DX LISTENING DIGEST 18-31, July 31, 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 1941 contents: Albania non, Antarctica, Argentina, Australia and non, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Denmark, France, Ireland Northern non, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Nigeria, Perú, USA, Western Sahara non, unidentified; and the propagation outlook SHORTWAVE AIRINGS of WORLD OF RADIO 1941, July 31-August 6, 2018 Tue 2030 WRMI 5950 7780 [1940 replayed? inaudible] Tue 2130 WRMI 5950 [1940 replayed? inaudible] Tue 2330 WBCQ 9330v [confirmed] Wed 1030 WRMI 5950 [zzz] Wed 2100 WRMI 9955 [confirmed from 2100:30] Wed 2100 WBCQ 7490v [confirmed] Wed 2330 WBCQ 9330v [not aired] Thu 2330 WBCQ 9330v [not aired] Fri 2330 WBCQ 9330v [not aired] Sat 0630 HLR 6190-CUSB Hamburger Lokalradio [confirmed, Bulgaria] Sat 1431 HLR 6190-CUSB Hamburger Lokalradio [confirmed, England] Sat 1930v WA0RCR 1860-AM Sat 2130 WBCQ 9330v [maybe, or 2330?] 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 #1942?] 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. NEWISH! 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) ** AFGHANISTAN. Weak signal of Radio Afghanistan Ext. Sce, July 25 1530&1600 on 6100 YAK 100 kW / 125 deg to SoAs English/Urdu from 1620 on 6100 YAK 100 kW / 125 deg to SoAs NO SIGNAL http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/weak-signal-of-radio-afghanistan-extsce.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 25-26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALASKA. Listen out for HAARP WSPR 80m transmissions --- Chris Fallen, KL3WX, will be using 80 kilowatts into the massive HAARP antenna array in Alaska for WSPR experiments in the 80m band from July 30 to August 1 --- Chris KL3WX tweeted: WSPR experiments are tentatively planned to occur between 2300 and 2400 hours UT on July 30, 31, and Aug 1. Most broadcasts will be at the 80m dial frequency default in WSJT, that is 3.5926 MHz with AM (3 dB loss) because HAARP does not have an upper side band (USB) mode yet! For updates follow Chris KL3WX on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ctfallen University of Alaska Fairbanks HAARP https://twitter.com/uafhaarp HAARP FAQ https://www.gi.alaska.edu/haarp/faq WSPRnet WSPRnet | Welcome to the Weak Signal Propagation Reporter Network (via Southgate via Mike Terry, July 28, WOR iog via DXLD) Midday hour in AK, will not propagate very far (gh, DXLD) As if in reply, Chris twatted: Chris Fallen ? @ctfallen Jul 26 Why WSPR at 80m in the daytime with HAARP, a time that is far from ideal? The primary objective is to generate field-aligned (plasma density) irregularities, and the ham is a bonus, making it a dual use experiment. I think "somebody" needs to write grant proposals to do just ham! Chris Fallen ? @ctfallen Jul 26 Chris Fallen Retweeted KM0MMM (Djembe Mike) Nevertheless, part of the experiment involves WSPRing quietly, at only 80 kW net power. That's HAARP's "inside voice." (via DXLD) HAARP WSPR 80m experimental transmissions planned on July 30-31 & August 1: 2300-2400 on 3592.6 AM mode (3 dB loss) because HAARP does not have an USB mode yet! http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/haarp-wspr-80m-experimental.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 28-29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALASKA [non]. 6190, 01Ago, 0243, MADAGASCAR (Relay), KNLS La Voz Alegre in English. A cheerful program presented by OM and YL with gospel music. Complete ID by OM at 0252. But was not the program in Spanish at that time? Local signal on the Pardinho SDR and good signal on my QTH. End of transmission at 0257. The second transmission, at 0300, also starts in English. https://drive.google.com/open?id=18gtV4_bz0ra9evz2HqpVffKvbD_HCG_6 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, condiglista yg via DXLD) Every so often, too often, MWV mixes up languages, frequencies, times (gh, DXLD) ** ALBANIA [non]. 9395, July 26 at 0233, WRMI is playing erstwhile World Music fill instead of Radio Tirana relay as now scheduled during this semihour: The EU medley with Chariots of Fire; 0240 Spanish ID; 0251 Cayman Holiday, 0252 another Spanish ID. 9395, July 27 at 0230 Spanish ID for WRMI, 0230.5 right into World Music again instead of Radio Tirana – the Andean tune with quena. Evidently, like 7 months ago, the R. Tirana English files are not reaching WRMI. Am I the only one who notices? I have again notified Christian Milling of shortwaveservice about this. Last time RTSH had changed the streaming URL without notice, so the automation could not get it. 9395, UT Sunday July 29 at 0230, relay of R. Tirana is still AWOL; after WRMI ID, immediately goes to World Music fill, that familiar but unidentified Alpine(?) tune. I have still not received a reply from Christian Milling of shortwaveservice in Germany who 7 months ago fixed the same problem, since Tirana had changed its audio URL without notice (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This posting http://radioforum.foren.mysnip.de/read.php?8773,1402976,1475907#msg-1475907 ``Re: [ALB] Radio Tirana 3 - das Auslandsradio aus Albanien # geschrieben von: Felsberg user status icon global Datum: 28. Juli 2018 10:32 Seit Dienstag, den 24.07.2018, sind alle Streams des albanischen Rundfunks unter http://149.202.214.27:8888 ausgefallen. Der Empfang ist im Ausland derzeit nur via Satellit (Eutelsat 16 Ost) möglich. Die deutsche Sendung von Radio Tirana kann aber weiterhin hier heruntergeladen werden (Mitschnitt via Satellit): https://www.wwdxc.de/tirana/ 1-mal bearbeitet. Zuletzt am 28.07.18 10:33`` says: All streaming from Radio Tirana is down since July 24, at present the foreign service goes out via Eutelsat 16A only. Link to WWDXC page which has recordings of the German broadcasts, recorded off satellite (Kai Ludwig, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) Yes, this is the reason why also the programs on 6005 / 3985 are not updated. Radio Tirana is informed (Christian Milling, shortwaveservice, ibid.) 9395, July 31 at 0230 check, WRMI still defaults to World Music fill instead of Radio Tirana relay – starting with the song about how wonderful the Bahamas are (indirectly promoting Jeff`s cruisebiz). It may be a while, or a long while before we hear RT again. It`s not the same problem as 7 months ago, when RT had changed the streaming URL without notice, defeating automation. [as above] At 0230 UT August 1, 9395 again goes to World Music loop, this time starting with ``Up2 and Away``. I also try the live stream link, via new Hitlist: https://www.rtsh.al/radio-tirana-3-live/ and indeed it will not play; ``network error`` flashes occasionally. Of course, the WRMI broadcast would have been from a file transfer earlier, 0230 only being a legacy time for the real Radio Tirana ex-SW broadcasts. Altho WRMI surely gets some input from satellite feeds, it probably would not be worth it to set up grasping Radio Tirana off Eutelsat 16A if that were even possible; temporarily? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALGERIA [non]. See SAUDI ARABIA [and non] ** ANGUILLA. 11775, University Network; 1519, 7/22; PMS website & reservation phone # + Amazing Grace instead of usual toe-tapper; 1522 into Rev. Barbie. SIO=343-, fady with chatter burst QRM. +++ [same], 1234, 7/23; Rev. Barbie telling me my responsibilities. R.B. said she squandered much of her life, but provided no details. (“Squandered” is such a harsh term. “Inspiration” comes in many forms.) SIO=443+, much less xmtr hum than recently (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, ---- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time ----, DX LISTENING DIGEST) AFAIK, Anguilla is active only on local Sundays and Mondays (gh) 11775, Caribbean Beacon at 1430, PMS lecture. Finally back on~! Have to check my logs, it has been nearly a week since I have heard action here, or on 6090. - Fair July 29 [Sunday] (Rick Barton, Logs from Central Arizona, (My listening has been haphazard and spotty last cupla weeks). Grundig Satellit 205(T5000) & 750; RS SW-2000629, HQ- 180A, & ATS-909X with various outdoor wires. 73 and Good Listening....! - rb, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANTARCTICA. 15476, LRA 36, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel seems to be out of air for more than two months (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, July 26, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Make that one month? You reported in DXLD 18-27: ``15476, LRA 36, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Base Esperanza, 1750-1810*, 27- 06, extremely weak, only carrier detected (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Another Wednesday (only?) broadcast (gh, DXLD)`` and one more since then: ``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)`` It`s not unexpected for it to go into hibernation at midwinter (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. RADIO SELVA AM 1710 KHz, es una de las pocas estaciones que quedan activas en la “X Band” de nuestro país. La estación salió al aire el 26 de Noviembre de 2015, y desde entonces se encuentra transmitiendo durante las 24 horas, difundiendo música de Misiones para los residentes de esa provincia que habitan en el Gran Buenos Aires. La emisora transmite desde sus estudios centrales ubicados sobre la calle General Villegas 2157, de la ciudad y partido de Ituzaingó, Provincia de Buenos Aires. Teléfono: (11) 2082-3860. E- mail: , y Página Web: . Su director general sería el Sr. Juan Carlos Ruffo (tomada de Argentina en AM y FM via Conexion Digital 29 July via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) 1710a, 0717, AM Selva with popular SS vocals on measured 1709.877 16/7 (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai, Northland, North Island, New Zealand, with WinRadio G33DDC & AOR7030+ fed by EWEs, directed to NE, East and SE, August NZ DX Times via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. 5055, 2110, 4KZ poor in English with local news items, 25/7 (John Durham, Tauranga NZ, Using the League’s Northland SDR, August NZ DX Times via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. ROLE OF AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING SERVICES IN THE ASIA PACIFIC --- On PM with Linda Mottram --- Download 3.14 MB [6:52] Broadcast: Tue 17 Jul 2018, 6:57pm http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/radio/local_sydney/audio/201807/ppm-2018-07-17-geoff-heriot-iv.mp3 Short wave services can endure storms, coups and the vagaries of terrain - making them a lifeline to our remote and media starved Pacific Island neighbours over many decades. When the ABC abandoned short wave four years ago, there was a surge of dismay and alarm with the Federal government eventually setting up a review of Australian Broadcasting Services in the Asia Pacific. A one-time head of the ABC's Asia Pacific broadcast services is the latest to speak up, cautioning in an essay for the Lowy Institute that there is a cost to Australia's influence without a strong broadcast offering to the media starved Pacific Island region based on democratic values and engagement with communities (ABC via August Australian DX News via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. ABC Management - Newspaper Item --- Whilst not SW news, I thought the following extracts from this newspaper article regarding ABC management was of interest. Whilst it pertains specifically to falling ratings for ABC local radio in Melbourne, Victoria it does highlight a perceived problem with ABC management; the management that pulled the plug on Radio Australia's SW broadcasts early last year. The article is here: https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/rudderless-ship-abc-radio-staff-blame-management-for-ratings-plunge-20180723-p4zt4x.html The following are the sentences that caught my attention for your interest: Some believe that senior executives – right up to managing director Michelle Guthrie – are exceedingly dazzled by digital media, while dismissing radio as an "old medium for old people". Some blame a Silicon Valley-style mindset that fetishises "risk" and "innovation", allowing ill-considered decisions to be passed off as brilliantly counter-intuitive. The biggest gripe, however, is management's perceived lack of respect for the craft of broadcasting." (Ian (AUS), dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA [non]. Unique Radio Australia will be on air from Saturday August 4th 2018 1100 UT for two hours until 1300 (7-9 AM EDT) via WINB Red Lion Pennsylvania on 9265 kHz. Featuring Some local news in review, a little Shortwave news, some golden oldies and a brand new feature from Hobart Radio International. Keep an ear out to frequency 15670 kHz to Europe and Africa, 1000- 1700, may feature some music from Unique Radio Australia. Reception Reports to nri3@yahoo.com.au Best regards (Timothy Gaynor, Unique Radio, Gunnedah NSW, Australia, July 27, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) 15670 would presumably still be in DRM, tho he does not say so; but weekdays only (gh, DXLD) Another version: see USA: WINB ** BAHRAIN. Fair to good signal of Radio Bahrain on July 28: from 0550 on 9745 ABH 010 kW / non-dir to N/ME Arabic CUSB http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/fair-to-good-signal-of-radio-bahrain-on.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 27-28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. R. YURA. Julio 27. 1136-1146 UT. Mujer y hombre dan avisos en español y quechua. SINPO: 45333 (Claudio Galaz, Receptor: TECSUN PL 660, ANTENA: Hilo largo de 30 metros + balun 9:1+ tierra; Lugar de escucha: Ovalle, IV Región, Chile) Hard-Core-DX mailing list via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) WTFK? Presumably around 5935 per reactivation tho not reported in months; or ex-4717v? (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Corregido: BOLIVIA. 5936. R. YURA. . . (Claudio Galaz, HCDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) Whew, that will have a big problem in North America with WWCR on 5935; but absolutely no QRM in Chile. Listen for a het at least and/or precisely measure its frequency. In evening, WWCR supposed to start 5935 at 0000, but I recently found it absent almost to 0200. [WORLD OF RADIO 1941] The last very indefinite report about Yura was in DXLD 17-47: The rest of this info is from LAST YEAR 2017: ``BOLIVIA. 5935.0, Nov 11 at 2253, JBA carrier a few minutes before WWCR blast, again raising the question whether it`s R. Yura, no definite logs lately, or just Tibet (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Still waiting for anyone to reconfirm whether Yura on or not`` And also in every issue before that back thru 17-39, starting with this item I posted September 25, 2017: ``Radio Yura, Bolivia back on new 5935 ** BOLIVIA. 5935, Emisora Bolviana desconocida. Estimados: Existe una emisora en 5935 proveniente de Bolivia. Identificable por la hora dada y el acento. Sin embargo, no se identifica. Hace un par de semanas, un diexista argentino la captó: https://youtu.be/-g_dlnnBvkg He aquí la mia: https://youtu.be/JHhmBXpywKU Saludos cordiales (Claudio Galaz, Ovalle, IV Región, Chile, Hard-Core- DX mailing list via DXLD) Time? The hours when WWCR is *not* on 5935 are: 12-24 UT (gh) Re: 5935 kHz, Emisora Boliviana desconocida. Hola, La emisora reportada por el amigo Claudio, es Radio Yura, La Voz de los Ayllus. Anoche llegaba a mi QTH compartiendo canal con University Network desde USA; así decidi probar suerte con un SDR localizado en Brasil y se escuchaba un poco mejor, con largas tandas de música folclórica y dando la hora una que otra vez en voz pregrabada. No hubo locución y antes de salir del aire a las 0212 UT "Hasta este momento, Radio Yura, la Voz de los Ayllus ha llegado al aire en sus emisiones correspondientes a esta jornada; esperamos que todos los programas que hemos difundido hayan estado al completo agrado de todos ustedes..." Mismo cierre pregrabado que compare con un audio de hace un par de años. Reactivacion en nueva frecuencia. Buenos DX (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá D.C. - COLOMBIA, Sept 21, condiglista yg via DXLD) Confirmada es R. Yura, reactivada en frecuencia de 5936 kilociclos como dice el audio añadido. Saludos! (Claudio Galaz, Chile, ibid.) Esta noche de viernes con buena selección musical; Pop y rock en español e identificándose con mayor regularidad, y curioso que anuncie 5936 kHz. Buenos DX (Rafael R., 0156 UT Sept 23, ibid.) Desde Buenos Aires la pude escuchar hoy con muy buena recepción sobre las 11 UT. 73 (Arnaldo Slaen, Sept 23, ibid.) 5935. R. YURA [Tentativa] Sept. 21. 0000-0213 UT. Radionovela. Luego dice: "Son las 8 de la noche con 2 minutos" para posteriormente seguir con la trama. A las 0010, espacio musical de cumbias, mix folclórico y de vallenatos. ID a las 0111 con baja modulación, solamente entendible la frecuencia. Luego continuación del espacio musical con avisos de la hora local. SINPO: 34343. Desde las 0008 SINPO: 44343. Desde las 0035, SINPO: 45333 con fading. Desde las 0109 SINPO: 44433. Audio: https://youtu.be/JHhmBXpywKU (Claudio Galaz; RX: TECSUN PL 660; ANT: Hilo de 40 metros de largo; QTH: Ovalle, IV Región, Chile, ibid.) Until a couple of years ago it was on 4717v- to the low side and audible here. In case it really be on 5936, we can at least listen for a het upon DGS & PMS. From previous behavior, chances are it is not right smack dab on 5935.000 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` [non]. 5935, July 29 at *2359, WWCR steel drums signing on for 12 hours. A bit of an impediment to hearing R. Yura, which Claudio Galaz, Chile, has heard reactivated in the morning as ``5936``. Not even a het/carrier here, but our best chance should be in the minutes before WWCR comes on, improving as our sun sets earlier. However, one night recently I found WWCR absent as late as 0150. We need to know the exact true frequency of Radio Yura (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 4875.1, Brasil, Rdif. Roraima, Boa Vista RR, 1010 to 1022 Portuguese OM with vocal fading out 19 July: 0030 to 0045 enchanting music in Portuguese, strong signal 20 July (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, Florida, 746 Pro - Noise reducing antenna, NASWA yg via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 11780, Rádio Nacional da Amazônia, Brasília, 2003-2025, 19- 07, program “Nossa Terra”, Brazilian songs and news and comments about Amazônia. 25332. Also 2001-2020, 22-07, comments, ID “Rádio Nacional da Amazônia, ondas curtas de 25 metros, 11780 kHz, 49 metros, 6180 kHz [sic; inactive], “A partir de agora, Nossa Terra” 25332. Nossa Terra is a program to Amazonian farmers with agriculture information and Brazilian songs. Is on air Monday to Friday between 2003 to 2130 UT (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11780, July 25 at 0141, RNA is still on with Brazuguese conversation at S9+20. I`ve yet to catch when they turn it off, but apparently not (yet?) all-night (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, Yesterday RNA stayed until later with a transmission of a football match. 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, July 26, WOR iog via DXLD) 11780, Rádio Nacional at 2245, with happy vocal music, accordions (I couldn't ID the music style, but I liked it), VG July 28 11780, R Nacional Amazônia at 0045. M in Portuguese. Recheck at 0100 has ID, vocal music from 1930s or 40s from the sound of it. Staying on late after usual close....? Since reactivating recently, they usually close at 2300. (Canadian DXer Mark Coady also has logged them after 2300 recently). Lighting up the little green tuning eye on my SW- 2000629 and outdoor antenna (as weather today allows). July 29 (Rick Barton, Logs from Central Arizona, (My listening has been haphazard and spotty last cupla weeks). Grundig Satellit 205(T5000) & 750; RS SW-2000629, HQ-180A, & ATS-909X with various outdoor wires. 73 and Good Listening....! - rb, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11780, July 31 at 0134, RNB is S9+20 greeting listeners in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Belo Horizonte --- so I assume it is RNB programming, not RNA specifically. Some have evaluated this as underpowered, and it may be less than original 250 kW rating, but plenty now, loud & clear (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BULGARIA [and non]. SECRETLAND, Three transmissions via SPL Secretbrod on July 26: Brother HySTAIRical 1500-1655 11600 SCB 100 kW / 126 deg N/ME English, fair signal Dimtse Radio Erena 1700-1800 9720 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg EaAf Tigrinya/Arabic M-F, fair Radio Nigeria Hausa Sce/Radio of Truth 1800-1900 15110 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg WeAf Hausa Radio Na Gaskiya, weak, plus QRM same time 15120.0 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg NoAf English DRM Voice of Nigeria, strong http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/three-transmissions-via-spl-secretbrod.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 26-27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Re WOR 1940, European style Portuguese --- Glenn, I am not surprised that you heard European style Portuguese, maybe also called Luso-Portuguese, on CHHA [1610 kHz]. I do know, from my visits in Western NY, that CHIN-FM, 100.7, has several hours of that kind of Portuguese in the morning. So does CIAO, 530. This report is two years old, it’s that long since I’ve been up there, but, those programs have been on for a long time. The last time I was up there, I recorded Spanish from CHHA for Carrie, more interesting than the typical Miami or L.A. station. Can’t find CHHA on an internet feed, can you? 73, (Tim Hendel, AL, July 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Tim, There are Listen Live links on the home page, http://chha1610am.ca Directly, http://72.139.27.130:100/broadwave.mp3?src=1&rate=1 And I just checked - it works. 73, (Glenn to Tim, via DXLD) ** CHILE. 6925. RCW. Julio 27. 1935-1955 UT. Espacio de música contemporánea. SINPO: 25322 (Claudio Galaz, Receptor: TECSUN PL 660, ANTENA: Hilo largo de 30 metros + balun 9:1+ tierra; Lugar de escucha: Ovalle, IV Región, Chile, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** CHINA. 3900, PBS Hulun Buir, Hailar. At 10 kW into a non- directional antenna, this is one of the few low-powered Chinese regional outlets on shortwave. Often hard to hear at Mount Evelyn, it was coming in to the Flinders Ranges with a good signal at 1115 with a mix of programming in Mandarin. Hailar is located in far northeastern Inner Mongolia, near the border with Russia. 24/7 (Rob Wagner, VK3BVW, Mount Evelyn, VIC, report from Flanders Ranges, which is in South Australia; on a visit? Or a remote receiver? August Australian DX News via DXLD) ** CHINA. According to the Chinese broadcasting information site China National Radio began domestic shortwave test broadcasting on July 24. They transmit "Voice of China" (domestic 5th program) on 6030 kHz at 2025-1805 UT until the end of 2018. The transmission will be stopped at 0600-0900 UT on Tuesdays for transmitter maintenance. The main target area is North China, but expected to be audible all over China. The transmitter of 6030 kHz has originally 100 kW of power, but the power is reduced to 30 kW in DRM transmission mode. There will be temporarily stop of the transmission. The reception report should be addressed to (Takahito Akabayashi-JPN, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 26, via Büschel, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) Probably via Shuangqiao #491 site [WORLD OF RADIO 1941] [later:] die holperige google-Uebersetzung: 2018-07-26 a.. Radio 6030 kHz CNR DRM (kontinuierliche Aktualisierung der Informationen während des Tests)Am 24. Juli 2018 führte die Voice of China im Laufe des Jahres den zweiten Test von DRM Digital AM Broadcasting durch. Gemäß der offiziellen Information ist die Frequenz, die in diesem Test verwendet wird, 6030 kHz, und die Übertragungszeit ist 04: 25-02: 05 Peking-Zeit, die mit der Übertragungszeit des ursprünglichen analogen Signals übereinstimmt. Während des Testzeitraums wurde am Dienstag, der Pekinger Zeit, von 14: 00-17: 00 Uhr eine routinemäßige Abschaltung durchgeführt. Die ursprüngliche analoge Signalleistung von 6030 kHz beträgt 100 kW, was dem ersten Teststart Ende Januar dieses Jahres entspricht: Die DRM-Digital-AM-Sendeleistung beträgt nur 30 kW. Vor allem für den Start in Nord - China, die meisten Teile des östlichen Teil unseres Landes kann das Signal empfangen. Ungeplante Ausfallzeit während des Tests basierend auf der Inbetriebnahme oder dem Testbedarf der Ausrüstung. Gleichzeitig begrüßt das Launch-Pad-Personal konditionelle Enthusiasten, die eingehenden Informationen zu hören und aufzuzeichnen und Feedback an den Offiziellen zu senden, um die Starts zu verbessern. Feedback E-Mail: drmrtprc@163.com Frequenzänderung (kontinuierliche Aktualisierung der Informationen während des Tests) Am 25. Juli um 10:00 Uhr gestoppt und um 11:30 Uhr wieder aufgenommen. Beginnend am 26. Juli um 09:00 Uhr wird der Modulationsmodus auf 64QAM geändert und es wird erwartet, dass er am 27. Juli um 09:00 Uhr in den ursprünglichen Modus zurückkehrt. https://cahcn.github.io/posts/2018-07-26-6030kHz-CNR-DRM.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Der 6030 kHz wurde kurz getestet und am 13. Juli 2018 von 09.00 bis 15.00 Uhr gestartet, der Inhalt des Launchs war ethnische Musik, im Folgenden die damalige Empfangssituation. Darüber hinaus erhielt Japans BCLer am Abend des 23. Juli auch das DRM-Testsignal von China Voice auf 6030 kHz, das die Testarbeiten möglicherweise früher als geplant gestartet hat. Empfang von Testsignalen am 13. Juli 2018 (Danke an den BCLer der Jiangsu WeChat Group für Audiodateien) http://oqtut51hd.bkt.clouddn.com/6030kHz-CNR-DRM-20180713.jpg (Wolfgang Büschel, July 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn - Actually DRM testing on 6030 kHz. started earlier than planned, on July 23, as heard in Japan and California https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84ZMQzWbgKI&feature=youtu.be (Ron Howard, California, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6030, 1247-, CRI?, Jul 28. Can clearly see the DRM signal, but no luck demodulating anything. It's simply too weak. A few times I'd see some bars, but never enough for an ID (Walt Salmaniw, Masset, BC, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Here's the reply I was sent regarding the DRM test transmission on 6030 from China. Note, I was only able to "see" the downfall on my Perseus, but without any decode: Dear Walter, Greetings from Beijing. Thank you for your attention. Since 23rd July test DRM on 6030 kHz became a regular test transmission. The schedule is 2025-1805 UT. It is just a domestic broadcasting test. We will update the requirement into B18 HF broadcasting schedules. And in the test period, the normal AM transmission on 6030 kHz will be shut down. In the near future, there may be more and more test DRM transmissions. Looking forward to your attention and feedback. Please feel free to contact us. Best regards. Sincerely, Sun email address was: drmrtprc@163.com 73, (Walt Salmaniw, WOR iog via DXLD) ** CHINA. 5050, Beibu Bay Radio, 1300, July 29. Time pips; Beijing time in Chinese and English ("9 PM"); singing station jingle; mostly in Vietnamese; // 9820, which was still mostly blocked by CNR2, whereas 5050 had clear and fair reception. 6035, FM99 relay (Voice of Shangri-la), via Yunnan, 1326, July 29. Pop songs, with the normal FM format; still up against an UNID jamming (N. Korea?); best in USB, to get away from strong CNR1 DRM signal on 6030. 6155, CNR2 (China Business Radio), 1225-1232, July 29. Good reception; comedy/variety show "Haiyang Live," in Chinese; program is often heard on CNR2 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** CHINA. Reception of CNR1 jammer vs Sound of Hope Xi Wang Zhi Sheng, July 25 till 0900 15800.1 unknown kW / non-dir EaAs Chinese, very good signal: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/cnr-1-jammer-vs-sound-of-hope-xi-wang.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 24-25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non]. 17705, CHINA, CNR1 at 1241 // 13830 in Mandarin jamming AIR in Mandarin with a man and woman with an apparent news program with sound bytes – Very Good July 28 (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) Also jamming 15040 (gh) ** CHINA [non]. Albania: 9570, China Radio International with English via Cërrik with News and into talx re real estate market in China and then sports news at 0140 (announced as 42 minutes past the hour). Then into entertainment news at 0148, talx re the new Spiderman movie, etc. Weather at 0154, news headlines to end the Beijing hour and at 0155 into "I want to Learn Chinese" language lesson. // 9580 via Cuba as strong but very muffled: 5 5 4+4+3 6020 via Albania (MINOR modulation hum) 4+5 4 5 4 9675 Kashi-Sabagh at noise level 1+5 2 4 1+ no other listed channels heard. NICE reception: 55555 I could pick nits about fading, but no, this was as close to perfect as SW gets. 0130-0156 23/Jul SDRplay +SDRuno +randomwire (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, MARE Tipsheet 27 July via DXLD) CRI relays: see also CUBA ** COLOMBIA. 5910.3, Alcaraván Radio, Puerto Lleras, 0457-0520, 20-07, Latin American songs. Very weak. 15321. Also 0455-0515, 21-07, Latin American songs. Very weak. 15321. Also 053[sic]-0550, 22-07, Latin American songs, “Llaneras”, ID by female: “Alcaraván Radio, 1060 AM”- 15321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 1060??? No such station listed; its MW had always been on 1530, and still so in WRTH 2018 as HKV82. --- BTW, something odd is obvious in the WRTH Colombia MW frequency list. Instead of four letters, callsign format of three letters and two numbers is rampant starting at 1400 on up, with only a smattering of such below 1400; why? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5910.23, Alcaraván Radio, Puerto Lleras, 0030 to 0049 good strong signal, OM baritone vocals 23 July (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, Florida, 746 Pro - Noise reducing antenna, NASWA yg via DXLD) You never know whether this one will be on or off the air, early or late evening, but the off-frequency+plus is a dead giveaway even if nothing more than JBA carrier (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO. 6115, Radio Congo, Brazzaville, 1820-1828*, 25-07, after various days of silence, today on air with comments in French. 14321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO. VOA OPENS FRENCH LANGUAGE STATION IN BRAZZAVILLE, REPUBLIC OF CONGO Minister of Communications Thierry Moungalla cuts the ribbon at the opening of VOA's FM station in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. [caption] Washington, D.C. – The Voice of America officially opened its newest FM radio station today in the Republic of Congo. VOA Director Amanda Bennett, U.S. Ambassador Todd P. Haskell and Minister of Communications Thierry Moungalla attended today's ceremony in Brazzaville. They and a large crowd were on hand to officially kick off the inaugural broadcast of French station "Peace FM 104.3" and its sister station in Pointe Noire on 98.3 FM. Director Bennett said the new station is part of VOA’s commitment to “being a model of a free press and supporting freedom of speech.” And in today’s media environment marred by “falsified news” and “disinformation,” she said “VOA takes pride in being a trusted source of information." This marks VOA’s 100th FM station – and the 32nd on the African continent. Among its offerings, the station will broadcast a breakfast and evening news magazine show “The World Today” (Le Monde Aujourd’hui). Also on tap, five minute news briefs every hour on the hour, a weekly current affairs radio-TV simulcast “Washington Forum” and special weekly programs like “Your Health, Your Future,” “A Woman’s World,” “Sporama” and “Religious Dialogue.” Also, in response to requests from audiences, every day at 10:05 p.m. local time, listeners in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire can get a 25- minute lesson in American English from VOA’s Michele Joseph on a program called “English USA.” (VOA PR via Dr Hansjoerg Biener, DXLD) ** CRIMEA [and non]. From August, the Ukrainian radio will start broadcasting to the Crimea. As early as next month, Ukraine plans to launch a full-fledged radio broadcasting to the territory of the Crimea. This was told by a member of the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council Sergei Kostinsky. The radio station pool included Army FM, Radio NV, Hit FM, Radio Rocks, Kis, Meidan, Krym.Realii, Hayat. According to Kostinsky, broadcasting will pursue different goals - both for the Russian military, and for local residents. The broadcasting line is the exit of roads from Crimea to Kharkov and Kherson. "Of course, they could not do without the Crimean radio stations "Meidan", "Crimea.Realii" and "Hayat." They are for local residents, they also attracted popular broadcasters to expand the assortment so that people could listen not only to information programs, but also music ", - explained the official. Source: http://fresh.org.ua https://crimea-news.com/society/2018/07/23/426567.html (via RusDX July 29 via DXLD) 07/22/2018 --- The National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting expects in September to present a document on sanctions against Russian media and officials involved in illegal speech in the Crimean anecdote. This member of the National Council Sergei Kostinsky said on the air of the project "Radio Krym. Reality." "We gathered all the information about Russian radio stations and channels in the Crimea, we gathered information about their leaders, owners, all the officials who distributed the frequencies between these radio stations." This is 500 pages of a large document, the final version of which we plan to present soon. all these people will get what they deserve, "he said. According to Konstantinsky, the National Council is now working with the Prosecutor's Office of the ARC, the Security Service, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Information Policy on this issue. "This is our joint project, and I believe that somewhere in September we will be able to fully present it," he added. Recall, in March 2018, Sergei Kostinsky said that after the annexation of the peninsula Ukraine lost 300 analog television frequencies, no less than 70 digital and more than 130 radio frequencies. According to him, "this will lead to sanctions against more than 30 Russian broadcasters who illegally went to work on the peninsula" (Source: Portal "Media detector"). http://proradio.org.ua/news/2018jul.php March 8, 2014, an important historical event occurred - the Crimea joining Russia, that is, the entry into the Russian Federation of the territory of the Crimea peninsula (with the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol on it), which previously was part of Ukraine. The accession, or rather the return, of these territories to Russia was fixed by an interstate agreement signed on March 18, 2014 at the St. George Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow by the heads of Russia and the Republic of Crimea. Moreover, according to this document, the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol were not simply accepted into the Russian Federation, but also became its new subjects. The Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksenov and the "People's Mayor" of Sevastopol Alexei Chalyy put their signatures under this document. http://www.calend.ru/event/7347/ (RusDX July 29 via DXLD) Never mind what the rest of UKRAINE wanted ** CUBA. 11700, July 25 at 0142, RHC is JBM here unlike much louder 11760, 11840, 12000. Something`s always wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 13650, CRI (via Quivicán relay) at 2300. After an absence, loud and clear return today, opening with M in Portuguese. VG July 26 13650, CRI (via Quivicán) at 2330. Pop music program, M announcer in Portuguese. Another day on, and with excellent reception. At 2357 woman announcer was speaking when transmitter suddenly went off without warning, leaving (to my surprise) a very weak NHK Radio Japan that had been underneath all this time. Both stations seemed to be absent most of the summer, so I was pretty stoked to hear NHK again. I stayed on the frequency to the top of the hour to hear the characteristic NHK time pips that sound somewhat different from those used by other broadcasters. - Excellent (using outdoor wire) July 28 (Rick Barton, Logs from Central Arizona, (My listening has been haphazard and spotty last cupla weeks). Grundig Satellit 205(T5000) & 750; RS SW-2000629, HQ-180A, & ATS-909X with various outdoor wires. 