assim muito fraca. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 8176-bls, Estação Marítima VMC, Charleville, Queensland, 2136-..., 29/6, avisos meteorológicos; 15341. 12365-bls, Estação Marítima VMC, Charleville, Queensland, 2137-..., 29/6, cf. // 8176 supra; 15341 (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BLS => USB ** AUSTRALIA. 5055, 4KZ, 1107-1151*, July 5. Pop songs (Chuck Berry - "Roll Over Beethoven," Seals & Crofts - "I'll Play For You," Lionel Richie & Diana Ross - "My Endless Love," Jackie Wilson - "Higher and Higher," etc.); commercial announcements; ID and promo for joining Australian Radio DX Club; cut off in mid-song; summertime QRN (static), but strong enough to easily ID songs; certainly not their supposedly new 1000 sign off time. BTW - Rob Shepherd (Australia), advised me on July 4 - "Ozy Radio is currently off-air again with technical difficulties," so another chance to check for AIR Gangtok. July 5, noted strong OTH radar blocked 4835 from about 1155+. 5055, 4KZ, 1147, July 7. Commercial announcement; sounded like Bob Dylan with "Blowin' In The Wind." Just as happened on July 5, today cut off at 1151*, so must be on a timer? Need to check a few more times to be sure (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA [and non]. NAURU’S BAN ON ABC SPLITS COMMERCIAL MEDIA July 4, 2018 5.36am EDT Author Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Disclosure statements Michelle Grattan provides commentary for the ABC. Partners University of Canberra provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU. News Corp is not unhappy to see the ABC, its perennial target, disadvantaged and intends to extract benefit for itself from the situation. Tracey Nearmy/AAP The extraordinary ban imposed by Nauru on the ABC covering the Pacific Islands Forum – or visiting that country at all – has laid bare the raw and fractious fault lines in the Australian media. Journalists and commercial organisations are split over how to respond, between those who believe there should be solidarity with the ABC, and those maintaining that what happens to the ABC is its problem alone. News Corp is not unhappy to see the ABC, its perennial target, disadvantaged and intends to extract benefit for itself from the situation. The federal parliamentary press gallery committee - which mostly looks after routine matters affecting its members - has taken a defiant stand, which has been endorsed by Fairfax. The media contingent that was to cover Malcolm Turnbull’s trip had been restricted to a “pool” of three (because that’s all the PM’s plane had room for, although Nauru is confining the number of media). The gallery had nominated an ABC cameraman, and a reporter and photographer supplied by the news agency AAP. Footage, reports and pictures would be shared with other outlets. After the Nauru ban - which Tony Walker has suggested is likely driven more by the ABC’s coverage of corruption allegations than its stories about asylum seekers - the gallery committee decided that if the ABC couldn’t go, the pool would be disbanded. Read more: Australia's government failed to stand up for press freedom after Nauru barred ABC journalist http://theconversation.com/australias-government-failed-to-stand-up-for-press-freedom-after-nauru-barred-abc-journalist-99366 It said in a statement issued on Wednesday by its president David Crowe, chief political correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, that if the ABC was banned, no one should go. . . [plus several replies] http://theconversation.com/naurus-ban-on-abc-splits-commercial-media-99391 (via James Branum, OK, ptsw yg via DXLD) See also NAURU ** AUSTRALIA [and non]. RA Sheppartion & RA SW - Glimmer of hope. The following may be of interest:- 1. http://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/programs/pacificbeat/pacific-shortwave/9930222 2. https://www.communications.gov.au/have-your-say/review-australian-broadcasting-services-asia-pacific 3. https://twitter.com/newsroom_the/status/1014811784790732800 Confirmed: Commercial Real Estate company CBRE withdrew from sale the Broadcast Australia (RA SW transmitter site) property at Shepparton, Victoria some months ago. Rumour: When the RA SW transmitters were turned off, the water that cools the transmitters wasn't drained & allowed to sit within the transmitter cooling pipes & subsequently it has been mentioned that pipes have rusted & transmitters may not be usable without significant investment of replacement parts,(if available) & time/labour or new transmitters may now be required if service was to be restored (Ian - AUS, July 7, SWSites YG via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) Hi All, OK on the prospect of the cooling water being still within the transmitters at Shepparton. Whilst not a perfect scenario, it should be retrievable as steel piping is not employed as a rule so rust will not occur. One would guess that in fact the water was drained after closure and, if dismantling was on the cards, then it would have to be done anyway. If that's the case, then it would be a relatively easy operation to refill; what will be problematical is the deterioration in the transmitters` tuning capacitors and valves (tubes). We have found that these modern vacuum variable capacitors do like to be used daily, even if it's just for a few minutes, to keep them to a hard vacuum. The same goes for used transmitter tubes. Brand new tubes and vacs are OK in storage but are conditioned before use; that is, the voltages are brought on gradually under control before being placed into a service socket. I recall that when Skelton C was moth-balled, the senders were drained immediately; then the valves and vacs were removed and sent to WOF for re-use. The same happened when RMP was closed down. So, yes, recommissioning is indeed possible, but after a period of concerted engineering work, something that is of course lost on the politicians. 73 (Dave G4OYX Porter (ex WOF), ibid.) ** AUSTRALIA [and non]. 11900, July 4 at 1301, S5-S7 dead air with flutter, off at 1302 uncovering algo weaker S5-S4. It`s KNX RBA supposed to stop Hindi at 1300, over to KSDA Guam in Khmer from 1300, per HFCC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) You can still log Australia: Reach Beyond Australia English sked per http://www.reachbeyond.org.au/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/documents/publications/A18_Language%20Edition.pdf 0000-0015 15400 Wed & Fri 1245-1300 9685 Daily 1115-1130 15575 Mon-Wed, Fri 1300-1330 9610 Sun 1145-1200 11905 Sat-Sun 1315-1330 15320 Mon, Wed, Fri 1200-1230 9685 Fri 2115-2130 9800 Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun 1230-1245 9685 Mon-Sat 2230-2300 15410 Mon-Fri (MARE Tipsheet July 6 via DXLD) ** BAHRAIN. BAHREIN, 9745, Radio Bahrein, Abu Hayan, 1604-1650, 05-07, Arabic comments, Arabic songs, Spanish song “Amapola”. 24332 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) ** BANGLADESH. 13580, 09/07 1840, Bangladesh Betar em inglês. No momento da minha escuta até esse ponto apenas música local. Passou a tocar música internacional de boa qualidade, agora às 1851 toca Lionel Ritchie. Às 1859 OM com ID e contatos e logo após fim da transmissão. Sinal fraco, poucos ruídos, moderado fading, mas áudio claro e se sustentando. 24332 73 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil, 12 14´S, 38 58´W - still testing the Tecsun PL-310ET, now with the 1 kHz filter; antenna dipole of 25 meters-direction northeast-southwest, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BHUTAN [and non]. 6035, BBS, 1207, July 7. Announcer till 1212, then the normal break for the very distinctive indigenous stringed instrumental till cut off at 1214*; mixing with relay of FM99, via Yunnan (China), that was in Chinese; yet another day with the UNID jamming that has been heard here recently. Without the jamming, this would have been an interesting reception! (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 3310, 05/07 0119, R. Mosoj Chaski em Quechua. Hino religioso e algumas palavras do OM com mais hino religioso. Bom sinal (surpresa hoje). 35333 73 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil, 12 14´S, 38 58´W - still testing the Tecsun PL-310ET, now with the 1 kHz filter; antenna dipole of 25 meters-direction northeast- southwest, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3310, Radio Mosoj Chaski, Cotapachi, 2230-2245, 07-07, Quechua, comments. 15321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL- 880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 5952.5, Radio Pio XII, Siglo XX, 2210-2235, 07-07, Quechua, comments, Bolivian songs, flute. Very weak, best on LSB. First time for weeks I heard it. 13321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5952, 09/07 2307, BOLÍVIA (Presumida), Emissoras Pio XII em espanhol (identificado) YL e OM falam, melhor áudio para a YL porque estou no filtro de 1 kHz e a voz da YL é mais aguda. Às 2310 local pop music. Às 2314 YL e OM voltam a locução. Sinal fraco, sem QRM, moderado fading com picos de claro áudio. O dia está com menos ruídos no meu rádio. Testando o modo 1 kHz que tem áudio desagradável, mas revela sinais fantásticos para minha condição de escuta. Vou treinar o ouvido com esse filtro. Mais informação eu vou acrescentando nesse post em comentários. 73 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil, 12 14´S, 38 58´W - still testing the Tecsun PL-310ET, now with the 1 kHz filter; antenna dipole of 25 meters-direction northeast-southwest, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Jorge, July 10 - Positive ID for Radio Pio Doce (5952.43); listening from 0123 to 0231*; mostly just announcers; finally after 0204 with some LA songs; 0229 with the normal closing format (whistling “Colonel Bogey March”/full ID/chimes); very poor to poor, with summertime QRN (static). My local sunset was not till 0327 UT. Wish you good listening with the PL310-ET (Ron Howard, California, ibid.) ** BOLIVIA [non]. 6134.92, 0310-0315 5.7, BRASIL, R Aparecida, Aparecida, SP, Portuguese conversation with hymns, 35343. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Denmark, here in Skovlunde on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, WBRadio yg via DXLD) [and non]. 6134.866V, July 6 at 0053, weak carrier waVering with music; at 0101, now it`s 6134.886V, or is it Aparecida, Brasil? No, ad yelled in Spanish, and not // 9630+. 6134.87V, July 7 at 0158 vocoder song, no het at first. 0202 there are two carriers very close, one definitely Andean music, so Radio Santa Cruz, not Aparecida. At 0208 no more modulation but still two carriers (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6134.8, Radio Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 2232-2245, 08-07, Spanish, comments. Very weak and strong QRM from Aparecida, best on LSB. 11321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOUGAINVILLE. 3325, NBC Bougainville (Maus Blong Sankamap), on July 5, with very good propagation; one of their best receptions; intermittent listening 0941-1207*; some highlights: 0941-0959: News in English (long item about the 2019 referendum, etc.); // 3260 (NBC Madang). 0959-1010: NBC national news, sports (one reporter from "NBC sports Madang,") and weather, in English. 1010-1020: "Regional news in English," followed by the often heard IDs for "NBC Bougainville," but also the not so common ID "Maus Blong Sankamap," which is Pidgin for "Voice of the Sunrise," which is heard on my audio clip http://goo.gl/awwTQn at 2:31; followed by commercial announcement. 1039: In Pidgin, with comments about the government needs to support rugby. 1049: In Pidgin; segment about "Bougainville community government." 1155: Pop song - Jason Derulo - "Trumpets." 1159: ID, with frequencies; news in English; at 1205 noted was // again to 3260 (NBC Madang). 1207*: cut off in mid-song. On my audio clip, nice Pacific Islands singing during the last minute of audio. Today there was only some brief Voice of Indonesia QRM around 1103, otherwise VOI was not heard or as later noted at 1215 & 1310, VOI with decent level carrier, but no modulation at all (no audio!). Was most fortunate that NBC was good today and VOI was having serious problems. 3325, NBC Bougainville (Maus Blong Sankamap), 1021+, on July 6. A second day of well above average reception; usual format of political discussions in Pidgin and playing of music; QRM from Voice of Indonesia started sometime around 1100 and continued mixing with NBC; spent most of today with NBC Madang (3260), which was also above the norm. 3325, NBC Bougainville (Maus Blong Sankamap), 1115, July 7. Both NBC and Voice of Indonesia mixing together about equal strength, causing a mess; not worth listening to (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) ** BRAZIL [non?]. 1645.0, 2200-... 02/7, MLZ ndb, Merluza oil rig in the Santos Basin. Continuous telegraphy IDs. 25332 1654.0, 2204-... 02/7, SANTO ndb, oil rig in the Santos Basin. Continuous telegraphy IDs. 15331 (Carlos Gonçalves, SW coast of Portugal, JRC NRD-545DSP, PERSEUS & DRAKE R-E; Advanced Receiver amp.; raised, 4 loop K9AY, 30 m 180º/0º mini-Bev., 80 m 300º/120º Bev., 200 m 270º/90º Bev., 270 m 145º/325º Bev., 300 m 225º/45º Beverage, radioescutas yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) Should be good DX targets in North America, CW, split frequencies in X-band; if anyone had a bunch of beverages on the coast (gh, ibid.) ** BRAZIL. BRASIL [catching up on Carlos Gonçalves` complete reports] 4774.9, R. Congonhas, Congonhas MG, 2115-2126, 09/5, missa; 34332. 4862.2, R. Alvorada, Londrina PR, 2117-2128, 09/5, texto, música; 25331. 4925, R. Educação Rural, Tefé AM, 2118-2130, 09/5, noticiário local e regional, indicação das freqs.; 35332. Melhor sinal em 11/5, pelas 2145. 4985, R. Brasil Central, Goiânia GO, 2046-2100, 08/5, canções; 35331 4985 idem 2145-..., 11/5, programa musical Brasil Sertanejo; 35332. 5035, R. Educação Rural, Coari AM, 2146-2157, 11/5, canções, texto; 35332. 5939.7, R. Voz Missionária, Camboriú SC, 2101-2114, 08/5, canções; 35332. 6040.7, R. Evangelizar, Curitiba PR, 2104-2116, 08/5, propaganda religiosa, música; 34342, QRM adjacente. 6080, R. Marumby, Curitiba PR, 2103-2113, 10/5, propag. relig.; 23431. 6134.9, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 2147-2158, 11/5, missa; 44433, QRM adjacente. 9515, R. Marumby, Curitiba PR, 2044-2055, 07/5, canções; 35433. 9550.1, R. Boa Vontade, Pt.º Alegre RS, 2112-2120, 09/5, texto, canções; 23441, QRM adjacente. 9564.9, SRDA, Curitiba PR, 2045-2056, 07/5, propag. relig.; 33431, QRM da R. Martí, EUA. 9630.6, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 2042-2053, 07/5, noticiário; 45444 9630.6, idem, 1850-..., 09/5, canções; 35332, em ascensão. 9630.6, idem, 0925-desvan. total 1025, 10/5, texto, canções, propag. relig.; 14431, QRM adjacente. 9664.9, R. Voz Missionária, Camboriú SC, 2203-..., 11/5, noticiário nacional A Voz do Brasil; 44443. 9665, idem, 2047-2058, 07/5, propag. relig.; 34433. 9665, idem, 0932-desvanecimento total 1005, 10/5, canções, texto; 14431, QRM adjacente. 9725.3, R. Evangelizar, Curitiba PR, 0936-desvan. total 1010, 10/5, texto; 14431, QRM adjacente. 9725.3, idem, 2205-..., 11/5, noticiário nacional A Voz do Brasil; 45444. 9725.4, idem, 2117-2127, 08/5, canções, anúncios comerc.; 34433, QRM adjacente. 9818.7, R. 9 de Julho, São Paulo SP, 2052-2105, 07/5, oração e propag. relig., lista da estações repetidoras; 33432, QRM adjacente. 9818.7, idem, 1849-1858, 09/5, texto, música; 25331, forte QRM adj., de 9820, às 1858. 9818.7, idem, 0945-desvan. total 1005, 13/5, canções, texto; 15331. 11735, R. Transmundial, St.ª M.ª RS, 1835-1851, 11/5, texto; 23431, QRM da TZA. 11735, idem, 1408-1436, 12/5, canções, propag. relig.; 25332. 11815, R. Brasil Central, Goiânia GO, 2103-2119, 12/5, canções; 33442, QRM adjacente. 11815.1, idem, 1116-1220, 12/5, canções, ..., música; 15431, evoluindo para 25442. 11855.8, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 2113-2124, 09/5, missa; 45444. 11855.8, idem, 1112-1225, 12/5, propag. relig., canções, ..., mais do mesmo; 25432, QRM adjacente, às 1200. 11855.8, idem, 1830-..., 12/5, canções; 34433, QRM adjacente. 11895.1, R. Boa Vontade, Pt.º Alegre RS, 2102-2112, 07/5, canções relig. e música; 24432, QRM adjacente. // 9550.1 sob forte QRM adjacente. 11895.1, idem, 1130-1227, 12/5, texto; 14331, em ascensão. 11934.9, R. Evangelizar, Curitiba PR, 2114-2125, 09/5, missa; 33432, QRM adjacente. 11934.9, idem, 1120-1215, 12/5, propag. relig.; 15431, em ascensão; QRM às 1200. [and starting over from a separate report:] [texto simply means talk] BRASIL 4774.9, R. Congonhas, Congonhas MG, 2132-2142, 02/6, missa; 35342. 4845, R. Cultura do Amazonas, Manaus AM, 2110-2120, 31/5, noticiário local e regional; 35332. 4862.2, R. Alvorada, Londrina PR, 2139-2150, 02/6, texto; 15341. 4864.9, R. Verdes Florestas (?), Cruz.º do Sul AC, 2135-2144, 02/6, texto; 15331. 4885, R. Dif.ª Acreana, Rio Branco AC, 2147-2156, 03/6, futebol; 22441, QRM do R. Club do Pará. 4925, R. Educação Rural, Tefé AM, 2114-2124, 04/6, texto (noticiário?); 25331. 4985, R. Brasil Central, Goiânia GO, 2108-2120, 01/6, prgr. musical Brasil Sertanejo; 35343. 5035, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 2157-2209, 03/6, prgr. de propag. relig. Com A Mãe Aparecida, indicação das freqs., seguindo-se o prgr. As Músicas Mais Lindas do Mundo; 35332. 5035, R. Educação Rural, Coari AM, 2117-2127, 04/6, canções; 25331. Nem "cheiro" da R. Aparecida. 6010, R. Inconfidência, Belo Horizonte MG, 2120-2130, 04/6, texto; 25331. Inaudível em 15190v. 6040.7, R. Evangelizar, Curitiba PR, 2101-2114, 01/6, propag. relig.; 45343. 6134.9, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 2205-2215, 02/6, propag. relig., missa; 33431, QRM da BOL, em 6134,863. 9515, R. Marumby, Curitiba PR, 2130-2138, 01/6, canções; 24432. 9550.1, R. Boa Vontade, Pt.º Alegre RS, 2104-2113, 05/6, texto; 22441, QRM adjacente. 9630.6, R.Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 1833-..., 31/5, canções; 35343. Sinal razoável em // 11855.824, apesar de alguma QRM adj. proveniente de 11860. 9630.6, idem, 0950-desvan. total 1055, 05/6, prgr. Acorda, Brasil, noticiário das 1000; 25432. 9664.9, R. Voz Missionária, Camboriú SC, 2104-2116, 01/6, propag. relig.; 34443, QRM da KRE. 9664.9, idem, 1815-1832, 05/6, propag. relig.; 25432. 9665, idem, 0937-desvan. total 1020, 04/6, canções, texto; 25432. 9725.3, R. Evangelizar, Curitiba PR, 2102-2115, 01/6 propag. relig.; 35443. 9725.4, idem, 0955-desvan. total 1025, 05/6, texto; 15431. 9818.8, R. 9 de Julho, São Paulo SP, 1839-..., 31/5, texto; 25331. Isento de QRM, mas afundado em QRN. 9818.8, idem, 1001-desvan. total 1020, 05/6, texto; 14431, QRM adjacente. 9818.9, idem, 1824-1838, 05/6, chamadas de ouvintes; 25342. 11735, R. Transmundial, St.ª M.ª RS, 1840-1854, 02/6, propag. relig., noticiário, às 1951; 34432, QRM da TZA. 11735, idem, 1413-1427, 04/6, propag. relig., canções; 25342. 11815, R. Brasil Central, Goiânia GO, 1208-1223, 01/6, informações, música; 25342. 11855.8, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 1231-1250, 03/6, texto, canções; 24342, QRM adjacente. 11855.8, idem, 2101-2117, 05/6, missa; 34443, QRM adjacente. 11895.2, R. Boa Vontade, Pt.º Alegre RS, 2124-2133, 02/6, texto; 15341, a modulação pareceu ser baixa. 11934.9, R. Evangelizar, Curitiba PR, 1213-1224, 01/6, texto; 24341, QRM adjacente. 11934.9, idem, 2127-2137, 02/6, anúncios vários, propag. relig.; 34343, QRM adjacente. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [AND, starting over again with another more recent report:] ** BRAZIL. BRASIL 4774.9, R. Congonhas, Congonhas MG, 2054-2106, 01/7, texto, música; 15331. SINPO de 35342 em 03/7, pelas 2110. 4845, R. Cultura do Amazonas, Manaus AM, 2108-2121, 24/6, canções indicação da freq.; 25331. 4875.2, R. Roraima, Boa Vista RR, 2111-2123, 24/6, sorteio de títulos; 35343. 4875.2 idem, 2105-2117, 03/7, rubrica musical Show do Povo; 45333. 4885, R. Dif.ª Acreana, Rio Branco AC, 2102-2112, 02/7, texto; 22341, QRM do R. Club do Pará. 4885, R. Club do Pará, Belém PA, 0935-desvan. total 0952, 03/7, texto; 15341. 4885 idem, 2115-2127, 05/7, futebol; 25331**. 4905, Nova R Relógio, São Gonçalo RJ, 2107-2115, 26/6, texto, música; 22331, QRM da CHina. 4985, R. Brasil Central, Goiânia GO, 2107-2119, 01/7, rubrica de canções; 35342. 5939.8, R. Voz Missionária, Camboriú SC, 2035-2046, 01/7, canções; 35343. 6080, R. Marumby, Curitiba PR, 2109-2119, 26/6, propag. relig.; 33331. 6080 idem, 2110-2120, 03/7, propag. relig.; 34332. 6135, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 2042-2055, 25/6, noticiário; 34342, QRM adjacente. 9515, R. Marumby, Curitiba PR, 2101-2114, 01/7, rubrica musical (e de propag. relig.) Música Evangélica; 34343. 9550, R. Boa Vontade, Pt.º Alegre RS, 2107-..., 25/6, prgr. Música Legionária; 33441, QRM adjacente. 9564.9, SRDA, Curitiba PR, 2105-2115, 25/6, texto; 22441, QRM da R. Martí, em 9565. 9564.9, idem, 2117-2128, 02/7, texto; 22441, QRM dos EUA, em 9565. 9630, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 1011-desvan. total 1110, 01/7, propag. relig., canções; 25432. 9630.6 idem, 2103-2117, 01/7, missa; 35443. Inaudível em 11855v. 9630.6 idem, 1836-1848, 03/7, canções; 25342, em ascensão. 9664.9, R. Voz Missionária, Camboriú SC, 2102-2113, 03/7, propag. relig.; 44443, QRM da KRE. 9665 idem, 1012-desvan. total 1050, 01/7, canções, texto; 25432. 9665 idem, 1815-1830, 01/7, propag. relig., chamadas de ouvintes; 25432, QRM adj., a partir das 1830. 9818.8, R. 9 de Julho, São Paulo SP, 2101-2116, 25/6, propag. relig.; 33442, QRM da CHN, em 9820. 9818.9 idem, 1818-1834, 01/7, texto; 14331. 9818.9 idem, 2130-2140, 02/7, noticiário; 35443 ! 9818.9 idem, 1002-desvan. total 1145, 04/7, texto; 15431. 11735, R. Transmundial, St.ª M.ª RS, 1434-1456, 01/7, prgr. de propag. relig. História das Missões; 35432. 11815, R. Brasil Central, Goiânia GO, 1534-..., 24/6, música pop'; 25342, áudio débil. 11815 idem, 1221-1246, 01/7, rubrica de música folclórica; 25442. 11855.8, R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 1532-..., 24/6, canções; 24442, QRM adjacente. 11895.1, R. Boa Vontade, Pt.º Alegre RS, 1838-1857 (bloqueada a esta h), 28/6, propag. relig.; 15441. 11895.2 idem, 2132-2141, 02/7, texto; 22441, QRM adjacente. 11934.9, R. Evangelizar, Curitiba PR, 1851-1913, 28/6, propag. relig., anúncios de progr., refs. à Campanha das Santas Chagas de Jesus, passatempo; 24432, QRM adjacente. 11935 idem, 1120-1140, 04/7, texto; 15341. (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 11780, Rádio Nacional da Amazônia, Brasília, 1835-1848, 05- 07, Brazilian songs, Portuguese, comments. Strong inteference from China on 11775. 21331 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) But look what happened the next day! --- 11727 approx., July 6 at 2009, music on filthy distorted FM spur, so naturally first suspect 11760 Cuba [q.v.] but no match in French talk. How about 11860, RHC Portuguese? Not either. Fades up to S9 at 2015 making the FM more legible with less crackle, so I can tell it`s in Brazuguese talk about the weather. Now I bet it`s RNA, which has NO signal on 11780, but in the past has gone totally out of whack like this. It`s not a spur, per se, since there is no such fundamental, and if there were it might have a match on the hi side circa 11833. This expands roughly 11723-11730 but clearest tuned to 11727; mentions Amazonas, 2020 timecheck and song. Then I find a // blob circa 11700, almost as strong, more mentions of Amazonas and about program coming up at 6 [21 UT]; finally at 2029 definite ID for ``Radio Nacional da Amazônia`` in passing. If 11780 still has anything to do with it, there might have been another one 27 kHz away, circa 11754 obscured by Cuba. What next? 11727 approx., July 7 at 1342, RNA-FM is still/again on here for its morning broadcast, along with a weaker blob circa 11699 but with QRM from an AM on 11705. Not on proper frequency 11780-AM. Hyper Brazuguese at first thought maybe SBG, but then with music mixed; off already at 1400 recheck. Expect it back on by 2000, earlier if there still be any WC SBG worth broadcasting to brasileiros (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sim, infelizmente de novo com problemas técnicos enchendo de sinais espúrios desde o dia 05/07 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil, 1955 UT July 7, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11727, Saturday July 7 at 2037, no signal from RNA-FM, nor 11780 RNA- AM. Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, had replied a few minutes earlier to my previous report: ``Sim, infelizmente de novo com problemas técnicos enchendo de sinais espúrios desde o dia 05/07`` 11727 approx., // 11699 approx., July 8 at 1317, RNA-FM instead of 11780-AM, extremely distorted Brazuguese recognizable but not really readable with crackle, inadequate FM strength for full quieting (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 11735, Rádio Transmundial, Santa Maria, 1415-1430, 07-07, Portuguese, program “História das Missões”, today program about William Booth, 24322. “História das Missões” is on air Monday at 0245 and 1415, Wednesday at 0930 and 2315, Friday at 0645 and 1930, Saturday at 1415 and Sunday at 1430 UT (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. The RNA database lists my beloved 353-QG as being in St. Clair Beach, Ontario. Per Wiki: "St. Clair Beach is a community on Lake Saint Clair in the town of Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada. Until 1998, the village was a separate entity, but was amalgamated into Tecumseh”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Clair_Beach,_Ontario St. Clair Beach ceased to exist 20 years ago. The largest road from Windsor to Tecumseh is Tecumseh Road. Tecumseh is a part of our local history. The Shawnees Chief and peacemaker was killed not far from Windsor during the War of 1812. No one knows where he rests, at least no one who's white. I remember back in the day... It seemed to be in an open field and supposedly ran 400 watts. Decades went by and it is now on the corner of the aforementioned Tecumseh Road at Banwell Road. Strip malls have grown up on all four corners of that intersection with high-voltage power lines as tall as the high-current (important) portion of the vertical's base and it's said to be running only 25 watts. You can see for yourself: [illustration] I love the golden arches peeking from behind it. It's comical. Well, at least a hungry NavCan tech only has to cross the street for a Big Mac. Given its new circumstances, I'm surprised (and a little thrilled) when anyone hears it at all. On the SDR I listen to in Farmington Hills MI, about 20 miles distant, it's not the blowtorch you'd think it would be. As for ZQG, the back course marker on 398 --- It's long gone and I was quite happy about it. It was incredibly strong and I determined it was only 2 or 3 miles from my home in what was at the time Sandwich West Township. I went looking for it once but it seems it was in a heavily- wooded area in what today is called LaSalle, and I never did actually see it. The American standard (which I'm sure isn't too far from the Canadian) specifies the markers at --- what is it? 3.9 miles off the ends of the runway? You fly, don't you? So it should be no great surprise to find beacons located in Miles-From-Nowhere and maybe in a different state altogether, like AA which serves Fargo ND but which in fact is in Minnesota. That picture was taken yesterday. [6/30/18] It was very cold in the Great White North. LOL [The temperature was in the “30s”.] (Lorraine Kulbacka, MARE Tipsheet July 6 via DXLD) QG serves the Windsor Airport. Some on-line lists show it at Windsor. Per Lorraine’s recommendation, the MARE Log Summary for QG is now Tecumseh ON (MARE ed., ibid.) ** CANADA. Thanks for the tip in World of Radio 1935 regarding the test transmissions of CKNT [960] in Mississauga ON. On Monday morning June 25 I monitored their transmissions for about two hours here in London ON, about 100 miles south west of Mississauga. [coverage map:] https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/patg?id=CKNT-AM&s=F&h=D I caught them with my Sangean LB 100 receiver along with a Grundig tunable loop antenna. The signal was weak, but steady with no fading. With the volume turned high, it is quite listenable. We have a strong local station here CFPL on 980 kHz, but with the loop antenna I was able to null out any interference from there. I sent them a reception report by e mail. On July 6 I received a reply e mail, not exactly a QSL, but at least an acknowledgement of my report. Thanks for all your valuable information. By regular mail I am sending a small contribution to your program. Best regards and 73s (Doug Brown, London, ON Canada, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 6030, Calgary - CFVP relaying CKMX (AM 1060), at 1223, on July 5. Again found that CNR1 was off the air; series of comedians; at 1315 "10-60 traffic." So is CNR1 off for maintenance here? (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** CANADA. 15034/USB, Trenton Military, aviation weather & terminal forecasts, (with the infamous no report received for everything) for Canaukian airspace; ID as Trenton Military & t/c at 2155. In well this evening, 3544+4 2151-2158 30/Jun (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, SDRplay + SDRuno + randomwire, MARE Tipsheet July 6 via DXLD) CHR ** CANADA. CBC Radio 1 88.5 DXed in Northern Ireland: see NEWFOUNDLAND ** CANADA. A VISIT TO THE CBC ARCHIVES, ON THE EVE OF DESTRUCTION Simon Houpt Media, Arts Published July 4, 2018 Updated July 3, 2018 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-15-million-digitization-project-for-cbc-archives-upsets-some-critics/ Open this photo in gallery [caption] Rolls of archival material at the CBC headquarters in Toronto. Christopher Katsarov/Globe and Mail The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation no longer airs live dance performances, but there's a mesmerizing ballet unfolding hundreds of times a day on the basement level of its Toronto headquarters. There, inside a floor-to-ceiling black cage locked inside a windowless room, four robotic devices conduct an intricate improvised choreographic routine, surrounded by a history of Canada told in zeroes and ones. Hanging from a U-shaped track in the ceiling, the contraptions - similar to sleek metal breadboxes turned on their side - glide swiftly up and down among racks of high-density magnetic storage tapes, extending a metal arm to pluck cassettes and jack them briefly into ports from which producers, perhaps thousands of miles away, can pull snippets of video and audio. In a few years' time, this secret fortress will hold virtually everything created or aired by CBC since its first radio broadcast in 1936 (TV launched in 1952): From The Wayne & Shuster Hour to Take 30, Mr. Dressup to Morningside to Maamuitaau, As It Happens to the 1967 Stanley Cup Finals. It will be transferred to LTO-7 digital tape (capacity: 6 terabytes) from more than 850,000 individual storage units that span about 15 different formats: including DAT (digital audio tapes), 2-inch, 1-inch and 1/4-inch audio tapes, VHS, and Betacam tapes (both professional and consumer grade). But though a mammoth more than $15-million digitization project promises to increase access to CBC archives for in-house producers and curious members of the public, some critics are upset with the broadcaster's intention to then destroy the current versions it has of the material. "We're doing what [ISIS] is doing in the Middle East. We're destroying cultural treasures," charged Kealy Wilkinson, the executive director of the Canadian Broadcast Museum Foundation (CBMF), in an interview with The Globe and Mail. The not-for-profit organization hopes to find a way to save the storage units known as carriers. Last year, it suggested that an old NORAD bunker in North Bay could be refitted to house the CBC archives and other audio-visual material at risk of being junked. Open this photo in gallery Magnetic tapes, historically used to hold recorded information, are seen behind a projector at the CBC archives in Toronto. Christopher Katsarov/Globe and Mail [caption] Wilkinson said that, while making digital copies is a laudable way to increase accessibility, those copies should not be seen as equivalent to the programs stored on older formats. "You can make copies of everything. It's kind of like saying to the chap who runs the National Gallery, `We could save a lot of space, why don't we just make digital copies of all the paintings, send them around to people and close the building?' " In April, the CBMF issued an alarming press release declaring that CBC had "quietly launched a systematic process that will destroy a vital component of Canada's cultural and broadcast heritage. And the Canadian public knows virtually nothing about it." Backed by the actors union ACTRA, and others, the organization demanded CBC adhere to the standards set by the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA), which calls for the preservation of all original carriers. It cited the BBC's Archives and the German Broadcasting Archive as examples. "On the face of it, in the archives world, it looks really bad," said Toby Seay, the president of the IASA and an associate professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia. He noted that he could not offer a comprehensive opinion of CBC's decision since he had not spoken with the broadcaster to probe the reasons behind its move. Still, "we stand on the principle that you maintain the original carriers, and then - if you can't, find a way to donate them so someone else can take care of them. Destruction is your absolute last choice." We're doing what [ISIS] is doing in the Middle East. We're destroying cultural treasures. -- Kealy Wilkinson [caption] In response, CBC initiated a public relations campaign, firing off a statement in late April taking aim at the CBMF and insisting, "our archives are not being destroyed. They are being transformed into digital, file-based formats to ensure preservation." As part of that campaign, three CBC staff recently gave a Globe and Mail reporter and photographer a 90-minute tour of its tape, film and still photography archives, a snaking walk through a series of climate-controlled vaults (with a few chilly minutes spent at 7 C in the film vault). The tour began on the second floor of the Broadcast Centre, where a corps of workers were methodically moving through piles of tapes recently arrived from regional centres such as St. John's, hand-entering into a database information about what was on each carrier. Their bounty overflowed: Russ McMillen, the co-ordinator of digitization and video preservation, had spent 1 1/2 weeks in Newfoundland with two other staff, packing up about 50,000 units to ship back to Toronto. Fredericton had remitted about 35,000 assets and Charlottetown about 25,000. For the past eight years, an in-house "ingestion centre" on the basement level had been operating 24 hours a day, transferring eight channels of video simultaneously into digital formats. At that rate, it was getting through about 600 units a week. Impressive, but not enough: After 170,000 units had been processed, with another 700,000 to go, it halted its in-house project and contracted with MediaPreserve, an industrial-sized transfer operation in Pennsylvania. Open this photo in gallery Russ McMillen of the CBC mass digitization project walks past rolls of exposed film in a temperature controlled room of the CBC archives in Toronto. Christopher Katsarov/Globe and Mail [caption] There, about 2,500 units a week are being processed and sent back digitally via a dedicated internet pipe to the Broadcast Centre, where they are then housed in what is known as a Redundant Array of Independent Disks, or RAID: multiple copies, to ensure security. (CBC's French-language counterpart, Radio-Canada, will undertake its own digital transfer initiative in the future.) During the tour, Marc Lefebvre, CBC's director of content management and preservation, revealed that they would wait three years before beginning the program to destroy the original carriers. "To make sure we didn't miss anything," he said. CBC staff overseeing the project seem indignant at the suggestion they are destroying the country's cultural heritage. They note that its film stock - 82,000 cans holding about 20,000 hours of raw news footage, movies of the week and even the Canadian segments of Sesame Street which were shot on film - is not part of the current digitization project. The projected shelf life of film is about 400 years, so there is no rush to save it. They insist that the tapes on which the material is currently stored are degrading and the machines used to read them (and, for that matter, the technicians who fix those machines) are nearing the end of their functional life. And it is certainly not a money-saving initiative. "The cheapest thing, to do," Lefebvre said, "would be to do nothing." Follow Simon Houpt on Twitter @simonhoupt (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** CHAD [non]. CLANDESTINA --- 12050. Jul 5, 2018. 