DX LISTENING DIGEST MAY 2003 ARCHIVE HOME presents...
DX LISTENING DIGEST MAY 2003 ARCHIVE
DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-095, May 31, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.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 HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3e.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 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 AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1184: RFPI: Sat 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 7445 15039 WWCR: Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 WJIE: Sun 1030, 1630 7490 13595 (maybe) WBCQ: Mon 0445 7415 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1184.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1184.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1184h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1184h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1184.html CONTINENT OF MEDIA 03-03! New edition is now available, on RFPI 7445, 15039: Sat 2130, Sun 0330, 0930; Thu 2000, Fri 0200, 0830 Also via DXing.com: {Stream) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0303.ram (Download) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0303.rm And via our site: (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/com0303.ram (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/com0303.rm (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0303.html WORLD OF RADIO, CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL BROADCAST SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2003 It always pays to check all RFPI frequencies beyond their scheduled hours. Schedule shown is nominal, but it is not unusual for one transmitter to be down, and for programming to run up to an hour late. 15039 resumed in early May so its hours and those of 7445 may be adjusted. For now, we show them both at all times. For logistical reasons except weekends, RFPI repeats after 0600 appear about half an hour later than +12 or +18 hours. WJIE: Operation is irregular; both frequencies are shown altho one or both may be missing. Not all times are confirmed, and often not latest show. For latest updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html Days and times here are strictly UT. Wed 2200 WOR WBCQ 7415 17495-CUSB [first airing of each edition] Thu 2000 COM RFPI 7445 15039 Thu 2030 WOR WWCR 15825 Fri 0200 COM RFPI 7445 15039 Fri 0800 COM RFPI 7445 15039 v to 0830 Fri 1400 COM RFPI 7445 15039 v to 1430 Fri 1930 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 Fri 2115 MR WWCR 15825 [or as early as 2110] Fri 2300 WOR Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 1566 87.35 96.55 105.55 Sat 0130 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 Sat 0600 WOR WWCR 5070 Sat 0730 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 v to 0800 Sat 0800 WOR WRN1 to Eu, Au, NZ, WorldSpace AfriStar, AsiaStar, Telstar 12 SAm Sat 0855 WOR WNQM Nashville TN 1300 Sat 0930 WOR WJIE 7490 13595 Sat 1330 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 v to 1400 Sat 1530 WOR WMQM Memphis TN 1600 [week delay] Sat 1730 WOR WINB 13570 [NEW from June 7] Sat 1730 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 Sat 1828 WOR WPKN Bridgeport CT 89.5 [week delay] Sat 2130 COM RFPI 7445 15039 Sat 2330 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 Sun 0230 WOR WWCR 5070 Sun 0330 COM RFPI 7445 15039 Sun 0430 WOR WRN to Europe only; webcast via http://www.nyhedsradioen24-7.dk/ Sun 0530 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 Sun 0630 WOR WWCR 3210 Sun 0930 COM RFPI 7445 15039 Sun 1030 WOR WJIE 7490 13595 Sun 1130 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 Sun 1400 WOR WRN to North America, also WLIO-TV Lima OH SAP Sun 1530 COM RFPI 7445 15039 Sun 1630 WOR WJIE 7490 13595 [often early from 1625] Sun 1830 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 Sun 1930 WOR Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 1566 87.35 96.55 105.55 Mon 0030 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 Mon 0330 WOR WSUI Iowa City IA 910 [week delay] Mon 0445 WOR WBCQ 7415 Mon 0630 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 v to 0700 Mon 1230 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 v to 1300 Mon 1830 WOR SIUE WEBRADIO http://www.siue.edu/WEBRADIO/ Tue 1900 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 Wed 0100 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 Wed 0700 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 v to 0730 Wed 0930 WOR WWCR 9475 Wed 1300 WOR RFPI 7445 15039 v to 1330 Wed 1830 COM SIUE WEBRADIO http://www.siue.edu/WEBRADIO/ Wed 2100 MR WWCR 15825 Latest edition of this schedule version is at: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html An expanded schedule also showing local times: http://www.worldofradio.com/wormast.html Internet on demand: see Our Current Audio page for availability: http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html Webcasts at times shown are available from all stations except WWCR, WNQM, WMQM, Studio X. WRN: http://live.wrn.org:8080/ramgen/live/wrnengnaeu.smi or http://live.wrn.org:8080/ramgen/live/wrnengnaus.smi RFPI via SW feed: http://www.boinklabs.com/ifpi.html RFPI direct webcast: http://195.210.0.134:8004/listen.pls [suspended] WJIE: http://www.wjiesw.com WPKN: http://www.wpkn.org WSUI: http://wsui.uiowa.edu ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. Now that R. Afghanistan has the US-supplied 400 kW MW transmitter on 1107, will the sporadic relays via NORWAY on 18940 continue, or the morning service via UAE, which I have lost track of? Please check (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) & see IRAN ** ARGENTINA. 11710, RAE, Buenos Aires, from 0137 with YL in Portuguese with light pop and EZL. SINPO 33333. At 0157, ID in Portuguese, chime interval signal, followed by multi-lingual ID (Spanish, French, English, German, and 3-4 others) and into English program at 0200. By 0200 signal was fading fast at SINPO 22222. May 30. Drake SW8 with whip antenna (Roger Chambers, Utica, NY, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. 6215, 0034-0050, R. Baluarte, May 22. Tentative logging. I have heard a het on the frequency for some time now and finally above noise floor in rather clear audio. Two males in Spanish with long talks. Audio suddenly dropped down and unable to copy at 0045.Still at S 5 level but no audio (Bob Montgomery, Levittown, PA, NRD 535db, DxPro T2FD antennas, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. 13685, 1058-, CHRISTIAN VISION INT. May 26. Excellent reception at 1100 and better by 1130. Continuous pop tunes with news at top of hour with ID by female announcer in English. Web address several times. Slight fades but fairly nice signal at S9 to S10 levels. Female with world weather reports at 1135. Male and female in happy prorgram with both adding to the program. Voice talk back program. Dell advert at 1137. Insurance ad at 1138. Format similar to that of the 60's type US medium wave stations. Nice name 'The Planet' http://www.voice.com.au (Bob Montgomery, Levittown, PA, NRD 535db, DxPro T2FD antennas, Cumbre DX via DXLD) What, no evangelism? Stealthy! ``The Planet`` is already taken by a programme on R. Australia, and by a station in Maine (gh, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Have just spent half an hour listening to HCJB Australia starting at 0930 on Saturday May 31st which is the usual time slot for The DX Partyline. All I heard was the same classical music over and over again. I presume this has been done purposely so that Australian DXers could log the DX Partyline from the final English broadcasts of HCJB Ecuador; that means that the program details sent to HCJB Ecuador would have to be genuinely heard FROM Ecuador and that listeners could not cheat by listening to HCJB Australia (which is very easy to do) and write down the DX Partyline details and then send in a report pretending or claiming to have heard HCJB Ecuador. Very clever trick HCJB and congratulations on good thinking! I was lucky to have been able to log Ecuador at 0600 on 9860 [Ecuador to Europe] and even though reception was poor, I managed with some hard listening to log the DX Partyline program details, so, hopefully, I will receive a QSL for my efforts of logging this genuine broadcast. I only hope a lot of other Australian listeners will be able to do the same! Best wishes to you all and I would like to hear if you managed to log HCJB Ecuador and which broadcast you were successful with! (Michael Stevenson, Port Macquarie, N.S.W., Australia, EDXP HF Forum via DXLD) Somehow, I doubt the absence of DXPL was intentional. So what did they say about the future of the show via US SW stations??!! Since the show is not ending, why would there be anything special about QSLing it now?? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BENIN. ORTB, 7210.25, May 25 2210-2300* French, vernacular talk, variety of US and French pops, ballads, Afro pops. Sign-off with NA. Weak but in the clear (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 6585.4, Radio Nueva Esperanza, El Alto, 1010+, May 25. Spanish and Aymara transmission. Religious program - Gospel music. Ann. & ID: "Esperanza con los niños", 25442 (Arnaldo Slaen, Chascomus DX camp, Argentina, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** BOPUTHATSWANA. RSA: MINISTER CONFIRMS PLANS TO CLOSE BOP BROADCASTING | Text of report by South African news agency SAPA web site Johannesburg, 30 May: The SA [South African] Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) confirmed on Friday [30 May] Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri's recent announcement in parliament that Bop Broadcasting would be closed. SABC said it had already started communicating with the staff at Bop and that the corporation's CEO, Peter Matlare, was due to go to Mmabatho to ensure the process was handled with care. "I believe the SABC has acted responsibly and at all times went out of its way to ensure the best possible outcome for Bop and its staff. There has been ongoing communication with the Bop staff, and we know that the closure of Bop is a very difficult matter for all concerned," Matlare told the staff at SABC on Friday. In her announcement on Thursday [29 May], Matsepe-Casaburri said: "The Broadcasting Amendment Act provides for the launch of regional television stations in two regions of the country. To this end, it has been decided to close the Bop Broadcasting operation and replace it with a service to deliver indigenous languages of the Northern Region." In 1997, the State Reorganization Act sought to integrate the broadcasting assets and services of the former homelands into SABC. Once this decision was taken, the treasury allocated money to meet the funding requirements of Bop, while SABC played a caretaker role. In November 2001 when the subsidy ended, SABC had to fund the operations of Bop from its own coffers. It has spent over 120m rands to date but expects to recover these funds in full from government. Source: SAPA news agency web site, Johannesburg, in English 1624 gmt 30 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** BOTSWANA. RADIO BOTSWANA TO BROADCAST FOR 24 HOURS FROM 1 JUNE | Text of report by Radio Botswana on 30 May Radio Botswana will start operating for 24-hours with effect from Sunday [1 June]. The station has been operating only up to midnight. The chief broadcasting officer, Mrs Banyana Tshegoe, says the introduction of the 24-hour service is a response to the needs to Radio Botswana listeners. In an audience survey commissioned by the Department of Information and Broadcasting, listeners overwhelmingly indicated that they want a 24-hour service. Source: Radio Botswana, Gaborone, in English 1110 gmt 30 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) Oh, no! This could mean the end of the `dawn chorus warmup` of barnyard sounds; check 4820 (gh) ** CANADA. Attn Ontario / Western NY DXers: CN Tower maintenance Monday morning. I have word of a planned shut-down for maintenance purposes of all the FMs at the CN Tower in Toronto from roughly 03:45 to 04:45 [EDT == 0745-0845 UT] this coming Monday morning. The times may vary slightly, and I will be at my Snowball DX site north of Toronto around midnight or 1 am just in case they go down early. They are performing their yearly antenna sweep. Stations affected include 90.3, 91.1, 94.1, 97.3, 98.1, 99.9, 100.7, 102.1, 104.5, 107.1. Some may use auxiliary transmitters, though these can be less powerful (Saul Chernos, ON, AMFMTVDX at qth.net via DXLD) ** CANADA. Four stories about CBC`s strategy for 2003-2004 TV season: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPPrint/LAC/20030530/RVDOYL_4/TPEntertainment/ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPPrint/LAC/20030530/RVCBCC/TPEntertainment/ http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=f20e7bbf-7046-4bd1-92b8-bf5c7c0dea3d http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=43c8e860-9f05-4ef9-88fe-500c724eab17 (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** CAYMAN ISLANDS. For those of you on 6m, I will be operating as ZF2PB in a couple of days. Wimpy signal -- 5 watts into a folded dipole. Peter, Memphis. (Peter Baskind, J.D., LL.M./AG4KI, Germantown, TN/EM55, May 30, WTFDA via DXLD) See previous story in greater detail ** COLOMBIA [and non]. I heard Radio Melodía last night (29 MAY, 2315 UT) on 6139.8 kHz. In fact heard no ID, but Colombia mentioned several times + time announcement "6:20 en Colombia" at 2320 UT. Then --- suddenly --- switched off at 2321! Nice reception here in the middle of Europe. In fact I was alerted since last evening when I saw K-index jumping on 8, so I expected improved (auroral) conditions along southern paths on low frequencies. [cf. PERU, a different Melodía] Especially Brazil was coming in with nice signals in the 60- and 49 meters. Not so often heard stations like R. Guarujá 5980 kHz, R. Difusora, Taubaté on 4925 kHz... Angola on 4950 kHz was just in Hi-Fi quality. I have been watching the bands between 2200-0110 UT (29/30 MAY). Then I had to go to bed because it was 3:10am local time and a normal working day before me... GOOD DX, (Karel Honzik the Czech Republic (Czechia), AOR AR-7030 30 m Long Wire, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** CONGO. R. Congo, 5985, May 25 2155-2300* Surprisingly good, strong signal and in the clear. No one else on frequency for a change. Very nice signal. But started to get some co-channel QRM at 2230. French talk, many ``R. Congo`` IDs. Local African pops, hi-life music, abruptly off at 2300 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR. ETHNIC MILITIA BROADCASTS HATE MESSAGES ON CONGOLESE RADIO --- Echoes of 1994 genocide: French troops likely to deploy as West again keeps the peace Steven Edwards, National Post, Friday, May 30, 2003 UNITED NATIONS - In a chilling reminder of how Rwandans were incited to commit genocide in 1994, an ethnic militia group in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo began broadcasting hate messages yesterday. Candip Radio said Hema militia will use force to dislodge civilians seeking refuge in the UN mission in the regional centre of Bunia, where fighting between Hema and Lendu ethnic groups has left hundreds dead and driven thousands from their homes. The broadcast recalled how Hutu extremists in Rwanda used Radio Mille Collines to urge the slaughter of the country's minority Tutsis, resulting in 800,000 mainly Tutsi deaths. Violence erupted in Bunia after the withdrawal several weeks ago of Ugandan troops, who had been under international pressure to end their occupation of the area. Hema and Lendu forces are each seeking control of the town, which is a centre for gold in the resource-rich but desperately poor country. The UN Security Council is expected to pass a resolution today sending a French-led international force to Bunia after the 700-member UN force proved incapable of quelling the violence. About 1,000 troops under French command are expected to begin deployment within a few days. . . http://www.nationalpost.com/world/story.html?id=01613871-C2E1-43F3-9A27-72E679CFAB04 (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** CROATIA [and non]. The 0600-0603 English newscast is on shortwave, noted here May 28th on 9470 9925 and 13820 [via Germany]. Not carried on 6165 and 13830 [Croatia]. (Mike Barraclough, June World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. Audio files of the last 3 DX Partylines have finally been uploaded at http://www.hcjb.org/english/dxpl/dxplaudio.php -- That is, May 10, 17 and 24. For most of May, the latest show was May 3. The rest of DXPL and most other HCJB pages are badly outdated, not updated in months. Checking the various programs` pages, I see nothing about their imminent demise? Too demoralized or too busy packing up to say anything? (Glenn Hauser, OK, May 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also AUSTRALIA ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. R. Nacional, Malabo, 6250.33, May 25 2230-2302* Spanish talk, Spanish pops, ballads, rap! ``R. Malabo`` ID. Sign-off with NA. Poor-fair with QRM and QRN (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA. 6940, 0259-0330, R. Fana, May 26. Best copy of R. Fana ever. Interval signal, crystal clear then to female announcer in Arabic [?] and then sudden off at 0301 till 0302. Male announcer with some brief comments, then short tune and female announcer back with more music. at 0304. S8 to S9 signal level with a bit of a bounce and some fades. But over all, best I have ever heard (Bob Montgomery, Levittown, PA, NRD 535db, DxPro T2FD antennas, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** FRANCE. Special event to mark Concorde's last commercial flight: Special event station TM5SC will mark the final commercial flight of the supersonic Concorde jetliner from Paris to New York. TM5SC will be on the air until June 8, 80 through 10 meters plus satellites. Look for TM5SC on 3777, 7077, 14,140 (the 40 and 20-meter frequencies are outside the US phone band), 18,140, 21,240, 24,940 and 28,440 kHz SSB and 29330 FM. QSL via F5ASD and enclose US$1 for a direct reply (ARRL May 29 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) ** FRANCE. According to a CSA member interviewed by the French newspaper Libération, some of the 9 new AM stations could be authorized this summer. In other words it means that these stations should start their broadcasts before September. Stay tuned (Pascal Perriot, Tours, France, May 31, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 3300, 0416-0430, R. Cultural, May 28. English broadcast of religious program. English program ended at 0428 and then back to Spanish with ID by male announcer at 0428. Preacher invited the listeners back for another English broadcast from 9 to 1030. S 5 signal level, nice clear audio (Bob Montgomery, Levittown, PA, NRD 535db, DxPro T2FD antennas, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** GUINEA. RTV Guinéène, 7125, May 25 2240-0001* May 26. French talk, variety of French, US, Afro pops. Sign-off with NA; good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUYANA. GBC? 3291.25, May 26 0300- and 0800-: still hearing a very weak signal here, just too weak to ID; 0840 Hindi vocals (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HUNGARY. LABOR MINISTRY FUNDS ROMANY RADIO Labor Minister Sandor Burany and Radio C Editor in Chief György Kerenyi signed an agreement on 22 May whereby the ministry will grant 4 million forints ($19,000) to the cash-strapped Romany radio station and expects it to broadcast information concerning job opportunities, Hungarian television reported. Kerenyi said he plans to re-launch the station on 1 June. The station stopped its broadcasting on 7 April due to a lack of funds (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 8 April 2003). ("RFE/RL Newsline," 23 May via RFE/RL Media Matters May 30 via DXLD) ** ICELAND. As of 30th May AFN 13855 has been off for a week or more (Mike Barraclough, UK, June World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. XM SKYFI SATELLITE RADIOS NOW AVAILABLE AT WAL-MART STORES NATIONWIDE Delphi SKYFi XM Radios Arrive at More than 2,800 Wal-Mart Stores WASHINGTON, May 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- XM Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: XMSR), America's number-one satellite radio service, today announced that Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., is now selling the critically- acclaimed Delphi XM SKYFi Radio in stores nationwide. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000724/XMSATLOGO ) Wal-Mart is merchandising the popular SKYFi XM Receiver and vehicle adaptor in an "all-in-one" kit in the automotive department of every store. Plus, 2,100 of the 2,800 Wal-Mart locations will carry the SKYFi Receiver, home and vehicle kits, and boom box in the home electronics section. "XM is thrilled to have the top-selling satellite radio available at America's biggest retailer," said XM President and CEO Hugh Panero. "This rollout represents another critical step in XM's march to one million subscribers this year." The SKYFi Receiver is an affordable next-generation XM radio retailing for $129.99 (MSRP). It offers the most advanced user features of any satellite radio on the market today: portability, a large display, direct channel entry, the ability to preview and channel search by artists and song titles, and 20 channel presets. The accompanying home and vehicle adaptor kits retail for $69.99 (MSRP) each. Also available at Wal-Mart is the SKYFi Audio System, a self-contained "boom box" containing a pair of high quality speakers with an integrated high gain antenna and a port for the SKYFi receiver, retailing for $99.95 (MSRP). It can be powered by an A/C adaptor to create a high quality countertop/bookshelf system for the home or office, or used with six "D" batteries to experience XM Radio virtually anywhere, from the beach to the campground to a backyard barbeque (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS. The Pacific Inter Island Net has been running on 14.315 MHz at 0800z each and every day, for over 60 years. Net is a Health and Welfare net as well as a checkin net for Maritime stations, also a Net for the Pacific Island stations to make contacts and where legal, pass messages etc. Those on the www can check out a yahoogroup, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pacific_Inter_Island_net/ The Pacific Inter Island net also conducts QNEWS Sunday at 0700 UT (Chris Wright vk2uw, Wireless Institute of Australia Queensland Q- News June 1 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) ** IRAN. AFGHAN PAPER ATTACKS "LIES", "PROPAGANDA" OF IRANIAN RADIO STATION | Text of editorial by Afghan newspaper Anis on 29 May The years of fighting the Soviet Union have passed, the years of fighting the communists have finished, the years of instability after the collapse of Dr Najibollah's administration [in 1992] went by and finally the years of rule by the stereotyped Taleban are over. A partial stability and an administration were established in Afghanistan with the collaboration of the international community and those who had made sincere efforts for independence and territorial integrity. This administration was afterwards confirmed by the people in the Emergency Loya Jerga [grand assembly], and for the first time the representatives of the people were able to determine their country's destiny in a traditional gathering. The roles of neighbouring countries, particularly those of Pakistan and Iran, have been of high importance for Afghanistan. Afghanistan has constantly emphasized having good relations with neighbours. This has been responded to positively by neighbouring states, which have even expressed their interest in enhancing those relations. But these policies have not been able to overlay all aspects. One of the media from the Islamic Republic of Iran that has not been able to conform itself to its country's new policies towards Afghanistan is Radio Dari in Mashhad [provincial Iranian radio that broadcasts to Afghanistan]. When one listens to the news from this station, it seems as if their staff are not obeying the Islamic Republic of Iran, but they are obeying Al-Qa'idah, and they are launching propaganda for Bin-Ladin. Radio Dari from Mashhad not only broadcasts unclarified reports, quotes from sources that do not want to reveal their names and disseminates untrue remarks, but it has also got some special "experts in Afghan affairs" of its own and is constantly interviewing them. The discussion is about the desperate situation in Afghanistan (according to the radio). In addition to the "experts in Afghan affairs" from Radio Mashhad broadcasting perverse images of the international security forces in Afghanistan, the presence of the international coalition against terrorists in the country and the new government of Afghanistan, this station also follows another cause and that is to give a different picture of the relative stability and security in Afghanistan. This radio, in continuing its broadcasting of lies, recently broadcast a report that the US embassy had been closed, which is quite far from reality. This station, intending to show the situation as one of conflict, said that because of new threats and clashes the US embassy has been closed. In addition, the broadcasts of Radio Dari from Mashhad have always been in favour of the enemies of Afghanistan and the said radio has proved this. Such lies, public deception and misrepresentation of the Afghan situation which are broadcast by Mashhad Dari radio are definitely not the policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, but Iranian friends should tell the radio: dear experts in Afghan affairs, dear journalists, experts of Radio Mashhad! Please don't try to destroy the new Afghan administration, which is trying to refurbish itself after many years of conflict, wars, destruction and disaster. Do not lie to people, quoting sources that do not want their names to be disclosed and do not upset the relative stability in Afghanistan irresponsibly with your lies. After all, be honest to the principle that Afghans are honest to and that is the pledge for good-neighbourliness. Good- neighbourliness is the guarantor of our future. Source: Anis, Kabul, in Dari 29 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) Evidently R. Mashhad has scoops about media developments in Afghanistan, as it has often been quoted by BBCM (gh) ** IRAQ. I have found out important new information about the Voice of Iraqi Liberation, the clandestine radio operation first monitored by and reported on DXing.info - see http://www.dxing.info/about/press_release_2003_03_11.dx and http://www.dxing.info/news/2003_03.dx#liberation for more on how it all started. It has now been officially confirmed by the PUK leader that the station was a U.S.-sponsored operation in which the CIA was involved, and that it was broadcasting from the PUK-controlled part of Iraqi Kurdistan. I'm currently in Atlanta attending the CNN World Report Conference representing the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE. A few hours ago I had a chance to interview via satellite Jalal Talabani, Founder and Secretary General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), aired live on CNN at 10.23 a.m. EDT, and this is what he had to say when I asked about the station: Question: Mika Makelainen, Finnish Television. Mr. Talabani, from March to April a radio station called the Voice of Iraqi Liberation was transmitting over the mouthpiece of the PUK, your radio station, Voice of the People of Kurdistan. Now that all this is over, can you say who was behind this clandestine radio operation? Answer: As I told you, the National Assembly of Kurdistan unanimously decided that the Kurds are partner of the United States of America in fighting against tyranny, terrorism and for freedom and democratic Iraq. This station was yes in the area controlled by the PUK, it was the administration was joined from the PUK people and from certain American friends, representing different parts of American State Department, the special forces and some others. Follow-up question: Can you specify what do you mean by American friends more precisely? Answer: Well, American friends I mean the American friends. I mean the people, diplomats from State Department, people from Pentagon, people from CIA, I mean the White House, those people, all those people are American friends (Mike Mäkeläinen, Finland, May 29, dxing.info via DXLD) ** IRAQ. Salam Pax revealed - at last! Thanks to Lou Josephs for drawing my attention to a long piece in today's edition of The Guardian: "The most gripping account of the Iraq conflict came from a web diarist known as the Baghdad Blogger. But no one knew his identity - or even if he existed. Rory McCarthy finally tracked him down, and found a quietly spoken, 29-year-old architect. From next week he will write fortnightly in G2." For those not familiar with it, G2 is the second (tabloid) section of The Guardian, which unfortunately isn't included with the special European version. Thank goodness for their Web site! BTW I hope that the Canadian journalist who a few months ago claimed Salam Pax was actually a Baath Party activist feels suitably chastened, and will issue a public apology both to Salam and to those of us who never doubted for one moment his sincerity and authenticity! Or will he now claim The Guardian is making it all up too? (Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog May 30 via DXLD) ** IRAQ. ONCE-OUTLAWED SATELLITE DISHES SPROUTING LIKE MUSHROOMS ON BAGHDAD'S ROOFTOPS --- By Valentinas Mite Satellite television dishes are sprouting like mushrooms on rooftops in post-Saddam Hussein Baghdad. The trade in TV gear is flourishing, and enterprising Iraqi entrepreneurs see bright prospects for this business, which was banned during the rule of Saddam Hussein. Abu Mehdi is one of the owners of the Hyder shop in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The shop imports satellite dishes, receivers, and decoders from neighboring Jordan. Mehdi said Iraqis are hungry for news from outside the country. "The news, the news. Al-Jazeera, yes. MBC [an Arabic-language channel]. Lubnan. Lubnan, very good Lubnan [a Lebanese channel]," he said. Mehdi said people are buying satellite equipment for two reasons. The first one is that satellite television was illegal in Iraq under Saddam Hussein's rule and people now want to "taste a forbidden fruit." The other reason is that Iraqi state TV is off the air and people want access to news and entertainment of any kind. Following Hussein's ouster last month, houses in Baghdad began to sprout satellite dishes. No one wants to depend on their neighbor to see foreign broadcasts. Everyone wants their own remote controls. And while Iraqis often complain about a lack of money, many somehow find the cash for satellite television setups. A European-made satellite dish with all the necessary equipment costs about $250. Satellite gear from China costs around $150. The most popular television sets, Egyptian-made Toshibas, cost nearly $200 each. Mehdi said he usually sells five to six pieces of satellite equipment each day and makes a profit of $20 per unit. His shop also sells all kinds of electrical equipment -- from light bulbs to air conditioners. He said the former authorities in Iraq used to confiscate satellite dishes and fine their owners $200. Such fines also attracted the attention of Hussein's omnipresent secret services. Firas is an owner of the Al-Ajraas shop, which is just several meters from Abu Medhi's store. His shop has three employees and sells only satellite gear. Firas said he sells about 20 units in his shop each day. He said people in Baghdad mainly watch Arabic channels. They like these channels, he said, but notes they have few alternatives. While they can watch BBC television, they can't tune in to CNN or Fox News from the U.S. without buying an expensive decoder. "No. It's coded, and it doesn't work on our system," he said. "If you want to see it, you should pay money for a card. We don't have them here. Until now, we do not have cards." Firas said a decoder card, or "smart card," costs more than $100 each, and that few people want to pay the extra money. Muhaned, a man in his 30s, came to Firas's shop to buy a satellite TV setup. He said he wants to watch the news, not just entertainment programs. "I want the news and the events which are happening in Iraq. I would like to watch Al-Jazeera, Abu Dhabi [television], CNN. However, [CNN] is coded," he said. Abas Marhun has a slightly different business. He has been making and assembling satellite equipment in his garage in Baghdad since 1991. He is continuing to work with his teenage son and said he manages to compete with the satellite shops selling all-imported equipment. He said he built a good reputation over the past decade and that people know his work. Marhun said he operated under difficult conditions when Hussein was in power. "Yes, I made [satellite gear] but closed the door [when I worked]. I made it inside here, in the garage, and no one see it. After midnight, I put the dish into the car -- a pickup or a lorry -- and sent it to a client," he said. He said a friend once warned him that the police were interested in his business. He said he managed to hide all of his equipment and evade arrest. --- Valentinas Mite is an RFE/RL correspondent (RFE/RL Media Matters May 30 via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. I didn't see any followup regarding the IBA budget. I've been told, though, that there hasn't been any significant news to report regarding SW cutbacks --- The official word still remains that they're still cutting shortwave as of the end of the year (Doni Rosenzweig, NY, May 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) {Jewish or Common?} ** LATVIA. Test transmissions from the Latvian shortwave site used by Laser Radio have been heard last month on 9520. No date is set so far for the stations return to shortwave (Nick Sharpe, Staines, UK, June World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. Just received some e-mails from WJIE/SW. The station in Liberia on SW (Voice of Liberty) is currently off the air on 11515. They are waiting for a sparepart to arrive. They are working on a station in Uganda "you should be able to hear well", so assume the ex- FEBA transmitter from Seychelles will operate from Uganda (as predicted in DXLD lately). More about this and some photos of Voice of Liberty/Liberia will follow soon here at DXing.info (Jari Savolainen, Finland, May 30, dxing.info via DXLD) ** LIBYA [non]. V. of Africa, 15315, May 25 1923-1926 ID, English news, 1927 French news. 1928 one-minute English announcement asking for letters. Gave address, fax and phone numbers; \\ 15025, both fair. Also on 11635, May 25 *2000-2130*; 2041-2045 and 2123-2127 English news. Also heard 1-minute English announcements at 2051 and 2129 asking for letters as above. No parallels heard; fair. Abruptly off at 2130 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) presumably via France ** MADAGASCAR. R. Malagasy, 5010.03, May 26 *0255-0330+; sign-on with drums IS, 0256 local news, 0300 choral anthem, 0301 ID and vernacular talk; reggae music. Good (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MARSHALL ISLANDS. MARSHALL ISLANDS ON THE AIR SHORTWAVE Play music from Marshall Islands website http://janeresture.com The Marshall Islands are a small group of islands that form a part of Micronesia in the central Pacific, about half way between Hawaii and Australia. The Marshalls are made up of 34 coral atolls with a total area of just 70 square miles and a total coastline of just 75 miles. These islands run in two parallel chains about 130 miles apart and they extend for 650 miles. The capital island is Majuro and the total population is around 75,000. The Marshall Islands were first populated by Micronesians who migrated into the area approximately 3,000 years ago. The first Europeans to sight the islands were from Spain, the islands were named by the British, and Germany bought them from Spain in 1885. The Japanese were granted a mandate over the islands from the League of Nations in 1920, and the Americans were granted a mandate from the United Nations in 1946. The Marshall Islands gained independence in 1986. Three island atolls in the Marshalls have achieved world wide fame. Kwajelein and Eniwetok were the location of two fierce battles during the Pacific War, and Bikini and Eniwetok were the locations for the American atomic tests in the Pacific a few years later. Radiowise, the first transmitter in the Marshall Islands was established under the Japanese mandate on the southern island of Jaluit (ja-LOO-it) somewhere around the mid-1920's. This was a communication station under the callsign JRX. In 1944, American forces established two stations in the Marshall Islands; WXLG with 1 kW on Kwajelein and WXLE with just 50 watts on Eniwetok. Two years later, radio played another important role during the American atomic tests on Bikini and Eniwetok. The radio transmitters on several ships relayed a live broadcast from a nearby location, giving a running commentary of the events associated with the atomic explosions. The mediumwave station WSZO began with just 200 watts on 1500 kHz somewhere around the year 1960. This station was established by the local government and it was supplementary to the two AFRS stations on the air in this island group in the central Pacific. In 1980, on March 4 to be exact, a new 1 kW transmitter at station WSZO made its first appearance on the shortwave bands. Two channels were in use, 6070 and 4940 kHz, though the tropical band channel gave the widest coverage. A few months later, the station stated that they were swamped with reception reports from all over the world, though mainly from Australia, New Zealand and North America. The transmitter was a Japanese NEC 10 kW unit and the antenna was beamed north west. Two years after its inauguration, the shortwave service came to an abrupt end when the antenna balun (BAL-un) failed. This service for the outer islands was never revived and gone was the possibility for distant listeners to hear this exotic radio station in the central Pacific. However, there is good news. Several recent news reports state that the Kentucky shortwave station WJIE, with its offices in Louisville and transmitters at Upton, indicate that they have bought the three shortwave transmitters from FEBA Seychelles. They are apparently planning to install one in Liberia, another in the United States, and the third in the Marshall Islands. The government radio station in the Marshall Islands began its on air service under the callsign WSZO and this was changed to V7AD after independence. What will be the callsign for this new Gospel shortwave station in the Marshall Islands? (Adrian Michael Peterson, AWR Wavescan June 1 via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. The article HIGH PROFILE CASUALTIES IN DUTCH COMMERCIAL RADIO that appeared in DXLD 3-094 is copyright Radio Netherlands. Its inclusion verbatim in DXLD was an oversight. The original article appears at http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/ned030528.html Take a look! (gh, DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA [non]. News Central story under USA mentions OKC as one of the victims of local news and weather that is not local. That would be KOKH-25, e.g.: Besides, he says, there's still plenty of flexibility in News Central's structure. When tornadoes cut a path through Oklahoma City earlier this month, News Central's Chuck Bell -- a onetime Oklahoma City weathercaster -- went live on KOKH with updates on the twisters' path from Hunt Valley. "We still have the same responsibility to be as accurate as possible," says Bell, "even if it's an illusion that we're experiencing the same weather as our viewers." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60149-2003May30.html 73, (-.. Kraig Krist, KG4LAC, DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA [non]. HAM-PIANIST CLOSING IN ON HALFWAY POINT IN RUN Concert pianist Martin Berkofsky, KC3RE, is closing in on the halfway point in his CelebrateLifeRun http://www.celebrateliferun.com from Tulsa to Chicago. A cancer survivor and an ARRL member from Northern Virginia, Berkofsky set out April 9 -- his 60th birthday -- on an 860- mile jog to celebrate his recovery from cancer and to raise money for research into the disease. Berkofsky -- who has ham gear, including APRS, along with him -- was 380 miles into his journey and some 20 miles south of Hermann, Missouri, as of mid-week. Berkofsky reports he's made many new ham radio friends in his travels, and he's hoping for an invitation to operate Field Day with an Illinois ham club group. "So far he has found local folks -- sometimes Amateur radio enthusiasts, sometimes cancer survivors--to put him up for the evening or drive him to his next base camp," said Joni Shulman, assistant research director of the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation in Tulsa. "Thanks to the generosity of total strangers, Martin has spent only two or three nights in motels." The CTRF will benefit from money raised during Berkofsky's run. Berkofsky has scheduled some benefit concerts along his route, including Rolla, Missouri, May 30; June 2 in Hermann, Missouri; and June 12 in St Louis (at Webster University). "St Louis will mark halfway through the run with my target arrival in Chicago 11 August," Berkofsky told ARRL. "I have managed to always keep a few days ahead and to run a few extra miles most days, weather allowing." Follow his progress via the Internet http://www.celebrateliferun.com/route.cfm (ARRL Letter May 30 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. 21465 at 0838 May 26 was with signal 24132. For prior days did not find any signal on this freq. The supposed 15095 for same time was not used. New problem on radio reception. From 9th of this month powerline noise (PLN) from the nearby 10kV electricity towers affect again my reception , with a S9 to S9+10 level over all the bands. Noise seems quasi ignition or spark type since only in short parts of the band the new bhi NES 10-2 external noise blanker can eliminate it. In other cases my MFJ1025 double antenna noise canceller can beat the noise but not 100% and requires very fine adjustments. The PLN is quite strong around and outside the house I made a call to the national Electricity company DEI for this noise problem. The officer in charge insisted that I was the first claiming about it, and supposes it is a local transformer problem or due to possible overload from electrical appliances (but still exists though we are in cold weather and rain for today ). It is expected powerline communications to start in late end this year by DEI`s daughter company Tellas (Zacharias Liangas, Thessaloniki, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. Radio Melodía probably is on 6042.55 kHz but the signal is weak and it`s difficult to get a 100% ID (Björn ``Somebody`` Malm, Quito, Ecuador, May 30, hard-core-dx via DXLD) 6042.5, 0335 30/May R. Melodía, Arequipa, Spanish, "...amigos oyentes de Radio Melodía...", " ...aquí en la ciudad de Arequipa...", "...mucha violencia en Arequipa y otras partes del Perú por el paro de los Maestros (Profesores), hay muertos...", music La Barca, 44444 73 (Rogildo Fontenelle Aragão, Cochabamba - Bolivia, Lowe HF-225E - Sony 2001D - LW 50m, ibid.) See also COLOMBIA ** PERU. Radio Del Pacífico (Lima); 5-31-03; 4975 kHz; 0614-0641 UT; Spanish; long sermons alternating with prayer, then rock music after ID; lots of noise; loud echoey ID "Radio Del Pacífico" at 0641; SINPO 33132; Icom R71A with folded dipole for 60 meters (John Sandin, Merriam, KS, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. VOR WHAT`s NEW --- THIS IS RUSSIA St. Petersburg, the northern Russian capital, is now celebrating its 300th anniversary. Thousands of guests have come to attend the jubilee festivities. Our next edition of THIS IS RUSSIA will be wholly devoted to the magnificent city on the Neva. We will speak about what was probably the most dramatic episode of World War Two – the siege of Leningrad, the Soviet-time name of the city of St. Petersburg; we will tell you about a long-standing tradition in St. Petersburg – gun salutes at Sts. Peter and Paul Fortress and also about the popular composer Andrei Petrov. The program will go on air on Monday, June 2nd at 0230 and 1530, on Tuesday at 1930, on Wednesday at 0830, on Thursday 0730, on Friday at 0530, on Saturday at 0630 and 1830 and Sunday at 1930, all times UT. MOSCOW YESTERDAY AND TODAY In the first edition of Moscow Yesterday and Today in June --- on the air on June 2 and the week following --- we'll tell you about Russian literary genius Alexander Pushkin and about the time he spent in Moscow, which the poet himself described as the happiest in his life. The next three Moscow Yesterday and Today programs will focus on the history of Russia's ancient capital. We'll be speaking about Arbat, one of Moscow's oldest streets, which is over 500 years now. We invite you to tune in to the three consecutive editions of Moscow Yesterday and Today, beginning Monday, June 9. The program goes on the air on Monday at 0830 and 1930 UT and is repeated throughout the week. Our program guide can be found at: http://www.vor.ru/ep.html (VOR via Maryanne Kehoe, May 29, swprograms via DXLD) ** SINGAPORE. Singapore Volmet, 6676 kHz, QSL letter (v/s: Chua Guat Mui, Director), Pamphlet and calling card in 29 days for EG report & 1$. Reply from National Environment Agency, Meteorological Service Division, P. O. Box 8, Changi Airport Post Office, Singapore 918141, Singapore (Kenji Hashimoto, Japan Premium via DXLD) ** SVALBARD. Do you want to take part in a DXpedition to the Arctic this summer? Well, LA3OHA is organizing a second DXpedition to Prins Karls Forland, which is part of the Spitsbergen Archipelago, and is looking for more operators. LA3OHA`s group put on a very successful DXpedition to the island in 2001, when they operated as JW0PK. This summer`s operation is scheduled to take place between the 11th and 25th of July. Contact LA3OHA direct if this trip interests you (GB2RS via Amateur Radio Newsline May 30 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** UKRAINE. AMBASSADORS WARN UKRAINE AGAINST CRACKDOWN ON WESTERN BROADCASTERS The UK, US and German ambassadors to Kiev have warned Ukraine against restricting the rebroadcasting of the BBC, the Voice of America and Deutsche Welle in Ukraine. Amendments to the law on TV and radio broadcasting to be passed by the Ukrainian parliament in September should not be directed against Western broadcasters and their Ukrainian partners, the ambassadors said in a front-page article in the leading independent Ukrainian weekly Zerkalo Nedeli on 31 May. Free flow of information is one of the pillars of democracy, and the new law should be in line with European practice and the commitments Ukraine undertook in the Council of Europe, the ambassadors said. Fears have been voiced that some of the proposed amendments would ban Western radio stations from Ukraine. That would put the country in the company of Iran and Cuba, the ambassadors said. The independent Ukrainian radio station Kontynent, which rebroadcasts the BBC, the Voice of America and Deutsche Welle, has repeatedly complained of government pressure, which the station says is linked to its independent reporting. Source: Zerkalo Nedeli, Kiev, in Russian 31 May 03, p 1 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U S A. Don't you believe New York VOLMET is "missing." I'm listening to it on 10051. There are times when I'm unable to receive New York VOLMET, but I've always assumed that this is due to poor propagation. (Mike Cooper, May 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Well, I guess it was when the column was written about a sesquimonth ago (gh) ** U S A. NEW STATION TO BROADCAST WAVESCAN Beginning next Sunday, we will welcome another radio station into the worldwide network of shortwave stations that regularly broadcast the AWR DX program, "Wavescan". This new shortwave station that will begin the relay of "Wavescan" next Sunday is station WINB in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, and in reality it is not a new station but an old friend in the international radio world. The schedule for the new broadcast of Wavescan over WINB on Sundays will be 10:30-11:00 am Eastern Time, which will remain the same all year round. Currently this timing corresponds to 1430-1500 UT on Sundays. All reception reports for the first day of broadcast of Wavescan next Sunday over station WINB may receive two QSL cards. One QSL card will be a specially endorsed QSL card from Adventist World Radio honoring this new event. After processing the reports in Indianapolis, we will forward them on to station WINB for their QSL card also. Reception reports for this first day only should be addressed to: Wavescan, Box 29235, Indianapolis, Indiana 46229, USA. We would like to acknowledge with appreciation the noted North American DXer and international radio monitor, Hans Johnson, for initiating these arrangements with station WINB. In our program two weeks from now, we will present a Station Profile on station WINB in Red Lion, Pennsylvania (Adrian Michael Peterson, AWR Wavescan June 1 via DXLD) ** U S A. NASB News from Jeff White NASB ELECTS NEW OFFICERS AT ANNUAL MEETING May 30, 2003 (Washington) - The National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters (NASB) -- the organization of privately-owned shortwave stations in the United States -- has elected Jeff White of Radio Miami International (WRMI) as its new President, and Paul Hunter of Word Broadcasting (WJIE and KVOH) as its new Vice President. The election took place at the 2003 Annual Meeting of NASB in Washington, DC on May 2. In addition, two new members of the NASB Board of Directors were elected: Charles Caudill of KNLS and Doug Garlinger of LeSEA Broadcasting (WHRI, WHRA and KWHR). They join White and Hunter, plus two other members of the Board: Elder Jacob Meyer of WMLK and Ted Haney of the Far East Broadcasting Company (which owns KFBS). NASB rules state that Board members must rotate off the Board for at least one year after two consecutive three-year terms. Board members Ed Evans of WSHB (former President) and Dan Elyea of WYFR (Secretary/Treasurer) completed their second consecutive terms, so they left the Board. However, Dan Elyea remains the NASB Secretary/Treasurer and Ed Evans has been appointed head of a new NASB PLC (Power Line Carrier) Committee. At this time, 18 of the 25 FCC (Federal Communications Commission)- licensed shortwave stations in the United States are members of NASB. The Association also has nine associate members, which include transmitter and antenna manufacturers, frequency consultants, etc. At the annual meeting, Tom Lucey of the FCC's International Bureau brought the good news that FCC frequency coordination fees are effectively being cut in half as of the B03 season, since the Commission will only be charging for two frequency seasons per year instead of four. This will save the privately-owned U.S. shortwave stations thousands of dollars a year, and this is a goal that the NASB had been working on for a number of years. Mr. Lucey also explained the new optional electronic format for submitting seasonal frequency schedules to the FCC. Don Messer of the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) spoke about the upcoming World Radio Conference in Geneva and the shortwave- related issues that will be dealt with at that meeting. Mr. Messer is also Chairman of the DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) Technical Committee, and he gave an update on the DRM coalition and its plans to begin regular DRM broadcasts in June. Also at the NASB Annual Meeting, Ron Wilenski of associate member TCI/Dielectric gave a presentation about his company's shortwave antenna business. TCI is based in the United States, but over 80% of the company's sales are overseas. Mr. Wilenski explained that all of the antennas presently used by shortwave broadcasters will be compatible with DRM transmissions, and his company hopes DRM will revitalize shortwave broadcasting. Doug Garlinger of LeSEA Broadcasting and Jeff White of WRMI presented a slide show about their representation of NASB at the two most recent High Frequency Coordinating Committee (HFCC) conferences in Bangkok, Thailand and Johannesburg, South Africa. Several representatives of the U.S. International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) took part in the NASB's annual meeting, and they gave an update on IBB's leasing of private facilities to accommodate special broadcasts to Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as other news about IBB developments in frequency management and monitoring services. Dr. Kim Elliott of the IBB's Audience Research department talked about the different forms of media used by international broadcasters in today's world, and he revealed the results of a very recent worldwide listener survey conducted by the Voice of America. Among other things, 59% of survey respondents indicated they were listening to VOA on shortwave, 16% to rebroadcasts of VOA on local AM and FM stations, 15% to VOA mediumwave outlets, 9% to VOA Internet audio, 0.4% to direct- to-home VOA satellite transmissions, and 0.2% to VOA on cable radio. At the business portion of the NASB's annual meeting, a proposal was discussed to initiate joint NASB broadcasts in the DRM format in the near future, using an existing DRM facility. No decision was reached at the meeting. An NASB Power Line Carrier (PLC) Committee was created to lobby the FCC against proposed use of power lines by broadband services which would cause harmful interference to HF transmissions. Next year's NASB Annual Meeting will be Friday, May 7, 2004 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Arlington, Virginia -- just north of Washington, DC's Reagan National Airport. More information is available at the NASB's website: http://www.shortwave.org (via Dan Elyea, WYFR, NASB, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re audience survey above: Thus, nearly 75% of VOA listeners tune in to the VOA's OWN transmitters (both MW and SW), and those highly-touted local-station rebroadcasts are pretty negligible in their reach by comparison --- ditto internet/satellite/cable radio, only more so. I don't know --- perhaps VOA is the exception... life goes on, rah-rah- rah for new media etc. But I would love to see comparable audience figures for some of those international broadcasters who have chosen to curtail and/or eliminate their various shortwave services in favor of "more efficient" delivery means like rebroadcasts/satellite/Web audio etc. To me, it's a bit like Chevron/Texaco dropping its Met- broadcast sponsorship after next season because the bean-counters apparently couldn't justify the $7,000,000 budget line-item (which amounts to something like ONE PERCENT of their total budget!). 