DX LISTENING DIGEST 12-38, September 19, 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 1635 HEADLINES: *DX and station news about: Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada non, Chad, Ecuador, Egypt, France non, Germany, Guiana French, Iran non, Ireland non, Korea South and non, Kurdistan, Libya, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, North America, Pakistan, Russia non, Somaliland, Sudan non, Sudan South, Tibet non, UK, USA, Zambia, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe non SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1635, September 20-26, 2012 Thu 0330 WRMI 9955 Thu 2100 WTWW 9479 [confirmed] Fri 0329v WWRB 5050 [dead air only on 5050] Sat 0130v WBCQ 5110v-CUSB Area 51 [confirmed] Sat 0630 HLR 7265 Hamburger Lokal Radio Sat 0800 WRMI 9955 Sat 1500 WRMI 9955 Sat 1730 WRMI 9955 Sun 0400 WTWW 5755 [note: from next week frequency moves, to 5745?] 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 1636 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/ ** ALASKA. 9655, USA (Alaska), KNLS, 1502 Sept 15, English, man and woman with program lineup, then “Circle in the Sand” pop song. Fair (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active whip antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. 11711, R.A.E., 0159 Sept 18, IS and IDs, 0200 time pips, English s/on by man who then introduced her male co-host. Good carrier level, but modulation so low I could barely understand them (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Oz the best QSLer? Hi Glenn, two AM QSLs arrived this week from ABC Sydney. They are for 6PB Perth on 585 kHz and 6RN Perth on 810 kHz. This continues what for me is a 100% return record for Australian AM stations over a 26-year period. They are full data cards and arrived in the mailbox. There's still something very satisfying about physical post! Along with Japan Australia seems to be the best- QSLing country in the world?? (Graham Bell, Simon's Town, South Africa, Sept 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. 2325.0, ABC Tennant Creek at 1040Z coming in well catching them first time this season with OM anncs [sic] and US pops. 09/13 RIPPEL, VA 4835.0, ABC Tennant Creek at 1127Z heard through severe CODAR QRM. Effects of WWCR on 4840.0 minimized by using LSB. English talks, then ABC News segway tune at 1130. First ABC catch on this frequency. 09/16 2485.0, ABC Katherine at 1050Z at copiable levels // with 2325.0. 09/13 (Chuck Rippel, Chesapeake VA, Microtelecom Perseus, WinRadio G33DDC Excalibur-Pro, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 2325, VL8T Tennant Creek NT, 0855 to 0920, talk and some music, signal improves toward 0900. 14 September (Wilkner) 2485, VL8K Katherine NT strong signal 0930 with t-storm crackle, 14 September 4835, Alice Springs, NT 0840 good signal with CODAR strong as well 14 September (Wilkner) 4910, Tennant Creek 0812 to 0830*, om with no music, signal improved slowly, 0827 instrumental pop music 14 September (Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D -746Pro - R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA [non]. 9965, R. Australia. Signal suddenly on at 1259:53 with the exact same blues song that was just heard on KPPM Radio on 9960!!! So the operators on Palau must have been using it as a bridge between the programs. Oddly enough the music was lowered during the closing announcement on KPPM Radio making it sound as though it was part of their program. 1300 instrumental music with voice-over ID by M in Chinese, canned promo/ID announcements, then discussion program. Fair. (16 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. 12080, Sept 18 at 1252, fair signal from some station playing `Waltzing Matilda` over and over, presumed R. Australia testing with IS normally heard too seldom, but why? Kept a receiver on here and was still going at 1311, 1325, 1330, but off at 1344. This frequency is normally 10 kW AM from Brandon, at many hours, but finishing with DRM at 11-12; now it`s surely strong enough to be the spare 100 kW transmitter at Shepparton (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 12080, Sept 19 at 1310, no signal and hence no Waltzing Matilda from R. Australia which was testing in AM here 24 hours earlier; no answer yet to my inquiry whether it was really Shepparton (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA. 6155, Radio Ö International, 0613 Sept 17, German, possibly news headlines by man and woman, several mentions of Obama, ending before 0615, music cut suddenly at exactly 0615. Fair (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA. 15155, Sept 15 at 2058, violin and organ music, cut off without announcement at 2059*. HFCC shows: 2030-2100 [sic], AWR French, 300 kW, 210 degrees from Moosbrunn (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA [and non]. 6105 EAST GERMANY & 7400 AUSTRIA, Trans World Radio, 0659 Sept 13, IS, 0700 English s/on announcements and theme music, hymn. Very weak on both channels (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) ** BANGLADESH. 15105, Bangladesh Betar, 1226 OC, tone start at 1226:39 for 20 seconds, then IS. 1229:05 5+1 time ticks, EG ID, then instrumental music bridge, and what seemed to be a sked announcement. Subcont. music and W returned. Kind of weak and on par with 15110 CRI Xinjiang above. Although the signal looked equal on both the Wellbrook and Delta Loop, the Delta Loop provided a little more audio. A little slop QRM from 15115. (13 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD- 535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) 15105, Sept 13 at 1230, Bangladesh Betar audible with very poor signal, S Asian music, YL announcement seems English. Better at 1244 with talk in English intonation, still not readable; 1245 mentions of Bangladesh amid bits of music. At 1318 when Nepali should have started on a very different azimuth, only a JBA carrier. 15505, Sept 13 at 1400, S Asian music as BB is presumably opening Urdu; better signal than 15105 had been, and also with some hum/roar (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BANGLADESH / INDIA: 7250 BGD and 7249.978 kHz: Bangladesh Betar back on regular 7250.0 kHz, "Bangladesh Betar" identification in English at 1818 UT Sept 13, suffers today still by odd heterodyne buzzy signal from their neighbour country India, like AIR Goa Panaji in Malayalam 1730-1830 UT on odd 7249.978 kHz. But in Europe "Bangladesh Betar" is a touch stronger than Panaji (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 13, dxldyg via DXLD) External Service of Bangladesh Betar heard September 14, 2012 1232- 1255 UT 15105 kHz SIO 222. Program in English with News, "News Commentary" and songs. Off abruptly at 1255 UT. QRM. Had a weak UnID on 15110, but I really believe the problem was China National Radio on 15115 kHz. 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Manassas, Virginia, USA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15105, Bangladesh Betar presumed, 1252 Set 14, very weak Hindi vocals and woman speaker, seemed to go off at 1255 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15105, Sept 14 at 1247, Bangladesh Betar fair in English about something going on in North Bengal; 1250 vocal music; 1255 recheck it`s already off; power interruption? Back on at 1312 with open carrier, some whine, S9+10 peaks. Never played IS and cut on presumed Nepali in progress at 1315:35, then alternating bits of music, 1316 B.B. IDs in passing. Caught the closing music until 1345.5* Next: 15505, Sept 14 at *1356:30 carrier on, 1357 tone, 1359 IS only once, timesignal ending at 1359:44, 16 sex early, opening Urdu. 15105, Sept 15 at 1239, no signal from BB, so I am not missing any English today but they probably are; nothing either on 15105 around 1330 amid supposed Nepali semihour. Not on then either? 15505, Sept 15 at 1359, tune-in just in time to hear last part of IS before very early 6-pip timesignal to 1359:27, and opening Urdu. Now a good signal from BB. Who in the world originates such way-off timesignals? I bet they are just playing a recording at the studio (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Wondering if anyone has compiled the various reports of Bangladesh Betar's English service to see if there's any pattern to the days they're on or off. Perhaps it's not intended to be 7 days a week. Thanks. (Art Delibert, HCDX via DXLD) 15505, Bangladesh Betar presumed, 1538 Sept 15, Urdu (listed), woman announcer, Bengali pop songs, 1544 minute of dead air, 1545:10 closing announcement, tone for 5 seconds and carrier cut at 1545:50. Poor (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active whip antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 1515-1545 is listed as Hindi which sounds just like Urdu to the rest of us (gh, DXLD) Betar 15105.0 with English news at 1243 check. Into sub-continental music then news commentary. Started playing "Hotel California" by the Eagles and halfway through the song, they went into sign-off announcements by YL announcer. 5 Seconds of tone, carrier only, for a few minutes, another 5 seconds of tone then off. Audio at: https://www.box.com/s/k9h0lkd2o8tdwsjnbi3h 09/16 (Chuck Rippel, Chesapeake VA, Microtelecom Perseus, WinRadio G33DDC Excalibur-Pro, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 15105, Sept 16 at 1250, BB, very poor in English, but enough to tell it`s on the air today, and propagating. I hesitate to be sure it is off the air when not heard due to the unreliable trans-polar path. 15505, Sept 16 at *1358 open carrier, 1258:50 JIP one BB IS, and time for only one more in full before too-fast 6-pip timesignal ending at 1359:19, opening Urdu with ditty and talk (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15105, Bangladesh Betar, 1250-1259*, Sept 17, tune-in to English news. Sub-cont music. Weak but readable (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) 15105, Sept 17 at 1238, S9+12 peaks, BB news just ending with item about the ISS; hum grows during pause, a bit of music; 1239 News Commentary: altho I could understand an occasional word, I have no idea what it was about. 1243 more hum growing during pause, intro a song. 1248 summary of prime minister`s activities, with bits of music interspersed; 1252 switch to another announcer introducing another song; signal is weakening slightly as splatter increases from CNR1 jammer 15115 against VOA. 1259 ``please write to us --- Director, External Service, ---, off at 1259:45*. Note: if you can`t tighten up your produxion to avoid all those long pauses, you need to readjust or turn off the Optimod so it doesn`t keep pushing up the hums! At 1318 has not resumed on 15105 for Nepali. Or: southward signal in preceding English is better for here via long path, than northward for Nepali? 1344 still no signal on 15105, but: 15505, Sept 17 at 1344, BB carrier is already on with roar and then continuous tone test at approx. C#6 = 1109 Hz. Hint: listeners would rather hear the nice IS than the tone. Not until 1359:22 does TT stop and IS start, but only time to play it once, timesignal only 12 sex fast today ending at 1359:48, opening Urdu. Better signal here than 15105 had been (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15505, Bangladesh Betar, 1358 OC with tone, 1359 IS once, 5+1 long time ticks, W with opening announcement, subcontinental music bridge, another announcement, then more music. Better than 15105 heard earlier at 1230. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) A-12 of Bangladesh Betar according to monitoring on Sep. 13-17. Some days no broadcasts on some frequencies and this is becoming regular. At the moment there is no problem with audio/modulation of the transmitter. 1230-1300 on 15105 DKA 250 kW / 140 deg to SEAs English 1315-1345 on 15105 DKA 250 kW / 320 deg to SoAs Nepali, regularly not on air [but it was on today Sept 18 --- gh] 1400-1430 on 15505 DKA 250 kW / 290 deg to WeAs Urdu 1515-1545 on 15505 DKA 250 kW / 305 deg to SoAs Hindi 1600-1630 on 7250#DKA 250 kW / 290 deg to N/ME Arabic 1630-1730 on 7250#DKA 250 kW / 290 deg to N/ME Bangla 1745-1900 on 7250*DKA 250 kW / 320 deg to WeEu English 1915-2000 on 7250 DKA 250 kW / 320 deg to WeEu Bangla # co-ch All India Radio in Persian to N/ME 1615-1730 * co-ch All India Radio in Malayalam to N/ME till 1830 * strong co-ch Vatican Radio in Latin to WeEu from 1840 (DX Re Mix News, Bulgaria, 18 September via DXLD) Bangladesh Betar 15105, 1245 UT 18th Sep --- Poor signal reception with fading varying between S9+15dB and S9+30dB at peak. Audio clarity also poor. Switched to test tone at 1259 UT then off at 1300 UT. Bangladesh Betar 15505, 1515 UT --- Sign on at 1515 UT, good signal S9+35dB fading to S9+25dB. Audio much clearer than earlier transmission. News & commentary. Music at 1:30 UT audibility improving as program continues Bangladesh Betar 7250, 1745 UT 18th Sept 2012: I/S then Time Pips 20 seconds early. English service sign-on with announcements & music then News Headlines then News Details. 1757 News Commentary. 1800 Voice of Islam Strong signal S9+60dB at sign-on, fading to S9+45dB at times. Audio mostly clear and easy to listen to with some propagation distortion and band noise. 73s (Tony Molloy, nr Winter Hill, UK, SD639114, 53.6 N 2.55 W, IO83ro, CCW SDR-4+ & SDR-Radio, Slinky dipoles running N/S & E/W, Twitter @swlistener, http://swlistener.wordpress.com dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Presumably Hindi at 1515-1545 (gh) 15105, Sept 18 at 1237, BB, JBA carrier with flutter; 1245 music. Not a good transpolar day, but at least it`s detectably on. 1316 it`s also on this time and a bit better, with music into presumed Nepali. 15505, Sept 18 at 1411, very poor with flutter in presumed Urdu service. 15105, Sept 19 at 1251, Bangladesh Betar is fair mentioning a ``Himalayan kingdom``, ending Sports Review, song. 1329 check, only a JBA carrier when should be on in Nepali. 15505, Sept 19 at 1400 opening music and Urdu already; just missed the IS if any and early timesignal. S9+12 with flutter (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELARUS. 11730, 2209, 11-09-2012, comments and report about the paralympic games. Then, at 2210 a piece of music. Radio Belarus, Minsk, broadcasting in Russian language. Very good reception. // 6155 and 7255, but not audible (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BHUTAN. Kaka Tshering is general manager of Bhutan BS. A great guy says "My first thing in the morning is to read the international mail from listeners and answering them which puts me in a good mood.`` They have no QSL cards, so he is sending personal replies QSLing reports. I got my first QSL after almost 38 years. I asked him whether he could send me the statement on a note head, which he did. So anyone with reports you can write to Kaka and he sure will QSL. He said he is not very familiar about what we want exactly. So I have told him about a proper QSL!! I prepared my QSL text which he can cut and paste for ease!!! and he was happy to put it on a notehead and send. Nice man. So be nice to him and get your QSLs (G. Victor A. Goonetilleke, 4S7VK, Piliyandala, Sri Lanka via DXPlorer via SW Bulletin Sept 16 and DSWCI DX Window Sept 19 via DXLD) Thanks to some info and help from Victor Goonetilleke, I received a correct and complete QSL from the BBS General Manager Kaka Tshering for my very first report for BBS back on November 16, 1992 on their former frequency of 5025 kHz. This was for their English program from 1415 to 1500 UT. The QSL letter was on BBS letterhead and had the GM's signature and stamp on the signature block. I had received a letter and very nifty QSL card printed on handmade Bhutanese paper in 2001, but all the data on the card was wrong. I guess it goes to show you that if you wait long enough, the right people come along and just about anything can be verified. Mr. Tshering had originally said that the report was too old to verify as they no longer had records from that far back - he then requested I send my incorrect verifications and the original report (I had no recording of this reception), and based on that they were able to ascertain from long-time staff members that the report was correct. How nice it would be if all QSL's had been checked that thoroughly! Now I'm motivated to track down a QSL from the now defunct Capital Radio in Umtata, Transkei on 80 mb. I heard that there are still an announcer or two from that station still around somewhere (Bruce W. Churchill-CA-USA, DXplorer Sept 12 via BC-DX Sept 16 via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 3310, Radio Mosoj Chaski, Cochabamba, 0839 with music 14 September (Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D - 746Pro - R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 4699.4, 1022, 07-09-2012, Spanish language local current affairs discussion by men. Hardly audible, but it must be Radio San Miguel. Propagation was open to Bolivia because I also heard Radio Yatun Ayllu Yura on 4716.6, in Quechua, at 1033, but hardly audible as well (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4700, 2319, 12-09-2012, comments by male in Spanish mentioning "Riberalta" and then Norteña music. There is a lot of atmospheric noise, but sometimes I can understand what they sing. At 2327 adverts, including some political announcements about women's rights. At 2333 a sung ID as "Radio San Miguel...". Also time-check "la hora...". So, this is Radio San Miguel, Riberalta, Bolivia. Reception was full of fading and too much noise!! SINPO 25222 (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4699.96, Radio San Miguel, 1000-1010 Sept 14, With a weak signal, heard ID and a chicken on the hour recorded. ID was by a female. This was followed by two males in Spanish comments. Signal never improved beyond a poor (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston FL, 26N 081W, Excalibur, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4699.95, R. San Miguel. Short canned ID at 0930:30 followed by a couple more canned announcements. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 4716.7, Radio Yatun Ayllu, Yura, presumed the one at 0140 Sept 18, Spanish, Latin American music, male announcer. Poor and signal deteriorating (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 6075, R. Kawasachun [sic] Coca (presumed), 0123-0128 June 30 in Spanish M & W discussion. Very weak with only bits of audio poking through occasionally (Richard W Parker, Pennsburg PA, delayed by p-mail, Sept World DX Club Contact via DXLD) Definite logs of this very scarce. See also UNIDENTIFIED (gh) ** BOLIVIA. 5952.50, 0005-0015, 09.09, R Pio XII, Siglo XX, Aymara discussion, 35233 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 6134.82, 0020-0030, 09.09, R Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Spanish ID: "Radio Santa Cruz", pop music and talk 35333 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) 6134.81, Radio Santa Cruz, 0215-0250+, Sept 14, Spanish announcements. Spanish ballads. Some local music. IDs. Fair (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** BRAZIL. 4784.99, unID ZY. I suppose it`s R. Caiari as Campinas (R. Brasil 5000) is over an hour into daylight. R. Caiari in Porto Velho was about on the terminator at 0957 when heard pleasant ZY pop music. 1000 live studio M announcer in Portuguese followed by what I would presume to be news by W announcer to 1005. Fading quickly. A little too late and too much CODAR QRM and QRN. (13 Sept.) 4785, R. Caiari (presumed), 0850-1000 nearly nonstop ZY contemporary pops with occasional brief canned announcement between songs. 1000 caught the full canned ID announcement but could only get mention of frequency. Too much noise to catch the actual ID. This was followed by a promo with much laser shooting SFX, then news by W with sound bites. (15 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) His following log must have a transposition typo, as Caiari is on 4785v while 4876v is R. Roraima as further below (gh DXLD) 4875 [sic], R. Caiari, 0858 studio M announcer over music with TC "A 4:?? do Caiari...rádio...São Paulo...", tone, then full canned ID announcement by M "R. Cultura, rádio ??. ?? família ?? 1,?30 kilohertz ondas media, ?? 4...metros ondas tropicais, Porto Velho ??". Couple slick canned announcements, music bridge, then studio M announcer again with mention of Porto Velho and Bom dia, Porto Velho, bom dia ??", and more morning greetings. Pleasant ZY music briefly, then more announcements ending with more "bom dia"s. 0904 Ranchera-like song. 0907 more announcements by M host. Glad to finally ID this. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 4876v, 2252, 12-09-2012, religious music in Portuguese. At 2254 comments by preacher. Full ID at 2303, mentioning 4755 kHz as their SW frequency. I couldn't ID them due to the vast atmospheric noise level. There were some governmental mandatory announcements, kind of adverts. Hard to know what can it be!! Radio Roraima, Boa Vista, Roraima (presumed) (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) At 22-23 UT weekdays, Brazilian stations are supposed to carry the government`s program `A Voz do Brasil`. Most of them do (gh, DXLD) [and non] Yes, Glenn. Even religious stations might do it. I don’t know if they still also broadcast some governmental news bulletins I used to listen to some years ago from Rádio Nacional do Amazonas, 11780. As in the case of Venezuela, they – the broadcasters - have a spot at the beginning and the end of this kind of programing. For example, “el espacio que van a escuchar a continuación se transmite de forma gratuita y oibligatoria en conformidad con el artículo… de la ley de responsabilidad en radio y televisión…” In the case of Brazil, “…programaçao gratuita e obrigatoria…”. Maybe this can work as a clue for difficult DX far away when reception is not easy and you need to identify any station, so you know at least where the transmission comes from! (Leonardo, ibid.) ** BRAZIL. STF MANTÉM OBRIGATORIEDADE DE HORÁRIO DA VOZ DO BRASIL http://www.estadao.com.br/noticias/nacional,stf-mantem-obrigatoriedade-de-horario-da-voz-do-brasil,931843,0.htm (via Sarmento Campos, 17 Sept, rdioescutas yg via DXLD) Yes, with commas in the URL. Viz.: Com base em entendimento já adotado pela Corte, o ministro Dias Toffoli aceitou recurso da União contrário à decisão que permitia a uma rádio transmitir o programa em horário alternativo 17 de setembro de 2012 | 14h 58, O Estado de S. Paulo O ministro do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) Dias Toffoli manteve a obrigatoriedade de horário de transmissão do programa A Voz do Brasil pelas emissoras de rádio, das 19h às 20h, de segunda a sexta-feira. Em decisão desta segunda, 17, o ministro acolheu pedido da União e considerou legal a determinação do horário. Veja também: link RELEMBRE: PT barra mudança na 'Voz do Brasil' O recurso da União questionava decisão Tribunal Regional Federal da 4ª Região que permitiu que a Rádio FM Independência transmitisse a Voz do Brasil em horário alternativo que não é oficialmente estabelecido por lei. O ministro aplicou o entendimento da Corte de que a Lei 4.117/62, que institui o Código Brasileiro de Telecomunicações, sustenta a obrigatoriedade, que já constava em uma decisão antiga do STF. No Congresso, deputados chegaram a discutir a mudança de veiculação do programa, mas o projeto não avançou. Em junho, líder do PT, Jilmar Tatto bloqueou a votação. O projeto estabelece que as emissoras poderão exibir o programa com início entre 19 horas e 22 horas. Produzida pela Empresa Brasileira de Comunicação, a Voz do Brasil existe desde a década de 1930 e veicula notícias institucionais dos Três Poderes. Com informações do STF (via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 4894.92, R. Novo Tempo. Good signal at 0033 with canned ID/TC by M at tune-in, and about 100 more canned ID/promos including a nice clear one at 0034:30 by W. Unfortunately CODAR was causing some QRM. (14 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 4915, Brasil, Radiodifusora Macapá, Macapá, AP, 0811 with Brasil pop music, om in Portuguese, excellent signal - 555 - 14 September (Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D - 746Pro - R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 4985, Rádio Brasil Central, Goiânia, 0545-0611, 15-09, Portuguese, comments, male, Brazilian songs. 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Lugo, Sony ICF SW 7600 G, Cable antenna, 8 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I believe RBC had been reported inactive on this frequency for a while (gh, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 6009.88, R. Inconfidência, 0017 Classical music, // 15191.41. M announcer at 0019. Pretty good signal when presumed Conciencia 6010.07 is notched out. 19 mb outlet clear and good of course. (14 Sept.) Good ZY evening. (13-14 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 7170 pirate: see UNIDENTIFIED; WORLD OF RADIO 1635 ** BRAZIL [and non]. 9645.4, Sept 15 at 0529, no R. Bandeirantes het detectable vs very strong Vatican bells on 9645.0. In fact, not heard since my Sept 3 report, so suspect the reactivation was short-lived. We continue to hear a het every night on 9675, one side of which is surely Brazilian, proving that propagation is funxional (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9645, Rádio Bandeirantes, São Paulo, 0602-0612, 15-09, male, news, Portuguese. 34433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Lugo, Sony ICF SW 7600 G, Cable antenna, 8 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) As in my report a semihour earlier, could only hear Vatican, so apparently Band is active too. Vatican goes off at 0600, but on Sundays comes back at 0610 for Romanian liturgy (or stays on in between? beam changes, anyway. 9645.4, Sept 16 circa 0505, trying to detect R. Bandeirantes before Vatican comes on around 0528, but can`t be sure; heavy overload from Costa Rica 9630. Altho I was not hearing a het the night before, Manuel Méndez in Spain reported R. Bandeirantes (as just ``9645``) after 0600 when Vatican was off again. 9645.4, Sept 17 at 0444, lacking Vatican, I struggle to detect R. Bandeirantes on its off-frequency, and succeed. It`s very weak, but frequency fits and there are traces of talk, presumed Portuguese (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. BRASIL: 11765.93, ZYE726 Rádio Super [sic] Deus é Amor; 2228-2301+, 12-Sep; M&W in Portuguese alternating news items--believe this is a national news relay -- nothing religious. RSDeA ID with frequencies at 2033+. SIO=333+ with hum-whine QRM. No //s on previously reported RSDeA's found (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) He refers to it thrice as RSDA, rather than SRDA; really? (gh, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 11855, 2252, 07-09-2012, "Clube dos sócios" da Rádio Aparecida, talking about the Bible. Full ID at 2300. Radio Aparecida, Aparecida, Brasil. Good! (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 15191.45, ZYE522 Rádio Inconfidência; 2140-2145+, 8-Sep; M in Portuguese with camp'o tunes; one-word Inconfidência ID at 2144. SIO=353- (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15189.90, R. Inconfidência at 0001 with ID in Portuguese by OM into broadcast schedule. The fluttery signal was reminiscent of propagation via a trans-polar path. Of course, the ID quickly dissipated that theory. 09/1 (Chuck Rippel, Chesapeake VA, Microtelecom Perseus, WinRadio G33DDC Excalibur-Pro, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Instead of usual 15191.5 lately. Date may be incorrect as his usual style is two digits for days of month, e.g. 09/03 for Israel. Trans- equatorial signals can also get fluttery, maybe something to do with TE mode; see PROPAGATION (gh) RADIO NACIONAL DA AMAZONIA 35 ANOS http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eNvlRGV0f2I (via Neto Silva, 19 Sept, radioescutas yg via DXLD) 31-second promo/PSA, since 1 September 1977 (gh, DXLD) RÁDIO NACIONAL DA AMAZÔNIA -- DO BRASIL PARA O MUNDO PELAS ONDA CURTAS Olá Pessoal, Sempre sintonizei muito bem a Rádio Nacional da Amazônia aqui por São Paulo, que chega com sinal muito forte e áudio excelente tanto na banda dos 49 como nos 25 metros. O sinal está presente pràticamente 24 horas do dia. E sem muita tecnologia ou segredos. Em geral basta um rádio de Ondas Curtas com sua antena telescópica e lá esta a RNA. Mesmo quando saio por ai de carro, na cidade ou em viagens, a RNA é garantia de recepção quase certa. Nesta madrugada, apenas a título de curiosidade, resolvi monitorar a RNA em várias partes do mundo e o resultado esta logo abaixo: 11780 kHz 19/09/2012 às 0400 UT SINPO Local 34333 Croácia 45454 EEUA varias regiões, também em // 6180, 34343 34433 Reino Unido 44333 Alemanha 55555 Brasil SP Neste horário foi tentado também sintonia nos seguintes países: Ulkrania, RUSSIA e Japão porém sem sinal. No entanto, existem vários vídeos no Youtube da RNA chegando em várias partes do mundo. Vale lembrar que foi apenas um teste básico sem levar em conta a condição de grayline ou noite e dia dos locais remotos. Sempre ouvimos o mundo pelas Ondas Curtas, mais também é interessante ver como o mundo nos ouve nas Ondas Curtas. Um forte 73´s [sic] (PU2LZB - RENATO ULIANA, Indaiatuba - SP, 19 Sept, http://www.amantesdoradio.com.br radioescutas yg via DXLD) Depois das 20h [23 UT M-F], de segunda à sexta, a RNA transmite a programação da Rádio Nacional OM de Brasília. O mesmo acontece na maior parte do dia aos sábados e domingos. 73 (Lucio Haeser, ibid.) Who I believe works for the station or related one in DF (gh, DXLD) ** BURMA [non]. At present I hear a test 925 Hertz tone procedure on 11560 kHz, 1530-1550 UT, the DVB Democratic Voice of Burma channel till 1530 UT via Dushanbe-TJK (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BURMA [non]. AUNG SAN SUU KYI VISITS VOA PRESS RELEASE 18.09.2012 [illustrated] http://www.insidevoa.com/content/aung-san-suu-kyi-visits-via/1510606.html Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi told Voice of America Tuesday that communal tensions involving the country’s minority Muslim population will be “difficult to dissipate in a short period of time.” “Human rights must be protected by the rule of law and there can never be occasions where human rights can be neglected or ignored,” the Nobel Peace Prize winner said. The pro-democracy leader made the comments during an exclusive interview at VOA’s headquarters in Washington, where she also met with top U.S. international broadcasting officials and journalists from the Burmese language service . “It is an extraordinary honor to have such a distinguished guest visit us,” said VOA Director David Ensor, who assured the Nobel laureate “that VOA will continue to provide the kind of quality journalism that has made the station the most popular international broadcaster in Burma.” During her English language interview, Aung San Suu Kyi said her country needs to continue on the path of political and economic reform. “We need to find out what we have to do in order to keep the democratization process on track,” she said. "Economic reforms have to be taken one by one. You see, it’s not just speed that’s important, it’s sequencing as well.” The Burmese opposition leader said, “I always listen to VOA in the morning at 5:30. VOA world news is very useful for me especially, and I like the media roundup, Burma in the News .” In addition to VOA Director Ensor, the opposition leader also met with BBG Governors Victor Ashe and Michael Meehan, and International Broadcasting Bureau Director Richard Lobo. Earlier this year, VOA and the long-isolated Burmese government reached a breakthrough agreement that allows VOA English teaching programs to air on state run radio and TV. Burma, which was renamed Myanmar by military rulers following the suppression of pro-democracy protests in 1988, has been liberalizing since late last year, and has recently moved to ease restrictions on the media. VOA’s Burmese Service, which provides news and information on radio, television, the Internet and on mobile, began airing a half-hour TV program earlier this year, and has a wide variety of English language teaching programs available as podcasts. For more information about this release contact Kyle King at the VOA Public Relations office in Washington at (202) 203-4959, or write kking @ voanews.com For more information about VOA visit the Public Relations website at http://www.insidevoa.com or the main news site at http://www.voanews.com (VOA PR via DXLD) ** CAMBODIA [non]. PALAU, 9960, Khmer People Power Movement Radio, 1248 W talk feature, 1254:12 loud drums and W briefly with mention of "339" (address??). 