1900-1915, Radio Ndarason International, Ascensão-G, em Kanuri. Vozes masculinas em conversação; 1914 Continuam as conversas. Emissora com boa recepção, porém, percebí uma leve a moderada interferência (primeira vez!) da EWTN-Radio Católica Mundial com voz feminina e música, 44544 para 43543 (José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-Paraiba, Brasil, WOR iog via DXLD) ** CHILE. 5825 kHz, Radio Triunfal Evangélica - Talagante /Chile Música, depois locutora "En aire" e comentários gospel. Transmissor de 100 Watts, 0005 UT 06 Julho 2018 https://youtu.be/BG5IB6KNhA4 RX: Yaesu FRG 8800; Antena: Beverage simples (Daniel Wyllyans, Sítio Estrela do Araguaia, Nova Xavantina MT, Brasil, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** CHINA [and non-logs]. 6030, at 1337, on July 6. Again found CNR1 absent here, leaving the frequency clear for reception of Calgary (Canada [q.v.]). First noted CNR1 off the air on June 27. 6035, FM99 via Yunnan, on July 6. What has been going on here? First noted by me on June 27 and now daily am hearing jamming that sounds as if from N. Korea; today at 1337, totally blocking any chance to enjoy reception of China. This must also be affecting reception of Bhutan (BBS) at an earlier time. The jamming of nearby Voice of Freedom on 6045, continues as before (no change). A most unpleasant development! Also this from DXLD 18-27: "UNIDENTIFIED. 6035, 1214-, Jammer, Jun 28. Looking for Bhutan 45 minutes ago, and again now, no sign of BBS, but there is a powerful pulse jammer. Who might this be? Not obvious from SW Sked information. Cochannel China is audible. 73, (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, Haida Gwaii, BC, July 1, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST)" 6165, CNR6, at 1337, July 6. N. Korea jamming continues here on this ex-Shiokaze frequency. Will be good when the jamming moves up to 7215, leaving CNR6 again in the clear. [non-log] 7215, at 1337, on July 6, noted CRI is still absent here, leaving the frequency clear for good Shiokaze reception, but is just a matter of time before N. Korea jamming moves up here from 6165 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) 6035, FM99 relay, via Yunnan, 1207+, on July 7. BBS (Bhutan) QRM till 1214*; at 1209, with the usual song by Shakira ("Waka Waka" - This Time for Africa); moderately strong jamming noted the whole time. (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 9965, The Firedragon ("Firedrake") at 1745. Usual crash boom bang, with the intended victim likely RFA (via the Marianas) at this hour. Went on thru the hour (1800), but then, R Free Asia is listed to run to 1900. VG July 8 (Rick Barton, Logs from Central Arizona, Grundig Satellit 205(T5000) & 750; RS SW-2000629, HQ-180A, & ATS-909X with various outdoor wire. 73 and Good Listening....! - rb, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 17398-USB, Guangzhou Coast Radio Station (presumed), on July 7, noted 1106*, after YL in Chinese with assume marine weather; almost fair; one of their better receptions (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 5910.3, Alcaraván Radio, Puerto Lleras, 0433-0455, 03-07, Latin American songs. 15321. Also 0435-0510, 06-07, Latin American songs. 15321. (Méndez) 6009.9, La Voz de tu Conciencia, Puerto Lleras, 0435-0450, 03-07, Latin American songs. Very weak, barely audible. 15321. Also 0437- 0447, 06-07, Latin American songs. Very weak, barely audible. 15321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun S- 8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) 6010, La Voz de tu Conciencia, Puerto Lleras, 0450-0458, 08-07, Latin American songs. Very weak, barely audible. 15321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO-Brazzaville. 6115, R. Congo, Brazzaville, 1847-1923, 23/6, francês, texto, música, ID em castelhano (!), canções; 35332 (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6115, Radio Congo, Brazzaville, 1753-2031*, 07-07, French, comments, at 1800 ID, news. Extended program. 14321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 15140, July 4 at 1900, RHC starting first English hour of the day on proper frequency, not 11760 where it was on July 2 with 15140 off. 15140 is strong but squealing, and now 11760 is off. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 13768 & 13633 approx., July 6 at 1302, RHC 13700 has just come on and dragging with it parasitic FMish spurs, but not a whole bunch of them, only these and weaker second-orders recognizable circa 13836 and 13566. Something`s always wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Heard Friday afternoon (06 July 2018) on my RadioShack DX-398 (purchased new in 2001): 11760 kHz, Radio Habana Cuba at 1805 UT with programming in Arabic. At 1828, programming changed to Spanish. SIO 333. These loggings were all heard using the radio’s stock telescopic whip antenna. The radio is unmodified and was using an external 6VDC power pack consisting of 4 D-cell batteries in a plastic holder connected to the radio’s power-port via a Type “M” Adapt-A-Plug. 73 & Good DX, (Steve Ponder, N5WBI, Houston, TX, USA, Sent from my iPhone, ODXA yg via DXLD) 11760, July 6 at 2009, RHC in French, I notice while checking out the 25mb for RNA Brasil blobs. But 11760 is supposed to be in a break between 18 and 21! I would not be surprised if RHC 19-20 English was also on 11760 as happened a few days ago, and/or 15140. Now RHC French is properly on 15140 and // 11760, or a reverb apart. 11760 suffers from a bit of a squeal, or is it QRM from another RNA blob? Something`s always wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6000, July 8 at 0111, RHC very undermodulated compared to // 6165 in English. Something`s always wrong at RHC; at least both are in correct language this time (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6099.236, July 8 at 0601, RHC English way off-frequency, // 6000, 6060, 6165 at various modulation levels. Strange thing is, previously the off-frequency transmitter was heard thrice during the 11-13 Spanish broadcasts, but not same dates during the 05-07 English. Then it was 2 Hz higher, measured on 6099.238. So transmitters swapped? Today did not get on before 1300 to check which (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 14295, July 9 at 0038, R. Progreso third harmonic is S5 with music // 4765, INTRUDER adjacent to M/M Service Net on 14300. Later a JBA carrier on 9530, presumably 2 x 4765. 6100.0, July 9 at 0614 check, RHC English is not off-frequency tonight. 5990, July 9 at 1253, RHC Spanish is here instead of 6000! 5990 is supposed to be for CRI evening relays only. // 6100 on-frequency. At 1311, 5990 is still on while 6000 normally closes at 1300. At 1356, has switched to JBA 6000, still on way late, and past 1404. One of the higher frequencies must be missing. Active are 15230, 13740, 13700, 11760 at least. No spurs or mixes on 22 mb. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 6000 ex-5990 // 6100 ex-6099.238, July 10 at 1255, RHC Spanish on proper frequencies this morning! Something`s sometimes right at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Habana 11840 Plus Spurious --- Measured today July 10 at 2330 UT in East Central Minnesota. Main 11840 kHz at - 25 dbm. Spurs at 11830 and 11850 each at - 56 dbm, with 11830 having stronger modulation. Measurement via SDRPlay RSP1a, verified with Drake R8B. Even at 31 db down, those spurs are loud here. 73, (Mike Gorniak, Braham, MN, NM7X, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11845, July 7 at 1341, pulse jamming against nothing, a frequency Radio Martí abandoned several years ago. Something`s always wrong at the DentroCuban Jamming Command (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [non]. 7365 // 7335, July 4 at 0624, R. Martí promoting some programming changes as mandated by new OCB director Tomás Regalado, including `Magdalena` from Monday July 9 at 9 pm EDT. To find the program schedule at https://www.martinoticias.com/radio/schedule/4 you have to pretend you are about to listen to a webcast. Guess what: lunes 9 de julio a las 21:05: `Puntos de Vista`, not Magdalena (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [non] RADIO/TV MARTI TO BE LED BY AN ANTI-CASTRO “HARDLINER.” [names consistently misspelt here; it is: Tomás Regalado - (means sent as a gift); original also fails to accent Martí --- gh] https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2018/06/06/in-sign-of-tougher-policy-shift-trump-appoints-cuba-hardliner-to-lead-radio-and-tv-marti-452075 President Trump follows the recommendation of Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio in appointing Tomas Regelado to the post at Radio and TV Martí. Politico says the pick “signaled Trump’s support for Miami’s old-guard Cuban exile community, where support for the president is high.” Remember that one of Trump’s roll-backs of Obama policy was his policy toward Cuba. Regelado – for whom Rubio once worked on a city commission campaign – tells Politico “This is a message to the Cuban government, it’s appointing a hardliner, because I am a hardliner regarding Cuba. I don’t believe in doing steps just to hope that there will be change in Cuba for the better, for democracy.” Regelado’s been a South Florida broadcaster as well as politician. Politico says he “broke sharply with Trump over his immigration rhetoric during the 2016 campaign and thereafter.” But Rubio assured Trump that even so, Regelado was the best choice to lead Radio/TV Martí, aimed at the people of Cuba. Much of its efforts are jammed by the Cuban government, and in fact Politico says “Trump had recommended steep cuts” in its funding. But it was Congress that backed it, and with “hardliner” Regelado at the helm, Trump may feel more kindly about it. Radio/TV Martí falls under the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which is also getting new leadership (via July CIDX Messenger via DXLD) ** DENMARK. 5840, World Music Radio, Randers, 0501-0525, 08-07, pop songs in English, Spanish songs. 25432 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. A VECES TE DAS DE BRUCES CON MATERIALES DE RADIO QUE TE HACEN CREER QUE HAY GENTE QUE SABE LO QUE HACE --- POR ELLO COMPARTO ESTA BIOGRAFÍA, DE LA QUE APENAS HICE UN VISTAZO. ¡QUE LA DISFRUTEN! Biografía del Radiodifusor HÓLGER VELASTEGUÍ DOMÍNGUEZ Testimonios - PDF [of ex-SW station Radio Zaracay, Santo Domingo de los Colorados] https://docplayer.es/9874688-Biografia-del-radiodifusor-holger-velastegui-dominguez-testimonios.html CORDIALES SALUDOS / GOOD LUCK / (JUAN FRANCO CRESPO * STAMP JOURNALIST (AIPET), SÀLVIA 8 (MAS CLARIANA), E-43800 VALLS-TARRAGONA (ESPAÑA- SPAIN-ESPAGNE-SPANIEN), DX LISENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 5005, Radio Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, Bata, 0516-0525, 08-07, songs. Very weak, audible on LSB. 15321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA. ERITREIA, 7140, Voz das Massas, Selai Dairo, 1635-1647, 12/5, língua local, canções da região do chamado Corno de África, texto; 23331, QRM variável, de estações de amador. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7140, Voz das Massas, Selai Dairo, 1702-1714, 03/6, líng. local, noticiário (?); 25342. SINPO de 44433, às 1800. 7180, idem, 1821-1840, 03/6, árabe, música pop' ocidental, texto; 44343, QRM pontual, de radioamadores. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7180, Voice of Broad Masses, Asmara, 1815-1825, 04-07, vernacular comments, East African songs. 23322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) 7140.00, 0320-0325 5.7, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea, Asmara, Program 1. Tigrinya ann, Horn of Africa music, 34343, occasional ham QRM. 7180.03, 0325-0330 5.7, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea, Asmara, Program 2. Afar reading a text and a verse of a Horn of Africa song, 35333. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Denmark, here in Skovlunde on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, WBRadio yg via DXLD) 7180, Voice of the Broad Masses, Asmara, 1831-1840, 07-07, Somali, comments, East African songs. 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. Reception of Radio Xoriyo Ogaden via MBR Issoudun, July 3: 1600-1630 17630 ISS 500 kW / 130 deg EaAf Somali Tue/Sat, very good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-radio-xoriyo-ogaden-via_4.html Reception of Voice of Oromo Liberation via MBR Nauen, July 4: 1700-1800 15420 NAU 100 kW / 144 deg EaAf Oromo/Amharic Wed, very good Today BRB Voice of Amara Radio via TDF Issoudun with open carrier / dead air 1700-1758 15360 ISS 250 kW / 120 deg EaAf Amharic Wed/Sat-Mon http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-voice-of-oromo-liberation_4.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 3-4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Reception of Voice of Oromo Liberation via MBR Nauen, July 8: 1700-1730 15420 NAU 100 kW / 144 deg EaAf Oromo Wed/Fri/Sun, very good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-voice-of-oromo-liberation_9.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 8-9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. Today [July 8??] only dead air of clandestine BRB Voice of Amara Radio via TDF Issoudun 1700-1758 on 15360 ISS 250 kW / 120 deg to EaAf Amharic Wed/Sat-Mon, open carrier: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-voice-of-independent.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 8-9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) FRANCE, Reception of BRB Voice of Amara Radio via TDF Issoudun, July 9 1700-1800 on 15360 ISS 250 kW / 120 deg to EaAf Amharic Wed/Sat-Mon, very good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-brb-voice-of-amara-radio_10.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 9-10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EUROPE. [among many pirates logged, these outside usual bands:] 5030, R. 319_BEL, 2115-..., 23/6, música; 25231. ID via imprensa DX. 5140, R. Charleston In'l_? 2104-..., 02/7, música, IDs em inglês; 35332. 5775, Harmony R_IRL, 0957-...,24/6, música, IDs; 15341. 5775 idem, 1239-..., 25/6, música; 15331, mas melhorou, c/ SINPO de 25342, às 1415. 5775 idem, 2109-..., 02/7, canções; 35443. 5775 idem, 1440-..., 03/7, canções; 25342. 5800, Ronnie AM_HOL, 2103-2113*, 30/6, inglês, música pop', indicação da freq. e anúncio de fecho, às 2113; 35332. ID via imprensa DX. 7725.8, R. Zeppelin_GRC, 1848-..., 01/7, música; 25331. [see GREECE] 12255, Reflections Europe_IRL, 1503-..., 24/6, inglês, "pacotes" de prgrs. de propag. relig.; 35343 (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. 11720, Scandinavian Weekend Radio, Virrat, 1450-15644, 07- 07, songs in English, comments Finish. Very weak, at moments barely audible and at moments not audible, 13321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. Radio Taiwan International again via damaged transmitter of TDF Issoudun, July 8: 1900-2000 on 13835 ISS 500 kW / 185 deg to NWAf French Sun, very good, with bad audio http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/radio-taiwan-international-again-via.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 8-9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This morning [July 9] RFI on 15300 at 0715 UT in French was almost 'covered' by noise that sounded to be a digital signal - or could it have been the faulty transmitter reported elsewhere by Ivo? Their audio was not loud enough to tell if distorted or not. And incidentally on the 8th at this same time RFI on 17850, 15300 (no noise) and 11700 all had 'enhanced' signals - 17850 being the best at S9+20dB on peaks. Normally, 17 is hardly audible, and the other two not much better, so my guess is that this was due to sporadic E. Today (9th) all were back to 'normal' strengths (Noel R Green (NW England), WOR iog viai DXLD) ** GERMANY. Someone has been sending fake e-mails NOT from Channel 292 about it having to go off the air (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. PIRATA: 7725.8, R. Zeppelin_GRC, 1844-..., 02/6, música pop'; 25331. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. AIR extended schedule for cricket commentary --- All India Radio will broadcast running commentary alternately in English and Hindi of Cricket matches between India & England as follows: 6 July 2018 Friday 9.30 pm to 1.30 am IST (1600-2000 UT) 12 July 2018 Thursday 4.30 pm to 1.00 am IST (1100-1930 UT) 14 July 2018 Saturday 3.00 pm to 11.30 pm IST (0930-1800 UT) 17 July 2018 Tuesday 4.30 pm to 1.00 am IST (1100-1930 UT) all: or till end of match Many stations of AIR will relay it on MW, SW & FM and will close down the transmissions much later than on other days providing listeners interesting reception opportunities The SW frequencies to look out for are (all of 50 kW) 4810 Bhopal 4910 Jaipur 5010 Thiruvanthapuram 5040 Jeypore 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 WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) ** INDIA. Hello from Di Linh, Vietnam --- Bengalaru transmitter in English on 7550 at 2325 subcontinental music. ID 2327 then more music (Bruce MacGibbon, FL, visiting Vietnam, UT July 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. A quick update whilst holidaying in Romania --- AIR's Faithfully Yours is scheduled as expected today 9 July, but at the following times: 1435 1930 2215 0015(Tuesday) Faithfully Yours was again not scheduled during the GOS-1 period between 1000-1100, so it would seem that this airing is most likely cancelled. Airings of the programme during the other slots remains "flexible" and can start up to 10-15 minutes earlier or later (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, July 9, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 3325, Voice of Indonesia, via RRI Palangkaraya, on July 6, back to normal operation after yesterday's 1215+ carrier only signal; today started around 1100 (mixing with NBC Bougainville); at 1300, was fairly readable in English, as NBC was gone by then; the usual "9-5-2-5 kilohertz" intro. At 1301, the VOI news (interesting item about Argentine Ambassador to Indonesia expressed his appreciation for the launch of Broadcast Program Exchange with Radio Republik Indonesia today. According to him, radio is one medium that is relied upon by the people of Argentina in obtaining information. He said "Radio was an important tool in the past, but radio may still be the strongest communication tool in my country. Radio programs spread in Argentina. Everyone listens to radio, in the car, while working, you hear people's comments." To date, four countries have signed cooperation agreements with RRI regarding the sharing of information/programs, namely Russia, Thailand, Brunei and Malaysia); followed by "Today's Commentary." At 1314, "Today in History" (July 6, 1975, the Comoros Islands, off coast of Africa, declared independence; this date in 1998, the Hong Kong Kai Tak airport closed, and this date 2007, the IOC approved the creation of a youth version of the Olympic Games). Very enjoyable to again hear the VOI in English with decent reception! (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) In reply to a query about whether 9525 kHz would be back with the international service at some point, Voice of Indonesia replied “Not for now”. But said “We are already back on SW with 3325 kHz. It is not a high power TX. Some can hear us in Tokyo.” (Voice of Indonesia reply to “London Shortwave” via Twitter on 25 June via July BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL. Harmonics --- Rumen Pankov [Bulgaria] has logged a handful of notable harmonics audible across the HF spectrum over the last month or so. The harmonics were confirmed using two different receivers – a Sony ICF2001D and a Grundig YB80, using different antennas in two different places. (23880 kHz was only noted on the Grundig, as the ICF2001D stops at 26.1 MHz [sic]). kHz UT Station Fundamental freq SIO Date Init. 2430 1615 Macedonian Radio Home Sce 3 x 810 353 12/06 RP 14295 1501 Radio Tajikistan (ID) 3 x 4765 252 30/05 RP 17910 1607 CRI in FF via Albania 3 x 5970 252 07/06 RP 18495 0430 NHK in RR via Nauen 3 x 6165 252 26/05 RP 18920 0901 CRI in Romanian via Albania 2 x 9460 ~~~ 13/06 RP 18920 1910 VO Turkey in Turkish 2 x 9460 353 25/05 RP 18980 0301 NHK in JJ via Nauen 2 x 9490 454 15/06 RP 19000 1901 RRI in Romanian 2 x 9500 353 09/06 RP 19030 0333 VO Turkey in EE 2 x 9515 353 13/06 RP 19270 1931 VO Turkey in FF 2 x 9635 252 25/05 RP 19570 1830 VO Turkey in EE 2 x 9785 353 09/06 RP 19571 1830 VO Turkey in EE 2 x 9785.7 353 26/05 RP 19680 1525 VO Turkey in Turkish 2 x 9840 252 06/06 RP 23880 1608 CRI in FF via Albania 4 x 5970 252 07/06 RP Dave Kenny commented that harmonics (not to be confused with receiver- generated images), aren’t quite as common now, almost certainly because historically “there were more stations on the bands and so more chances of faulty transmitters radiating on their harmonic frequencies” (July BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. SATELLITES =========================== Radio 97.0 W, Galaxy 19, 12.115/22426Msps, IRIB "Radio 7 WORLD SERVICE" (per the digital ID info) with English panel discussion about migrants in Europe & how this is becoming a worldwide problem, mentioning the situation on the US/Mexico border & migrants in the UK. Then talx re the Qur`an & reading from it, discussing divorce. ID at 1703 as IRIB English Radio & at 1704 "Ask the followers of the remembrance if ye know not" & more discussion of Islam. At 1709 "Around the World with Reporters", which was essentially a newscast. This is a new frequency/ transponder (but on the same satellite) as I've noted their old one (12.184-H/22000) has missing for some time. Are they audible on SW in MI at all any more? This transponder has several streams at this hour: Service ID Language Digital ID of Station 2021 German Radio 1 World Service 2022 Russian Radio 4 World Service 2023 English Radio 7 World Service 2024 Persian Radio Iran 2025 Persian Radio Maaref 2026 Persian Radio Quran 2027 Slavic? Radio 5 World Service 2061 English "AVR 1" (American Voices Radio 1?) 52% & steady, QPSK/MPEG-2 1645-1715 30/Jun 97.0 W, Galaxy 19, 12.115/22426Msps, AVR1 (American Voices Radio 1?) A rather strange English program which started out with why paying the IRS is 'voluntary' [Didn’t Wesley Snipes try that? -- Harold Frodge, Tipsheet ed.] and morphed into more general stuff about how money is theft & the Federal Reserve is part of the 'new world order' trying to control people, etc. I wouldn't call this left or right -- it had elements of both, but 'whacko' sounds most correct! One of several streams as above. I kept listening for a real ID & it never came. It was rather like a car accident though--the more you heard, the more you wanted to hear! 52% & steady, QPSK/MPEG-2 1715-1815 30/Jun 97.0 W, Galaxy 19, 12.177-V/23000, World Radio Network (North America) with English programming from various stations, this hour from Radio Poland in Warsaw with English News & weather in Poland. ID at 0709 as "R Poland in Warsaw" continuing with news. 48% & steady, QPSK/MPEG-2, 0705-0715 30/Jun (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, MARE Tipsheet July 6 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. HURRICANE WATCH NET ON ALERT FOR DEVELOPING ATLANTIC BASIN STORMS --- ARRL 07/06/2018 Hurricane Watch New (HWN) Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, says the Atlantic Hurricane Basin seems to want people’s attention. A tropical cyclone may be developing off the southeastern coast of North Carolina that could become a named storm, which would be Chris. As of 1400 UT on July 6, the HWN was at alert level 2 — “monitoring mode.” . . . http://www.arrl.org/news/hurricane-watch-net-on-alert-for-developing-atlantic-basin-storms (via Mike Terry, July 6, WOR iog via DXLD) ** IRAN. 7425, July 8 at 0126, 0131 and 0147, poor signal at S5-S6 with dead air, at least no modulation detectable. Only listee is VIRI`s multi-hour Arabic service, 1730-0230 via Zahedan 500 kW, 289 degrees (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN [non]. See INTERNATIONAL VACUUM ** ITALY. ITÁLIA, 10000, Associação dos Amigos da ITALCABLE, Massarosa, 1437-..., 31/5, italiano, sinais horários e indicações da hora intercalados por música; 15341. Sinal em AM com banda lateral [inferior] suprimida. Inaudível em // 15000. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAMAICA. FM DX REPORT THRU 7/9/18 - 7/3/18 Es [probably in EDT = UT -4], statute miles, ideal sporadic E distance for him]: 1230, 6YA-657, 96.1, JM Port Antonio EE - STYLZ FM 1061 1232, 6YA-659, 96.5, JM Kingston RDS PI:1234 - 'KAVS' PS:RFI EE - Radio France Intl 1068 1233, 6YA-657, 96.7, JM Mandeville EE - STYLZ FM 1055 1240, 6YA-646, 105.3, JM St. Ann'S Bay EE - FYAH105 1035 1300, 6YA-655, 90.9, JM Negril EE - NATIONWIDE90 1036 FM Log Total to date = 3833. Antenna: APS-13. Receivers: Sangean HDT- 1X & AirSpy with latest version of SDR Console (v3.0 Build 1070 Beta 2 - compiled 3/2/18) (Fred Nordquist, Moncks Corner SC, FM03af, WTFDA gg via DXLD) ** JAPAN. Hi Glenn, Have you been well? According to homepage of R. NIKKEI, schedule of R. NIKKEI will be changed from October 1. Normal output on 31 mb will be stopped. image 1a Time is JST (UT +9) (From the official home page of Radio NIKKEI) http://www.radionikkei.jp/style/radio/ Best wishes, (Tomoaki Wagai, Wakayama 6470044, Japan, July 8, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: Radio NIKKEI announced in their HP http://www.radionikkei.jp/news/denpa.html that they will reduce the frequencies after October 1, 2018, for the stability and effectiveness of the management. They say the diffusion of internet listening by PCs or portable phones on http://radioko.jp is another reason. The schedule after October 1 is as follows; 1st program 2200-1500 6055 (Nagara transmitter site JOZ2 50 kW) 2200-2300 0800-1500 3925 (Nemuro transmitter site JOZ4 10 kW) 2nd program 2300-1000 6115 (Nagara JOZ6 50 kW) 1000-1400 3945 (Nagara JOZ5 50 kW) 9595 kHz (Nagara JOZ3 50k W) will be out of service but will be preserved for emergency use, 9760 kHz (Nagara JOZ7 50 kW) and 3925 kHz (Nagara JOZ 50 kW) will be discontinued. Transmitters in Nagara site are all NEC HFB-7847, installed in 1980-82 except JOZ5 (NEC HFB-7840D) in 1991. Transmitter in Nemuro site (JOZ4 3925 kHz) is NEC HFB-7840C installed in 1996 (Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan, July 6, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [also via Wolfgang Büschel] 9595, R Nikkei 1 at 1345. Traditional jazz program with M and W at the ToH in Japanese. I will sorely miss this station if they drop this very reliable frequency in October. VG July 8 (Rick Barton, Logs from Central Arizona, Grundig Satellit 205(T5000) & 750; RS SW-2000629, HQ- 180A, & ATS-909X with various outdoor wire. 73 and Good Listening....! - rb, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN [and non]. Remember hearing this guy on Shortwave I remember hearing him when he leased airtime on Radio Moscow World Service. He was difficult to understand and follow. From memory the Russians tired of him and the programs ended before this incident. Odd. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-06/leader-of-japan-doomsday-cult-involved-in-sarin-attack-executed/9947904 (Robin Harwood, Australia, July 6, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) Viz.: AUM SHINRIKYO: EX-LEADER OF JAPAN DOOMSDAY CULT INVOLVED IN SARIN SUBWAY ATTACK EXECUTED By North Asia correspondent Jake Sturmer, wires Updated Fri at 5:34am Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek. Error loading player: No playable sources found Video: Leader of Japan doomsday cult involved in 1995 sarin subway attack is executed (ABC News) Related Story: Doomsday cult members convicted over Tokyo gas attack a step closer to execution Related Story: The mystery of Banjawarn station and the deadly doomsday cult that called it home Related Story: Last appeal for Tokyo subway sarin attack dismissed by Japan's High Court The former leader of Aum, the Japanese doomsday cult that carried out a sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995, has been executed. Key points: 13 former members were scheduled to be hanged Sarin subway attack in 1995 killed 13, thousands injured At its peak cult had 10,000 members Chizuo Matsumoto, who went by the name Shoko Asahara, was the first of 13 cult members scheduled to be hanged for the attacks. The Aum Shinrikyo, or Aum Supreme Truth cult, which mixed Buddhist and Hindu meditation with apocalyptic teachings, staged a series of crimes including simultaneous sarin gas attacks on Tokyo subway trains during peak hour in March 1995. Sarin, a nerve gas, was originally developed by the Nazi regime in Germany. The attacks left 13 dead and injured more than 6,000. Passengers affected by sarin nerve gas in the central Tokyo subway trains are carried into St. Luke's International Hospital. Photo: Subway passengers affected by sarin nerve gas in the central Tokyo subway trains are carried into St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo. (AP: Chiaki Tsukumo, File) [captions] A Japanese government spokesman confirmed the execution. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that authorities are taking precautionary measures in case of any retaliation by his followers. Relatives of victims of the cult have said they approve of the execution. Kiyoe Iwata, whose daughter was killed in the subway attack, told Japanese broadcaster NHK that his death gave her piece of mind. Iwata said she had always wondered why it had to be her daughter, and added she would visit her daughter's grave to let her know. Minoru Kariya told NHK that he has been wondering when the execution would happen and called it appropriate. His father is believed to have been tortured to death by the cult in 1995. Doomsday cult leader Shoko Asahara, center, sits in a police van following an interrogation Photo: Japanese doomsday cult leader Shoko Asahara, center, sits in a police van following an interrogation in Tokyo in 1995. (Kyodo News via AP, File) [captions] Umbrellas and plastic bags used to deliver deadly attack The images of bodies, many in business suits, sprawled across platforms stunned Japan and shattered its myth of public safety. Plastic bags filled with the liquid form of the poison had been taken on board crowded commuter trains by cult members during the Tokyo morning rush hour. The bags were pierced with the tips of umbrellas and the deadly gas emerged. The cult also used sarin in 1994, releasing the gas in the central Japanese city of Matsumoto on a summer night in an attempt to kill three judges set to rule on the cult. The attack, which failed, used a refrigerator truck to release the gas and a wind dispersed it in a residential neighbourhood, killing eight and injuring hundreds. Nerve agents explained Nerve agents have been used in chemical warfare since WWII and have been linked to a number of high-profile assassinations. Here's how they can destroy the body within minutes. Australian connection There was an Australian link to the Aum Shinrikyo cult. Twenty-five years ago the cult moved to a far flung cattle station near Leonora in Western Australia's Goldfields region. They had prepared for the attack at Banjawarn station, a remote sheep station it owned. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-10/doomsday-cult-aum-shinrikyo-sarin-gas-tests-at-banjawarn-wa/9401216 It was not until after the attacks in Tokyo that investigations into the group's activities led authorities to the West Australian outback. Federal and state police raided the property, finding it well and truly abandoned, however they uncovered evidence it had been used for a variety of scientific experiments, including the manufacture and testing of sarin. They found traces of the nerve agent in the carcasses of 24 sheep in a remote part of the property and in the surrounding soil. Media player: "Space" to play, "M" to mute, "left" and "right" to seek. Error loading player: No playable sources found Video: Banjawarn station was raided by police in 1995, where they found evidence of suspicious activity. (ABC News) 20 years of legal action Asahara, 63, a pudgy, partially blind yoga instructor, was sentenced to hang in 2004 on 13 charges, including the subway gas attacks and a series of other crimes that killed more than a dozen more people. He pleaded not guilty and never testified, but muttered and made incoherent remarks in court during the eight years of his trial. The sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2006. More than 20 years of trials involving Aum members, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-08/aum-shinrikyo-appeal-dismissed-by-high-court/7827254 including Asahara, came to an end in January 2018, when the life sentence of Katsuya Takahashi for his part in the 1995 subway sarin gas attack was upheld by the Supreme Court. Thirteen cult members including Asahara have been on death row. Doomsday cult once had 10,000 followers Asahara, who founded Aum in 1987, said the United States would attack Japan and turn it into a nuclear wasteland. He also said he had travelled forward in time to 2006 and talked to people then about what World War III had been like. At its peak, the cult had at least 10,000 members in Japan and overseas, including graduates of some of Japan's most elite universities. A number lived at a huge commune-like complex Asahara set up at the foot of Mount Fuji, where the group studied his teachings and practiced bizarre rituals but also built an arsenal of weapons — including sarin. The 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack killed 13 people and injured thousands Photo: The Tokyo subway attack was just one of a number of crimes committed by cult members. (News Video) After the arrest of 190 of the cult's leaders in the investigation following the sarin attacks, it was discovered the group had been renamed Aleph and there were about 1500 followers remaining. They have been observed decorating photos of Asahara with floral wreaths and celebrating his birthday since his arrest. They have also been seen, according to reports in the Japanese media, walking around the periphery of the Tokyo prison, where Asahara was before his execution. This was considered to be part of their spiritual training. Authorities have in the past voiced concern that once Asahara was put to death, his followers who would deify him and possibly engage in other types of malicious mischief. Topics: prisons-and-punishment, law-crime-and-justice, crime, cults, terrorism, japan, asia First posted Fri at 12:37am (via DXLD) Yes, I remember Shoko Asahara very well from Radio Aum Shinrikyo. When they were broadcasting in 1992, I was 12 years old and had just started my SWLing hobby and I will always remember the weirdness of the broadcasts, especially when I realised they were leasing time off Radio Moscow. I must have tuned in about halfway through a broadcast when I first heard Radio Aum Shinrikyo Yes, to very young ears, it initially didn’t sound much different to Dr Gene Scott’s lectures. But I do remember there was something a bit wacky about what he was saying. Little did any of us know that he was to be responsible for organising the attacks on the Tokyo Subway a few years later. -- Regards, (BRIAN POWELL VK2FBAJ, Sydney, Australia, WOR iog via DXLD) Just looked up a listing in an old logbook: 27 July 1992, 2030 UT, 17695 kHz with an S9+30dB signal. Was // to many, many frequencies including 17655, 15560, 15525, 15550, and 15485 kHz. Apart from the use of the Radio Moscow frequencies, what also made it obvious it was a relay via Radio Moscow facilities was that on this particular day (every day?) there was a Radio Moscow World Service ID at 2059. The "good old days" of SWLing. ;-) P.S. And how many remember when Radio Galaxy used to broadcast from Moscow on SW with rock music and commercials for medical devices? Logged on 16 April 1992 at 20:51 UTC on 9880 kHz (Richard Langley, NB, ibid.) Richard - Back then, I was also listening in July, fairly close to your reception. July 29, 1992, Radio Aum Shinrikyo QSL card: http://goo.gl/EBfec7 and http://goo.gl/DEUz6U (Ron Howard, ibid.) From March 2018: My 1992 Radio Aum Shinrikyo QSL card: (Ron Howard-CA-USA, dxld via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews March 13, 2018) AZERBAIDZHAN, Radio Moscow ext sce is using AZE station Gyanca v6109.1 kHz at 0030-2100, Arabic 1800-2100 UT. Turk culture radio station observed on odd 6109.1 kHz (try LSB mode), approx. 0300 to fade out around 0700. Most likely Azerbaidzhani Radio Baku. Home sce until 0415, suddenly interrupted and followed by Radio Moscow whistle tone opening procedure 0415-0428. From 0429 to 0459 relay of Japanese religious Radio Aum Shinrikyo programme via Radio Moscow World Service in English (RVI, via WB, topnews wwdxc Nov 1993) RUSSIA, Japanese religious radio programme Aum Shinrikyo in English via Radio Moscow relay site at 0430-0500 observed on 5940 5950 7105 7180 7295 9580 9665 9675 kHz (AMID, via WB, topnews wwdxc Oct 1993) Japanese religious bc "Radio Aum Shinrikyo" via Russia relay: 2030-2100 UT 5920 5995 6055 6110 7400 kHz. 0430-0500 UT 15585 kHz. (AWR KSDA Guam DX Asiawaves, via WB, topnews wwdxc Nov 1994) Japanese religious bc "Aum Shinrikyo" 2030-2100 UT, (// 1494, 4055, 5920, 5975, 5995, 6055, 6110, 7210, 7230, 7350, 7380, 7400, 9550 kHz). 0430-0500 UT,. R Moscow English sce, 5905 5940 9450 9785 9865 kHz Japanese religious broadcast Aum Shinrikyo on 5920 5925 5935 5950 6000 6035 7105 7340 9600 kHz at same time (Rumen Pankov-BUL, via WB, topnews wwdxc Nov 1994) On February 27th a Tokyo court found Soko Asahara, head of the Aum- Shinrikyo religious sect, guilty of organising acts of terrorism involving the use of chemicals in 1994 and 1995. 18 people died and over 5000 were injured as a result of these attacks, it is thought that he may be given the death penalty. In the late 1980's Aum Shinrikyo arrived in Russia and the Ukraine. The sect`s speeches were translated and broadcast in a number of languages over the Voice of Russia`s SW transmitters. The money received helped subsidise the foreign service. In 1992 the Russian Justice Ministry registered the organisation. According to the Russian General Prosecutors office, there were more than 30,000 salesmen in Aum-Shinrikyo. They laid criminal information against the sect in March 1995 and broadcasts via Russian transmitters were promptly terminated (RNW MN NL, WDXC-UK 'Contact' magazine Apr 1, 2004) The former leader of a Japanese doomsday cult has been judged mentally fit to continue his appeal of a death sentence for masterminding a deadly nerve gas attack on Tokyo's subway. Shoko Asahara who founded and led the Aum Shinrikyo cult was sentenced to death by hanging in 2004 after being found guilty of being responsible for the sarin gas attack, which killed 12 people and made thousands of others sick in 1995. On March 20, 1995, five cult members pierced bags of sarin, a nerve gas developed by the Nazis, on separate trains as they converged in central Tokyo's national government district. The cult claimed it was a pre-emptive strike against police planning raids on the group. Asahara was convicted of killing 27 people in total, including former members of the cult, an anti-cult lawyer and his family. A number of other former cult members have received death sentences for participating in the attack (ODXA Listening In via dxld; WDXC-UK 'Contact' magazine April 2006) December 2003 archive: Recommending a new book on defeating cult terrorism in Japan, which may be of interest to readers always in search of unique and new literature especially as some of the cult's activities were conducted in Australia. (Dec 21, 2003) AUM SHINRIKYO - JAPAN'S UNHOLY SECT I am the author of a book on the Japanese cult, Aum Shrinrikyo [sic] which released sarin nerve gas into a Tokyo subway system in 1995 killing and injuring thousands. It was considered an act of terrorism from a cult whose belief was the destruction of mankind. The deadly cult, Aum Shinrikyo, is still on the United States list of terrorists and below is a brief synopsis of this book "Aum Shinrikyo - Japan's Unholy Sect" and after the Sept 11th incident, the issue of terrorism has become a topic of great concern to everyone. It is a chilling story of terror, murder and atrocities committed in the name of twisted religious beliefs, the forerunner of Sept 11th, long before terrorism became the business of everyone committed to live in peace and safety. The cult extended their activities to Australia when Shoko Asahara, the founder, purchased a farm in Australia to test sarin on animals. A little about this book: On the 26th of March 1995, sarin gas was released in a Tokyo subway station crammed with morning rush hour commuters and all hell broke loose. In the aftermath of anguish, death, painful injuries and broken lives, the deadly action was traced back to a cult called Aum Shinrikyo. What lay behind this ferocious lashing the cult had given to the orderly, uncluttered society Japan was so proud of? What dark sinister secrets lay behind the walls of the Aum Shinrikyo compound in Kamikuishiki? Tsutsumi Sakamoto, a Yokohama lawyer took up the challenge of finding answers to these questions and one cold, gray November morning in 1995, the young attorney, his wife and ten month old son disappeared without a trace. This is the chilling story of how a young lawyer sacrificed his life and that of his poignantly young family to stem the reign of terror of the cult's guru, Shoko Asahara. He spoke out from his lonely hillside grave and was heard at last after six long years. He had died to right a social wrong; the rest was up to the living. This book is available from: Tower Books Pty Ltd Unit 2/17 Rodborough Road Frenchs Forest NSW 2086 Australia (Mr Michael Rakusin) Tel: 61 2 99755566 Fax: 61 2 99755599 email: Thank you kindly for reading this mail. (via Johno Wright, ripple via DXLD, Dec 21, 2003) https://www.google.de/search?q=shinrikyo&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=8Qem3u-s56le3M%253A%252CWpVlLVu01wyyAM%252C_&usg=__V5Kr6lVljaco78gNuuiCRDcXxBg%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiamaT6i4vcAhXDjqQKHRz-BcEQ_h0IzgEwFw#imgrc=8Qem3u-s56le3M: (all via Wolfgang Büschel, July 6, dxldyg via DXLD) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Martin Elbe" Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2018 11:55 AM Subject: Re: [A-DX] Japan, AUM-Sekte, Hinrichtungen Am 07.07.2018 um 10:26 schrieb Herbert Meixner: Meine QSL von "Radio Aum Shinrikyo" stammt vom September 1992 und betraf einen Empfang auf 7305 kHz. Ich denke, das war ueber einen Sender aus Russland. Ja. Und hier kann man die QSL sehen (laaangsamer Seitenaufbau!): https://web.archive.org/web/20160503012631/http://home.wolfsburg.de/elbe/russland.html Tschüß, Martin From: "Wolfgang Bueschel" Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2018 1:01 PM Subject: Re: [A-DX] Japan, AUM-Sekte, Hinrichtungen 17 MHz meist Khabarovsk und Irkutsk Relay's, eingebettet in den RM English Worldservice dieser Tage. 73 wb re: "Radio Aum Shinrikyo" Aussendungen in English (und Japanisch) in 1992 - 1995 Zu den vielen eingesetzten Frequenzen im RMoscow English Dienst Relay sind kaum eindeutige Standortzuordnungen zu treffen. In der JELZIN Praesident Bluetezeit in 1991 bis 1995 sind laut Unterlagen in der 0430-0500 (Sommer 0330-0400) Sendezeit 48 Frequenzen im Einsatz gewesen! Und morgens um 2030-2100 (sommers 1930-2000) UT auch noch mal 27 Frequenzen. Zu den Winter/Sommer Frequenzwechsel kamen oft auch noch teilweise FQ Wechsel in der S- September autumn Periode dazu. Verbuergt durch die St.Petersburg Ingenieure sind der Einsatz um 0300 UT MW 1386 kHz KAL Koenigsberg Bolshakovo 9580 KAL Koenigsberg Bolshakovo 11985 St. Petersburg 1930 UT 9640 KAL Koenigsberg Bolshakovo, sommers 7305 kHz 11745 St. Petersburg andere Aussendungen hoechstwahrscheinlich um 0430 UT via 1386KAL 4740TJK 4940KV 4975TJK 5920StP. 5925kgs/StP. 5935kgs/StP. 5950pzv/StP. 5965P.K 6000EKB 6035MSK 6110vlg/SAM 6165MSK 7105kch/GRI 7130ARM 7135K/A 7150ARM 7165ARM 7180ARM 7295kaz/MSK. 7330K/A 7340SAM 9490kaz/SAM 9530ARM/VLD 9535TJK 9580tul/MSK 9600EKA? 9665kur/MSK. 9675MSK 9705StP. 9775tul/MSK 9795srp/MSK. 9840SAM 9860KAL 9870ARM 9890StP. 11675TCH 11710MSK 11765TAC 11975TAC 12040A-A 15160n/a_K/A_KHB 15230A-A 15280jig/SAM 15295TAC 15315ARM 15350IRK 15375ken/NVS 15385NVS 15470tv/MSK 15545krs/NVS 15585BI-KGZ 17560ARM 17570ken/NVS 17580TJK 17590ken/NVS 17610KHB 17620NVS 17625ARM 17655TJK 17675jig. 17685MSK 17710MSK 17735kaz/SAM 17775BI-KGZ 17825IRK 17890IRK 21530IRK 21565IRK 21585TCH 21615TAC 21690VLD 21770IRK 21790IRK 21830ARM 21845ARM 2030 UT via 4795IRK 4860KV 5920StP 5950pzv/StP. 5975StP. 5995kaz/SAM. 6055kaz/SAM. 6085ARM 6110ARM 6185ARM 7135K/A 7145TAC 7170kaz/SAM/MSK 7180ARM 7195TCH/vlg_SAM_ARM_GRI 7205srp/MSK. 7210kaz/SAM 7215tul/MSK. 7230SAM 7245jig/SAM. 7250kaz/SAM/MSK. 7255A-A 7260srp/SAM/MSK. 7275srp/MSK. 7305KAL 7315ken/StP. 7380EKA 7390MSK 7400ARM 7420MSK 9450MSK 9490kaz/SAM/MSK. 9515kaz/SAM/MSK. 9530MSK 9550kch_GRI_MDA. 9565ARM 9590MSK 9725ARM 9735NVS 9785MSK 9795K/A 9800StP. 9855SAM 9860KAL 9875ken/StP. 9890StP. 11685ARM 11840vin/LV. 11920ARM 12015vlg/SAM 12050KHB 13670ERV 15205EKB 15385ERV 15425P.K. 17605KHB siehe auch USSR Verschleierungs-Taktik Registrierungen Regarding RUSSIA/CIS SW tx site registrations in ITU/HFCC lists: Konevo (KON) was used in official lists instead of St. Petersburg Popovka. Ashkhabad (ACH) instead of Dushanbe and Tashkent. Samara (SAM), Zhigulevsk (JIG) and Kazan (KAZ) are used instead of Samara. Novosibirsk (NVS), Kenga (KEN) and Krasnoyarsk (KRS) instead of Novosibirsk. Minsk (MNS) and Orsha (OR) instead of Minsk. Kingishepp (KGS) and sometimes Petrozavodsk (PZV) are used instead of St. Petersburg Popovka. Moscow (MSK), Ryazan (RIA), Serpukhov (SRP), Tver (TV), Tula (TUL), Kursk (KUR), and Nizhniy Novgorod (N.N.) are used in official lists for SW tx sites located in Moscow region; there are eight such sites in this region. Bishkek (BI) is used instead of Dushanbe-TJK, Tashkent-UZB, and Almaty-KAZ. Nikolayevsk-Amur (N/A) and Blagoveshchensk (BLG) are used instead of Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, and Komsomolsk-Amur. Volgograd (VLG) is used to show that txs at Volgograd, Armavir- Krasnodar, Samara, and Grigoriopol/Kishinev-Moldova are used. (Nikolay Rudnev-RUS, Dec 11, 1997) (ALL via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) Shoko Asahara, and how Japan handles the death penalty, is one of the topix in the first half of VICE News Tonight on HBO. Main Eastern channel, seen from 2340 until 2345 UT. Repeats after 0400 UT July 10 on HBO Zone. Listings also show VICE on HBO-2 at 0200 and ~2125 UT July 10, but if correct appear to be the previous episode about Kurdistan, etc. --- so maybe this one will repeat next week? (July 9 is the last of a 4-day free preview of HBO & Cinemax unscrambled in my cable market, maybe yours too?) (Glenn Hauser, WOR iog via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. 11735, July 4 at 0618, VOK in French but very strange accent and staccato pace. Also fast SAH and CCI from an understation - -- except it vanishes when I switch the R75 from Preamp2 to 1 or off. So it`s some kind of overload, certainly nothing stronger on the 25mb to cause that (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 9465, July 5 at 1259 pop song, what`s this? 1300 Korean talk in music, and catch a partial ID ``il bon ue``, as in Aoki/NDXC: 9465 1300-1329 TAIWAN Nippon no Kaze il bon ue Kor Tamsui District 1-7, i.e. one of the clandestines originating in Japan about North Korean abduxions. (At 1330, FEBC Philippines takes over 9465.) 6165, this reminds me to check for Shiokaze = Sea Breeze, which simultaneously should be starting weekly English Thursday July 5 at 1300, but JBA carrier at best, or have they QSYed again for a new month? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, On 6165, on July 5, your JBA carrier was CNR6 (China), along with the jamming from North Korea, as I observed 1300+. Found Shiokaze had in fact moved up to 7215, for 1300-1400 broadcast. Being as it is Thursday, was in English, as scheduled; good signal; in the clear with no jamming, which was still down on ex: 6165. This one hour broadcast consists of two identical half hour shows, run back-to- back. Last time Shiokaze used 7215, they were up against a 500 kW CRI on frequency, but today no such problem, as CRI was off the air (a temporary situation?). Program is provided for by the private organization COMJAN (Investigating Committee on Missing Japanese Probably Related to North Korea); website - http://www.chosa-kai.jp/ in Japanese, but one can click on "English" to see a different COMJAN web page. My audio today of their 1330 intro, in English, at http://goo.gl/No1zB1 (Ron Howard, California, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 7215, July 6 at 1300, presumed Shiokaze via JSR, JAPAN, is very poor vs weak ham on 7215-LSB, and strong ham on 7218- LSB. Ron Howard says this is their new frequency, ex-6165 where I wasn`t sure I was hearing them yesterday. Says China is on 6165, but no broadcast QRM on 7215 now (Glen[n] Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Only an extremely weak carrier occasionally noted between 1300 and 1400 UT today on 7215 using the U. Twente SDR receiver. Of course, not the best frequency for a mostly daylight path from Japan to Europe.— (Richard Langley, 1419 UT July 6, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Richard, On July 6, my local sunrise was at 1255 UT, so Shiokaze does well. Again today with no CRI on 7215 kHz, at 1337, leaving Shiokaze in the clear with a good signal (Ron California, ibid.) 6165, JAPAN (oppo), Shiokaze/Sea Breeze at 1300. Confirmed again today. Opening with very familiar piano music, W in (listed) Korean. Jammer, clearly heard, already on the frequency before the broadcast. Later on, some vocal music heard. Fair, degrading rapidly with onset of my local morning. July 4. 6165, JAPAN, Shiokaze/Sea Breeze (presumed the one) at 1315. Noted in progress. Weak signal, heard under twittering jammer. W speaking, piano music. Poor July 7 (Rick Barton, Logs from Central Arizona, Grundig Satellit 205(T5000) & 750; RS SW-2000629, HQ-180A, & ATS-909X with various outdoor wire. 73 and Good Listening....! - rb, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Rick, Thanks for sharing your logs! Please let me point out the following: Yes, the Shiokaze jammer is still on 6165, but N. Korea is now only blocking the CNR6 (China) signal there. As of July 4, Shiokaze has moved to 7215. CRI remains silent for now on 7215, during their broadcast. Please note this Google translation of Hiroshi's Japanese, taken from: http://hiroshi.mediacat-blog.jp/d2018-07-04.html "'Shiokaze' at 6165 kHz that was hit by jamming was changed on July 4th. The 1300 broadcast sounds strong and clear at 7215 kHz. It is a change since May 28th. But this happens to be 7215 kHz, now CRI is stopped, will it resume on the 30th of this month, will it be bothered by interference?" Also note at WOR iog - "Re - Glenn's log July 5, of 6165 kHz. Re - Shiokaze." My audio at http://goo.gl/No1zB1 So Rick, please give 7215 at try 1300-1400. Thanks. (Ron Howard, California, ibid.) JAPAN, Frequency changes of JSR Shiokaze Sea Breeze from July 4. Respectively new frequency of Furusato no Kaze via Shiokaze Sea Breeze http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/frequency-changes-of-jsr-shiokaze-sea.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 8-9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: JAPAN, Frequency changes of JSR Shiokaze Sea Breeze from July 4 1300-1400 NF 6165 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 7215 as follows 1300-1330 Chinese Mon; Japanese Tue/Sat; Korean Wed/Fri/Sun; English Thu 1330-1400 Korean Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat; Japanese Tue/Sun; English Thu 1600-1700 NF 7215 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs, ex 6165 as follows 1600-1630 Chinese Mon; Japanese Tue/Sat; Korean Wed/Fri/Sun; English Thu 1630-1700 Korean Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat; Japanese Tue/Sun; English Thu Respectively new frequency of Furusato no Kaze via JSR Shiokaze Sea Breeze 1405-1435 NF 7325^YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese Daily, ex 6165 ^ from 1430UT 7325 BEI 500 kW / 165 deg to SEAs Filipino China Radio Int ??????????? ?? Observer ? 4:18 PM (via DXLD) ???? I thought per Ron the 13-14 broadcast moved from 6165 to 7215; did they reverse it, or does Ivo have it backwards? Glenn Hauser, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, he does (Ron) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. UZBEKISTAN, Frequency change of North Korea Reform Radio via Tashkent, July 4 2030-2130 NF 7495 TAC 100 kW / 076 deg to NEAs Korean Daily, good signal, ex 7500: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/frequency-change-of-north-korea-reform.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 4-6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. BELGIUM(non), Frequency change of Living Water Ministry Broadcasting, July 4 1500-1600 NF 9470 unknown tx TAC or DB to NEAs Korean Tue-Thu, ex 7280 PUG 1500-1530 NF 9470 unknown tx TAC or DB to NEAs Korean Fri, ex 7280 via PUG http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/frequency-change-of-living-water.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 3-4, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) i.e. because PUG = Radio Veritas Asia, Philippines, has closed down. The only connexion with Belgium is that it`s brokered by BRB; not Miami? (gh, DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH [non]. Frequency change of KBS World Radio via BaBcoCk Al-Dhabayya on July 4: 2000-2100 NF 6145 DHA 250 kW / 290 deg to NEAf Arabic, very good signal, ex 13585 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/frequency-change-of-kbs-world-radio-via.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 4-6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Drastic drop in MUF? Late night, short path, long overdue (gh, DXLD) ** KOSOVO. ASSIGNING KOSOVO Z6 CALL SIGNS 'UNAUTHORIZED AND ILLEGAL' ARRL reports Kosovo, which won its battle to become a DXCC entity earlier this year, appears to have another fight on its hands International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Houlin Zhao has determined that the Z6 call sign prefix was never allocated to Kosovo. The Secretary-General issued his finding in the wake of a March 16 inquiry from Serbia, from which Kosovo declared independence 10 years ago, the last piece of the former Yugoslavia to do so. Serbia has continued to reject Kosovo’s secession. “ITU has not allocated call sign series Z6 to any of its member states,” Houlin Zhou said. “Consequently, the utilization of call signs series Z6 by any entity without a formal allocation and consent of the ITU represents an unauthorized and illegal usage of this international numbering resource.” Kosovo joins a short list of DXCC entities where radio amateurs use “unofficial” call sign prefixes. The list also includes Western Sahara (S0) and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (1A). Earlier this year, in Mission Goodwill Kosovo, the IARU member-society SHRAK’s headquarters station Z60A mounted a massive special event operation to celebrate Kosovo’s addition to the DXCC List, as well as its 10th anniversary of independence (via Ham Radio Report, July CIDX Messenger via DXLD) ** KUWAIT. Good signal, Radio Kuwait, English, new 15529.8 kHz July 6: 0500-0800 on 15529.8 KBD 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu English AM mode, instead of 0500-0800 on 11970.0 KBD 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs English DRM mode, cancelled http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/good-signal-of-radio-kuwait-in-english.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 6, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Very good signal of Radio Kuwait in English on 15529.8 kHz, July 9: 0500-0800 on 15529.8 KBD 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu English AM mode, instead of 0500-0800 on 11970.0 KBD 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs English DRM mode, cancelled Wrong frequency announcement: 11970 kHz in 19mb, instead of 15530 kHz in 19mb; Plus second wrong frequency announcement: 15540 kHz in 25mb, instead of 19mb! http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/very-good-signal-of-radio-kuwait-in.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 8-9, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Reception of Radio Kuwait on odd 15529.8 & 15539.8 July 10: till 0800 15529.8 KBD 250 kW / 310 deg WeEu English, instead of 11970 0800-0803 15529.8 KBD 250 kW / 310 deg WeEu Persian, instead of 7250v 1600-1800 15539.8 KBD 250 kW / 100 deg SoAs Urdu, instead of 15540.0! Today no signal of R Kuwait, Arabic General Sce, Persian and Filipino 0500-0900 15515.0 KBD 250 kW / 059 deg EaAs Arabic, BUT on air July 9 0500-0625 5959.8 KBD 250 kW / non-dir N/ME Arabic, from a long time 0800-1000 7249.8 KBD 250 kW / non-dir WeAs Persian, from a long time 1000-1200 17760.0 KBD 250 kW / 084 deg SEAs Filipino-from a long time 0945-1325 15110.0 KBD 250 kW / 310 deg WeEu Arabic Gen.Sce in DRMmode 1055-1325 9749.8 KBD 250 kW / 286 deg NEAf Arabic Gen.Sce in AM mode http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/very-good-signal-of-radio-kuwait-on-odd.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 9-10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LAOS. I am watching 6130 for possible Lao Radio. I get lousy reception from my hotel room but I did hear music after 0900. I shall listen further (Bruce MacGibbon, visiting Vietnam, Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android 0945 UT July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LATVIA. [Ending. The beginning of last issue.] HISTORY OF THE LEGENDARY RADIOTEKHNIKA FACTORY. In 1945, the conveyor gets first the receiver "Riga T-689", and then "Riga T-755". T-755 was developed with an emphasis on reducing the cost of production, the model is placed in a metal casing. Although there is an earlier version - in a wooden case, but this can only be found in collectors. In subsequent years, the demand for the plant's products sharply increases, and there is a need for expansion. New workshops are being built: installation, galvanic, mechanical repair, etc. Already by 1950, Radio Engineering became an example of Stakhanov's work, traditional for the Soviet Union. A year later, the plant was given the name of the electrical engineer and inventor A.S. Popov. But for the director of the plant Alexander Apsitis bad times come: first, he is demoted because of "failure to fulfill the plan," and then arrested. Four months later, he leaves the prison, but already broken, the plant Apsitis no longer returns. In 1938 the production of "Abrama Leibovica foto radio centrale" was moved to the place behind the Dvina (the so-called left bank of the Daugava river, where one third of the city is located). Near the shore there is a place where, for many years, the first workshops of the "RRR" factory were located on Mukusalas street, 41 (in the Soviet times this street was called Radiotehnikas iela - Radio engineering street). Not much ahead of the events, you can notice that this house on the banks of the Daugava is still standing. The building was Leibovitz rented, before that there was a branch of Zeiss, which manufactures optics. Open joint-stock company "A. Apsitis & F. Zhukovskis" was founded in 1934. Initially, the workshops and the store were in Old Riga, but in 1938 - in the newly built two-storey building behind the Dvina, on Darza Street (Sadovaya), house 16. In the course of its existence, this firm created about 20 radio models. In the last quarter of 1945, the factory restored the production of radio equipment. The plant became the "Radio Engineering" factory of the Ministry of Local Industry of the Latvian SSR. They produced reproducers, subscriber transformers, amplifiers. It was mastered the production of equipment for broadcasting radio programs over telephone lines. In the autumn of 1945, the first experimental batch of radio receivers "Riga T-689" was sent to the stores, and their mass production began the following year. In connection with the demand for products of the plant, the need to expand the area of ??production. In the construction work used German prisoners of war. In 1947, a new building was constructed for the experimental and mechanical repair shops. A year later, a galvanic shop was built, and in 1951 - a shop for radio boxes (so always at this factory called the case of receivers). Two years later the assembly workshop was built. In 1949, the "Riga B-912" battery receiver destined for rural areas was started to be produced. But the radio giant continues to work without its founders. In the early fifties there are receivers of "Riga-6" and "Riga-10". The sixth model weighed 12 kg, had six lamps, consumed 55 watts from the network. On it you could play records from an external player. The tenth model (the number ten here also means the number of lamps) weighed 24 kilograms, consumed no more than 85 watts from the network and (like Riga-6) it received broadcasts in the bands KV, SV and DV. And to ensure good sound in this model, a broadband loudspeaker was used. According to Inars Klavins, who worked at Radio Engineering for 33 years, the plant's equipment was in demand not only in the USSR - it was bought in Germany, France, Britain and other Western countries. Consumers liked the simplicity and reliability of the Riga radio receivers. Later, one of the first small-size serial transistor radio receiver Gauja appeared in the Soviets, it was released in two variations - with charging for the batteries and without it (then it worked on the battery of the "krona"). By the way, the popular "Gauja" can be seen in Soviet films: "Three plus two", "Beware of the car" and others. In the beginning of the sixties the plant produces car receivers "???- 60" and "???-60-2", which were mounted on the "Seagulls" and one hundred eleventh ZILs. The first model had even a remote control, the receivers had both a manual search for the wave, and an automatic tuning system for the station. Separately note the stereo radar "Simfonija 2" - this is an upgraded version of the first "Symphony". She had two options: in one the player was located next to the receiver, in the other - under it, each column weighed 16 kg each. Assembled on seventeen transistors and eight diodes portable "Neptune" was developed for the 60th anniversary of October. By the way, on "Radio Engineering" developed and VCRs. For example, on "Malachite" they reproduced the record of the docking of the Soyuz-Apollo spacecraft. The decade of success and withering of the Eighties for "Radio Engineering" became "golden" - the pace of production of radio equipment is growing, the plant produces about 35% of all Soviet audio equipment. There are cassette tape recorders ML-6201 with a tuner, two acoustic systems, a tape recorder and an ULF. At this time, the association "Radio Engineering" also includes CB "Orbita" and the plant of microelectronics "Emir". The cassette player "Duets PM-8401" appears, to which you can connect two pairs of headphones at once. In a year the enterprise makes one million radio receivers, amplifiers and tape recorders and more than one million acoustic systems. This dizzying success continued until the collapse of the USSR. Political events in the world, the acquisition of Latvia's independence and economic reforms were accompanied by a mass market entry of Chinese cheap consumer goods on the one hand and products of famous brands, first of all, Japanese brands, on the other. "Radio engineering" was disbanded into several autonomous enterprises, because of which the giant of the radio industry came to an even greater decline. Unable to withstand competition with imported models, the plant withdraws part of the production. At the same time, prices for parts manufactured in the countries of the former Soviet Union are rising, the prices for the plant's products have to be raised, but they are no longer bought up, as it is morally obsolete compared to new products from abroad. The plant can not afford to develop new models, as its design bureau does not receive sufficient funding. A typical situation for many factories in the 90s begins: debts on wages grow, and profits are practically nonexistent. Most of the enterprises that emerged after the disbandment of Radio Engineering, almost immediately "died," including KB Orbita. Despite futile attempts to adapt to the new market, in 1993 the Riga Radio Factory, the survivor of the disintegration of Radio Engineering, was divided into two parts by the State Property Fund. One was subsequently declared bankrupt. The second part turned into "Radiotehnika RRR", which in 1998 at the auction was bought by businessmen Eduard and Yury Maleev. From 1954 to 1961, the lines of conveyors for radio receivers and radios "Daugava", "Festivals", "Sakta", "Dzintars", "Gauja" were created at the workshops. In 1961 the plant produced the Sakta radar, the details of which were mounted on printed circuit boards. This practice was here for the first time in the whole USSR. The plant was the first in the Union to develop and began to produce a stereo radio "Simfonija 2" (1967). Here it is necessary to note that the first "Symphony", released three years before the second, is not completely stereophonic, - the receiver does not have a stereo decoder. In 1964 the Simfonija radar was slightly upgraded, releasing Simfonija-2, which already has a full stereo. To the 60th anniversary of the Great October Revolution the factory team prepared a gift - a portable transistor receiver of the first class "Neptune", which was equipped with long, short and VHF bands. Nevertheless, mass production, as well as several other products, did not survive this device for a number of reasons. In the seventies, most of the production was moved to a new complex in Imanta. Before the collapse of the USSR, several dozen different receivers, radios and other models of equipment for domestic market and for export were produced and produced in large quantities. The external finish and quality of them has always been at the highest level. The most successful period for the plant was in the late eighties, when the production association "Radiotehnika" employed about 16,000 people. In the association as the main enterprise was a plant them. A. Popova, design bureau "Orbita", Riga electromechanical plant "REMR" Kandava radio factory, plant of micro-electronics "Emir". Over the years, Radiotehnika has produced about 35% of all Soviet audio equipment. Within a year, about a million different units of radio equipment and about 1.3 million acoustic systems came off the assembly lines. Latvia in these years by the number of production receivers per capita outstripped even Japan. What is happening now with "Radiotehnika RRR" The new director of the plant, Eduard Maleev, said that for a long time the enterprise was not in the best shape. The reason is banal: there are orders, the renewed speakers want to buy in the West and even in the Emirates, but banks do not give money for production. In addition, buyers want to get a "new" sound, improved models and innovations, but for this you need to invest in patents and research. On the site of the plant in the section "today" the situation is described more optimistically: "VEF Radiotehnika RRR" has the latest equipment, one of the largest anechoic cameras in Europe and provides excellent opportunities for the development and production of the newest acoustics. " Judging by the statistics of the Latvian State Revenue Service, now the profile business of Radiotehnika RRR is not developing particularly successfully. To date, the main activity of the company is renting and managing its own or rented real estate (most of the factory buildings are converted into retail space). And on October 1 in the press there were news that the administrative building of the plant would be dismantled within the next five months. In 2015, the building and adjacent areas were sold to a company managing a network of construction stores - what will be built in its place after the dismantling, is not yet specified. But something else lives In 2011, the company World Audio Distribution, a member of the group of companies "Audiomania", launched its own production of full- cycle acoustics in Riga - from the manufacture of cases to finished products under the brand Arslab. Earlier Arslab columns were produced in China. The choice to Riga fell, among other things, because of the specialists living there who had previously worked at the Radiotehnika plant. Now at the head of production is Victor Lagarpov, who used to be the chief engineer at Radio Engineering. Thanks to the experience gained at the legendary factory, Victor knows everything about acoustics. Over the six years of operation of the enterprise, the plant's capabilities have expanded considerably - additional German machines have been acquired, new personnel have been recruited. In 2017, the number of workers employed directly in production reached fifteen people. In addition to assembling acoustics and producing the necessary electronic components, the factory also manufactures cases for speakers (unlike many manufacturers of audio systems that buy ready- made from third-party companies). The enterprise also produces a large number of casings for other manufacturers from Germany, France, Italy and other countries. In 2014, World Audio Distribution acquired a controlling stake in Penaudio, whose products are now also produced at this plant. As the founder of Penaudio Sami Penttila himself says, continuing to lead the company, the quality of finished products has increased. And the production capacity is now enough to meet the demand for this acoustics all over the world. In addition to the "traditional" home audio systems (under the brands Arslab, Old School and Penaudio), the plant in 2016 began to produce equipment for home cinemas ICE. This is another own brand of "Audiomania". This acoustics is also developed by the company F-Lab under the guidance of the famous engineer Yuri Fomin. Acoustics ICE, Old School and Penaudio, assembled at the plant in Riga, is sold not only in Latvia and Russia, it is in great demand all over the world, including China, Taiwan, Japan, USA, Mexico and Europe. The number of products produced in 2017 under the brands of "Audioomania", according to our forecasts, will approach a thousand, and this is almost a twofold increase in comparison with 2016. https://vk.com/radioreceiver (via Rus-DX 8 July via DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR. 5010, Radio Nacionaly Malagasy, Ambohidrano, 2007-2018, 07-07, Vernacular comments. 