73, (Randy Stewart, Springfield MO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. MONOPOLY OR DEMOCRACY? By Ted Turner, Friday, May 30, 2003; Page A23 On Monday the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to adopt dramatic rule changes that will extend the market dominance of the five media corporations that control most of what Americans read, see and hear. I am a major shareholder in the largest of those five corporations, yet -- speaking only for myself, and not for AOL Time Warner -- I oppose these rules. They will stifle debate, inhibit new ideas and shut out smaller businesses trying to compete. If these rules had been in place in 1970, it would have been virtually impossible for me to start Turner Broadcasting or, 10 years later, to launch CNN. The FCC will vote on several proposals, including raising the cap on how many TV stations can be owned by one corporation and allowing single corporations to own TV stations and newspapers in the same market. If a young media entrepreneur were trying to get started today under these proposed rules, he or she wouldn't be able to buy a UHF station, as I did. They're all bought up. But even if someone did manage to buy a TV station, that wouldn't be enough. To compete, you have to have good programming and good distribution. Today both are owned by conglomerates that keep the best for themselves and leave the worst for you -- if they sell anything to you at all. It's hard to compete when your suppliers are owned by your competitors. We bought MGM, and we later sold Turner Broadcasting to Time Warner, because we had little choice. The big were getting bigger. The small were disappearing. We had to gain access to programming to survive. Many other independent media companies were swallowed up for the same reason -- because they didn't have everything they needed under their own roof, and their competitors did. The climate after Monday's expected FCC decision will encourage even more consolidation and be even more inhospitable to smaller businesses. Why should the country care? When you lose small businesses, you lose big ideas. People who own their own businesses are their own bosses. They are independent thinkers. They know they can't compete by imitating the big guys; they have to innovate. So they are less obsessed with earnings than they are with ideas. They're willing to take risks. When, on my initiative, Turner Communications (now Turner Broadcasting) bought its first TV station, which at the time was losing $50,000 a month, my board strongly objected. When TBS bought its second station, which was in even worse shape than the first, our accountant quit in protest. Large media corporations are far more profit-focused and risk-averse. They sometimes confuse short-term profits and long-term value. They kill local programming because it's expensive, and they push national programming because it's cheap -- even if it runs counter to local interests and community values. For a corporation to launch a new idea, you have to get the backing of executives who are obsessed with quarterly earnings and afraid of being fired for an idea that fails. They often prefer to sit on the sidelines waiting to buy the businesses or imitate the models of the risk-takers who succeed. (Two large media corporations turned down my invitation to invest in the launch of CNN.) That's an understandable approach for a corporation -- but for a society, it's like overfishing the oceans. When the smaller businesses are gone, where will the new ideas come from? Nor does this trend bode well for new ideas in our democracy -- ideas that come only from diverse news and vigorous reporting. Under the new rules, there will be more consolidation and more news sharing. That means laying off reporters or, in other words, downsizing the workforce that helps us see our problems and makes us think about solutions. Even more troubling are the warning signs that large media corporations -- with massive market power -- could abuse that power by slanting news coverage in ways that serve their political or financial interests. There is always the danger that news organizations can push positive stories to gain friends in government, or unleash negative stories on artists, activists or politicians who cross them, or tell their audiences only the news that confirms entrenched views. But the danger is greater when there are no competitors to air the side of the story the corporation wants to ignore. Naturally, corporations say they would never suppress speech. That may be true. But it's not their intentions that matter. It's their capabilities. The new FCC rules would give them more power to cut important ideas out of the public debate, and it's precisely that power that the rules should prevent. Some news organizations have tried to marginalize opponents of the war in Iraq, dismissing them as a fringe element. Pope John Paul II also opposed the war in Iraq. How narrow-minded have we made our public discussion if the opinion of the pope is considered outside the bounds of legitimate debate? Our democracy needs a broader dialogue. As Justice Hugo Black wrote in a 1945 opinion: "The First Amendment rests on the assumption that the widest possible dissemination of information from diverse and antagonistic sources is essential to the welfare of the public." Safeguarding the welfare of the public cannot be the first concern of large publicly traded media companies. Their job is to seek profits. But if the government writes the rules in a certain way, companies will seek profits in a way that serves the public interest. If, on Monday, the FCC decides to go the other way, that should not be the end of it. Powerful public groups across the political spectrum oppose these new rules and are angry about their lack of input in the process. People who can't make their voices heard in one arena often find ways to make them heard in others. Congress has the power to amend the rule changes. Members from both parties oppose the new rules. This isn't over. The writer is founder of CNN and chairman of Turner Enterprises Inc. (c) 2003 The Washington Post Company (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. ARE BIGGER VOICES BETTER VOICES? With FCC expected to relax ownership rules Monday, the media industry faces static from a public wary of consolidation. By Kim Campbell | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor (On- Line Edition May 30th) Depending on whom you ask, next week could mark the end of consumer choice in the media, or usher in a new era of quality and resources. Or neither. On Monday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to relax long-standing media-ownership rules, and furor is filling op/ed pages and spurring ad campaigns nationwide. The debate is one of the sharpest over media policy in years, as corporate interests, keen on modifying "outdated" regulations, confront a public increasingly uncomfortable with consolidation. If, as many observers expect, the rules are loosened to allow for ownership of multiple media outlets in a single market, the industry could be transformed - though the extent of that revolution remains unclear. "This is not the final battle. This is the first battle," says Robert McChesney, head of Free Press, a group that advocates media diversity. "There will be recourse on a number of different levels," he says. "There's no doubt that members of Congress will come back with media- ownership legislation in the next session." Driving public concern is the fear that most media outlets could fall into the hands of a few players, limiting diversity of voices and local coverage. In print and TV ads this week, a coalition of groups portrayed an industry in which a few media moguls - like Rupert Murdoch, the man behind the Fox News Channel and the New York Post - reign supreme. Already, about three-quarters of what Americans see, hear, and read in the media is controlled by a handful of large companies. That, argue critics, is not desirable in a democracy, where independent voices are essential. Congress and the FCC have received hundreds of thousands of e-mails and letters on the topic. Though the public debate is less than fever pitch, grass-roots meetings attended by various of the FCC's five commissioners have drawn crowds from a few dozen to nearly 1,000. The plan is opposed by both conservative and liberal groups, from the National Rifle Association to the National Organization for Women. The two Democratic commissioners on the FCC's decision-making board, and members of Congress from both parties, have tried unsuccessfully to persuade Republican FCC chairman Michael Powell, son of Secretary of State Colin Powell, to delay the vote and allow more time to consider the rules. But the meeting is expected to go ahead, as planned, on Monday. Even some experts who say deregulation will help the media environment aren't convinced that now is the right time, since not all Americans have access to the full range of media options. "Short term, I'm uncomfortable about it, because we haven't yet gotten to the point where I think it is the most appropriate remedy," says Everette Dennis, professor of media management at New York's Fordham University. On the docket for Monday are several rules, including those that cover bans on ownership of a television station and a newspaper in the same market, owning more than one of the top four TV stations in a market, and a single company owning local stations that reach more than 35 percent of US TV households. Those in favor of loosening the rules, including Chairman Powell, argue the current restrictions are outdated, having been created in the 1960s and '70s. The way they see it, the rules were meant for an environment with just three broadcast networks, a world in which Web surfing was for Spiderman. Now, their argument goes, people have many options for news and entertainment - diminishing the need to protect a few players. With more competition, and with the rising production costs, comes the need for large, prosperous companies that can afford to keep up, supporters say. "If you want to preserve and strengthen free, over-the-air, local television, then you need to extend some modest deregulation in terms of duopolies [single owners owning more than one outlet]," says Dennis Wharton, a spokesman for the National Association of Broadcasters. Those in favor of the changes argue that if a struggling local news station can use the resources of a cross-owned newspaper, the community benefits. But critics insist that synergy deprives the market of one more independent voice - and deprives outlets of competitive drive. Public response, albeit limited, is larger than that generated in 1996, say observers, when Congress passed the Federal Communications Act. Among its changes, that law deregulated the radio industry, allowing single owners to buy many stations. Clear Channel Communications, for instance, went from owning fewer than 50 stations to more than 1,200. Protests were planned at Clear Channel stations in major US cities Thursday to object to the current FCC action. The perceived homogenization of radio is fueling concerns about relaxing ownership rules for TV. Though broadcasters argue that there are now more radio formats to choose from, critics complain of similar content, increased commercialism, and a loss of local flavor. Since 1996, the number of radio-station owners has dropped by roughly a third. That, opponents say, is a harbinger of the weakening of local media if regulations are relaxed. How quickly and to what extent the landscape will change remains unclear. Because cross-ownership of newspapers and TV stations is already permitted in some markets, many consumers are used to seeing the same reporters on several channels, or plugs on the nightly news for a commonly owned newspaper. Though analysts say media companies will likely be eager to take advantage of looser rules, the sagging economy - and the available outlets - may keep them from moving too fast. Some media watchers are less troubled that the potential moves represent a doomsday scenario for diversity and democracy. "The FCC is going to move incrementally ... such that you won't see a significant change in the landscape," says Rob Frieden, a telecommunications professor at Pennsylvania State University. He's not opposed to deregulation, arguing that media is no different from other industries forced to do more with less. "Media industries are not exempt from having to economize, streamline, become more productive," Professor Frieden says. "To a certain extent, a large, deep-pocketed media conglomerate is better able to produce or acquire the high-quality content we expect." If the rules are relaxed, Dennis sees an opportunity for more accountability and public involvement. "Media can be very responsive to criticism.... We've had a weak tradition of media criticism in the United States, so maybe this will bolster that." (via Roger Chambers, Utica, NY, DXLD) Heard on R. Australia Feedback that one R. Chambers won something but he was in OO-ti-ca (gh, DXLD) As the vote on proposed FCC changes looms on June 2, the Washington Post has a resource page with numerous links to information about this topic. There is also a poll, and a quiz to test your knowledge on this subject. The URL is: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/technology/techpolicy/fcc/?nav=hptoc_ (Roger Chambers, Utica, NY, May 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. BROADCAST RADIO: INDUSTRY SURVEY SAYS LISTENERS ARE HAPPY WITH CONSOLIDATION Still with regulatory news, a recent listener survey has given credence to a claim by major radio chains that industry consolidation has provided more local flavor and diversity in programming. The report by Arbitron Inc. found that most listeners were very pleased with the programming choices available to them. In fact, about 79 percent said they get more or the same amount of programming choices from consolidated radio than they did five years ago. Skeptics say the report is biased as it comes from a company whose business is perpetuated by the growth of big radio company profits. (Via e-mail) (Amateur Radio Newsline May 30 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. The Friday edition of Marketplace has a 4-minute segment on the FCC vote, starting 7 minutes into the show. I think the current show is only available for a limited time: http://www.marketplace.org/current.ram (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. TV'S NEWS CENTRAL: ONE SOURCE FITS ALL MD. STUDIO FEEDS LOCAL SHOWS NATIONALLY --- By Paul Farhi, Washington Post Staff Writer, Saturday, May 31, 2003, Page A01 HUNT VALLEY, Md. -- With a cheerful "Scott, how's it shaping up?" WSMH anchorman Jim Kiertzner cues forecaster Scott Padgett for the local weather forecast. Padgett, bright and sunny himself, tells viewers of the Flint, Mich., station to expect a high of 63 and more rain. He backs up the prediction with radar images showing a storm spreading like spilled ink toward Flint, Saginaw and Bay City. It's such a smooth performance that you'd never guess that Padgett, WSMH's "local" weatherman, isn't in Flint. Or that he's never even visited the city. Moments before WSMH's 10 p.m. news, Padgett recorded his forecast in a studio located here, some 600 miles away, and shipped it to the station via its computer network. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60149-2003May30.html 73, (-.. Kraig Krist, KG4LAC, DXLD) see also OKLAHOMA ** U S A. KWKH PLAYING COUNTRY MUSIC AGAIN Hello Glenn, A couple nights ago I noticed country music on 1130 AM, but didn't give it much thought, since any number of things can come in on 1130 here in central Missouri, given conditions, etc. Thursday night I heard it again between 9 and 10 PM CDT (0200-0300 UT) and confirmed it's KWKH, Shreveport, LA, playing only classic country, liners, and commercials. I didn't hear any live announcers. Liners say they're playing country legends. One mentioned sports and country legends, so they're apparently still doing some sports programming. I didn't think KWKH was supposed to be audible up this way, but for the past several months, I've heard them with a very loud signal quite often. You might have had other reports on this, or maybe noticed it yourself, but thought I'd add my two cents (John Wesley Smith, KC0HSB, Hallsville, MO, May 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) One frequently suspects their direxional pattern be out of whack or not employed properly at nite (gh, DXLD) KWKH-1130 LOUISIANA HAYRIDE CDS If any of you have Cracker Barrel restaurants near you, they seem to be as common on interstates as clover leaf intersections, look in their CD display for the KWKH Louisiana Hayride CDs. These are compilations of classic live performances from the 50s. So far I've seen 3 different CDs and tapes; a CD of classic country performances, one of classic gospel performances, and one of an Elvis Presley performance made just before his explosion on to the music scene. These are nice historical pieces and I wish other stations would follow this lead. It's good to hear they are going back to classic country. I remember listening to KWKH as a young teenager when I discovered DXing. They are just a frog hair from my hometown powerhouse WBT and were easy to find on my All American 5 RCA radio. Now if we could just convince the other 10 million "Sports Talk" stations to change programming (Rick Robinson, who's about sports talked, news talked and preached out, Hendersonville, NC, May 29, NRC- AM via DXLD) ** U S A. THAYRONE HAS A NEW JOB YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) --- A disc jockey who was fired by Eastern Michigan University's public radio station has a new gig with a station in Ann Arbor. Terry Hughes, known on his radio program as "Thayrone," will host a show on Sunday nights on WQKL-FM. WEMU-FM station manager Art Timko fired Hughes early last month for giving on- air opinions about the war in Iraq and refusing to air National Public Radio news during his show. Timko said WEMU-FM policy doesn't allow announcers to express opinions on matters of a controversial nature. Hughes had hosted "The Bone Conduction Show" for about 20 years, Timko said. Because Hughes spoke favorably about President Bush and his handling of the war in Iraq, his dismissal became a hot topic among conservative radio and television pundits. Ray Nelson, general manager for Clear Channel's Ann Arbor stations, is giving Hughes complete creative control of his new show. Starting this weekend, the show will air each Sunday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. "The show's success is in its host and the creative juices that flow with it," Nelson told The Detroit News for a Friday story. "I don't want to stymie that. Thayrone, I trust, will use the good judgment that any other broadcaster would in complying with our rules and regulations." (Relayed by Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, DXLD) ** U S A. LOS ANGELES PUBLIC RADIO STATION KUSC 91.5 FM GOES DIGITAL WITH HD RADIO(TM) TECHNOLOGY Southern California's Public Radio Network is Poised to Broadcast Digitally on Additional Stations KCPB-Thousand Oaks, KFAC-Santa Barbara, And KPSC-Palm Springs COLUMBIA, Md., and WARREN, N.J., May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- iBiquity Digital Corporation, the sole developer and licenser of HD Radio (TM) technology, and KUSC 91.5 FM, licensed to the University of Southern California, announced today that KUSC 91.5 FM in Los Angeles is the area's first noncommercial licensee of HD Radio technology. KUSC is part of a Los Angeles area public radio network providing classical music and arts programming to the nation's second largest radio market. KUSC is the largest noncommercial classical station in the country. Other stations in the same Southern California network licensed for HD Radio technology include KCPB-Thousand Oaks, KFAC- Santa Barbara, and KPSC-Palm Springs. "HD Radio technology opens the door for public broadcasters, such as KUSC, to offer digital quality and superior services to their loyal listeners," said Bob Struble, president and CEO, iBiquity Digital Corporation. "Public radio offers the potential for listeners to get the local news and information they value, as well as the option for new and exciting secondary services – all offered on the same frequency." Brenda Barnes, president and general manager, KUSC 91.5 FM said, "Classical music deserves and demands the highest quality transmission possible. HD Radio technology offers us the chance to improve the technical quality of the programming we provide as well as the consistency and reliability of our service. As a noncommercial station governed by a mission, improving service to our listeners is always the primary goal." For more information on how to license HD Radio technology please contact Stephen Wallace at 410-872-1554, wallace@@ibiquity.com or Scott Stull at 410-872-1578, stull@@ibiquity.com About KUSC 91.5 FM KUSC, the radio station of the University of Southern California started 55 years ago as a small student-run radio station on the USC campus and grew into the largest noncommercial classical station in the country, serving the entire Southern California region. According to recent Arbitron ratings, KUSC's classical format is the most popular music format on public radio, accounting for 30% of all programming. For more information on KUSC please visit: http://www.kusc.org (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. The current edition of the Society of Broadcast Engineers chapter 48 on-line newsletter has a very interesting story about the IBOC situation by Cris Alexander, Director of Engineering for Crawford Broadcasting. There is also a very informative article about the recent upgrade of KNRC/1150 (ex-KCUV) here in the Denver area. And yes, before you start poking fun, there is a big old picture of my ugly face next to a local TV personality in the very first story in the newsletter. My apologies for that! The newsletter is at http://www.smpte-sbe48.org/news.asp (Patrick Griffith Westminster, CO, USA, NRC-AM via DXLD) Viz.: RANDOM RADIO THOUGHTS Cris Alexander, CSRE, Crawford Broadcasting Company Back in April at the NAB convention, there was a lot of hubbub about the rollout of HD Radio, Radio's version of a digital transmission medium. A number of FM stations in the nation's top six markets are already on the air with the FM version; there are a couple of AM stations transmitting in digital as well. One thing I noted while at NAB was that the AM HD over-the-air demos sounded rough. To my ear, they sounded like a fair quality Internet stream. There were artifacts present, particularly on high-frequency components. Much of the source material was high-density, however, which made it hard to discern the artifacts. Crawford Broadcasting Company and several other broadcast groups recently made decisions to wait on AM HD implementation. I based my decision almost entirely on the quality issue, although the unresolved nighttime questions also played a part. My opinion was that AM HD Radio was not ready for prime time. The PAC algorithm for AM needs a lot of work. On May 14, the NRSC DAB subcommittee announced a suspension of activity in the in-band-on-channel (IBOC) standards-setting process. The reason cited was "...growing concerns over the audio quality of iBiquity's low bit-rate codec..." It was the very demonstrations that I heard at NAB 2003 in Las Vegas plus similar demonstrations at a private NPR event in Washington that led the NRSC to pull the plug for the time being on IBOC standards setting. It was interesting to note that many NRSC members found that earlier demonstrations at 36 kbps sounded much better and were "...suitable for broadcast." Whatever changes iBiquity has recently made to the AM PAC algorithm, they were in the wrong direction. It will be interesting to see what happens in coming months by way of PAC improvements. I think it is very unfortunate that AM, which stands to gain the most from a digital transmission medium, has been back- burnered once again. Maybe we should take Leonard Kahn's new AM proposal a little more seriously after all (SBE/Denver May via DXLD) ** U S A. As of 1034 [EDT] today [May 29] I do not note the IBOC effect on either side of WOR. Stations on both 700 and 720 are coming in clearly (Ben Dangerfield, Wallingford, PA, NRC-AM via DXLD) Thanks Ben! That is good news! Let's hope it's permanent. I enjoy listening to CHTN-720 on my drive home through Plymouth, Mass. It's virtually impossible when IBOC is turned on (Marc DeLorenzo, Marstons Mills, Mass., ibid.) As mentioned on the list earlier, IBOC is on hold while problems with the codec are addressed. Personally I find it hard to believe that such a screw-up made it this far. An in-band digital solution has been in the works for some ten years now, and they still don't have it right? Now's the opportunity for Kahn and DRM to step forward (Bruce Conti - Nashua NH, ibid.) It's the standardization efforts in the radio industry's NRSC group that's on hold, not the usage of IBOC by stations. If IBOC is gone from WOR, I'd guess WOR finally woke up and decided there's no reason to play around with IBOC for a good while at least (Chuck Hutton, ibid.) Well no, NRSC said that the PAC used on the MW IBOC was unacceptable at the low data rates, and they needed to fix it or go back to AAC. And the night use of IBOC has not even been addressed by them yet. I expect they are awaiting another round of software upgrades. And since NO one has any IBOC radios for now.... (Powell E. Way, ibid.) ** U S A. Re Sweeper: Thanks to Walter and to other people who replied to my message about the sweeper. Frederik, the sweeper I am talking about is a kind of device called Long Range Sea Sonde. Please find more information below I got from George Maroti a long time ago. The text was written by Andy Wallace and Paul McDonough. THE SMOOCHER ("SWISHER"). I think I read somewhere that this was possibly a "sea state" evaluator for close-in waters. It bounces the HF signal off the ionosphere (way below MUF) and gets weak reflections that have a doppler spread on it. The doppler frequency spread is directly related to the speed of the ocean waves. That way they know how fast the waves are moving, hence sea state. If it were some type of over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) it would change frequency as the ionosphere changed during the day (higher frequencies for farther range during daylight/higher MUF, else the signal would be absorbed by the D layer). Since this doesn't change frequency range, it's probably not an OTHR. But an experimental station that could only get a license for a particular band sounds more probable. Sea state sounds like one possibility. Any way to check for experimental FCC licenses in the 4 MHz band? (Paul McDonough, Boston Area DXers) Went to the FCC database and found that the University of Maine has a license for some CODAR ocean HF radio units. See CODAR's website http://www.codaros.com/products/LongRangeSpecs.htm for specifications. In brief, output power 80 watts peak, 40 watts average; operating frequency range, 4.5-5.5 MHz; transmitter, SSTX 100. They say the frequency sweeps up and then returns. The signals we are hearing seem to sweep downwards. Per the FCC experimental licensing database, a licensee is University of Maine, School of Marine Science, station location Heron Neck Light House, Vinalhaven, ME, North 44 1 30, West 68 51 50. Rutgers has also installed a bunch in NJ. I think these must be the sweepers. I bet if we search carefully when propagation allows we will find that they sweep less than 100 kHz and we are actually hearing more than one. The Maine installation also explains why we heard it at Chamberlain, but I haven't looked to see how close that is to Heron Neck. Paul McDonough wins the prize for pointing me in the right direction! (Andy Wallace, BADX) It's about 37 miles as the crow flies. This would certainly explain why 4.8-5.0 MHz was overwhelmed by smoocher QRM during our DXpedition this past weekend. (JB) (all via Marcelo Toníolo, NZ, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. What may have been the National R. of the Saharan Arab Dem. Rep. was heard for only a short time on 7460 at 0640 until fade around 0650 on May 31st. Signal strength was poor, but Arabic music and speech was heard. 73s (Noel R. Green [Blackpool, UK], Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) Recently filed by mistake under SAHARA WESTERN (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. This morning I heard an LA station on 5067 kHz. I did not get an ID but probably it is listed Ondas del Suroriente. Best Wishes! (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, May 30, hard-core-dx via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. There are some UNID stations heard by Serguei Nikishin in Moscow with his Sony Pro80 right in urban part of the city: 6037.4 UNID in Spanish between 0000-0100 May 28. If anyone could help, it will be too much appreciated 73 and DX, (Serguei Nikishin via Artyom Prokhorov (Moscow, Russia) Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. I have heard recently an AM carrier on 6350.0 SSB [sic] for most of the day; no station seems to own it as no station is heard. This is blocking AFN from the horrible high pitched noise the carrier makes when in SSB mode. Can someone investigate- if nothing better to do, and see what this mystery carrier is doing. -? NOTE: This was heard in Tasmania, Australia, and other overseas listeners may not find this problem, but why not see. -Carrier heard continuously from when I heard it at around 0000 UT to 1000 -approx only. I don't believe that the 'Voice of Hope' is doing something there on that frequency. All keep well! --- Kind regards, (Robert Wise, Hobart, Australia, May 30, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. This month`s featured station is both a numbers station and a pirate. While there have been a few parody numbers stations in the past, they have usually been short lived, with just one or two transmissions. For almost a year now, we`ve been hearing coded messages from the ``Rodent revolution``, a.k.a. WBNY. These are supposedly transmitted form the revolution`s leader, Commander Bunny, to his shock troops in the field. These transmissions were first noted on August 7, 2002 on 6950 kHz. They have mostly been heard on this frequency, altho 6955 and 6925 have also been reported. Both AM and SSB have been heard. Signal strength and technical quality is usually quite poor, leading one to suspect a connexion to the Cuban Atención stations. Most transmissions have used he same encryption method, a simple substitution cipher, one of the most basic methods of encoding a message. Each letter of the alphabet is encoded using a number from 1 to 26. No spaces are sent; it is up to the recipient to place spaces in the correct locations after decrypting the message. Derek Glidden came up with the solution using letter frequency information. The decryption table is: 1 M 8 E 15 P 22 ? 2 L 9 D 16 ? 23 Y 3 J? 10 C 17 R 24 J? 4 I 11 B 18 S 25 ? 5 H 12 A 19 T 26 ? 6 G 13 N 20 U 7 F 14 O 21 W J has been reported to use both 3 and 24; this may be due to encryption errors --- 3 fits the obvious pattern better. 16 can be inferred to be Q. K, V, X and Z are unknown at present. Further transmissions may identify them. The most recent message heard was on May 19, 2003 at 2328 UT on 6950 AM, and decrypted to: ``COMMANDER BUNNY IS GO`` That`s it for this month. I need to go outside and check my tire pressure. 73, (Chris Smolinski, Covert Comms, The Monthly A*C*E, June via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PROPAGATION +++++++++++ [CUMBRE DX] PROPAGATION REPORT Geomagnetic storm conditions prevail at the moment with the solar wind speed elevated at 685 km/sec, with a highly unusual +24 nT bias. Since May 27 a number of M and X class flares have been noted with associated fadeouts, and coronal mass ejections. Coronal hole activity was prevalent early in the week keeping the geomagnetic field active for a few days as well. Magnetically complex and compact solar region 365 located in the south-west solar quadrant, produced the two X class flares. These events were associated with Type II radio sweeps and mass ejections. At least one of the X class flares produced protons with 10MeV solar proton flux levels currently just below event threshold at time of issue of this report. Two shocks are expected to arrive on 30/31 May. Background solar wind speed are currently elevated at 650km/sec, due to a coronal hole now located in the western solar hemisphere. A much larger coronal hole is visible in the Sun's eastern hemisphere and is expected to produce an extended period of elevated wind speed from 02 Jun. More CMEs are expected to impact on May 31 and Jun 2, with possible major storm conditions from Jun 1. Needless to say propagation conditions are forecast to be mostly poor at least for the first half of the week. Produced using data from http://www.ips.gov.au (Richard Jary, SA, May 30, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) AURORAL AUDIO CLIPS Does anyone have any audio clips of AU receptions on their sites? (Mike Hawk, WTFDA via DXLD) Yes, I have a couple at http://fmdx.usclargo.com/ra.html (Mike Bugaj, Enfield, CT, http://pages.cthome.net/fmdx ibid.) Mike, enjoy! WOMC 104.3 Detroit, MI - 5:50PM [EDT May 29] This one was almost a pain it was in for so long and so clear! http://mpickar.home.attbi.com/WOMC-104.3-AU-05-29-2003.mp3 (Bill Nollman, WTFDA via DXLD) FIRST DTV ES RECEPTION IN HISTORY? This Morning at 8:22 AM EDT I successfully got the PSIP ID from KOTA- DT (Channel 2), Rapid City, SD from 1,062 miles. It locked only long enough to snag the PSIP, and no video frame or sound was decoded. Picture of the PSIP ID is available at my website http://www.DXFM.com The first picture may yet come today. I still have have "Prairie Public TV" KGFE, Grand Rapids, ND up on channel 2 with DTV snow. That's the way things were just before the ID came in for KOTA-DT. To answer some questions... The setup for the reception is as follows: Hauppauge WinTV-D card Delhi / Jerrold VIP-307SR Antenna @ 45 feet Channel Master CM-7777 preamp I started seeing a coherent but intermittent DTV signal on channel 2 last night at around 6:00 PM when the auroral activity was seemingly at its peak. I was getting a steady carrier offset frequency reading of 2.5 kHz, and intermittent EQ locks. I had no sync locks last night. By 7:00 PM no hint of the DTV signal remained on channel 2. I got up and started DXing shortly after 2:00 AM and noticed that the coherent carrier offset frequency reading and intermittent EQ locks were back. I parked the antenna on the beam heading for KOTA-DT (299 degrees) and I didn't move it after that. At about 8:15 AM I started seeing intermittent sync locks. Finally at 8:22 AM EDT, I got full sync lock, the frame error rate went to zero, and the PSIP ID was captured. The frame error rate only stayed at zero for perhaps 5 seconds. Even so, it wasn't enough time apparently to decode a video frame. I suppose I better go to work now :-) (Girard Westerberg, Lexington, KY, May 30, WTFDA via DXLD) CONGRATS! This is a huge milestone for the TVDX hobby. I think most of us knew it would happen some day - now it has. Hopefully it will be the first of many (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View (Nashville), TN, ibid.) SOLAR UPDATE Sun watcher Tad "I See the Light" Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: While this bulletin is being written Friday, May 30 at around 0600 UTC, a severe geomagnetic storm rages. For the past three reporting periods (three hours each), the planetary K index has been 8, indicating extremely active conditions. A late forecast at 0359 UTC on May 30 shows the projected planetary A index for May 30 through June 2 as 60, 40, 25 and 20, followed by an A of 30 for June 3-5, 35 for June 6, and 30 again on June 7. On May 29 Earth was hit by coronal mass ejections at 1215 UTC and 1900 UTC. A third coronal mass ejection may hit Earth May 30. Rather than working HF, now seems a good time for 6-meter operations and observing aurora. Solar flux over the next few days (May 30 through June 2) is predicted at 145, 140, 135 and 125. Sunspot numbers for May 22 through 28 were 110, 87, 84, 51, 65, 116 and 116, with a mean of 89.9. The 10.7-cm flux was 118.4, 117.9, 116.8, 121.1, 125.1, 128.8 and 130.2, with a mean of 122.6. Estimated planetary A indices were 25, 21, 22, 22, 18, 26 and 36, with a mean of 24.3. (ARRL Letter May 30 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ================================================================= This Is SKY & TELESCOPE's AstroAlert for Sun-Earth Interactions ================================================================= A s t r o A l e r t Sun-Earth Alert Solar Terrestrial Dispatch http://www.spacew.com Supporting Imagery and Movies are available at: http://www.spacew.com/astroalert.html 30 May 2003 BAD LUCK FOR NORTH AMERICAN AURORA OBSERVERS Sometimes (lots of times) things don't go quite according to plan when you're hunting for the elusive "Northern Lights." The fact that the occurrence of auroral activity is predictable at all is a testament to our scientific knowledge and expertise of the Sun and the processes that couple solar disturbances with the Earth's magnetosphere. As most North American aurora observers can attest, the anticipated display of the northern lights on 29 and 30 May were foiled by circumstances beyond anyones control. Just as the Sun began setting over the eastern fringes of North America, the disturbance that had been broiling furiously began to decay. By the time it was dark enough to observe anything, very few people were able to spot the northern lights. Some travelled great distances to see the phenomena, only to be disappointed. Dedicated observers in eastern Canada were treated to a few relatively brief periods of moderately strong activity during the evening hours last night, but such luck didn't hold out for most. Unfortunately, this is one of the quirks of hunting aurorae. They can be frustratingly elusive at times. Prospects were much rosier for Europeans. Numerous reports of moderate to strong auroral activity were received from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and even Germany. Had the solar disturbance arrived 6 to 9 hours later than it did, observers across North America and down to the central United States might have been privileged to observe activity as well. The last coronal mass ejection to impact the Earth arrived around 12:25 pm EDT (16:25 UTC) on 30 May and did not contain sufficient "punch" to rejuvinate auroral storming. Although there remains a chance some middle latitude regions may spot periods of low to moderately strong auroral substorming over the next 12 to 18 hours as the magnetosphere stabilizes, the chances for observing activity from most middle latitude regions have vanished. Active sunspot complex Region 10365, which was responsible for the flurry of recent space storm activity, is still capable of producing energetic major solar flare activity. However, it has rotated into a less favorable position for throwing coronal mass ejections Earthward. Ironically, although it is in a less favorable position for ejecting mass Earthward, it IS in almost an ideal position (at least, statistically speaking) for accelerating high energy protons toward the Earth should a major proton flare occur. As a result, operators of satellites and other vulnerable technology in space are as concerned now as they were several days ago. Energetic proton bombardments can permanently decrease the ability of solar arrays to generate electricity - thereby shortening spacecraft lifetimes. Energetic protons can also produce occasional anomalies such as phantom commands or single event upsets (SEUs). As far as the satellite industry is concerned, we are not yet out of the woods. ** End of the AstroAlert Bulletin ** (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) NEWFOUNDLAND CLUB PROMOTING INTEREST IN LF WORK The Marconi Radio Club of Newfoundland is promoting interest in low- frequency (LF) work on 136 kHz The club reports it's breaking new ground on the long waves by conducting experiments aimed at assisting Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) http://www.rac.ca to acquire a 136-kHz amateur allocation and promoting interest in LF work. The RAC has endorsed and Industry Canada has approved an experimental license proposal drafted by club member Joe Craig, VO1NA. Since then, an LF transmitting station--the first in the Newfoundland-Labrador Section- -has been on the air at 135.830 kHz as MRCN members conduct various experiments including crossband contacts. Signals from the station have been copied by W1TAG near Boston and by G3NYK in England. The FCC recently decided against granting the 136-kHz allocation for US amateurs that ARRL had requested and the FCC had proposed granting in 2002. Visit the MRCN Web site http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~jcraig/mrcn.html for further information (ARRL Letter May 30 via John Norfolk, DXLD)### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-094, May 29, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.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 HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3e.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 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 AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1184: RFPI: Fri 1930, Sat 0130, 0800, 1400, 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 7445 15039 WWCR: Sat 0500, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 WJIE: Sat 0930, Sun 1030, 1630 7490 13595 (maybe) WBCQ: Sun 0445 7415 WRN ONDEMAND [from Fri]: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1184.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1184.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1184h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1184h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1184.html CONTINENT OF MEDIA 03-03! New edition is now available, first broadcast on RFPI 7445, 15039: Thu 2000, Fri 0200, 0830; Sat 2130, Sun 0330, 0930 Also via DXing.com: {Stream) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0303.ram (Download) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0303.rm And via our site: (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/com0303.ram (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/com0303.rm (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0303.html (not yet available) WORLD OF RADIO, CONTINENT OF MEDIA ON SIUE WEB RADIO Glenn, I am PSA Director for Web Radio, a student-run radio station at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. I raised this idea with the station's General Manager, Lisa Herman, and she's all for what I am proposing. I am proposing the airing of World of Radio on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. CDT (1830 UT) on Mondays, and Continent of Media (which may be substituted with another WOR airing) on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. CDT (1830 UT). I am proposing beginning WOR airings on June 2, and COM airings on June 4. The URL for Web Radio is: http://www.siue.edu/WEBRADIO/ The show will be inserted into regular automation, after my shows. "Journey Through The '70s", a program of '70s hits, airs on Monday beginning at noon (1700 GMT) and "Journey Through The '80s", a program of '80s hits, airs Wednesday at noon (1700 GMT). SIUE Web Radio (and sister station WSIE 88.7 FM) have facilities to record programs downloaded from the Internet on audio cassette, and convert them to MP3 files. If you have any other questions, let me know! BTW, I ran Part 15 radio station 107.1 KXLW Hazelwood, MO in the mid-1990s. E.B. Stevenson, PSA Director, Web Radio and 88.7 WSIE Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ** CANADA. CBC-TV FIRES VETERANS DUTHIE, GLOBERMAN Video-journalists to replace reporters; union to file grievance Tony Atherton, The Ottawa Citizen, Wednesday, May 28, 2003 Ottawa CBC TV reporters Dian Duthie and Danny Globerman were told yesterday their jobs would be eliminated by late July -- and replaced with two new positions designed for camera-wielding video journalists. Ms. Duthie, an award-winning health reporter who has worked for CBC television for 21 years, and Mr. Globerman, an arts and entertainment reporter who has been with the public broadcaster since 1978, were not encouraged to apply for the new positions. "They advised me that I could," Mr. Globerman said, but they did not encourage it. Ms. Duthie said the news left her "pretty numb. I was very shocked and sad and angry." Video journalists or VJs -- reporters who do their own camera work and editing -- now account for five of the eight news reporting jobs at CBC Ottawa. After this change takes effect, senior reporter Cory O'Kelly will be the only CBC staffer covering city news who is not a VJ. The Canadian Media Guild, the union representing CBC employees, said it would file grievances on behalf of the reporters, charging the broadcaster breached the union's collective agreement by not offering retraining for the new positions before the pink slips were issued. Ms. Duthie and Mr. Globerman said yesterday they would be interested in retraining. Wendy Robbins, president of the journalists' bargaining unit for the Ottawa branch of the guild, called the handling of the job shuffle "mean-spirited and short-sighted." "Why did they go through this demeaning process of declaring jobs redundant that happen to be held by senior players in the newsroom, when they could have simply said, 'We want to reclassify these jobs, we need more shooting, we're going to offer you all the training you need, and we'll support you because you're valued people here," said Ms. Robbins, who is also executive producer of the CBC series On The Road Again. Lynn Raineault, CBC's regional director for Ontario and Quebec, said she couldn't promise the new jobs to the reporters because their training in the required camera and editing skills might take too long. "Our needs are fairly immediate, so if you had a fully trained VJ from Montreal or somewhere close who applied for the job, we'd have to look at it," said Ms. Raineault. She said the urgency is the result of increasing demand from other parts of the CBC news system for footage from Ottawa. Retraining is always an option, she said, "but it's got to be the best option for that particular job." Even if the guild's grievance is unsuccessful, Ms. Duthie and Mr. Globerman may still be able to continue with CBC. As veteran journalists, they could bump less senior reporters working in radio or on Parliament Hill. They can't displace VJs because they are in a different category. "I'm hoping that retraining could be a possibility," said Ms. Duthie. "On the other hand, there may be producing opportunities or something on radio that would be fun to do." (c) Copyright 2003 The Ottawa Citizen (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** CANADA. for anyone interested in reading about (& linking to broadcasts of) Park Radio (Canadian Rockies -- Banff & area), you can visit: http://www.friendsofbanff.com/radio.htm (Eric Flodén, BC, IRCA via DXLD) viz.: ! Park Radio on the Web: Click Here (requires RealPlayer8) Park Radio is a visitor information radio station located in Banff National Park. It began as a project by Banff National Park in 1992. In 1994, the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission (C.R.T.C.) approved the license for the station and it has been broadcasting since 1995. In January of 1999, the C.R.T.C. approved the transfer of the license to the Friends of Banff National Park. Park Radio broadcasts a wide range of park information including: natural and cultural history programming, public safety messages, trail reports, public service announcements, park events, weather and things to see-and-do. Park Radio has office and production space located in the Banff National Park Information Centre, at 224 Banff Avenue, in the Town of Banff. Transmission facilities are located at the Tunnel Mountain Campground Theatre. Our Streaming audio feed on the Internet is hosted by The Banff Centre. Park Radio Mission Park Radio will tell the story of Banff National Park to the visiting public: from the rise of the Canadian Rockies, to the plants and animals who came to inhabit the mountains from the evidence of pre-historic life 11,500 years ago, to the modern adventurers who explore the mountains today of our quest to understand the mountain landscape and our place in it Park Radio will also provide basic information to help visitors better enjoy their stay: weather and trail reports, where to get information, public safety messages and information about park events and facilities Park Radio will use a variety of programming to enlighten and entertain visitors: Stories, interviews, quizzes, documentaries, trivia, music, sound effects and on-location stories For up to date information on all aspects of your trip to Banff National Park - Internet in Real Audio - English - - 101.1 FM - English - - 103.3 FM - Français - The Official Radio Station of Banff National Park (via gh, DXLD) Listened a while: beware of overmodulation; how to scare bears, etc. (gh) ** CHINA [non]. Change for Fang Guang Ming (Falun Gong) on TDP's website: 2100-2200 on 6035 and 9625 (ex-9945) (Silvain Domen, Belgium, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. Hi Glenn; Here is the answer I received from Jeff Ingram regarding this weekend`s MM program. 73 Mick Delmage Hello Mick, I just wanted to write in response to your question about the Musical Mailbag. It's kind of a yes and no answer. Yes there will be a Musical Mailbag this weekend. No it will not be aired on Sunday. When Ralph mentioned that there would be one more program, he forgot to mention that it will be aired in the old Saludos Amigos timeslot, right after DX Partyline. So, you can hear the final Musical Mailbag program on Saturday May 31, but if you tune in Sunday... you'll get silence. Thanks for asking (Jeff Ingram, HCJB, via Mickey Delmage, AB, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The Musical Mailbag program usually heard here local Sunday evenings on HCJB will air its final program this Saturday in NAm (UT Sunday June 1) right after the DX Party Line, thus at 0030 and 0330 UT on 9745 to North America. This should be the case for the European release also. 73 (Mick Delmange, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Also, for Saturday UT (Friday night here in NAm), Jeff Ingram told me "Studio 9 is going to be an hour. That will push Música del Ecuador back a half hour, but you'll still hear it. We're going to pull one of the programs that is provided from an outside broadcaster". That is the only other change to the final weekend schedule. Enjoy. 73 (Mick Delmage, AB, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. A guy from Berlin I consider as reliable told me about interesting observations he made on 855 (Berlin-Britz): One day the transmitter was running some kind of analogue/digital hybrid mode with digital signals above and below a narrow-bandwith (even poorer than it is on 855 anyway) AM signal. So far nobody knows what this was. There were indeed already talks (don't ask me where, I cannot recall) about a hybrid mode on DRM but with SSB+carrier and a digital signal taking the place of the supressed sideband, not this IBOC-like appearance. And I heard a bird chirping that Wertachtal would by no means be ready to start DRM transmissions in June as it was reported recently. It would be surprising how some guys would know, and sometimes it would be better to publish nothing. Yeah, sure (Kai Ludiwg, Germany, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) * * INTERATIONAL VACUUM. SKY NEWS TO LAUNCH IN US 10:38 BST, Thursday 29th May 2003 -- by Neil Wilkes Sky News could soon be seen on satellite TV across the US, according to this week's Broadcast. The channel, which could launch as early as July, is said to be on the brink of securing a deal with DirecTV, America's largest satellite service with 11 million subscribers. "Sky News is currently in discussions with various parties in the US about distribution deals," a Sky spokeswoman said, refusing to comment on the DirecTV deal. The channel will just be a rebroadcast of the standard version, similar to the broadcast of FOX News in the UK. The magazine reports that the focus of the channel may shift with time, however, becoming more of an international news station to compete with the likes of BBC World. Sky is also expected to pursue carriage of the channel on US cable networks. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds11167.html (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) ** IRAN. ANALYSIS - IRAN: REFORM IN THE AIR? | Text of editorial analysis by Chris McWhinnie of BBC Monitoring's Media Services Iran finds itself in a situation where internal politics are in a period of change and tension between the USA and Iran appears to be rising. Washington has piled on the pressure and accused Iran, which it brands as part of the "axis of evil," of harbouring Al-Qa'idah operatives, despite Iran claiming to have expelled 500. The US says intelligence intercepts suggest that orders for the 12 May bombings in Saudi were isssued from inside Iran. The US has also repeated the accusation that Iran is planning to arm itself with nuclear weapons. In Iran, nearly 130 members of the reformist-dominated parliament have signed an open letter to the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamene'i, calling on him to intervene to break the political deadlock holding up reforms. This internal instability, could be exploited from outside, but there seems to be no prospect of US military action against Iran, and the Iranian leadership is keen to avoid provocation. Under the US spotlight President Khatami, at heart a reformer, spoke at the Organization of the Islamic Conference on 27 May about forming collective policies for problems facing the world Islam. In the same speech, he had to denounce terrorism but oppose the USA's "unilateral" policy. He had to support the Palestinians and accused Israel of "organized state terrorism". These are difficult issues for Iran to express while it is under the spotlight of the US administration. Iraq is also a point of contention with the USA: The USA is trying to minimize the influence Iran will have on the political makeup of Iraq. But, in terms of media, there is the operation of the Voice of the Mujahidin radio station, which appears to be affiliated with the Tehran-based Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, SCIRI. This is a direct, if limited, attempt to influence the Iraqi political scene using Iranian state broadcast facilities. Strength of reform The struggle for influence, power and control of reform is played out in the Iranian domestic state media. Moderate reformist President Khatami has been trying to wrench politics and society out of the grip of Iran's highly conservative clerics. President Khatami's popular liberal ideas have, however, put him at odds with Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamene'i, and other hard-liners reluctant to lose sight of established Islamic traditions. The print media is an example of a newfound and enjoyed freedom, which although it had limited success, made some impact too. Dozens of papers emerged, most on the side of the reformers. But the relative freedom of the press, while being a very tangible achievement of President Khatami's reformist government was also a main target for conservatives in their power struggle. Many pro-reform newspapers were closed down and reformist writers and editors jailed. The highly conservative judiciary has led the campaign against the liberal media, with President Khatami and the parliament apparently powerless to intervene. Press control, some freedom Political debate and acknowledgement of Iran's international and domestic predicament is certainly tolerated in the press: The newspaper Etemaad, on 28 May, carried a commentary which suggested that political decisions in Iran are made too late and that the country sends the wrong message to the outside world: "\… The narrowing of our sphere of manoeuvrability and lessening of our available options to a minimum - has been a constant behaviour, to the extent that rivals and outsiders are anticipating Iran's every move\…". The mechanisms for press control can ban publications and take legal action against writers. The newspaper Nasim-e Saba reported on 27 May that the re-appointed Tehran chief prosecutor said that if the approach followed by the press is the same as those previously banned, then he would not hesitate to seek to ban them in open court with a jury. Less freedom for broadcasters The broadcast media under President Khatami has seen some changes but it is more restricted than the press. Curbs on satellite television are less severe than before - it is tolerated to some extent. The government has increased the number of central television channels to five and introduced an international satellite channel for Persian speakers and Iranians abroad and news networks for home and abroad have been launched to compete with foreign TV. Television is very popular in Iran. More than 80 per cent of the population watch TV and do so for more than four hours each day. As over 50 per cent of the population is under the age of 25 it is not surprising that the most popular TV station is the state channel 3, the youth network. The Iranian Student's News Agency has reported that apparent jamming or interfering signals, from known fixed and mobile transmitters, are disrupting some foreign satellite stations and satellite-delivered Internet data. The interfering signals seem to appear with some degree of official sanction or protection - be it military, political or religious and this may be indicative of the divisions between the government and the conservative military. Financial inquiry at state broadcaster The huge financial losses at Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) are also a matter of public and parliamentary concern and wrangling. The head of IRIB has said that the investigation into the supposed financial irregularities was politically motivated and that his organization has been treated in a factional manner. The English- language Iran Daily web site reported on 26 May that law makers sitting on the parliamentary investigative committee have been refused access to IRIB's accounts. Earlier, on 12 May the official IRNA news agency said that IRIB's own on-air reports of the financial investigations and remarks by the IRIB president were "inappropriate" and had been criticized by the council that supervises IRIB. President Khatami has intervened, but did so by asking IRIB to remain politically neutral towards all parties and groups. Talking to IRIB's supervisory council, the president urged the council to perform its oversight function for IRIB without political bias. He stressed that IRIB should present the policies of the state clearly and in a way that cooperated with government to help bolster national security. Internet "filtered" The Internet is also a subject of controversy. On 20 May the Nasim-e Saba newspaper reported 187 web sites being filtered officially by the authorities. Most are dissident sites of political grouping inside and outside Iran. Curiously this net blockage also included the web site of a moderate magazine, Aftab, which is however openly available on newsstands with a permit issued by the same Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Media - part of the story of reform Iran's media plays a part in the politics of the country and is also tasked with reporting on the changes taking place within Iran. It is inevitably pulled in different directions. It reports the path to reform, there are those parts of the media which seek their freedom and the conservative elements in Iran which seek to impose controls on the media through the courts. Source: BBC Monitoring research 29 May 03 (via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. Around 1400 UT, RFI signed on, frequency 15495. Radio Kuwait signed off that frequency around 1315 leaving it free!!! One more thing: when Radio Free Iraq was announcing the frequencies used, they never mentioned 15495!?????? Strange! (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re DXLD 3-093 KUWAIT HEARD RELAYING RADIO FREE IRAQ As Tarek says, 15495 is broadcasting Radio Free Iraq, and is heard parallel listed 9825 [KAV] 11805[LAM] 15170[MOR] and 17740[KAV] at 1500 until 1700, so it is an additional frequency. This relatively new entry appears in today`s IBB schedule: 15495 1400 1500 VOA W VAR WOF 08 102 10/23/2003 10/25/2003 15495 1500 1700 VOA W VAR WOF 08 102 10/23/2003 10/25/2003 Could this already be on air and is it this transmitter being heard carrying R. Free Iraq? [i.e. Woofferton, UK, not KUWAIT] Radio Kuwait should not be using 15495 at 1500. Their current HFCC registration says 0200-1305 and 1800-2400 on this frequency. The gap in service between v1305 and v1800 has been in their sched for years. At 1500 they are audible on 15110 [this has Urdu once again at 1600- 1800] 13620 [until v1605] 11990 [from v1615] and 9880. And 15505 is also on air, but carries a different programme, thought to be the Kor`an service (Noel Green, UK, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRELAND. PIRATES ARE SHIPWRECKED - NOT FOR LONG From The Irish Independent 27th May 2003 The pirate radio stations have been silenced by the gardai and the telecoms regulator. JOHN MEAGHER listens to the voices of the alternative airwaves. The airwaves are quieter this week. Aficionados of Radio 1, 2FM, Today FM and the city's local broadcasters, 98FM and FM104 won't have noticed a change in their radio station of choice. But for the growing pirate radio audience the past seven days have been dramatic. Last week, between 15 and 20 unlicensed radio stations were in operation in Dublin. Today, there is no trace of them. The bandwidth on which they used to broadcast is silent. Last Tuesday, gardaí and inspectors from the telecommunications regulator, ComReg, raided small studios throughout the city, seizing equipment and cutting off the power supply. Other stations, hearing of the raids, voluntarily closed down in an attempt to safeguard their expensive equipment. Within hours Jazz FM, Choice FM, ICE FM and Premier FM among others were off the air - possibly for good. Broadcasting without a licence is an offence, according to legislation dating back to 1926, and in recent years ComReg has taken a tough stance. For the past couple of months, stations throughout the country have had their equipment confiscated and transmitters removed. It was Dublin's turn last week. The move will have left thousands of listeners fuming. Pirate radio stations cater for people who feel marginalised by the music offerings of licensed, commercial broadcasters who seem bent on playing the same middle-of-the-road pop songs over and over. In this staid, conservative environment pirates have flourished. Jazz, alternative rock, dance and country - the sort of music that one rarely hears played on day-time radio - receives heavy rotation on the pirates. Some, like Jazz FM, specialise in niche markets. A ComReg spokeswoman says the crackdown on pirates was instigated because of complaints received by air traffic controllers, who claimed illegal radio stations were clogging up bandwidth. She says there had been concerns among the gardaí and ambulance workers that the frequency used by some stations was in danger of interfering with their two-way radios. She would not say how many stations had been raided. Legal operators have pushed for a blitz, too. While there is little advertising carried on the pirate stations, licensed commercial operators have been calling for a crackdown for some time. They claim that pirates, particularly those targeting the youth market, have been taking listeners from legitimate stations. Estimates fluctuate wildly, but it is believed that one-in-five Dublin residents regularly tune into pirate radio stations. Phantom FM, regarded as the most successful pirate, claims to have had a market share of 4pc before it voluntarily closed last week. Although impossible to verify, sources within the Dublin radio industry believe this figure is not far from the mark. And that's impressive, considering Phantom is competing with the heavy marketing spend and brand awareness enjoyed by, say, 2FM and Today FM. Phantom's founder and station manager Pete Reed says it will back be on the airwaves soon. Unlike other pirates, the station - which specialises in independent/alternative music - wants to go legit. Twice turned down for a radio licence, for many it's the real sound of Dublin music radio. A musical sanctuary for those who are switched off by the inane, mid-Atlantic warbling of many mainstream DJs, Phantom is a broadcasting free spirit which is as irreverent towards commercial music as is it authentic in its own tastes. It has championed many domestic musicians, Mundy and Damien Rice among them, long before they were acknowledged by the commercial stations. "It's obvious that there is a market for a station like Phantom," says Reed, a long-serving pirate thanks to his work on the Coast and Spectrum stations. "Unlike other pirate stations that operate in someone's bedroom, this is a professional set-up in every way - from the equipment to the DJs and the schedules." Phantom's studio is housed near a well-known city centre music venue. "We heard on the grapevine that some stations were being raided," he says, "so we took the decision to shut down. The equipment is expensive - thousands of euro worth of stuff - and it would be very difficult to start up again if it was gone." Phantom's directors have voluntarily taken the station off the airwaves before. The last time was during its bid for a "special interest" licence from the Irish Broadcasting Commission (formerly IRTC) and it was off the air for seven months in 2001. "The whole application process cost us about Euro20,000, which we raised ourselves, or borrowed from the credit union, because we had to come up with architect drawings and cashflow projections," Reed says. It was widely assumed that Phantom would win the licence, but it went to a country and western station. The failure stung, and Reed and the 30 or so DJs at Phantom were faced with the dilemma of staying off the air to appease the IBC for any future bids or to start broadcasting again. For music lovers like Reed there could only be one answer. When Phantom went back on air again it seemed to attract even greater interest than before. What motivates people like Pete Reed? "We do this because we love music and because we have complete control over what we play," he says. "When people are bored with the status quo, they want to do something different. Phantom could become Dublin's answer to XFM (the successful London alternative music station that began life as a pirate). Some people out there don't want to hear the latest Westlife song every time they turn on the radio." Reed believes Phantom will eventually be awarded a licence as a result of its growing appeal. Apart from their Dublin listeners, Phantom DJs are picking up new fans in Australia and the US as they can be heard on the internet. Almost all pirate DJs are unpaid and perks are few, unless you count the thousands of free CDs sent in by record companies, all of which seem to be very supportive of pirates (privately at least). A DJ with dance station Nova says the enjoyment comes from playing to people who are "obviously fans of the music" rather than to an audience for whom the music is just background noise. Another factor is less altruistic. "Because you can play what you like, it's a good way of letting club owners and other DJs hear what you're like. DJing on a pirate is putting yourself in the shop window. I think people would be surprised to learn how influential it is." Some pirates never make it past the bedroom, or garden shed, and go unnoticed by listeners. Many use antiquated equipment and because of a lack of soundproof technology, all sorts of noises are picked up by the microphone. The origins of pirate radio in Ireland are dubious, dating back to the Second World War when a Dublin group with Nazi sympathies rebroadcast the speeches of dissident "Lord Haw Haw" from Berlin. The first music-orientated pirate, Radio Atlantis, was established in 1964 by Davitt Kelly, an important figure in the development of the radio sector in Ireland in future decades. The motivation of the early pioneers had nothing to do with making money or influencing the direction of radio. It was just that some people got a buzz out of putting their own show on the air. It had to do with communicating. The 1970s was something of a golden era for pirate radio. These were the days before licensed local radio stations and when the number of broadcasters could be counted on the fingers of one hand. It is widely thought that Ireland's first legitimate pop station, 2FM, was established thanks to the huge listenership enjoyed by the pirates. Many of that station's DJs, including such influential figures in domestic music as Dave Fanning, served their time on the pirates. Anybody expecting Fanning to be sympathetic will be surprised. "There have always been crackdowns. You just have to move on and try something else. I think Phantom is a good station, but I'm don't know what the others are like because I've never heard them. "You play music as a pirate DJ because you love music, not because you want to make money. That's the way I saw it when I worked in pirate radio stations. I think people want me to say something like 'it's awful that this has happened', but I won't. It's life. Get over it." One thing is certain. Pirate radio won't be silent for long. Newcomers will find their place on the airwaves in time and some stations closed last week will be operating again within weeks. John Meagher (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. I don't have any details yet - but as of an hour ago (1:50 AM Israel Time), Haaretz lists, "01:50 As part of emergency economic plan, Knesset approves reform of Israel Broadcasting Authority" http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/ShTickers.html I gather they'd have a follow up article a bit later. I don't see anything on the Jerusalem Post or IBA website yet (Doni Rosenzweig, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. Have any RTTY leads? Hi Glen[n]. Your DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-063, April 11, 2003 is about the only current report I have found thus far on the internet, and I was curious whether you had any RTTY leads that I might be able to copy. I am here on the west coast in San Diego, California, and have found very limited access or reception to finding RTTY that I can copy. I have copied and verified the French Navy running its RY tape on two frequencies, and verified it against an old list I found on the internet. I have also been able to copy ham traffic both using 170 Hz shift and MFSK16 utilizing HamScope, connected through a Tigertronics Signal Link and my rig. Right now I am in the process of verifying equipment set up and performance, and any fairly current RTTY information you might have would be helpful. Thanks, and hope to hear back from you soon. 73 (Greg Galaski, San Diego, California, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY (KCNA) KCNA is the official news agency of the North Korean government. Title in Korean: Choson Chugang Tongsinsa. In addition to radioteletype services in English shown below, KCNA also transmits a facsimile service in English, Japanese and Korean on HF. Tel: +850242149, Fax: +8502812421, Telex: 5475 Name of service: KCNA Radioteletype Service Main studio center: Pyongyang English (400 or 250 Hz shift/50 baud speed) Asia 0400-0600 HMF46 10580 1000-1200 HMF88/HMF46 8152/10580 1500-1730 HMF46 10580 (Pool Items) Europe 0400-0530 HMF26 15633 1000-1200 HMF55/HMF26 11430/15633 Americas 0400-0730 HMF52 11476 (Pool Items) 1230-1430 HMF52/HMF36 11476/13580 2130-2300 HMF52 11476 (Pool Items) Africa 0800-1030 HMF49 11536 1230-1430 HMF85/HMF49 8020/11536 1800-2100 HMF52 11476 (Pool Items) FAX Press Service (350 rpm/60 IOC) 2330-0030 HMF52 11476 2330-0030 HMY36 13580 (via Gayle and Larry Van Horn, Crisis on the Korean Peninsula, June Monitoring Times via DXLD) ** KUWAIT. See IRAQ [non] ** LIBERIA [and non]. The Latest News From WJIE International Shortwave ***** SPECIAL PRAYER ALERT!! ***** DATELINE: LIBERIA WEST AFRICA May 22, 2003 TO: FRIENDS AND PARTNERS ---- WORLD PRAYER BROADCASTING We urgently need you to pray for a very special need. Yesterday we tried to wire our Missionary in Liberia Money. The bank there refused the wire. This morning we received word that the fighting has reached the outskirts of Monrovia. There were 700 westerners there last week; today there are 50 left, as the US Consulate advised evacuation. Patty Heltsley, our missionary representative in Liberia, is very brave and wishes to stay on the ground, but all westerners are evacuating. As a nurse she has a great sense of duty and commitment, doesn`t want to leave, but we feel it is in her safety`s interest that she leave as well. So we need her out now! Please pray that she will drop everything and go. She will be faced with two choices... To try to escape by car and risk encountering rebels and border problems. The second choice will be the airport, which will be the first target of the rebels. So please pray for the Holy Spirit`s guidance in this decision. Pray for open doors for a ticket and safe passage. Next, please pray for protection of all our employees in Liberia as they go through this difficult time. A suicide bomber once destroyed this station and the staff was lost... So pray for those that will be left on the ground, pray for God`s divine protection. Please pray that the station and the Church will remain unharmed and that we will still be able to broadcast the Gospel. Finally, we have a praise report to bring to you. Yesterday we were to ship a 100,000 watt transmitter to Liberia from The Seychelles, with a replacement value of a quarter of a million dollars. Yesterday, it was to board a ship for transport to Liberia. We were refused because of one missing piece of paperwork. Today through God`s divine hand we were able to arrange for this to be moved to UGANDA where we already have people and a station on the ground....What a God we serve! There will also be a television station there as well so we praise God. As you have read this email there are people dying in Liberia, so we plead for your prayers. Please forward this as the Lord leads. Please email or doc with your questions, and you comments of support. In Christ Love, Brother Morgan morgan@wjie.org Doc Burkhart doc@wjie.org (WJIE website May 28 via DXLD) Hmm, maybe it wasn`t such a good idea to try to broadcast from Liberia. One can, after all, broadcast into Liberia on SW from a more secure place. And that place is now Uganda?? Note recent reports of something on 11512 presumed to be the Liberian station --- with its original lower-powered transmitter, moved in from Lebanon (gh, DXLD) ** LIBYA [non?]