1255-1258 soft SE Asian vocal song. 1258 instrumental blues music and W with apparent closing voice-over announcement with mention of "kiloHertz" and off at 1259:45. Used USB to avoid slop from 9955, then notched out the RTTY on the upper side. Was quite readable then. (16 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) Continued at AUSTRALIA 9965 ** CANADA [non]. Just to let you know: "The Link" will be returning to shortwave. I have taken some of PCJ's budget to pay for and have RCI's weekly 30 minute version of The Link air on shortwave. Will post the schedule in a few days. (The Link was an hour-long daily radio show aimed at connecting people to Canada and Canada to the world - Mike). (Keith Perron on Facebook via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Via WRMI? RCI "The Link" on SW: September 22 & 29, October 6 & 13 [Saturdays] The Link - Radio Canada International Americas - 9955 - 0300 UT [UT Sundays] (11 pm Eastern) - 50 kW [WRMI] Pacific - 5860 kHz - 1400 UT - 50 kW (Keith Perron via Facebook, via Partha Sarathi Goswami, Siliguri, W.B., India, Sept 17, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Keith, What is the transmitter site on 5860? Surely not V. of Jinling, Nanjing, as in HFCC, altho Aoki shows it not starting until 1440 (Glenn to Keith Perron, via DXLD) Hi Glenn, No it’s not a site in China. It’s a site in South Taiwan, which is known here as a sleeper (Keith Perron, Sept 17, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA [and non]. CBC Sackville relay station --- As everyone knows, the CBC has said it plans to either sell off the Sackville relay station or sell it off so it could be used as a wind farm. Let's look at the first part of that. Sell it off to other shortwave broadcasters seems unlikely to impossible. First, who would buy it? Second, under Canadian law, foreign broadcasters cannot own any broadcast facilities. Then it comes down to transfer of license. Under Canadian law, foreign broadcasters cannot hold a license with the CRTTC. So I ask, who could they sell it to? Who would be interested in buying it? China? No, China is not interested; they already have an agreement with the Cubans. And by the way, the agreement for CRI to use Cuba is not between CRI and Radio Havana Cuba. The agreement is between the government and not the stations. Unless a miracle happens, the reality is the station will go the way of Flevo and others. [Also interesting comments added from others] (Keith Perron, https://www.facebook.com/keith.perron via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** CANADA. 6110, Sept 16 at 0504 check, Sackville is managing to modulate NHK World Radio Japan in English, unlike last night; huge signal we are really going to miss in a sesquimonth, altho replacement 11740 from French Guiana should be good if the MUF holds up thru our winter nights (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also JAPAN ** CANADA. 9625, Sept 16 at 1315, CBCNQ fair but deep fades with Michael Enright`s opening essay on `Sunday Edition`, about the lack of benches in Toronto parx, compared to other cities; and some have armrests on them to prevent homeless from stretching out and sleeping. This <3-hour show used to be a must-hear for me, but there just aren`t enough hours in the week to fit it in, even by retrieval. CBC does now make it convenient to listen to individual segments already; don`t forget the the: http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/ http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/essays/2012/09/16/a-plague-of-cars-and-dearth-of-benches/ (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. BELL MEDIA ANNOUNCES 10 STATIONS FOR SALE Toronto ON – via http://www.milkmanunlimited.com Bell Media Radio President Chris Gordon announced today the list of stations which the company will divest itself of should the CRTC approve the company's request to acquire Astral Media. CALGARY: Kool 101.5 (CKCE-FM) WINNIPEG: Fab 94.3 Classic Pop (CHIQ-FM) TORONTO: Flow 93.5 – Rhythmic (CFXJ-FM) VANCOUVER: Virgin Radio – Hot AC (CKZZ-FM) / Shore FM – Alternative (CHHR-FM) / AM 650 – Adult Pop (CISL-AM) WINNIPEG: QX 104 – Country (CFQX-FM) TORONTO: Boom FM – Classic Hits (CHBM-FM) OTTAWA: 106.9 The Bear – Rock (CKQB-FM) / Boom 99.7 – Greatest Hits (CJOT-FM) The CRTC is holding hearings in Montreal from September 10 to 14, 2012 on the proposed acquisition of Astral Media by Bell Media. In addition the Commission is also hearing arguments from Bell and interveners on Bell’s proposal to convert the English TSN Radio 690 (CKGM) in Montreal to a French language all-sports radio station, RDS 690. Should the proposal to convert the station be turned down, Bell has also announced that they would most likely put the station up for sale as well (Sept CIDX Messenger via DXLD) ** CHAD [and non]. 6165, RNT (tentative), *0429, Sept 18. Suddenly on; no IS heard; sounded French; played Anthem and then just talking; heard underneath Radio 2 (Zambia) which had non-stop on air phone calls. The sign on time and tentative French makes me think it was them (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6165, Sept 19 at 0530, news or at least talk in French, S9+12 holding its own against CKZN 6160.9. No doubt RNT is active today, as it seems to be quite sporadic (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 11970, 1133, 08-07-2012, orchestra music, no comments. Good reception, SINPO 45343. Firedrake. First time I can hear them in this frequency (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Probably typo date for 8 Sept ** CHINA. Firedrake Sept 13, after 1300, not a complete search: 15485, fair at 1308 with propeller noise 15495, fair at 1316 with propeller noise, het on hi side, ex-15485 15560, good at 1311 After 1400, not a complete search either: 15605, poor at 1403 17560, poor at 1408; JBA signal on 17565 may have been escapee V. of Tibet jumparound via Madagascar (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Here is my 1250-1300 GMT 9-14-12 Firedrake Log - Good DX - Steve 12670 Excellent 1257 12320 Excellent 1257 12230 Excellent 1257 14800 Excellent 1259 15555 Excellent 1252 15735 Good 1254 15900 Poor 1254 16920 Fair 1255 16980 Fair 1255 17450 Fair with het 1255 (Steve Handler, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Sept 14, before 1300, ten mostly with flutter: 12230, very good at 1253 12320, very good at 1253 12670, very good at 1254; none in the 11s 14800, very good at 1253; none in the 13s 15555, good at 1249 15735, good at 1248. SOH or VOT must have landed here today, but better begone by 1300 when NHK English comes via Uzbekistan 16100, very poor at 1250 16920, poor at 1251 16980, poor at 1251 17450, poor at 1252 After 1300: 15485, fair at 1307 with noise 15495, fair at 1318 with noise, het on hi side, ex-15485 15560, good at 1308 Firedrake Sept 15, before 1300: 12230, very good at 1235 12320, very good at 1235 12670, very good at 1234 12980, very good at 1234; none in the 13s, 14s 15555, poor at 1240; none in the 16s, 17s 15555 only, still on at 1303, and by now it`s surged to very good Firedrake Sept 16 before 1300, eleven of them: 12230, very good at 1255 12320, very good at 1255 12500, JBA at 1255 13130, very good at 1254 14960, JBA at 1253 15525, fair at 1252 with propeller noise; unusual landing spot 15555, very good at 1252 15780, very good at 1252; another unusual spot, 5 kHz from VOA Korean 16100, very poor at 1247 with flutter 16600, good at 1247 with flutter 17100, JBA at 1247 After 1300: 9680, fair at 1313, awful mix with RRI, RTI, maybe CNR1 which is the usual jamming source here; but could make it // 15560 15560, good at 1313, ex-15555 before the hour Firedrake, Sept 17 before 1300: 14960, good at 1237 with flutter; none in the 13s or 12s; VG at 1256 15555, fair at 1254 with het on lo side; still on at 1303 16100, very poor at 1253 16900, fair at 1253 16980, fair at 1253 17250, fair at 1255 17370, poor at 1255; none in the 18s After 1300: 7445, poor at 1313, Firedrake audible in the mix with Chinese talk, jamming vs R. Taiwan International, and if it is really there too amid all this mess, the CNR8 domestic service in Mongolian, per Aoki 15485, fair at 1313 15495, poor at 1319, ex-15485 15560, fair at 1313, ex-15555 above 15565, poor at 1319, het on hi side, ex-15560 Before 1400: 9680, poor at 1351, another mixed-up mess vs RTI, CNR1 jamming and RRI 13530, fair at 1354; none in the 12s 14800, good at 1354; none in the 16s 15605, poor at 1343, plus propeller noise; het on lo side Firedrake Sept 18, before 1300: 12980, fair at 1254; none in the 11s, 10s, 9s, 8s or 7s 14700, poor at 1251; none in the 13s 14870, poor-fair at 1246; CB QRM all thru the 14 MHz range from a 27185 CBer a block away, grrrr! 15555, poor at 1239 16980, very poor at 1246 with flutter; none in the 17s Before 1330, incomplete: 15495, fair at 1327 15565, fair at 1327 After 1400, incomplete: 15605, fair at 1411 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Strong Firedrake on 9680 mixing with RRI Jakarta at 1406 (Ron Howard, while listening at Asilomar State Beach, Calif., Sept 18, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Sept 19, not full searches: 15485, good at 1307, het on hi side 15495, fair at 1328, he on hi side 15605, fair at 1327, with noise added, het on hi side 15615, poor at 1401 vs WEWN; see U S A (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Jammer 11742, 11734, 11726, 11718, 11702, 11694, 11686, 11678, 11662, 11654. Spurs of the jammer on 11625. Strongest on 11686 and 11694. Chinese talk by M, 1137 talk by W with talk sound bites. (13 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) It seems Dave ignores or does not see replies to his previous reports. The spurs are from 11710, not 11625 (gh, DXLD) [and again:] Jammer Spurs of the 11625 [sic] Chinese jammer were on again today with strongest and clearest ones on 11694 and 11702. (14 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) Hi Dave, I really appreciate your DX logs. Altho the audio may be // 11625, presumably CNR1 programming, also on countless other frequencies as jamming or not, it does not make sense for these 8-kHz- spaced spurs to be emanating from the 11625 transmitter. As we have been reporting in DXLD, symmetrically the source must be 11710 at this hour, right in the middle of the 8 kHz multiples (even if it`s inaudible, covered by N Korea). A similar spread is centered from a jamming transmitter on 11760 instead after 1300, while 11760 itself is usually covered by Cuba. 73, (Glenn Hauser to Dave and Hard-Core-DX via DXLD) Viz.: 11752, Sept 17 at 1306, het JB audible against Cuba 11750, and not audible at other 8-kHz leaps from source 11760 jammer, i.e. 11776 and 11784 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 7280, CNR, OC on at 1040:10. Opening canned announcements by W and M over music at 1100, 1100:45 easy instrumental music and ID by M, then short apparent program intro, and talk by M announcer then W joined in. 1105-1107 several canned ad-like announcements and back to M and W studio announcers. // 7345, both about equal. Was looking for Sound of Hope. (16 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** CHINA. 7370, CRI, Signal on the air suddenly at 1057:40 in mid- sentence by W announcer. Chinese music, then CRI IS/fanfare, ID by M and W. Bombastic Chinese music 1138. Short canned announcement by M at 1142 followed by live studio W announcer in Chinese-like dialect. 1152 canned announcements. Fairly good signal. (16 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) 9855, Sept 17 at 1352, Firedrake-like music, but not really, 1355 Chinese announcement, other music to abrupt 1357* --- it`s plain old CRI Chinese service, 215 degrees from Beijing site (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CRI and CNR B12 Schedules: Download in PDF format from: http://www.lfclive.net/stuff/B12CRI.pdf http://www.lfclive.net/stuff/B12CNR.pdf (Stephen Cooper, Sept 14, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) It seems this advance info is stored in a pool of Liver (gh, DXLD) ** CHINA. Recent FM Es Philippines to [from] CHINA --- back to the DX in BEAUTIFUL Tuao CAGAYAN, Luzon, Philippines --- 9-10-2012. Times LOCAL Philippine time GMT+8 92.8, CHINA 1740 M in CH w/anmts, lite vocal pop music, animated talk by M&W ad or promo. (Wiseblood-Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 95.4, CHINA 1747 animated talk by M&W in CH w/ ad or promo; 1751 nx by M in CH (Wiseblood-Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 96.0, CHINA 1751 literary channel with M in CH reciting from book with chirping birds in background (Wiseblood-Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 101.3, CHINA 1753 anmts by W in CH, 1757 animated talk by M&W ad or promo, 1801 brief anmts or nx by W in CH (Wiseblood-Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 89.5, CHINA 1806 CH ads, anmts by M in CH 1808 (Wiseblood-Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 93.0, CHINA 1810 briefly with talk by W in CH, childrens music (Wiseblood- Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 93.8, CHINA 1815 CH ads for NISSAN, M&W in CH w/round-table discussion (Wiseblood- Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 91.2, CHINA 1821 mix of two stations (1) anmts by M in CH (2) W vocalist CH traditional operatic type music (Wiseblood- Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 9-11-2012 [sic; I suppose dates below are incorrect --- gh] FM Es 88.7, CHINA 1420 lite pop-vocal music (Wiseblood-Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 88.3, CHINA 1421 anmts by M in CH (Wiseblood-Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 89.0, CHINA 1421 lite pop vocal music, 1426 W in CH w/anmts (Wiseblood-Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) (Steven C. Wiseblood, Tuao, CAGAYAN, Philippines, Radio, ULTRALIGHT: Kchibo KK-D6110, times LOCAL Philippine time GMT+8, Sept 13, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also KOREA SOUTH China is a very big country, but I suppose it is near-impossible to localize such catches for lack of accurate listings and/or the language barrier (gh, DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. 7270, 2302, 11-09-2012, spots and promos in Chinese Mandarin. At 2303 it started an informative program with news and reports, but everything in the same language. Clandestine Voice of China, via Taipei, Taiwan. Acceptable reception compared with SOH (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. 5910, Sept 19 at 0534, ``las 12, 34 minutos en Alcaraván Radio . . . 1530 en AM y 5910 en onda corta . . . en Colombia, Alcaraván Radio``, back to music. So they`ve set their clock! Note the spelling of the name and the order of the words, often misreported. Good signal in the clear (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. 14950.75, Radio Salem Estereo; 2130-2140+, 8-Sep; Spanish baladas; at least one religious; no announcements. SIO=2+43- on peaks, fady & pulse bursts. 0002, 9-Sep; mas baladas with "Salem Estereo" ID at 0004. SIO=2+43-, less fady & weaker pulse bursts than at 2130. Barely audible Spanish music at 1552, 9-Sep. Somewhat better at 2125, but not much (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow- tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) 14950+, Sept 14 at 1420 check, Spanish gospel music in some Mexican style, 1422 announcement. Too weak to attempt a frequency measurement by either method, het pitch vs BFO on YB-400, or count-the-clix on the DX-398; you never know when you will catch a brief peak of Salem Stereo before deep fading, even fade-out. 14950+, Sept 15 at 1237 tuneby in Firedrake search, Salem Stereo audible with gospel music (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 14950.73, 15.9 2003, Salem Stereo med kolombiansk musik. 2 CB (Christer Brunström, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 16 via DXLD) 14950+, Sept 17 at 1237, catch Salem Stereo on a fadeup with music, soon fadeout; again at 1315 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. GUERRA RADIAL [commercial, that is] Interesante articulo publicado en la revista económica Dinero http://www.dinero.com/edicion-impresa/negocios/articulo/guerra-radial/159597 El negocio de la radio es otra vez campo de batalla para los grandes grupos económicos de Colombia. Atraídos por un volumen de ventas que supera los US$300 millones anuales y una audiencia de 13,7 millones de consumidores, que además viene en constante crecimiento, los cacaos más poderosos del país y la región se baten en una puja por controlar los dos ingredientes de la fórmula del éxito empresarial en la radio: allí gana el que tiene las mejores frecuencias radiales, para llegar a más oyentes; y el que logra reunir el mejor equipo de talentos y voces reconocidas, para seducirlos. El Grupo Santo Domingo ha emprendido una agresiva estrategia para volver a la radio. Hace unos meses intentó recomprar Caracol Radio, empresa que ellos mismos habían vendido al Grupo Prisa en 2004. Sin embargo, la oferta no les sonó a los españoles, quienes plantearon que solo estarían dispuestos a vender si se diera una oferta por un gran paquete, incluyendo sus cadenas en otros países de la región. Para Alejandro Santo Domingo no fue atractiva esa propuesta, pues su objetivo es aprovechar las sinergias y economías de alcance que puede lograr su conglomerado de medios en Colombia, el cual incluye a Caracol Televisión y el diario El Espectador. Por este motivo, buscó otro camino y llegó a un arreglo con la familia Páez Espitia, propietaria de la cadena Melodía, para el arrendamiento de sus frecuencias. Así nació Blu Radio, que emite desde la semana pasada en el edificio de Caracol Televisión en Bogotá y busca atraer oyentes de alto poder adquisitivo, estratos 4, 5 y 6. Esta jugada de Santo Domingo es tan solo uno entre los muchos movimientos estratégicos de grandes empresas que están recomponiendo el negocio de la radio en Colombia, donde RCN, por ejemplo, también está fortaleciendo sus posiciones. El proceso involucra inversiones millonarias que buscan redefinir el mapa empresarial en el medio de comunicación más rentable del país. Pesos pesados Los Santo Domingo entran al negocio para aprovechar las economías de escala. Cito un ejemplo: Caracol Televisión manda un equipo periodístico para cubrir el conflicto en Cauca, pero solo hay espacio para 30 segundos en el canal. Lo que hacemos con la emisora es aprovechar material que no fue rodado, pero que es igual de importante. De eso se trata, explica a Dinero Carlos Arturo Gallego, vicepresidente de radio de Caracol Televisión. El Grupo Santo Domingo no es el único que ve una oportunidad en esta industria. La Organización Ardila Lülle, propietaria de 130 emisoras a través de RCN radio, cerró hace pocas semanas sus negociaciones con la familia Pava Camelo para arrendar 15 frecuencias de la Cadena Super. El acuerdo permitirá una ampliación de la cobertura de RCN. Para Blu y RCN el objetivo es el mismo: quitarle participación a Caracol Radio, la empresa líder, de propiedad del Grupo Prisa, que tiene 38,7% de la audiencia. ``Seguramente nos van a quitar algo, estamos haciendo todo para que sea lo menos posible``, anticipa Ricardo Alarcón, presidente de Caracol Radio, quien dará la pelea para mantener el estatus de ``joya de la corona`` que tiene la empresa. De hecho, no solamente los Santo Domingo han estado interesados en adquirirla. También hubo una oferta de parte de algunos socios de Pacific Rubiales, pero el negocio no se dio. Ahora, se rumora que el hombre más rico del mundo, el mexicano Carlos Slim, estaría tras la cadena. La eventual venta de Caracol Radio es una posibilidad que sigue abierta. El Grupo Prisa reporta pérdidas multimillonarias como consecuencia de sus deudas y la caída estrepitosa en la bolsa madrileña en este año. Sin duda, la venta de la cadena radial en Colombia aportaría nuevo oxígeno a la deteriorada caja del grupo español. Un negocio muy atractivo La pauta publicitaria en radio muestra una notable tendencia de crecimiento. En 2010, el Mundial de Fútbol y las elecciones presidenciales crearon las condiciones para un crecimiento espectacular. El año 2011 fue todavía mejor. La pauta superó todas las expectativas y la rentabilidad de las emisoras de radio es hoy la envida de otros medios de comunicación. De hecho, Caracol Radio fue la empresa de medios más rentable del país en 2011, medida con el indicador de Ebitda sobre ingresos. Durante este año el crecimiento se ha reducido un poco, pero aún es saludable. ``Algunos anunciantes han enfriado en algo su inversión en publicidad y eso se siente. La buena noticia es que han llegado empresas nuevas, y la pauta de Pacific Rubiales y la de muchas empresas medianas y pequeñas ha nivelado el asunto. El lanzamiento de Corpbanca también fue una campaña interesante``, menciona Ricardo Alarcón. Como vehículo publicitario, la radio es particularmente atractiva, pues es una solución eficaz para empresas de todos los tamaños. En cuanto a los mayores anunciantes, las empresas que más dinero invirtieron en pauta radial durante 2011 fueron Claro, Postobón, Águila Roja, Bancolombia, Movistar, Banco Popular, FNA, GM Colmotores, Bavaria, Davivienda, Avianca, Servientrega, Tigo, Sofasa y Coordinadora Mercantil. Otros sectores como laboratorios, farmacéuticas y centros médicos también tienen una fuerte presencia en el dial. Otros factores han favorecido el crecimiento del medio. La venta de aparatos de radio se viene incrementando desde el año 2003 de manera sostenida. “El precio de este tipo de equipos incluso ha bajado. Hoy es mucho más fácil para cualquier colombiano tener un equipo de sonido o radioâ€?, dice Camilo Herrera, presidente de Raddar. Por lo demás, la evolución de la tecnología también favorece el desarrollo del negocio de las cadenas radiales. ``13.9% de las personas que escuchan radio lo hacen a través de teléfonos inteligentes, tablets o conectados a la red en el PC y la cifra va en aumento``, afirma un experto de nuevos medios de RCN radio. Talento: ¿Quién da más? Aparte de la competencia por el acceso a las frecuencias, también está ocurriendo una acelerada lucha por el talento. El consumidor de radio se acostumbra a las voces y los estilos de sus comentaristas favoritos y se vuelve leal a ellos, a través del tiempo y la distancia. Por este motivo, el reacomodo de la industria viene de la mano de la contratación de figuras reconocidas, que pasan de una cadena a otra. En RCN radio ya comenzó el remezón. Francisco Santos salió de la dirección de noticias de la emisora básica y llegaría en su reemplazo Paulo Laserna. Por otro lado, se da por sentado el retorno del humorista Guillermo Díaz Salamanca, tras una complicada y costosa negociación. Estos movimientos, al cierre de esta edición, aún no se habían confirmado. El presidente de RCN radio, Fernando Molina Soto, prefirió no revelar a Dinero mayores detalles del revolcón en la cadena. Solamente anticipó que en los próximos tres meses estará montada una nueva parrilla, con la que busca competir de frente con Caracol. Entre tanto, el líder, Caracol Radio, mantiene su estrategia. ``Queremos seguir siendo la mejor opción para los oyentes, entregando información que toque su bolsillo o sus intereses``, dice Alarcón. Este afán de Prisa por mantener la audiencia logró convertir en ejes de su estrategia publicitaria a Darío Arizmendi “Caracol Básica“ y Julio Sánchez Cristo “W Radio“ quienes, aunque son de la misma casa compiten ferozmente por los radioescuchas. Arizmendi reforzó su equipo con la vinculación a la mesa de trabajo de Fernando Quijano, director del diario La República, quien aseguró que con esta alianza se configura un gana-gana para los dos medios. ``No descarto que se puedan hacer más cosas adelante``, comenta Quijano. La fijación con las voces conocidas es particularmente importante en este momento de expansión. Fenómenos radiales como Darío Arizmendi y Julio Sánchez Cristo han llevado a que la gente de las regiones se interese más por los asuntos nacionales. ``La gente de las ciudades intermedias se volvió aspiracional y quiere escuchar no solo lo que pasa en su región, sino en el país y el mundo. Ese es un fenómeno que está cambiando el mapa radial en Colombia``, agrega Quijano. De la misma manera, se están valorizando los talentos locales que han demostrado su capacidad para desarrollar audiencias en las regiones. Jorge Cura, por ejemplo, es un periodista chileno que llegó al país durante la dictadura de Augusto Pinochet. Luego de estudiar periodismo en Barranquilla y trabajar en varias emisoras, se convirtió en un verdadero fenómeno radial en la Región Caribe. Hoy dirige la Emisora del Atlántico, adscrita a Olímpica Stereo, y es el rey de audiencias en esa zona del país. ``Ojalá lo pudiera traer a Caracol, pues lidera una de las emisoras más rentables del país``, confesó a Dinero Ricardo Alarcón, de Caracol Radio. Otro fenómeno radial es William Vinasco Ch., quien con su cadena Candela se ha convertido en uno de los principales jugadores del mercado, con ventas que el año pasado llegaron a $22,458 millones y unas utilidades que crecieron 13.9%. El negocio de la radio pasa por un momento de inflexión. De hecho, un conocedor del medio como Juan Gossaín habla de una ``nueva era radial en Colombia``, estimulada por un creciente interés empresarial en el sector y una clase media emergente que creció al lado de un transistor. La clave de éxito estará en el contenido y en la innovación periodística, dos frentes en los cuales hay amplio espacio para la renovación en este [sic; looks like cut off incomplete] (via Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá, Sept 13, condigista yg via DXLD) ** CUBA [and non]. 17730, Sept 13 at 1406, RHC has a whine in the background, seems like CCI, but with RHC you can never be sure. No such sound on other 13, 11 MHz channels. Nothing else is scheduled on 17730 at this hour. 15340, Sept 14 at 1259, RHC manages to get this transmitter going already today with IS at full modulation atop HCJB Australia. But at 1302, RHC news is very undermodulated, with HCJB understation well audible. Wiggle that patchcord! Still same at 1405. If you are too incompetent the find a clear frequency, you really need to keep your modulation level up to override the competition (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. BOFFO CUBAN MUSIC FOR THE WISTFUL --- Several evenings a week I listen to an hour of remarkable Cuban music on Radio Havana Cuba -- 11840 kHz from 2300 to 0000 GMT (6:00-7:00 p.m. CDT in Dallas). The signal is almost always strong and clear -- and that was true tonight -- which is especially great for listening to music. My S-Meter registered a steady and strong "4 out of 5" signal. This program is just boffo! The best thing, to me, that RHC transmits! No bombastic propaganda, just earthy, dreamy music that makes one want to enjoy a glass of red wine. For me, the music is usually evocative, exposing, at times, that almost sad, aching wistfulness that lingers in all of us. In fact, tonight, the music reminded me of a favorite novel by Carson McCullers, "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter." Why, I don't know. And I had no wine. But I thank RHC for this daily hour of great music via shortwave radio (Grayson Watson; Dallas, TX using a Satellit 750 with a 23' random wire clipped to the radio's own whip antenna, Sept 14, NASWA yg via DXLD) Also on 11680, better here (gh) 11760, Sept 16 at 1341, RHC `En Contacto` with monthly segment by Pedro Sedano, on CyBC Fri-Sat-Sun 2215-2245 schedule as on 6135, 7220(?) and 9760 from Cyprus, (while EiBi shows the lower outlet is on 5925); and also R. Bayrak, TRNC, which he says is on 6150, 24 hours in four languages to Europe, unaware that it was recently deconfirmed as not on the air by Japanese visitor Takahito Akabayashi, as in DXLD 12- 37. Then a segment by Rubén Guillermo Margenet on a couple of Argentine radio station anniversaries this week, with clips. RGM has acknowledged that he recorded a year`s worth of these many years ago, and is glad RHC is still playing them, since they don`t outdate. (Except possibly some stations cease to exist or change frequencies or names.) However, I don`t get why such anniversaries matter. Everything has an anniversary every year; so what? {To drastically reduce the clutter, we deem significant only those anniversaries in multiples of 10, 25, 50, 100 or especially 150 years} 13880, Sept 16 at 1939, lite pulse jamming at the rate of 120/minute = 2 per second, typical Cuban style, but what`s it doing here? Closest wall-of-noise jamming is on 13820 against R. Martí so maybe spur/stray from one of the multitude of transmitters there. Nothing to match on 13760 = 60 kHz lower. 7365, Sept 17 at 0451, more Cuban pulse jamming QRMing something in French, i.e. BBC Ascension at 0430-0500, 250 kW, 85 degrees. Jamming is not ``needed`` here after Martí finishes at 0300. This overrun will also mar BBC English at 06-07 from Ascension; and alternating with WHRI if really on the air at 05-06, 07-10. Do the outlaws in Cuba care if they cause collateral damage? Of course not! 9955, Sept 17 at 0515, DentroCuban Jamming Command pulsing is atop WRMI, i.e. me with WORLD OF RADIO 1634. Tnx a lot, Arnie! 11680, Sept 17 at 1231, RHC is on here by mistake instead of 11860! Lysdexic operator punched up wrong frequency, or wrong button if they are all stored for immediate retrieval. Much stronger than // 11690, and also on 11760. North Korea music barely audible under 11680, Commies vs Commies! By 1305 it`s corrected to 11860. 15340, Sept 17 at 1346, RHC on since 1300 with super signal obliterating HCJB Australia today, but modulation is quite suppressed. Wiggle that patchcord. 9564-9565, Sept 18 at 0546, whining sound, unseems of local origin, not the usual pulse/bubble jamming overrun we get from the DentroCuban Jamming Command. 15230, Sept 18 at 1238, RHC is somewhat distorted with noise around the sidebands. 11860, Sept 18 at 1254, RadioCuba manages to punch up the correct RHC frequency today, instead of 11680 yesterday before 1300. 15340, Sept 19 at 1300, RHC strong signal but as usual lately, modulation severely suppressed. By 1306 must have kicked the transmitter (or wiggled that patchcord), as mod is back to normal, but HCJB still audible underneath (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [non]. Glenn: Regarding the item from Huber Matos (Jr. I believe) that appeared in DXLD from Juan Franco Crespo, Huber may not remember, but La Voz del CID did buy airtime on WRMI for a time after their station in Central America was closed. We still have invoices and copies of checks from them (Jeff White, WRMI, Sept 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CYPRUS. 9760, CyBC, *2215-2244*, Sept 14, sign on with their usual theme music. Greek talk. Good. // 7220 - good. // 5925 - fair. Fri, Sat, Sun only (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** CYPRUS. 17750-17774, Sept 19 at 1312, OTH radar pulsing, presumed from here, and exactly same sound on 18900-18925. At 1403, it`s more like 17747-17773, bothering a legitimate broadcaster on 17770 (Turkey in Arabic), and nothing around 18.9 MHz, but instead at 1404, 19818- 19843 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DENMARK. 243 kHz Kalundborg --- The BBC transmission from Kalundborg 243 kHz/DRM ended September 11th 2300 UT. Used was 16 QAM as well as 64 QAM at different bit rates up to 24 kbit/s, and with and without Spectral Band Replication (SBR). Reception reports are welcome to info @ teracom.dk. The following information has to be included: 1. Location and country of reception 2. Time of reception in UTC 3. Audio bit rate in kbit/s with one decimal place 4. Reception equipment and antenna used 5. SNR (signal / noise ratio) 6. Decoder MER value (modulation error ratio) 7. Decoder FAC/SDC/MSC or SDC/MSC constellation as screen picture or QAM values, e.g. 4/16&64 or 16/64 8. Screen picture of any spectrum display The staff at info @ teracom.dk would be very pleased with a screenshot with a constellation diagram, e.g. from a DREAM software decoder. IF recordings of 8 kHz or 12 kHz soundcard intermediate frequency are also much appreciated. DXers sending correct reception reports will receive a special QSL- card (Ydun Ritz, http://mediumwave.info Sept 14, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. 14th of September was the best day for MW reception the last couple of days. Just after 0500 UT I heard clear timesignals on 1510 while at 0507 a Spanish male voice gave a time announcement "...cero horas 7 minutos cero segundos", so this is HD2IOA Guayaquil, Ecuador. All heard on my KAZ 250 degrees antenna (Max van Arnhem, The Netherlands, MWCircle yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) Ciao, sono stato qualche giorni in Umbria, in campagna, dove ho potuto installare MiniWhip con Perseus. Devo riascoltare una montagna di registrazioni, ma (grazie a GropDx per l'aiuto) ho un highlight "storico" per me: 16/09, 1510 0450 HD2IOA, Guyaquil EQA - time pips & time anns - fair. LB (Leonardo B., playdx yg via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. 4781.67, R. Oriental 2346 canned announcements or ads, long live speech by W, 2355 distorted canned announcements again, 2356 M with ID/promo "?? R. Oriental en cuidad Tena." and mention of "Radio 1040", then live M and W announcer until suddenly cut off in mid- sentence at 0000:09. (13 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD- 535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) 4781.721, Radio Oriental, Tena, Presumed, 0125-0140 Sept 15, Noted a male and female in Spanish language comments. At 0129 noted a break for promo or ads. Noise rather heavy making copy difficult this evening. Believe 0130 was the closing time since no further comments or promos were heard after that and the signal disappeared (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston FL, 26N 081W, Excalibur, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. 