73 and Good Listening....! - rb, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6099.239, July 26 at 1202, RHC is off-frequency again making big het with China, but much stronger than // 6000. Still het at 1231 Something`s always wrong at RHC. 6100.0, July 27 at 1238, RHC back on frequency, for now, mixing directly with Chinese music. 13740, July 27 at 1302, squealy transmitter unlike // 13700, RHC propaganda emphasizing `día de la rebeldía nacional`, i.e. 26 de julio; ``patria o suerte, ¡pensaremos!`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15140, July 27 at 1747, once again I check RHC at this hour and find frequency on despite schedule, // 11760 Spanish; something`s always wrong? at RHC. 1754 startled to hear RHC ID in Esperanto --- listening closely, only amid a feature in Spanish about Esperantism. A congreso pending? 15140, July 28 at 1706, once again 15140 is running RHC Spanish, S9-S7 but squealy, unlike // 11760. 13700 & 13740, July 28 at 1347, RHC AWOL from both 22mb frequencies, not due to propagation, since 15230 is audible, the SSOB and almost the OSOB on 19m. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 5990, July 29 at 0107, S9+45 of dead air, obviously CRI relay failing to turn off by 0100; stronger even than neighbor 6000 RHC itself, a mere S9+30/35. Something`s always wrong at RadioCuba. CRI registers 5990 with HFCC as 23-01, 250 kW, 0 degrees = non-direxional? 6100, July 29 at 0557, JBA carrier, presumably RHC really ailing, as nothing else is scheduled here in HFCC --- except imaginary 24-hour broadcasts: 5 kW Irkutsk, Russia; and 10 kW Hwa, KBS Korea South. Contrarily, Aoki/NDXC says it`s KCBS Pyongyang, NORTH Korea; but neither would propagate this early. Other RHC English frequencies with music are normal levels, 6165 and 6000, far better modulated on 6060. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 12000, July 30 at 0004, RHC is only S5-S2, much weaker than // 11840, 11760, 11700, 11670. Normally it`s equivalent. Something`s always wrong at RHC. 6000, July 31 at 0142, RHC English is JBM at S9+10/20, while // 6165 is sufficient. Something`s always wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 13767, July 31 at 1410, Oh2, RHC spurblob is back, out of the 13700-AM transmitter, somewhat readable in FM mode, along with the F# tone above Middle C. So I start looking for others at 67 kHz intervals --- none at 13633 unless maybe a trace, and tuning back to 13767, it`s gone already by 1413. 13700 itself is only S9-S8, maybe not enough to audiblize the full panoply and/or they hurriedly tuned up to suppress them. 13740 now with CRI Plus in English is S9+20/30 but as always undermodulated. Something`s always wrong at RadioCuba (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DENMARK. Fair signal of World Music Radio Denmark, July 27 from 2210 on 5840 001 kW Randers/Denmark to WeEu English http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/fair-signal-of-world-music-radio.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 27-28, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Stig says 0.1 kW, not 001 kW (gh, ibid.) The transmitter for 5840 kHz went silent tonight and couldn't be brought back into life. A brand new spare transmitter was attempted to be put into service but blew up in the process. So WMR is off the air on SW 5840 kHz for the time being. Please instead listen at http://www.wmr.radio (World Music Radio Facebook, 29 July, via Alan Pennington, bdxc-news iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) [non] yes, this morning I noted them missing on 5840 AM while checking for German stations on 49 m; I found these signals to be very strong: 5920 HCJB Weenermoor 6005 Mongolia via Shortwave Service 6070 Overcomer via Channel 292 6085 Mi Amigo via Shortwave Service vy73 (Harald Kuhl, Germany, 1058 UT July 30, ibid.) World Music Radio back on the air - heard this evening on usual 5840 kHz with world music and IDs (Paul Watson, UK, 1932 UT July 31, ibid.) This update received too late to include on WOR 1941 (gh) ** ECUADOR. 6050. HCJB. Julio 26. 0200-0233 UT. Música en idioma quechua y avisos en el mismo idioma que se intercalan. A las 0222, se emite una pequeña lectura bíblica para luego proceder a emitir música. A las 0229 se identifica como: “HCJB Ecuador” y finalización del servicio en quechua mediante un himno. SINPO: 45444 (Claudio Galaz, Receptor: TECSUN PL 660, ANTENA: Hilo largo de 30 metros + balun 9:1+ tierra; Lugar de escucha: Ovalle, IV Región, Chile, HCDX via DXLD) ** ECUADOR [non]. Radio Akhbar Mufriha via BaBcoCk Woofferton / Ascension, July 29: 2100-2145 7300 WOF 250 kW / 170 deg NoAf Tachelhit/Arabic, very good 2145-2215 9530 ASC 125 kW / 027 deg WeAf Hassinya Thu-Tue, very good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/radio-akhbar-mufriha-via-babcock.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT? Mystery Egyptian Music station --- see UNIDENTIFIED 9400+ ** EGYPT. Unscheduled transmission of R Cairo General Service July 29: 0845-0915 9604.7 ABS 250 kW / 005 deg EaEu in A-18 Russian 1900-2000 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/unscheduled-transmission-of-radio-cairo_29.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 28-29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9900, Radio Cairo at 2146 with a man reading a listener's reception report and into Middle Eastern male vocals – Very Good signal and audio with the music but muffled audio during speech July 29 – Will they ever get their studio-transmitter link working properly? Probably not as they have had outside technicians fix everything only to have their own people screw it up again (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre- fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 5005, Radio Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, Bata, *0520-0524, 20-07, only carrier detected (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA. Weak to good signal of VOBME 1 Dimtsi Hafash, July 25 1325&1800 on 7140 ASM 100 kW / non-dir to EaAf Kunama/Tigrinya http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/weak-to-good-signal-of-vobme-1-dimtsi.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 25-26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA. Reception of Radio Deegaanka Soomaalida Itoobiya, July 25 1808&1905 on 5940 JJG 100 kW / non-dir to EaAf Somali, fair signal: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-radio-deegaanka-soomaalida.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 25-26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. GERMANY, Reception of Voice of Oromo Liberation via MBR Nauen, July 25 1700-1800 15420 NAU 100 kW / 144 deg EaAf Oromo/Amharic Wed, very good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-voice-of-oromo-liberation_26.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 25-26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) GERMANY, Reception of Voice of Oromo Liberation via MBR Nauen, July 29 1700-1730 15420 NAU 100 kW / 144 deg EaAf Oromo Wed/Fri/Sun, very good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-voice-of-oromo-liberation.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) FRANCE, Voice of Amara Radio & Radio Xoriyo Ogaden via TDF Issoudun, July 29-30 BRB Voice of Amara Radio 1700-1800 on 15360 ISS 250 kW / 120 deg to EaAf Amharic Wed/Sat-Mon, very good signal 1700-1800 on 15360 ISS 250 kW / 120 deg to EaAf Amharic Mon July 30- only open carrier BRB Radio Xoriyo Ogaden 1600-1630 on 17770 ISS 500 kW / 130 deg to EaAf Somali Mon/Fri, fair to good signal http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/voice-of-amara-radio-radio-xoriyo.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So same time but one frequency Mon/Fri, another Tue/Sat: (gh) Reception of Radio Xoriyo Ogaden via MBR Issoudun, July 31 1600-1630 17630 ISS 500 kW / 130 deg EaAf Somali Tue/Sat, weak/fair http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-radio-xoriyo-ogaden-via.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EUROPE. Next Sunday July 29th will see a full repeat of last Sunday's FRS broadcast. As a few things will be different, my advice is to read the full details on our website: http://www.frsholland.nl/20-latest-news/119-frs-on-air-sunday-july-22nd-2018.html In the meantime, the website article also includes full details about our Internet streams. These will take place next Sunday, on Wednesday August 1st and August 5th. All the best! (Peter Verbruggen on behalf of the FRS team, July 27, shortwave yg via DXLD) Re: [bdxc-news] FRS Holland to repeat broadcast this evening from 1752 UT --- thanks for the alert, I have a nice strong signal of them on 6275 kHz now at 2005 UT. vy73 (Harald Kuhl, Germany, bdxc-news iog via DXLD) Had a fair but variable signal here earlier on 7700 but that has now faded out and as of 2050 UT there is still a good signal on 6275. The whole 48m free radio band is quite lively with several strong stations this evening, 73s (Dave, Caversham, Kenny, AOR7030 25m longwire, 2055 UT, ibid. End of FRSH program at 2151 UT; announcing next broadcast for August 26. Now there is running another program over the same transmitter on 6275.5 kHz, signing off at 2202, before just playing music. vy73 (Harald Kuhl, Germany, ibid.) ** EUROPE. 5140, 1945, EUROPEAN HOBBY PIRATE Charleston Radio International noted at weak level most days since 13/7 with eclectic music offering, frequent announcements (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai, Northland, North Island, New Zealand, with WinRadio G33DDC & AOR7030+ fed by EWEs, directed to NE, East and SE, August NZ DX Times via DXLD) 5140, 1957, GERMANY, Charleston Radio International poor, peaking around this time with old time dance music, 08/7 (John Durham, Tauranga NZ, Using the League’s Northland SDR, ibid.) ** FINLAND. Radio Spaceshuttle Finland news for 2018! We have fixed our transmitters during 2017 and wish we have a good return during our 16th birthday. So expected to have transmissions again during autumn 2018 on 76 mb (3905-3927) and 48 mb (6205, 6210, 6220, 6260, 6265, 6280 or 6300-6310 kHz) as well 9290 (9270), 12265 and higher 19 mb (15805-15880 area). Please follow news http//:spaceshuttleradio.freeservers.com (Via sw-pirates via August NZ DX Times via DXLD) ** FRANCE. 9790, July 29 at 0548, S5-S7 of big hum/buzz, atop trace of talk in unknown language. I bet it`s TDF Issoudun --- yes, HFCC has 500 kW RFI here in French at 04-05 to 140 degrees, 05-06 at 165 degrees, and 06-07 at 200 degrees (BTW, the first hour collides with CRI via Cuba in Cantonese!). How can MBR/TDF allow this totally dysfunxional transmitter to remain in use for months and months? Also affecting various other frequencies and transmissions thruout the day. No one notices and/or cares. 7220, July 30 at 0551, S9 of humbuzz, much like I was hearing 24 hours earlier on 9790 from RFI via Issoudun. In this case it is R. Dandal Kura, for Lake Chad area as scheduled via ISS. Either they have two bad transmitters or they switch one around, which would even out the damage. Should have rechecked how 9790 was doing this time. We should try them both henceforth (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. 15265, Agapi Christian Fellowship Ministries. Monthly program in English on 7/7 from 1400 till 1427 (Rumen Pankov, Sofia, Bulgaria (Sony ICF2001D, Folded Marconi antenna), August Australian DX News via DXLD) So what is the site?? On what basis do you know it is monthly, and how is it computed? The seventh of each month? The first Saturday? Bible Voice via Issoudun on Saturdays only per NDXC/Aoki (gh, DXLD) ** GERMANY. Reception of Channel 292, July 27-28 till 0600 6070 ROB 010 kW / non-dir to CeEu English Sat Brother Stair from 0700 6070 ROB 010 kW / non-dir to CeEu English Sat Brother Stair Brother Stair via Channel 292 from July 30 to August 5: 64 h per week: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-three-transmissions-via.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 27-28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Reception of DWD Deutscher Wetterdienst on July 29-30 2000-2030 on 5905 PIN 010 kW / non-dir to CeEu German, very good 2000-2030 on 6180 PIN 010 kW / non-dir to CeEu German not on air 0600-0630 on 5905 PIN 010 kW / non-dir to CeEu German, weak/fair 0600-0630 on 6180 PIN 010 kW / non-dir to CeEu German not on air http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-dwd-deutscher-wetterdienst.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. Reception of Voice of Greece on 9420 kHz, July 20: 0651&0710 on 9420 AVL 150 kW / 323 deg to WeEu Greek*tx#03 Same time on 9935 AVL 100 kW / 285 deg via tx#1, no signal *news in Arabic/Serbian 0651-0700, frequency announcement 0710-0712 and the transmitter switches off around 0730! http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-voice-of-greece-on-9420_25.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 24-25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9420, July 26 at 0234, VOG modulation during Greek music is dropping out every few seconds for a few seconds, but the number of them varying widely; about half the time, dropping back in. Situation improves but not totally at 0257 when the haunting VOG IS interspersed with Greek and ENGLISH IDs by YL are looping, ``This is Athens; you are listening to the Voice of Greece``. The first utterance of the same in Greek gets deleted. 0259 into morning programming again with some IADs (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Reception of Voice of Greece on 9420 kHz, July 26: 0651&0655 on 9420 AVL 150 kW / 323 deg to WeEu Greek*tx#03 Same time on 9935 AVL 100 kW / 285 deg via tx#1, no signal *news in Arabic/Serbian 0651-0700 & transmitter switches off at 0701 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-voice-of-greece-on-9420_26.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 25-26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Reception of Voice of Greece on 9420 kHz, July 27: 0652&0656 on 9420 AVL 150 kW / 323 deg to WeEu Greek*tx#03 Same time on 9935 AVL 100 kW / 285 deg via tx#1, no signal *news in Arabic/Serbian 0652-0700 & transmitter switches off at 0707 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-voice-of-greece-on-9420_27.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 26-27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Voice of Greece Sunday liturgy on 9420 kHz, July 29 0500-0700 on 9420 AVL 150 kW / 323 deg to WeEu Greek tx#03 Same time on 9935 AVL 100 kW / 285 deg via tx#1, no signal http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-voice-of-greece-sunday.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 28-29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Reception of Voice of Greece on 9420 kHz on July 31: from 0656 on 9420 AVL 150 kW / 323 deg to WeEu Serbian tx#03 Same time on 9935 AVL 100 kW / 285 deg via tx#1 - no signal! Today no news in Arabic & transmitter switches off at 0702 UT http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-voice-of-greece-on-9420.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA [non]. Okie Catholix are all excited because one of their own, undoubtedly a good man, is on track to sainthood, which ordinary Protestants cannot achieve. I normally would not cover such extraneous activities, but this is relevant because Blessèd Stanley Rother founded and ran the almost-SW station many of us heard, La Voz de Atitlán, 2390 kHz. I also visited the vacated building a few years after it had ceased to exist. Here`s the latest in a long series of items from our local paper; his backstory is told over and over: OKLAHOMA CATHOLICS PREPARE TO CELEBRATE FIRST FEAST DAY OF BLESSED STANLEY ROTHER --- James Neal | Enid News & Eagle Jul 26, 2018 OKARCHE, Okla. — Catholics across Oklahoma, Arkansas and Guatemala will celebrate Saturday [July 28] the first feast day for Stanley Rother, a priest from Okarche who was killed in 1981 while serving as a missionary in Guatemala. Last September, Rother became the first U.S.-born priest and first U.S. martyr to be beatified — a crucial step toward canonization as a saint, and a status in Catholicism honored with a feast day and the title "blessed." "A feast day is a day designated by the Catholic Church to honor saints and blesseds," according to a press release from the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. "The Church assigns one date out of the year for each saint, usually on the date of death. The saints are remembered on their feast days with special mention, prayers and sometimes with special scripture readings." In honor of Rother's feast day, and his roots in Okarche, the Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, will lead Mass at 5 p.m. Saturday [July 28, 2018] at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 211 Missouri in Okarche. Members of the Rother family will be in attendance. . . [more; or see OKLAHOMA below] https://www.enidnews.com/community/oklahoma-catholics-prepare-to-celebrate-first-feast-day-of-blessed/article_70efcf60-8a81-5004-8c27-ee322681569d.html (via gh, DXLD) No doubt there will be more coverage of the event. KFOR-TV has already run many stories about him: https://kfor.com/?s=rother The search items are not dated, so which is the latest? This one from July 26, with audio-video: https://kfor.com/2018/07/26/plans-in-the-works-for-multi-million-dollar-shrine-church-to-honor-blessed-stanley-rother/ I seriously doubt that Guatemala`s only SW station today, Radio Verdad, will take any notice of this, since they are evangelical, not Catholic; yet Christian & Abrahamist (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Almost SW? I always considered 2390 to be well in the SW bands as it was >1800 kHz? Has the line been moved? (John Fisher, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) No, the `line` has always been officially 3000 kHz dividing MW from SW, or MF from HF. Tho in common DX parlance, anything above 1600 (1700? 1800? {2000?}) may be referred to as SW (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ** GUINEA [and non]. SAUDI ARABIA vs GUINEA, R. Riyadh Holy Qur`an vs R. Guinée on 9650 kHz, July 27 0850&1155 9650.1 RIY*100 kW / non-dir N/ME Arabic R Riyadh Holy Qur`an * co-ch 9650.0 CON 050 kW / non-dir to WeAf French R Guinée Conakry http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/radio-riyadh-holy-quran-vsradio-guinee.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also SAUDI ARABIA ** INDIA. Re: AIR DRM test is scheduled on 26/27/28 July 2018 on 11620 kHz (Delhi) at 0400-0600 UT plus/minus with FM GOLD program beamed to East India. At 0400-0430 UT AM mode is scheduled. Thanks to Alok Dasgupta My observation: DRM noted today 26 July 2018 with weak signals SNR 9 (No audio detected), In between AM was heard for short duration - Fair signals. Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India, 1147 UT, dx_india yg via DXLD) No reception today at Northern suburb of Kolkata using AVION DRM Rx. Used both the Rx Whip as well as a random wore antenna. 73 and kind regards, (Sudipta Ghose VU2UT, 1154 UT, ibid.) AIR test DRM mode broadcasts with Gold FM was planned for July 2-5: 0400-0600 NF 11619.8 DEL 100 kW / 102 deg to CeAs Hindi, ex 7504.8 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/good-signal-of-test-transmission-of-air.html Good signal of test transmission of AIR/Gold FM on July 26: 0552&0612 on 11619.8 DEL 100 kW / 102 deg to CeAs Hindi, NOT in DRM from 0620 on 11619.8 DEL 100 kW / 102 deg to CeAs Hindi in DRM mode 0700-0800 on 11619.8 DEL 100 kW / 102 deg to CeAs Nepali summer A18 (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 25-26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) All India Radio DRM on MW --- Very strong DRM signals on KiwiSDR in Delhi on 828 kHz and 1368 kHz. But DREAM cannot decode any audio ...? http://ab27.bplaced.net/drm/20180727-0633z-AIR-00828kHz.png http://ab27.bplaced.net/drm/20180727-0637z-AIR-01368kHz.png (Alexander Busneag, Germany, July 27, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. UNIDENTIFIED. 11550 kHz, 1635 UT --- 26 Jul. YL fala. Às 1642 segue uma sequência de música estilo indiana. Às 1654 curta fala de YL e segue a música. Às 1656 YL parece divulgar contatos e ID; às 1358 YL volta a falar. Às 1900 YL continua a falar e a transmissão não é encerrada. Sinal justo, mas com ruídos não identificados desde o SDR Twente. Em meu QTH sinal fraco, moderado fading, mas eu não percebo os ruídos. Ainda transmitindo às 1705. (Jorge Freitas-B) 11550, 26Jul, 1635, UNID YL speaks. At 1642 follows a sequence of music Indian style. At 1654 short speech of YL and follows the music. At 1656 YL seems to divulge contacts and ID. At 1358 YL speaks again. At 1900 YL continues to speak and the transmission is not terminated. Fair signal, but with unidentified noise via the Twente SDR. In my QTH signal weak, moderate fading, but I do not perceive the noises. Still transmitting at 1705 (Jorge Freitas-B) Gravação da escuta: websdr recording start 2018-07-26 T 16 49 03Z 11550.0kHz 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 DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, 11550 is not on any of the current schedules at this time. About 53% into the audio file (no timer!) http://www.ipernity.com/doc/107414/47056702 I hear address mentioned of P O Box 500, New Delhi --- that is: All India Radio. VU2JOS does not yet have 11550 either: http://qsl.net/vu2jos/sw/freq.htm 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Dear Glenn, The recording you sent is of AIR in Russian. At that time (1615-1715) they are scheduled on nearby 11560. May be a frequency punching error. I shall check today evening. Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, Russian, now I hear it after expecting it to be in Hindi or something (gh, DXLD) AIR 11560 --- Dear Glenn Hauser, I checked All India Radio Russian Service at 1615-1715 UT. I am getting them on 11560 kHz. The other frequency reported may be a one day error. Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, India, 1123 UT July 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11560, AIR (Bengaluru) at 1528 with the end of the Dari Service with a man with talk and a man at 1530 with “Good evening. This is the General Overseas Service of All India Radio. Here is the news” then news headlines followed by the news in depth from 1531 to 1534 and abruptly off – Fair to Good July 29 – While this English service is brief they're supposed to sign-off at 1545 (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) ** INDIA. 4970, AIR Shillong, 1302-1315, July 29. Yet another edition of the "Country Roads" Sunday music show; in English; songs - Dolly Parton - "Jolene," Elton John - "Sacrifice" (C&W?), etc.; local station ID (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** INDIA. All India Radio once known as Bombay Radio Station, celebrates birthday --- On July 23 1927, India’s first commercial radio station started its service when daily radio transmission broadcasting was started under its then-name, Bombay Radio Station. According to an agreement during British rule, on July 23, 1927, the private Indian Broadcasting Company LTD (IBC) was authorised to operate two radio stations. One was the Bombay station, which began on July 23, 1927, and the other was the Calcutta station, which started on August 26, 1927. Therefore IBC started its first radio transmission broadcasting through Bombay Radio Station on July 23, 1927. However, IBC went into liquidation on March 1, 1930 and the Government took over the broadcasting facilities. Later on April 1, 1930, the broadcasting began with Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS). On 8 June 1936, the ISBS was renamed All India Radio (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union via August Australian DX News via DXLD) ** INDIA. List of 347 operational Private FM Channels in India as on 23 July 2018 issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India is given in the following link: https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/Operational%20channels.pdf Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India, July 26, dx_india yg via DXLD) Wow, only 347 in a country 4x the population of USA! (gh, DXLD) ** INDONESIA. Deadly quake hits Indonesia tourist spot --- A 6.4 magnitude quake has struck Lombok island, killing at least 13 people including one tourist (BBC News via Mike Terry, 0932 UT July 29, WOR igo via DXLD) Here in Denpasar, Bali, about 140 km from the epicentre near the north coast of Lombok, the quake was strong enough to shake buildings and cause alarm to residents and domestic animals around 2248 UT on 28 July (0648 local time on 29 July). From Lombok's main city on the island's west coast, Radio Republik Indonesia Mataram Pro-1 continues to operate as usual on its mediumwave frequency of 855 kHz (Alan Davies, WOR iog via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 3325, VOI (via RRI-Palangkaraya), 1301+ 6 July. Finally enough audio to catch the canned VOI ID/website, followed by English news. Recheck at 1253-1310 11 July with VOI ID/sked/website at TOH, still just above the noise level (Dan Sheedy, CA, via Bob Wilkner, NASWA yg via DXLD) [and non]. 3325, V of Indonesia, Palangkaraya. 22/7, Mandarin service at 1130 with songs, announcements and information segments. I returned to the frequency at 1220 for the Japanese service. No sign of NBC Bougainville on this evening, fair signal. But on July 24, NBC was back there at equal strength with RRI, and noted at 2045 - NBC with Tok Pisin community announcements and V of Indonesia with the French service. And then, on 25/7, an absolutely beautiful signal from NBC with regional news in English at 1012, a canned ID and frequency announcement in English at 1017, then Tok Pisin announcements at 1018 before pop songs. BUT, nothing from Palangkaraya at this time. You just never know what you are going to expect to hear when tuning this frequency! (Rob Wagner, VK3BVW, Mount Evelyn, VIC (Yaesu FTDX 3000, Kenwood TS2000, Yaesu FRG100, Kenwood R5000,Tecsun PL-680, Horizontal Sky Loop, Double Bazooka antennas for 80, 40 and 20 metres, Par EF-SWL End Fed antenna, BHI NEIM1031 Digital Noise Eliminating Module, MFJ-1026 Noise Cancelling Module, ATU), August Australian DX News via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Television: 99.2 W, Galaxy-16 3.827-H/6650 Msps with four streams, once again all in the clear -- apparently the last couple of weeks was some sort of anomaly? Noted 1600 20/Jul-- (Ken Zichi, for Satellite logs: Manhattan DJ-1997 FTA rx +96" movable dish (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, MARE Tipsheet 27 July via DXLD) See also TURKEY ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend Welcomes First-Time Lights 07/24/2018 http://www.arrl.org/news/view/international-lighthouse-and-lightship-weekend-welcomes-first-time-lights Marking its 21st anniversary this year, the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend (ILLW) in August will celebrate Amateur Radio operation at several lighthouses that will make debut appearances in this year’s event. So far, 300 groups or individuals have registered to indicate plans to participate from a lighthouse or lightship during the 2-day operating activity. Newcomers joining the list of perennials include the Ashdod and Mount Carmel lighthouses in Israel; Shabla Lighthouse in Bulgaria; Porthcawl Breakwater in Wales, and Tanjung Datu in Malaysia. Additional newcomers are in Mexico and Cuba, sponsors said. ILLW is always held on the third full weekend in August. This year, it will get under way at 0001 UTC on August 18 and continue until 2400 on August 19 — 48 hours in all. The ILLW typically attracts more than 500 lighthouse entries in dozens of countries. Registration is not required for participation, but it does let other stations know which lighthouses and lightships will be activated. Other lighthouses making a first appearance in ILLW include Malarrif in Iceland and Akmanrags Lighthouse in Latvia. The Lightship Huron on the St Clair River in Michigan also is a newcomer. As the ILLW website notes, “August seems to have become the international weekend for lighthouses.” In the US, August 7 in National Lighthouse Day, which is marked by Amateur Radio operations at lighthouses during US National Lighthouse Week. In Britain, the Association of Lighthouse Keepers conducts International Lighthouse Heritage Weekend during the third full weekend in August, coinciding with ILLW. Sponsors stress that the event is not a contest — and there are no prizes, certificates, or other enticements to participate. Each station’s operators decide how they will operate their station with respect to bands and modes, and participating stations do not have to be on the air for the entire weekend. Activity does not need to take place inside the structure itself. A Field Day-style setup at the light or other building adjacent to the light is sufficient. Sponsors say the intent of that requirement is to make the station visible to visitors (ARRL via Mike Terry, WOR iog via DXLD) ** IRAN [and non]. vs SAUDI ARABIA, VIRI IRIB vs. R. Riyadh Holy Quran on 9650 kHz, July 27: 1430-1730 9650.0 ZAH 500 kW / 289 deg NEAf Arabic VIRI IRIB PARS TODAY from 1430 9650.1 RIY 100 kW / non-dir N/ME Arabic R.Riyadh Holy Quran: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/viri-irib-vsrriyadh-holy-quran-on-9650.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) JAMMING ** IRELAND [non]. CANADA [non]. ROMANIA/ITALY, 7290, Radio City via IRRS, *1759-1859, 20-07, tuning music, ID “This is IRRS, Italian Radio Relay Service signing on”, “Radio City, the station of the cars, ... Radio Ciudad, la voz de los coches...”. English, comments, pop songs. 25433. (Méndez) 9510, Radio City via IRRS, *0759-0815, 21-07, ID “This is IRRS, Italian Radio Relay Service signing on”, “Radio City, the station of the cars...”, English, comments, pop songs. 25433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Same program both times? (gh) ** IRELAND NORTHERN [non]. Italian Broadcasting Corporation New Segment - Jordan`s Radio Corner --- I have a 10 minute segment on the Italian Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) called "Jordan`s Radio Corner" My segment goes live from Tuesday 31st July - Sunday 5th August on the English slots. The regular schedule of my segment will be from September respectively on the second and fourth week. There will also be a DRM test broadcast on Wednesday 1st August via 15670 WINB directed at North America [sic] and potentially EU between 1400-1430 UT & again at 1500-1530 UT. Full Italian Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) schedule available from here: TO EUROPE WEDNESDAY 20-2030 UT 6070 KHZ (Rohrbach) SUNDAY 1030-11 UT 6005 KHZ (Shortwave Service) TO THE AMERICAS (WRMI) TUESDAY 01-0130 UT 5850 + 7780 KHZ FRIDAY 01-0130 UT 9955 KHZ FRIDAY 0330-04 UT 5985 KHZ SATURDAY 2030-21 UT 5950 + 9395 KHZ SATURDAY 0030-01 UT 5985 + 9395 KHZ SUNDAY 0030-01 UT 5950 + 7730 + 9395 KHZ === Best Regards, (Jordan Heyburn, Northern Ireland, July 28, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) ??? 