. Re. the new Iraq service from Libya: Actually transmit from where? Issoudun or reactivated Sabrata (or even anything else in Libya) facilities? (Kai Ludiwg, Germany, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. It is perhaps telling that the signals and modulation of R. México Internacional are both so poor, even in the neighboring country, that it did not even occur to me to include XERMX when I remarked on page 92 of the June MONITORING TIMES that the departure of HCJB left us with nothing but Cuba and Argentina for Latin American external services in English. Strictly speaking, Mexico should be included, tho that hardly lightens the loss of HCJB. Strangely enough, no one has corrected me on this except myself (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. MOVING MEXICO TV IDS PART 1 Glenn, Thanks for your interest! The list is short; this is part 1: XEPM-2 Cd Juárez. I'm not sure about this one, but it *appears* that they have replaced the two-line upper right ID with a one-line ID across the top, pushed against the left side. Due to bad signal I'm only about 90% sure this was XEPM. XHBQ-3 Zacatecas has replaced the big calls at the top with a small two-line ID upper left. XHAJ-5 Las Lajas has moved their ID from upper center to upper right and changed the wording. The new ID looks like this: TELEVISA LAJAS XHAJ-TV C-5 Also, XHQ-2 Guamuchil, Sinaloa (a full-time relayer of independent XHQ-3 Culiacán and their circle-3 logo) has added a local four-line supered ID upper right. It reads: GUAMUCHIL SON XHQ-TV C-2 TELEVISA TIME/DATE (Danny Oglethorpe, LA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Moving Mexico TV IDs part 2 Add these to my recent list of Televisa relayers that have moved their supered IDs to a different part of the screen: XHHMA-2 Hermosillo (XEQ-9/Galavision relayer) has moved their supered four-line ID from upper left to upper right. XEZ-2 San Miguel de Allende GTO (XEW relayer) has moved their four- line ID from upper right to lower left. (Danny Oglethorpe, Shreveport, LA, May 26, WTFDA via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. The Dutch public network Radio 1 is no longer broadcasting on 1008 kHz from Flevo. The transmitter is now carrying a looped announcement telling people to re-tune to FM. For the oldies amongst us, the voice belongs to Hans Hoogendoorn, now with Radio Netherlands, but well remembered from his days on the Dutch service of Radio Northsea International. Hans has one of the best radio voices I've heard anywhere. For those who haven't been following developments closely, 1008 kHz will become a commercial radio frequency. Currently it, and 747 kHz, are radiated from Flevo with 160 kW using the two masts in a directional pattern towards the south east. The new commercial operator on 1008 kHz, Radlon, plans to use the full power of 400 kW and only one mast will be used, producing a much stronger signal into the UK. The transmissions of public network Radio 747 will be moved back to Lopik. I do not have any details of power/antenna, but in the "old days" it used 120 kW from that site (Andy Sennitt, May 29, hard-core-dx via DXLD) HIGH PROFILE CASUALTIES IN DUTCH COMMERCIAL RADIO Analysis by Andy Sennitt, 28 May 2003 If it's job security you're after, don't become a broadcaster in The Netherlands. As staff at the public stations busy themselves with the practical implications of savage budget cuts by the new government, many in the commercial radio sector are coming to terms with the licence decisions announced on Monday. There have been some high profile casualties in the bid to secure licences for the next eight years, effective on Sunday 1 June.... {see 3-095} At present many unconfirmed reports or rumours spread about the Dutch mediumwave outlets. Here a summary of what I read so far: 675: Radio 10 FM is the big loser in this game. Originally they intended to leave mediumwave in September because new FM outlets would made a continued operation unnecessary. But all these plannings were smashed; in fact Radio 10 FM lost *all* terrestrial outlets, both FM and MW. The station started a protest campaign, see http://www.radio10.fm/splash/ Allegedly the new licensee for 675 (described as "Music Country") reached an agreement with Arrow Classic Rock (at present on 828) which would result in Arrow being carried on 675 from Sunday. 891: Word is that Radio 538 will be put on this frequency (until now a "twin" of Flevoland 1008) immediately on Sunday. Hulsberg 891 was allocated to Radio 538 because the FM network they won has serious coverage gaps in the southern Netherlands. 1008: The licensee (Radlon Media) plans an English-language service, aiming at listeners in the UK. Once again, these are basically rumours so far. It appears that switches can be expected to take place on Saturday 2200 UT (i.e. midnight CEST) when the new frequency allocations come into force. Reportedly on FM some of the new outlets are already on air. Here is an official announcement: http://www.ez.nl/home.asp?locatie=main&page=/homepages/default.asp%3Fpagina%3Dpersbericht%26iMessage%3D284 As a reference you may use this frequency list: http://home.wxs.nl/~rabrand/zerobase/zerobase2.html (URL's pointed out by Wian Stienstra) [Later:] Indeed Arrow Classic Rock will be carried on 675 from Sunday, see http://www.arrow.nl Chart of the new frequency allocations, including the amounts of money the licensees paid: http://www.hvanbeek.com/medianieuws/zerobase.html And finally NOS already switched Flevoland-Zeewolde 1008 and Hulsberg 891 to a 19 second loop, announcing that Radio 1 can no longer be heard on mediumwave (Kai Ludiwg, Germany, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. For two days in a row I have noted Radio New Zealand at close on 9885 at 1310. At that time they shift to 6095 for 5 minutes or so, then off. I'm wondering if they just do this to check out the 6095 transmitter/antenna? I know that on occasion they do use 6095 for sporting events and/or cyclone warnings (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Worst Thing [about KWGS in online survey]: Not knowing when KWGS or any other OK public radio station will be broadcasting the entire OK Mozart 2002 series. Help?? (gh to KWGS) The 2002 series broadcasts for all stations have been delayed until Fall of this year. The 2002 season will likely be combined with the 2003 recordings into a longer broadcast series (Frank Christel, Director of Broadcast Services, The University of Tulsa, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. Additional changes for Radio Pakistan since May 24th: World Service to Gulf & ME 0500-0700 on new 17755 282deg [API-6 x 21460] and 11570 260deg [API-1 x 17835] API-5 15100 now via 252deg World Service to Western Europe 1700-1900 on new 15065 [API-5 x 9400]. API-6 11570 continues - both via 313 deg. And re this in 3-093: The updated Radio Pakistan A-03 schedule in DXLD 3-092 has them on 17720 at 1600-1615 when the A-03 schedule that appeared in DXLD 3-050 had them on 17820. Can anyone confirm which they are actually on? (Dan Sampson, Prime Time Shortwave, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Their A-03 schedule lists 17820 [API-1 at 233deg] and I don't know of any change, and cannot hear them on either frequency, but they were informed that RCI was also using 17820 at 1600. Best 73s (Noel Green, UK, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 6042.55, 0718, COLOMBIA, Radio Melodía, SF de Bogotá, presumed the weak station here with lengthy newscast and the off "Melodía" spoken over the news readers by an FA [female announcer?] (Paul Ormandy, NZ, May 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Paul, this format seems more like that of Melodía, Arequipa. This station seems to be on the move, looking for a clean spot in the 49 metre band. Someone reported hearing them on approx. 6105 a few days ago. Bolivia's Panamericana was off at the time. Cheers, (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Me too for this one, today. Fair copy on rather clear channel, this morning 0940, here in Montevideo. Fair QSB kept signal strength varying 0-3, talks on the news by two men, brief canned time checks by male in the background. It is Peru, and almost sure Arequipa, as H. Klemetz says, since heard references to Peruvian facts and places (Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, May 29, Grundig YB400+Marconi 15m long, ibid.) In SWB/Sweden I reported Radio Melodía on 6106 kHz but the station was there for just one or two days. Is now back on 5996 kHz. Female is giving the "IDs": "Melodía es Melodía", "Melodía en la noticia" among others. A talking station with news 90%. 73 de (Björn Malm, Ecuador, ibid.) ** SLOVAKIA. El siguiente es un mensaje emitido por la Jefa de la Sección Española de Radio Eslovaquia Internacional -MARCELA GREGORCOVA- , el pasado domingo 25 de mayo de 2003, a través del programa "Las Cartas de los Oyentes" respondiendo a los reclamos de muchos radioescuchas y diexistas que no han recibido todavía la contestación de la emisora a sus cartas e informes de recepción. "Queridos radioescuchas, efectivamente estamos desbordados de trabajo y en casi todas las cartas que nos envían -que muchísimas gracias de verdad- nos piden lo mismo y nos piden lo mismo casi todos; por ejemplo aquí estoy leyendo: calendarios de bolsillo que no tienen contetación, luego si fuera posible mapa de tipo turístico sobre Eslovaquia y... materiales de su emisora como pegatinas, postales, banderín, boletín de programamción. Otro escribe: espero que todo sea por el retraso inicial pero está realmente ansioso de recibirlos. Nosotros igualmente estamos ansiosos de mandarles todo este material pero queridos señores, señoras, niños, niñas, la verdad no es posible de momento por el trabajo que tenemos, apenas nacimos, apenas estamos agarrando y jadeando la respiración, no será por el momento pero sí en un futuro, quédense fieles a nuestra radio, estamos pendientes del asunto pero paciencia, un beso". Este fragmento será reproducido en la voz de su autora dentro del Informe N 132 que se emitirá a través del programa "Antena de la Amistad" de Radio Corea Internacional, el próximo sabado en los siguientes horarios UTC aproximados, frecuencias y áreas de destino: 1008-1025 en 15210 Khz (para Europa), 9580 Khz (para América del Sur) y 11715 (via Sackville para América del Sur) 2008-2025 en 15575 Khz (para Europa) 0108-0120 en 11810 Khz (para Japón) Entrar a http://rki.kbs.co.kr para optar por los horarios y canales ON AIR o haciendo click en Antena Buzon y optando por la fecha 31.05.03 (archivo que agregan dias después de emitido el programa). Dirección electrónica: spanish@kbs.co.kr Dirección en Rep. de Corea: #18, Yoido-dong, Youngdungpo-ku, Seoul 150-790, KOREA Dirección en Latinoamércia: KBS Radio Corea Internacional, Casilla de Correo 950, S 2000 WAJ, Rosario, ARGENTINA. Gracias por difundir esta noticia. Saludos cordiales de... (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This new 2-month-old Spanish service has been inundated by requests from listeners for goodies, and begs them to be patient while the staff try to do their primary job of producing programs (gh, DXLD) ** UGANDA. See LIBERIA. Does that mean the 100 kW ex-FEBA SW transmitter will soon be on the air from Uganda instead of Liberia? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BIG BBC URL LIST Here's something potentially useful for some people, Glenn. It's a list of the URLs for the streams from the BBC Player so that you can put them into your own player for navigation purposes. You will recall the BBC player at their website does not allow a fast forward or rewind option - you may only step forward in 5 minutes increments which is a pain if you lose connexion towards the end of a 2 hours show. As I recall, this user-non-friendly setup (that's forced on the average surfer) was put in place as a sop to the UK music licensing suits who feared the usual Chicken Little rampant piracy fears.... Anyway this showed up on the alt.digital.radio newsgroup the other day... so any mistakes are not mine. Anyone with a text-only browser could have likely sorted most of this out already, but there are some programmes here I didn't know we could get (Tom Roche, Atlanta, DX LISTENING DIGEST) blues soul reggae rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/6music/ident_funkshow.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/goldfinger.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/6music/lively.ra -up yourself rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/paul_jones.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/soulreggae.ra classic rock/pop rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/g2/air.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/bobharris.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/6music/dreamticket_mon.ra also tue wed thu fri rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/northernireland/friel.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/g2/anderson_mon.rm -also tue wed thu fri -ian rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/g2/janice.rm -forsyth rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/shakerattle.ra -and roll rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/steveharley.ra -sounds of the 70s rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/soundsixties.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/critical_list.ra -Stuart Maconie rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/docu1.ra -the r2 docu classical rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/cdreview.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/choral.ra -evensong rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/cotw_mon.ra -comp of week -also tue wed thu fri rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/discmusic.ra -discovering music rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/fridaymusic.ra -fri night is music night rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/g2/gracenotes.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/northernireland/music_now.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/musicrest.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/privpass.ra -private passions rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/docu2.ra -another r2 docu dance rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/nightingale.ra -annie rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/blueroom.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/breezeblock.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/anthems.ra -dance rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/essselection.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/fergie.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/gilles.ra -peterson rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/jules.ra -judge rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/oneworld.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/fontaine.ra -seb drama rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/arts/afternoon_reading_fri.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/arts/afternoonplay_fri.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/arts/book_bedtime_fri.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/arts/book_week_fri.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/arts/classic_serial_sun.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/archers/archers_sunday.ra -omnibus rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/arts/friday_play.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/arts/saturday_play.ra easy and soundtracks rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/desmond.ra -carrington rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/listenband.ra -listen to the band rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/laycock.ra -malcolm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/melodies.ra - for you rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/russell.ra -davies rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/stagescreen.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/david_jacobs.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/organents.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/wales/radiowales/showtime.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/northernireland/sunclub.rm -the sunday club rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/100best.ra -your 100 best experimental rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/blueroom.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/mixingit.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/6music/freakshow.ra -bruce dickenson folk and country rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/bhcountry.ra -bob harris rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/g2/celtconnect.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/northernireland/hugo_mon.rm -country afternoon -also tue wed thu rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/northernireland/culan.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/northernireland/folkclub.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/northernireland/mclean.rm -'s country rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/mikeh.ra -mike harding rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/nickb.ra -barraclough rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/g2/pipeline.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/northernireland/pipesdrums.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/g2/takefloor.rm -take the floor rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/g2/bnopry.rm -the brand new opry rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/g2/reelblend.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/g2/morton_mon.rm -tom morton -also mon -fri rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/g2/travelfolk.rm -travelling folk jazz rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/scotland/radioscotland/g2/bebophiphop.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/bestjazz.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/profile.ra -r2 docu rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/courtneypine.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/northernireland/jazzclub.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/jazzfile.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/jazzleg.ra -legends rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/jazzlineup.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/jon3.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/jrr.ra news rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio5/brief_lives.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/news/olmedia/n5ctrl/radioseq/bh.ra pnm://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/live/farmingtoday.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio5/flreport.ra pnm://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/live/fooc.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/live/letter.ra -letter from america rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio5/campbell.ra -nicky rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/pm/pm.ra pnm://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/live/today0.ra (0-6?) rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio5/wakeup.ra -to money rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/wato/wato.ra -world at 1 rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/sun1300.ra -world this wkend rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/worldtonight/worldtonight.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/news/tip.ra -today in parly rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio4/news/yip.ra pop rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/usgreatest.ra -us greatest hits rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/pickpops.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio2/albumchart.ra rock and alt rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/northernireland/atl_mon.rm -across the line -also mon tue wed fri rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/6music/rockshow.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/eve_sess_tue.ra -also wed thu rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/lamacqlive.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/lockup.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/r1rockshow.ra pnm://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/northernireland/nireland.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/scotland/g2/sessioninscotland.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/sessioninwales.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/peel_tue.ra - John Peel rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/peel_wed.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/peel_thu.ra urban rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/dtpresents.ra -dreem teem rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/fabgroove.ra -fabio rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/rnbchart.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/westwood_fri.ra -r1 rap show rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio1/nelson.ra -trevor world rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/andykershaw.ra rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/northernireland/caschlar.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/latejunction_mon.ra -to thu rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/radio3/worldroutes0245.rm rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk/1xtra/worldtour_tues.ra stations rtsp://rmlivev8.bbc.net.uk/farm/*/ev7/live24/england/realmedia/live/asiannetwork.ra rtsp://rmlivev8.bbc.net.uk/farm/*/ev7/live24/1xtra/live/dsatg2.ra rtsp://rmlivev8.bbc.net.uk/farm/*/ev7/live24/6music/live/dsatg2.ra rtsp://rmlivev8.bbc.net.uk/farm/*/ev7/live24/radio1/live/fmg2.ra rtsp://rmlivev8.bbc.net.uk/farm/*/ev7/live24/radio2/live/fmg2.ra rtsp://rmlivev8.bbc.net.uk/farm/*/ev7/live24/radio3/live/fmg2.ra rtsp://rmlivev7.bbc.net.uk/farm/*/ev7/live24/radio4/live/fmg2.ra rtsp://rmlivev8.bbc.net.uk/farm/*/ev7/live24/radio5/live/fmg2.ra rtsp://rmlivev7.bbc.net.uk/farm/*/ev7/live24/scotland/live/radioscotland.ra rtsp://rmlivev7.bbc.net.uk/farm/*/ev7/live24/northernireland/ru-live.ra rtsp://rmlivev8.bbc.net.uk/farm/*/ev7/live24/wales/rwg2.ra pnm://rm.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/live24/liveinfent.ra (via Tom Roche, DXLD) ** U S A. WHERE IS NEW YORK VOLMET? Hopefully, by the time anyone sees this, the routine aviation weather broadcasts from New York Radio will be back on the air. This is the VOLMET, a kind of French-ish contraction of ``flying weather.`` At press time, its frequencies of 3485, 6604, 10051, and 13270 kHz USB were dead, and had been for several weeks. Many listeners, and some pilots who were monitored on the oceanic air route control frequencies, were wondering what happened to the VOLMET. Repeated e- mails and calls to the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), a mammoth US government bureaucracy which operates these transmitters, were not informative. Most of the people seemed perplexed, never having heard of this broadcast. Some weren't aware that shortwave aero radio still existed. This maze of public information officers and air control supervisors dead-ended at a voice mail, apparently with stress on the word ``dead.`` (Hugh Stegman, HF Communications, Utility World, June MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) {See 3-095} ** U S A [non]. Voz Cristiana, 0600 gmt, 6.070 MHz. From Buenos Aires Argentina, In Spanish and Italian, Say they are on 97.1 MHz (FM), so this must be running // along with it, religious programming and music. OM announcer, Signal s9 333 (Colonel Jon Standingbear, Army Radio Station adn3u, P. O. Box 44, Beaumont, Calif, 92223-0044, DX LISTENING DIGEST) via CHILE, of course I have been wondering what kind of Army Radio Station that is --- MARS? Google search on ADN3U led back to DXLD and other bulletin citations, nothing MARS or army, but also to his real ham call: http://buck.com/call/KA6BXC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Something interesting happened this morning. I heard this morning 5040 kHz AIR Kolkata very well (45444). Not a big deal, but guess what ? I could hear on the background the famous "sweeper" that is very annoying on the East Coast of USA. I have lived in New York for 4 years and I know very well how annoying it is. Well...the thing is, I am sure that there was no propagation from the East Coast of USA to New Zealand at 1700 UTC. So....where is this signal coming from? Does anybody know if there are sweepers on the West Coast of USA or anywhere else in the world? Thanks (Marcelo Toníolo, Auckland, New Zealand, May 30, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Marcelo, yes, there are sweepers on the west coast. The best known is centered at 4800 kHz, but affects frequencies about 10 kHz each side. It's apparently located in Oregon, and is used for wave formation research. As for the above, I noted it as well pretty much identical to the 4800, as I recall, while at Greyland, WA in our mornings, about 1200 UT, indicating a site either on the WCNA or to the west (Walter (Volodya) Salmaniw, MD Victoria, BC, Canada, ibid.) Perhaps it is the radar at Jindalee, Australia? http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,6226297%5e15321%5e%5enbv%5e15306,00.html 73 (Jilly Dybka, ibid.) ** U S A. Another Digital Test? I'm trying to listen to WSB 750, but it's been a challenge tonight (5/26). It seems there's an IBOC test going on 760 or 740. I can' t determine the originating station, but it's a familiar sound. Anyone on the list help out with possible source? Need to let WSB know how this is gonna cost a huge audience for Braves games, but would like to know who's doing it to them (Gerry Bishop, Nicelytrashedsignalville, FL, May 26, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. RADIO AND THE F.C.C. --- The New York Times May 29, 2003 To the Editor: In "The Great Media Gulp" (column, May 22), William Safire asserts that "today three companies own half the stations in America, delivering a homogenized product." The actual numbers are much less headline-worthy: the top three radio companies today own about 16 percent of stations. Regarding programming, in 2002, radio debuted more than 3,000 new songs and 550 new artists on 250 discrete formats. The public appreciates radio's strengths: according to the pollster John Zogby, 85 percent of Americans say their local radio stations do a good job in providing listeners with news, information and entertainment. At Congress's direction, the F.C.C. is currently evaluating a multitude of regulations governing media ownership. The gravity of this process demands a fair evaluation of each regulation based upon its individual merits. KATHY RAMSEY, Washington, May 23, 2003 --- The writer is executive vice president, public affairs, National Association of Broadcasters. Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. RADIO DEREGULATION Deregulation isn't the problem; it's allowing companies like Clear Channel and Infinity to own so many stations in a single market. It's interesting how the Feds have put so much time and effort into going after companies like Microsoft --- whose main sin was to have inept, feckless competitors like IBM and Apple --- while ignoring the growing anticompetitive influence of companies like Clear Channel. While Clear Channel has simply taken better advantage of the FCC's policies than anyone else, the result has been a de facto monopoly in several markets; Las Vegas is a notable example with CC having the lion's share of local radio, billboards, and concert promotions. Where are the DoJ trustbusters when you really need them? (Harry Helms, W7HLH, Las Vegas, NV DM26, NRC-AM via DXLD) That's easily answered - the pursuit of Microsoft was instigated in a different Washington than there is now - different administration, different mindset etc. But you're right - the problem is not deregulation per se - rather it's the resulting monopoly (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA, ibid.) Huh???? The antitrust action against Microsoft and the deregulation of broadcasting both took place during the Clinton years. Do a Google search and see for yourself. It doesn't matter whether Tauzin or Markley is heading the House committee that oversees the FCC --- both the Democrats and Republicans are in CC's hip pocket. Clear Channel doesn't make extensive campaign contributions to both parties strictly in the interests of better government (Harry Helms W7HLH, ibid.) There is a big difference between Microsoft and broadcasting per se. There is room for anyone that cares or is foolish enuf to compete with Microsoft. With Radio/TV you are selling the use of a finite resource. Radio spectrum. And it's supposed to belong to the people. Broadcasters are only given a license to use it. They never own it. Try to get a broadcasting license today. Next to impossible. You can open up shop tomorrow if you want to compete against Microsoft (Paul Smith, W4KNX, Sarasota, FL, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. KWKH-1130 Shreveport LA: According to M Street Journal, KWKH-1130 has abandoned their short-lived sports format for . . . . CLASSIC COUNTRY What a concept. They have lost some of their ooomph here lately due to XE QRMers. Can anyone confirm?? 73, (Bill in Fort Worth Hale, May 28, NRC-AM via DXLD) They were announcing the change last weekend --- it was to take place on Memorial Day. Been playing classic country every evening I've checked this week (Randy Stewart/Springfield MO, ibid.) Thanks, Randy. Good stuff for DDXD-West. And a welcome change. Now if only 1170 Tulsa would go back . . . (Bill Hale, ibid.) ** U S A. GOOD MORNING, RABBIT EARS A NEW TV STATION IS BORN, BUT IS ANYONE WATCHING? . . .South Florida's newest television station. Because there has been little promotion, there are likely no more than a few dozen viewers, mostly family members of the station's 30 employees. But the show is important; the station's owners hope it will help convince cable companies to carry Channel 57. Otherwise, WBWP -- which began broadcasting last week -- can be picked up only by rabbit-ears-using viewers from the Broward County line to Port St. Lucie. In addition, investors across the country are monitoring the station's launch to see if its novel approach of stressing local content should be copied. . . http://newtimesbpb.com/issues/2003-05-29/news.html/1/index.html (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) Why couldn`t you get it on a 7 foot UHF parabolic dish, at quite some distance? Or even sesquimegameter trans-Gulf tropo? Only on rabbit ears, indeed! (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. TV STATIONS TO PUT ANTENNAS ON NEW GROUND ZERO TOWER By DAVID W. DUNLAP, May 29, 2003 T he 1,776-foot Freedom Tower planned at the World Trade Center site is meant to send a signal of resilience to the world. Now it will also be designed to send signals of another kind to households from the New Jersey Shore to the end of Long Island to Fairfield County, Conn. Specifically, Channels 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 31, 41, 47 and 68. On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Television Alliance signed an agreement with Larry A. Silverstein, the leaseholder and developer at the trade center site, to install as many as 22 antennas atop Freedom Tower, to be completed in 2008. Freedom Tower is being designed by Studio Daniel Libeskind. There would be roughly 70 occupied floors, reaching 900 feet, and the upper half of the structure would be more of an open latticework. Some antennas could be mounted in the mast that Mr. Libeskind has already designed as the pinnacle of the tower, said Edward Grebow, president of the broadcasters' alliance. Others could be mounted within the latticework. The new agreement would return New York broadcasters to the site they occupied before Sept. 11, 2001. It would also bring Mr. Silverstein a rent-paying tenant "That always helps," he said yesterday that needs space at altitudes where many office workers feel uncomfortable. And, Mr. Grebow said, "It guarantees that Manhattan will dominate the skyline." Until recently, the broadcasters had given serious consideration to constructing a 2,000-foot mast in Bayonne, N.J. Only two months ago, Mr. Grebow said the Bayonne mast would "dwarf the Libeskind tower at the trade center, which, believe us, is not what we want but where we are being forced to go." In April, however, Mr. Grebow attended a luncheon at which Gov. George E. Pataki set out aggressive goals for redeveloping Lower Manhattan. "I came away thinking for the first time, `Yes, this is going to happen in a plausible time frame,' " he recalled. Under this timetable, Mr. Pataki asked Mr. Silverstein to pledge that the cornerstone for Freedom Tower would be laid in August 2004. "I told him we'd do that," Mr. Silverstein said. The governor also asked that the steel be topped out on Sept. 11, 2006. "I said we'd endeavor to do that," Mr. Silverstein said. There are many unknowns about the Freedom Tower project, including the exact design of the building and the cost. The broadcasters would "pay our way" in construction costs for the antennas, Mr. Grebow said, and would also pay rent to Mr. Silverstein, who was their landlord at the World Trade Center, where they paid about $9 million a year. Since the attack, broadcasters have been using the Empire State Building as a stopgap to reach the 700,000 households in the metropolitan area that do not have cable. Their search for a new site has led them to consider Governors Island, Jersey City and Brooklyn. The broadcasters' architects are Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, which would advise them on the Freedom Tower installation, working with Mr. Libeskind and with Mr. Silverstein's architects, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. "One of our big challenges will be to make the antennas aesthetically pleasing," Mr. Grebow said. They range in height from several hundred feet to 30 or 40 feet, he said, and could be concealed within a shell of fiberglasslike material. Twenty-two antennas are needed to accommodate both analog and digital signals from each of the 11 stations, but some channels could be combined. Members of the alliance are WCBS (Channel 2), WNBC (4), WNYW (5), WABC (7), WWOR (9), WPIX (11), WNET (13), WPXN (31), WXTV (41), WNJU (47) and WFUT (68). "What better place for them to be than in New York," Mr. Silverstein said, "from whence they came and where they've always operated." Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) New York Times makes no mention of DTV transmitters for the above channels. And what of channel 68? Won't that six megahertz of spectrum be reassigned by the 2008 tower completion date? (Brock Whaley, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. KID'S DAY II IS JUNE 21! NEWINGTON, CT, May 28, 2003 -- The second Kid's Day of 2003 will be June 21, from 1800-2400 UT. There's no limit on operating time. The twice-annual event, held in January and June, offers a chance for amateurs to invest in the future of Amateur Radio by participating in a simple, but rewarding, on-the-air event. Kid's Day is intended as an opportunity to share Amateur Radio with young people -- licensed or not--in the hope that they'll enjoy the experience and possibly pursue their own license in the future. Activity for Kid's Day [what`s the rest of the URL?] takes place on 20, 15 and 10 meters -- and perhaps your local 2-meter repeater. It's an opportunity to introduce your own youngsters, neighborhood kids and nieces and nephews to participate to the magic of ham radio and perhaps spark a lifelong love for the hobby. Kid's Day is not a contest, and patience is a must. Remember that the kids are not experienced operators. Your part, as the licensee and control operator, is to help with the basics, keep an eye on the technical aspects of the operation, observe third-party traffic agreements and be sure to ID at the proper intervals. Beyond that, relax, and let the youngsters have fun. If they find someone they're comfortable talking with, let them enjoy themselves. In this event, it's quality of the contacts that counts, not quantity. The suggested exchange for Kid's Day is first name, age, location and favorite color. It's okay to work the same station again if the operator has changed. Call "CQ Kid's Day." Suggested frequencies are 14,270 to 14,300, 21,380 to 21,400 and 28,350 to 28,400 kHz, and 2- meter repeater frequencies with permission from your area repeater sponsor. All participants are eligible to receive a colorful certificate (it becomes the child's personalized sales brochure on ham radio). You can help ARRL keep track of the Kid's Day activity and responses. Visit the ARRL Kid's Day Survey page to complete a short survey and post your comments. You will then have access to download the certificate page or send a 9x12 SASE to Boring Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 1357, Boring, OR 97009. Now in its ninth year, each running of Kid's Day typically attracts more than 1000 participants. Originated by the Boring Amateur Radio Club http://jzap.com/k7rat/ the event now is sponsored and administered by the ARRL with the cooperation and assistance of the BARC (ARRL May 29 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) ** VANUATU. 7260, Port Vila, good signal at 0737 UT 5/29 with news in presumed Bislama with English words, news on Papua New Guinea and other Pacific areas. At 0738 "...news comes from Radio Vanuatu". At 0740 some really nice local music (Drake R8, 14 Meter vertical, Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Patrick, I just want to confirm what you said. Vanuatu is very strong here on South Pacific too. 7260 Vanuatu, Port Vila, very good signal (555) at 1855 UT with nice "south Pacific style" song played with guitar and electronic keyboard. National Anthem at 1900, birds singing and "Good Morning Vanuatu...." by YL (Marcelo Toníolo, Auckland, New Zealand, NRD 545DSP Longwire 30 feet with MFJ 959B (Tuner/ Preamplifier), ibid.) ** VENEZUELA. VENEZUELA'S NEWS MEDIA SOUND ALARM OVER CHAVEZ MOVE TO REGULATE PROGRAMMING --- The Associated Press 5/29/03 1:45 AM CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- No live coverage of political violence. Limited daytime newscasts about terror attacks. No radio stations devoted exclusively to rock or other "foreign" music. Venezuela's news executives say all this could happen if President Hugo Chávez succeeds in enacting a law that imposes harsh restrictions on what and when Venezuelan television and radio stations can broadcast. Ruling party lawmakers defend the proposed law, saying it will protect children from violence and end what they call "selective censorship" by the news media, which they accuse of supporting the opposition. The also contend it will make broadcasters accountable to citizens. "This project is a weapon to defend us as a people and guarantee public freedoms," said Juan Barreto, a member of the committee which drafted the bill and a journalism professor at the Central University of Venezuela. It upholds "freedom of expression, which doesn't belong only to channels and journalists but also to the people," he said. Many press rights advocates, however, disagree. They say the law, now before the Chávez-dominated Congress, will allow an increasingly authoritarian government to silence opposition ahead of a possible recall vote on Chávez's presidency. Chávez designed the Law for Social Responsibility in Radio and Television to bring "the news media to its knees," said Víctor Ferreres, president of Venevisión television. "We would have to broadcast a blank screen and ignore almost everything that is occurring in the news" to comply with the law, Ferreres claimed. Chávez has long accused Venezuela's news media of conspiring to topple him. Most broadcasters slanted coverage of a brief 2002 coup against Chávez, and many supported an opposition general strike this year. Among other provisions, the law would ban "rude" and "vulgar" language; prohibit images and sounds related to alcohol and drug consumption, gambling and sex; and ban "psychological" or physical violence, all between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Similar limits would apply to early morning and evening newscasts. Sixty percent of all programming must be produced within Venezuela, and of that, more than half must be created by "independent producers" approved by Conatel, the state media watchdog. Broadcasters say the law will allow censors hand-picked by Chávez to crack down on the mostly opposition news media. Violators can be punished with $37,000 fines or have their broadcast licenses revoked. Advertisers, too, can be held liable -- a provision critics say is meant to starve stations of publicity at a time when Venezuela's news media are confronting an economic crisis. Congress is expected to pass the bill by simple majority vote within weeks. Six of nine members of a committee to enforce the law would be appointed by Chávez. "If there is a terrorist attack this morning, I'd have to tell listeners we have to wait to inform them during the news at 11 (p.m.) because it could be labeled 'violent content,"' said Leopoldo Castillo, a talk show host with Globovisión television news channel. Deputy Willian Lara, a Chávez confidante, said the law won't stop TV and radio from broadcasting news. "The news can be reported like it is now, only the grotesque images are restricted," he said. Critics are wary. The legislation "is completely incompatible with international standards" of press freedoms, said José Vivanco, executive director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch. Definitions are so cloudy that some of Venezuela's prized daytime soap operas could be banned, he said. Opposition groups pushing for a referendum on Chávez's presidency later this year are organizing marches against the law. A leftist former army paratrooper, Chávez was elected in 1998 and re-elected to a six-year term in 2000 (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** VIETNAM. Re previous report of 17925 being the 3rd harmonic of 5925 --- no, it isn`t. When will we ever learn to confirm all such reports with the calculator? 17925 would be 3 x 5975, if there be a Viet transmitter there; did not catch in time to correct on WOR 1184 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SHORTWAVE AS MUSIC ++++++++++++++++++ And more(!) about shortwave (and beyond) and music and artform: Rafael Lozano-Hemmers first solo exhibition in his native Mexico. Created specifically for the large church nave at the Alameda Art Laboratory, this installation invites members of the public to scan the radio spectrum using their bodies. A custom-made sensor tracks the projected shadows of participants, and tunes specific radio signals based on their position and size. The piece can sweep all frequencies from 150 kHz to 1.5 GHz, allowing monitoring of broadcasts like air traffic control, taxi dispatch networks, wireless phones, short wave radio and many others. The installation can have up to 16 simultaneous channels of audio and the resulting sound environment is a self-organized composition controlled by people's movements. Free access to the radio spectrum, a contested public space, is presented in the context of the increased surveillance of the body. http://www.absolutearts.com/artsnews/2003/05/28/31074.html 73 (Kim Elliott, DX LISTENING DIGEST) COMMENTARY ++++++++++ QSLing, BELLABARBA Mr. Renfrew, I got your letter today. We don't keep audio records of Colorado Rockies baseball games, but I checked the box score of the Rockies game on the 23rd and it matches the script you've provided. KNEC is a 25kw FM in Yuma, Colorado. (Northeast Colorado). I've filled ot your card and I'm sending it back today. About 2 years ago we received a post card from Italy. A person picked up our signal and listened to our daily "Swap Shop" program. Our antenna is on a good hill, but we're only about 475ft above terrain. Jeremy Weathers, Station Manager, KNEC 100.9FM http://knec.iwarp.com (via Jim Renfrew, NY, DXLD) Bellabarba strikes again! (gh) RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ MORE ON ACCESSORY INTERFERENCE In our April column, a reader asked how it was possible for an electronic device which has been turned off to emit considerable radio interference. Geoff Gidman, KA1EPF, provides one answer. A large percentage of modern electronic appliances are microprocessor controlled; even when the device is turned off, some power remains to allow the microprocessor to receive signals from the remote control to turn back on again. The clock circuit of a microprocessor is essentially a square-wave generator, rich in harmonics, operated at radio frequencies. Other hobbyists have learned that switching power supplies can emit considerable interference as well. Various external filters usually fail to offer much help since the interference may be radiated directly through the cabinet as well as attached cables. One sure cure, however, is to unplug the devices from the wall; this virtually always shuts down the interference – as well as the accessory`s capability to be turned back on by the remote control. Perry Crabill, Jr., W3HQX, went even further, determining which frequencies and which accessories were causing the interference at his home. He contacted Zenith Corporation to confirm that his model SJ- 2065-W TV's switching power supply was emitting a signal at 36.96 kHz as well as several generations of harmonics clear into the shortwave spectrum. But it was still within tolerance as set by the FCC. Additionally, his Sanyo VHR-3350 VCR was radiating a strong signal at 525 kHz along with harmonics, as was his AT&T model 5500 cordless phone at 300 kHz plus harmonics. He also discovered radiation around 560 kHz coming from his Brother model 600 facsimile machine, and even weak harmonics from his old Kenwood R5000 communications receiver on harmonics of 17.56 kHz. Perry`s sense of humor came through with this final report: Desiring to listen to the VLF spectrum one evening, he unplugged all the offending household electronic accessories, plus the automatic night light which generates considerable broad-band noise, switched off the porch lights` solid-state timers, the fluorescent kitchen lights, and a humidifier control. With great anticipation, he then switched on his radio and discovered that the natural atmospheric noise blanketed everything anyway! He turned off the radio, hooked up all the home accessories and went to bed. Thanks, Geoff and Perry, for sharing your excellent insights (Bob Grove, Ask Bob, Getting Started, June MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) SOURCE OF BEVERAGE WIRE FYI - I got some 18 gauge stranded copper, flaming red insulation, for $12.50 per 500-foot roll from National Electronics. I like to plug this company because they have great customer service - it's where I buy the coax for my long feedlines. Anyway, this wire turned out to be very nice quality, strong yet flexible ("like buttah"). I spooled up 1500' on a single Home Depot plastic orange cord spool and used it for the Long Beach Island DXpedition. I've now got two 1500' spools set aside for future expeditions. The website is: http://www.national-electronics.com For my permanent installations, I've used the Home Depot THHN wire - it is double-insulated, but I've found it to be very brittle (Rick Kenneally, CT, NRC-AM via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ TROPO HI TO CA...AND CA TO HI Last night on IRC chat, Rod Thompson (Sacramento, CA) mentioned the November 1989 VUD, which has the following item about Sheldon Remington and his HI-CA tropo: ------------------------ Greetings to my old friends in the WTFDA. I haven't been a club member for some years, but Pat Dyer suggested I write up the FM reception which took place in June [1989!] and submit it to the VUD. The fabled VHF tropo duct has finally yielded some FM catches. On June 13, the local VHF ham ops were reporting the duct was open to southern CA. At 0955 I noticed some CCI bars on channel 11 and immediately checked FM with my hand held Sony ICF-7600D and built-in whip. For the next 2 1/2 hours I heard many southern CA FM's of which the following were positively IDed: Grover City 107.3, Lompoc 104.1, Santa Barbara 93.7, Ventura 100.7, Los Angeles 92.3, 93.1. 95.5. 97.1, 101.1, 102.7 103.5, 104.3, 105.1, 107.5, Glendale 101.9, Pasadena 106.7, and Santa Maria 102. The next night from 1000 to 1300, the opening had moved south to the Tijuana/San Diego area, yielding Tijuana 91.1, 104.$ and San Diego 94.1, 101.5, 103.7, 105.3, 106.7. The duct dissipated the next day, but returned on June 20 to 23, bringing LA thru Tijuana again, of which San Clemente 107.9 was the only now logging. No openings have been noted since. Distances for these 25 catches range from about 2345 miles for Lompoc to about 2500 miles for Tijuana. Signal strengths were generally low but sometimes reached full quieting and full lit the Sony's LED. I have subsequently added an CM 4408 beam so should do better the next time. Of particular note is that these catches were heard at just 500 ft, above sea level. Conventional wisdom holds that the CA/HI duct is usable only from the 8000 foot level on Mauna Loa, and indeed there is undoubtedly more FM and TV DX up at that site, judging by reports of the hams who word 144 MHz and higher from there. Eventually, I will have to try driving up the volcano to try FM. The duct should yield DX for California listeners as well, except that QRM is much worse on that end. The KOAS translator K276DG 103.1 is the only FM transmitter at a high altitude on this island (the Big Island) situated at the Humuula Sheep Station at 6000' with stacked yagis beaming FSE [ESE?] (note that K276 DG is in the center of the island, nowhere near the location shown in the FM Atlas). It might also be possible to hear KKUA 90.7 on Maui as it's situated part way up Mt. Haleakala. The hams conduct duct liaison on 28.885 MHz, and I can usually be found there doing 6 meter liaison. Well, that's the report for now. ---------------------------- Rod also mentioned to me that Shel at one time also had tropo reception from Imperial, CA. Now, Imperial is east of San Diego by maybe 100 miles. And to get from SD to El Centro (Imperial is close by), you have to cross some mighty steep mountains (I drove that route once on I-8). So, Rod wondered if the mountains between SD and El Centro are too high for tropo to cross over. If they are NOT, then is it unrealistic to expect that Rod in Sacramento would have a prayer of a chance to hear some HI tropo from his end? From what I've learned here from Bob Cooper, people on both ends of the duct must be inside the duct to hear the stations on the other side. And that the ducts can occur at various elevations and can be various widths. If I understand this right, there must not be any obstructions between the CA location and the HI location. But what makes us wonder about all of this is Remington's reception of FM from Imperial, CA. There are 6000' mtns in the way. How was this reception possible? Want to take a stab at these, Bob?? (Mike Bugaj - Enfield, CT USA, May 28, WTFDA via DXLD) I've driven the California section of Interstate 8 dozens of times, and those mountains are a formidable barrier; you can't hear any San Diego FM stations on a car radio from El Centro (best known as the birthplace of Cher). Not only are the mountains high, but there is also a HUGE contrast between the cooler, moist marine air found along the coast and the warmer, dry air found east of the mountains in the desert areas around El Centro; when it's in the 60s and foggy in San Diego, it's often over 100 with humidity in the teens in El Centro. I just don't see how an east-west duct can form along that path, and El Centro is over 100 miles inland as well. Sheldon is an experienced DXer and reliable reporter, so I would be reluctant to dismiss his report out of hand. But reception of an El Centro translator in Hawaii via tropo IMO comes really close to the "it just isn't possible" category (Harry Helms W7HLH, Las Vegas, NV DM26, ibid.) First, I'd like to hear from Shel himself that this HAS happened! The report seems to be several layers down from the source. Now, assuming it did happen, the hams have found on 144 and 432 MHz that stations as far north as the Seattle area and as far INLAND as Reno, Nevada had been able to "couple" into the duct when and if the conditions are "just right." For example, K6QXY lives in Santa Rosa, inland from the Pacific quite a ways but well elevated and at least half of the time the "first reports" of the amateur 144/432 "beacons" from the Hawaii mountain top originate with him - Bob is very good at what he does and it may be (1) he is more alert than others, (2) he has monster antennas - true, or, (3) his inland elevated location has a "duct into a duct" coupling effect. Sacramento is barely feet ASL but hams in Sac (and Modesto and up the valley to Redding) HAVE in fact been able to make it; even east of Sac to Reno over the top of the -not 6,000 feet - but 9,500 feet Sierra Nevada mountain range (admittedly only once but it did happen!). The most important point is to KNOW when it is happening and WHEN to look/listen. One of the many ham radio VHF reflector sites is good for this function. Ref: (Harry H.) "I've driven the California section of Interstate 8 dozens of times…`` It is that CONTRAST between the hot dry air of the inland Imperial valley region and the moist offshore air masses which creates an overruning of the inland skies. That contrast in turn creates a duct from inland to the coastal area. It is not common but it does happen! And, one duct into another is not that rare and given the geography of Southern California, a duct that goes from Imperial westward to the coast at some elevation is in fact not unusual during August-September (a side effect of a weather condition called "Santa Ana Wind"). If the Imperial signal(s) can couple into a duct that is higher than the intervening mountains, and thereby go westward where at some altitude (doubtless 3,000 feet or above) it "couples" into a trans-Pacific duct, the "mystery" is explained without any excessive stretching of the basic laws of propagation physics. As for Shel's 500 foot ASL location (and his simplistic receiving system), hams have worked from coast line California to coast line Hawaii on a few (that means not many but some none the less) occasions with mobile rigs on BOTH ends. This is not a "it NEVER happens this way" world - it is a "it SELDOM happens this way world." One aspect of this amazes me. There has NEVER been even one report of reception from a Hawaii station by a West Coast DXer. A lot of people out there seem to have their antennas stuck in the wrong direction or wasting time making notes on local weather conditions! Best, (Bob Cooper, New Zealand, ibid.) SPORADIC E ``GOING LONG`` Ref Gerard Westerberg and others commenting on beyond Es distance reception at the end of an (intense) Es opening. ``One characteristic of Es is that maximum path distance will occur just below the MUF cutoff. That makes sense because that's the point at which refraction is just sufficient to return the signal to earth. In most cases we can tell that we are reaching the end of an Es event when the path distances "go long.