9305, R. Cairo, Abis, 0253 July 24 presumably in listed Arabic, with perhaps the worst ``audio`` ever heard from them; it literally sounded like raw AC was being fed directly into the audio input. Wide 70 dB signal with traces of music under the loud buzz (Richard W Parker, Pennsburg PA, Sept World DX Club Contact via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) 9315, Radio Cairo, 0238 Sept 18, English, very low modulation, but I think the announcer was talking about the Prophet Mohammed. Decent carrier strength, but very low modulation (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. 11510, R. Cairo (Presumed), 0310 M chanting, not like Koran. Then mid-east music. M over music at 0325. Fairly good. (16 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) No, that would be Denge Kurdistan on its new frequency! I haven`t bothered to try to tell him. Will he ever read this? (gh, DXLD) ** EGYPT. 17625, Sept 15 at 1934, open carrier with deep fades, just barely modulation audible at peaks; try to match with strongest signals on 16m in case it`s a spur or cross-modulation, but no match to 17715 Spain, 17750 Cuba or 17850 Costa Rica. Then I look it up: of course! It`s Radio Cairo, this time depriving Fulfulde programmers of the transmission they are presumably innocently producing, not to mention the listeners. HFCC shows 1845- 2000, 200 kW, 245 degrees from Abu Zabaal. There is obviously no feedback at ERTU, i.e. awareness of whether their own transmissions are axually audible. I suspect that the studios and the transmitters are under totally different management, and do not talk to each other. 17625, Sept 16 at 1943, poor signal but modulation OK with Arabish music; contrary to no modulation 24 hours earlier, from R. Cairo`s Fulfulde service. Doubt they saw my report yesterday and fixed everything for good (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 5005, Radio Nacional, Bata, 0525-0550, Sept 18, Spanish talk. African choral music. Lite instrumental music. Weak. Poor in noisy conditions. Irregular (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 15190, Radio Africa (presumed); 2005-2011*, 7- Sep; English huxterette. Audio abruptly off at 2011:04 & OC off at 2011:45. SIO=3+33 with splash from 15195 Family Radio (presumed) via Ascencion (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow- tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15190, Radio Africa presumed, 1432 Sept 15, preacher in English, very weak and didn’t get any better, by 1520 barely audible (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active whip antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15190, Sept 15 at 1938, strident gospel-huxter, American accent, axually mentioning that he is on R. Africa and R. East Africa; 2036 still on the air but different g.h. with heavy African accent mostly incomprehensible; next check at 2058 it had gone off. In the meantime it was squeezed between weekend-only VOA Botswana 15185, and YFR Ascension 15195. 15190, Sept 19 at 0544, open carrier with sesquikHz het, no doubt R. Africa vs ZYE522 (not 622 as in WRTH) on 15191.5v. It must be about to sign-on, so I roll tape hoping to catch a real ID, but it`s off again around 0550 and nothing back yet by 0600 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA [and non]. Eritrea / Ethiopia struggle: S=7-8, like same level ETH 7234.655 kHz. \\ 9558.411 kHz footprint, English from 16 UT. Noted also 1530 UT ERI-2 on 7184.991 and covered by 20 kHz wide WHITE NOISE signal. ERI-1 on 7204.981 kHz and swinging BUBBLE jamming jumpes around 7204.850 in 7203 to 7206 kHz range. 73 (Wolfgang df5sx, 1617 UT Sept 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ERI jumped from 7185v to 7165v kHz at 1620 UT, now on 7170v at 1625 UT, on 7175v at 1627 UT. But Ethiopian WHITE NOISE digital jamming followed immediately (Büschel, 1628 UT, ibid.) 9558.49, R. Ethiopia (tentative). Guess this is the one here with just a carrier. Not quite strong enough for audio. Better on the Delta Loop. (13 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) 9705, 0436, 08-09-2012, talks in vernacular language alternating with music. Piece of music at 0438, and then program by female. SINPO 45343. At 0449 kind of street reports. At 0451 signal is deteriorating SINPO 35333. At 0457 STRONG QRM with open carrier from Rumania [9700]. Couldn't ID it. Radio Ethiopia (presumed) (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. Re 12-37: Strike [not] just started at RFI, France Inter, off air --- Checked back tonight after 2100: Also right now 1557 is on air, and this time its signal level is about the same (in fact quite poor) than on 1377. So apparently no regular 2100 close-down has been introduced, and there is also little point in further speculating about the transmission power. After seeing the discussions elsewhere, as quoted in the latest DXLD, an explanation appears to be in place: RFI as an entity is separated from the domestic Radio France services. Thus industrial disputes at RFI do not affect these domestic services (France Inter, France Info, France Bleu, to mention the ones transmit on MW/LW, too) in any way (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Sept 14, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE [non]. 21690, Sept 14 at 2059, RFI closing (?) `Couleurs Tropicales`, mentioning rfi.fr Glad this great music show is still available; only wish reception were better on this frequency via GUIANA FRENCH (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also GUIANA FRENCH; MEXICO ** GABON. 9580, Africa #1; 2141-2147+, 11-Sep; M in French playing English Motown soul tunes; ID at 2146. SIO=422+ with roar QRM sounding like wind blowing -- SSB no help (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. PUTBUS MEDIUMWAVE MAST GONE --- The mediumwave antenna at Putbus (it was an East German standard design of 51 metres height with top load for up to 20 kW) has been removed: http://radioforum.foren.mysnip.de/read.php?8773,449754,1056728#msg-1056728 729 kHz from Putbus was last used for a DRM pilot operation by Deutschlandradio (which meanwhile has written off the system) from 2001 to 2009. In 2010 the media authority at Schwerin filed an invitation of applications for 729 kHz, explicitly stating that this is an attempt to save the last remaining mediumwave facility in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. But no one applied for this frequency, in spite of announcements for test transmissions that had been made in Sweden in 2008 (see the enclosed screenshot). What remains now is the lattice tower formerly used for the FM operations, meanwhile moved to a new tower at Garz. They are described as a murky affair on which engineers often had to fall back to mono when under unfavourable weather conditions the stereo radio link sunk into the noise (well, I suspect there was no such link, just off-air pick-up from Helpterberg or Marlow). As a final piece of drama it caused in 1990 listeners protests when the DT64 relays had been replaced by the new all-day programming from Rostock/Schwerin, prompting a hasty addition of a third transmitter. The mediumwave side on 729 kHz run at 5 kW. It was known for carrying during the summer months Ferienwelle, a season operation from the regional studio at Rostock where untimely programming for Ferienwelle has been prepared and put on stocks all year long. This is not to be confused with another 729 kHz transmitter at Wiederau which carried Messewelle, the all-day programming offered by the Leipzig studio during the half-yearly Leipzig fairs (the ones famous in certain circles for the English narration of PR films, spoken by Wolfram Heß: "Auf der Leipziger Messe hörste überall nur Hesse"). (Btw, a regular programme with greetings for seamen, transmit at night on 177 kHz and I think shortwave, too, came live from Rostock as well. In fact it had been planned to let the local studios do GDR-wide overnight broadcasting regularly, also to try it out as fall-back option for cases of the Berlin operations being knocked out by whatever circumstances, but these plans had been banned out of the usual paranoia.) <*>Attachment(s) from Kai Ludwig [visible only to dxldyg members]: <*> 1 of 1 Photo(s) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/attachments/folder/1508274346/item/ list [this is just a .gif of a brief announcement in English in 2008] (Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DXLD) ** GERMANY. MORE ABOUT AFN STUTTGART Another, illustrated article: http://www.stuttgartcitizen.com/article.php?i=20392 More related photos are on Flickr, like this one of the Mannheim live studio of what was until now AFN Heidelberg: http://www.flickr.com/photos/heraldpost/6213435171/ The deadline late summer 2013 applies, as it just emerged, to the complete closure of the US forces facilities in Heidelberg and Mannheim: http://www.stripes.com/news/closure-time-moved-up-for-heidelberg-mannheim-communities-1.188473 In the last days rumours emerged that the planned move of AFN Europe to Sembach could be put on hold and reconsidered. Critics call it a serious waste of money that attempts are being made to keep Sembach instead of winding it down after the airfield there finally closed in 2005: http://www.g2mil.com/sembach.htm Only in 2004 AFN Europe had moved from Frankfurt to Mannheim, which cost 8 million USD for readying the building and another 5 million USD for broadcasting equipment. So much for the USG being short of money. So much also for change we can believe in (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Sept 15, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [and non]. URGENT: EMR Internet stream changed! Dear EMR Internet listeners, Our Internet streaming server has just changed, and some listeners are having difficulty in listening to our internet service, if you are having difficulty, please try one of the following links: 1/ “EMR Internet radio” link on the EMR website, this was updated late last week: http://www.emr.org.uk 2/ The new address you should use is: http://helios.cloudnl.net:8000/emr.ogg 3/ or click this to launch your audio player: http://helios.cloudnl.net:8000/emr.ogg.m3u PS. EMR Relay on 6005 KHz via Radio 700 this Sunday between 0800 and 0900 UT (not confirmed). Good Listening! All the best (Tom & Mike Taylor, Sept 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Radio 6150 strong on 6070 kHz --- After their recent power increase noted with strong signal on 6070 kHz (via Global Tuners receiver at Sekule, SK) at 0800 UT today, with usual diet of "golden oldies" and offshore radio recordings. No ID as such observed, but regular canned announcements in German and English promoting the power increase and their forthcoming "new station for Europe" - the English segment giving the frequency as 6170 kHz (erroneously, I suspect). I've posted a 3-minute recording of this on Soundcloud, at http://soundcloud.com/intervalsignals/radio-6150-germany-promo (David Kernick, Sept 15, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) It depends on the definition of "strong", I suspect. 50 km north of Dresden 6070 appears right now, at 0950, portable indoor just as a faint carrier, fading in and out, even still weaker than the listed 1 kW on 6005 and 6085 which both on peaks produce audio. Only usable signal on the band is the 100 kW on 6095. And it's mention makes the description of the complete occupancy of the 49 mB complete. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Sept 15, ibid.) In tarda mattinata ho provato anch'io a passare sui 6070 kHz e non c'era traccia di Radio 6150. Del resto sul loro sito viene annunciato l'inizio delle trasmissioni dalla nuova stazione con un countdown che in questo momento segnala 20 giorni e 11 ore. Probabile che ora si tratti solo di alcune trasmissioni test e non alla piena potenza. Ma con tutte le frequenze possibili...! Bah! Roby (Roberto Rizzardi, Italy, 16 Sept, playdx yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) Now they are not hearing Germany`s Radio 6150 on 6070, and instead some guys in Italy are picking up CFRX, quite a DX catch over there. Says 6150 website had a countdown at 20 days and 11 hours, maybe until official start, after tests so far (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) Two days ago early in the morning during a DXpedition I caught a good signal on 6070 kHz with Radio Caroline IDs. Here is a recording I made: http://youtu.be/wWMDGD3UQqg (Tudor Vedeanu, Gura Humorului, Romania, Sept 18, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) At the moment we are testing with half power. Start of the new station will be Oct. 7th, 0700 UT / 9 MESZ. Please spread the news! For questions you can always write to: studio @ radio6150.de (Radio 6150, September 16, Garry Stevens, Pirate Free Radio Board via Mike Barraclough, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, ibid.) ** GERMANY. Very interesting web site http://www.shortwaveservice.com Gives info and live feeds of transmissions from Kall-Krekel, Germany on 3955, 5980, 6005 & 6085 kHz. 3955 & 6005 kHz with Radio 700, 5980 kHz with Hamburger Lokalradio and 6085 kHz with Pur Radio 1 (Belgium) and in the last few days some very good rock music from a station I think is called BLV or VLV Rock Radio. Regards & 73's (John Hoad, Faversham, BDXC-UK yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) That would be BNL Rock Radio which seems to have replaced Pur Radio 1 on 6085 kHz (Dave Kenny, moderator, ibid.) Viz.: From Sep. 15/16 on 6085 is on the air new station, BNL Rock Radio: 0600-1100 6085 KLL 020 kW / non-dir WeEu M-F, instead Pur Radio 1 0600-1800 6085 KLL 020 kW / non-dir WeEu Sat/Sun, instead Pur Radio 1 (DX Re Mix News, Bulgaria, 18 September via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) ** GEROMANY. Updated schedule on Radio 700 - Schlager & Oldies: 0600-2000 on 3955 KLL 020 kW / non-dir to WeEu, ex 2130-1900 2130-0400 on 3955 KLL 020 kW / non-dir to WeEu, ex 2130-1900 (DX Re Mix News, Bulgaria, 18 September via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) ** GERMANY. 7245 [sic], Hamburger LokalRadio, 0500-0603, 15-09, program in Spanish and Portuguese, "Radio Tropicana", songs, at 0600 identification in English, announcing the programs "Leters from the air" and Glenn Hauser's "World of Radio". 34433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Lugo, Sony ICF SW 7600 G, Cable antenna, 8 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I assume you meant 7265. Glad to see a report of WOR on there. The other English program is ``New Letters on the Air`` (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ** GERMANY. Hi there tx site fans, Just today I read in Wuerzburg's daily Mainpost that the Frankenwarte transmitter site (TV and FM only) of Bayerische Rundfunk celebrates its 60th anniversary on weekend 29/30th of September. On these days the site /facilities are open to the public 10am to 5pm with special attractions. It seems that this is intended for a broad local public and not just for radio-freaks. A free bus shuttle from parkings on the left bank of the Main in Wuerzburg (underneath the castle Marienberg) is said to be organized. This for those living in or who might be interested to come to the Franconian Region of Northern Bavaria famous for its beer, wines and sausages (Wolfgang Schweikert, Sept 15, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) ** GERMANY. BBC Berlin starts adverts: see UK [non] ** GERMANY [non]. Radio Andernach testing in DRM mode --- German armed forces station Radio Andernach testing in DRM mode via Issoudun http://www.dxaktuell.de/?p=2616 (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, Sept 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6015 at 1830 UT (gh, DXLD) So if I understand correctly from the article it was a one-time test only? -- (Tudor Vedeanu, (Gura Humorului, Romania), dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [and non]. DEUTSCHE WELLE AND THE UNITED NATIONS TO STEP UP COOPERATION --- PRESS Erik Bettermann und Herrn Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, Under-Secretary- General for Communication and Public Information der Vereinten Nationen bei der Unterzeichnung des MoUs am 17.09.2012 in New York. Das Copyright liegt bei der UN. Bitte geben Sie an "UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe". via Xiaoying Zhang International Communications Officer PRESS RELEASES Deutsche Welle has signed an agreement with the United Nations expanding their cooperation. It is the latest development in a partnership set up five years ago. DW Director General Erik Bettermann and UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal signed a broadcast agreement on Monday at the UN headquarters in New York, aimed at boosting cooperation in the field of media. Launsky-Tieffenthal said that “we at the UN are glad that we can build upon our long-term cooperation with Deutsche Welle, which is based on trust. This agreement lets us further expand and deepen that cooperation.” Speaking for Deutsche Welle, Bettermann stressed that “the promotion of human rights, participation and democratization is a central aspect of our multimedia programming in 30 languages, just as it is for the UN. Cooperation between DW and the UN is particularly important for us because of this shared sense of purpose. We will be glad to continue working together in the future as well.” The agreement enables DW to supplement its television programming with materials from UN-produced documentaries. DW welcomes this as a way of enriching its internationally-focused television series like World Stories with new perspectives and high-quality reporting from around the world. Available in English, Spanish and Arabic, World Stories draws on content from DW's premium partners and presents highly captivating stories around the globe. DW's globalization magazine Global 3000, broadcast in German, English, Spanish and Arabic, is a prime example of this cooperation: Deutsche Welle has been able to include selected UN materials in the program, and, in turn, the UN's television station, UNTV, has broadcast Global 3000 since the partnership was set up in 2007. Beyond television, bilateral cooperation has grown in many other fields in the past five years including media partnership for UN events, media workshops ahead of the Copenhagen climate summit, involving UN experts in DW’s annual conference Global Media Forum, and integrating UN-relevant topics into DW’s multimedia projects such as Education for All, Voices from Today – Ideas for Tomorrow, or the educational program Learning by Ear for Africa. Moreover, DW Akademie has opened its media training programs to UN staff. In cooperation with UNESCO, it conducted a series of training projects at universities in Morocco, Kenya and South Africa, and on behalf of the UNDP, DW Akademie provides media training to parliamentarians from Moldova. This year it is also planning radio workshops for UN reporters based in Darfur. Date 18.09.2012 (via Dr Hansjoerg Biener, DXLD) So providing objective news is no longer a central aspect of DW programming? Such statements had to be noted from Hilversum before. But in the case of DW it is particularly remarkable because here in Germany a remark by TV news host Hanns Joachim Friedrichs is rather well known: "A good journalist can be recognized for not identifying himself with anything, also not with good things. He is always there but never part of anything." Well, the problem appears to be that these organizations are not lead by good journalists, not even by people with any journalistic background at all. http://www.dw.de/dw/0,,3293,00.html (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM. PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12th STREET S.W. WASHINGTON D.C. 20554 News media information 202-418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov (or ftp.fcc.gov) TTY (202) 418-2555 Thursday September 13, 2012IHF-00118 Report No. re: Actions Taken International High Frequency The Commission, by its International Bureau, took the following actions pursuant to delegated authority. The effective dates of the actions are the dates specified. For more information concerning this Notice, contact Shahnaz Ghavami at 202-418-0740; Shahnaz.Ghavami @ fcc.gov TTY 202-418-2555. KSDAIHF-LIC-20120712-00007 P Date Effective: 09/06/2012 Grant of Authority --- License Adventist Broadcasting Service, Inc --- Application for License to Cover International Broadcast Station KSDA located in Agat, Guam. This license application is granted in part. The request to modify the 285 degree 6-12 MHz antenna to a 9-18 MHz antenna is granted. The request to add a fifth antenna is deferred. Page 1 of 1 (via Benn Kobb, DXLD) Hello Shahnaz Ghavami, Regarding this public notice, I would like to know why the request to add a fifth antenna was deferred. Had someone filed an objection? Thanks, Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO (via DXLD) Hello Glenn, Nobody filed an objection; it is KSDA that has requested that the addition of the fifth antenna be deferred and that they will be ready to proceed with that part in a few months. Best Regards, (Shahnaz Ghavami, 202 418-0740, FCC, Sept 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUIANA FRENCH. 11995, Sept 16 at 0201, RTI Spanish opening; when music stops I do hear the same hum I have been hearing as the mystery UNIDENTIFIED open carrier in the 04-06 UT period night after most nights. At least relying on memory, it seems like the same hum pitch and level. My early theory that the automation at Montsinéry is somehow turning the transmitter back on later in the night is revived. 11995, Sept 17 at 0437, open carrier with hum, presumed Montsinéry, like for the RTI relay at 02-03. The hum seems to be made up of two pitches, G and D straddling middle C, i.e. 196 and 294 Hz. Or an octave lower? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, there was no trace of anything audible to me today on 11995 at this same time of your logging. Possibly this is because the signal is not cross-ponding at that time. I was using a portable in my bedroom, but it is sensitive enough to hear most things. I will try again though, and earlier if I wake. 73 from (Noel Green, England, Sept 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11995, Sept 18 at 0509 and still at 0549, presumed GUF with the S9+12 megawatt-wasting open carrier plus some hum. 11995, Sept 19 at 0357, the open carrier with some hum from presumed TDF is on already. Next I need to listen to the RTI Spanish relay closing at 0300 whether they just leave the transmitter on after that. Still humming away at 0540, S9+10 above the CODAR swishes; steady with slight fades as to be expected from a southerly path vis-à-vis Turkey 11980 which was northerly fluttery (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Later seemed to have moved to 9490 (gh) ** INDIA. *Paul Logan* says: September 18, 2012 at 7:33 pm Urdu from Rajkot was very strong last night here in Ireland – 18 September 2012 at 0045 UT. The signal was dominant on the frequency, even over some transmitters in England. It was so loud it was audible on portable radios with only their internal antennas – even a small walkman device! Looks like that antenna system is working very nice! http://www.idxci.in/a-visit-to-super-power-transmitter-air-rajkot/ All India Radio, Rajkot dominant on 1071 at 0045 UT with clear Urdu service ID. Peaking 20 over 9. Easy catch on a sony ultralight too. Amazing signal! Paul Logan, Lisnaskea, N. Ireland Listening Homepage: http://band2dx.webs.com/ Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/radiofotos/ Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/yogi540 (via Alokesh Gupta, Sept 19, dx_india yg via DXLD) On MW AIR Rajkot (FS) is still booming in at 1605-1710 on new 1071 kHz in Urdu, 35333. Later it is disturbed by other stations. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Denmark, on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, Sept 17, playdx yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. 9470 kHz, 1566 kHz --- Dear friends, Yesterday 13 Sept 2012 AIR National Channel via Aligarh was not observed on its actual frequency of 9470 kHz which by the way is not unusual. However at 1417 it was heard on 9385 and shortly later on 9380. By today morning (14 Sept 12) around 0020 they were on 9276.8 with rough carrier. The National Channel from Nagpur on 1566 was absent for their transmissions from 11th Sept 2012 night (which I found at 1554 UT) to 12th Sept 2012 morning. According to info from their office, it was due to electricity failure in the area. In the absence of AIR Nagpur the FEBC station from S. Korea was heard very clearly. Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India Mobile: +91 94416 96043 http://www.qsl.net/vu2jos Sept 14, dx_india yg via DXLD) 9870, All India Radio, Bengaluru, 1257 Sept 13, “Vividh Bhurati” in Hindi with woman announcer and Hindi songs, at 1259 CRI took over the frequency with a Chinese-English language lesson about “rice and noodles”. Poor and lost after CRI came on (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11715, All India Radio; 2110-2211+, 13-Sep; English ID, into long droning vocal (Indian folks -- feel free to comment about rap "music".) ID at 2120, into English feature about library science. SIO=343- with chirp QRM; // 11670, SIO=453+ best of all; // 11620, SIO=2+53-; // 9445, SIO=3+53 (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 15795, Sept 13 at 1313, AIR Indian instrumental music with CCCCCCI as the ChiCom insult India by continuing to block AIR`s only attempt to broadcast back to them in Mandarin, while CRI has countless unimpeded SW broadcasts to India in English and other languages, plus co-channel QRM on numerous tropical band frequencies. Same situation on // 17705 with the addition of BSKSA CCI. The Indo-Chinese radio war stops abruptly when AIR is finished with both at 1315, uncovering BSKSA only on 17705. Why doesn`t AIR take any evasive measures, or better yet, diplomatic? 15795, Sept 17 at 1320, open carrier with flutter, gone at next check 1342. Probably Bengaluru was slow to turn off the transmitter after Chinese finished at 1315; the jammers are more efficient in turning off immediately, confident that AIR will modulate no more (but if they had, might have got a few syllables into China edgewise) (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. AIR TO CARRY COMMENTARY OF ICC ICC T-20 WORLD CUP MATCHES TODAY --- All India Radio will broadcast ball-by-ball commentary alternately in Hindi & English of ICC T-20 World Cup matches to be played in Sri Lanka as per the schedule mentioned below: 19 Sept 2012 Australia Vs Ireland - R. Premdasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka - 0930 - 1300 UTC or till the end of play. 19 Sept 2012 India Vs Afghanistan - R. Premdasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka - 1330 - 1700 UTC or till the end of play. Commentary will also be relayed by 66 MW stations, FM Gold network & selected SW stations of AIR. --- (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, Sept 19, dx_india yg via DXLD) 4810, AIR Bhopal, 1423-1441, Sept 19. Live cricket coverage in both English and Hindi with India playing; ads; poor to almost fair; unable to confirm any // (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Had a quick check. Lucknow 4880 was also carrying T20 cricket commentary, maybe few more stations (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, 0219 UT Sept 20, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDIA [non]. 9520, 2330, 07-09-2012, off-vocal Hindi/Indian music, then ID by female as "Athmeeyayathra...Shortwave...". Religious music alternating with short comments by man. At 2333 the music suddenly stopped, but the carrier kept on the air. Music returned at 2334. At 2336 program by man started. 2344 QTH. 2353 "Jesucristo... Cristo". At various times as well. "Lonely tomb" (??). 2357 closing theme and ID including QTH in India. Since that time some QRM with an open carrier from other station (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA [non]. 12025, 0115, 11-09-2012, ID in vernacular from Trans World Radio India, via Uzbekistan (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 4749.95, RRI Makassar, 1302-1332, Sept 18. Last week’s Kang Guru Indonesia programming in English was preempted by special coverage of a political event, but this Tuesday Kevin and Ana were back again with KGI; poor with Bangladesh Betar QRM. Friendly email from Ana who is just back from a “long Idul Fitri break”. Contact info: Rahma Diana Sari (Ana) ELT Media & Communications Co-ordinator Kang Guru Indonesia, P.O. Box 3095, Denpasar 80030 Bali Indonesia (0361) 225243 Office (0361) 263 509 Fax E-mail: rsari @ ialf.edu Website: http://www.kangguru.org/ (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 4869.92, RRI Wamena, 1032 talk by M announcer to about 1035, then into Indo pop songs. Oddly better than 4749.96 Makassar which was there but not audible. M announcer at 1057, then nice IS melody twice, and music filler and nice ID by M at 1058:30 and apparent news with mentions of Indonesia, Jambi. 1101 choral song then studio M announcer returned. 1003 canned announcement by M over music, then march song at 1004 for about half a minutes, canned M announcement, then live studio W announcer, music bridge, and discussion by same W and M. Fading. Better and clear on the Delta Loop. (13 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 9526-, Sept 13 at 1238, another day with no signal at all from VOI; nor when checked after 1300, nor after 1400 when CRI Russian had no het (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nor any day since altho not bothered to non-log (gh, Sep 21) ** INDONESIA. Noted peak of RRI Jakarta Cimanggis on 9680.053 kHz footprint today, well on adjacent RTI Taiwan and China mainland jamming on 9680 even. 73 wb, (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, UT Sept 18 circa 1235, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also CHINA Firedrake ** INDONESIA. News on Voice of Indonesia Tour program: Kabul Budiono of RRI World Service Informs via Facebook about the following News Story: http://sumsel.antaranews.com/berita/266391/siaran-radio-gelombang-pendek-digemari-masyarakat-dunia The News story is in Indonesian; a Google Translate reveals as follows:- Favored short-wave radio broadcasts of the world Sunday, 16 September 2012 20:26 PM Jimbaran (ANTARA Sumsel) - Program via shortwave radio broadcasts still favored by some people in various countries in the world, including in Indonesia who defended the tradition in the heart of modernization. Head Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) Foreign Broadcast Voice of Indonesia (VOI) Budiono Kabul, said it was co-winner of the quiz time international "of Wonderful Indonesia", in Kedonganan Beach, Jimbaran, Saturday (15/9) night. "Listening to the radio is still a part of the lifestyle of citizens abroad, the evidence from five foreign nationals from different countries, four of which admit often heard on the radio through the waves 'shortwave' (SW)," he said. SW radio listeners through the majority originating from South Asia. While the Europeans tend via audio streaming. "Therefore the current radio can be a means that should be taken into account in various ways, including promoting tourism of Indonesia, one of which is international format of the quiz," he said. Decentralization means the radio quiz through fifth set quiz winner knows Indonesia, despite entirely unprecedented Motherland foot on this earth. "I recognize Indonesia VOI broadcasts in SW," said Tarek Zeidan, quiz winner from Egypt. It concurs presented Keith Sedgwick, winner other than English quiz. He said, had been craving to be on holiday to Indonesia, however, because the cost of running high up can only know its beauty through radio broadcasts. "I really want to come here but for an Englishman, came to Indonesia requires a lot of money. To visit me need to cost hundreds of millions. So an Englishman who came to this country means belong to the rich," he said (via Partha Sarathi Goswami, India, dxldyg via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. BBC ESTIMATES INTERNET DISTRIBUTION OF CONTENT TAKES THREE TIMES THE POWER OF BROADCAST TRANSMITTERS. Posted: 15 Sep 2012 go-eurovision.com, 9 Sept 2012, Roger Miles: "Here at the EBU's stand at IBC 2012, one of the presentations is more than a little disquieting. Simon Tuff, chairman of the EBU's Green Broadcasting group (pictured, mid-presentation, on the EBU booth), provides some chilling evidence that our industry is anything but 'cool' and it is in grave danger of becoming even less ecologically sustainable if we abandon traditional terrestrial broadcasting ('sticks on hills') in favour of distributing all our content over the internet. The BBC estimates that using the internet for the distribution of content to large audiences is three times more power hungry than serving the same audience with the same content using terrestrial broadcast transmitters. There was corroborating evidence for this from the Netherlands, mentioned by my colleague Bram Tullemans in his presentation on Media over Broadband, too. ... So, how do we green our seemingly inevitable adoption of IP technologies for broadcasting? One answer might be to use each technology for what it does best. Well engineered and maintained transmitters using state-of-the-art modulation techniques are the most sustainable way of delivering high quality content to our audiences. Internet Protocol technologies are ideally suited to conveying associated programme information (actors' biographies, sporting statistics, track and CD titles and artwork etc.) to individuals for their greater enjoyment, understanding and immersion in the broadcast programmes." