DX LISTENING DIGEST 12-37, September 12, 2012 Incorporating REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING edited by Glenn Hauser, http://www.worldofradio.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits For restrixions and searchable 2012 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 WORLD OF RADIO 1634 HEADLINES: *DX and station news about: Austria, Bangladesh, Biafra non, Bolivia, Brazil, Croatia non, Cyprus Turkish, Egypt, Ethiopia, Germany, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ireland non, Jordan, Korea South and non, Kurdistan non, Libya, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Peru, Somaliland, Sudan, Tahiti, Ukraine, UK, USA SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1634, September 13-19, 2012 Thu 0330 WRMI 9955 Thu 2100 WTWW 9479 [confirmed] Fri 0329v WWRB 5050 [confirmed on webcast; 5050 only noise] Sat 0130v WBCQ 5110v-CUSB Area 51 Sat 0630 HLR 7265 Hamburger Lokal Radio Sat 0800 WRMI 9955 Sat 1500 WRMI 9955 Sat 1730 WRMI 9955 Sun 0400 WTWW 5755 Sun 0800 WRMI 9955 Sun 1530 WRMI 9955 Sun 1730 WRMI 9955 Mon 0500 WRMI 9955 Mon 1130 WRMI 9955 Tue 0930 HLR 5980 Hamburger Lokal Radio Thu 0330 WRMI 9955 [or maybe 1635 if ready in time] Latest edition of this schedule version, including AM, FM, satellite and webcasts with hotlinks to station sites and audio, is at: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html or http://schedule.worldofradio.org or http://sked.worldofradio.org For updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://www.wrn.org/listeners/#world-of-radio WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS VIA WRN: http://www.wrn.org/listeners/customize-panel/addToPlaylist/98/09:00:00UTC/English OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org DAY-BY-DAY ARCHIVE OF GLENN HAUSER`S LOG REPORTS: Unedited, uncondensed, unchanged from original version, many of them too complex, minutely researched, multi-frequency, opinionated, inconsequential, off-topic, or lengthy for some log editors to manage; and also ahead of their availability in these weekly issues: http://www.hard-core-dx.com/index.php?topic=Hauser DXLD YAHOOGROUP: Why wait for DXLD? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our yg without delay. When applying, please identify yourself with your real name and location, and say something about why you want to join. Those who do not, unless I recognize them, will be prompted once to do so and no action will be taken otherwise. Here`s where to sign up: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/ ** ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS. Thought this might be of interest to those attempting to QSL AIR regional outlets: All India Radio, Port Blair, 4760 kHz, 1458z, full/data e-QSL "verie/signer" by Engineer C. Mookan in ~9 months by e-mail for English report and recording by mail (with IRCs) and e-mail with recording. This nice e-mail direct from Port Blair augments an earlier but incorrect QSL card. First ever response here directly from a AIR regional station. QSL in original form is attached. The contact details are shown on the image. - Bruce Jensen, California ----- Forwarded Message ----- Sent: Wednesday, September 5, 2012 8:55 PM Subject: QSL CARD KIND ATTN: SHRI BRUCE JENSEN Kindly down load the attachment With regards, (C. MOOKAN) DE, AIR, PORT BLAIR airportblair @ rediffmail.com Telefax: 03192-230682 (via Bruce Jensen, CA, Sept 9, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: ALL INDIA RADIO, PORT BLAIR-744 102 Telefax-03192-230682 E-mail ID- airportblair @ rediffmail.com No. PB-SE/QSL/2012 Dated: 05.09.2012 Dear Mr. Bruce Jensen We are in receipt of your e-mail dated 4.6.2012 in which you have sought for confirmation of reception carried out by you on the SW broadcasts being made by this station of All India Radio, Port Blair. We are happy to inform you that the reception report submitted by you is found to be correct and related to this station. The details of reception given by you as detailed below that have been verified and found correct as per our records. Time of reception : 14:58-15:48 UTC Date of reception : 8.1.2012 Freq. monitored : 4760 KHz All India Radio, Port Blair operates on the following frequencies and normal transmission hours:- 1. MW : 684 KHz 2. SW : 4760 & 7390 KHz 3. FM : 100.9 MHz Normal Transmission Hours:- 1. MW & SW: 0530-0930 hrs. (1030 hrs. on Saturday & Sunday) : 1230-1500 hrs. : 1600-2230 hrs. (2300 hrs. on Saturday & Sunday) Yours faithfully, (from a .docx including Hindi and garble, via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. 15345v, Sept 11 at 2101, ethereal RAE IS is JBA aside much stronger 15349.1 Morocco, q.v. From Sept 30 when Morocco goes off DST, the QRM should last an hour longer (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA [and non]. 15340, Sept 6 at 1238, JBA carrier only from presumed HCJB, unlike SSOB status yesterday. By 1323 signal is much better but RHC has decided to run 15340 today too, atop considerable DU CCI (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA. 6155, Sept 11 at 0546, classical music from Ö1 during its brief 0500-0615 morning-only broadcast which still exists. During the past month I have noted a gradual improvement in reception as to be expected with later and later sunrises over Wien, but it`s still only poor. Same 300 kW Moosbrunn facility carries AWR before 0500 in French, but that`s 220 degrees while ORF is 0/nondirexional per HFCC (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BANGLADESH. Bangladesh Betar QSL Card - MW Dhaka C 10 June 2012 - 1317~1400 UT on 1170 kHz at 20 kW for email report --- Bangladesh Betar QSL Card - 1st day, 1st hour test of new [SW] transmitter of Bangladesh Betar External Services, 6th August 2012 - 7250 kHz at 7 UT for email report - sent on the same day; thnx to Swopan Chakraborty's blog for alert. Most interesting thing is in the envelope - in my address they haven't mentioned the country name anywhere (India), yet it reached safely to me :) You all are very welcome to my recent QSL's on the Facebook (no membership or login required) in the following URL http://tinyurl.com/qth26n88e (Partha Sarathi Goswami, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal, INDIA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15105, Bangladesh Betar, Sep 06 1237-1247, 33433, English, News, ID at 1241 and 1245 (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Excellent Signal from Bangladesh Right Now --- English service on 15105 is easily readable here in Massachusetts. 1232 UT Sept 6 (Arthur Delibert, HCDX via DXLD) 15105, Sept 6 at 1247 very poor signal seems English, and music, from Bangladesh Betar. 1259:30 to tone, and off at 1300:45*. 15105, Sept 8 at 1341, BB very poor but at least audible with S Asian song, Nepali scheduled, tone and off at 1344:40*. 15505, Sept 8 at 1401, fair with flutter, S Asian music, Bangladesh Betar ID in presumed Urdu; some hum. 1419 still in with nice music. 15505, Sept 9 at 1359-1401, nothing audible from Bangladesh Betar, supposedly in Urdu at 1400. Plenty of other signals on the band today, including VOR on 15510 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15505 Proper S=9+20dB signal of new 250 kW tx Made by Thomson, heard here in Germany today, Sept 9. Bangladesh Betar in Hindi at 1515-1545 UT. But very bad audio quality standard of the Bangladesh bcaster national phone lines on standard like Cairo/Pakistan colonial empire era, some 50 years ore more ago. At 1521 UT announced a web mail address, followed by drums and flute music (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 10, dxldyg via DXLD) 15105, Sept 10 at 1244 just as I upwake and intune, ``end of the news; this is the external service of Bangladesh Betar``, and into music. Best reception so far of the 1230 English, often in- or barely- audible; too bad I missed the first half. Seems like there is still some noise underneath the program audio. By 1250 it`s back to talk about some diplomatic event in Washington DC, and other headlines separated by replays of the same brief stinger music; 1253 introduces music only for ``dear listeners``. 1256 another ``dear listeners`` announcement, and during pause before music the noise level grows again. Seems like a mis-adjusted Optimod. However, music which had just started cuts off the air at 1257:22*. 15505, Sept 10 at 1359, music other than BB IS is already playing, then opening Urdu; also seems noisy. 1417 check music playing. 1429 recheck music ends and noise level rises during dead air before closing (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15105, awake in time at 1228 Sept 11, I hope to hear full English broadcast from BB. Open carrier never starts IS and cuts off at 1230*, nothing more, shux. Altho there was a JBA carrier from something at 1233. (AIR DRM noise audible at 1255 on 15045-15055). 15105, at 1331, now there is S Asian singing in presumed Nepali service, fluxuating S9 to S9+8. Conditions have improved greatly in past hour and/or azimuth makes difference, but I suspect it was really off the air during English. 15505, Sept 11 at 1402 check, S Asian songs averaging S9+13, no doubt the BB Urdu service. Note to editors: I know it`s confusing, but please try not to mix up these two frequencies. This is the nominal pattern, 15105 at 1230 and 1315, 15505 after 1400, but even BB can mix them up, and if so will be reported as such, provided I don`t typo, and if I do it will be corrected ASAP (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15105, nothing heard at 1230-1300 during several checks, Sept. 11 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening lakeside, from my car, with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15105, Sept 12 before 1300 and at 1315, no trace of Bangladesh Betar`s English and Nepali broadcasts; nor on possible alternate 15505 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15505, Bangladesh Betar (External Service), 1408 subcontinent songs; gone by 1432 check; schedule 1400 to 1430 in Urdu. 1515 subcontinent music; ID and monologue in Hindi. 4750, Bangladesh Betar (Home Service), 1352-1407, Sept 12. Assume in Bengali; subcontinent songs; 1401 the often heard marching band music; series of IDs; 1405 news; mixing with RRI Makassar which was slightly lower in frequency (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Kabirpur 10 x SW curtain antennas, 1 MW mast 24 00 28.21 N 90 15 12.03 E antenna masts in Chinese design. The new SW 250 kW unit Made in France/Switzerland/Germany of Thomson. The press release from Thomson of 2011 said something of a Alliss like rotating antenna in Kabirpur (same type as in Sines or Abuja-Nigeria). Yes, enough space for the antenna would be around. Since we have to wait yet another Google Photo images (Wolfgang Büschel, Sept 3, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 9 via DXLD) ** BIAFRA [non]. 11870, OPPOSITION. Radio Biafra London, 2012-2015. Male speaker talking to another person in listed Igbo, resumed listening 2033 until 2059 sign off and heard a man in English talking to another man. Fair signal. 9/6/12 (Steve Handler, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Icom IC-7200 Tecsun PL-660 wire antennas, NASWA Flashsheet via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) QSL: Radio Biafra London, via MB Wertachtal, 11870, full detailed E- letter in 1 day for e-report to contact @ radiobiafralondon.com (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain, Sept 11, You can see some images in my DX blog: http://maresmedx.blogspot.com/ HCDX via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 4699.95, R. San Miguel, 1002 live M announcer, rooster crowing SFX and canned W announcer, the live M returned with more talk over rustic campo music, and several TCs given, mention of campesina, Bolivia, nacional, and possible ID but noise crashes at that exact time made it uncertain. Fading by 1014. Very noisy on the tropical bands this morning. 7 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 6154.95, R. Fides, OC as early as 0927. Broadcast start at 0945:27 with instrumental music and full canned ID announcement by M including AM, FM, and SW frequencies, then into soft music with more canned announcements by M but couldn't copy because music level was way over top of voice. Music bridge to presumed program intro and then usual live W announcer in Aymara starting with TC. Andean flute music at 0952, then W again at 0954 with accurate TC and song announcement, and long talk by W. Canned announcements seemed at much lower level than W voice level. This is tough here especially with the Asian on after 1000. Noted the last few days and glad to get the ID. 5 Sept. 6154 [sic], R. Fides, 0957:15 ID by usual live W. 7 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Olá amigos. Neste momento (0130 UT) estou ouvindo sinal espúrio da Rádio Gazeta de SP em 5475 kHz. Interessante que na frequência correta 5955 não ouço nada. Seria equipamento descalibrado ou com defeito? 73's (Alexandre, Sao Carlos-SP, Degen 1103, Antena telescopica, Sept 11, radioescutas yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) Alexandre, Também escutei no domingo à noite tal espúrio, e não tinha recepção aqui em Pompéu, de nenhuma das frequências da Gazeta "am_49_ 31_19 mts" (durval, Pompeu MG, receptor Motoglobe, ant Telescópica, Sept 12, radioescutas yg via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Caros, Alguém sabe se a Nacional da Amazônia aumentou a potência? Desde ontem, ela chega "explodindo" aqui em Manaus, nas duas frequências. Além disso, os locutores dizem a todo momento "Rádio Nacional de Brasília, a emissora mais potente da América Latina". seguem logs: 07/09 2228, 11780, R. Nacional da Amazônia, mx jazz instrumental, sinal muito forte como local, 55555; 07/09 2222, 6180, R. Nacional da Amazônia, mx jazz instrumental, sinal muito forte como local, 55555; 08/09 2314, 6180, R. Nacional da Amazônia, música "Chora peito", de Christian e Ralf, sinal muito forte como R. Nacional da Amazônia, música jazz instrumental, sinal muito forte como local, 55555; (Arthur Antonio Raimundo, Manaus AM Brasil, 03º05'41"S, 60º01'57"W, FI96XV, radioescutas yg via DXLD) Aqui no Rio Grande do Sul, percebe-se uma melhora na faixa de 49 metros 6180 kHz com bom sinal à noite. De dia sinal fundo de poço no Degen De 1103 com antena RGP 34; em outros receptores mais simples e normais, NADA ainda. Não creio que estejam ainda irradiando 250 kW, muito menos para o azimute na direção sul (Edison Bocorny Jr., Novo Hamburgo - RS, ibid.) Olá Arthur, Notei isso também em 11780, a Rádio Nacional nunca chegou tão bem como agora. A noite ela sumia totalmente aqui prá mim, e nesse momento 21:56 (Brasília) [0056 UT Sept 9] estou ouvindo seu programa de músicas "caipiras" sinal 33333. Em 49 metros nem se fala, sinal 55555 o dia todo. Abraço, (Cássio Santos, 8 sept, ibid.) ** BRAZIL. Ouvindo agora desde às 2134 UT em 7844 khz aproximadamente, Uma emissão não indentificada, mas que está dando gosto de ouvir. Com o antigo Sinal de inicio da emissão da DW, Rádio Vaticana e agora RDP com os mais belos fados, da "Terrinha", momentos que não voltarão no rádio em ondas curtas. Que saudades!! SINPO 34333 fréquência em 7844 kHz, receptor portátil, antena telescópica em my city Pompéu MG (Durval503, Sept 6, radioescutas yg WORLD OF RADIO 1634, via DXLD) Se não estou enganado é a Rádio Livre Diário da Manhã, 7845 que está de volta. Transmissões direto de Brasília-DF (Cássio Santos, ibid.) ** BRAZIL. 9660, Voz Missionaria, Camboriú, 0550-0608, 09-09, male, religious comments, Portuguese. 33433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Lugo, Sony ICF SE 7600 G, Cable antenna, 8 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Meant 9665? Usual spot (gh, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. QSL: BRASIL, Rádio 9 de Julho, 9820, E-letter in 15 days for e-report to radio@radio9dejulho.com.br v/s José Renato Ferreira, Director. Repost sent by post too with a $ (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain, Sept 11, You can see some images in my DX blog: http://maresmedx.blogspot.com/ HCDX via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 11915, Rádio Gaúcha – Porto Alegre, 0139-0216, Sep 9. Several male announcers in Portuguese with futebol coverage. Nice ID and frequency announcement at 0159 after the match. Time pips and ad string at 0200 followed by a post game report. Fair (Rich D'Angelo, Wyomissing PA 19610, Ten-Tec RX-340, Drake R-8B, Eton E1, Eton E5, Alpha Delta DX Sloper, RF Systems Mini-Windom, Datong FL3, JPS ANC-4, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 15191.5 [not 15149.5 as mistyped originally], Sept 5 at 0511 as I am bandscanning across 19m, expecting maybe R. Africa, instead immediately hear ``duas e onze``, i.e. Brazilian Portuguese timecheck which can only come from R. Inconfidência, Belo Horizonte. Then checked frequency and it`s right here, maybe 15191.49 but probably within margin of error (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, Sept 6, per my E1 was indeed on 15191.49 from 0211 to 0221 tune out with excited sports announcer; 0220 a goal was scored; game ended after 0300; checking at 0323 was still heard with pop song in English. The best reception heard in a while. Best in LSB; QRN (Ron Howard, California, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15191.5-, Sept 10 at 0455, unmistakable Nat King Cole singing in Spanish, Bésame Mucho? Just heard the last bit of it so not sure which song. Always with a heavy English accent, and wikipedia confirms my suspicion that ``Cole learned songs in languages other than English by rote.`` It seems he recorded three albums in Spanish, and also some singles in Portuguese; wonder if R. Inconfidência plays any of the latter? Soon followed 0456 by hyper live Brazilian with no back- announce to the music. Still making het of about 3.5 kHz with NHK 15195 direct, about to close (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CAMBODIA [non]. 9960, Khmer Post R. via Palau, Sep 07 *1200-1219, 33433 Khmer, 1200 sign on with opening music, ID, Opening announce, Talk (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Re: [Radio In Montreal] Breaking News: CKGM TSN 990 testing on 690 kHz: 3 months! They sure wrap things up quickly here in Ontario. I'm looking forward to the sign-on of 940 (which comes in here, and 600, which just might depending on power and array. Any idea when that will happen? (Neal Ford, Aug 31, Radio In Montreal yg via DXLD) At last report, 940 is set to start up late this fall, possibly early next year. They need CRTC approval for a transmitter site change. The 600 station is being heard at a CRTC hearing Sept. 10 in Montreal. A decision on that should come in the weeks/months that follow. Since 600 and 940 will be sister stations sharing much of the same resources, I imagine their start times won't be too far apart, possibly even simultaneous (Steve Faguy [fagstein blogger], Aug 31, radioinmontreal yg via DXLD) ** CANADA. ULR DX. One New Station for the ULR Log!! Hi Guys: Well, I guess I have officially started the new DX season as I turned on the T615 last night and logged a new Station!!! Nothing too exciting, but it is a frequency change for a previously logged station, so it's a new one!! I guess this station signed on 690 on Sept/04th just before I returned from my 2 week Trans-Atlantic Cruise?? I think I read that they are still simulcasting on 990 as well, but I was unable to hear them on 990 due to bleedover from my local CFPL on 980!!! 690, CKGM, Montreal, QUEBEC, Sept/10/12, 0313 EDT [0713 UT] English, VG, ESPN IDs and promos at 0313 EDT. Sports talk. Canadian and Montreal ads. "Canadian Wills Master Estate Kit". "Menagerie Luigi" in Lasalle. "Honda Centreville" with a 514 Phone Number. ID as "TSN 690, Montreal's Sports Radio". More ESPN promos and sports talk. (Previously Logged on 990 Khz). NEW STN, ULR # 1009 Heard, 50 KW RADIO USED: SONY SRF-T615 Ultralight Barefoot; 73 ROB VA3SW (Robert S. Ross, London, Ontario CANADA, NRC-AM via DXLD) Not to criticize here since the club lets us all decide our own parameters for counting things like this, but for me this is just CBF/CINF with a new call sign so it isn't a new station and the fact that it was silent for a while is irrelevant since it is the same transmitter and same 50 kW ND station in the same city. 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, IL/WI, ibid.) The difference here is that the new 690 antenna is at a totally different location than the previous stations that were on 690. This antenna is located at the same place as CKGM 990 kHz in the town of Mercier, Quebec, southwest of Montreal (Sheldon Harvey, Radio H.F. - Canada`s specialist in radio communications, http://www.radiohf.ca Editor & Publisher, Radio HF Internet Newsletter http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hfnewsletter Enjoy birds and birdwatching? http://www.birdprotectionquebec.org ibid.) Ah, OK, but for me, I still don't count it as new. Here's a couple of examples of my parameters. 1) 1310 from MN was off the air for about a decade and came back on as a new station about 60 miles away surving a different community and with different patterns. This is a new station for me since it moved a relatively long way. 2) 1590 from Denmark WI moved to a nearby community and higher power and I think a new TX location, but because it didn't move very far and still serves the same area I don't count it as a new station. To each his own, as the club allows. 73 (KAZ TO Sheldon, ibid.) [More about this under USA: 1590] For the record: each of the Montreal 690s has been at a different transmitter site. CBF was on a tall (and thus very efficient, skywave-friendly) tower east of Montreal at Brossard, Quebec, and it was non-directional. CINF was a directional 50 kW operation from the much shorter towers (two in use out of four at the site) at Kahnawahke, just south of Montreal, at the former CFCF/CIQC 600 site. CKGM on 690 is a slightly different DA pattern from two of the towers at the CKGM 990 site in Mercier, further south. The signals from each site have been distinctly different here in Rochester, 300 or so miles down the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario. CBF from Brossard was an easy daytime catch and screamed in here at night. CINF from Kahnawahke was a little weaker at night and almost nonexistent by day. CKGM from Mercier doesn't make it in here at all by day (a rising noise floor may be partly to blame for that), and seems weaker still at night. I've made it very clear over the years that I'm no fan of counting callsign changes as "new stations," but I have no qualms about counting each of these 690 incarnations as a new station. (And having said that: the other "new" AMs coming soon to Montreal are more questionable when it comes to counting them as new logs. The new English-language 600 will use the former CFCF/CIQC 600 facilities at Kahnawahke, the new French-language 940 will use the former CINW facilities at Kahnawahke, and the new "Radio Fierte" 990 that will replace CKGM on that frequency next year will use the same transmitter facility at Mercier. If 850 is ever revived, it will have to be from a new site, since the old CKVL site no longer exists.) (Scott Fybush, ibid.) Scott, just to be clear, the CINF-940 site at Kahnawahke was not the same as CBM's? (Niel Wolfish, Toronto, ibid.) That is correct. From 1978 until they closed down (in 2000, if memory serves?), CBM and CBF shared a two-tower array in Brossard, east of Montreal. CBF used only the taller of the two towers for its non- directional signal; CBM used both towers for a mildly directional signal. CINF 690 and CINW 940 signed on (in 2001?) from Kahnawahke, reusing the four-tower site that had been CFCF/CIQC 600. Both 690 and 940 were directional from Kahnawahke, 940 more so than 690. The Kahnawahke towers are shorter than the CBF/CBM Brossard towers, and thus less efficient. (50 kW into the array produces less RF out than it did at Brossard, in other words.) When 940 returns to the air as a new French-language news-talk station sometime later this year or early 2013, it will use the same facilities at Kahnawahke that CINW used. There will also be a new English-language 600 signal there that will be substantially similar to the old CFCF/CIQC, though with some new equipment in the signal path. (CIQC "became" CINW-940 through CRTC sleight-of-hand, just as CKVL 850 "became" CINF-690.) Hope that helps; as always, it's not my goal here to be "DX police," just to provide access to information for anyone who's interested in it. s (Scott Fybush, ibid.) Hello Folks: Well, it looks like my logging for 690 CKGM really woke everyone up!! Maybe that's a good thing as the new DX season is upon us. When I reported it, I guess I was assuming it was really gonna be a NEW STATION. For the Record: I do NOT count CALL SIGN CHANGES as new stations either, but I DO count FREQUENCY CHANGES. I think this alone qualifies it as a NEW Station, especially when the transmitter site has changed. This is a frequency change, and the transmitter is in a new location (confirmed by Sheldon Harvey, who lives near the site I believe). I personally think that's enough to make it a NEW Station!! Just changing frequency alone CHANGES all of the receiving parameters, especially for those with locals or semi-Locals on the new frequency or close by that frequency. I don't think the "community it serves" really has any bearing on anything. There are many examples of stations serving a certain community --- when we and they all know that really isn't the case; they just needed to say that in order to obtain a license!!!! So, my thoughts on this one are: if it's a frequency change with a transmitter location change, then it's New. I don't think it has to move at least 25 miles to qualify as a new station IF the FREQUENCY has changed. Like I said earlier, I DON'T count CALL LETTER CHANGES, and I DON'T COUNT transmitter changes that just move across the street, etc. But I don't think this one falls into those categories???? So unless I get more evidence that this is just a "re-incarnation" of CINF with NEW CALLS, I will count it as NEW. If anyone else has more Info on this, please spread the wisdom so we can all do this right. I'm flexible, If it's NOT NEW, I'll scrap the logging as such. Regards ROB VA3SW (Robert S. Ross, London, Ontario CANADA, ibid.) Well --- Depending on how you want to look at it, it's either a frequency change OR a site change, but in this case it's not both. If you want to think of it as "CKGM is moving from 990 to 690," it's a frequency change but not a site change, since it's all taking place at the same transmitter site in Mercier. If you want to think of it as "The Montreal 690 is being reactivated as CKGM after going dark as CINF in 2010," then it's a site change but not a frequency change, since CINF 690 was at Kahnawahke and CKGM 690 is at Mercier. Either way, I think there's enough new here to count a new logging. The real question, again, becomes: how do you count the new Radio Fierté that will sign on in early 2013 from Mercier on 990? It will have new calls and will be considered by the CRTC to be a "new station," but it will be operating from the exact same transmitter, phasor and towers that are now carrying CKGM on 990. For me, I won't count it as a new station. The same issue will apply when 600 (ex-CFCF/CIQC) and 940 (ex-CINW) are reactivated sometime soon from Kahnawahke, just as it did when 740 (ex-CBL) was reactivated from CHWO. Same tower, same transmitter, same frequency, but a new CRTC license. I didn't count CHWO-740 as a separate new station from CBL-740. Your mileage may vary. s (Scott Fybush, NY, ibid.) And speaking of mileage, what is the distance between the Mercier and Kahnawahke sites? Unless it's fairly significant, I would still view it as a call change (Russ Edmunds, 15 mi NNW of Philadelphia, ibid.) Let`s say that WABC and WCBS switch frequencies for some reason and also switch transmitter sites. Would you consider these to be two new stations? I certainly wouldn't inflate my totals by doing so. 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, IL, ibid.) Here again, distance plays a part. I forget exactly where WCBS's transmitter is nowadays, but I don't think that such a move would be far enough for me to think very hard about it. FWIW for those who count transmitter site rather than COL, this would also be a state switch for each as well. Same market, switched frequencies and sites. I'd probably look at this as a call change as well (Russ Edmunds, 15 mi NNW of Philadelphia, ibid.) I have a solution: DX for the fun of it and don`t even try to ``count stations`` (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) I have been reading the discussions on who counts what as new or not. This seems to come up at least once a year. OK, here is my two cents worth: I It's J Just A A H Hobby Count them as you see fit. Everyone does it his or her own way that that is fine by me. It is about having fun and enjoying yourself. And yes I count call letter changes and city of license changes; that is my thing and I have no intention of hoisting [sic] it on others or judging them. Have fun and go listen to the radio. You might hear something "new". 73 Best of DX. REMEMBER ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN HEAR FOREVER (Shawn Axelrod, VE4DX1SMA, VEPC4SWL, Winnipeg MB, NRC-AM via DXLD) Exactly Shawn, and that was what I was doing. I turned the radio on for the first time this season, heard a station, reported it and believed it was new. As you can see the DX Police sprung into Action!!! I don't count call changes, but you do; who really cares, eh???? Not me, not you, but apparently some do??? The best thing to come from all of this is that I woke everyone up and they are now ready for the new DX season!! Regards.......ROB VA3SW (Robert S. Ross, London, Ontario CANADA, ibid.) 770's in Lodi NJ, 880's on High Island, off City Island in the Bronx. It's about 16 miles between the two. If WABC were to begin operating on 770 from High Island, or WCBS on 880 from Lodi, I would consider those new loggings. The Kahnawahke (CINF-690) and Mercier (CKGM-690) sites are closer - 11 km between the two. "IJAH," as Shawn says; but at least for me, my enjoyment of DXing as a hobby is significantly enhanced by knowing about what's happening "under the hood," and one of the things I've learned from spending time with broadcast engineers is that MW transmission, just like MW reception, is something of a dark art. A signal on 690 from a directional array of a certain height in one place is going to perform very differently from a signal on 690 coming from towers of a different height (and with a different DA pattern) even if that other 690 signal is just a few miles away. In the early years of our hobby, it wasn't easy to get access to any of that information beyond power output and directional status, and so it's understandable that some of the customs of the hobby developed accordingly. As late in the game as the early 1990s, I still had no access to tower-site coordinates, and had to map out my early site visits based in part on anecdotal information from other radio fans. Electrical height of a tower? Exact DA parameters? Antenna efficiency? None of that was even remotely available without in-person access to the FCC files in Washington. For all the disadvantages we have as 21st-century DXers (rising noise floor, crowded dial, NSP operation), one of the nice things these days is that DXers who want details on a station's transmission setup can easily obtain it (and of course I'm always happy to be one of those resources!) For *me* - and like Shawn, I have no desire to foist my preferences on anyone else - knowing more about the transmission end of the signal path significantly enhances my DX experience. While I'd have a hard time quantifying it in a hard-and-fast rule, I think I have a pretty good read on which changes at the transmission end will affect me enough at the receiving end to be considered a "new reception." As always, YMMV. s (Scott Fybush, NY, ibid.) On one level, I agree with Shawn and Rob. My pet version of it was "IOAH" - It's ONLY a Hobby". And given the distance information, FWIW, I wouldn't count either as anything. I'd simply note as a new call, and move on, as I don't count call changes. I don't count moves of less than 25 miles, and even then it has to serve a different metro or locality. I used to count both of those, but about 15 years ago, I saw the logic in how others were doing it and decided to make a change. We all have differences in how we log - well, maybe not all, since I don't think there are THAT many ways to do it. But I find it interesting to know how others count so that I have some idea of what their totals mean (Russ Edmunds, 15 mi NNW of Philadelphia, ibid.) I can't agree more. That's what got me out of the hobby years ago and later into not really logging or reporting. When I first got into the hobby, some of the guys I knew took it to an almost insane level with rules such as; you couldn't log a station unless you were within 10 miles of your QTH. If you were 11 miles, it didn't count. You couldn't log it unless you had 5-minutes of copy. You couldn't log it unless you heard call sign. And it was not fun to be challenged on catching a station that someone else didn't have. It ruined the hobby to have to live up to someone else's set of rules, which were probably invented to produce the most results for that individual. That's why when I hear stuff I'll quietly tick it off in my logbook without comment since I can [not] live up to other DX'ers expectations and rules. When you apply the same parameters; antenna height, phase/ratio, pattern, power, azimuth, no two antenna systems will act the same way. It is a "dark art". You calculate for the theoretical and then adjust for the best case, giving in to things you can't control, and keying in on things you can. And when you get into skywave protection designs it gets more dark (Fred Vobbe, Lima OH, ibid.) Fred, I understand exactly what you're saying. I have VERY lax rules for considering a stations logged; and I don't even need to hear an ID. As long as I know what frequency I'm on, know what music I`m hearing, and hear some kind of identifier --- slogan, phone number of an advertiser. I do some research and come to a conclusion on what I've heard. I consider any change in transmitting parameters, that would in my mind, change reception, to be a new logging. I once logged KNBR 680 San Francisco, CA from Northern Mississippi, right in the main lob of the 680 there. Under the rules about 90 percent of DXers have, I wouldn't have been able to log it, but I had JUST enough evidence to count it under "Paul's Rules" (Paul Walker, ibid.) A classic example of having DX not count occurred for me when I lived in Temperance MI in the early 80s. I was listening to CKWW-580, as there was something behind them, but I couldn't null it. When CKWW did their day to night pattern change, something happened, and they were off about 5-seconds rather than the usual quick off/on. Right as they went off I heard clearly, "right here on WLES" at the end of music. Must have been a promo. To me, that counted as hearing that station. But I was told that it didn't count as there was no COL mentioned. Here's another odd situation in the "how would you log this"? While driving up US65 from Nashville in the early 70s I was shocked to hear 1520 from Toledo at 10 PM at night. They were obviously on their daytime site from Jackman Rd, instead of the nighttime site in Perrysburg that pointed to the north. To me, this counted as some sort of DX, so I noted it, and was promptly chastized because I lived in Toledo at the time, and although I was driving near Franklin KY, you can't count locals. I think the kids today would say WTF. But it's in my log along with notes about it (Fred Vobbe, OH, ibid.) My rules are my rules, and I don't DX to compete with anyone or meet anyone`s standards. I do it for fun. I rarely request QSL cards/verifications. I have posted some of my loggings on the list and gotten very little response, who knows why. I like the hobby and will do it my way, when I have the time, energy and attention to give to it (Paul Walker, ibid.) Agreed, Paul. Sometimes you may get enough evidence from the available air time, to clearly identify what you are hearing. A call change, well, our books would be filled in no time whenever someone changed call letters. A frequency change, that is a new logging. A transmitter change, well, that can be either way. Sometimes, as stated earlier, a transmitter change can be a boon or a bust. That is a judgement call for each DXer. I work rules similar to Paul, and there are times that secondary methods of identification may be all you get. Looking Forward to LBI [DXpedition] and G[rave]Yard this season (Jim Chenard) Jim, A lot of my loggings, I`d never be able to count if I had such strict rules (Paul Walker, ibid.) At some point, maybe Doug Smith and I can work up a list of stations with transmitters in different states from their COL. There are surprisingly few. 93.1 Yuma is completely in AZ (though if you ever log any Yuma TV stations, those transmitters are in CA), and 92.3 Las Vegas is in NV. (There are no Las Vegas stations transmitting from CA, and the only ones with AZ transmitter sites are also licensed in AZ.) In the meantime, you can always just ask... ;) (Scott Fybush, ibid.) To each his or her own, I say. I`ve been DXing since 1966,and I do it for fun and enjoyment. Never kept records beyond daytime bandscans from different locations. Never wrote for a QSL, outside of the early days, unless it was an exceptional catch, like France-Inter 162 kHz in Hawaii or KGO-TV NTSC channel 7 also in Hawaii during the massive tropo duct of July 1993. To me it`s not a competition. I still get a thrill when I hear a new or distant station. Or better yet, when it defies normal propagation limits. What drives me up the wall are those that love to yell ``cheating``/ OK, prove it. If you feel yourself or someone else heard a station because they were operating outside of normal parameters, how do I know this wasn`t the case of every single station you have heard? Maybe everyone was cheating. Maybe that`s why you were able to receive them. OK, you heard BBC Radio 4 198 kHz long wave on the east coast. Not bad for 500 kW. But, if you claim others ``cheat``, how do I know they weren`t running 1,500 kW when you heard them? As a broadcaster, I would ask the DXers who cried cheating: Please provide the XMTR antenna base current and tower reactance and the time of your reception. Simple math can determine the operating power. You may be right, but prove it. For every logging. Be consistent. 570 in Santa Clara, Cuba is by treaties supposed to run 10 kW DA with a deep null towards the US. If you are going to call ``cheating``, do so with each logging of the former CMHI. How about all the Cubans on 710? There`s a mother lode of ``cheating`` stations. Can you log them all? I have caught weak reception of Europe One long wave from Germany (183) this month. Their DA is all out of whack as a tower fell down. They have more signal in my direction than normal. So are they ```cheating``? Look, I admire everyone for sticking with our hobby. When I began, every town had a rock station on MW with different jocks and a different playlist. It was much more entertaining to DX back then. Today`s dial, full of sports talk and repeated blowhard talk shows is painful to listen to night after night. It`s more a propagation study these days then it is pleasurable listening. Don`t get me wrong, there are DXers like Mark Connelly, Patrick Martin, Glenn Hauser, and many others who I greatly admire for their innovation and dedication to the hobby. They are not ones to walk away because someone has only heard 38 states. They encourage the hobby, and don`t report their operating power assumptions as fact. Their reports are generally fun and useful to read. I am very lucky to be in a QTH where every night brings a new station to my ears. Still, I`m just listening for fun. I did hear the BBC relay in Oman (1413) two hours after local sunrise this morning. Perhaps they were ``cheating``. Regards, (Brock Whaley, Kandahar, Afghanistan, ibid.) There was even more to this thread, but – (gh) ** CANADA. 6110, Sept 7 at 0500, open carrier; 0500:44 cut on the modulation as NHK English is almost concluding its opening minute. Sackville operations continue to be slipshod, but we should treasure every moment while it last (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. QSL: Gander Radio, 10051, E-QSL in 1 day for e-report to service@navcanada.ca v/s John Michael Fleming, Operations Specialist, NAV CANADA (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain, Sept 11, You can see some images in my DX blog: http://maresmedx.blogspot.com/ HCDX via DXLD) ** CANADA. Proud FM faces signal trouble Published on Friday September 07, 2012 Raveena Aulakh Staff reporter 5 Comments Proud FM is sending out shaky signals. Toronto’s commercial gay and lesbian radio station, Proud FM is struggling to survive not because it doesn’t have enough listeners (it does), but because its signal can’t reach those listeners. “It’s frustrating,” said Bob Willette, the program director. That station claims to be the world’s first commercial gay and lesbian radio station. Its offices are in Etobicoke, with one studio in the Gay Village, but its low-power transmitter is at Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave. Willette says it was a really good spot five years ago, when the station began operating, but as condos and other tall towers have shot up around the area, the signal has deteriorated. People complain about not being able to hear the station in their downtown homes or cars. He said engineers have said on the record that condominium buildings are impeding signal transmission. The trouble with the signal has brought financial difficulties. “It’s hard to sell a radio station people can’t hear,” said Willette, adding that the station has reached its tipping point. Recently, four part-time on-air hosts — Acey Rowe, Paul Bellini, Crystal Lite and Danielle Loncar — were given pink slips. It had nothing to do with job performance, “just a matter of economics,” said Willette, adding that the four like the station so much they all want to volunteer. In 2010, Proud FM let go of four popular on-air hosts. Willette said six full-time employees remain. The station has applied to take over CKLN at 88.1 FM, which was owned by Ryerson University. But there is stiff competition — more than two dozen other bidders. Proud FM applied in May and a decision from the CRTC is expected sometime this fall, said Willette. “(I) hope 88.1 is a successful bid. but if not we will reapply for another location,” he said. “A lot depends on that application.” In the meantime, he pointed out, Proud FM can always be clearly heard on the Internet (From the Toronto Star via J Rich, VA3QSL, Sept 12, ODXA yg via DXLD) WTFK?!?! Geez, they write a whole story and never even mention the frequency where it can(not) be heard. W9WI.com finds it on 103.9. What`s wrong with that? It`s operating with only 50 watts horizontal and 50 vertical; but authorized for 250 watts each and a higher tower from a slightly different site on same frequency. Article did not mention that either. Which is really in effect? Or does the (1) mean both are in operation, one boosting the other? --- Toronto, ON CIRR-FM 0.050/0.050 131.50/131.50 43-42-20.00N 79-23- 43.00W CA-OP LGBT chr Toronto, ON CIRR-FM(1) 0.250/0.250 156.00/156.00 43-40-14.00N 79-23- 14.00W CA-AU LGBT (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHAD. 6164.96, Radio N'Djimena [sic]. Signal suddenly on at 0451:55 with Hi-life African music. M announcer briefly at 0458 with mention of N'Djimena, Africa. Finally in the clear at 0458 with Japan going off. Talk by M at 0501. Really great music. 