`` --- Once again I strongly urge members to acquire a copy of "Beyond Line of Sight" - "A History of VHF Propagation from the pages of QST" by the ARRL. And in this instance page 146 entitled "Ionospheric Scatter By Field-Aligned Irregularities at 144 MHz." FAI is a little understood artefact of normal Es occurring just as and shortly after the normal E layer propagation has ceased to work. It is of interest here as it at least in time sequence dovetails neatly with the observations reported by Westerberg, Doug Smith and others - reception beyond normal Es distances just as the Es event was terminating. FAI involves a scattering mechanism in the E layer, thought to be the result of the Es cloud breaking up and dissipating perhaps to a slightly higher (more elevated) altitude where there is a momentary (may last up to 2-1/2 hours) recombining ALONG LINES OF MAGNETIC FORCE. The essence is signals at least to 144 MHz (amateur two meter band) have been found to exist over paths in the Es distance region (up to 1400 miles nominally) on around half of the days when 50 MHz Es occurring later in the afternoon/early evening has just died. Note that during the 50 MHz opening itself, normal Es, there was no 144 MHz Es event noted. It is after the event when the FAI propagation seems to appear. Amateur observations dating back to 1978 indicate that FAI is most likely to occur on more or less east-west paths, that FAI events are no more likely to occur after a very intense direct Es opening (i.e. having Es MUFs to 144 MHz does not appear to enhance the likelihood that 144 MHz FAI will follow the break up of "normal" Es). FAI signals tend to be quite stable (not with heavy fading, often with no or very slow fading other than a gradual build up, levelling off, then gradual build down), and at amateur 144 MHz equipment levels, varying from just out of the receiver noise to as much as 30 dB (a bunch in anyone's book) above receiver noise. There may be nothing more than coincidence here but Doug Smith and Gerard's loggings at least fit the time frame for FAI. And almost nothing is understood about FAI - if you think Es is a mystery, try to find authoritative references on VHF FAI! Anyone who really wants to understand the basics of wave propagation needs to have a copy of the afore mentioned ARRL publication. Nothing else comes close to establishing the "limits" of VHF (and UHF) wave propagation in such plain talk language (Bob Cooper in NZ, WTFDA via DXLD) AURORA ALERT Check for unusual propagation tonight, and if clear and atropical enough, look for visual auroral displays; see previous issue. WTFDA members and I were seeing auroral hash on TV and hearing it on FM around 2330 UT May 29 (gh, DXLD) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-093, May 28, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.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 HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3e.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 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 CONTINENT OF MEDIA 03-03! New edition is now available, first broadcast on RFPI 7445, 15039: Thu 2000, Fri 0200, 0830; Sat 2130, Sun 0330, 0930 Also soon via DXing.com: {Stream) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0303.ram (Download) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0303.rm And via our site: (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/com0303.ram (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/com0303.rm (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0303.html (not yet available) FIRST AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1184: Wed 2200 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825 Fri 1930 on RFPI 15039 WRN ONDEMAND from Fri: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html from early UT Thu [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1184.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1184.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1184h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1184h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1184.html ** ALGERIA. ALGERIAN RADIO LINKS UP SEPARATED FAMILIES IN QUAKE ZONE By JULIANE VON REPPERT-BISMARCK, The Associated Press, 5/26/03 7:39 AM ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) -- Telephone lines were down and cell phone service was spotty. So Dahbia Abderahne found another way to track down her family in Algeria's ravaged quake zone: the radio. Since a powerful earthquake struck the region east of Algiers on Wednesday night, families separated by the destruction have been turning to radio stations and newspapers as a way to get in touch. State-run Chaîne 3, for example, has been taking calls round the clock -- at a rate of about 150 an hour -- from people desperate to contact relatives and friends in the damaged areas. The messages are then broadcast on the air. The Internet site of the El Watan newspaper has also been inundated with e-mails asking about relatives. The paper it was passing the messages to radio and TV for broadcast. At Chaîne 3, some calls are simple condolence messages to devastated communities. Some describe apocalyptic images of crushed buildings and bereaved families. But many of the callers were like Abderahne -- searching for the missing. Most of the calls concerned people in Boumerdes, where about half of the quake's victims died. "I am looking for my family. They live in Boumerdes. I haven't heard from them since Wednesday," Abderahne said Saturday, her tired voice breaking on a mobile phone line. "Could you please tell them to give me a sign of life? Just a small sign." On Saturday, a female newscaster repeatedly asked for the parents of a five-year old boy to come and collect him from Algiers' Belle-Aire clinic, where he had regained consciousness that morning. Not all the messages were sad on Chaîne 3. "This is a message for Yasmina Merdez," said one caller. "I live beside her daughters ... I saw them in the street today. I want her to know her daughters are fine." "Thanks be to God," came the presenter's reply. Thousands of e-mail messages have also poured into the station from all over the world -- France, Britain, Spain and Canada -- as immigrant Algerians ask for news of families left behind in North Africa. El Watan said a TV studio was being set up in Boumerdes solely to receive and distribute messages from inside Algeria and from Algerians living abroad (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. PLUG PULLED ON ABC CHANNELS 27may03 THE ABC will cancel its digital channels as part of a $25 million spending cut. ABC managing director Russell Balding told a Senate committee yesterday the national broadcaster had no choice after its funding was not increased in this month's Federal Budget. The ABC wanted an extra $250 million from the Government over three years but got nothing. Mr Balding said the corporation could not afford the $7 million ABC Kids channel and Fly TV youth channel, which it paid for through a one-off reallocation. "There's no current identified ongoing source of funding to maintain those channels beyond the end of the financial year," he told the Budget Estimates hearing. The ABC will also shelve plans to expand Radio National and Triple J coverage. Mr Balding said there were "no more rabbits left in the hat" after overspending on digital technology. He said he had warned the Government several times that programs and services were under threat and that up to 38 jobs were likely to go because of these decisions. The ABC board expected to decide the cuts at its July meeting. "I don't give up . . . I view the triennial funding outcome as a minimum level of funding for the ABC for the next three years," Mr Balding said. "We need additional funding for content . . . it's no good trying to reach all Australians if we don't have content there." The ABC overspent $20 million-$25 million on its digital rollout and now had to find this money in its forward budget. Communications Minister Richard Alston said the ABC had no chance of an increase in the recent Budget. He rejected any blame for the demise of the digital programming, saying the ABC should have planned ahead once it decided to trial the technology. The Federal Opposition said the ABC's announcement was a "digital disaster". "The ABC multi-channels were meant to drive digital uptake in Australia," said communications spokesman Lindsay Tanner. "There is now even less reason for Australians to convert to digital television." © Queensland Newspapers (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ABC DIGITAL DEAD; KIDS NET SHUTTERED May 27, 2003 2:01pm SYDNEY --- The Australian Broadcasting Corp. is quitting digital broadcasting and will shutter ABC Kids and youth signal Fly TV, after almost two years and close to zero eyeballs. The decision comes after the government capped the pubcaster's funding at $460 million a year. The ABC, banned from accepting paid advertising, had launched the digital services without extra coin. "Given the paucity of incentives for the public to take up digital television, the ABC considered that a dedicated children's and youth television service could attract funding support from the government," ABC managing director Russell Balding said. "Unfortunately this has not been the case. "This is the first of several hard decisions the ABC will make. Maintaining the comprehensiveness of ABC broadcasting is becoming increasingly difficult with funding today 30% less than it was in 1985/86." Digital TV was introduced in Australia in January 2001. But consumer uptake has been slow because the equipment is expensive and there were few services on offer. The government hopes the advent of digital feevee services at the end of this year will stimulate consumer interest. Copyright (c) 2003 Reed Business Information - US (via Variety via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** CANADA. I'm hearing CFRX here at the moment on 6070 at 2320. Hard to tell though whether they are on reduced power or not, but definitely on. 5/27/03 (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello Glenn, Per your question, "Is anyone hearing CFRX 6070", I can reply, "Yes". 6070, CFRX, 1219, May 28, Relay of 1010 AM with promo for the "Edmonton Street Festival" at tune-in, ID as "News Talk 1010". "Ted Wallason (sp?) Show " with news of SARS in Toronto and its economic impact, talks with correspondent from WBZ 1030, Boston MA. regarding SARS concerns in US. Fair signal with fades and "bubble" jammer!! (Scott R Barbour Jr-NH, USA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. CBC RADIO REPORTER BEGAN CAREER IN MARITIMES UPDATED AT 4:55 PM EDT Tuesday, May. 27, 2003 Montreal -- Veteran CBC Radio reporter David McLauchlin has died of brain cancer at the age of 55. The network's national reporter based in Montreal, he was known for his features from across Canada and around the world. Most recently, Mr. McLauchlin reported from Afghanistan as part of a documentary series and last year won an award from the Canadian Association of Journalists for a report on the high rates of brain cancer in firefighters. In 1996, he was the only journalist to participate in a healing ceremony that ended the long feud between the Dene and Inuit of NWT. Mr. McLauchlin began his career with CBC Radio in the Maritimes where he was a writer-broadcaster for Information Morning in Saint John. Later, he was field producer for Sunday Morning in Winnipeg and a reporter for Radio News for the Prairies. (c) 2003 Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** CANADA. Ross Porter, Canada's top jazz broadcaster, joins CanWest Porter becomes VP Programming of COOL 99.1 FM and soon to be launched cable channel COOL TV [Winnipeg]. . . http://www.newswire.ca/releases/May2003/26/c5720.html (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) Canadian angle on Metropolitan Opera: see USA ** CHINA [non]. Re CRI using Brazil. Well, according to the HFCC, for what it's worth, CRI do indeed use Brazil as a relay: CRI 0100 0200 1234567 14,16 9665 250 BRA B 300303 261003 D RTC CRI 0300 0400 1234567 10-12 9665 250 BRA B 300303 261003 D RTC As you can see this information is supposed to be 'in date' and supposedly correct. Getting detailed information from CRI regarding sites and relays is not that easy. According to HFCC, CRI uses transmitting facilities in the following countries: China, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Spain (1 transmission from 0200-0400 on 9690), France (ISS), French Guiana, Mali and Russia. I hope this clears up where the confusion is coming from. 73 Sean Regards, Sean D. Gilbert Editor: Shortwave Guide International Broadcasting Editor: WRTH World Radio Tv Handbook - THE Directory of International Broadcasting Email:- wrth.skeds@ntlworld.com Web:- http://www.wrth.com (hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** C I S [and non]. FOREIGN RELAY VIA SHORT WAVE TRANSMITTERS OF THE COUNTRIES OF CIS 30/03/2003 - 25/10/2003 kHz UTC kW Radiostation Armenia 5855 2610-1740 100 TWR [1610-?] 6240 1200-1215 100 TWR 9365 (7550*) 2300-2400 500 RFA 9365 0100-0300 500 RFA 11510 1500-1600 500 RFA 11590 1100-1400 500 RFA 11975 1400-1500 100 VOA 15625 1400-1500 100 RFA 17485 9600-0700 500 RFA [0600-?] Moldova 7460 0230-0315 500 RPD 7480 1800-1845 500 RPD 11530 0800-1600 500 MSP Kazakhstan 5910 1430-1530 200 DVB 9355 1530-1600 200 VOO (Tue, Fri) 11515 1300-1400 2000 RFA 11520 1400-1500 200 RFA 11560 2330-0030 200 RFA 11570 (7455*) 2230-2330 200 RFA 13830 0000-0100 200 RFA 15135 2300-2350 500 DWL 15625 1230-1330 200 RFA 15635 1100-1200 200 RFA 15660 0030-0130 200 RFA 17485 1000-1400 500 DWL 17770 1430-1455 500 DWL 19 m* 1215-1300 500 VOT Tajikistan 4760 0100-0200 100 RFE 4760 1630-1700 100 RFE 4995 1400-1600 100 RFE 5860 1400-1600 100 RFE 5860 1900-2100 100 RFE 6140 1900-2000 200 RFE 7185 0300-0400 100 RFE 7295 0200-0300 100 RFE 7465 1600-1700 200 RFA 9350 0100-0200 200 RFA 9370 1600-1700 200 RFA 11520 0100-0200 200 RFA 11520 (7530*) 1800-2100 500 RFA 11540 (9975*) 2330-0030 200 RFA 13835 1500-1600 200 RFA 15680 (7540*) 2300-2400 500 RFA 15680 (11540*) 1300-1500 200 RFA 15580 (7540*) 1500-2200 500 RFA 15695 (9395*) 2300-2400 200 RFA 15695 1100-1400 200 RFA 15695 (13830*) 0100-0300 200 RFA 15705(11535*) 1400-1500 200 RFA 17495 0300-0700 500 RFA 17510 0600-0700 200 RFA 17525 0300-0700 500 RFA 17525 (11540*) 0030-0130 200 RFA 19 m** 1215-1300 100 VOT Uzbekistan 7430 1500-1530 200 BBC 9445 2315-0200 200 TWR 9445 1115-1630 200 TWR 9865 1330-1445 200 BBC 11850 0100-0400 100 VIL 12065 1330-1425 100 RNW 12065 1430-1600 100 VAT 12075 1430-1625 100 RNW 13745 0100-0130 200 BBC 17540 0100-0200 200 HLR (Fri) 17695 1200-1230 100 RVI 21780 0800-0830 200 BBC 13 m* 1215-1300 100 VOT 16 m* 1430-1515 100 VOT * = From 07/09/2003 ** = different frequencies in the mentioned metre band. (Nikolay Rudnev, Belgorodskaya obl., Rus DX May 25 via DXLD) see also RUSSIA ** COSTA RICA. [RFPI-Vista] RFPI ONLINE NEWSLETTER PART ONE Dear friends and listeners, This month we are going to be sending out three parts to our Vista Online as we have been so very busy and we know that we have missed out a month! The first part that follows this initial section is an article written by Jean Parker who represented RFPI at the AMARC conference in Nepal in February. Here at the station, the Peace Journalism and Progressive Media Through Radio courses are continuing as RFPI works towards adding as many non-embedded journalists to the world's media as possible. Action around the station is intense as June begins, bringing a whole host of new people, students and volunteers into the station. We would like to welcome Emily Morales onto the RFPI staff as Operations Manager this month. She brings us vast business, educational and administrative experience and is a welcome addition to the team. Our Program Director Naomi Fowler went to Nicaragua last month and amongst other things helped deliver a production workshop and give a talk on RFPI in Managua. For the report on her trip, see Part Two of the newsletter coming your way soon! Four staff members from RFPI last month visited and spoke with the Huetar indigenous people in the local area by the radio station. We are going to work with them in setting up a community radio station starting with an experimental weekend of broadcasting next month to generate interest in the community and involve as many people in the area as possible. We also plan to work with them in an oral history project and a project to conserve their language, which is dying out. As you may have heard, Radio For Peace International has started up a 15 minute daily news broadcast focusing on freedom of expression news from around the world as well as events in Central America, a region which seems to be off the radar of most media organizations. It is broadcast Monday to Friday at 2130 UT and it is the beginning of a greater focus on in-house programming regularly coming your way at RFPI. NEEDED!!! Computers/lap tops of 400 MHz or more with a minimum hard drive capacity of 10GB. Studio and hand held microphones, headphones. Fundraising and Contact We wish to invite all our readers, members and listeners to contact us here at RFPI if they have any questions or comments about Vista Online, our programming, or the station in general. If any of you have comments or ideas on how we can improve our service to you, please send us a note via e-mail or traditional mail. We thank you for your continuing support, both financial and moral. We need your contributions to keep an independent voice like ours on the air. RFPI is the ONLY progressive independent voice on shortwave in the world, we have a unique schedule of programming and important visions for future projects and work at the station. Fundraising at RFPI is on a continual basis. If you can offer financial, material or equipment support in any way, please contact us. You can do so via: Radio For Peace Internacional, PO Box 75, Ciudad Colón, Costa Rica, Central America Tel. +506 - 249 1821 Fax. +506 - 249 1095 Web site: http://www.rfpi.org Email: info@rfpi.org For Pay Pal donations with a visa credit, visa debit or mastercard, you can click on the Pay Pal icon on http://www.rfpi.org Here follows Jean Parker's article from Nepal. [q.v.] In Peace, The RFPI Staff (RFPI-Vista mailing list May 27 via DXLD) ** CUBA. 590, Radio Musical Nacional, Santa Clara, Villa Clara; 0100+ May 28, noting tonight (a few days after reactivation but with Rebelde audio) reverting to the original Musical network of classical music, great audio. [non] 530, CLANDESTINE (FLORIDA/CUBA); Per my contact (who is an engineer at Radio Martí at Marathon), the EC-130E "Commando Solo" aircraft MW channel used last Tuesday was 530 kHz. Not sure how that could have cut through Vision Cristiana from the Turks & Caicos, but... (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, May 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. CASTRO EXIGE A EEUU QUE RESPETE FRECUENCIAS RADIALES sábado 24 de mayo, 10:59 AM LA HABANA Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. En medio de un altercado por el uso de las frecuencias radiales entre Cuba y Estados Unidos, el presidente Fidel Castro exigió a la nación vecina que respete el derecho internacional sobre telecomunicaciones, al tiempo que ofrecía planes de educación para alfabetizar por radio a los habitantes de la Florida. Castro reafirmó en la noche del viernes las declaraciones de su cancillería que protestó ante Washington y ante organismos mundiales por la retransmisión el pasado martes de la Radio y la Televisión Martí -- con sede en la Florida y de corte anticastrista -- desde un avión de la Fuerza Aérea norteamericana. "Hacen mal en subestimar a este país", dijo Castro vestido con su uniforme verde olivo durante una de las habituales Mesas Redondas. Castro calificó de "cinismo" y "alevosía" las acciones estadounidenses de usar una nave para enviar las señales, que habitualmente no llegan a la isla por el bloqueo de ondas que aplican los técnicos locales. Según Cuba, Washington le envió una nota diplomática diciéndole que había advertido al piloto José Basulto del grupo anticastrista Hermanos al Rescate, que sería sancionado si con su aeroplano buscaba enviar TV y Radio Martí a la isla, como lo había declarado a la prensa. Sin embargo, el mismo gobierno de Estados Unidos preparaba un gran avión de la Fuerza Aérea "para hacer lo mismo que le habían dicho al otro que era un bandidaje", dijo Castro. "Y los dos volaron a ver si nos confundían", expresó el mandatario. La señal contenía también un mensaje del presidente George Bush en saludo al 20 de mayo, día de la independencia cubana de España, en el cual hacía votos por una pronta "liberación" de la isla. "Nosotros exigimos que se le exija al gobierno de ese país que cumpla con las normas (del derecho sobre telecomunicaciones)", expresó Castro quien indicó que no se desea afectar a emisoras de onda corta de Estados Unidos teniéndola que interferir. En la ocasión Castro anunció la extensión del "Canal Educativo", de reciente creación a todo el país, además informó sobre la creación de uno nuevo para el año entrante. Cuba no tiene pautas publicitarias en sus televisoras, todas en manos del estado. Tras considerar los alcances de la emisora para fines no comerciales el mandatario aseguró que su país cuenta con programas para enseñar a leer y escribir en cinco idiomas. Castro comparó el sistema de educación cubano con el de Estados Unidos y en especial el de la Florida. En este sentido mostró cables de agencias de prensa que dan cuenta de las bajas al presupuesto gubernamental académico en ese estado del sur norteamericano y el impacto sobre las minorías hispanas y negras. Castro destacó que en la Florida faltan más de 6.000 profesores anualmente. Dijo que según el diario Miami Herald, en "más de 142.000 de las escuelas públicas del sur de la Florida no saben leer..." "Nosotros les ayudamos y le enseñamos a leer y escribir a todos esos muchachos", exclamó Castro, "Bush puede seguir bajando el presupuesto". "Si quiere puede bajarlo a la mitad y nosotros le garantizamos por radio y por televisión que esos muchachos aprenden a leer y escribir todos...y estaríamos dispuestos a hacerlo tan gratuitamente como lo podemos hacer con un país cualquiera del tercer mundo, porque allí (en la Florida) hay unos cuantos terceros mundos", expresó el mandatario. (via Héctor García Bojorge, DF, Conexión Digital via DXLD) But wouldn`t Commie propaganda be included in Cuban reading programs for third-world Floridians? This might offend (gh, DXLD) ** ECUADOR [non]. Hi Glenn, I´m a little concerned and worried about how to hear my favourite DX-programme DX Partyline from HCJB, the Voice of the Andes after close down of English broadcasts to Europe and North America in the end of May. Last Saturday May 24 1450 UT I heard few last minutes of DXPL with interview of Jeff White of WRMI-R Miami International. My wish is HCJB will continue with DX-Partyline from Kununurra relay station. Has anybody ever heard WRMI-R Miami International?! 73´s (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, May 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) If they didn`t make it clear, it was made clear on Viva Miami that DXPL will continue on Kununurra; seems likely WRMI will be one(?) of the US stations carrying it, but this has not been made public just yet; of course, I hear it all the time --- but WRMI is not intended for Europe (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. 17675, Radio Cairo, 1215, May 28, Sign-on routine noted with ID and frequency schedule, I wasn't able to copy much else due to fading and massive QRM "splatter" via Radio Finland, 17670, to South America with a whopping 500 kW (Scott R Barbour Jr, NH,USA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GHANA. RADIO WORLD - Sunday May 25, 2003 SOUND GBC (listen to the programme via audio link on this page) Have you recognised this signature tune? It's an old one from GBC, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. Ghana is the place we're going to this week. Recently women from all over the world travelled to the country for a conference on and for women in radio and television. An Mulders was there too. I'm sure some of you will recognise the name from the days when An was a member of the Brussels Calling Team, as we were called then. She met with very interesting women in the world of broadcasting. Paulina Azupwa works for the local station in the Upper East region of Ghana. You will hear how radio in rural areas in Africa is different from what we are used to. Many people are illiterate and radio always has an educational mission. Also the programmes produced by Paulina: SOUND Paulina Azupwa Mrs Paulina Azupwa of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, producer at the local station for the Upper East region. We'll hear from other delegates at the conference in Ghana in coming editions of this programme. FRANS VOSSEN Listen broadband: http://www.vrt.be/wm/rvi/rw_HI.asx Listen narrowband: http://www.vrt.be/wm/rvi/rw_LO.asx (from http://www.rvi.be/rvi_master/uk/radio_world/index.html via gh, DXLD) The May 18 show, if any, never appeared on the website (gh) ** HUNGARY. Hello Glenn, In light of my previous report of a Radio Budapest QSL and letter regarding station restructuring, I am surprised to read that others noted I had a "bad" QSL experience. How so? All prior reports were verified. It was just that my very first Radio Budapest report was the last one to be QSLed. I have received various replies from around the world in as little as four days, up to 1 1/2 years and I am just as pleased as punch to find them in my mailbox. I am also fortunate to have QSLs from 4 of the 6 countries Mr. Chambers lists, (Vietnam, Mongolia, Syria, Korea DPR) in addition to several from Africa and Latin America for reports written in English. Sam Barto, NASWA QSL Editor, provided me with much valuable assistance when I took up this aspect of the DXing hobby. First, be patient! Stations are busy producing radio programs. Two, because it is expensive and most stations are cash-strapped, include return postage. Third, be polite and ask nicely. You will sometimes be amazed at what you receive (Scott R Barbour Jr, Intervale, NH USA, May 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. The unusual relay of AIR Patna via Delhi on 11620 kHz (due to problems of MW transmitter of Patna) which was on air for the past 2 weeks, seems to be over. Just now at 1515 UTC 11620 is noted with External Service programs like in the past. For the last couple of days I had monitored AIR Patna reactive on 621 kHz and there were no announcements about the SW frequency lately. Even at 1130 UTC today I heard the sign on of evening transmission of Patna relayed on 11620. ===== 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS/AT0J National Institute of Amateur Radio Box 1555, Somajiguda Hyderabad 500082, India, dx_india via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. Had another check on 27 May on 6770 kHz and again found the previously heard unidentified station sign-on at 0124 UT with its military-style drumming. As before, the jamming came in almost immediately. However, this time noted that the jammer jumped from 6770 to 6750 at 0128, with the unidentified station underneath. A very quick check found the same station frequency-hopping as well between 5650 and 5670 kHz to avoid jamming. The latter is, of course, one of the frequencies used by Voice of the Mojahed in the past. Didn't that station disappear shortly after the coalition entered Iraq? Presumably it's back, still from Iraq? (Tony Rogers, Birmingham - UK, AOR 7030+ / LW, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. 9450 Radio Bopeshawa (Radio Forward). My letter to their address in Canada (A.K.P.I., P. O. Box 491, Domains Postal Station, North York, Ontario M3C 2T4) was returned after ten days as 'return to sender moved/address unknown' So that postal avenue is closed (Edward Kusalik, VE6EFK, DX'er since 1965, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** IRAQ. SHIITES PLAN OWN RADIO AND TV SERVICE IN IRAQ According to the Financial Times Hassan Grebawy, head of the Shiite Centre for Public Islam, claims he has received permission from US forces to start radio and TV broadcasts. The stations will be based at the al-Hikmah mosque in a Shiite suburb of Baghdad, and will initially serve a radius of 50km around the capital. Plans are under way to extend the broadcasts to the entire country. 55% of Iraq's population are Shiites. Mr Grebawy has made clear that the broadcasts, to be called "Baghdad Reports" will be introduced with the symbol of Iraqi state television, and will not be friendly towards the US presence. His followers have frequently organised mass demonstrations in Baghdad calling for an end to US occupation. But he produced a letter from the US 1st Brigade, which is responsible for security in Baghdad, giving permission for a radio station. Mr Grebawy says he also has received verbal permission for a TV station. If the letter is genuine, it could indicate that the US appreciates the help of the Shiite hierarchy in Baghdad in helping with the reconstruction of essential services. But, if the content of the programmes is hostile to the US as Mr Grebawy implies - saying this merely reflects the opinion of the man in the street - it could spell problems for the US interim administration further down the line. (Media Network May 28 via DXLD) ** IRAQ. IRAQIS UNHAPPY WITH U.S. SIGNALS INTERFERENCE FROM AMERICANS AMONG CHALLENGES FOR POST-HUSSEIN TV By Peter Slevin, Washington Post Staff Writer, Monday, May 26, 2003; Page A13 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38682-2003May25.html BAGHDAD -- Putting Iraqi television back on the air has proved to be no simple matter, from the electrical outages to the makeshift staff assembled in the postwar chaos. Telephones do not work, and news is hard to confirm. And then there is the dispute over the editorial influence of U.S. occupation authorities. The U.S. ambassador to Morocco, Margaret Tutwiler, was dispatched to Baghdad to polish and package the U.S. occupation. But she triggered a rebellion earlier this month when she and a young White House aide in Baghdad, Dan Senor, intervened with strong judgments about programs and said that broadcasts would be reviewed in advance by the wife of a prominent Kurdish militia leader, according to several people involved. Iraqis and U.S.-paid television consultants called it censorship. They protested that the supervision by Tutwiler and Senor violated the concepts of liberty and independence that President Bush said would undergird Iraq's future. Most of all, they objected to the idea that the Americans thought they knew what was best for Iraqi viewers. "Dependence on any governmental body, whether it is Iraqi or non- Iraqi, will lead to another dictatorship and will kill democracy," said Ahmad Rikabi, 33, a foreign-born Iraqi recruited from exile to become a network anchor. "If we really want democracy, we should protect this child that is the Iraqi media." The station is now broadcasting news and documentary pieces. The tempest, at least for the time being, has died down. But the enduring tension over control reflects the network's importance in a country where national television was an instrument of the state for decades before Saddam Hussein was pushed from power by allied troops. In the aftermath of the government's collapse, nothing has arisen to take its place, due to the wartime destruction of broadcasting towers and subsequent looting of production facilities. A foreign official in the U.S. occupation authority said he thinks Tutwiler relied too heavily on Hero Talabani -- wife of Jalal Talabani, who heads the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan -- who "has convinced them all that she is the great arbiter of Iraqi taste." Instead of promoting an Iraqi-run program, the official said, Tutwiler and Senor are "effectively acting like the station manager and the news director." The two Americans opposed Rikabi as anchor and objected to the reading of verses from the Koran, staffers and advisers said. Then there was the time that Senor voiced the opinion that an inexperienced staff member was unprepared to interview the new U.S. reconstruction chief, L. Paul Bremer III. So Senor posed the questions himself as the camera rolled, a reconstruction official said. "If Dan Rather didn't show up for an interview with George Bush," the official asked, "would Ari Fleischer conduct the interview?" A U.S. adviser said "it was not a good idea" to allow Hero Talabani to screen the broadcast, given that her husband has long fought and maneuvered for Kurdish independence from Baghdad's Arab-controlled government. "You can't go to a person who has a known political agenda," he said. "There were lots of people who said this was not a good idea." But the adviser said in Tutwiler's defense that her goal was to make the U.S.-funded program "more professional" at a time when Iraqis remain uncertain about the U.S. occupation and the country's future. Talabani was to "provide a quick check to see whether the tone was right," he said. When many people objected, "the idea was kiboshed." A senior Kurdish official said that Tutwiler visited the Talabanis' elegant rented house in Baghdad several times and that Senor spoke with her frequently by telephone. "It's not censorship; it's advice," said the official, who said he believed that the Americans needed Talabani's help. "The problem with the coalition is they think like a coalition, not like Iraqis." An occupation authority official said that Talabani was one of "many Iraqis familiar with the media" consulted by U.S. advisers responsible for starting the station. The official said the authority is consulted about programming before it airs but does not review specific pieces in advance. Tutwiler has returned to Morocco. Senor said, however, that the U.S. authorities have clear goals. "This is the first time in decades that the Iraqi people have been able to turn on the TV and not be subjected to Saddam Hussein- controlled media," Senor said. "Our priority is to build out infrastructure, develop broadcasting capabilities and develop systems so a free and robust media can flourish in Iraq." To the consternation of network staffers, holdovers from the Hussein era have tested producers' nerves by making their own editorial choices at the remote transmission site, at one point putting the station's prewar logo on the postwar broadcast. On a recent evening, the team raced to piece together two hours of news and features against a deadline imposed by a scheduled electrical outage. It was the day Senor interviewed Bremer. When the power went out early, one Iraqi journalist cracked, "Beautiful. Tell Bremer to give us some electricity to put his statement on the air." Two weeks earlier, the station's satellite dish burned out. The staff borrowed one from the BBC, but it overheated. As a production team was broadcasting the country's first postwar soccer match, someone purposely cut an expensive cable. Technical problems have limited the broadcast range to roughly a 75-mile radius of Baghdad. The equipment is so old that "some of it ought to be in the Newseum in Washington, D.C. It's that old," said an adviser, who like several others asked not to be identified by name for fear of alienating Tutwiler or influential members of Bremer's staff. "It will not be a professional news show yet, but we hope it will be a here-are-the- facts-ma'am show that people can have some trust in." Even before the dispute over editorial influence, everyone agreed that credibility was the goal. But they differed greatly about how to achieve it. On one side were the Iraqis and most of their international advisers. On the other was, most prominently, Tutwiler, a veteran Washington image-maker who has been asked to run the State Department's office of public diplomacy. At the peak of the dispute, one well-placed reconstruction agency adviser marveled that Tutwiler and Senor had achieved "what the White House has been dreaming of for years . . . controlling the evening news." With a measure of admiration mixed with his dismay, he called Tutwiler a "one-woman psychological operations team." Tutwiler -- with the concurrence of Bremer and Talabani, staffers said -- thought it would be a mistake to allow Rikabi to anchor the broadcast, fearing that he would be perceived as a U.S.-imposed outsider. Rikabi was born to Iraqi expatriates in Prague in 1969. He spent seven years in Swedish radio and became London bureau chief of Radio Free Iraq, but he never lived in Iraq. The network's staff and the international advisers favored Rikabi, who they felt had paid his dues by spending most of his young life opposing Hussein's government, albeit at a distance. Rikabi and his supporters asked what the alternative was -- someone from Iraq's co- opted television past teaching Iraqis about broadcasting freedom? That dispute was one in a series that angered the Iraqi staff members and some of their foreign advisers. Others involved the Koran, Talabani and a series of man-in-the-street interviews deemed overly critical of the U.S. occupiers. They were held pending on-air replies from the reconstruction team. According to Don North, a Fairfax resident who is an adviser to the television station and formerly worked for NBC and ABC, the Iraqi staff had held an intensive debate about the Koran, with some saying that the broadcast "must absolutely have readings of the Koran" and others that religion and newscast credibility cannot mix. The staff agreed to a series of limited readings. "These are all Iraqi decisions," North said. "This is the last thing I want to do, tell them whether they can have their Koran or not." But Americans at the reconstruction agency said no to the readings. At about the same time, the staff and advisers learned that Hero Talabani was being consulted by Tutwiler and had been invited to review the programs in advance. They threatened to walk out and leaked word to the international news media. Tutwiler & Co. compromised. The parties agreed that Rikabi would stay off the air the first week, that the station would look for additional personalities and that the early programs would be treated as pilots. The Koran would be read, as the station staff preferred. Talabani could offer advice but would not see scripts or tapes in advance. And Senor, several people said, promised no censorship. Correspondent Scott Wilson in Baghdad contributed to this report. © 2003 The Washington Post Company (via Kraig Krist, Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** IRAQ [and non]. KUWAIT HEARD RELAYING RADIO FREE IRAQ Checking Radio Kuwait today around 1525 UT on 15495 heard the usual programs of Radio Kuwait, a program talking about the new situation in Iraq. But suddenly at 1530 heard the ID "Huna Idha`at Al- Iraq Alhur, Idha`at Europa Al-hura" in English. This is Radio free Iraq, Radio Free Europe!! I'm still listening to it, 1555 UT and still on. I never knew that Kuwait Relays RFI/RFE/RL !?? is that a new thing?? Will keep on listening and let you know. All the best (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, May 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Also noted here in Hilversum, continuing with news programme from 1600 UT. Observations continue. This channel is not listed in the daily updated IBB frequency schedule. Presumably the programming is the same as carried on 1548 kHz from Kuwait. A switching error? (Andy Sennitt, Media Network May 28 via DXLD) {See 3-094: Woofferton instead} ** MEXICO. I went back and did some checking; they have a web site which mentions the station. http://www.unam.mx/radiounam/ as XEYU 9600. Also MW station on 860 kHz and FM on 96.1 Rather nifty looking website, but sort of lost as all in SS. Further checking shows that actually David Ross stumbled on to the het. Neither of us managed audio. Way too much splatter from 9595 and according to ILG, never a break (Bob Montgomery, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) Audio down here in Louisiana again at 0300 on May 28th, I'll be checking the mini-disc today. It was actually pretty good, a steady "signal" of S9 (Hans Johnson, ibid.) ** NEPAL [and non]. COMMUNITY RADIO AND SOCIAL CHANGE By Jean Parker Does media in armed conflict do more to save lives or do its actions and attitudes cost lives? This, was one of many questions posed by those who attended of the 2003 General Assembly of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, (AMARC), held in Kathmandu, Nepal in February. AMARC, is a worldwide association of community radio stations and producers who understand the importance of community radio in development. The idea of radio being produced by members of the community for that community is used by free press advocates to involve ordinary people in creating and disseminating programs of relevance to them. as opposed to state-sponsored radio or corporate owned networks deciding what the listeners will hear. Throughout the developing world, community radio has been used to provide information to farmers, women's groups, and other marginalized people. It is used to educate children and adults in remote locations, teach and preserve languages. Its ability to inform and educate populations without access to independent information is boundless. The positive place of community radio in peace-building was also discussed along with its responsibility to provide accurate information for people in areas of armed conflict. Since most of the delegates came from places where war is a reality, this discussion was especially relevant. The importance of radio as a medium for communicating with people in rural areas where there is no access to electricity and where most people don't read and write, was an important part of the discussion. Those technically minded, talked about alternative ways to bring power to their radio transmitters and how to stay on the air during emergency power cuts; others discussed the importance of using radio to inform people about accessing clean water and educating their girl children. Other sessions addressed covering sensitive family issues in traditional conservative cultures so that education and positive change can take place. Matters of rape, HIV and sex education are not discussed openly in many cultures. Community radio broadcasters have diverse experiences with government resistance depending on how open their governments are to such independent broadcasting. Countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh where the government has until now been unwilling to grant licenses for community radio stations are a contrast to Nepal and the Philippines where such broadcasts are integral components of many communities. However, even in these locations community radio faces a constant struggle with governments who claim security concerns with the broadcasters because of the close link to social change. But broadcasters say that in many places the community radio station is so popular there would certainly be security concerns if they were shut down. Still, community radio operates within the context of national governments. One group in Bangladesh is addressing government mistrust by combining community radioactivity with amateur radio providing emergency communications during natural disasters. The strategy is working to convince the authorities that non-state radio can be responsible and benefit the community. Most of the world hasn't the luxury of free expression. People depend on state sponsored radio for information and this is particularly dangerous in wartime. Entire populations are manipulated by state-run propaganda machines. People in these places desperately want their own independent media. The premise of community radio is that the airwaves belong to everyone and should be used to promote social change and development. Progress is being made. The discussions and debates about how to sustain community radio in the face of increasing world hostility resulted in creative thinking. The use of "participatory listening groups," where many people gather in one location to hear a broadcast was highlighted as an important innovation. These are especially useful with Internet transmissions. Although the trend is toward low- powered FM radio stations, Internet usage is increasing. Many broadcasters work under extreme conditions with little equipment, irregular access to electricity and in situations of war. Sometimes transmitters are destroyed by opposition groups or hostile governments. Strategies were discussed about how to notify influential colleagues when threats to media freedom occur. Because of the meeting's location, most participants were from Asia and Africa. Women were strongly represented and it was proposed that the next AMARC meeting should be in the Middle East, where independent community radio is practically unheard of. Finally, concerns were raised about the danger that as community radio becomes more accepted around the world it could be co-opted by institutions seeking control of what goes on the air, and once again people would only hear what someone else wants them to hear (RFPI- Vista mailing list May 27 via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. The updated Radio Pakistan A-03 schedule in DXLD 3-092 has them on 17720 at 1600-1615 when the A-03 schedule that appeared in DXLD 3-050 had them on 17820. Can anyone confirm which they are actually on? (Dan Sampson, Prime Time Shortwave, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PORTUGAL. 13770 & 11960, RDP via Thales Transmitter. E-mail verification reply in 47 days thanking for my tape report. This was followed in 8 days with a nice package which include a QSL Card of the Lisbon Hills (with transmitter site) complete schedule and a tourist Handbook for Portugal. v/s Teresa Beatriz Abreu (Edward Kusalik, VE6EFK, DX'er since 1965, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** RUSSIA [and non]. FOREIGN RELAY VIA SHORT WAVE TRANSMITTERS OF RUSSIA. 30/03/2003 - 25/10/2003 kHz UTC kW Radiostation Moscow 7175** 2200-2300 250 CRI 7385 1700-1800 250 BBC 9880* 2200-2300 250 CRI 9920 1500-1530 250 RCI 12035 1830-1930 200 CRI 12060 1900-2100 250 VOM 12090 1200-1600 500 DWL 15530 0345-0430 250 FEB Sankt-Petersburg 7130**** 1600-1700 400 CRI 7130**** 1800-1830 400 CRI 15595*** 1800-1830 400 CRI 17580*** 1600-1700 400 CRI Kaliningrad 7340 2030-2125 160 RNW Samara 5935** 1900-2030 250 IBR 6035 2100-2200 200 FGM 6210 1610-1640 100 VAT 7320 1630-2130 250 CRI 7380* 1930-2200 250 MAR 7560 1700-1800 250 MES (Tue, Wed,Fri) 9475 1600-1630 250 TWR 9825 1730-1800 250 DWL 9835* 1900-2030 250 IBR 9945 2100-2200 200 FGM 11520 1600-1700 200 TAY 12045 0015-0130 250 FEB 12120 1500-1530 250 SAW 12120 1700-1800 250 DER (Sat) 12120 1730-1800 250 ORO (Mon, Fri) 15525 0800-0830 250 DWL 15595 1330-1420 250 DWL 15605 1200-1500 250 FEB 17765 1100-1600 100 WUN 17820 0900-0930 250 DWL Krasnodar 6225 2000-2130 500 DWL 7230 1800-1900 250 DWL 7380** 1500-2200 250 MAR 7430 1700-1815 100 BVB (Mon-Fri) 7430 1700-1900 100 BVB (Sat) 7430 1700-2000 100 BVB (San) 9415 1600-1715 100 IBR 9925 1700-2100 100 RVI 12010* 1500-1930 250 MAR 12035 2000-2100 100 RCI 12060** 0500-0715 250 MAR (Mon-Sat) 12060** 0600-0800 250 MAR (Sun) 12065 0345-0430 250 FEB 12125 1900-1930 200 JRI (Mon-Fri) 12125 1900-2000 200 VBI (Sat) 15195 0500-0800 200 RVI 15195 1700-1800 100 RVI 15455* 0500-0715 250 MAR (Mon-Sat) 15455* 0600-0800 250 MAR (Sun) 15530 1100-1300 250 FEB 15605 0900-0930 200 DWL 17545 1230-1300 200 DWL 17650 1100-1130 200 RVI 17695 1300-1600 200 RVI (Sun) Novosibirsk 9825 1700-1730 500 DWL 11570 0000-0100 100 IBC 11990 1300-1500 200 VOA 12045 2200-2300 200 RFI 12075 1200-1300 500 RFI 13590 1145-1400 100 BVB 15535 2300-0100 500 RFI Irkutsk 7150 2200-2300 250 VOA 7210 1600-1700 250 RFA 7305* 2200-2245 250 VAT 7460 1300-1400 250 HBS 9460 1300-1350 500 DWL 9900 1000-1400 250 DWL 12025 0930-1030 500 RFI 12025 1100-1300 500 RFI 12035 2300-2350 500 DWL 12045 1030-1055 500 DWL 13710 0930-1125 250 RNW 17590 0200-0330 250 VAT 17710 0230-0300 250 BBC 17710 0800-0830 250 BBC Chita 12055 1315-1400 500 VAT 15580 0015-0200 500 FEB Vladivostok 7330 1100-1530 500 BBC 12005 2200-2300 500 RFI 13690 0000-0100 200 DWL 15595 2300-2400 500 RFI 15660 1400-1500 250 VKK (Tue) 17860 2300-2400 250 DWL Khabarovsk 11830** 2200-2245 100 VAT 13820 1030-1125 100 RNW 13695 1330-1425 100 RNW 17590 2330-0025 100 RNW Komsomolsk-na-Amure 9585 1200-1300 250 HBS 15605 2200-2350 250 DWL 17570 0500-0600 250 VOM (Sun) Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy 7420 1000-1400 250 DWL 9450 1200-1330 200 IBR 9865 1130-1230 250 RVI 9890 1330-1425 250 RNW 12065 0930-1125 250 RNW 12070 0000-0100 250 DWL 15470 2100-2200 250 VOA * = Till 06/09/2003 ** = From 07/09/2003 *** = Till 27/09/2003 **** = From 28/09/2003 BBC = British Broadcasting Corporation BVB = Bible Voice Broadcasting Network CRI = China Radio International DER = Dejan Radio DWL = Deutshe Welle FEB = FEBA Radio FGM = Fang Guang Ming Radio FRA = Radio Free Asia HBS = Herald Broadcasting Syndicate HLR = Hmong Lao Radio IBC = International Broadcasting Corporation (IBC Tamil) IBR = IBRA Radio JRI = Jakada Radio International MAR = Radio Maryja MES = Mesopotamian Radio & TV MSP = Voice of Mesopotamia ORO = Voice of Oromiya RCI = Radio Canada International RFE = Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty RFI = Radio France Internationale RNW = Radio Nederland Wereldomroep RPD = Radio Payam-e Doost RVI = Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal SAW = Sowt al-Watan (Voice of Homeland) TAY = Radio Tayyar TWR = Trans World Radio VAT = Radio Vaticana VBI = Voice of Biafra International VIL = Voice International VKK = Voice of Khmer Krom VOA = Voice of America VOM = Voice of Mediterranean VOO = Voice of Orthodoxy VOT = Voice of Tibet WUN = University Network (via Nikolay Rudnev, Belgorodskaya obl. 73! Rus DX May 25 via DXLD) See also CIS ** SWEDEN. RADIO SWEDEN -- Coming up on Radio Sweden: Thursday: Ascension Day feature on the Church of Sweden Friday: Our weekly review Saturday: In "Studio 49" the new head of the world's oldest peace organization, and tourism after 9/11 and SARS Sunday: "In Touch With Stockholm" -- Sweden in the 50's We've had a very gratifying response to our appeal for reports about our test broadcasts on 17505 kHz. We immediately received around 30 e-mail reports, and more reception reports are arriving by post. Many thanks to all the listeners who helped out. Despite the recent poor conditions it seems that we actually can use the same frequency (17505 kHz) on two different transmitters at the same time, in two different directions, for our broadcast in English at 1230 UT. We will continue to use this frequency for both 40 degrees to East Asia and New Zealand and 85 degrees to Southeast Asia and Australia. We'll also use 17505 kHz for our three broadcasts in Swedish to East Asia at 1030, 1215, and 1300. Everyone who sent a report will be receiving a Radio Sweden QSL card. Two listeners will also be rewarded with Radio Sweden T-shirts: Mr. Dong Haojun of Huanggu District, China and Mr. Satoru Suzuki of Yokohama, Japan. Please continue to send reports. This is the first time we've used the same frequency in two different directions, and we're still interested in how well it's working (Anders Backlin, Radio Sweden) On May 28 the Swedish parliament approved the plan to pull the plug on analog television here, but extended the deadline in the government's proposal by five months to February 1, 2008. But parliament also wants the government to rethink parts of the package, including the expansion of the digital transmitter network. The parliamentary Committee on the Constitution wants viewers who only want to see licence-fee funded public television to be able to watch without having to sign a contract or pay a subscription fee. The legislation was opposed by the Conservatives and Liberals. (TT) Public television has a much higher position in digital terrestrial television (DTT) than in cable or satellite offerings, and the Conservatives especially are no friends of public TV (all: SCDX/MediaScan May 28 via DXLD) ** U K. 13860, BFBS, received QSL card, and friendly letter in 55 days for taped report. Address: BFBS Worldwide, PO BOX 903, Gerrards Cross, SL9 8TN, England. Mentioned than the transmission originated from the UK. Per letter, they are leaving SW again soon, so get them while you can! (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, May 27, KAVT Reception Manager, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ?? Already reported here to have quit as of May 18. Has anyone heard them since? (gh, DXLD) ** U K. TORIES HAND OVER BBC DOSSIER The Conservatives say the BBC played down Tory success The Conservative Party has made a formal complaint to the BBC about its coverage of the local elections in May. The party says the broadcaster played down its success and consistently over-estimated the Liberal Democrats' share of the vote. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2941884.stm (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** U K [and non]. BBC MOST TRUSTED INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTER DURING IRAQ INVASION - REPORT 27/05/2003 According to a survey of European media intake during the US-led invasion of Iraq from pan-European media research company GfK Media, the majority of Europeans turned first to television for news of the war rather than to radio or print media, and public or state-owned broadcasters were the most popular and most trusted forms of media. . http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=16488 (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** U S A. FCC SECRECY ON MEDIA DECISIONS An interesting link about the FCC's coziness with big media: http://www.reason.com/links/links052703.shtml [with lots of additional links] (Harry Helms, W7HLH, Las Vegas, NV DM26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) FCC PLAN TO ALTER MEDIA RULES SPURS GROWING DEBATE --- By Frank Ahrens, Washington Post Staff Writer, Wednesday, May 28; Page A01 Substantial grass-roots resistance to the Federal Communications Commission's plans to relax or eliminate several major media ownership rules has been building in recent weeks, turning a number-crunching bureaucratic process into a growing debate on free speech. On June 2, the five-member commission is scheduled to vote on changes that would allow broadcast networks to buy more television stations and would lift the 28-year-old ban preventing newspapers from buying television stations in the same city. Hundreds of thousands of e-mails and postcards are urging the FCC to put off a decision. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46442-2003May27.html 73, ( -.. . Kraig Krist, KG4LAC, DXLD) ** U S A. CORPORATE RADIO By Jeff Leeds, 2003, Los Angeles Times With a sinister laugh, an on-air promotion for Viacom Inc.'s WZNE-FM rock station has been tipping listeners in Rochester, N.Y., to the parent corporation's dark purpose. "Our company has a master plan for world media domination," says an announcer. He quickly adds: "We're not part of it." In the age of media consolidation, corporate radio is beginning to wrestle with a brand-new worry - an audience that might actually care who owns the station. A smattering of broadcasters around the country is toying with promotions meant to tap into rock listeners' anti-corporate bent by downplaying station ownership, or by touting independence in the face of big-chain competitors. Such matters are being closely watched as the Federal Communications Commission reviews a proposal to loosen ownership restrictions on television broadcasters and others. Regulators are also considering a new method for defining the boundaries of local radio markets, a move that could complicate future acquisitions. The FCC is scheduled to vote June 2. Radio underwent massive consolidation following passage of a landmark 1996 deregulatory law. Clear Channel Communications Inc., the industry's San Antonio, Texas-based leader, expanded its holdings to about 1,200 stations from just 36, while other companies followed suit. Now, questions about chain dominance are leaking into promotional decisions, particularly among rock broadcasters, many of whom rely on an outsider image to hold young listeners. Larry Rosin, president of Edison Media Research, said he's beginning to see signs that listener habits are affected by a station's affiliation. While ownership issues haven't reached a "tipping point," said Rosin, "there are pockets where people do care." So, Viacom's Rochester outlet, part of its 180-station Infinity Broadcasting unit, pokes fun at an expansion-minded parent. Meanwhile, San Diego's KBZT-FM, one of just 17 Jefferson-Pilot Corp.