DX LISTENING DIGEST 7-089, July 29, 2007 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 2007 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1368: ** tentative Mon 0300 WBCQ 9330-CLSB [not July 23] Mon 0415 WBCQ 7415 [time varies] Mon 0530 WRMI 9955** Mon 0930 WRMI 9955** Tue 1030 WRMI 9955** Wed 0730 WRMI 9955** WORLD OF RADIO, CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL SCHEDULE: 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 For updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS VIA WRN NOW AVAILABLE: http://www.wrn.org/listeners/stations/podcast.php OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL] http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org CONTINENT OF MEDIA 07-03: (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/com0703.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/com0703.rm DXLD YAHOOGROUP: Why wait for DXLD, which seems to be coming out less frequently? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our yg without delay. When applying, please identify yourself with your real name and location. Those who do not, unless I recognize them, will be prompted once to do so and no action will be taken otherwise. Here`s where to sign up http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/ ** ALBANIA. 22 July 2007 --- A Letter from Albania http://shortwavemusic.blogspot.com/2007/07/letter-from-albania.html "Every night at sundown, there is a promenade of citizens through downtown Tirana. In front of the Palace of Culture a man trying to give us a Bible approached us. He says that freedom has given him the right to preach, something he had been praying for, but he says that the human greed which comes with freedom is making life bad. Just then, the muezzin on top of the minaret begins the evening call to prayer. Some of the beggars take notice, hoping to get charity from devout Muslims. The loudspeaker is not sounding the clear call to prayer tonight; the system is overly loud and distorted. In the coffee shops and bars, proprietors turn up their sound systems to drown out the call. Bob Marley is 'Jammin'' in the name of the same Lord whom the muezzin and the evangelist call us to serve. A boom box on the square is playing Dion and the Belmonts." - Rich McClear, Letters from Albania Go!/Let's Go! Radio Tirana 05/22/2007, 7425 kHz (0015 UT) posted by shortwavemusic at 16:19 (via gh, DXLD) ** CANADA. CHTO 1690 on (Greek mostly) --- New Toronto station heard while crossing the border en route to western NY DX GTG. It's testing and on tonight, too, upon return to Toronto. Greek music. Announcements (Saul Chernos, ON-NY, July 28, IRCA via DXLD) ** CANADA [and non]. CKPR-580 Thunder Bay to go silent August 3, a few other notes A few observations from a cross country trip along the trans Canada highway from Southern Ont to Calgary AB this week (July 23-25) by car, doing daytime bandscans using the stock Delco radio. It is amazing how well the low band stations get out in Central Canada. The coverage of CBK, KFYR and WNAX is amazing. All loggings daytime groundwave. CBK-540 heard as far east as the Manitoba-Ontario border, this station pretty well covers all of the settled parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba KFYR-550 heard through Manitoba and Saskatchewan well, except for CBK slop in the Regina area KMON-560 heard from central Saskatchewan all the way to Calgary, except for CKSW-570 slop around Swift Current Saskatchewan WNAX-570 heard in southern Manitoba CKSW-570 heard all the way from the Saskatchewan - Manitoba border to Calgary CKUA-580 with CKY gone, heard from central Saskatchewan west CKPR-580 heard within a 100+ mile range of Thunder Bay, announcing that programming on the AM transmitter will cease August 3 (they moved to FM some time ago). Last (and first) AM station in Thunder Bay, has been owned by the Dougall company since they went on the air in 1931. Before that the station was located in Midland. WTCM-580 heard well in northwestern Ontario KGLE-590 heard throughout SW Manitoba and Saskatchewan KEYZ-660 heard in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan until they were replaced by CFFR in western Saskatchewan KMXR-710 heard well through Manitoba and most of Saskatchewan. KATL-770 heard in Manitoba and Saskatchewan until replaced by CHQR in western Saskatchewan CBLM-1090 LPRT still operating in Marathon Ont, relays CBQ Thunder Bay (CBC Radio One) CKDR-1 -1340 Ignace (Relay of CKDR-FM Dryden ON) gets out well for its 50 watts. The CKDR-AM on 800 is gone (like most of the AM stations to Northern Ontario they have moved to FM) 73, (Deane McIntyre VE6BPO, July 26, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** CHAD. (?) 7260, RD Nationale Tchadienne (?), N'Djaména, 1402-1650, 27 Jul, vernacular, talks, tribal songs; blocked by Chinese music jammer at 1700; 45433 BUT huge distortion so no actual ID!; also observed at 2110 on 27 Jul when strong (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This could explain why I have not been hearing it lately around 0530 on 7290v, tho could not be sure due to poor propagation and high summer noise level. If on 7260 at that hour, would bother Algeria via UK (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. 9635, TAIWAN (tentativo): Sound of Hope (Xi Wang Zhi Sheng), Tanshui, Chinese, 27/07 2240. OM/YL: talks, jamming na tx (segundo pesquisa, esta transmissão ocorre com 100 kW de potencia, portanto, mais fácil de ser sintonizada), 33433 (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo, SP, BRASIL http://www.radioways.cjb.net/ http://www.ondascurtas.com/ Rx: Kenwood R-1000, Sony ICF SW7600G+GR, Degen DE-1103, Ant.: Vert. 3 m (indoor), Horizontal 22 m, Degen DE-31, Complementos: Acopladores MCJ (reostato + capacitor) + Versa Tuner MFJ-901B, chave de antena CX-3, radioescutas via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA [and non]. 6009.48, 0715-0904 28-07, LV de Tu Conciencia, Pto Lleras, low-key, monotonous sermon by M (with norteamericano accent) about "pecados personales", 0748 ". Conciencia --- escríbanos, en Colombia." Into nice light jazz instrumental; re-check at 0850 still jazz-influenced instrumentall to 0904."15-30 AM... y ...onda corta" then Bible reading and another sermon. Decent signal with R.Mil-6010 in background with tourist info on the Zona Arqueológica in México, DF (Dan Sheedy, Encinitas, CA, R75 with 70' random wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 5005, RNGE, Bata once again, this time to report on what I said it would be happening with their transmitter: 2048- 26 Jul, Spanish/vernacular, talks; cf. 14 Jul 2220 UT report; audio is nil or extremely weak & distorted; 55333 which, of course, just reflects the signal quality abstracted from its audio component (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY EAST. Kai, I just saw a great movie today (in OKC, of course, not Enid), Das Leben der Anderen [Lives of Others] http://old.movies.yahoo.com/mv/hv/minfo?id=1809426013&cf=info About the STASI -- Wonder if you have seen it. If not, you may want to. 73, (Glenn to Kai Ludwig, via DXLD) Hi Glenn, probably you heard not yet that actor Ulrich Mühe passed away last Sunday? On his own wish this had been announced only after the funeral on Wednesday: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2706089,00.html [also has linx to more about the movie including video; it won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film in 2006J; I was not aware of that -- gh] Opinions about this movie are mixed. The plot is hardly plausible: Ministerium für Staatssicherheit never let any employees work as lecturers, carry out surveillance work and question persons. Each of these functions was in the responsibility of different departments, strictly divided from each other and surveilling each other (that's how it worked). The GDR's minister of culture could by no means issue instructions to Ministerium für Staatssicherheit; nobody of those who held this position was ever member of the Politbüro (the inner circle, so to speak). It is almost offensive to hear Wiesler being referred to as "Herr Hauptmann", because anybody who has a clue about the GDR knows that he would have been referred to as "Genosse Hauptmann", i.e. "comrade". This was a rule in all "armed organs" as they were called, i.e. including police, military etc., no matter if the respective person was member of SED or not (not = also if he was member of the christian democrats, the liberal democrats or the national democrats instead). And the stuffing of the movie is quite bad, too; the GDR did not look like shown there (as an example, graffitti were entirely unknown). Btw, there appears to be an impression that Stasi is an acronym? It is not, instead it is just a popular short fom of Staatssicherheit. Not an official one, here the abbreviation MfS was in use. And "Stasi" was hardly known before 1989 in the GDR. Much more common paraphrases were "Horch und Guck", i.e. "Listening and Looking" or just "the corporation". And the bitter row of Ulrich Mühe with his former wife Jenny Gröllmann (widely noticed here because she was popular from TV and movie roles, too) is an example of the everpresent question who was an "unofficial staff member" of MfS. Most prominent case in the media landscape was undoubtedly radio personality Lutz Bertram. All the best, (Kai Ludwig, (E) Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Weren`t the graffitti from after the wallfall? Tnx for your review, but even taking into account your comments, I still think it was an excellent, moving picture, and so did the Academy Awards (Glenn, DXLD) ** GIBRALTAR. While quiet during the day, R. Gibraltar, Wellington Front, 1458 kHz starts quivering as other signals reach this area, e.g. Sunrise R, London; observed from 2132 24 Jul, BBC WS relay; 54433, but QRM=3 at times, and this is already good for the London station does put a very powerful signal down here. Compare with this: 1242-1315, 25 Jul, Spanish, songs; 45444 though typically 45454 (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HAWAII [and non]. I had always wondered why the University of North Texas radio station got scrambled call letters on 88.1, KNTU! Now that has been rectified, as noted on Countdown with Keith Olbermann, at 0028 UT Sat July 28 on MSNBC, repeated at 0428. Yes, it really exists, as a CP, anyway, per TV Query search: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168175 KUNT-LD HI WAILUKU USA (Digital) Licensee: KM COMMUNICATIONS, INC. Service Designation: LD Digital Low Power Television station (Digital LPTV) Channel: 34 590 - 596 MHz Construction Permit File No.: BDCCDTL- 20061024AEC Facility ID number: 168175 CDBS Application ID No.: 1151311 20 39' 36.00" N Latitude 156 21' 50.00" W Longitude (NAD 27) Effective Radiated Power (ERP): 15. kW ERP Antenna Height Above Average Terrain: - meters HAAT -- Antenna Height Above Mean Sea Level: 1391. meters AMSL Antenna Height Above Ground Level: 50. meters AGL (via Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Also there is a KWTF in Flagstaff AZ (Keith said Waikiki and Phoenix, not quite the same, nor are they 50,000 watts of puns as the graphic read). Now the question is, will the FCC be fining this station every time it IDs? Could be the Hawaiians, not to mention the Vietnamese and Icelanders at the FCC, don`t know the word. But Kevin Bae of the company owning the stations has apologized, implying that a chance is forthcoming (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Actually, the spelling is imprecise. The situation would be far worse if the station were in Canada (Rick Lucas, Rochester, NY, WTFDA via DXLD) Make that Portugal. And let`s not get into French maritime stations. 