0508 M announcer in French returned including couple quick "R. Diffusion Tchadienne" IDs. 9 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) That may explain why I was not hearing Chad around 0430 expected sign- on. Japan = via Lithuania 6165 in Russian at 0430 (gh, DXLD) ** CHINA. Crash and Bang report: 15800 232 15900 243 16100 3+54 16920 2+43 17100 2+53 17170 2+53+ all from 2335-2345 31/Aug (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2 & vicinity, MARE Tipsheet 7 Sept via DXLD) Sept 6 FIREDRAKE scan from 0334 to 0358: 11970, poor-fair 12320, poor-fair 14920, fair-poor (the only one gone by 0357) 14400, fair 14980, fair 15900, fair-poor 16250, poor 16920, fair + (the strongest FD) 16980, fair 17370, poor-fair (Ron Howard, CA, dxldyg via DX LI STENING DIGEST) Hi all, Continuous Chinese music on 21845, no announcements heard over the past fifteen minutes (1115-1130) and no id at BOH, sounds like Firedrake. Could it be, and if so what is it jamming? No potential targets listed by Aoki or EiBi. Good reception. Heard on Drake and Hallicrafters. Regards, (Bill Bingham, RSA, Sept 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Confirmed, strong signal on 21845 kHz here in Romania. Sounds like Firedrake (Tudor Vedeanu, 1140 UT, ibid.) Same signal, same strength on 21460 kHz (Tudor, 1151 UT, ibid.) Thanks for confirming, Tudor. Yes, here in Jo'burg also hearing it on 21460. Regards (Bill Bingham, RSA, 1156 UT Sept 6, ibid.) Hope someone can keep track of what is happening with Firedrake on this frequency. In Jo'burg we have just (1220) had a massive power cut due to a lovely storm, so both radios are down for a while. Regards, (Bill Bingham, Our power restored at 1306, but Firedrake on 21845 had gone off air in the interim. As of 1315 it is still on 21460, as reported by Tudor. Intermittent massive interference on both frequencies, probably local and mains-borne because each time it happens my laptop crashes. Regards, (Bill Bingham, ibid.) Firedrake 21460 also now off-air, went off at 1342 (Bill Bingham, ibid.) re 21460 {powerhouse heard last week here in Germany too !} and 21845 kHz, and reported these also LAST WEEK in German newsgroups, during US IBB/RFA/Uighur/Tibetan etc. outlets p a u s e time. My guess this is a test of some antenna/feeder unit hardware on 13 mband E D G E S, during China mainland engineering WORKING HOURS. Either some existing jamming gear repaired and tested on the band edges, or some new additional jamming site installation is underway in China and on test series this week. Always prefer to consider that China has only 13mb installations for jamming in use. CRI Radio Peking/also Beijing never used regular 13 mb gear! 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) Hi Glenn, Here are today's 9-6-12 logs for Firedrake. An interesting day. -Steve 1130-1200 Time period: 12230 Good signal 1154 12980 Excellent signal 1156 14700 JBA signal at 1157 15940 Fair signal 1158 1230-1300 Time Period: 12320 Excellent signal 1233 and 1323 12670 Good signal 1233 12870 Excellent signal 1238 13850 Excellent signal 1239 13920 Excellent signal 1240 14700 Excellent signal 1241 14870 Good signal 1242 15550 Good signal 1243 16250 Poor signal 1245 16980 JBA Signal 1246 17450 Fair signal 1248 1300-1330: 15560 Good signal 1315 1330-1400 Time Period: 15490 Fair signal 1343 15495 Fair signal 1331 15565 Good signal 1332 15605 Fair signal // with Propeller jammer same freq. 1344 15900 Fair signal 1349 but out of sync and about 3 seconds behind Firedrake broadcasts on 12870, 15490, 15605, 15970 but in sync with Firedrake broadcast on 17250. 15970 Fair signal 1351 17250 Fair signal 1353 but out of sync and about 3 seconds behind Firedrake broadcasts on 12870, 15490, 15605, 15970 but in sync with Firedrake on 15900 kHz (Steve Handler, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake, Sept 6 before 1300, all with flutter: 12230, JBA at 1241 12320, very good at 1241, quite a contrast to 12230 12670, poor at 1241 12870, very good at 1242 13850, very good at 1242 13920, very good at 1242; no fax QRM now 14700, good at 1244 14870, good at 1245 15550, good at 1246 16250, fair at 1248; none in the 17s, 18s. That makes ten at a time Before 1330: 12320, very good at 1329; none in the 11s, 13s, 14s, 16s, 17s, 18s 15495, poor at 1324, net on hi side 15565, fair at 1325, het on hi side Firedrake Sept 7, before 1400: 13850, poor at 1335 14700, fair at 1335 14980, very poor at 1335 15605, poor at 1339 with noise 15900, good at 1340 with flutter 15940, good at 1340 with flutter = 15900 16600, fair at 1340 with flutter 16980, poor at 1340 with flutter (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Srs., This is to help with the Glenn Hauser. Escutas realizadas com um Degen 1103, na área central de Manaus, ontem à tarde. Horas UT. 07/09 ¦ 2231 ¦ 13920 ¦ CHINA ¦ Firedrake jamming, chiado, 45353; 07/09 ¦ 2233 ¦ 14960 ¦ CHINA ¦ Firedrake jamming, mutio fraca, 15321; (Arthur Antonio Raimundo, Manaus AM Brasil, 03€ ¦º05'41"S, 60€ ¦º01'57"W, FI96XV, radioescutas yg via DXLD) Firedrake Sept 8, before 1300, all with flutter: 12670, JBA at 1245; none in the 11s, 10s 12980, poor at 1245 13430, poor at 1243; none in the 14s, 15s 13920, poor at 1245 Before 1400: 12980, very poor at 1346 13920, poor at 1344 14700, JBA at 1343 14960, very poor at 1343 14980, very good at 1343; contrast with 14960 15490, good at 1340, het on lo side 15605, good at 1338 with noise jamming added 15760, very good at 1338 [meanwhile VOA Korean 15775 very poor] 15940, fair at 1338 16980, very poor at 1341; none in the 17s, but see TIBET [non] (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, Normally I re-do my Firedrake logs for your format, however both today and yesterday I have been very pressed for time so rather than not send the logs to you I am sending them in pretty much the raw format. They cover both yesterday 9/8/12 and today 9/9/12. Good DX- Steve 11970 Firedrake 1224 and 1236 with musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin Broadcast (Not heard) which uses this frequency from 2000-1700 daily. Good signal 9/9/12 12230 Firedrake with an excellent signal at 1225 and 1238 on 9/9/12. Firedrake's musical jammings apparent target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) which uses this frequency 24/7. 12870 Firedrake excellent signal at 1226 on 9/9/12, with musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin Broadcast (Not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700 daily. 12980 Firedrake at 1248 with an excellent signal 9/8/12, and also with an excellent signal at 1239 and 1328 on 9/9/12, all were Firedrake's musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700 daily. 13430 Firedrake 1250 with musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin Broadcast (Not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700 daily. Good signal 9/8/12 13920 Firedrake 1252 with a good signal on 9/8/12 and at 1227 and 1248 with a fair signal on 9/9/12 all with Firedrake's musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700 daily. 14700 Firedrake at 1218 with a poor signal and at 1253 with a poor signal and het on 9/8/12, and also at 1329 with excellent signal on 9/9/12 all had Firedrake's musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700 daily. 14800 Firedrake 1218 with excellent signal and 1253 with good- excellent signal with musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700. 9/8/12 14960 Firedrake 1249 with a good signal and at 1329 with a poor-fair signal both on 9/9/12 with musical jamming. Suspect either China punched in the wrong frequency or the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) is now using this frequency. 14980 Firedrake 1219 with fair-good signal and 1254 with excellent signal with musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700 daily. 9/8/12 15485 Firedrake 1305 s/on with a fair signal on 9/8/12 and apparent 1304 sign on (checked at 1303 and it wasn't there) on 9/9/12 with musical jamming. Target appears to be the Voice of Tibet (not heard) broadcasting on an adjacent frequency. 9/8/12. 15490 Firedrake heard signing on at 1337 with fair signal on 9/9/12 with Firedrake's musical jamming and whose target appears to be the Voice of Tibet (not heard) broadcasting on adjacent frequency. 15495 Firedrake 1327 until 1336 sign off with a fair signal on 9/9/12. Target appears to be the Voice of Tibet (not heard) broadcasting on adjacent frequency. 15520 Firedrake 1220 until sign off at 1230 with fair signal on 9/8/12 and also heard 1228 with a good signal until 1230 sign off on 9/9/12 both with Firedrake's musical jamming and whose target appears to be the Voice of Tibet (not heard) which uses an adjacent frequency. 15545 Firedrake sign on at 1232 and sign of at 1236 with musical jamming and whose target appears to be the Voice of Tibet's broadcast (Not heard) on an adjacent frequency Poor-Fair signal. 9/8/12. Also heard 1233 with a good signal. It was not there at last check of 1231. 9/9/12 15555 Firedrake 1238 sign on until 1305 sign off on 9/8/12 also heard 1301 until sign off at 1306 with a het and a Fair signal on 9/9/12 both broadcasts heard with Firedrake's musical jamming, whose target appears to be the Voice of Tibet's broadcast (not heard) on an adjacent frequency. 15745 Firedrake 1254 fair signal with musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's broadcast (not heard) in Mandarin from Tajikistan scheduled on 15745 from 1130-1330. 9/8/12. 15900 Firedrake 1158 with musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin Broadcast (Not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700 daily. Poor-fair signal. Also heard 1346-1349 with a fair signal about 3 seconds behind Firedrake's transmissions on 12870, 15490, 15605, 15970 but // to and in sync with Firedrake on 17250. All //'s heard at 1257 with fair signal. 9/8/12 16920 Firedrake 1229 with musical jamming targeting the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) which uses this frequency 24/7. Good signal. 9/9/12 16980 Firedrake at 1231 with a Good signal on 9/9/12. 17100 Firedrake 1232 with musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700 daily. Fair signal. 9/9/12 (Steve Handler, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Sept 9, before 1400: 17250, very poor at 1338 16920, fair at 1338 15605, fair at 1338 15490, fair at 1339, het on lo side 14960, very poor at 1340 14700, good at 1339 13920, poor at 1340 12980, good at 1342 Firedrake Sept 10, before 1300: 17370, very poor with flutter, also noise jamming at 1258-1300:05* No time to do full search at this hour Before 1400: 14700, very good at 1349; none in the 13s, 12s 15490, good at 1346, het on lo side 15605, good at 1345 with noise 15745, very poor at 1345 16920, very good at 1347 17170, very good at 1347; none in the 18s After 1400: 17570, fair at 1414 vs V. of Tibet via Madagascar, inaudible here nor on alternates 17565, 17560 15495, fair at 1415, het on hi side See also EAST TURKISTAN Firedrake, September 11 before 0500: 17170, poor-to fair at 0441; none lower or higher Before 1300, a dizaine, one breaking the 18 MHz barrier: 18200, very poor at 1259-1300:07* 17170, JBA at 1240, very poor at 1257 17100, poor at 1257 16920, very good at 1241, 1257 16100, very poor at 1257 15900, very good at 1256 15555, very good at 1241 with flutter; good at 1257 and still at 1302 14960, VP to JBA at 1255 (good SOH keeps avoiding Colombia on 14950) 14700, good at 1255 12980, JBA at 1254; none in the 13s Before 1400: 15900, very good at 1342; none in the 16s, 17s 15605, good at 1342 plus propeller noise 15490, good at 1342, het on lo side 14960, JBA at 1345 14700, very good at 1345 13920, very poor at 1345 13850, very good at 1345, in contrast 13530, very good at 1346 12670, good at 1347 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 14960, Firedrake. Getting usual Chinese music here at 2305. Fair signal along with Salem Estereo below. Still there at 0045 but much weaker. (11 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 160' triangle random wire Loop, HCDX via DXLD) Firedrake Sept 12, not complete searches, just: 14400, fair at 1242 with flutter 14700, poor at 1242 with flutter 15495, fair at 1319 more noise than music, just started up 15560, good at 1317 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, Sorry but I am supper busy and I have not had time to convert my September 12, 2012 Firedrake logs into your format. -Steve 12980 CHINA Firedrake 1421 with fair-good signal with musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700 daily. 14700 CHINA Firedrake 1422 and 1445 with a poor signal with musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700 daily. 15490 CHINA Firedrake 1356 until 1400 sign off with good signal with Firedrake's musical jamming and whose target appears to be the Voice of Tibet (not heard) broadcasting on adjacent frequency. 15495 CHINA Firedrake 1407 until 1430 sign off with a fair signal with musical jamming Target appears to be the Voice of Tibet (not heard) broadcasting on adjacent frequency. 15605 CHINA Firedrake musical jamming and propeller jammer 1347 until 1405 sign of by Firedrake and sign off about thirty seconds later by propeller jammer, both and fair signal, all of whose transmissions appear to be targeting the Voice of Tibet (not heard) who uses an adjacent frequency during this time period. 15800 CHINA Firedrake 1448 with musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700 daily. Fair signal. 17450 CHINA Firedrake 1424 and 1444 with musical jamming whose target appears to be the Sound of Hope's Mandarin broadcast (not heard) which uses this frequency either 24/7 or from 2000-1700 daily. JBA signal. 17570 CHINA Firedrake heard sign on at 1416 until 1430 sign off with music jamming apparently targeting the Voice of Tibet via Madagascar which uses this frequency for their Tibetan language broadcast. Fair signal with het (Steve Handler, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 11736, 11744, 11752, 11768, 11776, 11784, 11792, the 8-kHz spurs from 11760 jammer all detectable Sept 6 at 1333. 11735, 11750, 11775 and 11785 broadcasters made considerable hets against them, and clear 11768 was strong enough to detect a bit of modulation matchable to intentional CNR1 jammer on 11990. The 8-kHz-separated very weak spurs from 11760 CNR1 jammer against nothing are still detectable, September 10 at 1318: 11728 hetting another weak signal on 11725; 11736 hetting North Korea 11735; 11744; 11752 hetting Cuba-11750; 11768; 11776 hetting Anguilla 11775; 11784 hetting 11785, exactly same pitch as the previous one; and finally, 11792 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 9855, Sept 9 at 1348, rustic singing reminiscent of Hmong hmusic, from the defunct Hmong Lao Radio via WHRI during this hour on Sundays; but turns out to be only CRI in Chinese at 12-14 from Beijing 572 site. Presumably hiliting some minority in China (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. CHINA RADIO INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH, ITS "FLAGSHIP SERVICE," MARKS 65TH ANNIVERSARY. Posted: 12 Sep 2012 China Radio International, 9 Sept 2012: "Born in 1947, during the revolutionary years leading up the founding of the People's Republic of China, China Radio International's English Service celebrates its 65th anniversary today. Using the world's most widely-spoken language and dedicated to helping the world better understand China and vice versa, CRI's English Service was built from scratch and has undergone gradual transformations over the years to keep abreast with the times. During its fledgling years prior to 1949, CRI's English Service was tasked with informing the international community about the policy of the Communist Party of China as it worked to end the civil war and achieve national unity. After the founding of the People's Republic, the English Service sought to expand its global reach and set out on a historic mission to get China's message out to the world and to bridge the gap between the East and the West. Today, the English Service has become a flagship service of China Radio International, presenting global audience members with news, information and entertainment through various multimedia formats, including radio, Internet, video and print. Looking ahead, the English Service aims to become an influential global media outlet that plays an essential part in promoting China's soft power." Audio interview with Xia Jixuan, Deputy Director-General of CRI (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) -- Phrases such as "get China's message out to the world" and "promoting China's soft power" suggest that CRI is not even trying to position itself as a news organization (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) So, how did CRI's English Service evolve to become an influential media outlet at home and abroad? And what comments and suggestions do our overseas listeners offer to the English Service? We talk to Xia Jixuan, Deputy Director-General of China Radio International and Christer Brunstrom, a long-time listener of CRI's English Service. http://english.cri.cn/7146/2012/09/10/1942s721595.htm (includes audio of the interview) We talk to Xia Jixuan, Deputy Director-General of China Radio International and Christer Brunstrom, a long-time listener of CRI's English Service (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 14950+, Sept 8 at 1242, music JBA, non-Firedrake, ergo Salem Stereo (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 14950.71, Salem Estéreo. Full canned ID by M at 0348:20. Finally up to decent level for ID at 0356:50 to 0357:40 too. 7 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) 14950+, Sept 10 at 1303, gospel music to peaks of S9+10, ``ahora soy de Cristo`` lyric repeated over and over by YL; segué to ``cantaré al mundo entero``; 1309:30 announcement but fades, ``un servicio de esta estación``, then citing capítulo 37-38 of algo; ``Desde la República de Colombia, transmite Salem Stereo en ---`` fades as it sounded like they are about to announce a frequency, in the 80s? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 14950.73, Salem Estéreo. Finally caught the canned frequency announcement at a good strength at 0049:25. "Desde República de Colombia, transmite Salem Estéreo, catorce mil nueve cincuenta kilohertz en la banda de diez y nueve metros, ??". Unfortunately, that awful pulsing ute, or whatever it is, was blasting away. (12 Sept.) 14950.73, Salem Estereo, Deadair at 1232 tune-in. May have noticed extremely weak audio at 1316 but not certain. Peaking with a strong signal at times. (12 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 160' triangle random wire Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** CONGO DR?? 5066.348, R. Candip?? Did have a carrier here at 0253 check. But by the time I got the Perseus going at 0257, it was gone. Apparently it just faded as the signal was found at 0337. Much too weak and noisy to get audio, though. 7 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) ** CROATIA. eQSL letter from Zagreb 1 August 2012 from 2208-2229 UT on 3985 kHz at 10 kW - 4 days for e-report to Mladen.Golubic @ oiv.hr v/s Mladen Golubic, Frequency Manager (Partha Sarathi Goswami, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal, INDIA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CROATIA [non]. Voice of Croatia is now on its "winter" frequency for the broadcasts to the Americas. Heard with a solid signal on 7375 around 0030 Sept 8. Some echo so the audio on the different beams/transmitters isn't synchronized properly. Had noticed earlier this week that the North America beam appeared to be missing on 9925 around 0200, with a very weak signal, presumably from one of the alternate beams (Steve Luce, Houston, Texas, UT Sept 8, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7375, Sept 11 at 0447, Croatian (not ``Croation`` as I sometimes see it misspelt) pop music, fluttery via Germany. For the record, back on S-12 frequency ex-9925 since Sept 7, HRT among a few broadcasters to observe an S-subseason, but it does make sense propagationally. Latest HFCC shows the overlapping 100 kW Wertachtal transmissions are: 22-03 255 degrees to C & S America, Caribbean 23-01 300 degrees to USA & E Canada & Mexico 01-03 315 degrees to USA & Canada & Mexico 03-05 330 degrees to Western USA & Canada & Mexico So between 23 and 03 there are two transmitters which must be synchronized, including during the 0200 English (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) QSLs: SINGAPORE, Voice of Croatia, Kranji, 11675, E-QSL letter in 3 days and 2 weeks as a printed version. [non non] CROATIA, Voice of Croatia, 7410, QSL letter in 2 days (E_QSL) and 2 weeks (printed one) for e-report to Mladen.Golubic @ oiv.hr v/s Mladen Golubic, Frequency Manager (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain, Sept 11, You can see some images in my DX blog: http://maresmedx.blogspot.com/ HCDX via DXLD) ** CUBA. 627.5, Radio Progreso. 1024 September 4, 2012. Not sure if this is back or I simply haven’t noticed it for awhile, but it’s a strong het when not using USB mode to avoid, or on a non-SSB radio, such as the Sangean PR-D5. Didn’t check for top-end 652.5 potential top-end spur of 640. No audio, just a big carrier/het (Terry L. Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA. Appended equipment used: JRC NRD- 535; ICOM IC-R75; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phaser; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [and non]. 11760, Sept 6 at 2350, RHC is not on the air here, but on 11680 // 11840 and 9 MHz frequencies with music, presumably the usual `Sonido Cubano` filler in Spanish service. Was checking because Grayson Watson, TX, keeps hearing the 23-24 RHC English hour on frequencies where it is not supposed to be, such as 11760 on Sept 4, 11680 on Aug 17, instead of 5040-only. See also AUSTRALIA 6050, Sept 7 at 0621, RHC in Spanish instead of English which remained on 75% of the scheduled frequencies, best 6010, poor 6060, JBM 6125. Our day would not be complete without another entry from Anomaly Central. 6050 also sounded rather distorted but it might be due to the CCI from Brasil(?) and ACI from stronger KBSWR Spanish via Sackville at 06-07, still existing on 6045, tho there are no known plans to continue it from somewhere else in B-12, unlike the Korean at 07-08 via Woofferton. 15340, Sept 8 at 1340, bigsig from RHC with informe ecológico, but not managing to modulate much, quite under; still nothing audible from HCJB beneath. 6000, Sept 9 at 0429, RHC English is just barely modulated, much softer than // 6050 fully modulated. 6000 is just like 6125 sounds after 0500. 6125, Sept 10 just as I tune by at 0521, RHC English cuts on the air with `DXers Unlimited` in progress, Prof. Arnaldo de Jesús Coro Antich, CO2-caca, talking about antennas; modulation seems to be adjusting at the start to usual lo level. Hardly necessary with 6010, 6050 and 6060 already //. 15330, Sept 10 at 1248, lite pulse jamming audible, a rogue(?) jammer still not turned off despite no usage of 15330 by R. Martí since the end of March. Also hear jamming remnants on other unused VOA Spanish and Martí frequencies, from these incompetents, not all logged. 15340, Sept 11 at 1341, RHC is cutting on and off the air numerous times, vs HCJB Australia. 12060, Sept 12 at 1241, lite pulse jamming from second harmonic of DentroCuban Jamming Command on 6030 vs R. Martí (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [non]. I received a returned piece of mail addressed to Radio República (Cuban clandestine via WRMI) sent on October 3rd of 2011. It was finally returned from Miami on August 24th 2012! Where the hell has this letter been for 10 months and three weeks?! Another anomaly of the US Post Office. Thankfully, I QSL'ed these guys through WRMI on their test transmission last year. 73 (Al Muick, Williamsport PA USA, Sept 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [and non]. Detalles sobre la histórica VOZ DEL CID Blog: Cuba Independiente y Democrática Entrada: LA GUERRA CONTRA HUBER MATOS EN CUBA Enlace [see original for portrait, color-coding, italix and hotlinx]: http://cubacid.blogspot.com/2011/04/la-guerra-contra-huber-matos-en-cuba.html [this is not exactly new, from 27 April 2011, but new to us, I think] A principios de 2010 el CID comenzó a organizarse en la isla. Como respuesta el régimen lanzó una campaña para tratar de demostrar que el CID en Cuba era un grupúsculo sin importancia y que el CID en el exterior era un movimiento terrorista. Con ese fin utilizaron a un guatemalteco que vive en Cuba conocido como Percy Francisco Alvarado Godoy, alias “el Fraile”. Este individuo ha tratado de crearse fama de espía porque, según él, infiltró algunos grupos del exilio. Repitiendo acusaciones sin sustanciar ninguna, el famoso “espía” se ganó entre los miembros del CID el apodo de la Cotorra Mecánica. Así se titularon las respuestas del partido a sus calumnias: La Cotorra Mecánica I y La Cotorra Mecánica II. El objetivo de la dictadura ha sido tratar de hacer creer a los activistas del partido de que Huber Matos es un terrorista y que ellos son sus cómplices. Los oficiales del aparato represivo han repetido una y otra vez que tienen órdenes del “alto mando” de desbaratar la organización en Cuba. Ahora un nuevo artículo que copiamos literalmente se suma a la campaña. Las intenciones son confundir a los miembros de la nomenclatura que simpatizan con el CID y de justificar los atropellos contra nuestros activistas. Entre párrafo y párrafo hacemos comentarios aclaratorios. [quoting from commie article with comments interspersed, originally color coded:] Hubert Matos: entre el terrorismo y el dinero fácil (1) Por Omar Pérez Salomón (Funcionario del Comité Central del Partido Comunista de Cuba) En la actualidad la organización de corte terrorista Cuba Independiente y Democrática (CID), representa la posición más radical dentro de la Mafia cubanoamericana de Miami, al promover innumerables acciones contra Cuba, que incluyen la preparación de atentados terroristas y la creación de células dentro de la Isla con objetivos desestabilizadores y provocadores. (Falso: El CID considera que el uso de la violencia beneficia a la dictadura porque así justifica más represión y aumenta el temor de la nomenclatura a un cambio. En su propuesta: El Proyecto de la Nueva República el partido plantea una alternativa de transición pacífica.) Por estos días su “líder”, Hubert Matos, vuelve a ser noticia al aparecer en el listado de los “colaboradores” contratados por la Oficina de Transmisiones hacia Cuba (OCB por sus siglas en inglés), para atacar a Cuba, desde las mal llamadas Radio y TV Martí, según lo publicado por el sitio CubamoneyProject. (Falso: Huber Matos dejó de participar en un programa en Radio Martí desde hace varios meses) Recuerdo que este personaje y la organización que dirige han sido críticos de la emisora anticubana, arguyendo su poca audiencia en Cuba, defendiendo una supuesta diferencia con la “recepción” que tuvo su canal radial La Voz del CID. (Falso: el autor no puede citar una crítica del CID a Radio Martí) En 1981 Hubert Matos crea la emisora de radio pirata La Voz del CID, violando las leyes norteamericanas, al no tener una licencia o permiso de las autoridades correspondientes de ese país, siendo clausurada por la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones de los EE.UU. (Cierto: Las primeras transmisiones del CID desde territorio estadounidense fueron clausuradas) En 1983 pasó su programación a la emisora comercial de onda corta Radio Clarín en República Dominicana, Radio Rumbo en Venezuela y compró espacio en la estación comercial de onda corta Radio Miami Internacional. En 1989 dejó de salir al aire en forma regular, después de casi 10 años de estar trasmitiendo hacia Cuba. (Falso: El CID no transmitió por Radio Rumbo sino por la Voz del Táchira de Venezuela) (Falso: El CID no compró tiempo en Radio Miami Internacional) (Cierto: La Voz del CID se transmitió por un tiempo Radio Clarín en República Dominicana) (La Voz del CID transmitió por más de diez años con sus propios transmisores hasta que el gobierno de los Estados Unidos logró su clausura presionado al país latinoamericano que nos apoyaba. Ver la historia de La Voz de CID en la serie de artículos El fracaso de TV Martí) Según algunos especialistas, las regulaciones de Radio Martí estipulan que sus empleados y colaboradores no pueden ser líderes de organizaciones políticas; pero para Matos es más importante buscarse unos dólares que cumplir la ley. (Cuando Huber Matos participaba en un programa semanal de Radio Martí aproximadamente 10 minutos se le daba un cheque que nunca pido[pidio] por $50 a la semana) En un artículo titulado Las “pacíficas” delegaciones del CID en Cuba y sus jefes terroristas en Miami, Percy Francisco Alvarado Godoy, expresa: “La razón de su relanzamiento mediático está en la única motivación que mueve a los mafiosos de Miami: el disfrute de una parte de la respetable mesada que el gobierno de EE UU emplea, de múltiples formas, para subvertir el orden interior en Cuba y en Venezuela. En tal sentido, sin recato alguno, el blog del CID se convierte en bochornoso espacio para pedir dinero, supuestamente para ayudar a la “disidencia” interna cuando, en realidad, va a parar a los bolsillos de sus ilustres miembros del Ejecutivo Central del CID. En dicho blog, como vulgar limosnero, se declara: ‘…el CID necesita de su apoyo económico que estará destinado a sustentar la ayuda que se brinda a los líderes democráticos dentro de la Isla y sus familias. Su apoyo también nos ayudará a profundizar las actividades de difusión que se realizan en el exterior ante Gobiernos y Parlamentos, los Organismos internacionales, las ONG’s y la opinión pública mundial. Puede realizar la donación presionando el botón “Donate” o dirigirla por correo normal a Cuba Independiente Y Democrática, 10020 SW 37 Terrace, Miami Fl, 33165’. Enlace (Ver los artículos mencionados: La Cotorra Mecanica I y II) ¿Qué esperar de quien se ha asociado durante años a connotados terroristas como Gaspar Jiménez Escobedo, Nelsy Ignacio Castro Matos y Sixto Reynaldo Aquit, socios de Luis Posada Carriles? ¿Habrá alguien, además del gobierno de EE.UU. –a través de Radio Martí-, que pague a Hubert Matos sabiendo que navega entre el terrorismo y la búsqueda de dinero fácil? (Este es un cierre de injurias sin sustento. Huber Matos no recibe ayuda del gobierno de los Estados Unidos, aunque tanto él como el CID consideran que la ayuda política y material a la causa de la democracia en Cuba es un acto de legítima solidaridad.) (1) (Publicado el 26 abril, 2011 en el blog castrista: iroelsanchez Publicado por Huber Matos Araluce en 14:50 (via Juan Franco Crespo, Spain, DXLD) ** CYPRUS TURKISH NORTHERN. 6150 kHz was not heard even in Nicosia --- In the beginning of September I stayed in Nicosia (Lefkosa), Cyprus for some days. There I tried to tune to Radio Bayrak International of Northern Cyprus on 6150 kHz. I could not hear at all on 6150 kHz, but only on FM 105.0 MHz. Their domestic service was heard on 1098 kHz and 90.6 MHz. "Bayrak" means "flag" in Turkish - large white flag of Northern Cyprus was seen from Nicosia on the side of Kyrenian mountains (Takahito Akabayashi, Japan, Sept 8, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CZECHIA. History of Podebrady SW TX site http://www.radio.cz/en/section/special/a-visit-to-radio-pragues-original-1936-transmission-centre-part-1 http://www.radio.cz/en/section/special/a-visit-to-radio-pragues-original-1936-transmission-centre- part-2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpiiRr5N6LM (via Ian Baxter, NSW, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) In fact Podebrady was on air as recently as in 1995. Cf. http://books.google.de/books?id=Ux9fZj6izuEC&pg=PA324&lpg=PA324&dq=%22radio+metropolis%22+podebrady&source=bl&ots=MNvTpmYyJl&sig=om09zOamn26uwlAzvajfdArB6TY&hl=de#v=onepage&q=%22radio%20metropolis%22%20podebrady&f=false http://dokufunk.org/upload/bcdx1996(1).pdf These tests of Radio Metropolis (which in the end disappeared altogether, just like the ambitious Radio Echo on the 1071 and 1233 synchro neworks which did not survive very long) are one of the things on which I never rolled tape. Alas (Kai Ludwig, Germany, ibid.) Hi Kai, Thanks very much for these references. In my own records I had the site as having last SW transmission as circa 1996. And after reading the Radio Prague article yesterday I was wondering if my information was horribly incorrect. I think yesterday I also spotted a reference to SW time signal station from Podebrady ending sometime around circa 1995. I should check that. Does this sound correct? Again I wasn't aware of the Radio Metropolis station from Podebrady, so thanks again for this. Probably safe to say that "last" SW broadcast transmission from Podebrady was in fact March 1995 given your references. RE BCDX reference I have a QSL from Radio Ropa Info from 1993 listed with site as: Litomysl Good that you record most of your station catches. I so wish I'd done more of that in the 80's & 90's. I have such fond memories to the richness of the SW band with stations that existed during the 80's & first half of the 90's era. I really need to digitize many of my old cassette tape DX log recordings before they deteriorate further with time. Keith Perron covered this topic in recent times. All the best (Ian Baxter, NSW, ibid.) Re: Podebrady SW Site History > In my own records I had the site as having last SW txion as circa > 1996. And after reading the Radio Prague article yesterday I was > wondering if my information was horribly incorrect. It appears to me that this article strictly dealt with Radio Prague transmissions only. Or the Radio Metropolis story is already forgotten there. > I think yesterday I also spotted a reference to SW time signal > station from Podebrady ending sometime around circa 1995. > I should check that. Does this sound correct? I'm only aware of a Czech timesignal, called OMA, on 50 kHz longwave which had a low power back-up transmitter at Podebrady. The main transmitter for the OMA signal, which disappeared at some point between the mid-nineties and now (probably indeed in 1995), was at the old Liblice site (as opposed to the current 639 kHz facility, opened in 1972), demolished in 2004: http://www.prostor-ad.cz/pruvodce/pvychod/cbrod/veze.htm [there used to be a Czech timesignal station in the 3.1+ MHz area; I never heard it, OLR+something --- gh] > RE BCDX reference I have a QSL from Radio Ropa Info from 1993 > listed with site as: Litomysl Indeed Radioropa came out of Litomysl/Pohodli. Back then it had been reported that a new antenna has been set up for the purpose, mounted on wooden poles. Originally it was planned to always use 5980 kHz, but later a pattern emerged to evade to 5975 in the evening to avoid DW Russian (Wertachtal). If I'm not terribly wrong I noted at least once how this frequency change had been made without cutting the carrier, just dragging it down. Another detail: In 1995 new audio processing gear had been installed for Radio Prague (it remained in apparently unchanged use until the bitter end). But for Radioropa the old set-up with a Tesla LK-12 limiter/compressor and its typical warm sound remained until these relays ceased in 1996 (together with the ones on 693 kHz in Berlin, prompting Deutsche Telekom to offer the transmitter to Radio Moscow which took it, initially with the audio from the old cable link for 1323 kHz). By autumn 1996 Radioropa had also abandoned its Daun studios. Already seen a dead but still fully intact radio facility? Open the mic fader, pock-pock and there are the orange bars of the RTW (level meter). Presumably the same can be experienced in a certain building at Hilversum now... > Good that you record most of your station catches. In fact still way too little (Kai Ludwig, ibid.) ** DENMARK. The official Press Release about DRM on Kalundborg 243 kHz http://www.drm.org/news_item/DRM%253A_Transmissions_at_IBC_2012 Went on air September 5th, 2300 UT with 10 kW DRM. Reception reports are very much appreciated to info @ teracom.dk who offers a QSL. 73 (Ydun Ritz, Denmark, Sept 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) > I'm hearing 243 at S-8 on the meter at 1010 UTC and in AM. > I think it's a news programme. One of the scheduled transmissions of Danmarks Radio which apparently has nothing to do with this DRM showcase whatsoever, considering that BBC audio is to be used instead. Thus the DRM is of course not supposed to supersede any slots of DR which otherwise could well demand a refund (Kai Ludwig, Sept 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Danish LW tests to 12 September --- Sudipta Ghose on Facebook: A chance to obtain QSLs from Denmark. Reception reports may be sent to info@teracom.dk requesting a QSL. More details of DRM tests at http://www.nautel.com/ (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) QSL: DR Radio, Kalundborg, 243, f/d letter in 280 days for English report via airmail + 1 IRC return postage and follow-up via email to drkommunikation(at)dr(dot)dk. QSL letter arrived 9 days after email follow-up. V/s Luciano Glar-Zabeo, Customer Advisor, Danish Broadcasting Corporation, teknikinfo(at)dr(dot)dk. Luciano also sent a very nice DR orchestra postcard which would have made a great QSL card. My report was miniaturized and placed in his letter and he confirmed it. Either way, it's win. I wish I could have a shot at the upcoming DRM test from Danmarks Radio, but I fear it's too early in the season. Perhaps via a remote receiver. 73 (Al Muick, Williamsport PA USA, Sept 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DEUTSCHES REICH [non]. GERMAN FREEDOM PARTY RADIO - 1938 OFFSHORE SHORTWAVE STATION At the Ekrath Radio Day September 1 Dr. Martin van der Ven gave a talk on Sender der Deutschen Freiheitspartei (German Freedom Party Radio) which broadcast from January to April 13th 1938 on 7842 kHz. There's some information about the station here: http://www.broadcasting-fleet.com/faithful.htm The first link is to a longer article by Martin on the station, it is in German but translates well to English (Mike Barraclough, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EAST TURKISTAN. 13755, Sept 10 at 1313, CRI English with economic news by that British announcer, about 2 sex behind stronger // 13790. 13755 is 174 degrees from Kashgar, while 13790 is 308 degrees from Wulumuchi, also East Turkistan; you`d think these two sites under Han imperialist occupation would be synchronized, vis-à-vis ones eastward in China proper (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. Radio Cairo, 'Sout Al-Arab' (Aoki). 11540, Abu Zaabal. Sept, 10, 2012. Monday. 1907-1913. Arabic, sounds like a YL talking but hard to be sure. Arabic music from 1911. Very poor, unreadable. Badly distorted, sounds like gross overload, and whiney. Cannot complain; it is unusual for me to hear Egypt (thank goodness, if this is what it sounds like). Jo'burg sunset 1559 (Bill Bingham, RSA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15480, Sept 12 at 0029, fair signal with Arabic music, modulation OK. It`s R. Cairo, 250 kW, 245 degrees from Abu Zaabal at 2330-0045 in Arabic following 2215-2330 in Portuguese to Brasil. 13855, Sept 12 at 0033, 13855 is the OSOB! Must be in a 22 mb scheduling lull. S9+10 but extremely distorted Qur`an(?) with hum. This one is R. Cairo, 250 kW, 286 degrees from Abis in Arabic at 2330- 0045, plus Spanish at 0045-0200. 13620, Sept 12 at 0110, a big hum at S9+10, except for some JBM traces at peaks of original audio. This one is R. Cairo, 250 kW, 241 degrees from Abis at 0045-0200 in Spanish, so now there are two signals on the band --- and neither of them any good! (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 5005, Radio Nacional, Bata, 1920-1940, 08-09, old popular Spanish songs, 1968 song "Anduriña", some vernacular songs. 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Lugo, Sony ICF SE 7600 G, Cable antenna, 8 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA. 5950, V. of the Tigray Revolution. First heard with simple HoA washint flute IS at 0252 under R. Taiwan International. In the clear when RTI went off between programs at 0258. Canned echo ID by M, then M with opening ID announcement including apparent sked with about a half dozen mentions of "meterband" and website as http://www.dimtsiwoyane.com More washint music and RTI returned. Finally different HoA music at 0917. Another song at 0921. Vocal songs after 0326. W announcer at 0336 but had weakened a lot by this time. Nice and clear when RTI off. 9 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) Washint not a typo; explained: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washint (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5950, V. of the Tigray Revolution (presumed), 0308-0321 some great nonstop HoA flute music. 0321 W announcer in [unknown] language, brief exotic vocal music, W again, flute music, then talk by M. Roundtable discussion at 0334. Of course QRM from co-channel R. Taiwan International in English [via WYFR], but both about equal. 7 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA?? 6110, R. Fana?? Pleasant HoA instrumental music at 0326. 7 Sept. 6110, R. Fana. Signal on the air at 0250:20. OC till brief tone at 0254:21, then chime IS. 0259 M announcer with ID "?? Fana Broadcastings Corporation ??", then another ID over instrumental music, followed by live M with opening announcements including at least 2 more Fana Broadcasting Corp. IDs and mention of radio until 0301. 0301 music bridge, coo-coo clock SFX and canned M announcer very briefly, and hammering on wood. 0302-0306 lively instrumental music. 0306-0311 M vocals with HoA music. 0311-0318 talk by live studio M with ID "one nation, one ??, Fana Broadcasting Corporation" at beginning, mention of Somalia. 0318-0323 lively booming HoA vocal and choral music. 0324-0325 canned talk by W in echo mixed with music. 0325-0343 discussion between live M and W announcers with occasional instrumental music bridges. 0343 more HoA music with M vocal. Of course the signal faded and was pretty much inaudible by 0420. Fair with quick QSB. A little slop QRM from 6105. 9 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA. Unidentified: I can receive nonstop Jazz on 7200 kHz now at 1545 UT. Will it be test broadcast from where? (S. Hasegawa, Japan, Sept 6, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENNING DIGEST) Confirmed here in Romania, it's Radio Ethiopia with the English program. Just heard the station ID at 1600 UT (Tudor Vedeanu, ibid.) 7200, Radio Ethiopia, 1452-1502, Sept 12. Much better than normal reception; indigenous pop songs; 1500 very heavy QRM from Calif. hams starting on this frequency; clear reference to “Addis Ababa” (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ETHIOPIA Log 1600-1630 UT Sept 12 3rd tx unit was on air til 1600 UT: on 9558.436 kHz. From 1600 UT, heard the best signal on 7199.996 kHz, noted 100% ID at 1630 UT, played a Time Signal, but latter was rather one minute late when compared at 1631 UT ... , and 7234.633 kHz \\ QRM from China on 7235 kHz even. Ethiopia on 7199.996 kHz, and very next 4 Hertz Omdurman Sudan on approx. 7200.000 kHz. 73 (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA. 9558.49, V. of Peace and Democracy (via R. Ethiopia). Talk by M in HoA language at 0406 // 7234.37. Very nice signal on this frequency, 7 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) ** EUROPE. PIRATE, 6285.4, R. Focus International. Noted as soon as I started the Perseus recording at 0243 with "Down Under" by Men at Work. 0307 "I'm Only Human" by Human League. 0312 R. Mi Amigo theme, then M announcer briefly. 0332 "Nothing`s Going to Break My Stride" by Mathew Wilder, then "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes" by Edison Lighthouse. Jingle at 0438 with mention of International. Good at 0348 on peak. Decent signal at 0443, then M announcer with e-mail address repeated at 0445, then into "Who Can It Be Now" by Men at Work. 0449 "Wishing" by A Flock of Seagulls. 0453 jingle and back to music. 0456:10 ID "This is Focus International...free radio". 0523 "Stray Cat Strut" by Brian Setzer. 