-owned stations, bills itself as "anti-corporate, local and musically diverse" - while looking for extra points by taking shots at the radio industry's 800-pound gorilla. "Not one of those cookie-cutter Clear Channel stations," runs a KBZT tagline. Executives at Clear Channel, often criticized for homogenizing radio with pre-recorded shows and corporate-influenced playlists, are skeptical of the notion that fans care any more who owns the local station than they do what label puts out a favourite album. "I doubt any consumer ever decided against purchasing Eminem's CD because it was owned by Interscope rather than Island Def Jam," said Tom Owens, Clear Channel's senior vice-president of programming. Still, Clear Channel doesn't push its name the way it used to. In the past, the company encouraged its stations to identify their corporate affiliation as part of a campaign to establish a "national footprint" for advertisers and listeners. These days, said Owens, decisions on imaging are left to local market managers, who may highlight their parent or not, depending on judgments about the value of its name. Others have delighted in targeting the big players with a David-and- Goliath theme, exploiting what they say is a surprisingly sophisticated base of audience knowledge about ownership. "Listeners are starting to become aware of corporate consolidation," said Dave Beasing, a radio consultant who advised KBZT and several other stations in designing campaigns built around anti-corporate themes. In Phoenix, KEDJ-FM, advised by Beasing, is just beginning to air promotions with average-Joe soundbites, in which listeners offer their definitions of "independent" radio. In one sequence a male listener says. "You're not under the corporate authority." Another, which the station has so far held back, has a female voice saying: "Independent means not owned by Clear Channel." Scott Fey, the station's general manager, said focus groups had shown owner Newplanet Radio, whose only station is KEDJ, that listeners knew with pinpoint precision which local stations were owned by Clear Channel, and what each station was doing. Those surveyed were also aware that the San Antonio entertainment giant owned the local concert venues. "The public at large was picking up on the business aspects of radio," said Fey. Whether playing the "corporate" card actually builds numbers for self-styled "alternative" competitors - many of whom have corporate parents of their own - remains to be seen, however. KBZT has seen ratings rise to 5.1 from 2.6 among its target 18-to-34 demographic after six months of independence-themed promotions, putting it just behind Clear Channel's two local rock stations. But it's difficult to know how much of the boost came from a switch from an '80s music format. Program director Garett Michaels chooses to believe the promotional gambit is working, because it was based on authentic listener sentiment. "We didn't say, `Hey, let's pick on Clear Channel.' It was already there," said Michaels. "We just decided to pick up the ball and run with it." (Relayed by Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, DXLD) ** U S A. MORE U.S. AIRWAVES SOUGHT FCC URGED TO RELEASE SPECTRUM FOR PUBLIC-SAFETY USE By Yuki Noguchi, Washington Post Staff Writer, Wednesday, May 28, 2003; Page E05 A division of Northrop Grumman Corp. said yesterday that it is petitioning the Federal Communications Commission to free up more airwaves so that the Department of Homeland Security and public-safety agencies can set up advanced wireless communications systems. Northrop Grumman's information technology division, based in Herndon, last month asked the FCC to consider reallocating 10 megahertz of spectrum in the 700-megahertz frequency range for public-safety use, so that those airwaves can be developed for a more advanced network to handle high-speed Internet, video and voice calls simultaneously. Northrop is hoping to eventually profit from the federal government's increasing appetite for a more sophisticated, faster way to coordinate the communications between various branches of the government. FCC officials declined to comment on the proposal. The spectrum that Northrop is requesting for government use is now used by television broadcasters, although they are expected to abandon it when they adopt newer digital technology. Eventually, most of the spectrum in the 700 megahertz range will be vacated and auctioned off; Northrop wants the additional spectrum to go to the government without getting auctioned off to commercial service providers. "We're trying to create a playing field to put in wireless broadband," said Royce Kincaid, Northrop's wireless project manager. The physical properties of existing spectrum allocated for public-safety use do not allow for really high-capacity transmissions, which is important to secure borders, monitor customers and coordinate law enforcement. The 700-megahertz band covers more territory and can transmit within buildings, he said. Several wireless-service operators are lobbying or planning to lobby the FCC to free up spectrum for homeland security use -- all in the hopes that they will benefit from increased business with the government, said Ronny Heraldsvik, director of marketing for Flarion Technologies. The New Jersey firm developed the wireless technology that Northrop is jointly marketing to the government. The spectrum Northop is asking for is "cleaner" because it could be made available nationally and is near the existing public-safety spectrum, Heraldsvik said. The Northrop proposal is likely to spark opposition from television broadcasters, who don't have to give up the spectrum until at least 2007. The National Association of Broadcasters said its members won't be rushed off the airwaves. "Once the transition to digital is complete, this issue goes away, because broadcasters will not be using those channels," said Dennis Wharton, a spokesman for the association. "We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that during times of crisis, local broadcasters provide breaking news and information to citizens better than any other technology." (c) 2003 The Washington Post Company (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) WTFK?? ``700 MHz range`` isn`t very specific. Currently, channel 52 is at 700 MHz, but channel 68 is at the top of that range, up to 800 MHz (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. WON'T SOMEONE RESCUE THE MET? By Richard Cohen, Tuesday, May 27, 2003; Page A19 When I was a kid, Saturday afternoons were special in my house -- I tried not to be home. That was when my father turned on the radio to listen to the Metropolitan Opera. First I would hear the announcer, Milton Cross, offer a synopsis of the opera, and then the music would start. If I was lucky, before anyone sang, I was out of the house. The broadcasts were sponsored by Texaco (since 2000, ChevronTexaco), which announced recently it would cease to sponsor them. It's been 63 years, the longest continuous sponsorship in broadcast history. It started a year before my birth and hounded me throughout my childhood and, while you might think I'd now say good riddance, I instead want to wave a fond and grateful goodbye. Sometimes I listen to the broadcasts myself. I understand. The sponsorship costs ChevronTexaco $7 million a year and reaches only 10 million people -- a mere nothing compared with the 38 million who watched "American Idol" last week. And besides, if the listeners are anything like my father -- he's only 94 now -- they're not what you would call a coveted demographic. In fact, his driving days are behind him. All the accounts of why ChevronTexaco decided to drop the Met mentioned that the company has come upon hard times. Its CEO, David J. O'Reilly, has taken a 45 percent pay cut, and the stock price has dropped. Still, the company made $1.132 billion last year; $7 million represents less than 1 percent of its profits. Put that way, its decision to drop the broadcasts is a bit harder to understand. But as I said before, I understand. Corporations are under pressure to show that they are mean, lean machines. This is why Vivendi Universal SA auctioned off its art collection recently. It stands to gain as much as $15 million, which will help offset its debt of about $11 billion. We can all understand. Some of Vivendi's art was accessible to the public. One of its signature pieces, a stage curtain by Pablo Picasso, has been available for public viewing in New York for the past 40 years. You can understand why a stockholder could look at that Picasso piece and wonder why his money -- and it is his money -- should go to make the world a little bit more beautiful. This is not the same as some CEO using corporate money to buy a yacht or to entertain his honey. Yet now the two are lumped together -- private greed and public largess. Something has been lost. Something will be lost as well if ChevronTexaco's decision results in the end of the Met broadcasts, which lured some of today's opera singers into the field. Most children, I'm sure, were like me and ran from the sound of the thing. But the occasional one was entranced: My God, what beauty. An appreciation of opera comes on -- if it comes on at all -- with age. Of that I am sure. When opera was a mass entertainment -- when all of Italy sang and every mining town in the West had its opera house -- no one had to be told that life was capricious, unfair and deeply tragic. Happiness was not guaranteed, nor even promised, and love too often ended in death -- for women, frequently just in childbirth. There's a bit of the 18th and 19th centuries in just getting older. Time has flown and death hovers. Loves have been lost, so many mistakes have been made, and memory ripens into nostalgia. In opera, the music makes the implausible plausible. When Mimi dies, when Tosca leaps, when Cio-Cio-San kills herself, the music transmits an inexpressible sadness. It is life itself. And on the radio, life is idealized. In one's own imagination, the tenor is not fat and the diva is a doll -- slim, sexy and busty. (Look, this is my column.) Better yet, if you don't happen to know the language, you can imagine what is being sung. At the Met itself, you can read a translation -- and often what you think must be a soaring song about love is really a banal conversation about daily life. I cannot be hard on ChevronTexaco. It has done its duty. But I ask another company to take up the slack, to say to its stockholders that it owes something to the public. Imagine Bill Gates defending a decision to sponsor the Met broadcasts by echoing the words of the doomed Tosca: "Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore." I lived for art, I lived for love. My father -- and his son -- would sure appreciate it. (c) 2003 The Washington Post Company (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) THREAT TO BROADCASTS ROCKS MET OPERA LOVERS By COLIN EATOCK, Special to The Globe and Mail UPDATED AT 8:53 PM EDT, Saturday, May. 24, 2003 The opera world has been rocked by the announcement that New York's Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts are under threat. ChevronTexaco Corp. announced earlier this week that it will end its 63-year-old sponsorship of the Met's Saturday afternoon opera broadcasts next year. Met general manager Joseph Volpe has since said he is determined to find a sponsor to put up $7-million (U.S.) to keep the broadcasts alive, which in Canada are heard coast to coast on CBC radio. "The broadcasts have been of inestimable value in developing opera in Canada," says Toronto-based singing coach Stuart Hamilton, who has frequently appeared as an intermission panelist on opera broadcasts. "I first heard Met broadcasts in 1943, in Regina, Sask. I was 12 -- I was already studying the piano, and I had a sister who sang. But it was the Met broadcasts that got me going on opera. And I'm not alone in that." Although his attempts to found an opera club at his local high school failed -- the other kids didn't know what opera was -- Hamilton was hooked. But with classical-music institutions facing financial difficulties and dwindling audiences across the continent, is opera on the radio an idea whose time has passed? Not according to Robert Cooper, executive producer of the CBC's Saturday Afternoon at the Opera, which airs the Met performances, along with European and Canadian programming. "We have more than 200,000 listeners," he explains with understated pride. "Most classical-music programs draw a 2-to-4-per-cent share of the radio audience, but Saturday Afternoon at the Opera gets 6 or 7 per cent. Opera has maintained a very strong listenership: With the opera, most people stay tuned in for the full 4 1/2 hours." The opera broadcasts have long been married to the changing fortunes of the oil industry. Texaco took up the sponsorship in 1940, possibly in an attempt to restore its public image after the company removed its pro-Nazi chairman, who allegedly sold oil to Hitler's Germany. But when Chevron acquired Texaco in 2000, rumours began to circulate that the days of the Met sponsorship were numbered. All things considered, it's remarkable that the sponsorship, the longest continuous commercial one in broadcast history, lasted so long. "The Metropolitan Opera has already started actively seeking new sponsors for the broadcasts," Volpe notes, "which present a wonderful and unique opportunity for a sponsor with a global outlook." If Volpe should fail in his quest, the CBC's Cooper hopes that he'll be able to continue his Saturday Afternoon at the Opera program with European recordings and possibly even an increase in Canadian content. But for the Met, the cancellation comes as a real challenge to North America's largest opera company. Does the Met still have the influence to attract the interest of large corporations? Does opera still have the cachet and prestige it once did? These questions will be answered in the coming year. Bell Globemedia (c) 2003 Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** URUGUAY. 6155, Sinfonia FM, Santa Clara de Olimar, via Banda Oriental, Sarandí del Yí, 1115+, Mayo 25. Español. Transmisión de una competencia ciclística. ID: "Está transmitiendo Sinfonia FM e Hipismo 2000 (is a programme from Sinfonia FM) a través de la onda corta de Banda Oriental... en 49 metros para cubrir América". Publicidades locales: Veterinaria Santa Clara, siempre junto al que produce...". Anuncio: "Informó la Intendencia Municipal de Treinta y Tres", reporte meteorológico, 44444 (Arnaldo Slaen, en Chascomus, a algo más de 120 km al sudeste de Buenos Aires, junto con los amigos Nicolás Eramo y su hijo (Nicolás Jr.), Marcelo Cornachioni y Enrique Wembagher, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RECEIVER NEWS ++++++++++++++ NEW DETECTION SYSTEM LISTENS FOR TORNADOS ERIE, Colo. (AP) - Researchers are testing a system that listens for tornados using the same extremely low-frequency sound waves used by whales and elephants to communicate over long distances. The technology detects the violently rotating column of air that resonates like a ringing bell, said Alfred J. Bedard Jr. of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Boulder. The infrasound frequencies can be detected hundreds of miles away. The first of the three listening posts is already in use at a NOAA test site near Erie in southern Weld County. Two more stations are planned in Pueblo and another will be placed in Goodland, Kan. During the record-breaking week of May 4, 384 tornadoes in 19 states killed 42 people. Data from the network will be relayed to National Weather Service severe-weather forecasters in Boulder, Pueblo and Goodland. It will be compared with Doppler radar images and reports from tornado spotters, said Larry Mooney, the chief meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Boulder. ''It's unlikely that we would discover the Holy Grail of tornado detection this year, but I think it's a technology that certainly warrants taking a look at,'' Mooney said. The equipment for each station costs about $50,000, Bedard said. The goal of this first infrasound tornado-detection network is to provide earlier, more accurate warnings and save lives. In most years, about 1,000 tornadoes are reported across the United States, resulting in 80 deaths and 1,500 injuries. ''The average tornado warning time is 12 minutes, and the goal is to push that out further, to improve detection and warning and to reduce false alarms,'' said Bedard, a physicist at NOAA's Environmental Technology Laboratory. NOAA began developing the warning system for tornados in 1995 by adapting an avalanche detection system to sound an alarm at precisely the time Doppler radar detected a nearby tornado. AP-WS-05-26-03 1258EDT (Casper Star-Tribune via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) A "DUAL RECEIVE" EXPERIMENT, SSB + AM I've been trying out a new (??) mode of listening to fading stations and so far it's been producing some interesting results. Not sure yet if it's an "improvement or not, but "seems" a little better. || snip snip || Anyone else want to experiment with this and see what results they get? If you don't have a receiver with "dual watch" two receivers fed into one audio channel would also work, though it'd be a bigger headache tuning them. 73 de (Phil KO6BB Atchley, swl at qth.net via DXLD) Hello Phil, great thoughts about dual receiver operation. The other comments about mode, separate speakers, separate antennas, combiners, etc etc all apply in one way or the other. Here are some thoughts excerpted from various emails on this topic I have posted over the years on various reflectors. ================ Physical Filters are in many ways, still the best way to go for improving any radio. DSP as it is used today in many receivers will not usually bring the effectiveness that physical filters in the early IF stages bring. By filtering out signals and noise that pump the system AGC, having AGC off and turning RF gain down, you can copy weak signals that would not be heard in the presence of a strong signal. With out the right filters for the mode in use, the AGC will reduce the radio sensitivity for strong signals in the passband causing weak ones to be much tougher or impossible to pull out. Bandwidth Diversity Reception is what you can do with the dual receiver and filter options. Also use Mode Diversity to improve copy of AM signals. USB on the sub receiver, and LSB on the main. Best results are when using stereo headphones --- sometimes you can actually hear three aspects of the audio this way. One in the left ear, one in the right, and the other in center. Great way for pulling audio out of noise and fading conditions. Other modes work this way too, and the extra filters go along way to make the right choice for most situations. There are also combinations of effects afforded by choosing the various modes, filters, dsp, if shift, width shift, and notch filter combinations between the receivers. ----- Audio Paths: 1) Internal Speaker - OK for portable and small table space use, but poor over all choice. 2) External Speaker - Much better when using a communications quality speaker, such as the old heath kit HS-1661 that tailors the audio to about 200-4000 Hz --- the communications range needed for voice communications - this also helps reduce storm static ear overload. Dual receiver audios can feed the same speaker using various menu options most rigs have today. Or use two speakers and put some space between them to help create a spatial listening brain filter effect. 3) STEREO headphones that matche the impedance for the front panel output jack. This choice gives your ear/brain function the best possible operation for diversity and spatial effects. In this mode you can achieve the best 'sorting' of audio information be it the same or different signals from the two receivers. When tuned to the same signal, the brain provides the best processing of mixing, separating, and sorting for audio information. Room noise is also reduced or easier to sort this way too. Use full stereo separation in the menu options, and try different filters, dsp settings and other controls to achieve maximum spatial separation effects. This choice is the best choice for sorting out weak signals or situations where noise and other signals are a problem. Headphones and diversity/spatial operations is much more effective through the headphones than external speakers --- and don't forget you can still use the external mono speaker, or the built in speaker for center channel effects as well - -- at the same time. The dynamic range for the audio from the headphone jack is also better configured here to protect your ears from sudden changes in audio output when you have the volume up for a weak audio output and something loud opens up on you - this is due to a resistor divider network employed prior to the jack --- and that's why it is not recommended to use headphones through the speaker output jack where this protection is not available. Also when turning off the AGC and using the RF gain control to set volume level, audio output will vary with signal strength, so you can get blasted if not careful. 4) Low level Line STEREO Speaker output jack on the rear panel. Here you should use an external amplifier feeding matching speakers positioned in such away to have you in the direct center. The output here is also a fixed volume output that has good dynamic range and is independent of the volume control on the front panel. Between the external amplifier volume and balance controls, and the internal menu settings of the MP, terrific performance can be had for a wide range of operations --- except for the best of the diversity and spatial techniques where improved operation can be achieved using headphones. I like listening to shortwave stations and music this way --- signal to noise ratio allowing of course. 5) Low Level Line audio output fed to wireless headphones or wireless speakers. All the above still apply here on this method. Plus you can not only listen in from other rooms and outside, but if your able to control your radio over your home network, you get real time full audio with out time delay you would get on audio relayed over the lan. Don't forget the ability to record your audio over this wireless link to a remote recorder, including a vcr, and even have others listen in. If you wish you can relay two different signals / frequencies via this wireless stereo. Just turn down the audio channel you don't want to hear. It is like having two transmitters in one! When it comes to sound, what type and how it is perceived varies considerably with how it is delivered. What method I use depends on the signal to noise ratio and type of audio I am digging into. I find myself using the headphones most of the time to maximize the stereo effect when needing to sort audio --- but I much prefer the external audio amp and speakers for full fidelity audio when using strong or clear signals with wide to no filters selections. ----- Brain Diversity Filtering and Sorting: Using headphones, or speakers centered to your far left and right, an improved sorting ability with-in your brain occurs. In fact this portion of the diversity reception 'plays' with the brain, and makes for very pleasing listening. I can 'mentally' sort different audio types being fed to each ear, and as a result my fatigue listening factor is reduced considerably. I frequently put one receiver on to Usb for a AM broadcast station, and the other receiver on LSB. Depth is immediately improved. Then if you play with the Dsp settings on the main receiver, it almost sounds like stereo effects! Wonderful brain spatial effects galore this way. Using one receiver on plain AM and the other on AM Synchronized isn't bad when tuning around and having the tuning knobs locked together. Signals slide around the head real neato! Lets don't forget experimenting with different width filters between the two receivers also. You can also use Lsb and Usb dual receiving on a SSB signal if you use wide filter mode, and the bandpass around the signal is clear. Very high quality FM like audio is heard on stations running wide audio bandwidth. For the brain to do maximum processing for spatial filtering of dual audio, reducing unrelated audio energy (noise) is very helpful. Yes, you can use stereo speakers, let me re-phrase that, yes you can use dual speakers preferable of the communications type - one on the output of each receiver - for diversity reception modes and to good effect --- but the dual speakers being on your ears is much better performing. Menu options or jack selections, can be used to feed completely separate audio from each receiver to each speaker --- no mixing. Brain spatial effects an be useful for any mode of reception, and any type of purpose. An improvement in detail content sorting, and a tremendous reduction in listening strain is obtained. Once you have tired diversity reception in its variety of techniques, you will be disappointed in mono, and distant dual speaker monitoring. It is like going from a closet into the wide open spaces with out boundaries --- there is a real multi dimensional mind opening sensation when listening in many of the diversity modes --- and just about a complete removal of any strain and fatigue to listening. ----- Same Broadcast on more than one Frequency at the same time and Other Mind Boggling Effects. It is not unusual for me to listen to AM stations at night, especially some of the talk shows. I rarely listen to a AM station in the AM mode. I tend to use Usb on one receiver, and Lsb on the other receiver. This is better sounding, but not as good as tuning in two different frequency AM stations transmitting the same material with the same time delay. When one fades, the other generally is still there. This is in effect using their two different antennas rather than yours. For some odd reason, I find that the further apart the two frequencies, the better the chance one is always up when the other fades. Play with all the filters (wide and narrow combinations), modes, dsp etc etc, and there is a point reached where a stereo like effect kicks in and the music is OutStanding in how Good it sounds. This is your brain spatial sorting effecting kicking in that produces this sensation, and it does its best on headphones. When the band conditions permit, I also will tune in a Ssb station that is in the clear in the wide 6 kHz mode. One receiver is put into the Lsb mode, the other into Usb mode while leaving both selected to the wide 6 kHz filters (rather than narrow 3khz sideband filter bandwidth). Again great sounding audio is obtained. --------------- Good luck, and please experiment. You will be very surprised at the effects you can get having both receivers tuned to the same signal at the same time using different modes (am, lsb, usb), filter widths, dsp on in different settings, if shift, width shift, notch filter and feeding the same or different audio outputs. During the best of operations I hear the band noise in the far back of my head spread out and muted, low audio frequency audio in my left ear, and higher audio frequency in my right ear, and even other distracting sounds in different 'vectors' that don't cover the targeted audio. Try it you will like it --- I bet you wont be satisfied with one audio feed in the future afterwards! 73 from Bill - WD8ARZ (swl at qth.net via DXLD) PROPAGATION ++++++++++++ ================================================================= This Is SKY & TELESCOPE's AstroAlert for Sun-Earth Interactions ================================================================= A s t r o A l e r t Sun-Earth Alert Solar Terrestrial Dispatch http://www.spacew.com 28 May 2003 1. MAJOR X-CLASS SOLAR FLARE ALERTS 2. MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY WATCH MAJOR X-CLASS SOLAR FLARE ALERTS Observers of the upcoming total annular solar eclipse (visit http://www.skyandtelescope.com for details) will be interested to learn that a significant and developing active sunspot complex has evolved over the last several days into a potential power-house for solar flare activity. Active sunspot Region 10365 is a rapidly developing/growing mass of dense sunspots currently numbering in the neighborhood of 42. The sunspot complex currently covers an area of approximately 1.2 billion square kilometers. You could map more than twice the entire surface area of the Earth into this spot complex. This region is also presently visible to the unaided (but protected) eye. Remember never to look directly at the Sun without appropriate eye protection. Two powerful X-class solar flares were observed from this spot complex within 1 sesquihour of each other on the evening of 27 May EDT (late in the UTC day of 27 May and early on 28 May). This activity was preceded on 26 May by smaller M-class solar flares. Analysis of this activity has revealed that most of these flare events were associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) containing Earthward directed components. Interestingly, there is evidence suggesting that perhaps only two of these coronal mass ejections may actually survive the trip to the Earth. The others may be "cannibalized" by the strongest and fastest coronal mass ejections. Cannibalism in space occurs when one coronal mass ejection travelling faster than another overtakes the slower one and cannibalizes it. This process of cannibalization irreversibly changes the character of both of the coronal mass ejection disturbances that are involved. Depending on the nature of the CMEs, the end-product of the cannibalization may be a single disturbance that is constructively reinforced to become stronger and more volatile, or it may become a single disturbance that is weakened if the two CMEs destructively merge together. In either case, the end-product is invariably a CME that contains very little resemblance to the original CME. For this reason, the Earth-bound impact of these types of space weather disturbances are much more difficult to predict with accuracy. Each of the smaller M-class flare associated CMEs have a good chance of producing a single cannibalized CME. Similarly, the two X- class flares that were observed also may have produced CMEs that have merged into a single disturbance. Whether these disturbances have merged constructively or destructively (assuming that they have in fact merged with other CMEs) remains an open question. What is known is that at least two separate and distinct space weather CME disturbances are expected to impact the Earth over the coming days. The first, associated with the smaller M-class flares, may impact the Earth on 29 May. The second and perhaps more energetic disturbance is expected to impact the Earth early on 30 May (UTC time - which translates to the late evening and early morning hours of 29/30 May, Eastern daylight time [EDT]). Because these disturbances have the potential of being less predictable and possibly more volatile than might normally be observed, there is at least minor concern that their impact with the Earth may be stronger than would normally be expected. For this reason, warnings are being issued to alert of the potential for geomagnetic storm activity and auroral storm activity ("northern lights" activity) on 29 through perhaps 31 May inclusive, with heaviest emphasis on 30 May. The official middle latitude aurora watch is appended below and contains more details. Additional major X-class solar flare activity is possible from active sunspot Region 10365 over the coming days. There is also the potential for energetic proton flares from this active region. Proton flares are nothing more than solar flares that involve processes capable of accelerating protons to near relativistic energies (>10 to 100 MeV) and velocities. These protons enhance the radiation environment in space around the Earth and can pose a hazard to satellite and (in less frequent cases) astronaut health, but are not a health hazard to people living on the Earth. These energetic protons also reac [sic] havoc with ionospheric-based radio communications systems by producing a phenomenon known as polar cap absorption (PCA). PCA is intense ionization of the polar ionosphere and can significantly alter the character or strength of radio signals that propagate through these regions of the ionosphere. Region 10365 will remain in a sensitive position to throw other coronal mass ejections toward the Earth during the next few days. It will rotate behind the west limb of the Sun and will become incapable of significantly affecting the Earth by this same time next week. MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY WATCH - 28-31 MAY 2003 VALID BEGINNING AT: EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY VALID UNTIL: 23:00 UTC (7 pm EDT) ON 31 MAY HIGH RISK PERIOD: 30 MAY (UTC DAYS) MODERATE RISK PERIOD: 28 - 31 MAY PREDICTED ACTIVITY INDICES: 30, 30, 35, 20 (28 MAY - 31 MAY) POTENTIAL MAGNITUDE OF MIDDLE LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY: MODERATE - HIGH POTENTIAL DURATION OF THIS ACTIVITY: MAIN BELT = 12 - 24 HOURS MINOR BELT = 24 - 48 HOURS ESTIMATED OPTIMUM OBSERVING CONDITIONS: NEAR LOCAL MIDNIGHT EXPECTED LUNAR INTERFERENCE: NONE - LOW OVERALL OPPORTUNITY FOR OBSERVATIONS FROM MIDDLE LATITUDES: FAIR AURORAL ACTIVITY *MAY* BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM... OREGON TO SOUTHERN IDAHO AND POSSIBLY NORTHERN UTAH TO WYOMING TO NORTHERN NEBRASKA TO IOWA TO ILLINOIS TO INDIANA TO OHIO AND POSSIBLY NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA TO MARYLAND. ACTIVITY *MAY* ALSO BE OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY NORTH OF A LINE FROM... IRELAND TO SOUTHERN UNITED KINGDOM AND POSSIBLY NORTHERN FRANCE TO BELGIUM TO THE NETHERLANDS TO THE NORTHERN THIRD OF GERMANY TO NORTHERN POLAND TO NORTHERN BELARUS TO NORTH-CENTRAL RUSSIA. NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTHEASTERN TO SOUTH-CENTRAL REGIONS OF AUSTRALIA ALSO HAVE A FAIR CHANCE TO OBSERVE PERIODS OF ACTIVITY. SYNOPSIS... A series of solar coronal mass ejections are expected to impact the Earth over the next 72 hours. The first disturbance may impact on 29 May and produce enhanced levels of activity. The most disturbed interval is expected on 30 May when effects of what may be a more energetic coronal mass ejection are expected to reach the Earth. This latter disturbance is associated with two major X-class solar flares and has the potential for producing periods of moderate to strong auroral activity over the high and middle latitude regions. The intensity of the activity probably will not be particularly significant. However, since the potential for cannibalistic CME activity is fairly high (a faster CME overtaking a slower CME), the level of predictability is reduced. There is a chance some regions of this disturbance may involve strongly enhanced magnetic fields capable of coupling more strongly with the Earth's magnetosphere to produce strong auroral storm activity. There is also the possibility periods of activity may be fairly weak. Because of these uncertainties and the complex space weather situation which is evolving from this (and other ambient) activity, this watch is based on an optimistic projection favoring a slightly stronger disturbance than would otherwise be expected. The near-new phase of the moon, which will contribute to optimally dark skies will also enhance the potential for observing activity from middle latitudes, particularly on 30 May. There is a strong potential for additional major solar flare activity from active solar Region 10365. Future activity from this region may involve additional Earthward-directed coronal mass ejection activity that could serve to prolong the duration of favorable conditions for middle latitude sightings of auroral activity. This watch will remain valid through 23:00 UTC (7 pm EDT) on 31 May. It will then be updated or allowed to expire. For updated information, visit: http://www.spacew.com/aurora/forum.html For real-time plots of current activity, visit: http://www.spacew.com/plots.html PLEASE REPORT OBSERVATIONS OF AURORAL ACTIVITY TO: http://www.spacew.com/submitsighting.html NOTICE: THE NEXT HOME-STUDY INTERNET SPACE WEATHER FORECASTING COURSE will commence on 16 June 2003. This course is suitable for anyone to take (there are no prerequisites). It teaches you how to analyse solar activity and predict space weather impacts of this activity on the Earth and Earth-based technology systems (including predicting the occurrence of auroral activity). It includes over 600 pages of printable curriculum and may also optionally include several powerful software packages developed for space weather studies and research. Details are available at: http://www.spacew.com/www/course.html The last offering of this course was October 2002. We do not know when the next class may be offered. We encourage all who are interested to consider enrolling soon. ** End of the AstroAlert Bulletin ** ================================================================== AstroAlert is a free service of SKY & TELESCOPE, the Essential Magazine of Astronomy http://SkyandTelescope.com/ This e-mail was sent to AstroAlert subscribers. If you feel you received it in error, or to unsubscribe from AstroAlert, please send a plain- text e-mail to majordomo@SkyandTelescope.com with the following line -- and nothing else -- in the body of the message: unsubscribe sun-earth e-mail@address.com replacing "e- mail@address.com" with your actual e-mail address (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) Auroral emissions are primarily caused when electrons cast from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere.However, there are other types, such as the mysterious "dayside proton aurorae" - spots, invisible to the naked eye, resulting from solar proton interaction with the ionosphere. While scientists know the cause of these peculiar phenomena, multiple observations by five spacecraft could answer questions concerning how they occur. http://www.astronomy.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/001/342rbsbu .asp (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 28 MAY - 23 JUNE 2003 Solar activity is expected to be at low to moderate levels. Moderate levels are expected early in the period as Region 365 continues to grow. Activity from beyond the northeast limb indicates new active regions will rotate onto the visible disk early in the forecast period. These new regions are expected to keep activity at moderate levels through the first half of the period. Greater than 10 MeV proton events are not expected during the forecast period. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is likely to reach high levels on 30 May – 01 June, and again on 08 – 16 June due to recurring high speed solar wind streams. The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to active levels with some isolated major storm periods. A small coronal hole high speed flow is expected on the first couple of days of the period and may produce some minor storm periods. On 04 – 12 June, a large southern coronal hole will rotate into a geo-effective position and is expected to produce active to minor storm levels. The period should end with a third coronal hole high speed flow producing unsettled to active conditions on 17 – 22 June. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2003 May 27 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2003 May 27 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2003 May 28 130 30 5 2003 May 29 135 15 3 2003 May 30 140 15 3 2003 May 31 140 15 3 2003 Jun 01 130 15 3 2003 Jun 02 120 20 4 2003 Jun 03 110 35 6 2003 Jun 04 100 30 5 2003 Jun 05 100 30 5 2003 Jun 06 95 35 6 2003 Jun 07 90 30 5 2003 Jun 08 95 20 4 2003 Jun 09 95 20 4 2003 Jun 10 95 30 5 2003 Jun 11 100 20 4 2003 Jun 12 100 20 4 2003 Jun 13 105 15 3 2003 Jun 14 105 15 3 2003 Jun 15 110 15 3 2003 Jun 16 120 15 3 2003 Jun 17 120 20 4 2003 Jun 18 120 25 5 2003 Jun 19 120 20 4 2003 Jun 20 115 20 4 2003 Jun 21 120 20 4 2003 Jun 22 125 20 4 2003 Jun 23 130 15 3 (from http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via WORLD OF RADIO 1184, DXLD) ### |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-092, May 27, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.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 HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3e.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 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 AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1183: RFPI: Wed 0100, 0700/0730, 1300/1330 on 15039 and/or 7445 WWCR: Wed 0930 on 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1183.html FIRST AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1184: Wed 2200 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825 Fri 1930 on RFPI 15039 WORLD OF RADIO et al. via DXers CALLING Hi Glenn, there are now links on the following URLS for DX Audio files, which are available on several sites. These will enable anyone that misses the shortwave program on air, to download files from the respective URLS and should make it easier for DXERS/SWL'S to find the audio that's available in either Real audio, mp3 or windows format(s). http://www.geocities.com/nri3 http://www.angelfire.com/myband/tjg http://nrin.hypermart.net/dxerscalling.html All the best (Tim Gaynor, Dxerscalling, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AFGHANISTAN. NEW RADIO TRANSMITTERS IN AFGHANISTAN REACH NATIONWIDE Two 400 kilowatt transmitters installed by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) are operating in Afghanistan, giving the country nationwide, medium-wave (AM) radio service for the first time. The transmitters are especially significant because they will allow programs to reach all listeners in Afghanistan. One transmitter will be used by Radio Afghanistan, the country`s national broadcaster, using AM 1107. The BBG`s Voice of America http://www.voanews.com and Radio Free Afghanistan http://www.azadiradio.org will use the other transmitter for Dari and Pashto programs 24 hours a day, broadcasting on AM 1296. ``Communicating news and information to the people of Afghanistan is critical as the country rebuilds itself after the horrors of the Taleban era,`` said BBG Chairman Kenneth Y. Tomlinson. ``We`re delighted we`re able to play an active role in this area.`` Until now, radio audiences in rural areas of the mountainous country have listened to programs primarily on shortwave frequencies. Residents in Kabul, the capital city, and some other cities tune to FM frequencies, which have a limited geographical range. The AM transmitters, which cost about $10.5 million, are located at a site outside Kabul. In addition to the large AM transmitters, the BBG has installed FM transmitters --- one for the Afghan Government, the other for BBG --- in Kabul. Plans are under way to install additional FMs in Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif and Jalalabad. With the completion of the AM transmitters, U.S. international broadcasting is available on AM, FM, shortwave and via the Internet. U.S. international broadcasting has played a major role in assisting Afghanistan`s media since 2001. VOA and Radio Free Afghanistan, operated by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty http://www.rferl.org have increased coverage in and around Afghanistan, including national, local, health, education and humanitarian events. The services, which have a combined 24-hour stream, have also trained Afghan journalists in reporting, editing and broadcasting. BBG has also assisted Afghanistan TV with technical equipment and programming. The BBG is an independent federal agency which supervises all U.S. government-supported non-military international broadcasting, including the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL); Radio Free Asia (RFA); Radio and TV Martí, Radio Sawa and Radio Farda. The services broadcast in 65 languages to over 100 million people around the world in 125 markets. Nine members comprise the BBG, a presidentially appointed body. Current governors are Chairman Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, Joaquin Blaya, Blanquita W. Cullum, D. Jeffrey Hirschberg, Edward E. Kaufman, Robert M. Ledbetter, Jr., Norman J. Pattiz and Steven Simmons. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell serves as an ex officio member (BBG press release May 22 via DXLD) As I recall, in the meantime, BBG services to Afghanistan were already on 1296 from outside the country, Tajikistan (gh, DXLD) ** AFGHANISTAN. WOMEN'S RADIO INITIATIVE MAZAR-E SHARIF, 27 May 2003 (IRIN) - Najiyah Hanifi, a young Afghan radio journalist, is heading up the first women's community radio station in northern Afghanistan, located in the city of Mazar-e Sharif. "This work is not without challenges, but we have a long journey ahead," she told IRIN. . . http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=34332&SelectRegion=CentralAsia&SelectCountry=AFGHANISTAN (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** ALBANIA: Summer A-03 schedule for Radio Tirana: Albanian to Eu 0800-0900 Daily 7110 CER 100 kW / non-dir 1400-1700 Daily 7270 CER 050 kW / non-dir 2030-2200 Daily 7295 CER 100 kW / 305 deg Albanian to NoAm 2300-0330 Daily 7270 CER 100 kW / 305 deg English to Eu 1845-1900 Mon-Sat 7210 SHI 100 kW / 310 deg 9520 CER 100 kW / 305 deg 2130-2200 Mon-Sat 7130 SHI 100 kW / 310 deg 9540 CER 100 kW / 305 deg English to NoAm 0145-0200 Tue-Sun 6115 CER 100 kW / 305 deg 7160 CER 100 kW / 305 deg 0230-0300 Tue-Sun 6115 CER 100 kW / 305 deg 7160 CER 100 kW / 305 deg German to Eu 1730-1800 Mon-Sat 9570 CER 100 kW / 350 deg Greek to Eu 1715-1730 Mon-Sat 6130 CER 100 kW / non-dir French to Eu 1900-1930 Mon-Sat 7210 SHI 100 kW / 310 deg Italian to Eu 1800-1830 Mon-Sat 7240 CER 100 kW / non-dir Serbian to Eu 2115-2130 Mon-Sat 6135 SHI 100 kW / non-dir Turkish to ME 1700-1715 Mon-Sat 6130 CER 100 kW / non-dir (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, May 27 via DXLD) ** ANTARCTICA. ANTARCTICA NET. There is a new Antarctica Net every Saturday on 14300 kHz around 1900z. Net Control is LU4DXU. He is in touch with LU1Z stations. Last Saturday LU1ZV, the Esperanza Base, was on the air. They expect DP1POL for next Saturday (KB8NW/OPDX May 26/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Note that the Maritime Mobile Service Net is on 14300 kHz at that time (Norfolk, DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. THE JOSEPHINES FATHERS ARE GETTING RECEPTION REPORTS FOR THEIR NEW AM FROM SCANDINAVIA by Padre José Luis Di Paolo, director, LRJ212 & LRJ417 Editor`s Note: Father José Luis Di Paolo, a member of the Josephine Fathers and Brothers, is the director of LRJ212 Radio Murialdo 1290 AM and LRJ417 FM Familia 90.5 FM in Mendoza. He is also the dedicated translator of Catholic Radio Update into its Spanish edition, Radio Católica al Día. We appreciate his writing this article, and were as pleasantly surprised to receive it as he has been in getting such distant reception reports. For those not familiar with the term, DXing is the hobby of carefully listening on the broadcast bands for distant radio stations. The Scandinavians are famous for DXing skill, picking up stations from around the globe by use of long wire antennas strung for hundreds of feet, often in rural locations. Of course, their long winter nights are of great help. Mendoza, May 16 (for RCD) With pleasant surprise the staff of Radio Murialdo are receiving reception forms coming from the farthest lands of the European continent. Across more than 22,000 kilometers of distance from its coverage area, reports have been received from Finland, Norway and Sweden. With precise and careful details, DXers in those countries have kindly sent their reports by means of letters, electronic mail and even recordings of their reception. It should be said that this Catholic radio station, operated by San Leonardo Murialdo`s Josephines, transmits from the county of Mendoza, on the frequency of 1290 Khz with a power of 5/1 Kw, an antenna of the folded monopole type, mounted in a tower 62 meters high, using transmitter and connection links between its studios and transmitter. Radio Murialdo transmits for the time being in parallel with Radio Familia FM, on 90.5 Mhz, its older affiliate. Because the need arose to reach a bigger population, not only overcoming the problems posed to reception because of the mountainous terrain, but mainly because the spectrum in the FM band is, in most of the main Argentine cities, saturated with radio stations, many of those illegal, creating a serious interference problem that has existed for years and is difficult to solve. Because of this, despite being animated with the same purpose, namely ``to bring you a message of faith, of hope and of love, with a cultural and Catholic sense``, and despite the invaluable support of the Congregation of Josephines and of the listeners and friends of the radio stations, achieving that goal had not happened after almost 45 years. But this new voice on AM, Radio Murialdo, is having success in the service of preaching the Gospel. Mendoza is a city located in west-central República Argentina, at the foot of the Andes mountain range, its natural limit to the west. Here the Andes attain their greatest height: the Aconcagua at 6,959 meters. There is an extensive desert plain toward the east and other in counties toward the north and south. Approximately 780 meters above sea level, their area is 148.827 square kilometers, with a population of nearly 1.700.000 inhabitants. It is divided into two dioceses, the Archdiocese of Mendoza, located in the north-central part of the county, with 59 parishes, and San Rafael Diocese toward the south. Mendoza is the product of the man`s labor on arid soil. The water coming from melting snow and ice of the Andes is channeled to where it is needed, thus providing for the necessities of human consumption and of vegetation. Parks and natural large orchards, olive trees, and particularly wine, express the wealth of a fruitful ground after the farmer`s arduous work. The county produces more than 60% of the wines of the country, many of them of excellent export quality, in more than a half million cellars. For their attractiveness and characteristics the land is known as the ``earth of the sun and of good wine``. Its climate is dry, temperate, with typical temperatures that range between the 24 and 9 degrees, although that range varies greatly, given the local characteristics of the soil, the altitude, etc. The area is attractive, particularly the neatness of its cities, with their characteristic brilliant sidewalks, their boulevards, and the captivating hospitality of their inhabitants. Database --- Villa Nueva de Guaymallén: LRJ 417 FM Familia 90.5 FM (1,000 watts PRA, antena 72 m, 8 dipoles) & LRJ212 1290 AM (5,000 watts por los días, 1,000 watts por las noches). Arzobispado de Mendoza. (Josefinos de Murialdo). Avenida Bandera de los Andes 4404, M5521AXL Villa Nueva de Guaymallén, Mendoza, Argentina. Tel.: (0054) (261) 421-3992, 426-1857. E-mail: murialdo@lanet.com.ar Padre José Luis DiPaolo CSJ, director. Tíndaro Muscará, coordinador. 24 hras (Catholic Radio Update May 26 via DXLD) ** AUSTRIA. Radio Afrika International via Moosbrunn heard at 1500- 1559 UT on 17875 kHz on 26 May 2003. Carrier and brief ID "Osterreich Eins" in German at 1500, then pause before "Radio Afrika International" ID and announcements in English, including telephone number 00431 4944033 (in Austria) and e-mail address radio.afrika@s... [truncated] Then into French with talks and African music until repeat of English announcement at 1545 and ten minutes of African sports news in English. French again at 1555 until sign-off abruptly mid-song at 1559. Good reception at 1500, dropped off a bit by sign-off. Thanks to Chris Greenway for the time and frequency of this one (Tony Rogers, Birmingham - UK, AOR 7030+ / LW, BDXC-UK via DXLD) As I recall, the language mix varies from one day to the next; this was Monday (gh) ** BOLIVIA. Hola colegas! Ayer, al caer la tarde, regresamos de nuestro DX Camp en Chascomus, donde hicimos muy buenas captaciones. Vino un poco flojo para el lado de la región andina, que es lo que más particularmente me interesa, pero de todas maneras, escuchamos una emisora totalmente desconocida para nosotros en 4650.3, ayer domingo, sobre las 1030+ UT, con un servicio de mensajes en español para pobladores rurales. La localidad que se mencionó en varias ocasiones es "Camiri". Va a ver que investigar un poco. En algún momento pensamos que podría tratarse de Radio Santa Ana (4649v) que se había corrido un poco, mas luego corroboramos que ésta estaba en el aire en su frecuencia habitual. Otra captación interesante fue la recientemente informada por el colega Rogildo Fontenelle Aragão, Radio Nueva Esperanza, por los 6586 y algo (disculpenme pero estoy en la oficina y no tengo el listado conmigo). En el próximo Conexión Digital comenzaremos a reproducir las escuchas. 73`s (Arnaldo Slaen, BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA, May 26, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. A pedido de Arnaldo Slaen, de Buenos Aires, Argentina, Paulo Roberto e Souza, de Tefé (AM), entrou em contato com a direção da Rádio 6 de Agosto, de Xapuri (AC). A emissora pertence à Prefeitura daquela cidade. Não possui telefone fixo. A direção está a cargo do Sr. Wesley. Entretanto, o Paulo percebeu "um certo desconhecimento acerca de informes de recepção, apesar da afirmação de que a estação responde a seus ouvintes". BRASIL - Já faz um bom tempo que o sinal da Rádio Globo, do Rio de Janeiro (RJ), vem apresentando problemas de modulação em 11805 kHz. Em 24 de maio, às 1810, durante o programa Show de Bola, o problema foi constatado novamente (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX May 25 via DXLD) ** BRUNEI. MUSEUM HONOURS BRUNEI'S WOMEN BROADCASTERS Bandar Seri Begawan The Department of Brunei Museums has organised a project entitled "An Oral History of the Past Experiences of Women Broadcasters in Radio Brunei". . . http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/May03/260503/nite08.htm (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** CAMEROON. GOVERNMENT CLOSES FREEDOM FM RADIO STATION Posted to the web May 27, 2003 Abidjan --- The Government of Cameroon forced a new radio station to shut down last week the day before it was due to go on air as part of a continuing drive to silence critical media, Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF) said on Tuesday. . . http://allafrica.com/stories/200305270470.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** CANADA. For weeks now, it seems, I have not noticed CFRX on 6070 at various checks, day and night. Has it conked out again with no one else noticing, or caring, even in Toronto? Or maybe it is at low power, as Chile seems to have something co-channel (Glenn Hauser, OK, May 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Frequency change for Radio Canada International in English effective May 22: 2200-2400 NF 6140 SAC 250 kW / 227 deg, ex 13670 (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, May 27 via DXLD) ** CANADA. REPORTER DAVID MCLAUCHLIN DIES AT 55 MONTREAL An award-winning CBC Radio journalist has died. David McLauchlin died of a brain cancer Sunday afternoon. He was known for his compassionate features from across Canada and abroad for Radio News and CBC's former flagship program, Sunday Morning. CBC PROFILE - David McLauchlin In February, his feature on the Congo, "Cursed by Riches" took listeners to the heart of that tragic land. His hour-long production about three generations of a family of black musicians in Nova Scotia won a Gabriel Award in 1981 for the best radio documentary. Last year David won a Canadian Association of Journalists award for his report on the high rates of brain cancer in firefighters. There will be a tribute tonight for David on the World at Six. And later this morning Bernard St. Laurent will have an essay about his Quebec colleague on "Sounds Like Canada." David McLauchlin was 55. Copyright © 2003 CBC All Rights Reserved (via Ricky Leong, QC, May 26, DXLD) ** CHECHNYA. MOSCOW HAS BIG PLANS FOR CHECHEN MEDIA By Timur Aliev Special to The Moscow Times GROZNY -- It is 9.30 a.m., and five journalists from Chechnya's state- owned television get into two cars to go to their separate assignments. . . http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2003/05/27/003.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** CHINA. On May 26, People in the Know will focus on Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming visits to countries throughout Europe and Asia. It will be the newly-elected president's first trip overseas since he took office in March earlier this year. Experts from China and the US will center on Sino-Russian ties, and will take a look at the world's impression of China's new leaders (Jim, CRI/English, http://pw2.netcom.com/~jleq/cri1.htm swprograms via DXLD) [non]. Too late now, but FYI. Guess its absence was a fluke the night before: rechecking UT May 26 at 0337, CRI via Spain was back on 9690 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CROATIA [non]. V. of Croatia via Germany in English is on 9925, at 0200-0216 and again 0300-0316; so far I have heard each one only once (David Crystal, Israel, May 21? DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [non]. CUBAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY DIVIDED OVER POLICY By Henry Hamman in Miami Published: May 26 2003 20:42 | Last Updated: May 26 2003 20:42 The US response to last month's crackdown on dissent in Cuba that resulted in the imprisonment of 70 opposition activists has highlighted deep divisions inside the powerful Cuban-American community. So far, President George W. Bush has limited the US response to two actions. The US this month expelled 14 Cuban diplomats on the grounds that they were intelligence agents. Meanwhile, it has launched experiments with satellites and airborne transmitters to beam into Cuba programming from US government-backed Radio and TV Marti, and begun a 24-hour transmission of a high-power short-wave broadcast of Radio Martí. . . http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1051390328599 (Financial Times via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) What in the world does that last bit mean? R. Martí has had `high- power` SW broadcasts forever, if you add up the half a dozen 250 kW transmitters on the air at any one time. Possibly refers to the additional SW transmitters for I-day 101 May 20, but that was quite temporary. The rest of this story goes into no detail about this. Does Mr Hamman have no idea of basic facts about the operation? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** CUBA. Re: 590, 3-091: This is no doubt part of the retaliation for the stepped-up Radio Martí operations. The Cuban government had threatened to cause interference to US stations by boosting the power of their own transmitters. I wouldn't be surprised to see more transmitters spring back to life in the coming weeks :-) (Andy Sennitt, Netherlands, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Re DXLD 3-091, 5/25/03, item for Cuba, transcript of RHC DXUL omitted statement's interesting last sentence. Said US expenditure of $25M annually on this broadcasting is wasted, because the broadcasts are "effectively jammed on the island". I was rather amazed; is this an admission of active jamming? My thinking is, if you have to jam, you have already lost. And of course, if one works at RHC, one cannot be "apolitical". BTW, not a trace of RHC on 9820 / 6000 tonite, Memorial Day 5/26, after a great signal last nite. Does RHC take US holidays off? Regards, (Hue Miller / Albany, OR, May 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) You mean you actually heard Arnie say the J-word, but censored out of his transcript??? RHC seems to be incredibly fragile --- anything can knock them off the air on unpredictable occasions, such as, I theorize: power black- or brownouts; hurricanes; transmitters redeployed for temporary jamming increases; something breaks down in the transmitter(s) or antenna(s); studio-transmitter link fails; reel- to-reel tape recorder playback at studio breaks (gh, DXLD) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. Summer A-03 schedule of Radio Prague: CZECH 0130-0157 6200 7345 0230-0257 7345 7385# 9870 0830-0857 11600 21745 0930-0957 21745 1100-1127 11615 21745 1230-1257 6055 7345 1330-1357 13580 21745 1530-1557 5930 21745 1730-1757 5930 17485 1930-1957 5930 11600 2100-2127 11600 13580 2330-2357 9440 11615 ENGLISH 0000-0027 7345 9440 0100-0127 6200 7345 0300-0327 7345 7385# 9870 0330-0357 11600 15620 0700-0727 9880 11600 0900-0927 21745 1030-1057 9880 11615 1300-1327 13580 21745 1600-1627 5930 21745 1700-1727 5930 17485 2000-2027 5930 11600 2130-2157 11600 13580 2230-2257 11600 13580 GERMAN 0630-0657 5930 7345 1000-1027 6055 9880 1200-1227 6055 7345 1500-1527 5930 1630-1657 5990* FRENCH 0600-0627 5930 7345 0800-0827 9880 11600 1630-1657 5930 17485 1830-1857 5930 13580 2200-2227 11600 13580 RUSSIAN 0400-0427 9865 11600 1130-1157 11615 15685* 21745 1430-1457 9855* 11645 13580 1530-1557 7195* SPANISH 0030-0057 7345 9440 0200-0227 7345 7385# 9870 0730-0757 9880 11600 1400-1427 11990 13580 1800-1827 5930 13580 1900-1927 5930 13580 2030-2057 5930 11600 2330-2357 9440 11615 13580 # via WRMI=Radio Miami International * via RSO=Rimavská Sobota [SLOVAKIA] (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, May 27 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. Frequency change for HCJB in Spanish effective June 1: 0100-0500 NF 9745* QUI 100 kW / 325 deg, ex 9525 * till May 31 in English (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, May 27 via DXLD) Pifo ** ECUADOR. I haven`t been able to get any real info out of HCJB, despite having been a regular contributor AND having done volunteer work in Ecuador for them!! It almost seems they are trying to hide something. They did have a problem with the transmitting site because of the Quito airport expansion, but they have always been saying the facility would be moved and that English would continue. So, I am just wondering if you heard any clear information about it. Thanks! (Harry Chase, WA1VVH, (long-time HCJB listener and radio ham), DX LISTENING DIGEST) Referred him to previous issues of DXLD starting with 3-070 when this story broke (gh) Hi Glenn: There seems to be some confusion as to the exact date of the NAm English close down. We all have been told that May 31 is the end (which of course will be June 1 here in NAm). On Sunday`s Musical Mailbag they mentioned that they will be back "next week" for their final show which would make it June 2 UT? Have you heard anything as to when they actually will be pulling the plug? 73 (Mickey Delmage, AB, May 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) News to me that they might be on beyond UT June 1 0600. Perhaps MM was being imprecise? Lots of their previous deadlines have proven not to be firm. BTW, at 0600 UT it`s June 1 in only part of North America (gh) I guess what I meant to say is that for us DXers it will already be June 1 UT when they pull the plug. I'll check with them on the MM, but they take a while to respond. For sure they mentioned the last MM would be "next week". I know they record the show week(s) in advance of airing so perhaps they messed up. Ham Radio Today mentioned on Saturday that next week would be their last HRT. It will be interesting to see which US based station is offering air time [for DXPL, not HRT]. RMI and The Planet are "DX" catches here (Mickey Delmage, Sherwood Park, Alberta, ibid.) ** EGYPT. R. Cairo will test 17675 kHz to replace 17775 (English and Bengali to South Asia) which is heavily being interfered by Radio Tashkent in between 1215-1430 UT. Please check special test broadcast on 27th, 28th and 30th May 2003 on the said frequency. 