73, (Glenn, ibid.) The Azores, to be specific (Peter, N4LI Peter D. Baskind, J.D., LL.M., ibid.) As far as ham prefices are concerned, but other modes? (gh) At one time the school was North Texas State University, hence KNTU (Jerry Lenamon, Waco TX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Please do not forget KCUF - LP in Minturn, CO. Maybe things are kinda backwards in Minturn (Kevin Redding, AZ, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Apparently 92.7 FM in Fountain Valley, CA slid under the FCC radar as well (Dan Sheedy, CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) KLIT, per latest FM Atlas & Station Directory. No doubt they had `K- light` in mind (gh, DXLD) Fountain Valley/92.7 is now KJLL-FM, as in "Jill", the "female" version of the allegedly eclectic "Jack FM" phenomenon, but the call letters in question go back to 101.9 FM in L.A., circa 1991 (GREG HARDISON, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) OOPS. Thanks for the update, Greg. I believe those call-letters also used to be on 1220 in Pomona (in the 70s?). Unheard here (> 100 miles south) because they used string for coax to their plastic tower (yeah, I'm bitter, hi) Sorry I missed 'em on 101.9, but in '91 I was locked into KROQ/91X (Dan Sheedy, ibid.) KLIT was indeed also on 1220, I think that was around '80 or '81. Dan, don't feel bad about not hearing them; 1220 is ultra-extremely directional away from Mexico, and can barely be detected even in Orange County! (Greg Hardison, ibid.) ** INDIA. RADIO: THE JOURNEY FROM CLASSICAL MUSIC TO NONSTOP PRATTLE. Shuchi Bansal http://www.business-standard.com/iceworld/storypage.php?leftnm=8&subLeft=4&chklogin=N&autono=292238&tab=r Imagine the brand equity of an organisation that employed artistes, musicians and writers such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, T K Jairam, Sadaat Hasan Manto, Krishan Chander, Upendranath Ashk and others. That's exactly what All India Radio was all about in the 1940s and '50s. It has come a long way since and is no longer the only radio broadcaster in the country, which now has some 100 private FM radio stations. Radio in India precedes independence. In 1927, Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) launched a station in Bombay. However, IBC soon went into liquidation and the Indian State Broadcasting Service was launched, later renamed AIR in 1936. At the time of independence, there were six radio stations in India and three in Pakistan. AIR was used mostly for public service and to promote classical and folk music through the 1950s. In 1952, Pandit Ravi Shankar was appointed to conduct the country's first radio orchestra. Listeners who yearned for entertainment turned to Radio Ceylon that ran a commercial service for India. To arrest the decline in AIR's listenership, Vividh Bharti [sic] was launched in 1957 and allowed to play film music. It was only in 1967, though, that AIR allowed commercials and churned out popular shows like Jai Mala, Hawa Mahal and Chhayageet. It created unforgettable radio voices like Devaki Nandan Pandey for news, Jasdev Singh for cricket commentary and Meville D' Mello for the 26th January parade. "With colour TV transmission in India, radio lost the battle to the small screen," says radio consultant Sunil Kumar. "Partly, its equity was eroded during the Emergency when people tuned into BBC and Voice of America," he adds. FM may have won back audiences, but for some, the finest hour of radio is over (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 9525, 0805-0816, 28-07, VOI Jakarta very nice signal in English with S. Asian news, country promo "Our Land-Indonesia", "Getting to Know Indonesia" and ID at 0816: "from Jakarta, you're listening to the Voice of Indonesia." (Dan Sheedy, Encinitas, CA R75 w/ 70' random wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 'ASIA CALLING' PROMOTES MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING Camelia Pasandaran, Contributor, Jakarta http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailfeatures.asp?fileid=20070724.T01&irec=0 The borderless society already began several years ago when the modern transportation system allowed people to travel around the world in a relatively short time. Along with this progress came information technology, which made it easier for people to travel to other parts of the world through television, newspapers, radios and the internet. And so, riding information technology progress, radio station KBR68H on July 13 launched a new website for its weekly radio program called Asia Calling. With the new website, you can find the latest news about countries in the region with just a single click without leaving the comfort of your desk. But, don't all websites offer just that comfort? What is so special about this website in a country where there are various news portals providing you with the latest information? The Asia Calling website – http://www.asiacalling.kbr68h.com -- is not an ordinary news portal, having been established as a perfect blend of sophisticated technology and regional news content. On the menu bar, you will not only find a news directory, as in most news portals, but also several interesting features including audio streaming. The audio streaming allows web visitors not only to read the news on the website but also to listen to it. The sound quality of the audio streaming is good and clear, far better than listening to ordinary radio broadcasts which sometimes have disturbances due to the strength of its signal and its receiver. And because there are no time limits the news offered by Asia Calling is more comprehensive with more sources providing balanced reporting. For some people, however, sitting in front of the computer just to hear a radio broadcast is probably a waste of time and money. More than that, not too many people around Asia have internet access in their homes, and most people listen to radio broadcasts in their idle time or while doing something else, such as driving. For this reason, Asia Calling offers podcasts with a free software that you can download from the site. A podcast is an audio broadcast created and stored digitally on the internet. The only thing you have to do is download the software and install it on your computer. Afterward you can browse and download audio files to your own desktop and play it using various audio players, or move the files to a digital media player. The aim of this feature is for listeners to be able to store the news and play it at their convenience. The website also provides a wide array of news. Santoso, the director of KBR68H, told The Jakarta Post the website offers news on the environment, politics, the economy and more. Unlike most news portals, which mostly focus just on politics, Asia Calling also covers "soft issues" with more depth, from gender discrimination to climate change. For example, there's a story about South Korea's first and so far only farm where renewable energy comes straight from the pigs. "We cover news that has regional aspects and through the website, we can improve understanding between Asian countries and provide a medium for an exchange of knowledge, so we can learn from each other," said Santoso. Asia Calling itself has been on the air since the 2003 ASEAN Summit in Bali in October 2003. It is broadcast through satellite every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. in English and 9 a.m. in Indonesian. From an international perspective, this website is probably not that special. According to Santoso, there are several radio stations in Europe and America that have programs containing news about Asia. According to him, European and American radio stations that broadcast news about Asia are growing in number, but there are fewer such programs in Asia. Santoso said Asia Calling was the first in Asia. This weekly radio program is relayed by more than 140 radio stations in Indonesia and 19 foreign radio stations, including in Cambodia, Timor Leste, Thailand and Australia. At some radio stations, the program is broadcast in two languages, English and the local language. For Jakartans, Asia Calling is also broadcast every Friday from 5:30 p.m to 7 p.m. on Utankayu Radio at 89.2 FM. Listeners can also take part in an interactive quiz that challenges your knowledge about Asia. Though KBR68H is central for this broadcast, correspondents are spread across countries that relay the program. There are 15 journalists collecting news for the program from abroad. Some of the correspondents receive journalistic training in Jakarta. Correspondents from Cambodia, Pakistan, India and Timor Leste took part in a workshop at the KBR86h office at Utan kayu, Jakarta, last week. This innovative program stands to benefit various people, from Asian leaders, policy-makers and businesspeople, to students who want to learn about Asia and others with an interest in Asian culture and social life. Aside from its main function as an information provider, the program has been a help for local English teachers in Sekayu, South Sumatra. English teachers there record the English news broadcast and use it as material for English lessons at the high school. Asia Calling serves as a bridge for information sharing, learning and building an information partnership among Asian countries (The Jakarta Post via DXLD) So the website is: http://asiacalling.kbr68h.com/index.php/english/about-asia-calling/ They also have an impressive list of affiliates under Tune In: http://www.kbr68h.com/Utama_All.htm KBR means Kantor Berita but can`t find where the 68H comes from (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. Re: Checking Radio IRIB around 1925 UT on 6025, I noticed that they started the daily program of Voice of Palestine, Voice of the Islamic Revolution in Palestine, sign on at 1930 UT which is a new time slot for me, and the announce gave two frequencies ... 9505 and 7260 kHz !!! of course non was working. Sounds like they moved the program from the usual time 0330-0430 UT to that new time of 1930-2030 UT using the same frequency of the Arabic section of IRIB 6025 kHz. (Tarek Zeidan-EGY SU1TZ, wwdxc BC-DX July 24) In B-06 the frequency 9505 used really: 7250 0330-0430 38E,39W KAM 500 250 S-F IRN IRB 9505 0330-0430 38E,39W SIR 500 282 S-F IRN IRB and reserve 9845 0330-0430 38E,39W SIR 500 282146 S-F-p IRN and in A-07: ARABIC 0330-0427 9610 11875 "Voice of Islamic Palestinian Revolution" 9610 0330-0430 38E,39W KAM 500 250 S-F IRN IRB 11875 0330-0430 38E,39W SIR 500 282 S-F IRN IRB (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, BC-DX July 28 via DXLD) ** IRAN [and non]. In case anyone misses listening to Air America --- I've found what must be the Air America mothership! It's the "Voice of Justice" from our pals in the Islamic Republic of Iran. They broadcast nightly on 9495 kHz from 0130 to 0230 UT (which would be 9:30 to 10:30 P.M. Eastern, one hour earlier Central). The entire broadcast is crafted to propagandizing Americans, using (for the most part) American source material gained from various publications, including the New York Times. If you've got a shortwave radio and are in Eastern North America, you won't go wrong having a listen (Curtis Sadowski, Paxton IL, July 25, WTFDA Soundoff via DXLD) I haven't heard this, and don't have a shortwave receiver, so won't be able to listen. Propaganda one way is as bad as another. Although I found more I agreed with on Air America (the few times I listened to it) than I do with the usual crop of yakkers; it, too, was skewed way out of perspective and every bit as abrasive as its conservative counterparts. Objectivity --- that's what we NEED and are not getting ANYWHERE. Meanwhile, are you still supporting the Bush/Republican agenda? (Tom Bryant, TN, ibid.) Hi Tom, I thought I'd be hearing from you on this one. Propaganda, in the original sense was the crafting of news and information into a form that would mold public opinion. You find that in varying forms in most media, but as a matter of course, it has come to mean the more extreme forms of this crafting, mostly ill-conceived and ineffective. The "Voice of Justice" programs fall into the realm of propaganda, in the same sense Air America does- it has a mission to accomplish, all is crafted to that end. Oddly enough, there is a convergence between these two different sources and their missions- discredit and oust Bush and the Republicans from office. We can all understand WHY Air America wants that- it