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) "To large audiences" is the important qualification of these findings. Most international broadcasters have small audiences, and therefore are better off using the internet -- where it is not blocked, and where people have access to it. Furthermore, the use of the internet by international broadcasters requires decisions as to what sort of content should conveyed: audio, video, web pages, or social media? Most international broadcasters can't afford "all of the above," and, in any case, most of their audiences do not, via the internet, consume "all of the above." Here, good research can prevent the waste of money, resources, and effort (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) Media UK, 15 Sept 2012, James Cridland: "[U]nlike any streaming radio apps, broadcast radio doesn't use bandwidth [sic! --- gh]. With RadioDNS hybrid radio apps on your phone, that use IP and FM/DAB together to provide an app-like user experience for broadcast radio, radio's future is particularly bright. And should Apple, or Pandora, ever launch their 'radio' service in the UK, they'll have to cope with the ever increasing problems of 'unlimited data' that is increasingly showing itself to be impossible to offer while maintaining a viable service." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** IRAN. 11945, V.O.I.R.I., 1528 Sept 15, instrumental music began, 1530 English s/on, “This is the Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”, chorus, ID again, schedule, website for streaming audio and satellite channel, 1532:30 Islamic devotional. Fair, // 13780 fair- good (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active whip antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN [non]. R. Rehoye Iran in Farsi will be back on shortwave from Sep. 20: 1700-1730 on 7530 KCH 100 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Mon-Fri. Tests on Sep 14!! (DX Re Mix News, Bulgaria, 18 September via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) ** IRELAND [non]. 17685, 1632, 09-09-2012, conversations about sports. SINPO 55545. Also adverts at 1644 and IDs as "RTE Radio One". So, this is RTE Ireland relaying some program originally targeted to a local audience in Ireland. Not listed in Eibi A-12 nor in Aoki A-12, but frequency likely to be used next September 23 and today September 09 to broadcast some sport events from RTE Ireland, maybe, via Meyerton, South Africa. Also there was at least one segment into Afrikaans! (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It was the hurling final, which ended in a draw, so to be replayed on Sept 30. The Sept 23 broadcast will be the football final, all on the same frequencies. 17685 is via UK, not South Africa as on 17540. Can`t imagine why they would include any Afrikaans (or even Dutch). Had it been Meyerton, possibly a switching error (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I guessed they were operating via Meyerton. I didn’t know it could be via UK. I neither don’t know why they included Afrikaans during this transmission. As far as I know it is spoken in South Africa, so it can be a way to inform Afrikaaners as well. [Later:] Leonardo, thank you for your report and interest. The other language is 'Irish' or 'Gaelic' which is our own language. I have attached a personalised E-QSL card for your records (Cyril Ryan, RTE, hearus at rte.ie via Leonardo Santiago, DXLD) Card has satellite photo of entire Ireland on front, QSL data on back, not including transmitter site (gh, DXLD) RTE Radio One will broadcast the All-Ireland Football Final on Sunday, Sep. 23 on the following shortwave frequencies to Africa: 1300-1600 on 17540 MEY 250 kW / 005 deg to EaAf 1300-1700 on 7505 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf 1300-1700 on 17685 SKN 300 kW / 160 deg to SoAf 1600-1700 on 11945 MEY 250 kW / 005 deg to EaAf [sic; Sept 9 broadcast last hour was on 11915 --- gh] (DX Re Mix News, Bulgaria, 18 September via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) WRN confirms that it will stay on 11915, not typo 11945 (gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. 15850, 2151, 07-09-2012, guitar music and comments in Hebrew by male. Then a song in English called "Lola". Galei Zahal, Tel Aviv-Yavne SINPO 55445 (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6973.0, Galei Zahal, Israeli Defense Forces Radio with outstanding S9 + 10 dB signal at 0140Z with back to back western pops. Anncs by female at 0145. QRM from LSB marine station. TOH giving times and frequencies in presumed Yiddish, into "ABC by the Jackson 5." 09/03 (Chuck Rippel, Chesapeake VA, Microtelecom Perseus, WinRadio G33DDC Excalibur-Pro, Cumbre DX via DXLD) I would presume Hebrew (gh) ** ITALY. 4890, 8.9 2030, R U-boat 66 är en italiensk pirat ifrån Milano som spelade Simple Red och U 2. DO (Dan Oloffson, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 16 via DXLD) Probably 3 x 1630? (gh, DXLD) ** ITALY [non]. 17770, 1655, 12-09-2012, waiting for the sign-on from the Italian Radio Relay Service, but I noticed a very strong open carrier on 17775 from 1656. So, I wanted to focus my log on this, but it didn't start any programming after 1700. They switched off at 1703, then I confirmed that IRRS was on 17770 with the Overcomer Ministry, but weak and I found again the mysterious strong carrier but this time 10 kHz below on 17765, and the only thing I could hear was the very thin echo from the English program on 17770 from IRRS. So, what can it be? Glenn Hauser in USA has been reporting some frequencies with open carriers. I also noticed about two more of them; they were on 41 and 31 meters. Traditionally I have seen that broadcasters used to test by broadcasting music or anything else, but empty tests are not very common. Once again they changed frequency: at 1725 they moved to 17760, so IRRS is clear, despite poor reception. At 1740 moved to 17765. Strong carrier!! Again, 17770 thin echo. 1745 moved to 17760. (??) (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [sic; non!]. 15215, IRRS, 1359 Instrumental NA and English ID by M. Into Brother Stair already in progress at 1400. Good signal for IRRS. (16 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) It`s not a national anthem but the Triumphal March from Verdi`s opera ``Aïda``, also making me wonder if another report of the ``Italian NA`` at an IRRS sign-off was also really that? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** JAPAN. 774, JOUB Akita (NHK-2), 1340-1348, Sept 19. Chinese language lesson and in Japanese; this is a first for me, as I normally just hear English language lessons here; poor-fair. Certainly this is the easiest Trans-Pacific for me to hear (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN. 6055, Radio Nikkei, 1401 Sept 15, Japanese, interviewing a Western jazz singer on her visit to Japan, she in English, interviewer in Japanese, also playing some of her songs. Good, // 3925 good, 9595 fair. 3925, 6055 and 9595, Radio Nikkei, 0754 Sept 17, Japanese, noted on all three frequencies before listed sign-on of 0800. Listings continue to show Radio Nikkei signing on at 0800 on 3925, but I've heard them there more than once before that hour. Any idea what the actual s/on time is? (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9760, Sept 18 at 0548 Japanese talk, soon // 9595, slightly better on 9760; 9595 is R. Nikkei program 1, 9760 program 2, but obviously simulcasting at least now. 9760 goes off at 0610 except weekends per EiBi. 6055, Wed Sept 19 at 1314, R. Nikkei is in English for a biminute talking about the seasons and festival dates; 1316 briefly in Japanese, back to English, no doubt an advanced language lesson (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN [non]. 11970, 0517, 07-09-2012, English language program by both male and female about some Japanese traditional market. Especially talking about some "fish market". Also about how to look for fish in the traditional markets by asking experts about it. SINPO 45444. RJ in English via Issoudun, FRANCE (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6110, Sept 15 at 0524, open carrier/dead air from Sackville instead of NHK World Radio in English. Was it thus from the onset at 0500?? Weakly audible OK on 5975 via UK; and NHK Spanish via BONAIRE was fine on 6080 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also CANADA ** KASHMIR [non]. See PAKISTAN transmitter discussion ** KOREA NORTH [non]. CLANDESTINE, 3480, V. of the People (presumed). Signal here with strains of audio. Did get M announcer vocal music at 1101, but mostly just at threshold. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. LISTLOGIA: 9385, Radio Free Asia via Tinian, Mariana Islands (presumed); 2153-2158:07*, 11-Sep; At tune-in, sounded like preachy English; 2155 M in Asian language; gave web or e-mail addy with "orea" heard. Aoki lists RFA in Korean going off at 2200. Much thanks to B.S. for vacating 9385. SIO=352 (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 15630, 1313, 09-09-2012, Korean language program, with music by female. Very bad reception, hardly audible and some QRM. CMI Voice of Wilderness, via Dushanbe-Yangiyul [TAJIKISTAN] (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15630, Sept 14 at 1310, weak exotic vocal music; can`t be Greece at this hour on this frequency. Aoki shows it can only be V. of Wilderness, the Californian Christian clandestine, 100 kW, 70 degrees from TAJIKISTAN at 1300-1330 (extended to 1430 on Sundays) (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH [non]. LISTENING TO SOUTH KOREAN RADIO FROM NORTH KOREA Here is an interesting blog post from a recent North Korean defector describing how she managed to listen to South Korean radio when living in North Korea: Ask a North Korean: What do people really think of South Koreans? http://www.nknews.org/2012/09/ask-a-north-korean-what-do-people-really-think-of-south-koreans/ Cheers, (Mark Fahey, Sydney, Australia, Sent from my iPad, Sep 17, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH [and non]. KBS World Radio News --- Just heard World of Radio via WRN Europe stream, (0800-0830 UT); it was great as usual, Next I hear daily on WRN Europe is 0830-0900 UT is KBS World Radio, (repeat in WRN NAm is 0930-1000 UT). Just heard in the mailbag program, they said about the fate of KBS World Radio to USA, the Sackville relay will be replaced by direct Kimjae Transmissions - but there may be a gap - yes, a gap because they are getting two new transmitters for Kimjae at the end of this year, that will be installed and used to transmit towards America, and the host mentioned it`s an in-house information, yes, not published so she is uncertain about the actual gap period but there will be a gap as Sackville will be closed by the last week of October 2012 (Partha Sarathi Goswami, Siliguri, W.B., India, dxingwithcumbre yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) 9650, Sept 15 at 1248, KBS WR starts Kevin O`Donovan`s 2-sesquiminute Listening Tips, mentioning that autumnal equinox is best time for him in NM to hear V. of Mongolia along the grayline, English at 1000 on 12015, but no luck now due to QRM. [Axually English is supposed to be on 12085 and at 1030, but this hour blocked by CNR1 jamming, apparently because VOM dares to broadcast in Chinese at 1000, as recently explained in DXLD. Try 1530 on 12015] {Axuallly, 1030 UT = 3:30 am MST, some 3 hours before sunrise would be pretty far from a grayline path} Kevin always concludes with upcoming sports coverage on SiriusXM, yawn. There was some important news about KBSWR elsewhen on today`s broadcast, which Partha Sarathi Goswami reports to the DXLD yg that he caught at 0830 on WRN Europe following WORLD OF RADIO at 0800 Saturdays: [as above] More importantly, perhaps, they may not have any appropriate antennas for NAm back in the homeland; current HFCC shows the only azimuths anywhere eastward from Kimjae are 81 and 96 degrees, mainly for short hops to Japan, I think, and too far southward for NAm. Geez, there are several other potential relay sites they could still use to NAm, such as Guiana French or WHRI, and could be even better than Sackville, especially if they could find a clear frequency for a change (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH. Recent FM Es Philippines to [from] South Korea. Times LOCAL Philippine time GMT+8, 9-11-2012 [sic; I suppose the dates below are incorrect] FM Es 88.9, SOUTH KOREA 1648 lite pop vocal music (Wiseblood- Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 102.3, SOUTH KOREA 1702 radio play in KR featuring several actors (Wiseblood-Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 102.9, SOUTH KOREA 1705 M in KR giving a report over the phone (Wiseblood-Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) 106.3, SOUTH KOREA 1707 two M in KR w/discussion (Wiseblood-Tuao, CAGAYAN Philippines 9/10/12) (Steven C. Wiseblood, Tuao, CAGAYAN, Philippines, Radio, ULTRALIGHT: Kchibo KK-D6110, Sept 13, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also CHINA ** KOSOVO. REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO (To Be On The Air Soon!). Excerpts from the IARU Region 1 Web page reports: "Monday, September 10, 2012 marked the end of supervised independence of the Republic of Kosovo, a European country with a population of 2 million, and the beginning of its status as a fully sovereign state." It also states, "Kosovo is now an independent country, which must be honored as such. As of today, a total of 91 countries, including most of the industrialized world, such as USA, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and France along with the Benelux and Nordic countries, have recognized the Republic of Kosovo. These powers have endorsed the final settlement, the fulfilment of which is now celebrated in Kosovo's capital Prishtina. An Amateur Radio working group headed by IARU Region 1 President Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, and including IARU Region 1 Executive Committee Member Nikola Percin, 9A5W and Mission Goodwill Kosovo Coordinator Martti Laine, OH2BH, together with their associates are in the final stages of assisting Kosovo's Telecom Authorities in drafting regulations governing Amateur Radio in Kosovo, to bring the original Kosovar operators and their re-vitalized Amateur Radio Association back to the international community. The IARU Region 1 Web page is at: http://www.iaru-r1.org (Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1079, September 17, 2012, Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio) via J. Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD) By all means, every potential country should be recognized in order to beef up DXCC (gh, DXLD) Z60K - The Republic of Kosovo now on air - * Sept 17 - Z60K - Launch of Amateur Radio in Pristina, Kosovo. IARU Project. Z60K now listed on Club Log with the following message: Provisionally The Republic of Kosovo - pending news from ARRL. This DXCC is temporarily marked as a current DXCC entity in Club Log in order to allow the expedition log search features to function correctly. Approval for this operation will come from ARRL alone. On September 17, shortly after 17z, international and local ops started operating as Z60K from near Pristina, Kosovo on both 20 and 17m SSB. Operators included Emil 9A9A, Bob MD0CCE, Martti OH2BH and Pekka OH2TA. Local TV recorded the moment live on air. QSL via G3TXF. Full details at: http://www.iaru-r1.org/ ************ ********* ********* ********* **** 73 and Good DX! (via Dave Raycroft, VA3RJ, ICPO via ODXA yg via DXLD) In questi giorni si ascolta in radio Z60K. Trattasi di una stazione om del Kosovo. Il Kosovo è un nuovo country. Allo stato attuale, questa stazione è illeggittima nel senso che è vero che è del Kosovo ma non è ancora riconosciuta nel mondo OM. Solo la ITU può assegnare i prefissi, e ad oggi non vi è alcuna assegnazione al Kosovo. Quindi le operazioni con il suddetto call sono da considerarsi al momento non legittime (Enrico, Sept 18, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Says illegitimate! ** KURDISTAN. 4865, Voice of Iranian Kurdistan, via Salah Al-Din, Iraq, *0224 here and *0226 on // 3960, Sep 10 and next days, Anthem from 0229 on 4865 and same anthem and same ID from 0231 on 3960. Checked carefully find that the program on 4865 is ahead with 1 to 2 minutes (1 or 2 for different days). So it is one radio and not two radiostations as I thought first (Rumen Pankov, Sofia, Bulgaria DSWCI DX Window Sept 19 via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [non]. 11510, UKRAINE, Denge Kurdistan, 0555 Sept 13, Kurdish, female speaker and some music leading up to 0600, then some fanfare type music and announcements by woman and then man. Poor (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Via UKRAINE. 11510, Denge Kurdistan, *0300-0320, Sept 14, sign on with Kurdistan National Anthem. Kurdish music at 0304. Indigenous vocals. Poor in noisy conditions (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) More about Denge Kurdistan --- An amendment: What the "Kurdish" mux on Eutelsat 9A carries on SID 2202 is now indeed a Kurdish music clip channel, presented as MMC. This picture http://www.denderleeuw.be/_uploads/Afbeeldingen_teksten/Verkeer/De%20Nayerstraat.JPG shows to the right the building of Roj NV, as it becomes obvious when comparing with photos from rallies and police raids that appear when googling. The sign "Globe Show Center" points at the "ordinary" production business they are doing as well. A possible rationale for Dengê Kurdistan referring to Stiftelsen Kurdisk Media in Sweden is that Sweden is much more reluctant to act against such Kurdish media outlets than other countries. Of course it is hard to tell to which extent perhaps also the programming is prepared at Nacka in Sweden, which not necessarily contradicts at playout at Denderleeuw. For the shortwave transmission side it is remarkable that they replaced 11530 after so many years. Was there a technical reason, or was it the primary, perhaps even only purpose of this frequency change to set a sharp caesura? What also remains is the question about Miraya FM, which apparently disappeared from shortwave as of Sep 1. It was besides Dengê Mezopotamya the only shortwave service left at Luch. This, together with the frequency change and the remarkably strong signal, was the trigger of the suspicion that 11510 could now originate from elsewhere and Luch is no longer available for shortwave transmissions (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Sept 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KUWAIT. Tried to send e-mail report to R Kuwait. Apparently the address in WRTH 2012 is not valid as the mail bounces. Correct e-mail address, anyone? 73 (Anders Eriksson, cumbre DX via DXLD) I just tried and it did not bounce to me? Did you get "invalid address" bounce or which? 73, (Mauno Ritola, ibid.) 15540, Sept 18 at 1959, R. Kuwait is a JBA carrier, and likewise from *2002 the Arabic service on 17550. By 2108 the latter has improved a bit to very poor. As summer is about to exit, so is the relatively reliable reception of R. Kuwait, and they are loath to make seasonal frequency changes (like down to 11990 which would help a lot). Maybe we will still have some good days for the 1800-2100 English, but vary a lot as they hit the night-path lowering MUF barrier on controlling first hop out of Kuwait. How is it in target Europe? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15540, Radio Kuwait, 1802 Sept 19, English, lengthy promotion of Islam, introducing a program “Under the Umbrella of Islam” profiling converts to Islam, which today was a former Irish Catholic bishop. Good (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBYA. Today, Sep. 13 LBY in Arabic starting at 1500 UT on 11600. 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, LBY 11600 on air again at 1530 UT Sept 13 in pure Arabic. Like in previous days, S=9+5 dB medium powered signal on various remote receiver units in Europe and Asia, but modulation is only about 50% lower than carrier, mostly on afternoon time slot. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Sept 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) En 11600 kHz me parece que es Radio Libia en árabe, mucho ruido, 1759 UT en adelante. Es una emisión en árabe en 11600 kHz, 1803 UT. No sé si es Libia, mencionaron "Liby". Ahora en 11600 confirmado Radio Libia, muy buena señal 1818 UT. Radio Libia Reactivada? Sigue la emision en 11600, entra en la 2da hora de transmision (Ernesto Paulero, Argentina, Sept 16, series of posts to condiglista yg via DXLD) Hola Glenn, Saludos cordiales, hoy domingo 16 de septiembre está entrando Radio Libia después del cierre de Radio Int de China en Swahili, o sea a partir de las 1800 UT. Te mando la grabación. Por momentos entra bastante fuerte por acá por Argentina. [Luego:] esta es de las 1843 UT para que escuches como entra ahora (Ernesto Paulero, Argentina, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Muchas gracias, Ernesto por las grabaciones. Después de las 19 sólo pude captar una señal muy débil en la frecuencia (Glenn to Ernesto, via DXLD) Viz.: 11600, Sept 16 at 1935, JBA carrier with flutter, presumed reactivated Tripoli. Checked after receiving a couple of clips from Ernesto Paulero demonstrating a good signal into Argentina during the previous hour. I`ve never had decent reception of this one here. Is it just propagation, or is it also direxional southwest instead of northwest? (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Evidente reactivación de Radio Libia --- ayer a partir del cierre de Radio Internacional de China en 11600 por lo menos por dos horas o sea hasta las 2000 UT estuvo en el aire. Hoy a partir de las 1800 está en 11600 en árabe. Si alguien puede encontrar la página de internet, si es que la tiene, de Radio Libia; agradezco (Ernesto Paulero, Sept 17, condiglist yg via DXLD) Radio Libia --- reactivada en 11600 kHz, ya van 3 días de emisión entre las 1800 y las 2000 (Ernesto Paulero, 1933 UT Sept 18, ibid.) Radio Libya again on short waves, but now in Arabic, ex in French: 1500-2200 on 11600, time varies, 1700-1800 strong co-channel from CRI in Swahili (DX Re Mix News, Bulgaria, 18 September via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. 7295, Traxx FM, 1506 Sept 15, English, man with news and sports, pause for a minute at 1510 then into pop music. Poor (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active whip antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALI. 5995, RTVM, *0559-0620, Sept 17, sign on with flute IS and opening French ID announcements. Vernacular talk at 0600. Wide variety of local tribal music, indigenous vocals, and Afro-pop music. Strong signal strength but weak modulation. 5995, RTVM, 2325-0004*, Sept 17-18, wide variety of Afro-pop music, local tribal music and indigenous vocals. French announcements. Poor. Weak with adjacent channel splatter (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** MALI. 15125, 1635, 07-09-2012, open carrier, good signal strength but extremely low modulation from China Radio International in Arabic, via Bamako (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MAURITANIA. 7245, Sept 14 at 0546, IGIM is on and chanting, since it`s Fribbath, after having been missing previous mornings. 7245, Sept 15 at 0526, no signal from IGIM on the Sabbath unlike the Fribbath 24 hours earlier. [and non]. 7245, Sept 17 at 0453, IGIM is on and chanting this Monday, but quite undermodulated, and much weaker than adjacent 7240 DW Kigali English at 295 degrees USward, which will be over in a few minutes. 7245, Sept 18 at 0523, IGIM is on and chanting, but quite undermodulated; much better level e.g. on Tunisia 7275 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Martedì 18 settembre 2012: Per alcuni giorni mi è sembrata spenta, mentre questa mattina R. MAURITANIE era di nuovo presente su 7245, verso le 0540 (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, playdx yg via DXLD) 7245, Wed Sept 19 at 0537, IGIM is on and chanting at S9+15 level but quite undermodulated (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 620, Sept 17 at 1142 UT, promo news hour at 5 pm, promo ``Conozca Tlaxcala``, which means this is from anywhere else, mentions Cadena RASA, SEP PSA; 1145 back to ``Catálogo de la música que llegó para quedarse`` (music which is here to stay). All this fits only for XENK, Radio 6-20 in México DF as in http://www.620.com.mx/ which includes a coverage map barely reaching Tulancingo. Cantú says site is really San Andrés de la Cañada, Estado de México (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 660, Sept 17 at 1141 UT, mentions of ``radio pública``, Ciudad de México, Radio Ciudadana, IMER, full ID for XEDTL, 50 kW. Tho at night, i.e. now, it`s supposed to be only 1 kW (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 710, Sept 19 at 0557 UT, ``Soy Soldado``, the super- patriotic recitation some stations play, for whom the belligerent national anthem is not enough, atop English station KGNC or KCMO. No doubt it`s XEDP Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, the usual prime XE on 710 here (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 720, Sept 17 at 1157 UT, 6:57 TC by YL DJ, ``La Kaliente``, soon covered by stronger open carrier, see next log. The first one is of course, XEDE in Saltillo, Coahuila, which doesn`t know how to spell ``hot``, supposedly only 250 watts at night, 8 kW days per Cantú, and the main source of QRM to WGN (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 720, Sept 17 at *1157 UT, open carrier comes on atop XEDE; 1200:25 XE NA starts, but fading out by 1202 sign-on. It does loop much further west than XEDE; into discussion of riesgos, temor (risks and fear). It must be one of these two per Cantú: 720 XEJCC Extremo 7-20 Cd. Juárez, Chih. 1,000 1,0000 [sic, as India?] 720 XEVU Éxtasis Digital + FM 97.1 Mazatlán, Sin. 1,000 500 XEVU would not be a talk format overall, and XEJCC is a confusing case. Altho Cantú has it on 720 now, IRCA list last year still had it on 1520, but ``moved to 720?``, and the format then was ranchera; XEJCC pertains to Grupo Radio México, and its station list at http://www.gradiomex.com/?page_id=6 still shows: ``XEJCC-AM 1520 Khz. LA 15 20 ROCK VARIADO`` Wikipedia says: ``Ahora es Adquirida por Grupo Radio México con la frecuencia 720 AM con el nombre Extremo 7-20 y con el formato de Música Pop en Inglés y Español.`` I had a similar tentative log of XEJCC 720 on Sept 21 of last year. See also USA: KSAH 720 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 750, Sept 14 at 0601, in WSB null, XE NA, 0603.5 unfamiliar state anthem until 0607.5, no ID, then a federal PSA extolling something about México, and finally YL ID mentioning ``Éxtasis Digital, 89.5 FM and 750 AM`` (pronounced in ENGLISH!), no call or location heard but that combo leads only per Cantú to: 750 XECSI Éxtasis Digital + FM 89.5 Culiacán, Sinaloa 5,000 250 differentiating it from the other E.D. on 750, Acapulco whose FM is on 107.5; both supposedly 250 watts at night, and 5 kW day in case they forgot to do something (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 750, Sept 19 at 0559 UT weak music in WSB null, 0600 full ID for XHCSI 89.5 y XECSI 750, then choral NA. Cantú: 750 XECSI Éxtasis Digital + FM 89.5 Culiacán, Sin. 5,000 250 Not bad for 250 vs 50000 watts. Welcome to Sinaloa, Brother (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 790, Sept 13 at 1215 UT, ``Radio Fórmula, 790 La Paz``, promo a L-V programa at 5:30-10 am, 1217 news about Benghazi and Cairo. Cantú: 790 XENT Radio Fórmula + FM 97.5 La Paz, B.C.S. 10,000 750 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 870, Sept 15 at 1216, mañanitas long version on and on, no doubt XETAR Guachochi, Chihuahua, as also heard a few minutes earlier in native language; now weak but mostly clear. Sunrise skip from NW Mexico was below average today. Enid LSR: 1214 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 900, Sept 13 at 1208 UT, ``Hits FM 98.3`` from Cuauhtémoc, ``música country``, automated TC for ``seis, ocho``, then C&W song in English. So is this format by definition music only in English? Cantú: 900 XEDT Hits FM + FM 98.3 Cd. Cuauhtémoc, Chih. 5,000 1,500 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 920, Sept 13 at 1202 UT, Chihuahua anthem, so it can only be this one per Cantú: 920 XEQD Romance + FM 95.7 Chihuahua, Chih. 1,000 250 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 980, Sept 15 at 1202 UT, temp and time ``5:02 en Cananea, Sonora``, refers to ``radio pública`` more than once, ID in passing as XEFQ. It`s the IMER station whose formal name La Voz de la Ciudad del Cobre was not heard today. 980, Sept 18 at 1202 UT, news report on ``digitalization`` of IMER stations in Mexico City being completed, so this must be the IMER station in Cananea, Sonora again, XEFQ. See also 1570 XERF log (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 1000, Sept 18 at 1204 UT, NA ending and Ciudad Juárez mentioned, making slow SAH with KTOK OKC, nulled as best I could. So it`s the usual XE SRS occupant as in Cantú: 1000 XEFV La Rancherita Cd. Juárez, Chih. 1,000 D 1000, Sept 19 at 0559 UT, KTOK OKC is conveniently in dead air, allowing clear ``La Rancherita`` slogan to be heard especially when nulled, before KTOK remodulates just prior to 0600; i.e. XEFV Ciudad Juárez, Chih (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 1040, Sept 17 at 1223 UT: music, poor signal, ``90.1, la número uno``. Cantú shows: 1040 XEGYS La Primera + FM 90.1 Guaymas, Sonora 5,000 250 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 6185, Sept 17 at 0500, XEPPM music is still playing until cut off abruptly at 0502:40* while carrier stays on a while longer. I soon tune to XEEP on MW 1060: 1060, Sept 17 at 0504 UT, world news in Spanish, looping N/S with dominant signal, including clips of PBXVI in French from Lebanon at 0507; and later somebody in English soon voice-overed; 0513 Radio Francia Internacional ID in passing. At least on weekdays, R. Educación has long relayed news from RFI at local midnight = 0500 UT, when it used to be simulcast on SW. (Likely recorded several hours earlier as RFI is not known to have any Spanish broadcast itself at 0500) (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES ** MEXICO. 1300, Sept 18 at 1217 UT = Enid LSR today, Radio México Noticias, from Ciudad Juárez, also greeting listeners en El Paso, Las Cruces, Univérsity Park, but not Enid. XEP has no problem overriding Tulsa around LSR, more so than other 1220+ stations, with its odd 38 kW daypower, vs 200 watts at night, but I wonder about its direxionality if any. Maybe the pending new NRC Pattern Book will show it. Cantú: 1300 XEP Radio 13 Cd. Juárez, Chih. 38,000 200 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 1570, Sept 18 at 1219 UT, XERF with glowing report on IMER`s digitalization of its 9 stations in the DF having been completed, lauded even by Pres. Calderón himself`s soundbite (pato cojo hasta el 30 de noviembre). Must be continuation of report started earlier on 980 XEFQ, q.v. They enumerated 94.5, 105.7 and 107.9 but did not hear any other FMs or AMs mentioned specifically. IMER website http://www.imer.com.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=269&Itemid=91 shows only 7 stations in the DF, the others being 660, 710, 1220, 1350, so these are presumably now IBOC too; the ``digital`` system not specified, but AFAIK, DRM lost the battle, and IBOC is already running on a few commercial border stations (FM only?). Previous news was that all IMER stations nationwide would be digital by yearend. This program is from the ``Sistema Nacional de Noticias`` (a.k.a. Antena Radio?). 1570 soon losing out to another SS at 1222, ESPN; See OKLAHOMA (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MICRONESIA. 4755.44, Pohnpei, The Cross Radio, fair to good signal at 0800. 