0526:45 announcement mentioning "...shortwave band...", followed by "All the Day and All the Night" by The Kinks, then "Elenore" by The Turtles. 0615 "Band on the Run" by Wings, followed by "You Wear it Well" by Rod Stewart, then "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty, and "Mr. Blue Sky" by ELO. Fading after that and lost audio by 0650. Last saw the signal around 0745. Surprised to find this here. 9 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) ** EUROPE. Laser 43m Frequency Change again --- Laser is currently on 6965 kHz and once again suffering bad utility QRM. 4026 kHz has been booming into London during the evening this week. Regards (Stuart Satnipper, 1643 UT Sept 6, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) Re: Laser 43m Frequency Change again --- Good morning, Seeing as I have been using this service for a few weeks now, since re-joining the BDXC, I thought that I should start making some contributions! I listened to Laser Hot Hits for roughly twenty minutes last night, from 1940 to 1957, on 4026 kHz. The programme was evidently first broadcast towards the end of August 2012 and (presumably) from the Midlands - the presenter made various statements about the weather in that area, as well as the month. He also discussed the 1980's 'Phoenix' arcade game at some length! SIPO: 2 3 3 2. My location: Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. I hope that this is of some use. Regards, (Andrew, [NLN], Sept 10, BDXC-UK yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) Midlands of Britain, I suppose, rather than Ireland, whence LHH was commonly thought to emanate (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks Andrew. Laser has been booming into London the last week on 4026 kHz. The French monitoring station at Rambouillet (SW Paris) has df'd the transmitter location to Suffolk - see http://www.itu.int/ITU-R/terrestrial/docs/monitoring/files/pdffiles/335.pdf The ITU reports are in the public domain and make very interesting reading for hard-core dxers. Try taking a Google Street Map drive at the co-ords Rambouillet suggests - very interesting. Regards (Stuart Satnipper, BDXC-UK yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) ** FRANCE. Labor unions have announced plans for a strike of undetermined length beginning at 2200 UT on Tuesday, September 11, to protest RFI's move to the Paris suburbs, among other issues (Mike Cooper, GA, Sep 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio France Inter 1557 kHz OFF AIR 2100 UTC 11 SEPTEMBER Ciao! Roberto Pavanello segnala oggi 11 settembre alle 2100-2130 UT su 1557 kHz che il TX di Radio France Info Nizza è spento! Off Air! sulla frequenza arriva debolmente GOLD Radio, UK. Provate anche voi. (Dario Monferini, Italy, 2130 UT Sept 11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I drew a connexion between these two items, but not so: (gh, DXLD) Glenn: No idea if SW affected this time, but I've never seen SW broadcasts cut when there is a strike. So, enjoy the music if you find an RFI SW frequency. A reported outage of a France Inter MW station has nothing to do with RFI. I see there have been some reports of French public radio MW stations going off the air recently. The F Inter outage reported by Dario Monferini probably has more to do with that. mc (Mike Cooper, GA, 2345 UT Sept 11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Come on! France Inter hasn't been on MW for well over two decades!!! (Remy Friess), DXLD So they meant France Info. The point is whether the 300 kW 1557 kHz Nice transmitter was suddenly off the air. Is it on now? Anyhow, I understand that the strike did not take place after all (Glenn Hauser, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) There has been no word of a strike anywhere here in France. Regarding the 1557 kHz transmitter, I can't hear it here during daytime. I'll check tonight. Regards, (Rémy Friess, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, at 0723 UT, the French home services France Inter on 162 kHz (LW Allouis) and France Info on 1377 kHz (MW Lille) are on the air according to my observation. Seems to be the scheduled programme items (Harry Niebuhr, Klein Hehlen, Bonifatiusstrasse 5, 29223 Celle, Germany, Tel.: +49 5141 53848, Fax: +49 5141 9939483, Mobile: +49 162 7168189 Sept 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I've checked French MW stations that I can hear now during daylight hours (12th Sept). 711, 1377, 1404 France Info on air 864 France Bleu on air 162 France inter on air All three have distinctly separate programming. So not simulcasting. Strike over, perhaps. 73 (Steve Whitt, UK, 0824 UT Sept 12, MWCircle yg via DXLD) No evidence of a RFI strike heard on air, despite the strike notice. This may be because of a meeting yesterday of labor leaders and RFI management, during which management said it would delay plans to move staff from Paris to the suburbs. Management also said it would make no further plans until a new director is named for the AEF, the parent organization of RFI that also includes TV5 and France 24. Plans to consolidate the RFI and France 24 web sites have been put on hold, as have plans to consolidate the Arabic editorial staff of France 24 (television) and Monte Carlo Doualiya (radio). (Mike Cooper, 1118 UT Sep 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi again, 1557 is still there, so it's business as usual. 73s, (Rémy Friess, 1705 UT Sept 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I'm quite surprised that this move to the France 24 premises is still on the agenda, since it had been reported that incorporating RFI into France 24 was put on hold when Pouzilhac had been fired: http://www.english.rfi.fr/culture/20120712-french-international-broadcasting-boss-alain-de-pouzilhac-resigns > Radio France Inter [sic] 1557 kHz OFF AIR 2100 UTC 11 SEPTEMBER That's France Info. France Inter has been taken off mediumwave already at yearend 1996. When checking 1557 before and after 1900 France Info was on air here, but it did not sound like the listed 300 kW. Wonder if there is a connection with the shut-down of the shortwave transmitters at Fontbonne? 1557 originates -- or originated?? -- since 2003 from there, too, cf. http://tvignaud.pagesperso-orange.fr/galerie/am/06fontbonne.htm (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Sept 12, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Une info pour le Play DX group, sur France Info en ondes moyennes. Toujours beaucoup de problèmes avec ces émetteurs, car souvent pas d'entretien. France Info è tornato questa mattina alle 0300 UT sulle 1557 kHz Probabilmente un problema di alimentazione a Fontbonne. Come la settimana scorsa, quando Radio Orient (1350 kHz) era OFF AIR per 2 giorni. Bonne journée, (Christian Ghibaudo, Sept 13, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** FRANCE. 17620, Sept 12 at 1257-1259* French talk, sounds like normal programming from RFI, certainly not music fill; poor signal squeezed between the Saudis on 17615 and 17625. A strike of undetermined length had been planned to start at 2200 UT Sept 11, Mike Cooper had reported on Sept 8, but at 1118 UT Sept 12 he follows up [as above] (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. AFN Europe returning to Stuttgart Subject: Re: Communication #454, Sept 2012 Please forward to Mr. Stefano Valianti, re Communication #454, page 10 1143 AFN Heidelberg / Stuttgart, Germany. FM and studio AFN Heidelberg will close soon for ever. Goodbye AFN Heidelberg, Hello AFN Stuttgart Hi all, Forum reports on the radio "AFNBEKENNER" that the AFN Heidelberg comes back to Stuttgart again after 19 years in service - probably plays the withdrawal of forces in Heidelberg a role. The transmit drive from Stuttgart begun on 18 August, 2012. 107.3 MHz Heidelberg is OFF on 30 September, 2012. appropriate link: http://radioforum.foren.mysnip.de/read.php?8773,1050582 another link http://www.afneurope.net/Home/ArticleDisplayDD/tabid/649/Default.aspx?aid=25644 (Wolfgang Büschel, to BDXC-UK, cc to DXLD) Presse: Goodbye AFN Heidelberg, Hello AFN Stuttgart wrote of: AFNBEKENNER Datum: 24. August 2012 07:58 Goodbye AFN Heidelberg, Hello AFN Stuttgart --- Quelle AFN After an absence of more than 19 years, the American Forces Network (AFN) Stuttgart is back on the air. AFN Stuttgart shut its doors in 1993, moving to Hammonds Barracks, and re-flagging itself as AFN Heidelberg. AFN Stuttgart returns to the air August 18th at the Stuttgart CARE Fair during a live radio remote. The station had served Americans in Heidelberg, Mannheim and Stuttgart, but now only broadcasts to Stuttgart. "AFN Europe looks forward to coming back "home" to Stuttgart, as AFN Stuttgart becomes operational on Robinson Barracks sometime in the coming year," says AFN Europe Commander Lt. Col. Sherri Reed. "We have already started the transition of personnel and continue to monitor the progress of AFN Stuttgart's new home. There are so many opportunities to provide both EUCOM and AFRICOM with all that AFN has to offer by being co-located. We are excited to renew old friendships with the Stuttgart community, both German and American." AFN Wiesbaden, AFN Kaiserslautern and the Regional Media Center at AFN Europe headquarters on Coleman Barracks now support the Mannheim and Heidelberg communities. Listeners in Heidelberg and Mannheim can now choose to listen to AFN Kaiserslautern on FM 104.6 and 1143 AM or to AFN Wiesbaden on 98.7 FM or 873 AM. A low-power FM service is still broadcasting in Mannheim on 107.3 FM, but is scheduled to go off the air September 30, 2012. Mannheim and Heidelberg publicity and news coverage requests should now go to tyler.alexander@afn.dma.mil at least a month in advance of the event. AFN Stuttgart's first home was in the Graf Zeppelin Hotel in Stuttgart, from March 17, 1948 to July 21, 1953. The station broadcast from Stuttgart Mittnachtbau from July 21, 1953 to March 17, 1959. Next up was building 151, the Elementary School, from March 17, 1959 to April 16, 1993. AFN Stuttgart became AFN Heidelberg April 16, 1993, when the staff moved to Hammonds Barracks, in Seckenheim. In December 2009, AFN Heidelberg moved onto Coleman Barracks, Mannheim, a block down from AFN Headquarters into a temporary space formerly occupied by a U.S. Army Band. http://www.eucom.mil/organization/command-structure/overview But we know still more than 14.000 US soldiers+nationals on duty in various Stuttgart US facilities. (wb.) http://www.eur.army.mil/organization/garrisons.htm http://www.eucom.mil/Article/20938/forty-years-ago-stuttgart-gets-new-headquarters http://www.eur.army.mil/organization/units.htm http://www.eucom.mil http://www.eucom.mil/Content/60th-timeline/60th-timeline.html vy73 Wolfy df5sx, Stuttgart AFN STUTTGART back from Heidelberg-Mannheim ... Stuttgart Burgholzhof, Robinson Barracks. Hatte ich Euch die Meldung letztes Wochenende schon geschickt? Heute 6. Sept. auch Bericht in der Stgt. Zeitung. vy 73 Wolfgang U.S. Army station. AFN returns back to Stuttgart. Stuttgart will have a new radio station: the U.S. army withdraws from the AFN radio station in Mannheim, AFN Stuttgart will be based in the future in the Robinson Barracks on the Burgholzhof northern Stuttgart outskirts. The program name has been changed: Since the 18th August means the station no longer called AFN Heidelberg, but AFN Stuttgart - again. The true actual move is in late summer 2013. "It's a return," says Mrs. Carola Meusel of press bureau from the U.S. Army. Finally AFN did broadcast already from Stuttgart in from 1959 to 1993. Up to the start of the next year some of the team will produce already program of contributions from Panzerkaserne {tank barracks} Boeblingen, not only for the radio, but also for an eponymous television. An employee already working in the makeshift studio. In the Robinson Barracks Burgholzhof northern Stuttgart outskirts would the renovations are already underway, so Meusel. 16 employees are expected to work in the future with AFN Stuttgart. "The report will focus on Stuttgart, there will be at events and live circuits," she announces. The program is in English, the main target group are more than 23,000 Americans stationed here in the Stuttgart area and their relatives. In Mannheim AFN Europe was stationed. This offer will not move to Stuttgart, but to Sembach in Rhineland-Palatinate {close to Kaiserslautern-Ramstein}. (Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper, Sept 6) MW AFN Stuttgart Hirschlanden 1143 kHz 10 kW FM AFN Stuttgart AFN Eagle Z-FM 102.3 MHz Fernmeldeturm Frauenkopf/Geroksruhe (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. re 1359 kHz - I would like to draw your attention to intermodulations from 1431 kHz (Voice of Russia, transmitter Dresden, Germany) that appear symmetrically on 1359 + 1503 kHz. It is a long- lasting problem which does not correspond with German sense of technical perfection and keeping their promises. They promised to fix the fault already 5 years ago when some German DXers proved that the intermodulations originate from the Wilsdruff transmitter site while they visited the area driving near the site. In my location circa 150 km from the site, the intermodulation on 1359 kHz has its typical fast (chaotic) and deep fading (Karel Honzik, CZECHIA, mwoffset Sept 3, BCDX Sept 9 via DXLD) see MW observation log BELOW. UKRAINE? 1359.006 Slavic/Russian Golos Rossii 1395.000 1802 UT - {Karel Honzik-CZE comments spurious 1359/1503 of VoRUS Dresden Wilsdruff of fundamental 1431 kHz ... and 30 seconds ALB switch ON AIR from 1215 to 1395 kHz, later at 1827 UT ALB TWR very odd 1394.845 kHz, at 2240 UT 1358.997 100% Iran, and England 1358.993 kHz, and UNID 1359.000 (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) ** GERMANY. No sign of R. 6150 on 6070. CFRB was on 6069.96 and there was another signal on 6070 the entire time until I stopped the recording at 0952 which must be part of the CFRB signal. 9 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) Radio 6150 higher power tests --- Since yesterday testing 4 kW day and night. (Radio 6150, Garry Stevens Pirate Free Radio Board, September 11, 9.39 p.m) Heard on 6070 with S9+10db on the AOR7030 signal meter 1910 last night (September 11) (Mike Barraclough, Sept 12, BDXC-UK yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) ** GERMANY. Wednesday 12th September 2012: [normally Saturdays only] Hamburger Lokalradio is on at 0500 to 1700 UT on 7265 kHz All Reception reports to HH Lokalradio: m.kittner @ freenet.de Good Listening 73s (Tom Taylor, Sept 11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. 15630, Sept 6 at 2010-2040, V. of Greece with great signal and great music for nap time, hardly any announcements; weakening somewhat after 2030 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM. QSL: Indian DX Report, via Wavescan, in KSDA Guam, 11825, E- QSL in 5 days for e-report to indiandxreport@gmail.com v/s Prithwiraj Purkayastha (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain, Sept 11, You can see some images in my DX blog: http://maresmedx.blogspot.com/ HCDX via DXLD) ** HAWAII [and non]. WWVH, 10000. Sept 10, 2012. Monday. 0420-0540. YL giving time followed by OM. ID by YL at 0459 (hope my clock is right!) "WWVH Hawaii", followed by OM "Radio Station WWV, Fort Collins, Colorado". First time I have heard either of the WWV's in South Africa. If this is Glenn's "Robofem", she sounds far more lifelike than any synthesized voice I have heard in my part of the third world. Fair at 0420, faded out completely by 0540. Jo'burg sunrise 0410 (Bill Bingham, RSA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The YL voice giving the time on WWVH is a real person, no doubt recorded long ago for an antique automation system. There have been stories about her identity. The `robofem` giving the propagation info on WWV at :18 (but not on WWVH at :45 which is a real man) is an entirely different Thing (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) WWVH 10000, Sept, 10, 2012. Monday. 1358-1401. Just beginning to fade in again, YL and OM talking but unreadable, tones just audible. Sadly, did not improve. Completely gone at later check, 1935. Jo'burg sunset 1559 (Bill Bingham, RSA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Bill, Do you normally hear some other Time & Frequency station on 10 MHz? JL (Jerry Lenamon, TX, ibid.) Down here in Colombo Sri Lanka on 10 MHz the regulars are WWVH, BPM and recent entry Brazil. Sadly miss the days when JJY and ATA New Delhi were heard (Victor Goonetilleke, ibid.) Hi Jerry, Thanks for yours. Also thanks to Glenn for the WWV / WWVH info he emailed to me yesterday. No, at my location there has been a drought of time and frequency stations. I always pause on 10000 whenever I tune through it, but I do not recall hearing a time signal there since I left the UK (where WWV was a regular) years ago. I guess it`s partly because they are mostly low powered stations, and also my antenna position is far from ideal at present, although it has not always been so. Having said that, WWVH was there again this morning, and not just on 10000. I hope the drought has broken! Hawaii (USA). WWVH, Sept. 11, 2012. Tuesday. Jo'burg sunrise 0409: 5000, 0425-0440. Poor, and faded out by 0440. 10000, 0425-0457. Fair at first, almost gone by 0457. 15000, 0425-0457. Poor, but still there at 0457. Gone at later check, 0720. Regards (Bill Bingham, RSA, ibid.) ** HONDURAS. 630, Radio América, Choluteca (and) la Ceiba. 1036 September 4, 2012. This one bumped up to local level almost instantly at 1036 with lots of Tegucigalpa and la Ceiba ads, including spots for auto insurance, mortgage financing, Coke-a-Cola, and a couple repeats of “anti-asthma” (that’s what it sounded like anyway, maybe a medication?). ID’s and time checks, otherwise news format. By 1058, a low growl and micro-second delay from the weaker one. First time I can recall hearing both long-listed sites on the channel and having never known which one to claim as the site previously. Both were fading down pretty fast after 1105 (Terry L. Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA. Appended equipment used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phaser; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. INAUGURATION OF 1000 KW MW STATION AT RAJKOT, INDIA INVITATION (2).pdfINVITATION (2).pdf Hello Friends! While many stations are closing down MW & SW stations, All India Radio is commissioning its new 1000 kW MW transmitter at Rajkot (1071 kHz AM Mode, 1080 kHz DRM Mode) on 10th Sept 12. Attached please find copy of the official invitation in Hindi. General translation of the same is as follows: Director General, All India Radio invites you on the auspicious occasion of dedication to the nation of Super Power Transmitter, Liyara (Jamnagar) by Mr. Vikrambhai Arjanbhai Maadam, Member of Parliament in presence of Mr.J awhar Sirkar, CEO, Broadcasting Corporation of India on 10th September 2012 at 11.00 am which will be held at AIR Super Power Transmitter campus. Tel: 0281-2458612 AIR SPT, Liyara (Jamnagar) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Note: Test transmission from the station has been heard even in Europe. They are in Simulcast mode, viz. 1071 kHz AM Mode (870 kW) & in DRM Mode on 1080 kHz. The sked is as follows on 1071 kHz : (All India Radio, External Service) Transmission 1: 0015-0430 UT Transmission 2: 0830-1130 Transmission 3: 1230-1900 The details are: 0015-0100 UTC Urdu 0100-0200 UTC Sindhi 0200-0430 UTC Urdu 0830-1130 UTC Urdu 1230-1500 UTC Sindhi 1500-1600 UTC Baluchi 1600-1930 UTC Urdu Their exact postal address is: Super Power Transmitter All India Radio Radio Colony Jamnagar Road, Rajkot 360006 Gujarat, India Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda, Hyderabad 500082, India, Sept 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. India heard on 1071 this evening --- Hello To All, After hearing reports that India had been heard recently in Europe on 1071 kHz I have been monitoring that frequency regularly for an sign of it. Tonight I was rewarded with the following catch 1071 - INDIA - All India Radio , Rajkot 0045-0051 UT Sep 9 in Urdu language .... news items about Pakistan, Science & Technology, then into a vocal song "All India Radio" ID and ID heard again at 0059 when signal had diminished more. Receivers: Yaesu FRG-100 with 320' wire as well as audible on a Sony SRF-M37V Ultralight barefoot India has definitely been on my wish list for a while now. Good DX to all, (Allen Willie, Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland, IRCA via DXLD) We heard AIR 1071 while in Cappahayden, Newfoundland some years ago. It took some digging to get it. This new transmitter appears to be getting out well. It might rival our first and easiest India reception on 1566. Nice job, Allen! (Jim Renfrew, NY, ibid.) Dear DX-friends, I heard the tests from the new MW-transmitter in Rajkot about 6,100 kilometres from the transmitter with a strong signal! 1071, 1850-1905 08.09, AIR Rajkot FS, Urdu ann and songs, 44444, QRM an Arabic station, but heard // Delhi 6045 (34333) Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Denmark, dx_india yg via DXLD) Hi Anker, May by the New Year we shall have another SPT from Mogra (Near Kolkata) transmitting. 73 (Sudipta Ghose, India, ibid.) Rajkot 1071 was heard in Newfoundland, Canada a week or two ago for about 10 minutes in the 0050Z time frame with news, commentary, a song and ID as AIR, as reported. - 73 Bob k2euh (Foxworth, ibid.) AIR Rajkot mainlobe of British designed 4-mast array is at approx. 305 degrees according to G.E. So the north-western MAINLOBE signal path touches city areas like Karachi, Zahedan, Sirjan, Isfahan, Teheran, Ankara, Sofia, Tirana, Rome, and Monaco into western Europe (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 10 via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) Hello To All, Once again I'm hearing All India Radio with their new transmitter performing well. 1071 kHz - India, All India Radio Rajkot 0050 UTCSep 12 with Urdu language, man with news and eventually station ID. Signal decent on peaks. I'll try and get the audio/camera video of this one another evening and post to YouTube. Receivers: Heard on Kenwood R-5000 w/ 320' wire & Sony SRF-M37W Ultralight barefoot. Good DX (Allen Willie, Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland, IRCA via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) Shri. CK Omprakash, DDG(E)(Projects), Mumbai has posted few photos at: http://airddfamily.blogspot.in/2012/09/air-gets-super-power-digital.html (Alokesh Gupta, dx_india yg via DXLD) Mostly people, not equipment (gh, DXLD) INDIA’S FIRST 1000 KW DRM SUPER POWER TRANSMITTER OF AIR DEDICATED TO NATION IN GUJARAT India’s first 1000 Kilo Watt Digital Radio Mondiale-DRM Super Power Transmitter-of All India Radio has been dedicated to the Nation at Liyare village in Jamnagar district in Gujarat today. Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Jawahar Sircar, Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati has said that All India Radio is going to install DRM digital technology transmitters at other Stations very soon. He said that this Super Power Transmitter of DRM Technology at Jamnagar will also help to spread the India’s rich culture to our neighbouring countries. Inaugurating the newly commissioned Super Power Transmitters at the Liyare village of Jamnagar, Member of Parliament Mr. Vikram Madam expressed his gratitude for fulfilling the long pending demand of this border region of Gujarat. Our Correspondent reports the Super Power Transmittre with DRM technology is capable of broadcasting in DRM, AM and simulcast modes which is the first of its kind in the country. The entire project was completed at the total cost of 42 crore rupees. Three brand new solid state transmitters of 400 kW of S7HP model made byThomson Broadcast of France is capable of pumping out 1200 kilo Watt power has been installed here this year by Engineers from France along with their counterparts from All India Radio. Our Correspondent adds that it is a Relay Station used by Urdu, Sindhi and Baluchi programs of AIR External Services beamed to nearby Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and some other Gulf countries in North West direction. The frequency is 1071 kHz for AM mode and 1080 kHz for DRM mode. During tests, Urdu Service and Vividh Bharati programs are being broadcast. Sep 10 Source: http://newsonair.nic.in/news.asp?cat=National&id=NN6567&bigger=bigger (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, dxldyg via DXLD) Story is no longer found at that link, tho an abbr`d one is nearby (gh) Alokesh, Any news of what power level they plan to run the DRM at when they use that mode? I suspect the behemoth will not be capable of a megawatt DRM. The combiner and phasing for a 3 x 400 kW AM transmitter is a challenge (the 1 megawatt VOA mediumwave in the Philippines was causing all kinds of arcing in the transmission line when I was at Tinian) and it will be an absolute nightmare for DRM! 73 (Al Muick, Williamsport PA USA, ibid.) see also ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS ** INDIA. 9870, Sept 8 at 1254, AIR VBS is improving as we approach equinox, Indian pop music, fair with flutter (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. All India Radio heard on 9 September from 1002 tune-in on 17895 relaying its Urdu service - not the scheduled English programme (was in parallel - a few seconds ahead - of the live stream at http://allindiaradio.gov.in/Profile/ListenLive 17510 heard correctly running with General Overseas Service in English. When checked back at 1045, 17895 and 17510 now in parallel with the GOS in English (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 3325, RRI Palangkaraya, 1335 Sept 11, Indonesian, songs, fanfare music and couple of “Radio Republik Indonesia” IDs. Poor (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening lakeside, from my car, with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 4749.95, RRI Makassar, frequent checking from 1302 to 1448, Sept 11. Tuesday’s “Kang Guru Indonesia” program was preempted today by special non-stop coverage of a major event in Makassar consisting of speeches, music and announcers` commentary. Checking the web for what this might have been, I found that the Mayor of Makassar, along with a member of the House of Representatives have officially declared their candidacies as the South Sulawesi governor and deputy governor for the upcoming election. The South Sulawesi gubernatorial election is scheduled for January 22, 2013, so we can expect to find more election coverage in the coming months from RRI Makassar. As it was local programming it was not carried by RRI on 3325 or 9680 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA?? 4869.92, RRI Wamena?? Just a weak signal showing up here after 1100 tune/in. Too weak for audio. Guess it would be Wamena. 7 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) 4869.90v, RRI Wamena, 1159, Sept 12. Still with very erratic broadcasting; RRI jingle; Love Ambon; Jakarta News relay. 1329 phone conversation; covered at 1332 with sign on of assume Sedaye Kashmir, Voice of Kashmir via AIR, Delhi, India on 4870 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 9525.98, V. of Indonesia, Sep 06 1301-1310, 33432, English, ID at 1301, News (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9526-, Sept 6 at 1338, VOI is on today, fair carrier with hum, but no modulation at all detectable. 9526-, Sept 7 at 1330, only a poor carrier can be detected from VOI on its characteristic off-frequency, no modulation in English. 9526-, Sept 8 at 1250 and 1348 chex, no signal from VOI. 9526-, Sept 9 at 1347, no signal again today from VOI. Atsunori Ishida shows nothing on Sept 8 or 9 except for a carrier at 0940-0949 Sept 8. 9526-, Sept 10 at 1321 check, zero signal from VOI. http://rri.jpn.org/ agrees it`s still off. 9526-, Sept 11 at 1252 and 1350, no signal from VOI (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9526, nothing heard at 1330-1400 during several checks, Sept 11 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening lakeside, from my car, with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9526-, Sept 12 at 1237, another day with no signal from VOI (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hey, who needs a funxioning SW broadcast when you can win a trip to Indonesia instead at considerable expense to the sponsors? OTOH, I hope some of the visitors can politely encourage them to get the thing working, or buy some relays (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) Viz.: ** INDONESIA. Wonderful Indonesia QUIZ WINNER 2012 As per the final list published in VOI, Facebook page 1. Christian Milling, from Euskirchen, Germany 2. Didarul Iqbal, from Dhaka, Bangladesh 3. Keith Sedgwick from London, GB 4. Mauno Ritola from Heinävaara, Finland 5. Tarek Zeidan from Helwan Cairo Egypt [later a group photo as attachment to the dxldyg, different order] This program is brought to you by RRI World Service, Voice of Indonesia and Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia. Many know name isn't? Christian also uploaded few photos after reaching yesterday, where we can see Mauno, Chistian and Tarek standing with others, Didarul Iqbal also updates in his facebook that he reached there. They will be in Indonesia for 7 days (This week) and take part in various RRI activities/shows also. You may remember well that last year (December 2012) was only 2 winner - Swopan Chakraborty from India and Igor Sannikov from Russia (Partha Sarathi Goswami, Siliguri, W.B., India, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. RFE/RL, Tangled Web blog, 7 Sept 2012, Luke Allnut: "The rise of fake news is inextricably linked with the popularity, spread, and click dynamics of social media. In an earlier Internet ecosystem of homepages and bookmarks, we would enter websites through the front door. You go to "The Onion" and you know that you're getting satire. But with much of today’s content consumption done through the side door of social media, or search engines sending us directly to article pages, more and more fake news is evading our satire radars. With the proliferation of news sites and blogs and the diversification and globalization of our consumption habits (most people in the United States weren’t reading Indian news sites 10 years ago), clicking on websites that are unfamiliar to us is a daily occurrence." (kimandrewelliott.com Sept 11 via DXLD) ** IRELAND [non]. Excellent signal here in Romania from RTÉ at 1300 UT Sept 9 on 17540 and 17685 kHz. Nothing on 7505 kHz. Here is a short recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRovC-Z-eck&feature=youtube_gdata_player (Tudor Vedeanu, Gura Humorului, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17540, RTE’s All-Ireland Hurling Finals heard with fairly good signals with live play from 1329 tune in to after 1400 and continuing. Rebroadcast via Meyerton I think. The feed was interrupted several times during this period. In a match ending about 1330, Tipperary defeated Dublin (Don Jensen, Sept 9, NASWA yg via DXLD) 17685, Sept 9 at 1344, JBA carrier, gaining a bit at 1345 to audiblize urgent speech, obviously something important like RTE`s annual GAA All-Ireland Hurling Final broadcast. Also on 17540, very poor. These two and 7505 are scheduled from 13 to 17 UT, except 17540 switches to 11915 for the final hour. Details: http://www.rte.ie/sport/features/gaa/2012/0904/336266-worldwide-all-ireland-finals-coverage-on-rte-radio/ Sites not given, but all for parts of Africa from within or nearby the continent. They`ll be back in a fortnight at the same hours for the All-Ireland Football Final on Sunday 23 September (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Unfortunately here in Germany 17685 kHz is covered by China mainland jamming against VOA Tibetan service from Lampertheim ex-17730, 1400- 1500 UT. So, no chance to give a reception log of the RTE strength! But 17540 is S=8-9 strength even in Germany. But only carrier heard now at 1411 UT, audio feed came back at 1413 UT, and between a short piece of religious broadcaster interval signal heard, was it FEBA bells? 73 wb df5sx, (Wolfgang Büschel, 1405 UT Sept 9, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) RE RTE 17685 shortwave. So around 1430 UT check, the Chinese jamming organisation ceased their co-channel check transmission, VOA Tibetan co-channel 17685 showed only on Sats in HFCC list. 17540 towards East Africa is still real better shortwave transmission in Germany. Another break in RTE audio feed happened at 1445-1446 UT. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) Good signal from RTE Radio 1 on 17540 from tune-in at 1500 UT on Sunday 9th; 17685 also audible but poor; not heard at this time on 7505. Possibly via Meyerton though there is a time lag between 17540 and 17685 and the audio sounds quite different - 17685 is rather distorted. Audio has cut out several times on both freqs but at different times. In parallel on LW 252 khz - Galway v Kilkenny hurling final. 73s (Dave Kenny, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) Someone from Japan reported on my YouTube channel that RTÉ is audible there on 7505 kHz. Still nothing here (Tudor Vedeanu, Romania, 1533 UT, ibid.) 7505 kHz became able to receive it in Japan from about 1500 UT. The condition is good to fair (S. Hasegawa, ibid.) At 1520z tune in nice signal on both 7505 & 17540, no copy on 17685. (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, ibid.) Good signal at 1615 UT on 11915 kHz. And 7505 finally audible here in Romania, weak (Tudor, ibid.) WRN has revealed the sites unto me: West Africa 1300-1700 UTC, SKN, 300 kW, 17685 kHz East Africa 1300-1600 UTC, MEY, 250 kW, 17540 kHz 1600-1700 UTC, MEY, 100 kW, 11915 kHz Southern Africa 1300-1700 UTC, MEY, 100 kW, 7505 kHz (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Many thanks Glenn for WRN mail forwarding. 11915 kHz fine signal at S=9+15dB level in Germany at 1620 UT, audio break again at 1631-1633. Okay, the local southern Africa signal 2000 km around Meyerton-AFS is poor here at S=5 level fluttery, but above reading level. Still poor here, the 17685 kHz Skelton 180 degree signal towards West Africa, only S=4-5 heard on the continent. 73 wolfy (Büschel, ibid.) 17685 - RTE, Skelton, UK - Fair reception here in Massachusetts at 1648 with analysis of match between 3 commentators. Followed with TC and local weather, then into Gaelic announcements (Stephen Wood, Harwich, Mass., Perseus SDR, 25 x 50 Superloop Antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17685, UNITED KINGDOM. RTE Radio 1 via Skelton, 1523-1700*, Sep 9. Coverage of second half of All Ireland Hurling Final won by Galway over Kilkenny. There was RTE news at 1616 with a woman announcer, several IDs and RTE Radio 1 Weather at 1618. Back to more post match coverage including talk about earlier “minor” Tipperary-Dublin contest which apparently leads to another match up on Sep 30 (more shortwave coverage perhaps?). Weather and news from 1654 until transmission terminated at 1700. Fair for long periods of time but also faded down to poor and sometimes just awful for equally long periods of time. Nice to hear local RTE programming (news, weather, commercials and announcements) in addition to match coverage. I can’t find it now but I thought I saw a report from gh that WRN says this was Skelton, UK (Rich D'Angelo, Wyomissing PA 19610, Ten-Tec RX-340, Drake R-8B, Eton E1, Eton E5, Alpha Delta DX Sloper, RF Systems Mini-Windom, Datong FL3, JPS ANC-4, NASWA Flashsheet via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) The same schedule will be employed for the football final on September 23; furthermore, since hurling ended in a draw, there will be more such broadcasts for the replay of that on September 30 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, Galway shocked hurling powerhouse Kilkenny by playing to a draw in Sunday's final, which means a replay of the match on September 30 (first since 1959). Look for the same RTE shortwave frequencies to be in use (Chuck Albertson, Seattle, Wash. Sent via BlackBerry, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL [non]. 9955 USA, Kol Israel via WRMI Florida, 0657 Sept 6, English, woman with news and markets, followed by weather which was interrupted for a WRMI QSL offer. Fair-good with very little jamming audible (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening lakeside from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) WRMI 9955 is currently relaying the WRN North American service for many hours including M-F at 0645-0700 when WRN carries Israel Radio daily. Full WRN schedule, July update: http://www.wrn.org/listeners/assets/PDFs/WRN_ENGLISH_NORTH_AMERICA_A12.pdf And you may of course listen online to all of it direct from WRN (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. QSL: Galei Zahal, 15850, QSL in 1 week for e-report to glz@galatz.co.il (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain, Sept 11, You can see some images in my DX blog: http://maresmedx.blogspot.com/ HCDX via DXLD) ** JAPAN [and non]. Here is the message to DXers from Toshi Ohtake of JSWC (Japan Short Wave Club) regarding 60th anniversary of the club. ------------------------ Dear Radio Friends, Today I am asking your actions regarding our club's 60th anniversary. As I mentioned in our bulletin, our anniversary programs have been aired from some radio stations in the world. My interview was aired from KBS World, CRI Peking, Voice of Russia Moscow and IRIB, Teheran. All of these were in Japanese. Some of you may remember, I was regularly on the air from Radio Japan a couple of years ago. Now they have a program called "Friends around the World" every Sunday. NHK home page says Friends Around the World is a program that is designed to connect more of Radio Japan listeners around the world. We read your e-mails and letters, have interviews, and cover other interesting topics based on your requests. So what are you waiting for? Your messages, comments, questions and even song requests are always welcome! Please click on Contact Us at the bottom of the page and send us a message. You can listen to the program from NHK Web site at http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/radio/program/index.html Please listen to the program and write to Radio Japan and ask about Japan Short Wave Club which is celebrating 60th anniversary, amazing record for the radio hobbyists. Hope NHK responds your request and may remember me and ask me to show up as a quest. You can also listen by radio at 0500 UTC on 6110(Canada), 5975UK, 11970(France) at 1000 UTC on 9695 SNG, 9625 Yamata at 1200 UTC on 9695 SNG, 6120 Canada at 1300 UTC on 15735 UZB at 1400 UTC on 15735 UZB at 1800 UTC on 15720 MDG You may tune next Sunday. Hope your actions will work. If a special interview is materialized, I will issue the special 60th anniversary QSL to the reports received at JSWC. Toshi Ohtake, JSWC. ------------------- Reception reports to JSWC should be addressed to; QSL Section Japan Short Wave Club P. O. Box 44, Kamakura Post Office Kanagawa pref., 248-8691 Japan IRC is required for the printed QSL. If you prefer E-QSL, send by E- mail to: jswcqsl @ live.jp (Takahito Akabayashi, Japan, Sept 9, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6080, Sept 8 at 0514, NHK World Radio Japón via BONAIRE is playing the same Japanese song as 6110, Sept 8 at 0514, NHK World Radio Japan via CANADA. English ends about a semiminute ahead with outro, both a show about this particular singer (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also CANADA I listen to NHK on 15265 kHz (its Bonaire transmission) several times a week for the consistent strength and clarity of its signal, and, though I don't speak Japanese, I enjoy its great variety of music, including classical. I tuned today just a bit after 2300 GMT and enjoyed Beethoven's Symphony number 6, The Pastoral, truly one of the most celebrated and beautiful pieces of music to grace this bloody world. My S-Meter registered 4 out of 5 consistently. I learned from the announcer (though in Japanese) that this was a recording of the old Columbia Symphony conducted by the great Bruno Walter. The music was beautiful, deep, resonant & soul-stirring -- it might even suggest a divinity in things. I am grateful to NHK because I had not heard the 6th for some time. It was a luminous moment in my life on an early Saturday evening in Dallas -- a gift to me through shortwave radio (Grayson Watson in Dallas, TX using a Satellit 750 radio with a Par End-Fedz SW antenna, NASWA yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) ** KASHMIR [non]. 4870, Sedaye Kashmir, Voice of Kashmir, via AIR, Delhi, India, (presumed), *1332, Sept 12. Suddenly on with subcontinent music and mixing with RRI Wamena (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. Hi all! VOICE OF KOREA, the official foreign broadcasting service of the DPR Korea (North) from Pyongyang, have informed me that they are now using (for the first time ever) the following eMail address: VOK@star-co.net.kp They say: 'The address will help further developing the friendly relations between our broadcast and listeners.' In particular, they ask for the following: 'English or French books or CD medias about internet, afforestation, urbanism, laughing stories (humor novels), world-famous men and women stories, and technology will be strongly appreciated. Thanks a lot'. I think, however, that you may also contact them in other languages. Anyone wishing to receive the original message as jpg can contact me. 73s, (Arnulf Piontek, Berlin, Sept 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH. 50th Anniversary of KBS World Radio in Spanish ABU September 7, 2012 http://www.abu.org.my/Latest_News-@-50th_Anniversary_of_KBS_World_Radio_in_Spanish.aspx KBS World Radio’s Spanish service is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Broadcasting its first program on the 19th of August 1962, the channel is now on air for four hours per day for the Spanish speaking audience around the world through diverse platforms such as shortwave radio, the Internet and FM radio. To mark the occasion, a special program on K-Pop was broadcast on the 18th and 19th of August. First part of the program, entitled ‘Love for Korea in Seven Shades’, followed two girls from Mexico and Costa Rica visiting and experiencing Korea, while the second part was a chart show of the most popular K-Pop numbers in the Spanish speaking region. KBS World Radio, broadcasts in eleven languages and serves as the window of Korean culture and entertainment content for the audiences of the world (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH [non non and non]. Hi Kevin, Wonder if you have any info from KBS about the fate of their relays via Sackville in the next season? I haven`t been able to find out about any replacements, and of course the 9650 broadcast was our best chance to hear it (and you) despite the N. Korea collision. 