gets more interesting when we consider why the Iranians have decided this would be a good thing. Anyway, here's a link to part of their website where they file material that has been read on the "Voice of Justice": http://english.irib.ir/political/U.S.htm A cursory glance will tell you that much of this COULD be read aloud on Air America OR Democracy Now! as well as where it actually was broadcast from Iran. I get the idea the Iranians think they can cut a deal with the Democrats if they win in 2008 (which I will probably shock you by commenting that the Dems have an excellent chance at doing so). SO, they have decided to try to enhance the chances of this happening. Nothing new there, I recall Radio Moscow doing similar things regarding our elections back in the 80's. The Iranians stream their English audio, I don't know if they do so for the "Voice of Justice", but you are welcome to try for it at the time they're on (0130-0230 UT). Here is the link to the Iranians` page: http://www.irib/worldservice/englishRADIO/default.htm The audio stream can be accessed from there, it is a Real Audio one. As for objectivity, good luck seeing any of that for awhile. This election will heat up and all that will go out the window, especially if it is closer than most people expect. Support the Bush/Republican agenda? You MEAN they've actually GOT one? IF they would go about and have clear, concise goals to win the war, secure the nation AND enforce existing laws, I'd go for it. What we've got presently seems to be a vague trend to go on with the war, defer national security until something happens, and ignore the law, especially regarding immigration until some daffy reform bill gets passed. P.S. Regarding the "Voice of Justice" program format, the first fifteen minutes are entirely what one would expect from an Iranian broadcast- news of the region AND Koran readings. The interesting stuff happens in the last forty-five minutes (Curtis Sadowski, Paxton, Illinois, ibid.) Continued about Air America under USA ** JAPAN. NHK WORLD RADIO 2007 #8 Hello PC Dxers: For all listeners of NHK WORLD RADIO 2007 wallpaper with August calendar is available for free download at the following address: http://www.nhk.or.jp/rj/index_e.html http://www.nhk.or.jp/rj/image/wall1024/8_e.jpg (857 KB) August theme: "Fireworks and Sakurajima Island" by Takahide Sumi Enjoy whatever you are listening! 73 (from Italy, Nino Marabello, http://acquamarina.blogspot.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. TAIWAN/JAPAN [to No. Korea] 9779.97, Furusato no Kaze (presumed) 1602-1630* Jul 25. Carrier there well before 1600; poor at 1600 opening, improving slightly throughout with fair peaks. OM & YL(mostly YL) talks; signal wasn't good enough to tell whether language was JP or KR; xmsn ended with a long tone, followed by several beeps at BoH. Heard nothing resembling an ID. No better on subsequent days (John Wilkins, CO, DXplorer July 27 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** MEXICO. Mexican DTV/HDTV --- From AVS Forum, with some interesting information about the transition to DTV in Mexico, including info about some of the current DTV stations along with HD logos. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=878152 (Steve Rich, Indianapolis, IN, WTFDA via DXLD) ** MEXICO [and non]. XESURF-540 --- I just noticed a new slogan for this one. San Diego's 5-40 The Zoo. Still country. (Martin Foltz, Mission Viejo CA, July 28, ABDX via DXLD) Seems the -SURF calls are slightly outdated; why not XESDZOO? (gh) ** NIGERIA [and non]. 4770, R. Nigeria, Kaduna, 1348-1420, 27 Jul, English, traditional chanting & talks thereon, advice on malaria, etc.; 35433, barely heard at 1500. This & Benin 5025 are the sole African stations audible on 60 m in the middle of the day. (Gonçalves) 6090, R. Nigeria, Kaduna, 2220-2232, 25 Jul, Vernacular, tribal songs, talks; 42442, DRM QRM (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Re 7-081: ``6195, Buryatskaya GTRK, Ulan Ude, heard by Anton Poloskov and Feodor Brazhnikov in Irkutsk with huge signal, almost as strong as a local station. It replaces 3955 because of better propagation in Siberia (open_dx via Mezin, DSWCI DX Window July 11 via DXLD) Unfortunately covered here in Denmark 2100-0100 by BBC, Voice of Turkey and R Budapest (Anker Petersen, ibid.) Item previously referred to as Selenginsk, must be the transmitter site (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)`` Yupp, co-located with the // 150 kW on 279. The shortwave transmitter is rated as 50 kW, TDP says that this is unit RV-44. However, http://victorcity.dxing.ru/Cities/ulan-ude.htm suggests that the LW/SW site is located 20 km west of Selenginsk, about halfway between Selenginsk and the Baikal lake. Google has only satellite images of about 50 m resolution there, too poor to trace the site if it is indeed there (Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Re Syzran: Could it be in fact a VLF site what had been spotted near Syzran?`` http://maps.google.de/?ie=UTF8&t=h&om=0&ll=53.222788,48.446274&spn=0.030524,0.078278&z=13 Actually not, since 100 kHz is still longwave [LF]. The facility in this aerial photo is a high power (about 1000 kW) transmitter of the Loran-like Chayka navigation system, cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHAYKA Aren't these irrigation systems, and the navigation system is at 53 17 18n, 48 06 53e, on low resolution 25 km northwest from the point shown in the link? 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAINT BRANDON. 3B7 - The various logistical arrangements for the 7- 24 September 3B7C operation from St. Brandon have been confirmed, a detailed site survey of the QTH (Isle du Sud) has been made, the container of gear has been shipped and everything is looking good. Amateur radio activity on 6 metres is not normally allowed from Mauritius and its outlying islands, but the group has been able to gain a short-term permit, limited to three fixed frequencies: 50090 (CW), 50102 (CW), 50145 (USB). Bob, N6OX has joined the team, but they still have a vacancy for one team member to bring the total team to 20. "We are seeking a team player and an outstanding operator who is ideally known to one of the current 3B7C team members", says G3XTT g3xtt @ lineone.net "A 6m specialist would be particularly welcome". Keep an eye on the web site http://www.3b7c.com which continues to be updated on a regular basis. The full press release no. 5, issued on 24 July, will be published in the next 425 Magazine http://www.425dxn.org/monthly/index.html [TNX G3XTT] (425 DX News via Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA. Glenn, tonight I heard an Arab on 15370 opening at 0455 UT July 27 with guitar IS, then time pips for 0500 followed by some talking in Arabic and chanting. Faded fast at about 0507 or so. (19m is pretty irregular here - sometimes I hear DW, Vatican Radio, and Oman-BBC and sometimes not.) Any idea who it might be? I could find only Syria and Lebanon stations with guitar IS. Although it could have been a harp. I have not re-heard this station the past couple nights as conditions were not good for 19m so late. Cheers (Mike Kander, Tacoma, WA, UT July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Mike, Here`s the answer per the EiBi schedules at http://www.susi-und-strolch.de/eibi/dx/freq-a07.txt 15370 0500-0800 ARS BSKSA Riad UR SAs Meaning Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in Urdu to South Asia (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ** SERBIA. 7239.95 Weak R Serbia International around 2020 UT on July 24, S=6 signal (Wolfgang Büschel, Stuttgart, wwdxc BC-DX July 24 via DXLD) ** SINGAPORE. 6080/6150, 1350-1433 25-07, RSI quite good with report on Indonesian economy and foreign development, 1355 "That is the end of Newsline; for Radio Singapore International, I'm... the time is 9:55 in Singapore, that's 1355 UTC... news from Radio Singapore International... on 6080 and 6150 kHz in the 49 metre band, now closing on 6080." 6150 stays on with weather, music and international news/sports reports. "a service of Media Pop Radio" Usually fair-very good most mornings, though 6150 suffers from two others on frequency (Dan Sheedy, Encinitas, CA R75 w/ 70' random wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. What to say, what to think? Yesterday, I had my heart beating fast when I looked over my mailbox and saw the label on the remitting office "Voice of Turkey". After a year and four months waiting for a reply on my reception report, an envelope finally came from this well wanted station. I rushed to my shack and opened the large envelope just to find a very nice colored schedule/calendar of radio activity and a book mark in turn of a letter or QSL card. What can I put down on my log under this country logging, I thought. Anyhow, I won't give anymore thinking on this; after all, that is part of radio life. 73s, Luigi, San Juan (Hector E. Pérez, NP4FW, PR, July 29, HCDX via DXLD) At least you got on their mailing list. VOT probably thought you axually wanted to listen to their programs rather than get a QSL card. Another reply to this under ZAMBIA (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKS & CAICOS. "Power 92.5" from the Turks & Caicos with English language CHR is booming in at 10:30 AM EDT July 29. It's a new log here. Does anybody know the call letters for this one? (Girard Westerberg http://www.DXFM.com Lexington, KY, WTFDA via DXLD) I don't think they use call letters but check also 101.9, 103.9 and 107.7 for Radio Turks & Caicos, 400, 400 and 1000 watts respectively (Randolph Zerr, KW4RZ, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, FM DX page http://www.geocities.com/kw4rz ibid.) Power 92.5 (formerly on 92.3) was listed with the T&C government radio station list as having 250 watts (I know they upgraded with the frequency switch but not sure how much - I'm thinking 5 kW) and licensed to Providenciales. The list that was provided to me for "Emisoras de FM" from the T&C government shows NO CALL LETTERS for any stations licensed in the Turks & Caicos. http://www.power925fm.com/ [Later:] I just noticed on the Radio Station World website they have the calls listed as WIV. I'm not sure if that's accurate or not. Power 92.5 city of license if Blue Hills (on the west end of the Caicos Islands) and not Providenciales (which is actually the island Blue Hills is on - duh!) Sorry about that previous typo (Jim Thomas, wdx0fbu, Milliken, CO (40 miles north of Denver), ibid.) ** U A E. RADIO ASIA ANNOUNCES FREQUENCY CHANGE Web posted at: 7/28/2007 7:16:28 Source ::: The Peninsula http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=July2007&file=Local_News2007072871628.xml Doha --- Radio Asia AM, the first Malayalam Radio Station in the Gulf and the Middle East region is set to strengthen its frequency & reach by changing its frequency to 1269 AM from 11th Aug 2007 onwards, said Brij Bhalla, General Manager. The new 1269 AM Radio Asia will further enhance its foot print across UAE and other GCC countries for increased listening pleasure. Along with the change of frequency, a series of face changing programmes are also in the pipeline to create more interest and infotainment for the listeners. The station has maintained its majority listenership since 1992 with its unique blend of music related shows and up to the minute content of News and Views related programmes that was unprecedented in the electronic media in the region. The presenters associated with Radio Asia have also maintained a strong connection with the common social life of the Malayalee Community in the region with 15 years of daily interaction through their on air relations, added Brij Bhalla. "We have already decided to include more people friendly shows when the new frequency is on air and we are committed to keeping the Malayalee community fully updated with all the latest happenings, as we have been the pioneers in the field", said Vettoor G Sreedharan, the Programme Director of Radio Asia. The 15 days shut down period will be used by the team to experiment and test the new 24 hour grid of programmes and latest software and equipment in our new generation studios at Ras Al Khaimah. Listeners can still stay connected through the recent web edition of Radio Asia AM and FM that brings the stations to the attention of thousands of listeners in the Malayalee fraternity around the globe through http://www.radioasiauae.com More details will be available from +971 4 3491011 (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, July 28, dxldyg via DXLD) WTFK are they leaving??? 