5985 not supposed to be on air at 0030; I have not tried to reconfirm all these times (gh, DXLD) ** ITALY. Onde medie italiane: assegnazione delle frequenze da parte del Mise --- Per chi non avesse visto ancora le tabelle --- MW in Italy. Frequency plan for new broadcasters that asked to be licensed https://playdxblog.blogspot.com/2018/07/onde-medie-italiane-ecco-chi-ha-vinto.html (Giampiero Bernardini, 25 July, playdx yg via DXLD) ** JAPAN. RNW Media Network 25-Jun-1992: Radio Aum Shinrikyo http://traffic.libsyn.com/preview/jonathanmarks/MN.25.06.1992.aumshin.mp3 http://jonathanmarks.libsyn.com/mn-25-06-1992-before-they-were-in-famous-aum-shinrikyo (via Alex Busneag, Germany, WOR iog via DXLD) ** JAPAN [non]. I tried to hear the radio Japan in Russian on the 25th of July and now: from 0330 UT to NE 1386 kHz bad reception from under the Greek pirate, from 0430 UT to 6165 kHz strong interference from Havana Cuba radio in English, from 0530 UT to 11790 kHz together with the radio of France. This has been going on for many years, but apparently nothing changes on Radio Japan (Rumen Pankov, Sofia, Bulgaria, RusDX July 29 via DXLD) ** KASHMIR. 4950, AIR Radio Kashmir, Srinagar (presumed), 1333-1350, July 25. Audio just above threshold level, whereas normally I only hear a carrier (no audio); in assume Hindi; nice segments of subcontinent music/singing and also indigenous chanting/singing; weak. My audio of chanting at http://goo.gl/Rb5A2i Srinagar sunset was at 1407 UT, while my sunrise was at 1308 UT. Very respectable reception for summertime! (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** KAZAKHSTAN. In Kazakhstan, an unusual Internet radio "Sector X" was opened: people with special needs, blind and visually impaired, work on it. This is still the only radio station of its kind in Central Asia. "We just want that there is no barrier, all the guys work absolutely for free, because they think that this is our common cause," says Saule Alpysova, director of the public trust "Doverie", who organized the project. "But we will have an agreement with the Ministry of Social Policy and the Department of Employment." While there are 10 journalists working on the "Sector X" content, in the future it is planned to double the staff. Before the work began, the master-class of the most famous Kazakh radio stars conducted the master-class with limited capabilities: they taught them how to work with voice, the technology of reading news, searching for information. Ilyas Fatkulin conducts the "Tiflozhzn" program on "Sector X" - how to make life easier for the same blind and visually impaired people as he does. Ilyas says that when he found out about the opening of the radio, he never doubted that this was the work that would become his favorite. "I was very interested in that, because I led some subjects and I can talk about it for a long time," he says. "In the program I tell how to use certain items, how not to fall, how to do something." Gabdulla Tumebaev conducts on the radio programs in the Kazakh language. He introduces the audience to the news and makes interviews with interesting people. "I gladly agreed to this work without thinking, because I saw this as a perspective for the development of people with disabilities," he said. Ilyas - in the past a participant of the well-known in Kazakhstan project "Sport without Borders", Gabdulla together with a friend is engaged in charity. The others also actively participate in public life. The program director of "Sector X" Sauket Berkut says that all of his leading radio stations do not feel themselves to be somewhat flawed in comparison with sighted people: "They are all with higher education, and not one, they are all interested, they always want to learn something, do something, move forward," he notes. While the new Internet radio is preparing content in the studio of the IT-University, but in the very near future the project intends to move to its own office. currenttime.tv http://onair.ru/main/enews/view_msg/NMID__69874/ (via RusDX July 29 via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. 3219.85v // 3920, KCBS Pyongyang, 1221, July 29. Music program; clearly //, but 3920 is not on the air daily, whereas 3219.85v is regularly heard (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. hi! voice of korea from the dprk english 13:39 utc 15•245 khz have never heard it as this strong.sinpo. 55555.patriotic talk by male.song by female. tecsun pl-66o tecsun active ant, joncollins,from birmingham middle of the uk. July 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. JAPAN, Shiokaze Sea Breeze & Furusato no Kaze via Yamata on July 26: Shiokaze Sea Breeze 1300-1400 7215 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs English Thu, weak to fair Furusato no Kaze 1405-1435 7325 YAM 300 kW / 280 deg to NEAs Japanese Daily, fair/good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/shiokaze-sea-breeze-furusato-no-kaze.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 26-27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [and non]. 7215, JAPAN, Shiokaze/Sea Breeze at 1325. W in Japanese over soft piano music. I made the call on the ID due to the familiar tune on the piano. (If they ever switch to ragtime, or Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, I am toast). VG today and either not jammed, or overcoming jamming here. July 24 7215, JAPAN, Shiokaze/Sea Breeze at 1300, opening and confirmed on. I tuned the channel a bit before the ToH, did not hear the jammer at my location this morning. W in Japanese with electronic notes between items. Good with some flutter. July 26 7215, Shiokaze/Sea Breeze at 1300, opening and confirmed on. I tuned the channel a bit before the ToH, did not hear the jammer at my location again this morning. W in Korean over familiar piano music. Usual closing music and announcements by W at the ToH - Good with only windowframe antenna and SW-2000629. July 27 7215, JAPAN, Shiokaze/Sea Breeze at 1300, opening and confirmed on. I tuned the channel a bit before the ToH, did not hear the jammer at my location again this morning. M in Korean over familiar piano music, then M in Korean with electronic notes between items. It opened several seconds late, making me think I was only going to hear CRI via Xian, which had already opened. Didn't hear the ToH close, as the band faded before 1400 - Good, with only windowframe antenna and SW- 2000629. July 29 (Rick Barton, Logs from Central Arizona, (My listening has been haphazard and spotty last cupla weeks). Grundig Satellit 205(T5000) & 750; RS SW-2000629, HQ-180A, & ATS-909X with various outdoor wires. 73 and Good Listening....! - rb, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 9560, TAIWAN (relay via Tamsui District), Furusato no kaze at 1430. Opening on the half with W in Japanese talking over soft music, then man. Poor reception for // on 9450 (via Paochung). Not hearing the // on 9960 (listed via Palau). Note: monitored portable on the go, with ATS-909X and 8' vertical. July 23 9560, TAIWAN (relay via Tamsui District), Furusato no kaze at 1445. A tune-in, in progress with W in Japanese, then man. Typical ending with W speaking over stringed instrument music to sudden close without warning. Looked for // on 9450 (via Paochung), only hearing an open carrier. Not hearing the // on 9960 (listed via Palau). Note: monitored portable, on the go, with ATS-909X and 8' vertical. July 23 (Rick Barton, Logs from Central Arizona, (My listening has been haphazard and spotty last cupla weeks). Grundig Satellit 205(T5000) & 750; RS SW-2000629, HQ-180A, & ATS-909X with various outdoor wires. 73 and Good Listening....! - rb, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. UZBEKISTAN, Three clandestine broadcasts via Tashkent, July 26 Voice of Wilderness 1330-1530 on 7625 TAC 100 kW / 070 deg to NEAs Korean, fair signal North Korea Reform Radio 1430-1530 on 7580 TAC 100 kW / 076 deg to NEAs Korean, good signal Voice of Martyrs 1530-1600 on 7505 TAC 100 kW / 076 deg to NEAs Korean, fair signal http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/three-clandestine-broadcasts-via.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 26-27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KURDISTAN [non]. Dengê Welat via Issoudun & Grigoriopol on July 26 0230-0500 on 9525 ISS 250 kW / 090 deg to WeAs Kurdish, very good 0500-0600 on 11530 ISS 250 kW / 090 deg to WeAs Kurdish, very good 0600-1500 on 11530 KCH 300 kW / 130 deg to WeAs Kurdish, very good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-denge-welat-via-issoudun.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 25-26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KUWAIT. 15540/DRM, R Kuwait with pretty sketchy reception, leading to about a half hour of audio (almost all music) being decoded in a 3 hour decode attempt. The audio recovered was mostly hippy hop stuff of an unrecognizable and unremarkable nature. The s/n ratio ranged from 17 dB which decoded just fine, down to 5 dB which produced nothing. At the start (the first 15 minutes or so) the signal cut off entirely for minutes at a time, but it eventually came back, and provided for a limited decode. 1800-2100 -- 32 minutes of audio recovered -- 20/Jul, SDRplay +SDRuno +DReaM +400' randomwire (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, MARE Tipsheet 27 July via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) Strong signal of Radio Kuwait in English/Arabic on 17549.7, July 29 2000-2100 17549.7 KBD 250 kW / 350 deg ENAm English, instead of Arabic 2100-2400 17549.7 KBD 250 kW / 350 deg ENAm Arabic Gen. Sce, as sched: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/strong-signal-of-radio-kuwait-in.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hmmm, would be better than 15540 DRM --- maybe. Will it revert to all- Arabic? Strange as it may seem, this is *not* to E North America, CIRAF 8, but to C & W North America, CIRAF 6-7, as a 350 degree from Kabd would imply. It only has a chance of propagating at midsummer, when the Arctic is most insolated, but current solar minimum propagates against it. 350 degrees goes right between Fresno and Los Ángeles, where R. Kuwait presumably has an exile audience to serve? I.e. CIRAF 6, not even 7. Yet reception may well be better around the east coast, despite being rather far off center-beam, a somewhat shorter path and less of the auroral zone to traverse. But here in the Great Center, I`m lucky just to get the off-frequency carrier (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Strong signal of MOI Radio Kuwait in English on July 31: 0500-0800 on 15529.8 KBD 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu English AM mode http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/strong-signal-of-moi-radio-kuwait-in.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KYRGYZSTAN. Kyrgyz Service Investigative Journalist Dead at 28 WASHINGTON -- RFE/RL colleague Ulanbek Egizbaev, 28, one of the brightest investigative journalists in Kyrgyzstan, died suddenly on July 22 having apparently drowned while on holiday at Kyrgyzstan’s Lake Issyk-Kul. Venera Djumataeva, director of RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service, said Egizbaev had dedicated his life to being a voice for ordinary people -- for those who could not stand up and speak up for themselves. He reported regularly and passionately about these “unsung heroes” -- be it a teacher in a desolate mountain village, a young woman overcoming the consequences of a botched operation that left her blind and in need of dialysis, or a young disabled teenager staying optimistic despite difficult challenges in his life. For this last story, Egizbaev and RFE/RL video producer Mykola Nemchenko won a 2016 Webby People’s Voice Award and traveled to New York to accept the prize. Egizbaev was also a dogged investigator, whom Djumataeva said “had become the biggest threat to all corrupt politicians in Kyrgyzstan.” He reported on corruption cases in government, the Customs Service, various ministries, public-land distribution, and even a major corruption scheme at cemeteries. He was recently awarded a “Golden Pen” by a jury of veteran Kyrgyz journalists in recognition of his contributions to Kyrgyz journalism. Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov expressed condolences in response to news of Egizbaev’s death, praising his investigative reports on corrupt government officials, and declaring that Kyrgyzstan "has lost a talented journalist who selflessly fought against the ills of our society." The government has announced that Interior Minister Kashkar Junushaliev will personally lead an investigative commission of criminologists, medical experts, a representative of RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, and one of Egizbaev's relatives to ascertain the causes of his death. Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev told his cabinet during a July 23 meeting that clear and transparent results from the investigation must be obtained and made public to prevent any speculation. Born on February 12, 1990 in Kyrgyzstan’s Kochkor district, just west of Lake Issyk-Kul, Ulanbek Egizbaev earned a degree in communications from the Kyrgyz-Turkish "Manas" University in Bishkek in 2013, and obtained a Master’s degree from Bishkek State University in 2015. He joined the Bishkek bureau staff of RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service in 2013. He leaves behind his wife, Sapargul, whom he married in the fall of 2017, who is expecting their first child. https://pressroom.rferl.org/a/ulanbek-egizbaev-kyrgyz-service/29388251.html 24 July 2018 (via Dr Hansjoerg Biener, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) ** LAOS. 6130, Lao National Radio, 1200, July 25. Heard their unique gong/bell that they ring slowly 7 times (7:00 PM their local time); was almost a minute late starting (1200:54); weak. Vientiane sunset was at 1146 UT, while my local sunrise was not till later at 1308 UT (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) ** LEBANON. Re: - "Voice of Lebanon, WTFK?? 100.3 FM per page 270 of WRTH 2018, station 1) --- was that the one which once had an underpublicized, obscure SW relay via Vatican? Before that it had its own WOOB SW, 6550? Yes, in WRTH 1991 page 167, 6549.6 with 15 kW; Phalangist" (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST 180724 [sic]) Unfortunately, it is not always that memory serves right. The station broadcasting with friendly assistance by Radio Vatican was the Roman Catholic Voice of Charity. This is also documented by Glenn Hauser's DX Listening Digest: ```Does anybody know the current schedule of La Voix de la Charité, if still on air? Thanks in advance! (Artur Fernández Llorella, Hard-Core- DX mailing list via DXLD) I wish people would be a little more explicit, but I assume he is asking about the Lebanese station Voice of Charity listed in WRTH 2013 on three FM frequencies, 87.5, 106.0 and 107.7, give or take, and ``Also relayed by Vatican Radio (winter 0530-0555 9645; summer 0430- 0455 11715)``. That was in Arabic; as I recall, sometime last winter I was no longer hearing it on 9645, and may not have sought it yet this summer an hour earlier on 11715. This website http://www.radiocharity.org/ altho presented mostly in English, linx to program schedule mostly in Arabic. Let alone SW, homepage doesn`t even mention FM, just satellite info (Glenn Hauser, OK, DXLD 130717)``` I do not know when these transmissions started and ended. The Phalangist Voice of Lebanon had a brief existence in 1958 but was re-started when the Lebanese civil war broke out in 1975. That was before I started short wave listening in 1977, so I cannot say anything about when their short wave transmissions started. I do remember that the Voice of Lebanon was easily audible in Europe on 6550 kHz in the evenings. Programming was in Arabic except for an evening newscast in English (1800) and French (1815) except on Sundays. I remember that the announcers at times apologized that the news started late or were not available. According to my files, I noted the Voice of Lebanon in November 1996 and January 1997. In 1997 China took over the frequency. So, I do not know when exactly the Voice of Lebanon stopped on 6550 kHz (Dr Hansjoerg Biener 27 July 2018, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBERIA. 6050, 0600, ELWA Monrovia with familiar tuning signal and s/on, poor and soon became unreadable due atmospherics, 11/7 (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai, Northland, North Island, New Zealand, with WinRadio G33DDC & AOR7030+ fed by EWEs, directed to NE, East and SE, August NZ DX Times via DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. 11665, Wai FM has been sporadic lately. No signal on 16/7 at 1255, 1300, 1315, 1330 checks (so no Wai FM-Limbang program that day). No signal on 17/7 at 1315, 1330, but on 'way weaker than usual at 1337 & off again at 1402 check (Sarawak FM 9835 also heard poorly at 1345 & off at 1402 check). Check on 18/7 had Wai FM audio only after 1300 (// 9835-"berita nasional RTM") with extremely weak signal until 1315 when it got back to usual fair-good level. 19/7 almost back to 'regular' signal strength with end of 'berita Nasional RTM" at 1310 & opening Wai-FM-Limbang at 1314+. 20/7 quite good with Qur'an recitations from 1240 to 1258 followed by Wai FM's nice 'local' percussion fill tune until 1300 with the tune chopping off one of the 2 TOH pips then "Radio Malaysia-Sarawak, Wai-FM" & nice singing jingle, but not running the RTM net news // 9835 today (Dan Sheedy, Moonlight Beach, CA (PL380/6m X wire [which is a classy way of saying I wrapped 6m of bell wire around the roof-rack on the XTerra & alli- clipped it to the '380's whip]), August Australian DX News via DXLD) ** MEXICO. RAYMIE`S MEXICO BEAT this week --- including TDT = DTV These stations are Combos of '94: XEBC, XETVR, XEMTV, XEOX (surrendered), XEAS. XEDE has a continuity obligation but has been reported to not be very consistent in being on air on AM. Speaking of Saltillo, the new 610 XESORN is up and running. XEYC moved back in late May. The discrepancy in their files must have caught up to them at some point. They started on 1460. There is no second-wave migration in Juárez, so the 103.3 mention has to be for XERFR-FM. (XERFR-AM-FM and XEDF-AM-FM air the same programming.) XEQC's case is interesting. XEQC actually was green lit to migrate to 93.5 FM (XHEQC-FM) but never did it or filed for its 2014 concession renewal —*a highly unusual event in Mexican broadcasting. On October 18, 2017, the IFT approved a "Resolución mediante la cual el Pleno del Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones impone una multa y declara la pérdida de bienes y equipos en beneficio de la Nación, derivado del procedimiento administrativo instruido en contra de Miguel Ángel Tanori Cruz, por prestar el servicio de radiodifusión operando en la frecuencia 1390 KHz, en el Municipio de Puerto Peñasco, Estado de Sonora, sin contar con la respectiva concesión, permiso o autorización." Worth noting they have a new Facebook link and appear to be operating as an online station. https://www.facebook.com/Lareynadelmarradio/ You don't see pirate AM seizures at all in Mexico — everything is an FM! The 93.5 frequency will see use — XHPPO's Article 90 clear will move it there from 106.1. XEJA I do not think has a continuity obligation, so that's interesting, but it might especially given the low frequency (Raymie Humbert, Phœnix AZ, July 26, WTFDA Forum via DXLD) So I need to rehash this story a bit today for reasons that should become apparent toward the end... The XHROJ-FM Story On January 21, 2010, Cofetel approved the award of 19 permit stations in one fell swoop. While the assignments to Congress, the Universidad de Guadalajara and the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana were the most important, the most convoluted history belongs to one station on the Caribbean coast. XHFMC-FM 104.3, awarded to the Fundación Maya Cancún (which took delivery of the permit on February 25), seemed innocuous enough when it was awarded, but it soon became more complicated. The "name of organization" callsign was switched out on March 16, within weeks of receiving the permit, for the not-so-standard XHROJ-FM; the legal representative, Sergio Rojano Sahab, is a central character in this saga. After asking for an extension of time to build the station in March 2011, Fundación Maya Cancún made its debut on the Cancún airwaves in June. Broadcasting as Yaakun FM — Buena Música, Mejores Causas (Yaakun means "caring" in Maya), this station also had the distinction of being Grupo ACIR's first, and so far only, permit wolf. ACIR's involvement is confirmed in two ways. The URL for Yaakun FM was yaakun.fm/cmai/ at a time when the "cmai" appeared in all ACIR sites. Radio ACIR, S.A. de C.V., holds the trademark for "Yaakun 104.3 FM", with expediente number 1173808 at the IMPI (Mexico's USPTO), which was filed for in July 2011 and still remains valid. Yaakun came to the air embodying its social side out of the gate. It offered a variety of Spanish-language adult contemporary music but also emphasized its connection to social causes. It also was connected to ACIR's own charitable arm, the Fundación ACIR. Gisela Casarín Landy was listed as part of the foundation's Evaluation and Selection Committee in 2011, and Casarín was also mentioned in a news article published in Latitud 21, a local business magazine, that came out in July 2011, about a month after the station signed on the air. Yaakun operated this way for a little over 18 months. On December 20, 2012, the newspaper Quequi ran an article titled "Sergio Rojano, abusivo de las telecomunicaciones" (Sergio Rojano, abuser of telecommunications). The article described how Rojano scammed and stripped cable system franchise holders of their concessions and began unfairly competing. It also warned that Rojano Sahab had set his sights on Quintana Roo, "with the objective to take control of radio and television concessions held by local businessmen who have for years invested in this tourist destination". It was a warning that the newspaper should have heeded. The Quequi Era Not even a month after the report ran in Quequi, the newspaper took operating control of QFM. On January 7, 2013, the station held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by Governor Roberto Borge Angulo, and it relaunched as QFM 104.3, with an English classic hits format and new news programming. Among the debuts on QFM was the newscast Qué Pasa en Quintana Roo, hosted by Rafael Santiago. An article from this period introduces another name of interest: José Gabriel Gutiérrez Lavín, who is described as QFM's operating director. What Quequi might not have known was that something was coming in the summer of 2013 that would set off a confusing series of events. On June 19, 2013, Rojano Sahab, representing Fundación Maya Cancún, filed with Cofetel an application to relocate XHROJ-FM from 104.3 to 103.5. This application specified continued use of the ACIR/XHYI-FM broadcast tower at much the same technical parameters. This application was approved by the IFT on July 28, 2014—but its existence was not made known for more than three years. (Rojano Sahab is an engineer by trade who received a Premio Antena from the CIRT this year for his role in promoting training for engineers.) Even if we had known, it would have been a completely unexpected case. qfm.com.mx, the QFM site at the time, continued to advertise that this was a station of the Fundación Maya Cancún. At the studios at the Quequi headquarters on Av. Francisco I. Madero, 750 meters away from the XHYI site, a 6-bay FM antenna had also been put in place —*marking a definitive technical split from the 103.5 plans that nobody knew about. In fact, the only reason to suspect a second radio station was even at the XHYI-FM site was the fact that there were two six-bay antennas on it, something I immediately noticed in my attempt to find Cancún's radio stations at the tail end of 2016 (I correctly suspected XHROJ at the time). From Q, an Acustik Is Formed QFM remained a Quequi-operated station through the summer of 2016, when the logo was changed to redesign it away from the Quequi slab- serif Q logo and the mention of Corporativo Quequi was removed from the website. This infographic from that summer shows the new logo and continued use of the XHROJ-FM callsign for 104.3: At the same time, 103.5 came to life, retaking the Yaakun name as if the Quequi era had never happened. Recordings of 103.5 XHROJ from 2016 now exist as well. http://maparadio.com.mx/mapa/quintana-roo/quintana-roo-cancun-103-5-mhz-xhroj-fm/yaakun-fm/ The legal ID mentions Fundación Maya Cancún and gives the address corresponding to the XHYI-FM tower. (It matches the authorization that was available in the RPC and of which I saved a copy.) It took me until August 2017, seeing reviews on the Yaakun 104.3 page mentioning 103.5, to get an idea that this might be happening, because Yaakun has no web presence or stream. That fall, QFM gained a sister station, an outright pirate, known as Acustik 95.3. Acustik is the Spanish hits complement to QFM. The Acustik history site says Gutiérrez Lavín acquired QFM in 2016. Its name seemed a footnote, but 2017 would be a year in which we got as many questions as answers. It started with the IFT-4 radio station auction, in which Acustik was the biggest winner of all. Through three concessionaires—Escápate al Paraíso, Centrado Corporativo, and Akustik Media (note the K)—the company directly won 24 stations from Hermosillo to Peto, Yucatán. A partnered company, Grupo Informativo Fusión Peninsular, picked up three stations in Chiapas (which does not have a peninsula), and Media Group in Michoacán won eight stations, which it built into Acustik Michoacán, a state talk network. (Three Coahuila stations seem likely to follow.) An associated group with Grupo Informativo Fusión Peninsular, known as Yantra Informativo Fusión, bid for a social station at Playa del Carmen and lost it because it was associated with Grupo Acustik. Acustik also planned to participate in the IFT-6 television station auction but came up empty-handed. Acustik also went to work expanding and building out a stable of talent. It acquired LiveNetwork, which owned two cable channels, and began signing marquee names like Javier Solórzano, Fernanda Tapia, and most known of all, Víctor Trujillo —*aka Brozo. The Informe Brozo, as well as Acustik TV, launched on January 15, 2018, and radio syndication of it has also taken place to affiliates across the country, including XEOC Radio Chapultepec in Mexico City, the mysteriously fed NotiGAPE Nuevo Laredo I mentioned last week, and other stations that Acustik does not own. Acustik also built out dozens of social media pages, including the underhanded acquisition of a "Frases de Vida" account to transform into @AcustikNoticias, which at launch had a million Twitter followers, more than Azteca Noticias but still less than the largest established outlets in the country. Acustik also became a sponsor of Cancún's Ascenso MX soccer team, Atlante FC. Gutiérrez Lavín was named as the club's chair in October. http://www.palcoquintanarroense.com.mx/jose-gabriel-gutierrez-lavin-nuevo-presidente-del-atlante/82245/ But back to Quintana Roo, where Acustik's operations are the most mysterious and the least above board. With the launch of Acustik came a studio relocation to the Plaza Península shopping mall on Avenida Bonampak. Atop the new Acustik studios is a new six-bay FM antenna — just one, which makes me think it's used for 95.3 and the Quequi site still houses 104.3. In July 2017, the IFT uploaded the XHROJ frequency change authorization to the RPC, which caused serious consternation for me. At the time, I advised databases to not reflect the change because I needed more information. So What Now? With more information, we now can say with certainty that a 103.5 and a 104.3 are transmitting at the same time in Cancún. Both say they are run by the Fundación Maya Cancún. Both say they are XHROJ-FM. But only one can be the legitimate station. Acustik should ask itself if it was scammed by Rojano Sahab, though QFM continues to operate, and Acustik even takes in some of the state government's advertising budget (313,000 pesos a month). http://tpo.qroo.gob.mx/tpoadminv1/data/contratos/CONTRATO_13.pdf The editors of the WTFDA database will need to figure out which XHROJ is listed. I've also recorded and uploaded QFM 104.3's most recent ID, including calls and Plaza Península location. https://soundcloud.com/raymie-humbert/xhroj-fmqfm-1043-station-id-2018 It is worth noting that I sent a letter to Acustik in Cancún in November 2017 via email, but I never received a reply (Raymie Humbert, July 26, ibid.) Rumors of a radio carousel in Puebla had to be shot down this week. According to this report from DesdePuebla, http://desdepuebla.com/index.php/desde-el-show/11309-exa-ya-no-pertenece-a-grupo-tribuna-comunicaci%C3%B3n.html#notas the staff of XHPBA-FM 98.7 had been notified this week that XHPBA had lost its MVS franchise but would remain in the pop format, with Cinco Radio's XHJE 94.1 taking over Exa; it was also stated that XHPBA would to get new ownership, leaving Tribuna with XEZT-AM 1250. Tribuna Comunicación http://pueblaonline.com.mx/2017/portal//media/k2/galleries_p/70640/thumb_front/tribuna%20.JPG was forced to issue a statement from its director general calling the report false and stating that XHPBA remains in the Tribuna fold. (Though they still promote the fact that XEZT is moving to 95.5...it's only been seven months since their nonpayment was made public!) (Raymie, July 26, ibid.) August 6 seems to be the formal launch date for Multimedios Televisión's station in Durango, which will begin transmissions tomorrow. XHMTDU-TDT broadcasts on RF channel 29 from a new tower atop Cerro de los Remedios (Raymie, July 27, ibid.) Like any fast-growing company, Grupo Acustik has need for capital. It has to pay dozens of people, including some pretty expensive talent. It must shell out a lot of cash to build its IFT-4 radio stations. Whispers of financial problems have been on the menu at Acustik since May. The site Eje Central reported at that time http://www.ejecentral.com.mx/problemas-financieros-en-acustik/ that Acustik's financial problems required them to leave their new studio facilities in Mexico City and had prompted interruptions in pay to their employees and in their programming. The rumors of a studio change seem to be confirmed by comparing the first few months of the Informe Brozo https://www.lanetanoticias.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/brozodhh.jpg to the last few, https://www.facebook.com/lanetanoticiasmx/videos/2055868787804329/ which use a different static set backdrop instead of the gorgeous early set with a view across the street (though the desk remains). On Monday, http://www.hoytamaulipas.net/notas/350105/Periodistas-de-todo-el-pais-exigen-a-empresa-pago-por-servicios-informativos.html those whispers turned into a loud open letter from several of the company's employees. Twelve of them, state correspondents and social media editors, signed this letter, addressed to Acustik head José Gabriel Gutiérrez Lavín, demanding back pay of between three and six months and saying that the head of the news division, Omar Aguilar, had failed to adequately respond and had blocked them on WhatsApp (Raymie, July 28, ibid.) While it was at first easy to brush off the rumors of changes at Tribuna Comunicación in Puebla, there's a bunch of corroborating evidence that suggests our attention should continue to be focused on XHPBA and XEZT. On July 20, the two stations made a change in their normal social media posts. The contents remained much the same, but the hashtags that are always included changed. For XHPBA, this meant #PonteExa987 was replaced with #987, which does not work as a hashtag. That became #987FM. #AquíNomás on XEZT's page was replaced with #La1250AM. The hashtag changes should arouse suspicion. Evidence is further along for XHPBA, which also began inserting new hashtags in its posts: #EstaciónPopNúmeroUno and #SienteElPop ("Feel the Pop"). That second one is also included in the station's new cover video, uploaded on Monday, with a logo that definitely screams "station exiting a franchise and needing a logo fast": XEZT still is using La Mejor designs in its social media posts; XHPBA has dialed them back, though there are still a limited number of local Exa promotions and at least one concert promotion with the Exa 98.7 logo in the last week. ——— Puebla isn't the only city where the format carousel is in full swing. In San Luis Potosí, RMX will end its 18-month run this week, and on August 4, it will become "Vox FM Love Station" with (apparently) a romantic format. The reason cited for the format flip of XHOD-FM is that RMX and Trión (XHSMR-FM 90.1) are rather redundant in the cluster, and with GlobalMedia retaining full control of the latter but not the former, it was ripe for a flip. Vox FM Love Station marks the return of the "Vox FM" name to Mexican radio (that isn't XHMICH) after nearly 15 years. The original Vox FM was XEX-FM Mexico City, which held the name from 1996 to 2004. After PRISA bought half of Televisa's radio division in 2002, the network became "Vox FM Los 40 Principales" as part of a transition to PRISA's own brand, which was completed two years later. PRISA, which is already a GlobalMedia partner, is involved in the relaunch. The first report of the news came from Radio FM SLP after I spotted this tweet https://twitter.com/soyedgarmx/status/1022986617647194113 mentioning the arrival of a new radio format to San Luis, with XHEWA- FM airstaff in attendance (Raymie, July 30, ibid.) It looks like a desire for potential buyers to control most of the Televisa Radio stations might just get PRISA, the other half of Televisa Radio, interested in selling its stake as well. Finding that potential buyers in Televisa's stake would want more control than just 50 percent, the Spanish media conglomerate is exploring selling its own stake, according to Reuters http://elfinanciero.com.mx/empresas/prisa-explora-vender-su-participacion-en-televisa-radio-fuentes (via El Financiero), which cites two sources with knowledge of the matter. PRISA had not been looking to sell, but they may cough up their position in the radio company if they can get a good asking price. PRISA declined comment to Reuters, while Televisa did not respond to requests for comment from the news agency (Raymie, July 31, ibid.) The IFT is back open for business, and the first new broadcasting concession in the books after the two-week summer break is for XHICT- FM in Tulum. What should raise a few eyebrows is that it was signed for by Manuel Isaac Caballero Colli. As I reported, Manuel Isaac and Fayne Yazmin Caballero Colli are also the owners of XHACS-FM Playa del Carmen, which just began operations. [tagline:] Este programa es público, ajeno a cualquier partido político. Queda prohibido el uso para fines distintos a los establecidos en el programa (Raymie, July 31, ibid.) ** MEXICO. Re: Mexican station news --- Tim Hall`s Mexico Beat 670, XEIS-JAL, Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 800, XEUI-CHIA, Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 990, XEIU-OAX Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is still active. 