73, (Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. Does anybody have the current schedule of YLE Radio Finland? These guys don't have it on their website (only for Russian and Latin broadcasts) and upon request to send it by mail I have so far received no reply. Tnx4ur help! 73 (Eike Bierwirth, 04317 Leipzig, DL, May 27, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** GERMANY. Regarding Bob's comment in DXLD-3090: SWR has a whole bunch of programs, with SWR3 being the music program (and one of the better ones, if not the best on German FM IMHO). It is still on 6030 kHz which might be harder to copy in NAm, regarding that the low-power Canadians on 49m are also a tricky catch here in Europe. The news channel is called SWR Cont.Ra (original spelling) and now got the 7265 channel, parallel to MW. It is a good news program, however, but a pity for the music, also for me, who lives 400 km away from FM coverage and having better reception on 7265. Internet listening http://www.swr3.de/musik/webradio/ then click on the highlighted "einschalten") is not much of an all-time option at German phone rates. And DSL is not available in my street! Find the current overall shortwave schedule: http://www.eibi.de.vu/ 73, -- (Eike Bierwirth, 04317 Leipzig, DL, DX LISTENING DIGST) ** GERMANY. RIZ COMPANY DELIVERS TRANSMITTER TO DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AND LIBYA | Text of report in English by Croatian news agency HINA Zagreb, May 26: The Croatian RIZ Odasiljaci company on Monday [26 May] delivered a brand new type of digital shortwave transmitter to Germany's Deutsche Telekom. The transmitter, worth one million euros [approximately 1.187m dollars], is the first of this kind in Europe. Plans of this Croatian firm for the first half of 2003 are to deliver transmitters, whose total value is some four million euros, to Vietnam, Germany, Libya and Egypt. Source: HINA news agency, Zagreb, in English 1121 gmt 27 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** GERMANY [non]. DW via Bonaire splatters all over: see DRM below ** GREECE. VOG is in English at 0930-1000 on 12105 and again on MW from Rhodes 1260 at 1030-1100; I have heard each one only once so far (David Crystal, Israel, May 21? DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HUNGARY [and non]. I just received about May 22 a QSL / postcard from Budapest for a March 8th letter report. Not bad. Less than 3 months which is reasonable. It is the first card from them since 1967, though I rarely (if ever) sent them a report during that time. Let's not forget that QSLing is an expensive courtesy, and most stations are not going to live up to the efficient norms of Radio Sweden (recently in about 10 days, snail mail both ways) Radio Netherlands, or Radio Prague (an e-mailed report received a mail response in less than one week). Also, Radio Australia, is far from a speedy replier, and often in the past, 6 months or more needed to get a reply. When it comes to countries like Viet Nam, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Syria, Jordan, Korea, etc. or most Afican / Latin American broadcasters, be glad for any reply at all. Often that long forgotten report that is a year or more overdue will really brighten the day when it is retrieved from the mail (Roger Chambers, Utica, New York, May 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I cannot agree with Bob (Padula) and Scott (R. Barbour Jr.)'s bad experiences of Radio Budapest's QSL policy. All my reports (about the German service) have been verified within three months. With one exception: my report dated July 7, 2000 wasn`t verified until March 2001. Replying to my reminder, they stated that the QSL had already been sent in August 2000. But I never got the letter. Maybe the letter was lost on the postal way. So I sent my RR once again via email. Within two weeks I got a "new" QSL. Best wishes from Wuppertal vy 55 + 73 (Manfred Reiff, May 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) (Editor of "Shortwave-News" and "News from the Middle East" of the EAWRC) http://www.mrreiff.de --- http://www.stvoy.de --- http://www.dxworld.de ** INDIA. AIR IN 13 MHz BAND -- amended operations effective May 25: 13605 1730-2030 English " 2230-0045 English 13620 0200-0345 Pushto/Dari " 0345-0530 Farsi/Arabic " 1945-2030 French 13630 0045-0130 Burmese 13645 1100-1200 Thai 13695 0300-0415 Hindi " 0945-1100 English " 1100-1245 Tamil/Telugu 13700 0115-0200 Tibetan 13710 1315-1500 English 13750 1500-1730 English 13770 1600-1730 Hindi 13795 2245-0045 Hindi/Tamil All transmissions from Bangalore (Bob Padula, EDXP World Broadcast Magazine May 26, used by permission from http://edxp.org via DXLD) {some above include 15-minute warmup period} ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Sirius' 100 satellite radio channels are no longer car-bound. Two portable tuners - the KTC-H2A1 Here2Anywhere tuner from Kenwood and the Satellite Radio Shuttle from Audiovox - give subscribers the freedom to listen to satellite radio in the car, at home and at work. Each satellite tuner costs about $100; an optional car docking kit, which includes an antenna, power adapter and mounting hardware, costs about $70; a similar dock for the house costs the same. A subscription to the service, which includes 60 channels of commercial-free music and 40 channels of news, sports and entertainment, costs $12.95 a month. Availability: June. http://www.sirius.com Compiled by Deborah Porterfield. © Copyright 2003 The Tennessean (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. PROGRAMME SUMMARY OF VOICE OF FREEDOM NEWS BULLETIN 1340 GMT 26 MAY 03 (Reception: fair to good; with faint Russian voices heard in the background) A: Opening announcement 1. (1340). Opening announcement: "The Voice of Mojahed; The Voice of Mojahedin-e Khalq of Iran; The Voice of the National Iranian Liberation Army; The Voice of the New Revolution of the Iranian people". 2. (1340) Presenter greets and thanks all MKO supporters who took part in the last two weeks' protest marches against the inclusion of MKO on the list of terrorist organizations. . 3. (1341) Announcement of today's programmes as follows: a) The news; b) The 27th instalment in a series of ideological lectures by Mas'ud Rajavi; c) Fifth part of a special programme commemorating 30 Khordad (20 June), anniversary of the formation of the MKO army d) Programme called: From the perspective of Maryam Rajavi; e) Programme called: Flag of Freedom. . . Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 26 May 03 (via DXLD) WTFK? Russian site, then? ** IRAN [non]. An unidentified station on 6770.05 kHz has been heard on two separate occasions in the past few days: 22 May 2003: tune-in at 0135 UT to patriotic-sounding song by choir, then emphatic talk in Persian (or something similar). Blocked by Iranian-type jammer at 0141. 26 May 2003: tune-in to open carrier at 0123 UTC then at 0125 into drum roll (presumably at start of scheduled transmission), but lost within seconds under Iranian-type jammer again (Tony Rogers, Birmingham - UK, AOR 7030+ / LW, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** IRAQ. SACKED MEDIA STAFF MEET US OFFICIALS An estimated 2000 former employees of the state-run Iraqi media gathered on Saturday outside the Baghdad headquarters of the recently- established Iraq Media Network (IMN). They were met by US officials, who took their names and promised to contact them concerning termination of service payments and the possibility of being rehired. The previous day, US civil administrator for Iraq Paul Bremer had abolished the Information Ministry, thereby making more than 5000 staff redundant. A senior US official, who asked to remain anonymous, said the IMN would hire some of the sacked employees, but most would never return to their jobs. "Senior officials and Baath Party members employed by the ministry will not be eligible for hire," he said (RN Media Network May 26 via DXLD) ** IRAQ. IRAQIS UNHAPPY WITH U.S. SIGNALS INTERFERENCE FROM AMERICANS AMONG CHALLENGES FOR POST-HUSSEIN TV By Peter Slevin, Washington Post Staff Writer, Monday, May 26, 2003; Page A13 BAGHDAD -- Putting Iraqi television back on the air has proved to be no simple matter, from the electrical outages to the makeshift staff assembled in the postwar chaos. Telephones do not work, and news is hard to confirm. And then there is the dispute over the editorial influence of U.S. occupation authorities. The U.S. ambassador to Morocco, Margaret Tutwiler, was dispatched to Baghdad to polish and package the U.S. occupation. But she triggered a rebellion earlier this month when she and a young White House aide in Baghdad, Dan Senor, intervened with strong judgments about programs and said that broadcasts would be reviewed in advance by the wife of a prominent Kurdish militia leader, according to several people involved. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38682-2003May25.html © 2003 The Washington Post Company (via Kraig Krist, Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** IRAQ. IRAQIS TUNE IN SATELLITE TV --- WITH SADDAM GONE, SALES OF DISHES SOAR --- By MONI BASU, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Ra'ed Hameed secretly bought a satellite dish on the black market four years ago and kept it well hidden in his house. He waited patiently for the day when television stations beamed in from other parts of the world would not be forbidden. Hameed got his wish when U.S. troops marched into Baghdad, driving dictator Saddam Hussein from power. He fished out his unused dish and connected his TV set, ready to watch Fox News and "those racy German movies I had heard about." But freedom to channel-surf came with a price in Iraq. "I finally was able to use my satellite, but now I have no electricity," Hameed said. "Can you imagine how I feel?" Baghdad remains without electricity for a majority of the day, but those who can afford to buy satellite dishes are scooping them up. In the weeks since Saddam's collapse, dishes of all sizes and varieties have sprung up in reputable electrical appliance shops as well as makeshift vending stands across the city. Satellite telephones, also banned during Saddam's days, are selling like hotcakes, too, in Iraq, where most of the telephone system is still down. The Capital Flower Shop dumped its floral arrangements for a few good imported dishes. Supermarkets, shoe stores and even produce stalls cleared inventory to make way for the hottest item in town. Wisam Saadi, 22, parked his white hatchback on a busy street and plopped a Korean-manufactured Panorama dish on the street. "$150," his handwritten sign read. He said he has 700 dishes stored at home and sells as many as seven a day for a profit of $7 to $10 on each. "It's a good business right now," Saadi said. "Hard to sell anything else to people." Shipped in from the Kurdish-controlled regions in the north, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, the dishes sell from $125 to $300, more than an average Iraqi's annual salary. But shopkeeper Wathel Kamel said yesterday's "forbidden fruit" sells fast. The satellite dishes are, perhaps, a small but tangible proof of a new Iraq. Sidewalks crammed with hundreds of the giant saucerlike instruments give some parts of Baghdad a Space Age look. Curious passers-by checked out the once-unfamiliar dishes, running their fingers on the smooth surfaces. Others stopped to catch a glimpse of Lebanese singer Haifa gyrate in a black tube top and skin-tight pants. "Before, we saw only darkness," said Kamel, 37, who cleared out space in his electrical appliances shop to make way for hundreds of dishes. "Iraqis want to see how the outside world lives, how it thinks. This was forbidden under Saddam." The Iraqi dictator had anyone caught with satellite TV put behind bars for as much as two years. Still, some folks went to great lengths to get their MTV. Kamel made a Styrofoam cage for his dish and kept it out of sight behind his house. "I knew the fine was steep, but I took the chance anyway," he said. But most Iraqis were privy to just four state-run channels that broadcast mostly turgid news about the glories of Saddam and his Baath Party. Pro-Saddam slogans would appear even between reruns of American shows such as "Dallas" or "Charlie's Angels." Satellite phones were banned, too. Baghdad had its share of Internet cafes, but as Rafah Goria, 30, said: "Every page we tried to open said 'access denied.' They blocked everything." Goria said now Iraqis have the freedom to flip through hundreds of channels of movies, entertainment and most of all, "real news" about their own country. "Satellite TV is a great way to shape Iraqi minds," she said. "We don't know the truth about our own land. Iraqis can now learn about our past. I want every Iraqi to have satellite." Goria bought her dish a month ago and stays glued to her 19-inch Toshiba TV set whenever she has power. She admitted to enjoying "romantic films." Her favorite, she said, was "You've Got Mail" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. "If there is electricity, I stay up till 4 in the morning watching TV," she said. "I used to love to listen to music. But now I just want to watch political discussions. It's so new for us." (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** IRELAND. GARDAI SHUT DOWN PIRATE RADIO STATIONS Business & Finance 22 May 2003 Gardai have shut down a large number of pirate radio stations operating in Dublin city. In a joint operation with the telecom watchdog, ComReg, the Gardai raided the premises of the illegal broadcast operations and seized their equipment. The regulator has declined to comment on how many stations were shut down, but a swift spin of the dial reveals that Phantom FM, Jazz FM, Choice FM and Premier FM - some of which have applied for radio licences in the past - have all been removed from the airwaves. In response to the sudden crackdown, the pirate stations claim that they are providing services to markets that are not being served by the commercial stations. "The Broadcasting Commission has consistently failed to understand the importance of this service and its popularity amongst Dublin listeners," Phantom FM said in a statement on its website. "In the meantime, it continues to reward existing license holders with additional franchises which fail to provide listening choice." The station added that it provides an important service by giving local artists valuable access to the airwaves and affordable media space to promote their gigs and recordings (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** JAPAN [non]. R. Japan, NHK in English at 1400-1500 is now on 17870 instead of 17755, 16 and 18 May, reception wonderful good (David Crystal, 19125 Israel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) As in 3-088, the site was moved from Sri Lanka to UK, but temporarily (gh, DXLD) ** LATVIA [and non]. I haven't heard the winning Turkish entry but I think the Eurovision songs tend to sound too homogenized and bland and not enough like the music of the country from which they come. I wonder if the Eurovision victory will help Turkey at all with what they REALLY want out of greater Europe - at least a time table for entry into the European Union and perhaps better treatment for their guest workers in EU territory (Joel Rubin, swprograms via DXLD) I couldn`t agree more about the homogenization and blandness. I see that the http://www.eurovision.tv website offers audio and jerky video files of each entry (gh) ** LEBANON. Glenn, DXers may be interested to know that a 1969 Radio Liban QSL card has just fetched US$787 at an eBay auction. QSL cards are well established as collectibles now, and recent price levels (over US$50 each for AM/SW cards) would indicate that prices are taking off. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2174818678&category=38031 An average collection of, say 1000 cards from the 1960's to date, may well be worth over US$50,000 depending on which stations are included. I encourage all DXers to insure their QSL card collections, to make bequest provisions to lodge them with club collections and preservation groups or museums, or if they choose to put them on the market, to be aware of their potential value. 73's (David Ricquish, Radio Heritage Collection http://www.radiodx.com Wellington, New Zealand, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBERIA. Dear Glenn: I can confirm for you that the station was indeed RADIO VERITAS from Liberia; they start at 0600 on 5470. On May 18th I listened a program in English at 0630 UT, gospel music, ID: This is VERITAS bringing you the best songs. Can you get their postal address or e-mail, please. Does Liberia post office is working normally? Thanks (CESAR PEREZ DIOSES, CHIMBOTE, PERU, May 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Does anyone have current info on E and P-mail to and from Veritas and Liberia? (gh, DXLD) ** LIBYA. RIZ COMPANY DELIVERS TRANSMITTER TO DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AND LIBYA | Text of report in English by Croatian news agency HINA Zagreb, May 26: Also, the Croatian company delivered two mobile mediumwave radio-transmitter centres, worth a half million euros to Libya's information ministry. Plans of this Croatian firm for the first half of 2003 are to deliver transmitters, whose total value is some four million euros, to Vietnam, Germany, Libya and Egypt. Source: HINA news agency, Zagreb, in English 1121 gmt 27 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** LIBYA [and non]. Hi Glenn, Hi Anker, Re DXLD, I just wanna comment on Paul's observation of 9745 kHz. Sounds like they don't use that frequency anymore. Yesterday 25/03 I checked that station around 2130 UT and they were on with a real better reception on both 7245 kHz, and 11660 kHz. Leaving the air to Bahrain on 9745 kHz --- just for the joy of getting that hard catch :) I noticed as well Anker getting an Arabic station on 9745 around 2100 UT. I reckon that's Bahrain not Libya as they sign off at 1900 UT not 1930 (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, May 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 9597.6, R. UNAM very tentative, but Spanish audio here as I type this at 1413 May 26. Anyone else hearing this? (Hans Johnson, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) I also had a carrier around 9598 as recently reported, and again around 1230 UT May 27, het against NSB (gh, DXLD) Hans, All I've got at 2340 UT is a carrier on 9597.6 kHz (George Maroti NY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Hi Hans, There is a definite null [sic] on 9597.6 on the NRD-515 at 0005 UT. Some very weak audio (talk) is heard. I think if George tries again, he will hear the audio since I'm only about 15 miles away from him (John Sgrulletta, Mahopac, NY, ibid.) Fellas, nice signal in north Louisiana tonight. IDed at 0103 and then had news. Mostly spoken word programs tonight but had quite a bit of music during the day. The nearby channels are clear so you can us a wider filter to make up for the low modulation. Although it is low, it is not nearly has bad as when they were last on when it was barely a whisper. Steady on 9597.6 (Hans Johnson, ibid.) I stumbled onto this het last Friday nite and have been playing trying to pull something from it. No luck, just a very nice carrier and no audio heard here on 9597.6 and some times drifts up to .7. I have used DSP software and spectrum program and there just appears to be nothing more than the carrier. At 05 AWR comes up on 9600 and kills any chance of further checking. At times the carrier is at a S9 level. Good to know there is actually some audio. Have to keep checking, I guess (Bob Montgomery, Levittown PA, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) An S7 carrier here with very low audio level even in wide modes... :^( (Paul Ormandy, Oamaru, New Zealand, sent at 0555 UT May 27, ibid.) ** NETHERLANDS. Subject : Laser 828 Just in from laserradio@yahoogroups.com In association with our Dutch partners, Laser Radio Limited has successfully applied for broadcasting licences in the Netherlands. With our Dutch partner Quality Radio, we have won the following AM broadcasting frequencies: 828 kHz, 1035 kHz, 1224 kHz, 1395 kHz and 1557 kHz Andrew Yeates, Managing Director of Laser Radio Limited said 'This is a tremendous result and shows the strength of our applications and future plans for AM broadcasting. We have some exciting programming planned, which will transform AM listening across the Benelux and surrounding markets' Managing Director of Quality Radio, Ruud Poeze, was equally delighted with the result and was looking forward to building a strong radio brand in the Netherlands. The broadcasting licences will be valid for an eight year period (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. AMSTERDAM - After years of political uncertainty, the distribution of commercial FM radio frequencies was finalised on Monday, with prominent stations Noordzee FM, Radio 538 and Sky Radio winning licenses to remain on the airwaves. . . (From http://www.telecom.paper.nl/index.asp?location=site/news%5Fta%2Easp%3Ftype%3Dabstract%26id%3D29595%26NR%3D812 26 May 2003 via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS ANTILLES. Transmitter goes haywire: see DRM below ** NEW ZEALAND. RADIO NEW ZEALAND HARASSMENT CLAIMED 27.05.2003 By MATHEW DEARNALEY Radio New Zealand's head of news, who has begun a legal battle to return to work after sick leave, has complained of being harassed by controversial chief executive Sharon Crosbie. . . http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3504173&thesection=news&thesubsection=general (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. Tho I hardly listened to it, KOMA 92.5 was running its ``15th annual Mem*rial Day Top $500.00 Countdown --- Listen and Win! May 23-26`` per a 16-page yellow booklet I picked up at Carl`s Junior (what an awkward name), one of the co-sponsors. A list of 500 songs with performers, with a few missing mystery songs to be identified for contest purposes. Apparently they are identified on the air if you are listening at the right moment. Top prize of only $500 (one place it says check, another place it says cash) for listening to KOMA 24/7 for four days and nights? Second prize: dinner for four at CJ once per month from June thru December. Third place: KOMA T-shirt. Insufficient incentive. As for KOMA 1520: UT May 27 at 0346 I was tuning by to hear Jim Bohannon, but instead KOMA was ``joining regular programming in progress`` and it was not Jimbo, but ``Word of Prophecy Broadcast``!! Not in progress, but from the start. Has Bohannon been dumped entirely for gospel huxters? News/talk, indeed. The lure of easy money for programming crap must be too much for Renda. Ahá --- they finally have a program schedule up at http://www.komanews.com/sched.htm and it admits to carrying this 15- minute show in the middle of 3 hours of Jim Bohannon! What an insult to Bohannon and to listeners --- he`s just fill with his time subject to sale. I know how that feels! BTW, KOMA-1520 is carrying KFOR-TV news at 2300-2400 UT M-F. Other items of possible interest, on Sunday mornings, UT: 1030-1100 Native America Speaks [on the air for ages] 1200-1230 Focus On Oklahoma 1507-1800 Kim Komando (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Just as a Jay Leno rerun was about to do Headlines, 0350 UT May 27, Cox Cable in Enid lost all the OKC stations downlinked by satellite. Black screen lasted at least 20 minutes, until I quit checking, from 4, 5, 9, 25, 34 and 43, on cable channels 4, 5, 9, 8, 7 and 2 respectively. Yet until this year they were picked up off the air with no problem except occasional DX interference. Why wasn`t this kept as backup, instantly to replace a failing satellite feed [not to mention solar transit outages, as we have previously complained]? Well, I was able to turn on the TV with antenna and watch Leno and\or Nightline (Glenn Hauser, Enid, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. Updated A-03 schedule of Radio Pakistan ARABIC 1815-1900 9335v 11530 ||| ex 9385v 11550 ASSAMI 0045-0115 11650 15625v [still partly English?] BANGLA 0115-0200 11650 15625v 1200-1245 15635 17635v ||| ex 15625 CHINESE 1200-1230 11570 15070 DARI 1515-1545 5860v 7375 ENGLISH 1600-1615 11570 15065 15725v 17720 GUJARATI 0400-0430 15485 17825 FARSI 1715-1800 7550 9340v ||| ex 9385v HINDI 0215-0300 9340v 11640 1100-1145 11640 15625v NEPALI 1245-1315 15635v 17635 ||| ex 15625v RUSSIAN 1415-1500 7375 9385v SINHALA 1015-1045 15625v 17495 TAMIL 0315-0345 15625v 17540 0945-1015 15625v 17495 TURKI 1330-1400 5860v 7375 TURKISH 1630-1700 9340v 11530 ||| ex 9385v 11550 URDU 0045-0215 15485 17895 0500-0700 15100 21460 0800-1104 17825 21465 ||| ex 17835 [English 0800, 1100] 1330-1530 11570 15065 1700-1900 9400 11570 1815-1900 7550 1915-0045 7570v (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, May 27 via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY. A diferentes horas pudimos escuchar desde Chascomus a Radio América, Villeta, Paraguay, por los 7371.4, con programación religiosa e identificaciones. Imposible sintonizarla para nosotros por los 15185 khz, frecuencia que ahora opera con más potencia (600 vatios). El amigazo Rubén Margenet reportó ya varios dias atrás desde Rosario a la emisora paraguaya en la frecuencia corrida de 41 metros (la nominal es 7370). Recomendamos intentar la escucha. 73's (Arnaldo Slaen, May 26, Chascomus DX Camp, Argentina, Conexión Digital via DXLD) But if we could hear it clearly, would there be any programming worth listening to? Nothing but religion? Isn`t there enough of that already on stations we --- and conosuristas --- can hear at will? What`s the point? In the true spirit of DXing, no one ever considers this (gh) ** QATAR. AL-JAZEERA CEO TO BE REPLACED Reuters reports that Al-Jazeera television is to replace its chief executive officer, but the station insists the decision has nothing to do with allegations that it had been infiltrated by Iraqi intelligence. Spokesman Jihad Ballout said CEO Mohammed Jassem al-Ali, who has headed the channel since its launch eight years ago, will remain on the board of directors but will hand over the day-to-day running to someone else. "Mohammed Jassem al-Ali was seconded from Qatar Television to set up and run Al Jazeera, and what has been decided is that this secondment be ceased and for him to go back to his normal job," Ballout said. It's interesting to note that the announcement was made before his successor has been appointed. This is not the usual procedure in such cases. It does seem that Al Jazeera are in a hurry to make Mr al-Ali's imminent departure known. If, indeed, he's still there (Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog May 27 via DXLD) ** SLOVAKIA. Summer A-03 schedule of Radio Slovakia International: ENGLISH 0100-0127 5930 6190 9440 0700-0727 9440 15460 17550 1630-1657 5920 6055 7345 1830-1857 5920 6055 7345 GERMAN 0800-0827 5915 6055 7345 1330-1357 5915 6055 7345 1600-1627 5920 6055 7345 1800-1827 5920 6055 7345 FRENCH 0200-0227 5930 6190 9440 1700-1727 5920 6055 7345 1930-1957 5920 6055 7345 RUSSIAN 1300-1327 7345 9440 11990 1500-1527 7345 9535 11715 1730-1757 5920 6055 9485 SLOVAK 0130-0157 5930 6190 9440 0730-0757 9440 15460 17550 1530-1557 5920 6055 7345 1900-1927 5920 6055 7345 SPANISH 0230-0257 6190 9440 11990 1430-1457 6055 7345 11600 2000-2027 6055 7345 11650 (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, May 27 via DXLD) {believe we had their A-03 schedule much earlier; any changes here?} ** SOLOMON ISLANDS [and non]. Good Afternoon, Glen[n]: Noted the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Service on 5020 on 5/26 with a very good signal. News by male from 1000 to 1012 about continued violence and problems with guns in the islands among others, followed by ads and music. Very listenable --- good strength and clear. Tried for Port Moresby on 4990 {sic} at the same time, but only could hear a faint signal not able to confirm. Reduced power at that time? (Tom Sliva, NYC, May 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. Channel Africa is in English at 1300-1450 UT on Sat and Sun, on 21620; heard only once on Sat (David Crystal, Israel, May 21? DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SYRIA. Tenho prestigiado, praticamente todos os dias, a programação em espanhol da Rádio Damasco, já que não temos mais os programas em português. Alguém aí se lembra do nome do locutor dos programas em português? Pois bem, a programação em espanhol é emitida, entre 2315 e 0030 UT (apesar de listas apontarem entre 2315 e 0015!), em 12085 e 13610 kHz. O único problema é a interferência da Rádio Mundial Católica, que emite em 13615 kHz. Lembro que na segunda-feira, por volta de 2355, "su simpática locutora Worai Galindo", como ela se define, lê os informes de recepção dos ouvintes no ar e pede insistentemente para que o pessoal escreva para a emissora. Aqui vai o endereço: Apartado Postal 4702, Damasco, Síria (Célio Romais, Porto Alegre-RS, Brasil, @tividade DX May 25 via DXLD) ** TIMOR LESTE. Stu Greene, WA2MOE, sent out the following press release on May 22nd, about the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste: "4W1BK (JA1BK) and 4W2DN (JR2KDN) will be QRV from Timor Leste from May 24 to May 29, 2003. QSL information is 4W1BK via WA2MOE and 4W1DN via JR2KDN. This is a WFWL operation. The United Nations no longer is in control and independence was won by the East Timorese on May 20, 2002. An application for new entity status will be filed together with an application to delete the former 4W territory as an entity under DXCC rules. Article 5 of the treaty between Portugal and Indonesia of May 5, 1999, removed East Timor from the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories of the General Assembly and the deletion of the question of East Timor from the agendas of the Security Council and the General Assembly. The treaty, witnessed by the Secretary General of the United Nations, did not make the United Nations the administrator of East Timor but did provide for UN humanitarian assistance. Article 7 requested 'the Secretary-General to maintain an adequate United Nations presence in East Timor.' The DX Advisory and Awards Committees quite possibly misinterpreted the language of the treaty as conferring status of East Timor as a UN administered territory which in fact was not the case. Only when the referendum authorized by the treaty was held and the East Timorese people declared themselves independent was there a new entity. The role of UNTAET (UN Transitional Administration in East Timor) was humanitarian and peacekeeping and was not a quasi-government authorized to issue amateur radio licenses. UNTAET did not have the authority to issue amateur radio licenses; it was a peacekeeping mission and only after the referendum was there a Ministry of Communications which does have that authority. The text of the treaty for those interested is at: http://www.un.org/peace/etimor99/agreement/agreeFrame_Eng01.html If ARRL agrees, the UN sanctioned operations in East Timor would be deleted on the ground that East Timor was not an entity under the rules and a new entity would be created effective 20 May 2002, the date of the creation of the East Timorese state. Democratic Republic of Timor Leste became a UN state on 27 September, 2002. ITU has reassigned 4WA-4WZ to the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste on 23 April, 2003." ADDED NOTES: Since this press release, there seems to be another operator other than the team of Kan/JA1BK (4W1BK) and Yuu/JR2KDN (4W2DN) who has been active. A station signing 4W3CW has been active on 30/20/15/10 meters CW and was active in the CQ WPX Contest this past weekend. The operator was heard sending QSL via QRZ.com. It seems that the operator is Peter, G3WQU. His length of stay is unknown. Also, no comments or announcements have been made from the DXCC Desk. Hopefully, something may be said by Wayne Mills, N7NG, after the holiday on Monday. Stay tuned (KB8NW/OPDX May 26/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIMOR LESTE. Thor, TF3MM, is also currently active from here as 4W3DX and is expected to be there for another week. He is using a rhombic antenna (leg lengths are 115 meters, up 50 meters beaming EU). Most of his activity has been on 15 and 20 meters CW. Watch 21008 kHz after 2115z and 14002-14003 kHz between 1130-1800z. QSL via TF3MM. Thor states that he will QSL when he gets back to TF-land (should be done before Christmas) (KB8NW/OPDX May 26/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. VOICE OF TURKEY ESSAY WRITING CONTEST Dear listener, We believe that you all have certain views and thoughts about Turkey and the Turks. The subject of the Voice of Turkey's essay writing contest 2003 is Turkey and the Turkish Image. We would like you to write an essay on this subject. As has been the case in the past sesquidecade, the 5 winners of the contest will be hosted in Turkey on an all-expenses-paid basis for 7 days in the first half of September. Your entries, which should not be more than 3 pages can be sent by mail, fax or email and must contain some basic information about you such as your age, your occupation, your mailing address, your electronic address, fax number and telephone no so that we may get in touch with you. We want your entries received by July 15, 2003. The Voice of Turkey would like to wish success to all who will participate in the Voice of Turkey's Essay Writing Contest 2003, the subject of which, as we have just said is TURKEY AND THE TURKISH IMAGE. Our address is : P. O. Box 333, Yenisehir. 06443 Ankara, Turkey [cedilla under the S of Yenisehir --- a district of Ankara?] Our telephone address is : 90-312-4909842; Our fax no is 90-321-4909845 And our electronic mailing address is: englishdesk@trt.net.yr (V of Turkey printed letter via Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I guess that if I were to say that Turkey (just as Israel) should not even have been allowed to participate as it is not situated in Europe (but in Asia), I would not be eligible to win? Maybe next time the EBU can invite Kurdistan and Palestine as wel... ;-) (Herman Boel, Belgium, Europe, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Referring to the Eurovision Song Contest, I suppose; see LATVIA [and non] (gh) VOT is in English at 2200-2255 on 9830 and 12000, ex-11960, a change early in the season but after the schedules were printed. I have heard them on 9830 and 12000 (David Crystal, Israel, May 21? DX LISTENING DIGEST) David, would you please date your letters since the postmark is not always legible (gh) ** U K. TORY DOSSIER SETS OUT PARTY'S CASE AGAINST THE BBC By Dominic Kennedy IAIN DUNCAN SMITH launched an attack on the BBC`s alleged bias against the Conservatives yesterday and personally criticised the radio presenter James Cox. . . http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,635-692776,00.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** U K [non]. Listening to Outlook on BBCWS, 1305 UT May 26 special from St. Petersburg, there was an undercurrent of co-channel interference, sounded like Chinese, and virtually zero-beat with a very slight subaudible heterodyne. What could this be? Later checking HFCC I find 15190 1200 1330 42-44 YAM 300 235 1234567 300303 261003 D J RCI RCI so it`s RCI via Japan. And after 1330 Udorn takes over 15190. But I can`t complain: I`m not in the BBC target area either (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. Additional frequency for BBC in Arabic: 0400-0500 on 11885 \\ 7140 7325 9915 11740 13660 15250 73 from (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, May 27 via DXLD) ** U K [non]. Laser Radio: see NETHERLANDS ** U S A. HOW HAS DEREGULATION RUINED ME...AND HOW WILL FURTHER DEREGULATION RUIN OTHERS? As you may know, the illegal deregulation of commercial radio in the United States has hurt literally thousands of people. George Will called the Telecommunications Act of 1996 "a job creation bill". In reality, it has been a job elimination bill. How many of the nearly 13,000 job losses were necessary? The answer: NONE. Deregulation has hurt me profoundly.,.. http://www.topica.com/lists/N0UIH-DXTalk/read/message.html?sort=d&mid=806413271&start=29 (Eric Bueneman, N0UIH, May 17, via DXLD) On his website Mr. `Stevenson` an angry middle-aged man, also has a novel with a radio background --- read the summary, which one suspects in uncomfortably autobiographical --- but the link to the entire otherwise unpublished opus goes nowhere (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. As radio real estate becomes valuable in the increasingly crowded FM band (88 to 108 MHz), religious broadcasters have been using a variety of legal technologies to snap up frequencies. Recently, they have been using low-powered transmitters - known as translators - that are small enough to wedge into areas not covered by other stations . . . http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section_id=10&screen=news&news_id=23235 (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** U S A. LPFM APPLICANTS FACING COMPETITION CAN USE MAX --- The MAX System returns for an anticipated MX remedial filing/settlement window REC has been hearing information that the FCC is planning to start working on the MX (mutually exclusive) LPFM applications starting 'later this summer'. In anticipation for any remedial windows that may open for this, REC has fixed up and reactivated MAX, the Mutual Application eXchange. MAX is a community forum where LPFM applicants can move meet with other applicants in an attempt to reach settlement agreements by either proposing a new channel, a new location, co-location or timeshare. At this time, we are not aware of what the FCC will allow LPFM applicants to do to remediate their applications yet. However, we would like to see as many applicants ready to go as the window may be short. To access MAX, visit http://www.recnet.com/max To access MAX, you will need to have access to your e-mail address that you put on your original FCC LPFM application. If your e-mail address has changed or you did not specify an e-mail address, please send an e-mail to rec@recnet.com for access. Please make sure you state your organization, facility ID (if you don't have it, visit recnet.com and click on 'Check Your Application Status') and station location. REC's goal is to get as many organizations on the air with LPFM stations. REC does not charge for any of our services, including MAX. REC services are provided on a 'shareware' basis. - - - - - - REC Networks - http://www.recnet.com - Bringing you fun and culture since 1984. 5/26/2003 http://www.animehardcoreradio.net - Anime Hardcore Radio - 24 hour a day anime! (REC Networks via DXLD) See also POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ** U S A. Tho I was not a rock fan, and WABC was too far (2+ megameters) for anything but DX reception, I listened a bit to their Memorial Day ``WABC Rewound`` rock retrospective May 26 via webcast. Tho regular streaming has to replace music bits for rights issues, the special seems to have no problem with music, but instead the news (?) on the hour at 1400 and 1500 UT was suppressed: 5 minutes of silent streaming, as well as mercifully, various commercial breaks. What`s up? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) One word: copyright. The news on the hour and the ads between segments are modern day. Evidently the program producer has the rights only to the old stuff (John Figliozzi, who in his teens as a Long Island native listened to WABC on his Riviera 6 transistor radio almost constantly, ODXA via DXLD) Doesn`t WABC normally stream its modern-day newscasts? They have a section on the website about how much trouble they have gone to in order to resume streaming (gh) ** U S A. THE MERRY PRANKSTERS OF THE AIR Some radio deejays will do almost anything to stand out from the crowd. But not everyone is laughing as hoaxes and stunts backfire. By Bob Baker Times Staff Writer May 26 2003 What if ... ? wondered Cleveland disc jockey Shane French. What if a cat was tethered to a helium-filled balloon and launched toward the heavens, and callers to his station offered periodic reports, and finally, one gallant listener fired a gun, popped the balloon and brought the cat down gently. Would that be great radio or what? The complete article can be viewed at: http://www.latimes.com/la-et-hoaxes26may26,0,5133210.story (via Harry Helms, DXLD) Same: http://www.latimes.com/la-et-hoaxes26may26001420,0,804424.story (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) Which one will disappear first? ** U S A. George Thurman in Chicago also complains of the Bonker interfering with WWCR 5070, when he listened to his tape of WOR 1183, UT Sun 0230. So at 0507 May 26 I attempted to hear it myself, and in the huge sideband splash of WWCR was able barely to detect the bonker, seemingly around 5072. No doubt it is much worse elsewhere, and an unfortunate juxtaposition (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. NEW JERSEY RADIO -- IN TUNE WITH THE GARDEN STATE'S MANY VOICES --- Sunday, May 25, 2003 BY CLAUDIA PERRY Star-Ledger Staff New Jersey radio is more than an afterthought to New York and Philadelphia. Although the Garden State is in the middle of those Top 10 markets, it can be heard loud and clear. The state may be small geographically, but New Jersey has four distinct radio markets of its own, in addition to being part of the New York and Philly listenership. There are at least 168 stations that can be heard within its borders. Jersey commuters can tune in to the usual rock, sports talk and oldies favorites, and can also hear news and music from Korea and South Asia, as well as stations whose programming ranges from black gospel to the sounds of big bands. . . [large portion of article omitted, but recommended! See:] http://www.nj.com/living/ledger/index.ssf?/base/living-1/1053844054228850.xml . . .Multicultural Radio Broadcasting, a New York-based company, owns four radio stations in New Jersey. The company buys stations and then leases the airwaves to local producers in various ethnic communities. WNSW (1430 AM) offers Korean music and news. WPAT is programmed in Russian during the week, and plays Caribbean-oriented music and news on the weekends. The minority radio segment is one of the industry's fastest growing areas, but Multicultural East Coast vice president Tony Wong demurs. "The populations we reach are not being served by other stations," Wong said. "I don't know about 'fastest growing,' but our business is steady. There are a lot of immigrants who come to this area. They want to find out information about home." One of Multicultural's stations, WTTM (1680 AM), has its studios in Metuchen and transmitter in Princeton. Its programming is geared to South Asian listeners, with shows about cricket, weddings and Bollywood entertainment news, mixed with music from various South Asian cultures. Kulraaj Anand, the program director for WTTM, said he wanted the station to be part of the community. EBC Radio, which Anand owns, leased the 10,000-watt station a year ago from Multicultural. It has listeners as far away as West Virginia. Its core audience is the estimated 450,000 South Asians in Central Jersey and Pennsylvania. "Our community has grown a lot," Anand said. "Our culture and music is one of the oldest in the world. We're seeing our music become part of mainstream America." Mamta Narula, a computer engineer in Kenilworth who is the host of three programs on the station, delivers her on-air patter in a blend of Hindi and English. Her Tuesday night show is a mix of music from Bollywood movies, audience quizzes and up-to-date news from the Bombay film world. She also does a wedding talk show on Sundays and a three- hour show on Saturdays with co-host Sanjiv Pandya that counts down the Top 10 and delivers more Bollywood news. "I may be a computer engineer," Narula said, "but my heart and soul is in this. People have recognized me in the store just when they hear me speak. They'll come up and say, 'Are you Mamta, Jisko Kuch Nahin Jamta?' (her signature phrase, which loosely translates to "Mamta, the woman who doesn't like anything but music") I get a kick out of it." Anand, whose station is staffed by 70 volunteers, offers programming in Urdu, Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati, Bengali and Punjabi. He plans to offer a training program in the coming months for kids who want to get into radio. "This is a society where everyone is an immigrant," Anand said. "Having this station gives confidence to people in our community." From 5,000 listeners in Newark 92 years ago to WTTM's South Asian listeners, New Jersey radio has always been able to identify and serve its audience. "The story of New Jersey radio is the story of the 567 towns in the state," Miller said. "Our radio reflects what an eclectic bunch we are." (Star Ledger via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** U S A. MERGER PROPOSAL WORRIES DEMOCRATS By JULIET EILPERIN, Washington Post, 5/26/2003 WASHINGTON - Concerned about Republican inroads into the Hispanic community, congressional Democrats are trying to fend off a proposed merger between Univisión Communications and the Hispanic Broadcasting Corp. . . . http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20030526/1011330.asp (via Fred Waterer, Ont., DXLD) ** U S A. GOODBYE TV E-SKIP IN ATLANTA A new LPTV has popped up in Atlanta on channel 4. Good reception here in Decatur (east of ATL) on an indoor dipole. Occasional co-channel flutter, presumed from WYFF channel 4 in Greenville, SC when a plane passes over. With in-town high powered sticks on 2 and 5, channel 4 was always Atlanta's e-skip channel. The new LPTV on channel four in Atlanta is programming the NBC shop at home channel. What a waste. Just what we need, a local NBC "Gold" affiliate (Brock Whaley, GA, May 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA. VENEZUELAN JOURNALIST FEARS ARREST, SAYS CHAVEZ OBSESSED WITH MEDIA Journalist Ibeyise Pacheco believes her arrest is imminent following the publication of a transcript of a speech by President Hugo Chávez at Zulia [State] Garrison in her newspaper column on 16 May, in which he allegedly admitted to surrendering during the coup d'état on 11 April 2002. Pacheco says Chávez now feels "exposed" and harbours "malicious feelings" towards her. In this interview, she describes the situation in Venezuela as "the borderline between a dictatorship and a democracy". Pacheco says that far from ignoring the media, as Chavez often claims, the president is in fact "obsessed" with sources of information and journalism. The following is the text of interview with journalist Ibeyise Pacheco by Alfredo Meza, at the studios of KYS FM 101.5 in Caracas, date not given, published by Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional web site on 22 May; subheadings as published: "I am preparing for the moment of my arrest." The director of [daily newspaper] Así es la Noticia says that President Hugo Chávez lost his patience after learning of the contents of her 16 May column, which transcribed his speech at Zulia Garrison, during which he spoke out against US foreign policy. Ibeyise Pacheco removes her sunglasses at the entrance of radio station KYS FM 101.5, where her midday program is aired. Only then does she relax. A chubby girl approaches her to shake her hand; she repeats words from a prepared script: "We women feel represented by you. I am proud of you. Go ahead, you have our support." As has happened in the past, the director of The News is Like That, who is also an El Nacional columnist, is in the eye of the hurricane. Vice-President José Vicente Rangel and Ministers Aristóbulo Istúriz and María Cristina Iglesias filed a request at the Office of the Prosecutor-General of the Republic for an investigation of the material that the journalist published in the "In Private" ["En Privado"] column on 9 May 2003. Rumours about the journalist's possible arrest increase with every hour that passes. [Alfredo Meza] Do you expect an arrest warrant to be issued against you? [Ibeyise Pacheco] I expect the worse from government officials who level accusations against me, such as [Prosecutor-General] Isaías Rodríguez. Not only with regard to a request for a trial that would end with my incarceration, but other types of actions such as those outlined in my column on 9 May. José Vicente Rangel has exerted pressure on certain editors to prevent them from supporting [as received] what has been viewed as harassment against me. [Meza] In the last two instalments of your column "In Private" you reported two meetings, which caused the government considerable discomfort. It is interesting, however, that only after Chávez's speech at Zulia Garrison was published, the Office of the Prosecutor- General was asked to investigate the case. Why did they wait so long to request this investigation? [Pacheco] I wondered why they failed to react when I revealed the details of the 17 February meeting ("In Private", Friday 9 May) at Miraflores [Presidential] Palace. They reacted now because when I aired the tape recorded at Zulia Garrison, Chávez was exposed and it happened right after the controversy over the reception held by [US] Ambassador Charles Shapiro at his residence. In the 4 April recording, the president spoke in very harsh terms about the United States and he also admitted to his subordinates that he surrendered on 11-A [11 April 2002 coup attempt], even though he subsequently proclaimed that the next time he will open fire. It is a lie that he was arrested, it is a lie that he was kidnapped and incarcerated. Several military sources have told me, and it is true, that he voluntarily surrendered and requested the presence of mediators. I believe that he might have been shaken by this report and also by suspicions that I might have spoken with extremely valuable informants who are very close to him, people in his inner circle who might be providing me with information. [Meza] Are these government officials seeking atonement for their actions by requesting the investigation? [Pacheco] As soon as the transcript of the 17 February meeting was released, the gossip started within the administration. It was said that my informants might be José Vicente and Aristóbulo. Despite all of the terrible things that were discussed at the meeting, Rangel and Istúriz were the most cautious, so Chávez might be suspicious of them. By requesting an investigation at the Attorney-General's Office, the vice-president is sending the following message: I was not the informant and I am loyal to you. This is speculation, but in that sphere, everything is possible. Active collaborators [Meza] Part of the most radical wing of the opposition believe that the armed forces have yielded to Chávez. Doesn't the disclosure of this material imply the complete opposite? [Pacheco] I do not believe that the National Armed Forces are behaving any differently than the rest of the country. From the political viewpoint, Venezuela's officers are like Venezuelan civilians. Polls show that Chávez has a 25 per cent popularity rating within the armed forces, and it is very likely that this proportion will remain unchanged. Those who are loyal to the president are few, they can be counted on one hand. Few soldiers have been marked as dishonest by investigations and complaints. This means that most of the soldiers who are angry at Chávez, or who at some point believed in him, are reacting differently. Some have been more outspoken in democratic terms following 11-A, participating in the massive drive to collect signatures [for a referendum on the presidency] and not allowing themselves to come under pressure; others, however, have maintained low profiles, making people wonder which side they are on. I can assure you that many of those officers are providing information to the country. As time passes, we will have to assess the relationship between the military and journalists during the Chávez regime. [Meza] It is not the first time that the government or its supporters have attempted to frighten you because of your publications. What makes this request for an investigation different from past complaints against you, or from that attempt to arrest you at KYS FM headquarters? [Pacheco] I am preparing for the moment of my arrest. It is an exercise that I must perform. We are on the borderline between a dictatorship and democracy. The ruling party is on the verge of approving a restraining law [containing new broadcast regulations] that is intended only to censor us. I can feel the nervousness. Moreover, I have sources within the government sector, members of the [ruling] MVR [Fifth Republic Movement], who tell me that this time Chávez has lost his patience. There is a term that my informants used in their warnings: malicious feelings towards me. These recordings, I repeat, have done a great deal of damage and the president fears that I am very close to his inner circle. I have denounced corruption and the presence of Colombian guerrillas in Venezuela, but that does not seem to matter to him. However, the material in the two columns confirmed his participation in very serious events. They exposed him. [Meza] Following the publication of your complaints, has the president ordered an investigation to determine who your informants are? [Pacheco] I laugh when Chávez says that he scarcely reads the newspapers. That he no longer even reads some of them. What I am told is the complete opposite: he is obsessed with sources of information and journalism. All of those things affect him and that is why he wants a restraining law and control of the media and its journalists. This is why on 20 May he attacked the government's communication and information system. He admonished [Information and Communications Minister] Nora Uribe. Perhaps he believes that this is where the information is leaking out. He has always expected the Information and Communications Ministry to buy off journalists, just as other institutions purchase weapons. [Meza] Rangel, Istúriz and Iglesias accuse you of subjecting them to public ridicule by characterizing them as murderers. [Pacheco] I transcribed the events of 17 February from an intelligence report. It is not a textual transcription of a meeting because, as I wrote on 9 May, the meeting was held between 0030 and 0430 [local time]. Maybe my source did not stay for the entire meeting. I do not want to provide further details on that matter. The fact is that I do not consider them murderers. What stands out in that request is the insistence that the recording of the meeting at Miraflores be handed over. No one has denied the report, they only want the recording because they know - and I have said this in the past - that it is a means of identifying the informant and reaching conclusions about this individual by way of intelligence procedures. It makes me sick that the main person requesting the investigation is José Vicente Rangel, who at one time called himself a journalist. Freedom of the press? 26/01/2002. Gen Francisco Belisario Landis, commander of the National Guard, disclosed that he filed a request at the Office of the Prosecutor-General of the Republic for a penal investigation against journalist Ibeyise Pacheco, director of Así es la Noticia. 04/02/2002. Pacheco asked Prosecutor-General Isaías Rodríguez to establish liability and punishment for the explosion of a device that was thrown at the doors of the daily Así es la Noticia, on 31 January of that year. 13/03/2002. Venpres [state news agency] published a report accusing Pacheco and other journalists of being criminals at the service of the drug cartels. 19/03/2002. MVR leaders presented a text titled "Manual for the Perfect Latin American Coup d'état", in which they accused Ibeyise Pacheco of forming part of a plan to topple Hugo Chávez. 03/04/2002. Two accusations were filed against Pacheco: one by Francisco Belisario Landis, who filed a writ of amparo [constitutional protection]; and the other by Army Col Angel Vellori, who sued her for defamation. 27/12/2002. The Office of the Ombudsman asked the Prosecutor-General of the Republic to implement the necessary measures to prevent acts that might threaten the journalist's life and personal integrity. 11/03/2003. The journalist reported that policemen in civilian clothes surrounded the radio station where she works, allegedly for the purpose of arresting her. 19/05/2003. Vice-President José Vicente Rangel, Labour Minister María Cristina Iglesias and Education Minister Aristóbulo Istúriz request that the Prosecutor-General of the Republic initiate an investigation into an alleged recording of a conversation held at a meeting, which could compromise members of the executive. The recording was released by Pacheco. Source: El Nacional web site, Caracas, in Spanish 22 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. 5915, Zambia National Broadcasting Company, *0243-0316 May 20, distinctive Fisheagle interval signal until opening anthem at 0250. A man and woman with opening ID and announcements at 0251. Group singing. Generally quite poor although some fair peaks when WBOH-5920 slop wasn't too bad (Rich D`Angelo, PA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Dear Glenn, 17340 kHz USB, May 27, 1207-1218 UT in Greek. World news commentaries (sounded like any major broadcaster), then some other information (sounded like a weather forecast by location, but perhaps something else in a similar format). Ended rather abruptly at 1218. A rather strong signal here in Belgium, and (I hope) not a spur. What could this be? Thanks! (Robertas Pogorelis, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I suppose you are sure the language is Greek; some Russian coastal stations have been known to relay broadcast stations in this area. Maybe Greece is doing it too. Ahá: among other stations listed on 17341 by Klingenfuss 2002y is SVO, Olympia Radio, Athens on 17341 SSB (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Oh no, certainly not Russian --- I am good in Russian! 95% it was Greek. Could have been 17341 though. Many thanks! (Robertas, DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ IRCA CONVENTION The International Radio Club of America 40th annual convention is rapidly approaching. It will be held over the weekend of June 27-29 at the Best Western Merry Manor Inn, 700 Main street, South Portland Maine, 04106. Registration fee is $35 which includes the Saturday night banquet. I`ve received several registrations so far but we have room for more. The telephone number for hotel reservations is 1-207- 774-6151, mention the discounted room rate of $69 per night. We have secured a tour of WGAN, WZAN, WBAE, WPOR, WYNZ, WMGX -the 6 in one combo station near the convention site on Friday afternoon. We also have a guest speaker and phasing demonstration lined up. Be sure to attend and tell a friend. More info and links are found on the I.R.C.A. website at http://www.ircaonline.org (Mike Sanburn, KG6LJU, IRCA topica list via DXLD) HIGH FREQUENCY COORDINATION CONFERENCE The next formal HFCC meeting will be held in Tromso, northern Norway, from August 25 to 29, hosted by the Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority. This will be a joint meeting with the Arab States Broadcasting Union, and it will develop the detailed operational HF schedule for the B03 period, which starts on October 31. The HFCC is an approved group within the International Telecommunications Union. As in the past, around 150 delegates from broadcasting administrations are expected to attend, who maintain formal responsibility for Frequency Planning. I have expressed an interest in attending this Conference, in a capacity as an independent Professional Engineering Consultant. A meeting of the HFCC Steering Board is set down for May 30; my request to attend has been placed on the SB Agenda by the Chairperson. EUROPEAN DX COUNCIL MEETING 2003 This year's meeting will be held from August 15 to 17, at Königstein, 15 km north of Frankfurt, Germany, hosted by the Rhein-Main-Radio Club, and the Bosch organisation. The World Radio TV Handbook Company (UK)is the formal sponsor. The theme is "DXen in der digitalen Zukunft" and an impressive list of topics is planned, including: - Tropical Band Monitoring - Anker Peterson, Danish SW Club International - The history of the transmitting stations at Jülich and Nauen - W. Bodrowski - Deutsche Telekom - Antennas for Shortwave Reception - A. Krische - The impact of DRM - Wolf Harranth - DRM Receivers - St. Meltzer - The German DX Clubs - S. Gerhad (RMRC) - Free Radio and Pirate DXing - World Music Radio - Stig. H. Nielsen (WMR) - FM DX Monitoring - U. Deutscher and M. Hornsteiner (UKW-TV AG) - Satellite Monitoring and Worldspace - 50 Years of DXing in Japan - Toshi Ohtake (Japanese SW Club) Yes, I plan to attend! (Bob Padula, EDXP World Broadcast Magazine May 26, used by permission from http://edxp.org via DXLD) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ 03-104: Broadband Over Powerlines --- Comment and Reply Comment dates have been published in the Federal Register. Those who are interested in commenting on an FCC Notice of Inquiry (NOI) to permit electric utilities to extend the use of "broadband power line" (BPL) systems may file comments with the FCC. Comments are due August 6, 2003 Reply Comments are due September 5, 2003 BPL permits electric utilities to provide broadband internet access by sending radio signals over power lines. The NOI also discusses home networking devices that use the powerlines in your house to send data to other computers and connected devices. A copy of the NOI is at the following URL: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-100A1.pdf REC's initial position on BPL is that we object to it because of the potential interference to the Amateur Radio Service, International Broadcast Stations as well as high frequency communications used to support the telecommunications infrastructure and homeland security. Draft REC comments will be posted on the site prior to the deadline. If you wish to comment with the FCC, go to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs - - - - - - REC Networks - http://www.recnet.com - Bringing you fun and culture since 1984.http://www.animehardcoreradio.net - Anime Hardcore Radio - 24 hour a day anime! (via DXLD) Another version: FCC COMMENT DUE DATES ON BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES (BPL) AND RF INTERFERENCE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 15 [ET Docket No. 03-104; FCC 03-100] Broadband Power Line Systems AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of inquiry. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document requests comment from the public on the current state of Broadband Power Line (BPL) technology and to determine whether changes to the Commission's rules are necessary to facilitate the deployment of this technology. The Commission believes that BPL could play an important role in providing additional competition in the offering of broadband infrastructure to the American home and consumers because power lines reach virtually every community in the country. DATES: Written comments are due on or before August 6, 2003, and reply comments are due on or before September 5, 2003. ADDRESSES: Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. See supplementary information for filing instructions. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anh T. Wride, Office of Engineering and Technology, (202) 418-0577, TTY (202) 418-2989, e-mail: anh.wride@fcc.gov Nick Leggett's web site on citizen participation in technology: http://home.earthlink.net/~nleggett/home.html (via Nick Leggett, DXLD) DRM [and non] +++ DW TRANSMITTER TROUBLE Dear Glenn: I was corresponding with a poster to rec.radio.shortwave two nights ago and sent him a private email that I thought I should share with you. He'd asked about IBOC interference. While checking this myself on a number of occasions I have both heard it, and heard a few strange episodes of transmitter problems that probably aren't IBOC-related, but I'm not altogether sure. At any rate, you might be amused to know how badly DW can screw up. Here's some of the three emails I sent him last Saturday night, 5/24 Best, (Steve Waldee - San Jose, CA. (retired broadcast station AM/FM chief engineer) ========== Tonight, about 30 seconds after reading your query in r.r.s. [05/24/03], I was trying to get a program on the Voice of Russia at 12000 and found that the entire region was blanked out with horrible noise and distortion. I tuned around to center it and found that it was DW, in German, at 11970. This was about 0409Z. I tuned to the other side, down to around 11940, and found that the entire region for 60 kHz was filled with crap from distorted DW sidebands. So I started to send you this reply, and in the few minutes it took to type this far, the distortion and sideband width dropped greatly. Now I can hear 12000 but there is still break-thru and occasional sideband distortion from DW at 11970 kHz, out 30 kHz high. Either DW is testing compatible IBOC with analogue modulation, or they simply have a high powered phase or pulse width modulator system adjusted incorrectly. I have followed the listing for DRM tests given in the latest ILGRadio database and tuned in to see what I could hear. (According to ILG they are not on the air right now with DRM tests. When I checked them last, on 5.15.03 at 2332, they were running digital modulation only (I believe probably BBC's audio) with a very heavy hiss signal that was audible as being many dB above background noise and extending from 9785 to 9805, centered at 9795. Now, that wasn't too damaging and not much worse than, say, trying to hear a weak signal next to one of Gene Scott's flamethrowers, and nowhere NEAR as damaging as the 60 kHz of distorted sidebands from DW tonight. Rx: R75 (yeah, I know you don't care for it!), 350 foot balanced dipole Steve Waldee - retired radio station chief engineer, San José, CA. P. S. Just before pressing SEND, the horrible sideband breakthru started up again over VOR at 12000 kHz. I can hear it all the way up to 12024 ... 12033 ... 12050! So now DW's sidebands are out +/- 80 kHz! THAT's interference! Wow. ======= I cannot tell if DW's Bonaire transmitter is spitting out any IBOC stuff along with the audio, but it sounds to me as if the problem is gross negative clipping. Normally the Bonaire North American service sounds quite clean; this is horribly distorted. If they were using a transmitter similar to the horrible old Ampliphase type by RCA, which used to be employed at KLOK here in San Jose, it would not be a mystery if they were out 80 kHz or further from carrier frequency: I've seen the Ampliphase do that many times. But I am sure they must be using something better than that: likely, I suppose, a Siemens transmitter that operates by phase modulation. It is possible that it is merely out of whack, but it sounds to me like someone screwed up and the thing is just hideously overmodulating, and with 250 kW of carrier beamed right in my direction, the sideband strength is significantly stronger than any adjacent stations for several channels either side of 11970. I just HOPE that this isn't IBOC crap! I would have expected that compatible analogue-IBOC would use lower than normal, and slightly narrower bandwidth than normal amplitude modulation, which would result in a rather weak sounding AM signal with a fair amount of background hiss. This does not sound that way; it's got a good S/N ratio but is grotesquely distorted. I've noticed DW on the hairy edge of distortion from time to time over the past couple of years, but this is simply ridiculous. OOOOPS! The carrier dropped off the air for two seconds [this would be about 0434]; when it came back on the volume was down bout 2 dB. THen, the cx went off again and on again -- softer -- and now it's off, for good maybe? The ILG sked says it's supposed to be on from 0400 to 0600, so perhaps somebody realizes something is BADLY wrong. (This is sort of fun, as I'd never expect to hear the big boys like DW screwing up so badly. I just hope they don't make a habit of it.) Steve Waldee ========== Two minutes after sending last msg, DW came back on at 0437, lower audio modulation level and much less distortion in evidence, and has stayed on. Yet for all practical purposes they are filling up about +/- 15 kHz bandwidth. At 20 kHz above and below their 11970 frequency, DW sideband hash and constant grunge are covering up adjacent carriers -- amusingly, DW's OWN next lower frequency signal at 11950, in English. They're wrecking their OWN service in a different language! Yet the interference is not nearly as bad as it was a few minutes ago when it was cutting a path out beyond 40 kHz either side of cx [sic] frequency. Now, one wonders if they are in the process of trying to set up a compatible IBOC-AM transmission and getting the carrier levels and modulation all wrong? I truly hope not, for if THAT is what's in store for us, it's not going to be pleasant (Steve Waldee, San José, CA, via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Different things are mixed in above: first of all, IBOC is not the same as DRM. The digital tests you hear on SW are all DRM, not IBOC. It is not DW`s transmitter on Bonaire, but R. Nederland`s. No doubt any problems with it are the responsibility of RN, not DW which is merely one of several stations also relayed there. Let`s get up to date with the latest DRM test schedule. Note that BBC Sackville has left 6010 for 9 and 11 MHz (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) SCHEDULED DRM TRANSMISSIONS Updated 9 May 2003 The following transmissions continue through 25 October 2003: UTC Days kHz Beam Target Av. DRM Power (kW) Programme Site 24h daily 531 Burg 2 Medien-anstalt Sachsen-AnhaltBurg 24h** daily 855 Berlin -- Deutschland RadioBerlin 0300-0400 daily 11955 285 W & C No. America 70 BBCWS Sackville 0430-0530 Sat/Sun 15400 230 NZ + SE Australia 10 RNW English Bonaire 0900-1500 daily 7320 105 W & C Europe 30 BBCWS Rampisham 0930-1200 daily 15440 040 W & C Europe 80 DW English Sines 1000-1100 daily 6140 120 W & C Europe 40 DW English Jülich 1100-1200 daily 6140 120 W & C Europe 40 DW German Jülich 1200-1300 daily 6140 120 W & C Europe 40 DW English Jülich 1305-1455 daily 5975 290 or 060 *) 40 Multimedia - T- W Europe Systems Media Broadcast Jülich 1600-1700 daily 6140 ND W & C Europe 40 DW English Jülich 1700-1800 daily 6140 ND W & C Europe 40 DW German Jülich 1800-1900 daily 6140 ND W & C Europe 40 DW English Jülich 2300-2400 daily 9795 268 E No. America 70 BBCWS Sackville 2330-0030 daily 15525 350 NE USA & NE Canada 10 RNW English Bonaire *) different beams in alternate weeks **) may be interrupted for analogue coverage of special events Schedule subject to change (from http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/drm_latest.html via DXLD) TEN-TEC ANNOUNCES FIRST DRM, DIGITAL CAPABLE SHORTWAVE RADIO Ten-Tec, a worldwide leader in comunications equipment; has announced the first DRM capable shortwave receiver. DRM stands for Digital Radio Mondiale, representing a digital system for shortwave, medium wave and long wave broadcasting yielding near-FM quality sound. The Ten-Tec RX- 320D and other system requirements are now posted on the Universal Radio website: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/commrxvr/0321.html (via gh, dXLD) RECEIVER NEWS [and non] +++++++++++++ HIGH-TECH HARRIS IN HIGH DEMAND FOR MILITARY WORK MELBOURNE FIRM SHOWS IT HAS WHAT U.S. WANTS Harris anti-jamming technology is expected to help the Joint Direct Attack Munition "smart bomb," shown here in an artist's rendering, get to its target. Harris compenents make it more resistant to radio- frequency interference. Image courtesy of The Boeing Company. By Brian Monroe FLORIDA TODAY MELBOURNE -- Seven days, four contracts and the potential for $345 million. It's good to be Harris Corp. right now.. . http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/moneystoryA53524A.htm (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ### |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-091, May 25, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.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 HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3e.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 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 AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1183: RFPI: Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0700/0730, 1300/1330 on 15039 and/or 7445 WBCQ: Mon 0445 on 7415 WWCR: Wed 0930 on 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1183.html MAY DXLD HTML ARCHIVE has been updated through 3-090, eating up a few hours on May 24 when we might have been holidaying or producing a long-overdue Continent of Media... February, March and April are still incomplete. Now you have hotlinks for all the URLs, numerous (but not enough) correxions and cross-references which were not in the individual original txt issues, and a single file for convenience of searching all May issues. http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3e.html WORLD OF RADIO ON WBCQ: The past few weeks we could not confirm WOR was still running on 17495-CUSB as well as 7415, Wednesdays at 2200; but on May 21, 17495-CUSB was booming in much better than 7415 for a change, tho 17 faded down quite a bit during the semihour (gh) UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL I see you now have yet another DXLD 'posted'. You do make it so easy by having a Plain Text Version available, as this makes it easy to 'Save It' to a Floppy Disk, or to a Set Up Folder on a Hard Disk. I hope, whatever alternatives you may consider in the future, you will at least keep this option. Many Thanks Again (Ken Fletcher, UK) ** AUSTRALIA. HCJB Australia is now running 50 kW on its Pacific service; and plans a new program schedule in July. See also ECUADOR (Allen Graham, HCJB DX Partyline May 25, notes by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Voice Int`l Limited, Darwin, 13685, 1133 May 25. Male announcer in English with a world pop music count down. The name of the show was announced as Planet 30. Signal was strong and clean with minor fading events at irregular intervals (Pete Costello, NJ, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) I`ve rarely listened, myself, to VI, but from this and other reports I get the impression it is stealthier than most evangelical stations in broadcasting seemingly secular programming. How much preaching do they work into the countdown? (gh, DXLD) {and who chooses the countdown? Are objectionable songs and lyrix censored??} ** BANGLADESH. 7185, R Bangladesh, 1230-1300, English and other languages; I note slight improvement in the audio quality of this transmitter (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** BURKINA FASO. 7230, R. Burkina, Ouagadougou, 0955-1214, May 18, French talks, listeners' program "Concert", then news 1200 followed by "Déjeuner Musical". 25433. Signal gradually decreased after 1000, but was better (!) around 1200. Best received via a K9AY, not via a short, unterminated South American Beverage which also provides good African results above [sic] 10º west longitude (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** CANADA. Quick check of RCI's new frequencies to NAm between 2200 and 0000 UT May 23, 2003: both 6140 and 9590 with SIO 555. 73, (-.. . Kraig Krist, KG4LAC, VA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. GREAT NEWS FROM CHINA HUAYI BROADCASTING STATION With great pleasure I'd like to bring you some good news coming from CHBS, China Huayi Broadcasting Station. The first is that I was appointed as regular QSL manager of CHBS, anyone who had sent reception reports to CHBS and have not yet get a QSL response now can get a standard full-data QSL CARD absolutely if you resent your RR to my address: Qiao Xiaoli Fen Jin Xing Cun 3-4-304 Changshu, JiangSu 215500 P. R. China or just email me at 2883752@163.com Return postage, 1 IRC or 1 Euro or 1 dollar would help me get some overseas SWL books, that would be very much appreciated BUT NOT necessary. The second good news is about the Chinese DX programme "Sky of BCL" of CHBS add a midnight schedule, that would be: Every Saturday 0730-0830 UT on 6185 KHz and every Sunday 1600-1700 UT on 6185 KHz Note that CHBS use only 6185 in its Summer schedule and use both 6185 and 4830 in winter schedule. The third one is that CHBS now want official monitors all over the world especially outside the China mainland; anyone who have interest can contact Yuanjia, the programme manager of "Sky of BCL", at chrisyuanjia@sohu.com or snail mail address: Mr. Yuan Jia Club of CHBS P. O. Box 251 FuZhou, Fujian 350001 P. R. China A certificate of official monitor is under designing. Good DX Qiao Xiaoli (dxswl) from SuZhou China 2883752@163.com My email address is: dxswl@21cn.com (May 23, dxing.info via DXLD) ** CHINA. INTERNET CENSORS IN CHINA LOOSENING THEIR GRIP A researcher tracking Internet censorship trends in China says government monitors are allowing more political commentary than they have in the past. . . http://www.ojr.org/ojr/world_reports/1053660077.php (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. When I heard the Chinese accent on 15215 [see TAIWAN] I at first thought it might be CRI so checked 9690, the usual Spain relay frequency, at 0314 May 25 --- but nothing on 9690! A cursory check of 31m did not find it, so I wonder what has happened to it? While I was at it, looked for CRI Spanish Brasil relay on 9665, but only VOR audible there, in English \\ 17565, 17650, 17690 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO. 9610, R. Congo, 1634-1657*, May 11, Vernacular sports to sudden s/off, clear channel, heard quite regularly here recently, 22332 (Martien Groot, Holland, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** CUBA. I received a very nice letter from the staff of Radio Habana Cuba in February. Among other things, they thanked me for being a listener of over forty years, occasional reception reports submitted and for my support of Arnie Coro's programs. They knew my eleven year old grandson, Brandon, collected stamps from foreign countries and was a short-wave listener. I received a nice QSL card from Radio Habanna and some stamps from Cuba for Brandon. What a nice gesture on their part. Keep up the great work Arnie! I hope to make on air contact with you one of these days again on 20 meters (Duane Fischer, W8DBF, May 23, swl via DXLD) In case you are under the impression that Arnie Coro is apolitical: Item two: May 20th 2003 will be recorded as the day when Cuba was, once again, the object of an intensive radio war event, that violated international radio rules and regulations. A US armed forces EC-130 type Hercules aircraft, especially equipped for psychological warfare operations went up to broadcast TV signals on VHF channel 13, while the plane was flying at about 18,000 feet or 5,500 meters. The TV broadcast was specifically beamed to Cuba from a location above the Florida Keys, and because VHF TV Channel 13 is used by several Cuban television stations, the propaganda broadcast from the EC-130 produced malicious interference to the regular programming of Cuban television networks. A legal analysis of the action shows that it violated several articles of the International Telecommunications Convention's Rules and Regulations, an international agreement of which the United States of America is one of its signatories. The unprecedented action, that was once proposed way back in 1962 to President John F Kennedy, was at that time not approved, considering the fact that it was a very aggressive move... But 41 years later, the broadcast of propaganda type TV programs from a plane flying at high altitude took place. Cuba has denounced the actions, fully documenting to the International Telecommunications Union, all the violations incurred by the Government of the United States of America. At the same time that the unprecedented TV transmissions took place, an also unprecedented increase in short wave frequencies beamed to Cuba for the anti-Cuban Miami based broadcasts, that went up to 24 channels, in what could best be described as a barrage! The anti-Cuban TV broadcasts funded from the United States of America budget started in 1990, and have never [sic] been seen in Cuba, because of the protective actions designed and built by Cuban engineers and technicians, that have proven to be an insurmountable barrier to those aggressive transmissions (Arnaldo Coro Antich, CO2KK, RHC DXers Unlimited May 24-25, via Bob Chandler, VE3SRE, ODXA via DXLD) {did Arnie actually say the J-word in the broadcast version of this? See 3-092} ** CUBA [non]. FIDEL CASTRO EXIGE A EEUU CUMPLIMIENTO NORMAS RADIODIFUSIÓN El presidente cubano, Fidel Castro, reclamó hoy a los organismos internacionales que "se exija al gobierno de EEUU el cumplimiento de las normas establecidas para la radiodifusión". El líder cubano intervino hoy en el programa de la televisión oficial "Mesa Redonda Informativa" con motivo de la extensión de los programas del Canal Educativo de este medio a todas la capitales provinciales de la isla. Castro se refirió a las trasmisiones el pasado 20 de mayo de las emisoras de radio y televisión "Martí" desde Miami (EEUU), la primera utilizando cuatro nuevas frecuencias, y la segunda, a través de canales también asignados a estaciones de la isla, hecho que afectó las trasmisiones radiales y televisivas cubanas. "No se puede estar exigiendo unilateralmente que un país se ajuste estrictamente a determinadas normas y que otro país haga las fechorías que están haciendo contra nuestro país", afirmó. "Eso es lo que demandamos", recalcó el jefe de Estado cubano, y señaló que Cuba dispone de los equipos con la potencia suficiente para llegar con sus trasmisiones hasta el territorio de Estados Unidos. Castro dijo que esa trasmisiones "no hicieron más que ruido", en referencia a las interferencia aplicadas por especialistas de la isla y señaló que "hacen mal en subestimar a este país, donde hay mucha gente preparada y calificada, no es un país tan indefenso". (EFE 23 de Mayo, 2003 via http://www.UnionRadio.com.ve via Henrik Klemetz, DXLD) Oh come on, Fidel just can`t stand to be contradicted. L`état, c`est lui. ``Cuba --- último territorio esclave en América --- Patria o Suerte, ¡Pensaremos!`` (gh) DECLARACIÓN DEL MINISTERIO DE RELACIONES EXTERIORES El pasado 20 de mayo de 2003, el Gobierno de los Estados Unidos de América llevó a cabo nuevas acciones que constituyen una escalada en la agresión radioelectrónica y televisiva que viene llevando a cabo contra la Revolución Cubana desde hace décadas. La emisora de radio creada y operada por el Gobierno estadounidense con el objetivo de promover la subversión en Cuba, pérfida y ultrajantemente bautizada con el nombre de José Martí, salió ese día al aire utilizando cuatro nuevas frecuencias, hecho que provocó interferencias y afectaciones a las transmisiones radiales cubanas . . . http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2003/05/23/nacional/articulo10.html Tomado de la edición electrónica de "Granma Nacional" fecha 23 de Mayo del 2003 73's (via Oscar de Céspedes, FL, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Listening to a very good (repaired) 590 transmitter as I type at 1900+ GMT, May 25th. This has been off for many, many weeks. Prior to that, it was for ages running at low mod though always high power as Radio Musical Nacional's flagship transmitter for that national network. However (at least today) it's on with Rebelde, baseball coverage (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nothing the Cubans could do on MW would compare to what the big broadcasting lobby and the FCC have conspired to do in maximizing co- channel interference (gh, DXLD) ** CYPRUS. 6150.7, R. Bayrak, 0318-0334, May 15, UK pop songs by Tom Jones, Cilla Black, Manfred Mann interrupted for NA 0328, then English ID & frequencies, drifting away from Gene Scott [Costa Rica] 6150, 22332 (Martien Groot, Holland, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) See also SINGAPORE ** ECUADOR [and non]. Thanks to many who voiced their support for DXPL, several options were considered in order to keep the program on the air. May not be the best, but provide an alternative in order to keep broadcasting the DX Partyline. The Options are: One: HCJB World Radio Australia has confirmed that they will continue to broadcast DXPL, two releases, one to Asia and one to South Pacific. Two: Several US-based SW stations have offered airtime to keep the DXPL on the air. I`ve just arrived from a conference in Miami and will be following up on these in the next few days. Three: DXPL may be included in the morning release to C&S America, an English broadcast which HCJB will maintain (Allen Graham, HCJB DX Partyline May 25, notes by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) & see AUSTRALIA ** HUNGARY. RADIO BUDAPEST RESTRUCTURING Received a QSL card from Radio Budapest in 512 days for a December 26, 2001 report w/ accompanying letter which stated, "Thank you very much for your letter. We apologise for being so late with our reply. The delay is due to a restructuring at our station. Although, the time and duration of the English language programmes have not changed, for budgetary reasons, we had to suspend the publication of our programme guide, 'Budapest International', as well as the RBSWC DX News for the time being. We hope to launch an updated website soon where you can find the most important information concerning our station. Once it is completed, we will announce the exact address in our programmes." I have received 3 QSL cards for reports after Dec, 2001, the latest report being the first verified. I think someone is going through a pile of mail, starting at the top and working their way toward the bottom (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, May 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I have given up trying to solicit a QSL from Radio Budapest! None of my reports since early 1997 have been answered - the last QSL from them was for a report of December 1996, which arrived in June 1997! We need to educate the stations, I think! (Bob Padula, EDXP ADMIN, May 24, via DXLD) ** HUNGARY. ADVENT TO BUY DANUBIUS RADIO Venture capital group Advent International is to buy 100% of Hungary's leading commercial radio station, Danubius Radio, from British radio group GWR, Advent said yesterday. The transaction, to be financed by Mezzanine Management Central Europe, will be the largest venture capital investment in Hungary this year and will be completed in Q2. It is expected that the contract will be signed in 2 to 3 weeks. A third of Hungarians between 18 and 49 years old tune in to Danubius Radio every week. Last year the radio station generated revenue of Ft 3.5 billion from advertising, giving it a 40% share of the market for radio advertisements and 5%-7% of the country's entire ad market. (Econews; MH 14, Nv 5, Nb 4, Vg 1, NG 5 From 23rd May 2003 http://www.bbj.hu/user/article.asp?ArticleID=178800 via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** INDIA. I heard the extended service of AIR Hyderabad May 12, 2020- 2030* with a drama programme in Hindi. 33343 QRM from CNR 1. It is the same cyclone which has caused heavy rain damages on Sri Lanka (Anker Petersen, Denmark, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) {WTFK??} The relay of AIR Patna on shortwave 11620 via Delhi continues. Noted on 25 May at 1600 with local ID "Ye Akashvani Patna he". Good signal here, as usual (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 4869.96, RRI Wamena, 2030-2105, May 06, Indonesian pop, IS and ID at 2100 (first log!), clear signal (Jean-Pierre Penaud, France, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) They probably use higher power than the previous 0.3 kW. I also heard very weak signals here on May 09 at 2027-2050, May 10 at *(?) 2020- 2050 and May 11 at 2035-2050 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) This is probably also the station Roland heard: 0930-1255, Apr 30, Bahasa Indonesia, IS, time announcement, local news, 0944 ``Begirnu Negri`` program with South Sea music and Indonesian love songs, no Jakarta news at 1200; from 1255 QRM from SLBC, Sri Lanka fading in. Some days RRI signs off at 1030*. Off the air on Apr 26 (Roland Schulze, Philippines, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) On the West Coast of North America, I can hear RRI Wamera [sics] from fade in around 1000 (Sunset in Wamera) to around sunrise here at the receiver (~1300). It is now the strongest of the Indos below 5 MHz (RRI Jakarta on 9680 // 11860 and Voice of Indonesia 9524.9 both are stronger, but higher in frequency). Surprisingly, Jambi on 4925 which used to be a powerhouse has dropped down to the strength of the other remaining RRIs. And Wamera is notably stronger than 4890 and 5019.9. Wamera has been running near-continuous music until abruptly going off-air. Only a couple of times have I heard an announcer with a call-in program (music requests). Others have reported mentions of Wamera, but I haven't heard that. And no RRI ID, economic news from Jakarta nor Song of the Coconut Isles - perhaps others have heard these at other times? (Don Nelson, OR, DXplorer via May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. The following regionals were off the air in April 2003: 6070 RRI Jayapura 6153 RRI Biak 7171.3 RRI Serui 7231.1 RRI Fak Fak 7234 RRI Palu 9552.3 RRI Makassar 9680, RRI Jakarta was active in April // 11860 (Roland Schulze, Philippines, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. Martial law chief administrator Major General Endang Suwarya says rebels set fire to a local state broadcasting station in addition to the schools. He ordered his men to shoot arsonists on sight. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s861120.htm (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) {re: Aceh} ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Hi Glenn: Two articles re satellite radio: REALITY MAY BE CATCHING UP WITH SATELLITE RADIO HYPE http://www.thestreet.com/funds/supermodels/10088932.html SIRIUS ROARS BACK AT XM http://forbes.com/2003/05/22/cx_ah_0522tentech.html (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. IRAN DEMOCRACY ACT Text of the Iran Democracy Act, which appropriates US$50 million to establish an organization called Iran Democracy Foundation that will provide grants to private pro-democratic Iranian-American radio programs and other pro-democratic activities. S. 1082: To provide support for democracy in Iran. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 19, 2003 Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. COLEMAN, Mr. SANTORUM, and Mr. CAMPBELL) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To provide support for democracy in Iran. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. IRAN DEMOCRACY ACT. This Act may be cited as the `Iran Democracy Act'. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) There is currently not a democratic government in Iran. Instead, Iran is an ideological dictatorship presided over by an unelected Supreme Leader with limitless veto power, an unelected Expediency Council, and Council of Guardians capable of eviscerating any reforms, and a President elected only after the Council disqualified 234 other candidates for being too liberal, reformist, or secular. (2) The April 2003 report of the Department of State states that Iran remained the most active state sponsor of terrorism in 2002. (3) That report also states that Iran continues to provide funding, safehaven, training, and weapons to known terrorist groups, notably Hizballah, HAMAS, the Palestine Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. (4) Human rights have failed to improve in Iran under the pseudo- reformers. Torture, executions after unfair trials, and censorship of all media remain rampant throughout the country. Stoning and beheading are used as methods of punishment. SEC. 3. POLICY. It is the policy of the United States to-- (1) support transparent, full democracy in Iran; (2) support an internationally-monitored referendum in Iran by which the Iranian people can peacefully change the system of government in Iran; (3) support the aspirations of the Iranian people to live in freedom; and (4) help the Iranian people achieve a free press and build an open, democratic, and free society. SEC. 4. RADIO FARDA REFORM. (a) IN GENERAL- The Broadcasting Board of Governors shall-- (1) require the head of Radio Farda to develop programming for Radio Farda, after consulting with-- (A) Iranian-Americans and other Iranian exiles who-- (i) support a referendum described in section 3(2); and (ii) oppose the current Government of Iran; and (B) the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) at the Department of State and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the Department of State; and (2) ensure that a significant percentage of the programming on Radio Farda is devoted to discussing democratic change in Iran including an internationally-monitored democratic referendum in Iran as described in section 3(2). (b) TRANSLATIONS OF WRITTEN AND VIDEO MATERIALS FOR THE IRANIAN PEOPLE- (1) REQUIREMENT- The MEPI and ECA shall provide grants to appropriate entities to create and maintain websites, translate and distribute books, videos, documents, and other materials on democracy, rule of law free market economics, and related topics. (2) CONSULTATION- The MEPI and ECA shall consult with nongovernmental entities and with Iranian-American opposition groups that support the holding of an internationally-monitored referendum in Iran as described in section 3(2) to select materials to be translated into Persian. (c) IRAN DEMOCRACY SUPPORT INITIATIVE- (1) AUTHORITY- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the MEPI and ECA are authorized to award grants to an eligible entity for the purpose of funding programs and activities to promote a democratic referendum in Iran. (2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY- The following persons are eligible for grants under paragraph (1): (A) A person who provides radio or television broadcasting into Iran that includes programming intended to promote an internationally- monitored democratic referendum in Iran. (B) A person who is working to promote the holding of an internationally-monitored referendum in Iran, as described in section 3(2). (d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not less than 10 percent of the funds appropriated to the International Broadcasting Operations account for fiscal year 2004 shall be made available to carry out the provisions of this Act (May 21, 2003 via N. Grace-USA, CRW via DXLD) ** IRAQ [and non]. CLANDESTINE RADIO WATCH Iraq Special May 22, 2003 Stations for Iraq - Active stations since the fall of Baghdad Voice of the Liberation of Iraq (Sawt Tahrir al-Iraq) was renamed as Voice of International Coalition for the Liberation of Iraq Radio (Sawt al-Tahaluf al-Duwali li Tahrir al-Iraq) on April 21. It began broadcasting on FM and MW, in addition to SW, from northern Iraq. By May 1 it left the airwaves for good. Radio of the Two Rivers (Wadi al-Rafidayn) still broadcasts. Recorded and produced in Amman. Broadcast from Kuwait via a 50kW Harris transmitter administered by the CIA. Station is tied to the Iraqi National Accord and is considered their "sister" station. al-Mustaqbal (The Future), the mouthpiece for the Iraqi National Accord, also continues its broadcasts. The Accord was offered use of a SOMS-B broadcasting platform by the Pentagon, however, they refused. Programming is fed to the Kuwaiti CIA transmitter via satellite from Amman. Radio Tikrit was renamed Radio Sumer on April 21. Programming format remains the same, however. Only difference is that Sumer broadcasts PSYOP messages aimed at the entire population in support of national unity. There is growing speculation that this is a product contracted out to SAIC here in Washington. Last week an intrepid listener in Cairo heard a glitch in their satellite feed that proves World Radio Network (WRN), a major satellite uplink provider based in London, services their feed. The main reason SAIC is suspected is because the Washington Post Monday revealed that they were contracted for PSYOP products by the Pentagon during Operation Iraqi Freedom. And oddly enough the main announcer on Radio Tikrit/Sumer is the same as the main announcer on the Pentagon's Information Radio broadcasts that were disseminated via Commando Solo. Voice of the Iraqi People (Saudi intel) remains on the air. Information Radio, the Pentagon PSYOP radio station, also remains on the air. Its short wave frequencies have not been heard for a few weeks so it is suspected to have shifted 100% to land-based platforms, including SOMS-B. (SOMS-B are humvees outfitted for broadcasting.) Towards Freedom TV, the CIA's TV channel, left the airwaves last week. It was recorded here in Washington and broadcast for 5/6 hours per day via Commando Solo. Iraq Media Network was launched by the Coalition on April 17 with a station in Umm Qasr called Voice of the New Iraq. Plans are to launch newspapers and television stations. The station and planned network are managed by the Indigenous Media Project, which, according to the Wall Street Journal, is "an offshoot of the Pentagon's Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance." (What offshoot is supposed to mean I have no idea.) - Does the US seem to be doing any jamming? The U.S. does not seem to have engaged in any jamming of sorts. Saudi Arabia, however, has jammed broadcasts from Tehran that supported the Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). Now that SCIRI has shifted off SW to MW it's unlikely the Saudis can effectively block the signals anymore. - Has an Ahmed Chalabi-related station emerged? Good question about Chalabi. The INC was supposed to be given US$4 million back in April to relaunch Radio Hurriah, which at one time broadcast from the CIA Kuwait facility. There was talk in April that they would use SOMS-B on loan from the Pentagon, however, now I am told that they have decided to wait until a government is in place in Baghdad. They will then go through the proper channels to request a license to broadcast legally. - What is Radio Nahran - the UK station down in Basra - like? Radio Nahrain, the British PSYOP station in Basra, broadcast the same type of programming as Information Radio: popular Middle Eastern music and PSYOP announcements. Dave Kernick's site, http://www.intervalsignals.net has a clip of the station. Navigate to the Iraq page and you should be able to quickly find it. As far as I know the station is still on the air (N. Grace, USA, May 13, 2003 answering private questions for CRC, CRW May 23 via DXLD) ** IRAQ. PSYOP: THE LOVE'S NOT MUTUAL The U.S. military is using Metallica and the 'Barney' theme song as instruments of coercion in Iraq --- By Adam Piore, Newsweek Magazine, May 26, 2003 Issue http://www.msnbc.com/news/914527.asp Your parents aren't the only ones who hate your music - some Iraqis hate it, too. U.S. military units have been breaking Saddam supporters with long sessions in which they're forced to listen to heavy-metal and children's songs. "Trust me, it works," says one U.S. operative. The idea, says Sgt. Mark Hadsell, is to break a subject's resistance by annoying that person with what some Iraqis would consider culturally offensive music. The songs that are being played include "Bodies" from the Vin Diesel "XXX" movie soundtrack and Metallica's "Enter Sandman." "These people haven't heard heavy metal before," he explains. "They can't take it." Few people could put up with the sledgehammer riffs of Metallica, and kiddie songs aren't that much easier, especially when selections include the "Sesame Street" theme and some of purple dinosaur Barney's crooning (MSNBC May 26, 2003 via N. Grace-USA for CRW May 25 via DXLD) ** IRAQ. STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE --- FREE MEDIA IN A FREE-FOR-ALL Iraq's new journalists dream of power - the electrical kind that will keep their computers and their printing presses humming. That's the least they expect from the US-British 'occupation forces'. That and a little safety. Rohan Jayasekera reports from Baghdad. . . http://www.indexonline.org/news/20030523_iraq.shtml (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. VOICE OF ISLAMIC REVOLUTION IN IRAQ The SCIRI long supported an overthrow of Saddam's regime without Western involvement. During Saddam's rule, the group broadcast a radio signal into Iraq on a station called the Voice of Islamic Revolution in Iraq. . . http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=24891 (Pakistan Tribune via J.Dybka-USA May 10, 2003 for CRW via DXLD) ** IRELAND. Re DXLD 3-088: The Gardai are the Irish Republic's Police Service. Probably Gaelic for Guard. 'They certainly were NOT Guarding the Radio Stations concerned in this case, quite the opposite in fact' (Silly Comment from Me) (Ken Fletcher, UK, 1020UTC=1120UTC+1 May 24th 2003, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. ISRAELI OFFICIALS RAID EIGHT PIRATE RADIO STATIONS IN JERUSALEM, SEIZE EQUIPMENT | Text of report by Israel radio on 25 May Police and Communications Ministry staffers raided eight pirate radio stations in Jerusalem at midday [local time]. Four radio operators were detained for interrogation, and transmitters, computers and antennas were confiscated. Most stations are religious and ultra- Orthodox operating in central Jerusalem. Our police affairs correspondent Ran Binyamini notes that some of the stations that were closed today were also closed in a raid over two months ago. Source: Voice of Israel, Jerusalem, in Hebrew 1100 gmt 25 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** ITALY. ELECTROMAGNETIC POLLUTION: PREJUDICE AND COMMONPLACES, SAYS GASPARRI (AGI) - Rome, Italy, May 20 - "The issue of electromagnetic radiations is often discussed more because of ideological inspirations rather than scientific reasons and data. There is often confusion and lack of information: for example, many think that the referendum of the 18th June regards mobile phones repeaters, but it only concerns electricity ducts". . . http://tinyurl.com/cn16 (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) See also SICILY ** KASHMIR [non]. 5100, Voice of Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Movement, QSL in 97 days. Got a pack of six "SOS from Indian occupied Kashmir" magazines, two grand leaflets, Kashmir viewcards and letter from Islam ud Din But where he/she appreciates listening interest and quotes broadcasting schedule in Kashmiri and English. Address: Islam ud Din But, Voice of Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Movement, P. O. Box 102, Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, via Pakistan. For one IRC (Shukrat Rakhmatullayev, Tashkent, Uzbekistasn, Signal via May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. 2624, Frontiers Soldiers R, Channel 1 (presumed), 1550, May 01, weak. It was not heard 1910 on Apr 29. 3025.5, Frontiers Soldiers R, Channel 2 (presumed), 1910, Apr 29, Korean drama (?). Also heard 1550, May 01, with patriotic songs and talks. 3390.5, PBS, Pyongyang, Apr 29, 1830-1900*, New frequency in Korean, instrumental music, 1900 ID, time announcement and off. 25432. It was heard // 3320 with a late program. Nothing heard on 2850 at that hour (Roland Schulze, Philippines, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** KUWAIT. 15505, R. Kuwait, Sulabiyah (cf. DX-Window no. 219). I monitored that frequency as I promised you. And all the IDs go like this: ``Idhaat Alquraan Alkareem min al Kuwait`` or ``Idhaat Alquraan Alkareem min Dawlat Al Kuwait``, but almost the same... ``the holy Qur`an radio from Kuwait`` or ``the holy Qur`an radio from the ``state`` of Kuwait``. Maybe what you heard at *1000-1500 was a program called ``Adhakaa fil Islam`` (Adhkaa is one of Islam's major beliefs which is giving to the needy people). In Arabic it sounds like the usual ID of ``..Idhaat``. (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, May 08, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** LAOS. Sorry folks, External Service has been off the air on 7145 for a time now. Hope they come back soon. 6130, however, continues. Heard OK at 1200 past 1300 (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** LATVIA [and non]. EUROVISION SONG CONTEST It's the night of the Eurovision song contest here in Europe, so I've done a quick band scan to see if any stations are relaying the event. So far I've come across Radio Finland doing so on 6120, although they break for news on the hour. Should anyone outside of Europe want to drop in on this international musical and broadcasting curiosity, that's one source. Or visit http://www.eurovision.tv for live feeds (Dan Atkinson, UK, 2016 UT May 24, swprograms via DXLD) Turkey's Sertab Erener won with the song Every Way That I Can, with Belgium in second place and Tatu in third. Erener is one of Turkey's most popular singers, with album sales of over four million. Terry Wogan, who hosted the UK coverage of the event on BBC One, said: "I think the UK is suffering from post-Iraq backlash." Tatu had been the favourite to win the competition all week. They sang Don't Believe, Don't Fear, Don't Ask, a Russian language song, to boos from the 6,000-strong crowd at Riga's Skonto Hall. Despite threats they might take to the stage naked, the pair - Lena Katina and Julia Volkova - sang their song dressed in jeans and white T-shirts. They had already been warned by contest organisers about being late for rehearsals, and that their stage performance could not contravene the show's strict guidelines. Under Eurovision rules, voters in each of the countries could ring or text their votes for any country other than their own. Bosnia- Hercegovina and Russia used jury votes because of their countries' poor telecommunications. Ireland's Mickey Joe Harte was the third performer of the night with his song We've Got the World Tonight, after Iceland's Birgitta and Austria's outlandish cabaret performer Alf Poier. A poll on the official Eurovision website asking the public which act they thought their country would vote for had Spain's entry, Beth, in top place on Friday. Tatu were in second and Turkey in third. 'Unique event' The contest, held at Riga's 6,000-capacity Skonto Hall, was the biggest indoor concert held in Latvia's history. The country of 2.4 million people hailed the show, which was due to be watched by more than 160 million people, as a unique event. "It's important for us as a small country to prove we can do something like this," said Solvita Vevere, a spokeswoman from Latvia's Eurovision organising committee. Latvia paid half of the $11m (£6.9m) needed to run the event. Millions more were spent on the city, including a full renovation of the Skonto Hall. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/entertainment/2932760.stm Published: 2003/05/24 22:36:48 GMT © BBC MMIII (via Dan Say, swprograms via DXLD) I listened to the middle hour or so on BBCR2; fine reception. The BBC commentator was putting everyone down, tsk tsk. Made the mistake of looking for video feed at http://www.eurovision.com which was a dead end, instead of .tv (Glenn Hauser, swprograms via DXLD) The BBC Radio 2 presenter was Ken Bruce. Terry Wogan does the commentary for BBC 1, and has done so for over 30 years. Organisers of the event fear Wogan's criticisms, whereas British audiences find his witty commentary a main reason to watch Eurovision, as illustrated in this article written before the Estonian Eurovision in 2002: http://www.balticsww.com/eurovision_terry_wogan.htm Great Britain's rather flatly sung entry came last for the first time. The voting is still highly politicised, even though songs are now rated by audience phone voting instead of a jury. The songwriter of the British entry in part blamed the war and continental Europe's opposition to it for Britain's "nill points", whereas Turkey's stance of not allowing it's country to be used as a staging post (and admittedly somewhat better song) took the day at the Eurovision. Nevertheless Wogan admitted that in all his years of hosting the show he'd never correctly picked the winner (he had some money on Spain this time). Indeed that Austria's bizarre schlager-fest came so high in the scores emphasises that the gap in musical tastes between Britain and continental Europe is just as wide as in foreign policy :) (Daniel Atkinson, UK, ibid.) BRITS OUT OF TUNE IN EUROPE Last night was the annual extravaganza called the Eurovision Song Contest. 26 countries competed in the live broadcast from Latvia. I tuned in to see the opening sequence (professional interest, you understand) but I got bored after 6 minutes so I mercifully missed the rest of it. Once upon a time, Britain used to do quite well in this event, but not any more. For the first time in the 48 year history of the contest, Britain scored 'nul points.' Apparently, according to those who endured the programme, the British duo Jemini performed badly and sang out of tune. Some would say that symbolises the British attitude to Europe very well. So, humiliation for a nation that for a few years in the 1960's was the pop music capital of the world. How are the mighty fallen! But far more entertaining than the contest was the unsporting reaction of some Brits to the result. Apparently Terry Wogan, who for years has poked fun mercilessly at the event despite being paid a handsome fee by the BBC for commentating on it, blamed the 'Iraq factor'. A guy who phoned BBC Radio 5 Live declared that Europeans were 'just a bunch of clowns.' At that point, I switched off. Now, under the rules introduced a few years ago, countries which do badly have to skip a year to allow others to take their place. And to learn to sing in tune, presumably. Apparently Britain, France and Germany are exempt from this rule because they pay a substantial part of the EBU's budget. So that's fair, is it? By virtue of being big and wealthy you can buy your way into a contest at the expense of smaller and less well-off nations. I don't blame the EBU for this. No doubt the Brits, French and Germans threatened to withdraw funding if they were not exempt. But, while you can buy participation, you can't - as last night demonstrated - buy votes. As it happens - and, to be fair, this had already been announced on Thursday - the rules are changing so that from next year there will be a qualifying round, and a grand final involving 24 countries. That way, says the European Broadcasting Union, 40 countries can take part. So Britain, like all the other countries, will have to go through a qualifying round! What will happen if they don't end up in the top 24? That remains to be seen, unless some other obscure clause has already been inserted in the rules. Terry Wogan always used to make fun of countries that didn't get any points at the contest, and make jokes about it on his BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show the following week. I wonder what he'll do now? I know one thing. There will have been a lot of European broadcasters sniggering over their coffee and croissants this morning. Wogan's frivolous attitude didn't go down well amongst some of his colleagues this side of the North Sea. Last night, he got his just desserts (Andy Sennitt, RN blog May 25 via DXLD) Saw a brief clip on BBC world. The Brit Group really did suck badly, way off key. Interesting that Turkey won and the song was in English. What does that tell you (Lou Josephs • 5/25/03; 8:21:19 AM, ibid.) ** LIBERIA. ELCM RADIO VÉRITAS ON NEW SHORTWAVE FREQUENCY Monrovia, May 19 (Conexión-Digital) --- Señor César Pérez Dioses of Peru confirms increasing reports that ELCM Radio Véritas, the FM and shortwave station of the Archdiocese of Monrovia, has been heard internationally on 5470 kHz. ``Our collaborator could not identify it, but it was reported this past May 10th at 7:00 UTC (GMT) with African music and conversations in a language that our collaborator presumed was vernacular to the African continent. He manifested his doubts over this station because he went carefully over the World Radio-TV Handbook 2003 but it did not report this frequency. Undoubtedly it is Radio Veritas, from Liberia, which has been received several times on this frequency and at this time, which was corroborated with its reception by my Brasilian friend Samuel Cassio.`` Another international shortwave listener has since reported to Conexión- Digital of Buenos Aires that it definitely is ELCM on a new shortwave frequency (Catholic Radio Update May 26 via DXLD) Not so new ** LIBERIA. 11512.0, Voice of Liberty, Monrovia (tentative), 1715- 1735, May 20, English, gospel songs. QRM 11510, 33433 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** LIBYA. Last two days, the clandestine station [no-namee, 9745 to Iraq] has not appeared anytime between 2100-2200, and may have QSY'd. This leaves tentative Bahrain pretty much in the clear (Paul Ormandy, Oamaru, New Zealand, May 25, dxing.info via DXLD) See also UNIDENTIFIED ** MALDIVES. 1449 MW, Voice of Maldives, 0030-1745. English is noted at 1300-1400 starting with news. At 1311 to 1321 Islamic prayers heard (Jacob, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) Also webcast ** MALI. 7284.4, R Mali, Kati, 1013-1200, May 18, French sermon, folk songs. 15332. Was unable to establish its fade out time. // 31 m (good), 25 m (weak & under adjacent QRM from Turkey 11955). (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** MYANMAR. 5973, Myawaddy R. Station seems to be inactive. Is anybody able to hear it? 6570, Defence Forces BC, Taunggyi, 1620-1632*, May 01, Bamar talk mentioning Myanmar, music with female singer, 1631 closing announcement by man and woman mentioning Myanmar again. Best as 34543 (Roland Schulze, Philippines, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. LEGAL ACTION OVER RADIO NZ JOB ROW --- 24 May 2003 A dispute between Radio New Zealand's controversial chief executive, Sharon Crosbie, and a senior manager has resulted in legal action, the New Zealand Herald reported today. . . http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2497036a11,00.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3355, R Simbu, Kundiawa, 1115-1202*, May 12, back after 7 months absence, Tok Pisin ID, public announcement, international and South Sea music, national anthem 25232. 3905, R New Ireland, Kavieng, regular again since Apr 15 (Roland Schulze, Philippines, Apr 30, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY. Adán Mur sent me a mail a few minutes ago and sayed me Radio América, Villeta transmits with 600 watts on 19 meters now!! This is the schedule: Estimado Arnaldo: 1480 KHZ - 1 KW - 24 hours, from Ñemby. 1590 KHZ - 0.2 KW - 24 hours from Villeta. 7370 KHZ - 1 KW - 24 hours - from Villeta, with programation from Ñemby. 15185 KHZ - 0.6 KW - 24 hours - from Villeta, programation from Ñemby 73's & 55's (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, May 24, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** PERU. 4890, R. Macedonia, tuned in 25th May at 0430 off and on through 0600 with organ and romantic instrumental music with SS announcements, only one ID "Macedonia. . . numbre" in this time, fair to good at times for 1 kW, thanks to Paul Ormandy for tip; wish I had brought tape recorder. Outgunned by RFI Gabon from fade in 0445 to 0500* (David Norrie, DXing from Whitford Forest near Auckland, New Zealand using "fence post antenna" and AOR 7030, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. 9580v, PBS, Marulas, Valenzuela (Metro Manila) has been inactive on this frequency since May 05 (Schulze, May 13) 11885, R. Pilipinas, Tinang, 0200-0330*, May 01, English replacing 11775 (Cf. DX-Window no. 219), but the old ID-tape still announced 12015! Heard // 15120 and 15270 (Roland Schulze, Philippines, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** POLAND [non]. Radio Maryja, 12010 kHz, 1500-1600 UT, via Russian relay, 343, religious talk & music by OM in Polish. 24/5/03 (Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RADIO MARYJA POLSKA --- Broadcasting in Polish using Russian transmitters in Krasnodar. Valid March 30, 2003-October 26, 2003 HORA UT KHZ 0500-0715 15455 Monday-Saturday 0600-0800 15455 Sunday 1500-1830 12010 Daily 1500-2200* 7380 Daily * This transmission to be dropped September 7, 2003. QTH: Radio Maryja, ul. Zwirki i Wigury 80, 87-100 Torun, Polonia. E-mail: radio@radiomaryja.pl Web: http://www.radiomaryja.pl (Conexión Digital via Catholic Radio Update May 26 via DXLD) ** SICILY. 6060/7175/9515, Caltanissetta. RAI has decided that the SW transmitters at Caltanissetta shall no longer be used for domestic broadcasts and they closed down on May 14 (Luigi Cobisi, Peninsular Italy, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** SINGAPORE. 6150.8, R Singapore, 2248-2309, May 16, English program of western oldies, news 2300. 54432 (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) Beware of confusion with CYPRUS TURKISH, q.v. which is also off-frequency in this area (gh) ** SINGAPORE. Right now (1315 UT) I'm listening to one of my long time early morning favorites, "RSI" on 9600. It's in English and appears to be a "Local targeted" program, yet is well heard on the West coast. Lots of popular music in English, they just played a remake of the old Norman Greenbaum tune, "Spirit in the Sky". The first time I ran across this station (again) back in the early to mid 90's they were playing a lot of oldies from the 50's and 60's and it immediately caught my attention. I have some very nice QSL's from them and in years past they've sent nice large colorful calendars, a pad of "post-it" notes with their logo, a pen etc. Anyway, I digress. The station is SINPO 43434 (some co-channel QRM) and scheduled at 1100-1400 UT. Heard on Yaesu VR-5000 and roof mounted Hustler 6BTV vertical. 73 de (Phil Atchley, KO6BB --- DX begins at the noise floor! Merced, California, May 23, swl at qth.net via DXLD) ** SOMALIA. Hi Glenn, The press release you quoted in DXLD 3-090 is remarkably similar to one published on 12 May 2002. See http://www.somaliawatch.org/archivemar02/020512101.htm I also saw this item on the Web site of IRIN, but something rang a bell and I figured they may have inadvertently picked up a one year old story. On the other hand, I haven't seen any reports that indicate its broadcasts have been received in the past year, so maybe the whole project really has started a year later than planned. 73, (Andy Sennitt, May 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. 7300, SLBC All Asia Vernacular Service has made some changes. They were on 7115 0025-0400, 0800-1600 with 9770 in //. Then A03 season VOA Iranawila also started using 7115 0100-0300 which has been the VOA's A season frequency. SLBC found it difficult to move as they had only 5 crystals for this transmitter: 7115, 7190, 7235, 7300 and 7445. I suggested 7300 as the only alternative and they used it in // but the crystal was off on 7302.75. Finally they managed to repair a frequency synthesizer and use it. So find SLBC 7300 now. All Asia English Service is now on 0025-0400 on 6005, 11905 15745, 1225-1530 on 6005, 11930, 15745. 11930 is badly interfering with VOA. I am trying to get them on 11905 for this slot as well. In mid March I was able to get fair signals on 15745 around 0200 in Wisconsin. I suppose WEWN was in skip. This season anyway WEWN is not there I think (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) {VOA has been operating in Sri Lanka for sesquidecades: why is there not routine coordination with SLBC to avoid any such clashes????} Wonder what he was doing in Wisconsin (whilst in US for IBB Monitor meeting and SWL Winterfest) -- visiting Jensen/Dexter? (gh, DXLD) {more likely visiting members of his own family} ** TAIWAN. 8300. Some words or phrases were missing in this item in DX-Window no. 219. Correct version is: "Naj reported in DXW No. 215, New Star broadcasting station verified with QSL card. Not mention as he reported, it didn't confirm as WHO service of R Taipei International in my case. It verified using R. Taipei International card, but struck out the name of it." (Ishii, Japan, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** TAIWAN [and non]. RTI encountered on 15215 in English news at 0314 UT May 25, nice signal; it was way ahead (by a second or two) of \\ 9680 WYFR relay, so I guess 15215 be direct; also \\ 5950 WYFR, but after 0316 they were no longer parallel, with one carrying the A program, the other the B program, ``The Groove Zone`` being on 15215 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIMOR LESTE. East Timor back on the air: The Daily DX http://www.dailydx.com/ reports that Thor Stefansson, recently 4W6MM -- and known longer term as TF3MM -- is back on the air as 4W3DX from what's now known as the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste-- previously known as East Timor. Stations operating with permission of the UN Temporary Administration of East Timor -- or UNTAET -- were informed recently that their operating permission had expired, but The Daily DX reports that Stefansson apparently has received operating permission from the new authorities in Timor Leste. Stefansson has erected a huge rhombic that's pointed at Europe, although he still has a tribander that he can aim at North America and elsewhere. 