15321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAYSIA. 11665, 08/07 1047, MALASIA, RTM Wai/Limbang FM em Malaio. Música pop local. Às 1049 OM fala. Uma retransmissão de uma FM local. Na maioria das vezes o programa com participação dos ouvintes via telefone. Um serviço nacional direcionado para o leste da Malasia. 2543373 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil, 12 14´S, 38 58´W - Tecsun PL-310ET, Antenna dipole of 25 meters-direction northeast-southwest, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALI. 5995, R. Mali, Kati, 2118-..., 30/6, portadora vazia; 55444. 9635, R. Mali, Kati, 1425-..., 03/7, portadora vazia; 45444 (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9635, Radio Mali, Bamako, *0800-0814, 08-07, tuning music, French, female, ID “Radiodiffusion Télévision du Mali, éméttant de Bamako …”, comments. 15321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL- 880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MARSHALL ISLANDS. This is V7AB Majuro in the Marshalls as heard March 30 from Kailua, Kona. Nice signal here but for some reason I never heard a peep out of it on Maui despite an equally favorable oceanfront location [1098 kHz]. https://www.dropbox.com/s/bpyyosma2qqnbrt/DX%20KK%201098.mp3?dl=0 (Pete Taylor, Tacoma, WA, July 7, nrc-am via DXLD) ** MEXICO. 570, July 9 at 0539, ``BJB, tu estación, BJB, música regional mexicana``, i.e. XEBJB Monterrey NL. Dominant, no sign of KLIF or anything else on the Panasonic RF-569D not much used for DX purposes (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Guadalajara AM update - XEBON-1280, XEMIA-850 Rechecking the Radio Fórmula Guadalajara web site, I see that all references to 1280 AM have recently been removed. The ID on the web stream still mentions 1280 AM (1 kW) and 89.5 FM (3 kW), but the web site no longer mentions 1280 AM, so perhaps the AM is going away soon? I've found that Radio Fórmula web sites are fairly accurate in terms of tracking when the AM goes away. Wikipedia says XEMIA-850 (logged last fall here at home and at the Border Inn) has added // XHEMIA-90. 3 and flipped to Radio Disney format in late April. The webstream link on Wikipedia does indeed lead to a Radio Disney feed, but I haven't heard an ID yet so I can't confirm the simulcast yet. I'm kind of surprised that two (or more?) FM allocations were even available in Guadalajara for these two to begin migrating. 73 (Tim Hall, CA, July 4, ABDX yg via DXLD) Is there a Disney in SS or are these normal Disney EE? 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, IL/WI, ibid.) Radio Disney has had a Spanish format in Mexico for some time, but it was almost entirely on FM. I haven't listened to the web stream much at all yet, but I'll try to catch a top-of-hour ID on this 850 and the one other AM affiliate (offhand I think it's the 710 in Acapulco). 73 (Tim, ibid.) I just caught an ID that only mentioned XHEMIA 90.3 FM (3 kW) but I'm not convinced the AM is off the air already. I'll have to try my backyard mini-BoG or my temporary street BoG sometime soon. Programming is definitely Spanish. The music is not too different from other CHR formats like Radio Capital. Songs may be in English or Spanish. XHEMIA-90.3 web stream: http://player.listenlive.co/52341/es XEMAR-710 Acapulco is also allegedly Disney, but I haven't found a web stream for them recently. 850 will be a wide open channel if XEMIA is indeed gone. My backyard antenna almost totally gets rid of KOA. 73 (Tim, ibid.) Does anyone know anybody in Guadalajara? Good luck on 850 if they are gone! 73 KAZ(aross, ibid.) New log (XERFR-970) --- Reviewing Perseus recordings from last January (backyard 560 ft SSE mini-BOG). FINALLY caught XERFR-970 with Radio Fórmula first network feed exactly in synch with XEKAM-970 and XEMON-1370. I have been after this station for years. They claim to be 50 kW in their hourly IDs but no one ever hears them. I'm still trying for them at the Border Inn. 1/7 1158 UT with Radio Formula ID, promos, Mexican anthem //XEKAM, XEMON. New, DF #22, Mexico #306, station #1436 from San Diego area. As I typed this, I was getting my hopes up about an interesting Mexican anthem on 1000 kHz. It wasn't //XEC-1310 so seemingly not XEOY, and it wasn't //XEKAM so seemingly not XENLT. It was an uptempo adult choral version, so seemingly not XEFV which airs an orchestral version. Turned out to be XEOY. (XEC was running slightly behind the feed from Mexico City). Interestingly, XEOY runs an uptempo adult choral version of the anthem at 6am, but runs the kids' choral version at Midnight... 73 (Tim Hall, Chula Vista CA, July 6, ABDX yg via DXLD) Mexican station news? I've resumed monitoring Mexican web streams in preparation for this year's Border Inn trip. The situation with the Radio Fórmula stations in Monterrey (radioformulamonterrey.com) continues to be very confusing. XEMON-1370 ?/ XHMON-89.3 is listed as primera cadena (ORF1) but this morning they were running ORF3 (Trion) programming. Even more interestingly, references to 1370 AM have recently been removed from the web site. XEACH-770 is running ORF2 programming this morning as listed (in the past, this station has occasionally duplicated some ORF1 programming from XEMON). XEIZ-1230, listed as ORF3, appeared to be running ORF1 programming this morning. They gave a full ID and mentioned 10 kW. From this, I might GUESS that they are moving the ORF3 programming, which is aimed at a younger audience, to XEMON/XHMON so it can be heard on FM. Could XEMON be going dark soon? They're one of the biggest pests on 1370 so that could really open up that channel if they go dark. Moving XEIZ to ORF1 would help DXers avoid confusion with XEDKN-1230 which remains ORF3. Oddly, when I checked all 3 web streams against the sister stations in Guadalajara, I found only the ORF2 stations (XEACH-770, XEGAJ-790) running the same programming. In other words, I heard 5 different programs (all of which seemed to be ORF network shows) on 6 web streams. ORF1 affiliates give an ID for XERFR-970 about 2 minutes before the top of the hour. Local affiliates may put their own ID in place ?of the XERFR ID, or may add one closer to the top of the hour. ORF2 is roughly the same (with XEDF-1500 ID). ORF1 and ORF2 stations run a childrens' choral version of the anthem at 6 am and Midnight Mexico City time. Affiliates in other time zones often splice in an additional anthem at 6 am local time. ORF3 stations seem to be very poor at IDing. The primary station XEAI- 1470 gives good IDs but I rarely hear any ID at all on the affiliates. XHMON's web stream just said "Trion" at the top of the last hour. The IFT seems to have renewed its efforts to migrate at least some stations in larger markets and border markets to FM. I think there is a separate initiative underway to move the indigenous stations to a designated FM segment (106-108) but I don't know any details yet. All the more reason to stay informed by monitoring web sites and live streams, and try to log as many Mexican stations as possible before they're gone for good. 73 (Tim, Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone, Hall, ibid.) Tonight I monitored the Guadalajara and Monterrey web streams through Midnight CDT trying to catch some better IDs. Very confusing! So I checked the Mexico City web streams. Even more confusing! Monterrey: Midnight CDT ID on XHMON's web stream was ONLY for XEMON-1370. No mention of the FM at all. Didn't notice a full ID on any of the others tonight. Top-of-hour "splicing" was really sloppy on several stations, suddenly cutting into (or out of) a program (or anthem) in progress. In at least one case I don't [think] they aired more than 30 seconds of the anthem. They cut into it already in progress, and cut away from it less than 30 seconds later while it was still going. Guadalajara: XEGAJ-790's midnight ID was only "Radio Fórmula Jalisco 790" and straight into the childrens' choral version of the anthem (already in progress, and cut off before it ended). Then they went into Estilo de Vida... which is an ORF1 program, not ORF2 (though one or two ORF2 stations have aired it in the past). It's going to be very hard to ever log these guys when XENT La Paz BCS is airing the same ORF1 feed and seemingly stuck on 5 kW day rig all the time. XEBON/XHBON ran PSAs until 12:03 am CDT, when they also cut into the anthem in progress, followed by a "music" program. XEDKN-1230 went into a newscast, then "Rincones del Mundo" program. Eventually they went into health talk. Comparing Mexico City stations to Guadalajara stations... XEACH-770 is airing the same (ORF1) programming as XEGAJ-790 in Guadalajara ("Estilo de Vida"), but a few minutes out of synch. XEIZ-1230 is airing the same (ORF2) programming as XEDKN-1230 in Guadalajara ("Bionatura" health talk). XEMON/XHMON is running CHR (the songs, if you can even call them songs, are mostly in English), as is XEBON/XHBON in Guadalajara. If it's the same program, it's several minutes out of synch. I haven't caught the same song on both web streams yet. The way the Guadalajara and Monterrey web pages are CURRENTLY laid out, they make it LOOK like ORF1 = XEMON/XHMON, XEBON/XHBON ORF2 = XEACH, XEGAC ORF3 = XEIZ, XEDKN But in actuality, ORF1 = XEACH, XEGAC (same programming as XERFR-970 Mexico City, but much more out of synch than usual) ORF2 = XEIZ, XEDKN (same programming as XHDF-104.1 Mexico City, also more out of synch than usual, and right at this moment not //XEDF-1500 though it sometimes still is?) ORF3 and/or Trion = seemingly XEMON/XHMON and XEBON/XHBON, although neither appear to be // Mexico City or each other at the moment. Mexico City is confusing too. XERFR-970 is ORF1, but XHRFR-103.3 is Trion and NOT currently // XEAI- 1470... and not // XEMON/XHMON or XEBON/XHBON?! So, is Trion really a rebranding of ORF3, or a different feed altogether? XHDF-104.1 is not currently //XEDF-1500; but I believe they are // at least some of the time. So... ORF1 originates from XERFR-970 (which is never //XHRFR-103.3!). ORF2 originates from XEDF-1500 OR XHDF-104.1 (which may or may not be //each other at any given time). ORF3 may originate from XEAI-1470, XHRFR-103.3 "Trion", or neither, at any given moment? My brain hurts... 73 (Tim Hall, UT July 9, ibid.) Hi Tim, Bill Scott here (RADIO-TIMETRAVELLER) using a different email for Yahoo. I gave up the old Yahoo email. Just wanted to let you know I enjoy your Mexican posts. Here in Quartzsite, AZ where I am now (western AZ, 80 mi. north of Yuma), I'm up most nights by about 2-3 AM and I always go outside and have a quick bandscan using one of my handheld portables. Lots of Mexican stations as you know. Great catch on that XERFR-970. I looked up their history on Wikipedia. It indicates they are the old XEDF. The original filing to the FCC for this facility/location (XEDF) shows 50 kW daytime and 4 kW at night. If this still holds true, that's probably why they have been so tough to catch. They may not be running 50 kW 24/7. Lately I've been trying to cross-match a few Mexicans from their official government list at http://www.ift.org.mx/industria/infraestructura They keep this list up to date pretty well (latest update was May 16, 2018), some 400 stations left on AM. I suspect it is fairly accurate. I've run a cross-reference by call letter and frequency to the FCC database. Of course it's a total mess as you know. 61 stations on that list of 400 have changed call letters to something unknown to the FCC's database. XERFR would be one of them. I would love to be able to cross-reference all of the actual active stations to an FCC engineering record so I could develop a series of plots like I did for the US and Canada. That is probably going to be impossible, with all the lacking information and switching around going on. Your local XESURF-540 is another good example. I hear them in and out at night, at about 190 miles, competing with Los Mochis (XEHS I presume). They are just barely detectable on a Sony SRF-59 during daylight hours. I can read them "fair but weak" on my Tecsun PL-600. Many references quote the power level at 100 watts. That would be pretty puny for 190 mile daytime reception on an ultralight. I would guess them more at about 1 KW or a little more. The curious case there, is at some time they presumably moved from a simple mast on the top of a grocery store in Tijuana to a site fairly close to the beach (I have the coordinates). New power unknown, really. Who THAT station was is anybody's guess, or maybe it was a new construction. The FCC has literally NO record of anything on that site. Anyway, sorry to be so wordy. Keep 'em coming, Tim. Best of DX (Bill http://radio-timetraveller.blogspot.com ibid.) Hi Bill, Thanks very much. I'm stumbling a bit along the way, but gradually getting back up to speed. You should try to run some mini-BoGs from Quartzsite. Can you aim a wire at Mexico, either from your house or a nearby straight piece of road, at least 550-600 feet? It has been a while since I checked the site you mentioned. There is a LOT of new information there now. As stations move to the FM band, the IFT is throwing their old AM licenses up for auction (thereby defeating the purpose of the FM migration!). It looks like a lot of the licenses have been resold, and some old pests (like 880 in Chihuahua) might be coming back someday. Also one or two totally new CPs, like XEJAGC-720 in Juan Aldama, ZAC. I still don't fully trust this list. For example, I'm having a hard time believing that XEBAC-1100 and XEPAS-1200 are really on the air in BC Sur. Also, in the past I have noted that if a station has been cleared to move to FM and has not been asked to keep the AM on the air (a few dozen have been asked to stay active on AM so as not to lose entire towns from their coverage area), then as soon as the FM comes on the air, the AM disappears from this list even if it is still on the air. One example would be XEREV-770 (assuming they haven't left AM very recently). 73 (Tim, July 9, ibid.) I have been comparing the May 2018 IFT list that Bill Scott referred to in our earlier e-mail thread on ABDX to my own station list spreadsheet. Lots of interesting discrepancies to investigate. I've downloaded the IFT list as a spreadsheet and re-sorted it in "logbook order" - see attached (unless you're subscribed to ABDX in digest mode, I think...). I have begun sending Facebook messages to some stations that are missing from the IFT list but not previously confirmed to have left the AM band. I've already received responses from 2 stations: 770, XEREV-SIN Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 1030, XEMPM-SIN Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. XEREV has been logged here recently, but had not been noticed on some of my most recent Perseus recordings at home, so they have probably just left AM recently. That can only help on a channel that is already fairly clear. XEMPM has probably been gone from AM for a long time. I've also started looking into some stations which are believed to have left AM but which still appear in the IFT list. As I was about to send this, I received a message from Radio Fórmula Yucatán confirming that XEZ-600 is gone from AM, but XEVG-650 is still active on AM, exactly as implied on their web page. (Ron Schiller, if you do me a favor and the next time I'm at the Border Inn, drive over to Manti and unplug the transmitter for KMTI, maybe I could finally get that elusive Yucatán log!) :) Will pass along more information as I receive it. 73 (Tim Hall, July 9, ABDX yg via DXLD) More updates: 590, XEBH-SON Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone.* 610, XESAC-COAH This station must have finished migrating to FM, because there is a CP for a new station XESORN. 650, XECHH-GUER Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 660, XEWX-DUR This station must have finished migrating to FM, because there is a CP for a new station XEDGEP. 710, XEDP-CHIH This station has been removed from the IFT list (got my hopes up!) but the station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is still on the air. 710, XERPO-OAX This station must have finished migrating to FM, because there is a CP for a new station XEOAEP. 720, XEVU-SIN Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 750, XEKOK-GUER This station must have finished migrating to FM, because there is a CP for a new station XEACEP. 750, XEURM-MICH This station must have finished migrating to FM, because there is a CP for a new station XEUORN. 760, XEEB-SON Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 770, XEIH-ZAC This station must have finished migrating to FM, because there is a CP for a new station XEFRTM. 780, XEZN-GJTO Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 780, XEMTS-TAMA This station must have finished migrating to FM, because there is a CP for a new station XETMEP. *NOTE: Since I have recently logged XEBH-590 (and XEREV-770 - see previous e-mail), I need to check to see if they are really gone from AM. Both have been fairly regular catches on my SSE backyard mini-BoG, so I'll try to make a new Perseus recording soon. A licensee named ESCÁPATE AL PARAÍSO, S.A. DE C.V. appears to have bought up a number of AM licenses for stations that have moved to FM. (These all have call signs ending with EP). Thus, we MIGHT see a handful of old pests return under new ownership someday. 73 (Tim Hall, July 9, ibid.) ** MEXICO. RAYMIE`S MEXICO BEAT this week --- including DTV = TDT XEQY is throwing it back. The former La Bestia Grupera outlet flipped from one Audiorama brand to another, Retro, timing the change with its AM-FM migration to 103.7. This completes the second wave in Toluca. XHCH-FM 89.3 was the first second-wave migrant on the air, beginning tests all the way back in October (Raymie Humbert, Phœnix AZ, July 6, WTFDA Forum via DXLD) The IFT-6 on-air station count has ascended to four. XHMTCO-TDT is on the air in Monclova. The station broadcasts on RF channel 33 from a new panel antenna mounted atop the XHCLO-FM tower. For now, it appears only the main Multimedios sub is available (Raymie, July 7, ibid.) As investigations continue surrounding illegal activity related to former Chihuahua governor César Duarte, it turns out one of his accomplices was the accountant at a Hidalgo del Parral radio station. Guadalupe Medina, who worked for five years for XHJS, http://eldiariodechihuahua.mx/Parral/2018/07/06/la-contadora-de-cesar-duarte-operaba-desde-estacion-de-radio-de-parral/ was also associated with several businesses incorporated in the region. In some of these, Duarte's family members and his chauffeur and one-time federal deputy Carlos Hermosillo Arteaga were involved. Hermosillo died in a car accident last year. http://www.milenio.com/estados/murio-diputado-carlos-hermosillo-colaborador-duarte (Raymie, July 9, ibid.) The beast is back in the cage in Tijuana. XHRST 107.7 has, after roughly a year as La Bestia Grupera, gone back to pop, though with no final brand on air yet. This was a Los 40 station until last year (Raymie, July 9, ibid.) The IFT Pleno met again on June 20 and tackled these topics: Multiprogramming Multimedios got green lights for Mexico City (XHTDMX), Puebla (XHMTPU), and Guadalajara (XHTDJA). The three stations are offering or will offer Milenio and Teleritmo as subchannels. First on the Mexico Beat: 52MX will be on the Mexico City transmitter! http://www.ift.org.mx/sites/default/files/conocenos/pleno/sesiones/acuerdoliga/pift200618434.pdf New Stations José Luis Chavero Reséndiz — San Juan del Río, Qro. Reséndiz is the head of Sigma Radio, a commercial station operator in Ciudad Delicias, Chihuahua. He also owns XHCJZ in Ciudad Jiménez, which is operated by Grupo Garza Limón. Radio Agricultores del Valle de Sinaloa, A.C. —*Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. Promomedios Sinaloa will cross the Sea of California and bring in another social station to Cabo San Lucas. This brings the total of social stations awarded for Los Cabos to two untyped and one community. Radio Procultura, A.C. — Tequisquiapan, Qro. Permit forest clear — Poza Rica, Ver. (2 applicants) Radio de Ayuda, A.C. —*5 stations nationwide (2 AM, 3 FM) Applications were on file for Guadalajara, Pedro Escobedo Qro., San Juan del Río Qro., San Luis Potosí, and Nochistlán de Mejía, Zac. Domi Bello de Tenorio, A.C. — Taxco (Zacazontla, Santa Rosa, Taxco el Viejo and Minas Viejas), Gro. (community) XHDOM's owners expand to another city in the mountains of Guerrero. Radiodifusoras Capital, S.A de C.V. — Ixtapan de la Sal, Edomex. Second-wave migration for XEXI! (Raymie, July 9, ibid.) Last week saw another Article 90 clear, the second of two for Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí. XHXR-FM moved to 100.5 on July 4, following XHIR's move to 103.7 nearly five months ago. The other identified A90 clear in the state is XHIE (106.3 to 105.5) in Matehuala. Two social stations in the state capital, XHAWD and XHCSM, have no known moving plans, typical of untyped social stations in the reserved band (Raymie, July 10, ibid.) So I found some interesting documents buried in the public comment period for the second-wave FM migration from 2016. Namely, the documents finding station space in the various cities! And boy oh boy, there are some good things to tuck into here. Salamanca: The Salamanca frequency, the last of the original 41 to be known, is 92.5 MHz. It is unique — what will be XHSAG-FM will have a max ERP of 1 kW to protect XHGX in San Luis de la Paz. Ghosts ahoy: As with Puebla/Tlaxcala a while back, a few ghosts appear in the per-frequency distance calculations. In addition to the Class I ghosts of 2000, a few new headscratchers appear. 89.3 XHEUG-FM in Guanajuato, Gto. reads as a migration callsign for XEUG-AM. The university might have applied for migration but not needed it anyway — they do have XHJUA-FM, which makes the idea of migrating XEUG a bit redundant. 107.3 XHSAL-FM Saltillo Coah. has to have been for XESAL-AM 1220, which missed migration evidently because of mismanagement by its university owner. As should be obvious, this couldn't be done now because of the reserved band. XHSTCH-FM 104.7 Santa Ana Chiautempan, Tlax., is not so much of a headscratcher. In April 2015, the IFT pulled from the Pleno agenda an award of a station here to Fundación Radiofónica de Tlaxcala, A.C. It would have been among the first new social concessions. XHATF-FM Atlacomulco appears here, too — if I had seen this in 2016, XHATF would also have been a ghost. The station was awarded to Fundación Educacional de Medios earlier this year. Frequencies that weren't used, by city where they differ from previous publications of mine: Mexico City: 99.7, 104.5. The study found 96.5, 98.9, 105.3 and 106.1 available. Those now belong to XHEP, XHCHAL, XHINFO and XHCDMX, respectively. The last two frequencies have to be reciprocity cases. Oddly enough, XHARO doesn't even appear here —*that might be a problem for the 104.5. Guadalajara: 102.3, 103.9. There are two A90 grandfathered stations here. Monterrey: 96.1, 96.9 (no 100.1 as the allotment remains in Montemorelos post-XHMSN). Toluca: 106.1, an A90 allotment. Cities that didn't have second-wave migration: In Tijuana, no frequencies were found open (though the database is a bit stale, not recognizing XHTIM's move to 90.7). In Juárez, 98.7, 101.3, and 107.9 were available, though none for commercial stations due to reciprocity. 98.7 is short-spaced to KSNM in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and would have restricted parameters. The Monterrey document lists XHGBO-FM as a Class B station, potentially explaining its recent power hike. Last edited by Raymie; 07-11-2018 at 06:59 PM (Raymie, originally July 10, ibid.) ** MEXICO. Inhabilita la PGR una radio ´pirata´ en Tamaulipas 08/07/2018 https://gruporadioescuchaargentino.wordpress.com/2018/07/08/inhabilita-la-pgr-una-radio-pirata-en-tamaulipas/ Mediante el comunicado 697/18, la Procuraduría General de la República en Tamaulipas (PGR) informó que fue inhabilitada una radiodifusora de frecuencia modulada que operaba sin los permisos correspondientes. Personal de la PGR cumplimentó una orden de cateo en un inmueble ubicado en el municipio deNuevo Laredo, y aseguró equipo de transmisión que probablemente era operado para usar el espectro radioeléctrico, a través de la frecuencia modular 103.7 FM, sin permiso. El Ministerio Público de la Federación, adscrito a la Unidad Especializada en Investigación de Delitos Contra el Ambiente y Previstos en Leyes Especiales (UEIDAPLE), con apoyo de elementos de la Policía Federal Ministerial y peritos en materia de informática, telecomunicaciones, valuación, fotografía y criminalística, ejecutó la técnica de investigación en un domicilio ubicado en la colonia Juárez. Durante el mandamiento, otorgado por el Juez de Distrito Especializado en el Sistema Penal Acusatorio con residencia en el Nuevo Laredo, no se presentó ningún permiso otorgado por el Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones, por lo que se aseguró un transmisor, una mezcladora de audio y un equipo de cómputo. Por estos hechos, los objetos fueron puestos a disposición de la autoridad federal para los fines legales que se determinen, por la probable violación a la Ley General de Bienes Nacionales. https://www.elmanana.com (via GRA blog via DXLD) ** MONGOLIA. 7260, Mongolian Radio 3 (presumed), at 1203, July 7. Pop songs; much stronger than QRM from China far underneath; today definite carrier (no audio) on 4895, which must have been them; nothing on 4830 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) ** NAURU. See NEW ZEALAND below ** NETHERLANDS [non]. In the UK it`s 0120 UT on a Sunday morning. Listening to The Mighty KBC on 9925 with ads for teeshirt-sweater. Jukeboxo oldies, Del Shannon, others. SINPO 55555. Tecsun PL-660 + Tecsun active antenna, 73, (Jon Collins, Birmingham, middle of the UK, July 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEWFOUNDLAND. CBC Radio 1 DXed in Northern Ireland: see PROPAGATION [WORLD OF RADIO 1938] ** NEW ZEALAND. THE RADIO STATION THAT WILL PUT YOU TO SLEEP - DELIBERATELY --- Via News Hub New Zealand A Te Aroha man has created the world's only radio station to help insomniacs nod off - and he's been inundated with work from composers who've created music to fall asleep to. The idea for Sleepradio came to John Watson after he became depressed and suffered from insomnia. His counsellor suggested ambient music radio, which seemed to work - to a point. "I'd be woken in the middle of the night by some advert, like the Harvey Norman yelling man or something similar, and it immediately got me awake so I thought, 'Well, I can do better than this'." Mr Watson created an ad-free internet radio station for insomniacs. "It's non-vocal - it has to be instrumental; it has to be very downbeat," he says of Sleepradio. In four years he's put Te Aroha at the centre of the ambient music world. "Amazingly, about six weeks ago we had our first listener in Antarctica." The entrepreneur has found his radio station is particular popular with pregnant women, daycare centres and spas. He's even created a free app, and composers are falling over themselves to get on air. Mr Watson and his wife get sent three albums a day, but only 5 percent of tracks clear the bar - and there's no place for "plinky-plonky". "People just don't like piano music," he says of his very particular listeners. Sleepradio could have made him rich, but he says money's not the point. "The feedback that I get is fantastic, and for me it's just the satisfaction I get from knowing that I'm helping other people." The proof? Seventy percent of his listeners, he says, are actually asleep. Check out the station at https://www.sleepradio.co.nz/ (via July CIDX Messenger via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) WTFK? Really just a webcast ** NEW ZEALAND. 5980, July 5 at 1302, RNZI news with item about ABC journalists being banned from Nauru, quite a controversy; and TS Maria approaching the NMI, threatening to become a typhoon. So look out for missing Saipan and Tinian transmissions. As for Nauru, here are the stories: PINA CALLS FOR NAURU AND ABC TO RESOLVE 'IMPASSE' 10:22 am on 5 July 2018 http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/361130/pina-calls-for-nauru-and-abc-to-resolve-impasse The Pacific Islands News Association is calling on Nauru and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to use the "Pacific way" to resolve what it calls the impasse between them. Solomons Media Association president Charles Kadamana, (left), congratulates Kora Nou. Kora Nou Photo: Solomon Fresh-Beat [caption] This follows Nauru saying no ABC journalists will be allowed into the country to cover the Pacific Islands Forum summit in September. The Nauru Government had accused the ABC of misreporting. The ABC meanwhile has indicated it is still aiming to attend the summit. The Pacific Islands News Association, or PINA, which is made up of most media bodies in the Pacific said it wants Nauru to rescind the decision. The PINA president Kora Nou said he was confident that if both parties sat down and talked amicably the matter would resolved. He said the Forum summit makes decisions that directly impact on the people of the Pacific and so it is imperative that Nauru, the ABC and the Forum try and resolve the matter. Mr Nou also appealed to journalists to exercise responsibility in their coverage. NAURU'S ABC STANCE CONDEMNED BY PACIFIC FREEDOM FORUM 7:17 pm on 5 July 2018 http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/361154/nauru-s-abc-stance-condemned-by-pacific-freedom-forum The Nauru government's refusal to allow journalists from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to cover the Pacific Forum Leaders summit has been condemned by the Pacific media watchdog. Nauru's President Baron Divavesi Waqa (L) shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Nauru's President Baron Waqa Photo: Yomiuri The Pacific Freedom Forum said the reasons Nauru had given did not justify the ban. Its chair Monica Miller said the PFF was calling on the Nauru government to reconsider this stance, and use the public complaints mechanisms to raise its concerns. Ms Miller said the summit gives the appearance of unity, but stopping journalists from one Forum member covering the summit is divisive. The Nauru government claimed it is exercising a sovereign right, but Ms Miller said the summit is a regional event and the ABC is the public broadcaster of a Forum member. The organisation also wants the Forum secretariat to appeal to the hosts to drop the ban. A co-chair of the PFF, Bernadette Carreon, said small island nations which cannot send their reporters to regional events rely on the ABC for Pacific news. She said journalists should be able to attend important regional events like the Pacific Islands Forum and selectively barring reporters from covering the summit is not acceptable. Nauru ignores appeal from Australian PM Nauru has ignored an appeal from Australia's prime minister to allow the ABC into the country for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Malcolm Turnbull's government had lobbied Nauru through diplomatic channels for weeks in the hope of securing the ABC a place at the summit. But Nauru ignored the efforts, on Monday releasing an inflammatory statement banning the ABC from the island "under any circumstances," apparently for unfair coverage. Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull Photo: AFP The ABC - which has reported extensively on Nauru and Australia's detention centres there - was due to fill one of the positions in the three-person pool that will accompany Mr Turnbull in September. In the wake of the announcement, the head of Australia's parliamentary press gallery has foreshadowed a boycott, although not every media outlet has shown support for the idea. Meanwhile, the editor of the Samoa Observer said the Nauru government seemed to be going back on a promise made during last year's Forum by banning the ABC. Mata'afa Keni Lesa said the ban was concerning and disappointing. "I think any serious media organisation would be very concerned at what's happened. Now here at the Observer we had the Nauru President [Baron Waqa] I think he was here last year during the Pacific Islands Forum and he was asked a question about media access and he assured everyone that there shouldn't be any problems. "All the media organisations will be welcome to Nauru for the Forum. Now the fact they have gone ahead and done that [the ban] - is very concerning." related: http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/361179/nauru-authoritarian-slide-sparks-call-for-action-from-nz Of course we have to hear about this from NZ, since we cannot hear Radio Australia! Nauru is quite a teapot: ``Nauru Population (2018) - Worldometers http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/nauru-population/ The current population of Nauru is 11,312 as of Wednesday, July 4, 2018, based on the latest United Nations estimates. Nauru population is equivalent to 0.00015% of the total world population. Nauru ranks number 225 in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population``. Does that figure include all those detainees? (via gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also AUSTRALIA [and non] ** NICARAGUA. NICARÁGUA, 8989-BLS, El Pescador Predicador, QTH?, 2159- ..., 11/5, propag. relig., bênçãos; 35343. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. 7255, Voice of Nigeria, Ikorodu, *1800-1812, 03-07, English, ID “Voice of Nigeria”, news, comments. 34433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) ** NIGERIA [non]. Two different Dandal Kura R. International July 10 Dandal Kura Radio International via MBR / TDF Issoudun, not // BaBcoCk 0500-0600 on 7220 ISS 100 kW / 167 deg to CeAf Kanuri, very good 0600-0700 on 11910 ISS 100 kW / 167 deg to CeAf Kanuri, very good Dandal Kura Radio Int via BaBcoCk Ascension/Woofferton, not // MBR-TDF 0600-0700 on 7415 ASC 250 kW / 055 deg to WeAf Kanuri, fair/good 0700-0800 on 13810 WOF 250 kW / 165 deg to WeAf Kanuri, very good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/two-different-dandal-kura-radio.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 9-10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also CHAD [non] ** NORTH AMERICA. 6950-USB, July 8 at 0107, rock music at S9+5/10, 0113 Wolverine Radio ID; 0128 SSTV, 0131 more music but it may be the next station. I have not been listening continuously. Wolverine`s theme tonight was songs about sky. This thread combines Wolverine Radio and WDDR. No one seems to have drawn a line between them, so possibly same transmitter? https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,44123.0.html 6950-USB, July 8 at 0135, live DJ announcement completely unlike Wolverine, something about Sea of Joy. He will check HFU.com for requests. Was setting up sponsors for some ads, not done yet. 0136 WDDR ID. Is S9+5, about same level as Wolverine had been, but frequency seems just a smidgen higher on the PL-880 for best USB resolution, no carrier from either to be precise. 0139 faux ad for ``Come on down to the Fungus-side`` (-site?, -cide?), another ID for ``WDDR, Drunken DJ Radio`` (he doesn`t sound drunk; and say, what`s the difference between drunk and drunken? Just a level of politeness?) 0145 another ID (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 6927-USB, July 8 at 0137, irregular percussive tones, tuning up? 0141 now some hard rock music, S9+5. King Kong Radio per this thread, also on much earlier at 2241 July 7, intermittently https://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,44114.0.html (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 7470, USA (religious pirate), Radio YHWH at 0400. Usual personality, monologue, and etc. Confirmed and still there on 0430 recheck, but gone on a recheck at 0445. Good - July 3. 7470, USA (religious pirate), R YHWH at 0300 (in progress at tune-in). Usual radio voice, message, Yahweh or the highway. "Shalom - thank you for listening". By 0430, it was clear he had recycled the programming. At 0451, signal dropped way down, but "Josiah" monologue still audible, but then gone by 0453. Not sure here whether this was the planned close, or transmitter trouble. Very Good - July 6. 7470, USA (religious pirate), R YHWH at 0320 (in progress at tune-in). Usual radio voice, message, Yahweh or the highway monologue. Hit by OTHR Radar bursts at 0358. Went off suddenly at 0400. Very Good - July 8 (Rick Barton, Logs from Central Arizona, Grundig Satellit 205(T5000) & 750; RS SW-2000629, HQ-180A, & ATS-909X with various outdoor wire. 73 and Good Listening....! - rb, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 103.5, KVSP has no idea what RDS is? I was getting DX from 103.5 KVSP and the RDS said "This is Radio Text". Is anyone going to ever fix that? (Chris, Denison TX, July 12, WTFDA Forum via DXLD) KVSP Anadarko-Chickasha, rimshotter into OKC market (gh, DXLD) ** PALESTINE. Interesting short paper published by The Institute for Palestine Studies in 2004 called 'This is Radio Jerusalem ... 1936'. http://www.palestine-studies.org/jq/fulltext/77962 http://www.palestine-studies.org/sites/default/files/jq-articles/20_this_is_radio_2.pdf (Chrissy Brand, Webwatch, July BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3260, NBC Madang (Maus Blong Garamut), intermittent listening 0941-1211*, July 5. I was mostly enjoying NBC Bougainville [q.v.], but Madang was equally well heard. It has been some months now since I first noticed a marked improvement with Madang's reception, so seems not to be just the result of propagation? 3260, NBC Madang (Maus Blong Garamut), 1048, July 6. Above the norm, even with summertime QRN (static); series of speeches in Pidgin; 1136- 1141 comedy skit in Pidgin, with a lot of laughing; 1151-1200 religious segment (preaching and singing); 1201 NBC news in English (item about the execution of the Japanese cult leader responsible for Tokyo's Sarin attack in 1994, etc.); 1204 into "NBC Radio" relay from Port Moresby, in English; playing pop songs till cut off at 1222* in mid-song. John Wilkins (CO, USA) also "Noticed the enhanced PNG sigs" today, as we were both listening at the same time. My three minute audio clip (one minute comedy, next minute nice Pacific Islands singing and final minute with religious singing), at http://goo.gl/ijXXdf 3260, NBC Madang (Maus Blong Garamut), July 7, with yet another day of decent reception till cut off at 1202*; as it was Saturday, there was no 1200 news on the weekend (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA [and non]. 60 and 90 m observations --- just a quick tune this morning starting around 1135 UT July 9. 3260, PNG was at a good level, recheck at 1200 frequencies given, short song and open carrier. 3325, PNG good signal, 1151 frequent mentions of Bougainville, well over the Indo. 5055, AUSTRALIA was good with usual summer static but very listenable. Off at 1154 recheck. 4835 nothing. 5020, SIBC was also good, YL with local news good modulation. Gone when retuned at 1204. Strong oriental language stations on 4940//4900 and 4885 [CHINA//CHINA, KOREA SOUTH]. 3320 fair, 2850 fair [both KOREA NORTH] Perseus and 1000' west beverage. 73 (Don Moman, Lamont, Alberta, WOR iog via DXLD) ** PERU. 4920.761, July 7 at 0122 past 0201, JBA carrier also vs storm noise, less than 4925 Brasil. I am checking out the unID/new Peruvian reported by Daniel Wyllyans as ``4920``, in HCDX: ``4920 kHz UNID (Banda Tropical) Passando música andina e salsa. No inicio do vídeo a mulher fala "Salsa" às 0144 UT, 04 de Julho 2018/ Esperei até hoje 05 Julho ficando na escuta porém não houve nehuma ID, sòmente tocando músicas. Fiz um rápido estudo da banda tropical em 4920 kHz. Houve no passado a Radio Quito (Equador), Radio Caracas YVKR (Venezuela) e Radio RICA (Radio Informaciones de Centro America), (Nicarágua). Chequei o streaming de áudio ao vivo dessas emissoras e nenhuma não deu o mesmo resultado. Como tocam muita Salsa a suspeita vai para Colômbia. Talvez um pirata? Mas quem teria um transmissor de alta potência? Porque aqui cobriu a PBS Xizang em boa parte dos horários. Cuba também tem salsa más acho que esse transmissor está em algum lugar dos Andes (América do sul). https://youtu.be/bLGBKjduTu8 RX: Yaesu FRG 8800, Antena: Beverage simples. Daniel Wyllyans, Sítio Estrela do Araguaia, Nova Xavantina, MT, Brasil, 0450 UT July 5, Hard- Core-DX mailing list`` and the next day: ``Reportagem UNID 4920 kHz Suspeito (Perú) --- Hoje 05 de junho [sic = julho] fiquei na escuta na maior parte de 10 UT se [até?] 14 UT. Novamente não houve identificação; o sinal é bem forte inclusive 11 da manhã em meu QTH. As 11 da manhã sòmente estavam chegando em ondas tropicais de 60 metros as emissoras Brasileiras e Peruanas, sinal fraco. Já está decidido, as músicas são Peruanas mesmo tendo a salsa. Mencionado pelo dexista do Chile, Claudio Galaz. O segundo motivo que me foi enviando uma foto pelo dexista Argentino Marcos Rodriguez que torna o Peru mais suspeito ainda... Veja no Link: http://www.dawnbible.com/es/anuncios.htm *RADIO INTERNACIONAL "ECOS DEL ALBA" / OAZ9A / 4920 khz (60 metros)* Mesmo sendo uma emissora gospel, eles podem sim tocar músicas de bom gosto Peruana. Enviei um email na esperança de confirmarem se é a mesma emissora Peruana. Claudio Galaz A musica é peruana. A musica é Huayno andino ou serrano? Daniel Wyllyans PT9008SWL Claudio Galaz, Muito obrigado para sua explanação e informação forte 73 e bons DX. MarcosDX Buena pesquisa de Claudio. La cantante es Esvilda Avila. Peruana ella https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4QNwJYNaKU? Claudio Galaz Marcos, aquella música es popular. En el norte de Chile suele escucharse por los migrantes peruanos, razón por la que ubico el genero. MarcosDX1 Sí lo sé, y todo vale para ir filtrando. Los hermanos de Brasil al Sur comparten con nosotros el Chamamé? Outros nomes a ser mencionado por nossa reportagem da 1 escuta: Pedro Freitas / Rodada dos Radioescutas https://m.facebook.com/groups/1153655714678249?view=permalink&id=1825423234168157 73 (Daniel Wyllyans, https://dxbrazilsw.blogspot.com/2018/07/reportagem-unid-4920-khz-suspeito-peru.html?m=1 0209 UT July 6, Hard-Core-DX mailing list`` The blogspot contains the same info, still not clear who says what? A very rough translation appears on WRTH FB, sic: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wrthgroup/10154085679953698/ ``Reporting Units 4920 Khz suspect (Peru) Today June 05 I was listening for most of 10 UTC IF 14 UTC again there was no id the signal is very strong even 11 am in my qth. At 11 in the morning it was only arriving in tropical waves of 60 meters the Brazilian and Peruvian broadcasters. It's already decided the songs are Peruvian even having salsa. Mentioned by dexista of Chile Claudio Galaz. The second reason I was sending a photo by the Argentine Dexista Marcos Rodriguez that makes Peru more suspicious yet... see the link: http://www.dawnbible.com/es/anuncios.htm International Radio "Echoes of dawn" / OAZ 9 a 4,920 Khz (60 metres) Even being a gospel broadcaster they can play songs Good Peruvian taste. I sent an email hoping to confirm if It's the same Peruvian broadcaster. Claudio Galaz The music is Peruvian. The music is huayno Andean Or Serrano. Daniel Wyllyans Claudio Galaz many thanks for your explanation and strong information 73 and good dx. Marcosdx Good research of Claudio. The singer is esvilda Avila. Peruvian she https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4QNwJYNaKU Claudio Galaz Marcos, that music is popular. In Northern Chile it is often heard by Peruvian migrants, which is why I place the genre. Marcosdx1 Yes I know and everything is worth filtering. The brothers from Brazil to the south share with us the chamamé. Other names to be mentioned by our report from 1 LISTEN: Pedro Freitas / round of dxers https://m.facebook.com/groups/1153655714678249?view=permalink&id=1825423234168157 https://dxbrazilsw.blogspot.com/2018/07/reportagem-unid-4920-khz-suspeito-peru.html?m=1 73 Daniel Wyllyans`` Looking at it 0450 UT July 7, nothing additional in the blog. The YT audiovideo of the music shows the FRG-8800 tuned to 4920.0, but apparently in AM mode. My question is whether the precise frequency is where I was pulling the JBA carrier, 4920.761? If it`s on pre-sunrise, reception should be better then. Copied from the station website: ``Asociación De los Estudiantes De la Biblia El Alba --- Anuncios Disfrute el video "Por Este Motivo" - ‘El nuevo significado de la Antigua Historia de la Vida de Jesús’ un video en Real Media o en Windows Media RADIO INTERNACIONAL "ECOS DEL ALBA" / OAZ 9A 4,920 khz (60 metros) OBRA HISPANA: Asociación de Estudiantes de la Bilbia El Alba, A.C. Apartado 1390, Trujillo, PERU e-mail: elalba_asociacion@hotmail.com Asociación De los Estudiantes De la Biblia El Alba`` It`s not every day --- or every year! That a new SW station appears in Latin America --- or anywhere --- so this should be of extreme DX interest (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Bryan Clark, NZ, now confirms my off-frequency reading of 4920.761 kHz for this one, but we still have no firm ID for Perú, OAZ9A, Ecos del Alba. Bryan says on the WOR iog: ``Possible New Peruvian on SW --- This station observed here in New Zealand since 0410 UT tune in today (7 July) on 4920.78 kHz with non-stop Latin American vocals - have recorded it for analysis but no evident identifications heard as yet. Good clear signal past 0635. Bryan, Mangawhai, Northland, NZ`` Via HCDX there is more on this originating from Rafael Rodríguez in Colombia, via Daniel Wyllyans at 1512 UT July 7 (I have added some acute accents as RR employs grave ones except on his own name): ``Hola Daniel Wyllyans X Elizia Martins, ayer en la noche estuve escuchando la emisora hasta pasadas las 0400 UT, con música sin parar de varios ritmos: Ranchera, vallenatos, salsa, baladas y huaynos peruanos, sin identificaciones o dando la hora. Según la información que encontró el colega Marcos Rodríguez y revisando la página web del Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones del Perù, la frecuencia 4920 no estaría asignada, pero no significa nada ya que la información "oficial" siempre está desactualizada, pero el indicativo (OAZ9A) y en especial el nùmero 9 indicaría que la emisora está localizada en algún lugar de los departamentos de Amazonas o San Martín, aunque la direcciòn postal que aparece en el anuncio menciona la ciudad de Trujillo. https://dxbrazilsw.blogspot.com/2018/07/reportagem-unid-4920-khz-suspeito-peru.html?m=1 Rafael Rodríguez, Colombia via Cadena DX`` (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4920.7, July 9 at 0112, JBA carrier. Awaiting further confirmation from the South Americans that this be the new ``*RADIO INTERNACIONAL "ECOS DEL ALBA" / OAZ9A / 4920 khz (60 metros)*` as claimed on the website http://www.dawnbible.com/es/anuncios.htm Nothing new seems to have been added to previously quoted https://dxbrazilsw.blogspot.com/2018/07/reportagem-unid-4920-khz-suspeito-peru.html?m=1 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Ecos del Alba, Peru? heard via SDR Kiwi Pardihno, Brazil Log via remote SDR Kiwi Pardiho, near São Paulo, Brazil. Nothing heard in Reinante, Lugo Spain, no audio, no carrier, but bad propagation conditions now here. PERU?, 4920.79, Radio Ecos del Alba?, 0608-0645, 10-07, non stop Peruvian songs, mentioned in the songs: "Alegra la vida corazón" "Naciste para triunfar", no comments, no identification. SINPO 25322. (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Pedro F. Arrunátegui in Lima, Peru, has reported that the station says it is located in Santiago de Chuco. No station name has been announced on the air, he adds. --- The WRTH 2018 lists OAW2H in Santiago de Chuco on 4910 (Henrik Klemetz, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Pedro F. Arrunátegui, en Lima, Perú, lleva varios dias escuchando una emisora sin identificar en esa frecuencia. Dice transmitir desde desde Santiago de Chuco. No da mayores detalles. --- La edición actual del WRTH registra la OAW2H desde esa localidad en la frecuencia de 4910. Henrik Klemetz, Suecia, July 10, noticiasdx yg via DXLD [By July 13 PFA got a definite ID as: La Voz del Pueblo, claiming to be on 4910, NOT Ecos del Alba, after all. Details already in the WOR iog, and to be in the next DXLD] ** PERU (?). 5980, R. Chaski (p), Cuzco, 2141-2150, 31/5, texto; 15331. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Are they still closing around 0000*? (gh, DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. Radio Veritas Asia on Shortwave Audio insert: RVA: ID announcement, music, Filipino program According to the best available information, the shortwave station Radio Veritas Asia made its final broadcast just yesterday Saturday June 30, and the transmitter now lies silent in an isolated and lonely Philippine countryside. In our program here in Wavescan last week, we presented the story of Radio Veritas on mediumwave, and this week we present the story of Radio Veritas Asia on shortwave. As with the mediumwave story of Radio Veritas last week, so with the shortwave story of Radio Veritas Asia this week; we go back to the beginning, which was just after the end of the tragic Pacific War in the middle of last century. Back during that era, most of the radio stations that began to appear on the radio dial in the Philippines were a dual operation, on both mediumwave and shortwave. The mediumwave transmitter gave mostly reliable local coverage, and the shortwave transmitter served a double purpose; to provide fill in coverage for mediumwave shadow spots, and also for national coverage. Shortwave station KZOK was inaugurated in Manila at the end of July 1947 with just 250 watts on 9690 kHz. The transmitter was built by Technical Radio in San Francisco California, and the antenna system was a dipole antenna, oriented north and south for nationwide coverage. Even at such low power, the shortwave station was heard over in England in islandic Europe, as well as you might expect downunder in Australia and New Zealand in the South Pacific. During that initial era, the station was owned by PBC the Philippine Broadcasting Corporation and the programming was produced in their temporary studios on the 5th and 6th floors of the Pilipinas Building at Plaza Moraga in Manila. The two transmitters, mediumwave and shortwave, were both located in Quezon City. Mediumwave and shortwave KZOK was a sister station to the better known KZPI, and their QSL card showed the callsign KZOK in large red letters across the center of the card. On January 1, 1949, the Philippines implemented a new callsign sequence for radio stations throughout their island archipelago, in line with the then recently promulgated international radio regulations. In addition, these two PBC stations were granted a change in their own callsigns, and thus mediumwave station KZOK became DZAB, and shortwave KZOK became DZH5. Back then, the generic callsign DZH indicated a shortwave broadcasting station in the Manila area, and the number identified a specific shortwave station; in this case DZH5 identified the shortwave station associated with mediumwave DZAB. Two years later during the year 1951, station DZAB-DZH5 was taken over by the Catholic operated Santo Tomas University, and it was installed in the university’s Main Building. At this stage, a new mediumwave callsign was granted, DZST, with the ST standing for the initials of the university, Santo Tomas. They also issued a QSL card to verify listener reception reports. However, on December 10, 1958, a high level committee that was meeting at the university gave approval for establishing a high powered mediumwave and shortwave station that would provide better coverage throughout the Philippines, and also for international coverage into the highly populated countries of Asia. Soon afterwards, land was procured in a rice field on the edge of MacArthur Highway, at Barangay-Dakila on the southern edge of the large regional city, Malolos, some 20 miles northwest of Manila. Two 100 kW Siemens transmitters were procured from Germany, and test broadcasts began from the first unit on 21675 kHz on November 10, 1967. This new radio station near Malolos was granted a new sequence in callsigns, and mediumwave DZST became DZVR, with the VR of course indicating Veritas Radio. The two shortwave transmitters were identified as DZN7 and DZN8. The second transmitter was taken into service during the following year 1968. A new suite of studios was installed in the Catholic Center on United Nations Avenue in Manila, and programming was microwaved to Malolos in a special set of eleven channels, six broadcast and five telephone. However, the new Radio Veritas Asia was beset with problematic circumstances that took many years to resolve. The two German made transmitters malfunctioned, experienced staffing was not available, studio production in the various languages of Asia was not well established, and lack of adequate funding was always a problem. For the next six years, from 1967 into 1973, Radio Veritas Asia was on the air with mainly just test broadcasts, made up of usually classical music and test announcements in English. Interestingly back then, Vatican Radio was interested in the development of Radio Veritas Asia, and they also asked for reception reports of Veritas, with the intent of possibly using the Philippine station as a part time relay for Vatican programming. Ultimately in August 1973, Radio Veritas Asia went silent, while awaiting parts from Germany, and also while awaiting the modification and upgrading of the two 100 kW transmitters. However during this interim period, Radio Veritas took over the 50 kW Gates shortwave transmitter from Radio SEARV, which had recently gone silent at Dumaguete in the southern Philippines through lack of funding. Radio Veritas Asia was re-opened in May 1975, and the first test broadcasts from the newly installed 50 kW were noted in New Zealand and Australia on 9570 kHz and 11710 kHz. Again, the test broadcasts consisted of music, and announcements in English. Finally, the two 100 kW Siemens transmitters were re-activated, and they were taken into service in mid 1977. Over a period of time, the test broadcasts were phased into regular programming in more than a dozen languages. By this time, they were utilizing six antennas with various configurations, including log periodic, rhombic and cage. Audio insert RVA: Music & ID announcement All went well for the next ten years, until violent political disturbances swept across the entire nation. Then, on Sunday and Monday February 23 and 24, 1986, insurgents stormed into the transmitter station at Malolos and badly damaged all of the transmitters, three shortwave and two mediumwave, and also some of the antenna systems, though fortunately no personnel were harmed. As a result, a brand new transmitter station was quickly constructed at a new location, with funding from Catholics in Germany, as well as from the German government itself. The new shortwave station was constructed near Palauig, almost at the northern tip of a jungle covered small tidal peninsula known as Luan Island. This Luan Island/tidal peninsula occupies just .1 of a square mile, and it is located 100 air miles northwest from Manila, and 70 miles from its previous location at Malolos. Over a period of time, three large 250 kW shortwave transmitters were installed at the new Palauig site, each of which was a variation of the Swiss made Model SK53C3. The first was inaugurated in 1986; the second in 1988; and the third in 1992. Eighteen years after it was taken into service, the very first transmitter was dismantled, leaving just the two slightly younger transmitters to carry the full load of programming. Throughout its more than half a century of on air service, this well known shortwave radio facility with its many consecutive callsigns, has always been a reliable verifier of listener reception reports. In its latter years, these cards pictured Philippine regional scenes in full color. Last Saturday (June 30, 2018), shortwave Radio Veritas Asia was closed. So, what is left now of shortwave Radio Veritas Asia? It is stated that the elaborate studio building in Quezon City will remain in service, preparing programming in Chinese Mandarin for distribution over the internet, and Filipinas programming for distribution over a smart phone. The original transmitter building on the edge of Malolos was abandoned seven years ago, though efforts are underway to restore it as a historic museum piece. The shortwave facility of Radio Veritas Asia on Luan Island near Palauig lies silent, and somewhat abandoned. What will happen to it next? Well, we don’t know, but perhaps the future will provide another interesting chapter in this fascinating radio saga in the Philippine Islands. Audio insert RVA: Pilipino service (Adrian Peterson, Indianapolis, script for AWR Wavescan July 1 via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. 9275, FEBC Radio (presumed the one) at 1415. Odd sounding program with two men in Chinese/English, alernating every other sentence with religious messages. Towards the BoH, female vocal music. VG - July 7 (Rick Barton, Logs from Central Arizona, Grundig Satellit 205(T5000) & 750; RS SW-2000629, HQ-180A, & ATS-909X with various outdoor wire. 73 and Good Listening....! - rb, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. 17820, Radio Pilipinas in English with news at 0212 tune in till 0220 then man/ID. Then woman in English, This is PBS and more news on 7/11 (Bruce MacGibbon, visiting Vietnam, Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. According to Radio Romania International in English, their programmes “DX Mailbag” and “Listeners Letterbox” are aired now in A18 as follows: DX Mailbag Sat at 1140, 1740, 2240 and repeated: Sun at 0040, 0340; Tue at 1120, 1720, 2220; Wed at 0020, 0320. Listeners Letterbox Sun at 1145, 1745, 2245 and repeated: Mon at 0045, 0345, 1115, 1715 and on Tue at 0315. (Subject to confirmation - RP 19 June (July BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) 9730, R. Romania Int. 7/7, at 0055. I check to see how bad it is, and my presumption is correct: SIO 111. I could barely make out the closing theme, which is an excerpt from the Romanian Rhapsody, written by George Enescu in 1901. The problems first described last week have persisted. RRI posted an announcement in various languages on July 4 that their website is down for maintenance. No idea when it will be back on. AudioNow was also affected. From here on in, I may have to listen to the live feed online (which was always preferable anyway), but that cannot happen until the maintenance is all done; that's assuming it will still be available. There are other listening formats, but I don't use them. All reports are compiled on the days that I also actually use the radio (Ronald Sives, Easton, PA, Eton Field Radio; Princeton Sky Wire, NASWA Flashsheet July 8 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Information on the exact meaning of the Moscow time and the calendar date, as well as reference time signals, are broadcast by the All-Russian Research Institute of Physical-Technical and Radiotechnical Measurements (FSUE VNIIFTRI), using short-wave transmitters, the Internet, satellites and the 1st channel of the TTTS "Ostankino". Time of broadcasts, frequency, power, callsign and the location of the transmitters are presented in the latest issue of the bulletin at ftp://ftp.vniiftri.ru/BULLETINS/V/bull_b16_2018.pdf http://ftp.radio.ru/pub/2018/07/11.pdf (Rus-DX 8 July via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Shortwave bridge in Franz Josef Land In Russia's Franz Josef Land, a shortwave "electronic bridge" will connect Hooker Island, which has no internet access, to Alexandra Land island, which does. The distance is only about 125 km, so the frequencies will probably be on the lower side of the shortwave spectrum ... http://tass.com/society/1012491 (Kim Elliott, July 10, WOR iog via DXLD) WTFK? Viz.: INTERNET COMMUNICATION BECOMES AVAILABLE ON FRANZ JOSEF LAND’S HOOKER ISLAND --- Society & Culture July 09, 19:06 UTC+3 [caption:] The national park’s base on the Hooker Island is located where the first Soviet polar station, Tikhaya Bay, on Franz Josef Land worked © Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences press service/TASS ARKHANGELSK, July 8. /TASS/. A short-wave communication channel will connect Franz Josef Land’s Hooker Island, a part of the Russian Arctic national park, with the mainland. According to the park’s Deputy Director Roman Perkhunov, the new communication channel will be used for sending information via the Internet. "We shall have a short-wave communication between the Hooker Island and the Alexandra Land Island, and thus [people at the base on the Hooker Island] will have communication with the mainland," he told TASS. "We have bought special antennas and equipment, and now we are formalizing [use of certain] short-wave frequencies, and, as soon as the documents are ready, we shall launch this "electronic bridge", people will be able to use electronic mail on the Internet and, possibly, voice communication." The year-round Omega base on Alexandra Land has stable Internet connection, and the base will be sued [sic] as a switchboard for communication with the mainland. "At Alexandra Land we have our own station - a satellite access to the Internet," he added. The national park’s Director Alexander Kirillov told TASS the base on the Hooker Island is using only satellite telephone communication, "which is very expensive." The procedure of obtaining necessary formal permissions to use short- wave channels is very time-consuming, the deputy director said. "The involved are the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Defense Ministry, the television - all those, who use those channels; then goes necessary expert judgement, followed by an official permission," he explained. It is not possible to have an UHF communication between the islands. "The distance is more than 100km, no direct visibility, and besides here is the George Land Island with its high glaciers," the director said. The national park’s base on the Hooker Island is located where the first Soviet polar station, Tikhaya Bay, on Franz Josef Land worked between 1929 to 1957. Nowadays, this island is a base center for scientific expeditions and the archipelago’s tourist center. In good weather conditions, all cruises to Franz Josef Land come here. The Russian Arctic national park is the northernmost and Russia’s biggest natural reserve, which unites the Franz Josef Land archipelago and the northern part of Novaya Zemlya (Telegraphic Agency of the Soviet Union, via DXLD) WTFK? Why write such a detailed story and never get around to mentioning the frequency, or even band? Beware: we cannot assume that ``Shortwave`` here means 3-30 MHz as strictly defined, especially when language and cultural translations are involved; the mainstream (ha2) media cannot be relied on for such accuracy. Ultra-shortwave, i.e. VHF, has been loosely included as a subset of SW. Bandwidth necessary for such a project would make VHF much more suitable than HF, altho the terrain/distance factor might not (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA [and non]. U.S. ACCUSES RUSSIA OF STIFLING PRESS FREEDOM AFTER COURT FINES WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department accused Moscow of stifling press freedom and media independence on Friday after a Russian court fined the U.S. government-sponsored Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty for violating Russia’s “foreign agent” law. RFE/RL said the court found it guilty on Thursday July 5th of not complying fully with Moscow’s foreign agent law and fined it 100,000 rubles ($1,585), which the broadcaster described as the latest step in a campaign against its operations. “The Russian government continues to stifle press freedom and media independence,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. “We condemn the selective targeting of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America under Russia’s law on ‘foreign agent’ media outlets.” Russia designated RFE/RL and Voice of America as foreign agents in December. The decision required the outlets to include in any information they publish or broadcast to Russian audiences a statement mentioning their status as foreign agents. The Russian designation was seen as retaliation for what Moscow said was unacceptable U.S. pressure on Russian media in the United States. U.S. intelligence officials have accused the Kremlin of using Russian media it finances to influence U.S. voters. Washington last year forced Russian state broadcaster RT to register its U.S.-based affiliate as a foreign agent under U.S. law. Nauert said the Russian State Duma had approved additional legislation that could enable the government to extend the foreign agent designation to individual journalists in addition to media outlets. “The United States again calls on the Russian government to uphold its commitments ... to respect the exercise of fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, in Russia,” Nauert said. (Medium Wave News 64/03, July/August 2018 via DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA. Unscheduled & unregistered frequency of BSKSA Radio Riyadh, July 10: till 0600 on 7410 JED or RIY / unknown to N/ME Arabic Holy Quran, fair/good signal http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/unscheduled-unregistered-frequency-of.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 9-10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SIKKIM. 4835, AIR Gangtok (presumed), 1223, July 7. Heard a carrier that I think could be them, as it seems Ozy Radio is still off the air here. Yesterday also noted a prominent carrier here at 1325 (not Ozy) (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. 5020 [not 5030 typo in original report], July 6 at 1228, JBA carrier, more than on 5040 & 5050 presumed India, so SIBC is still on air past 1200, but dead air or programming? Tnx to Ron Howard on the WOR iog, who adds: ``July 6, also briefly noted extended SIBC (5020) broadcast; still on at 1332+, with extremely faint audio (music); earlier at 1225, had carrier, but not even any faint audio. Decent signal strength, but with little or no modulation, is really unusable for listening. Ron California`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALIA [non]. 17845, 08/Jul 1241-1251, EMIRADOS ÁRABE UNIDOS, R Ergo em Somali. Música e em seguida o que parece uma entrevista no estúdio de OM para YL. Às 1258 vinheta ID. Fim da transmissão às 1300. 35444, 73 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil, 12 14´S, 38 58´W - Tecsun PL-310ET, Antenna dipole of 25 meters-direction northeast-southwest, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALILAND. 7120, Radio Hargeisa, Hargeisa, 1807-1830, 04-07, after weeks without heard it, today on air with vernacular comments and East African songs. 23322. Also 1801-1820, 05-07, vernacular comments. 34333 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) 7120, 10 Jul, 1950, (TENTATIVA), Radio Hargaysa em somali (informado). Chega a portadora com sinal fraco e severo fading, mas ocasional modulação de um homem falando; às vezes cheguei a ouvir trechos de música. Não é uma transmissão de radioamador, claro AM sem o característico corte da tx que se mantem até esse momento, 1956 UT. Essa emissora costumava chegar bem há 5 anos por volta desse horário. 73 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil, 12 14´S, 38 58´W - still testing the Tecsun PL-310ET, now with the 1 kHz filter; antenna dipole of 25 meters-direction northeast-southwest, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. 3320, 05/07 0121, AFRICA DO SUL, Radio Sonder Grense. YL fala e em seguida música bela, canção em francês. 35333 (Vou ouvir um pouco a programação musical da Radio Sonder Grense. Fazia isso antigamente com a Medi 1 e a Voz da Grécia. Isso me lembra as noites ouvindo boa música em uma dessas emissoras e conversando no Skype com o saudoso amigo Adalberto Marquez de Azevedo. 