14 September (Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D -746Pro - R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4755.4, The Cross Radio, 0735 Sept 17, Christian songs, 0739 heard man giving a website, too weak to discern any other details. Very poor (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONGOLIA. 12085, V. of Mongolia, 1043:20 end of local song and studio W announcer with ID and then reading from listeners letters. Cut her off at 1058:07. Oddly way over adjacent R. Australia 12080 for once (17 Sept.) No chance for V. of Mongolia on 12015 at 1530 English as RTTY was just blasting away. 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) See also KOREA SOUTH ** MOROCCO [and non]. 9570, Sept 15 at 0530, distorted hummy French blob, with BFO, unstable so no carrier can be pinpointed. A spur from something? Didn`t have to go far to match the audio on another receiver: 9575, so it`s right next to source R. Médi Un, which sounded softer. Fortunately no match on the other side as weaker Africa No. Un, Gabon remained in the clear on 9580 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MYANMAR. 7110, Kachin R., 1126 tuned in and found it was playing the exact same song with W vocalist again that it played at 1126 at least twice within the last week!!! Has a catchy melodic hook. Must be #1 on the Myanmar charts. (14 Sept.) 7110, Kachin R. And yes, they played that same pop song with girl vocalist from 1123 to 1130 again!! Every day!! (16 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) 7110, Kachin R. Still getting audio an hour and a half [sic] after sunrise, 1232. Signal still showing up in the display around 1325 but not at 1355. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) 7110, Sept 14 at 1244, Kachin Radio better than usual, S9+12 with flutter, vocal music vs CW QRhaM (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MYANMAR. 7110, Thazin Radio, 1306 Sept 14, Burmese, Western pop tunes from the 80s sung in Burmese, occasional female speaker. Poor, ham CW QRM. And at 1430 English s/on by woman, “Good evening dear listeners...Thazin Radio...”, SW and FM frequencies, again “Good evening our dear listeners...” then introducing and into Western popular music. Fair (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thazin Radio, 1430-1500: Hi Ron, Thanks for the tip. Much weaker here today (Sept 4) at the same time, mixed with Russian hams. Seems to be on 7109.991 kHz, so tuning 10 Hz below might make your good signal even better in SSB. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, SW Bulletin Sept 16 via DXLD) 7110, Thazin Radio, daily from 1430 to 1500, in English. Finally was able to decipher their email address today and sent off a reception report. In less than two hours received this: "Firstly, thank you for listening to our Thazin radio programs. I am very glad for your e-mail. You can suggest for our programs to be better. We are just new station. We are trying to get better perfromance. If you have any suggestion, stay in touch with us. Be happy THAZIN RADIO" From: Thazin Radio Rather a generic message, but am still happy making any kind of contact with them (Ron Howard, Calif., Sept 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MYANMAR. 7185.74, R. Myanmar (presumed). Signal already there at 1039 but much too weak. Getting talk by W at 1040-1050, then went into Asian Pop music. M announcer at 1054 to 1104 then same W joined in. Had brief Asian pop music bridges several times during chatter after 1107 and echo was also added to the W audio after 1114. 1117-1120 Asian C&W song!! M announcer, then another C&W sounded song to 1123. W returned but without the echo 1123-1127, music bridge, then M announcer with 2 music bridges to 1130, and a pleasant Asian pop song 1130-1135 and M returned. Pretty decent signal peaking around 1125. Occasional ham QRM on the high side, then pounded by a ham on the low side after 1138. Blasted out by hams all around it by 1154. No signal showing by 1223 check but 7110 was still there. (16 Sept.) 7185.75, R. Myanmar, 1115-1201 Asian pop music program hosted by W announcer. M announcer at 1201 but hams all around were interfering at this time. 5985.82 was getting blasted by R. Martí. I did get bits of audio at times there. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) On 7185.5 now (1200 UT 18 Sept 12). 7110 also heard but with different programs. Thanking you, Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Jose, nothing heard at 1235 UT on v7185, but noted proper signal of Myanmar in Japan and CA-US remote units. Exact 7109.992 kHz and 7200 kHz footprints (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) Hi Wolfy and Jose, Myanmar on 7185.76v noted Sept 18 with 1220*. Fair with clear audio. This seems to the the primary frequency, as it was so strong, unlike the very weak and very faint signals recently heard from the former spur on 7185.85. So it seems to me 7185.76v is really ex: 7200.11 (Ron Howard, while listening at Asilomar State Beach, Calif., dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MYANMAR. 7200.088, R. Myanmar (presumed). Noted the signal when checking for Kachin, but didn't pay much attention to it. After seeing Ron Howard`s logging, I went back and restored the Perseus file, tuned it in, and found with end of simple percussion, then soft-spoken W announcer in Asian language. Ham QRM. The Perseus recording was only about 2 minutes (12 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) Dave -- At what time was your reception of Myanmar on 7200? By the way, I've checked 7110 almost every morning for 10 days ending on September 12 (when we left Vineyard Haven, Mass. for home), and I've heard that same catchy tune every single day somewhere between 1110 and 1130. Thanks (Art Delibert, MD, ibid.) ** MYANMAR. 7345, Myanmar Rakhine Broadcasting Station (presumed), 1145-1200, Sept 19. Normally this would be covered by a strong CNR1, but a few times recently, like today, CNR1 was one hour late signing on, leaving Rakhine in the clear; in vernacular and playing EZL pop songs till covered at 1200 by a strong sign on of CNR1 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEWFOUNDLAND [and non]. 6160.9, Sept 15 at 0525, I haven`t checked the het between CKZN and CKZU lately, so: it`s somewhere between A5 880 Hz and Bb 932 Hz; call it .9 kHz or so, tho CKZU has been measured slightly below 6160 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. 9655, 1220, 10-09-2012, educational topics with an interview to a professor in the United States talking about his personal experience in higher education. Radio New Zealand International. SINPO 35443 (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. Despite strong DRM signal on 17675 kHz at 2340 UT Sept 15, though I was lazy to do the decode procedure, but noted // 15720 kHz AM signal mode outlet from Rangitaiki with S=8 in Queensland downunder remote SDR unit. Contained an annoying CRATCHING LIKE NOISY signal feed! (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 16 via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND [non]. RADIO HAURAKI PIRATE RADIO FILM PLANNED Auckland Now New Zealand September 14, 2012 A film based on the pirate beginnings of an Auckland radio station will travel all the way to the Cannes Film Festival next year. The movie, 3 Mile Limit, tells the true story of the birth of Radio Hauraki in the 1960s. The station first hit the airwaves from a boat called the Tiri which broadcast illegally, breaking a Government monopoly at the time, to bring rock'n'roll to New Zealand from international waters in the Hauraki Gulf. The boat ran aground on rocks live on air in January 1968 on a trip to Great Barrier Island, but was replaced a month later by another vessel and broadcasting resumed. The film, currently in pre-production before filming begins in November, stars leading Kiwi small screen stars Matt Whelan of Go Girls fame and Underbelly NZ's Dan Musgrove. According to promoters the story, written by Andrew Gunn and Craig Newland, who is also the producer and director, has been picked as having international interest. Ed Pressman, the New York producer behind films such as Wall Street and American Psycho has lent his support to Newland. The No.8 Films movie already has international distributors interested and will screen at next year's Cannes Film Festival. "The film's story is set in Auckland however half of New Zealand were able to listen to Radio Hauraki in the 1960s because of its broadcasting position out at sea," Newland said. "As a result, the Radio Hauraki story is widely known around the country with baby boomers and older, however this iconic story will now be introduced to a younger generation who are completely oblivious to this watershed time." Radio Hauraki content director Mike McClung said the "radio revolution" that led to the creation of Radio Hauraki was an "amazing story" he was looking forward to seeing come to life on the big screen. http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/whats-on/7677279/Pirate-radio-film-heads-to-Cannes Radio Hauraki still broadcasts as a land-based station, details here http://www.hauraki.co.nz/ (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Hi All, I would certainly like to see the movie when it is finished. Radio Hauraki was heard my me and another DXer in late 1965 near Invercargill in NZ running a test transmission around 1 am on morning with its first vertical. The went off the air due to the modulation transformer failing. Was in Auckland with the RNZN from January 66 to January 67, and used to go to their Anzac Avenue studios quite regularly. Got to know Dave Gapes the station manager quite well. Dave is now living in Wellington and is running a publishing business, I think. The technical side was done by "Doc Ocallaghan" who was an electronics wizard and he spent many days and weeks keeping the transmitter running. The transmitter was a heavily modified ex Us Navy transmitter. The transmitter was built at the studios at Anzac Avenue in Central Auckland, then when completed it was taken to a house in Mount Eden and flashed up using a two bar heater as the dummy load. When flashed up it wiped reception of all the TVs around the area. The lift that carried the transmitter down the levels at Anzac Avenue to the small carpark at the back never ran well after that. There was a book published called "The Shoestring Pirates" by Adrian Blackburn which was written many years ago. Regards (Tony Magon VK2IC, MWCircle yg via DXLD) ** NICARAGUA. 8989 USB, ``The Pescador Preacher``, presumed, 2345-2350 July 10. Tho not Saturday, same format as previously logged – M in Spanish talking, followed by contact with other stations. Didn`t seem to be usual maritime mobile traffic. In the clear with 20 dB signal, excellent (Richard W Parker, Pennsburg PA, Sept World DX Club Contact via DXLD) 20 dB compared to what? (gh, DXLD) ** NIGERIA. 15120, Voice of Nigeria; 1555-1600*, 9-Sep; M&W commentaries in English; ID & off. Poor (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15121, Voice of Nigeria, *0446-0520, Sept 14, sign on with IS of local instruments. Opening English ID announcements at 0459. Preview of upcoming programs. News at 0501. Slightly off frequency. Fair (Brian Alexander, PA, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX Listening Digest) [and non]. 15120, Sept 14 at 0541, VON is the SSOB at S9+15 with slight whine and somewhat distorted modulation especially during clips in the newscast. #2 signal was 15580 VOA Botswana, #3 15400 Dabanga Madagascar, better than // 11650 via Vatican. R. Australia by contrast really weak tonight on 15515, 15240 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi all, Confirmed today Sep. 15: Voice of Nigeria in English at 0650 on new 15121.0, instead of nominal 15120. At 0700 on same frequency in French and scheduled 0800-0900 in English. Good reception in Bulgaria. 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Sofia, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15120, Sept 15 at 0541, no signal from VON, so I check 19m for other Africans: unlike 24 hours earlier when Africa was up, Australia down, now it`s the reverse: RA G-VG on 15515, 15240; JBA signals from 15400 Madagascar, 15580 Botswana, and 15725 Sudan South [non, whencever it emanate]. No signal on 15190 either but R. Africa could easily have been off the air. Nigeria probably off too, but by 0650 it was on in English, 0700 French, 0800-0900 English, says Ivo Ivanov in Bulgaria, who measured it offset again to 15121.0. My previous log of VON may also have been on 15121, as I did not check the frequency exactly. This of course makes no sense, as it will produce a het with China or whatever interference, worse than colliding head-on; unless the object is to damage the competition at VON`s own expense (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Observations for Voice of Nigeria on Sep. 15: 0500-0700 NF 15121 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf, ex 15120 in English 0700-0800 NF 15121 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf, ex 15120 in French 0800-0900 NF 15121 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf, ex 15120 in English 1500-1600 NF 15121 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf, ex 15120 in English 1730-1800 NF 15121 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf, ex 15120 in Arabic 1820-2000 on 15120 maybe Abuja transmitter NoAf, DRM mode in English Observations for Voice of Nigeria on Sep. 16: 0500-0700 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf, ex 15121 in English 0700-0800 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf, ex 15121 in French 0800-0900 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf, ex 15121 in English 1500-1600 on 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg to NoAf, ex 15121 in English 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Sofia, Bulgaria, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15120, Voice of Nigeria, 1547 Sept 15, English, “You are listening to Africa Hour, on Voice of Nigeria, Lagos.”, into a piece on African economics. Poor (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active whip antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15120, Voice of Nigeria, 0600-0610, Sept 16, local African drums IS at 0600 and English World News. Poor to fair with weak hum in audio. 15120, Voice of Nigeria, *0446-0500+, Sept 17, sign on with IS. ID announcements. Weak. Poor in high noise level. Too poor to pull out any further program details. Much stronger signal at 0608 check with English news (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) 15120, Sept 17 at 0433, VON tonetest is already on, fair signal, and checked frequency this time: no, not on 15121, where it strayed for a day or two (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. [Pirate]. 6925, XFM, 0455-0501*, Sept 16, lite instrumental music. ID at 0501 sign off. Weak. Poor in noisy conditions (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** NORTH AMERICA. Blue Ocean Radio: 6925/USB, 0420-0433+, 11-Sep; Blues tunes; ID at 0430. SIO=344 with buzz bursts. 6930/USB, 0435-0445+, 13-Sep; Fiddle instrumentals & old C&W. ID at 0440. SIO=243+, chatter burst (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) 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, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. Hi everyone, XFM pirate station on air at 0235 UT with music and requests; weak to fair signal here in Montreal, but did have an ID as XFM. 6925 kHz AM mode. I'll have a video online with reception of the station. 73's (Gilles Letourneau, Montreal, Canada, http://www.youtube.com/radiomanmontreal UT Sept 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Still on and at fair to good strength (S5) on the west coast, with the Alan Parson Project at 0429 UT (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, ibid.) ** NORTH AMERICA. 6934.811 AM at 0220Z, Radio True North. Back to back music into announcements by OM at 0218. Best reception on sloper vs. 40 m dipole. Into "Radar Love" at 0225. ID and programming comments at 0305Z. Audio here: https://www.box.com/s/52ef057a112e7f976def 09/03 (Chuck Rippel, Chesapeake VA, Microtelecom Perseus, WinRadio G33DDC Excalibur-Pro, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 6945-AM, pirate Sept 16 at 0457, with rock music, lyrix in English; poor signal and tough copy tho reads S9+12 on the FRG-7 meter, including the noise level. 0502 ID seems to include the word ``two``, along with gmail address, inviting requests, back to music. 0507 ``Everybody Dance Now`` by hi-pitched singer; I have no idea whether the original or not, fades as being outroed; 0509 another announcement with sweep tones, unfamiliar music. 0518 finally catch ID as ``Radio True North``, live timecheck for ``17 minutes past 5 UTC``. Now it sounds stronger tho only reaching S9+10; 0520 ``Jimmy`s Got a Gun``. IIRC this one is allegedly in western Canada. Something usually shows up on the pirate band around this time UT Sundays (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA [non?]. 1570, Sept 18 at 1222 UT, I have been listening to XERF (see MEXICO), when another SS appears, sports talk ``para todo el país``, ESPN Deportes. Pronounced ``i-es-pi-en``, i.e. the letters as in English, which the network mandates everyone to say, to forestall Spanish snickers about male members (a word I avoid only in case of spam filters). An unwieldy brand name in English is even more so in Spanish; IIRC it originally meant Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (on cable TV). I don`t find a single SS ESPN affiliate on 1570 in NRC AM Log 2012 --- I went thru all 63 listings twice; no quick searching on paper --- and as previously mentioned, no affiliate list can be found on the ESPN-D website (if anyone has one, please let us know!). Can it be nearest 1570, KZLI Catoosa/Tulsa? How about 1530, which we already know is ESPN Deportes in that market? At 1306 UT when XERF is no longer a problem, I compare the two. Yes, ESPN Deportes on 1570 // 1530, except 1530 is unsynchronized a fraxion of a second behind 1570. Both loop east/west. 1530 and 1570 have previously been simulcast in Tulsa with some other format, temporarily? They are jointly owned, along with 1270, so anything could happen, but you`d think a simulcast would be synchronized, so 1570 could still be somewhere else. Another question for Bruce Winkelman inside Tulsa. Program notes: at 1306 the program is apparently called ``Raza Deportiva`` (if not RASA, a network), talking about fútbol, US teams, Mexican, even Real Madrid. So is it only about soccer or American football too? 1313 on 1570, promo for Iespien Deportes Radio; now both are weakening, but not fading at same time. The Tulsans at 100+ miles do benefit from skywave vs groundwave. Wikipedia thinx 1570 Tulsa is still Que Buena, which is really now on 1270, and linx to http://lamegatulsa.com/home/ which claims 1570 AM is La Mega. Beware: vamping music loop launches automatically. Please stop! Try to launch live(?) audio on Winamp but no funciona. This website could be on autoplay two years out of date judging from one date I can find on it. Has Twitter linx to ``7 days ago`` full of innumerable duplicate twits from one Diana Reyes, apparently a music promotriz. Another approach: search on ESPN Deportes 1570 leads to an ESPN app provided by 970/1570 La Raza in Jaxonville FL, but no evidence that their 1570 WVOJ axually carries ESPND, and even with 10 kW day power, it`s way too late for that to be making it out here. Visiting http://larazalaraza.com/jacksonville/?p=2889 is not a total loss with cheesecake, even some with classical music (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re my query about 1570 and 1530 in Tulsa market: (gh) How lucky can I get?? Got off work early this afternoon, found your email re: 1570 KZLI, tuned into 1570 and promptly heard "ESPN Deportes Radio" jingle into a DUAL ID in English "KXTD 1530 Wagoner and KZLI 1570 Catoosa" into "SportsCenter" in Spanish. Glanced at the clock and realized I had stumbled onto the 1600 CDT 18SEP12 TOH ID. So it appears that 1530/1570 simulcast ESPN Deportes. The AM band in Tulsa now has 5 sports format stations: 1300 KAKC, 1430 KTBZ, 1530 KXTD, 1550 KYAL, and 1570 KZLI (3 English, 2 Spanish). 73, (Bruce Winkelman, Tulsa, OK, Sept 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. The POS Enid translator on 93.1 (ex-93.3), K226BR, supposed to relay KIMY 93.9 Watonga, is still acting up. Sept 14 at 2130 UT on the caradio, once again it`s transmitting that horrible sucking-straw-in-an-almost-empty-cup vibration. Recheck at 2224, that is alternating intermittently with ``The Gospel Station`` KIMY input. Apparently instead of muting, when the KIMY signal fades, the off-air receiver introduces this awful noise into the retransmitter. Checking the callsign for this at FCC FM Query, I look at all the ENID listings, and also see there are two applications for a translator on 106.9, one from ``Florida Public Radio`` which is axually a gospel- huxter satellator network, to rebroadcast KREJ 101.7 Medicine Lodge KS; and the other from Community Broadcasting Inc., to rebroadcast KQCV-FM 95.1 Shawnee, but funxioning as an OKC market station from the far side, also a gospel huxter. A couple little problems here: both have overlooked the fact, using a faulty find-a-frequency search facility? that we have a local 14 kW real station on 107.1, KNID, except it`s licensed to North Enid, not that that makes any difference in the real world, such a geographical offset best understood by Chisholm Trail Broadcasting which parked their own plain old Enid station there after moving the better facility on 99.7 to Mustang/OKC. (After the original KXLS on 99.7, an independent station, breaking the duopoly in Enid commercial radio, was bought out by CTB and eventually moved to 95.7, where it had also bought out another independent challenger licensed to speedtrap Lahoma OK (not to be confused with OKlahoma). Furthermore, KQCV input from 95.1 would be troubled by co-channel from Wichita, as any local listener could have told them. Will the FCC figure out the 106.9/107.1 conflict before granting anything, or will KNID have to head them off? (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OMAN. 15310, BBC, 1437 Sept 15, English, sports news. Fair-good (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active whip antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. Monitored schedule of R. Pakistan. Probably station currently broadcast programs only in Urdu and Chinese via 2 x 250 kW in Islamabad: 0045-0215 on 11600 ISL 250 kW / 118 deg to SEAs Urdu 0045-0215 on 17710 ISL 250 kW / 118 deg to SEAs Urdu 0500-0700 on 15725 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu 0500-0700 on 17830 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu 0830-1004 on 15725 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, ex 0830-1104 0830-1004 on 17720 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, ex 0830-1104 1200-1300 on 15700 ISL 250 kW / 070 deg to EaAs Chinese 1200-1300 on 17725 ISL 250 kW / 070 deg to EaAs Chinese 1330-1530 on 15290 ISL 250 kW / 282 deg to N/ME Urdu 1330-1530 on 17520 ISL 250 kW / 282 deg to N/ME Urdu 1700-1900 on 11575 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, no signal in BUL 1700-1900 on 15265 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Sofia, Bulgaria, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. Radio Pakistan in Urdu - update; including English news 0905-0910 and 1100-1105: Sat/Sun: 0830-1004 15725 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, confirmed Sep 15/16 0830-1004 17720 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, confirmed Sep 15/16 Mon-Fri: 0830-1107 15725 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, confirmed Sep 17, but till 1100 0830-1107 17720 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, confirmed Sep 17 including English news 0905-0910, 1100-1105 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Sofia, Bulgaria, Sept 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Monitored schedule of R. Pakistan on September 15-18. Probably the station broadcasts only in Urdu and Chinese via 2 x 250 kW in Islamabad 0045-0215 11600 ISL 250 kW / 118 deg to SEAs Urdu, no signal Sep 18 0045-0215 17710 ISL 250 kW / 118 deg to SEAs Urdu, no signal Sep 18 0500-0700 15725 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, no signal Sep 18 0500-0700 17830 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, no signal Sep 18 0830-1107 15725 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, Sep.15/16 till 1004 0830-1107 17720 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, Sep.15/16 till 1004 1200-1300 15700 ISL 250 kW / 070 deg to EaAs Chinese, confirmed Sep 16 1200-1300 17725 ISL 250 kW / 070 deg to EaAs Chinese, confirmed Sep 16 1330-1530 15290 ISL 250 kW / 282 deg to N/ME Urdu, no signal Sep 17 1330-1530 17520 ISL 250 kW / 282 deg to N/ME Urdu, no signal Sep 17 1700-1900 11575 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, no signal Sep 17 1700-1900 15265 ISL 250 kW / 313 deg to WeEu Urdu, no signal Sep 17 (DX Re Mix News, Bulgaria, 18 September via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) 15265.0, R. Pakistan at 1759 with time pips, ID by OM and into presumed news. Audio clip here: https://www.box.com/s/3co67ei4l7j8thyzm48x 09/16 (Chuck Rippel, Chesapeake VA, Microtelecom Perseus, WinRadio G33DDC Excalibur-Pro, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 15265, R. Pakistan, 1740 lively western dance music at tune-in. 1743 M announcer in presumed Urdu, then deadair and M returned. 1746 subcontinental pop-like music, more traditional local music. 1759 M briefly again, deadair, usual instrumental music fanfare, 3 time ticks, ID by M, then news to 1805 with audio level a little too low. Subcontinental music at 1806, W announcer briefly, then into live speech, and W again with mentions of Pakistan. Fairly decent signal at this time. 1857 M announcer with mention of R. Pakistan at end of talk, W with apparent closing, very brief music, NA, and signal off at 1859:56. Good thing too as AWR (Germany) 15260 blasted it out. (12 Sept.) R. Pakistan didn't seem to be on the air at 1700. No signal noted at all. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. DISCONTINUATION OF RADIO PAKISTAN SHORTWAVE TRANSMISSION? Hi Noel & Glenn, I have gone through the report regarding proposed discontinuation of shortwave services by Radio Pakistan. The report perhaps deals with future policy of Radio Pakistan for shortwave services. The shortwave transmissions have not been closed with "immediate effect" as has been reported in the news item. The 250 kW transmitters at Rawat near Islambad are still in operation and a few days back when I was in China I heard the transmission there as well. I was quite surprised by Wolfgang's report regarding reception of Persian and Hindi services in Germany via 100 kW transmitters as whenever the transmission was on air I used to get signals at my location. Whereas it was not the case during last few months. In fact I have heard the transmission of Radio Pakistan's clandestine station" Voice of Jammu Kashmir Freedom Movement" on 3995 khz in its evening transmission. The transmission is carried through one of the faulty 100 kW transmitters which is still on air. However, API-9, the newer transmitter, has not been heard from last many months. Whereas whenever it was used for "Azad Kashmir Radio Trarkhel" it used to give a strong signal at my location. The transmitters at Karachi are still to be brought into operation and its antenna system has also been puchased. But complete installation and its test operation is still awaited. It shall be quite unfortunate that these transmitters are abondened without bringing them in operation. When it comes to weird decisions, no one can beat Radio Pakistan management. There is no clear vision with regard to effective use of radio in Pakistan. The management keeps on jumping from MW to FM then back to MW and then internet. The potential of radio was not used fully by the Radio Pakistan authorities for information, education and communication. Regards (Aslam Javaid, Lahore Pakistan, Sept 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello Aslam, And thank you for your very thoughtful report. Although I have sent information to the Frequency Management section I have not received any replies. Before the article in question appeared they sent a proposed B-12 frequency schedule asking for my opinion, as I had been helping them for many years, so at that time they obviously had no idea that closure was being proposed. As you write, management seems to change their minds regularly. And yes, I continue to hear the two 250 kW transmitters, although some days the schedule is not exactly adhered to. Was it the transmission in Chinese that you heard while in China (1200-1300 UT) or one of the Urdu services? Wolfgang has been doing a lot of listening via receivers overseas, and I think this may be how he managed to hear the Hindi service, although Persian should be audible within Europe if on air. Whenever I try I cannot hear anything from the 100 kW transmitters. So Voice of Jammu Kashmir Freedom Movement 3995 is via one of the old 100 kW transmitters too - that's interesting. I think it used to be via API- 9(?), and Azad Kashmir continued while this transmission was in progress via the APR-2 10 kW transmitter at Rawalpindi (Gates of 1962) that had to be closed due to lack of spares. The API-9 transmitter is a mystery - where did it "suddenly" come from and why isn't in use now!!! Adrian Petersen of AWR fame wrote an interesting article about Radio Pakistan's transmitters quite a number of years ago, and he reported that there was a 100 kW transmitter (Thomcast of 1997) installed at Mirpur (a small town located near the Islamabad radio complex he wrote), so this could be API-9. This transmitter was briefly used for some external services, and it gave a very good and clear signal here. The last I heard about the Karachi project was that the transmitters were being/had been installed but that there was no antenna available to broadcast on. Either the antennas used for the old 50 kW transmitters had fallen into disrepair or else were not capable of use at 100 kW. If antennas have been purchased, then I hope the station will come on air before any closure decision. They would certainly revitalise transmissions that are now audible only at poor audio quality. Installation of FM transmitters would be a cheaper option than building megawatt medium wave stations. Antenna masts are already available at existing TV stations! Please keep us informed of what you may discover about future intentions. Regards & 73 from (Noel R Green, NW England, Sept 18, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Noel, It is always nice to hear from you. I monitored Urdu service of Radio Pakistan in China which is meant for South East Asia. The service is carried through 250 kW transmitters and the signal was good. Now coming to API-9, I recently read a news report that the Government is planning to shift API-9 from Rawat to Mirpur Azad Kashmir. The residents of Mirpur demanded that shortwave transmission for Azad Kashmir Radio Trarkhel be shifted to Mirpur along with the programme staff which is stationed in the building of Radio Pakistan Rawalpindi. This is still a confusing situation. You are right, API-9 was initially proposed to be installed at Mirpur. Last night at 1348 UT, i.e. 18-9-2012, I monitored signal of Voice of Jammu Kashmir Freedom movement on 3995 kHz. The transmitter is operated by Radio Pakistan and the audio was better but transmitter buzz was loud. Radio Pakistan is planning to install a 500 kW new medium wave transmitter for Islamabad station. The MW transmitter shall be installed at Faqirabad District Attock Punjab. Keep in touch. Regards (Aslam Javaid, Lahore Pakistan, Sept 19, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PALAU. 9930, T8WH/WHRI. Unbelievably strong signal at 1259 with usual canned ID and report request announcement. (16 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3235, R. West New Britain, 1059 studio M announcer in Tok Pisin with apparent PSAs, 1100-1103 instrumental NA, then W announcer with mention of "...program...you're listening to...", and mention of West New Britain. Pop music briefly at 1112 then W again with ID and program notes. 1113 slow pop ballad but very low level. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3260, R. Madang. Decent level with island music at 1059. W announcer in Tok Pisin with mention of program and celebration, and gave frequencies with mention of "...3,260 kilohertz in the shortwave 1, and 90.4...", then more island music. W again at 1107, and long lively island song. More of the same. Fading after 1110. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3315, R. Manus, 1059 live broadcast from some sort of event. 1100 studio M announcer with mention of PNG, then slow island song. 1107 native drums then W with intro for NBC news and immediately into news. 1110 more news by M announcer to at least 1116. Like other PNG stations, it was fading after 1110. Best PNG reception in a long time. 3204.97 and 3365 also on. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3915 8.9 1545 Radio Fly, Kiunga, PNG. Lite fladdrig signal, men fullt läsbar med nonstop pop och ballader. Annonseringar och ID mellan 1559-1601 och därefter fortsatt nonstopmusik. HR 3915, 8 Sept, 1545, Radio Fly, Kiunga, PNG. Somewhat fluttering signal but despite that completely audible with nonstop pop and ballads. Announcements and ID between 1559-1601 and then continued with nonstop music. HR (Hans Östnell, Norway, SW Bulletin Sept 16, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3915 14.9 1700 R Fly, PNG, med softpop. Låg i kanten av ”sin” störning, så LSB är enda chansen att höra något. AN 3915, 14.9 1700, R Fly, with softpop. The signal is on the edge of ”its” disturbing carrier, so using LSB is the only chance to hear something. AN (Arne Nilsson, Sweden, ibid.) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 7324.95, 10.9 1759 Wantok R Light, Port Moresby, carrier in the clear after co-channel Adygeyan R had closed. Also 13.9 1700 carrier surfaced after co/channel CRI Turkish s/off. Presumed, usual offset frequency gives them away (Martien Groot, Netherlands, SW Bulletin Sept 16 via DXLD) ** PERU. 3329.53, Perú, Ondas del Huallaga, Huánuco 0903 to 0945 om en espanol, weak signal 14 September (Wilkner) 4775 Perú, Radio Tarma, Tarma with music at 0800, good signal 14 September (Wilkner) 4789 Perú, Radio Visión, Chiclayo 0810 to 0830, distorted signal 14 September (Wilkner) 4810 Perú, Radio Logos, *0857 with vocal National Anthem, 0903 tenor vocal, good signal 14 September (Wilkner) 4826.5 Perú, Radio Sicuani, Sicuani, Cusco 0840 with good signal 14 September (Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D - 746Pro - R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4790, Radio Visión tentatively, 0702 Sept 13, Spanish, singing and male speaker. Very poor, heavy CODAR QRM (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4789.964, Radio Visión, presumed, 1015-1030 Sept 14, Noted a religious spectacle of persons babbling. Signal was poor with much fading and noise crashes. Here and there a male shouts unintelligent able phrases (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston FL, 26N 081W, Excalibur, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4789.91, Radio Visión, 0555-0620, Sept 17, Peruvian religious music. Spanish announcements. Poor in noisy conditions (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) 4789.9, R. Visión. Surprised to find this one with good audio at tune- in. However, it did go into distortion slightly every once in a while. Live M with mention of Chiclayo, then clear 0902:40 canned ID. Clear ID again during song at 0904:30. Another at 0905:50 during song. And another 0922:25 (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** PERU. 4810.07, Radio Logos, 1021-1035 Sept 14, Noted a weak signal here with music. An interfering signal on the high side causes a lot of trouble as the station broadcasts music. At 1027 the signal improves enough that the music is being heard clearly. However, no ID is presented between tunes. Signal was poor to fair (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston FL, 26N 081W, Excalibur, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4810.09, Radio Logos, 0938-0950 Sept 18. The usual format noted today as in other days, with steady soft music. Signal not heard without being aided with the notch filter which is set at 4811.046 kHz and is 1 kHz wide to block the heavy QRM interfering with Radio Logos. At 0950 a male talks in Spanish Language, but very weak and too difficult to pull out any details. Signal was poor (Chuck Bolland, Excalibur, Clewiston FL, 26N 081W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. 17700, R. Pilipinas/VOP, *0200-0236, Sept 18 and 19. In English; segments “Dateline Malacañang”; news; ASEAN news; message on behalf of the president greeting listeners of R. Philipinas (played several times); fair. Nice MP3 audio at https://www.box.com/s/4l358ynpum53hmlv7ti8 with president’s message and weather (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17700, Radyo Pilipinas, 0212 Sept 18, English, numerous announcements and music bridges, included “We are Radyo Pilipinas.”, thanks to listeners, 0215 “from Manila, Philippines”, “From the news centre of Radyo Pilipinas, this is P-B-S news.” and into news. Poor (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** POLAND [non]. GREAT BRITAIN, 15480, Polskie R. (via Woofferton), 1359 Jazz music, 1400 telephone tones and Russian ID by W and English "Polish R. External Service" ID by M, then into Russian programing. Very Good. (16 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** PRIDNESTROVYE. 9665, Sept 17 at 2115, enjoying the music from Radio PMR, presumably the usual fill in the last half of each semi-hour language broadcast --- but at 2120 a timesignal! And starting Russian. Axually the TS was 10 seconds late ending at 2120:10, if they were shooting for 2120, certainly an odd time for a TS and for starting a language. Per EiBi, Russian is supposed to be at 2200-2230 UT Sun-Thu, as well as 1800-1830 and 2000-2030 M-F. Are other languages getting jumbled and signaled thus? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. 11740.0, Radio Romania, International at 1745 with Mailbag program, "Listeners Letterbox," with Male and Female announcers. Most letters read on the air inquired if R. Romania was going to close. The Announcers said the station had no plans to go off the air. 09/09 (Chuck Rippel, Chesapeake VA, Microtelecom Perseus, WinRadio G33DDC Excalibur-Pro, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Voice of Russia WS interview --- I thought some of you might be interested in listening to a 25 minute interview on the Voice of Russia World Service. My wife and I visited Russia (a cruise between St. Petersburg and Moscow) in August. While in Moscow, Vasily Strelnikov and Natalia Stepanova invited me to the studios of the Voice of Russia (in the same building as Radio Rossii) and recorded the 25 minute interview for their program, "From Moscow with Love". It was a lot a fun, as was the next two hours we spent chatting in the cafeteria! Here's the link: http://english.ruvr.ru/radio_broadcast/36578738/84645212.html A lot of fun, and something I recommend to any of you travelling to Moscow. Vasily and Natalie are both wonderful people. Vasily was born in Maryland to Soviet diplomat parents and lived there until returning to Moscow for good when he was 12. A very difficult transition for an almost teen, returning there in the early 70s! Talk about culture shock! Anyway, enjoy! 73, (Walt Salmaniw, MD, Sept 16, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. 12040, Voice of Russia; 2056-2102+, 13-Sep; Feature on a composer to 2059 VoR WS ID & addys; 2100 repeat ID & addys into news; all in English. SIO=3+43 with occasional buzz (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15425, Voice of Russia, 0306-0400, 12-Sep-2012. Excellent program on little-known composer Alemdar Karamanov, whose religious themes were not greeted with enthusiasm in his native Soviet Union but whose work is now in the 21st century experiencing a renaissance. Very listenable signal with occasional fading, static (Michael Perry, Los Angeles CA, Tecsun PL-390 and wire antenna, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 7320, Radio Rossii, Magadan, 0632 Sept 17, Russian, man and woman with talk, two Radio Rossii mentions heard. Aoki, EiBi, WRTH don’t list Rossii here at this time. Fair-good (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Harold, What happened? This is often heard, along with // 5940 also Magadan. Per Aoki: 7320 R. Rossii 0200-1300 1234567 Russian 100 45 Magadan (Ron Howard, San Francisco, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks, Ron. I went to the Combined SW Skeds reference that Dan Ferguson maintains and it wasn't listed there, even though Aoki is one of the sources he uses (Harold, ibid.) Another good reason always to consult the `original` sources (gh) ** RUSSIA [non]. RFE/RL Russian. --- Posted: 18 Sep 2012 The Moscow Times, 17 Sept 2012: "Masha Gessen, who was fired as editor of the Vokrug Sveta magazine for refusing to cover President Vladimir Putin's hang-gliding stunt with cranes earlier this month, has been appointed head of the Russian service of U.S.-government-funded RFE/Radio Liberty. 'I was offered the candidacy for the director's post of the Russian service of Radio Liberty back in January,' Gessen said on her Facebook page Friday. 'I refused because I had just started my job with Vokrug Sveta and planned to stay there a long time.' This month, she told executives at Radio Liberty, where she had been working as a consultant, that she had left Vokrug Sveta, and they offered her the director's position late Thursday." (kimandrewelliott.com via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) -- OK, as long as her decisions at Radio Svoboda to cover or not to cover stories are based on sound news judgments and not on anti-Putin sentiments. See also International Herald Tribune, 10 Sept 2012, Masha Gessen (Kim Andfrew Elliott, ibid.) ** SAAR. [Re 12-37:] More about Felsberg > 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. This fits perfectly with a statement made immediately after the incident, quoted indirectly by Saarländischer Rundfunk: There were safety problems already for some years but we have not omitted any maintenance work. Wonder what would happen if authorities should now demand a potentially expensive fix. More photos: http://www.wellenforum.de/topic.php?id=20162 The 0137 one provides at the left edge a view of one of the insulators in question. On the upper levels of the partly destroyed mast all of them burst in the tear caused by the incident it seems, now being textbook examples for the safety mechanism (Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAINT HELENA. Radio St. Helena Audio Clips --- Dan Robinson has agreed to put together coordinate audio messages for the last day of broadcasting from Radio St. Helena. I am told we will be able to hear this over the Internet. There is an outside possibility to a “final” shortwave broadcast but it is a long shot. We are looking for contributions of about 60 seconds from people who have heard Radio St. Helena during the once a year special shortwave broadcasts that can say something nice about RSH. Dan has a few prominent NASWAns already done (thanks Messrs. Henderson and Jensen) but could use more support for this endeavor. People can record mp3s on their phone, or Blackberry, or e-mail to Dan dxace1 @ gmail.com for conversion to Blackberry AMR format. This is part of the note I received from Robert Kipp: “Ralph Peters, the Station Manager of RSH, and I would be honoured, if the you and your radio club would each record a message for use during the “Final Transmission” from Radio St. Helena. On 25 December 2012 (Christmas Day), Radio St. Helena will celebrate 45 years of broadcasts for the people of St. Helena under the motto of “Entertaining, Informing, Educating”. The recording can be of any length (1 minute to one hour+, as you like). Please feel free to mention any topics you wish relating in any way to Radio St. Helena, Radio St. Helena Day (on shortwave), or Saint Helena.” Surely our high tech group of expert shortwave listeners has something they can say to mark this event, no? Thanks for your help. 73, (Rich D`Angelo, PA, Sept 14, NASWA yg via DXLD ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. 5019.88, SIBC/R. Happy Isles. Went over ToH with phone interview. 1105 short calliope signature melody, then W with news ID as "SIBC news", and said news to at least 1112. Most readable when Rebelde isn't playing music. (13 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** SOMALIA [non]. CLANDESTINE, 11980, R. Damal (via UAE) (presumed), 2120 long impassioned talk by M in mid-east language abruptly cut off in mid-sentence at 2129:33. Not very strong but clear. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) Believed to be funded by China, based in Kenya (WRTH 2012 via DXLD) ** SOMALILAND. Somaliland - R. Hargeisa on 7120 kHz 7120 kHz fade/in at passed 1300 UT, well from yesterday. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONlojw9AD7k&feature=youtube_gdata on Sep. 13. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf41DJgOmPE&feature=youtube_gdata on Sep. 13 s/off at 1801 UT (S. Hasegawa, Japan, Sept 14, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Hargeisa was noted here this morning (14 Sept) local time: weak carrier at 1350, gradually fading up to fair level with HOA music by 1414. Peaked at about 1425 with talk in presumed Somali with a couple mentions of Somaliland. Local pop tunes 1430-1441, then more talk. The signal was noticeably weaker by then and gradually faded to a carrier with trace audio by 1450. It was nice hearing Hargeisa for the first time. Right now, we have a short time window right for hearing it in west coast NA, but that will become longer as the season progresses. (Bruce Portzer, Seattle, WA, Winradio Excalibur, K9AY antenna, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I heard the same at good level this morning. I wasn't 100% certain that it was Hargeisa, so it's nice to get confirmation. 73, (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, ibid.) 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 WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sept 15 - eQSL received in 3 days from: Idaacada Radio Hargaysa < radiohargaysa @ hotmail.com > "Dear Ron Howard, QSL We are very glad and thank for you, so we confirm you that you heard it is the Radio Hargeisa the voice of the Republic of Somaliland. Thanks again and welcome that to contact with us. Thanks a lot Best regards Saafi Ali Online Officer" (Ron Howard, Sept 15, dxldyg via DXLD) Thanks Ron, yes heard also around 1545 UT. Singer at present HOA music at 1612 UT. But not much strong signal, compared to ETH / ERI outlets [q.v.] at this time. 73 (Wolfgang df5sx, 1617 UT Sept 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) A lot of amateur radio traffic on air close to 7120 kHz, against Hargeisha intruder signal (wb, 1628 UT, ibid.) At 1645 very strong signal and good modulation in Colombo 7120. Wolfgang, if you want to compare reception! 7120 in the clear of any QRM: 1659 http://soundcloud.com/victorgoonetilleke/r-hargeisha-somaliland-7120-9 (Goonetilleke, ibid.) Thanks Victor for mp3 file link. Signal path from Somaliland into Ceylon is mostly via water reflection path on Indian Ocean. Yes, it`s a new 100 kW unit Made in China on 7120 kHz, and one can expect such a signal, but antenna signal arrives here in Europe as like Radio Ethiopia 7234.655 kHz level, but n o t as strong as ETH and Omdurman Sudan of 7200 kHz channel. DXer Don Jensen-USA suggested to Somaliland Newspaper blog discussion to use 7530 kHz instead, {- or 7490 in winter B-12, to avoid IBB actions on 7530}. [meanwhile something else has shown up on 7530 – gh] But I think the Somaliland manager want "to be" near the Ethiopia- Eritrea campaigns in 7120-7235 kHz frequency range on East African target. And NATO ship marines against the Somali pirates are not intended for ITU bandwatch actions, in such terrorist world. 73 wolfy df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7120, Radio Hargeisa, 1403 Sept 14, Somali, tuned in to hear a poor signal, playing pop Somali songs, signal improved quickly to fair- good, male announcer between songs always mentioning Somalia or Somaliland, 1417 seemed like a recorded announcement which included Radio Hargeisa mention, cut abruptly for another song, 1425 presumed news headlines with man doing announcements and musical bridges, then into more lengthly talk to 1429:50 with many mentions of Somaliland, back to music after 1430. Poor improving to fair-good (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Hargeisa, Somaliland heard back on 7120 kHz with strong signal this evening - thanks to tip-off from Ron Howard on DXLD yg. Has been off shortwave for nearly two weeks since initially heard I think. Local Horn of Africa songs and talk in (presumed) Somali from 1750 UT tune-in. Plus intermittent interference from hams (Alan Pennington, Caversham, UK, AOR 7030plus and longwire, 1714 UT Sept 13, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) So he probably meant 1650 UT (gh, DXLD) Presently (1715-1750) hearing it in Jo'burg with HOA music and talk by OM in presumed Somali, fair reception s7 - s9. Audio seems a bit distorted. No QRM, but slight lightning QRN. Not aware of lightning activity in my area, so I guess it is just on the wrong side of the tropics for me (Bill Bingham, RSA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The new 100-kW is much stronger than any of the Eritrean frequencies and also of the old ETLF 100 kW and its own 2 x 100 more than 40 years old!! (Victor Goonetilleke, 1755 UT, ibid.) Why do these guys continue to work on Amateur Radio Frequencies? That´s not nice nor is it legal, as far as I know. Anybody know why they continue to do so? 73 de (Thomas OE3TWB, ibid.) Somaliland is not a recognized state altho it is certainly better than the rest of Somalia. ``International law`` may not apply here, especially in such an esoteric area, and anyway its observance is largely voluntary in real countries. There is probably little or no ham radio activity in S-land, and hence no amateur radio lobby. Any pressure about this issue must come from outside (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7120, Radio Hargeisa/Hargaysa, 1335-1450, Sept 14. The second day of a good signal; as Dave Valko reminds me, the reason for my decent reception is due to grayline reception; my local sunrise was at 1348 UT, while Hargeisa sunset was at 1505 UT. Started out poor and slowly faded up to fair to good reception, with good audio; mostly HOA music and songs; 1441 to 1449 with monologue. https://www.box.com/s/joadqtb8mttn18jtjrg8 contains an MP3 audio (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7120, Sept 14 at 1245, as I have just nabbed Myanmar again on 7110, nothing here yet from R. Hargaysa, which just reactivated 100 kW yesterday, still infesting the 40m exclusive hamband; and was making it to Japan as early as 1300 Sept 13, until 1801* says Sei-ichi Hasegawa. That means it could theoretically make it by long-path on into western North America by then but sunrise here was 1214. Darker, more westerly DXLD yg contributors reported today: Harold Sellers in BC: poor signal at 1403, improving by 1430 Bruce Portzer in WA: weak at 1350, peaking at 1425, fading by 1450 On Sept 13, Ron Howard in California: 1408-1438. Of course, it`s relatively easy in EurAfrican aftevenings (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Hargeisa back on 7120 kHz. Although I try daily, still no morning transmission (circa 0300 UT, or 6 a.m. EAT) noted from R. Hargeisa here in Wisconsin. As to the circa 1400+ time frame when WCNA listeners had heard RH recently, too much daylight here. Via the Univ. of Twente/Netherlands Web SDR noted 1835 UT with good signals. Tried at about 1630 UT via same remote rx and it was there, but poor. Steadily improving since. Despite my recommendations, it seems RH's tech. dir. Suleiman is committed to 7120. He is a ham, so, frankly, he knows it is supposed to be an amateur radio band. But he also knows that his listeners in HoA are familiar with the 7100-7200+ kHz area, thanks to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan, and so he's got an audience already trained to look for broadcasts in this range (Don Jensen-WI-USA, DXplorer Sept 15 via BC-DX Sept 16 via DXLD) Radio Hargeisa 7120 noted at 1830 UT tune from Perseus site in C. Germany - man in local lang and HOA vocals to 1903 UT. At 1903-03.5 UT man with closing anmts - "Somaliland" mentioned twice (beginning and end of announcement) and I think there was a frequency announcement in there near the beginning. Open carrier to 1903:45 UT then carrier off. S4, almost S5 and stable level throughout. Lots of ARO QRM but the transmitter power relegated the ARO traffic to I-4. In WRTH, R. Hargeisa's old sked shows as 1500-1900 UT only, so likely no morning broadcast, for a while at least. Seems a waste of money to use a new 100 kW for only 4 hours/day (Bruce Churchill-CA-USA, DXplorer Sept 16 via BC-DX via DXLD) Today, Sept 15 at 16 UT again heard on 7120 kHz. But not yet so quite strong, also overcrowded by a lot of ham operation, mostly from Italy. If this continues, you can even live well here in Europe on 7120 kHz in the winter season. And in between not many hams in Egypt, Somalia down to Tanzania, Uganda region. I assume that in this chaos region around East Africa / Somalia is any protest and a request for a frequency change to 7530/7490 kHz from the West like 'Fizzle'. Radio Hargeisa has these coordinates 09 34 24.92 N 44 03 37.61 E in BingMaps 09 34 24.92 N 44 03 37.61 E enter in the location field / paste click birds watch view / and aerial image, zoom in! or call link in IE and paste Very dusty and unkempt grounds, as usual there, and from the photos seen of G.E. Panoramio. 73 (Wolfgang df5sx (mail to IARU ham radio bandwatch Sept 15), BC-DX Sept 16 via DXLD) 7120, Sept 15 at 1357 I strain to hear even a JBA carrier from R. Hargaysa/Hargeisa, by longpath, but nothing yet, despite no QRhaM at the moment, altho 7110 carrier from Myanmar is still audible. By now it should be fading in on west coast at least, so maybe as we get a little more darkness, during optimum conditions we can nab it. The long path great-circle route from Har-whatever to Enid is: across the Indian Ocean south of Australia, just south of New Zealand, Chatham Islands, more all-water across the Pacific near Tahiti, hitting N America at La Paz BCS. The short path, tho not so aqueous, would be fine if they would just broadcast in the mornings, coming right across France, hitting N America across Labrador and Québec, Chicago (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I should also clarify that the LP route from Hargeisa to Enid as delineated above goes nowhere near Japan, so even if it is audible there as early as 1300 that does not mean it could be in N America. Japan gets it by overland Asian short route NE from Somaliland, with enough and growing darkness on the path by 1300, not so heading SE across the Equator. 7120, Sept 17 at 1348, still no signal detectable from R. Hargeisa/Hargaysa, and Myanmar 7110 has faded to JBA. Those would arrive by quite different paths, of course. I should clarify that the LP route from Hargeisa to Enid as delineated previously across the Indian and south Pacific oceans goes nowhere near Japan, so even if it is audible there as early as 1300, that does not mean it could be in N America. Japan gets it by overland Asian short route NE from Somaliland, with enough and growing darkness on the path by 1300, not so heading SE across the Equator. We should not expect it until 1400, and not likely reaching here until winter if it`s still on same schedule (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7120.00, 1605-1830, 15+17.09, R Hargeisa, Hargeisa, Somali ann and nice Horn of Africa songs and music, 444343 [sic], QRM hams. It was not on the air 16 Sept (Anker Petersen, Denmark, on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) Those who might be following the on-line newspaper, Somaliland Sun, for news about the 100 kw Radio Hargeisa transmitter, may have noticed a story in which I am quoted claiming to have received their signal here in Wisconsin. Not so. My journalistic contact in Hargeisa failed to understand what I actually told him: That my recent receptions during the 1700-1900 period were not from my own receiver, but, rather, via the University of Twente on-line WEB SDR receiver in the Netherlands. With the current Radio Hargeisa schedule, it seems it propagates to North America only on the west coast about 1400 via – one presumes -- a near grayline short path (--don jensen, NASWA yg via DXLD) As Ron Howard has already received an e-mail verification, I too have been listening here on the West Coast. As a ham, I fortunately have a 2-element yagi for 40 meters at 90 feet. On 9/14/21, I heard them from 1356 to past 1518 UT. My best signal was coming in from the south (200 degrees) and peaked around 1440 so it appears to be long path propagation. Their modulation was very good. I have been listening in the 0200-0400 time frame, but nothing noted. Many mentions of Radio 'Hargaysa', and also 'Somaliland', and am sure this is in the Somali language (Jim Young, Wrightwood, CA, ICOM IC-756 Pro III + 2-element 40 meter yagi, NASWA yg via DXLD) Sunday, September 16, 2012: First, reading the latest news circulating about R. Hargeisa, I discovered that it was declared temporarily turned off, if not mistake due to technical problems, so my report about 7160 a few days ago is yet another blunder, because every day or almost in the late afternoon, below 7200 kHz dominates the debate media between Eritrea and Ethiopia. However, in the middle of the band amateur of 40 meters 'extended' (Luca Botto Fiora, Genova, bclnews.it yg via Google translate via DXLD) [and non]. Lunedì 17 settembre 2012: Verso le 1730, ho notato di nuovo un segnale BC su 7120 kHz, con musica tipo del Corno d'Africa, invece su 11735 Zanzibar BC era spenta. Mi pare, inoltre, da qualche giorno, di avere osservato una lieve diminuzione nella presenza del Firedrake contro Sound of Hope, però potrebbe essere soltanto una questione di propagazione (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, playdx yg via DXLD) 7120, Radio Hargeisa/Hargaysa (presumed), 0339-0405, Sept 18. First time I have heard them with their morning broadcast; poor and fading down to very poor by tune out; sounded to be in Somali; usual HOA music and songs. Sunrise at Hargeisa was at 0253 UT, so I probably would have had better reception if I had tuned in earlier. 7120 NOT heard during checks at 1335 and 1348 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7120, Sept 18 at 1414, still zero signal from R. Hargaysa; I optimistically check this each morning before turning off the radio and turning on the computer. Its oceanic longpath has made it to the west coast of North America by 1400; and 7110 Myanmar, by a quite different path over Mongolia, still has a JBA carrier a bihour after sunrise here, so there is hope (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tuned in 0350 on 7120 to strong signal with HOA music. Not yet IDed but may well be Radio Hargaysa. Yes, Radio Hargaysa with strong signal now on “morning” test. 0404 ID as Radyo Hargaysa and mentions of Somaliland. Finally. Faded rapidly and still there, but barely, by 0430. Don’t know when the morning xmsn began, probably either 0300 or 0330, but first tuned here 0350 with a rather good signal (don jensen, Kenosha WI, UT Sept 18, NASWA yg via DXLD) Radio Hargaysa --- 7170 [sic], Radio Hargaysa, carrier on at 0330, but almost no modulation, talk heard weakly. Modulation gradually picked up to a listenable level by 0334. Now with fair signal 0339, with HoA vocals. A much better signal at 0350 last night (don jensen, WI, 0339 UT Sept 19, NASWA yg via DXLD) Do you not mean 7120? Carrier on 0329:52, almost no audio until some local chanting at 0336. Antenna direction seemed to be 20 degrees (NNE), with similar wavy signal as Zanzibar on 6015 kHz. Another carrier noted on after 0350, with both very weak after 0405 (Jim Young, CA, 0406 UT, ibid.) AH-DAM!! Still can’t get it right. Let me start again! Last night I reported Hargaysa on 7170, which is, of course, a sometimes Eritrea frequency But I made a typo in that report. I actually heard the signal on 7120. Carrier came on just seconds before 0330. Initially no modulation but slowly it built up, very weak at first with man talking heard very weakly. At 0434, with the beginning of HoA musical programming, noted with full modulation. 9/19 morning transmission was not nearly as good here in Wisconsin as that of 9/18 when it was quite strong at 0350 tune in. ID in Somali mentioning Hargeisa and Somaliland noted on 9/18, but no ID heard on on 9/19, but surely the same station. Currently, and in the immediate past, Radio Hargaysa’s MW outlet has/had twice daily English half hours, including 0430 UT. Original plans called for simply airing that English period on the SW frequency, which is really a bit too late for optimum US reception. I have recommended an 0300 s/on (6 a.m. Somaliland local time) rather than 0330, suggesting English at 0330, rather than 0430. I’d also recommended a new frequency above the ham band. The latter recommendation has been ignored. I suspect the former recommendation also will be ignored, at least in the short run. I have pointed out that one of their US targets is the expatriate audience in Minneapolis-St. Paul, an area with a sizable Somali dispora population, who have contributed a substantial amount of cash to help rebuild Hargeisa after the civil war. I have pointed out several times that reception patterns in Minnesota would be similar to those I experience in Wisconsin. Sorry for confusing some with the incorrect 7170 frequency, though I note that most assumed it was erroneous and found it, correctly, on the usual 7120 kHz. Again, my apology! (-don jensen, UT Sept 19, NASWA yg via DXLD) Tnx to Ron`s tip, heard here on 7120.0, Sept 19 from *0330 carrier, HOA music from 0335. Lots of atmospheric noise, signal steadily weakening, barely audible by 0400. Never heard any announcements. More details in my full report in about a semiday. Glenn, OK, 0409 UT Sept 19, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Interesting. I thought I'd get something out here on the west coast, but absolutely nothing (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, 0500 UT, ibid.) Hi Walt, Down in California heard 7120 start up at 0330 with a decent level open carrier and just like Glenn, heard them start the HOA music at 0335; non-stop till 0340 tune out. Was not as good as yesterday's reception (Ron Howard, ibid.) Funny, but they didn't propagate so far north. Not even a line on the Perseus waterfall. I'll check them out in the morning. If they're on, they should be quite easy (Walt Salmaniw, BC, ibid.) 7120, R. Hargeisa. Signal on the air at 0329:48 and HoA music start at 0334:30. Finally very weak long talk or speech by M at 0407-0415 but was fading badly by this time. Hams on 7128 blasting away and splattering all over at 0414. Will have to keep watching this and hopefully get an ID before it fades. Nice to hear it here at home. And tnx to Ron Howard tip!! (19 Sept.) (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, HCDX via DXLD) 7120, Sept 19 I start monitoring at 0300 since Ron Howard reported they had started a morning broadcast Sept 18, already on at 0339. So far just a lot of ham CW at various pitches, occasional longer carriers on and off, but more likely hams. Not much SSB QRM, just a few ``holas`` at 0310. Lining up BFO with 6120 RHC, waited and waited. Finally *0329:50 approximately on comes a sufficient carrier. And at 0335 some HOA vocal music starts. Rated SINPO 23342; lots of atmospheric noise. The current lightning map for golfers at http://www.weather.com/maps/activity/golf/uslightningstrikes_large.html?from=mapofweek showed none at all in North America, except a few spots in NW Florida, and a lot across the NW Bahamas and the Straits of Florida. At least there is little QRhaM now, except for some off-frequency keying at 0340. Rolled tape hoping to catch some ID, but not even an announcement. Reception gradually deteriorates lowering the S/N level. 0342 music changes from vocal to band, I think, maybe an anthem? 0350 singing again; just about gone and JBA by 0400. Maybe another night will be better if they keep running in their mornings. {At 10 degrees N latitude, there is little variation in sunrise times; now 0253, it will only get 20 minutes later at 0313 by winter solstice.} Walt Salmaniw in BC was surprised not to be hearing it this date when I was getting it. But the short path from Hargeisa to Victoria goes *much* further north thru the auroral zone than that to Enid. Toward Vancouver it crosses Tromsø, northern Norway, and northern tip of Greenland even beyond Thule, about 80 degrees latitude max. To Enid it`s no further north than 55 degrees in the north Atlantic. BTW, Hargaysa is quite close to Djibouti, if you want to compare reception with 4780. 7120, Sept 19 at 1405 check still no sign of it by longpath here, while 7110 Myanmar carrier was JBA. BTW, Dave, G4ZOW of ``Transmitters `R` Us, Ltd.`` posted to the shortwaves yg Sept 17 that he will be going to Hargeisa to repair the old 25 kW ELCOR transmitter, installed 5 years ago but had antenna mismatch problems and has been off the air ever since; not sure why, but maybe to be backup to the new 100 kW (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [see below] Right you are, Glenn. Djibouti is and always has been a very difficult catch. At best, when conditions are perfect, I've only heard them at poor to fair levels. 