4W3DX has been reported on 20 and 15-meter CW at the low end of the band at around 1500 to 1600 UT and at 0100. Stefansson, who's leaving Timor Leste in June, plans to remain active for the next couple of weeks, much of that time on the higher bands. He reports that the rhombic will remain for DXpeditioners after he leaves (The Daily DX via ARRL May 22 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) ** TURKMENISTAN. US TV ANCHOR SAYS WESTERN AUDIENCES BEING MISLED ABOUT TURKMENISTAN | Excerpt from report by Turkmen TV on 24 May [Presenter] [Turkmen president] Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy [Nyyazow] the Great today answered questions put by Robert Simon, a prominent journalist from the famous US CBS News TV. [Reporter, over video of Simon and Nyyazow talking each other] For more than 50 years CBS News TV has stood as one of the best media models in the USA with its "60 Minutes" program, known as the country's best newscast. It has a daily audience of over 15m viewers, including the most influential representatives of political and business circles from the USA and other countries as well. [Passage omitted: a number of world leaders have been interviewed by CBS; Robert Simon is known as the best anchor] The conversation between Turkmenistan's president, Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy the Great, and Robert Simon lasted for about two hours and was conducted in a free and open atmosphere during which the sides touched upon various issues. Turkmenistan's president, Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy the Great, answered the questions of the US journalist with the openness characteristic of him. [Passage omitted: Simon quoted as admiring with Turkmenistan's achievements; Simon is then interviewed] [Simon, speaking to camera in English overlaid by Turkmen interpretation] The first thing we have seen upon our arrival here is Asgabat and its people, who are very kind and hospitable. The city of Asgabat is full of various memorials and new construction sites being build to suit present-day requirements. In particular, its streets are clean and safe for walking in. [Passage omitted: more praise of Turkmenistan] I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the detailed answers Turkmenistan's president gave to my questions. For my part, I think that there is a need for more visits by Western media representatives [to Turkmenistan]. During my visit I also realized that there is some misinformation in the west about Turkmenistan. I have also understood that Western countries should be provided with more information about Turkmenistan. As an example, I would like to quote the fact that prior to my visit here I had read that there is a total ban imposed in Turkmenistan on Western music, whereas upon my arrival here I discovered at a local bazaar that audio cassettes are on sale freely, with melodies of numerous Western pop stars. I think, then, that the Western audience should be provided with true information about Turkmenistan. Thank you very much. Source: Turkmen TV first channel, Asgabat, in Turkmen 1600 gmt 24 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) Simon may anchor on occasion, but I think his primary job is reporter. Somehow, I suspect there is more to the story. Don`t recall seeing Simon`s piece on T-stan yet on 60 Minutes which is certainly not a ``newscast``; surely they will deal with the `Great` cult of personality, which could be taken as criticism. Nyyazow [whose spelling is that?] is the State (gh, DXLD) {/correspondent} ** U K. EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: See LATVIA ** U K. TV ON THE RADIO? IT'S IN THE PICTURE By Clive Akass [21-05] You could be forgiven for feeling confused at news that NTL and London-based Radioscape demonstrated the transmission of TV images to a PDA using a Digital Audio Broadcasting (Dab) signal. TV over radio, digital or not, seems to make about as much sense as flying through mud, but it's not as daft as it sounds. DAB is set to replace analogue radio in the UK as soon as enough of us can be persuaded to buy the receivers. This won't be very soon as, although early models have sold well, the cheapest is still around £100 - 10 times the price of a cheap analogue set. . . (From http://www.vnunet.com/Features/1140700 via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A [non]. Reforming R. Farda to IRAN: q.v. ** U S A. Stepping thru the YB-400 memories at 0606 UT May 24, surprised to hear with good signal on 15725, Arab music, but with some English lyrics --- must be R. Sawa! Sure enough, quickly IDed at 0607. 15725 is memorized because of WRMI, and I see IBB has Sawa on: 15725 0600 1500 VOA MRN2 ARAB MOR 06 083 which overlaps WRMI considerably after 1200, in case interference be noted over here (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. National Association of SW Broadcaster currently counts 17 of the 20 private US SW stations as members. Holds an annual meeting in Washington DC the first weekend of May. DRM was one topic this year. It was suggested that each station produce a DRM program each week or in rotation. Time would be leased from existing DRM facility in Canada, Bonaire or Europe, just as an experimental thing as there are very few possible listeners yet. Jeff White will be chairman of the NASB board for one year. At least one representative will attend the HFCC conferences, August in Norway, next February in Dubai. Hope to do publicity among our audience, which are primarily in the areas where major annual DX meetings are held: at Kulpsville, the Mexican national DX meeting, and the EDXC conference; will attend each of these over the next year and present a display with handouts. Associate members in NASB include HCJB. To be a full member, must be FCC licensees in the US. Also transmitter and antenna manufacturing companies, consultancies such as George Jacobs & Associates. See http://www.shortwave.org for the NASB website (Jeff White, interviewed by Allen Graham at a Mexican restaurant in Miami, for DX Partyline May 25, notes by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) Not including WWCR ** U S A. If WWCR`s plan to use 9475 as a `step-up` frequency in the mornings between 5070 and 12160 for transmitter 3 doesn`t happen, it could be because R. Australia inconveniently happens to be using same, at least 1100-1300 in English, tho not toward us, at 329 degrees, per difficult-to-obtain schedule in 3-071 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: Latest logging from Troy, Michigan using the trusty Grundig Satellit 800. AUSTRALIA 9475 Radio Australia 1100-1145 Correspondents' Reports with a wrap up of the weeks events, discussion mostly on Iraq, Middle East and George Bush. SIO of 333 with some jamming present but not loud enough to affect listening and // to 9580 (SIO of 545). Not listed on HFCC, visit to RA website shows this signal is intended for Asia (Joe Miller, 5/25 Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** U S A. Can you hear the jamming on 5070 WWCR at night where you are? Just started in the last week or so. In the early morning hours it`s pretty bad here in Atlanta (LOU KF4EON Johnson, May 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Last night at 0230, no jamming at all noticed, but the WWCR signal is always extremely strong here. What kind of jamming??? Describe. Are you sure it is deliberate? (Glenn to Lou) Well, it sounds like a bottle banging against something concrete. It is strongest after 0500 here. At first, I thought it was some military, digital communication. But it is repetitive and nonstop. I think WWCR is directional westward [eastward] from Nashville so I am located off a side lobe southeast of them. It is probably coming from Cuba as I am located between Cuba and Nashville. I've heard bubble jamming of WRMI 7385 in the early morning (0500) hours here before during Christian Media Network broadcasts. I can call the FCC monitoring office here in Atlanta (I've called them before about such matters.) The most they can do is give you a bearing as to where it`s coming from. Enjoy your show (LOU KF4EON, ibid.) I think I know what you mean; that is constantly heard on several other SW frequencies ``the bonker``, but I don`t recall what it is. It does serves some purpose other than jamming. Possibly one of these has moved in too close to 5070? --- which, after all, is in a utility band (gh) {Later: detected around 5072} ** U S A. Top 40 WABC Reborn - 5/22 - ABC plans to dump the talk format on its NYC blowtorch WABC (770 AM) on Memorial Day to feature music countdown shows from the station's top 40 days in the 1960s and 1970s, with Harry Harrison, Ron Lundy, "Cousin Brucie" Morrow, Chuck Dunaway, Dan Ingram, Bob Lewis, Howard Hoffman, and Chuck Leonard. The bad news - it'll run from 6 AM to 6 PM [1000-2200 UT], making it hard to hear in the DC/Baltimore area. WABC's signal reaches the region after dark. But you can listen via http://www.wabcradio.com (from http://www.dcrtv.com which by the way is a nice site for radio scuttlebutt in the Mid-Atlantic area.) ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, DE, swprograms via DXLD) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ http://www.musicradio77.com has a five minute real audio preview of WABC Rewound 2003 and a WABC Rewound bulletin board. http://musicradio.computer.net/images/rewoundDemo2003.ram There are also clips from WABC Rewound in 1999 - 2002. There used to be a great website devoted to the top 40 days of CKLW (back when CKLW, on the Windsor shore of the Detroit River, had the greatest ratings in Cleveland) but I believe the webmaster became ill (Joel Rubin, NY, ibid.) ** U S A. STARBOARD EXPLAINS DROPPING ITS PURCHASE OF WJOB HAMMOND Green Bay, May 19 (CRU) --- Sherry Brownrigg, president of Starboard Network, Inc. e-mailed Catholic Radio Update to set the record straight in regard to the report last week about Starboard's backing out of the purchase of WJOB 1230 in Hammond, Indiana. ``Starboard elected to not go ahead with the purchase of WJOB due to the fact that we decided to hold off on our commitment to Spanish language broadcasting. We wanted to concentrate on our English feed, and we simply did not need two stations in that area. We do plan to pursue Spanish language Catholic radio in the future.`` (Catholic Radio Update May 26 via DXLD) ** U S A. As some of you know, Bob Hope is turning 100 years-of-age on May 29, 2003. Many of us were entertained by Mr. Hope, during our time in the Military Service. And others of us might have enjoyed his good cheer from Old Time Radio, and so forth. To show our appreciation, the US Army MARS is asking you to submit a "Happy Birthday" greeting to Bob Hope via the MARSgram service of the US Army MARS. If you would like to extend your birthday greeting to Mr. Bob Hope, I have set up a way for you to submit this free MARSgram via: http://wa.mars.hfradio.org/marsgram/bob.html Send your message, today! 73 de (Tomas, NW7US (AAR0JA/AAM0EWA) Hood, swl at qth.net via DXLD) ** U S A. As referenced in previous issue: REMARKS BY FCC COMMISSIONER JONATHAN S. ADELSTEIN Before The Media Institute May 20, 2003 ``Big Macs and Big Media: The Decision to Supersize`` This is a great day to speak at The Media Institute. We`re on the eve of the most sweeping and potentially destructive overhaul of the FCC`s media rules in the history of American broadcasting. But I`m not sure we really know what we`re about to unleash. I`m fresh off the trail of media ownership hearings Commissioner Copps and I held across the country --- the so-called Magical Mystery Tour. One of our participants, Ben Bagdikian, former dean of the School of Journalism at UC Berkeley, spoke before a packed audience at San Francisco`s City Hall. In 1983, when the first edition of his book The Media Monopoly was released, he wrote that, ``50 corporations dominated most of every mass medium.`` The number then dropped with each new edition --- to 29 firms in 1987, 23 in 1990, 14 in 1992 down to 10 in 1997. The 2000 edition found that just six conglomerates were supplying most of America`s media. This trend will only accelerate after June 2nd. In fact, we`re likely to witness a tsunami of mergers --- an unprecedented wave of consolidation. When this wave recedes, we`ll find far fewer media companies left standing. Some of you in this room today may be swept away by that wave. But its principal victim may be our democracy. Lou Dobbs` Moneyline last week ran an online poll asking whether ``too few corporations own too many media outlets.`` Now this show`s audience has a high-end demographic. Yet ninety-eight percent said yes --- ninety-eight percent. I wonder who the other two percent were? I would guess that one percent were investment bankers salivating at the prospect of getting a piece of the action. After all, during the first month after the 1996 Act, more than $2 billion in radio transactions took place, and I`ve heard a lot more than that are in the wings today. In fact, Merrill Lynch says the ``Gold Rush`` has already begun. Deutsche Bank predicts that hundreds of TV stations will be sold or swapped. And the other one percent of Moneyline viewers? They probably already work for the big media companies that hope to come out on top. That leaves about 100 percent of the general audience --- the citizens whose interests the Commission is sworn to protect --- opposed to today`s concentration levels, let alone the more powerful media empires to come. That fits with what I witnessed at hearings across the country. Of the hundreds of citizens I heard from, many extremely articulate, not one person stood up to say, ``I want to see even more concentration in our media ownership.`` Not one. And that`s what we see in the comments pouring in to the FCC – virtually none from the public say ``please, let big media companies get bigger – I can`t wait to see what they`ll produce with all those economies of scale.`` The Free Press and the Future of Music recently surveyed about 10,000 citizen comments and found that only 11 people supported relaxing the rules – about 1/10 of one percent. Aside from these 11 people, the only other proponents for further media consolidation appear to be companies in deal-making mode or their advocates. We heard opposition from the NRA to Tom Petty, from Barry Diller to Pearl Jam, from Norman Lear to Ted Turner. Why is this chorus so in tune? Americans instinctively hold a deep hostility to big media. It violates every tenet of a free democratic society to let a handful of powerful companies control our media. FCC proceedings typically generate comment from a handful of affected companies and inside-the-Beltway types. But this one is radically different. Now, we`re getting tens of thousands of comments weekly, which is unprecedented --- and nearly all in one direction. More than 137,000 citizens have weighed in so far. I`ve heard the argument, ``What does public outrage matter? The FCC`s got a job to do, spurred on by Congress and the courts, and we can`t make these decisions by popular vote.`` Let me tell you why I believe it matters. The FCC is charged by law to serve the public interest. And the public has zero interest in seeing media conglomerates grow bigger. The public knows instinctively what the FCC is supposed to do --- protect them from large entities gaining too much control over critical channels of communication. A majority of five unelected bureaucrats shouldn`t substitute their own judgment --- or the judgment of self-interested corporate CEOs --- for the protection of the American people. Americans take this matter --- the media that they watch, listen to and read every day --- very personally. That became clear to me as I listened to hundreds of them express profound insights in passionate one- or two-minute statements. In a nutshell, people think further media consolidation will only accelerate trends they already find alarming. They think it will only increase sensationalism, crassness, violence, homogenization and lack of serious news coverage across the public airwaves. Dismissing the public`s views is a recipe for disaster, and it will have consequences we`re already beginning to see. We have in our hands a lit match, and we`re moving closer to a powder keg of public anger that may be about to explode. Could that explain why the Commission shied away from floating specific proposals for public comment? We can predict the outcome: the public outcry would be deafening. To borrow an image from a recent speech by the Chairman, in this case the penguins aren`t just swimming, they`re screeching loudly. And it`s tough to sneak a smelly dead fish past a bunch of angry penguins. People always notice what happens to their media, even if they don`t always know why. Many will notice the results from relaxing the rules whether or not they complained in advance. So what kind of backlash might result if the FCC pushes this too far? One of my neighbors stopped me this weekend and asked if I had any part in this media debate. He wanted to know if the ``fix is in`` for even greater consolidation. He concluded, ``well, if you can`t do anything to stop it, you`d better regulate the hell out of the few left standing.`` One very possible backlash is that the public may someday soon demand more intrusive content regulation or a return to the prescriptive solutions of the past. Most people agree with my view that content- neutral structural regulation is highly preferable to content regulation. But if the FCC whittles away the last vestiges of structural regulation, pressure for more intrusive regulation may boil over, threatening the First Amendment values The Media Institute holds so dear. We`re already hearing a growing refrain for media reform from people upset by the content of today`s programming --- by the rampant bad taste, sensationalism, sex, violence and lack of positive family programming on TV; by the explicit language and homogenization on the radio dial; by the stories not being covered in the news media, particularly when the media`s corporate self-interests are at stake --- which we have seen in this very proceeding. People all over, not just in Minot, North Dakota, have drawn a direct link between consolidation, with its absentee ownership, and the failure to meet the needs of local communities. So I caution those seeking further consolidation, including many of you in this room: use any increased efficiencies you may gain wisely. For if not, people might very well demand to see in license renewal proceedings or in quarterly reports more specific evidence of how owners are meeting the needs of local communities. They might try to return to a world where license renewals bring an opportunity for others to show how they would serve the public interest better. They might demand ascertainment studies or more rigid standards for broadcast decency. They might also seek to force a more balanced perspective of viewpoints on the airwaves or the labeling of corporate cross-promotions. I`m not saying I support these measures, but the public may call for more oversight if they become frustrated by consolidation. Now, I try to remain the eternal optimist, and hold out hope, even as time fades, that extremist proposals can still be moderated. There are yet some ways of moving the match away from the powder keg. Reasoned compromise can diffuse this issue. Rather than allowing massive consolidation, we should take a conservative approach that gradually permits additional mergers we can evaluate before completely unleashing the industry. But hopes fade with time and with setbacks in the opposite direction. Commissioner Copps and I were refused the traditional courtesy we requested of a few more weeks time to seek common ground – and to study more thoroughly the impact of the proposals before we vote on them. And we were denied the opportunity to air the specific proposals publicly, which would have assisted us in avoiding unintended consequences and sustaining the order in court. Despite these setbacks, the Chairman has challenged us to join in a commitment to finding solutions. So today I would like to offer some thoughts on at least some aspects of the issues raised in the proceeding. At the outset, let me say that I cannot support any part of an order that fails to reaffirm the most basic tenet of our 70 years of American broadcast regulation: that in return for the free and exclusive use of valuable and scarce public spectrum, broadcasters have a special obligation to serve the public interest. Nor could I support an order that finds that broadcasters are just another voice in a crowd of ever-expanding and fungible media channels. And I wouldn`t think that broadcasters would cozy up to this ``just another voice`` characterization either. For if broadcasters are no different from cable channels or web sites in the grand media scheme, what`s the basis for the must carry rules and the ``free`` digital television channels broadcasters were awarded? Despite the oft-repeated exhortation that technology has changed everything, a simple fact remains. No technological advances have made it possible for every person who wants to broadcast in a local community to do so. We therefore must reaffirm that the public interest is served by promoting all three of the basic principles that form the foundation of American broadcasting system: localism, diversity, and competition --- not just competition alone. First, we must consider how to hold broadcasters accountable to the public for the benefits they claim will result from consolidation. Proponents of relaxing the rules tout efficiencies as justifying newspaper-TV combinations, or TV duopolies and triopolies. So let the buyer disclose upfront what he or she commits to do with those efficiencies. What better programming, particularly locally-originated and oriented programming, will the buyer produce? Will they hire additional reporters to investigate local news stories? What better coverage will result of local events and local artists? Will each entity retain separate editorial discretion, and will the overall editorial budget be increased? How will the owner treat complaints of stories not being covered? Will the broadcaster improve its emergency broadcasting capabilities, or invest in better technology to alert the community to dangerous conditions? Before allowing media companies to expand into traditionally-protected areas, the public should know how it will benefit them. The FCC should then require an annual showing from the consolidated broadcaster that it met its commitments. Were efficiencies channeled into meeting the localism and diversity needs of the community, or did they go straight to the bottom line? The Commission has consistently required broadcasters seeking waivers of ownership rules to make specific, tangible representations of the benefits of consolidation. So given all the benefits claimed in this proceeding, this should be an easy showing for merging parties. And it will allow the FCC and the Congress to make more informed decisions on future levels of concentration. Second, diversity concerns stemming from cross-ownership of a broadcast station with other media outlets like newspapers or cable should be addressed based upon a specific showing of the diverse voices available in individual local markets and the power of the proposed combination to undermine diverse viewpoints. The Supreme Court has said that ``promoting the widespread dissemination of information from a multiplicity of sources`` is of the highest order. So safeguarding diversity should not be subject to abstract diversity scenarios that hypothetical markets of certain sizes may engender. Given diversity`s paramount position in our democracy, it shouldn`t be given short shrift by rules that neither reflect the realities of available viewpoints nor the power of particular combinations. Third, with respect to the national cap, while I clearly prefer to keep the cap at the 35% level that Congress established, in my opinion, the only other number that makes legal and policy sense is 40%, the number the market is at today. Before we increase the national cap, however, we must examine whether UHF stations should continue to retain a 50% discount and whether the increased power of the broadcast networks should be offset by safeguards for the retention of independently-produced content. Both of these issues are inextricably linked to an increase in the cap, and should be considered in further detail before any increase in the national cap takes effect. The UHF discount was put in place to reflect technical limits of the UHF signal in reaching the full audience of a VHF station. Today, however, 85% of the population is receiving broadcast television stations through cable or DBS. If restraints on the ability to reach a full audience have eroded due to cable carriage, so too should the UHF discount. If the whole purpose of this exercise is to update our rules in light of technological developments, we cannot ignore some just because we don`t like the outcome of more stringent limits. Likewise, with the change in the network cap from 25% to 35% and the repeal of the Financial Interest and Syndication Rules and the Prime Time Access Rule, we have seen the near extinction of independent production companies and independent creative entrepreneurs. Whereas 10 years ago, 85% of the programs on television were created and produced by entities independent of the networks, today only 15% to 20% are independently produced. Does network ownership restrain competition and diversity of content production? How have the trends over the past decade affected the diversity of viewpoints from different sources and encouraged competition from small businesses? Without the answers to questions like these in this or a further rulemaking proceeding, it`s difficult to move forward with confidence that we know the full impact of our decisions. I`m not saying I know the final answers. At a minimum, though, we should have well thought out and intellectually-coherent answers to these questions before we raise the network ownership cap. From the outset of broadcasting, policymakers have always understood that localism and diversity are inefficient. If efficiencies were all that mattered, Congress would have told the FCC to give out national or regional broadcast licenses. After all, the most efficient possible structure is for one large company, let`s call it Pravda, to gather the news for everyone. American broadcasting has never been about maximizing bottom-line efficiencies over all else. Going back to 1927, the Federal Radio Commission reported to Congress that it would assign station frequencies to serve as many communities as possible. It specifically sought to prevent New York and Chicago stations from dominating the airwaves. Today our inquiry should not veer off this course. Localism continues to be the core organizational principle of the Commission`s dispersal of valuable spectrum rights. Nothing in the 1996 Act jettisoned this core principle. In fact, the 1996 Act`s legislative history strongly reaffirms localism over efficiencies, saying ``Localism is an expensive value. We believe it is a vitally important value, however, [and] should be preserved and enhanced.`` So to avoid backlash from the public and its representatives, it will be up to many of you in the room today to prove that efficiencies gained by any relaxation of broadcast ownership rules are channeled in the direction of serving local communities and local residents. I often hear from industry sources, ``we`re just giving people what they want. After all, that`s our business. And as we get bigger, we just have more resources and ability to deliver a better quality product.`` This is certainly true to some extent. But let me extend a warning about this. You might call it the ``McDonaldization`` of the American media. McDonald`s spends a lot trying to give people what they want. They only put products out after expensive field testing. Every product is analyzed to satisfy the greatest number of people, even if the local community may have its own unique tastes. Don`t get me wrong, I like McDonald`s, and eat there sometimes. But I don`t eat there every day. And even if I did, I know it wouldn`t be very healthy. The same goes for the media. People also need a balanced media diet --- a diverse menu, if you will. But it`s a lot harder to set up a broadcast station than a new restaurant. Any of us with a few resources can open an alternative, say a health food store, right next to a fast food restaurant. But not just anybody can open a TV or radio station. In fact, those are nearly impossible businesses for upstarts to break into, and the barriers to entry may rise even higher after June 2nd. The spectrum can`t support everyone deciding to start their own TV and radio station. Neither cable nor the Internet has changed the huge market power granted by federal license to use scarce broadcast spectrum, particularly when that license comes with the requirement to be carried on cable. If these scarce licenses weren`t valuable, their price wouldn`t continue to skyrocket as they have in recent years. The scarcity of the public`s airwaves is the very reason it`s up to the FCC to ensure a diversity of owners and viewpoints. Fast food chains are welcome to spread as fast as the market will bear. People will always find another place to eat. But they won`t always find a diversity of viewpoints in their media unless we do our jobs. And we won`t be fulfilling our duties if we treat the media like we treat fast food. Unlike typical consumer products, the media produces significant positive and negative externalities. The media is where people receive information and guidance for their democracy and their way of life. A broadcaster is still in some senses a gatekeeper --- deciding which issues are important to a community, whether any particular speaker gains access to the airwaves, and how various sides of an issue are presented. So while mass-produced media may be more efficient, it may have disastrous results for our democracy. Put simply, Big Macs and big media don`t have the same repercussions for our communities. And while a person may decide Supersizing their Big Mac meal sounds good in the short term, they may find it leads to damaging results in the long term. I`m afraid that the FCC isn`t only about to further McDonaldize the media --- it`s about to Supersize it. Once we place our order on June 2nd, we`ll all have to digest what comes our way. And the public may be about to experience a giant ``Maalox moment.`` I, for one, hope that we take it slowly and avoid indigestion. Thank you, and I would be happy to take a few questions or comments (FCC via DXLD) WHAT THE FCC HAS HEARD SO FAR -- Sunday, May 25, 2003; Page B03 Since last fall, when the Federal Communications Commission asked for "public comment" on its proposed new rules for media ownership, the agency has logged more than 320,000 e-mails, letters and postcards... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33600-2003May23.html 500 CHANNELS, BUT NO CLEAR PICTURE OF WHAT WE WANT By Robert J. Thompson, Sunday, May 25, 2003; Page B03 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33609-2003May23.html 73, (-.. . Kraig Krist, KG4LAC, Annandale, VA, DXLD) ** U S A. MOVE OVER, RIGHT WING RADIO - THE LIBERALS ARE COMING by Thom Hartmann Published on Monday, May 19, 2003 by CommonDreams.org NEW YORK - A political explosion happened this weekend in New York, and it may be the big one that gives Karl Rove nightmares. It could mean the end of George W. Bush's seemingly unending ability to tell overt lies to the American people and not get called on them by the American media. At a Saturday talk radio industry event put on by Talkers Magazine, Gabe Hobbs, Clear Channel Radio's vice president of News/Talk/Sports, announced that in the near future this corporate owner of over 1200 radio stations is considering programming some of their talk stations "in markets where there are already one or two stations doing conservative talk" with all-day back-to-back all-liberal talk show hosts. . . http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0519-03.htm (via Bob Chandler, VE3SRE, ODXA via DXLD) ** U S A. DR. DEMENTO Does anyone know if A) the Dr Demento show is still on the air and B) if it`s audible on any stations in the area (Golden Horseshoe/So Ontario/Western NY) (Fred Waterer, ODXA via DXLD) Yes & no There is an up to date list: http://mypage.iu.edu/~jbmorris/FAQ/stations.html (Brian Smith, ibid.) As of May 19, no less ** U S A. Publicradiofan.com has added some more reading services --- with webcasts, who needs SCA/SCS? Viz.: RAISE AUDIO SERVER Welcome to the RAISE audio server. The Regional Audio Information Service of Asheville, North Carolina, sponsors this audio library of current information. Direct all comments to info@raisewnc.org Please select between Real Audio and Windows Media to listen to the program of your choice. Files are available immediately after broadcast. Real Audio archives Windows Media live stream http://www.raisewnc.org/ THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON EAR: free services for blind, visually impaired, and physically disabled people who cannot effectively read print. http://www.washear.org/ TALKING INFORMATION CENTER, Marshfield MA Turning Print Into Sound http://www.ticnetwork.com/ WCRS - WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS RADIO SERVICE, Akron OH Welcome to the website for WCRS. Written Communications Radio Service broadcasts Newspapers, Magazines and Books over a closed circuit radio frequency for the visually impaired. http://www.wcrsradio.org/ (via Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** U S A. From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette... By Adrian McCoy, Post- Gazette Staff Writer. WEDO-AM's (810) daily Italian radio show "Radio Italia" will go global this weekend. Host Sal Patitucci taped a one- hour show that will air on the Italian network RAI on Saturday. The broadcasts are carried by satellite and shortwave. Patitucci will re- broadcast the show at 11 a.m. Sunday on WEDO. "Radio Italia" airs from 5:05 to 6 p.m. weekdays and at 11 a.m. Sundays. The program features music, news and sports reports from Italy. It has been on the air since 1964 and is one of the area's longest-running ethnic radio programs... http://www.post-gazette.com/tv/20030522wedortv7.asp 73 (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) ** U S A. Former military vessel LST-325 taking along ham radio on river cruise: The former tank landing ship LST-325 -- now a museum ship in civilian hands -- will set sail with ham radio aboard on June 3 for a 78-day cruise up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. An all- volunteer crew will handle the vessel, which plans stops at Vicksburg, Mississippi; Memphis, Tennessee; Cape Girardeau and St Louis, Missouri; Evansville and Jeffersonville, Indiana; Paducah, Kentucky; Greenville, Mississippi; and New Orleans, Louisiana--in that order. Amateur Radio operation using WW2LST/mm will be on all HF bands, with Tom Pendarvis, W0MTP, as the chief operator. Operation on AM and CW using a restored TCS-12 will include 80/75 and 40 meters. The ham station will operate from the Jackson Carter Memorial Radio Room, dedicated to the late Jack Carter, KC6WYX, who made history as WW2LST/mm http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2001/01/10/1/ when he and a crew of volunteers sailed the LST-325 from Crete to Alabama in late 2000. QSL to Bob Wilder, AF2HD, 6032 Idlemoore Ct, Theodore, AL 36582-4117 and include a No 10 SASE to accommodate the special QSL card (ARRL May 22 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) ** U S A. NARTE registers ham radio net: In association with ARRL, the National Association of Radio Telecommunications Engineers NARTE http://www.narte.org/ headquartered in Medway, Massachusetts, has registered an HF Amateur Radio Net -- The NARTE Net. The NARTE Net will provide a forum for the common interests of ARRL members and NARTE-certified professionals, NARTE said in announcing the net. The NARTE Net meets Saturdays, 1700 UT, and Sundays, 2100, on 18.140 MHz. "The NARTE Net is launched to further the mutual support of ARRL and NARTE in fostering technical awareness, educating and providing credentials to practitioners in amateur and commercial telecommunications," NARTE said. A worldwide, non-profit, professional organization, NARTE certifies professional engineers and technicians in the fields of telecommunications and unlicensed wireless systems installation. The ARRL and NARTE maintain a memorandum of understanding to support areas of mutual interest (ARRL May 22 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) ** U S A. HAMS WANTED FOR NEW WILDLIFE TRACKING PROJECTS ARRL Amateur Radio Direction Finding Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV, says ham radio assistance is needed for three new wildlife tracking projects. Moell says a biologist at the University of South Florida at Tampa (USF) is studying Florida burrowing owls, thought to range in Florida and the Florida Keys. Some Florida burrowing owl chicks are being radio-tagged, and USF wants volunteers throughout the Southeast to listen for the VHF radio tags in an attempt to determine the owls` routes and final destinations. The second project involves Mexican long-nosed bats. For about a month beginning in mid-June, Bat Conservation International wants volunteers to join a team that will track the bats` movements in and around Big Bend National Park in Texas. Project three involves a study of orphaned great horned owls conducted by the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary and the University of North Texas. After being raised at the sanctuary, up to two dozen of these owls will be released into the wild this summer with radio tags attached. Volunteers are needed to monitor for the radio tags, especially in the Denton and Collin county areas. Moell`s Homing In Web site http://www.homingin.com has details and contact information on all three projects (ARRL Letter May 23 via John Norfolk, DXLD) WTFK??? {Why are hams being called upon? This is a receive-only project, so their transmitters will be superfluous!} ** VENEZEULA. CAUGHT BETWEEN AN AUTHORITARIAN PRESIDENT AND INTOLERANT MEDIA Reporters Without Borders writes: An April 2003 report says press freedom threatened by a "dictator" and "coup-supporters" in Venezuela. http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=7582 (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. De nuevo hechos violentos sacuden a Venezuela. Durante una concentración pacifica que se realizaba en Catia, Caracas, hubo un tiroteo donde resultaron varias personas heridas y una persona fallecida. La Radio ha informado al momento de todos los acontecimientos. En la página web de Sintonia DX ya hay un sonido incluido en la sección de captaciones recientes sobre estos sucesos lamentables. El audio fue tomado de Unión Radio Caracas via Unión Radio 640 PLC. http://www.angelfire.com/music5/sintoniadx Atte: (José Elías, Venezuela, May 24, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** VIETNAM. The following regional stations were heard 1200-1230, May 11: 4798 Son La; 5034.7 // 6165 Dai Tieng Noi Vietnam; 6381 R Lai Chau and 6492.4 Cao Bang. Dai Tieng Noi Vietnam was also heard signing on *2325 in Hmong. 17925, Voice of Vietnam, 0805-0930, May 11, new frequency with Home service heard // 5975, 7210 and 9530. News and reports 0900 in Vietnamese. At 0930 7210 changed to a different program, but the 3 other frequencies continued to be in parallel. At 0930 5925 // 6020 // 9875 carried another program. At 1200-1230 all these brought the same program: 675 MW, 5925, 5975, 6020, 7210, 9530 and 17925 while 9875 was off (17925 is 3rd harmonic of 5975! DSWCI Ed.) At 2300 and onwards the Voice of Vietnam was heard with the same program on 5925, 5975, 6020, 7210 and 9530 (Roland Schulze, Philippines, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE. BROADCASTING SERVICES BANDS GAZETTED --- Herald Reporter GOVERNMENT has gazetted broadcasting services bands following the allocation of the bands to the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. . . http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?id=21332&pubdate=2003-05-24 [and non] MUTARE JOURNALIST REMOVED FROM REMAND STANLEY Karombo, 29, a reporter with SW Radio Africa and a correspondent with the Voice of America (VOA), facing a charge under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), was Tuesday removed from remand by Mutare magistrate, Milton Serima. . . http://allafrica.com/stories/200305230899.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. On May 20 I heard the same station [reported on 9745 as LIBYA q.v. by Tarek Zeidan] on 9747.0 at 1845-1932* in Arabic. QRM RAI 9745. 43443 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, May 21 DSWCI DX Window, May 24 via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ GOOD NEWS ON THE BPL/PLC FRONT FROM EUROPE Kees Murre, PA2CHM, who's the International Amateur Radio Union liaison for VERON, the IARU member-society in the Netherlands reports that electric utility NUON has ceased efforts to test delivery of Internet service via power line communication (PLC) -- what the FCC has dubbed Broadband over Power Line (BPL). "NUON says that it is possible to send an Internet signal through the power line, but at this moment technical limitations stand in the way of large-scale application," Murre said. There's more information on PLC testing in the Netherlands on the ARRL Web site (ARRL May 22 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ ENCUENTRO DE VERANO DE LAS RADIOS LIBRES 28 JUNIO 2003 Saludos, queridos amigos de las emisoras libres de onda corta. Ha llegado el momento de dar a conocer brevemente sobre la próxima reunión que se celebrará en la frontera Holandesa/Belga en base al éxito que ha tenido la misma en los años anteriores, y al igual que en oportunidades previas, tendremos parrillada, bébidas, diversión y risas; y, esperamos que ustedes también puedan asistir. La razón de este anuncio anticipado es para aquellos que deseen asistir al evento, programen sus tiempos de vacaciones o de trabajo, así como para que nosotros sepamos cuántos van a venir a efectos de tener todo preparado. La reunión será el sábado 28 de Junio y comenzará alrededor de las 1500 hora local [TU +2]; se puede quedar el que lo desee durante esa noche en una carpa (traigan su bolsa de dormir) o en el hotel local de la zona. El lugar exacto del encuentro será anunciado unos pocos días antes de la reunión a todos los interesados que deseen asistir al encuentro, razón por la que le solicitamos nos informe oportunamente por e-mail o por carta. Más informaciones sobre el encuentro de verano, pueden obtener si escriben a: summermeeting@h... [truncated], o por carta a Summermeeting, P. O. Box 2702; NL-6049 ZG Herten; Holanda, o a la direccion de Ytterby en Suecia. Nosotros esperamos que asistan muchos oyentes de onda corta, así como operadores de emisoras piratas al igual que en los años pasados. Las personas que viajen desde lejos, pueden quedarse gratuitamente; sólo les pedimos que nos avisen oportunamente. Saludos, Organización Borderhunter del Encuentro de Verano (SW-Pirates, via Enrique A. Wembagher, Argentina, Conexión Digital May 23 via DXLD) IARU REGIONAL MEETING FALLS VICTIM TO SARS The SARS outbreak in Asia has caused the postponement of the 12th International Amateur Radio Union Region 3 conference http://www.jarl.or.jp/iaru-r3/ which had been scheduled to be held in Taipei, Taiwan, in September. The Chinese Taipei Amateur Radio League (CTARL) requested the postponement May 18. A new date and venue will be announced at least four months in advance. "On behalf of all Region 3 member-societies and other people concerned, Region 3 directors and the secretary have very much appreciated the preparations to date and the emergency actions taken by the conference preparatory team of the host society CTARL and President Mr. Bolon Lin, BV5AF," said IARU Region 3 Secretary Keigo Komuro, JA1KAB. The postponement also will mean a change in the IARU Administrative Council meeting planned to be held in Taipei September 6-8 (ARRL May 22 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ EXCLUSIVE AND NOT COPYRIGHTED HF PROPAGATION UPDATE AND FORECAST And now amigos, as always at the end of the program, here is our exclusive and not copyrighted HF propagation update and forecast. Solar flux is hovering around 115 units, and it looks like solar activity will decline during the next several days. A solar coronal hole has caused yet another geomagnetic disturbance that has sent the A index to figures as high as 5 during the past 24 hours. Sporadic E events are likely to happen mostly between 7 am and 11 am local time, and again from about 3 PM to 8 PM local time. Be on the alert for possible double hop sporadic E, as the probability of E skip events increases as we approach the month of June, so chances of two or more sporadic E clouds forming at different geographical locations are most likely at this moment, and that will lead to some interesting double hop DX, typically seen on the 6 meter amateur band (Prof. Arnaldo Coro Antich, CO2KK, RHC DXers Unlimited May 24-25, via Bob Chandler, VE3SRE, ODXA via DXLD) ### |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-090, May 23, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.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 HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3e.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 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 AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1183: RFPI: Sat 0130, 0730/0900, 1330/1500, 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0700/0830, 1300/1430 on 15039 and/or 7445 WWCR: Sat 0600, Sun 0230 on 5070, 0630 on 3210, Wed 0930 on 9475 WJIE: Sat 0930, Sun 1030, 1630 on 7490 and/or 13595 (maybe) WBCQ: Mon 0445 on 7415 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1183.html [k4cc.net host had a DOS attack slowing downloading, OK now?] WORLD OF RADIO ON WINB. Thanks to an invitation from Hans Johnson, WINB in Pennsylvania will start broadcasting WORLD OF RADIO June 7, Saturdays at 1730 UT on 13570. The antenna heading is registered with HFCC as 242 degrees with 50 kW. ** AFGHANISTAN. U.S. GOVERNMENT DONATES TV TRANSMITTER A new $1 million television transmitter in Afghanistan, donated by the U.S. government, will increase the broadcast signal from the capital to five times its present strength, according to the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). The new 500-watt transmitter, currently being installed in Kabul, will broadcast TV Kabul throughout a 100- kilometer radius, reaching areas such as Wardak Province for the first time. While the broadcasting equipment significantly improves the broadcasting capacity of Afghanistan in the post-Taliban era, nationwide coverage remains elusive. Abdul Hameed Mubarez, an official with the Information and Culture Ministry, said the problem would not be easy to fix. "We can't broadcast easily across the nation because it's so mountainous," he told IWPR. "We can do so only with the aid of foreign nations, who can help us install satellite communications." IWPR reported that Afghanistan's current domestic television programming is considered so boring that many viewers are turning to foreign cable and satellite stations that show movies and popular- music shows. There have been some calls for more entertainment programs, a greater female presence on television, and an end to censorship. CC (RFE/RL Media Matters May 23 via DXLD) $1 million for a 500 watt transmitter covering a 100 km radius? These figures don`t add up! (gh, DXLD) ** BELARUS`. 17 May, 2120-2200, 2830 kHz, Belarussian Radio - 1st National Channel. LSB or partly suppressed carrier. SIO 444 (open_dx - Vyacheslav Oleinik, Chisinau, Moldova, Signal via DXLD) ** CHILE. 6010, Radio Cooperativa (via Radio Parinacota, Putre), 0810- 0835, Mayo 20. Español. Programa: "El Diario de Cooperativa". Noticias deportivas: comentario sobre el partido Cobreloa-Boca Jrs, por la Copa Libertadores. Anuncio de la emisora: "La Libertadores... se vive en Cooperativa... en directo desde Calama, Cobreloa vs Boca Juniors, lo mejor del fútbol de ambos paises... por Cooperativa, todos por el fútbol". Reporte del tiempo:"... le dice la temperatura en Cooperativa. . . 6 grados en Santiago". Comerciales locales. Datos de la hora: "26 minutos para las 5, 26 minutos para las 5". Anuncio e ID: "De la noche a la mañana en Cooperativa"; 33543; mejor recepción en modo LSB (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. Dear Listener, Welcome to the latest edition of the WRN Newsletter update. Published weekly, the updates will keep you informed of programme highlights so that you can better plan your listening, no matter how or where in the world you listen to WRN’s English language networks. This week we are very pleased to welcome Radio Guangdong to WRN. Guangdong Today, the weekly 15-minute English programme about the province and its people is being specially produced by Radio Guangdong for broadcast on WRN. The first edition of the programme is broadcast on Saturday May 24 and looks at the province`s anti-SARS efforts and the measures that people in Guangzhou are taking to preventing the spread of disease. In future weeks, the programme will focus on social, economic and cultural developments of the region and will offer a deeper understanding of this important Chinese province by looking beyond the headlines. Radio Guangdong is based in Guangzhou, the capital of the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, which borders Hong Kong and Macao. It is one of China`s leading media groups with eight radio channels, two newspapers, one audiovisual company and one advertising company. Guangdong Today can be heard on WRN each Saturday at 1600 UT / 1200 Eastern [daylight] Time in North America and at 1600 UT/ 1800 Central European [summer] Time in Europe. On Sundays the programme is broadcast at 0800 UT to South America, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region. If you can`t manage to tune in at these times then the programme will also be available in Real Audio, Windows Media and downloadable ftp file formats from the WRN website at: http://www.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=93 If you do tune then why not send Radio Guangdong a message about their programme to: Radio Guangdong, 686 Renminbei Road, Guangzhou 510012, P. R. China Tel: +86-20-36235075 Fax: +86-20-36235075 Email: gdnews@radio-gd.com Web: http://www.radio-gd.com (WRN newsletter May 23 via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. Just received the latest broadcast schedule from China Radio Intl in today`s mail. I see they say they broadcast a relay from BRAZIL in English (and I assume other languages) to the Caribbean (?) area. Does anyone know what frequencies they use? I have a list of freqs given, but no key to which ones are from where. Thanks in advance (Bob Combs, New Mexico, USA, May 22, hard-core-dx via DXLD) The only known Brasília relay of CRI is in Spanish at 0100 and 0300 on 9665. 5990 at 2300 is via Cuba (gh, DXLD) Bob; I recently received CRI Messenger and a printed sked that shows no relay sites as they have in the past. The English service to the Caribbean Sea (as they call it) is from 2300-2400 on 5990 kHz. The printed sked I have does show transmitter sites on a world map and the azimuth they {use}, but you have to guess as to where each transmitter is actually located. This map shows the South American relay more or less located at French Guyana. Can you tell me did they actually mention a Brazilian relay? Perhaps, if you have the same sked as I, it is the French Guyana site (which they do/or have used) that you see. 73 (Mick Delmage, AB, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** CUBA [non]. Re additional R. Martí SW frequencies, 3-087: Temporary expansion, now ended and back to normal schedule, but that never included 9755 (Dan Ferguson, IBB, May 23, SWBC via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [non]. U.S. PROPAGANDA SPUTTERS IN ANTI-CASTRO CRUSADE Special to washingtonpost.com Friday, May 23, 2003; 6:35 AM http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29077-2003May22.html If President Bush intended to send a strong message of solidarity to those struggling for freedom in Cuba, he didn't succeed. His special 40-second broadcast in Spanish to commemorate Cuban Independence Day aired Tuesday on Radio Marti, which just about guarantees few Cubans heard it. Created under the Reagan administration nearly 20 years ago, Radio Marti started operations in 1985 to ``promote the cause of freedom'' on the island by providing an alternative to state-run media. A television twin, TV Marti, began operations in 1990. The two Martis were to be a special arm of the Voice of America, the United States' well-respected tool of public diplomacy. But thanks to the clever maneuvering of Cuban-Americans in Congress, all Marti operations began moving to Miami about six years ago. Ostensibly the move would have improved content as broadcasters could draw from the talents of the large exile community, but once far from VOA's standards of accuracy and objectivity, its message became shrill and propagandistic and its Cuban audience lost interest--at least those who could receive a signal despite Fidel Castro's continued attempts at jamming the transmissions. Meanwhile, critics believe, Marti's managers became more interested in pleasing anti-Castro Cuban exiles. It's not hard to find policy analysts who believe the Martis, with a $23 million annual budget, are a waste of taxpayers' money and should be shut down. The chances of that, however, are slim. In the wake of one of Castro's harshest crackdowns on pro-democracy dissidents, Bush is unlikely to do anything that could be construed as softening the hard line he has pledged toward the regime in Havana. Liberals themselves would be hard pressed to dismantle Marti, since the recent arrests and extraordinary sentences imposed on Cuban dissidents, including 28 independent journalists, are the greatest testament to Castro's fear of the power of information. With funding destined to continue, it's time to reinvigorate Radio and TV Marti as a foreign-policy tool. Bush has said as much in previous Cuba policy speeches promising to modernize the Cuba broadcast operations and take them in a new direction. To do so in a meaningful and purposeful way, at least three things must happen: --The Martis need to direct themselves back to Washington. Left within the sphere of influence of South Florida's powerful Cuban exiles, any serious efforts to restore their credibility would remain questionable. The conservative Heritage Foundation, for instance, last month proposed ending TV Marti's expensive broadcasts. Yet even Heritage advocates, as do other longtime observers, giving the Martis a second chance as long as the stations return to Washington and reshape their programming. --The United States must figure a way around Castro's signal-jamming and get the job done, or give up that which is most affected, TV Marti. Both liberal and conservative analysts believe that unless the jamming can be overcome, funding would be better spent on other outlets such as Radio Marti or VOA-TV. --Quality of programming must improve. Moving to Washington and upgrading the technical nature of the transmissions will do little if content is not addressed directly. If their programming does not serve the needs of those on the island, the Martis may never overcome their reputation for waste and end the mocking cynicism which they face today. Last month's naming of Pedro V. Roig as new director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting that supervises Radio and Television Marti appears to be a good start. Roig has pledged to restructure programming and to fulfill the mission `of bringing objective news and information, along with the broadest spectrum of thought and opinion` to Cubans in Cuba. Judging by Bush's low-key May 20 commemoration, an occasion often used by U.S. presidents to unveil new anti-Castro measures, the White House is carefully evaluating its options on Cuba. Tightening the bolts on an embargo policy that can hardly be tighter may only play into Castro's hands and his penchant to portray himself as the victim. U.S. officials talk instead about the need to better implement tools already at their disposal. But unless Radio and TV Marti's improvements are far-reaching, they will do little to lift the blockade against the free flow of information to and within Cuba -- a blockade where a public `suspicious of government proclamations ... has no means to be heard,` as Cuban poet and journalist Raul Rivero once put it. For his struggle for a free Cuban press, Rivero was sentenced last month to 20 years in prison. © 2003 Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** ECUADOR. Here are the schedule changes planned for implementation on June 1, for HCJB, Pifo: 9525 0100-0500 Spanish DELETE 9745 0000-0600 English DELETE 9745 0100-0500 Spanish ADD 9860 0600-0800 English DELETE 12005 0500-0515 Kikongo DELETE 12005 1100-1430 English DELETE 15185 2000-2200 English DELETE 17660 2230-2300 German DELETE 21455 0000-1530 Various DELETE 21455 0000-0630 Various ADD (dual azimuth to CIRAF 27-28, 55, 58-60) 21455 0800-1530 Various ADD (dual azimuth to CIRAF 27-28, 55, 58-60) (Bob Padula, EDXP ADMIN, May 23 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. Despite their on-air announcements and printed stationery, cards and letters, the Radiodifusora Católica Cultural "Voz del Upano" in 9 cases out of 10 is referred to as "La Voz del Upano". The 5965 outlet from Tena, which per Malm´s clip identifies itself as "Voz del Upano" was first reported by Malm in DXLD 1073 (May 20, 2001). The official Ecuadorian frequency listing says this extension of Misión Salesiana de Oriente is located at Km. 3 vía Tena - Puerto Napo (Napo). (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, May 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. It appears that SWR Germany has changed their format from music to news all the time. For years I have listened to this low power 10 kW station from Stuttgart Germany with an excellent music program. I don't speak the language but made no difference. Sorry to see the change. I was always amazed at such a clear signal with low power (Bob Montgomery, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** INDIA. MAKING AIRWAVES: FM RADIO'S POTENTIAL MALIKA RODRIGUES, TIMES NEWS NETWORK, WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2003 01:40:50 AM It's been around just a year, and you just can't tune out. To get an idea of the potential of FM radio as an advertising medium, one has to take the ironing-board test - that's how a seminal piece of research into radio is known in the industry. What happens is this: a group of housewives in a room are asked to test an iron. While they're ironing, FM radio plays in the background. After the 'test' is over, the women are quizzed on what they'd heard in the meanwhile - and it turns out that they remember not only the music and the commentators, but also an extremely high proportion of the ads. Ask radioman and former BBC anchor Mark Tully, and he swears by radio. "Unlike television, you can go to sleep without bothering to switch it off. And you can also do other things while listening to the radio," he once said. There's little doubt that, as a medium, radio delivers to the advertisers - and it's big bang for the buck. "Radio is underutilised," agrees Divya Gupta, president, The Media Edge, one of India's leading media planning and buying agencies. "We don't use it enough in our media mix, but it's very effective in terms of impact and cost as a multiplier medium," she adds. Whether it's the high-octane advertising, the non-stop promos, the 80-rupee radio sets that every second commuter has, it's obvious that private FM radio is a hit. While audiences definitely seem to have taken to the airwaves, the birthday celebrations seem somewhat bittersweet for the industry. Some marginal players are taking a bow, some of the lesser stations are struggling to stay on air, the regulatory hassles have kept players on their toes. For a few large players, the champagne was on ice for the one-year bash. Of course, it's still a long way to go, but since FM radio as a category is developing, the brand is now playing a more important role. Take Mumbai, for instance - FM radio penetration hit 61 per cent, according to the an independent IMRB survey released in November 2002 (RADAR). Listenership has soared since, with weekly listenership touching almost 60 lakh. Radio Mirchi (from the Times of India Group) clocked 74 per cent of weekly listenership, and Radio City (from Star) comes second with 43 per cent. Interestingly, the same survey points out that listenership is heavily skewed towards the SEC A and the 15-34 age group. Indian players have found that like in most markets abroad, radio is a medium that's extremely popular, and has great impact in terms of ad recall. Research agency Millward Brown discovered that redirecting just 10 per cent of television spends to radio can increase the efficiency of a campaign by 15 per cent. In the UK, radio is the fastest growing advertising medium, though it accounts for just five per cent of total adspend, compared to 10-12 per cent for more developed markets like the US and Australia. AP Parigi,