1020, XEOU-OAX, Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 1050, XEVUC-COAH, Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 1200, XEYF-SON, Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is still active, but this seems very unlikely to me. I haven't heard this station in many years. 1240, XELM-CHIA, Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 1370, XEGNK-TAMA, Station still uses its primary slogan "la ranchera norteña," as well as the new secondary slogan I heard on their web stream earlier this week (Tim Hall, CA, July 24, ABDX yg via DXLD) Responses are slowing down. Just a few more received over the past 4 days: 740, XECAQ-QROO, Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is still active. 860, XEDB-CHIA, Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 930, XEQS-ZAC, Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 980, XEJK-CHIH, Station confirmed by FB message 7/18 that the AM is gone. 73 (Tim Hall, Chula Vista CA, July 28, ibid.) ** MONGOLIA. Voice of Mongolia --- Michael Cunningham in Brisbane tells us about a listener survey form. For goodness sake, fill it in. Over the years many Australians have gone to the Voice of Mongolia for experience. Now they need your help to survive. The survey form is to go to this internet address Vom_en@yahoo.com. (You can find it via a search engine – not included here for space -cs). Postal Address for those without internet is Voice of Mongolia, PO Box 365, UlaanBaator 13, Mongolia (August Australian DX News via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. RNZ Transmission have confirmed that 2017 and 2018 WRTH information about 1458 is incorrect. The Cape Foulwind RNZ National transmitter for Westport/Buller is still 2.5 kW. The RNZ updated list does turn up a few other interesting variations, especially with three of the RNZ AM Network outlets: 900 for Dunedin is 6 kW (not 10), as is 1314 for Invercargill (not 5), and 1494 for Hamilton is 3 (not 2.5). As well, RNZ National on 1449 for Palmerston North is an even 2 kW (not 2.5). (Theo Donnelly via DX Dialog NewsGroup, August NZ DX Times via DXLD) Having been responsible for those WRTH updates, I can advise that the information there was provided by RNZ at the time (Bryan Clark, ibid.) ** NEW ZEALAND. Access Radio 999 got a name change in early July - MPR: Manawatu People’s Radio or, in te reo, Irirangi o Nga Tangata o Manawatu, is the new name of the community station. Station Manager Fraser Grieg said it’s not just a change for change’s sake. “We’ve been known as Access Manawatu for over a decade and the media landscape has changed dramatically over that period. With the emphasis on multi-platform content delivery, the necessity for discoverability and accessibility, and the many and varied ways that people interact with us, our old brand was becoming more of a barrier to communicating what we do, rather than a symbol.” The station’s website will transition to the new address MPR.nz and alongside the Facebook, Twitter and Youtube platforms the station uses, a new Instagram account will be launched. Further projects are planned for the New Zealand on Air-funded radio station, including studio equipment upgrades, a celebration of 21 years of Access broadcasting in Manawatu, the return of the Sounds of Summer series and a redesign of its their Broadway premises (Stuff 26/6 via Adam Claydon, August NZ DX Times via DXLD) ** NIGERIA. V of Nigeria heard back on air on 15120 kHz in DRM mode with their English programme from 1820 UT tune-in on 25 July. SNR of 18+dB and good lock. They have been missing on this frequency for some time ([Alan Roe, Teddington, UK], WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) Indeed the last I logged them here was in January if memory serves! Good to hear they haven't fallen off the globe like so many have. Now if we could just get them to either switch back to analog, or at least drop the bit rate so a less robust signal would be needed to decode -- in North America, we're on the 'fringe' and often hear only stuttering from DRM stations. Hmmmm now that I look at the list below, VoN DOES use a significantly lower bit rate than others. New? --kvz (Kenneth Vito Zichi, MI, MARE Tipsheet 27 July via DXLD) Presumably parallel to 7255 kHz in AM mode. I have 7255 kHz recorded using the U. Twente SDR receiver with a fair signal but with a lot of QRN initially from, I imagine, local thunderstorms (-- Richard Langley, 1418 UT July 26, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Fair/good signal of Voice of Nigeria on July 26 1800-1930 on 7255 AJA 250 kW / 248 deg to WCAf English: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/fairgood-signal-of-voice-of-nigeria-on.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 26-27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Voice of Nigeria had trouble keeping the transmitter on 7255 kHz on the air today in AM mode. But then, at 1853 UT, a strong DRM signal came up on the frequency. Was this VoN or CRI testing? The DRM signal went off at about 1859.5 UT and immediately a strong carrier could be seen on the frequency and then the CRI IS began in advance of the usual Turkish broadcast in AM mode at 1900. As soon as the DRM signal appeared on 7255 kHz, I checked 15120 and there was no signal there. All of this using the U. Twente SDR receiver (-- Richard Langley, 1925 UT July 27, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7255-, July 28 at 0610, no signal from VON Hausa. Usually on, but sporadically missing. 7255-, July 29 at 0610, VON is AWOL again like 24 hours earlier. This also applies to other dayparts, as Richard Langley, NB reported to the WOR iog on July 27. 7255-, July 30 at 0552, open carrier, so VON must be back after AWOL past two nights --- if they can keep it up past 0600 for Hausa. Not until next night, July 31 at 0559 am I listening later to hear it modulating with that wonderful percussive prélude (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) V of Nigeria's DRM service in English on 15120 heard again tonight (30 July) signing on at 1800 - having been missing for a couple or nights or so (didn't check yesterday). Good, solid signal. IDing as "V of Nigeria Abuja" (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) "Only" showing a 13 dB S/N here in Michigan, but with their lower data rate and 16 QAM signal, that is more than enough to provide 100% copy. It is refreshing to see a station use DRM in a way that actually leads to decoding audio in 'real world' conditions instead of making it sound so good that it 'falls off the digital cliff' and doesn't decode at all! I noticed them gone on Sunday -- this reception was on Saturday. Are they not on 7 days a week or are they just 'inconsistent'? 73 (//Ken Zichi, MI, 2149 UT Tue July 31, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA [non]. CLANDESTINA, 15110. Jul 27, 2018. 1831-1856, Radio Na Gaskiya, Sofia-Kostinbrod-BULGARIA, em Hauçá. Voz masculina em longa fala; Says Nigeria many times; 1842 Música; 1848 ID e segue-se a locução. Emissora chegando satisfatória em Cabedelo, nesta tarde, 35433 (José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-Paraiba, Brasil, Receptor: Tecsun S-2000, WOR iog via DXLD) ** NIGERIA [non]. U.K., Radio International via BaBcoCk Woofferton on July 30 [have they dropped ``Ndarason`` completely?? gh] 0700-0800 13810 WOF 250 kW / 165 deg WeAf Kanuri, very good, including 0725-0750 13810 WOF 250 kW / 165 deg to WeAf English Voice of Peace! http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-radio-international-via.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 7470, USA, (religious pirate), R. YHWH at 0340 caught in progress. After checking this frequency off and on, hearing now with usual host, usual monologue and topics (mocking commentary on the "Hybrid man-god"). Some long deep fades and, after 0400, going to VG level over local T-storm lightning crashes. Went off suddenly at 0429. - Fair/Good on Grundig Satellit 205 with indoor shortwire antenna (due to weather issues). July 29 (Rick Barton, Logs from Central Arizona, (My listening has been haphazard and spotty last cupla weeks). Grundig Satellit 205(T5000) & 750; RS SW-2000629, HQ- 180A, & ATS-909X with various outdoor wires. 73 and Good Listening....! - rb, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Is he axually IDing as ``Radio YHWH`` now instead of ``Station YHWH``? ** NORWAY. Svenn Martinsen just reported on the WRTH Facebook group: July 29 at 8:45 PM, Radio Northern Star testing right now on LLE-2 1314 kHz 228 meters MW with 1 kW and LKB3 93.8 MHz with 50 watts. This in // 1611, 5895, WiFi, apps, web etc. Reports to 1000@northernstar.no (Mike Terry, 1954 UT July 29, WOR iog via DXLD) 8:45 PM CET? = 1845 UT ** NORWAY. Norwegian MP: DAB Radio in Norway Is a Tragedy Digital Radio Insider Blog 23 July 2018 THE DAB FIASCO WILL BECOME A MAJOR POLITICAL ISSUE Experience so far leaves no doubt that the closure of the FM network and the introduction of DAB is a tragedy for the Norwegian people. The Storting parliamentarian and media spokesperson for the Center Party, Åslaug Sem-Jacobsen, writes this in response to Frp (Progress Party) Thorleif Fluer Vikre, in a debate article published in several regional newspapers in Norway. Before joining Stortinget Sem-Jacobsen was employed by the public broadcaster NRK. Vikre, vice president of Frp Vestfold and Telemark district, regards the closing of FM networks as a big mistake, which is confirmed by the fact that radio listening is down. Frp was the only party against national FM switch-off. Vikre therefore believes it is positive that Sem-Jacobsen and the Center Party now is critical about this digitization. It is true that a broad majority voted for digitizing the radio medium in connection with the processing of Report. 8 (2010-2011), including the Center Party. Let me remind Vikre and Frp that when the Storting adopted the introduction of DAB technology, it was under certain conditions. One of these was that DAB should have equivalent coverage as the FM network before FM was phased out. Furthermore, it was emphasized that a number of political and social considerations had to be taken care of in connection with the digitization. Freedom of expression, ownership, emergency preparedness, access to information, population coverage, as well as ensuring users access reasonable and good services, she writes in her reply to Vikre. She believes that the experience so far has shown that the closure of the FM network and the introduction of DAB is a tragedy for the Norwegian people. She points out that the Center Party 2016 made proposals in the Storting to postpone the closure of FM. The proposal was subsequently rejected, also by Frp. Sem-Jacobsen reacts when Vikre claims that the Center Party has woken up afterwards. He does not mention that the Storting decided to introduce DAB under certain circumstances, and that the Center Party proposed to postpone FM switch-off 2016 due to serious shortcomings with DAB. Experience revealed that coverage was not satisfactory and that listeners did not get any added value. Frp then had a golden opportunity to support our proposal, which they did not. She hopes that Frp in the government will do something about the DAB scandal, which Vikre writes. And with it, it is possible to have the Minister of Culture investigate the DAB case more thoroughly than its predecessors from the Høyre. This involves, inter alia, providing a proper factual database with real DAB listening figures. It is untenable that the government does not comply with the assumptions underlying DAB's adoption in 2011, Åslaug Sem-Joaconsen concludes her article. Facts The Norwegian government today consists of a coalition with three parties; Høyre (Conservatives), Frp and Ventre (Liberals). The latter party holds the Minister of Culture post. The Center party is presently in opposition party in the parliament. https://digitalradioinsider.blogspot.com/2018/07/norwegian-mp-dab-radio-in-norway-is.html#more (via Mike Terry, July 28, WOR iog via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. 1000, July 28 at 0300 UT, on road back from OKC visit, at Okarche junxion of US81 and State Hwy 3, surprised to find KTOK OKC very weak, no match for the CCI, but can make out Dodgers baseball, not OKC, but LA, including local LA PSA concerning ``H204LA`` about water supply. Meanwhile, 930 WKY OKC is loud and clear, or rather clear but dead air during ESPND break, soon resuming. What`s with KTOK? The answer from its night direxional plot: https://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/MB/Databases/AM_DA_patterns/1534041-120192.pdf which is dated 21 Mar 2018 --- as if it changes over time? Hardly, but most FCC AM Query plots display recent dates on them --- With two tight major lobes, one NNW which explains why we hear it well in Enid, and the other to the SE. Numerically for the fourth quadrant, in theoretical, and standard field strengths: 270 12.19 28.34 275 15.26 29.94 280 16.36 30.57 285 4.68 25.76 290 32.95 42.85 295 47.06 55.51 300 29.74 40.19 305 18.08 31.62 310 67.28 75.03 315 63.38 71.19 320 53.51 61.62 325 317.80 334.64 330 711.90 747.92 335 1161.24 1219.56 340 1557.18 1635.24 345 1798.37 1888.46 350 1829.59 1921.24 355 1658.97 1742.10 I would say Okarche is roughly NW = 315 degrees from site in south OKC. KTOK day and night power is the odd figure of 5.8 kW. Poor Okarche, home of proto-Saint Stanley Rother, can`t listen to the mostly far-right talkshows on KTOK. But pity the poorer would-be listeners at 285! Day pattern is not so squeezed, but still with a notch toward the NW, as if faraway KOMO Seattle still need to be protected. https://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/MB/Databases/AM_DA_patterns/1534041-120191.pdf Here are daytime figures matching minimum signals in degree direxions: 305 529.02 556.05 310 489.69 514.80 315 505.66 531.54 While the maxima are: 135 1308.21 1373.85 345 1314.78 1380.75 BTW, three undefined sexions of bumpy US 81 between Okarche and Enid, much of it finally under repair, according to signage, are named as The President George W Bush Highway; the President George H W Bush Highway; and The President Ronald Reagan Highway (not in order). They are SO honored!!! Now, where, o where, are the Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton Highways? Not even a President Donald Drumpf Highway; yet (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 88.3, July 30 at 1858, 1902, 1915, 1933, 2014, 2042 UT chex, K202BY, the Family Radio translator for Enid, is dead air except for a weak tone. It`s noticed on caradio, since 88.3 is the easily captured frequency used to feed the SW radio into the FM. Not rechecked until 0158 UT August 1, when it`s *still* dead air but atonal --- furthermore on the DX-398 I can tell that there is no stereo pilot, which means the dead air is not confined to left-channel only, like their modulation had been for weeks and weeks (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Okie Catholix are all excited because one of their own, undoubtedly a good man, is on track to sainthood. I normally would not cover such extraneous activities, but this is relevant because Stanely Rother founded and ran the almost-SW station many of us heard, La Voz de Atitlán, 2390 kHz. I also visited the vacated building a few years after it had ceased to exist. Here`s the latest: https://www.enidnews.com/community/oklahoma-catholics-prepare-to-celebrate-first-feast-day-of-blessed/article_70efcf60-8a81-5004-8c27-ee322681569d.html Oklahoma Catholics prepare to celebrate first Feast Day of Blessed Stanley Rother James Neal | Enid News & Eagle Jul 26, 2018 OKARCHE, Okla. — Catholics across Oklahoma, Arkansas and Guatemala will celebrate Saturday the first feast day for Stanley Rother, a priest from Okarche who was killed in 1981 while serving as a missionary in Guatemala. Last September, Rother became the first U.S.-born priest and first U.S. martyr to be beatified — a crucial step toward canonization as a saint, and a status in Catholicism honored with a feast day and the title "blessed." "A feast day is a day designated by the Catholic Church to honor saints and blesseds," according to a press release from the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. "The Church assigns one date out of the year for each saint, usually on the date of death. The saints are remembered on their feast days with special mention, prayers and sometimes with special scripture readings." In honor of Rother's feast day, and his roots in Okarche, the Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, will lead Mass at 5 p.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 211 Missouri in Okarche. Members of the Rother family will be in attendance. A special Mass also will be celebrated in Rother's honor at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 110 N. Madison, at 8 a.m. Saturday, including a relic of Rother and medals depicting Rother for each family. The relic, medals and special prayers and preaching focused on Rother also will be offered at the regularly scheduled services over the weekend, at 5 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and the 1 p.m. Spanish service Sunday at St. Francis, and at the 9 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Sunday services at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 1924 W. Willow. The Rev. Kelly Edwards, associate pastor at St. Francis, said it's a special occasion to be able to venerate a blessed martyr who grew up in Oklahoma. "It's special to have a blessed who is from our very state," Edwards said. "For someone who is recognized as a blessed by the Catholic Church to have grown up an hour south of here is a very unique situation." Coakley has provided readings for parishes to use to honor Rother’s life and martyrdom, and encouraged parishes to remember Rother this weekend. “He is a model of priestly holiness and fidelity," Coakley said in the press release. "He came from an ordinary home and a small town, growing up on a farm where he learned to work hard. He knew the importance of family and community." Coakley said Rother offers a powerful example to follow, both for lay people and clergy. “He placed all his natural gifts and talents at the service of his priestly ministry and missionary endeavors," Coakley said. "With so many challenges facing our priests today, here is a priest we can embrace and celebrate – the shepherd who didn’t run.” Rother was ordained a priest in 1963 for the then-Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, serving in various parishes throughout the state. Five years later, he volunteered to serve as a missionary priest at the Oklahoma mission in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. He put his Oklahoma farming experience to work in Guatemala, where he served for 13 years, helping farmers develop new techniques, establishing a co-op, helping create a school, a clinic and a radio station, and translating the New Testament into the villagers’ native Mayan language. By late 1980, the Guatemalan civil war reached Rother's parish, and with it paramilitary squads that tortured and executed members of the local populace believed to oppose the government. Rother's parishioners began to disappear, "leaving him to claim their tortured bodies days later," according to the press release. His work educating and building up the faith of the poor soon earned Rother a spot on a death list, meant to dissuade or eliminate those seen as aiding government opposition. Rother returned to Oklahoma one last time for the ordination of his cousin, Father Don Wolf, who is pastor of Saint Eugene Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, according to the press release. He returned to Santiago Atitlan, saying “a shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger.” In the early morning hours of July 28, 1981, three masked men entered the rectory at Santiago Atitlán and executed Rother. His blood reportedly still stains the walls of the room. Edwards, associate pastor at St. Francis Xavier, said Rother's example of courage and self-sacrificial love is one from which Christians can draw inspiration and strength. "The thing that's so special about him is, he knew he was under penalty of death, but he loved his people so much, he went back anyway, knowing he would probably die," Edwards said of Rother. "Like Christ, he kept up his ministry, even though he knew it would cost him his life." Rother’s body was returned to Oklahoma and is buried in a crypt in Oklahoma City. His heart remained in Guatemala and is enshrined at Saint James. Plans are in the works to move Rother's remains to a new shrine and 2,000-seat church being built in Oklahoma City. Rother's feast day will be celebrated each year on July 28, the anniversary of his death. The feast day currently is recognize throughout the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, the Diocese of Tulsa, the Diocese of Little Rock and the Diocese of Sololá in Guatemala. To learn more about Rother and the shrine, visit http://blessedstanleyrother.org (ENE via gh, DXLD) See GUATEMALA [non] ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3260, NBC Madang (Maus Blong Garamut). 1105- 1203*, July 29. The normal Sunday format; long segment of preaching in Pidgin and also religious songs; was the weekend, so no news at ToH; usual summertime heavy QRN (static). Noted NBC Bougainville (3325) was silent during the same time period, July 29; only VOI being heard (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** PERU. 4747.39, Perú, Radio Huanta 2000, Huanta, Ayacucho, 0030 to 0100 weak signal with om in Spanish fading in and out. Difficult to log, 21 July (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, Florida, 746 Pro - Noise reducing antenna, NASWA yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) ** PERU. 4920.79, R. La Voz del Pueblo, Santiago de Chuco, La Libertad. Reportedly a new station, at 0735 with non-stop Latin pops and a weak signal. However, over a period of four days of listening I never once heard any station identification. The frequency does appear to wander at times. A check later that evening at 0930 revealed it had shifted up to 4920.81 kHz. 9/7 (Rob Wagner, VK3BVW, Mount Evelyn, VIC (Yaesu FTDX 3000, Kenwood TS2000, Yaesu FRG100, Kenwood R5000,Tecsun PL-680, Horizontal Sky Loop, Double Bazooka antennas for 80, 40 and 20 metres, Par EF-SWL End Fed antenna, BHI NEIM1031 Digital Noise Eliminating Module, MFJ-1026 Noise Cancelling Module, ATU), August Australian DX News via DXLD) 4921.8 [sic: must mean 4920.8], Radio La Voz del Pueblo is out of air for more than ten days. I checked it all days here in Reinante during my holiday, no carrier, no signal, and nothing via SDR Kiwi receivers in South America (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, July 26, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio La Voz del Pueblo on air again today at 0445 --- 4920.8, Radio La Voz del Pueblo, Santiago de Chuco, 0445-0628, 30-07, only carrier detected here in Reinante, but via remote SDR Kiwi Pardinho, near São Paulo, 4920.77, clear signal with Peruvian songs between 0445 and 0453, 0453-0558, no audio, only carrier, at 0558 audio again, more very nice Peruvian songs, no comments, no identification. SINPO via SDR Kiwi Pardinho. 35433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Reinante, 0631 UT July 30, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4920.76 again audible --- It's 0705 UT on 30 July and I'm hearing presumed Radio La Voz de Pueblo again after an absence of a couple of weeks (or so). So far the format has been continuous Latin rhythms as before (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai - NZ, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 5025. R. QUILLABAMBA. Julio 25. 2235-2259 UT. Programa de anuncios naturistas en español, luego música de huaynos. A las 2243 avisos de bailes para el fin de semana. Luego espacio de huaynos. Desde las 2252, avisos por el aniversario de La Provincia de La Convención y espacio musical andino dedicado a la ciudad de Quillabamba. SINPO: 55444 (Claudio Galaz, Receptor: TECSUN PL 660, ANTENA: Hilo largo de 30 metros + balun 9:1+ tierra; Lugar de escucha: Ovalle, IV Región, Chile, HCDX via DXLD) ** PERU. 5980. R. CHASKI. Julio 25. 2305-2315 UT. Programa “Alimento para el alma” con reflexiones bíblicas y de aviso de contacto telefónico. Luego espacio musical. A las 2308 se inicia: “El camino de la vida” con el tema de las supersticiones de la Edad Media, la astrología y el espiritismo. Luego espacio musical. SINPO: 55454 (Claudio Galaz, Receptor: TECSUN PL 660, ANTENA: Hilo largo de 30 metros + balun 9:1+ tierra; Lugar de escucha: Ovalle, IV Región, Chile, HCDX via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. 9730, R Romania International via Tsiganeshti English talx re music in Romania, with a YL from the Balkans who is now popular in Romania whose name was Anna Maria, and then a sample of her music. Sounded nice with bandwidth opened up to 10 kHz! Into Letterbox show at 0040 with signal reports -- mentioning issues with the website, and inviting contact via engl.rri@gmail.com. Letters from a couple of people in Japan, and one in England, all of whom use SW to listen. Then schedule info and IS. Into French at ToH. // 7375 much worse but not much weaker: 4533+2+. 4+54+44 with a notchable het on the USB (only) at about 5000 Hz. Not sure where from as there was no other signal visible. 0030-0100 23/Jul, SDRplay +SDRuno +randomwire (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, MARE Tipsheet 27 July via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 9996/CW, RWM, Moscow time station, CW ID repeated many times in minute :39 and then pips starting with minute :40. Seconds :01 and :31 were 'doubled'. In well, 35433, 0239-0249 23/Jul SDRplay +SDRuno +randomwire (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, MARE Tipsheet 27 July via DXLD) ** RUSSIA [and non]. Reception of GTRK Adygeya/Adygeyan Radio July 29 1900-2000 6000 ARM 100 kW / 188 deg CeAs Adygeyan Sun, good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-gtrk-adygeya-adygeyan.html Good to very good signal of GTRK Adygeya / Adygeyan Radio, July 30 1800-1900 6000 ARM 100 kW / 188 deg CeAs Adygeyan/Arabic/Turkish Mon *till 1805 6000 BEI 100 kW / non-dir EaAs Chinese CNR-1 & weak co-ch: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/good-to-very-good-signal-of-gtrk.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Radio ---------- In the mobile application "Russian Radio" there was an opportunity to listen to the first of its kind music Internet stream "Radio Sonya". A new project will help to fall asleep or just relax at any time of the day. "Radio Sonya" - it's quiet melodies and atmospheric compositions, ideal for recreation. The pure and gentle sound of lullabies and specially selected instrumental works will become a best friend not only for small listeners and, of course, for the whole family. "Radio Sonya" is the most sleepy radio! Listen on Station.ru, and also in the mobile application of "Russian Radio"! http://russianmediagroup.ru/live/thenews.asp?id=44099 (RusDX July 29 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. TV channel "Nashe TV". WEB: http://nashe-tv.com/ Nashe TV is a quality and versatile soundtrack for the life of the viewer, as well as all the most interesting, relevant and always in the topic. The entertainment content of the channel is extensive. The broadcasting grid is filled with author's projects, unique programs of own production, interesting blogs and feature films of different genres. Nashe TV erases genre boundaries! On Nashe TV channel music of different genres and styles is available. Absolutely every viewer will receive a video sequence for his own, special musical taste. On the TV channel Nashe TV there is a huge collection of video clips of the best world and domestic artists (RusDX July 29 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. HISTORY OF DX AND RADIO ======== 1939 - 1948 ------------- From the history of radio in the USSR: Registration of radio receivers. Reminder for the owners of the radio. You can see here - http://rusdx.blogspot.com/2018/07/blog-post_28.html (Vladimir Gudzenko, Ukraine / Russia / "deneb-radio-dx", RusDX July 29 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 1971 / 1973 ----------------- THE USSR. Moscow. QSL-katochka radio station "World [sic] and Progress." [In Russian, the same word, MIR, means both Peace, and World --- The station was really called in English, Radio Peace & Progress --- gh] December 11, 1971 / 1430 UT / 11740 kHz You can see here - http://rusdx.blogspot.com/2018/07/blog-post_25.html April 2, 1973 / 1530 UT | 19 m.b. You can see here - http://rusdx.blogspot.com/2018/07/blog-post_26.html (Anatoly Klepov, Moscow, Russia, RusDX July 29 via DXLD) The radio station "Mir and Progress" broadcast from November 1964 until the early 1970s and was the voice of Soviet public organizations. It broadcasted in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Mongolian, Portuguese and Spanish, as did Moscow Radio, but also broadcast in languages such as Azerbaijani, Creole, Guaranian, Hebrew and Yiddish. Officially, the station sought "to contribute in every way to the development and strengthening of mutual understanding, trust and friendship among peoples". https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow Radio (RusDX July 29 via DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA. 15205, Radio Saudi (presumed); 1645 7/21; M in Arabic sounding like calling a horse race. SIO=2+53- (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, ---- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time ----, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. Radio Riyadh Holy Quran vs. Radio Guinée on 9650, July 25: 0915&1100 9650.1 RIY*100 kW / non-dir to N/ME Arabic, nothing on 9715 * co-ch 9650.0 CON 050 kW / non-dir to WeAf French R Guinée, Conakry // freq 17615.2 RIY 500 kW / 100 deg to SEAs Arabic Riyadh Holy Quran http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/radio-riyadh-holy-quran-vs-radio-guinee.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 24-25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) vs. IRAN. R. Riyadh Holy Quran vs. VIRI on 9650 July 25 from 1430 9650.1 RIY 100 kW / non-dir N/ME Arabic R.Riyadh Holy Quran 1430-1730 9650.0 ZAH 500 kW / 289 deg NEAf Arabic VIRI IRIB PARSTODAY // freqy 17895.2 RIY 500 kW / 295 deg NEAf Arabic R.Riyadh Holy Quran http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/radio-riyadh-holy-quran-vsviri-irib-on.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 25-26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Reception of Radio Saudi International in 19/13mb July 28, RIY 500 kW: 0900-1155 15120.1 / 070 deg SoAs Bengali, unregistered - fair 0900-1155 21670.2 / 100 deg SEAs Indonesian, very good signal http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-radio-saudi-international.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 27-28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. vs. GUINEA [see also GUINEA] R. Riyadh Holy Quran vs. R. Guinée on 9650 kHz, July 30 from 0845 9650.1 RIY*100 kW / non-dir N/ME Arabic R. Riyadh Holy Quran * co-ch 9650.0 CON 050 kW / non-dir WeAf French Radio Guinée Conakry http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/radio-riyadh-holy-quran-vsradio-guinee.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAUDI ARABIA [and non]. 11915, BSKSA (Holy Qur`an Broadcast) at 1627 // 11820 (also BSKSA) and 12060 (Radio Algerienne) with Islamic Call to Prayer – Fair to Good July 25 – I assume this one is the originating broadcaster for the Islamic Call to Prayer broadcasts heard on Radio Algerienne as there must be a satellite feed between Riyadh and Issoudun (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) Suspect this report is in EDT, not UT, since Algeria via France on 12060 is scheduled at 19-21 UT, i.e. 2027 instead of 1627. But: Interesting. Until now we assumed each country/station did its own CTPs according to local timings, not simulnetworked all over AfroAsia. Are you sure Algeria was //, identical, even synchronized with the BSKSA CTP? To the heathen, they all sound rather alike. Need to compare them on two receivers if I can get them. 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) 11985, FRANCE, Radio Algerienne at 1926 // 11820 (BSKSA) in Arabic with Islamic Call to Prayer – Fair July 28 (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) Again I question whether these are really // --- I need to try on two radios, but don`t DX much at that hour (gh, DXLD) Extended recitations, not just brief CTPs at variable times. Later: I find SA and Algeria are not synchronized, but could be // seconds apart (gh) 12060, FRANCE, Radio Algerienne at 1936 in Arabic with Islamic Call to Prayer but with a different cantor than Saudi Arabia on 11820 – Fair Aug 3 (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) ** SEYCHELLES [non]. 