73, (Glenn Hauser to Kevin O`Donovan, NM via DXLD) Glenn, It was mentioned on the show a couple of months ago that when Sackville closes they will use their own transmitters in Korea to broadcast to North America. I sent an email to the producer for an update. If they still plan on using their own transmitter in Korea I hope it's in the morning. A couple of decades ago their broadcast from 1215-1315 on 9750 came in clear. However their evening broadcast on 15575 was not dependable (which caused them to end that and use Sackville during the evenings). I'll let you know what I hear from them (Kevin O`Donovan, Farmington NM, Sept 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9650, Sept 11 at 1249, KBS World Radio playing a bit of ``Palladio`` music like RFA does in Chinese, amid a talk about Tae Kwan Do; SAH from presumed N. Korea but its modulation is over. We`d better enjoy KBS while we can in North America, as Sackville will be gone by the end of A-12, and I have not been able to find out about any replacements. In B-12 KBS does plan to continue relays via UK, France, UAE, and a new one via French Guiana for Spanish at 03-04 on 15400, to NW S America, but nothing toward North America in English (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, FYI, I sent a note to KBS asking the same question back when RCI announced they were heading for the dumper. I never got a response which was unusual for them. I have always received answers to my questions. Well maybe you'll have more luck finding out. It would be a shame if they cut us off. I have always found them to be very cordial and appreciative to SWL's. 73 (Ed McCorry, KI4QDE & WDX2PNH, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9560, Sept 12 at 0201, VG signal from KBS World Radio in Spanish via CANADA as usual; checked following a Bulgarian DXpedition blog showing this as English to North America. I see that Aoki correctly shows this semihour as in Spanish, but incorrectly still shows another semihour of English on same at 0230, which was cancelled months ago. I thought we had clarified this back in July (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH. 6760, Sept 6 at 1232, Korean talk, no jamming, no doubt MND Radio. Just yesterday Ron Howard discovered a new // for the 1200 broadcast, 4925, ex-5900, so I try 4925: JBA carrier underneath a blob from one of my local cable DTV converter boxes (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sept 6 had much stronger reception than yesterday, with no jamming yet during checks made at 1229 and 1242* on 4925. Today // 6760 was also strong with no jamming at all, unlike yesterday. Both frequencies nice and clear! (Ron Howard, Heard at Asilomar State Beach, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ?? 4739.99, R. MND?? Definite signal here at 1103. Unfortunately right at threshold and couldn't confirm audio, however it did sound like there might have been music. No jamming. Had a signal and talking just audible in LSB on 6700 at 1114 check. It was jammed on the high side. 7 Sept. 4739.99, Korean, MND Radio, JongAn, (presumed) as listed in the A12 schedule (Aoki). Ran across at 1128 with M voice with Koroean talking until 1149. Singing chorus till 1150, and off. Weak modulation, and difficult in heavy QRN. 9/10 (Jim Young, WPC6JY, Wrightwood, CA, ICOM IC-756 ProIII, 80-M inverted Vee and 40-M yagi, NASWA yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) New sked of MND Radio S. Korea --- MND Radio in Korean 1* 0400v-0445v 4925, 6760 2* 0500v-0540v 5150, 6480 5* 0600v-0635v 4740, 6700 4* 0700v-0735v 5290, 6360 2* 1000v-1040v 5150, 6480 3* 1100v-1150v 4740, 6700 1* 1200v-1240v 4925, 6760 * version Opening music Closing music 1 male Come For Love 2 male Whistle Our Wish 3 male Peace Our Wish 4 female Genuine I miss you 5 female Peace Our Wish - de Hiroshi (S. Hasegawa, Japan, Sept 11, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KURDISTAN [non]. BELGIUM(non) Frequency change of Denge Mezopotamya in Kurdish from Sep. 7: 0300-1900 NF 11510 SMF 300 kW / 129 deg to WeAs, ex 11530 till Sep. 2. Excellent signal in Bulgaria, 73! Ivo Ivanov, Sofia, Sept 8, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, I also noticed that yesterday. What about Miraya relay? 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, Sept 8, ibid.) Also hearing 11510 with fair to good signal since 1426 tune-in today (8 Sept). Shortwave outlet is parallel to internet live streams on http://www.denge-mezopotamya.com/zindi.html and http://www.denge-kurdistan.com/ (actually SW is a few seconds ahead of the denge-mezopotamya stream, which is a few seconds of the denge-kurdistan stream). (Alan Roe (Teddington, UK), dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Just checked it out: The Denge Kurdistan site points at mms://194.78.180.147:1979 which is a 64k stereo WMA stream I received about seven seconds after 11510. The server is connected via Belgacom (Skynet), and the Whois database even includes the description "Roj". The stream link on the Denge Mezopotamya site points at mms://push1.netromedia.net/97e6b37e-da51-43d4-8668-0a4b4a58279f which is a WMA stream with 58k I got 27 seconds after 11510. The IP is 188.165.13.70 which is in a range held by a provider (OVH) in Roubaix, France. So Denge Kurdistan indeed originates from the Roj TV studios at Denderleeuw near Brussels, at least as far as playout/distribution are concerned. The meaning of it being presented as a service of Newroz TV could be that it's operated with a Swedish licence now. Something interesting may have happened on the TV side as well. For the BSS mux on Eutelsat 9A Lyngsat lists under SID 2202 a "Mesopotamia Music Channel". Kingofsat shows it as "METV" (click at http://de.kingofsat.net/tp.php?tp=2222 on "ZAP" for a screenshot, showing the related corner logo). Trouble is that BSS could have always kept the channel ID as "MESOPOTAMIA TV". If so simple frequency lists could easily miss the apparent change. It is of interest because that name reminds of the former incarnations of Roj TV which all got banned in one way or another, too. And 11510 is now booming into eastern Germany as if it would be the target area. Hard to imagine this as still being Luch, where transmissions into the Middle East went out in a right angle to the direction of Central Europe, resulting in very faint signals (Kai Ludwig, Germany, 1851 UT Sept 8, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Domenica 9 settembre 2012: Sicura, invece, alle 0545 DENGE MEZOPOTAMYA sui nuovi 11510 kHz, identificata grazie alla risposta in lista di Wolfgang Bueschel: evidentemente, hanno deciso di iniziare a provare il nuovo canale prima della stagione B12, nonostante gli 11530 non fossero così negativi, a parte qualche interferenza a metà del pomeriggio sulle frequenze vicine (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia bclnews.it yg via DXLD) 11510, Sept 10 at 0451, ME music, presumed Kurdish, fair signal at S9+10. 0500 announcement with sound effects, 0501 ID as ``Denge Kurdistan``, 0502 talk mentioning ``Roj`` several times, mixed with music. By 0524 recheck had faded to very poor. This apparently replaces Voice of Mesopotamia on 11530, which has not been audible here for months, so also from a new site? Had been via Ukraine, but HFCC shows 11510 is still 300 kW, 129 degrees from ``SMF`` since 1 September, 0300-1900. No signal at all, however at 1319 check, as it also used to be audible around that time, more so in the winter. (However, VOR in hummy Hindi via TAJIKISTAN is audible on 11500.) Kai Ludwig speculates that the 11510 site now sounds like Grigoriopol, Pridnesntrovye, and that Luch, Ukraine has perhaps closed down completely, making Ukraine another ex-SWBC country, except for the private/pirate? on 11980 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ukraine? Denge Mezopotamya? 11530, Mykolaiv (Nikolayev)? Sept 10, 2012. Monday. 1756-1900*. I did not hear a recognisable ID at 1800. Into nice music and songs, presumed Kurdish, continued to 1900* cut- off with no further announcements. Regarding the discussion on change of ID and / or transmitter site, I can only say I have never received it so well. But propagation is doing funny things here in SA at present. Fair-good. Jo'burg sunset 1559 (Bill Bingham, RSA, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11510, Sept 11 at 0423, Kurdish singing, poor signal, almost all music until 0500 from V. of Kurdistan, still registered as UKRAINE site. No reply from Ludo Maes to my inquiry about whether there has been a site change and the current correct schedule, ex-11530. However, Bill Bingham in South Africa was still hearing presumed Denge Mezopotamya on 11530, Sept 10 at 1756-1900*. 11510, Sept 12 at 0521, Kurdish talk on good signal from Denge Kurdistan, presumably via UKRAINE as registered with HFCC, supposedly all the way from 03 to 19, altho when checked around 1300, I hear no trace of it on 11510 or on former 11530 where it was known as Denge Mezopotamiya (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Mercoledì 12 settembre 2012 --- Alle 0558 sintonizzo la PL-660 su 11510 e c'è la solita emittente *ex Denge Mezopotamya*, perché da quando l'ho scoperta per la prima volta qualche giorno fa, io ho sentito soltanto degli annunci femminili come *DENGE KURDISTAN*, di Mezopotamya riferimenti non ce ne sono più. Un cambiamento, probabilmente, deciso per questioni politiche locali. In ogni caso, l'anomalia è che alle 0559 salgo a 11530 e in perfetto // c'è ugualmente DENGE KURDISTAN. Il livello dei segnali, anche nelle evanescenze, era identico su entrambe le frequenze, per cui la postazione trasmittente (ucraina?) potrebbe essere la stessa. Ma perché 2 frequenze? Ipotesi: 1) Qualcuno si sarà lamentato di non ricevere più gli 11530. 2) Fanno delle prove per tenersi la frequenza migliore nella stagione B12 3) Tengono in esercizio l'impianto dismesso da Miraya FM e che veniva usato al mattino più o meno in questo orario. Qualche risposta, da oltreoceano, vedremo se mi verrà data (Luca Botto Fiora, Italy, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Wednesday, September 12, 2012: 0558 tuning the PL-660 on 11510 and there's the usual transmission *ex-Denge Mezopotamya*, because since I discovered this for the first time some days ago, I heard only a female with *Denge KURDISTAN* no more references to Mezopotamya. A change probably decided on local political issues. In any case, the anomaly is that at 0559 I get to 11530 and in perfect // there is also Denge KURDISTAN. The level of the signals, even in fading, was identical on both frequencies, for which the transmitter site (Ukraine?) could be the same. But why two frequencies? Hypotheses: 1) Someone will complain about not receiving 11530 any more. 2) They are testing to decide which will be best for B-12. 3) This keeps operating the plant discontinued by Miraya FM that was used in the morning and more or less at about this time. We'll see if I will be given any response from overseas (google translation fixed up by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) See UKRAINE for more ** KUWAIT. 21540, Sept 10 at 1356, R. Kuwait reception is steadily improving; impassioned Arabic drama with SFX, and nothing audible from Spain underneath (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LAOS. Official web site of Lao National Radio, http://www.lnr.org.la seems to be infected. The site is blocked by the major explorers (IE, Firefox, Opera etc.) as "dangerous site which may inject malwares". I asked Mr. Inpanh Satchaphansy, director of foreign relations, about this. He admitted the site is not working properly. He recommended to access http://www.laonationalradio.com instead until the problem is solved. This site is all in Lao (installation of Lao fonts needed), and consists streaming audio (Takahito Akabayashi, Japan, Sept 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBYA. Japanese DXer received Arabic on 11600 kHz at 1510-1848* UT on Sep. 10. http://ani.atz.jp/FBDX/LogBBS/img/1071.mp3 by Amano in Saitama-prefecture http://ani.atz.jp/FBDX/LogBBS/img/1064.mp3 by remote SDR in Italy (S. Hasegawa, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So reactivated after a few months, minus the French circa 17-18 (gh) 11600, When checked at 0925 UT Sept 11, heard with rather low modulation in pure Arabic relay. In peaks up to S=8-9 here in Germany. ID like "Radio Libya ... " at 0954 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 11 via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) Hello DXers, 1435 UT, picking Radio Libya on 11600 kHz as per Wolfy's tip with songs in Arabic SIO 333 USB here in Jakarta Indonesia. All the best (Tarek Zeidan, Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept 11, Sent from my iPad, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Why in Jakarta? See INDONESIA. A good time to get away from Cairo (gh) Radio Libya heard here with good signal strength since 1820 tune-in today (11 Sept) with Arabic programme. Clear "Radio Libya" ID heard just after 1820. Still on air just past 1900 (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, Sept 11, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, ibid.) Radio Libya is past 1900 UT, continues in Arabic now, poor condx and low modulation (S. Hasegawa, Japan, 1908 UT, ibid.) 11600 - R. Libya - Fair reception at 2040. OM taking telephone call in Arabic with spirited political diatribe. Plenty of mentions of Libya, Mubarak, Syria. An apparent Arabic version of American political radio talk show. Signal only fair but in the clear with only slight static (Stephen Wood, Harwich, Mass., Sept 11, Perseus SDR, 20x 50 superloop antenna, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) And they were having a good ol’ time, too. Lots of laughing (-don jensen, WI, 2105 UT, NASWA yg via DXLD) LBY 11600 kHz not on air today Sept 12 at 1530 UT, 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Observations of LBY on 11600 in Arabic: September 11 1530-2130, co-ch China Radio International in Swahili 1700-1757 September 12 1610-1800, co-ch China Radio International in Swahili 1700-1757 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, DX LISTENING DIGEST) To be continued, already in the dxld yg (gh) ** MADAGASCAR. MADAGASCAR WORLD VOICE http://www.worldchristian.org/Updates/LatestNews/updates.php Three 40-Foot Containers Carrying The Three 100,000 Watt Transmitters And A Fourth Container Filled With Security Equipment And Other Supplies Are On The Dock In Houston Ready To Be Shipped To Madagascar! While We Are Awaiting Shipment Of The Transmitters To Madagascar, Great Things Are Happening And Being Planned For Madagascar The three 100,000 watt transmitters are paid for, packed in four 40- foot containers and ready for shipment from Houston once a trade agreement is signed with the new Madagascar government. We needed 16 signatures, and we have received 15 of those. Please be prayerful about the one signature we still lack. Although we are disappointed about this development, we are not in despair or panic because many great things are going on in Madagascar: In May, Media Day was held at Station MWV. Many journalists came to see the entire operation. Their very favorable reporting increased our credibility and trust with the people and government of Madagascar. To demonstrate that we want to be good neighbors and helpful to the community, we used our heavy equipment to create fire breaks for the forest service to provide greater protection from frequent fires. We will soon rebuild a school near our station that is badly in need of repair. In September, we will send a container of computers that the students from Madagascar who just graduated from Lipscomb University are now collecting. In March 2013, we will work with Bill McDonough and Partners In Progress to send a medical missions team to Madagascar to help with many medical needs. Doyle Kee will also be going to plant a new congregation in the community where the station is located. Additional plans are being discussed to build up the church throughout the country. In 2013, we will send additional medical equipment and supplies as we will partner with Healing Hands to benefit many in Madagascar. Be prayerful about the Russian, Chinese, English and Spanish programs going out every day to one half of the world. Also be prayerful about Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, and English for Africa that will originate from Madagascar. Then begin to pray about broadcasts in the Hindi, Bengali, Korean, French, German, Farsi, Urdu and Vietnamese languages in the future. We must cover the globe with the gospel of Christ. Thanks so much for your support, interest and prayers (Andy Baker, undated Summer 2012 Update as of Sept 10, via DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. 5964.7, Klasik Nasional (presumed). Talk by W at 1053. Somber Asian vocal music at 1056 recheck. M announcer at 1101, then back to Asian pop music. W announcer at 1109 after another song, then M announcer. Decent strength but too noisy to copy. 3 Sept. 6050, Asyik FM (presumed). Talk by M at 1110 that certainly sounds like Bahasa Malaysia. Short jingle and W with possible mention of radio at 1111:45. Thought heard mention of Sabah and Sarawak. 1113 into more traditional song almost Arabic-flavored. 1115 short jingle then W returned. 1116 slow song. More Bluesy slow song at 1129 over BoH, then W host at 1134. Fading. Surprised to hear this with HCJB apparently off. 3 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) 5964.7, Klasik Nasional, 1343 Sept 11, Bahasa Malay songs and ads at 1345 and 1356, at 1400 QRM from CRI in Korean. Fair-good. 6050.05, Asyik FM, 1347-1417 Sept 11, Bahasa Malay pop music, DJ frequently on phone with listeners. Fair-good. 7295, Traxx FM, 1406-1412 Sept 11, English, Western pop music, female DJ gave ID as “Radio Malaysia Traxx FM”, played a Jennifer Lopez song for listener Rebecca. Fair-good (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening lakeside, from my car, with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MAURITANIA. 7245, Sept 6 at 0554, no signal from IGIM as it recovers from/compensates for, all the extra airtime during Ramadan. 7245, Sept 7 at 0617, no signal from IGIM nor in the previous hour. Mauritanians depending on the soporific wake-up chanting session are out of luck. 7245, Sept 11 at 0447, IGIM is on and chanting, poor signal. Decided to be on the air tonight; you never know (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Following up on the status of former XEW relays, 540 XEWA Monterrey is now relaying Dominio FM 96.5 while high-power 540 XEWA San Luis Potosí is Los 40 Principales + 103.9 FM. 900 XEWB Veracruz is also Los 40 Principales + 98.9 FM. 900 XEW remains W Radio + 96.9 FM. [mexicoradiotv.com via NRC International DX Digest Sept 10 via DXLD) ** MEXICO. 640, XEWM Suprema 64, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas. 1102 September 5, 2012. Just happened to bring a tight null on Cuban 640 Progreso to hear the Mexican anthem in progress, male at 1103, “… AM… Suprema 64…” into Mexi-tune. The first or at least only the second Chiapas station I’ve heard, I think (Terry L. Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA. Appended equipment used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phaser; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 650, re XETNT log Aug 13: Yardero would be a gardener or day laborer (Bruce Conti, ed., NRC International DX Digest via DXLD) Ah, that makes sense as an Anglicism (gh, DXLD) ** MEXICO. 660, Sept 6 at 0600 UT, full ID from the only Chihuahua 660 station, and then state song. Cantú: 660 XEACB La Lupe + FM 98.9 Cd. Delicias, Chih. 3,000 1,000 The third time I`ve heard it recently without confirming that`s still the ID in the volatile Mexican radio scene (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 660, XEYG, Radio 660 Fiesta Mexicana, Matías Romero, Oaxaca. 1045 September 5, 2012. Female canned “6-60 AM” at 1048, Mexi- tunes, 1059 male “6-60 Radio Fiesta Mexicana” into choral XE anthem. Mixing with another with Mexi-tunes. Cantu’s list has the slogan as “Radio 660” though the 2012 WRTVH shows “Fiesta Mexicana” (Terry L. Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA. Appended equipment used: JRC NRD- 535; ICOM IC-R75; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phaser; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 680, Sept 6 at 1159 UT, full ID from ``La Mera Jefa``, including: ``93.7 y 680``, ``la radio que manda``, ``Megamedios, Guasave, Sinaloa``, 1201 `Noticias en Punto`. But did not catch any call letters. Cantú shows: 680 XEORO La Mera Jefa + FM 93.7 Guasave, Sin. 1,000 500 680, Sept 12 at 1213 UT, string of ads for agricultores, from Guasave, i.e. per Cantú: 680 XEORO La Mera Jefa + FM 93.7 Guasave, Sin. 1,000 500 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 700, Sept 6 at 1158 UT, Radio Red ID and promo, temp as 14.7 degrees, presumably at the flagship hi-altitude DF station XERED, while 700 is XEDKR in Guadalajara; weak but alone on frequency (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 730, XEHB, Hidalgo del Parral, Chih. SEP 2 1152 - Lots of AM/FM station hype, then banda music with "La Ke Buena" slogans after each song; short national anthem at 1203, followed by FM/AM ID: "Nombre - Ke Buena; Frecuencias - 107.1 FM, 730 AM; Potencia - 25000 wats; Siglas - XEHB-FM..." then address per WRTH; more music followed after a couple of ads. Generally fair, mixing with XESOS. A new slogan, replacing the distinctive Radio Viva Villa. "Ke Buena" seems to be the latest rage in slogans in XE-land, along with new sister FM'ers, all of which seem to be 25 kW (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge CO; Drake R8, 4-foot box loop, NRC International DX Digest via DXLD) ** MEXICO. 730, XESOS, Agua Prieta, Son. SEP 1 1219 - Tuned in just as canned man was giving FM/AM ID: "La Ranchera 97.3 XHSOS FM 97.3 MHz y XESOS AM 730 kHz, La Ranchera de Agua Prieta, transmitiendo con 25000 wats... [word] en Agua Prieta, Sonora, México. Una emisora de Grupo Radiofónico ZER [I think]" and into music/canned "La Ranchera 97.3" slogans. Yet another slogan change, ex-Radio Uno apparently. Noted again on SEP 2 with the same ID at the same unusual time. XESOS has been topping XEHB lately; previously XEHB almost always had the better signal (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge CO; Drake R8, 4-foot box loop, NRC International DX Digest via DXLD) ** MEXICO. 760, Sept 6 at 1202 UT, full ID for XECSI, Éxtasis Digital, Culiacán, also mentioned an FM, and defined the format as featuring música en inglés. Then played choral NA in Spanish. Cantú: 750 XECSI Éxtasis Digital + FM 89.5 Culiacán, Sin. 5,000 250 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 770, Sept 6 at 1204 UT, after NA, 2 or 3 funny voices, 1205 mentions ``Cadena 40 Principales``. The only one on 770 per Cantú: 770 XEREV Los 40 Principales + FM 104.3 Los Mochis, Sin. 5,000 100 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 790, Sept 8 at 1206 UT, choral NA ends, ID as R. Fórmula, La Paz, Baja California Sur, plus XHNT on 97.5. Cantú: 790 XENT Radio Fórmula + FM 97.5 La Paz, B.C.S. 10,000 750 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 790, XERC, Formato 21, México DF. 1110 September 3, 2012. Very good with political news reports and remotes, male canned “Formato Veintiuno” at 1117 (Terry L. Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA. Appended equipment used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Sony ICF- 7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phaser; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 830, Sept 8 at 1144 UT, Spanish TC for 5:44, temp 27C = 81F, loops SW, CCI. Per Cantú the only 830 XE in the UT-6 zone is: 830 XEVQ Amor + FM 96.9 Culiacán, Sin. 5,000 1,000 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 870, Sept 8 at 1158 UT, open carrier is on QRM-free, 1200 start choral NA; by 1203 native language talk including XETAR ID in passing, rustic music. Torn between enjoying their entire exotic opening exercises, and logging more SRS DX, opted for latter, as on 790, 880, 900. 870, Sept 12 at 1206, after NA promptly at 1200 UT, retune to find XETAR Guachochi, Chihuahua in native language and Spanish, mentions e- mail address xetar @ cdi.gob.mx CDI stands for Comisión Nacional para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indígenas; brief mañanitas tune and on to other talk rather than birthday greetings. Here`s the CDI page about XETAR with photos and live listen link: http://www.cdi.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1377:xetar-la-voz-de-la-sierra-tarahumara-&catid=71:copia-de-radiodifusoras CDI explained in English: http://www.cdi.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1335&Itemid=200011 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 880, Sept 8 at 1201 UT, slow timecheck for 6:58 = almost CDT, ID including FM 91.1, federal PSA for SCT (Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes which includes equivalent of FCC), then full ID for 91.1 with 25,000 vatios, and 880 (sounded more like 800) with 10,000, street address in Torreón, Coahuila. Calls went by too fast to catch, so refer to Cantú: 880 XETC Kiuu + FM 91.1 Torreón, Coah. 10,000 1,000 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LSITENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 900, Sept 8 at 1204 UT, mentions Cuauhtémoc at tune-in, XEDT plus 98.3 FM with 25,000 vatios, location in Colonia Centro, ``una estación de Cadena Hits``, matching Cantú entry: 900 XEDT Hits FM + FM 98.3 Cd. Cuauhtémoc, Chih. 5,000 1,500 Cadena Hits is a subset of Multimedios, not even mentioning XEDT: http://www.mmradio.com/hitsfm (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 980, Sept 8 at 1216 UT, promo an IMER program Saturday at 9 am hora del centro [so inconveniently must subtract 2 hours in Sonorazona; Arizonora?], then local announcer with 18.7 degree temp on 8 September. Has to be the only IMER station on 980: 980 XEFQ La Voz de la Cd. del Cobre Cananea, Son. 2,500 500 Looking up the IMER website to be sure this 980 be unique, http://www.imer.com.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=269&Itemid=91 I also encounter this disturbing story from Sept 5: http://www.rwonline.com/article/mexican-institute-of-radio-says-digital-conversions-on-track/215294 Says IMER plans to convert all its AM & FM stations to so-called HD by the end of this year! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 990, Sept 8 at 1149 UT, local news including murder victim found in a remote area on La Loma, which is an antenna site. I.e. Monterrey NL, where Wiki says the local government`s channel 28 is located. Temp is 27 already; i.e. XET. Not to be confused with the Cerro de la Silla, Monterrey`s major landmark. Hearing Spanish on 990, one must be careful to distinguish XET from KFCD in The Metroplex, which dominates after Enid sunrise, 1209 UT today before which it was only 14 here, refreshingly cool (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 1040, Sept 12 at 1202 UT choral NA, so I stand by for full ID/sign-on at 1204, but fading and only fragments caught: 5-letter call, ``para todo el estado de Chihuahua``, 5 mil watts, also 95+ FM. Almost matches Cantú listing: 1040 XEHES Romántica + FM 94.1 Chihuahua, Chih. 5,000 250 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 1050, Sept 9 at 1217 UT, promo for a fútbol show lunes a las 2 de la tarde ``aquí en la radio de tu California``, and XED mentioned a bit later. I.e. Mexicali BCN. Cantú lists as a 10 kW daytimer, (same as XEBCS in La Paz), but IRCA has XED at 10/1 kW, 24 hours, and WRTH 2012 shows it as 10 kW fulltime. Which of these three is correct? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 1060, XEEP Radio Educación, México DF. 1124 September 3, 2012. Tune-in to oldie French torch vocals -- three in a row by the same female -- the second IDed by the iPhone’s SoundHound app as “J’Aime Tes Grand Yeux” by Lys Gauty, who croaked ages ago per Wiki. Cuban Radio 26 dominating by 1133 (Terry L. Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA. Appended equipment used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phaser; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 1700, XEPE, Tijuana, 9/2 - Heard at various times throughout the night captured on overnight SDR recordings. Very rapid call letter ID in Spanish read by YL announcer heard at nearly every TOH (1100, 1000, 0900, etc.) with a break from ESPN programming into English PSAs concerning the Mexican senate a few minutes prior to TOH. Also heard some this during BOH checks. It would seem this is the only time they break their parallel programming to KBGG (also ESPN), otherwise tough to tell the difference between the two (Tim Tromp, Muskegon MI, MARE Tipsheet 7 Sept via DXLD) ** MEXICO. MEXICAN BROADCASTER SAYS DIGITAL CONVERSIONS ON-TRACK by Leslie Stimson on 09.05.2012 http://www.rwonline.com/article/mexican-institute-of-radio-says-digital-conversions-on-track/215294 The Instituto Mexicano de la Radio says it’s the farthest along of all the broadcasters implementing HD Radio technology in that country, and is on-track to have its analog-to-digital conversions completed by the end of the year. Known as IMER, the organization is the government- owned radio group in Mexico. The broadcaster has agreed to convert stations across the entire country, according to iBiquity Digital Corp. Director of Business Development in Latin America John Schneider. IMER told a Mexican broadcast publication it plans to have a total of 24 HD stations on 23 AM and FM frequencies, plus 18 multicast channels. Additionally, IMER plans to air what it’s calling a “virtual” station because it was previously heard on shortwave, on an HD2 channel. Schneider confirmed the figures for Radio World and said IMER has invested in a “substantial commitment” to HD Radio in the country. IMER has three stations in Mexico City, where iBiquity celebrated the launch of HD Radio in Mexico during the spring NAB Show. The Mexican government approved the voluntary use of HD Radio technology throughout the country more than a year ago. Previously HD had been limited to the border area of the U.S. Schneider says interest in using HD is high among radio owners in Mexico, noting that the country’s digital radio launch is inheriting a mature technology both on the transmission and receive sides of the business (Radio World Sept 5 via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) So brace yourself for IBOC surrounding XERF 1570 along with lesser IMER AM stations by yearend (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ** MOROCCO. 15349.1, Sept 11 at 2101 after hearing 15345v Argentina, q.v., IMM is still running with YL news in Arabic, but rudely cut her mike at 2103:15 and off the air at 2103:30*. Morocco is still on DST until Sept 30 when it should stay on the air one hour longer. But programming will also be one real hour later, so they can still cut her off at 2203v. This is disrespectful not only to the announcer and the studio, but also to the listeners, reflecting poorly upon the overall operation. The lack of finesse on the part of numerous SW station operators is just astounding (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MOZAMBIQUE. Hi Glenn, Here's a note on Mozambique stations. I've been living in London for the past year and barely had a chance to do any DXing. But now back in Cape Town (Simon's Town) and got the headphones on again. DX LISTENING DIGEST is still the best. I had a good chance to do a little audit of the Mozambique AM universe this evening (11 September, 1845 UT). There's a football match on between South Africa and Mozambique being played in Nelspruit (not too far from the Mozambique-SA border) so I checked across the dial to see if Radio Mozambique was covering it. Sure enough it was networked and I'm happy to report that all frequencies as reported in the WRTH are active with commentary in Portuguese. All were covering the game with the single exception of Nampula on 765 kHz, which had local programming in Portuguese and music. I could even hear Beira on 873 kHz under Botswana. Some were stronger than others but I couldn't say whether this was due to transmitter power. It's a big country (about 1200 miles north to south) so some stations are quite a bit closer than others to this QTH. All transmitters appear to have good modulation. The best signals here were Xai-Xai 810 kHz and Maputo 738 and 1008 kHz. Aside from network transmissions like this one, these stations run a lot of local programming in Portuguese and vernacular with local IDs, making them fun to listen to. 73 (Graham Bell, Simon's Town, RSA, Sept 11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MYANMAR. 7110, Thazin Radio, 1442-1449, Sept 10. Their usual Monday “Myanmar Festivals” program about a festival held in March; poorer than the norm (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7110, Thazin Radio, 1427 Sept 11, Burmese song and then announcements, 1430 woman opened English program with ID, frequencies and greetings, English pop music until a feature at 1445 which I couldn’t understand due to deteriorated signal. Initially fair (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening lakeside, from my car, with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7110, Thazin R. Heard the same song at 1127 as heard at the exact same time a few days ago followed by the usual tinkly melody signature, then W announcer. Tried to match it up with the recording from the 7th to see if it was the same programm but the announcement was off. Although the wording did sound very much the same. (12 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 160' triangle random wire Loop, HCDX via DXLD) 7110, Thazin Radio, 1442-1448, Sept 12. “Myanmar Culture and Scenery” program with info about the “Sagaing Region” in NW Myanmar; “80% of the country’s wheat comes from the Sagaing Region”; lists exports, important minerals, etc.; almost fair. 7200.11, Myanmar Radio, 1219-1222*, Sept 12. Recently the audio here had been totally distorted/unintelligible, but today had fair audio; EZL songs and suddenly off without the usual sign off with indigenous music; // 7185.85 spur (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEPAL. New FM test from Nepal --- Nepal private station "Indrani FM" is testing its new location - Birat Nagar in eastern Nepal, within 100 km of aerial distance from my QTH. The test is on 97.5 MHz coming weak here; as per my guess it may be about 5 kW or less. They are giving out telephone number and fax numbers something like 021-540521 & 021-540954 (I hope I have copied correctly) and some GMAIL ID too Few month ago "Aramva FM" also started its Broadcast via Mechi or Birat Nagar on 104 MHz which comes fair to good here Video of Aramva FM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62W-Jr0mzVs Thanks & Regards, (Partha Sarathi Goswami, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal, INDIA, 1520 UT Sept 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. PHILIPPINES. RNW Good Bye card for English 1000 UT on 28th June 2012 via Tinang (PHT) - that memoirs that English to East Asia via PHT ended one day earlier. You all are very welcome to my recent QSL's on the Facebook (no membership or login required) in the following URL http://tinyurl.com/qth26n88e -- Thanks & Regards, (Partha Sarathi Goswami, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal, INDIA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. 15120, V. of Nigeria, Sep 07 0657-0708, 34433, English and French, ID at 0657, IS with 0658, 0700 Opening announce, Talk. Also: Sep 08 0726-0737 34433 French, Afro pops and news, ID at 0726 and 0730 Sep 08 0754-0814 35433 French and English, Talk, IS and ID at 0759, News, ID at 0807 (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15120, Sept 7 at 0502, VON is S9+12 with deep-voiced announcer delivering world news; still some humwhine but less than usual. Signal is much stronger than e.g. poor 15400 Dabanga via Madagascar which seems to have gone into seasonal decline. At 0510-0512 a VON item caught my ear, about the dedication of a new R. Nigeria MW station in Enugu [Biafra]. It was built with Japanese government assistance as have some others. It`s just being commissioned. Too much accent from the reporter on the scene to copy much, but I think he said the Japanese ambassador was present; and WTFK? Probably replaces an existing unit on 828 kHz which was rated 25 kW. Recheck at 0614, 15120 reception remains the same and still no Africa on 15190. K-index at 06 was 3, said roboyl on WWV at 0618 as I QRT (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: NEW MW TRANSMITTER COMMISSIONED BY RADIO NIGERIA AT ENUGU NGWO According to a report published in allafrica.com a new medium wave transmitter was commissioned by Radio Nigeria in Enugu Ngwo, Enugu State on 6th Sept, 2012. The new Medium Wave transmitter is Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) project executed in collaboration with Japanese Government Agency for International Cooperation (JICA). More at: http://allafrica.com/stories/201209090257.html Related news: http://allafrica.com/stories/201209090162.html (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) But still: WTFK? Who cares? (gh, DXLD) NIGERIA Inauguration of the new Medium Wave Transmitter at Enugu Ngwo Thursday evening http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/house-tasks-radio-nigeria-on-nation-building/124470/www.thisdaylive.com (9/9-2012) (mediumwave.info via DXLD) Frequency?? (Ydun Ritz, ibid.) Ydun, You are free to publish this. Your article about the new transmitter at Enugu, Ngwo enabled me to locate the MW mast at 06 26 28.8N 07 27 14.72E. I am not totally certain but the FRCN frequency of 828 would be a likely one. Check on 2012 WRTH. There is to be replacement of the old 25 kW transmitter with one at 100 kW. This must be the one - good news for the Coal City! 88's (Dan Goldfarb (10/9- 2012), ibid.) Like I said (gh) ** NORTH AMERICA. Electronic Mail Addresses for Stations: http://piratedatabase.webhop.net http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcpp76tx_0htdfscft (Free Radio Weekly Sept 7 via DXLD) ** NORTH AMERICA. Available Time Slot Radio: 8/31, 2355-0018, 7490; All WBCQ services scheduled to be on at this time (7415, 5110, 9330) were off the air. I called Tom at the station who said there were storms in the area and as a precaution, everything was taken offline. He expected the storm to pass by 0015 or so and then he'd bring everything back up. He then asked if Jane and I wanted to do Allan Weiner's show, scheduled for 0000, and we said sure, no problem. We told Tom we'd run filler on our webcast until we heard the 7490 carrier, then we'd start a live show, and he could pick us from the source. At about 0005 UT Saturday, we noticed a strong signal on 7490, but in USB. We heard the Mothra theme to start, and some music, one selection by the Squirrel Nut Zippers. ID at about 0015, "This is Available Time Slot Radio" mentioning non-affiliation with WBCQ. WBCQ fired up at about 0018 on top of the free radio op, who dropped off shortly thereafter. s20+ for Available Time Slot Radio, dead-on 7490, good sound for sideband, low noise (Larry Will, Mount Airy MD, Free Radio Weekly Sept 7 via DXLD) ** NORTH AMERICA. Hey everyone, Radio Casablanca pirate heard with fair to good signal in Montreal, 6940 AM mode at 0000 UT. Hi all, active night for pirates. At the same time as Radio Casablanca on 6940 kHz AM mode, Flying Dog Radio heard on 6924.96 USB with ID at 0027. Playing Beatles song Help! at 0029. While I'm writing this, station seems to have s/off at 0030 UT. 73's (Gilles Letourneau, Montreal, Quebec, http://www.youtube.com/radiomanmontreal UT Sept 10, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Pirate Radio Casablanca doing nicely 6940 here in WI at 0013 with my kind of music (don jensen, UT Sept 10, NASWA yg via DXLD) Casblanca Good here at 0025, Flying Dog Radio on 6925 USB with Beatles tune too (Chris Lobdell, MA, ibid.) Radio Casablanca at fair level with 40's music and Bogart movie soundtracks clips. ID and e-address: radiocasablanca1 @ gmail.com Only noise on Flying Dog frequency (Rich D`Angelo, PA, 0041 UT, ibid.) Flying Dog went off at 0030; I guess he musta landed (Lobdell, ibid.) ** NORTH AMERICA. BOR Pirate on 6930 [Blue Ocean Radio] From a tip from Walter Salmaniw - Wow. what a signal. http://youtu.be/3gt85XFlmAk (Colin Newell - Victoria B.C. DXer and Ham - VA7WWV, Radios: ICOM 703+ / DRAKE R8 / ETON E1, Antennas: Wellbrook ALA100's HCDX via DXLD) No time with it but the video was ``published Sept 12``. Maybe means UT Sept 13 (gh, DXLD) Viz.: 6930 USB PIRATE, Blue Ocean Radio, 0528 Sept 13, eclectic mix of music, such as Country, Deep South and Mountain, 0535 man with closing ID, e-mail address and farewell, “You’re listening to Blue Ocean Radio coming to you from the west coast of North America.”. Very good (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna. Editor of World English Survey and Target Listening, available at http://www.odxa.on.ca dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA [and non]. 960, Sept 11 at 0504 UT, dead air from local KGWA, so I null the carrier and start to hear an understation, but KG resumes at 0505. Come to think of it, they often default to dead air around local midnight so this is more of a note to self to try again (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 1140, Sept 9 at 1947 UT, I noticed that the OKC station now IDs something like ``Your favorite Old School and New School station, 92.1 and 1140``. FM comes first, in the mad rush by AM stations to get on FM somehow, even via a 99-watt translator K221FQ with much inferior coverage to the kilowatt on AM, KRMP. New NRC-AM Log does list both frequencies, but the slogan has now changed from ``Heart & Soul``. Or has it? Website seems current http://www.okcheartandsoul.com/shows.shtml with ``continuous music`` from 2 pm CDT Sundays after six solid hours of gospel huxters, safe to say all of them black. Maybe the OS & NS slogan applies only to this music segment? Was going to listen online while the computer is on, but to do that I must install Silverlight. No, tnx (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thread about this: http://radiodiscussions.com/smf/index.php?topic=214267.0 Perry is the company name, not the town north of OKC (gh, Enid) Perry Signs On Translator 92.1 Simulcasting KRMP-1140 The station has changed the name from The Touch to Heart & Soul 92.1 & AM 1140. Http://www.okcheartandsoul.com (X-man, June 18, 2012, ibid.) Here is the FCC's 60dBu service contour map: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/contourplot.kml?gmap=2%26appid=1494929%26call=K221FQ%26freq=92.1%26contour=60%26city=OKLAHOMA_CITY%26state=OK.kml The map makes it look like they should get pretty good coverage, especially on the north side of town. The translator has a directional pattern, probably to protect KFXI to the southwest. I venture to guess that the translator's signal drops off pretty quickly once you go south of I-240. Here is the FCC's page for the translator, K221FQ: http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?list=0&facid=77231 (Scooby214, ibid.) He should purchase another translator on the east side of the city and simulcast Power 103.5. KVSP is a great sounding urban station but doesn't come in very well in the north or east sides of OKC (bchristi, ibid.) I'm pretty sure he'd like to have someone translate over there. The trick is finding anyone with a translator to do that. There are very few to pick from really (OKCRradioGuy, ibid.) That's certainly an issue. Also an issue is that he can't own his own translator on that side of town since it's well outside of 103.5's primary signal contour (Kent, ibid.) Exactly. Perry cannot own the translator as it extends his coverage area for 103.5. Someone else could own and translate 103.5 with his permission, but he couldn't own it (OKCRadioGuy, ibid.) 1140, Sept 11 at 2100+ UT, after adstring of some 5 minutes including questionable products, ID as ``All New Heart & Soul Radio, KRMP AM 1140`` and also the 92.1 FM translator call K221FQ. No news on the hour but some talk show ensued. I am still not convinced that they did not sloganize as ``Old School`` when I heard them Sunday afternoon, so will have to try again then during all-music block (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 1170, KFAQ, Tulsa. 1059 September 3, 2012. “KFAQ, Tulsa and KFAQ…” into ABC News headlines, then “The Huckabee Report” at 1101. WAVS, Davie FL up on day power/pattern at 1101. You’d think a 50 kW station would own kfaq.com, vs. their http://www.1170kfaq.com at least as re-direct. But not. It’s open for purchase on last check. Dumb. Maybe I’ll buy it and hold hostage, but not for the $3,500 asking price (Terry L. Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA. Appended equipment used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phaser; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. My local KTBZ 1430 has had their IBOC off the last couple of days! Sister station KAKC 1300 has had their daytime IBOC off for at least a month now. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will continue. So at least for this morning, Tulsa has only one IBOCer-- KFAQ 1170 (Bruce Winkelman, Tulsa, OK, Sept 11, ABDX via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. Glenn, was paging thru the Oklahoma logs/notes in DXLD 12-36 and noticed your question re: KXTD-1530. I'll try to listen a few mornings this week on the way to work and see if KXTD is now ESPN deportes. I'll check out 1530 periodically this weekend as well (Bruce Winkelman, Tulsa, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, just listened a bit to KXTD-1530. 1834 CDT 08SEP12 gave a great "ESPN Deportes Radio" slogan in what sounded like a fútbol game broadcast (Bruce Winkelman, Tulsa OK, ibid.) ** OKLAHOMA [and non]. 106.1, Sept 10 at 1532 UT on caradio, marginal signal ID as ``The Twister``, and country music. There are three 106.1s in OK and one not too far in Kansas, but the dominant one is Tulsa (COL Owasso). OKC 101.9 has been ``The Twister`` for ages, but found this notice of KTGX format change over two months ago in allaccess.com: ``After stunting with various formats, CLEAR CHANNEL KTGX (GEN X RADIO 106.1)/TULSA is now officially Country as "OKLAHOMA's Best New Country On 106.1 THE TWISTER." The station switched officially at noon (CT) TODAY (7/3). "We are thrilled to bring THE TWISTER brand to TULSA'S airwaves, said Market Manager JON PHILLIPS. "TULSA has a huge appetite for Country music and THE TWISTER will be a leader and aggressive in breaking new Country songs and artists." You can stream THE TWISTER here.`` Now why would they name not one, but two OK radio stations for a dreaded deadly disaster? O, for the good old days when 106.1 Tulsa was commercial classical KCMA. However FCC FM Query call sign history does not show a KCMA on 106.1 back to 1986y. IIRC it moved to 92.1 which did not last very long either. BTW, I see that the only KCMA currently on FCC`s FM roster is also classical, a 3-watt! LP in Arizona: ``KCMA-LP 253 L1 FL 98.5 MHz LIC PAYSON AZ US BLL-20050803ABB - 134141 0.003 kW 167.1 m PAYSON CLASSICAL MUSIC ASSOCIATION, INC.`` (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. The Twister originally ran on what is now WBAP-FM Flower Mound-Dallas- Fort Worth 96.7 from 2003 to 2008 as KTYS. It now resides on the HD2 signal of co-owned KSCS (David R Block, ptsw yg via DXLD) Doubt it`s related to the ones in OK; may well be Twisters elsewhere, as fad names tend to spread to other markets (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA [and non]. ``The Cool TV`` with music videos has disappeared from KOCB, virtual 34.2, RF 33, OKC; now there is just 34.1, labeled KOCB HD. I noticed this Sept 6 around 2200 UT as I was looking for a subchannel with no captioning to bother as video accompaniment to my WOR 1633 recording. Perhaps KOCB was not HD before and they needed the bandwidth? (Glenn Hauser, Enid, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Since you mentioned it: CoolTV disappeared from the Insight Communications cable TV line-up here in Gahanna, Ohio on August 31. It hasn’t reappeared since then, and it’s no longer included in the on- screen channel guide. Their Web site http://thecooltv.com is up and running, with no mention of any recent changes. Wonder what’s up with them? (Larry Cunningham, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) They disappeared off my local Sinclair station, KGAN-TV 2.2 in Cedar Rapids, IA. I read somewhere that Sinclair pulled them for not paying their bill (Thomas Nyberg, ibid.) Updates on DTV subchannels: RF 33, KOCB 34.2, OKC, still lacking TheCoolTV music videos. I`ve heard from people in two other cities where it also disappeared at end of August, perhaps due to financial problems. The Cool TV website still lists KOCB. RF 31, KXOK 31.2, Enid with Mundo Fox, which was originally lo-quality video and in squeeze-o-vision, as of Sept 8 check has been upgraded to hi quality, and the aspect ratio can now be changed (unlike TV OK itself on 31.1). The MundoFox website still overlooks any affiliate in Enid in the drop-down find-your-station list. I`ll bet most SS in Enid still don`t know about it. I only found it by happenstance (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OMAN. 15140, Radio Sultanate of Oman, 1436 Sept 11, English, man with news, 1440 headlines repeated, 1441 man and woman with feature possibly about Islam. Poor (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening lakeside, from my car, with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, Editor of World English Survey and Target Listening, available at http://www.odxa.on.ca dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. RADIO PAKISTAN CLOSING SW TRANSMITTERS "WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT" - press report The International News By Ahmad Noorani 7 September 2012 http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-130518-PPP-hawks-eyeing-Rs50-billion-Radio-Pakistan-land ISLAMABAD: The PPP government is under pressure to sell at throwaway prices the 370 acres of state-owned land, worth Rs50 billion, on the main GT Road in Rawalpindi to some of its favourites. Owned by the Radio Pakistan, the land is in a prime location and there are reports of some influential persons pressing the top rulers to get the land for their commercial purposes but at throwaway prices. Director General Radio Pakistan, Murtaza Solangi, when approached confirmed that some influential people had their eyes on this land but he assured saying, "I will not let this happen during my tenure. "I will not allow this to happen during my incumbency, and if anything is done to achieve this objective, I will quickly resign,"? Murtaza Solangi said, adding, "I will work out on policies and projects so that this land remains in the ownership of Radio Pakistan and powerful persons could not even snatch it in future, after my departure." The background of the story is that the Radio Pakistan management has decided to shut down 5 shortwave (SW) transmitters installed at HTP Rawat with immediate effect. These transmitters installed over a vast area of about 370 acres of land to transmit Radio Pakistan signals to the outside world including South East Asia, Gulf, Middle East, Europe and some other parts. The Radio Pakistan "Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC)" management is doing so to shift external services on internet and subsequently on satellite. The staff members of PBC are of the view that short wave receivers are common across the world while everybody especially the rural and some of the urban population do not have internet or satellite receivers in their radio sets. They view that Radio Pakistan's SW installations are a strategic asset, which send Pakistan's message to the whole world and complete elimination of this infrastructure will be a great loss for Pakistan. The PBC staff members said that the SW installation was not maintained on regular basis and thus there were some problems which could be removed by properly updating and overhauling the installed equipment and at a very low cost. These staff members also say that installed equipment is worth billions of rupees and will be sold for peanuts now. However, on the other side, DG PBC, Murtaza Solangi is of the view that SW analogue technology is becoming redundant now and installed SW equipment has almost become outdated. He said this system consumed very big amount of electricity and yielded almost no results in return and thus remained unfeasible in a country which is already facing power shortages. "We have to move to the advanced technology and our engineering department has worked out and researched before moving this proposal," Solangi said." According to our estimates, after removing SW technology, even if we will lose some overseas listeners we will also get more on internet and satellite technology," Solangi said and added that one out of these five transmitters will be retained as it was installed in near past and has the capacity to radiate signals in digital mode when we switch digital broadcasts. He said that there would be problems in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as there were listeners who would not have satellite receivers. "For India, we have strong medium-wave transmitters and can transmit our signals throughout India," Solangi said, adding: "For Bangladesh and Sri Lanka we are planning programme adjustment with broadcasters operating there." The staff of Radio Pakistan showed this correspondent some communications of persons from Western Europe complaining about the frequency of SW transmitters of Radio Pakistan and, according to these members of PBC, these complaints had been resolved. According to them this shows interest of people from other countries in broadcasts of PBC and seeking information from Pakistan. However, DG Solangi was of the view that even such complaints from foreigners had diminished now. Solangi said that during his four-year tenure as DG PBC, he had not sold even a single inch of Radio Pakistan land and same would be the case in the remaining part of his tenure. He said he would take every possible measure to ensure that even in future no one could dare to dole out this land to any influential person so that it could be retained as a national asset (via Mike Terry, dxld yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) [Re 12-36] Hello Aslam, Perhaps you have now read - or know that - the SW transmitters at Rewat have been closed down according to this article from Mike. [above] This will refer to the old 100 kW units API-3 & 4, to the 250 kW units API-5 & 6 and to the 100 kW unit that appeared out of "nowhere", and was referred to as API-9, and broadcast to Kashmir. There are two new 100 kW transmitters at Karachi, but these have never gone on air due to the lack of antennas. 73 from (Noel Green, UK, Sept 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re the Mike Terry item: I've been monitoring Radio Pakistan but cannot trace any transmissions on API-3 or 4 to SoAs, nor Persian at 1700- 1800. However, the service to Europe at 1700-1900 UT was audible on 15265 on the 8th, but I could not hear 11575. The morning transmission at 0830- 1104 on 17720 and 15725 was not heard on the 8th or 9th. Also on the 8th, and again on the 9th, I hear the service to Gulf & ME on both 17520 and 15290, but the 0500-0700 transmission was not audible on either date - possibly weak signals and poor propagation? So broadcasts have not stopped altogether. 73 from (Noel Green, 1408 UT Sept 9, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) A partial view of one of the masts at the southern end of the large Rawat SW site from this recent Panoramio image. http://www.panoramio.com/photo/61931442 Thanks for the news (Ian Baxter, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) Surprised no one posted this already, but it was on the Kim Andrew Elliott blog: http://kimelli.nfshost.com/index.php?id=13670 And the original article: http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-130518-PPP-hawks-eyeing-Rs50-billion-Radio-Pakistan-land Hopefully our group members in Asia will have a better perspective on what is happening with this (Steve Luce, Houston, Texas, Sept 12, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The article was posted here already, Steve (message 63083 on Sept 7), though the original article headline gave no indication of its more significant content about Radio Pakistan shutting down 5 shortwave transmitters at Rawat 'with immediate effect'. Have seen no further reports on this though, and Radio Pakistan is still being heard here on shortwave in the days since the report (Alan Pennington, Caversham, UK, ibid.) Where have I heard this nonsense before? Another SW radio station whose chief executives (who don't know what they are talking about) should be fired, and replaced by staff who know that SW is NOT redundant! What about China Radio International and All India Radio, which are expanding their services or introducing DRM? These guys and others had better wake up, or be sent to the real third world where the Internet and satellites have never even been heard of (Colin Miller, VE3CMT, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) Both 11575 and 15265 noted here 1755 September 12, S9+10db on the AOR 7030 S meter (Mike Barraclough, UK, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I hear their two 250 kW transmitters still on air, but the 100 kW ones are not being received. The last time I heard them they were in very bad shape. A pity that the two new 100 kW at Karachi could not be moved north to Rewat where there are some antennas they could utilise! I'd like to know if API-9(?) is still on air with Rawalpindi-III which we know as Azad Kashmir. It's shown on the PBC A-12 sched at 0045-0430 & 1330-1815 on 3975 and 0900-1215 on 7265. Neither frequency is audible here. I haven't seen it reported for some time. And re Ian Baxter`s photo - I think the Rewat site is actually two - or at least two transmitter houses. Originally 8 transmitters were in operation = 2 x 250 kW, 5 x 100 kW and 1 x 10 kW. 73 from (Noel Green, NW England, Sept 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3235, NBC West New Britain, 1232-1402*, Sept 10. In Tok Pisin; mostly with DJ playing pop Pacific Island songs; 1300 played their usual theme song at this time: “Night Moves” by Bob Seger; did not carry the audio feed for the ToH “N-B-C National News Roundup” (which was carried via 3204.95 // 3315 // 3365 and ended at 1309); National Anthem; transmitter still on with open carrier at 1410 tune out. Of all the recently renovated NBC SW transmitters, this one is certainly holding up the best. My recent monitoring confirms that of all the NBC stations, this one has the most local programming, as they do not carry the national audio feed at 1200 or 1300. 3260, NBC Madang, 1137-1212*, Sept 10. In English and Tok Pisin; sounded like the Monday “Government Talkback” show with interview/discussion about PNG security forces with a Brigadier General (security coordinator); often gave phone numbers to call in and email address; ended program with address for the National Security Office; 1202 into Tok Pisin; ID and announcements; C&W song cut short by suddenly going off the air; poor to almost fair. 3260, NBC Madang, 1212*, Sept 11. Another day with identical sign off time, so seems they have re-set their timer; ex: 1206* (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU?? 4790.02, R. Visión (presumed). Back on apparently. First heard carrier 2 days ago but no audio to speak of. This morning, definite M in Spanish with live preaching at 0953, brief music bridge at one point, then continuous talk. 1004 audience noise. Fairly strong but horribly distorted 'rumbling' audio. Looked like there were multiple carriers on the signal. Could see at least 5 distinct peaks. Also noticed most of the distortion was in the lower side. In USB with the PSB shifted away from the carrier, it was almost readable. 9 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) I`ve yet to see any other reports of this: please check (Glenn Hauser, Sept 11, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Okay Glenn, I will check in the morning if I have time? I didn't notice them this morning however and I was on or near that frequency (Chuck Bolland, FL, Sept 11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4789.91, R. Visión, 0721-0749 M preaching in Spanish with many mentions of Halleluia, amen, la palabra, el corazón, Jesucristo. Probably La Voz de Salvación program. 0749 W with TC repeated but almost 2 minutes slow, "El Condor Pasa" and M announcer voice-over, W again with TC, then pleasant rustic OA song with children vocals. 0755 W with TC again, then canned announcement by M, 0757:20 another short canned announcement by M over music, with definite ID "radio ?? Radio Visión ?? Perú". Into another OA song. 0800:05 possible ID with mention of radio by M very briefly and more lively OA music. 0804:50 M shouted briefly over song. 0805:50 M again with mention of Perú. 0807:55 M over song again with mention of radio. 0809:00 M again with mention of "frecuencia" and "AM". 0812:30 ID sounding like "En ?? kilohertz ??, transmite R. Visión??". Very distorted buzzing audio and most readable in USB with passband shifted away from the carrier. (12 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 160' triangle random wire Loop, HCDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) 4790.00, Radio Visión, presumed, 0918-0935 Sept 12, Tuned in to regular Huaynos type music until a minute went by (0919 UT) and a female commented briefly in Spanish. Unfortunately the signal was just a little to weak to catch the details of her comments. Before I could retune, music was continued with Huaynos music. Although the signal was reasonably fair, it still was difficult to catch details. At 0930 more comments by a male using echo effect. Could not pull out the details but it seemed like a religious program was in progress? (Chuck Bolland, Excalibur, Clewiston FL, 26N 081W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4810.010, Radio Logos, 0935-0950 Sept 12, Just popped on the air with music, and so far with a nice clean signal. Needed to notch out some interference on the high side however. The music continued without any breaks. The signal remained at a good level (Chuck Bolland, Excalibur, Clewiston FL, 26N 081W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Fotos Radio Logos 4810 KHz Chazutá, Perú --- Adjunto enlace a la galería de la pagina ethnicradio. org donde se muestran algunas fotos de la estación peruana operando desde Chazuta en 4810 kHz. http://www.ethnicradio.org/photos (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá D.C. - COLOMBIA, condiglist yg via DXLD) Specifically, scenic slide show available: http://goo.gl/SwpzX (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES [and non]. 9920, Sept 12 at 1233, FEBC Bocaue in Vietnamese with usual VietCom whoop-whoop siren jamming, ineffective here vs speaker who was attempting to preach in Vietnamese by rote, one syllable at a time amid heavy American-preacher diphthongized accent, which no doubt severely interfered with comprehension at the other end, messing up the tones (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LSITENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. 17700, R. Pilipinas/VOP, 0246-0329*, Sept 12. “Philippine Trivia”; “School On Air” with teaching of Filipino phase for “god bless you”; segment “It’s More Fun In the Philippines” with music and tourism info (10 reasons for people to choice to retire in the Philippines, etc.); NA and filler music till off; fair, but unable to hear anything from // 15285 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. QSL: Radio Santec, via IRRS, Tiganesti, 15190, QSL, personal letter, info, in 1 week for e-report to info@radio-santec.com v/s Johanna Limley (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain, Sept 11, You can see some images in my DX blog: http://maresmedx.blogspot.com/ HCDX via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 4996, 0117-0140 2/Sep, RWM Moscow Time Pips, 2x pips at seconds 1, 2, 3 & 4 during minutes :17-:20 then fast pips from minutes :20-:30 then solid tone from :30 to :38, silent minute :38 then repeated CW IDs as RWM in minute :39 & repeating with the time pips at :40. In 3+4+3+43 up to 44+443+ at 0313 recheck (Ken Zichi, Port Hope MI2 & vicinity, MARE Tipsheet 7 Sept via DXLD) QSL: RWM, 14996, QSL in 6 weeks for e-report to logp @ irk.ru (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain, Sept 11, You can see some images in my DX blog: http://maresmedx.blogspot.com/ HCDX via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 13775, UT Friday Sept 7 at 0535, VOR presents a M&W reminiscing about the good old days back in the USSR when it was Radio Moscow, in the 1980s. Seems they had two or three good restaurants in their then building, including one for special diets; no food shortages for them! Thanks to the worker`s union at the station, they also enjoyed cut rates at a resort hotel in the Latvian SSR. `From Russia with Love` is the program per grid at http://english.ruvr.ru/radio_broadcast/schedule/ which BTW has now appended a separate grid for VOR Washington (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Samarskaya oblast. Samara. 19 F? The weather report, you can learn different ways, radio, TV, Internet. On the radio a summary can be heard in the best case, once an hour, a TV may not be with you in the car. Is that you're on the road, and you urgently need to find out the phone any of the emergency services, in this case, the new technologies come to us for help. Our project "Weather radio" is aimed at a wide circle of users of radio communication. In the automatic mode is working round the clock information radio station "Samara air". In live broadcasts are transmitted telephones of emergency services, transport enterprises and etc., as well as a summary of the weather in the cities: Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Ulyanovsk, Orenburg, Penza, Saratov, Ufa, And Samara. Summary of weather is updated every 30 minutes, while summaries of the local UT +3. Format: 1. The ID of the radio station, operating frequency, call sign. 2. The list of the phones. 3. The name of the city. 4. The establishment of a weather report. 5. The temperature of the air. 6. Dew point. 7. Humidity. 8. Wind speed and direction. 9. The visibility. 10. The atmospheric pressure. 11. The weather conditions. Technical data of the station: ID: Samara AIR Callsign: Lightning [Molniya ---- hmm, like certain satellites --- gh] Frequency: 27185 kHz, 19 channel grid D (C) Transmitter power: 10 W Modulation: FM (FM) Antenna: Vertical pin 1/2 The height of the suspension of the antenna: 25 meters The plant is located in the geographical center of the city. Samara, which provides a good reception in different parts of the city and its suburbs. http://www.iritradio.ru/pages/weatherradio.html (RusDX Sept 9 via DXLD) Lacking articles, Russian overcompensates in English with all those ``the`s`` (gh, DXLD) ** SAAR. QSL: GERMANY, Europe 1, 183, QSL in 3 weeks for report to Postfach 1365, D-66713 Saarlouis, Germany (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain, Sept 11, You can see some images in my DX blog: http://maresmedx.blogspot.com/ HCDX via DXLD) Europe 1 I've been at the IBC over the past few days (I'm on the Administrative Committee of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society, which is part owner of the event), and while there I was given some information about the collapse of the mast in the 4 element main directional array of Europe 1. My very well-informed source told me that the collapse was caused by mechanical failure of one of the guy line insulator assemblies. These insulator arrangements have been spoken of as a potential problem in this installation for some years, according to my source. The insulators are of the "frame and post" design, intended to be "fail- safe". They consist of two interlocking metal frame rectangles, separated by one (or sometimes two in parallel) compression post insulator. The intention is that failure of the ceramic post insulator will not result in failure of the guy line, because the metal rectangle frames are interlocking. But in this case the metal frame itself reportedly failed, causing the insulator and the rest of the frame structure to experience unusual tension or shear rather than merely insulator compression, and thus failing, resulting in a break in the guy line. This style of insulator is quite common particularly in high power installations, where other interlocking fail-safe types are either not of sufficient voltage rating or are of greater cost. Lower voltage insulators can be stacked in series, but after 4 or 5 there is a point of diminishing returns where the end insulator voltage stress goes up rather than down with increased numbers. Therefore the post-and-frame type can be used with a simple ceramic post, of considerable length if necessary. The frame has to be constructed with chamfered edges and rounded corners, however, to avoid corona in very high voltage situations. The ones of Russian design have an internal arc gap with series inductance to avoid arcing in the vicinity of the relatively fragile ceramic post. Modern encapsulated fiberglass rod or oil-bath enclosed fiberglass band insulators are much more desirable, and have a low failure rate. They also have better construction for corona avoidance, and can be much more easily fitted with corona rings. Best regards, benjamin, Versailles, FR (Benj. F. Dawson III, P.E. Hatfield & Dawson Consulting Engineers and The dTR/H&D Joint Venture, Consulting Engineers 9500 Greenwood Ave North Seattle, WA 98103 Phone 206 783 9151 Fax 206 789 9834 dawson @ hatdaw.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAINT HELENA. The Saint Helena Broadcasting Company (SHBC) has previously announced its intent to open several FM stations on the island. At that time Radio St. Helena (RSH) on MW 1548 KHz will go silent. The transition is beginning as RSH is now carrying several local newscasts per day with content provided by SHBC. The newscasts are also available on the internet as noted in an advertisement in the September 6 edition of their weekly newspaper "The Sentinel", "Listen to our SHBC St Helena news bulletins on Radio St Helena 1548khz 194m in the MW band Daily at 5pm, 8pm, 9.45pm and 7.15am. Week in review - weekends 8pm. In addition you can catch up with our radio news at anytime of the day via our website. Just click the WEBCAST button on any page http://www.shbc.sh " All times in the ad are local. In other news in that same edition it looks like digital TV is drawing closer to being implemented by Cable and Wireless (C&W). The digital set top boxes have been received on the island and are undergoing integration testing with the conditional access systems that will control box activation and deactivation of customers. A new satellite has been launched which will eventually provide program content for the channels C&W will provide its customers. That satellite was not yet in its assigned position at the time of publication. Those curious about the progress of the new airport ("They paved paradise and put up a parking lot", one of my 1960's favorites) which will eventually bring a boom to the local economy (and probably doom paradise forever) can follow the activity by checking the SHBC weekly newspaper at http://www.shbc.sh/L2_sentinel_about.html (Joe Buch, Florida USA, Sept 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. 5019.89, SIBC/R. Happy Isles. End of island pop song, then live M announcer with greetings and date, mention of Honiaraice [sic], nice canned ID at 1059 by M "You're listening to the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, ?? Radio Happy Isles". ToH signature melody, and presumed news but totally blasted out by Rebelde when they started playing music. Strong but Rebelde QRM as always. 6 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) 5020, S.I.B.C., 1159 Sept 11, with usual conclusion to their broadcasting day, ending a devotional Bible message in English, ID “You have been listening to the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Happy Isles”, frequencies, goodbye, national anthem to almost 1201. Poor (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening lakeside, from my car, with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALILAND [and non]. Lunedì 3 settembre 2012, 1741 - 7160, R. HARGEISA? - Somalo? - Tk YL - MB (7120 vuota [empty]) (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, playdx yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1633, DXLD) I meant to forward this earlier; could be where R. Hargaysa went from 7120; or could be Erithiopia. Please start checking during the 1500- 1830 transmission (Glenn Hauser, Sept 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) On past days Asmara Eritrea was always on 7169.991 footprint minus 9 Hertz, and end of August mostly on 7184.991 kHz. and most of the time covered by Ethiopian WHITE NOISE jamming 20 kHz wide. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) Have not heard Somalia there. Wandering Eritrea and also Ethiopian jammers on 7160 kHz (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, 0839 UT Sept 7, ibid.) RADIO HARGEISHA [sic] EXPECTED TO BE ON AIR BY NEXT WEEK? Excerpt: The technical director of the ministry of information Mr. Ahmed Suleiman who concurred with Mr. Jensen attributed the absence of transmissions to ongoing plans that involved moving from the testing phase to a full operational one. "The transmissions have been ceased temporarily thus facilitate shifting from the testing face to full operations" Said Mr. Suleiman. More at ... http://somalilandsun.com/index.php/politics/government/1421-somaliland-radio-hargeisa-worldwide-transmission-updates (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, Sept 9, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) Viz.: Somaliland Sun 8 September 2012 HARGEISA – Radio Hargeisa [sic] transmissions have not been noted internationally for almost a week. According to Mr. Don Jensen who is a professional Ham radio buff [sic], Radio Hargeisa hasn't been noted anywhere, not in New Zealand, India, Japan, Europe in about a week now despite use of various advanced radio [sic] Mr. Don Jensen a retired American journalist further revealed that the station, which had earlier on been noted in Japan, India and Europe, were yet to be received in the US before they completely went off air. Mr. Jensen who has continuously kept Somalilandsun abreast on worldwide transmissions of Radio Hargeisa via email messages surmised the following: Quote "I suspect that Mr. Suleiman (technical Director) may be taking steps to find a better 41 meter band frequency, outside the amateur radio (ham radio) band. This would presumably put it somewhere higher than 7,200 kilohertz. Nevertheless, he does have a practical dilemma. Both Ethiopia and Eritrea have been chasing each other around and around on many frequencies, most with Eritrea's Voice of the Broad Masses two channels. Being chased from frequency to frequency by Ethiopian jamming transmitters. An Ethiopia itself, the broadcasting station, not jammers, changes frequency a lot as well. The other day, Ethiopia was on 7,120 kHz, the same frequency that Radio Hargeisa had been using. So trying to avoid these stations that jump from frequency to frequency, sometimes on a daily basis, it a difficult task. I suspect that the one-time RH frequency from a few years ago, 7,530 kHz might be a better choice. End Quote) The technical director of the ministry of information Mr. Ahmed Suleiman who concurred with Mr. Jensen attributed the absence of transmissions to ongoing plans that involved moving from the testing phase to a full operational one. "The transmissions have been ceased temporarily thus facilitate shifting from the testing face to full operations" Said Mr. Suleiman While commending Mr. Don Jensen for continued information pertaining to the Transmissions the Technical director said that all broadcasts from Radio Hargeisa would be on air again worldwide as from next week. During the test period Listeners in Japan, India and Europe could hear Radio Hargeisa on a frequency of 7,120 kHz, with generally good signals For tests noted at various times between 1500 UTC (universal time) and 1900 UTC hours (6 to 10 pm Somaliland time). The successful worldwide reception of Radio Hargeisa is possible courtesy of a recently installed 100 Kw Transmitter and related antennae's by Chinese and local engineers following the purchase of the transmitter from a Chinese company early this year. The enhancement of RH broadcasts that were formerly available within a radius of 20 sq. miles of Hargeisa was one of the already fulfilled pledges made by President Silanyo and his ruling Kulmiye party during the 2010 presidential election campaigns (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Radio Hargeysa confirms what we already knew: it has been off the air for more than a week. The station’s director says it is a transition from the testing phase to regular operations. He does not say whether or not it will return on 7120 or another frequency, but does indicate that transmissions will resume on SW this coming week (Don Jensen, WI, Sept 9, NASWA yg via DXLD) It`s back! --- 7120, Radio Hargeisa/Hargaysa, 1408-1438, Sept 13. Fair to good reception with QRN and some CW QRM; mostly indigenous pop songs; assume in Somali; frequent IDs; segment in which seemed they were adjusting the transmitter's modulation, as audio suddenly started to break up (over modulated), but did not last long. https://www.box.com/s/oxrm6mfvy5ihu4qzg6fr contains an MP3 audio (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Much more about this in the next DXLD or without delay in the DXLD yahoogroup (gh) ** SPAIN. Radio Exterior de España, 11620 Noblejas. Sept, 10, 2012. Monday. 1917-1932. European newspaper headlines. OM and YL discussing reports about austerity measures in France and Barcelona, amongst other things. Time pips at 1930, over the speakers and with no break in programming. No id at BOH. Good - very good. Jo'burg sunset 1559 (Bill Bingham, RSA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9650, UT Tue Sept 11 at 0444, REE Emisión Sefarad closing with schedule, claiming this weekly 0415 broadcast is on 9690! And that the 0115 UT Tue to S America is on 11780. 7-note IS other than the usual 10-note REE one, aired once before closing. Was extremely strong signal, first noted somewhere around 9460 in a receiver-overload mixture with VOV Sackville 9555, removed by attenuation (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. SLBC - Ekala - eQSL - 16th July 2012 - 0117-0135 UT on 11905 kHz at 100 kW; SLBC New QSL card V/S Deputy Director Engineering (Mr. Kuganeshan) - 12 June 2012 at 1819 UT on 11750 kHz via Trincomalee at 250 kW SLBC QSL's thanks to Victor Goonetilleke for his help. You all are very welcome to my recent QSL's on the Facebook (no membership or login required) in the following URL http://tinyurl.com/qth26n88e (Partha Sarathi Goswami, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal, INDIA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN. 7200, R. Omdurman/RTVC. Seems they fixed their audio. Good level and steady. Got ID at end of news around 0307. 7 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. UAE, 13720, Sudan R. Service via UAE, Sep 08 0454- 0459* 35333 Arabic, Afro pops, ID and closing announce at 0459, 0459 sign off (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. 15550. R. Dabanga via UAE, Sep 06 0528-0534, 25432- 24432 Arabic, IS and SJ at 0528, Talk. Sep 07 0526-0536 25432-23432 Arabic, Talk, IS and SJ at 0527 and 0535 (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11650, Sept 12 at 0520, R. Dabanga multiple singing IDs as soon as I intune, fair signal, better than previously from VATICAN relay. Meanwhile, the Madagascar relay on 15400 is no longer better (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. QSL: Radio Tamazuj, via Talata-V [MADAGASCAR], 15400, QSL in 3 weeks for e-report to radiotamazuj@yahoo.com via web and to Witte Kruislaan 55, 1217 AM Hilversum, Netherlands (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain, Sept 11, You can see some images in my DX blog: http://maresmedx.blogspot.com/ HCDX via DXLD) ** SUDAN SOUTH [non]. ===CLANDESTINE=== 15725, V. of South Sudan Revolutionary R., Sep 06 0534-0559, 34433, Arabic, Talk, ID at 0552. Also::: Sep 06 0748-0801, 25432, Arabic, Talk, ID at 0751. Sep 07 0548-0601, 35433, English and Arabic, Talk, ID at 0551 and 0555 Sep 08 0503-0515, 45433, Arabic and English, Opening announce, Talk, ID at 0503 and 0512 (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWEDEN. Radio Northern Star, via Radio Nord, 5895, full detailed letter in 7 weeks for report to Rong Senter, Box 100, N-5331 Rong, Norway. v/s Svenn Martinsen. Sent $ (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain, Sept 11, You can see some images in my DX blog: http://maresmedx.blogspot.com/ HCDX via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. Sweden calling - help to save Soelvesborg MW --- Hi! I've started a group on Facebook to try to preserve and save Soelvesborg MW from being scraped and demolished. There is a real threat that Soelvesborg can be demolished since the owner Teracom have no use for it. Right now the question about preserving the station lays at the government ministry. So please sign in to this group. The group is named Saving Sölvesborg medium wave station. 73's (Chris Stödberg, Sept 8, mwmasts yg via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. About Sweden Calling DXers === Arne Skoog [portrait] http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2408&artikel=4506968 Sweden Calling DXers was the world’s oldest program of its kind. Originally solely about shortwave radio, the program was founded by the late Arne Skoog in 1948 George Wood [portrait] When Arne retired in 1978, George Wood took over. Over the years the program moved from its initial concentration on shortwave to coverage of satellite broadcasting, and more recently Cyberspace, and the name changed to MediaScan to reflect the change. MediaScan was the first English language radio program in Europe to be posted on the Internet, starting in 1994. The last radio broadcast of MediaScan was on July 17, 2001. The original Sweden Calling DXers bulletins was replaced by the MediaScan Online Edition and e-mail newsletter. [linx:] Sweden Calling DXers Archive [has been removed: not found!] Arne Skoog 1913-1999 [still there; nice obit and condolences from many still familiar names] http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2408&artikel=4506969 (via Juan Franco Crespo, Spain, DXLD) ** SWITZERLAND. The Prangins antenna masts were dynamited a couple of hours ago. The video can be seen at: http://www.24heures.ch/vaud-regions/la-cote/jumelles-prangins-tire-reverence/story/29032093 73s, (Rémy Friess, France, 1800 UT Sept 6, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) another video [with dramatic music, captions]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDOerZvIpC8 There are several "smaller" antennas (logperiodics) standing around the big masts. They belong to Bern Radio (callsign HEB), active on shortwave in digital modes for worldwide communications. 73 (Harald Kuhl, Germany, ibid.) and linx to even more videos of it (gh, DXLD) DESTRUCTION OF FORMER SWISS TIME STATION PRANGINS http://prangins.ch/news/49/242/Demantelement-de-l-emetteur-de-signaux-horaire-HBG-de-Prangins/ Démantèlement de l'émetteur de signaux horaire HBG de Prangins Le 6 septembre 2012, à 14h, les deux pylônes de l'ancien émetteur de signaux horaires HBG de Prangins (VD) ont été dynamités par une société spécialisée. temp Pour visionner la vidéo de l'explosion: cliquez ici ou là Photomontage fourni par M. Renaud Treuthardt Le démantèlement des deux pylônes métalliques ne signifie pas que l’installation pranginoise est complètement morte. Propriété de la Confédération, elle émet encore des signaux pour la station-radio côtière avec de petits mâts situés sur le site. Maintenant démontés, les deux pylônes de 70 tonnes chacun, vont être détruits et évacués. L'émetteur HBG a été construit en 1932 dans le but d'assurer les liaisons de la Société des Nations. Depuis 1966, les deux antennes de 125 m transmettent l'heure suisse exacte, tra-çable au Temps universel coordonné (UTC). Elles servent à synchroniser les horloges des clochers, des écoles ainsi que des horloges radiocommandées et les réveils radiocomman-dés. L’émetteur de Prangins a été exploité successivement par les PTT et jusqu'en 2000 par Swisscom. Depuis 2000, il est géré par l’Office fédéral de métrologie (METAS). La sécurité n’étant plus assurée en raison des dégâts sur les mâts dus à la corrosion, un assainissement complet aurait été nécessaire mais le désintérêt croissant pour l’émetteur de Prangins ne justifiait pas le coût élevé d'une telle révision. Le marché s’oriente toujours plus vers le puissant émetteur allemand DCF77, compatible avec les horloges des utilisateurs suisses, situé à Mainflingen près de Francfort, ainsi que vers d’autres signaux horaires. En août 2009, le Conseil fédéral a décidé que l’émetteur de signaux horaires HBG de Prangins cesserait son activité fin 2011. Photos d'archives : cliquez ici (via Dr Hansjoerg Biener, DXLD) ** SWITZERLAND [non]. Re: Sarnen --- ``AWR had purchased the Schwarzenburg transmitters (and, so it seemed, also some accessories like antenna switching gear) for its Italy project they later terminated. I have nothing at hand about the final fate of the transmitters in question (Kai Ludwig, 8 August, shortwavesites yg via DXLD)`` My research can (I think) partially answer the question of the fate of ONE of the 250 kW ex Schwarzenburg transmitters that went to AWR Italy. It subsequently found its way into the hands of WMLK in Bethel PA (U.S.A.) and is installed, but not operational at this time. Just found the link to the material describing the story - with Pictures: http://www.wmlkradio.net/wmlk_update.htm Hope this helps answer some of the questions. (Calvin, VK4ZCM, MELEN, Brisbane AUSTRALIA, Sept 10, ibid.) Hi, here is the list of all the other AWR gears for sale: http://ref.awr.org/ForSale/home.htm including the AWR Forli' antenna and other 250 kW BBC Tx and other staff from ex-SRI. 73 (Andrea IW0HK Borgnino, Roma, ibid.) A lot of stuff there: three transmitters, two LP antennas and associated equipment; is this current? Undated (gh, DXLD) ** TAHITI. MICHIGAN RECEPTION OF 738 TAHITI THU. 9/6/2012 As reported earlier, 738 produced a big signal here in Michigan this morning right around my local sunrise (1115 UT). Audio seemed to peak for me at about 1118 and produced the clearest audio I've heard yet from my home QTH. I've made a 5 minute Youtube clip of the Perseus capture showing the signal, and of course the French audio, along with the time of reception: http://youtu.be/Frc_Qfhlq8c 702 had faint traces of audio during this time, but not enough to overcome slop from WLW (which was stronger than usual). [Australia?] Weak carriers were noted on most of the split channels below 900 kHz (I didn't record/check above 900). Kaz had a big carrier on 684, not so here. That strong 657 carrier was back too, but again no audio that I could pick out. Perhaps some more careful listening will produce a whisper of audio; it certainly "looks" strong enough on the waterfall. 