73 (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria BC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) SOMALILAND: RADIO HARGEISA WORLDWIDE TRANSMISSION UPDATES Mike, I could not but comment on your post as myself and a co-engineer have recently been engaged to carry out repairs to R. Hargeisa's 25 kW Elcor transmitter. This was the unit originally installed around five years ago but which developed problems due to antenna mismatch problems and which has been off-air ever since. It will take quite some time for me to make sure everything is together and on-site before we make the trek from the UK to carry out the work. I'm not sure what the future is for this unit, maybe as a standby to the new 100 kW unit. I am dealing directly and in close communication with Ahmed Suilieman at the station so if you have any further questions and cannot contact him direct then I will be happy to assist you in any way I can (David G4ZOW, Transmitters 'R' Us Ltd, Sept 17, shortwaves yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) 7120, Radio Hargeisa/Hargaysa, 1504-1528, Sept 19. Thanks to Sei-ichi Hasegawa (Japan) for providing today’s additional info: carrier on at 1455 and HOA music started at 1501. I tuned in to a fair signal with non-stop HOA music; finally at 1527 had the only ID heard. They are broadcasting now during their local morning and evening. https://www.box.com/s/tkmlctyxp8bcs9jzz9qu contains a MP3 audio with mostly music (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Strong signal here this evening local music with talk in Somali at 1830. Still using 7120 in the 40m Amateur Band. Regards & 73's (John Hoad, Faversham, Kent UK, JRC NRD-515 + Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) Radio Hargeisa (presumed) recordings --- Ciao a tutti, presumo fosse *Radio Hargeisa* quella ascoltata questa sera sui /*7120 khz*/ con musica tipica del Corno d'Africa ed anche del parlato. Ho fatto un paio di registrazioni di qualche minuto alle 1634 ed alle 1742 UT. https://www.box.net/shared/s71j086xcpgerzsf797h https://www.box.net/shared/mo0k897i18kmx0h3bxy3 Segnale buono, ma con un po' d'interferenze: SINPO 43343. Qualcuno riesce a darmi conferma che si tratta proprio di questa emittente? Roby – (Roberto Rizzardi, SWL I/0216/GR, Porto S. Stefano (GR) Italy, Sept 19, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Radio Hargeisa --- New GE imagery taken last month (2012-08). Looks like a new 4mast SW (fountain antenna) here: 9 34'28.66"N 44 3'35.42"E. Comments? (Ian Baxter, NSW, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA. 11610, tentatively Radio Ibrahim/IBRA Radio, via Meyerton, 1749 Sept 19, in presumed Somali, Middle Eastern or Asian sounding music and language, two men with presumed religious message. Poor (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. 15235, Channel Africa, 1700 English ID by W and into news. Weak but clear. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD- 535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. U S A. 9370, WWRB Manchester TN (presumed); Overcomer Ministry; 2121-2139+, 9-Sep; B.S. waxing about the Anti- Christ. (B.S. seems to know a lot about that.) Said he doesn't expect all of God's chosen children to come to South Carolina. (Are we building to another Dooms Day prediction?! One can only hope.) No BoH break. SIO=3+43 with low-pitched hum & tinny audio. Recheck at 2253- 2301+; B.S. still huxtering; no break at ToH. Slightly better sig than at 2121, but still hummy & tinny. This is a move from 9385 per Glenn Hauser's DX LISTENING DIGEST 12-36, September 5, 2012 (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) Frequency change of Brother Stair via WWRB: 1200-2100 NF 9370*WRB 100 kW / 045 deg to NEAm, ex 9385 2100-1200 on 3185 WRB 100 kW / 340 deg to NWAm, unchange * former frequency of the closed station WTJC NOTE: Start and end of the transmissions is varies, for example: Sep. 15: 3185 till 1225 and 9370 from 1230 Sep. 16: 3185 till 1255 and 9370 from 1300 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Sofia, Bulgaria, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN [and non]. 11880, Sept 17 at 1232, REE COSTA RICA relay still in Castilian with fútbol news, 1233 ending with protracted sounder, 1234 into Basque (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11880, Sept 18 at 1332 I am surprised to hear Chaikofsky`s Piano Concerto No. 1 on REE via Costa Rica; lost feed and filling? No, same thing but 6 seconds ahead on 17595 Noblejas direct, instead of ``Españoles en la Mar``. What happened to that? 1334 YL outros first movement of this music, described as a ``duel between the piano and the other instruments``; then gives phone number for karaoke --- what? Maybe REE has plugged into some other domestic network such as Radio Tres. Is there a holiday, or a strike? 11880 via CR, // much weaker REE 15585 direct and a sextasecond ahead, Sept 19 at 1306, opening theme music of `Españoles en la Mar` so the program is back today after missing yesterday during this hour, into nautical news (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. 11905.0, SLBC at *0115Z with tuning tone, signature tone and SI/O [must mean sign-on] by YL. Into sub-continental music. Audio here: https://www.box.com/s/pq3ndx2vu981xdjczoj1 09/09 (Chuck Rippel, Chesapeake VA, Microtelecom Perseus, WinRadio G33DDC Excalibur-Pro, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. 17745, ENGLAND, Sudan Radio Service, 1457 Sept 15, loud hum/buzz on frequency, 1500 broke into audio for Saturday English broadcast, man gave website, address, studio line and satellite phone number, ID “Sudan Radio Service is a project of Education Development Centre...”, 1501:30 “You are tuned to Sudan Radio Service”, into news headlines, strong noise continued. Poor-fair. And then at check, 1551 African hi-life and Western easy-listening songs, 1559:30 Arabic, man giving contact information and a Sudan Radio Service ID, no hum/buzz as noted at 1500. Good (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active whip antenna, Editor of World English Survey and Target Listening, available at http://www.odxa.on.ca dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RIP Sudan Radio Service? Listening to the Sudan Radio Service on 17745 via Woo[f]ferton, ENGLAND on September 18th at 1650 and a woman announced that the FINAL TRANSMISSION ON SHORTWAVE will be on Tuesday September 25th. Catch it while you still can. -- (Mark Coady, Peterborough, ON K9J 6X3, Sept 18, ODXA yg via DXLD) 15-17 UT 17745, Sudan Radio Service via Woofferton, *1500-1503, Sept 19. They are still here! In vernacular; normal IDs for “Sudan Radio Service” and “S-R-S” (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17745, ENGLAND, Sudan Radio Service, 1645-1654 Sept 19, English, tuned in mid-point of an explanation of SRS leaving shortwave as of Sept 26th; said when they started 9 years ago shortwave was their only option; today there are more options - but I seemed to have tuned in too late to hear what those options are; following a piece of music at 1647, a man invited listeners to hear a special program marking their last SW broadcast (that will be aired Sept 25th), he said they will expand their FM network; both the woman earlier and this man thanked the American people for the funding that came to them; 1654 more music. Fair (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. 15400, 0408, 08-09-2012, talks by female mentioning the word "Tamazuj" at various times. At 0415 kind of African off-vocal music, opening theme for another segment of the transmission which was hosted by male with an interview via telephone. Transmission in Arabic language. SINPO 45443. This segment ended up at 0423 and then they played an African song by men. 0426 station sked and general information, also mentioning Tamazuj. 0428 Radio Dabanga ID (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) via MADAGASCAR, as Dabanga was about to start another sesquihour (gh, DXLD) 11640, 0403, 09-09-2012, news and mentioned Radio Tamazuj. At 0414 program started. At 0426 Radio Tamazuj ID (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Should be on 11650, via VATICAN; typo, or change? I think I heard it on 11650 since then (gh, DXLD) HAVE TO CHECK IT AGAIN (Leonardo, ibid.) ** SUDAN SOUTH [non]. 15725, Voice of South Sudan Revolutionary Radio, 0501-0515, Sept 17, tune-in to African tribal music. Talk in listed Arabic. Weak. Poor in noisy conditions (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg, PA, Icom IC-7600, two 100 foot longwires, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN SOUTH. Z8, SOUTH SUDAN (Update). Jim, K7QI, reports on QRZ.com that he has received his callsign, as well as Diya, YI1DZ. Their callsigns are Z81A (Jim) and Z81D (Diya) and are good for one year. Jim is now living and working in Juba, while Diya is a UN WFP telecom worker there. The two operators will soon meet and pool their resources together to help bring Amateur radio to South Sudan. Jim states on QRZ.com that "most all of Juba has no electricity and the house I've rented is the same. My company is in the process of ordering 2 generators. I am scheduled to fly back home on 25th of September 2012, and will return to Juba around late October or early November. I still need to select HF equipment and VHF equipment, and will bring the equipment back with me once I've selected the equipment. I am a member of AMSAT back home, and am planning on becoming active on AMSAT from here. Once I am set up and operating, I plan on being highly active, and will be on just about everyday. So please be patient, and I will be on very soon." Meanwhile, Diya, Z81D, has a station already set up and ready to go. Jim states, "Thanks to his kindness, we both will be using his station until I can get my station set up." By the way, Diya was heard on the air for the first time on September 13th, around 1745z operating 17 meters SSB. The QSL Manager for Z81A is Frank Remington, K7GSE. Please send S.A.S.E. with 2 green stamps or 1 valid IRC to Frank. The QSL Manager for Diya, YI1DZ (Z81D), is Stefan, OM3JW. To see pictures of both licenses and Diya's radio shack located at Nyakuron South, Juba, see "DX-World.net" at: http://dx-world.net/2012/z81a-z81d-republic-of-south-sudan ADDED NOTE: Both operators are now active and have been on 20, 17 and 15 meters SSB (Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1079, September 17, 2012, Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio) via J. Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) ** SYRIA. Hello Dxers, Checking Syria's MW today I noticed the Hebrew section from 0300 UT and still on till 0415; we already had sunrise so lots of fading now. The frequency is 783, and the Hebrew section was on till 0500. All the best from Cairo (Tarek Zeidan, Sept 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) WRTH 2012 shew Hebrew only at 1600-1830 (gh) ** TAIWAN. UNIDENTIFIED QTH: 9939.87, WYFR (QTH??), Signal on the air at 1258:50. Usual "To God be the Glory" signature melody, then what sounded like a Chinese ID by W, and into programing. Fair strength but seemed undermodulated. Off frequency. Where is this one coming from?? (16 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) see Aoki list, is via Tainan site in Taiwan. 9939.869 kHz in August: 9939.869, YFR Family Radio in Vietnamese via Tainan-TWN relay site, 1300-1357 UT noted at 1318 UT, and co-channel disturbed like jamming by OTHR swinging carrier noise, but latter could be also an independent signal service (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Aug 16) [and other off-frequency Taiwan transmitters:] 7459.987, YFR Family Radio Vietnamese service 12-13 UT at Aug 16, S=9 signal noted at 1235 UT on remote unit in Australia. Via Pao Chung site at Taiwan. 11605.108, Radio Taiwan International Japanese service, news heard at 0803 UT Aug 14. Registered 08-09 UT from Tainan-TWN site (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Aug 14 via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. VOICE OF GUANGHUA / HAN SHENG BROADCASTING CORPORATION Guanyin transmitter site. Please also refer my homepage for the photograph of transmitting antenna at Guanyin, as well as the Taiwan-shaped jigsaw QSL card of Voice of Guanghua. BTW "guanhua" means "glorious light", "Guanyin" means "Avalokite|svara" in Buddhism. {Google_automatic_translator from Japanese to English} Shortwave broadcast station in Taiwan are also present in other units of Hiroshi Taiwan International (RTI). Hiroshi units and rehabilitation units Han covered, but this time we are currently shortwave broadcasting, many old station had been carried further shortwave police, and Air Force. Units Han began its shortwave direction is that the continent is relatively new in March 2004. Transmitting station is transmitting station same units Hiroshi reconstruction. This shortwave broadcast at that time had been broadcasting for domestic relay, sometimes you have to broadcast 24 hours as a "Voice of Han" strengthen the English name the color of the continent gradually toward professional broadcasting. It is now also separately or contact HP and toward domestic broadcasting is done in another system change "? Guanghua voice and" (Voice of Guanghua English name) the name. The "Panorama" in Chinese language but you have a bright future glory and glorious symbol of the Chinese nation in the meaning "bright light, bright light" that. History of Han units in Taiwan's earliest broadcasting stations. Was satisfied in 1942, "the military units Hiroshi" which was started its origin is in Nanjing KMT troops at the time that had been done by the war against Japan in China (Chiang Kai-shek army). Broadcast wave wave 13 FM7, medium wave (current network that covers next to "voice ? the military" and transferred, the whole of Taiwan in Taipei the home army Chiang Kai-shek is moved to Taiwan being chased by army Communist Party in 1949 (Army Mao) I have built). Change the current units "Han," the name of the station in 1988 and in 2000 was merged to "stand ?? Hiroshi Guanghua" at the time. Comes from the "Panorama" also the name of the continent towards the current broadcast. 's Slogan is (to understand the life listening to the voice of my life listening to the voice of Han Han taste) "seize life voice yield from taste life voice yield", each parent-child direction, toward army soldiers, culture and music I have a program that will be organized in the system penetrated by this spirit. Although it is broadcast by the Armed Forces of the Ministry of National Defense Republic of China, is the broadcasting of KMT troops originally near, the idea of broadcasting is the "one China" in the course than the Kuomintang Party of Taiwan independence sentiment. Previously, it was the attitude of "do-or-die resistance Salvation anti hair" because it is a station of the army, it is converted to attitude of "cross-strait peace cooperation" now. Is a "cross-strait peace center" is positioned as the "voice Guanghua", has become the contents of a relatively soft personality convey news on both sides of the topic, and music. China has not put a jamming or shortwave broadcasting since the start of this because it is a "cross-strait peace center" of KMT troops origin. "Voice ? strait" has been broadcast but corresponds to the "voice ? Guanghua" (the broadcasting of military district Fujian People's Liberation Army) from the continent, I have not applied the jamming even here, a soft program content in which. See because they are kept in Taiwan than the mainland, traditional Confucian ancient Chinese broadcasting platform "Han" is that there is a positive impact rather to the continent suffering evils into capitalism, such as Social Fri worship might have been. (Person 1.65 million reserve) 300,000 troops constantly Chinese side against the approximately 100,000 have been deployed in Fujian only artillery second, army ROC entire People's Liberation Army and also include other units 5% or more of full-time soldiers force of 2.24 million people are present in Fujian, has a large number of troops on both sides facing severely relatively narrow. Many good people, weapons and troops who were often one that is good for the military budget. Because who is also reduced defense budget and reducing the need of peace has come, there is a state of moderate tension augment forces me to some extent the other side, the war does not cause as much as possible is a good addition. In subtle harmony is felt even when viewed from the top of the broadcast but the Taiwan Strait have been told that they are inspired by one shot. When was the name of the "voice of Han" but has issued a QSL card brave side by side photos of the weapons, it then becomes "voice ? Guanghua", or because they do not fit the mood of peace is the first time the world finally issued a "QSL puzzle type" of. In the work in the form of entertainment super combined in groups of three and Taiwan, which is also published on reports received one copy. QSL hear so rare in the continental side (people listening to shortwave broadcasting in the Chinese cities of human BCL hobby seems to be becoming the majority as well as in Japan) many people, has become a collector's item. Those published ones that were issued to the reception report in August 2009. I filled out my own had not been filled since the received data. Also available (PFC) QSL introverted country ?? units ?? Han acquired by local reception in 2002 for reference. Republic of China calendar year and 0 Xinhai Revolution of 1911 has been used in Taiwan, 2010 and this year it will be 99 years Republic of China. (Not hear but has also been described in the official schedule 6105 kHz) 16:55 to 09:05, the current official schedule of "voice ? Guanghua" The shortwave 9745 kHz, 711, 801, 846 kHz, medium wave at 981 kHz there. 250 kW, 9745 kHz output in Japan is all very good. Note that the destination of the voice is different from the ones listed are WRTH 2010 edition of Panorama Research. Destination of the received reports: Building B five three one-stage ROC Xinyi Road, Taipei City 100 land units Han Chinese people 1700 ROC postal box Shin Min Chinese Taipei China Guanghua voice ? URL: Han units Guanghua voice E-mail: Units can be sent from the URL above Han Guanghua voice (via Takahito Akabayashi, Japan, Sept 8, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews via BC-DX Sept 16 via DXLD) O, computers ** TAIWAN [non]. 15690, 1709, 11-09-2012, end of news by Andrew Ryan from Radio Taiwan International. Then, "Here in Taiwan". SINPO 55444. There was some fading after 1719, as typical from RTI frequencies. So, SINPO 45433. Including "We've got mail" at 1725. Via Issoudun, FRANCE (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15690, FRANCE, Radio Taiwan International, 1718 Sept 19, English, story about a boy of the “Taiwan tribe” and speaking about culture and a court case; at 1727 telling story of a man decades earlier fighting in the revolution for the Republic of China. Fair (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) We may become dependent on off-target relays like this if RTI really drops its English via WYFR in B-12 as appears to be the case (gh, DXLD) ** TAIWAN. 7105, 2205, 07-09-2012, lot of ham QRM, but there is a Chinese Mandarin language transmission among them which is not ham operation. SINPO 23432. Sound of Hope (presumed). 7105, 2208, 08-09-2012, talks by both male and female into Chinese Mandarin. Thin, but audible. Also lot of ham QRM. SINPO 23332. No Firedrake. 7280, 1104, 10-09-2012, Chinese language comments and ID into Chinese as "Xi Wang Zhi Sheng". Informative programs, some promos or spots. Neither Firedrake nor a lot of ham QRM. Low but audible. 7600, 2158, 10-09-2012, waiting for any sign from Sound of Hope, but there is not anything to hear. Then, at 2201, I moved to 9635 and there was a Chinese Mandarin female program, more or less audible, but a lot of interference from 9625 and 9640 (CRI Spanish). In this case better on 9634 to try to avoid interference. Last chance to look towards a better option was at 2208 on 7105, the one I've been monitoring these days, and reception was a little bit good. Today there was not a lot of ham QRM, but it was thin, so it's difficult to hear as well. Since I've been observing Sound of Hope, the only possible tune-ins have been in the following frequencies: 7105 (lot of ham QRM), 7280, 7600 (interfered by Firedrake when they noted SOH was considerably audible) and 9635 (with vast adjacent channels interfering). 7625, 2208, 12-09-2012, this time I was monitoring Sound of Hope, as I have been doing these days, and once again I found another mystery carrier just by chance. This time on 7625, with very good reception but there was not anything to hear. I waited till 2224, but I don't have much time to wait for this to go off. It's time to see what about Sound of Hope. 7105, 2230, 12-09-2012, Sound of Hope is here on this frequency. Despite the ham QRM, today propagation seems to be a little bit better for this band, because SOH has better signal strength than in the last days. On 9635 sounds a little bit better, but it has plenty of QRM from adjacent channels. Nothing to hear on 7600, but it seems there is a very thin carrier with very low modulation on 7540. Anyway, in the case of this last frequency, I think that it could be SOH, because when the Firedrake is on the air you can easy identify the orchestral music they broadcast on it, and they don’t here, not today (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. 6280, Sound of Hope (presumed), 2301 lively instrumental music with canned M and W voice over announcements in what sounded like Chinese. M and W program hosts bantering away in definite Chinese and apparent commentary feature. 2314 sounded like more canned announcements, and another feature. (15 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** TAIWAN [and non]. [Re 12-37]: WYFR final B12 and RTI relays reduced > [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) Are the mediumwave relays usually not included in such statements or will they thus be cancelled altogether? They are or were rather extensive, I think there were already seasons with one of the transmitters carrying Family Radio exclusively. See page 491 (more specifically 492/493) in WRTH 2012 (Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN [and non]. 11530, Sept 15 at 1226, fair signal in Chinese spelling O-A-K-L-A-N-D, a good hint that it`s FSI, confirmed by YFR IS following; all the while with squishy +9 kHz spur QRM on 11529 from much stronger WEWN 11520 English, which is back on air today, and must be getting a sporadic-E boost, Catholix vs. --- whatever Family Radio is, sorta Protestant, minus churches. Soon 11530 and several other YFR via Taiwan frequencies will be past- things, as B-12 schedule info reveals those relays will contract to only 6 frequency-hours per day, 11-14 on 6240 and 9280. And consequently the exchange relays of RTI via YFR will also be cut to 6 fq-hrs, not including the longtime English broadcasts at 02, 03 and 05. It`s not yet clear what will happen to the YFR relays via Taiwan on MW, but probably endangered (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. 9795, Sept 17 at 1352, hi-pitched SE Asian singing, fair signal, announcement in Thai. In fact, it is R. Thailand at 13-14 in Japanese, Chinese and Thai (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET. 4920, 0058, 10-09-2012, music in vernacular. SINPO 44343. At 0100 comments, but there was not any clue to know what station it could be. Both Aoki A12 and Eibi show this frequency to be used by PBS Xizang, Lhasa-Baiding, China, at this time in Tibetan (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET [non]. 11605, Sept 15 at 1228, unknown language mentions Washington, 1229 ``This is Radio Free Asia; the following program is in Tibetan``. Good clear signal, nice to hear with no jamming, tho it may be entirely different in the target. This is 250 kW, 295 degrees from TINIAN, at 12-14, so the preceding program was also in Tibetan; a dialect switch? No such details on the English announcement (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET [non]. 17560, 1400, 09-09-2012, Tibetan language program from clandestine Voice of Tibet via Madagascar. Today very good SINPO 44444. QRM very thin from Firedrake. At 1412 they jumped to 17565, SINPO 44443. This time they were on this frequency till the end of the program at 1428. I didn't observe anything on 17570, neither Voice of Tibet nor Firedrake (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. 11980, VOT, Emirler, 0432 July 20 in English with program of Turkish pop music, 70 dB signal and excellent audio (Richard W Parker, Pennsburg PA, Sept World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ?? This is Turkish service, and there is no English on any frequency at this hour in summer. Did you really hear some English? (gh, DXLD) 15450, Thu Sept 13 at 1255, VOT with `Middle East Agenda` about increasing Iraqi violence; Question of the Month; cut off the air at 1300 as if intentional, but back after a sesquiminute, for the rest of the broadcast containing Turkish fill-music, always enjoyable. After too-brief headlines, closing at 1324 with a sesqui-IS too before cut off. 15450, Friday Sept 14 after 1300, V. of Turkey sufficient with music fill, after a talk before the hour on the `Balkan Agenda`. Printed schedule folder just came in the P-mail, envelope with barely visible meter imprint, no stamps, where they have eliminated all info about programs, just listing transmissions in every language and websites for each, some tiny photos of the studios and Turkish scenes, brief article about their 75th anniversary which has already been quoted in DXLD. The full-color sheet is also folded complexly, the segments measuring from top to bottom in approx. inches: 3.5, 2.4, 2.4, 3.4 and 1.1. It`s not strictly fanfold either, but it all comes together such that the top half of a row of photos in the first segment line up with the bottom half of same photos in the third segment; impressive! Unless you would prefer the photos uninterrupted. Here`s the best we can do for an axual program schedule from their website instead, accessed via http://www.worlddxclub.org.uk/WDXC_links_stations.html which is Alan Roe`s excellent hitlist: http://www.trt.net.tr/Generic/SayfaTasarimiGoster.aspx?TaslakKodu=4e127f36-756b-4a65-b6bf-47443fdeddc6&dil=en Tho autodated as today, it`s for Jan-Feb-Mar of an unknown year, in two identical(?) versions. Note it does not even specify which programs are alternating fortnightly, such as `DX Corner` on Saturdays. Today after headlines and sign-off goodbye, we were treated to ten- time play of the invariable IS at 1322-1325.5* 15450, Saturday Sept 15 at 1241, VOT is starting `DX Corner` with Omar. Starts with item about BBC`s ``Radio Reunited`` global simulcast celebrating 90 years on Nov 14; tuned away for other stuff including KOREA SOUTH whose DX program conflicts, confident that Turkey`s so- called DX program would not cover any real DX news (e.g. those daunting times and frequencies), and I could retrieve it later if I get around to it. Recheck at 1252 during an item about Hudson Institute panel discussion of BBG; 1259 after a song which is certainly off-topic for this show, Omar returns with final item, reading the full PR from Radio Free Asia, including boilerplate footer, about their latest QSL for rest of year; ending at 1302 until a fortnight later (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE. 9 September 2012 in 0615 UT accept “Dneprovskaya Volna” ("Dnieper wave") with the broadcasting of the Ukrainian radio on frequency 11980 kHz. Reception - 35422. The transfer must go to 0800 UT (Receiver: Degen 1103, Telescopic antenna: Dmitry Kutuzov, Ryazan, Russia / “deneb-radio-dx” via RusDX 16 Sept via DXLD) The same with me. Look today at a frequency of once 5-6. (Alexander Golovikhin, Togliatti, Russia / “deneb-radio-dx”, ibid.) Letter from the Dnieper Waves. Some of the changes and plans. Alexander! But changes in the filling of the gear new programs from radio DX is not foreseeable. That will prepare radio "Ukraine" you will be with us. The new plans are still on technology. The time has come for a permitted power transmitters. And as you know we have the transfer is conducted simultaneously on two transmitters and two antennas. And every added 100 watts of power you have in Togliatti will look like the added capacity up to 1 kW. So we have such plans for the future. The time of transmission remains the same. Now autumn time and there is more work on preparation for winter with the visit for 20 km, so maybe Saturday transfer will be temporarily reduced by one hour. Sunday transfer to the middle of October can be extended for another 30 min. The frequency of more [Svobodna, transliterated by gh] until all the news. Alexander Shilo (Alexander Golovikhin, Togliatti, Russia / “deneb-radio-dx” / “open_dx” via Rus DX 16 Sept via DXLD) transfer = broadcast, evidently (gh) ** U K [non]. 11945, 0400, 11-09-2012, BBC via Seychelles in English. Very good reception!! (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K [non]. Upcoming frequency change of BBC WS in English: 0600-0700 NF 7365 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to CeAf, ex 15105 WOF (DX Re Mix News, Bulgaria, 18 September via DXLD) Watch out for over-run Cuban jamming (gh, DXLD) ** U K. BBC'S ROBIN LUSTIG TO GO BACK TO FIELD REPORTING Stepping down from his presenter roles on Radio 4 and World Service; it appears (can't tell from the article) he's staying with the BBC. The other two people mentioned in the article left the BBC. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/9553059/World-Service-presenter-Robin-Lustig-leaving-BBC.html (Richard Cuff, internetradio via DXLD) ** U K. BBC PROMS 2012 HIGHLIGHTS AND NEW WEST SIDE STORY CLIP Enjoy a selection of the very best TV clips from the 2012 BBC Proms, including an exclusive, just-released West Side Story (Balcony Scene) clip from the Broadway Sound Prom. Visit the BBC Proms YouTube playlist to view all 79 video clips of the 2012 Season. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2CB9C3D2AF19EE7F&feature=plcp (BBC Proms mailing list via DXLD) This is nice for those of us furriners who were banned from watching any of the Proms which were fully televised (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) Glenn, this is the first time that I've seen the West Side Story duet. It was not shown in a recorded showing on BBC-2 of this particular Prom on Sept.1st. A reader of Radio Times asks: "Why did BBC2 not include the wonderful duet from West Side Story with the incredible Sierra Boggess and Julian Ovenden in their transmission of this magnificent prom (1 September)? I did listen to the live broadcast on Radio 3 (27 August) so was looking forward to seeing as well as hearing them. I am sure another ten minutes could have been found in the schedule to show the full prom - it can always be tweaked for live sport!! " And the reply: "A BBC Proms spokesman says: While we bring a vast number of complete BBC Proms to our television audience and broadcast every prom live on BBC Radio 3, negotiating filming rights for West End musicals can be a lengthy process. In the instance of the John Wilson Prom it was not possible to secure the rights for 'the balcony scene' before the original transmission date, but fans of West Side Story will be pleased to hear that the Prom will be broadcast in full later in the year". I hope you'll be able to see it then because it was a wonderful show. I shall be watching it again (Noel R. Green, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC RADIO REUNITED, A GLOBAL SIMULCAST CURATED BY DAMON ALBARN TO MARK 90 YEARS OF RADIO http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/radio-reunited.html Date: 10.09.2012 Last updated: 10.09.2012 at 15.21 Category: 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. 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. The three-minute transmission will be based on recorded messages from listeners around the world on the theme of the future. Each of an estimated 60 BBC radio stations will choose one message and many of them will then be mixed together and set to a musical score specially composed by the Blur frontman. It will form the centrepiece of the on-air celebrations to mark 90 years of BBC Radio, which will also feature a wide range of special programming across BBC stations, full details of which will be announced nearer the time. The process of gathering the messages begins this week, when listeners will be invited to contribute a single, short missive to their radio station addressed to future generations to be listened to 90 years from now. The message could be a hope, a fear, an observation, question or piece of advice, and could be tweeted, texted or e-mailed. Listeners whose messages are chosen will be invited by their chosen station to record their thought. One message from each of the stations involved (listed below) will be sent to Damon, who will use the recordings as the basis of the simulcast. All the messages received by the BBC will be passed on to the Mass Observation Archive at the University of Sussex to ensure they are preserved for another 90 years and can be made available for academic research. Listeners can find out more about the project and how to get involved at http://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. Tim Davie, Director BBC Audio & Music, said: “This ambitious project will bring all of the BBC’s UK stations together for the first time in their history to mark 90 years of radio broadcasting. It is great news that Damon has agreed to curate Radio Reunited and join us in looking forward to the next 90 years of radio.” Tim has also blogged on the project here. 