11580, FEBA-Radio India (Trincomalee?) *1315- 1330+ 9, 10, 11 July. IS, "You are listening to the FEB[C] radio programme on the 25-meter band" with programmes in English, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, & Tamil. Aoki has this as FEBA-Radio India via Trincomalee, but the opening announcement sure sounds like FEBC (although the FEBC website doesn't show 11580 in use 1315-1345 daily), so transmitter site may be 'iffy' (Dan Sheedy, CA, via Bob Wilkner, NASWA yg via DXLD) ** SIKKIM. 4835, AIR Gangtok. On July 25, for the second consecutive day, heard with audio above threshold level; 1259-1323; announcer (unable to make out language) and subcontinent music. My local sunrise was at 1308 UT, while Gangtok sunset was at 1258 UT, making for some nice grayline reception. Ozy Radio remains silent here (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, WOR iog via DXLD) ** SOMALILAND. SOMALIA, Reception of Radio Hargeysa in English/Somali, July 25: 1321&1341 on 7120 HAR 100 kW / non-dir to EaAf English, fair and 1500-2000 on 7120 HAR 100 kW / non-dir to EaAf Somali, very good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-radio-hargeysa-in.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 25-26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. 7570, USA, The Overcomer Ministry (via WRMI) at 0016 with Brother Stair pontificating – Fair in peaks July 28 – It makes me wonder just how many international shortwave broadcasters would find themselves seriously cash-strapped if Brother Stair was taken off the air for good? Whether we like him, or not, his presence does provide international shortwave broadcasters with the incentive and wherewithal to give airtime to a wide range of quirky and eclectic programming (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) I seriously question whether the damage he and all the other wacko gospel huxters do, justify the rest of SW programming (gh, DXLD) 9330, The Overcomer Ministry (via WBCQ) at 1903 with Brother Stair pontificating and telling Catholics to shut up – Good July 28 – I guess we have to put up with Allan Weiner hosting his friend Brother Stair's anti-Christian rants so that we can hear shows like “Marion's Attic” (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) 9330v WBCQ // 7570 WRMI, July 29 at 0048, Brother HyStairical with same severely degraded audio feed, strange ringing sounds making his horrible voice even more unlistenable. This correlates with Kenneth Vito Zichi`s comment in the Michigan ARE Tipsheet, for 9330.1-AM, WBCQ, at 0249-0300 23/July: ``This was REALLY poor audio -- it sounded like he was using string and a tin can, or a REALLY poor telephone audio at most. Most of the audio was between 0- 1500 Hz. Odd`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9330.1/AM, WBCQ with Brother Stair repeating address and similar, and talk re the end times, a 'super blood moon' (whatever that is) and other of his usual silliness. This was REALLY poor audio -- it sounded like he was using string and a tin can, or a REALLY poor telephone audio at most. Most of the audio was between 0-1500 Hz. Odd. 45443+, occasional deep fades letting the QRN sneak in. I've seen this in RCUSB in the past, but this was clearly regular old AM, so --- different transmitter? Still off channel though, so maybe not. 0249- 0300 23/Jul, SDRplay +SDRuno +randomwire (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, MARE Tipsheet 27 July via DXLD) Switched to AM a few months ago as I noted at the time (gh, DXLD) ** SPAIN. ESPANHA, Escutas comparativas: 15390. Jul 27, 2018. 1901-1910, Radio Exterior de España, Noblejas-E, em Espanhol. Locutores e locutora apresentam um pequeno bloco de notícias até às 1905; A partir das 1906 inicia-se o programa "Radiogaceta de los Deportes". REE chegando satisfatória por aquí, nesta frequência, com algum esvaecimento, 35433. 15520. Jul 27, 2018. 1910-1917, Radio Exterior de España, Noblejas-E, em Espanhol. Locutores apresentam o programa "Radiogaceta de los Deportes en Radio Nacional" e o e-mail do programa; Sieguem las noticias deportivas, con enfoque al fútbol. Ótima recepção nesta frequência, 45554. 17715. Jul 27, 2018. 1917-1925, Radio Exterior de España, Noblejas-E, em Espanhol. Locutores seguem com a apresentação do programa "Radiogaceta de los Deportes" com geração da Radio Nacional de España (RNE); Excelente recepção aquí em Cabedelo, 55555. 17855. Jul 27, 2018. 1925-1930, Radio Exterior de España, Noblejas-E, em Espanhol. Locuções masculinas e o programa "Radiogaceta de los Deportes". Recepção com sinal satisfatório, algum esvaecimento e modulação fraca à pobre, 35433 para 35432 (José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo-Paraíba, Brasil, Receptor: Tecsun S-2000, WOR iog via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. 11904.9, July 30 at *0031:17.5, SLBC JBA carrier comes on late, too weak to detect a mis-timesignal (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. 12190, R. Free Asia via TWN. In Chinese on 16/7 from 1500 (after program in Cantonese) and without jamming // 15800, 14980, 11440, 9180, 9200, etc (Rumen Pankov, Sofia, Bulgaria (Sony ICF2001D, Folded Marconi antenna), August Australian DX News via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. PROMOTION "RETRO QSL" FROM RTI --- The Russian service of the "International Radio of Taiwan" (RTI) since August 1 is conducting a special promotion "Retro QSL" for listeners sending reports about receiving a signal from Taipei. The conditions of the action in the recent issue of the "Sunday show" were revealed by presenter Vitaly Samoilov. "There are a lot of old QSL cards left in the archives of the Russian service, which we would like to send you in exchange for reports. Starting from August 1, for each first report from the listener, we will send out regular QSL cards of this year for August. But for each additional report for August in return we will send you an old QSL- card marked "Retro QSL" and fill it according to the actual audibility. Thus, you can get various cards with very interesting images, which in previous years, even decades, we sent out on behalf of the "International Radio of Taiwan", - said the presenter. "International Radio Taiwan" (RTI) annually updates QSL-cards. In a year 12 original cards are issued. In 2018, the verification card of the radio station is dedicated to traditional dishes of Taiwanese cuisine (Igor Kolke, Moscow, Russia / https://kolkeradio.blogspot.com/ via QSL World, RusDX July 29 via DXLD) ** THAILAND. 15590, Radio Thailand at 0000 with OC noted before the hour then single gong IS and a single time pip and a woman with ID and opening music then a man and woman with opening announcements and into “Radio Thailand News” – Weak but audible July 28 (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD) More so than here. Beamed to east coast NAm at this time, so maybe that make the difference (gh) ** TIBET. The Holy Tibet English Program commenced in 2002, aiming to bring listeners around the world the real Tibet and the new Tibet. Dramatic changes have already been taking place in Tibet while its traditional culture and customs have also been well preserved [sic]. In Tibet, there are many traditional festivals throughout the year, including Tibetan New Year, Nyingchi Peach Blossom Festival, Lhasa Yougurt Banquet Festival, Nagqu Horse Racing Festival, Shigatse Mount Qomolangma Cultural festivals and so on. Program Schedule - 'Tibet Story', Monday to Tuesday, talking to interesting and legendary Tibetan figures. 'Eyes on Tibet', Wednesday to Thursday, stating the latest development about Tibet. 'Tibet Tourism', Friday to Saturday, introducing the wonderful and amazing scenic spots of Tibet. 'Tibet Review', Saturday, reviewing what happened in the week in Tibet. 'Music Shangri-la', Sunday, featuring special and unique Tibetan music to the listeners. If you have the chance, you can experience Tibet personally, Tibet is also a sea of dance and song, trust me, you won't be disappointed. Well, I have to admit been intrigued by the sound of the Lhasa Yoghurt Banquet Festival. http://www.tibettravel.org has info on this and also pursuits such as Yak Racing. Might have to start saving up! 'Music Shangri-la' is one of my favourite listens on the Holy Tibet English Program, as we already have K-Pop and J-Pop, maybe we will have T-Pop in the future? The Hong Kong SCMP 'Post Magazine' of April 29 at https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/arts-music/article/2143229/why-tibetan-singers-trek-chinese-city-chengdu has a nice feature on the Tibetan singers and dancers who have flocked to Chengdu city's Wuhou district where there is a large Tibetan presence” (Michael Cunningham, Brisbane, August Australian DX News via DXLD) ChiCom suppression of Tibetan culture, religion? Course not (gh) ** TIBET [non]. TAJIKISTAN, Frequency changes of Voice of Tibet on July 26: 1200-1205 NF 11653 DB 100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese, ex 11646 1205-1230 NF 11646 DB 100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese, ex 11656 1230-1235 NF 11604 DB 100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 11606 1300-1305 NF 11623 DB 100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese, ex 11626 1305-1330 NF 11616 DB 100 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Chinese, ex 11625 1300-1305 NF 9877 DB 100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 9887 1305-1400 NF 9876 DB 100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, ex 9877 1330-1400 on 9896 DB 100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, add. freq http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/frequency-changes-of-voice-of-tibet-on.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 26-27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) TAJIKISTAN, Additional frequency of Voice of Tibet on July 29: 1330-1400 on 9896 DB 100 kW / 131 deg to CeAs Tibetan, good signal http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-additional-frequency-of.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. 9515, V Turkey, English News read by OM, at 0309 into YL re National Defense in Turkey. Then into music. at 0319 OM talk re Turkish politics. // but slightly ahead of Satellite, 97 W Galaxy-19, 11.960-V/22000 Msps QPSK/MPEG2 which was in at 50% quality and decoding perfectly. 4+5444 0302-0322 23/Jul SDRplay +SDRuno +rwire (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, MARE Tipsheet 27 July via DXLD) 15450.08, Voice of Turkey (tentative); 1238, 7/24; English commentary to classical bumper at 1240 into English feature on Anatolia? Fair at best in QRN (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, ---- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time ----, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Very odd frequencies of TRT Voice of Turkey on 11795.7/9855.7 kHz, July 26, ALL EMR 500 kW 0830-0955 11795.7 / 105 deg WeAs Persian, instead of 11795 July 25 1000-1055 9655.0 / 072 deg CeAs Georgian, same nominal on July 25 1000-1025 9855.7 / 032 deg CeAs Tatar, instead of 9855.0 July 25 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/very-odd-frequencies-of-voice-of-turkey.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 26-27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Another very odd frequency 9655.7 kHz of TRT Voice of Turkey, July 28, all EMR 500 kW: 0500-0655 13765.0 / 210 deg to CEAf Hausa/Swahili-not on air today 0824&0830 11795.0 / 105 deg to WeAs Serbian-unscheduled & Persian: 1000-1055 9655.7 / 072 deg to CeAs Georgian, instead of nom. 9655 1000-1025 9855.0 / 032 deg to CeAs Tatar, scheduled nominal 9855 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/another-very-odd-frequency-96557-khz-of_28.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 27-28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Voice of Turkey on very odd frequencies 13765.7/11795.7/9855.7 kHz July 29, all EMR 500 kW: 0500-0655 13765.7 / 210 deg to CEAf Hausa/Swahili, not on air July 28 0830-0955 11795.7 / 105 deg to WeAs Persian, instead of 11795 July 28 1000-1025 9855.7 / 032 deg to CeAs Tatar, instead of 9855.0 July 28 1000-1055 9655.0 / 072 deg to CeAs Georg., instead of 9655.7 July 28 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/voice-of-turkey-on-very-odd-freqs.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 28-29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Another very odd frequency 9655.7 kHz of TRT Voice of Turkey, July 30, all EMR 500 kW: 0500-0655 13765.0 / 210 deg to CEAf Hausa/Swahili, 13765.7 July 29 0830-0955 11795.0 / 105 deg to WeAs Farsi, instead of 11795.7 July 29 1000-1025 9855.0 / 032 deg to CeAs Tatar, instead of 9855.7 July 29 1000-1055 9655.7 / 072 deg to CeAs Georgian, instead of 9655 July 29 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/another-very-odd-frequency-96557-khz-of.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. If you can make BBC iPlayer work, here`s a convenient way to listen to BBC Proms concerts. So far there are 188 episodes, with the latest ones from the current 2018 season atop: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007v097/episodes/player (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. SPECTRUM PLANNING FOR SMALL-SCALE DAB Ofcom is today inviting expressions of interest from parties wishing to operate a small-scale DAB multiplex, and from radio stations wishing to broadcast on these in the future. Small-scale DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is an innovative technology designed to allow local stations to achieve affordable transmission on digital radio. Approximately 70 local radio stations across the UK are currently broadcasting on small-scale DAB as part of an Ofcom trial. The purpose of the trial is to gather information to inform a new, formal framework for licensing small-scale DAB multiplexes, which is currently in development. In preparation for the new licensing framework, Ofcom is seeking to understand the level of demand among multiplex operators and radio stations to help us plan how best to allocate available airwaves to support future small-scale DAB services. The closing date for the submission of expressions of interest is 5pm on 21 September 2018. More details see https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-2/small-scale-dab-interest (bdxc-news iog July 27 via DXLD) ** U S A. 475.1 kHz approx., July 27 at 0607 UT, full copy of the WA4 CW unID I had before: WA4SZE/BEACON over and over. Call sounds vaguely familiar. Guess who? It`s the WWRB guy per ARRL/FCC lookup: ``Frantz Jr, David L, WA4SZE 691 Brandon Rd Manchester, TN 37355 ATTN: David L Frantz Licensee ID: L00473751 License Class: Advanced FRN: 0006586481 Radio Service: HA Issue Date: 10/07/2014 Expire Date: 10/07/2024 Date of Last Change: 10/07/2014 (License Renewed)`` Also has a bare-bones QRZ.com page, nothing about him running a beacon. Guess this replaces the one on 529 kHz. O yes, got this from Dave early this year, as in DXLD 18-05: ```Also received this from Dave Frantz of WWRB, Jan 29 at 1236 UT: ``Beacon experiments --- Hey Glenn, I run some beacon experiments on 475 kc, you should be able to copy. The beacon is carrier phase encoded for my experiment plus has the ID N/A every 15 seconds using space modulation. Experiment. You can hear it with regular AM radio. Let me know how copy.`` Dave, Tried last night but no go. Early evening and around 0700 UT. Would it also be audible, or better audible with SSB/BFO on?? Haven`t heard or heard about your 529 beacon for a long time. Is that off the air for good? (Glenn to Dave, Jan 30, via WORLD OF RADIO 1915, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ? what is ``space modulation``? Beacon was last reported in 2012y, from 2007y: ``529, TENNESSEE, Morrison, LYQ (WQHL966, NDB aero beacon)`` (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) No reply then or now ** U S A. 13306/USB, New York Radio; 2054, 7/23; ATC working N36MM; said use 13348 as 2ndary. https://flightaware.com/resources/registration/N36MM shows this as a 2007 Bombardier INC BD-700-2A10 23-seater owned by JAGS Leasing of Piscataway NJ (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, ---- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time ----, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY DEFENDS ITSELF The broadcaster rejects a charge of engaging in propaganda. July 25, 2018 Image --- The Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty newsroom. The broadcaster is mostly restricted by law from promoting its content in the United States. CreditAlamy https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/25/opinion/letters/radio-free-europe.html Letter To the Editor: Re "U.S.-Funded Broadcaster Directed Ads at Americans" (Business Day, July 20): Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty rejects any suggestion that our journalists are engaged in propaganda. Despite our congressional funding, we are editorially independent; federal law bars any American official from dictating or interfering with our content. We use Facebook's technology to promote our news stories and graphics to readers' feeds. The material in question is our original news content, not ads. Some of our audience abroad use circumvention software to get around government web blocks, and therefore are identified on Facebook as American users. But our intent is not to target a United States domestic audience. To ensure compliance with our governing legislation, we are reviewing our promotion policy in cooperation with the Broadcasting Board of Governors. We are proud of the independent coverage we provide to 31 million people, in 25 languages, of news developments in 20 countries in the Balkans and the former Soviet Union, plus Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Our correspondents are frequently arrested and harassed by authoritarian regimes for their courageous journalism. Russian authorities, who recently fined us, have frequently attacked the alternative we provide to Kremlin-controlled media. It is obvious from the size of our following and the risks these consumers take to access our content that our audience knows the difference between news and propaganda. Thomas Kent, Prague The writer is president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A26 of the New York edition with the headline: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Defends Itself (via Mike Cooper, David Cole, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) see also KYRGYZSTAN ** U S A. VOA: See ZIMBABWE [non] ** U S A [and non]. WORLD OF RADIO 1939 monitoring: GERMANY, 6190, Hamburger Lokal Radio, Goehren, *0600-0700, 21-07, English, ID “Hamburger LokalRadio”, program “Media Network Club” [sic; isn`t it still Plus?], at 0630 Glenn Hauser’s program “World of Radio”. Very weak. 15221 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante, Tecsun S- 8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF RADIO 1940 monitoring: missed checking Friday July 28 at 2330 on WBCQ 9330v, as I was viewing the excellent docu-movie about Mr Rogers, ``Won`t You Be My Neighbor``, in OKC. Patience; will eventually be on PBS `Independent Lens`. Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, confirms: GERMANY, Reception of World of Radio via HLR on 6190 CUSB, July 28 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-world-of-radio-via-hlr-on_28.html 0631-0700 6190 GOH 001 kW / 230 deg CeEu English Sat, fair signal Alan Gale, UK, reports: ``Hi Glenn, I had to go out today, but left the receiver on and the recorder going, and have just played it back now, and can confirm that World of Radio was audible from 1430 UT today. There were thunderstorms in the area, so lots of static, but the signal did seem to be down on the previous week, though that may just have been because I wasn't there to change aerials or switch the preamp or audio filter in. Alan`` My quick check amid next HLR broadcast, 6190-CUSB, Saturday July 28 at 1444, via UTwente SDR, found nearly 100% readable, bothered only by some lightning crashes. Next: Sat 2130 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe, or 2330?] [axuallly, never heard any more at 2130, 2230 or 2330, but this was the original timing shift for Saturdays only] 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 #1941?] Tue 2130 WRMI 5950 to WNW [or #1941?] WORLD OF RADIO 1940 monitoring: confirmed UT Sunday July 29 at 0343 on WA0RCR, 1860-AM, Missouri, about 13 minutes into show so started late circa 0330. Good signal but hard to copy vs heavy storm noise level approaching us from the NW. Next: 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 #1941?] Tue 2130 WRMI 5950 to WNW [or #1941?] (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) GERMANY, Reception of World of Radio via HLR on 9485 CUSB on July 29: 1031-1100 9485 GOH 001 kW / 230 deg CeEu English Sun weak/fair/good from 1100 9485 GOH 001 kW / 230 deg CeEu Spanish Sun Radio Tropicana http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-world-of-radio-via-hlr-on_29.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 28-29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Confirmed here, UT Monday July 30 from 0130.5 on WRMI 5850, S9+20/30, and presumably 7780, JBA carrier. Also confirmed UT Monday July 30 from 0302 on Area 51 webcast, and at 0327 JBA in noise level on WBCQ 5130.071 (earlier at 0035, measured about 5129.04). Also confirmed UT Monday July 30 at 0330 on WRMI 9955, S9/S9+10; and confirmed immediate repeat after 0500 on WRMI webcast only. Also confirmed UT Tuesday July 31 at 0047 check the 0030 on WRMI 7730, good. Presumably Tuesday July 31 at 2030 on WRMI 7780 & 5950, both buried in daytime noise level. Presumably also at 2130 on 5950 ditto. WORLD OF RADIO 1941 contents: Albania non, Antarctica, Argentina, Australia and non, Bolivia, China, Cuba, Denmark, France, Ireland Northern non, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Nigeria, Perú, USA, Western Sahara non, unidentified; and the propagation outlook WORLD OF RADIO 1941 ready for first airing, Tuesday July 31 at 2330 on WBCQ, 9329.95v, and confirmed S8-S4 (2359 some rock music instead of immediately back to BS). Next: Wed 1030 WRMI 5950 to WNW Wed 2100 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 2100 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Wed 2330 WBCQ 9330v to WSW [maybe] Thu 2330 WBCQ 9930v 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?] 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 #1942?] Tue 2130 WRMI 5950 to WNW [or #1942?] 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, FL, Okeechobee with Broad Spectrum Radio playing Mexican music and then into a new digi-text and photo segment featuring info about the "Green Corn Rebellion" in Oklahoma during the WWI era. A newspaper photo and a book cover were included: [illustration; Green Corn Rebellion was subject several months ago last winter; rerun? gh] Then into SW Radiogram #57 with both MFSK 32 and MFSK 64 segments to the broadcast including stories about RFE/RL to launch news services in Romanian and Bulgarian; Trump suggests Montenegrins could start WWIII; Astronomers have discovered 12 new moons around Jupiter; Scotland chosen for a new UK Spaceport and images of Aurora over eastern Manitoba, and an Indonesian volcano [illustration]: Then into Business Growth Radio still referring to the station as WMRI and only to 7730 and not this channel, and with William Eastman's semi-monotone delivery of business corporate-speak on how to 'grow your business'. Cut out in mid programme, which he said would be an hour, but only lasted 37 minutes. 45444, 0658-0907*, SDRplay +SDRuno +FLDigi for the digital bits, +randomwire (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, MARE Tipsheet 27 July via DXLD) No date on this, presumably 22 July 9395, WRMI with English ad for a picture combination lock, and abruptly cutting into AWR Waveguide [sic] NWS#491 with "Gone and Forgotten" SEARV Radio in the Philippines, the former president of AWR with a laundry list of new AWR stations, but for some reason diving off on a tangent, and suggesting that 'nobody' in Europe or the Americas even knows what SW is, while talking about religious broadcasting (Does Brother Swear know about that?). At BoH an ID and claiming they would go into oldies, but instead there was a short blip of oldies and then into Radio Tirana in English, with news. 454+44, 0159-0239 23/Jul, SDRplay +SDRuno +rwire (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, MARE Tipsheet 27 July via DXLD) 9395, July 25 at 1925 for at least three minutes, dead air from WRMI at S5-S7; while BS proceeds on WBCQ 9330+ 9955, UT Saturday July 28 at 0320, WRMI with World Music fill instead of `Moments in Bible Prophecy` as scheduled 0315-0330 UT Tue-Sat. 0329 Spanish ID by Dino; 0330 resumes another preacher in English, `Upward Look` as sked UT Sat only. 9955, July 28 at 1411, WRMI extended broadcast Saturday only with Blalock the Blaster. How can anyone stand to listen to him? 11580, July 28 at 2133, WRMI Saturday-only activation with `SW Radiogram` beepery. The current webpage http://swradiogram.net/ for July 27-30 still does not include this airing on its own schedule, nor do I see any mention of anyone having heard/seen it last week, as I first reported. Unfortunately, I missed checking what was on during the first semihour from 2100; another DX program?? Did anyone hear it? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Good morning Glenn, At least not from 2116 to 2130 when they played standard pop music (Heath Hall, Albuquerque, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks, Glenn. I was unaware of this broadcast and thus did not tune in. Saturday 2130-2200 UT would be a good time for Shortwave Radiogram if Jeff can fit it into his schedule. All the best, (Kim, ibid.) Monitored WRMI Sunday Evening / Monday Morning (UT) 7780 kHz Schedule From my recording last Sunday evening, 29-30 July UT: 2015 Viva Miami (better reception this week; acknowledging listeners' reports; repeat) 2030 Reserve Military Retirement 2100 Voice of the Report of the Week, VORW Radio International 2200 Your Weekend Show (Bob Biermann back in Georgia; still considering the future of the program; this week prosperity preachers and false prophets and a recorded church sermon) 2300 Full Gospel (Half-) Hour 2330 Shortwave Radiogram (#57) 0000 Radio Slovakia International in Slovak 0030 Radio Slovakia International in English 0100 Wavescan (#492) 0130 World of Radio (#1940) (Richard Langley, WOR iog via DXLD) ** U S A. [WRMI AND WBCQ] Broadcast Cancellations - VORW Radio International - Newsletter 11 Dear VORW Radio Listeners, Happy August! In today's newsletter I will be addressing a number of schedule changes, unfortunately a good number of broadcasts have been discontinued due to lack of funding. Donations to keep this program on the air are always appreciated via PayPal to vorwinfo@gmail.com Our main change is that the broadcast via WBCQ on 7490 kHz, previously at 5 PM Eastern (21 UT) every Thursday is now at 9 PM Eastern every Thursday (01 UT FRI). All broadcasts to Europe and North America on Saturdays and Sundays are cancelled. The current broadcast schedule is below! VORW Radio Int. is a weekly light entertainment radio show, featuring miscellaneous talk and listener-requested music. It's a laid back program where you can hear music of all genres and eras and even learn a thing or two about the songs and artists played! You can listen in regularly or infrequently and still be able to perfectly follow the show. Thursday: 6 AM Eastern - 1000 UT - 5950 kHz to Western North America 4 PM Eastern - 2000 UT - 7780 kHz, 5950 kHz to North America 6 PM Eastern - 2200 UT - 9955 kHz, 5950 kHz to South America 8 PM Eastern - 0000 UT - 7730 kHz to Western North America 8 PM Eastern - 0000 UT - 9395 kHz to Eastern North America 9 PM Eastern - 0100 UT - 5850 kHz, 7780 kHz to North America 9 PM Eastern - 0100 UT - 7490 kHz to Eastern North America Friday: Midnight Eastern - 0400 UT - 9 PM Pacific Thursday - 7730 kHz to Western North America 5 PM Eastern - 2100 UT - 9955 kHz to South America Please send correspondence to - vorwinfo@gmail.com You can hear VORW Radio International on Tunein Radio at the following times: 1 PM Eastern Thursday: https://tunein.com/radio/WRMI-9955-s50329/ 6 PM Eastern Thursday: https://tunein.com/radio/WRMI-9955-s50329/ 9 PM Eastern Thursday: https://tunein.com/radio/The-Planet-7490-s24829/ 5 PM Eastern Friday: https://tunein.com/radio/WRMI-9955-s50329/ Latest programs may be heard on-demand via SoundCloud here: https://soundcloud.com/vorw_radio_int This show is on the air exclusively via your support, please keep what's left alive via PayPal to: vorwinfo@gmail.com Respectfully, John (VORW Radio International) (VOR newsletter via Manuel Méndez, Spain, August 1, WOR iog via DXLD) WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ WBCQ: ** U S A. 7490, WBCQ, ME, Monticello with Alan [sic] Wiener talking about the IRS, CNN, fake news and the good ship Sarah/pirates from back in the day, and singing Trump's praises and calling CNN "Moonbat Liberals". And Satan is running rampant on the planet. He advocates getting rid of the VoA and PBS/NPR because the people who run those networks are crooked, and WBCQ could do better than the 'national socialists' and the government shouldn't have ANYTHING to do with the media. He also talked about 'back when I was a kid' the worst thing that happened at school was some greaser brought a switchblade to school.' I have NO idea how all these things were related. But fascinating. I guess his love of Brother Stairmaster is making some sense. 45444, 0010-0030, but getting weaker as I listened. 23/Jul SDRplay +SDRuno +randomwire (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2, MARE Tipsheet 27 July via DXLD) Tonight`s `AWWW` on WBCQ, UT Saturday July 28 from 0000 --- I don`t hear any of it, since I`m at an event in OKC, but the ever-reliable John Carver files his report, in keeping without our custom altho not a gh log at all: ``Show started on time this evening. Poor signal on seven four ninety so listening to fifty-one thirty this evening. Allan is on a political rant this evening and fifty-one thirty quickly goes to hell and I switch to ninety-three thirty to follow the program. Sorry but the upper row of number keys have quit working for some reason. Will try to have that fixed before next week. So far Angela has reverted to her former subdued state. Allan still ranting and throwing around four letter words, all concerning the Trump bashers. Ninety-three thirty starts having problems by OOsixteen. A very strange radio evening. Allan stated that if he were the president the Corporation For Public Broadcasting would cease to exist. Also attacked the internet, calling it "the tower of Babel". From ootwenty-seven my copy of the program degrades. Back to fifty-one thirty by oothirty-two trying to hear what's being said. Phone call from Freddie at oothirty-six breaks up the rant a bit. Freddie said he hesitated to call it a rant and Allan assured him that it was a rant. Antenna for the FM translator was installed this past week on a four hundred foot tower. Phone call at ooforty-six from a ham wanting to know if the super station and the FM translator were going to interfere with his radio. Allan assured him that all the new equipment WOULD interfere with his radio usage and that hopefully next week he could outline some steps for people to take to lesson the effect of the RFI. Reading of emails began at oofifty-two. Hard to tell for sure as I could barely copy the program. Someone sent an email accusing Allan of not paying taxes and being a hypocrite. Couldn't copy Allan's response. Then into the Free Radio Weekly. Prayer at oonehundred and off the air at ooneotwo. I think Tom Barna may have said something about the FM translator right before reading of emails commenced but can't say for sure. John, Mid-North Indiana`` (via gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5130.12, July 29 at 0057, WBCQ is too weak to listen to, other than measure the JBA carrier here, rather than circa 5129.83. Sometimes it`s 5130 plus, but usually 5130 minus. So are there two different transmitters, or one sometimes tuned up, sometimes down? I don`t find it varying in between (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5130.14, 0305-0310, 27.7, WBCQ, Monticello, Maine - drifted to this new frequency, English religious talk, 35232 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, in Skovlunde on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwave, WBradio yg via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. From the Isle of Music, August 5-11, 2018: Part 1 of 2 parts. Our special guest this week and next is Yasek Manzano, one of the young lions in both Jazz and Electronic Music in Cuba today. 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 KHz, 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 UT and Saturday 1200-1300 on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany. Also recommended: 1. Jetzt geht's los!, an excellent program of early German Jazz produced by Radio Ohne Nahmen, comes on right before FTIOM on Tuesdays from 1800 to 1900 UT on Channel 292. Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, Sunday, August 5 & Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Episode 74 features some spectacular Bluegrass. If you think you that don't like Bluegrass, we think that this episode will convert you. 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. Also recommended: Marion's Attic, a unique program produced and hosted by Marion Webster featuring early 20th Century records, Edison cylinders etc played on the original equipment, comes on immediately before UBMP on Sundays from 2100-2200 UT on WBCQ 7490. Thanks for all you do for radio! Promo graphics attached (William "Bill" Tilford, Owner/Producer, Tilford Productions, LLC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW: ** U S A. 5935, July 25 at 0150, WWCR-2 is OFF. Supposed to start daily at *0000 with DGS, succeeding 13845 DGS until 2400* on different transmitter WWCR-3 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 12160, Saturday July 28 at 1703, WWCR NOT with `Talking Machine Show` of ancient cylinder recordings mostly music rather than talk, but instead a talking gospel huxter has replaced one of WWCR`s best shows! The July 1 edition of online pdf program schedule for WWCR-3 still claims TMS. 4840, UT Sunday July 29 after 0100, WWCR is still running `The Talking Machine Show` now judging from lo-fi ancient music recording, after having deleted it from Saturday 1700 on 12160. 