73, (Tim Tromp, Muskegon, MI, Sept 6, Perseus SDR + phased BOGs, ABDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DXLD) 738, Radio Polynesie, 1252 Sept 7, fair signal with man in French and heavy KCBS splatter. Sky wire loop. Good signal at 1317 with child talking in French followed by man with piano music in background. Still good at 1332 with woman singing in French. Slight splatter. Best regards, (Dennis Vroom, Kalama, WA, JRC NRD 545 & DRAKE R8B, NW & SW ewe, Sky wire loop 753', High Performance Active Whip (long wave), Solar Indices SF 128 A 11 K 2, Local Sunrise 1340 UT, IRCA via DXLD) 738-Radio Polynesie. Fair French YL audio at 1325 Sept 7; but faded after 5 minute audio reception http://www.mediafire.com/?uuasbukj8qv201u 73, (Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA), 7.5" MW loopstick PL-380 + 8" MW FSL, IRCA via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. [Re 12-36, 9745 khz:] Not a (Taiwan) ROC National Security Bureau site --- Taiwan's NSB does not and has never used this site. I'm not sure where this information come from. But I can tell you the NSB [sic]. I'm not sure who uses it but I know for a fact it's not used by Taiwan's intelligence service (Keith Perron, Taiwan, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Keith, right, - that item contain old data, DXLD used former very early version. Corrected / updated the very same day Sept 2nd few hours later as follows. {I hope this is correct? now}: Re: LOG: Han Sheng GD Kuanghua zhi Sheng(?), 9745, 1640 UT, O=2-3. No, not really new location, BUT EXPLORED NOW, not visible and reported on July 2011 discovery with G.E. Streetview option then. But new UNVEILED and UNDIMMED photo next to the new TX house (2nd Alliss antenna now seen, seemingly location of the former dipol array of 6105 kHz). And the northerly MW 3 mast array was d i m m e d in G.E. on previous years around 2005 til 2009, first visible on Terraserver images some years ago. And the 2nd MW 3-mast array, south of the three highway crossings was dimmed under clouds previously. BTW: and the installation belongs n o t to the Taiwan intelligence service itself, but to Taiwan Defence Ministry Similar to YENED Greece, Galei Tzahal Israel, services etc. (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 2) (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN [non]. CUESTIONARIO de RADIO TAIWAN INTERNACIONAL Estimado Sr. Hauser: Parece que hay mas interés por otras emisoras por preferir la web a la onda corta, hoy en la mañana me llegó un cuestionario de Radio Taiwán Internacional donde se nos preguntaba entre otras cosas si escuchábamos RTI por SW y/o por su página web y/o emisoras afiliadas, también sobre si los escucharíamos por internet si se salieran del éter y las nuestras razones de nuestra preferencia. ¿otra radio internacional que se saldrá del dial? espero que no. Atte.: Ing.Civ. Israel González Ahumada, M.I., Yucatán, Sept 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: (CREO QUE ESTÁ [en] PELIGRO LA OC DESDE TAIPEI) Querido/a oyente: Responde el siguiente cuestionario y envía tus respuestas antes del 15 de octubre de 2012 a nuestro correo electrónico rti @ rti.org.tw o a nuestra dirección postal P. O. BOX 123-199, TAIPEI, 11199, TAIWAN, R.O.C., y tendrás la oportunidad de ganarte un lindo y práctico regalo de Radio Taiwán Internacional. De antemano, muchas gracias por tu colaboración. 1. ¿Cuánto tiempo llevas escuchando a Radio Taiwán Internacional? ?0-5 años ?6-10 años ?11-20 años ?21-30 años ?Más de 30 años 2. ¿Por qué medio sintonizas la programación en idioma español de Radio Taiwán Internacional? ?Sólo por onda corta ?Sólo a través de la página web ?Por onda corta y a través de la página web ?Radios locales: (por favor, especifica los nombres) ?Otros medios:____________________________________________________ 3. Si sintonizas la programación en idioma español por medio de onda corta ¿en qué frecuencia la sintonizas? ?11995 KHz ?7570 KHz ?5950 KHz ?3965 KHz ?11725 KHz 4. En caso de que la sección española de Radio Taiwán Internacional no transmita en onda corta, ¿sintonizarías la programación a través de la página web de la emisora? ?Si ?No Razón:_______________________________________________________________ Nombre y apellido: _____________________________________________________ Correo electrónico: _____________________________________________________ Dirección de correo postal: _______________________________________________ (via Juan Franco Crespo, Spain, DXLD) I don`t find the questionnaire or a link to it on their website: http://spanish.rti.org.tw/ nor in English http://english.rti.org.tw/ See U S A [and non], WYFR B-12 schedule, implying RTI relays will be cut in half, maybe still Spanish but not English! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. YAESU PRESENTS RADIOS TO HS0AC IN THAILAND Press release from Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, received on September 3rd: "I depart Thailand early Tuesday morning after a number of days of DX pileups along side some of the most enthusiastic and friendly hams in the world! I will never forget my time here to present two Yaesu FT 2000D radios (thanks to Yaesu President Mr. Jun Hasegawa) to the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand headquarters station HS0AC that lost their radios during the terrible floods last year. http://www.qsl.net/rast/ http://www.hs5ac.net/smf1112/smf/index.php?topic=749.0 I was delighted to find Thailand extremely "radio active" with over 300,000 hams; most on VHF. However, after seven years of waiting, the Thai hams are once again able to test for a license that gives them the HF bands. Over 40 have already passed the exam this year and at least one more test is schedule in 2012. I understand that upgrade testing will likely now occur three times a year meaning 100s of new HF operators are about to appear on the HF bands. All this is great news for hams around the world! 73 Dennis Motschenbacher K7BV HS0ZKS Executive Vice President Amateur Radio Sales" (via Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1078, September 10, 2012, Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio), via Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD) ** TIBET [non]. 17570, Sept 8 at 1422, very poor signal with unID talk, maybe mix of JBA Firedrake; surely V. of Tibet via Madagascar on this frequency at the moment instead of jumpy alternates 17565, 17560 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TONGA. The Tonga Broadcasting Commission which I think is 1017 kHz at 10 kW within the last year or so, launched a new website at http://www.tonga-broadcasting.net And sometime in the last 3 to 4 months, launched streams for two of its services, TV Tonga1 and Radio Tonga 1017. You can find the streams by clicking the TV and Radio tabs at http://www.tonga-broadcasting.net I thought this might be helpful for those who think they might've heard 1017 and could use the webstream to verify (Paul Walker, Ridgway, PA, IRCA via DXLD) ** TUNISIA. Logs Sept 4 to 6th. Re: ``Cancelled frequencies of RTTunisia in Arabic to NE/ME: 0200-0510 12005 SFA 500 kW 100 deg // 17735,+7275 fr0300 1600-2010 12005 SFA 500 kW 100 deg // 17735,+7225 fr1700; 7345 fr1900. (DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov-BUL, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 4)`` Check Sept 4/5: RTT Sfax transmission 17735 started today at 1558 UT and covers NHK Japan co-channel TOTALLY. Nothing on 12005 nor alternate 9725 yet. Will check 7225 and 7345 channels tonight. From 1700 UT heard 7225, and also parallel on 17735 {til 2008 UT}, and 7225 + 7345 kHz at 1900 UT then. Three tx units on air at 19-20 UT. 7275 kHz TX on at 0352:50 UT, program start at 0357:50 UT, S=9+50dB powerhouse 500 kW signal in Germany, Sept 6th. Nothing heard mornings on 12005 kHz Sept 5th/6th. <<<<<<<< There is still another TDP/BRB broadcast via Mykolaiev Luch in Ukraine 11560 03-06 UT Radio Miraya FM to Sudan. - but missing also lately... In B-12 season registered as Denge Mezopotamya in Kurdish via BRB brokery by Ludo Maes Belgium: 11510 kHz 04-16 UT, 7390 or 7540 kHz 16-20 UT. Radio Miraya FM to Sudan 9940 kHz 0300-0600 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 4 via bclnews.it yg via DXLD) -----Original Message----- Date: Sat, 08 Sep 2012 13:37:45 +0200 Subject: Re: [A-DX] 11510 KHz??? From: "Wolfgang Bueschel" Eigentlich erst in B-12 Winter Saison auf 11510 registriert, aber Ivo aus Bulgarien meldet. Ich habe es nicht so mit dem frühen Aufstehen ..., können Patrick oder Herbert mal Radio Miraya FM to Sudan 9940 kHz 0300-0600 UT. loggen; oder sind die noch auf 11560 kHz? 73 wb (Büschel, Sept 8, A-DX via Kai Ludwig, dxldyg via DXLD) -----Original Message----- Date: Sat, 08 Sep 2012 17:04:02 +0200 Subject: Re: 11510 KHz??? From: "Kai Ludwig" Es müßte mal jemand vergleichen, und zwar das jetzt auf 11510 kHz laufende Programm einerseits mit den herumgeisternden Webstreams, andererseits mit "Denge Radio" auf Eurobird 9A, siehe http://de.kingofsat.net/tp.php?tp=2222 Man sollte das Thema zunächst einmal von der Fernsehseite her betrachten: Die Lizenzen für die dort aktuell ausgestrahlten Programme liegen mit einer Ausnahme bei der Briefkastenfirma (es handelt sich wohl um nichts weiter als eine Wohnung), die von Roj TV her bekannt ist: http://www.metv.dk/node/3 Diese eine Ausnahme ist eben Newroz TV, das sich als Anbieter des Programms auf 11510 kHz und als Veranstalter aus Schweden positioniert. Bemerkenswert ist dabei aber, daß es in eben jenem aus Belgien gesendeten Multiplex läuft. Das läßt mich argwöhnen, daß auch in diesem Fall der als Roj NV bekannte Laden bei Brüssel die Sendeabwicklung besorgt. Wenn man sich darauf kaprizieren will, das Fernsehzeug außen vor zu lassen und nur von Kurzwelle zu reden, dann stellt sich die Frage so, ob Raider jetzt Twix heißt oder es sich bei Denge Kurdistan evtl. doch um ein anderswo von anderen Leuten produziertes Programm handelt. Festzuhalten ist ansonsten noch, daß mir das Signal auf 11510 kHz für Lutsch eigentlich zu stark ist. Das ist dann auch der Zusammenhang zu Miraya FM: Möglicherweise ist die Kurzwellenanlage Lutsch zum 1.9. stillgelegt wurden, was bedeuten würde, daß in der Ukraine keine Kurzwellen-Rundfunksender (abgesehen von dem Spielzeug in Dnepropetrowsk) mehr in Betrieb sind. Kann sein, daß die 11510 jetzt wieder aus Grigoriopol kommt. Ist soweit natürlich reine Spekulation (via Kai Ludwig, dxldyg via DXLD) Summary of the included thread: The programming now transmitted on 11510 does not ID as Denge Mezopotamya but as Denge Kurdistan instead, and Sweden-based Newroz TV had already announced that they will launch a radio station on this very frequency. What is remarkable is that Newroz TV is transmitted in the same Belgium Satellite Services uplink as all the TV programs from Mesopotamia Broadcast (which, it seems, is just a flat without any broadcasting infrastructure), making me wonder if it is played out in their Denderleeuw facilities as well. Denge Mezopotamya originates/d from Denderleeuw as well, and here the question is whether Denge Kurdistan is just a renamed Denge Mezopotamya or indeed a new station. Thus please compare the "Denge Radio" channel in the "Kurdish" BSS mux on Eutelsat 9A with the 11510 kHz programming. Another question is if perhaps the Luch shortwave facilities have just been closed, leaving the Ukraine as next country without professional SWBC transmitters. The signal I have right now on 11510 appears to be a bit too strong for coming from Luch to me, it "feels" rather like originating from Grigoriopol. But that's at this point of course merely speculation (Kai Ludwig, Sept 8, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also KURDISTAN [non]! ** U K. Commentary in "The Independent" regarding the BBCWS and North Korea Ian Burrell: The world's most isolated people could do with London calling Media Studies: Kim Jong-un presides over a state where accessing foreign news is a criminal offence http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/opinion/stephen-glover/ian-burrell-the-worlds-most-isolated-people-could-do-with-london-calling-8120859.html An interesting thought -- without the direct influence of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, who would be the best people to influence regarding language service selection within the World Service? (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, Internetradio mailing list via DXLD) It seems that BBCWS has never broadcast in Korean; one excuse being that it would put listeners at risk, tsk2 (gh, DXLD) Viz.: "GROWING FEELING IN THE CORRIDORS" THAT BBC WORLD SERVICE SHOULD START A KOREAN SERVICE. Posted: 11 Sep 2012 The Independent, 10 Sept 2012, Ian Burrell: North Korea's "Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un presides over a state with the least free media in the world and where accessing the output of foreign news organisations remains a criminal offence. At the BBC World Service, recently relocated to new offices in the refurbished Broadcasting House, there is a growing feeling in the corridors that something needs to be done about this. The world's largest international broadcaster transmits to 188 million people in 27 languages – but Korean isn't one of them. ... Among the broadcasters based in South Korea is the US government-run Voice of America, and Radio Free Asia, which is funded by grants from Washington and transmits to North Korea for five hours a day from a studio in Seoul. ... For obvious historical reasons, the United States is still viewed with distrust in North Korea and the BBC, with its unrivalled international reputation for impartiality, has a great opportunity here. ... The BBC told me it had "no plans at present" to open a Korean service and claimed "it is not clear that we would be able to reach anything more than a tiny proportion of the population". But it did say that it was 'open to the possibility of broadcasting World Service to new audiences'." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) Although VOA and RFA have correspondents in South Korea, their Korean services are "based" in Washington. VOA and RFA are US-government- funded, but VOA is not "government-run," as long as the Broadcasting Board of Governors' firewall remains in place (and is taken seriously). The BBC's "unrivaled international reputation for impartiality" is probably an unknown commodity in North Korea, except perhaps among the ruling elite. While shortwave radios are available to members of that ruling elite, as well as to those who are able to buy shortwave radios smuggled from China, BBCWS would really need access to medium wave relays to reach sizeable audiences in North Korea. Such medium wave lease opportunities exist in Russia and South Korea, but are scarce (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) ** U K. Re: BBC MW Local Radio - switch off trial BBC Radio Kent 774 and 1602 is off today rather than running the tape loop, a report on Garry Stevens forum says that Merseyside is also off so presumably also Lincolnshire and Nottingham. A report from Steve Whitt in Medium Wave News, which is reproduced in DXLD 12-36 says that one station was logging calls received about mediumwave not carrying programming: "They were receiving 2 or 3 calls a day, mostly from listeners well within the service area who would have no trouble receiving FM." Put silencing in find to go straight to the report: http://www.w4uvh.net/dxld1236.txt (Mike Barraclough, Sept 10, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) Re: BBC MW Local Radio - switch off trial --- I would not normally post such information, but in this case it may be useful to try and prevent rumours and conspiracy theories from getting out of hand. So, I note that, according to BBC Distribution's intranet page available to BBC staff, the Clipstone (Nottingham), Littlebourne & Rusthall (Kent), Wallasey (Merseyside) and Lincoln MF transmitters were all taken off air yesterday (10 September) for "Agreed Maintenance" - i.e. not a permanent closure (Chris Greenway, Sept 11, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) ** U K. And Now an Urgent SOS Message --- 5.00pm (UK) today [Sept 9] on R4. Also online of course. From a time when a National radio network would pause and for a few minutes, just talk to one person, whether they were listening or not. Duration: 38 minutes Radio 4 used to broadcast SOS messages - "could Mr and Mrs Snodgrass, believed to be travelling in the Cotswolds please ring this hospital where their auntie is dangerously ill". Eddie Mair wants to know more about them. He hears from listeners whose lives were dramatically changed through the SOS service. These short messages were transmitted regularly on The Home Service, and later Radio 4, for much of the 20th century. They appealed for relatives of dying people, often on holiday and thus, before mobile phones and internet cafes, uncontactable, to return home before it was too late. Eddie invited readers of his Radio Times column to send in their recollections of the SOS Message Service, and little did the PM Presenter expect such a rich response of vivid memories, first person experiences and in one case, unexpected consequences as a result of the broadcast. Some of these remarkable testimonies are told, in understated, haunting and even cheery ways in this narrative tribute to radio, and a nation, - "as it was". Best summed up by the tale of a six year old girl in the North East who while staying with a relation in 1958, was hospitalised with a very serious illness. She survived and tells Eddie her story. In the days of very few domestic telephones, the BBC's SOS message brought her parents to her bedside from London courtesy of an observant member of the public who heard the message and recognised the car number plate that had been announced. The SOS Service, was the vision of John Reith, the first General Manager, and later Director General of the BBC. But its heart was the listener, as Eddie reveals. Producers: Jo Coombs and Stewart Henderson A Loftus Audio production for BBC Radio 4 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01mdf9r (via Mike Terry, BDXC-TC yg via DXLD) See also MUSEA ** U S A [and non]. AFN Saddlebunch Keys FL continues to be missing from all three frequencies, 5446.5, 7811.0 and 12133.5 all USB, on numerous chex at different dayparts, altho I have not kept reporting non-logs of them. Now, it`s over, as Jim, K5JG in Carrollton TX posted to the ptsw yg Sept 10: ``AFN on Shortwave - MIA --- I haven't seen anything posted about the missing AFN shortwave broadcasts from Key West on 7811 and 12133.5 other than a post by Glenn Hauser a week or so ago noting that they were missing. I sent an email to AFN over the weekend and received the following response earlier today: "Jim, The Key West site has been shut down and has ceased transmitting. Budget and lack of mission were leading causes for the decommissioning. V/R. Senior Chief Harrington, AFN Broadcast Center" So there it is. Another one bites the dust. However, I did hear AFN on 12759 kHz from Diego Garcia yesterday morning and since Chief Harrington didn't mention anything about Diego Garcia or Guam in his response, I assume they will remain on the air`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) AFRTS Key West site quietly shuts down And from the AFN website http://myafn.dodmedia.osd.mil/ShortWave.aspx Diego Garcia 12759 KHz 4319 KHz Guam 13362 KHz 5765 KHz Key West, Florida Decommissioned Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Out of service for an indefinite period. (Dan Ferguson, NASWA yg via DXLD) ** U S A. PHASE MODULATED TESTING AT WWVB Last week's test of adding phase modulation ("PM") to WWVB is complete. PM has been shut off and WWVB is back to normal. However, starting on or about September 17, 2012, WWVB will enter a "transitional period" looking toward the permanent addition of PM. During the transitional period, PM will be on-the-air continuously except for two half hour periods each day (noon and midnight Mountain Time). The transitional period will run until the end of the calendar year. It is unknown whether PM will be on-the-air 24/7 starting January 1, 2013. Exact plans have yet to be announced (Private communication with John Lowe at WWVB, CGC Communicator Sept 8 via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEMBERS TO MEET WITH SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON AMID DOUBTS ABOUT THEIR LEADERSHIP By BBGWatcher on 10 September 2012 in Featured News, Hot Tub Blog with 1 Comment BBG Watch Commentary BBG Watch has learned that members of the bipartisan Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), who oversee U.S. international broadcasting including the Voice of America (VOA), are scheduled to meet in Washington with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton next Thursday amid reports that the BBG’s five-year strategic plans is in shambles due to miscalculations and mismanagement on the part of the agency’s senior staff. [I`m afraid SOS Clinton may have more pressing matters on her mind this Thursday. But a press release from BBG via Clara Listensprechen confirms she did meet with the BBG on Sept 13; story next week -- gh] The Secretary of State is an ex officio member of the BBG but does not normally attend board meetings. She is usually represented at these meetings by the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, the position currently occupied by Tara Sonenshine. The meeting, which will be held at the State Department, is expected to last approximately 30 minutes. The terms of all BBG members, other than the Secretary of State’s, have expired, but they continue to serve until the President nominates new members. The agency is run by the executive staff and many of the recent and current BBG members miss their regular monthly meetings. Some BBG members are trying to hold the staff accountable, but are meeting with strong resistance. Hillary Clinton is the only Secretary of State who has met with members of the BBG. This will be the second such meeting. More than other Secretaries of State, she appreciates the value of U.S. international broadcasting and has visited the headquarters of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in Prague, the Czech Republic. She may be concerned about charges of mismanagement and the direction the agency is moving. In her congressional testimony last year, Secretary Clinton alluded to problems at the Broadcasting Board of Governors by suggesting that the United States is losing the information war, although at that time she was still optimistic that the new members of the BBG board would turn the agency around. “So we are in an information war. And we are losing that war. I’ll be very blunt in my assessment. Al-Jazeera is winning. The Chinese have opened up a global English-language and multi-language television network. The Russians have opened up an English-language network. I’ve seen it in a few countries, and it’s quite instructive.” “Because most people still get their news from TV and radio. So even though we’re pushing online, we can’t forget TV and radio.” These quotes were taken from Secretary Clinton’s testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on March 2, 2011. The BBG had ended direct VOA radio and satellite television broadcasts to Russia in 2008 in favor of Internet-only program delivery and tried to end VOA broadcasts to China and Tibet. Since then, the Broadcasting Board of Governors has become embroiled in numerous controversies and has been consistently rated in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) employee opinion surveys as the worst-managed and the worst place to work in the federal government. The BBG executive staff has embarrassed the agency again and again with its actions and decisions. One of the latest controversies is the request from a senior BBG executive to the United Nations to revoke the UN press accreditation of an independent American journalist. Held in contempt by the BBG workforce, the senior executive staff is at war with its employees and their union. In an unprecedented move during President Obama’s Democratic administration, the BBG’s employee union, AFGE Local 1812, has pulled out from labor-management negotiations in protest against having its voice ignored on all important decisions. One recent example of management problems has been the coverup of the failure to restart the highly popular Voice of America satirical television program “Parazit,” which was broadcast to Iran. The BBG executive staff led by the International Broadcasting Bureau Director Richard Lobo kept BBG members in the dark for nine months about the cancellation of the program while issuing press releases suggesting the program was still being broadcast. The divided Broadcasting Board of Governors has failed to win approval for its plans to discontinue Voice of America broadcasts to China and Tibet, to consolidate its privately-run grantee broadcasters, which include Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia (RFA), and to get Congress to repeal the Smith-Mundt Act which restricts domestic distribution of BBG programs. All of these plans, developed by the BBG executive staff, met with strong bipartisan opposition in Congress and severe criticism from media freedom and human rights organizations. The grantee consolidation plan is now described as grantee administrative streamlining but critics fear that it will severely undermine the independence of grantee surrogate broadcasters that allowed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to make a major contribution to winning the Cold War. The non-partisan Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting (CUSIB) described the proposed administrative merger of RFE/RL, RFA, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) as a bureaucratic nightmare that would deprive these highly effective small broadcasters of their independence and ability to produce highly-targeted programs. At least two BBG members, Ambassador Victor Ashe, a Republican, and Michael Meehan, a Democrat, object to proceeding with the merger without Congressional hearings. CUSIB has also expressed concerns about severe cuts being advocated by the BBG executive staff in Voice of America programs, attempts to mix VOA news with news from grantee broadcasters, and proposals to create a CEO position that would not be subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate. All of these proposals are described by critics as contrary to Congressional intent and designed to strengthen the bureaucracy at the expense of effective broadcasting and news delivery by the Voice of America and independent grantee broadcasters. [standard footer:] SIGN A PETITION TO SAVE VOICE OF AMERICA to TIBET, CHINA and OTHER NATIONS WITHOUT FREE MEDIA http://www.change.org/petitions/save-voice-of-america-radio-to-tibet Shortlink for this post: http://wp.me/p1PTlq-4gJ 1 Comment Lev Roitman says 10 September 12, 5:52am Re: “The Secretary of State is an ex officio member of the BBG but does not normally attend board meetings. She is usually represented at these meetings by the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, the position currently occupied by Tara Sonenshine.” The following letter was e-mailed September 3rd to Ms. Tara D. Sonenshine with request to report it to the Secretary of State: “International Image Problem of BBG and RFE/RL: Words is Not a Remedy September 3, 2012, Dear Under Secretary, May I please bring to your kind attention the article published August 31, 2012, by The Croatian Times, Zagreb, “Radio Free Europe commits an act of fraud…” You are mentioned in the following context (full article HERE): “The Czech Helsinki Committee (CHC) has released in Czech (in English HERE) a fact-containing Supplement to its Statement, “Employment of Foreigners in Radio Free Europe,” issued earlier. The CHC Statement published June 4, 2012, branded the treatment… of foreign employees working for American Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Prague, as “immoral.” CHC is headed by Anna Sabatova, former Vice-ombudsman (Human Rights Defender) of the Czech Republic, winner of the United Nations Human Rights Prize – along with Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, and such organizations as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Financed by the U.S. Congress via Federal agency Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is the largest American civil institution abroad. Ex officio, BBG includes the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and, according to U.S. International Broadcasting Act of 1994, “makes all major policy determinations governing the operations of RFE/RL.” At the meetings of BBG, Hillary Clinton is represented by Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, presently Tara Sonenshine.” Unfortunately, the appalling facts presented in the article – with reference to the authoritative Czech Helsinki Committee – do not tally well with your publicized impressive vision of American public diplomacy: “improving international broadcasting strategy,” “expanding America, including its policies, practices, and ideas in a way that expands into the public discourse,” “engage foreign public,” etc. In your own words, public diplomacy is “not preaching and teaching.” You are right. Therefore, I urge you to act. Five month ago you assumed the position of Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. By now, you took part in several BBG meetings. Did you act? “To act” means to insist that BBG stops immediately, by peaceful resolutions, the ongoing human-rights lawsuits against highly visible outlet of American public diplomacy overseas, Radio Free Europe – the case of Armenian journalist Anna Karapetian in the Czech Supreme Court; the case of Croatian Snjezana Pelivan in the European Court of Human Rights. It is precisely these scandalous lawsuits that feed negative media reaction abroad, conditioning and sustaining, in their turn, a very unfavorable image for the United States in foreign public opinion . The BBG-sponsored discriminative policies of “no labor rights, no court protection, legal vacuum for foreigners” employed by RFE/RL in Prague, the policies unthinkable in the United States, should be also abandoned – to disadvantage of BBG-RFE/RL apparatchiks serving their immediate bureaucratic interests, and to the benefit of long-term American image abroad to be served by you. Prominent Czech senator, writer, and journalist Jaromir Stetina publicly called RFE/RL policies and actions “patiently indecent, unfair, cynical and hypocritical.” Incidentally, he also protested personally against human rights abuses in Cuba, Belarus, and Chechnya. You don’t have to travel that far. In ten days, September 13-14, you will participate in the BBG next meeting at its seat in Cohen Building, 330 Independence Avenue, Washington, DC. I am a journalist, lawyer, and publisher, ”preaching and teaching” is not my field. But –quoting Ernest Hemingway: “About morals, I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after” – do you feel good after seeing your name (and the name of Hillary Clinton) in this article? The article in Croatian Times is just the current one among similar indignant publications flooding foreign media – in English, Russian, Czech, Serbo-Croatian, Armenian, Slovak… Already on your watch. This is not a private message. Please report it to the Secretary of State. Sincerely, Lev Roitman, Ret. RFE/RL senior commentator (1974-2005), Prague ### Mr. Roitman is married to Snjezana Pelivan whose case against RFE/RL and BBG is now before the European Court of Human Rights (BBG Watch blog via DXLD) ** U S A. ALL ATWITTER AT VOA --- By Al Kamen Journalists are known malcontents, but there's more grousing than usual among Voice of America employees. They're being asked to use their Twitter accounts to disseminate news releases and the like generated by the Voice of America public relations shop -- and that has them worried that they could wind up as mouthpieces for their employer's messages. Though the effort is being portrayed by the PR office as a way to promote VOA stories and get them wider play in the mainstream media (sounds innocent enough, right?), twitchy journos aren't convinced. The project, outlined in an e-mail, aims to boost "VOA's communication with the outside media, generate pickups on good story elements, and to promote our projects and programs." It's that last bit -- "promoting" VOA's initiatives -- that seems to be most concerning to reporters, who understandably don't care to use their own Twitter accounts to parrot their employer's spin. Some are worried about spamming their followers with useless information. And they fear that being told what to tweet might compromise their journalistic impartiality. The request came from an intern in the PR office, and it wasn't framed as a demand. In fact, the message very kindly noted that the PR office was "asking for your cooperation" on the project. Still, some are taking it as a directive, and others as a potential slippery slope. A Voice of America spokesman tells the Loop that "nobody's being coerced" and that the initiative was simply intended to help far-flung VOA journalists share one another's stories with a wider audience. But VOA higher-ups know just how hard it is to control a message -- even when it's just delivered to their own people. The blog: washingtonpost.com/ intheloop. Twitter: @InTheLoopWP. (c) The Washington Post Company (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) THE VOICE OF AMERICA RELAY STATION AT SCHENECTADY IN NEW YORK - PART 3 On two previous occasions, we have investigated the origins of the mighty shortwave station operated by General Electric at South Schenectady, in New York state. In those two earlier editions of Wavescan, you heard the story of the early origins of this shortwave station, followed by its usage during the era of experimentation in the 1920s & 1930s. In our program today, you will hear the 3rd segment in the story of this shortwave station, the era when it was on the air as a relay station for the Voice of America. At the time when the experimental callsigns were regularized to standard broadcast callsigns in September 1939, GE General Electric operated just 3 shortwave transmitters that were in use for the broadcast of informational and entertainment radio programs. These transmitters were:- W2XAD 25 kW which was redesignated as WGEA W2XAF 40 which was redesignated as WGEO New 100 for service as WGEA & WGEO In 1941, the 25 kW WGEA was upgraded to 50 kW; and likewise, two years later, the 40 kW WGEO was upgraded also to 50 kW. However, in a very interesting and unexpected move, the federal government bought the very new 100 kW transmitter in December 1941. This transmitter was on the air at South Schenectady for just 2½ years, and during this time, it was in service under five different callsigns. Initially, it took over some of the regular transmissions of W2XAD & W2XAF at various times of the day. Then after the regularization of experimental shortwave callsigns in September 1939, it was in use with the same programming, but now under the new callsigns WGEA or WGEO, depending on beam and frequency. However, at the time of the 1939 callsign change, this 100 kW transmitter was allocated its own specific callsign WGEU, though this was officially changed just one week later to the more familiar WGEO. From this time onwards, up until it was procured by the American government, the 100 kW GE transmitter was on the air as an augmentation of the regular GE services beamed to Europe & the Americas. This transmitter was subsequently transferred to the West Coast and installed at Islais Creek in San Francisco, California under the callsign KWID where it remained for a period of 13 years. In 1959, transmitter KWID was sold to the Far East Broadcasting Company and remodeled for installation on Okinawa as mediumwave KSBU. Then, when Okinawa reverted to Japanese sovereignty, the station was removed in 1977, and reusable parts were taken to Cheju Island in South Korea for use with their superpowered mediumwave station HLDA. Immediately following the removal of the original 100 kW transmitter at South Schenectady, the very old remodeled 50 kW standby unit was taken into regular service on a temporary basis. However, simultaneous to all of these developments, GE was constructing another 100 kW transmitter, and this was officially inaugurated on September 21, 1942. Soon after the outbreak of war in continental Europe, GE increased the output of programming beamed across the Atlantic. Much of their broadcast time was taken on relay from the NBC network, though GE did produce some of its own programming. Then, on November 1, 1942, the federal government took over all of the available shortwave stations still on the air in the United States. At that time, GE at South Schenectady was on the air with 3 active shortwave transmitters. These were:- W2XAD-WGEA 50 kW W2XAF-WGEO 50 2nd high powered transmitter WGEA-WGEO 100 During the following year, an older 25 kW transmitter in the transmitter building at South Schenectady was rebuilt and taken into service as WGEX. Initially, this unit, which was inaugurated on July 15, 1943, was on the air on behalf of the Voice of America with news bulletins in Morse Code. However, beginning on April 3 of the following year, WGEX was in use also for the broadcast of voiced programming for the Voice of America. A whole bevy of callsigns, regular, new and short term, were in use to identify the Schenectady transmitters during the latter part of World War 2 and beyond. In addition to the regular calls, WGEA, WGEO & WGEX, the following supplementary callsigns were noted by international radio monitors in the United States and the South Pacific:- WGEC 11847 kHz April & May 1943 WGED 9525 1948 Listed in WRHB WGER 15330 March 1943 WGES 11840 May 1944 And also the strange A 11845 May 1943, as heard in Australia with test broadcasts. In August 1950, the three regular shortwave transmitters at South Schenectady were redesignated with a new series of callsigns, and the 100 kW WGEO became WGEO1 50 WGEA WGEO2 25 WGEX WGEO3 Then 7 years later again, the use of the numeric designator was discontinued, and each of the shortwave transmitters at Schenectady identified on air simply as WGEO, regardless of which unit was active. General Electric Schenectady was a very reliable verifier of reception reports and throughout the years they issued untold thousands of QSL cards. Current research indicates that they issued anything up to 20,000 QSL cards in the familiar blue map series, in probably more than a dozen different printings. Then there were also some special printings of specific QSL cards, such as for example, the double sized folded card in Spanish and Portuguese for Latin America. In addition, multitudes of QSL cards were issued by VOA headquarters from February 1943 onwards for the relay of their programming over the WGEO transmitters. The end came in 1963. The old and tired shortwave transmitters at South Schenectady were switched off for the last time in 1963. The new large VOA station at Greenville North Carolina was now active, and these old and now unreliable GE units at South Schenectady were no longer needed. The transmitter building at South Schenectady was demolished, and the shortwave rhombic antenna system, all were dismantled a few years later. The only reminders of this historic and at one time very large shortwave station are a few unidentified pieces of debris. Nearby to what was this old shortwave location is the current transmitter and tower for mediumwave WGY; and the areas around this transmitter facility are either vacant or built up as a housing estate (Adrian Peterson, IN, AWR Wavescan script for Sept 9, via DXLD) ** U S A. 15918, Sept 5 at 1958, no signal today as VOA Greenville is YDD signing on 15730 bigsig, then French; two days earlier there was a dirty FM spurblob from it, and I did not get to check it one day earlier (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [non]. 15580, Sept 9 at 1955, VOA English to Africa has fastish SAH of about 7 Hz, which means a transmitter site switch is imminent, and the next one already has unmodulated carrier on, interfering with the previous one. At least there is no overlap in modulation at 1959 vamping music, 2000 starting Sundays` `Music Time in Africa` and the SAH then stops as the first one goes off. I.e., first Botswana, then Madagascar. The new MTIA hostess ethnomusicologist needs to work on not sounding like she is reading from a script (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) VOA "ROOTS & BRANCHES" TUESDAYS, 15580 KHZ, 2100 GMT This afternoon I tuned by happenstance 15580 kHz at 2100 GMT and discovered one of the best VOA programs in English I ever heard: "Roots and Branches" which features a superb, earthy mix of American "roots music" that is, music of American origin that is peculiar to our own experience. The VOA program airs on Tuesdays from 2100 to 2200 GMT. It features the bounty of music emerging from the American experience including cowboy music, country rock, bluegrass, Cajun blues, Western swing (dear to us in Texas) etc. It is hosted by Katherine Cole. It may be repeated in the time cycle, I just don't know, but it airs live on Tuesdays at 2100 GMT. If you have the capacity, it is really worth recording if you cannot hear it live. If you love earthy American-style music, and a wide variety at that, make this a weekly visit with VOA (Grayson Watson; Dallas, TX using a Satellit 750 radio with an Apex 700DTA antenna. Sept 11, NASWA yg via DXLD) 15470, Sept 12 at 1318, large steady open carrier at S9+22, no doubt usual tuneup by Greenville for later VOA broadcast (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WORLD OF RADIO 1633: ready for first SW broadcast Thursday Sept 6 at 2100 on WTWW 9479; also UT Sunday Sept 9 at 0400 on 5755. On WWRB: UT Friday 0330v 5050 (we hope; wrong programming last week) On Area 51 via WBCQ: UT Saturday 0130v on 5110v-CUSB On WRMI 9955: Saturday 0800, 1500, 1730; Sunday 0800, 1530, 1730; Monday 0500, 1130 On HLR: Saturday 0630 on 7265, Tuesday 0930 on 5980 On WRN via SiriusXM 120: Sat & Sun 1730, Sun 0830 WORLD OF RADIO 1633 monitoring: confirmed first SW broadcast Thursday Sept 6 at 2100 on WTWW 9479. This time I had just given the number when ID interrupted, back to me before the country listing. You know what I always say then, anyway. Also confirmed on WWRB, monitored first on the #1 webcast, UT Friday Sept 7. A very respectful 1:56 pause after ``Amen & amen``, which itself ran over a biminute late, then a bit of hum is added and only 10 sex later, WOR playback starts. Modulation has been improved, with little hum, as well as on 5050. As usual, the #1 webcast automatically cuts off at 0400+ sharp, becoming // the #2 webcast dedicated to KJV Bible recitation, and that means WOR is also cut off before it`s finished, having started at almost 0334. Recheck 5050 finds WOR does continue past 0400 there, we hope and assume to its conclusion. Next: UT Saturday 0130v on Area 51 via WBCQ 5110v-CUSB. And UT Sunday 0400 on WTWW 5755. On WRMI 9955: Sat 0800, 1500, 1730, Sun 0800, 1530, 1730, Mon 0500, 1130. On HLR: Sat 0630 on 7265, Tue 0930 on 5980. Also on WRN via SiriusXM 120: Sat & Sun 1730, Sun 0830. WORLD OF RADIO 1633 monitoring: confirmed UT Sunday Sept 9 at 0400 on WTWW 5755. Started a few sex before 0400, then interrupted for canned ID. That fit just between the program number and the enumeration of countries to be covered. Further airings on WRMI 9955: Sunday 1530, 1730, Monday 0500, 1130. On Hamburger Lokalradio 5980: Tuesday 0930 On WRN via SiriusXM 120: Sunday 1730 WORLD OF RADIO 1633 monitoring: UT Monday Sept 10 at 0504, WRMI 9955 broadcast has considerable jamming, but I can make out a familiar voice mixed with it. Tnx a lot, Arnie! who jams (or allows to be jammed) the DX program competition (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WBCQ celebrated 14 years on shortwave on Saturday 8th September. Sometimes I have picked this up in the East of England on 7490 and 9330. Allan Weiner does a great job with this free speech radio and it is well worth a DX or a listen online. http://radionewyorkinternational.com/archives/index.php?path=aww/ The 14th Anniversary show is at the link included. We need a station like this in the UK (Gary Drew, Sept 10, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) ** U S A. 13570, Sept 8 at 1244, open carrier/dead air from WINB. Standard remark about no one minding the store (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Starting next Wednesday, September 19, AWR's Wavescan will air on WINB (Red Lion, PA) at 1700 UT Wednesdays on 13570 kHz (Jeff White, WRMI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 12105, Sept 8 at 1246, Russian religion poor-fair, deep fades, much better after 1300. Another Saturday, another early broadcast by WTWW-3. 9479, Sept 11 at 1253, WTWW-1 is missing, still on 5755. During summer the switch was occurring at 1200, but now apparently back to 1300 unless this be an anomaly (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENIG DIGEST) [and non]. 