1557 with 100 kW per WRTH 2007. No 1269 transmitter in UAE mentioned in frequency list, so a new one. Also power increase? Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Maybe freed up 1557 kHz frequency for another IBB service in NE/ME in future ? 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BROWN SAYS BRITAIN TO FUND INDEPENDENT FARSI TV CHANNEL Yesterday’s statement by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on strengthening the UK’s anti-terrorism measures also contained a brief statement on the media. Without going into detail, the Prime Minister announced funding for the BBC’s forthcoming Arabic TV channel. Previously the BBC had been told that it would have to fund the operation from its existing budget, and a number of languages have been axed from the World Service to provide the necessary money. It isn’t clear whether this is new, additional funding or simply an affirmation of what’s already in the pipeline. In addition to the BBC Arabic channel, Brown also announced funding for an independent Farsi TV channel broadcasting to Iran. This will apparently not be operated by the BBC, though it remains to be seen exactly what the government has in mind, and indeed whether any concrete plans have already been agreed. This entry was posted on Thursday, July 26th, 2007 at 8:42 One Response to “Brown says Britain to fund independent Farsi TV channel” Mike Gardner - BBC World Service Says: July 27th, 2007 at 11:09 e Hi, To clarify the Farsi Television service point, BBC World Service issued a press release about the service and its funding last year. It can be seen here. http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/10_october/10/farsi.shtml It is expected to launch in spring 2008. You are correct that the BBC found the money for a 12 hour a day Arabic Television Service and other New Media enhancements from a reallocation of its resources - mainly efficiency savings and service closures. This service will launch later in the year. We are unable to add further clarity to the Prime Minister’s statement at this time. But it should be noted that BBC World Service is seeking extra Government funds to make the service 24 hour a day. A final decision is expected this autumn and will be announced in the Spending Review. I hope this helps. Regards, Mike (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** U K [and non]. Swinging Radio England / Britain Radio tribute In the mid 1960s the UK was surrounded by Offshore Radio Stations that broadcast from ships and former Second World War defence structures located in International waters around Great Britain. These stations were silenced with the passing of the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act which became law on the 14th August 1967. As a tribute to those pioneering broadcasters, who without question changed the face of radio in the UK during the 1960s, we present our commemoration of 40 years since the passing of the legislation that robbed the British public of pure honest radio entertainment. Our audio streams give you the chance to travel back and enjoy the output that came from two of the largest stations at that time: sixties pop from Swinging Radio England and easy listening with Britain Radio. When you click on one of the radio station buttons http://www.nowthatsradio.co.uk/ you will hear original off air recordings as well as studio programs with the jingles and music of the times. Contact Us studio @ nowthatsradio.com Tests at present. The special programmes will be available for one week only (via Mike Terry, July 29, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U S A . The Communicators is the closest to a DX program on C-SPAN. This week: Glassman, James K. Chairman, Broadcasting Board of Governors James Glassman was interviewed about the work of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees federally funded international broadcasting operations such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa). "The Communicators" is C-SPAN's weekly series that examines the people and events that shape telecommunications policy. First airing is Saturdays 2230 UT (axually seems to start a few minutes early usually), on CSPAN (1) repeated Monday 1200 on 2, and again at 0000 UT Tuesdays (Glenn Hauser, July 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) James Glassman's big "but." On C-SPAN's "The Communicators," James K. Glassman, new chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors said "journalism is the foundation of what we do, but, we are paid for by the U.S. taxpayer, we have a mission, we have a purpose." He also said that U.S. international broadcasting should not convey the ideology of the president in office, but "should reflect the strategies and policies of the United States government." Mr. Glassman added that "we're very happy" about the recent interviews with Secretary Rice [on] Alhurra and Radio Sawa. Mr. Glassman noted that Aljazeera in Arabic is "frequently quite a shrill, some would say jihadist, broadcaster. ... Some of the things I have seen on Aljazeera really are quite despicable." Alhurra, on the other hand, is a voice "of moderation, accuracy, it is a kind of a home on the dial for people who do not buy into the extremism that is promoted on other networks in the Middle East." He said that a third of the BBG audience is in Arabic countries. Video on demand of the program, on 28 July, will eventually be available at C-SPAN's The Communicators website. http://www.c-span.org/homepage.asp?Cat=Series&Code=COM&ShowVidNum=10&Rot_Cat_CD=COM&Rot_HT=206&Rot_WD=&ShowVidDays=365&ShowVidDesc=&ArchiveDays=365 Glenn Hauser informs us that the program will be repeated Monday at 8:00 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC) and 8:00 p.m. EDT (UTC Tuesday 0000), both on C-SPAN 2. Live streams available via C-SPAN home page. See previous post about James Glassman, including my letter of 19 July. Posted: 29 Jul 2007 (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** U S A. I wonder how many people knew about this before the announcement? (John Vodenik, Delano, July 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) http://www.oilandgasonline.com/content/news/article.asp?DocID={E1B9F44B-3212-11D5-A770-00D0B7694F32}&VNETCOOKIE=NO California's largest natural gas field may be lying under and by the City of Delano according to officials of Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Co. (TVOG), a subsidiary of Tri-Valley Corporation (TVC). Dubbed the Sunrise Natural Gas Project, Tri-Valley believes it may contain as much as three trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas in place, which would make it the largest gas field in the west today and the second largest ever found in the west. TVOG drilled the Sunrise-Mayel No. 1, a wildcat well, earlier this year to test a concept that formations under a 10-square mile area could contain a massive accumulation of hydrocarbons. It can. Gas shows in the mud log confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons in the McClure interval of the Monterey Shale. The company ran a suite of logs including electric, sonic and neutron density to collect additional data. After analysis of these logs, three independent sources agree with TVOG that the Sunrise-Mayel #1 has cut approximately 300 net ft of diatomaceous formation saturated with 825 to 922 Btu natural gas. The analyses further estimate 72 bcf of natural gas in place per 160 acres. Tri-Valley has mapped approximately 6,600 acres of closure in its lease block. The formation characteristics are tight for vertical wellbores, and it appears that exploitation wells will be horizontally drilled and hydraulically fractured to maximize production rates. Both Texaco and EOG Resources are completing such wells in the oil phase of the formation in fields 10 to 17 miles south and about 2,000 ft down dip of the Sunrise area. "Almost all recently found new production in California during the past 25 years has been in various intervals of the Monterey Shale section or its equivalent Stevens sands. The Sunrise/McClure interval could be the biggest onshore dry gas find in 65 years since the discovery of the giant Rio Vista Field in 1936," said Paul Hacker, a Bakersfield-based geologist consulting for Tri-Valley. Individual investors took the risk to drill the initial test well and are continuing to provide the funding necessary to complete the well. However, Tri-Valley is talking to larger companies interested in acquiring long-term rights in the Project, in particular power- generating companies needing a secure long-term supply. This approach could rapidly accelerate exploitation of the field. "Successful recovery of 80% of the estimated 3 tcf in place would equal or exceed all the existing remaining gas reserves in California. At this critical time in California's need for new gas supply, Tri- Valley may have doubled the State's resources," said Joseph R. Kandle, TVOG president. While stressing that the discovery is not yet confirmed as a producible reserve, TVC president and Chief Executive Officer, F. Lynn Blystone, sought to put the potential into perspective by noting that 40 wells producing a steady two million cubic feet per day each would take over 85 years to drain the formation's estimated 2.4 tcf using 80% recoverability. Such a production level could generate on the order of 1,000 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 1 million homes. "Putting this formation on production would clearly be a home-run with the bases loaded for Tri-Valley shareholders as well as the partners who took the initial risk and a boon to California consumers," Blystone said. Another potential beneficiary is the City of Delano which owns some of the mineral rights in the play and has them leased to Tri-Valley. Delano, a farming community bisected by Highway 99, has suffered chronic shortfalls in its revenues, causing limitations and reductions in its services to its citizens and royalty payments could enhance these needs considerably. Further, the City is also contemplating establishing a municipal utility and the potential gas availability could be significant for such a project. Delano has also provided Tri-Valley with three drillsites to support development efforts. ********************* [emphasis added by gh] Tri-Valley has also leased 800 acres of federal land nearby including a square mile owned by Voice of America. ********************* A feature of diatomaceous formations is low matrix permeability—the ability of gas or fluid to flow through the reservoir rock. Thus, wells are drilled vertically to the formation and then turned horizontally for several thousand feet within the zone to expose more formation to the wellbore. Then, the horizontal portion of the well bore is hydraulically fractured to maximize the avenues of escape for the gas and thus increase the rate of production and sale revenue. The Company expects this vertical test well to primarily be a data and appraisal well. Although it is possible the frac program on the Sunrise-Mayel No. 1 could yield commercial quantities of gas, the Company expects the formation will require horizontal drilling. "While much of the public thinks of oil and gas fields as great hollow areas underground, the reality is that we are trying to get petroleum out of rock that looks like sidewalk concrete. This often requires considerable testing to establish the best method of extraction. So, we are still working on the matter and feel confident we will deliver value to our shareholders, partners, mineral owners and consumers," Kandle