73 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil, 12 14´S, 38 58´W - still testing the Tecsun PL-310ET, now with the 1 kHz filter; antenna dipole of 25 meters- direction northeast-southwest, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. Good signal of Channel Africa in English, July 9: 0555-0600 on 11925 MEY 250 kW / 315 deg to WeAf, A18 UNSCHEDULED 0600-0655 on 11925 MEY 250 kW / 315 deg to WeAf English Mon-Fri. Wrong announcement: 11925 kHz in 19mb, instead of 11925 kHz 25mb http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/good-signal-of-channel-africa-in.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 8-9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. 11905v, July 7 at 0200, JBA carrier while there was none at 0158. SLBC now re-signs on at this time. Need a little more to discern how far off the timesignal be. 11905, July 9 at 0031, SLBC JBA carrier is on, but was not by 0030:00 sharp. I`m trying to catch the timesignal if any to start this rescheduled 0030-0100 broadcast (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. Re 18-27: [WOR] Time for new clandestine? to a Sudan Nothing on 13810 kHz at 1515 today. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, July 4, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) NOTHING on all freqs on July 4 (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, 1840 UT, ibid.) ** SWAZILAND. 3200, Trans World Radio at 0428, beginning IS and ID repetition until 0430, musical s/on then speakers in English. Poor with static crashes, // 4775 stronger but poor due to CODAR, July 5 (Harold Sellers, Vernon BC, listening in my car, parked by the lake. CommRadio CR-1a and Sony AN-1 active whip antenna, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ESWATINI, Reception of Trans World Radio Africa via Manzini in 19 mb on July 4 1400-1415 15360 MAN 100 kW / 043 deg to SoAs Urdu Daily, weak to fair 1557-1627 15105 MAN 100 kW / 013 deg to SoAf Kirundi Mon-Fri, strong http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-trans-world-radio-africa.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 3-4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. NCC EXCEEDED ITS AUTHORITY BY FORCING RADIO STATIONS OFF THE AIR: Taipei court --- By Wen Yu-te and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writer. The National Communications Commission (NCC) exceeded its authority by taking Formosa Network and Music Network off the air, the Taipei High Administrative Court ruled yesterday. The commission in January last year rescinded the broadcast licenses of the two radio stations belonging to the Broadcasting Corp. of China (BCC), the court said. However, the commission’s proviso barring the BCC from demanding compensation in a court of law infringed upon the broadcaster’s constitutional right to litigate, the court ruling said. The court nullified the commission’s decision to reassign the frequencies used by the two stations and the proviso barring the BCC from seeking legal recourse on the grounds that the commission abused its executive discretion. The ruling was not final and the commission can file an appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court. During the Cold War, the BCC was tasked with blocking Chinese propaganda broadcasts and had obtained the licenses to operate on a number of frequencies for that purpose, including those used by the two stations. In 2004, the Executive Yuan renounced “overriding bandit airwaves” as a government policy and negotiated an agreement with the BCC, which stated that the broadcaster would surrender the two stations’ frequencies without condition, should the government request that other broadcasters take their place. Pursuant to the written understanding, the commission in June 2016 extended the licenses of various BCC-owned channels to 2025. At the time, it attached a proviso stating that the BCC was still under obligation to turn the frequencies used by Formosa Network and Music Network over to the Hakka Affairs Council or the Council of Indigenous Peoples, without demanding compensation. After the commission forced the two stations off the air last year, the BCC filed multiple lawsuits, saying the abrupt decision has harmed the interests of its investors and employees. The commission should revise its regulatory decision from 2016, the court said, adding that the BCC is within rights to sue the government (Taipei Times via Steve Whitt, Medium Wave News 64/03, July/August 2018 via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. Radio Taiwan International on 15320 in English at 0331 8 July 18, Feast Meets West Program about Mangos. At 0358 right before sign off they gave sked as: 1600-1700 UT on 9405 to S China and S Asia; 0300-0400 15320 to SE Asia (Bruce MacGibbon, visiting Dai Linh, Vietnam, DX LISTENING DIGEST) And that`s it for English (gh) ** THAILAND. Radio Thailand - 8 July --- Excellent signal for 1900 UT English broadcast to Europe on 9920 kHz yesterday (8 July) using the U. Twente SDR receiver. Recorded early in the day in Thailand, there was no mention of the rescue of the first four boys from the Thai cave. Did mention Elon Musk's offer of help (looks like not needed now). Today's broadcast will likely report on the initial rescues (-- Richard Langley, NB, 1222 UT July 9, WOR iog via DXLD) HSK9 today 9920 from G8JNJ KiwiSDR site in SW England - SINPO 55555 during European English service - as Richard noted yesterday. Not even a brief mention of the cave rescue situation today in one hour of news, but many, many PSA's on government programs and ads for PTT and EVA Airlines. Strange that they would not be covering this event?? (Bruce Churchill, ibid.) ** TIBET [non]. 7498, 08/Jul 2352, TENTATIVA. Tajiquistão(??) Voice of Tibet(?) ou faredrak chinês? em tibetano ou mandarim (informado). Boa portadora com baixa modulação. Às 2354 ouço a fala de OM. Sinal fraco, sem QRM, fading moderado com picos de áudio. Às 0000 fim da transmissão. A hora da escuta, apesar de tardia, foi favorável em relação ao ponto da transmissão. 73 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - , Brasil, Tecsun PL-310ET, Antenna dipole of 25 meters-direction northeast-southwest, WOR iog via DXLD) ** TURKEY. Wrong frequency 9655 kHz of Voice of Turkey in Bulgarian, July 3: 1100-1101 9655 EMR 250 kW / 290 deg to SEEu Bulgarian, instead of 7210 1101-1125 7210 EMR 250 kW / 290 deg to SEEu Bulgarian as scheduled A18 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/voice-of-turkey-on-wrong-frequency-9655.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 3-4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11980.034, July 4 at 0410, VOT good S9+20/10 with Turkish music, usual off-frequenciness (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. FORMER BBC TRANSMITTER SITE FOR SALE It helped the BBC broadcast its radio programmes across Europe. Now the vast site of the former radio transmission station in the west Dorset countryside is set for a new lease of life. The Rampisham Down site next to the A356 Maiden Newton to Crewkerne road, which extends to more than 180 acres, is on the market with a guide price of £2.5 million. It includes commercial land, and a huge area for grazing – which could be used for a 'recreational business'. Rampisham Down was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 2014 for its special grassland and heathland habitats. All but one of the original telecommunications towers, which helped to broadcast the BBC World Service in Europe until the station was decommissioned in 2011, have been removed. The remaining tower has become a nesting platform for peregrine falcons, as part of work by BSR, in conjunction with Natural England, to restore the land and make it a home for wildlife (Bridport News via (Medium Wave News 64/03, July/August 2018 via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) ** U K. RADIO FUTURE ISN’T DAB --- The Register Radio in the UK passed a significant milestone on 17 May. For the first time, more than half of Brits now access radio digitally. According to Radio Joint Audience Research (RAJAR), the figures have risen from 49.9 per cent in the last quarter of 2017 to 50.9 in the first three months of 2018. Passing the 50 per cent digital marker has been the point at which government said it will look at setting a date for the digital radio switchover. That, though, is looking less likely than it did just a few months ago. The BBC's distribution strategy then the March speech by director of radio and music Bob Shennan make it clear that Auntie is in no hurry to see it happen – and when it does, it may not be DAB that we'll be switching to. The first BBC DAB ensemble – the digital radio equivalent of digital TV's multiplexes – went on air in 1995, covering the London area. As even the BBC reported back in 2010, it was something of a protracted labour – the first test transmissions had begun five years earlier, and the original research was even older. Even so, the market was far from ready for DAB. The first receivers were not available commercially until two years later, comprising largely high-end receivers for audio buffs and expensive car sets. Coverage in 1995 reached 60 per cent of the population, reaching 80 per cent by the end of 2003 and another 5 per cent a year later. Early sets were costly and the audio was far from the CD quality that people have been led to expect. Take-up was fairly slow and, initially at least, rules and regulations prevented the BBC from providing services that weren't universally available, so launching "digital- only" stations was out of the question, until a rule change in 2001. The following year, the BBC launched five new services – 1 Xtra, 5 Live Sports Extra, 6 Music, BBC 7 and the Asian network. Meanwhile, the commercial Digital One ensemble had launched, with analogue stations that committed to a digital simulcast receiving an automatic licence extension of eight years. Alongside Digital One's new services such as Planet Rock, Oneword and ITN News Radio, the consortium also invested in chipmaker Frontier Silicon, helping to drop the price of receivers below the crucial £100 mark. By 2003, the stage was more or less set for a boom in consumer interest, with the addition of local ensembles that provided stations from both the BBC and the commercial sector the opportunity to reach listeners on DAB. Since then, coverage has crept up and the BBC now covers around 97 per cent of the population with its DAB services. Some of those, like 6 Music, have a tremendously loyal following. A threatened closure in 2010 sparked a campaign that showed that digital-only services were perhaps more popular than was imagined – but just how many were listening on DAB? Ofcom's data on sales shows a remarkably static number from 2010 to 2016, with 1.9 million DAB sets sold in the first three of those years, fall 2015 and 2016. Radio sales overall are down, but analogue sets are still outselling digital by two to one. Anecdotally, too, there's a common reason why some aren't sold on DAB. Sounds peculiar If there's been a consistent criticism of DAB in the UK, its sound quality. Even in London, very often coverage can be ropy, especially indoors. Long-time DAB users will be familiar with the sort of warbling underwater sounds that arguably are far more annoying than the background hiss of a weak FM signal. Even if you do get great reception, however, you're still faced with the sad fact that, far from offering higher sound quality, in many cases what you'll get on DAB is worse. Worse than digital TV and worse even than FM. As so often with digital broadcasting, bandwidth is the problem, compounded by a decision to stick with older technology. Just as with Freeview, when DAB launched, it used a stable, established technology in the form of MPEG audio. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with that – FM has used the same technology for decades, after all. But as more stations have launched, bit rates have dropped to accommodate more channels in the same bandwidth, and even Radio 3 doesn't really have a high enough bit rate to provide the best quality sound – it runs at 192kbps. Most other BBC music stations are at 128kbps. A lot of others aren't even available in stereo, which seems pretty bonkers in the 21st century. The DAB+ standard offers some hope as it uses the far more efficient HE-AAC encoding, but although sets marked with the "Digital Radio" tick have to support DAB+ – it's been a requirement since 2013 – and it's used for a handful of newer services, there are no plans to switch over completely as other countries have done. Of course, just because HE-AAC is capable of producing better sound in the same bandwidth, that doesn't mean it will. It could equally well be used to provide more "choice" instead. Nevertheless, as the figures from iPlayer show, it's able to provide stereo audio in as little as 48 kbps. In a way, this is a similar situation to that on Freeview, where there will probably always be core muxes using DVB-T, rather than DVB-T2. High-definition pictures provided an incentive for many to upgrade, but when it comes to digital radio it feels like sound quality is secondary to content, and perhaps is not necessarily that important to consumers. Even poor DAB is likely to be better than an AM signal to most of us, but some people's ears don't really notice: Ofcom surveys claim 63 per cent of people surveyed had experienced the "clear and high quality sound" of digital radio. Perhaps they all grew up listening to Radio Luxembourg on Medium Wave. Switching to DAB+, the argument against goes, would make many older receivers obsolete. While that's entirely true, it's an argument that doesn't seem to have fazed proponents of a complete switch to digital radio, which would obsolete millions more FM and AM sets. DAB has finally achieved a reasonable household penetration in recent years, with 62.3 per cent of adults claiming (PDF) to own a set, but it's unlikely that many households have more than a couple of DAB radios that would need replacing. With a substantial number of those sets sold since DAB+ was a requirement, it might not be too traumatic to plan a switchover – after all, some of that first-generation kit will be a decade or more old by now. A move to DAB+ could also help solve one of the other problems facing a digital switchover – capacity. There's simply not enough of it for all the current analogue stations to make the switch. There are no upgrade plans, however, and with no more expansion of DAB looking likely, those for whom sound quality is important will need to listen to digital radio via other means – the internet, Freeview or satellite. For years, one of the big justifications for DAB has been in-car usage, with many new vehicles coming equipped with digital radio. Despite the number of cars with DAB, though, it's still a long way from ubiquitous. Those oft-touted coverage figures are for households. Look instead at road coverage and nationally the BBC DAB reaches 87.4 per cent of major roads (94.5 per cent in England, and 69.1 per cent in Scotland). Commercial DAB just scrapes past 80 per cent nationally, though some services barely cover a third of roads in Scotland. FM, by comparison, reaches 93.1 per cent nationally or 95.8 per cent with variable coverage. DAB's single-frequency network may mean no retuning as you drive around the country – a problem largely solved for FM by the RDS protocol anyway – but if there's no coverage where you're driving, that's not much consolation. So, despite the claimed technical advantages, when it comes to listening in the car, digital accounts for just 31 per cent. Meanwhile, as cars seek to become ever more clever, their entertainment system are starting to incorporate Android Auto and Apple's Car Play. Some may even have their own mobile data connection. If you have an older car and don't want to upgrade the stereo, a simple aux cable will be enough to let you use your new phone to provide entertainment. Outside of the car, there are portable DAB sets available – but they're still more battery hungry than a traditional tranny. As mobile networks offer ever-increasing download speeds, the truth is you'll likely get far better audio from your phone than you ever will from DAB. Of course, remote areas lacking DAB coverage may well suffer from poor mobile coverage too, but if the aim is to get people listening to digital radio, rather than promote a specific technology, that's a pair of problems that can both be fixed the same way. Though take-up of DAB sets is still growing – albeit more slowly than in the past – and the platform currently has the lion's share of digital listening hours, take-up of mobile phones, tables, and digital TV – all of which can provide access to digital radio – is far higher. 27.8 per cent of all adults and 36.5 per cent of the 15–24 age-group listen to radio via their phone or tablet at least once a month. It's hardly surprising, then, that the BBC doesn't see building more transmitters as the sensible way to go. Your DAB set isn't, of course, going to become obsolete overnight. No one's talking about turning the network off, and there may even be a few more local stations using DAB+. But in terms of more national coverage, and the prospect of an all-out switch to digital radio any time soon, it's looking increasingly unlikely. Despite a big installed base, DAB in the UK took too long to roll out, and cheap receivers took too long to arrive. Like VHS, DAB might have the biggest chunk of the market for now, but it's neither the best technology, nor the most adaptable. The future may be digital, but it won't be DAB. Footnote: Listening figures lag behind ownership of DAB radios It is worth noting that RAJAR was reporting that DAB ownership had reached 50% in 2015. And that the figure for Q1 2018 was 63.7% Given that the digital audience is mix of people listening on DAB, online and via televisions there must be many DAB radios out there just gathering dust (Medium Wave [sic] News 64/03, July/August 2018 via DXLD) ** U K. BBC: 'SHORTWAVE RADIO LISTENING CONTINUES ITS STEEP DECLINE Southgate July 9, 2018 Figures published by the BBC show more people are listen directly to World Service English via the internet than by any other method The Global Audience Measure (GAM) figures indicate how many adults the BBC reached weekly with its news and entertainment content in the year 2017/18. The BBC World Service, which has just undertaken its biggest expansion since the 1940s, has seen its audience increase by 10m, to 279m. The total global news audience has risen by a million, to 347m. The shortwave radio audience has virtually disappeared in Pakistan, and is down substantially in Nigeria. Read the BBC report at http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2018/bbc-global-audience (via Mike Terry, WOR iog via DXLD) Interestingly, Internet listening is now the most frequently used delivery platform, and shortwave listening continues to drop quite a bit, thanks to inexpensive smartphones. Also, more than 25% of the BBCWS audience is between 15 and 24 years old. Not exactly representative of shortwave users (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, Internetradio at HCDX via DXLD) That is interesting because most surveys of domestic audiences show internet listening as a percentage of all platforms down around 10- 15%. Analog FM or terrestrial broadcast is right around the 50-60% range with digital (DAB) in Europe in the 30-40% range and digital in North America below that of Europe with FM higher. Could the BBC be combin[in]g its Internet figures to include audio, video, text and social media? (John Figliozzi, ibid.) This looks as an instance of reversal of cause/effect. Of course I, for one, listen to the BBCWS more on the internet than by other methods, being the internet is the only way left to listen! (I sometimes listen to the SW frequencies listed by the BDXC Broadcasts in English for areas other than Europe, but this is only a DXer's enjoyable exercise, not a real listening opportunity). 73 to all, (Stefano, Inviato dal mio dispositivo mobile Huawei, Valianti, Italia, bdxc-news iog via DXLD) ** U K. [Internetradio] BBC Radio 2 - Jeremy Vine, Live from the BBC World Service https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b5xbqx An "inside-out" look at the World Service, on a program targeting a domestic UK audience, RC (Rich Cuff, June 14, internetradio at hcdx via DXLD) ** U K [non]. 9915, July 4 at 0403, BBCWS news is VG, S9+20/10, could almost pass for a North American service; it`s 250 kW, 315 degrees from MADAGASCAR this hour only for nearby Uganda, Tanzania but overkill USward. 0406 Newsday(?) starts out inviting texts from listeners. Come on, get down to business. 9915 continues at 05-06, but 158 degrees from Woofferton. Besides imaginary Greece at 19-24, BBC at 04-06 are the only 9915 HFCC listings (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. 15510, UNKNOWN. Babcock test transmission, 1427, 7/4/18, in English. 4 minute loop starting with ID and g mail address (testtransmission at gmail.com), Babcock theme music, “This is a test transmission” ID into a series of bits of different kinds of music including South Asian, Greek, Western classical, calypso with an ID about every 90 seconds. Loop started to repeat at 1432. 1433 ID and gmail address, then off. Good (Mark Taylor, Lake Farm mini – Dxpedition. Lake Farm County Park near Madison, WI, Equipment: Tecsun 880, Airspy HF+; W6LVP loop. With Bill Dvorak, Carlie Forsyth, and Neil Bartlett for our third annual 4th of July mini DXpedition, NASWA Flashsheet July 8 via DXLD) Per Dave Porter, retired, who handles QSLs, Woofferton is the only BaBcoCk site that makes these tests (gh, DXLD) ** U K [and non]. BEN TONEY (14 FEB 1931 – 10 MAY 2018) Born during the Great Depression in Texas, Ben Toney fell in love with radio. Whilst working at WTAW in Texas in August 1964, Ben Toney received a ‘phone call which would change his life. Don Pierson was setting up an offshore radio station in the UK, Radio London, and asked Ben to be its Programme Director. Ben’s idea of a Top 40 format with personality DJs and jingles made by PAMS was adopted and this helped establish Radio London as probably the most successful of the 1960s offshore stations. After his contract with Big L ended in March 1966 he returned to the US, but he would later return to the UK to advise Radio 270 off the Yorkshire coast. Ben passed away in Dallas on May 10th. A full obituary is on the Pirate Hall of Fame website at: http://www.offshoreradio.co.uk/btoney.htm Mary Payne has also written a tribute on her Radio London website at: http://www.radiolondon.co.uk/rl/bentribute/memories.html (Alan Pennington, July BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** U K [non]. WORLD RADIO NETWORK: see INTERNATIONAL VACUUM ** U S A. SWRG#55: "Night of Nights" On 12 July starting at 0001 UT, the Maritime Radio Historical Society will be on the air in CW with its annual Night of Nights, marking the anniversary of the last commercial Morse message in the United States, transmitted in 1999........." ===> http://www.rhci-online.net/radiogram/SW_Radiogram_2018-07-07.htm#MRHS "......Meanwhile, another maritime HF station, WLO in Mobile, Alabama, has gone off the air. See https://bit.ly/2ze2c1Q ..." ===> https://www.sigidwiki.com/wiki/WLO (roger, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) Night of Nights XIX --- 12 July 2018. Each year on the anniversary of that supposed last message, plus one minute, KPH comes roaring back to the air with all the full throated majesty that mariners around the world heard for decades. Station KFS will also be on the air as well as amateur station K6KPH which will be standing by for your comments and signal reports. Doors open at 3:00 pm PDT. The opening message will be broadcast at 5:01 pm PDT (0001 gmt). Join us for a complete tour of the station. Enjoy complimentary radio sandwiches and all the trimmings. Photograph everything. Whisper the magic words "True Believer" and be granted access to the fabled Treasure Room where the gems of maritime radio history are kept. For those of you around the world who will be listening for KPH and KFS or calling K6KPH, here are our frequencies along with the transmitters and antennas that will be used. The RCA transmitters are 1950s vintage. The Press Wireless PW15 is from 1942. The Henry transmitters are 1990s vintage. Key: EDZ = Extended Double Zepp. H/2 = H over 2 KPH (5 kW): 426 Henry MF5000D Marconi T 500 Henry MF5000D Marconi T 4247.0 RCA 252K EDZ 6477.5 RCA 251K EDZ 8642.0 RCA 303L EDZ 12808.5 RCA 304L H/2 17016.8 RCA 305L H/2 22477.5 RCA 298H H/2 KFS (5 kW): 12695.5 PW-15 H/2 17026.0 Henry HF5000D H/2 KPH and KFS operators will listen for calls from ships on 500 kc MF and ITU Ch 3 HF. Listen on these frequencies if you want to hear the ship side of the QSO. 4184.0, 6276.0, 8368.0, 12552.0, 16736.0 22280.5 K6KPH (1.5 kW): 3550.0 Henry HF5000D End-fed wire 7050.0 Henry HF5000D EDZ 14050.0 Henry HF5000D H/2 21050.0 Henry HF5000D H/2 Reception reports and QSLs may be sent to: Maritime Radio Historical Society PO Box 392, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 Station phone: +1 415-663-9646 (answered only when the station is on the air) (via Paul Dobosz, MARE Tipsheet July 6 via DXLD) Be the first to actually report hearing one of these! (Tipsheet ed.) KPH "Night of Nights" July 12 --- LWCA The event marks the day in 1999 when commercial maritime radiotelegraphy formally ended, and is normally held every July 12. However, there may be some uncertainty this year for safety reasons. Chief Operator Richard Dillman announced on June 30 that the station would not be operating for its usual Saturday transmissions that day because of extreme fire danger. We'll have word on schedules and other planned participants on this page in a few days. Frequencies for KPH: 426, 500, 4247.0, 6477.5, 8642.0, 12808.5, 17016.8, 22447.5; KFS: 12695.5; K6KPH: 3550.0, 7050.0. 14050.0, 18097.5, 21050.0 kHz. More information about the organization is at their Web site: radiomarine.org Per Wiki: KPH is a public coast radio station on the West Coast of the United States. For most of the 20th century, it provided ship to shore communications including telegrams (using Morse code) and marine telex service (using radioteletype). The station discontinued commercial operation in 1998, but is operated occasionally as a historic service - its signal can be tuned in throughout a large portion of the western hemisphere. KPH would broadcast regular bulletins of news, weather and other general information to the shipping community, then relay business and personal messages to and from individual ships. Station operators also monitored the international distress frequencies for calls from ships in trouble. With the decline of Morse code the station was retired, but volunteers have preserved it in operating condition so that it can still be heard on the air on weekends and special occasions, sometimes using the alternative callsign KSM and the amateur radio club callsign K6KPH. KPH is located within the Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County, California, north of the San Francisco Bay. More... (via Mike Terry, July 5, WOR iog via dXLD) ** U S A. NY VOLMET gone forever --- I contacted the FAA about the status of the New York VOLMET and today I received this reply: "Thank you for your email. The New York area VOLMET broadcast is scheduled to be decommissioned and will not return to service. VOLMETs are not cost effective to maintain and no longer widely used." (Mike Cooper, GA, Jul 10, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 14300-USB, July 9 at 0039, WA4YBC is heading the Maritime Mobile Service Net, reading hurricane warnings, rather Tropical Storm Chris so far, 1008 millibars. Fortunately third harmonic intruder of R. Progreso, CUBA, 4765 is far enough away on 14295. WA4YBC is WEST III, JAMES T, ELLIJAY, GA 30536 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. RICHARD W. RICHTER, FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF RADIO FREE ASIA, DIES AT 88 https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/richard-w-richter-founding-president-of-radio-free-asia-dies-at-88/2018/07/07/dc4bfb24-806b-11e8-b660-4d0f9f0351f1_story.html (via David Cole, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) and also: Richard W. Richter, founding president of Radio Free Asia, dies at 88 --- By Bart Barnes, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/richard-w-richter-founding-president-of-radio-free-asia-dies-at-88/2018/07/07/dc4bfb24-806b-11e8-b660-4d0f9f0351f1_print.html Richard W. Richter, the founding president of Radio Free Asia who organized and led for 10 years its broadcasts to nations in East Asia that are subjected to government news censorship, died June 29 at a hospice in Issaquah, Wash. He was 88. The cause was pneumonia, said his wife, Joan Richter. Mr. Richter, a former news producer for ABC television and WETA, the Washington-area PBS affiliate, organized a staff of technicians and news professionals who in 1996 commenced what became round-the-clock radio programming in Asian languages, including Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean, Lao, Mandarin, Wu (Shanghainese), Tibetan, Uighur and Vietnamese. Additionally, Radio Free Asia (RFA) established a news website in East Asian languages and set up toll-free hotlines for callers. It specialized in local news programming and recruited, as its news staff, a corps of stringers, broadcasting in local dialects. They reported on such events as internal ethnic flare-ups and opposition to government policies -- which were often a target of government censorship. The reports sometimes subjected the RFA stringers to government retaliation, including surveillance, harassment of families and friends, and jail, said Dan Southerland, a former Christian Science Monitor and Washington Post journalist who is a retired RFA program executive. In a public statement on his retirement in 2005, Mr. Richter said "repressive governments reviled RFA, because we were letting people know what was going on in their own countries -- providing information that their own leaders would suppress." Chinese officials, he said, had jammed RFA broadcasts and tried to block access to its websites. Richard William Richter was born Nov. 17, 1929, in New York City. He graduated from New York's Queens College in 1950. As a young man, he was a copy aide at the New York Times and a reporter for Newsday and the New York World-Telegram and Sun. In the 1960s, Mr. Richter was an overseas program evaluator for the Peace Corps and then deputy director of Peace Corps programs in Kenya. He was a producer in New York and Washington for ABC News from 1969 to 1989, working on news documentaries. He was the founding senior producer of ABC's "Good Morning America." At WETA, he was a producer of "News of the Week in Review." Radio Free Asia was authorized by Congress as a "surrogate" broadcaster to East Asian countries lacking a free media. It is a federally supported private nonprofit organization and is managed by a bipartisan Broadcasting Board of Governors, who appointed Mr. Richter president in 1996. He moved from the District to the state of Washington nine years ago. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Joan Skrivanek Richter of Issaquah; two sons, Dave Richter of Issaquah and Rob Richter of Mystic, Conn.; and two grandchildren. Read more Washington Post obituaries: Leo Sarkisian, who brought African music to listeners around the world, dies at 97 (c) The Washington Post Company (via Mike Cooper, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) ** U S A. 15730, July 6 at 2000, VOA French with song in English, but why isn`t there news on the hour? VG S9+20/10. // 17530 weaker S9-S6. During this semihour only, both frequencies, so no problem trying to remember which. And both 250 kW, 94 degrees from GB, only difference being an 896 and an 883 antenna, respectively per HFCC. 15185, Saturday July 7 at 2038, VOA VG with language lesson for French, such as ``Where are you from?`` {d`où êtes-vous?}; off at 2100*. This frequency in use only one hour a week, Sat & Sun 2030-2100 from GB (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [non]. THAILAND, Frequency change of Voice of America VOA effective from July 9 1300-1400 7575 UDO 250 kW / 054 deg CeAs Cantonese, weak/fair, ex 7500 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/frequency-change-of-voice-of-america.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 8-9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. WORLD OF RADIO 1937 monitoring: not confirmed, Friday July 6 at 2330 on WBCQ, 9330v, instead BS continues. So our two-week run at that day/time is over. So far the 2330 on 9330 slot contained WOR this week only on Wednesday. Next: Sat 0631 HLR 6190-CUSB to WSW Sat 1431 HLR 6190-CUSB to WSW Sat 1930v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sat 2130 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe, or 2330?] Sat 2300 WRMI 7780 to NE Sun 0200 WRMI 7780 to NE Sun 0310v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sun 1030 HLR 9485-CUSB to WSW Sun 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Mon 0130.5 WRMI 5850 to NW, 7780 to NE Mon 0300v WBCQ 5130v Area 51 to WSW Mon 0330 WRMI 9955 to SSE Mon 0400 WRMI webcast only, non-direxional Mon 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 to WNW Tue 2030 WRMI 7780 to NE, 5950 to WNW [or #1938?] Tue 2130 WRMI 5950 to WNW [or #1938?] WORLD OF RADIO 1937 monitoring: could not confirm the simulcast Wednesday July 4 at 2100, since I was at the Enid Symphony Orchestra`s dress rehearsal for their Fourth of July performance. I tried inside the ESO building (shared with Tyson), but even next to east-side windows on the fifth floor, the PL-880 could not detect the weak 9955 WRMI and 7490v WBCQ signals. I assume both aired, as they have been reliable. After the concert, July 4 at 2348, I can confirm the new WOR 1937 on WBCQ 9330.0, poor, from 2330 this Wednesday, as sometimes succeeds. Next: Thu 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Fri 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe; appeared last 2 weeks] Sat 0631 HLR 6190-CUSB to WSW Sat 1431 HLR 6190-CUSB to WSW Sat 1930v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sat 2130 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe, or 2330?] Sat 2300 WRMI 7780 to NE Sun 0200 WRMI 7780 to NE Sun 0310v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sun 1030 HLR 9485-CUSB to WSW Sun 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Mon 0130.5 WRMI 5850 to NW, 7780 to NE Mon 0300v WBCQ 5130v Area 51 to WSW Mon 0330 WRMI 9955 to SSE Mon 0400 WRMI webcast only, non-direxional Mon 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 to WNW Tue 2030 WRMI 7780 to NE, 5950 to WNW [or #1938?] Tue 2130 WRMI 5950 to WNW [or #1938?] WORLD OF RADIO 1937 monitoring: confirmed Saturday July 7 at 1431 on Hamburger Lokalradio, 6190-CUSB via UTwente SDR --- JBA, after ID still claiming to be on abandoned 7265. Recheck 1454, inaudible, then barely fades up to a trace. Next: Sat 1930v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sat 2130 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe, or 2330?] Sat 2300 WRMI 7780 to NE Sun 0200 WRMI 7780 to NE Sun 0310v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sun 1030 HLR 9485-CUSB to WSW Sun 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Mon 0130.5 WRMI 5850 to NW, 7780 to NE Mon 0300v WBCQ 5130v Area 51 to WSW Mon 0330 WRMI 9955 to SSE Mon 0400 WRMI webcast only, non-direxional Mon 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 to WNW Tue 2030 WRMI 7780 to NE, 5950 to WNW [or #1938?] Tue 2130 WRMI 5950 to WNW [or #1938?] WORLD OF RADIO 1937 monitoring: Alan Gale, England, reports on the Saturday July 7 at 1431 broadcast: ``Hi Glenn, World of Radio was again audible on HLR's 6190 kHz frequency today, but fairly weak up until around 1438 UT, when it then came up in strength again and was very listenable right through to the end. Alan.