3215, another WWCR is also still playing `Martha Garvin`s Musical Memories` at very same time; to compete with The Mighty KBC, 9925, but not a single 43 mb pirate to be heard this Saturday evening (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 5970 & 11520, July 27 at 0212, WEWN missing both from Spanish and English frequencies. Earlier in afternoon could not hear 15610 either, but propagation very degraded. 11520, July 28 at 0606, WEWN English is on at S3-S4, after missing last night (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 15809.959, July 28 at 1343, JBA carrier, signature off- frequency must be WTWW-3; on for something special? Check 5085 WTWW-2 and find it on at odd daytime hour of 1412, Ted says, ``Live in Lebanon from the middle-Tennessee hamfest``, and into ``Sunshine`` tune by Jonathan Edwards (what to do with hamfest??). 5085 is S9 but poor vs local noise level of S9+10! But 15810- is NOT // 5085, as it fades in a bit to S2-S4, rather SFAW // 5830, WTWW-1 night frequency still on, and not yet 9475. 5830 is S9+10 vs QRN level of only S9, and is the OSOB. 15810-, next check at 1703 July 28, now VG and // 9475 VG SFAW. 9930 is not on, but can detect 5085 still running at midday, VP in noise level. 15809.9, July 29 at 0052, WTWW-3 is S6 and the OSOB with SFAW // 9475 WTWW-1, rather than // 5085 WTWW-2 with music. 5085, UT Sunday July 29 at 0103, WTWW-2 starting `Theatre Organ in the Ozarx`, and not // 15810- this week. Sounds like a repeat with Bob Heil tribute to his mentor Stan Kann --- as correctly spelt now tnx to research by Alan Roe; see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Kann --- with some of the same comments, but I *think* different music is being played than last week. 5085, UT Sunday July 29 at 0556, VG WTWW-2 still with that odd weekly talkshow, and a trace of a JBA carrier on 15809.9, maybe duplicating it if not SFAW. 0600 music fill; 0605 Dave Fluee says Stan[ton] Friedman is staying for another hour, apparently about UFOs, ``here on Southern Talk in the Midnight``; 0607 really resuming, mentioning three stations: KYIH?, KCAA and WTWW. Own website, really http://www.tennhills-productions.com/ says new affiliate is KYAH, 540 in Utah. NRC AM Log shows it`s in Delta, 1000 day, 13 watts night, as ``Truth Radio`` and ``Yah Radio`` with addresses in Kanosh 84637, and Portsmouth RI! 15809.93, July 30 at 0000, WTWW-3 must be the JBA off-frequency signal here on sporadic appearances. Unfortunately, no sporadic E now to boost it to audibility (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re: [WOR] DRM Shortwave Schedule --- Thank you for the list, Alexander, very useful. I also saw a tweet from WINB today which said that they are now selling DRM airtime at 1000-1200 UT as well: "Now selling DRM in 1000-1200 UTC time [sic] frame as well. 15670 kHz to Europe and North Africa. Contact winb40th@yahoo.com if you are interested" (Alan Gale, UK, July 26, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See AUSTRALIA [non], but not DRM? Hi Tom, Unique radio via WINB Red Lion Pennsylvania USA 9 PM Saturday night AEST (Australia Eastern states) on 9265 kHz from Saturday August 4th 1100-1300 UT (USA 7AM EDT, 6AM CDT, 4AM in Canada [sic] and west USA) also will include a brand new Hobart Radio International. Every Saturday. {Aug 4 was a no show!} Also there could be some DRM testing from WINB 1000-1700 on 15670 or occasionally on the 9265 frequency. As they are DRM tests, they might either be on or off, changing digital parameters etc. If you hear Unique Radio Australia I would appreciate a reception report to: nri3@yahoo.com.au Many thanks and best regards, Tim Gaynor (via Tom, KD4WOV, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) WINB tweeted: Unique Radio will be testing on WINB DRM - 1100-1200 UT 15670 kHz [Fridays] August 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31st. Directed to Western Europe and North Africa. Will QSL for audio reports sent to winb40th@yahoo.com. Dream receiver has a button to record a .wav file WINB tweeted: AWR's Wavescan testing in DRM starting Aug 3rd - Mondays and Fridays 1630-1700 UT on 15670 kHz. @SWWINB will QSL, especially looking for audio files (you can record with Dream) of reception, reports to winb40th@yahoo.com (via Mike Terry, July 29, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) WINB DRM tests effective from Aug 1 between 1100-1700 on 15670 kHz as follows: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/winb-drm-tests-from-aug1-between-1100.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 28-29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9265, July 29 at 1328, WINB on early Sundays, music but carrier is heavily wobbling, obvious with BFO, not so obvious in AM tuning; someone, kick the transmitter? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. For progress reports on some stations, they leave us no choice but to consult disgraced FB; Haven`t checked WMLK in some months, but latest find is this from almost a bimonth ago: ``WMLK Radio --- Just received notice from Ampegon that the new WMLK Transmitter is now 45% complete. Things are moving along quite well thankfully! Continue to pray for the completion of this great tool provided by Almighty Yahweh through His Son our Savior Yahshua! June 11 at 3:30 PM Public`` (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENNG DIGEST) And before that, maybe already quoted: ``Progress --- the required operating tubes for the Ampegon 300kW set were ordered this week by our builder in Switzerland. Electrical operating parameters have been provided from WMLK for the HV input powers necessary for the assorted parts required in building the new set, such as the transformers. The building measurements were also reviewed to allocate room for the new set. Originally the building was designed to accommodate two Ampegon 300 kW sets. Ampegon requested a larger space from us if possible. Almost two-thirds of the new building has now been allocated for the new transmitter. The office/Control room has now been completed. The TX room is being wired for current and future requirements such as air compressor, work bench, electronics repair module etc. By His grace progress continues to be realized at the new WMLK building. More to come when the weather breaks. We will keep you updated. Thank you for your encouragement and support! Praise Almighty Yahweh! March 20 at 7:43 PM Public`` (via gh, DXLD) ** U S A. WJHR in an undated letter received with the eQSL card writes that "WJHR Radio International is an outreach ministry of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church located in Milton, Florida" and further that "We just moved the station to a new location and installed a new directional Yagi antenna". "All programming is played at random from archives. Unless the pastor who is preaching gives his name or any information on himself or his church We will not know which one was preaching. All preaching we broadcast is KJV Fundamental Independent Baptist. You can trust what you hear!" (Michael Cunningham, Brisbane, Verifications Received, August Australian DX News via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) 15555-USB. So what is the new location and has the FCC authorized it or even been notified? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A [non]. 7505v, July 31 at 0139 & 0559, WRNO is off tonight. But plenty 40m to hear at 0559, neat Bell Bird IS from NZ opening on 7425, and opening percussion IS on 7254.9+ from Nigeria, q.v. (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW MW: ** U S A. The Gamut’ becomes first all-digital AM radio station [quite similar to previous stories about 820 WWFD] https://wtop.com/frederick-county/2018/07/the-gamut-becomes-first-all-digital-am-radio-station-in-the-us/ (via Kevin Redding, TN, July 26, ABDX yg via DXLD) ** U S A. China Plus radio [KTXV 890] --- MABANK TX`s only radio station has undergone a name change. It is now China Plus. I would like to rename it China Minus. First there is no station, then there is in there, about every 30 seconds, to station fade down to zero in about 15 seconds. Later it comes back up, first the carrier and about 1 second later the modulation hits. That is a very stupid station technically and their what they call programming. Do you think you can find out or give me a contact number for that station? it must be run by a senile old fool or some other type of deranged idiot that just lets it go on day after day after day, 1 minute up and down the next (Mark Sills, Dallas Texas, July 29, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. MARE Jack Amelar passes along the following of interest to all MAREs. We had a wonderful tour and chance to pick Owner/operator Jim Carlyle's brain a few years back, and keep an eye open here for info about a DX test coming soon too, but for now, WION is making news in West MI because of what it is NOT doing: IONIA, Mich. (WOOD) — Turn your radio dial to 1430 AM or 92.7 FM, and you will hear a station promo you won't likely hear anywhere else on the dial. "You won't be bombarded with mudslinging, issue arguing ads on this station," says the voice on the radio. As in past election cycles, Ionia-based WION will only run political ads for federal office- seekers that they are required to by law. Candidates on the state and local level, from governor to drain commissioner, need not submit copy. Full story and video: https://tinyurl.com/WOOD-WION (MARE Tipsheet 27 July via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) ** U S A. WRCR is back on the air on 1700. Heard here for the first time in a long time (since the landlord pulled the plug last August). 66 miles to the SW transmitting 10 kW from Ramapo, NY, with an S-9 signal here in Wolcott, CT, USA (Stan, WA1LOU, Horzepa, 0006 UT July 26, IRCA at HCDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) Cheers, Stan. So no Hindi Radio India. Best wishes (Barry :-) Davies, Carlisle UK, Lat. 55.0119N, Lon. -2.9668W, ibid.) I have been listening off and on, so I don't know its full schedule, but format seems to be mixed. I caught a call-in talk show this morning and old rock songs (1970s and newer) in the evening. The station does its own news (no network) and weather. 73, (Stan, WA1LOU. 0022 UT, ibid.) As I reported here earlier this week, I noticed WRCR back on the air on 1700 kHz Tuesday (EDST) evening after a long absence. Their signal was so good here in my neck of the woods that I could listen to the station on my car radio as I drove around town Wednesday. Thursday, I noticed that they were gone again. Same this morning: no WRCR on the car radio or the IC-R8600. No news on their website http://www.wrcr.com about what is going on (Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, Wolcott, CT, USA, 1534 UT Friday July 27, ibid.) Most likely this was done to keep the license alive without facing the one-year off-air automatic deletion, which would've potentially happened when the current STA expired on August 8 (Paul Walker, PA, ibid.) Many dormant stations engage in this cynical practice (gh, DXLD) Stan - I believe they had to sign on briefly to keep their license active (Marc DeLorenzo, South Dennis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, IRCA via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) Hello Marc, How long do they have to broadcast to keep the licence? Best wishes (Barry :-), Carlisle UK, ibid.) ** U S A. N.J. REPUBLICAN WANTS TO SHUT DOWN ILLEGAL 'PIRATE' RADIO STATIONS --- New Jersey Politics --- Updated Jul 25; Posted Jul 25 Rep. Leonard Lance at a 2017 town hall meeting in Mt. Olive. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) [caption] By Jonathan D. Salant, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House wants to crack down on unauthorized radio broadcasts from "pirate" stations. The Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement, or PIRATE, Act would increase fines to $100,000 from $10,000 and require the Federal Communications Commission to target markets where such illegal radio stations proliferate, including the New York-New Jersey area. It cleared the House on Monday. Rep. Leonard Lance, R-7th Dist., the bill's chief sponsor, said such broadcasts interfere with emergency alert system announcements and Federal Aviation Administration operations. N.J. Republican breaks with Trump on Russia probe [sidebar link] Rep. Leonard Lance introduced a resolution supporting the U.S. Justice Department and intelligence agencies. "Knocking down 'pirate radio' broadcasts prevents these bad actors from interfering with the licensed broadcasters public safety officials rely on to transmit communications during times of emergency," Lance said. "These unlawful broadcasts are interfering with the news and information programming people count on and needlessly clogging the information highway at important times." Under federal law, most broadcasters need an FCC license before using the public airwaves for a radio or television station. One such private radio station was Radio Free America, which transmitted in 1973 from a former Navy minesweeper off the coast of Cape May. The station was the brain child of conservative fundamentalist preacher Carl McIntire of Collingswood. The U.S. Coast Guard showed up 10 hours later and shut it down. In 2015, Linden officials shut down an illegal station broadcasting at an FM frequency of 101.3 from a private home and interfering with WKXW-FM, which is heard on 101.5. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) Glenn, Also recall his shows in 1973 where he talked about the station. From April 2014, but about September, 1973: https://congresshall.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/christian-beacon-press.jpg This link has the historic radio tapes of radio ship 'Columbus' here: Radio Free America - Carl McIntire http://www.carlmcintire.org/rfa.php Radio Free America In 1965 Dr. McIntire purchased radio station WXUR in Media , Pennsylvania and became engaged in a long-running battle with the Federal ... and here: Thursday, August 30, 1973 Dr. Carl McIntire | Carl McIntire Sermons https://www.sermonaudio.com/saplayer/playpopup.asp?SID=11906205230 (Artie Bigley, Columbus OH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. FCC comment deadline approaching for FM translator interference rules Several people on the lists have asked for updates on how and when to file comments with the FCC about proposed rule changes - and there's a deadline coming Monday for anyone interested in commenting on how the FCC handles complaints about FM translators (including new ones for AM stations) interfering with reception of full-power FM signals. Comments in the proceeding, docket 18-119, are due at the end of the day Monday (August 6). The proposal is to get rid of the current rule, which allows any "regularly-used reception" of an FM signal to be protected from a new translator no matter what the actual signal level is. Instead, full-power signals would be protected from translator interference only to a certain signal level (54 dBu is what's being proposed). The process is actually very very simple if you want to file a comment - use the link below, and you'll see a box marked "filters" on the left side of the page. At the bottom of that box is a link that says "+Express" to add an express comment. That opens up a form that you can fill in with your name, address and comment - and you're done. https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/filings?proceedings_name=18-119&sort=date_disseminated,DESC I'm happy to help if anyone has issues with the system. s (Scott Fybush, nrc-am gg et al., August 3, via DXLD) ** VATICAN. Very good signal, Vatican Radio Liturgy in Arabic July 29 0830-0950 on 15595 SMG 250 kW / 121 deg to EaAf Arabic liturgy 5th Sun 0830-0950 on 17590 SMG 250 kW / 116 deg to N/ME Arabic liturgy 5th Sun http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/very-good-signal-of-vatican-radio.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 28-29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VATICAN. "Radio Vatican" changed the name for its multimedia resource, completely replaced the concept of the Internet site and still responds to reports of listeners with paper QSL. Multimedia portal of the Vatican is now called Vatican News. The site https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html provides information on the activities of the Pope, the Holy See, the local Churches. Also on the updated site sections "Difficult questions" and "Liturgical readings", headings that sound on the air of the Russian edition ... Russian Service "Vatican Radio" broadcasts daily 1230-1300 UT in the direction of Siberia at frequencies of 9890 kHz and 11875, and 1620- 1640 to Central Russia on the frequencies 11700 and 15370 kHz. In addition, every 2nd and 4th Sunday 0830-0950 from the Vatican live on a frequency of 15370 kHz, a church service is broadcast https://kolkeradio.blogspot.com/2018/07/blog-post_26.html (RusDX July 29 via DXLD) ** VATICAN. For one of the latest technical reports, I received an e- mail from the e-QSL. Usually Vatican sent paper verification cards. I asked for a comment from the broadcaster about this. I was answered by an employee of Radio Vatican Viktor Vladimirov: "Recently, we have had problems with QSL cards, but now we are ready to respond to reports as soon as they are received," he wrote. The employee of Vatican Radio also spoke about the changes in the work of the team: "... in the process of the current reform, the official name of "Radio Vaticana" remained only with the Italian editorial board (Radio Vatican a Italia). Other language groups, including ours, have the name "Vatican News" on the new news portal of the Vatican. Now a significant part of our work is devoted to textual, journalistic information published on a single Internet portal along with images, photo galleries, videos and audio materials, thematic selections, live video, including daily podcasts. All this, as noticeable, is much larger than the usual radio station and is called "Vatican News", the new information system of the Holy See. However, for broadcasting on shortwaves, FM, on digital radio and via satellites, an exception is left: all language versions continue to be called on Radio Vatican or Vatican Radio (therefore this historical logo is depicted on our QSL paper cards). In short, the radio has become one of the many components of a large multimedia project, and on the radio we are Radio Vatican, and on the Internet Vatican News, wrote the station's employee. The electronic verification card came on July 26 for a report dated April 8, 2018. QSL-correspondence is now accepted on electronic boxes: qsl.request @ spc.va and russian @ vaticannews.va (Igor Kolke, Moscow, Russia / https://kolkeradio.blogspot.com/ via QSL World, RusDX July 29 via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. 7/28 Es unID 88.9 SS --- During a period of a high amount of 6-meter activity toward the Caribbean this afternoon, I had a signal come in for two brief periods on 88.9, playing what sounded to me like a CHR-type new music show (several of the songs were in EE). I combined two clips, one at 1705 ET, and the other at 1725 ET, into the following YouTube capture of my SDR. You can hear Demi Lovato mentioned in the first clip (the song that followed, Clean Bandit - Solo, features her), and Cardi B with a song that follows in the second. 88.9 has been a nice channel here this season with local WBZC off the air. WWFM's IBOC did muffle the receptions a little bit. I'm not certain there's anything remotely ID'able in either clip, but figured it was worth posting. Note, this signal did not match the stream of either Jumbo 89 Santiago nor Escape 88.9 in Santo Domingo, nor did it match (as you would expect), WPUC Catholic Radio in Ponce PR. Clip link: https://youtu.be/wNjjcMP_Ze0 Stations ID'd before this reception were 88.1, 88.9, and 89.7 in Santiago DR (about 15 minutes prior), while 89.7 San Juan PR was heard about 10 minutes after the last clip. MUF never surpassed 89.7. Thanks to any and all assistance, as always! (Nick Langan, Tabernacle NJ. July 28, WTFDA Forum via DXLD) 1:15: "Musica nueva...por La Mega". The search results all say Venezuela, 88.9 Puerto Ordaz. This is a suburb of Cd. Guayana at just under 2,300 miles. The direct air path from there to you goes over eastern Puerto Rico. Holy moly! (Raymie Humbert, AZ, ibid.) Wow...well...thank you for listening Raymie! Hard to fathom...it does look like the only La Mega I can find on 88.9. And I knew hearing it yesterday it was something deviating from the norm. Not like anything I've heard in the Caribbean. Would be the 2nd Venezuelan log on FM here...and longest log overall (Nick, ibid.) I could hear "La Mega, donde sea", and look the profile description of La Mega 88.9 FM on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lamega889pzo?lang=es (Gargadon, Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico, ibid.) The ID at 1:15 matches the online stream. No doubt it's Venezuela. Congratulations, Nick! (Randy KW4RZ Zerr, Fort Walton Beach, Florida panhandle EM60, ibid.) ** VIETNAM. There is a move to reduce and eliminate (apart from 1242 kHz) all MW frequencies above 918 kHz. Already the entries in this year’s WRTH re 972, 1089, 1170 kHz are closed and it is highly likely that 1089 is also silent (Dan Goldfarb via MW Masts iog via August NZ DX Times via DXLD) ** VIETNAM SOUTH. The Economist | Goooooood Morning Vietnam! https://www.economist.com/news/obituary/21746888-broadcaster-and-veterans-advocate-who-inspired-famous-film-was-79-adrian-cronauer-died?frsc=dg%7Ce Sent from my iPhone (via David Cole, Goodwell OK, DXLD) another obit ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. Polisario Front 1550 --- Glenn, I noticed 1550 is silent since this past Friday, and the alternative frequencies of 702 (yes, co-channel with Al-Aghwat, ALGERIA) or 700 aren't being used. RTA R. Al-Aghwat is loud and clear here. Now that they're off, I shall resume my almost daily observations of 1550 so as to see what happens next. I wouldn't be surprised, if the station starts to broadcast erratically at first, and then closes for good. However, the most plausible cause is a tx malfunction. Good DX and 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Sunday July 29, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, Polisario Front, Rabouni resumed operations on 1550, and probably did so already this morning. Good DX & 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, 2227 UT August 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Too late to say on WOR 1941 ** YEMEN. "Voice of the People" (FM, online) - While looking for an active web stream of the Lebanese „Voice of the People“, I found a station of this name seemingly from/for Yemen: http://www.sawtalshaab.com/ (97.1, 98.1, 107.1 MHz, online stream). This is worth noting because the media situation in Yemen is difficult to investigate. The WRTH 2018 lists only the state broadcaster and, we as short wave listeners know, there is at least one "alternative" broadcaster from Saudi Arabia (11860 kHz). (Dr Hansjoerg Biener, 28 July 2018, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Page 452, but page 519 has the alternatives (gh, DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. 11680, Voice of Hope, Lusaka, 0520-0628, 20-07, English, religious comments and songs, ID “Voice of Hope Africa”. 25322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Reception of Voice of Hope Africa on July 29-30, 100 kW: 1200-1700 13680*LUV / 315 deg WeAf English Sat/Sun tx#2, very good 0500-0800 11680 LUV / 315 deg WeAf English Mon-Fri tx#2, fair/good * 1430-15 13680 ISS 500 kW / 090 deg Persian NHK Radio Japan, strong http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/reception-of-voice-of-hope-africa-on.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZANZIBAR. TANZANIA, 11735, Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation, Dole, 1750-1815, 22-07, Swahili, comments, at 1800 time signals, English, ID, news, 1810 Afropop songs. 34433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. VOA Studio 7 has a special transmission between 1200-1500 on 15295sao & 17820sao for a couple of days. https://www.voazimbabwe.com/ (Mauno Ritola on WRTH -World Radio Tv Handbook Facebook, 1 Aug via Alan Pennington, bdxc-news iog via DXLD) If there is anything about this special, let alone regular Studio 7 schedule, it is well hidden on the voazimbabwe website. Who cares about SW? The WRTH update in May had this: BBG – VOA STUDIO 7 (Gov) kHz: 909, 4930, 6040, 7270, 9885, 15460 Summer [sic] Schedule 2018 English/Ndebele/Shona Days Area kHz 0400-0500 mtwtf.. ZWE 909bot, 4930bot, 7270sao, 9885kwt 1700-1800 daily ZWE 909bot, 4930bot, 6040bot, 15460sao 1800-1900 mtwtf.. ZWE 909bot, 4930bot, 6040sao, 15460sao And there was nothing further in the July 12 update. In North America beyond the Greenville skip zone, one may listen to the VOA Africa service, daily 1700-1830 full sesquihour in English on 17530. The only English remaining from VOA GB (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. „Central Asia“ FEB [Fellowship of European Broadcasters] Snippets 30 July 2018 „TWR's new Silk Road Transmitter has opened the door to renewed and expanded broadcasting of God's Word to 60 million people across Central Asia. Many parts of this land of deserts, mountains, steppes and oases are populated by unreached people groups and are hostile to Christians. The 200,000-watt AM transmitter will be able to reach into 10 countries where evangelical believers account for less than 1 percent of the population. For many, this will be their first opportunity to hear the gospel. Contact: info@twr.org“ https://www.twr.org/project/silk-road-transmitter/ „In January 2017, we were forced to reduce some of our program airings into Central Asia due to a 150,000-watt AM transmitter being taken out of service. Broadcasting was reduced from three hours to two hours per day. Now God is leading TWR to install the Silk Road Transmitter, a powerful 200,000-watt AM signal, which will increase our coverage area over Central Asia during prime time and provide increased capacity for more programs that listeners want to hear. To reach the roughly 60 million people scattered in the vast steppes of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the valleys of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and Northwest China with the good news of Jesus, TWR is stepping out in faith to install a 200,000-watt AM transmitter to renew and expand our Central Asia ministry. TWR is seeking $593,000 to install and commission the Silk Road Transmitter and cover the first year of airtime. Will you prayerfully consider joining us?“ http://www.truthnetwork.com/2018/07/02/twrs-silk-road-transmitter-project/ „[...] March 30, 2003, TWR started broadcasting on a 150,000 watt AM transmitter into Central Asia. At the time, when TWR purchased in Germany the transmitter for the PANI project, several used 100,000 watt AM transmitters were offered for sale by German state-owned broadcast companies. TWR purchased 3 of them at a very good price. One of those transmitters was installed at our transmitting site in Swaziland, Africa about 2 years ago.“ At the end of 2016, the 150,000 watt transmitter in Central Asian [sic] was taken out of operation. From TWR’s ministry point of view, we need a 200,000 watt transmitter. That would cover the most populated areas in Central Asia with a strong signal. This would only be possible by combining the two 100,000 watt transmitters (with a combiner) into one 200,000 watt transmitter. We praise the Lord that the owner of the transmitting site accepted the concept we suggested for the replacement of the old transmitter. We see this as nothing less than a miracle from our Lord and a major breakthrough after years of negotiations to renew the Silk Road Transmitter. Another spiritual marker is the additional demand for airtime on the PANI transmitter for Afghanistan. In recent months other ministries approached us requesting airtime. After completing the Silk Road Transmitter project it will be possible to transfer Central Asian programs from PANI to the Silk Road Transmitter freeing airtime on PANI to be used for Afghanistan. An additional advantage is that the Central Asian programs will then be aired at prime time in the Central Asia [sic] countries resulting in greater spiritual impact.[...]“ Research by (Dr Hansjoerg Biener, 30 July 2018, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WTFK? Where is it? A little more research is needed, since TWR apparently refuse to disclose this info even to its supporters. Six countries are mentioned in the coverage area; we can rule out China for sure. WRTH 2018 page 481, brief KYRGYZSTAN entry says BIshkek 1467 kHz 500 kW is ``operated on behalf of TWR``, but that`s too powerful, and not owned by TWR. Why is this treated as a big secret? 73, (Glenn Hauser, MWCircle yg via DXLD) Hi Glenn, Probably because it's a cross border operation. I doubt if any of these places Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and northwestern China will welcome an independent transmitter broadcasting "foreign religion" to their people in local languages. From the stated coverage area "Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, large parts of Uzbekistan, large parts of Kazakhstan, and northwestern China" and the omission of Afghanistan and Pakistan, I suspect the transmitter site would be in Afghanistan north of Kabul or in northern Pakistan. Perhaps permission to build/operate was obtained on the understanding that there would no broadcasts in the local languages. But that would be tricky for Afghanistan since the dominant languages in the north are Uzbek and Tajik. However it is much clearer for northern Pakistan where none of the planned broadcast languages are significant. Northern Pakistan would also cover the territories listed especially if the antenna was slightly directional with a null to the south in the direction of Lahore and New Delhi. So that would be my first guess. 73 (Steve, Whitt, of MWCircle, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Steve, interesting theory. However, I believe that Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have no problem renting out their SW transmitters to Christians, altho they don`t shout it from the rooftops. The location of a 200 kW MW transmitter cannot possibly be kept secret; easily triangulated by two or three DXers in the region with loops or loopstix, if anyone cares to do it. Basic info about the ``PANI transmitter for Afghanistan`` is also lacking (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, Maybe they want to get it built without too much local awareness/discussion/interference - a few DXers knowing its location would make no difference, but local political objection or more people wanting kick-backs might be a problem? 73 (Steve Whitt, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Can there be a clue in the name of it, i.e. some city exactly on The Silk Road? Hardly; it`s a very ambiguous relatively modern appellation, depending on which era and which of several routes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 7185.762, July 26 at 1232, JBA steady carrier so unseems ham. IIRC, there used to be a spur/mixing product from Vietnam reported around here, but I can`t find it (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 7615-USB, July 25 at 0153, weak transmission of fonetik alfanumerix: ``TRPL3 N6VPN N6VPN W7RKQ W7RKQ --- how copy?`` at 0154. Can`t hear a reply and neither can transmitter; says will try to pass traffic again tomorrow morning. Civil Air Patrol net is ordinarily here, as in my last previous log over a year ago: ``7615-USB, July 13 [2017] at 0106, Civil Air Patrol net starting with contact between Triblade 20 and 19; one announces that Alert Level 3 is in effect (OMG!), and cites traffic list. Much weaker Beaver Fox 8 replies as willing to accept traffic. Cloak & dagger stuff from these para-militarists (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` N6VPN and W7RKQ look like ordinary ham calls, of course, but perhaps coincidental? Maybe Louis A. Correa of La Habra CA would be interested to know his call was cited here; but there is no W7RKQ at ARRL lookup (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. EGYPT, Mystery Egyptian Music Station on 9400, July 25: 0925-0930 on 9400 unknown tx / unknown to ????, good signal http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-mystery-egyptian-music.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 24-25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) EGYPT, Mystery Egyptian Music Station on 9400 kHz, July 26: 0900-0910 on 9400 unknown tx / unknown to ????, fair signal http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-mystery-egyptian-music_26.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 26-27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Extremely weak signal using the U. Twente SDR receiver. S/off 1000-Hz tone at about 0910 UT was about all that could be detected from the audio recording (-- Richard Langley, WOR iog via DXLD) Mystery Egyptian Music Station on 9550 kHz, July 27: 0810-0820 on 9550 unknown tx / unknown to ????, good signal 0812-0815 on 9550 unknown tx / unknown to ???? - dead air!! http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-mystery-egyptian-music_27.