said. No reserves have been proved at this stage, and Thomas J. Cunningham, Tri-Valley Chief Financial Officer, noted that the potential recovery of estimated natural gas in place would produce gross cash flows in excess of US$7 billion using a constant price of $3 per thousand cubic ft. The spot price of natural gas today is around $10 per thousand cubic ft. Tri-Valley will own 25% working interest and about 20% net revenue interest on the majority of the acreage and 100% working interest and about 80% net revenue interest on a minority of the acreage acquired for its own account subsequent to the original prospect acreage. "A commercially flowing well on this project could have the same implications for Tri-Valley as did the Lathrop Gas Field discovery for Occidental Petroleum in 1962, which catapulted Oxy into an international company. To say we are extremely excited about the possibilities is an understatement, though we realize we have lots of hard and cautious work to do to obtain the potential here," Blystone said. "In fact, we are completing the Sunrise-Mayel No. 1 in good oilfield practice although, as a vertical well, it will most likely be a data and an appraisal well with significant commercial production awaiting horizontal drilling. Still, the magnitude of the upside potential of the Project should give our shareholders a better perspective on why TVC management asked them to approve a "poison pill" takeover defense at the last shareholder meeting," Blystone said. Both Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Co. and its parent, Tri-Valley Corporation, are headquartered in Bakersfield, California, about 30 miles south of Delano in California's Great Central Valley. Tri-Valley represents that it currently has 700 drilling leads and prospects in California that it is evaluating and prioritizing for investor consideration because of the acute need for more oil and gas in California. The State presently imports 53% of its oil and 85% of its natural gas despite its substantial production of both. Tri-Valley believes huge targets remain for its exploration program and notes that individuals who can accept high risk can participate in the quest for new reserves and receive favorable tax treatment on their investments in recognition of that risk (via John Vodenik, DXLD) Looking at the original story, this is OLD --- ``Huge gas field may be underlying Delano, California 4/16/2001 Potential 3 tcf could help allieviate state’s energy crisis`` Why does ``Chinatown`` keep coming to mind? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Interesting stuff about the former VOA site east of Dixon ... What happened to the site after VOA abandoned it: http://www181.pair.com/otsw/Articles/Dixon.pdf Pictures (the Collins transmitters are identical to the ones at Delano, Sackville and Darwin, btw): http://home.bak.rr.com/boatanchors1/voadixon.html Quite interesting that Dixon had been reactivated in 1983 after it had been mothballed in 1979, and the final shut-down took place not before 1988. The photo collection includes an explanation that "The rhombics were oriented toward Northern Asia. Several were reversible in direction. The reverse direction was used for Spanish Language Radio Marti programming to Cuba and for Spanish language programming to Central America in the 1980's." (In fact I had to take a look at the globe to make clear that this is indeed the opposite direction.) So it appears that the transpacific transmissions ceased by the late seventies, as it was widely understood anyway, but later Radio Martí brought Dixon a second life of five years although the site was never meant to serve this target area? One other comment: >> That's why you won't see Martí leasing HF out of Florida, or even Goose Creek, SC. Too close! << So Martí will instead lease airtime from either RCI Sackville, RNW Bonaire or TDF Montsinéry in just a few years? Admittedly some irony here, but I'm serious; these will in fact be their only options in just a few years, i.e. tomorrow, if this prediction will turn out to be true (obsolete parts removed from the quotation): >> ... the next few years. VOA Greenville is not going to be on much longer than that ... << Taken aside here is the circumstance that serving target areas just a few hundred kilometres away can be done; it just in the extreme means using 6 MHz during daytime and 4 MHz at night, as is common practice of T-Systems Media&Broadcast when serving Central Europe by their transmitters inmidst Central Europe. But I saw in passing that this had later on been already discussed anyway. And now I will really push "plate off" for now (Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Just a reminder that the apologist for Catholic sexual abuse in Los Ángeles, Cardinal Roger Mahony, is also a ham, W6QYI --- look it up at http://www.arrl.org Wonder how much time he has for hamming lately? Can anyone come up with some colorful fonetix for his call? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. GEORGE K. OTIS SR., 90; MILLIONAIRE TURNED RADIO EVANGELIST --- By Valerie J. Nelson, Times Staff Writer, July 27, 2007 http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-otis27jul27,1,1968730.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california George K. Otis Sr., who founded High Adventure Ministries, a Simi Valley-based Christian organization best known for operating what was probably the first radio station in the Middle East to preach the Gospel and play country music, has died. He was 90. Otis, a former aerospace executive, died in his sleep Sunday at his home in Murrieta, his family announced. A cause of death was not given. The first radio station that broadcast under the ministry's Voice of Hope banner was established in 1979 on a battlefield in southern Lebanon. Several hours of religious programming were kicked off by a few minutes of twangy bluegrass — an Otis touch. "It's crazy, and people wonder what the heck it is," Otis said of the programming mix in a 1997 Times story. The evangelical Voice of Hope has since expanded beyond the Middle East and can be heard via shortwave radio on almost every continent. Otis once described himself as a "charismatic-flavored Presbyterian" and said he felt the need to make a difference after becoming a millionaire before he turned 35 in 1952. "He got to the top and said, 'Is this all there is?' He wanted to focus the rest of his life on helping other people and encouraging interest in faith," said his daughter April Otis McCallum. High Adventure Ministries has rebuilt hospitals in the Middle East and brought in ambulances, food and medicine. Otis wrote or collaborated on a dozen books published by the ministry, including his life story, "High Adventure," and "The Guns of God," which is described as a manual on how to wage spiritual warfare against evil. George Kay Otis was born April 20, 1917, in Payne, Ohio, to a dentist and his homemaker wife. An adventure-seeker from a young age, Otis was in ninth grade when he rode a motorcycle to Cape Cod so he could see the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. After taking business classes at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., he founded a number of electronics-related companies and was an executive at several others. Otis was general manager of the Lear Corp. when he met his future wife after she applied for an administrative position. He credited Virginia, his wife of nearly 55 years, with influencing him to live a faith-based life. "Basically, the Lord washed into me and he didn't wash out," Otis said in the 1997 story. Interviewed in 1988 in his ministry office, then in Northridge, he sat beneath a framed AK-47 assault rifle that had been captured from a Palestinian terrorist. Tanned and silver-haired, the energetic Otis wore cowboy boots and pressed khaki pants, and drank coffee from a mug that said "Expect a Miracle." In addition to his wife and daughter April, Otis is survived by sons George Jr. and Don; daughters Kay Smith and Heather Tayloe; 17 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Church on the Way, East Campus, 14300 Sherman Way, Van Nuys (LA Times via Artie Bigley, DXLD) OBIT I was wondering if & when the Times would get around to an obit for him. It should be added, that Voice of Hope is a very minor player in SW evangelism today (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) George Otis, founder of High Adventures religious shortwave network High Adventures Ministries operated a shortwave transmitter in southern Lebanon until it was destroyed by a fire in 1997. Its KVOH shortwave transmitters in California were sold to, or are at least now operated by, la Voz de la Restauración. According to the 2007 World Radio TV Handbook, High Adventure still owns shortwave transmitters on Palau, but these are not mentioned at the High Adventure Ministries website. All very mysterious. More background at DX Listening Digest, 7 October 2003 http://www.worldofradio.com/dxld3177.txt (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com Posted: 28 Jul 2007 via DXLD) Oh, yes, lengthy report on a visit to the KVOH transmitter site (gh) ** U S A. FCC OKAYS OBSCENE CALL LETTERS --- see HAWAII [and non] ** U S A. FCC Goes After California TIS From Radio World News Bytes dated July 27. The FCC appears to be cracking down on abuse of Traveler's Information Stations, CGC Communicator reports. The newsletter notes that the FCC has given the state of California 20 days to respond to its July 12 notice of violation concerning one of those low-power AM systems in Los Angeles. The station is WPHJ962. A commission agent found that the station was airing only a continuous loop saying "This is Caltrans highway advisory radio WPHJ962 broadcasting. This is a test message." The FCC points out that TIS stations must transmit only "noncommercial voice information pertaining to traffic and road conditions, traffic hazard and travel advisories, directions, availability of lodging, rest stops and service stations and descriptions of local points of interest." The state's response, the FCC said, must be signed by an officer of the State of California. The CGC newsletter, which is based in California, said readers "have pointed out that these stations have been observed repeatedly abusing the program content rule over the years." A separate notice went to the City of Santa Monica, where a TIS system was retransmitting the National Weather Service station (via Bruce Portzer, IRCA via DXLD) They should check out Denver. The Colorado DOT super station (40 watts ERP) on 530 kHz lost it's landline control link during light rail construction activities and has been off the air for several months. In an agreement with the City & County of Denver, CDOT has been running their endless loop ID for the 530 station on the Denver TIS station on 890 kHz at Coors Field. They didn't even update the recording. It is giving the call letters for the 530 station on 890. The tape also identifies the location of the transmitter as that of the 530 site which is 10 miles from the 890 site. It's a real cluster. And even worse yet, all they air is the ID loop. I have never heard it contain any real content since they came up with this "temporary" arrangement. Also, before this arrangement popped up the 890 station had been identifying with the wrong call letters, according to FCC records, ever since it went on the air several years ago. Ironically, one of the few remaining FCC field offices with monitoring/DF capability is located in the Denver suburb of Lakewood (Patrick Griffith, Westminster CO, Broadcast Technician, NRC Broadcasting - Denver, ibid.) I've heard similar stuff in Seattle and elsewhere around the northwest - TIS transmitters running nonstop NOAA weather, continuous loop IDs, and other things that don't fit the letter of the law. A few years ago, the one nearest my house was carrying audio from an Oregon FM station. I think that was just after it was installed, so the state DOT would've been testing at the time. Some TIS stations run legitimate material but no IDs, which is probably a no-no as well (Bruce Portzer, IRCA via DXLD) Is the FCC saying that the NOAA broadcasts are illegal, being run on TIS stations? If so, there are sure a lot of violators out there. Off the Eastern beverage, I get NOAA radio from Yakima and one from Pendleton on 1610 most nights (Patrick Martin, OR, ibid.) ** U S A. KAIJ`s data link problems have been fixed and now we are getting lots of e-mail about how well the station sounds. It turned out that the problem was not trees in a nursery blocking the microwave. The last link to the transmitter site is about 4 miles long. I raised the 5.8 GHz antenna on the tower from 20 feet to 60 feet high and now there is a good line-of-sight connection (George McClintock, KAIJ, paraphrased by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. I was looking for the callsign and particulars of the 26 MHz unit of KSCS which has been DXed by sporadic E lately. But seeking the children of parent KSCS it`s not there, among their other auxiliaries. Now what? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re IRAN, above: Curtis Sadowski wrote: ``I've found what must be the Air America mothership! It's the "Voice of Justice" from our pals in the Islamic Republic of Iran.`` That's a pretty dramatic misrepresenation of Air America. I guess they do have in common their disapproval of the Bush Administration. But that's absolutely ALL liberals have in common with the Iranian government. Even the *reasons for* disapproval are different. I was worried when I read the announcements of Air America, and it looks like my fears are being borne out. I feared the network would not be a success, and that conservatives would use that as justification to argue that liberals are an insignificant part of society and that the radio audience doesn't want balance. I feared Air America would not succeed for a couple of reasons: - Wimpy signals. LA: KFI-640 vs. KTLK-1150. NYC: WABC-770 vs. WWRL-1600. Chicago: WLS-890 vs. WCPT-850. No competition, in terms of coverage. Hell, the Chicago station is 40 miles out of town and has to go off the air entirely at sunset. My hometown of Madison is probably *the only* place where commercial liberal talk exists on stations that actually cover the market. - No promotion. I've never seen a progressive talk station advertised anywhere except on its own air (radio companies frequently make this same mistake with music formats, and then wonder why they fail). Only DXers regularly scan the dial looking for new & interesting programming. Ordinary listeners will never find a station they might like if that station only promotes itself on their own air. - Liberals are out of the habit of listening to talk radio. They're more likely than conservatives to have jobs that require them to pay attention to work, not listen to the radio. (with the possible exception of Tom, whose work *was* to listen to the radio(grin)!) And after years of having their values slandered every time they turned on talk radio, they've gotten into the habit of listening to something else. - Liberals are too smart to be entertained by a mirror image of conservative talk radio. Air America was simply conservative talk with the names of liberal politicians/celebs substituted with the names of conservative politicians/celebs. Instead of blasting Al Gore and Barbara Streisand, Air America blasts Karl Rove and Ann Coulter. We don't find that kind of radio entertaining, regardless of who's being slammed. There is a corner of my brain that hopes AM IBOC is an overwhelming financial success. The interference will decimate AM listenership; maybe when the conservative minority in this country is separated from their daily source of slander, George W. and Dick C. will end up in the traitors' prison where they belong (Doug Smith, TN, WTFDA Soundoff via DXLD) ** U S A. TO AIR IS DIVINE, SAY BACKERS OF IMPERILED STATION By Marc Fisher, Sunday, July 29, 2007; N01 God, reason, education, classical music and the news are all mixed up in a clash of values and priorities at a little radio station in Takoma Park. A new public station featuring local and global news appears to be the most likely outcome in a battle involving two big media players, a struggling college, a proud religious faith and a flock of listeners who believe they are hearing God's will. At stake is the future of WGTS (91.9 FM), a station owned by Columbia Union College, which in turn is controlled by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/27/AR2007072700696_pf.html (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. El Gobierno obliga a las operadoras de Cable sacar del aire a RCTV. (La Persicusión contra RCTV continua) SI RCTV NO CUMPLE RESOLUCIÓN DE CONATEL, NETUNO LA SACARÁ DEL AIRE. Fuente: http://www.noticierodigital.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=228996 Así responde NetUno una de las operadoras de cable: Para Alberto Schaffernorth, vicepresidente de asuntosregulatorios de la operadora de televisión por suscripción NetUno, la cuestión está muy clara a partir de la resolución del Directorio de Responsabilidad Social en Radio y Televisión. 23/07/2007 :: -Nos veríamos obligados a sacarla de la programación de NetUno, pues de otra manera nos haríamos responsables de la infracción, dice a Inside Telecom Alberto Schaffernorth, VP de asuntos regulatorios de la operadora de televisión por suscripción NetUno. El lunes 16 de julio reapareció la programación de RCTV (llamada RCTV Internacional, con residencia legal en Miami, Florida), en los circuitos de los principales operadores de televisión por suscripción del país. El martes 17 se reunió el Directorio de Responsabilidad Social en Radio y TV, organismo adscrito a Conatel, para estudiar la calificación que le correspondía a RCTV en tanto productora de contenidos dirigidos al público venezolano. Poco antes, el ministro de Comunicación e Información William Lara, anunció que tenía el aval del presidente de la república para proponer a la Asamblea Nacional la modificación de la Ley Resorte con el fin de ajustarla a la situación presentada por RCTV, la cual considera que su condición de canal extranjero la eximía de cumplir algunas restricciones planteadas por la ley que rige en Venezuela (transmisión de cuñas gubernamentales gratuitas y de las cadenas presidenciales, entre otras). Inmediatamente el ministro de Telecomunicaciones, Jesse Chacón, indicó que existían otros caminos para obligar a RCTV a ajustarse a la Ley Resorte. El Directorio resolvió el martes 17 que RCTV es un canal de producción nacional, sobre cuya condición es aplicable el artículo 1 de la Ley Resorte, y expidió un comunicado que fue conocido el día jueves 19 de junio. RCTV Internacional respondió tal resolución. Señala que se sustenta en supuestos falsos. Marcel Granier, presidente de Empresas 1BC, propietaria de RCTV y de RCTV Internacional, señaló que esa “maniobra” reflejaba una situación de “persecución política continuada”. Cables pelados Los operadores de televisión por suscripción, tanto por cable como por satélite, reaccionaron agriamente ante las pretensiones del ministro Lara. Mario Seijas, presidente de Cavetesu, organismo que agrupa a las operadoras de TV Paga, explicó las grandes dificultades técnicas y operativas que traería aplicar la Ley Resorte al sistema de televisión restringida. Habló de su imposibilidad técnica. Asimismo, Alberto Schaffernorth apareció en el canal de noticias CNN en Español, donde dijo que el remedio (propuesto por Lara) sería peor que la enfermedad. “Tendría consecuencias que serían llevadas hasta a la organización Mundial de Comercio”, señaló. Modificar la Ley para ajustar el comportamiento de un canal, sería absurdo, añadió. A la pregunta de Inside Telecom, en Caracas: ¿Qué hará NetUno en caso de que RCTV no cumpla la disposición del Directorio de Responsabilidad Social en Radio y Televisión?, Schaffernorth respondió: -Me veo obligado a sacarlo del aire. Sería yo responsable de la infracción. Si el canal cae en alguna irregularidad, y no actúo, me convierto yo en el infractor. Nosotros no tenemos categoría de jueces para valorar la disposición de Conatel. Si RCTV no está de acuerdo o si no le otorgan algún amparo contra esa disposición, tiene que cumplirla. Están obligados a poner el Himno Nacional y las “cadenas”. Y si el regulador (Conatel) me envía un oficio al respecto, tengo que sacar ese canal del aire. Tengo que proteger los intereses de nuestros usuarios (via Jorge García Rangel, Venezuela, July 24, DXLD) Check out the rest of the forum at the above link; a lot of opposition to Chavismo and some cool grafix (gh, DXLD) PERSECUSIÓN CONTRA RCTV. En el Blog del conocido periodista venezolano Nelsón Bocaranda llamado Run Runes dijo lo siguente: Cuando el Ministro de Información William Lara suavizaba su visión sobre los servicios de cable, pero cuestionaba el hecho de que transmitieran comerciales dentro de su programación, algo se traía entre manos. Desnudados como están en el acoso a RCTV - a la que quieren hacer cumplir como canal de señal no abierta lo que exceptuaron a Telesur - se inventaron ese argumento para chantajear a las cableras. Lo que viene por allí será así: “Si las empresas de cable no quieren que les eliminemos los comerciales entonces tienen que presionar - y buscar argumentos propios - para que RCTV se atenga a la Ley Mordaza y por ende se empate en las cadenas”. Ayer escuchamos las maromas de quienes una semana antes habían dicho lo contrario… Publicado en: 'Columna El Universal' 26 de Julio de 2007. La Persecusión contra RCTV sigue: Noticia --- Globovisión Conatel obliga a registarse como Productor Nacional Audiovisual RCTV saldría del aire. El presidente de la Cámara de TV por Suscripción, Mario Seijas, informó que, por órdenes de CONATEL, RCTV tiene cinco días para registrarse como productor nacional audiovisual o saldrá del aire del cable. Seijas aclaró que los operadores por suscripción no tienen alternativa y si RCTV no se registra, deberán cumplir el mandato de CONATEL. El vocero de la Cámara manifestó que entiende que el gobierno exige que se le registre como producción nacional y cree que otros canales como Telesur tienen que ser evaluados de igual manera. Fuente: http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=61072 Ministro Chacón: Si RCTV está inscrito estará en la "parrilla", si no no estará El ministro del Poder Popular para las Telecomunicaciones e Informática, Jesse Chacón, afirmó que sólo se pide el cumplimiento de la Ley Resorte para que las empresas de cable transmitan a RCTV. Indicó que para que se pueda poner en “parrilla” un servicio de producción nacional, se tiene que estar inscrito y eso es lo que dice la Ley desde el año 2000. Chacón dijo que será una decisión de las empresas por cable, quienes, de acuerdo a la ley, como parte de sus obligaciones y las posibles sanciones se les aplicarían a ellas. El ministro señaló que sólo el directorio de responsabilidad social puede definir sin un canal es de producción nacional o no y éste decidió que RCTV internacional es un productor nacional. Por otra parte, negó que esa empresa se hubiera creado en 1.982 como alega la empresa y no es verdad que sea internacional porque no ha cambiado nada en su programación y hasta los anunciantes son venezolanos. Además, se preguntó el ministro cómo puede aspirar a recuperar una señal abierta en Venezuela un canal internacional. Chacón sostuvo que esos argumentos se emplean para incumplir los horarios e introducir más minutos de publicidad. El ministro, por otro lado, anunció que este jueves se inició la segunda fase de oferta pública de parte del espectro para telefonía móvil El ministro del Poder Popular para las Telecomunicaciones e Informática, Jesse Chacón, anunció que este jueves se dio indicio a la segunda fase para la oferta pública de parte del espectro para la telefonía móvil. Chacón precisó que se entregarán tres segmentos - uno en la banda de 1.800 y dos en la banda de 1.900 - para resolver los problemas de congestión en el servicio. El ministro informó que en Venezuela ya existen 21 millones 700 mil suscriptores en la telefonía móvil, es decir la penetración