`` Confirmed Saturday July 7 at 2328 check just in time, the 2300 on WRMI 7780, very poor. Not confirmed UT Sunday July 8 at 0228, which would have been just in time for the 0200 repeat on 7780, but instead someone else in English, not sure what. Then checking the WRMI skedgrids, I see that 7780 at 0200-0230 is no longer on the System D or any other program schedule, altho the transmission grid still shows Radio Ukraine without specifying days of week; had been Tue-Sat only. [WORLD OF RADIO 1938] Also confirmed UT Sunday July 8 at 0336 on WA0RCR, 1860-AM, MO, about 16 minutes into show so started circa 0320, poor in noise level. Next: Sun 1030 HLR 9485-CUSB to WSW Sun 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Mon 0130.5 WRMI 5850 to NW, 7780 to NE Mon 0300v WBCQ 5130v Area 51 to WSW Mon 0330 WRMI 9955 to SSE Mon 0400 WRMI webcast only, non-direxional Mon 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 to WNW Tue 2030 WRMI 7780 to NE, 5950 to WNW [or #1938?] Tue 2130 WRMI 5950 to WNW [or #1938?] WORLD OF RADIO 1937 monitoring: I missed checking UT Monday July 9 at 0130.5-0159.5 on WRMI 5850 & 7780. Probably Richard Langley will have noted it during his weekly monitoring of 7780 Sunday evenings [yes, confirmed]. Confirmed UT Monday July 9 at 0300 already in progress on Area 51 webcast, and HRI starting at 0326, so running about 3 minutes early. Also confirmed at 0345 July 9 the Monday 0330 on WRMI 9955, poor signal with pulse jamming. Tnx a lot, Arnie! Clear on webcast, plus the 0400 immediate repeat. Next: Mon 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 to WNW Tue 2030 WRMI 7780 to NE, 5950 to WNW [or #1938?] Tue 2130 WRMI 5950 to WNW [or #1938?] WORLD OF RADIO 1937 monitoring: confirmed UT Tuesday July 10 at 0030 on WRMI 7730, VG S9+30. Unable to confirm Tuesday July 10 at 2030 on WRMI 7780 & 5950, JBA carriers. WORLD OF RADIO 1938 contents: Albania non, Australia, Bougainville, Brasil, China, Cuba, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan and non, Korea North non, Kuwait, Mongolia, Newfoundland, New Zealand, North America, Papua New Guinea, Perú, Somalia non, Tajikistan/Uzbekistan, UK, USA, Vietnam non; and the propagation outlook WORLD OF RADIO 1938 monitoring: presumed first airing, Tuesday July 10 at 2130 on WRMI 5950, inaudible. By 2200 only a JBA carrier. Confirmed Tuesday July 10 at 2330 on WBCQ 9329.862v, fair. Wednesday July 11 at 1030 on WRMI 5950 unchecked, zzz; did anyone hear it? Next: Wed 2100 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 2100 WBCQ 7490v to WNW Wed 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Thu 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Fri 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Sat 0631 HLR 6190-CUSB to WSW Sat 1431 HLR 6190-CUSB to WSW Sat 1930v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sat 2130 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe, or 2330?] Sat 2300 WRMI 7780 to NE Sun 0200 WRMI 7780 to NE [canceled? Not last week] Sun 0310v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sun 1030 HLR 9485-CUSB to WSW Sun 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Mon 0130.5 WRMI 5850 to NW, 7780 to NE Mon 0300v WBCQ 5130v Area 51 to WSW Mon 0330 WRMI 9955 to SSE Mon 0400 WRMI webcast only, non-direxional Mon 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Tue 0030 WRMI 7730 to WNW Tue 2030 WRMI 7780 to NE, 5950 to WNW [or #1939?] Tue 2130 WRMI 5950 to WNW [or #1939?] Full schedule for WOR on all outlets, not just SW; podcast linx: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI WRMI ** U S A. 5850, WRMI with Broad Spectrum Radio with a program for Independence day consisting of political protest music, then digi- text/photos but it was a repeat of last week. At 0800 into SW Radiogram with usual digi-text & photos with items about Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft arriving at the asteroid Ryugu & Radio Prague during the 1968 revolution.: [illustration] Also tests of the 'new' modes 8PSK-125F and 8PSK-250F which worked, but only because reception was mostly perfect from my impression. There were also a series of images of things like flowers (lilies in Washington DC) & art (painting of Main Street in Annapolis MD by Pen King: [illustration] At 0830 into AWR Wavescan edition NWS #488 with items about Radio Veritas Asia SW, 1914 "DX Report" & the current DX Report from Japan. SUPER reception: 4+554+4+ barely any 'sparkles' in the photos even! 0658-0901* 2/Jul FLDigi for the digital bits (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, SDRplay + SDRuno + randomwire, MARE Tipsheet July 6 via DXLD) WRMI 7780 kHz — Something Different --- Tuning in at 0255 UT, PCJ’s “Jazz for the Asking” was finishing up. Then there was a minute or two of Radio Habana Cuba’s interval signal! A Fourth of July joke? Or has this happened before? Ukrainian Radio followed as usual after a WRMI ID (— Richard Langley, July 4, WOR iog via DXLD) Well, Keith Perron is an alumnus of RHC, so ---? (Glenn, ibid.) Noted WRMI on 5010 kHz here in NB with fair signal at 0150 UT with Italian Broadcasting Corporation program. Transmitter off at 0201. Not scheduled for this frequency at this time. Should have been on just 5850 (not checked) and 7780 (couldn't hear) kHz (-- Richard Langley, UT July 7, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9955, July 7 at 1400, WRMI Saturday-only extension containing Blalock the Blaster --- formerly on WBCQ only, the guy who says a few words in normal voice, then yells incomprehensibly every few seconds as if suffering from Tourette`s Syndrome. It`s beyond me why anystation would willingly pollute the airwaves thus --- must be the $$$. Formal name of show is `Full Gospel Hour`. Similar outbursts are heard on WRMI 9395 now from Brother HyStairical and his own diehard psychophants in live Sabbath morning service, but Terry Blalock is the masterblaster. 11580, July 7 at 2105, WRMI with Saturday-only activation, Oldies at S9-S7. 7780, July 8 at 1305, WRMI is on, poor S9-S7 with gospel huxter not TOM and not // 9955. Skedgrid shows 7780 at 13-16 Sunday only with `Worship In Your Home` 13-15, `Yeshua Ministry` 15-16 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) From my 7780 recording last Sunday evening, 8-9 July UT: 2015 Viva Miami (weak; acknowledging listeners' reports; repeat) 2030 Reserve Military Retirement 2100 Voice of the Report of the Week, VORW Radio International 2200 Your Weekend Show (reception improving; Bob Biermann ruminating about his future including his work at WRMI and the future of Your Weekend Show) 2300 Wavescan (includes update on end of SW from Radio Veritas Asia) 2330 Shortwave Radiogram (#55) 0000 Radio Slovakia International in Slovak 0030 Radio Slovakia International in English 0100 Rockphesy 0130 World of Radio (#1937) (-- Richard Langley, NB, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Richard, Could you summarise what BB is saying about his rôle at WRMI and future of YWS? (Glenn to Richard, via DXLD) Glenn: He says he is over-committed and now that he is semi-retired, he wants to focus his efforts on fewer projects but do those more fully. For example, he wants to spend more time in northern Georgia, work with his new Ancient Word Radio project, and give direction to new churches. This may mean changing or even ending Your Weekend Show and possibly reducing the time spent in Okeechobee. He is taking the summer to evolve a new or changed direction for his life (-- Richard, ibid.) WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ ** U S A. 7490, UT Saturday July 7 at 0055, I`ve been out & about so only catch the last few minutes of `Allan Weiner Worldwide` on WBCQ, which runs slightly over until 0102 abrupt switch without missing a beat to Blalock the Blaster, quite jarring as always. John Carver heard it all: ``Listening on 7490 this evening. Program started just a few seconds early this evening. Allan and Angela in the studio this evening. Opening comments on the weather in Maine this week. Ninety-five yesterday and fifty-nine today. Which prompted talk about weather oddities in Northern Maine which got Allan talking about Maine in the mid eighteen hundreds. Then into the middle of the last century concerning railroads and highways which morphed into how automobiles work, especially ignition systems. First and only phone call at 0018 from Pirate Joe. Talk quickly changed into a discussion of digital hacking. Referred to most things being digital today and how everything can be hacked now and that computers can take digital footage and create images of anyone saying anything which would destroy free speech as it would be impossible to tell what was true and what wasn't. Very long and interesting discussion. Quick prayer and the show was off the air at 0102. A much tamer show this week. John, Mid-North Indiana`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. FTIOM & UBMP, July 15-21 From the Isle of Music, July 15-21: This week, our special guest is trovador Pedro Luis Ferrer, who also spent a couple of years in the Rock/Pop group Los Dada. We will listen to some archival music of that group plus selections from Mr. Ferrer's recordings over the years. Some other surprises as well. Four options to listen to the transmission: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts of East Asia and Oceania) with 100 kW, Sunday 1500-1600 UT on SpaceLine, 9400, from Kostinbrod, Bulgaria (1800-1900 MSK) 2. For the Americas and parts of Europe, Tuesday 0000-0100 UT on WBCQ, 7490 from Monticello, ME, USA (Monday 8-9 PM EDT in the US). This has been audible in parts of NW, Central and Southern Europe with an excellent skip to Italy recently. 3 & 4. For Europe and sometimes beyond, Tuesday 1900-2000 and Saturday 1200-1300 UT on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany. [1 kW] Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, Sun, July 15 & Tues, July 17, 2018 Episode 71, Play Any Vegetable, is dedicated to vegetables including music played on carrots and other edible instruments. The broadcasts take place: 1. Sundays 2200-2230 UT (6:00-6:30 PM Eastern US) on WBCQ The Planet 7490 from the US to the Americas and parts of Europe 2. Tuesdays 2000-2030 UT on Channel 292, 6070 from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe. If current propagation conditions hold, the broadcast should reach from Iceland to Western Russia, Scandinavia down to North Africa and the Middle East, AND a long bounce to parts of New Zealand (William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer, Tilford Productions, LLC, July 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW ** U S A [and non]. 5830, July 4 at 0628, WTWW-1 is AWOL; neighbor 5935 WWCR remains inbooming. Not heard on day frequency 9475 either. Next check at 1253, 5830 is on with SFAW past 1300, while at 1307, 9475 bears something VP in a tonal Asian language, i.e. KSDA Guam in Mandarin, 13-14 to the northwest. 15809.932V, July 4 at 1819, WTWW-3 is on with ``History of Rock & Roll``, syndicated produxion, not by Ted but with local ID breaks. 1859 recheck, now starting year 1958, apparently one by one, per hour? This could take a while. Is there any publicity about this special at http://wtww.us ? NO! Just old stuff about Field Day. 5085, meanwhile, July 4 at 1933 UT, midday! WTWW-2 can be detected with an S9 carrier vs high daytime noise level, but no modulation audible altho there could be some // 15810v. All other WTWWs are OFF, no signals on 9475, 5830, 9930. Not rechecked until 2348, and now 5085 is certainly on and strong with dead air! Way to go, Ted. 15810 still going with rock show. UT July 5 at 0006, 5085 still dead, others still off. Next check at 0225 July 5, 5085 is finally modulating with the rock show, while 15810v has dropped to a JBA carrier. 9475, 5830 and 9930 are still off. 0559 UT, still only 5085 music, 15810 inaudible. Next check 1255, all are OFF. 5085, UT Saturday July 7 at 0211, WTWW-2 is S9+40 with `History of Rock & Roll` about 1954y, so apparently re-running the series first airing July 4. Also a JBA carrier on 15810, presumably // WTWW-3 not propagating. WTWW-1 is OFF again, neither 5830 nor 9475; but who cares about that SFAW nonsense? 15809.937, Saturday July 7 at 2041, WTWW-3 with classic rock from 1956y, soon Ted announcement that due to popular demand, portions of `History of Rock & Roll` from July 4 are being repeated this weekend. // 5085, WTWW-2 is also on but VP S9 in daytime noise level. And this time, 9475, WTWW-1 is on air too with SFAW. 15809.9 // 5085 are still on at 0113 UT Sunday July 8, with History of Rock, Dick Cavett interviewing someone, instead of `Theatre Organ in the Ozarx`! Now 5085 is loud and clear, but so is 15809.9 at S9+20, in fact the OSOB! 15809.9, July 8 at 1326, S9+20 WTWW-3 with PPPP now // 5830 WTWW-1. Bring back the rock & roll! 15809.9 with SFAW at 1857 check. 15809.9, July 9 at 1314, WTWW-3 is S9+30/20 with SFAW // 5830 WTWW-1, PPPP warning us of false prophets (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 5050, 0118 UT Sunday July 8, WWRB is S9+35 with horrible hum, distortion, and unstable carrier, spurs out to 5070, in some kind of talkshow; not rechecked until 0149 when it`s off (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 7505v, WRNO, 1114 & 1153, July 7. Not in the usual Chinese, but instead religious program in English; later at 1207, found them in Chinese; fair (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7505, July 8 at 0605, WRNO is off instead of Chinese or English. Quite an unreliable station. Will it be on again this Sunday as early as 2200? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, WRNO, on July 8, was still off the air at 1025 (Ron, California, WOR iog via DXLD) 10099.95, UT Monday July 9 at 0053, WWRB on 2 x 5050-, S3 talk show mixing with ham RTTY, INTRUDER. 5050 is S9+50 with modulation better than yesterday. Probably will not be on again until next weekend (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 530, FLORIDA, (LPR), Florida State University, Tallahassee. No trace of this -- as others have previously confirmed as silent the past couple years -- on my mid-day drive-by westbound on I-10, July 1, 2018. I think we can safely write this carrier current one as never to return (Terry L. Krueger, Times/dates GMT, Clearwater, FL (unless otherwise stated), IC-R75, NRD-535, longwires, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. INSIDE THE WPTF STATION: AN UNTOUCHED TIME CAPSULE FROM THE 1940'S --- The distinct Art Deco style clearly defines the WPTF radio station as a 1940's classic. - http://abc11.com/3335967/ (via Kevin Redding, July 8, ABDX yg via DXLD) 680, Raleigh NC ** U S A. DAN INGRAM DEAD AT 83 --- By Vern Gay, Newsday Dan Ingram, the beloved disc jockey and voice of New York radio over a five-decade run, has died, according to reports, including by WCBS/101 FM, where Ingram had worked until his retirement in 2003. He was 83. Long Island-born and raised, Ingram spent most of his career at WABC/770 AM during an era when AM radio commanded both listeners and cultural clout. Many New Yorkers were first introduced to The Beatles through "The Dan Ingram Show," heard for many years from 2 to 6 p.m., while Ingram and WABC's other so-called "All Americans" -- Ron Lundy, Harry Harrison, "Cousin Brucie" Morrow -- were New York-area icons and household names. For a time, Ingram was the most popular DJ in the United States and commanded as much as a quarter of the listening audience here. With a style that was fast and fluid, Ingram also introduced an element to New York radio -- the wisecrack -- that branded each of the thousands of Top 40 songs he played with his own unique personality. Rather than simply spin a song, he'd occasionally talk over it, too, especially if the song was well-known. And in a rush of words that covered everything from the weather to the station call letters, he'd talk during the song's introductory bars before cutting out just as the first verse began. Ingram's so-called "talk-up" was widely copied during an era when most people heard popular music for the first time on AM radio. Born in Oceanside in 1934, Ingram's parents were both musicians. His interest in show business began when he'd accompany his saxophonist father to sessions. After attending Hofstra University, Ingram joined a radio station in New Rochelle, but as he later recalled, "I worked there for two months in 1953 and I got a paycheck that bounced. When I went back to the sales manager, he thought it was terrible that I dared to challenge him, and there was an altercation after which I was either resigned, or I quit." After that, "I ran around to stations on Long Island and walked into WALK in Patchogue" where the station manager "still believed it was 1934, and was playing Benny Goodman. But he listened to my tape and signed me [to start] on New Year's Day, 1954." Ingram later joined Connecticut stations WNHC in New Haven and WICC in Bridgeport. Those jobs led to the big breaks -- DJ jobs in Dallas (KBOX) and St. Louis (WIL), where he boosted listenership and his own profile. He was hired by WABC in 1961. With Ingram as its star DJ, the station's longtime programming chief, Rick Sklar, launched a format of "only the biggest hits — rock, pop and Motown — in an up-tempo atmosphere sustained by high-octane disc jockeys," according to longtime Newsday radio columnist Paul Colford. "The catchy jingles came to be as memorable as the songs, and much- hyped contests, such as an annual principal-of-the-year election [that] hooked teenagers. Ingram's style was perfectly matched to Sklar's format: Loose, fast, funny and go-with-the-flow, wherever that flow might lead either Ingram or listeners. In 1965, Ingram led 10,000 Beatles fans who had gathered outside the studio on a sing-along of the station's indelible jingle ("seventy-seven . . . double-uuu-ABCCCCC!!!!") On Nov. 9, 1965, Ingram was on the air just as a blackout struck New York. As lights flickered in the studio, the song he was playing -- Jonathan King's "Everyone's Gone to the Moon" -- also began to slow down. As it ground to a halt, Ingram quipped "everyone's running at half speed here, including me," and "the equipment [in the studio] reads 'Signal Corps, 1902.'" Ingram was the most popular DJ during AM radio's ascendancy in the '60s, while his popularity waned as FM's increased in the following decades. Nevertheless, when Ingram and Ron Lundy spun their last record on May 10, 1982 -- and WABC got out of the music business for good -- longtime fans lamented "the Day the Music died." Here’s an aircheck of WABC Musicradio 77 New York - Dan Ingram - June 25 1966 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4bZnbfj5OY (July CIDX Messenger via DXLD) obit. See also MUSEA ** U S A. WNWR-1540, Philadelphia, has been off the air today, July 7th. Does anyone know why? (Ben Dangerfield, PA, nrc-am gg via DXLD) Ben, I believe I had read that they were losing their CRI radio programming. CRI has cut back on the number of stations relaying their programming in the USA. 73 (Wayne Heinen, Editor AM Radio Log, ibid.) Just for the heck of it, I checked WILD-1090 Boston. They continue to crank out CRI programming (Marc DeLorenzo, South Dennis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, ibid.) ** U S A. 1590, FLORIDA, WRXB, St Pete Beach. Reported as "silent Nov. 15, 2017; back on the air June 8" in DXN 85-17's AM Switch column, but I'm not hearing it days or nights. At 5000/1000 watts and about 12 miles south of me, something doesn't add up. Either it's not really on air, or it's running a couple watts or less as it appeared to be doing for at least several weeks before going silent near the end of 2017. Today, July 9, 2018 at 1248 GMT, only a moderately weak WPSL, Port St. Lucie audible on the channel (Terry L. Krueger, Times/dates GMT, Clearwater, FL (unless otherwise stated), IC-R75, NRD-535, longwires, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1610, FLORIDA (MIS), Manatee Information Radio, Crystal River. July 1, 2018. Silent and no signage that used to be by the tourist information center on US-19 northbound. As others have previously stated, this one is silent and surely in the history books. 1640, FLORIDA (HAR), FDoT, Suncoast Parkway SR-589 toll road, MM 33, Spring Hill. This one remains active (stick by the toll booths), as heard on July 4, 2018 late afternoon when driving home from the Florida panhandle. Short generic compu-man and compu-woman loop on re- construction, etc. Signal isn't getting out far. No trace of a second one further south (or signage) which I seem to recall, and the FCC dB only list this one, WQQX737. 1650, FLORIDA (HAR), FDoT (multiple along I-10). Compu-woman at I-10 Exit 174 (near Quincy), a generic loop concluding with no less than eight call signs, all WQYZ with appended 314 through 321 to make eight. Most if not [all] appear to be active with the same loop, though due to rain and a dog in the passenger seat, I didn't closely check for all until my SR-285 exit. FCC dB indicates these are on I-10 at Holt, Mossy Head, Ponce de Leon, Bonifay, Cottondale, Marianna, Greensboro, and Sneads. Logged on the car radio while driving westbound on I-10. 1650, GULF OF MEXICO, oil rig fake-NDB beacon DVS. No trace of on the portable ICF-7600GR at Niceville, FL at 1033 GMT July 4, 2018, for what it's worth. Florida Low Power Radio Stations: https://sites.google.com/site/floridadxn/florida-low-power-radio-stations (Terry L. Krueger, Times/dates GMT, Clearwater, FL (unless otherwise stated), IC-R75, NRD-535, longwires, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. STATION BREAKS WORLD RECORD / 24 Ma?i nerattil 400-kkum atikama?a pe??ika? e?uttu ulaka cata?ai nika?ttiyu??atu ke.O.Pi.E? e?um va?oli. [Tamil headline romanized, but still with ques??ionable letters, translated by Google to:] KOBN [sic] Radio is a world record for over 400 interviews in 24 hours Saturday, July 7, 2018 1:12 AM [KOPN = 89.5 Columbia, Missouri] Congratulations for member station KOPN, which broke the world record for most interviews in 24 hours. When KOPN came to the end of its June pledge drive, General Manager Sean Spence had a wild idea: to see if the station could break the world record for the number of on-air interviews it could conduct in a day. A local television station did a profile of the KOPN effort. http://www.komu.com/news/kopn-breaks-world-record-for-most-interviews-in-24-hours The station hosted a line of people who came in to the studios. By the time the record was broken, more than 400 people had come on the air and the station was in the record books. By Ernesto Aguilar The post Station Breaks World Record appeared first on NFCB https://nfcb.org/station-breaks-world-record/ Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone (Jaisakthivel, India, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U S A. BROOKLYN FM PIRATE RADIO SOUND MAP --- Hi all, hope this is not too off topic, but I just released a major project: http://www.pirateradiomap.com https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/07/09/mapping-brooklyns-diverse-pirate-radio-scene (David Goren, July 9, WTFDA gg via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) ** U S A. American Voices Radio: see INTERNATIONAL VACUUM ** VATICAN. Re: ``Unscheduled liturgies of Vatican Radio, June 29 from 0720 on 7250 SMG 250 kW / 054 deg to EaEu Romanian from 0720 on 9645 SMG 250 kW / 054 deg to EaEu Romanian from 0740 on 15570 SMG 250 kW / 168 deg to SoAf French http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/unscheduled-liturgies-of-vatican-radio.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, June 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) What was the occasion? (gh)`` Hi Glenn, Every June 29, it is Saints Peter's and Paul's religious holiday, patrons of the city of Rome; only in Rome it is holiday. As I live and work in this city, also I am on vacation during this day. 73 (Gianni Serra, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA. VENEZUELA SILENCES AWKWARD RADIO. For some, distant, hidden places bring peace, serenity, solitude and relaxation. But in the land of Simón Bolívar, remoteness is a synonym for violations against human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of press and the capacity of free, critical and alternative media outlets to operate without coercion. Such is the case with Radio Fe y Alegría 92.1 FM, in Tucupita, Delta Amacuro. One of the 21 stations that currently make up the network owned by Fe y Alegría (an institution founded 63 years ago as a movement for popular education and social promotion), suffered a two-hour long power cut on June, 22. The second day this happened, the body responsible for the electrical service didn’t restore it. Employees noticed something was off when they realized that the building where the station is located was the only place with no power, while nearby houses and stores were unaffected. Tucupita is the capital of Delta Amacuro, one of the smallest, most remote cities in eastern Venezuela. When Fe y Alegría decided to establish a radio station in this region, where the great Orinoco splits into hundreds of streams on its way to the Atlantic Ocean, they did it certain of their vocation to serve the most vulnerable sectors — especially native communities. Radio Fe y Alegría Tucupita offers a wide range of programs to all Delta Amacuro citizens: information and news, opinion and political, economic and social analysis. The community actively participates via phone calls and instant messaging, since it’s one of the few radio stations where they can get news updates, not just locally, but from all over the country. Tucupita, being relatively small, is one of those towns where everyone knows each other, so the station has a big audience, which makes it an influential media outlet open to attacks by representatives of the regional government, aligned with Nicolás Maduro’s regime. Francisco “Paco” Pérez, head of Radio Fe y Alegría 92.1 FM, realized there was something fishy about the power cut because there was no rationing in the area and they had no past due bills. He went to the National Electric Corporation’s (CORPOLEC) offices to ask what was truly happening. The answers were vague, but Pérez insisted until he got it: “The orders to cut the service come from the top.” Paco looks at his hands and counts with his fingers: This is the fifth power cut the station has suffered so far this year. “The same happened last year, the radio was left without power and we went out to catch the CORPOELEC people working on disconnecting the wiring. When we asked them why, they said ‘orders from the top.’” Tucupita, being relatively small, is one of those towns where everyone knows each other, so the station has a big audience. Why would the government want to silence Pérez and his people? The healthcare situation is serious in Delta Amacuro, according to the testimonies of patients and health workers who use the radio’s programs to speak up about their ordeals. The Kapé-Kapé Network of Native Rights is even talking about “genocide” against the Warao population, because there’s no attention for the HIV epidemic, specifically in Bajo Delta. Based on the studies made by a team of specialists from the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC) and UCV’s Biomedicine Institute, Minerva Vitti, journalist and activist for the rights of native communities, cautioned that the area’s population is “under threat of disappearing” if the epidemic isn’t stopped. 9.5% of natives are infected, the highest rate in the world, surpassing even Sub-Saharan Africa, with 5%. These conclusions, and many more complaints, reach the general public through the station’s news reports, thanks to the work of journalists and community spokespeople covering the situation by land or sea, while the State’s media remains silent. But reality’s stubborn and stands on its own, so Delta Amacuro citizens support the radio, Tucupita’s bridge to the rest of the country. If the State is truly behind these measures, this is, essentially, a flagrant violation of fundamental rights established in Article 52 of the Constitution: “Communication is free and plural (…) all citizens have the right to timely, reliable and impartial information, without censorship.” This affects the most vulnerable, those who cannot answer back: the inhabitants of Alto Delta and Bajo Delta, places once idyllic and now forcefully disconnected from the world outside the tropical Iron Curtain (Caracas Chronicles via Medium Wave [sic] News 64/03, July/August 2018 via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Según una nota de prensa encabezada por el antetítulo "Conatel calla y no otorga", el Instituto Prensa y Sociedad, de Venezuela (IPYS), mientras CONATEL cierra periódicamente algunas estaciones por carecer del permiso legal que no concede, otras que se mantienen o regresan al aire y operan bajo el riesgo de ser las próximas en desaparecer. El más reciente microsite del Instituto Prensa y Sociedad de Venezuela, titulado "Emisoras en Vilo", indagó en los casos de 40 emisoras de radio cerradas en 2017 por el Estado venezolano. Bajo el lema #ConatelCallaYnoOtorga, el Instituto Prensa y Sociedad de Venezuela puso hoy en línea un nuevo microsite "Emisoras en Vilo" en https://ipysvenezuela.org/ La Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Conatel), organismo del Estado a cargo de regular las telecomunicaciones en Venezuela, apagó al menos 40 emisoras en distintas partes del país en 2017, algunas de forma temporal y otras permanentemente. El Instituto Prensa y Sociedad de Venezuela, IPYS Venezuela, desarrolló junto su red de corresponsales y colaboradores una investigación en torno al estatus de estas emisoras, cuyo número sobrepasa con creces a las 32 cerradas por orden de Diosdado Cabello en 2009, evento denominado por los periodistas como "Radicidio". La mayoría de los cierres se ejecutaron durante el periodo de protestas callejeras, en el primer semestre del año, en contra del gobierno de Nicolás Maduro. Entre denuncias de censura y arbitrariedad estatal, el argumento oficial para silenciar estaciones de radio fue la carencia de permisos para operar en el espectro radioeléctrico. Las clausuras, sin embargo, responden a procedimientos administrativos y legales que son contrarios a las garantías de transparencia establecidas en la Constitución nacional y en estándares internacionales de Derechos Humanos. Conatel mantiene una política de opacidad en sus procesos para asignar o negar permisos de uso de frecuencias radioeléctricas, bajo el amparo de la Ley Orgánica de Telecomunicaciones: la norma admite el silencio de Conatel como una forma válida de rechazar solicitudes sin ofrecer explicaciones. La reforma de la Ley planteada en 2016 por la Asamblea Nacional, de mayoría opositora, no lo solucionaba: se propuso la extensión automática de las concesiones, pero no garantía de respuesta para nuevos solicitantes. Dos emisoras de Caracas fueron cerradas por el vencimiento de sus licencias, mientras que la gran mayoría de las estaciones sancionadas, ubicadas en el interior del país, necesitaban la obtención de un permiso por primera vez. La Cámara Venezolana de la Industria de la Radiodifusión rechazó el hecho de que Conatel no renovara los permisos de los medios de la capital, pero apoyó la clausura del segundo grupo de emisoras, consideradas clandestinas por su estatus de ilegalidad, a pesar de que varios de sus representantes demuestran haber cumplido diligencias administrativas ante el Estado, sin obtener respuesta. Un año después de la ola de cierres, casi la mitad de las emisoras sancionadas por Conatel permanece con las antenas apagadas y esperando información sobre el destino de los equipos decomisados. La otra mitad está nuevamente al aire, pero aún a la espera de que el Estado atienda sus trámites. También hay problemas con las radios populares Aparte del contenido anterior, procedente de la nota de prensa de IPYS, Aporrea ha publicado varias noticias relacionadas con situaciones de cierre de emisoras populares y dificultades con medios comunitarios y alternativos, como la información aparecida el 05-09- 17, de que "la emisora Radio Fe y Alegría 88.1 cesó operaciones por órdenes de la Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Conatel)", según lo informó la estación a través de su cuenta en la red social twitter: "La concesión fue solicitada desde 1975, aseguró la emisora Radio Fe y Alegría", pero según también lo informó la emisora, "Conatel argumentó que la emisora carece de concesión", por lo que eso provocaría la salida del aire luego de 11 años de trabajo. Otra emisora de Fe y Alegría, de carácter popular, que salió del aire fue la emisora de Tucupita, estado Delta Amacuro, desde el viernes 22 de junio, al quedar sin servicio de energía eléctrica porque fue suspendido por la Corporación Eléctrica Nacional (Corpoelec) primero por dos horas el jueves 21 de junio y un día después por tiempo indefinido, siendo el quinto que le aplican a la radio en los últimos años, sin que le informen oficialmente el motivo de esta medida, porque dicen estár al día con el pago del servicio eléctrico y en el edificio donde funciona la radio también hay oficinas administrativas, un laboratorio de computación, donde imparten cursos y el Centro Comunitario de Aprendizaje del movimiento educativo que funciona con varios alumnos. Reportaron que después del corte de electricidad, Pérez acudió a las instalaciones de Corpoelec donde le informaron que la medida "era por órdenes de arriba", sin dar más explicaciones. Esta suspensión afectó no solo a los 17 trabajadores fijos de Fe y Alegría, sino también a los estudiantes de los diferentes cursos, que entre alumnos y personal de formación, son 400 personas, más locutores y operadores de radio. (Aporrea.org) (via Conexión Digital July 8 via DXLD) ** VIETNAM. VIETNAME, 9636 (e não 9635.8 como é habitual), R. Voz do Vietname, Son Tay, 1002-desvan. total 1030, 06/6, vietnamita, texto; 15431. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM [non]. 7315, July 9 at 0106, music and WHR promos, no Voice of Vietnam English relay; lost feed or canceled? (KBS Spanish is still on 9605) (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. MOROCCO: Radio Nacional República Árabe Saharaui --- Sahara - I have noticed that Portuguese DX expert Carlos Gonçalves did not report on Radio Nacional República Árabe Saharaui for quite a while. Looking for information in the internet, I noted that the website http://rasdradio.info/ seems to have stopped working in June 2018. There is another website of the same news provider, https://www.spsrasd.info/news/en which features more recent news. So, is one of the oldest „clandestine stations“ (started in 1975 as Voice of Free Sahara) still on the air? (Dr Hansjoerg Biener, 4 July 2018, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Polisario Front still active, yes. Glenn, I do not refer to this station by other name but "Polisario Front" which is basically what they are, not a station inside a country that does not even exist; and we do not need any more of those around, I must say. They are a movement supported and exploited by the Algerians. Having said that, I can confirm they are still "alive and kicking", both mornings and evenings, but seemed to have dropped the segments in Castilian, or then those are aired at times when I do not listen to them. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, July 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: 1550.0, 1150-1215 04/7 ALGERIA, POLISARIO Front (cland.), Rabouni. Arabic talks, music, 15341 (Carlos Gonçalves, SW coast of Portugal, JRC NRD-545DSP, PERSEUS & DRAKE R-E; Advanced Receiver amp.; raised, 4 loop K9AY, 30 m 180º/0º mini-Bev., 80 m 300º/120º Bev., 200 m 270º/90º Bev., 270 m 145º/325º Bev., 300 m 225º/45º Beverage, radioescutas yg via DXLD) ALGERIA, 1550 MW, Radio Nacional de la República Árabe Saharaui, Rabuni, 2045-2057, 05-07, Arabic songs. 23322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) Normal signal here in Finland at 2130 on 1550.03 kHz. 73, (Mauno Ritola, July 5, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZAMBIA. 5915, Zambia NBC, Radio 1, 1905-1916, 04-07, vernacular comments, African songs. 13221. Also 0427-0448, 06-07, vernacular comments, African songs. 25432 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD) 5915, Zambia NBC, Radio 1, 2023-2050, 07-07, vernacular comments. 14321. Also 0450-0520, 08-07, vernacular comments, at 0500 English. 15321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun PL-880, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. NÃO IDENTIFICADA, 5982.9, Não identif. (asiática?), 2042-2055, 01/7, líng. asiática, texto; 14341, QRM adjacente (Carlos Gonçalves, SW Coast of Portugal, July 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 9590, July 4 at 0401, open carrier/dead air at S9-S4. Nothing scheduled anywhere just before or after 0400, not even Myanmar, in a break. Possibly next occupant testing, CRI Arabic via Albania from 0500 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 11600, July 8 at 1318, VG S9+20 tone test at 1 kHz, off and on, 1319 step-up tones and back down to very low barely audible pitch, and off at 1320*. Got to be from North America; no signal once it`s gone from Secretbrod, Bulgaria, Sound of Hope as listed nor CNR1, let alone imaginary SMF Ukraine in HFCC. Prime suspect is VOA GB which has unregistered test frequencies; or some private USSW (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ No new contributions received this week, by money order or check in US funds on a US bank to: Glenn Hauser, P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702 ; or Via PayPal, not necessarily in US funds, to woradio at yahoo.com PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS updated July 7: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html THE LATEST “TROPICAL BANDS MONITOR” Compiled by Anker Petersen (5 June), is available to download at http://www.dswci.org/ along with the 20th edition of the “Domestic Broadcasting Survey”, both free of charge (July BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) And perhaps there is another TBM by now from July (gh) DX RE MIX NEWS # 1081 - July 6, 2018 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/dx-re-mix-news-1081.html (Ivo Ivanóv, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 4-6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DX Re Mix is a ~weekly roundup of items already published, so I am no longer checking it, assuming it is all duplication (gh, DXLD) MUSEA See also CANADA: CBC Archives +++++ A VIDEO HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN RADIO PERSONALITY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHmEa2ofHm8 This video, courtesy of R&R, pays tribute to some of the leading names that made the job of disk jockey an art form; from a time when disk jockeys were disk jockeys and personality driven radio was king. The 22-minute video is made up of air checked filmed in-studio at some of the most famous radio stations, both AM and FM, in the United States (YouTube Video of the Month, July CIDX Messenger via DXLD) THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF MW DXING Occasionally we talk of the "good old days" of mediumwave DXing, usually referring to back in the 1960s and earlier. Was it better? By how much? I tabulated the difference between what was on the band in 1941 and 2018. Too much info to paste into a post here. Check it out on my blog: https://radio-timetraveller.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-good-old-days-of-mediumwave-dxing.html (Bill ``desertbilly``, RADIO-TIMETRAVELLER http://radio-timetraveller.blogspot.com July 9, ABDX yg via DXLD) Interesting read. I started DXing in the "fair old days" (1970s), when most channels were fairly full, but the clears were still fairly clear, and more importantly, many stations still went off the air from Midnight to 6 am (or some portion thereof) on Sunday or Monday mornings, opening up some really great possibilities for faraway reception. West coast DXers could hear WSLM-1220 at Indiana sunrise, and all kinds of stuff on 1560 when KPMC (now KNZR) took a silent period (they were the last big station to take one, all the way into the early 90s). East coast DXers loved sunset DX on 1570 and 1580. That's all good. However, I claim we are living in some interesting days even now. Here are a few reasons why: 1, Massive drop in Canadian and Mexican stations due to FM migration. 2, Slight but significant drop in US stations due to economic failures and loss of tower sites due to rising land values. 3, Significant numbers of US stations lowering power and going non- directional, to sell off chunks of tower site land, qualify for an FM translator, diplex/triplex into another antenna site, etc. I've really noticed the impact of these changes in my annual trips to the Border Inn. If anyone read the 23-page report I recently published from last year's trip (did anyone?), you'll see I can now log tons of low-power mostly non-directional stations at night, and most of my remaining "problems" are not pests with high night powers, but rather a growing number of stations that can't seem to switch from day to night rig to save their lives. I'm gradually learning that almost any change can be turned into an opportunity, IF you can find a way to run a wire in the right direction! I've proved this at home too. After more than 15 years of stagnation (almost no new catches), my new behind-the-backyard wall mini-BoG and temporary street BoG antennas helped me nab 51 new catches in the 2016-17 DX season and at least 35 in the 2017-18 season (with a few dozen Perseus recordings still left to review). That's not bad for a location where I have now been DXing for 42 years. Moral of the story: go down to your local surplus store, buy some spools of wire, and find someplace you can roll that wire in an interesting direction. The AM landscape changes constantly and there are many possible new catches out there if you roll some wire in the optimal direction(s) and listen at the optimal time(s). P.S. The other important change is the advent of web streams, and the gradual improvement in the overall usefulness of radio station web sites. I now spend the entire "off-season" listening to web streams of the stations I haven't logged yet. The more time I spend doing this, the more easily I recognize those new catches when I do finally hear them. Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone. 73 (Tim Hall, CA, July 10, ibid.) As reported under MEXICO CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ ANNUAL CIDX VERNON IKEDA MEMORIAL SUMMER BARBECUE, Montreal Aug 18 We’re just a little over a month away from the annual CIDX Vernon Ikeda Memorial Summer Barbecue. For the past number of years we have had great weather for the event, sometimes a little hotter than we would like, but at least we’ve not been rained out. Now I’m sure I’ve gone ahead and jinxed us for this year! August 18, 2018 is the date here at CIDX HQ East just outside of Montreal. See the complete details below. Please RSVP if you are planning on attending so that we can make sure to have enough food on-hand to feed the masses! We already have confirmation from CIDX VP Mickey Delmage and as well as our annual visit by John Fisher and Eric Cottrell of Massachusetts. Also, a big hit last year was Gilles Letourneau’s live YouTube show from the barbecue on his OfficialSWLChannel. So even if you can’t be with us in person, we hope you’ll hook up with us virtually through the Web. We hope to have a Skype channel open as well for those of you who would like to interact in person, look for me on Skype under “Sheldon Harvey” and invite me as a contact. Once that’s done we can hook up a group on Barbecue day. I’ll leave the Skype account open throughout the day so just put out a call and we’ll do our best to hook up. It should be fun CIDX ANNUAL VERNON IKEDA MEMORIAL SUMMER BARBEQUE Saturday, August 18th 2018 - 1 pm Eastern (1700 UT) LOCATION: 79 Kipps Street, Greenfield Park, QC. Google Map: http://goo.gl/maps/1UvxP We are pleased to announce the 2018 CIDX Annual Vernon Ikeda Memorial Summer Barbecue. Sausages & hamburgers will be served. Please bring your own beverages. Any food contributions (snacks, desserts, etc.) will also be appreciated. Please confirm your attendance by telephone, 50-671-3773 [sic: MTL AC is 514 --- gh], or by e-mail to Sheldon Harvey at ve2shw@yahoo.com All CIDX members and radio friends are welcome to attend. Once again this year, CIDXer and YouTuber Gilles Letourneau will have a special live YouTube broadcast from the Barbecue. Check out the live YouTube broadcast from the barbecue at 4 PM eastern; 2000 UT at https://www.youtube.com/OfficialSWLchannel/ We’re also going to have Skype open for the day. Look for “Sheldon Harvey” on Skype, make him a contact and call in to the barbecue during the day to participate in the fun (Sheldon Harvey, July CIDX Messenger via DXLD) DX-PEDITIONS ++++++++++++ INDIAN DX CLUB INTERNATIONAL POSTS UPDATED COOK ISLAND DXPEDITION REPORT Thanks to Sudipta Ghose of Kolkata, India for his work in coordinating the publishing of the entire April 2018 Cook Island DXpedition report (all 20 pages) in the IDXI blog, including all the photos and MP3 links http://idxcidxpedition.blogspot.com/2018/06/cook-island-ultralight-dxpedition-april.html This was a slightly updated version, with a few additional recording links. By coincidence, the longest range DX station received during the DXpedition was 657-AIR, broadcasting from Sudipta's home city of Kolkata, India (Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA), IRCA at HCDX via DXLD) WORLD OF HOROLOGY See RUSSIA +++++++++++++++++ DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM See KUWAIT ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DAB See UK! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DTV See MEXICO ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ RADIO WAVES BY TODDERBERT Interesting Video About FM DXing Posted on YouTube Greetings All!! I am a subscriber to the “Radio Waves by Todderbert” channel on YouTube. I enjoy his short - but interesting - reviews of various radios. His choice of radios to review is quite eclectic. One week he will review a current radio like the Tecsun PL-660; the next week he will review a classic radio like the Panasonic RF-B20. Anyway, this past week he posted a video titled “How to FM DX with your Radio | Project FM DXeti.” Here’s the link to the YouTube video … https://youtu.be/IK-3LLwPZBQ I really enjoyed the video. It reminded me of how I got started in FM DXing and how eager I was to learn all I could about the hobby!! I hope you enjoy the video! 73 & Good DX! (Steve Ponder, N5WBI, Houston, TX - EL29kn, July 7, WTFDA gg via DXLD) PHASING UNITS, THEN AND NOW This message is prompted by the "Misek/Lankford/Ratzlaff proto test" thread that I found when perusing the 3-week IRCA digest recently sent. Interestingly I had not seen any of that discussion in the daily digests during that time period. Phasing two or more antennas has been in regular use in the broadcast industry since the earliest directional arrays in the 1920's or 1930's. In aircraft and shipboard direction finding applications (RDF), the combination of a figure-of-8 loop and an omnidirectional vertical whip to produce a single-direction null, cardioid (heart-shaped) pattern, has been in regular use since at least World War II. In medium-wave DXing, the first usage of phasing (that I know about) was by Gordon Nelson (WA1UXQ) in the late '60s and early '70s, His unit consisted of a series inductor, tuning capacitor, and low range (500 ohm or less) potentiometer coming from each antenna jack. The other end of each L-C-R line went to a transformer with its primary center tap to ground; the transformer secondary was connected to the output-to-receiver and ground coaxial jack. The primary transformer leads could be reversed to flip phase 180 degrees. Each line would be tuned to resonance individually, the user then adjusted pots so that station-to-null amplitude on each antenna was roughly equal. Phase shifting was accomplished by adjusting one capacitor or the other off its peaked setting. With certain types of antennas, namely lower impedance ones, the set-up worked reasonably well. The Q (selectivity) and, as a result, phase shifting range, could sometimes be inadequate. Nelson let me borrow one of his phasers around 1974 and I had some moderate success with the thing at Menotomy Rocks Park (Arlington, MA) and the following year much greater success at Willis Pond (Sudbury, MA) with two 1200 ft. (366m) Beverages. Other DXers such as Bill Bailey (W1YPK) and Chuck Hutton (WD4ELO) were also on the phasing bandwagon using variations on Nelson's design. After a while Ron Schatz of FL came out with the specific type of phasing known as the Loop Sense Cardioid Array [LSCA]. This was basically the loop-versus-whip RDF system of aircraft direction- finding fame tweaked for the MW DX application. By the late '70s I had changed the series L-C-R application over to a parallel L-C-R tank on each line with a tap on the inductor for low impedance matching. Different input coupling values, usually capacitive, were tried so that all needed phase shifts could be accommodated without excessive insertion loss. Passive phasing was the typical method used in strong-signal urban environments, but, for operation out in the "boonies", FET buffer amplifiers were inserted after the tank circuits for substantially more sensitivity. The National Semiconductors LH0033CG and LH0063CK buffers were workhorses in my designs. I still have a flea-market stash of these long-obsolete parts though better designs, such as Lankford's, have come along since. In the '80s the next development in phasing was use of off-the-shelf tapped delay lines. Gerry Thomas and Dallas Lankford got involved with those and I experimented with them as well. The "bridge" circuit, as used in some of my "DXP" and Gerry Thomas' Quantum Phasers, was well established by the '90s. Meanwhile Misek, Lankford, and Ratzlaff were working on delay-line circuits created from discrete inductors and capacitors rather than from the "canned" units used previously. These allowed for finer adjustments. Phasers were developed for the ham radio community, initially marketed as "noise cancellers" and later acknowledged for abilities to null actual interfering stations and do beamforming. JPS ANC-1 and the MFJ 1025 and 1026 models were moderately-priced entry level units. The more sophisticated DX Engineering NCC models came later. By the early 2000's, two developments came along to rock the MW DX hobby in many ways and change what DXers did with phasing. The first development was wider-spread use of terminated cardioid- pattern loops with names such as Ewe, Kaz, SuperLoop, Flag, Bowtie, DKAZ, and DHDL. Especially on the two coasts of North America, with foreign DX often in the opposite direction from much of the domestic interference, these antennas were a godsend since they produced a desirable directional pattern over good bandwidth without all that phasing unit knob twisting. Furthermore, the pattern held up even with rather small antennas that could fit in a suburban lot or even on the roof of a vehicle. Until about 2000, my car roof beach DX set-up that I trotted out to Granite Pier and other locales was a bidirectional loop phased against an active whip. The system was very effective in nulling "pests" from NYC to the southwest as Europeans from the northeast boomed in around sunset. Moving about the dial involved periodic phase / amplitude re- adjustments to maintain the cardioid null one frequency to the next. Terminated loops largely took away that aggravation. Use of a phasing unit was reduced to more of a "niche" activity when you really needed to get to a 40 dB null on a blaster such as 1130 WBBR: the 20 or so dB null of the terminated loop wasn't cutting it to get to the subdominants from Brazil etc. In general the phaser wasn't nearly as vital an item in the toolbox. Right on the heels of the terminated loop revolution came the second big development of the 21st century: spectrum-storing SDR receivers. Initial offerings such as the SDR-IQ around 2006 only could capture a small to moderate slice of bandwidth, e.g. 190 kHz. At that point, the one-frequency-at-a-time DXing paradigm still largely held sway and if a null that was great high-band didn't work low-band without some knob spinning, so be it. The real revolution got going about 2008 when the Perseus came out. When operated with a higher-end computer, a full 1600 kHz of bandwidth could be captured. Typically a DXer would do 150-1750 (LW + MW) or 450-2050 (MW + 160m). The desire for an antenna pattern that behaved the same way over the whole band became more important. Phasers that were tuned L-C had largely fallen by the wayside by then anyway. A consistent time delay setting and flat gain over bandwidth became valued parameters. Much of the time phasing was applied to deliberate situations, especially two identical-pattern and -gain antennas displaced a certain distance (100-200 ft. / 30-60m typically) in end-fire or side-by-side layouts. Two disparate pick-up antennas, such as loop versus random wire into a tree, a common '70s set-up, cannot cut the mustard for something like a 30 dB west null band-bottom to band-top. Phasing is still a relevant tool in 2018 just as in 1978 but how DXers put it to use has changed to a fair extent. Live DXing, single channel at a time, is often still employed and can sometimes get you to a custom hand-adjusted null better than what a broadband compromise might produce. A mix of "new school" and "old school" techniques leads to the greatest enjoyment of the hobby (Mark Connelly, WA1ION, South Yarmouth, MA, July 6, IRCA at HCDX via DXLD) Hi Mark. That is a very amazing history lesson! Thank you taking the time to post it. 73, (Brandon Jordan, TN, ibid.) Hi Mark, That was an excellent overview of DX hobbyist use of phasers! You covered the early history which I wasn't aware of, as I was mostly DXing on the tropical bands when Gordon Nelson and others did their pioneering work. There is one more phase (LoL) developing now -- software based methods using coherent dual tuners (or channels). I'm sure you're aware of Afedri's AFE822x SDR-Net device . It was introduced a couple of years ago, but unfortunately software has not appeared to easily take advantage of phasing. If you jump through a lot of hoops and complexities with LINRAD, you can catch a glimpse of the future of software phasing, but it's nothing practical for a DXer's use in my opinion. Much more recently, SDRplay's RSPduo was introduced with its dual tuners. I have one myself, mainly for its future possibilities. I'm hoping that the 14-bit structure and additional front end filters will provide better basic performance than earlier RSP models I've owned. I expect it to be neck-and-neck with the AirSpy HF+ SDRs in a quiet DXpedition setting; maybe not so much in my suburban RF jungle. SDRplay looks to be the most active of all the SDR software developers, and they say they fully intend to offer phasing features in a future release of SDRuno software. Their activity, enthusiasm, and customer support make me think they are the group most likely to take software phasing out of the laboratory and into the DXer's shack. If he has the time and inclination, Simon Brown of SDR-Console software could implement RSPduo phasing too, but he's *not* dropped any hints about this. 73, (Guy Atkins, Puyallup, WA, ibid.) Hello Guy, You have raised an interesting question ref. using dual channel SDR for phasing. These may in future afford an alternative to some expensive commercial phasers. Also the SDR has the option of offering a fixed phase over a very wide bandwidth. This could be useful for phasing two orthogonal loops to provide omni-direction or with a loop + a resistance loaded longwire for a wideband cardioid pattern. However, like most other phasing schemes the SDR cannot provide a null over a wide bandwidth when used say with similar antenna pairs. This can only be done with a special Phased array controller when the two endfire antennas are run in anti-phase with a delay-line. This phasing also requires a design that has zero interaction on the antenna inputs verses phasing/amplitude adjustments. One interesting phaser that may have been overlooked was designed by the Late Graham Maynard in the late 1980s. He used a variable delayline to provide a 90 degree phase shift with a fixed 180 degree phase reversal transformer switched in 4 quadrants to provide 0-360 degree phasing. The advantage of this scheme was a wider null bandwidth as it could be used for an endfire array too. 73 (Andrew Ikin, UK, ibid.) Maybe I'm missing something here, but how is this new type of phasing supposed to be any better for FM DXing than a phase box with two antennas? I can already phase stations down into the noise, so how can you get any better than that?? (Mike Bugaj, Enfield, CT IRCA via WTFDA via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ Subject: History of Solar Flux Dear Glen[n], I ask you this question: do you know of any web page that can tell me the history of the solar flux, for example the 1960s. What would be the solar maximum? If you have this information, I would appreciate it greatly (Mark Sills Dallas Texas, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Mark, I searched on solar flux history and got a number of hits. This graph starts in 2000: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/solar-cycle-progression It does not look promising... These go back to 1954, http://www.solen.info/solar/history/hist1954.html it seems 2 months each, but the horizontal numbers must be julian days, rather than conventional dates: http://www.solen.info/solar/history/ Hope this helps. And that you are doing OK (Glenn to Mark, via DXLD) MORE THAN A WEEK WITHOUT SUNSPOTS The sun has been without sunspots for 8 consecutive days. Consider this the shape of things to come. The sun is rapidly plunging into a deep solar minimum. https://spaceweatherarchive.com/2018/05/01/sunspots-vanishing-faster-than-expected/ By the end of 2018, spotless intervals will be measured in weeks, not days, as the solar cycle continues to weaken. How does this affect us? Ironically, weak solar activity boosts cosmic radiation in Earth's atmosphere -- a situation that is expected to worsen in years ahead. https://spaceweatherarchive.com/2018/03/05/the-worsening-cosmic-ray-situation/ SpaceWeather.com -- News and information about meteor showers, solar flares, auroras, and near-Earth asteroids http://www.spaceweather.com (via Mike Terry, July 5, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) OUR SUN WAKES UP TODAY Launching 2 Earth-directed solar storms. It`s a 1,2-punch! Early NASA predictions indicate impact late on July 9 or early July 10. Storms are expected to be weak so effects at Earth may be moderate, but aurora could still reach mid-latitudes, especially if storming is extended over several days. Expect amateur radio issues on Earth's nightside, with auroral propagation possible! GPS/GNSS reception is also expected to be glitchy, especially at high latitudes and anywhere near aurora! https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherwoman/ (via Mike Terry, July 6, WOR iog via DXLD) :Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts :Issued: 2018 Jul 09 0254 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 02 - 08 July 2018 Solar activity was very low levels through most of the reporting period. However, on 06 Jul, A C1 flare was observed at 06/2007 UTC from an area of enhanced flux, as observed in STEREO AHEAD 195 imagery, from around the E. limb. The area later rotated onto the visible disk as spotless plage. Several DSFs were observed on 05 Jul from the NE quadrant, though none were thought to have produced Earth-directed CMEs. A coronal dimming in the SW quadrant was observed in SDO/AIA 193, around 04/2325 UTC, which was followed by an observation of a slow-moving CME first observed in STEREO AHEAD COR2 imagery beginning around 04/0324 UTC. No clear signature was observed in SOHO LASCO C2 or C3 imagery. Modeling of the event suggested the possibility of an Earth-directed component becoming geoeffective sometime after 09 Jul. No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at moderate to high levels on 02-04 Jul and decreased to normal to moderate levels on 05-08 Jul. Geomagnetic field activity ranged from quiet to G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels. Quiet conditions were observed from 02-04 Jul. A SSBC on 05 Jul increased total magnetic field strength to 12 nT and solar wind speeds to around 450 km/s. The field response increased from quiet to an isolated period of G1 (Minor) storm levels. Wind speeds continued between 400-525 km/s for the remainder of the reporting period; however, only quiet conditions were observed after 06/0300 UTC. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 09 JULY - 04 AUGUST 2018 Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels throughout the outlook period. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to range from normal to high levels. Normal to moderate levels are expected from 09-20 Jul and 01-04 Aug; moderate to high levels are expected from 21-31 Jul. All enhancements in electron flux are anticipated in response to recurrent CH HSSs. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to range from quiet to G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels. A slow-moving CME, first observed early on 05 Jul, is forecast to cause active levels on 09 Jul and unsettled levels on 10 Jul. Influences from multiple, recurrent, CH HSSs are expected to increase geomagnetic activity to unsettled levels on 16 Jul, 21 Jul and 24 Jul; active levels are likely on 15 Jul, 20 Jul, 22 Jul; G1 (Minor) storm levels are likely on 23 Jul. The remainder of the forecast period is expected to produce quiet levels under nominal solar wind conditions. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2018 Jul 09 0254 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 2018-07-09 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2018 Jul 09 72 12 4 2018 Jul 10 72 8 3 2018 Jul 11 74 5 2 2018 Jul 12 76 5 2 2018 Jul 13 76 5 2 2018 Jul 14 76 5 2 2018 Jul 15 76 16 4 2018 Jul 16 76 8 3 2018 Jul 17 76 5 2 2018 Jul 18 76 5 2 2018 Jul 19 76 5 2 2018 Jul 20 76 15 4 2018 Jul 21 74 8 3 2018 Jul 22 72 10 4 2018 Jul 23 72 18 5 2018 Jul 24 70 8 3 2018 Jul 25 68 5 2 2018 Jul 26 68 5 2 2018 Jul 27 68 5 2 2018 Jul 28 68 5 2 2018 Jul 29 68 5 2 2018 Jul 30 68 5 2 2018 Jul 31 68 5 2 2018 Aug 01 68 5 2 2018 Aug 02 68 5 2 2018 Aug 03 70 5 2 2018 Aug 04 72 5 2 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) OT: TADX on Band 2 FM this evening! AMAZING! CBC radio 1 on 88.5 here in NI from CANADA at 2235 local [2135 UT] (Paul Logan, Lisnaskea, Fermanagh, N. Ireland via Steve Whitt, 2246 UT July 8, MWCircle yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DXLD) The 6m prop maps alerted me, boy there was some amount of traffic going back and forth. My main interest is Band 2. This is the fourth North American opening noted here since 2003 but they are few and far between. Last one was 2009. Since 2010 I've heard Puerto Rico on Band 2 twice. It's a very odd (slightly shocking) thing hearing the CBC fade up over RTE!!!! (Paul Logan, later, ibid.) There are three 88.5s in eastern Canada, per WTFDA FM DB: CBVG-FM CBVE-FM 104. 88.5 GASPÉ QC 2.61 0.0 384.5 0.0 48-50-01 64-15-24 Mono NEWS/TALK CBC RADIO ONE 104.7 FM CBME-FM 88.5 MONTRÉAL QC 25.0 0.0 243.0 0.0 45-30-20 73-35-30 NEWS/TALK CBC RADIO ONE 88.5 FM CBN-1-FM CBN-640 88.5 ST. JOHN'S NL 3.612 3.102 221.0 221.0 47-32-04 52-47-21 NEWS/TALK CBC RADIO ST. JOHN'S Nested Repeater for CBN-640 Newfoundland would be the most likely one by far, except it`s only 3+ kW, while Montreal is 25 kW. Distance St. John`s to Lisnaskea is 3205 km = only 1991 statute miles --- so it`s easily double-hop sporadic E, about the shortest TA path possible. But this is no mean feat – in all my years of DXing I have never logged double-hop Es on FM. Further post on MWC has an audio clip mentioning ``driving around Montreal`` but says program was network `Cross-Country Checkup`. His antenna a 5- element yagi (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1938, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, my thinking that it is Newfoundland is as follows: An opening into either Montréal or Gaspé may well have brought other stations from the same transmitter sites. None of which are on my recordings. In St John`s 88.5 looks to be the only reasonably powered station at the bottom of the band - the others transmit with a mere few watts. CBC is the only TA signal on my recordings. During previous openings to North America, multiple stations were received when the path extended into large population areas. With this one there is one solitary station (Paul Logan, Lisnaskea, N. Ireland, MWCircle yg via DXLD) Paul, I guess you were using which I also find very useful for monitoring Sporadic E conditions. I don’t recall what was going on exactly at the time of your reception, but on the evening concerned there were many 50 MHz ham QSOs taking place between the UK and various parts of Canada, not just the east coast, so all those Glenn mentions are possible, although I think Newfoundland is the most likely. If you took a screenshot at the time of reception you would probably be able to confirm the location because you can see where the reflection points were. Hams only use a few hundred watts, albeit with some antenna gain, and trans-Oceanic sporadic E signals only have attenuation due to distance rather than absorption, so I don’t think power is an issue. The main determinant on these paths is two (or more) sufficiently dense sporadic E clouds in just the right place to reflect the signals between two locations – it’s a game of chance! There were plenty of ionised clouds over the Atlantic on the evening of your reception; what is unusual is that they were sufficiently dense at the two reflection points to provide propagation at 88 MHz. One of the holy grails of amateur radio is a trans-Atlantic QSO on 144 MHz – we might have been close on that occasion! It’s rare in the UK on 2m, even on single-hop paths. But you will know all this anyway (although other members of the group might not). 73, (Martin A Hall, Clashmore, Scotland, GM8IEM – IO78HF, MWCircle yg via DXLD) Hi Martin, I took a screenshot of DXmaps at the time. It looks like a lot of triple hop down into the 4 region of the US but the 2nd hop is where my reception comes in. I think it was Newfoundland as nothing was noted on the alternate (and high powered) frequencies from the transmitter sites of the two other CBC outlets on that channel. Also the logger map shows all the traffic going down the eastern seaboard of NA with almost nothing out of Montreal or the Gaspe areas. TA FM DX has become an obsession for me since 2003 and in that time I have noted only four openings across the North Atlantic path with an MUF that reached Band 2. Twice the Caribbean has been received. It really is (almost) as rare as hen`s teeth! Which is great as it shows us what our hobby is really about: observing anomalies. In 2003 and 2009 I observed the MUF reach around 100 MHz with weakish signals from the US and Canada (and these from fairly high powered transmitters) - which just underlines how difficult a 2m TA QSO via Sp-E would be. IMHO if it ever happens it will be via tropo or some mixture of modes (Paul Logan, ibid.) TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING ++++++++++++++++++++++++ COMING TO AMERICA VOA in French from Greenville on 15730 kHz is with a celebration of the 4th of July including the song "Coming to America." Lyrics below. Does Trump know that VOA is promoting such a welcoming message to Africa? I doubt it but then again, does Trump know anything? Sorry, George, if you're still reading the group. Just in the last two days he tweeted an outright lie (that he picked up from Fox) about the number of Iranians granted citizenship under the Obama Administration. Good luck, America, on your national day and get out and vote in November all you progressives so that at least Congress can help right the ship! We've been traveling far Without a home But not without a star Free Only want to be free We huddle close Hang on to a dream On the boats and on the planes They're coming to America Never looking back again They're coming to America Home, don't it seem so far away Oh, we're traveling light today In the eye of the storm In the eye of the storm Home, to a new and a shiny place Make our bed, and we'll say our grace Freedom's light burning warm Freedom's light burning warm Everywhere around the world They're coming to America Every time that flag's unfurled They're coming to America Got a dream to take them there They're coming to America Got a dream they've come to share They're coming to America They're coming to America They're coming to America They're coming to America They're coming to America Today, today, today, today, today My country 'tis of thee Today Sweet land of liberty Today Of thee I sing Today Of thee I sing Today (-- Richard Langley, New Brunswick, July 4, WOR iog via DXLD) TECH BRINGS RELIABILITY AT COST OF SATISFACTION I STARTED listening to shortwave broadcast stations like Radio Australia in the early 70s and find these days you can listen to them on the worldwide web, well some of them. This I find less pleasing as the PC does the work for you and therefore you can't say "I picked this station up myself ". In my opinion, it is the same with photography. These days, the camera and a PC will do all the work for you. In the days when I had a darkroom I could say, I did that and be proud of it. There is one thing I could say for today's photography nothing could go wrong. Ian Radford, Boulton Lane, Alvaston, A letter to the editor in the Derby Evening Telegraph (United Kingdom) on Saturday, July 7, 2018, page 24 (via Mike Cooper, Jul 11, DXLD) ###