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 26-27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I have added the 0800 to 0830 UT slot for automated daily recording of 9550 kHz using the U. Twente SDR receiver (-- Richard Langley, ibid.) Richard, not sure what you are trying to accomplish here --- maybe catch them in a slipup with an ID or at least an Arabic announcement? DFing the frequencies is needed for triangulation, but seems to be no interest in doing that from sites in Eurafricasia. One of the R. Cairo sites, or at least somewhere really in Egypt? I checked the latest extensive ITU monitoring report for second quarter 2018, but nothing significant there: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/terrestrial/monitoring/RegMon/PDFfiles/358.PDF (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks for the comment, Glenn. I was interested in trying to log this station as I was only seeing recent reports on it, in the group at least, from Ivo. As it's typically on, with no apparent schedule it seems, before I get up, I use my automated recording procedure for the U. Twente SDR receiver. So far on the couple of times I've snagged it, it's been quite a weak signal into The Netherlands. Would be nice to get a good signal one of these days for archival purposes. So, I'll keep trying. As for its origin, would be nice if direction finding using the new SDR TOA technique could be brought to bear (-- Richard Langley, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The KIWI remote SDRs have recently received the capability for HF transmitter locating.... https://www.rtl-sdr.com/locating-various-hf-transmitters-and-number-stations-with-kiwisdrs/ https://dk8ok.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/tdoa_firstexperiences5.pdf 73 (Don VE6JY Moman, July 29, WOR iog via DXLD) re EGYPT strange veiled music station transmission in 31 mb: After 20 years using Google Maps / Google Earth maps location database, my strong guess location with lot of shortwave antennas in Egypt is EGY Abu_Zabaal__ 30 16 17.06 N 31 21 57.36 E see screenshot. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENNG DIGEST) Hi Don, re TDoA, see URL of Nils DK8OK Re: [INTRUDER ALERT] 5350 kHz Sunflower. Moin, Wolfgang - danke, und TDoA ist schon ein huebches Werkzeug, das allerdings auch mit etwas Ueberlegung bedient werden will. Ich habe da schon die abenteuerlichsten "Kontinentalverschiebungen" gesehen ... Auch deshalb habe ich mal 13 ganz unterschiedliche Beispiele zusammengestellt: Da der DARC ja kaum darauf hinweisen wird: vielleicht erreicht es "die Gemeinde" ja auch durch Dich auf andere Weise ... (denn beim "Funkamateur" ist die Warteschlange ewig lang ...) 73 Nils, DK8OK (Nils Schiffhauer via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 26) Subject: [INTRUDER ALERT] 5350 Sunflower 5315 - 5365 kHz - Russian coastal radar "Sunflower" - 43 sps (= PRF 43) - rather often in the evenings. HAM traffic on 5351.5 - 5366.5 impossible. Bearings from 23.07.2018 at 2040 UT with TDoA showing the area of Makhachkala, Caspian Sea, Russia. Attach! Intruder Alert screenshot, free download URL 73 Wolf - DK2OM July 23 (via wb July 29, DXLD) EGYPT, Mystery Egyptian Music Station on 9400/9600 kHz, July 28: 0815-0820 on 9400 unknown tx / unknown to ????, fair/good signal 0930-0835 on 9400 unknown tx / unknown to ????, good (distorted) http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-mystery-egyptian-music_28.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 27-28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ivo: Should that be 0830-0835 or 0930-0935? (-- Richard Langley, WOR iog via DXLD) Richard, just follow the clock and you will be heading (Ivo, ibid.) ?? UNIDENTIFIED. PIRATE RADIO, Unidentified Music Pirate in 49mb [sic], July 30: 0740&0810 on 9605.6 unknown kW / unknown Music, weak/fair http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/unidentified-music-pirate-in-49mb-july.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. NUMBERS STATION, Reception of E17z English Lady in 16 & 12 MHz on July 24 0800-0806 16780 unknown secret tx site to Eu English USB/AM, very good 0810-0816 12850 unknown secret tx site to Eu English USB/AM, very good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-e17z-english-lady-in-16.html Reception of E07 English Man & E11 Oblique in 19mb & 16mb on July 27 0700-0713 15962 unknown secret tx site to Eu English USB mode E07 English Man, good 0720-0733 17462 unknown secret tx site to Eu English USB mode E07 English Man, good 0745-0748 15720 unknown secret tx site to Eu English USB mode E11 Oblique-very good And again unscheduled transmission of number station E11 Oblique in 31mb: 0800-0806 9668 unknown secret tx site to Eu English USB mode, good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/07/reception-of-e07-english-man-e11.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 26-27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. NUMBERS STATION. Good signal of E11 Oblique in 41/19/31mb, July 30 0450-0453 on 7469 unknown secret tx site to Eu English USB mode 0640-0643 on 15800 unknown secret tx site to Eu English USB mode 0745-0748 on 9610 unknown secret tx site to Eu English USB mode http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/08/good-signal-of-e11-oblique-in-411931mb.html (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, July 29-31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ ACKNOWLEDGED ON WORLD OF RADIO 1941: Hi Glenn, Greetings from California. Thank you for all the radio info you have provided over the decades! (Ron Howard, with a check in US funds on a US bank to Glenn Hauser, P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702) One may also contribute via PayPal, not necessarily in US funds, to woradio at yahoo.com PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ Hi Glenn, My latest HITLIST UPDATE: http://www.w4uvh.net/hitlist.htm 1) Germany - Shortwave R for Europe: Added links to this station (currently testing) 2) Korea, South - KBS: Updated links to redesigned webpages 3) Spain - R Mi Amigo: Deleted links to former (now unavailable) website Next update is planned in late August 2018. Best wishes and 73 (Alan Roe, July 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS updated: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html PROPAGATION, ed. 6 from TDXC, Japan An annual DX club magazine from Japan, TDXC, [Totsuka DXers Circle] a local SWL/BCL DX club in Japan has published their annual club magazine “PROPAGATION” Ed. 6. for this year. It contains over 200 pages. Sorry, mostly in Japanese but some articles (including mine) are in English. Its PDF version is available for free to everyone and can be downloaded from the following site: http://my-bcl-life.sakura.ne.jp/PROPAGATION.htm 73 (Sakae Obara, JH0BDK/1 (AB5MF), Tokyo, Japan, July 28, WOR iog via DXLD) After the table of contents in Japanese there is one all-English, so one could presumably pick out certain pages to try to run thru translation (gh, DXLD) Sakae-san, thank you for posting this exceptional annual publication for all to see. It looks like you boys in Japan really know how to have fun as well as enjoy fine food! Cheers from Canada, (Steve McDonald, VE7SL, ibid.) Hello Steve, and thank you for your message. Perhaps in the next issue somebody will write about good cooking recipes for DXpedition. 73 (Sakae JH0BDK/AB5MF, ibid.) EMISORAS DE FM BY JIM THOMAS The latest edition of the handbook, “Emisoras de FM” by Jim Thomas that I can find is the 2010 edition. In 2014, Jim joined forces with the FM List online to provide updated information. Is there an edition that is later than 2010? I’d love to add it to my collection. Nothing beats the WTFDA database for identifying stations in Latin America but I love the detail contained in Jim’s book. 73, (Les Rayburn, N1LF, 121 Mayfair Park, Maylene, AL 35114, EM63nf, July 28, WTFDA gg via DXLD) Les, what you have is now *one of a kind*. 2010 was the final year to publish the book as a PDF. Previous editions had been in print. I decided after the 2010 edition that due to constant changes in broadcasting in those regions, it was impossible to release an edition that would be *current*. At the rate Mexico is authorizing FM licenses, IF a book had been published six months ago, it would be already be very much out of date. And yes, I actually started working with the FM List group but quickly discovered that my editorship with that was limited and there was behind the scenes micro-management of the FM List editing. That is what prompted me to join the WTFDA FM database team and they were nice enough to let me manage the listings for Mexico, Central America and many of the Caribbean islands that are seen in the database. With the database, I am able to make changes and updates DAILY, something not possible with a *print edition* directory. Just thought I would briefly explain that to you and anyone else interested in knowing about it (Jim Thomas, http://db.wtfda.org ibid.) I think there were only two of them. For a short time we were part of FM list but left after a short time and created the WTFDA FM database, where Jim is our expert for Mexico and Spanish speaking countries. We are no longer associated with FM List in any way (Mike Bugaj, CT, ibid.) Jim, For others who would like to download and keep the 2010 edition, it is available here: http://www.wtfda.org/emisoras/2010%20Emisoras%20de%20FM.pdf Also wanted to express my thanks for all your hard work on the database. It would be impossible to successfully identify many of these stations without your hard work and expertise. The beauty of the print publication is the maps, and other tutorials that you provided — these give me a much better sense of where the stations are. Also the descriptions of the musical styles is very helpful. It would be great to have an online version, along with samples of each musical style. Great stuff Jim! 73, (Les Rayburn, N1LF, ibid.) = = = = = = = Jim Thomas and all: Fascinating document. I was particularly interested in Bob Cooper's contributions about FM DXing. As I noted in my message to this group on July 19, I have most of Bob's documents posted on The Old CATV Equipment Museum website. http://theoldcatvequipmentmuseum.org/220/index.html The narrative about Bob on Page 4 of Emisoras ("About the Introduction, 'FM DXing'") was true as of 2010. Subsequent events have not been pleasant. Depending on which version of story you believe, either Bob "has retired with his new girlfriend" or Gay and Seth had locked him out of the house. Bob narrated the story for me in two emails dated 18 June 2014: http://theoldcatvequipmentmuseum.org/coop/Cooper-1.pdf http://theoldcatvequipmentmuseum.org/coop/Cooper-2.pdf I have not heard from Bob since. Although he is still a member of WFTDA (per Mike Bugaj), he has not contributed for several years (Neal McLain, Brazoria, Texas, ibid.) After reading this post, I realized that I had received a CD from Bob a few years ago and had stashed it away on a shelf without even looking at it. I just looked at it and the letter that accompanied it, and found that what's on it are pdf copies of DXing Horizons from January 1960 through April 1961. Also included is his CATJ FCC Test Cookbook 1974-1975. I may be all wrong, but perhaps Bob knew "something" was in the works and attempted to get as much of his material as he could into "safe" hands to save for posterity. At any rate, I'll try to get all of it uploaded to the WTFDA website ( http://wtfda.org where it should be instead of being on a CD in my basement gathering dust. This whole thing is as bizarre as it gets (Mike Bugaj, Enfield, CT, ibid.) The same stuff he sent to me. http://theoldcatvequipmentmuseum.org/220/222/index.html http://theoldcatvequipmentmuseum.org/220/224/Cook-Book-1974-75.pdf The front cover of the cookbook is hilarious! (Neal McLain, Brazoria, Texas, ibid.) THE BOB COOPER LEGACY: *above* thread morphed into this CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ HFCC ANNOUNCES THE PASSING OF ITS FOUNDER OLDRICH CIP High Frequency Coordination Conference News Release --- For Immediate Release - July 29, 2018 Oldrich Cip, founder and Vice Chairman of the High Frequency Coordination Conference, known as the HFCC, passed away on 27 July following a sudden illness. Oldrich was involved in radio since he was a child -- first as an amateur radio hobbyist and later as a staff member of Czechoslovak and then Czech Radio in the international broadcasting departments. A college graduate in the field of Humanities, he spent most of his working life as a frequency manager and schedule planner. For a number of years he hosted a DX program on Radio Prague under the pen name Peter Skala. After the end of the Cold War, he believed that broadcasters from both sides of the conflict should come together and develop a new system of planning and coordination for shortwave broadcasting. This led to the establishment of the HFCC in 1991. Oldrich was Chairman of the HFCC until 2015. Since then, he was a Vice Chairman of the group. Oldrich lived in Prague, although he frequently spent time in his country house, where he enjoyed woodworking, guitar and country music, vintage graphics, photography and time with his family. His son Vladislav said he spent his last day there: “He enjoyed a quiet evening in the country house, with our families, all four grandchildren around, no symptoms of anything bad coming. All of a sudden, he suffered probably a heart attack or stroke. An ambulance arrived immediately but he died a few hours later.” Oldrich was married with two adult sons, Oldrich Jr. and Vladislav. Vladislav is the HFCC Secretary who manages the day-to-day operations of the organization. From 1953 until 1997 Oldrich was an employee of Czechoslovak and later Czech Radio in Prague. He worked as a technical consultant for Czech Radio from 1998 to 2010. He specialized in planning schedules and frequencies, international coordination and distribution of shortwave radio programs for foreign countries. Beginning in 1959 and for more than 25 years, Oldrich produced a weekly English-language program “Radio Prague Calling All Radio Hobbyists,” using the nom de plume Peter Skala. In the program, he answered questions from shortwave listeners in many countries and covered a variety of scientific and other topics from the radio industry. During the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1968, Oldrich used his technical expertise to aid the “free Czechoslovak Radio,” putting himself in danger in an effort to provide factual news and information about the events taking place. Thanks to the large number of smaller facilities of Czechoslovak Radio scattered all over Prague and complicated infrastructure that connected them, they were able to continue broadcasting for quite some time. In the period of reforms around the year 1968, he established secret contacts with his colleagues from Western radio stations. He re- established the contacts after the fall of communism and started an initiative to eliminate interference on shortwave. He became the Chairman of the HFCC, which has continued to meet twice each year in different parts of the world for shortwave stations to coordinate their frequency schedules for the coming broadcast season, thus eliminating interference before each season begins. The principles of international coordination were incorporated into the ITU’s International Radio Regulations during the 1997 World Radio Conference. Oldrich was also an adviser to the Government of the Czechoslovak Republic in the preparation of the first Radio and Television Broadcasting Act after 1990, as well as a member of several EBU and ITU radiocommunication working groups. At the HFCC, he spearheaded the International Radio for Disaster Relief project whereby shortwave stations have allocated specific frequencies in each band for the transmission of emergency information in the event of natural disasters around the world. Jeff White, Oldrich’s successor as HFCC Chairman, said: “The shortwave broadcasting and listening communities have lost one of our most important proponents. The contributions of Oldrich over the years are simply unequalled. He was a humble man, but people in this industry realized the importance of his work. And he has left us a lasting legacy -- an organization which has largely eliminated interference on the shortwave bands, and it has enabled stations to use less power to reach their target areas with a good signal. For that, he will always be remembered.” For more information, contact Jeff White, HFCC Chairman, at jeff@wrmi.net (Jeff White, July 29, WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DX LISTENING DIGEST) obit Also here: https://www.facebook.com/nasbshortwave/posts/2194873747209059 (via Mike Terry, WOR iog via DXLD) HOT TECH TALK AT IRCA This year’s IRCA Convention offers camaraderie, conversation and stations tours, as well as a really useful line-up of discussions on “Hands-on DX-ing,” as DX friends share approaches and experiences. While the science may be improving, the bands haven’t gotten any easier to sort through. At IRCA 2018 we’ll share interactive discussions that provide techniques and tools for added DX-ing advantage. Topics include 2017 solar eclipse highlights from western America, KD9SV vs. Cat-5 Beverages for hearing trans-oceanic DX "over the shoulder," tips and triumphs from MW phasing methodology, hands on with the “Frequent-Flyer FSL,” another look at Cat-5 as a legitimate antenna and some fascinating personal-experience stories from Bruce Portzer and the Florissant Valley Dial Twister. Group discussions include a look at trans-polar DX possibilities during the upcoming solar minimum. Be there! Learn from and contribute to the dialogue! Remember --- IRCA-member registration is FREE! (The “Tech-Talk” Staff Eric Bueneman Phil Bytheway Mark Durenberger Nick Hall-Patch Neil Kazaross Bruce Portzer” nrc-am gg via DXLD) Sept 7-8 in St Charles MO --- details in DXLD 18-26 (gh, DXLD) MUSEA +++++ VANISHED AIRWOMAN AMELIA EARHART’S HAUNTING FINAL DISTRESS CALLS REVEALED --- Southgate July 25, 2018 The Metro report the haunting final distress calls of vanished airwoman Amelia Earhart have been pieced together for the first time. Aviation expert Richard Gillespie says the emergency signals – many of which were accidentally picked up by ham radio users – offer the most complete picture ever put together of Earhart’s final days. Hours after Earhart disappeared during her round-the-world trip, she is believed to have radio’ed ‘Plane down on an uncharted island. Small, uninhabited,’ adding that the aircraft was ‘Part on land, part in water.’ Read the full Metro story: https://metro.co.uk/2018/07/24/vanished-airwoman-amelia-earharts-haunting-final-distress-calls-revealed-7754970/ (via Mike Terry, WOR iog via DXLD) WTFK? 3105 & 6210 kHz, and further harmonix, her callsign KHAQQ Also leads to original source, 28 pages: https://tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Archives/Research/ResearchPapers/Brandenburg/PostLossSignals/PostLossRadioAnalysis/PostLostRadioAnalysis.pdf (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) The Washington Post - Retropolis DOZENS HEARD AMELIA EARHART'S FINAL, CHILLING PLEAS FOR HELP, RESEARCHERS SAY https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/07/25/dozens-heard-amelia-earharts-final-chilling-pleas-for-help-researchers-say/ Aviator Amelia Earhart and her Electra plane on May 20, 1937. (Albert Bresnik/The Paragon Agency/AP) [caption] [she used to be an aviatrix] by Cleve R. Wootson Jr. July 25 at 6:45 AM Amelia Earhart waded into the Pacific Ocean and climbed into her downed and disabled Lockheed Electra. She started the engine, turned on the two-way radio and sent out a plea for help, one more desperate than previous messages. The high tide was getting higher, she had realized. Soon it would suck the plane into deeper water, cutting Earhart off from civilization -- and any chance of rescue. Across the world, a 15-year-old girl listening to the radio in St. Petersburg, Fla., transcribed some of the desperate phrases she heard: "waters high," "water's knee deep -- let me out" and "help us quick." A housewife in Toronto heard a shorter message, but it was no less dire: "We have taken in water . . . we can't hold on much longer." That harrowing scene, the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) believes, was probably one of the final moments of Earhart's life. The group put forth the theory in a paper that analyzes radio distress calls heard in the days after Earhart disappeared. In the summer of 1937, she had sought to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. Instead, TIGHAR's theory holds, she ended up marooned on a desert island, radioing for help. Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, could only call for help when the tide was so low it wouldn't flood the engine, TIGHAR theorized. That limited their pleas for help to a few hours each night. It wasn't enough, TIGHAR director Ric Gillespie told The Washington Post, and the pair died as castaways. But those radio messages form a historical record -- evidence that Gillespie says runs counter to the U.S. Navy's official conclusion that Earhart and Noonan died shortly after crashing into the Pacific Ocean. "These active versus silent periods and the fact that the message changes on July 5 and starts being worried about water and then is consistently worried about water after that -- there's a story there," Gillespie said. "We're feeding it to the public in bite-sized chunks. I'm hoping that people will smack their foreheads like I did." Some of Earhart's final messages were heard by members of the military and others looking for Earhart, Gillespie said. Others caught the attention of people who just happened to be listening to their radios when they stumbled across random pleas for help. Almost all of those messages were discounted by the U.S. Navy, which concluded that Earhart's plane went down somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, then sank to the seabed. Gillespie has been trying to debunk that finding for three decades. He believes that Earhart spent her final days on then-uninhabited Gardner Island. She may have been injured, Noonan was probably worse, but the crash wasn't the end of them. On July 2, 1937, just after Earhart's plane disappeared, the U.S. Navy put out an "all ships, all stations" bulletin, TIGHAR wrote. Authorities asked anyone with a radio and a trained ear to listen in to the frequencies she had been using on her trip, 3105 and 6210 kilohertz. It was not an easy task. The Electra's radio was designed to communicate only within a few hundred miles. The Pacific Ocean is much bigger. The searchers listening to Earhart's frequencies heard a carrier wave, which indicated that someone was speaking, but most heard nothing more than that. Others heard what they interpreted to be a crude attempt at Morse code. But thanks to the scientific principle of harmonics, TIGHAR says, others heard much more. In addition to the primary frequencies, "the transmitter also put out `harmonics (multiples)' of those wavelengths," the paper says. "High harmonic frequencies `skip' off the ionosphere and can carry great distances, but clear reception is unpredictable." That means Earhart's cries for help were heard by people who just happened to be listening to their radios at the right time. According to TIGHAR's paper: Scattered across North America and unknown to each other, each listener was astonished to suddenly hear Amelia Earhart pleading for help. They alerted family members, local authorities or local newspapers. Some were investigated by government authorities and found to be believable. Others were dismissed at the time and only recognized many years later. Although few in number, the harmonic receptions provide an important glimpse into the desperate scene that played out on the reef at Gardner Island. The tide probably forced Earhart and Noonan to hold to a schedule. Seek shelter, shade and food during the sweltering day, then venture out to the craft at low tide, to try the radio again. Back in the United States, people heard things, tidbits that pointed at trouble. On July 3, for example, Nina Paxton, an Ashland, Ky., woman, said she heard Earhart say "KHAQQ calling," and say she was "on or near little island at a point near" ... "then she said something about a storm and that the wind was blowing." "Will have to get out of here," she says at one point. "We can't stay here long." What happened to Earhart after that has vexed the world for nearly 81 years, and TIGHAR is not the only group to try to explain the mystery. Gillespie is just one member of competing researchers who have dedicated their time and resources to one of aviation's greatest mysteries. Mike Campbell, a retired journalist who wrote "Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last," insists along with others that Earhart and Noonan were captured in the Marshall Islands by the Japanese, who thought they were American spies, and died in Japanese custody after being tortured. Elgen Long, a Navy combat veteran and an expert on Earhart's disappearance, wrote a book saying her plane crashed into the Pacific and sank. Gillespie said he believes that evidence supporting his Gardner Island theory is adding up. He believes that the messages sent out over those six days were by Earhart and, occasionally, Noonan. He believes that bones found on Gardner island in 1940 belonged to Earhart, but were misidentified and discarded. He believes that Amelia Earhart died marooned on an island after her plane was sucked into the Pacific Ocean. But he realizes that the public needs more than his tide tables and extrapolations from data that predates World War II. "We're up against a public that wants a smoking gun," he told The Post on Tuesday. "We know the public wants, demands, something simple. And we're also very much aware that we live in a time of rampant science denial. Nobody does nuance anymore." Read more: Amelia Earhart didn't die in a plane crash, investigators say. This is their theory. Researchers think they know where Amelia Earhart died -- days after a photo suggested she lived (via David Cole, Mike Cooper, DXLD) Excellent info, thanks for sharing this, I visited the Earhart memorial in Wales last month (Tim Bucknall, UK, harmonics yg via DXLD) WORLD OF HOROLOGY +++++++++++++++++ Mark your calendars: Next nationwide EAS Test: September 20, 2018 https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-754A1.pdf (via Blaine Thompson, Indiana Radio Watch via John Carver, IN, DXLD) Slow loading, 3 pages with footnotes, starting: Released: July 20, 2018 PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU ANNOUNCES NATIONWIDE TEST OF THE WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERT AND EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEMS ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 --- PS Docket Nos. 15-91, 15-94 Today, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) provides notice to all Participating Commercial Mobile Service (CMS) Providers, Emergency Alert System (EAS) Participants, and to the public that, as described below, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a nationwide combined test of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) and EAS on September 20, 2018, with a back-up date of October 3, 2018. NATIONWIDE WEA AND EAS TEST At 2:18 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), FEMA will send a WEA test message to WEA - capable wireless devices throughout the entire United States and territories... (via gh, DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- IBOC See VENEZUELA [USA QRM] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DAB See NORWAY!; UK! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM See also AUSTRALIA non; BULGARIA; CHINA; ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ INDIA; IRELAND NORTHERN non; KUWAIT; NIGERIA; USA: WINB UPDATED DRM SHORTWAVE SCHEDULE (with graphical overview): http://ab27.bplaced.net/drm.pdf (-- Alexander Busneag, Germany, July 26, WOR iog via DXLD) not much DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DTV See also MEXICO ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Re: Record DTV Skip reception... KCWX-5/2 Texas Thanks for your comments, guys. I don't think it was "double hop" if by that you mean the signal reflecting off the ground around the midpoint. All reception (FM) was long and fairly sparse that day with nothing from around the midpoint. I don't really try to categorize how the reception happened because you can't know. However, I suspect it was a 2 or 3 cloud hop, with the clouds guiding the signal around the curvature of the Earth. Also, you can't rule out a particularly high Es cloud at the mid point. When I get a chance, I'll calculate how high that cloud would have to have been. In the end, it doesn't matter --- I'm just thrilled that one way or another I got a new personal best DTV log, my 18th via E-skip. P.S. I'm just mad I didn't get a video of this. I was primarily DXing FM, and was noting real good Dallas area stations, and actually did start recording channel 5, hoping for KXDA Dallas (a do-able 1400 miles or so) not even thinking I'd get KCWX. Then I got a weak decode from WMC-5 Memphis, and I figured WMC would dominate and Texas was out of the picture. So I stopped the recording. A few minutes later I caught a brief picture decode out of the corner of my eye from the next room where I was at the computer with my FM DX. By the time I got to the TV, the signal was gone and I was shocked to see it had been KCWX. And bummed that I just missed getting a video of it. (Chris - Poughkeepsie, NY, Lucas, DTV DXer since April 2009, July 27, 2018, WTFDA Forum via DXLD) Hi Chris, I think that's about as far as you can get with single hop, right? I checked my log, and I have Saltillo Mexico on analog 2, right around 1500 miles. There doesn't seem to be much if any gap between far single hop and double hop. I have the Dominican Republic here at 1700 miles, but at that point, two 850-mile hops, that should be double hop. Anyways, congrats on the new log and state (Andrew crazymonkey, My TV and FM DX Photos from Akron, Ohio... https://www.flickr.com/photos/133179000@N04/albums ibid.) That's cool, Chris. Good work. I missed that day. The local weather service (and the Storm Prediction Center) had us under one of those, "You're all gonna die" weather watches. I had everything unplugged and spent the day hiding under the desk. As it turned out, nothing happened locally, but huge storms passed east of here. I wonder if they had anything to do with enhancing Es at roughly the mid-point of your NY-TX path. 73, (Ed NN2E, Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds, Thunderstorm KY, ibid.) FCC/ARRL thinx he is really: PHELPS, EDWIN B, NN2E 991 LEE BURD RD BENTON, KY 42025 (gh, DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ TIPS FOR IMPROVING SHORTWAVE RECEPTION Many of the items I’ve listed below for improving your shortwave listening pleasure have been mentioned in previous Classrooms. I thought it was time to reiterate some of the basic ways to make SW listening and DXing better, as well as name a few things that aren’t always talked about when discussing the hobby. The Best Antenna (for you): Shortwave listening is only as good as the antenna that is being utilized. A $1000+ receiver with a mediocre antenna will only make SW listening mediocre at best. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of antennas. Outdoor antennas that can be tweaked or altered include longwires, dipoles, slinkys (the metal kind... plastic ones are worse than mediocre!) and even a beverage (VERY long wire, over 300 feet). If you live in an apartment or condo, you could place a wire onto your balcony or camouflage one that goes up/down the side of the building. Indoor active antennas or long wires strewn across the ceiling or in the attic, or even a wire connected from the receiver to a metal frame could work wonders. Remember, what works for one person may not work for another listener. Also, make sure an outdoor antenna is grounded in some way, as it prevents problems with lightning strikes and can actually improve reception, even removing spurious signals that shouldn’t be there in the first place. Use Headphones: Some people say use headphones or earphones, but I would say just purchase a good set of headphones. They work much better than speakers or earphones. Headphones make it easier to focus on DX signals and the quality of the sound is usually much better. Noise Problems: Household items at times cause unwanted noise, which can ruin the sensitivity of your receiver, not to mention your listening pleasure. If possible, stay away from light dimmers, fluorescent lighting, electric motors, computers (I know this is difficult, considering how much we use computers today to assist our listening/DXing) and other items which may cause electrical static. In order to know where the hot spots are in your household as concerns electrical interference/noise, take a battery powered radio around your home and listen for increased hum, static and other noises. The radio acts as a “noise Geiger counter”, and will let you know trouble areas in your home. High-Tension Wires: I realize this may be impossible for some hobbyists, but staying away from areas where there are high-tension wires will also cut down on background electrical noise. If you live near these wires, then try to have your antenna and/or your receiver as far away as possible from the outside structures. As well, if you live in the downtown of a major city, you may wish to think about taking a portable receiver in your car and driving away from the city once in a while to do some serious SW listening. Make Bandscan Lists/Look at Lists Online: If there are certain meter bands that you listen to on a regular basis, it might be good to construct a Bandscan of these SW frequencies that comprise a few hours of UT. This means going in 5 kHz steps throughout a given meter band, and note what strong signals are present. I usually go in half-hour increments of UT to fill out a Bandscan. These can be done with paper and pencil, logging sheets, or use either Microsoft Access (database) or Microsoft Excel (spreadsheet). You can also go to various websites to see what is on a given frequency at a given time, such as http://www.short-wave.info or http://www.shortwaveschedule.com You can also utilize Prime Time Shortwave at http://www.primetimeshortwave.com to find out English broadcasts at specific times. Glenn Hauser’s World of Radio report found at http://www.worldofradio.com is also an invaluable source of knowing what reception is possible, as well as Harold Sellers’ “Target Listening by Country” and “Target Listening by Time”, available on the ODXA Io Group. Have a Clock: One of the most important items you can have within your radio shack is an accurate clock, set either to UT or local time. This can be done with a cell phone or smartphone, a digital or analog clock, a watch, or time displayed on a computer. For the most part, broadcasters keep a very tight schedule, so it’s always good to kno w the correct time when listening. Plan Times to Listen: Plan blocks of time when you actually have some time to listen. Best times for SW reception is early evening, night time and around sunrise on the lower frequencies. The higher frequencies are better for daytime reception. As much as possible, plan times when your home is relatively quiet. The headphones mentioned above will also help keep out unwanted noise around you. Listen to Various Radio Signals: If you’ve never done so, listen to various types of signals on shortwave. There are international broadcasts, domestic broadcasts, time & frequency stations, pirate and clandestine stations, VOLMET weather/aviation news, amateur radio (AM, SSB, CW), and much, much more to be heard on the airwaves between 2 and 30 MHz. That’s what makes our radio listening great; there are many wonderful sub-hobbies, even within SW radio listening and DXing. There are other small but important items needed when listening; ample lighting, log sheets, food and drink (if desired). Don’t forget the small things as they help with the larger picture (or sound!). Good luck with all your listening activities, both on shortwave and anywhere else in the radio spectrum! Until September, 73, keep smiling and keep listening (J O E Robinson, BEGINNER'S CLASSROOM for August 2018, ODXA Listening In via DXLD) XHDATA D-808 -- THE SUMMER TRAVEL "SMOKE TEST" Detailed information concerning the new, Chinese-made XHDATA D-808 AM- LW-FM-SW-AIR portable has been posted previously, including its hot- performing AM-DXing loopstick, SSB capability and rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This model was "inspired" (to be generous) by the C.Crane Skywave SSB model, which was manufactured in the nearby Redsun factories in China -- with the first model sold a few months before the D-808 was "reverse-engineered." As reported previously, the D-808 makes a few significant improvements over the Skywave SSB model -- a longer, more sensitive AM loopstick, a much stronger audio amplifier, and a much lower price ($112 on eBay, versus $169.99 for the Skywave SSB). After a few months with the company declining to ship to North American customers (apparently to avoid a copyright lawsuit because of the SSB circuitry, identical to that of the Skywave SSB), a single Chinese eBay seller is now doing a booming business, shipping the model to North American customers through Israel. After performing two MW and one Longwave 7.5" loopstick transplants on the D-808 model, I can confirm that the model is well engineered (or maybe well reverse engineered?), with the loopstick connections on the RF circuit board unusually accessible, and ideal for soldering larger diameter Litz wire. There are actually two terminal connections for this purpose-- most likely to make it easy for the XHDATA engineers to test out various loopsticks. And a loopstick transplant on the D-808 may be easier to contemplate if you consider the fact that you will not be violating the XHDATA warranty by replacing the loopstick. Why not? Because there is no evidence of any XHDATA warranty on the model, either online, or in the documents shipped along with the portable :-) As such, I thought I would submit a D-808 model to a very rough break- in test during extensive summer travel these past two weeks. A 7.5" MW loopstick D-808 model was taken along during road trips to eastern Washington (complete with 100 degree F/43 degree C temperatures), rough mountain roads (on Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and Hurricane Ridge) and a visit to Vancouver, BC. Once the supplied 3.7v Lithium Ion battery is fully charged (via a supplied USB-type connector cord), the battery provides exceptional run time. I was able to use it for many hours of DXing over two weeks, with no apparent loss of power. The audio amp delivers a lot of response, even when signals are weak. It takes a little time getting used to the volume control being on the left side when the tuning control is on the right, but you catch on pretty quick. The enhanced 7.5" MW loopstick model is like the "King of Compact Portables," with sensitivity enough to dig out practically everything that any other portable on the planet could come up with-- with SSB capability and multiple DSP filtering selections to boot. For someone making an overseas trip or extended travel from home, it would be a dream portable. This is the first radio to use the full capabilities of the American-engineered Si4735 DSP chip-- with exceptional results. What finally got my undivided attention, though, was when the model was accidentally left in the trunk during our visit to Ellensburg, WA- - a location famous for 100 degree days in July. Multiple items in the trunk (shampoo, food, electric shavers, etc.) were zapped by the 104 degree temperature inside the trunk, and were either ruined, or refused to operate. As I turned on the burning-hot D-808 model I certainly expected the worst, especially when the temperature indicator showed "43 degrees C." Much to my astonishment the model performed flawlessly, though, delivering an S9 signal from the Snoqualmie Pass TIS station on 1610 kHz. Not once had the D-808 missed a beat over a tough two weeks, which included quite a few rough bumps, extremely hot days and long DXing hours. Despite the rather dubious design pedigree and lack of any manufacturer's warranty the D-808 had gained my respect as a hot-performing AM-DXing portable, ready to perform and persevere when conditions are rough. Although it's not an Ultralight radio, it certainly is an exceptional portable for the price. 73 and Good DX, (Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA), UT July 27, nrc-am gg via DXLD) Both the original CC Skywave and Skywave SSB are indeed great performers, and multiple models of each have been tested and modified here. The new XHDATA D-808 copies all the positive points of the Skywave SSB and improves upon its shortcomings, though. The fact that both C.Crane models are manufactured in China (a notorious place for "reverse engineering") made this scenario likely to happen sooner or later. In any case, DXers looking to purchase the latest hot-performing AM- DXing portable can take advantage of this fact-- related to the current trade tensions between the two countries. Although the stock XHDATA D-808 model already provides good AM sensitivity with its 3 7/8" (97mm) loopstick, its performance can be dramatically boosted by replacing the stock loopstick with an externally-mounted 7.5" transplant. A photo of such an enhanced D-808 model is posted at https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/vk26lkhhu77q8buzuaido03fmy5s7xst This 7.5" transplant loopstick is the same one used for "supercharging" the Tecsun PL-380 model, as described in the construction article posted at http://www.mediafire.com/file/du3sr5cd9thqvau/7.5inch-LS-PL380.doc/file The enhanced D-808 model would have AM sensitivity similar to that of a stock D-808 + Select-a-Tenna combo, but would not require peaking the external antenna every time a frequency is changed. This is a huge advantage for quick and easy "travel DXing." 73, (Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA), July 28, ibid.) I have heard that the lithium battery can't be shipped to the USA & is tough to obtain as well. Does anyone know if this is the case? Thx again (Rich, ibid.) The eBay seller "harelan.ecommerce" (offering the D-808 at the link below) does include the 3.7v lithium-ion battery in the packages that he ships to the USA (via Israel), despite any USPS regulations to the contrary. I have received five D-808 packages from him, and all of them included the 3.7v XHDATA lithium-ion battery. Please note that he ships the battery inside the radio with a paper tab between the positive terminal and the radio's connector, however, so you will need to remove this paper tab before you can charge the battery. He also includes a USB connector cord to charge the radio from a computer, similar to how you charge a cell phone. If you have an AC adapter plug with a slot for a USB cable, you can also charge the battery via an AC outlet. It takes about five hours for the battery to get a full charge this way. As reported previously, the Lithium Ion battery has exceptional run time, providing a lot of DXing hours on a single charge. https://www.ebay.com/itm/XHDATA-D-808-Portable-Digital-Radio-FM-stereo-SW-MW-LW-SSB-RDS-Air-Band-LCD/263589135532?hash=item3d5f2304ac%3Ag%3AgzgAAOSwCBFaxd8G&_sacat=0&_nkw=XHDATA+D-808&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313 73, (Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA) Really enjoying mine so far --- The audio characteristics match my ears better than any radio have. The most annoying thing is that the kickstand is far too short. You can`t read display. My easy solution was to clip a clothespin to the center of kickstand for additional length needed. Works great (Russ Johnson, Lexington NC, ibid.) Is there any reason why this radio is not available in North America, except through sketchy fly-by-night re-sellers? I would be tempted to buy one if it was offered by, say, Universal Radio. Slightly better than the C Crane Skywave, yes. But I don't think it would beat my 40 year old Panasonic RF2200. 73 (Mike Keval Brooker, Toronto, ON, IRCA via DXLD) Well, when Chinese engineers take the CC Skywave SSB model and reverse-engineer the radio to make a significantly more sensitive AM- DXing portable (with a longer loopstick), a more powerful audio amp (correcting a serious weak point) and offer the new model worldwide at a price about half of the Skywave SSB (except for North American purchasers, who pay about $112), the Chinese engineers probably don't want to risk a copyright lawsuit by selling the model openly in North America. And Universal Radio, Amazon etc. are probably all too aware of these facts, and don't care to support Chinese "reverse engineering." 73, (Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA, ibid.) LED LIGHTS [sic] JAM SHIPPING AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM VERON report investigators from the Netherlands Radiocommunications Agency have discovered RF Pollution emitted by LED lights caused the loss of AIS shipping signals around 162 MHz. A Google English translation of the Radiocommunications Agency article reads: In the mouth of the Waalhaven in the Nieuwe Maas in Rotterdam, ships from the electronic map have been missing for some time. The Port of Rotterdam Authority and skippers were completely in the dark about the cause of this. In the busy Rotterdam port area, of which the Waalhaven is a part, it is important that you know where everyone is. A ship that automatically sends its position and data via AIS - and is therefore visible on the electronic navigation chart - not only increases safety, but also shortens the waiting times for the berths and waiting areas. And what about ships loading and unloading dangerous goods or passenger ships? These are continuously monitored. If such a ship is dropped, dangerous situations can arise. During an investigation the inspectors of the Radiocommunications Agency quickly discovered that the frequency band for AIS signals was disturbed. And after several polls in the surroundings of the Waalhaven they came to a work of art. In an atelier near the mouth of the Waalhaven, an artist had made a work of art with the help of LED lights. All these lights appeared to be the key to the solution together with the power supply. Because LED lights are indeed economical, but if you do not buy the right one or install them incorrectly, they cause a lot of problems. In this case, the frequencies of the AIS band were therefore disturbed. After the power of the lighting was switched off, the disruption was resolved. In retrospect, it appeared that the lighting and the power supply exceeded the interference limits. To prevent new failures, a solution is sought for the artist together with the business community. The agency also regularly receives reports of disruptions of AIS reception from the Amsterdam port area. Here, too, we conduct an investigation. If something interesting comes out of this, you may read more about this in the next newsletter. To prevent disruptions, we regularly monitor frequency use (preventively). Especially in areas with busy shipping traffic. Source: Netherlands Radiocommunications Agency https://magazines.agentschaptelecom.nl/ontwikkelingenindeether/2018/03/schepen-verdwenen-van-de-elektronische-kaart (via Southgate ARC via August Australian DX News via DXLD) Top of the Tower Podcast #020: COX PLOTS TV SPINS By Scott Fybush - July 25, 2018 0 In this week’s edition: Cox seeks TV station partner (or sale?) – We analyze the sale of Philadelphia’s WBEB and spinoff of WXTU to Beasley (5:40) – More sounds from the NAB Show: a conversation with Gates Air’s Mark Goins about new transmitter technology (13:25) https://www.fybush.com/podcast-020/ (via Blaine Thompson, Indiana Radio Watch via John Carver, IN, DXLD) AD BLOCK RADIO https://www.adblockradio.com/en/ What a concept (Bennett Z Kobb, July 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) How does this work? Do the stations affected get a compensatory cut? In Europe only, so far (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ DOUBLE-HOP SPORADIC E FM DX VENEZUELA TO NEW JERSEY: See VENEZUELA Re: MY FIRST EVER DECODE ACROSS THE HIGH PEAKS... Neal, Thank you for the good reading about the first CATV and knife- edge reception. I lived on the highest hill in Niskayuna (Schenectady suburb) NY for about 17 years. Mount Greylock, 3491', was visible from the top of my 60' tower, and I remember the frequent easy contacts with 10 watts on 1296 MHz with another ham in MA about the same distance from Greylock and straight over its top. We were almost certain it was knife edge refraction. It seemed to be the classic case over a single LOS mountain prominence. [line-of-sight, not loss-of- signal! gh] The decodes from WATE Knoxville and then a few days later from WLFG, Grundy, VA, are over terrain with many mountains, and the DTV mode is very finicky about multipath so maybe knife edge refraction played a part. I don't think we'll ever know. I left the 2 x 91 XGs pointed at WATE for another 30 hours and have turned them back there for hours at a time since with no decodes so there must have been more going on than knife edge refraction. For over two years using my MXV-5100 at 25' I never decoded WCYB-5 which is also a path with a ~6000' mountain in between. The mountain, Mount Mitchell, is LOS from here, and WCYB-5 is, I think, LOS from Mitchell. After putting a 10 element channel 7-13 antenna at 81', I now decode it every day if I aim that way despite the antenna being for high band VHF! I think knife edge reception is likely for WCYB-5 since the ~6000' mountain is close to half way between the TX and me. Station WJHL-11 is also on Holston Mountain TN and seems to have a good signal at times when WCYB is in, but I have a LOS low power translator W11AH in the same direction that WJHL never overcomes. Also, 144 MHz beacon WCBX/B [sic], 144.296 is also on Holston Mountain, and its enhancement peaks correlate with decoding WCYB and seeing on the W11AH graph another station taking it out, but not by the 15 dB over W11AH needed to decode. Two of those three stations, WATE-26 and WLFG-49 are my only decodes clear across the high peaks and the only such high peak crossing tropo I've found reported. My channels 26 and 49 have no near-by transmitting and are among the lowest noise floor of any of my channels, so that helped a lot (Doug K4LY EM85wb Allen, July 24, WTFDA gg via DXLD) SOLAR FLARES DISRUPTED RADIO COMMUNICATIONS DURING SEPTEMBER 2017 ATLANTIC HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORT https://news.agu.org/press-release/solar-flares-disrupted-radio-communications-during-september-2017-atlantic-hurricane-relief-effort/ 30 July 2018 WASHINGTON -- An unlucky coincidence of space and Earth weather in early September 2017 caused radio blackouts for hours during critical hurricane emergency response efforts, according to a new study in Space Weather, a journal of the American Geophysical Union. The new research, which details how the events on the Sun and Earth unfolded side-by-side, could aid in the development of space weather forecasting and response, according to the study's authors. On September 6, three hurricanes advanced in a menacing line across the Atlantic Ocean. Category 5 Hurricane Irma ravaged Barbuda in the Caribbean's Leeward Islands in the early morning and churned onward to St. Marin, St. Barthelemy, Anguilla and the Virgin Islands, causing massive damage. Tropical Storm Katia hovered in the Gulf of Mexico and Tropical Storm Jose approached from the open ocean. Both were upgraded to hurricane status later that day. Hurricanes Katia, Irma and Jose lined up in the Atlantic on September 6, 2017 in an image captured by the Suomi NPP weather satellite. Credit: NASA [caption] On the surface of the Sun, 150 million kilometers (93 million miles) away, another storm was brewing. A class X-2.2 and major class X-9.3 solar flare erupted on the morning of September 6 at about 8 a.m. local time. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center warned of a strong radio blackout over most the sunlit side of Earth, including the Caribbean. Amateur radio operators assisting with emergency communications in the islands reported to the Hurricane Watch Net that radio communications went down for most of the morning and early afternoon on September 6 because of the Sun's activity, according to the new study. French civil aviation reported a 90-minute loss of communication with a cargo plane, according to the study's authors, and NOAA reported on September 14 that high frequency radio, used by aviation, maritime, ham radio, and other emergency bands, was unavailable for up to eight hours on September 6. Another large class-X flare erupted from the Sun on September 10, disrupting radio communication for three hours. The disruption came as the Caribbean community coped with Category 4 Hurricane Jose's brush with the Leeward Islands and the Bahamas, and Irma's passage over Little Inagua in the Bahamas on September 8 and passage over Cuba on September 9. "Space weather and Earth weather aligned to heighten an already tense situation in the Caribbean," said Rob Redmon, a space scientist with NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information in Boulder, Colorado, and the lead author of the new study. "If I head on over to my amateur radio operator, and they have been transmitting messages for me, whether it be for moving equipment or finding people or just saying I'm okay to somebody else, suddenly I can't do that on this day, and that would be pretty stressful." The Sun erupted in class X-9.3 and x-2.2 flares on September 6, 2017, visible to NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory in extreme ultraviolet (171 angstrom wavelength) light. Credit: NASA/GSFC/SDO [caption] Bobby Graves, an experienced ham radio operator who manages the Hurricane Watch Net from his home near Jackson, Mississippi, said the flares caused communications to go down for hours. The Hurricane Watch Net is a group of licensed amateur radio operators trained and organized to provide communications support to the National Hurricane Center during storm emergencies. "You can hear a solar flare on the air as it's taking place. It's like hearing bacon fry in a pan, it just all of a sudden gets real staticky and then it's like someone just turns the light completely off, you don't hear anything. And that's what happened this last year on two occasions," Graves said. "We had to wait `til the power of those solar flares weakened so that our signals could actually bounce back off the atmosphere. It was a helpless situation." The new study detailing the activity on the Sun and its effects on radio communications from September 4 - 13 serves as an overview to a collection of journal articles in Space Weather investigating the solar activity of September 2017. The collision of Earth and space weather in September delivered a reminder that solar events can happen at any time and may coincide with other emergencies, according to the study's authors. The information in the study could help scientists improve space weather forecasting and response, according to the study's authors. By understanding how the events on the Sun and Earth unfolded, scientists can better understand how to forecast and prepare for future events, they said. The new study shows the solar flares affected shortwave radio communications, which were being used by amateurs and professionals in emergency response efforts, although it does not detail how emergency efforts may have been affected by the radio blackout. "Safeguards put in place to prevent dangerous disruption to GPS from solar events worked," said Mike Hapgood, head of space weather at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the United Kingdom, and a scientist not connected to the new study. "In many ways, we were ready. Some things that could have caused big problems didn't, but shortwave radio is always tricky to use during solar events. But good radio operators are aware of the events and will work hard to overcome problems." "It's the Sun reminding us that it's there," Hapgood added. "The Sun's been very quiet for the last 10 years. It reminds people not to be complacent." Unexpected space weather The 2017 flares were the largest since 2005 and the best documented solar storm to date, observed from a fleet of spacecraft between the Earth and the Sun, in Earth's orbit, on Earth and Mars. Solar flares release bursts of X-rays from the Sun that travel outwards in all directions at the speed of light. Strong flares can disrupt radio and aviation communications. Space weather forecasters have only minutes to broadcast warnings to spacecraft, aviation and other administrators before affects are felt on Earth. X-rays from solar flares interact with Earth's atmosphere 50-1000 kilometers (30-600 miles) above the Earth, in a region called the ionosphere. Shortwave radio communication works by bouncing signals off the ionosphere and refracting them back to Earth. When the Sun releases a burst of x-rays, like the flares released in early September, the extra energy delivered to the ionosphere can cause it to absorb high frequency radio signals, like those used by ham radio enthusiasts. [41-second video of flare:] http://www.youtube.com/embed/ybfAvEVpBMo?feature=oembed The September 6 and 10 flares were also accompanied by bursts of high energy solar material explosively ejected from the Sun in an expanding bubble much larger than the Earth. Such coronal mass ejections, which arrive within one to three days, have the potential to wreck the most havoc on human technology. The geomagnetic storms generated by coronal mass ejections can damage power grids, confuse GPS systems and damage or disrupt communication with spacecraft, including weather satellites. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center issued warnings for potentially severe geomagnetic storms for September 7-9. An unlucky coincidence The unexpected burst of space weather coincided with high hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean. Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record with sustained winds of 287 kilometers per hour (175 miles per hour), hit the tiny island of Barbuda at maximum intensity, razing 95 percent of its buildings. The storm destroyed most homes and much infrastructure on St. Martin, Anguilla, Great Inagua and Crooked Island in the Bahamas, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. It caused power outages and damage in the Cuban Keys, Turks and Caicos and the southeastern United States. Wind and rain from the storm killed 37 people in the Caribbean and 10 on the U.S. mainland, according the National Hurricane Center. During the September crisis, the Caribbean Emergency and Weather Net logged many "radiograms" relaying survival notes between anxious family members on the islands and the mainland via ham radio operators, Redmon said. "Seeing that logbook really brought home to me the human dimension of the storm," Redmon said. "It put the humanity in the science." Ham radio hobbyists routinely volunteer to disseminate hazard information from the National Weather Service to island communities and ships during major storms, report real-time ground conditions and damages back to the National Hurricane Center, and assist the Red Cross with communications. Graves, the ham radio operator, said many people trapped by storms appreciate hearing a friendly voice over amateur radio relaying the latest weather update, even if they are not able to reply. During a storm, ham radio volunteers strain to listen for lone stations in the affected area that may still be transmitting, Graves said. "A lot of folks in the area were asking us: We heard there's Jose coming behind Irma, what's this thing going to do?" he said. ### The American Geophysical Union is dedicated to advancing the Earth and space sciences for the benefit of humanity through its scholarly publications, conferences, and outreach programs. AGU is a not-for-profit, professional, scientific organization representing 60,000 members in 137 countries. Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and our other social media channels. __________________________________________________________________ Notes for Journalists This paper is open access. Journalists and public information officers (PIOs) can download a PDF copy of the article by clicking on this link: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1029/2018SW001897 Multimedia accompanying this press release can be downloaded here: https://aguorg.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/newsroom/EvrE5SBqBwhCoG3Osmz9NqoB8G9Rw18EqgeeQdzCAuSQCA?e=gXzSZF Journalists and PIOs may also request a copy of the final paper and multimedia by emailing Liza Lester at llester@agu.org. Please provide your name, the name of your publication, and your phone number. Neither the paper nor this press release is under embargo. Title "September 2017's geoeffective space weather and impacts to Caribbean radio communications during hurricane response" Authors: R. J. Redmon, D. B. Seaton, J. V. Rodriguez: National Centers for Environmental Information, NOAA, Boulder, CO, USA; D. B. Seaton, J. V. Rodriguez: Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, Univ. of CO, Boulder, CO, USA; R. Steenburgh: Space Weather Prediction Center, NOAA, Boulder, CO, USA.; J. He: Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Joint Program in Oceanography and Applied Ocean Science and Engineering, Cambridge, MA, USA Contact information for the authors: Rob Redmon: rob.redmon@noaa.gov, +1 (303) 497-4331 __________________________________________________________________ AGU Contact: Liza Lester +1 (202) 777-7494 llester@agu.org (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) Solar storm WARNING: Giant tears in Sun's corona trigger communication BLACKOUTS --- By Sebastian Kettley From Britain's Daily Express Newspaper, July 31: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/996892/Solar-storm-sun-corona-communication-electronics-solar-flare-radio-blackout The disastrous effects solar storms have on the planet were last seen in September 2017, at the height of the Atlantic hurricane season. A newly published study in the journal Space Weather detailed widespread radio blackout across the Caribbean after multiple giant solar flares struck the planet. On September 6, 2017, a class X-2.2 and major class X-9.3 flare erupted more than 93 million miles away from Earth, at about 8 am local time. The powerful blasts of solar energy struck after the US NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center warned of radio blackouts on the dayside of Earth. The flares cut off communications at a crucial time of need, putting people caught in hurricanes at a greater risk of danger. The new study showed the solar flares had an impact on shortwave radios which were heavily employed by amateur rescue teams and dispatch operators. The study, penned by lead author Rob Redmon of NOAA, reads: "The September 6 X9.3 flare was the largest to date for the nearly concluded solar cycle 24 and, in fact, the brightest recorded since an X17 flare in September 2005, which occurred during the declining phase of solar cycle 23. "Rapid ionization of the sunlit upper atmosphere occurred, disrupting high frequency communications in the Caribbean region while emergency managers were scrambling to provide critical recovery services caused by the region's devastating hurricanes." Another major solar flare erupted from the Sun just days later on September 10, causing a radio blackout for about three hours. Both blackouts occurred during the highly destructive Category 5 Hurricane Irma and Category 4 Hurricane Jose wreaking havoc in the Caribbean. Mr Redmon said: "Space weather and Earth weather aligned to heighten an already tense situation in the Caribbean. "if I head on over to my amateur radio operator, and they have been transmitting messages for me, whether it be for moving equipment or finding people or just saying I'm okay to somebody else, suddenly I can't do that on this day, and that would be pretty stressful." The 2017 solar flares were the largest of their kind in more than a decade. Each flare released powerful bursts of x-rays from the Sun which interacted with the Earth's atmosphere between 30 to 600 miles above ground. This part of the atmosphere is known as the ionosphere and shortwave radios rely on bouncing their signals off of the ionosphere and back towards receivers on the ground. The erupting solar flares disrupted this process by releasing energy into the ionosphere and absorbing high frequency radio signals causing blackouts. Strong geomagnetic storms triggered by the Sun's unpredictable outbursts, depending on their intensity, have the potential to disrupt power grids, GPS systems, spacecraft, satellites and communications systems. Solar flare outbursts can last anywhere between minutes to hours. NOAA explained: "The sudden outburst of electromagnetic energy travels at the speed of light, therefore any effect upon the sunlit side of Earth's exposed outer atmosphere occurs at the same time the event is observed. "The increased level of X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation results in ionization in the lower layers of the ionosphere on the sunlit side of Earth." Radio blackouts caused by solar flares are characterised on a five-level scale - from "R1 Minor" to "R5 Extreme". Extreme storms cause maritime navigations systems to experience outages for many hours and cause increased errors in satellite positioning. The geomagnetic storm warnings issued on September 9, 2017, were ranked "G4 Severe" on the NOAA scales (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) SOLAR MINIMUM DEEPENS --- SpaceWeather.com The sun has been without sunspots for 31 of the past 32 days. To find a similar stretch of blanks suns, you have to go back to 2009 when the sun was experiencing the deepest solar minimum in a century. Clearly, solar minimum has returned, bringing extra cosmic rays, long-lasting holes in the sun's atmosphere, and strangely pink auroras (via Mike Terry, July 29, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) :Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts :Issued: 2018 Jul 30 0029 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 23 - 29 July 2018 Solar activity was very low throughout the week. No active regions with sunspots were observed this period and a single B1 flare at 29/2148 UTC, from an unnumbered region behind the eastern limb, was the only flare reported this week. No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels on 25-29 Jul and moderate levels were observed on 23-24 Jul. Geomagnetic field activity reached active levels on 24 Jul due to the influence of a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream. Quiet to unsettled conditions were observed on 25 Jul and generally quiet conditions were observed throughout the remainder of the period. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 30 JULY - 25 AUGUST 2018 Solar activity is expected to be very low 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 reach high levels on 30-31 Jul, and 21-25 Aug. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to remain below event threshold throughout the remainder of the outlook period. Geomagnetic field activity is likely to reach G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels on 20 Aug and active levels are likely on 17 and 21 Aug, all due to the influences of multiple coronal hole high speed streams. Quiet or quiet to unsettled levels are expected throughout the remainder of the outlook period. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2018 Jul 30 0029 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 2018-07-30 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 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 68 5 2 2018 Aug 04 68 5 2 2018 Aug 05 68 5 2 2018 Aug 06 68 10 3 2018 Aug 07 68 8 3 2018 Aug 08 68 5 2 2018 Aug 09 68 5 2 2018 Aug 10 68 5 2 2018 Aug 11 70 5 2 2018 Aug 12 70 8 3 2018 Aug 13 70 8 3 2018 Aug 14 70 5 2 2018 Aug 15 70 5 2 2018 Aug 16 70 8 3 2018 Aug 17 70 12 4 2018 Aug 18 68 5 2 2018 Aug 19 68 5 2 2018 Aug 20 68 20 5 2018 Aug 21 66 12 4 2018 Aug 22 66 5 2 2018 Aug 23 66 5 2 2018 Aug 24 68 5 2 2018 Aug 25 68 5 2 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1941, DXLD) ###