más alta en América Latina y tan sólo en el último trimestre se incrementó en 1,5 millones el número de líneas en este tipo de telefonía. JMS Globovisión Publicado el 26-07-2007 (via Jorge García Rangel, Venezuela, DXLD) Libro blanco sobre RCTV Saludos cordiales, desde la web de Radio Nacional de Venezuela se puede descargar en formato pdf lo que se denomina el Libro Blanco sobre RCTV. http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/docs/libro_blanco_RCTV-Web.pdf (José Miguel Romero, Spain, July 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thank you, José Miguel, por facilitarnos ese documento. Very interesting document! There is another document available at http://www.vtv.gob.ve/ Click on "Antecedentes Caso RCTV" in the left hand corner, and, although you may not speak Spanish you will understand that this is a document trying to justify the closure of Radio Caracas Television. You will find a list of 159 radio stations that have been forced to go off the air as far back as the 80's, as well as 77 TV stations, from a total of 29 countries (even the USA, sic). Take a good look at the list: the reasons for closure are diverse; but in the case of Radio Caracas Televisión there is definitely no sufficient reason for closure. Just political reasons. Espantoso. Compare the transmissions from Radio Habana Cuba with the transmissions from Radio Nacional de Venezuela or even better (I really mean "worse"), YVKE Mundial AM. You'll find them here: http://radio.gobiernoenlinea.ve/yvke Occasionally they transmit very good music, but you'll find very nice music even on Radio Rebelde! El Libro Blanco RCTV es un documento muy interesante. Todavía no he tenido tiempo para leerlo en su totalidad, pero demuestra la angustia de parte del gobierno venezolano por explicar el porqué del cierre de RCTV. La verdad es que esas 184 páginas no demuestran nada, absolutamente nada a favor del gobierno bolivariano. Al contrario. Por ejemplo; exponen como pruebas, los cierres impuestos a la emisora RCTV de parte de gobiernos anteriores; y eso, según el pensamiento de Chávez, no sería un mérito?! No entiendo nada. Lo único que entiendo es que Venezuela terminará mal (es decir, peor) si no echan a ese megalómano lo antes posible. Vean esta página: http://www.vtv.gob.ve/ En la parte baja de la página hay un cuadro llamado "Antecedentes Caso RCTV". Detrás se esconde un documento muy interesante. Para justificar el cierre de RCTV enumeran un montón de cierres de emisoras de radio y de televisón de parte de otros gobiernos. En total 236 clausuras de emisoras de radio y de television; 159 casos de emisora de radio y 77 casos de emisoras de TV de un total de 21 países. Saludos cordiales desde Suecia, cuna de la libertad (Roque Erico Lund, SM6JSM / EA8TY, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Comunicado de RCTV Internacional: Ante las comunicaciones dirigidas por CONATEL a los servicios de difusión por suscripción, en las cuales les ordena exigir a RCTV Internacional su inscripción como un servicio de producción nacional audiovisual, RCTV International Corp. hace del conocimiento público: RCTV International Corp. fue fundada el 19 de Abril de 1982 en Estados Unidos y tiene 25 años comercializando productos audiovisuales provenientes de catálogos de todo el mundo y de variados productores de contenidos, entre ellos Radio Caracas Televisión RCTV, C.A. RCTV Internacional transmite por televisión por suscripción a nivel mundial. En este momento su señal se difunde en Venezuela, Aruba, Curazao, Bonaire, Trinidad y está en negociaciones para transmitir al público de habla hispana en Europa, Estados Unidos y otros países de América Latina. Por tanto, RCTV Internacional es un canal internacional que produce mensajes audiovisuales para ser difundidos a nivel mundial, como lo son TELESUR, Warner, HBO, Sony, History Channel, Sunchannel, E! Entertainment Television, A&E Mundo, entre muchos otros. Mal puede CONATEL catalogarnos como un servicio de producción nacional audiovisual sobre la base de que nuestro contenido es exclusivamente producido por Radio Caracas Televisión RCTV, C.A. y exclusivamente dirigido a la población venezolana puesto que esto no es verdad. Como canal internacional, RCTV Internacional está obligado a cumplir las mismas disposiciones que el resto de los canales internacionales, las cuales están establecidas en cada capítulo de la Ley de Responsabilidad Social en Radio y Televisión, y que regulan expresamente la actividad de los Servicios de Difusión por Suscripción. Tanto el Directorio de Responsabilidad Social como CONATEL están obligados a darle a RCTV Internacional el mismo tratamiento que le dan a los otros canales internacionales. Para RCTV Internacional, la inscripción como canal de Servicio de Producción Nacional Audiovisual que exige CONATEL, bajo la amenaza de obligar a los servicios de televisión por suscripción a sacar la señal de su grilla de canales, no es procedente, como no es procedente para los otros canales internacionales y como lo reconoce CONATEL en la GUIA PARA REALIZAR NOTIFICACIONES PARA LOS SERVICIOS DE PRODUCCION NACIONAL AUDIOVISUAL cuando los excluye expresamente en el párrafo siguiente: "...se entiende que quienes difunden mensajes audiovisuales a través de los servicios de difusión por suscripción, habiendo celebrado contratos con los prestadores de tales servicios y administrando la programación y el contenido de los espacios, son considerados prestadores de servicios de producción nacional audiovisual, excluyendo los prestadores de servicios de televisión UHF, televisión VHF y televisión comunitaria de servicio público sin fines de lucro, así como a los productores de mensajes audiovisuales de canales internacionales." Como canal de televisión internacional, RCTV Internacional, al igual que otros canales de su misma clase, está incapacitada técnicamente para transmitir programación diferenciada para los diversos territorios donde se difunde su señal. Lo que se transmite por televisión por suscripción es una sola señal, a través de un único master y a través de un solo enlace satelital. Por otra parte, un canal internacional de producción de mensajes audiovisuales debe cumplir pautas comerciales contratadas a nivel internacional, y horarios comunes a varios países al mismo tiempo, por tanto no puede interrumpir, editar, ni modificar su programación cada vez que el Gobierno de cada país decida interrumpirla. En el caso venezolano, así lo reconoce la Ley de Responsabilidad Social en su artículo 10 cuando establece que los servicios de difusión por suscripción sólo deben transmitir los mensajes del Estado y las cadenas a través de su canal informativo: “Artículo 10.. (...) Los prestadores de servicios de difusión por suscripción cumplirán la obligación prevista en el numeral 1, a través de un canal informativo, y la prevista en el numeral 2, la cumplirán a través de los espacios publicitarios que dispongan en cada canal que transmiten…” (Subrayado nuestro) Todas estas imposiciones a RCTV Internacional harían inviable económicamente sus operaciones como canal internacional en Venezuela. Existen múltiples factores que deben tomarse en cuenta para determinar si un canal es internacional, el contenido de su programación no es un criterio establecido en la Ley. RCTV Internacional cumple todos esos factores lo cual fue debidamente explicado en los escritos consignados ante CONATEL el pasado viernes 13 y lunes 23 de julio de 2007. En todo caso, CONATEL no puede sancionar a los operadores de TV paga por mantener a RCTV Internacional en su grilla, puesto que ésta ha cumplido cabalmente con las disposiciones legales que le son aplicables a ella y a los otros canales Internacionales. Fuente: http://www.noticierodigital.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=229941 (via Jorge Garcia Rangel, July 27, DXLD) LA COPA AMÉRICA, TVES Y TV AZTECA El domingo 15 de julio concluyó el evento que reunió a las selecciones nacionales de fútbol del continente entero: la Copa América del balompié. Inédito era el escenario venezolano para tan relevante competencia internacional; en más de 90 años de historia, nunca se había presenciado una Copa América por estas latitudes. Por tres semanas consecutivas, Venezuela y sus ciudades fueron noticia; la fiebre del fútbol se apoderó de un país en el cual el deporte rey es el béisbol, a pesar de su cercanía geográfica con Colombia y con el pentacampeón universal, Brasil. El balance de la Copa América es positivo para todos los latinoamericanos, en especial para los venezolanos. En líneas generales, la organización del evento fue impecable y la seguridad estuvo al máximo de su nivel. Nuestra Patria cumplió y sobrepasó los altos estándares de la FIFA y otros organismos internacionales relacionados con el balompié; según Joseph Blatter, presidente de la FIFA: " (La de Venezuela ha sido) la mejor Copa América de toda la historia". La Copa América fue una ocasión privilegiada para mostrar al mundo las bellezas naturales de Venezuela y el calor de su gente. Gastronomía, cultura, costumbres y demás factores que componen el ecléctico y variopinto mapa de la venezolanidad. En materia de medios de comunicación, se realizaron por vez primera en el país transmisiones de Televisión de Alta Definición (con el apoyo de Televisa, México) en un canal de UHF, para la zona metropolitana de Caracas y cuatro estaciones -TVes, VENEVISIÓN, MERIDIANO TELEVISIÓN y la cadena por suscripción, SPORTPLUS- adquirieron los derechos de emisión de la Copa América Venezuela 2007. El novel canal de televisión, TVes (Televisora Venezolana Social), se anotó un éxito rotundo en sintonía con la puesta en pantalla de la totalidad de los partidos; su equipo de narradores deportivos (comandados por Lázaro Candal, ex empleado de RCTV) se metió al público televidente en el bolsillo. Es perentorio destacar que VTV (Venezolana de Televisión) cedió los derechos de transmisión de la Copa América a la naciente televisora de servicio público, TVes, la cual ocupa desde el 28 de mayo pasado la frecuencia del canal 2 en el Valle de Caracas. TV AZTECA Y SU CAMPAÑA CONTRA LA COPA AMÉRICA VENEZUELA 2007 En su ánimo por descalificar al gobierno revolucionario de Venezuela y a nuestra Patria, el "staff" de narradores y comentaristas deportivos de la cadena mexicana, TV Azteca, hizo mofa desde un principio de la organización de la Copa América y de los estadios ubicados en las diferentes ciudades sede de nuestra nación. Durante los primeros días de cobertura de TV Azteca, en Venezuela, los descalificativos y las burlas con respecto al evento fueron la regla y no la excepción. Siempre se recordarán las infelices y malintencionadas críticas al monumental estadio de Cachamay, cuando ni siquiera se había desarrollado el primer partido allí. Afirmaban que el Cachamay era "una vergüenza", palabras más, palabras menos. Que el Cachamay quedaría mal con Venezuela y con las selecciones nacionales invitadas. Mucha envidia, mucha estupidez, mucha "AntiChavitis Aguda" y nada de profesionalismo. Días después, ante el éxito INDISCUTIBLE de la Copa América Venezuela 2007, el grupo de narradores y comentaristas de TV Azteca tuvo que TRAGARSE, una a una, todas las idioteces que habían comentado del Cachamay y de otros estadios del país. Nunca una Copa América tuvo tantas sedes -9 estadios-; nunca una Copa América tuvo tan masiva concurrencia del público. Desde luego, los señores de TV Azteca también se cuidaron muy bien de no informar que 6 de los 9 estadios habían sido construídos por el gobierno revolucionario de Chávez. ¡Vaya ética! La conducta vergonzante de TV Azteca fue un insulto para con Venezuela y el resto de nuestros hermanos latinoamericanos. Les abrimos de par en par las puertas de esta bella nación y cometieron la más baja de las descortesías. Sin embargo, el personal de TV Azteca pudo realizar sus transmisiones sin ningún tipo de problema o censura. La férrea "dictadura" de Chávez no los persiguió ni los metió presos. Nadie los declaró "persona non grata". Los señores de TV Azteca recibieron en Venezuela una lección contundente de VERDADERA DEMOCRACIA