9479, Sept 12 at 1236, WTWW-1 with SFAW is already on, unlike yesterday when it was still on night frequency 5755 at this hour. Could also hear lite 1 kHz het from a 9480 understation, caused by WTWW`s deliberate offset to avoid interfering via a harmonic against a local VHF 2-way frequency. Per HFCC this could be CNR from Beijing site, or VOR from Komsomolsk/Amure. Aoki does not list Russia, so that one is probably wooden, while he shows the Chinese as CNR11, Tibetan service from Baoji-Sifangshan 724 site. No way it`s the 1 kW German which is probably not on the air at the moment anyway (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 9370.0, Sept 8 at 1249, Brother Scare is now here, first day on new frequency from WWRB, ex-9385, as Capt. Dave Frantz had informed us a few days ago, glomming onto frequency abandoned by kaput WTJC. WWRB is right on frequency, unlike WTJC, but at 1349 modulation is scratchy as psychophants are phoning BS to say they will be listening today, causing spurs circa plus/minus 5 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Glenn, I got a phone call from one of the engineers at WTJC in Newport NC. He advised me to get down there and get what I wanted as they are scrapping both transmitter and the antennas. Apparently not very elegantly, as a transformer that would take an hour to remove is taking 5 minutes. So they must have sent the license in and are really calling it quits (Glenn Swiderski, NC, Sept 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. As of tonight 9/8/12 Saturday CDT, WRNO is still off. Must be something serious (GEORGE THURMAN, (Houston, TX), DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 9980, Sept 9 at 1349, WWCR-4 is already on contrary to own schedule starting at 1400 Sat & Sun (1600 M-F), with `Creation Moment`, the mini-show which twists science to support its own conclusion that the Earth & everything are only a few thousand years old. How asinine! Yet it`s a staple of this and other gospel-huxter stations. The numbskull has a British accent so he must be authoritative (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. 15615, Sept 12 at 1317, WEWN has a steady het, and soon morphs into fax transmission, no doubt the Australian weather service; does neither complain about the other? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Evening all. Fair reception of WJHR, Milton Ca [sic] at 2110 UT on 15550.1 kHz. Reception has been quite good from switch on at 2030 hrs. Programme consists of a fast talking preacher. SIO 3,4,3 (Russ Cummings, North Ferriby, UK, AOR7030+, 60ft long wire, Sept 10, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) It`s in Florida, not California as Aoki believes. You may soon tire of it as this preacher is the *only* programming on WJHR. Switch-on, I guess you mean by yourself, since it normally switches on at 1400 UT. 73, (Glenn Hauser, OK, ibid.) Yes Glenn I meant tune in, Reception has been fair to good over the last few nights. It`s hard work to listen to though with the style of programmes on offer (Russ Cummings, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. The following is the Final October 28, 2012 to March 31, 2013 High Frequency Schedule for Family Stations, Inc., WYFR All powers = 100 kW All times = UT FREQ START STOP CIRAF AZIMUTH 5985 0000 0145 11,12N 181 6115 2200 0400 4,9 355 6875 0200 0400 10 285 9680 0045 0200 2,3 315 9690 2245 2400 10SW,11SW 222 9930 0145 0400 10SW,11SW 222 11825 0045 0200 12,13W,14 160 11885 2300 0045 12,13,15 140 13695 2245 0045 12,13W,14 160 15440 2145 0145 10 285 17575 2145 2245 12,13,15 140 [see note abottom on discrepancies between first and second skeds:] 5985 SPAN 0004-0145 181 11,12N 100 LPA515 6115 ENGL 2330-0400 355 4,9 100 LPA516 6875 SPAN 0200-0400 285 10 100 LPA516 9930 SPAN 0200-0400 222 10SW,11SW 100 LPA516 11825 SPAN 0100-0200 160 12,13W,14 100 LPA527 11885 PORT 2300-0045 140 12,13,15 100 LPA527 13695 SPAN 2300-0045 160 12,13W,14 100 LPA527 15440 SPAN 0100-0145 285 10 100 LPA516 17575 PORT 2200-2245 140 12,13,15 100 LPA527 LANG (KHZ) TIME (UTC) AZ ZONE PWR ANT TYPE ENGL 6115 2330-0400 355 4,9 100 LPA516 PORT 11885 2300-0045 140 12,13,15 100 LPA527 PORT 17575 2200-2245 140 12,13,15 100 LPA527 SPAN 5985 0004-0145 181 11,12N 100 LPA515 SPAN 6875 0200-0400 285 10 100 LPA516 SPAN 9930 0200-0400 222 10SW,11SW 100 LPA516 SPAN 11825 0100-0200 160 12,13W,14 100 LPA527 SPAN 13695 2300-0045 160 12,13W,14 100 LPA527 SPAN 15440 0100-0145 285 10 100 LPA516 [non] FSI relays via TAIWAN, effective 28 October 2012: LANGUAGE TIME (UTC)(kHz) TARGET Azimuth(degrees) Mandarin 1100-1400 6240 China 310 1100-1400 9280 China 335 Sincerely, (Brenda Constantino, WYFR, Sept 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Note the relays via Taiwan add up to only 6 transmitter hours a day; that means that the exchange RTI-via-WYFR relays will be reduced from 11 to 6 hours a day. WYFR does not provide details of its relays of RTI, but: Compare the first schedule above by frequency to the following one with languages, and note that two frequencies are missing from the latter: 9680 and 9690. Also some timespans are missing from the second one (disregarding some 15-minute warmups): 6115 2200-2330, 15440 2145-0100. One may conclude by elimination that these will constitute the remaining relays of RTI, adding up to approximately 6 hours, but which languages when? It looks like the 0200, 0300 and 0500 English hours will be gone, so unless rescheduled, that leaves Spanish and Chinese dialect(s) (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also TAIWAN ** U S A. THE SHUFFLE OF AMERICAN SHORTWAVE CALLSIGNS IN 1939 The first weekend in the month of September 1939 was a tragically pivotal date for the entire human race upon planet Earth. During the 1920s and 1930s, Germany had staged a remarkable recovery from its disastrous defeat at the end of World War 1, and during the era of those double decades, several more of the scattered German speaking territories in Central Europe had been absorbed into the one Germanic nation, the Deutsches Reich, if you please. German army personnel near the border area with Poland staged a radio ruse on Thursday August 31, 1939 as a pretext for the invasion of Poland. The German radio broadcasting station located at Gleiwitz in Silesia was attacked and taken over, and this was followed by a brief broadcast in the Polish language. The transmission tower at this location was listed as the tallest wooden tower in Europe. As a result of this incident, the entire German might poured into Polish territory. England & France declared war against Germany a few days later, and thus began the massive burst into open warfare now designated as World War 2. During the years 1938 and 1939, it became increasingly obvious to political watchers everywhere that a coming conflict was unavoidable and several nations made some form of preparation for this ultimate eventuality. As in World War 1, the United States was drawn into the dreadful conflict of World War 2. Beginning in the mid 1920s and through the 1930s, international radio broadcasting was developed in the United States, as well as in many other countries around the world. Many of these shortwave stations began their career on an experimental basis, and they then developed into regular radio broadcasting organizations. Back on May 23, 1939, the FCC required that all experimental shortwave stations in the United States should adopt regularized callsigns, effective a little more than three months later, on September 1, 1939. Strangely, this date happened to coincide with that same crisis weekend that saw the rise of militaristic events in continental Europe. Now at that time, there were 15 shortwave transmitters in the United States on the air with radio programming and these were operated by 8 different radio broadcasting organizations. Twelve of these shortwave transmitters were located close to the Atlantic coast, two were located in the Midwest, and just only one on the West coast. Twelve of these transmitters were rated at moderate power, two with low power, and only one at the higher power of 100 kW. All 15 of these shortwave transmitters were licensed under experimental callsigns, beginning with a W, followed by a number and then the letter X. According to the FCC mandate, each of these transmitters needed a new callsign, a regular four letter callsign, beginning with either W or K, depending on its location. Even though the required date for the change was set at September 1, 1939, some stations made the change early, and some made the change late, though apparently some made the change on the right date according to the mandate. Interestingly, six of these transmitters were each given a new callsign at that time, and then a few days later another change took place and new callsigns were allotted. The new callsign for the new 100 kW transmitter operated by General Electric at South Schenectady in New York state was initially WGEU, though a week later that was changed to WGEO. However, the two other shortwave transmitters at the same location, the 25 kW W2XAD & the 40 kW W2XAF, retained their initially allocated callsigns WGEA & WGEO. The CBS station located at Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, W3XAU, was initially allocated the callsign WCAI, though this was changed to WCAB a few days later. However, their sister station, W2XE at Wayne New Jersey retained its 1st new call, WCBX. Then too, the Crosley station near Cincinnati W8XAL became WLWU, and a few days later this call was changed to WLWO, standing for WLW Overseas. The Florida station in Miami, W4XB, became WBKM at first, and this was soon changed to WDJM. The twin shortwave transmitters operated by the Worldwide Broadcasting Foundation in Massachusetts, W1XAL in Boston and W1XAR in Scituate, initially became WSLA & WSLR, though two weeks later their next and permanent set of call letters became the more familiar WRUL & WRUW. The twin RCA-NBC shortwave transmitters at Bound Brook New Jersey with similar calls, W3XAL & W3XL became WRCA & WNBI. The two Westinghouse stations with similar calls, the 40 kW W8XK in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and the 10 kW W1XK near Boston Massachusetts became WPIT & WBOS. The only West Coast shortwave station W6XBE, which was inaugurated on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay during the Golden Gate International Exposition early the same year 1939, adopted the callsign KGEI, which identified General Electric International. The final call change referred to in our program today was for the quite low powered ½ kW W9XAA in Chicago Illinois. This station was owned and operated by the Federation of Labor, though by the time of the callsign changes that the FCC required on September 1, 1939, the station was thought to be off the air. A new call was allocated to W9XAA, WCBI, but perhaps that call was never implemented on air, due to the fact that the transmitter was never again energized. All of these things happened way back just 73 years ago. (Adrian Peterson, AWR Wavescan script for September 2, via DXLD) ** U S A. 530, Sept 9 at 1945 UT, parked outside a fast-food chicken restaurant in mid-Enid, bonus soft-serve ice cream truncated cones with each order, it must be a low-noise oasis, since I am pleased to hear very weak weather reports for various cities from OKC to Dodge City to Topeka. No doubt it is one of the Kansas Turnpike Authority HARs, or is it a TIS? Probably the nearest, South Haven just across the OK line (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. KWMT-540 Ft Dodge IA is NDA [non-direxional antenna] right now! If you live NW, N, or NE of Ft Dodge, IA, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity! Not sure how long this will continue, started Mon morning. May be tower painting? 73, (George Sherman, MN, Sept 11, IRCA via DXLD) Nope, just doing maintenance at the transmitter site. In fact, they were off completely for a few brief minutes yesterday morning. Midday announcer Duane Murley tipped off the listening audience (which included myself and Ernie Wesolowski) that they would be off starting at 1030 CLT. When they came back on, they were noticeably weaker, almost as if they were running their night pattern. But if they're being heard better to the north now, it would seem that they are ND for the time-being, after all. Normally, KWMT has to "suck in" its daytime signal to the north to protect the Canadian border (when I travelled north through western Minnesota during the day on 8/2/2008, I noticed that KWMT was gone by the time I got to Montevideo, which is 100 miles due west of the Twin Cities). The groundwave signal is much better to the south, although the legendary (i.e., early 1960s) days of being heard during the daytime in Indianapolis, Amarillo, and Denver are LONG gone. Glenn Hauser sez he can get them during the day in Enid, OK, but I'd be shocked if their signal can reach any further south than there. Indeed, when I did a daytime bandscan from Branson, MO on 11/6/2010 using Ernie's car radio, KWMT was mostly inaudible, beating against another weak signal which I assume must have been the Clarksville, Tenn. Station. 73, (Rick Dau, South Omaha, Nebraska, ibid.) I tried 540 today Sept 12 around 1940 UT on the caradio at a relatively quiet spot in Enid where I could also barely make out KTA on 530: 540 quite dominated now by Spanish from KDFT Ferris TX [The Metroplex]. Just a trace underneath maybe of KWMT and a very slow SAH well less than 1 Hz. In contrast 570 had a much bigger groundwave signal from WNAX SD under the next Dallas station up the dial, KLIF. Of course, in the good old days the TX station on 540 did not exist. If it were off now, I`m afraid KWMT would still be JBA (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 770, Sept 11 at 0507 UT, `Red Eye Radio` is starting, weak signal from E/W, so my first suspect is KKOB NM. Yes, it`s the only affiliate on 770 per http://redeyeradioshow.com/sectional.asp?id=24651 But now the usual dilemma: here near the null of Albuquerque toward WABC, is it a remnant of the main 50 kW signal from the North Valley or the 230-watt non-direxional night-only fill-in co-channel booster with no separate callsign in Santa Fe? I`ll take the latter. This was about 13 seconds behind another RER on 760, i.e. WJR (also on KFMB San Diego, but not until 0700 UT; never heard here. See also 820 log.) BTW, the station list above has very handy linx to the full program schedules of each station (if they have one!), showing RER is also on KKOB`s substation KTBL 1050 in Albuquerque, why? Well, it starts at 11 pm local there, while KKOB doesn`t start until midnight weekdays, according to the schedule dated August 13, 2012, O yeah? This is Tuesday and it *is* on 770 already at 11+ pm MDT. Or does this mean it`s really some other 770 station not yet on their roster? KTBL stands for Talk-Business-Life featuring such wackos as Glenn Beck and Mike Huckabee elsewhen (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 780, Sept 11 at 0514 UT, music under WBBM OTR; nulling WBBM, it`s ``16 Tons``, but not quite the bass resonance of the original Tennessee Ernie Ford; 0517 ID as ``Songs you remember, KCEG 780``, into brief banjo tune. It`s the new Pueblo CO station as widely reported, but my first official log of it. NRC AM Log shows 720 watts at night, 24 hours ``The Ranch`` with C&W, so that format has already changed. Night pattern at http://transition.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/AM_DA_patterns/1424704-114686.pdf shows major lobe to NNW, minor to SSE, and nulls of course toward Chicago and Reno. Not much toward OK either. Luckily, KSPI Stillwater OK daytimer was not burning its open carrier all night this time (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 820, Sept 11 at 0519, I notice another station with WBAP nulled, and it`s also on `Red Eye Radio`! but about 5 sex behind WBAP. NRC AM Log lists one other ``RER`` affiliate on 820, WWBA Largo FL which is 1 kW at night. Program website http://redeyeradioshow.com/sectional.asp?id=24651 confirms it`s the only other 820 affiliate. I was afraid I would have to click on every 820 state on the map to be sure, but pick a state such as Florida and the whole list appears, then easily searched. RER is the recently renamed trucker show, ex-`Midnight Radio Network`, and it originates at WBAP (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 840, Sept 6 at 1208 UT, checking whether I can still hear KXNT Las Vegas NV in September as I was in August around this time. No, instead it`s an adstring including McDonalds, Cornly(?) Iron, 402 area code, ``the 840-pound radio gorilla of the Midwest, 840- Country``, 1210 joining the Rural Radio Network for AgNews. So it`s KTIC, West Point, Nebraska, 5 kW daytimer. NRC AM Log says nothing about gorillas, just the rather staid ``Information Center`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 840, Sept 12 at 1159 UT, KXNT North Las Vegas NV is again heard with the same commercial from a couple of weeks ago at this time, The Yes Man Can, air-conditioner service; ID for 100.5, 840 and ``HD`` channels, bong and CBS news at 1200. We continue to suspect we are getting more signal than we should be judging from their pattern (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. [Re 12-36] 1010, Sept 5 at 1215 UT, station break between gospel huxters, ``We are 10-10 AM, KXEN, good news for Saint Louis``. Sufficient signal I find hard to believe is the alleged temporary 350 watt transmitter at WGNU in Illinois. Makes 6 bars on the DX-398 signal meter; what about 50 kW KMOX at same time? Also 6 bars! But must have been in a fade, since the latter soon increases to 8 bars. But then a portion of its power is wasted on the IBOC sidebands. I wonder how the groundwave strength of KXEN seems in the St Louis area now. Could be the temporary antenna setup favors skywave (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, After hearing this on last week`s WOR program, I then asked KXEN about this. This is what they said; you may repeat this according to the GM!! Hi Artie - "KXEN is still broadcasting at 50 kW. The STA may never occur and will be temporary if does happen." "Thanks for the email." Dirk L. Hallemeier, Manager 5615 Pershing Ave., Ste. 12 St. Louis, MO 63112 314-454-0400 | F 314-448-4999 (10 Sep via Artie Bigley, DXLD) The original source for this item apparently jumped to a conclusion that it was true: ``FCC Actions: 1010 KXEN MO St. Louis – Licensed for U4 50000/500, KXEN has a CP for U4 50000/420. This action temporarily moves their transmission to Tower #2 of the WGNU-920 transmitter site located 1.16 km east of the KXEN site with U1 350/125. The land on which KXEN’s towers are located is being sold and the new owners have indicated that the land will be used for commercial, rather than as a broadcast tower site. The temporary facilities will be in force until KXEN finds a new tower site and the facility can be built (Bill Hale, NRC DX News Aug 13 via DXLD 12-35)`` Many thanks for all your work on this for many years! It seems STA info is VERY shall we say ``circumstantial`` [or rather contingent]. 73, (Glenn to Bill Hale, who has just retired from his NRC AM Switch column, via DXLD) Yeah, I know what you mean about STA stuff. But then, over the years KXEN has been sort of, what you might say . . . a 'flighty' operation. At least it was. May not be the case nowadays. They sure have had their share of applications. It's funny, though, that if a station tasks its engineers to come up with a 'plan' (in this case an STA), then doesn't follow through, it has wasted time, materials and most of all, money. They must have had some idea that they would need an STA. Makes me wonder (Bill Hale, TX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) We`ve run into other STAs which are on the FCC records ``just in case``, e.g. KOSU`s antenna site change to KWTV tower, which never had to happen (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. As previously announced, 1050 in New York City has now switched to the Spanish version of ESPN. The English version moved to 98.7 when WRKS was acquired. 1040 in Flemington, N.J. went to ESPN/Spanish when the 98.7 changed. 1040 has run // to the 1050 in recent times, probably trying to fill a big gap in the night coverage of the 1050. The signal strength (of the 1050) is there - but Toronto is also there starting at sunset (Joe Fela, So. Plainfield, N.J., 1914 UT Sept 11, amfmtvdx at qth.net via DXLD) WEPN ** U S A. 1250, Sept 6 at 1212 UT, dead air for at least a minute. No doubt it`s the usual dominant SRS signal, KYYS Kansas City KS, La Equis, la Super-Estación. By 1225 or so recheck, modulating Mexican music (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1260, Radio Martí Relay. The award of the Radio Martí relay order to go Caracol Broadcasting, Inc., WSUA 1260 Miami The broadcast times are listed in the document link "FBO.gov Permalink" (and there: "Price Schedule") Contract Award Dollar Amount: Base Period - $39,650.00. Contract Value if all Option Periods are exercised $436,150.00 (Sept 3) (Wolfgang Büschel, BCDX Sept 9 via DXLD) So what is the base period? The larger figure is exactly 11 (not 12) times the smaller one (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. 1440, Sept 11 at 0457 UT, local ads mentioning Quincy for termite & pest control, Habitat for Humanity. Since they didn`t pronounce it Quinzy, I assume it is Illinois, not something around Boston such as WVEI Worcester MA; i.e. WGEM, which is also about three times as close. I see this once great station is now just an ESPN clone dedicated to the total waste of human attention and resources known as stupid ballgames (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1510, Sept 5 at 1923 UT, I am driving about 10 miles north of Enid to release a trapped squirrel who thinx he owns our pecans; they are not even ready for human harvest yet, but he and his relatives have scattered green pecan debris all over the ground. On 1510 I have a weak signal with Mexican music, and it improves slightly as I get further from the KOKC 1520 splash (which fortunately is mostly talk now). The ubiquitous SHVA appears frequently, can`t get a definite ID, but ``15-10 AM, sólo música`` and may have mentioned ``Fiesta``. This sounds familiar, and I find an old report of this from 2010y!: ``UNIDENTIFIED. 1510, on caradio in the south side of Enid, at 1852 UT Nov 1 beneath the splash from KOKC 1520 I am hearing bits of Mexican music. The closest 1510 is 1 kW KNNS Larned KS, near Great Bend, listed in NRC AM Log 2010 as sports/ESPN format. Of the seven Texans on 1510, three of them have a Mexican or Tejano format, mostly in the south except for KSTV Stephenville, between Fort Worth and Abilene, but really too far from here for groundwave. Then there`s 10 kW KCTE Independence MO, but it`s another sportstalker. Google search on KNNS to the Wiki page inserts this: ``Template: Infobox Radio station - this station is no longer broadcasting as of early October 2010`` but unseen on the Wikipedia page itself (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST 10-44) And heard more traces of it since (see also earlier DXLD 10-15 where Royals BB in English was on 1510)`` I would have written almost the same thing now. The new 2012 NRC AM Log still shows KNNS as ESPN, so apparently this 2-year old flip has gone unnoticed except by me. KSTV is at least twice as far from here as KNNS, and full-day groundwave on 1510 from that far into Texas is not to be expected, even tho KSTV is listed as ``Fiesta AM``. BTW, Larnèd has two syllables, darn it. BTW2, KCTE 1510 sportstalk in English doesn`t make it here in the daytime from the Kansas City area, but with skywave it`s still audibly hetting off-frequency. Now Wikipedia has been updated to confirm this: ``KNNS 1510AM is a regional Mexican station in Larned, Kansas, near Great Bend. The Regional Mexican format began in October 2010; before that, it was an affiliate of ESPN Radio from the spring of 2008 to 2010; before ESPN, it was an oldies station with the slogan "Music you remember." Before it was an oldies station, it was a general talk radio outlet``. And the callsign harkens back to ``news``, not to be confused with KNSS 1330 in Wichita. And now KNNS has own website: http://www.lacaliente1510.com/ including the ``sólo música`` slogan I heard, says it started 15 October 2010, and streams (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [continued from CANADA: CKGM 690, a new station or not?] 1590 from Denmark WI moved to a nearby community and higher power and I think a new TX location, but because it didn't move very far and still serves the same area I don't count it as a new station. To each his own, as the club allows. 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, to Sheldon Harvey, NRC AM via DXLD) WGBW How can you not count 1590 Denmark, WI as a new station? It definitely moved transmitter sites and it serves an entirely different area with a different pattern (Paul B Walker, PA, ibid.) Hmm, you may be right. How far did the transmitter move and how far apart is the intended service area? 73 and thx (KAZ, ibid.) The transmitter moved about 20-25 miles and basically became a Green Bay station, instead of a Two Rivers/Shoreline station. Quite the different service area (Paul Walker, ibid.) Paul, your points are valid here and while I don't think it moved my desired minimum of 25 miles, it is definitely serving the Green Bay area rather than the adjacent previous area. I'd have no qualms about anyone counting WGBW as a new station. 73 KAZ (Kazaross, ibid.) Still, you have to be careful with "moves" and not discount them just because the mileage is not enough in your opinion. Case in point is WABJ-1490 in Adrian MI when it moved from the "swamp" and the whole dynamic of their coverage changed. It was not one of their better decisions for coverage to the SE. Sites can cause differences in propagation, even at one mile. And if the antenna height changes, all bets are off (Fred Vobbe, OH, ibid.) ** U S A. 1620, FLORIDA (PIRATE), Radio Keenam, Orlando. 1305 UT September 1, 2012. Big signal on I-4 inbound south Orlando, with very West African-sounding vocals as opposed to the usual konpa or Kreyol talk. Eventually overtaken downtown by the 2 X 810 WRSO, Orlovista persistent harmonic. [ORLA] 1640, FLORIDA (TIS), Florida Dept. of Transportation/Florida Turnpike Authority, Slavia. 1325 UT September 1, 2012. Presumed site, male and female generic loop. Pretty good signal on I-4 between Sanford and DeBary, but poorer at Gemini Springs Park in Volusia County. [ORLA] 1640, FLORIDA (MIS), City of Casselberry, WQDC927 [not]. September 1, 2012. Inactive, at least today most definitely, as I spent some time in Casselberry-proper and this was never to be heard. [ORLA] 1650, FLORIDA (MIS), City of Orlando, WQDC703. 1625 UT September 1, 2012. Mediocre signal even near downtown Orlando, with the usual nonstop NOAA Weather Radio Melbourne relay (I still don’t get why they relay Melbourne vs. the closer Orlando-area NOAA). Male ID with calls dropped every minute or so. [ORLA] 1700, FLORIDA (TIS), Orlando International Airport. 1255 September 1, 2012. Male and female looped parking information. Good on I-4 at the Sand Lake Road exit. [ORLA] NOTE: Logs appended [ORLA] were made mobile via car radio while in counties Orange, Seminole and Volusia. **************************************** Florida Low Power Radio Stations: https://sites.google.com/site/floridadxn/florida-low-power-radio-stations **************************************** (Terry L. Krueger, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. [Re 12-36] Pirate Elite-FM 97.5 was noted off one day this week. On other strong but with a low audio level. A friend who has done some listening to them thinks they are actually relaying a Brooklyn pirate operating on 106.3 (Joe Fela (So. Plainfield, N.J.), Sept 8, amfmtvdx at qth.net via DXLD) ** U S A. Ch. 6, WLFM-LP6, Cleveland OH 9:15 am [EDT = 1315 UT] 9/1 Heard traces of audio here recently, but assumed it was intermod from our antenna amplifier. Turns out it's a real station. Video is still pics of cityscapes with ID logobug. Audio is 6 second clips of oldies mx. Bizarre. I wonder what the intent here is. Are they really trying to be an FM station at lower end of FM dial? [yes] 9:25am faded to audio only. 9:53am heard audio ID. Is this new? [yes] http://mibuzzboard.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=35310 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WLFM-LP http://ohiomediawatch.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/wlfm-lp-let-there-be-video/ (Larry Russell, Flushing MI, MARE Tipsheet 7 Sept via DXLD) ** VATICAN. 17590, Sept 9 at 1256 classical vocal music, poor signal, then Chinese announcement. Not heard after 1300, but HFCC shows VR in Chinese at 1225-1315, 500 kW, 65 degrees from SMG (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VATICAN. BROADCASTING IN RUSSIAN: Information from the website of Radio Vatican. NEW SCHEDULE OF BROADCASTING We call attention of our listeners, that from the beginning of September in our broadcasts on short-wave undergo some changes. Program of the Russian Service of Radio Vatican, which is broadcast live in 20 hours 10 minutes Moscow time on the frequency 15185 kHz, that is 19 meters, will be heard on this frequency to 1 September 2012 inclusive. Since September 2, the same transmission (20 hours 10 minutes (Moscow time) will be transmitted at a frequency of 9585 kHz corresponding to the short wave 31 meters. We REMIND you that we go on air in 16 hours. 32 minutes Moscow time - in the short waves 22 and 16 meters, corresponding to the frequencies of 13685 and 17865 kHz, and on medium wave 1260 kHz. The transmission is repeated in 20 hours. 10 minutes Moscow time - in the short waves 25 and, starting from the second of September of this year, - 31 m, corresponding to the frequencies of 11715 and 9585 kHz, as well as on the medium wave 1260 kHz. In 00 h. 00 minutes Moscow time - the average [medium] wave 1260 kHz. In 6 hours. 30 minutes the next day to Moscow time is only on the medium wave 1260 kHz. Listen to us via satellite: our programs are broadcast by satellite HOT BIRD: Eutelsat: the orbital position 13 degrees East longitude, frequency - 12380 MHz, vertical polarization; the channel - RV (in 6 hours. 30 min.) and Telepace (for all programs). Intelsat 907: 332,5 degrees East longitude. Frequency - 4161.705 MHz (channel ??R1 - 6 hours 30 minutes Moscow time, and the channel ??R2 - in 16 ?.32 min.) Intelsat 904: 60 degrees East longitude, frequency 4103.350 MHz (channel IOR1 - all transfers, in addition to repeat in 20 hours. 10 minutes Moscow time). Holy Mass at the Russian language is passed in the second and fourth Sunday of each month at 12 hours. 30 minutes Moscow time on short waves 25, 19 and 16 meters, corresponding to the frequencies of 11740, 15595 and 17590 kHz, and to Rome and its environs - the ultra wave 93,3 MHz (via RusDX Sept 9 via DXLD) ** VIETNAM [non]. PALAU, 9930, Que Me, Sep 07 *1200-1219 45444 Vietnamese, 1200 sign on with opening music, ID, Opening announce, Talk, Gongs at 1202 and 1206 (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZANZIBAR?? 6015, R. Tanzania Zanzibar?? M talk at 0325 in [unknown] language. M still there at 0332. Too weak and entirely too much 6020 CRI QRM [Albania]. M announcer again at 0408 recheck. News?? A little clearer at this time. 7 Sept. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+, HCDX via DXLD) ZANZIBAR AND RECITING FROM THE QUR’AN – QIRA’UT ZANZIBAR. 6015, ZBC Radio (presumed), *0301, Sept 10. Suddenly on with reciting from the Qur’an; about 0307 OM started monologue; by 0320 reception considerably improved; Zanzibar local sunrise at 0319; at 0330 music consistent to be the Indian style jingle as reported by Bill Bingham (RSA); YL with assume the news. As I often report hearing reciting from the Qur’an, I was interested to find the following passage: “Today’s Muslims have a special way of vocalizing the Qur’an called qira’ut. It’s a sound quite unlike any other made by the human voice. It’s musical, but it isn’t singing. It’s incantatory, but it isn’t chanting. It invokes emotions even in someone who doesn’t understand the words. Every person who performs qira’ut does so differently, but every recitation feels like an imitation or intimation or interpretation of some powerful original.” from “Destiny Disrupted, A History Of The World Through Islamic Eyes” by Tamim Ansary. Found online: “A Qirâ'ât is for the most part a method of pronunciation used in the recitations of the Qur'an” (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. MADAGASCAR, 15115, SW R. Africa, Sep 08 0605-0620, 23432-33433 English, Talk, ID at 0613 and 0619 (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So there was English on a Saturday; originally I heard English on a Sunday; not Saturday. Varies (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. 730, Sept 12 at 1215 UT for at least a few minutes, big hum only. Suspect it`s XEHB which was presumably the Mexican heard a bit earlier with music (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. 730 puzzler: 730, CKAC "Radio Circulation" was coming in good at sunset last Sunday evening, and after playing back the recording I heard another non-English station underneath. My first impression was that it sounded like a Haitian station. I'm not sure it's French, but it's definitely not Spanish. They seem to be discussing one of the political conventions, with mention of Romney, which makes me think it's domestic but there isn't anything on Barry's site to indicate a French or ethnic programming station on 730. The 2012 WRTH has no listings for Haiti on 730. Any ideas?: https://www.box.com/s/cix75vfylmbnvp0non7g (Brett Saylor, State College, PA, Sept 11, Perseus SDR with SW-pointed split delta loop antenna, NRC-AM via DXLD) Hi Brett, I'm fairly certain this is WTNT in Alexandria, VA with their Ethiopian program Radio Abisinia. See: http://730wtnt.com/program-schedule (Jon Hamilton, St. Catharines, ON, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 800, Sept 8 at 1140 UT, distorted talk modulation, can`t even discern the language. Loops between S and SSW, bothering KQCV OKC, and XEROK CiJz. Was hearing same thing last year, reported in DXLD 11-39 after 1200 UT Sept 26 and 28 under Mexico, and unID. Prime suspect was XEZR in Zaragoza, Coahuila. Anyone in south Texas should be able to confirm this in the daytime (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 860, Sept 11 at 0521 UT, tonetest of less than 1 kHz; from strength and direxion it`s most likely my nearest, KKOW Pittsburg KS; why? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1260, Sept 6 at 1213 UT, weak Mexican music looping NE/SW. At this hour I have a feeling it`s from the USA, not the USM. No Texans listed as such; suspect it`s KDLF Boone, Iowa, 5 kW ``La Reina`` as in NRC AM Log (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1279.0, Sept 11 at 0458 UT, 1 kHz het against 1280 signals; not a tone as nothing on 1281. Typical Cuban behavior, except this loops NE-SW. Ideas? Of course, it`s not a TA channel either which would be 1278. 1279, at 0500 UT Sept 12, am again hearing a carrier here hetting 1280 stations (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1634, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1610, Sept 11 at 0529 UT, I am pulling some Spanish thru the IBOC noise from 1600, by sidetuning to 1608. Could it be CHHA Toronto, R. Voces Latinas, which I have heard before? Then I hear ``malecón`` mentioned, an Habanan landmark, but not only there, so is it really a Cuban? Not // Rebelde 5025, FWIW. Can`t be sure of its own direxion since hearing it is more dependent on minimizing the IBOC. At first, I get a null on that at NE/SW, so must be coming from KEPN Colorado; a few minutes later, I get a null on the IBOC noise at NW/SE, so now it must be coming from KATZ Missouri. No wonder 1610 is such a mess here with two 1600 IBOC stations at right angles! Then the Spanish has faded away. This side of S America, the other possible 1610 SS is XEUACH, but it signs off much earlier, right? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1650, Sept 11 at 0536 UT, I am getting Spanish preacher about Apocalipsis in null of KCNZ Iowa (STILL no sign of KYHN OK as allegedly reactivated), no doubt KBJD Denver, Radio Luz. When I turn back toward KCNZ I also hear a different Spanish station underneath with music. Is XEARZ/XEAZR (opinions differ) in Mexico City on the air now? It had been making only sporadic appearances earlier this year. Or am I finally hearing 850-watt KSVE El Paso TX? That fits for the format and nulling as I don`t hear it at all when KBJD is clear in KCNZ null. A search of IRCA DX Monitors back to 2004y shows NO logs of KSVE whatsoever tho it appeared several times on lists of ballgame affiliates. Is it really on the air?? Someone closer, please check. However, FCC AM Query shows the KSVE call on 1650 only started on 09/23/2008; it was KHRO from 02/25/2005 and KBIV from 09/04/1998. The KSVE facility may have been on some other frequency before 9/23/08 1650, re previous report whether the Spanish I heard could be ZER Radio in Mexico City, instead of KSVE El Paso TX, Julián Santiago Díez de Bonilla, DF, answers my query Sept 10: ``it has been on the air more regularly 24 hours with instrumental music, IDs, and an occasional commentary. Transmits from Mexico City with 5000 watts``. AFAIK, there have never been any definite reports north of the border of either station (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. No ID: 11445 kHz, 8 Sept. 2012, 1727-1734 (UT): Hola a todos! El pasado sábado, entre las 1727 y las 1734 (UTC), en la frecuencia de 11445 escuché una estación en idioma árabe. No la hallé listada ni en Aoki ni en Eibi. ¿Alguien puede decirme que emisora sintonicé? Si puede ser de ayuda dispongo de la grabación en Mp3. Gracias de antemano (Alvaro López Osuna, Spain?, Sept 13, noticiasdx yg via DXLD) So it was definitely a broadcaster not a ute? (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 11995, Sept 6 at 0547, still the open carrier with some hum is burning megawatts for nothing. How about some other monitoring of this to try to determine the source? 11995, Sept 7 at 0508, usual mystery open carrier and hum; this time, neighbor TRT 11980 has a more than sufficient signal. 11995, Sept 9 at 0427, the mystery open carrier with some hum is on, among the earliest times I have caught it. Has also lasted past 0600. 11995, Sept 11 at 0423, 0438 and later, no signal from the usual mystery carrier with hum. Meanwhile, Turkey 11980 was well audible. 11995, Sept 12 at 0519, mystery open carrier with hum is back, fair signal (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS See CANADA [and non] Whaley; MOZAMBIQUE ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Contributions not necessarily in US funds via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com By check or MO in US funds on a US bank to P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702 USA PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ TRANSMITTER SITE PHOTOS I reconfigured the BAMLog transmitter site web page today. Sites are indexed and load separately so you don't have to scroll through every photo (or wait for the whole thing to load on a slow connection) to find one of interest. New URL too - http://www.bamlog.com/towersites.htm Also there's a new group started by WDDH's Paul Walker that's become a big hit on Facebook, called "I Take Pictures of Transmitter Sites" at http://www.facebook.com/groups/412942788767374/ Already a great collection of photos for those of us who enjoy that sort of thing. – (Bruce Conti, http://www.bamlog.com MWDX YG via DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ INTERNATIONAL RADIO FESTIVAL, ZURICH 12-16 SEPTEMBER On live here http://www.internationalradiofestival.com/ with a great mix of music, studio webcam operating. Each contributing radio station has a slot, many European stations, includes some from the UK, well worth a listen. Full schedule and details of each station operating at the website. Full schedule on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Home-Furniture-Range/419927878059275#!/internationalradiofestival/app_7146470109 (Mike Terry, Sept 13, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) "ROCKING THE BOAT! THE TRUE STORY OF PIRATE RADIO IN THE SIXTIES" - Tuesday 18 September, 6.00 - 8.00 pm [BST = UT +1] Westminster Reference Library, 35 St Martin's Street, London WC2H 7HP A panel of veteran offshore DJs (including Paul Burnett, Guy Hamilton, Mark Wesley and Greg Bance) recall the glory days of a life on the ocean airwaves' 1967. The Summer of Love. There was definitely ``Something in the Air``. Two years before Thunderclap Newman, the Decade of Social Revolution was in full swing. In fact since 1964, there had been 45 Revolutions Per Minute day and night as a new breed of ``pirate`` DJs waived the rules, pumping out non-stop pop music from boats or offshore forts around the British coast to a grateful nation. Two pillars of the Establishment, however, the Government and Auntie BBC, objected to ``free`` radio, and their unholy alliance silenced most of the seafaring stations on August 14th 1967. But they could not stop the Children of the Revolution, and radio broadcasting would never return to its pre-pirate days. Fittingly, 45 years on, a panel of veteran DJs from those maritime music days comes together on Tuesday 18th September to remember a life on the ocean airwaves and to consider its legacy. We look forward to welcoming Paul Burnett, Guy Hamilton, Mark Wesley and Greg Bance to the highly appropriate venue of Westminster Reference Library, whose vast arts and media collection contains the most accessible public archive of books on radio broadcasting in Britain. Come and wallow in nostalgia if you recall the times of transistor and valve radio, or come to find out what all the fuss was about if you never knew a time before Radios One and Two! To book a place, email referencelibrarywc2 @ westminster.gov.uk or telephone 020 7641 5250 http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/libraries/news/wrfevents/ (Thanks to Mike Barraclough for alerting me to this) (via Mike Terry, mwdx yg via DXLD) DUTCH "RADIO DAY - SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2012 For nearly 34 years, the annual Dutch "Radio Day" has been a "must" for all (offshore) radio experts and enthusiasts. About 350 people are normally attending the event each year. This website has galleries of photos from previous events and will keep visitors up to date with news of this year's event as arrangements fall into place. See the provisional programme here http://www.radioday.nl/ (Mike Terry, Sept 7, dxldyg via DXLD) WORLD OF HOROLOGY +++++++++++++++++ ESPAÑA: MADRID ACOGERÁ EN 2013 LA PRIMERA CELEBRACIÓN MUNDIAL DEL DÍA DE LA RADIO MADRID, 11 (SERVIMEDIA) --- Madrid será anfitriona el 13 de febrero de 2013 de la primera celebración internacional del Día Mundial de la Radio, jornada proclamada por la Unesco a propuesta de la Academia Española de la Radio. Lo acordó este martes el Comité Internacional del Día Mundial de la Radio, integrado por representantes de las principales organizaciones radiofónicas de todo el planeta, que hoy se reunió en Madrid para dar un impulso a las celebraciones de la jornada internacional. Según informó a Servimedia tras el encuentro el presidente de la Asociación Europea de Radios y de la Asociación Española de Radio Comercial (AERC), Alfonso Ruiz de Assín, se ha decidido que la capital española acoja el acto público central de celebración del día mundial, cuyos detalles se concretarán en una próxima reunión en Nueva York, con motivo de la asamblea general de la ONU. La Academia Española de la Radio propuso inicialmente que el Día Mundial de la Radio se celebrara cada 30 de octubre, por ser esa fecha el día de emisión en 1938 del mítico espacio La guerra de los Mundos, de Orson Welles. Sin embargo, la Unesco se decantó por el 13 de febrero, día del nacimiento de la radio de Naciones Unidas en 1946. Según Ruiz de Assin, la radio es el medio vertebrador entre continentes por antonomasia, y merece una jornada en su honor. La Unesco calcula que la radio es capaz de llegar a más de un 95 por ciento del planeta de prácticamente cualquier segmento de la población, y si se toman en cuenta los satélites este porcentaje aumenta hasta cubrir prácticamente el mundo entero. Según estadísticas recientes sobre la proporción de hogares con radio, en la mayoría de los países en vías de desarrollo, más del 75 % de los hogares posee un receptor. (SERVIMEDIA) 11-SEP-12 JRN FUENTE: http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/sociedad/noticias/4239775/09/12/Madrid-acogera-en-2013-la-primera-celebracion-mundial-del-dia-de-la-radio.html (Via @yimbergaviria, DXLD) MUSEA +++++ ANOTHER RADIO MUSEUM (MOSTLY FOR HAMS) This floors me. It has to be the best ham shack in recorded history. http://www.qrz.com/db/W9EVT (Jeff Kadet, Sept 11, WTFDA via DXLD) QSL GALLERY ---> The large collection of QSL cards on Les Nouvelles DX's web site has been updated. Fourteen different galleries include more than 10,200 cards for the ten Most Wanted DXCC Entities (2004-11), the 61 deleted DXCC Entities, obsolete prefixes, stations from Magrebh from 1947 to 1962, Allied Forces stations in Germany (1946-62), Antarctic bases & TAAF (Terres Australes and Antarctiques Francaises), the various French DXCC island Entities in the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Americas (from 1945 to 1970), pre-1945 countries, French Departments and CONUS, plus a gallery for cards not accepted by DXCC. Your participation is encouraged - please visit http://www.LesNouvellesdx.fr and send your comments to lesnouvellesdx[ @]free.fr [TNX F6AJA] (425 DX News 8 Sept via Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD) RADIO REUNITED, SIMULCAST CELEBRATES 90 YEARS OF BBC RADIO "The BBC today announced plans for an unprecedented global simulcast across its radio networks – including every UK station (local, network and national) and many World Service outlets – curated by Damon Albarn to mark 90 years of radio...on October 11 the BBC begins a major initiative to recover the lost gems of the broadcasting archive by calling an `amnesty' on recorded media. Listeners are asked to scour their lofts, garages and cupboards for tapes, cassettes and other recordings of BBC radio programmes from 1936 to 2000, and hand them in at BBC Centres around the UK on `Amnesty Day'" Should all be interesting programming though the phrase Amnesty Day does make having recordings of BBC programmes seem somewhat illicit. Much more on the press release. http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/radio-reunited.html (Mike Barraclough, Sept 10, dxldyg via DXLD) So is there some arcane law really making those illegal? (gh, DXLD) The BBC today announced plans for an unprecedented global simulcast across its radio networks – including every UK station (local, network and national) and many World Service outlets – curated by Damon Albarn to mark 90 years of radio. The simultaneous broadcast, called Radio Reunited, will take place on November 14 at 17:33 GMT – 90 years since the first broadcast from the British Broadcasting Company in 1922 - to a potential global audience of 120 million people across every inhabited continent which includes BBC World Service outlets, including Arabic, Swahili, Hausa, English Language services. Listeners can find out more about the project and how to get involved at ?bbc.co.uk/reunited The website will also showcase the best of the messages contributed by members of the public once the project is completed. Listeners will be encouraged to use the hash tag #bbc90 if tweeting their message. More at : http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/radio-reunited.html --- (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, dxldyg via DXLD) Trevor Dann has posted this afternoon about the BBC Radio at 90 Listeners Archive project. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio/posts/BBC-Radio-at-90-The-Listeners-Archive (Mike Barraclough, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) Damon Albarn said: ``I love the idea of stations across Britain and the World Service coming together, with all of our different lives and circumstances, even if it's only for a few minutes. It's a powerful idea.`` Radio Reunited is one of the key broadcasts to mark the anniversary. Two of the other major programming projects launched today to celebrate 90 years of BBC radio are: - The Listeners` Archive --- on October 11 the BBC begins a major initiative to recover the lost gems of the broadcasting archive by calling an ``amnesty`` on recorded media. Listeners are asked to scour their lofts, garages and cupboards for tapes, cassettes and other recordings of BBC radio programmes from 1936 to 2000, and hand them in at BBC Centres around the UK on ``Amnesty Day``. BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5live, BBC Local Radio in England and the BBC Nations are all involved. Central to the project will be a series of shows on Radio 2 and 6 Music around the 90th anniversary, where clips of the recovered content --- and possibly whole programmes - will be played, and introduced by the person who originally recorded them. - 90 x 90 (from November 14) --- a series of 90-second miniatures that celebrate, calibrate and curate the diversity of radio in its widest form. Serious, funny, evocative, personal, provocative - each episode represents one year of the 90. They will be broadcast across BBC Radio 4 Extra starting after Radio Reunited and continue for the next 11 days. They will also feature across other BBC radio networks over the same period. The BBC stations taking part in Radio Reunited are: BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1xtra, BBC Radio 2, BBC 6music, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 4 Extra, BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio 5live, BBC London 94.9, BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Kent, BBC Oxford, BBC Sussex, BBC Surrey, BBC Radio Solent, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Three Counties Radio, BBC Radio Norfolk, BBC Radio Suffolk, BBC Newcastle, BBC Tees, BBC Radio Cumbria, BBC Radio Manchester, BBC Radio York, BBC Radio Humberside, BBC Radio Sheffield, BBC Radio Lancashire, BBC Radio Stoke, BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, BBC Radio Derby, BBC Hereford & Worcester, BBC Radio Leicester, BBC Lincolnshire, BBC Radio Northampton, BBC Radio Nottingham, BBC Radio Shropshire, BBC WM, BBC Wiltshire, BBC Radio Gloucestershire, BBC Radio Bristol, BBC Radio Cornwall, BBC Radio Devon, BBC Guernsey, BBC Radio Jersey, BBC Somerset, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Foyle, BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal, BBC Radio Scotland, Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and many BBC World Service outlets, including Arabic, Swahili, Hausa, English Language services (via Nick Hall-Patch, Victoria, BC, IRCA via DXLD) TODAY' FEATURE ON RADIOPHONIC RECORDINGS OF BUSH HOUSE At 0645 GMT (07.45 BST) this Wednesday, there was a fascinating item on BBC Radio 4's "Today" programme about the revival of the BBC's famous Radiophonic Workshop, in a new guise part-funded by the Arts Council and using the on-line arts resource "The Space". One of the projects of the new workshop has been to record for posterity some of the sounds of Bush House, vacated by the BBC World Service with its last news bulletin on 12th July this year. The process of clearing the building of everything associated with its BBC use over seventy years is nearing its conclusion, with auctions taking place in the building over the next few days of redundant equipment and fittings. The radiophonic composition includes such sounds as the Bush House lifts, which when slowed down resemble the sound of a tolling boll, as well as bult tape erasers, creaking doors etc. The feature can be found on-line on BBC i-player for the next seven days, or via the Today programme website at www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today. It is 1 hour and 45 minutes into the programme, but should also be selectable on Wednesday 12th only using the "running order" on the programme's page. It's great to hear and see the world-famous Radiophonic Workshop in action again, responsible for realising such iconic pieces as the Dr Who theme and many former BBC local radio idents (Mark Savage, Feltham, Sept 12, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) BBCWS BUSH HOUSE AUCTION UPDATE The latest round of the auctioning of the contents of Bush House that was not hauled over to Broadcasting House is this week; see Wired Magazine link below. Your chance to own a bit of history...or a bit of triviality... http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-09/11/bbc-world-service-auction (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, Sept 11, internetradio via DXLD) 2EmmaToc takes to the airwaves Southgate 12 September (Amateur) Radio station Writtle Calling / 2EmmaToc started broadcasting on Tuesday, September 11 with a talk on early radio by Tim Wander G6GUX In his broadcast Tim G6GUX covered the early days of radio broadcasting from 2EmmaToc (2MT) Writtle and 2LO. He broadcast from the "Structure" at Writtle College, close to the original site of 2MT which commenced broadcasting 90 years ago. His presentation was given on an open air stage, which accounted for slight wind noise in the background. Tim not only covered the early days of radio in the UK but also the use of radio communications by the Voyager 1 spacecraft that has recently left our Solar system. After his broadcast Tim discussed his forthcoming publications which include a book on the early years of Marconi due out in November as well as a book planned for 2013 that will cover the pioneers of radio prior to Marconi. Writtle Calling is an Arts Project developed by artist Melissa Appleton and architectural practice Post-Works. The "Structure" from where the broadcasts are made is created from a collage of building images collected from across the countryside that have been re-scaled and brought together to create a striking sculpture. Among those involved in the Writtle Calling project is Janie Townshend a former Marconi Communications engineer who went on to became an artist. During the week the station will host a series of live broadcasts by artists, writers, musicians and scientists with a public event on Saturday, September 15. Disabled access and toilet facilities are available at Writtle College. The event is free and there will be a pay bar and BBQ on Saturday. Writtle Calling broadcasts take place between 6 - 7.30pm BST (1700- 1830 UT) on 87.7 MHz FM and globally on the web at http://writtlecalling.co.uk/ Post-Works Writtle Calling http://www.post-works.com/writtle-calling.html Janie Townshend http://www.janietownshend.com/ 2MT Writtle http://www.2mtwrittle.com/ (via Mike Terry, Sept 12, dxldyg via DXLD) DX-PEDITIONS ++++++++++++ BULGARIA Dear colleague, Last week (from 5th to 9th September) I did a small DXPedition to my friend's DX Camp. It's a relatively QRM-free place in the mountain with a lot of room for beverage antennas. We used a Sony ICF-2010D with three 100 metres beverages and antenna switch: 1. 105 degrees to South Asia and Australia/New Zealand 2. 185 degrees to Africa 3. 305 degrees to Western Europe and the Eastern part of North America We observed many stations, but we focussed mostly on the latest frequency changes of IBB, as well as we monitored the operation of Bangladesh Betar. We also observed WTWW, Nippon No Kaze, Furusato No Kaze, the Eritrea-Ethiopia and South-North Korea radio wars. Radio Australia, ABC Alice Springs and Radio New Zealand were coming in with huge signals on the 105 degrees beverage. On this antenna, stations like Sound Of Hope, Radio Free Sarawak, Khmer People Power Movement and the music program of WHRI on 11565 were also coming in with fair signals. During the evening hours, we heard plenty of low-power European pirates from the UK and the Netherlands. During the night and the morning hours, we logged many stations from North and South America. The morning hours also seemed to be the best time for receiving WWV Fort Colins on 10MHz, which we heard with a SINPO of 43444. For more information about the DXPedition, such as logs and videos (around 100), please visit our blog at: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com (Ivo Ivanov, Georgi Bancov, Sept 11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Quite a list, but unfortunately no specific dates or times are given, over the 5-day period, just entire transmission spans (gh, DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM See also BANGLADESH; DENMARK; INDIA; ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PAKISTAN NewStar DR-111 - review George Ross, Frequency Manager at KTWR Guam, Trans World Radio writes about his recent experiences of using the NewStar DR-111 http://drm.org/news_item/NewStar_DR-111_-_review (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India dx_sasia yg via DXLD) thumbs up DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DTV See also OKLAHOMA ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ TENNESSEE LEGISLATORS: PROTECTING BROADCASTERS IS AS IMPORTANT AS FREEING UP WIRELESS SPECTRUM --- Write FCC to counsel transparency in spectrum auction rulemaking By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/10/2012 4:42:41 PM A number of Tennessee legislators have asked the FCC to make sure that the commission "protects the ability of the public to continue to receive over-the-air television signals" from stations that remain in business after the upcoming spectrum auction. FCC chairman Julius Genachowski circulated a notice of proposed rulemaking last Friday, Sept. 7, that outlined a framework for the auctions, including the repacking of stations and replication of their coverage areas. Broadcasters are eager to see the FCC's model for optimizing those stations reach. The FCC is under a statutory mandate to make all reasonable efforts to replicate the existing coverage areas and interference protections of broadcasters who choose to continue providing free-over-the-air service. "While increasing the amount of spectrum allocated to wireless broadband fulfills an important national goal," the legislators wrote in a letter to the FCC dated Sept. 7, "the goal of protecting the public's ability to receive that service is equally important." They said "all Americans" deserve to know whether the commission's plan will affect their ability to receive signals," and counseled the FCC to be transparent in its rulemaking. Signatories to the letter include Republicans Rep. Marsha Blackburn and Sen. Lamar Alexander, and Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen (Broadcasting & Cable via DXLD) WTVF CHANNEL MOVE COMPLETE [Nashville TN] For those of you within range: WTVF moved from RF-5 to RF-25 over the weekend. They're running 1000 kW from the same tower RF-5 was on. RF-5 is still on the air but at greatly reduced power (they filed this morning for a license-to-cover to convert RF-5 from their main transmitter to a 3 kW Digital Replacement Translator). - (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, Sept 10, WTFDA via DXLD) It seemed bizarre that WTVF and WMC-TV (Memphis) would use the same native DTV channel post transition, but finally reality has hit. I'm sure that both stations will gain potential fringe viewers with this move (Fritze H. Prentice, Jr., KC5KBV, Star City AR EM43aw, ibid.) And WCYB over at the other end of the state (technically licensed to the Virginia side of Bristol but IIRC the transmitter is in Tennessee). In the analog days this entered into the equation: WTVF's initial city-of-license was Old Hickory, Tennessee, an industrial suburb about 7-8 miles east of Nashville. Nashville itself was too close to Memphis (where WMC-TV already existed when the Nashville station signed on in 1954) to meet the spacing requirements for the channel assignment. At some point, the FCC decided the cities could be too close as long as the *transmitters* met the spacing requirements (that's also why WITI is no longer licensed to Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin). But today, I don't think WMC entered into the equation. Maybe especially now that the Jackson market (which lies between Nashville & Memphis) has its own CBS affiliate (on a subchannel of WBBJ-TV). My wild guess is that the real spur for this move is spectrum refarming. RF-5 worked very well in the outlying areas. (I heard from one viewer who watched it in Cookeville with indoor rabbit ears. Cookeville is 75 miles away!) But it was a BIG problem in Nashville proper -- and probably in many of the close-in suburbs. Hence, the Replacement Translator on RF-50 (which, BTW, seems to be off the air now). RF-50 works in the suburban indoor-antenna territory where RF-5 doesn't. But the FCC has made it clear that translators are subject to being bumped if the Commission is able to sell their spectrum for wireless services. Channel 50 won't be the *first* channel to go, (that would be channel 51) but it will be the *second*. I think WTVF saw RF-50 going away with little recourse. RF-25, as a full-power station, is protected -- would be entitled to a new channel elsewhere on UHF if 25 were sold -- and by being much lower on the dial, is a lot less likely to be sold. They want to keep RF-5 to serve the rural viewers with outdoor antennas. They explicitly say so in the DRT application, and indicate they intend to request a waiver to operate RF-5 at the same 22kw power it used when it was their main transmitter. In other words, they want to operate at full power on both channels 5 and 25 simultaneously. This is not unprecedented: WLS-TV Chicago has an application on file to leave their old RF-7 facility on the air at full (4.75 kW) power as a DRT while moving their main transmitter to RF-44 (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, ibid.) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- IBOC See also MEXICO; OKLAHOMA; USA +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ HD IN RADIO DOES STAND FOR SOMETHING Hey Glen[n] -- In the latest DXLD you quote a Press-Telegram article: "(The HD in HD Radio doesn't stand for anything, by the way - it's just marketing, an attempt to latch onto the coattails of high- definition television's improved image.)" Actually, it DOES stand for something, just (as noted) not 'high- definition' which is what the developers hope you confuse it with. It actually stands for "Hybrid Digital" -- meaning it contains both analog and digital components in the signal. See for example: I don't know why people keep saying this doesn't stand for anything, because it clearly does! Now if you ask me, I think it stands for 'Hyped-Disaster' but then... :) (Kenneth V Zichi, MI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So if they eliminate the analog part, it will no longer be HD by this definition (gh, DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ ETON E200 PASSIVE AM LOOP ON CLEARANCE AT R S I was at Rat Shack today. No, not for a phone; anyway I noticed they had an Eton E200 passive AM loop on clearance for $14.97. I did check some other stores and they’re out there. No more on Garfield in Clinton Twp., though. I know some of you already have 1 or 2 or 3, some you made yourself, some you bought, etc. That’s why I bought 2 (Rich radioman, Sept 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) KTDY tower video http://999ktdy.com/behind-the-scenes-radio-tower/ (via Blaine Thompson, ABDX via DXLD) but not from atop it LEONARD KAHN There's a really interesting article about Leonard Kahn in the new Radio World. Mine came in the mail today but you can also find it on Radio World's web site at http://www.radioworld.com http://www.radioworld.com/article/leonard-kahn-was-an-am-advocate/215365 They discuss the many aspects of everything that Leonard did -- including symmetrapeak, EER, SSB, AM Stereo and the like. REALLY interesting reading. Everything you ever wanted to know about Leonard Kahn (but were afraid to ask). Really a brilliant man! Although they say genius is borderline insanity; and I guess he proved that too (Michael n Wyo Richard, ABDX, via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) FCC PLANS TV INCENTIVE AUCTION FOR 2014 http://gigaom.com/2012/09/06/need-spectrum-fcc-plans-tv-incentive-auction-for-2014/? TThe Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission plans to share his thinking around how the agency will conduct an auction that would take airwaves from TV broadcasters and make them available for mobile broadband. The plan to entice TV broadcasters who are currently using airwaves to give them up to the FCC, which then auctions those airwaves to carriers, has been controversial from the start. But an FCC official speaking on background says the agency has come up with a plan — or rather the outlines of a plan — and will seek to approve it at the September open commission meeting. If approved, the public can comment on the proposal, and the agency will redefine its plan with the goal of writing up formal rules by the middle of 2013. It hopes to then hold the actual spectrum auction by 2014. This is an incredibly fast timeline for something so complex. It's an issue that is important for President Obama and for current FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, who has spent much of his tenure promising to deliver more wireless spectrum. The FCC provided Genachowski's thoughts on the incentive auction proposal via an emailed statement: "In freeing up spectrum for wireless broadband, incentive auctions will drive faster speeds, greater capacity, and ubiquitous mobile coverage. These are essential ingredients for innovation and leadership in the 21st century economy where smartphones and tablets powered by 4G LTE and Wi-Fi networks are proliferating, and the mobile Internet becomes more important every day. Over the last few years, the U.S. has regained global leadership in mobile innovation – and we must not let up now." The chairman will circulate his proposal on Friday to the other four commissioners with the aim of getting those four to approve the notice at the September 28 open meeting. At that point, the almost three years of debate on this idea (it was first formally floated in the National Broadband Plan) will turn into a few months of debate on concrete proposals. So here's what we know. The situation In 2010, the National Broadband Plan suggested the FCC might find up to 120 megahertz of spectrum available for mobile broadband by looking at the 6 MHz channels that broadcasters held and used to deliver UHF channels to viewers. The idea was that the FCC could create some kind of reverse auction that would pay broadcasters to give up this valuable spectrum that the FCC had granted them for free. However, broadcasters, who had just endured the transition from analog broadcasting to digital so the FCC could take some of their previous spectrum and auction it off in 2008 for mobile broadband, were not terribly excited about having to vacate spectrum again. Here is the spectrum band we're talking about. Plus, there were no guarantees that urban broadcasters who had the most valuable spectrum would want to vacate their bands. That meant that the FCC's plans might free up a lot of spectrum in rural areas where no one particularly needed it. There were also gripes about paying broadcasters for airwaves that were technically a public good given over to them, and debates on whether there was even a spectrum shortage to begin with. But the most challenging part was no one really knew how to structure a reverse auction that would require the FCC to pay broadcasters for their spectrum before the FCC knew how much carriers would want to buy it for. The FCC proposal The FCC's plan for bridging the two auctions' information gap is not much clearer today, but we're getting closer. The FCC official says the agency plans to do a reverse auction first where it would try to get broadcasters to give up the goods. The agency will then quickly repackage the spectrum it gets into nationwide chunks of spectrum that it would then turn around and offer to operators. The goal would be having these processes take place a "few weeks apart" as opposed to months or years. To do this, the FCC is proposing a means by which broadcasters who want to give up their airwaves will be able to submit their plans to the FCC and get a rapid response on the interest in that spectrum from the FCC based on what the agency is seeing from other broadcasters. The FCC is also proposing guard bands so broadcasters who keep their airwaves won't have to worry about interference from mobile broadband use in channels next door. And yes, the FCC is planning to keep some of the spectrum for unlicensed use, which means it would be available for white spaces broadband. It's unclear how much unlicensed spectrum would be made available, and where it would be since it's unclear what spectrum will be given up by broadcasters. The FCC isn't making predictions about how much spectrum it thinks it may get through this process, but a source with a deep history on the topic said the agency might net between 60 and 80 megahertz if it's lucky. That's less than the 120MHz the broadband planned hoped for, but it will still help. Of course, if the spectrum doomsayers are correct, nothing will really ever be enough to meet the demand for mobile broadband. The sticking points Our insatiable demand for mobile data isn't the only issue with this plan. The FCC says it plans to be as transparent as possible about how it will try to repack the broadcast spectrum, but the broadcasting organization NAB says broadcasters are concerned about the cost of moving to a new channel, seeing their audience shrink if it moves to a new frequency band and, yes, interference. Consumers may also find themselves happier with their cell phone reception, but with digital television channels that keep moving down the dial. Any repacking of the spectrum means channels at the upper end of the UHF band will likely end up moving to create these nationwide blocks. And Congress wants its cut of these auctions as well, hoping that the FCC can maximize the revenue any auction would bring in to help fill federal coffers. Many of these congressmen probably have visions of the $19.59 billion that the 2008 700 MHz auction raised, but every auction is different, and without knowing what will be on the block it's hard to come up with any estimates on how much broadcasters may get and how much carriers will shell out (via starship20012001, ABDX via DXLD) Re COLUMN ON NOISE After Mark Durenberger published his first article on noise, I started going around my house looking for things. Like you said, Xen, many of the items are common household things you would never think pose a problem. My computers in my audio editing room really hosed me on AM, until I put them in steel server cases, and grounded the cabinets. But wires to and from them often need a ferrite core on them to keep noise out. My Dlink IP Switch contributes to some noise, and having a PC right at my listening locations (hooked up the FT857D for CAT control), doesn't help. I noticed two places in town where noise completely killed a 2 mv/m signal from a local AM. One was a new traffic light system, and the other was something at the local McDonalds which seemed to have some odd pattern in 12 second increments. Today at noon I measured the noise floor, (unscientifically), and found S7 of just noise on channels like 1080 where there is no station around. I have to think that this noise issue is a contributing factor into listeners migrating away from AM (Fred Vobbe, Lima OH, Sept 6, NRC-AM via DXLD) I have battled noise for more than two decades. Very little has come from our house, I see to that. Most seem to come from the power lines in front of and behind our house but I did trace some to neighbor's houses and I told them about the problem, mostly outdoor lights. I called the electric company in the past and they did come and check, but little was ever done. Haven't had any problems with TV or computers for years, but we don't watch TV here anyway. Recently I have had very little noise while using my two super loop broadband antennas that are well insulated. I certainly think that AM radio suffers from the many noises encountered while driving around, and FM radio doesn't but there's not much we can do about it (Ben Dangerfield, Wallingford, PA, ibid.) Ben, Years ago when I lived in an apt in Astoria, I had a neighbor with a heating pad that was horrible. I finally bought her a new one to solve the problem. With the lower frequencies noise has always been an issue. Now with computers and other electronic gear in recent years, the noise levels have gone up in many places. I remember when Richard Wood moved to Hawaii, the Big Island, he went on battery power rather than the regular electric and it did pretty well. But few go to those extremes, or live in an area away from noise. Here, the powerlines are rarely the issue, but noise from nearby houses has been my issue (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, ibid.) For FM noise from a D-Link, I found that it wasn't the D-Link at all - it was passthru noise from the router, and putting a second D-Link in series actually suppressed it quite a bit without degrading signals. I have the Verizon FIOS internet and phone. There's still some radiated noise from either the router or the converter - it's a whine, but again that's only on FM. But the power supply/charger which keeps the backup battery pack charged radiates a lot of noise on AM. Since I need to get the battery pack replaced this Fall, I must remember to challenge them on the supply unit and get that changed out for a better regulated one. Or maybe it's one that's regulated at all (Russ Edmunds, 15 mi NNW of Philadelphia, ibid.) POWER LINE NOISE After more than twp weeks of this I went to my power company to ask about what they can do. Last Friday they said they would have a man call me; he didn't. So I stopped by the office on Monday and was told that the noise I hear wasn't them but most likely a light at the hospital for the heli pad, and that someone would call me to visit about it; he hasn't. Here is a link to what i have been hearing http://www.mediafire.com/?00b7m202107ojbj The clip starts at 5000 kHz and moves up 5000 kHz about every 30 sec. Also a link to a page with different noises that interfere with radio comms http://www.rfiservices.com/sound.htm Mine sounds very much like clip #3. It looks like I might be stuck with this for the near future. I don't know how to get in touch with the FCC or if that would be a good idea? Maybe some of you who have dealt with this can give me advice? Thanks Dean_0 (Dean Wayman, Sept 11, ABDX via DXLD) Dean - I'll post this in the open as this "investigation" could be helpful to others. First do a little detective work on your own end - maybe you have done this already but just didn't post it: Line up a sensitive portable radio and tune in the noise. Note some frequencies it comes in on. You have already done WWV on 5 MHz. Now try the broadcast band - Does it go all across the MW broadcast band or just in spots? Or is it restricted to the HF e.g. SW spectrum. Now, make sure your hot portable has good batteries in it and is off the line cord. Still coming in? Now - with your hot portable within easy earshot [but not too close to the breaker / fuse panel] and cranked loud with the noise, shut off the main breaker switch for your house, apt or whatever. Make sure you let others know first you are going to cut the power and they don't have a computer on, supper cooking or whatever. Does the noise go away? Get weaker? No change? If the noise goes away completely, it might very well be generated in your own residence. If there is no change, its likely radiated direct from source, not particularly carried by the utilities wires and thus not a utility issue. If it gets weaker, a good hunch is that it is either a powerline issue or another customer's RFI trash that is being conducted through the powerline. When you cut your power at your panel, you are increasing the distance between the powerline functioning as an "antenna" for the noise and your portable radio. Thus, the noise signal gets weaker. Report your results and I'll try to check back and guide you to the next step. Or, email me direct. Also - how close are you to the hospital. Without being a pest, can you get yourself somewhat near the hellipad light [say a couple hundred feet or other such respectful, non-tresspassing distance] with your portable to see if the noise is the same and if it gets stronger as you get nearer. Hospital parking lot, sidewalk or other such 'public' spot. Keep in mind that sleuthing this noise on a portable, using the MW band will be easier in one sense: you will have a loop antenna. Null the noise and follow the end of the ferrite bar may give you a vague idea of the noise direction. On SW, most antennas are very omni, whether a portable's whip, a random wire etc. So, it won't be as helpful at a distance. If you have access to a portable that tunes the air band - portable scanner for example - that is ideal for tracking noise. The air band is AM modulated yet in the 108 to 136 MHz spectrum. If its powerline interference, at those frequencies it won't radiate too far, so such a portable is great for closing in on the source. Remember - don't let your RFI enthusiasm lead you to break the law - stay on public property - streets, sidewalks etc - rather than walk over somebodies lawn up to their house or whatever. Keep googling for info. The ARRL RFI book is pretty good and a good investment for any DXer even if you are not a ham. The Marv Loftness book is awesome, and there is another book that is good too, an older one. I have all 3 but they are at home (Phil Rafuse, VY2PR, Stratford PE Canada, ibid.) Does this cause a problem in the aircraft band? If so, you can call the FAA as well. Talk to the hospital engineering department if you can and tell them about what`s happening. If you get nothing, then by all means call the FCC. They work VERY slowly but eventually they will do something (Kevin Redding, ibid.) Dean: Had a similar noise problem years ago, turned out to be arcing from a cruddy insulator on the line transformer. It was intermittent and did not have a regular pattern but it would "sweep" down in its strongest frequency from above 30 MHz to the MW band. If it's periodic and regular, then I would look for lights, etc. With a hospital close by, your only choice may be to move; some medical devices are exempt from a lot of the FCC rules. Could even be a rectifier in an X-Ray machine going bad. You might want to contact their maintenance department. If you note the times for the interference it may help them track it down. I also noted the same type of noise coming from a high efficiency furnace, this time of year that's not likely but a high efficiency gas water heater uses the same type of igniter (Tim Hills, Sioux Falls, SD, ibid.) I have a steady dose of it. Had it for years. I have a barrel transformer hooked to a power pole in my backyard. When it comes to noise caused by these monsters we don't seem to count. I invested in a DX-tool quantum phasing unit. Works great especially on lower frequencies. I can get by without using it on anything above 2 MHz. Good luck with the FCC. Those guys are a waste of government time and our money (Gary Pilsitz, ibid.) The "Cure" for these is to wait until a High Demand Period, then shoot a 7.62 mm hole in the bottom of the Transformer. If it does not go BOOM at first, give it a few minutes for the oil to drain out and it will overheat and go BOOM. You will want to be far enough away to not get sprayed by flaming Oil! The power company will then have to come out and replace it with a new transformer and fix any other problems on that Circuit. 73, (Kevin Raper, KJ4HYD, CE WCKI WQIZ WLTQ, ibid.) Standard disclaimer (gh, DXLD) Pellet gun cures noisy streetlight bulbs when the City won't do anything about them. Just sayin (Tim Hills, Sioux Falls, SD, ABDX via DXLD) Standard disclaimer! (gh, DXLD) FPL is good about noise. I complained, they sent out an RF tech who hooked up an anylizer to my HF rig, and could "see" the noise. They then replaced the noisy transformer in my backyard (Juan Gualda, Florida, No gun needed...yet. :-) ibid.) Here's what I`ve done so far: When I first noticed the hash I took my Tecsun PL600 outside to get the direction; I got about 20 feet from the house and noticed it was coming from my east side. Then I went to driving around in my vehicle with the radio on AM. I found that getting near these lines the radio just gets buzz. Also I'm pretty familiar with transformer noise as I hear it a lot while driving for my work, listening to AM. A little background: my town of approx. 3000 is basically a square, with the substation from which the whole town is fed on the northern end of the square. The 4 main power lines that feed the town are made in a cross shape, going along the 4 main streets, one of which passes 1 block from my listening post. The hospital would be 3 blocks from me. Next to the longest part of the main line which goes n/s; I'll have to get near it with a radio soon. BTW I think the light thing was to throw me off the hunt; there isn't any reason why they would be doing this strong of RF. They have been there for a long time. I don't have an air band portable, but with a radio tuned to 780 kHz I can hear it. I went through the AARL site and learned a few things, but I'm convinced now that it's power line created. I suppose this is the first time that my power company has had a complaint, or at least one they couldn't figure out? Mostly I think they just would rather not deal with it. At first I couldn`t hear anything on SW, but over time it has moved down into AM as well. The other day I drove along those 4 major lines and had the noise through all of it, although on the east/west legs it does get less strong as you get to the ends, and of course if you get a block away from the line it nearly goes away, so I`m pretty sure it's in that N/S leg somewhere. I saw on the RF detector site, I think it was, one trick is to remove your antenna mast on a vehicle and drive along, to narrow the spot down. I'll try that in the next few days; maybe if I can zero in on a specific part they will get involved? I did notice last night my Tecsun PL 600 has a DX/Local switch so I might use that if the car thing fails? Thanks everyone for the tips! I'm not sure it would be a great idea to be seen with a gun on these streets, but ya never know :) Dean_0 (Dean Wayman, ibid.) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ MID-WINTER ANOMALY FINALLY EXPLAINED ? [Re 12-36] Finally got around to looking at this, Graham. Wouldn't a simple test of the supposition that sun-earth separation causes mid- winter anomaly is whether there exists a similar mid-winter anomaly in the southern hemisphere during their mid-winter, given that in the southern hemisphere, the sun and earth are most widely separated then? Best wishes, (Nick Hall-Patch, BC, Sept 7, MWCircle yg via DXLD) NASA HAS A REVISED FORECAST FOR THE PEAK OF CYCLE 24 And it looks very interesting. Instead of a peak in Spring 2013 with a smoothed international sunspot number of 60, the peak is now predicted for Fall 2013, with the smoothed sunspot number prediction revised to 76, about 27% higher. Perhaps Cycle 24 will have a double peak, the first being in Fall 2011 and the second in Fall 2013. The revised forecast is at http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/predict.shtml (QST de W1AW, Propagation Forecast Bulletin 36 ARLP036, From Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, WA September 7, 2012, To all radio amateurs via J. Dave Raycroft, VA3RJ, ODXA yg via DXLD) P.I.G. Bulletin 120909 === SOLAR & GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 10 - OCTOBER 29 Solar activity will dynamically fluctuate between 95 - 135 s.f.u. in next few weeks, depending of present active regions on solar disc (low about September 20, high about September 28). Occurrence of C class and probably some M class is expected. Geomagnetic field will be: quiet on September 10, 18, 24 - 25, 28 - 29, October 6, mostly quiet on September 13 - 14, 17, 23, quiet to unsettled on September 15, 19 - 22, 26 - 27, October 4 - 5, quiet to active on September 11 - 12, 30, October 1, 3, active to disturbed on September 16, October 2. High probability of changes in solar wind which may cause changes in magnetosphere and ionosphere is expected on September 11, 14 - 15, 20 - 22, October 1 - 2. F. K. Janda, OK1HH, Czech Propagation Interest Group (OK1HH & OK1MGW, weekly forecasts since 1978) e-mail: ok1hh(at)rsys.cz (via Dario Monferini, DXLD) Geomagnetic activity was propelled to major storm levels this week by the arrival of three CMEs. The first arrived at 03/1214Z when a sudden impulse of 28 nT was observed at the Boulder magnetometer. The disturbed geomagnetic field reached minor storm levels (Kp=5, G1) by 03/1312Z, and major storm levels (Kp=6, G2) by 03/1500Z. Conditions decreased to active levels for two periods before rising again to minor storm levels at 04/0000Z. The geomagnetic field returned to quiet to active levels until September 5th when two CMEs observed on September 2nd arrived simultaneously. An interplanetary shock was observed at the ACE spacecraft at 04/2203Z. The subsequent arrival at earth caused the magnetic field to jump to major storm levels by 05/0144Z. Kp indices then decreased one level each synoptic period until reaching Kp=2 by 05/15Z. On both September 3rd and 5th, the College, AK magnetometer recorded a period of severe storm (K=7,G3) levels. A solar sector boundary change brought active conditions for one period on the 6th, but the remainder of the week was mostly quiet. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 10 SEPT-06 OCT 2012 Solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for moderate activity through the forecast period. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels on 10-11, 18-20 and 24-27 September. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be mostly quiet to unsettled. Active conditions are possible on 14-16 and 19-22 September, and again on 03-05 October associated with coronal hole high speed streams. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2012 Sep 10 1418 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # Product description and SWPC contact on the Web # http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2012-09-10 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2012 Sep 10 120 7 2 2012 Sep 11 115 7 2 2012 Sep 12 110 7 2 2012 Sep 13 105 7 2 2012 Sep 14 100 7 2 2012 Sep 15 95 10 3 2012 Sep 16 95 12 3 2012 Sep 17 95 5 2 2012 Sep 18 95 5 2 2012 Sep 19 95 5 2 2012 Sep 20 100 10 3 2012 Sep 21 105 8 3 2012 Sep 22 110 8 3 2012 Sep 23 110 8 3 2012 Sep 24 110 5 2 2012 Sep 25 115 5 2 2012 Sep 26 125 5 2 2012 Sep 27 130 5 2 2012 Sep 28 140 5 2 2012 Sep 29 140 10 3 2012 Sep 30 140 5 2 2012 Oct 01 140 5 2 2012 Oct 02 135 5 2 2012 Oct 03 130 10 3 2012 Oct 04 130 8 3 2012 Oct 05 130 8 3 2012 Oct 06 125 5 2 SOLAR ACTIVITY FORECAST FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 14 - 20, 2012 Activity level: mostly very low to low X-ray background flux (1.0-8.0 A): in the range B1.5-B8.0 Radio flux (10.7 cm): a fluctuation in the range 90-125 f.u. Events: class C (0-10/day), class M (0-3/period), class X (0/period), proton (0/period) Relative sunspot number: in the range 25-85 Astronomical Institute, Solar Dept., Ondrejov, Czech Republic e-mail: sunwatch(at)asu.cas.cz (RWC Prague) ______________________________ GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST FOR THE PERIOD SEPT 14-OCTOBER 6, 2012 Geomagnetic field will be: quiet on September 18, 24 - 25, 28 - 29, October 6, mostly quiet on September 17, 23, quiet to unsettled on September 14 - 15, 19 - 22, 26 - 27, October 4-5 quiet to active on September 30, October 1, 3, active to disturbed on September 16, October 2. High probability of changes in solar wind which may cause changes in magnetosphere and ionosphere is expected on September 14 - 15, 20 - 22, October 1 - 2. F. K. Janda, OK1HH, Czech Propagation Interest Group (OK1HH & OK1MGW, weekly forecasts since 1978) e-mail: ok1hh(at)rsys.cz (via Dario Monferini, DXLD) ###