y PLURALIDAD, cosa que ellos ni por asomo practican en sus noticieros. La Copa América Venezuela 2007 estuvo a la altura de las expectativas de la fanaticada, los participantes y los organizadores, duélale a quien le duela. TV Azteca y los enemigos de Venezuela quedaron, una vez más, al descubierto. El país al cual ellos intentan desprestigiar frente al pueblo mexicano, día a día, con su abyecta línea editorial, les ha brindado la oportunidad de estar EN UNA DEMOCRACIA REAL, transmitida en VIVO Y DIRECTO. ¡Viva la Copa América! ¡Viva Venezuela! C.C. TV Azteca (Adán González, Certificado de Locución #26950, Catia La Mar, Estado Vargas, VENEZUELA, July 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RCTV PODRÍA QUEDAR EXCLUÍDA DE LA RED DEL CABLE EL 1 DE AGOSTO http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=22902 (Reporters Without Borders via José Miguel Romero, dxldyg via DXLD) GOVERNMENT COULD MAKE RCTV UNAVAILABLE BY CABLE ON 1 AUGUST Ten days after the embattled Venezuelan broadcaster RCTV, now called RCTV Internacional, resumed broadcasting via cable and satellite on 16 July, a new threat emerged yesterday that could result in its being removed from cable service distribution by 1 August. The government stripped RCTV of its terrestrial broadcast licence on 27 May. . . http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=22903 (same as above, but in English, via gh, DXLD) ** ZAMBIA [and non]. [Replying to TURKEY:] Heh, and vice-versa: Some time ago I received by post a QSL-card from Christian Voice in Zambia, verifying my reception report of 17 Apr 2007 on 4965. I already had a QSL from this station dating back some ten or more years, and I never reported them again. I checked my e-mail archive and noted I had contacted this station that day, but only asking for further info about their second (presumed) SW transmitter. I also mentioned in my e-mail the 4965 channel is rather regular catch here in Finland. So, a QSL was posted :-/ (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, HCDX via DXLD) Jari, a similar story here: Many years ago I sent a letter to Radio Tonga asking about their operation on 5030 kHz. They replied by sending 5 blank QSL cards... 73 (Harald Kuhl, Germany, ibid.) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. 9765, 0447-0455* 25 & 26-07, R. Voice of the People (via MADAGASCAR). Tnx Gerry Dexter's DXLD info, heard fair-good with mostly English reports on civil rights violations, elections in Zimbabwe on 25th. "On the Voice of the People, VOP, good-bye for now, salaam aleikum." Group vocal & off. On 26th, reports on decline in public services and conservation efforts in the Zimbabwe national parks, then interview with Zimbabwean rugby player who plays for the SAf national team. Instrumental bridge at 0453 and closing with address for RVoP, POB 5750, Harare, Zimbabwe & two URLs: 1 for general info, 1 for listener e-mails (Dan Sheedy, Encinitas, CA R75 w/70' random wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DIGITAL BROADCASTING DTV: see also MEXICO. DRM: NIGERIA. IBOC: USA ++++++++++++++++++++ SENATORS WORRIED ABOUT TV 'TRAIN WRECK' By JOHN DUNBAR Associated Press July 27, 2007 WASHINGTON (AP) -- On Feb. 18, 2009, tens of millions of televisions that are not equipped to receive digital signals will become useless pieces of furniture. The government is spending $5 million to let owners know so they can do something about it -- not enough, critics say. While the government has committed $1.5 billion for viewers to spend on converter boxes that will translate digital signals for older televisions, it is largely relying on the broadcast industry to spread the word about the changeover. . . http://www.gopusa.com/news/2007/july/0727_digital_tvp.shtml (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) Fewer and fewer of the analog-only TVs are still out there. It's been almost five months since the last of them could legally be shipped interstate, and supplies are dwindling. I have a Toshiba 13" color analog-only set in my office, and the picture looks much better on DTV via my Accurian set-top box than on the built-in tuner. The real improvement will be in places like the canyons of NYC, where if the industry were smart, it would be selling DTV STBs as "magic ghost-busters." Ever tried to watch analog TV over the air someplace like the Upper West Side with just an indoor antenna? It's painful. But the DTV signals thrive on multipath, and of course look perfect as long as they decode at all. s (Scott Fybush, ABDX via DXLD) In addition to a converter box, I suspect most OTA TV viewers will also need to upgrade their antenna system. Many stations will be moving to new channels, often with lower powers, and the all-or- nothing nature of digital reception means that getting a solid signal to the converter will be crucial. I agree the fecal matter will really hit the rotary oscillating cooling device once OTA viewers realize they have to shell out $100+ to continue to watch TV. It will be interesting to observe the buckpassing and blame game among various groups in Washington! (Harry Helms, W5HLH, Smithville, TX EL19, ibid.) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ NEW INTERNET RADIO TO DEBUT IN AUGUST AT $139US An outfit by the name of Freecom is introducing in August a relatively affordable standalone internet radio capable of working off wireless and ethernet connections, independent of the PC. The Freecom MusicPal is slated to retail for $139US. Although the unit's footprint is rather small, it requires mains power and does not operate portably (i.e.: on batteries). Nonetheless, it is a new entry in what appears to be a burgeoning market segment. A data sheet, pictures and further information can be found at http://www.freecom.com/ (John Figliozzi, NY, July 27, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) With the new royalty fees being implemented and half of the services on the internet sending out emails on the demise of internet radio due to the astronomical fees --- are these radios going to be obsolete soon? I was very impressed with the internet radios displayed & demonstrated at the Fest and came away thinking they were too good to be true (Jim Strader, MA, swprograms via DXLD) The royalty matter seems to have settled down --- compromises were made on both sides, though the issue isn't 100% settled yet. AFAIK the hubbub applied primarily to streamed music, not spoken-word audio. Caution: Windows Media and Real Audio are apparently NOT supported with the Music Pal. See http://www.freecom.com/objects/00011377.pdf This means you won't be able to hear the BBC, CBC, Australia's ABC, New Zealand's National Radio or RNZI (live). (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, ibid.) Too bad on not being able to receive Windows Media and Real Audio, as that is definitely a show stopper for me. I am specifically looking for such a streamer for the bedside or in the dining room to listen to the live BBC and RNW feeds. Until that capability is available for $139 or less, I will say no (Kevin Anderson, K9IUA, ibid.) That's about my price point, too; however I could use my daughter's laptop, come to think of it (Richard Cuff, ibid.) BRINGING A RADIO TO SHORTWAVE SITES Hi Glenn, while I'm over the huge backlog of the last weeks I'm over this in DXLD 7-081 now: ``Has anybody ever visited a a multi-frequency outlet shortwave tx site with curtain arrays before with a portable SW receiver in hand & noted signal levels & been able to determine if a shortwave frequency originates from the site in question?`` I did this a couple of times. Key fact: It should be impossible to mistake locally transmitted signals for distant skywave signals when standing at or near the station fence. They are strooong, requiring to operate the attenuator of the ATS 909, otherwise the set will scream out horribly distorted audio only. Experiences in detail: Königs Wusterhausen: In spring/summer 1993 we parked on the road south of the station grounds, at a place were the special log-periodic antenna aiming at Chile and at least one of the rhombics could be spotted in between all the bushes. I quickly scanned through the shortwave bands and found one very loud signal, on 6115, Deutsche Welle in German, notable for typical GDR modulation (bass range below 150 Hz suppressed, no heavy dynamics compression). Only years later I learned that indeed only a single transmitter (actually a 2 x 50 kW pair of Sneg's) was still on air at this time after the other three 100 kW Sneg pairs had been shut down already in 1991. I did not take the shortwave radio with me on asimilar trip to Wiederau, understanding that the shortwave transmitter there had been already shut down. But this was a mistake; it remained on air until autumn 1993 like the last remaining Sneg pair at Königs Wusterhausen. Nauen: I still remember how I sat in 1993 or 1994 on a platform actually meant to observe birds, with the huge Soviet-designed HR 4/8 antennas in front of me. If I recall correct I had local signals on three frequencies, with no GDR-like audio anymore, thus presumably Optimod 9105A processing was already in use at this time (at least they had introduced these units already on the old transmitters where they had to adjust the level of the produced high-density audio very carefully to avoid any overmodulation, since otherwise the Komintern transmitters went crazy). I also remember how I tuned SFB's 1449, too; the last time I heard it before it had been shut down in autumn 1994. Next visit to Nauen was in 1999, with the new transmitters in operation now. The new control room in the Muthesius building also got some small communications receiver (probably an Icom, but I simply did not care), and also this semiprofessional receiver had a hard time to pick up distant skywave signals. Otherwise it was quite interesting to compare the warm, soft modulation of the still active Funkwerk Köpenick transmitter (shut down in 2000, now replaced by an ex-Jülich S4001) with the harsh output of the new S4105 rigs, listening via the mod monitors and decent loudspeakers. Most recent visit to Nauen in last year: Snacks were available in front of the Muthesius building, and a sense of style required me to let the radio play on 9545 there, not knowing yet that it will not be possible to do this show again this year (assuming they keep the tradition of an annual open door day). Checking the conditions in more detail I found that signals remained very strong within around 3 km of the antennas but dropped rapidly afterwards; at the Nauen railway station, about 5 km away, they were already noisy, not much stronger than distant skywave signals anymore. Lampertheim: I had not much time to play with the radio there, but standing in front of the station door the three (or so) frequencies on air from there were louuud of course. And years ago I once tuned the 40 m hamband, noted an expeptionally strong signal, listened closer and found out that this was an old classmate, living about 300 m away from the signal tower were I sat. Even earlier there were the CB radios in the neighbourhood, but these signals have vanished altogether since. >> Another technique would be to tune for the 2nd harmonic of the suspect transmitter frequency. << This little dirty trick can be especially useful to check out longwave utility transmitters with an ordinary radio which can't tune below 150 kHz: http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/photos/view/60b4?b=48 (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ ARNIE CORO'S HF PLUS LOW BAND VHF PROPAGATION ANALYSIS, UPDATES AND FORECASTS Very poor HF propagation conditions expected during the next three to five days; extremely low solar activity is keeping the ionosphere's ionization at extremely low levels. So, my advice is to monitor the bands above [sic] 10 Megahertz after [sic] your local sunset, amigos. Solar flux near rock bottom minimum of 67-70 units, with six days in a row of absolutely NO Sunspots --- sunspot count ZERO for a whole week (Arnie Coro, RHC DXers Unlimited July 28, HCDX via DXLD) ###