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. [so does that leave any BBC domestic stations which are *not* participating, like most of the BBCWS languages? --- gh] Notes to Editors The first transmission from what was then the British Broadcasting Company was on 14 November 1922, following the creation of the Company on 18 October of the same year. The broadcast came from the transmitter 2LO, located at Marconi House in London, and was launched with the now famous words ‘This is 2LO calling…’. And so the BBC hit the airwaves. As part of the wider anniversary celebrations, the BBC will be partnering with the Science Museum (which now houses the 2LO, one of the gems of its collection) and the National Media Museum in Bradford to explore the impact of BBC innovation over time. The in-depth history of the BBC, past, present and future, will also be covered on BBC History website. Further information on 90x90 on BBC Radio 4 Extra: The 90 x 90 second miniatures each represent one year of broadcasting - a “hooray for radio” in 90 very different ways. They will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra for 11 days following the Radio Reunited moment (up to and including 25 November) and will also be available on the BBC Radio 4 Extra website. Other networks will play a variety of the miniatures best suited to their audiences. BBC Radio 4 Extra hosts this ambitious project because its purpose is to celebrate the best of the speech radio archive. BBC Radio’s history is the heartbeat of the station. The miniatures are intended to capture the unique scale, creativity and diversity of radio. We want people to reflect on the 90 years but also on what can be achieved in 90 seconds – a story, a memory, a point of view, an experience, an artwork. These are small ideas but executed on a grand scale. Some examples of these 90-second miniatures in production: 1926: Radio’s first spoof news broadcast – audiences widely believed there was a murderous riot in Trafalgar Square thanks to a mischievous show presented by a priest. 1935: A teenage broadcaster threatened with the sack for sounding cockney on his late night “jazz” programme. 1940: Arthur Smith breaks into Arthur Askey’s flat in a secret location in Broadcasting House in a memory of Bandwagon, a pioneering comedy show. 1957: Samuel Beckett influences what will become the Radiophonic Workshop. 1978: The never before heard radio debut of 13-year-old Jeremy Vine on his own homemade station. 1985: A Radio 3 presenter has to fill for thirty minutes because a piano is in the wrong place. 2011: Sports broadcasters weep at the death of Gary Speed. 90 x 90 are made by Testbed Productions --- BBC Radio Publicity (via Dr Hansjoerg Biener, DXLD) ** U K. Two notes on BBC Asian Network: You might like to have a look at these press releases concerning the BBC Asian Network (on DAB and other digital platforms, but still some mediumwaves too): http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/mark-strippel-asian-network-head-progs.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/new-asian-network-schedule.html 2012 new and streamlined management (August), new programme line up (December) 2011 station barely saved 2010 station almost dissolved because of declining audience numbers (Dr. Hansjoerg Biener, Sept 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC HERALDS LAUNCH OF THE "WORLD'S NEWSROOM" - Media News - Digital Spy Interesting - while the combination of TV and "Digital" are reported here, one can assume this also includes the World Service, since the World News and World Service efforts have the same management. http://www.digitalspy.com/media/news/a405781/bbc-heralds-launch-of-the-worlds-newsroom.html (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, Sept 13, Swprograms mailing list via DXLD) It will be interesting to see how this works in practice. As a somewhat off-topic aside, I've seen several posts today indicating that the BBC has finished posting all of John Peel's shows online. – (-Rob de Santos, ibid.) Here is the uber John Peel archive: http://thespace.org/items/s000004u And the shows weren't posted by the BBC but by a fan who had 453 of this shows: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/09/12/john-peel-radio-shows-arc_n_1876540.html RC (Richard Cuff, internetradio via DXLD) ** U K [non]. BBC Berlin starts adverts --- I understand that the BBC's Berlin FM relay (94.8) began carrying the promised commercials on 7 September. This is a year-long trial of advertising, which is seen as a way of keeping the BBC's FM relays on the air in expensive locations (Chris Greenway, England, Sept 14, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Around the penultimate weekend I got an impression that the slots prior to the hour had already been set aside, filled with promos at this time. Quite obvious was an impaired audio quality. BBC WS on FM in Berlin used to be excellent in this regard, but now it sounds just as shabby as RFI on 96.7 which I assume is a 128k feed from Eutelsat 9A. In general the 94.8 relay has no longer a classy but instead a cheapish appearance now, also due to the changes they made to the program style (Kai Ludwig, Germany, ibid.) See also http://www2.ppauctions.com/auction.php?id=71 Lots 2757 ff. I understand that FM outlets of BBC WS are now usually modulated out of such Wegener iPump 6400 devices, installed locally at the transmitter sites (and a bit ago being amongst the equipment seized in some African country I do not recall off-hand, perhaps Sudan). On a related subject: http://kimelli.nfshost.com/index.php?id=13685 "Clearer internal distinction" --- frankly, what's the point? Who cares for internal distinctions?? What counts is the perception out there in the wild, and here I can tell you for Berlin that there is no point in even trying to explain, even to media professionals, the difference between BBC World News and BBC World Service. They are perceived as the same, just as "the BBC". This of course also applies to the serious editorial violations at BBC World News for which they had to apologize on air (Kai Ludiwg, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. OFCOM AWARDS FIRST LOCAL TV LICENCES http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2012/09/12/ofcom-awards-first-local-tv-licences/ September 12, 2012 --- Ofcom has today awarded the first licences to run local TV services in two areas of the UK. The new licences are for digital terrestrial TV (DTT) channels in Brighton and Grimsby. The awards follow new legislation enabling Ofcom to issue local TV licences. The channels will broadcast on a specific ‘multiplex’, a discrete amount of spectrum reserved for local TV broadcasting on DTT. The first two licences awarded are: Brighton: Latest TV Limited Channel name: Latest TV Website: http://www.thelatest.tv Grimsby: Channel 7 Television Community Interest Company Channel name: Lincolnshire Living Website: http://www.channel7tv.co.uk Licences are awarded for a period of up to 12 years. It is hoped that some channels may be on air before the end of 2013. In May 2012, Ofcom invited applications to run local TV services in 21 local areas. In total, 57 applications were received to run the local TV services, along with 4 applications for the local multiplex. As well as broadcasting on DTT, it is anticipated that local TV channels might also wish to offer their services on satellite, cable and online. Ofcom will make further licence awards in the coming months. A statement setting out the main reasons for the award of the local TV licences referred to above will be published on our website in due course (via Hansjoerg Biener, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. Andrews on HFGCS - longest EAM ever? 6739.0, USAF Andrews HFGCS, 0300-0323 USB (September 14), Very long (270-character), odd EAM in sections delimited by a single letter repeated 4 times. The operator barely got through it. It took him 23 minutes. Slight, very short echo. Parallel on at least 8992 (same), and 11175 (weak). EAM: VXNN7UBAZ5HDGTF2YZLLVJWOQVURW4KHSX3PW7O5ASOCUS7DVJPYRANKR5GGVTVTAXOANK K EEEEBPC5F3ZCA CCCX2OX22Y HHHH4XOIIWRBP2WHIPZIIPK CCCC7NBNVFAA5F3YCMLLXEN QQQQ4VFCBEXHQIZORDIZNHPHMU3425PMZKPCFSS2LIJEDKTJ AAAA3P5RJTQ77UD2I46VS4D CCCCBUYNM4LJO3LNM3FVMUY JJJJ3HXRRHWVJWWEBDYYDYG HHHHJDIB2DL6UM "I say again" [repeat] "This completes message of two-seven-zero characters, Andrews, out." Andrews has been on twice since, with the same guy on-mike making short test counts (Hugh NV6H Stegman, Southern California, Sept 13, UDXF yg via DXLD) Line breaks in the EAM as published; may not have any significance (gh, DXLD) I realize there is a bit of tension in North Africa right now. Could that be related? (Stephen Michael Kellat, KC8BFI, Ashtabula, Ohio, Sept 13, UDXF yg via DXLD) I don't think anyone besides the intended recipients can say what these occasional long EAMs mean. They're rare, but they've gone on for many years. I'd really rather not know what they're about, given the various national security considerations that might potentially apply. Jeff Haverlah just told me that one of these EAMs was 515 characters once, so this is nowhere near the longest. THAT one must have been a real mouthful for the operator (-hugh, ibid.) Increase In Aero or Military Traffic on HF? Prior to the invasion of Iraq by US, there was an increase in HF traffic, voice and digital on the HF bands. Anyone noticing that now? Would be interesting that when that happens, those who notice it could post it here for others to follow up on too. Thanks and 73 from (Bill - WD8ARZ Lauterbach, Sept 17, swl at qth.net via DXLD) With respect to monitoring pertinent traffic, wouldn't it behoove listeners to limit their interest to strictly military bands and know what "normal levels of traffic" are? I have no idea what is "normal" and also know that much of what we hear is limited by solar cycle limitations. All you have to do is change your basic antenna and what is "normal" is thrown out the window. I'm not sure any group could tell what the difference is unless it has resources not available to non-military or intelligence gathering groups (Bruce, ARS KQ2E Havourd, ibid.) I'm lucky in that I seem to hear EAMs when no one else does - but I haven't myself noticed a correlation between the number of EAMs and any global event. For instance, I may hear lots n lots of EAMS, and nothing's on the news. I'll hear radio silence, and something "big" happens. Whenever I hear a lot of EAMS, I ask around (like you) "is something about to happen?!" but not YET have I "gotten lucky" and viewed what I thought was a link between an large event and EAMs. Of course I am only a casual listener, so I probably miss out on plenty. For what it's worth, we have a lot of carriers in the Gulf right now. I'd keep an eye (ear!) on HF global comms and places like solarix.net, hf mil air comms, etc. Unfortunately my listening post is limited to only HF AM/SSB and some longwave, atmospheric conditions permitting. Good luck and keep everyone posted if you come upon "the news before it happens"! I've always hoped to hear some warning before everyone else in the general public does (Kristin Makhloufi, SW Arizona, UDXF yg via DXLD) ** U S A. EXTENDED HOURS FOR KSM AND K6KPH --- Maritime Radio Historical Society stations KSM and K6KPH will extend their operating hours beginning this evening, Wednesday 12 September from 1930 to 2300 Pacific Daylight Time (13 September 0230 to 0600gmt) as a test to see if these extended hours will make the stations available to ships, land stations and listeners who have not been able to copy them at other times. If this evening's operations are successful they will be continued on a weekly basis. Two operators will be on duty. KSM will be active on its CW frequencies (in kc): [per second] 426 500 4350.5 6474.0 8438.3 12993.0 16914.0 22445.8 500 kc and ITU Channel 3 HF will be monitored for calls from ships. K6KPH will be available on (in kc): [per second] 3550 7050 14050 21050 Reception reports may be sent to info@... [truncated by yg] If a verification is required please mail your report to: MRHS PO Box 392 Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 USA The MRHS has an exciting new electronic Newsletter that covers all our activities and is available free. Back issues are available for review here: http://tinyurl.com/9kv9u3j Subscribe to the Newsletter here: http://tinyurl.com/8d5qxu7 VY 73, (RD ================================= Richard Dillman, WPE2VT Chief Operator, Coast Station KSM Maritime Radio Historical Society http://www.radiomarine.org ================================= Sept 13, UDXF yg via DXLD) ** U S A. EYW not. Re 12-37: ``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)`` It is sad that the final breath of AFN, Saddlebunch Keys (via the US Navy utility mode NAR facilities, in my hopefully to eventually be free state) is falsely quoted once again as coming from the wrong geo- location. But I guess we can now finally end this long-running attempt on my part to correct those who are so terribly geographically ignorant. For those who somehow don't know: this site was briefly the temporary home to 1180 kc/s VOA (Radio Martí) while the original Marathon Key site was upgraded. Before the brief 1180 kc/s shift from Marathon to the USN Saddlebunch Keys site, a dummy load test was made on 640 kHz, to check out the gear in anticipation of possibly using the site independently for broadcasts to Cuba (but surely not on 640 -- where Radio Progreso is so strong). (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The Saddlebunch Keys radio installation is here; 24 38 52N 81 36 18W It's not far from Key West, about 7.25 miles NE of NAS Key West. JL (Jerry Lenamon, Waco TX, ibid.) ** U S A [and non]. Published documents of the Office of the Inspector General, US Department of State, and Broadcasting Board of Governors: http://oig.state.gov/latest/index.htm including: Inspection of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Prague Report Number ISP-IB-12-43, August 2012 This 27-page PDF has every page labeled SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, but with that marked out in red. Brief portions have been redacted (blacked out) except in the Security section, where most of it has been redacted. http://oig.state.gov/documents/organization/197263.pdf [following pointed out by wb:] FY 2012 estimated budget - $93,248,000 • A staff of 522 in Prague: 298 expatriates (77 Americans and 221 third-country nationals) and 224 Czech citizens. And: Inspection of the International Broadcasting Bureau’s Regional Office of Marketing and Program Placement in Prague, Czech Republic Report Number ISP-IB-12-44, August 2012 http://oig.state.gov/documents/organization/197264.pdf This 16-page PDF was also formerly SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, and only a brief passage is redacted. Of most interest, perhaps, is a table showing the number of affiliates in numerous countries, totaling 389, several of them in western Europe which would seemingly be beyond the purview of RFE/RL. [wb points out:] RFE/RL information technology networks are under frequent attack from external sources. The OIG team learned that cyber attacks occur daily. There are usually one or two big targeted attacks a year (Glenn Hauser, tnx Wolfgang Büschel for the linx, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. RADIO SAWA INTERVIEWS "ALLEGED DIRECTOR" OF "THE INNOCENCE OF MUSLIMS." Posted: 15 Sep 2012 VOA News, 14 Sept 2012: "A man who says he was behind the private film sparking demonstrations in the Muslim world is criticizing the protesters. In an interview with U.S.-government-funded Radio Sawa, the alleged director of the film says his fellow Arabs 'have to learn demonstrate peacefully against the issues on which we disagree.' He says any allegation the United States government was involved in the making of the movie is 'funny and ridiculous' and that 'America has nothing to do with the film.' Radio Sawa says the man refused to confirm his identity but that a source who provided the contact information identified him as Nakoula Basseley Nakoula." With translation of the interview. Original at Radio Sawa, 14 Sept 2012. Forbes, 14 Sept 2012, Dorothy Pomerantz: "As with so many facts around this 'film,' these could turn out to be untrue. But the broadcasters believed they were talking to Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, a California Coptic Egyptian who is believed to be the filmmaker behind the propaganda video." Sky News Australia, 15 Sept 2012: "Reporters and police are camped out outside Nakoula's house outside Los Angeles, but he has not been seen, although he did give an interview to Radio Sawa, a US-government station that broadcasts in Arabic." Digital Journal, 14 Sept 2012, Ted Lipien: "Former U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe criticizes the executive staff of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) for using a weak language in describing the death of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens. Public relations officials of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) -- the U.S. government agency responsible for broadcasts to the Middle East and other parts of the world -- referred to the 'passing' of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens in a statement expressing condemnation of the attacks that claimed his life and three others. Ambassador Victor H. Ashe, one of the current seven members of the bipartisan board in charge of U.S. international broadcasting, said the killings should be described as murder." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) -- It was not "weak language," but correct use of English. The BBG mourns the passing, but condemned the attack (see the BBG statement on 12 Sept). It would seem a bit off to mourn a murder. In any case, a news organization is behooved to be restrained in its language. See previous post (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) Washington Post, 15 Sept 2012, Craig Timberg: "Google lists eight reasons on its 'YouTube Community Guidelines' page for why it might take down a video. Inciting riots is not among them. But after the White House warned Tuesday that a crude anti-Muslim movie trailer had sparked lethal violence in the Middle East, Google acted. Days later, controversy over the 14-minute clip from 'The Innocence of Muslims' was still roiling the Islamic world, with access blocked in Egypt, Libya, India, Indonesia and Afghanistan — keeping it from easy viewing in countries where more than a quarter of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims live. Legal experts and civil libertarians, meanwhile, said the controversy highlighted how Internet companies, most based in the United States, have become global arbiters of free speech, weighing complex issues that traditionally are the province of courts, judges, and occasionally, international treaty. 'Notice that Google has more power over this than either the Egyptian or the U.S. government,' said Tim Wu, a Columbia University law professor. 'Most free speech today has nothing to do with governments and everything to do with companies.'" @InkSptsGulliver, 15 Sept 2012: "Plenty of people saying 'it's not about the movie' ... except all the shouting protestors. Great analysis by @evanchill." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** U S A. BBG MEETS WITH SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON In a meeting today with the Broadcasting Board of Governors, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton encouraged the Board in their strategic efforts to restructure and increase the impact of U.S. international broadcasting. BBG Presiding Governor Michael Lynton led the Board’s delegation to the State Department, which included Governors Victor Ashe, Dennis Mulhaupt, Susan McCue, and Michael Meehan, as well as Richard M. Lobo, Director of the International Broadcasting Bureau. Under Secretary of State Tara Sonenshine, the Secretary’s representative to the BBG, took a leading role in framing the discussion. Lynton noted that during a discussion in June 2011, the Board shared with the Secretary its intention to undertake a wholesale transformation of U.S. international broadcasting, and had since adopted a five-year strategic plan. “Change will not happen overnight,” Lynton said. “But the reforms we are enacting will strengthen the agency’s ability to deliver on its mission in support of U.S. national interests: to inform, engage and connect with people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.” Lynton and his colleagues on the Board also discussed with Secretary Clinton their efforts to improve the BBG’s digital outreach, which have included launching programs on new platforms, creating an office focused on innovation, and forming an outside advisory group of leading innovators in social media and other fields. And they expressed their condolences over the loss this week of four diplomats serving in Libya, including the new U.S. ambassador, Christopher Stevens. Secretary Clinton serves on the BBG ex-officio. She’s the only Secretary of State to have met with the Board. If you have questions about this E-mail newsletter send us an e-mail. BBG | 330 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20237 (BBG PR Thursday, September 13, 2012 via Clara Listensprechen, DXLD) I was rather surprised but pleased that SOS Clinton went through with this scheduled meeting despite some rather more urgent matters to deal with this week (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) To "increase the impact of U.S. international broadcasting" requires a recommitment to the most important commodity of international broadcasting: credibility. Phrases such as "strategic efforts," "mission in support of U.S. interests," and "in support of freedom and democracy" may be worthy notions, but they are not indicative of an independent news organization and thus do not enhance credibility (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** U S A. BBG RENEWS CALL FOR INFORMATION ON MISSING JOURNALISTS, PROGRESSES TOWARD CREATION OF A CEO POSITION, CONDEMNS LIBYA VIOLENCE Washington, D.C. — The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) renewed its call on the Syrian government to reveal what it knows about the whereabouts of two missing Alhurra journalists and underscored its condemnation of the attacks that claimed the lives of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya and three others. During its meeting Sept. 13, the Board also reaffirmed its intention to create a position of Chief Executive Officer for United States International Broadcasting, as set out in its January 2012 meeting, and voted unanimously on a series of steps leading to the position’s creation under current law. Alternative BBG Presiding Governor Dennis Mulhaupt highlighted the case of Alhurra journalist Bashar Fahmi and cameraman Cüneyt Ünal who reportedly were seized by Syrian forces shortly after they entered Syria August 20. A video about the two was prepared by the Middle East Broadcasting Networks. “On behalf of the Board, I want to reiterate our call for Syrian officials to release any information they have on the capture and whereabouts of Alhurra correspondent Bashar Fahmi and cameraman Cüneyt Ünal,” Mulhaupt said. Mulhaupt noted that, since the Board’s last meeting, there have been other serious incidents involving the harassment, interrogation, beating, home invasion and threats to BBG journalists in Tibet, Mali, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Angola, and Tajikistan. “The Board condemns the ill-treatment of these individuals.… On behalf of the Board, I urge officials and local authorities to ensure the safety of all journalists operating in these locations,” he said. Two days after U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans perished in an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, the board reiterated its condemnation of the violence and its vow to maintain a robust news gathering presence in the area. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of these four brave Americans and extend our deepest sympathies to their loved ones,” Mulhaupt said. “We condemn this cowardly act of violence in the strongest possible terms.” The Board also unanimously approved resolutions honoring a pair recent retirees: BBG Legislative Coordinator Susan Andross and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty General Counsel John A. Lindburg. Documents associated with this meeting will be posted in the coming days. View On-Demand Video of the Meeting: http://www.voanews.com/wm/live/special-events/BBG_Open_Meeting_091312-vb.asx (BBG PR Sept 14 via Clara Listensprechen, DXLD) USIB badly needs a CEO. But the CEO needs to have real authority over the directors and presidents of the entities. He or she must be able to require the entity heads to cooperate and to achieve synergies. The CEO should also be able to instruct them to eliminate duplication, wherever possible. Even with these authorities, the CEO faces two main choices, both of them unsatisfactory. He or she could leave the entities as they are, thus continuing the duplication and division of resources that vex USIB today. Or the CEO could eliminate duplication by instructing VOA to report only US and general world news, leaving target-country news to RFE/RL and RFA. This would impose upon the audience the unacceptable inconvenience of having to tune to two US stations to get a complete news service. There might be a third choice, probably requiring Congressional action. This would be to divide the world among the entities. VOA would probably revolt, reduced to about 20 languages. Furthermore, RFE/RL and RFA would have to provide more world news coverage, perhaps using VOA as their primary news agency. The only real solution would be to eliminate all the present entities and create one new entity, with a new brand. This would spread the unhappiness evenly. Finally, with the members of the BBG not in the building most days, the CEO will have to be a one-person firewall. He or she must recognize the importance of credibility in successful international broadcasting, and this is accomplished by guarding the independence of the news organization. Furthermore, the CEO must be able to explain and sell the concept of a government-funded news service over which the government does not have day-to-day control. Such a news service supports the international policies of the United States, but in ways that must artfully be explained (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) Update: Radio World, 14 Sept 2012, Alexis Hauk: "The Broadcasting Board of Governors has taken further steps toward realizing the goal of creating a Chief Executive Officer position for U.S. International Broadcasting. 'The board should proceed [with the appointment] as a matter of urgency,' according to the governance committee, said Alternative BBG Presiding Gov. Dennis Mulhaupt at the Sept. 13 BBG meeting. 'Since 2010, the board has been discussing the need for a CEO,' Mulhaupt said. While several efforts had already been made through the legislative process, he said that this latest effort would take place 'under existing statutory framework provided by the International Broadcasting Act.' ... Gov. Victor Ashe, by far the meeting’s most vocal participant, expressed concern at the suggestion that the BBG would start 'preliminary work' before Congress has approved the new position. ... 'Let’s say we come across Mr. or Mrs. Ideal and we hire them, but then the notification comes back and one of them [the Congressional committee members] says no,' Ashe said. 'Does that person lose their job?' ... The vote was unanimous approving a series of steps leading to the position’s creation under current law. Actual appointment of a CEO will be subject of another board meeting." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) If Congressional committee members object to "Mr. or Mrs. Ideal," then what is point of the BBG and its firewall? It is assumed this CEO's responsibilities will include content as well and engineering and administration. The idea of the International Broadcasting Act of 1994 was to shift the hiring of top management from the administration (with Senate approval) to the bipartisan BBG, whose members have fixed and staggered terms. This does not entirely depoliticize the hiring process, but it provides much more independence than the pre-1994 system. No longer does a new administration bring about a change of leadership of the USIB entities, resulting in an audible and credibility-defeating change of tone every four or eight years (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) ** U S A. NBCUNIVERSAL EXEC JEFFREY SHELL TAPPED AS NEXT CHAIRMAN OF THE BBG, WHICH MEETS TODAY AT 2045 UTC. Posted: 13 Sep 2012 The Wrap, 12 Sept 2012: "Jeffrey Shell, president of NBCUniversal International, will be nominated by President Obama to the post of chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. NBCUniversal confirmed Wednesday that Shell would be named to head the independent federal agency that oversees U.S. government non-military international broadcasting. Shell currently serves on the board of the National Constitution Center. He was named president of NBCUniversal International last year, after serving 6 years as president of the Comcast Programming Group. He was CEO of Gemstar TV Guide International and President of FOX Cable Networks Group." See also Broadcasting & Cable, 12 Sept 2012. From the White House statement: "Jeffrey Shell is President of NBCUniversal International, a position he has held since 2011. He previously served as President of Comcast Programming Group from 2005 to 2011, overseeing Comcast's group of networks. Prior to joining Comcast, Mr. Shell held a number of positions, including CEO of Gemstar TV Guide International and President of the FOX Cable Networks Group. As President of the FOX Cable Networks, he oversaw the operations of FOX’s entertainment and sports cable programming businesses. He currently serves on the board of the National Constitution Center. Mr. Shell received a B.S. in Economics and Applied Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.B.A. from Harvard University." (kimandrewelliott.com via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) Note that Mr. Shell is chairman of the international division of NBCUniversal. See his bio at the NBCUniversal website. http://www.nbcuni.com/corporate/management/senior-corporate-executives/nbc-universal/jeff-shell/ (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS CAN'T DO ITS JOB IN AN HOUR AND 15 MINUTES --- By BBGWatcher on 16 September 2012 in Featured News, Hot Tub Blog with No Comments BBG Watch Commentary During last Thursday's open meeting of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) in Washington, DC, a senior Republican member Ambassador Victor Ashe criticized the BBG's staff for bad planning in not allowing board members sufficient time to perform their duties in providing direction and oversight for U.S. international broadcasting operations. "We can't do our job in an hour and 15 minutes," Ashe said referring to the time set aside by the staff for the meeting, during which he tried to get International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) executive staffers to provide answers on union negotiations, sexual harassment policies and the highly controversial 50 million dollar audience research contract with the Gallup Organization. Gallup is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice for overcharging other government agencies on their contracts. Ashe wanted the staff to tell him when an audit of the BBG's contract with Gallup will be conducted, as requested by DOJ, but in their usual manner IBB staffers refused to provide him with a clear answer. Ashe was being continuously rebuffed on his requests for specific information by BBG's Deputy General Counsel Paul Kollmer-Dorsey. We heard from several sources that Ashe was disappointed by the legal and procedural weakness the staff's arguments against his calls for greater transparency, consultations with members of Congress, greater protection of BBG employees' rights, and more public accountability. A lawyer, Ashe was also the longest-serving mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee, and U.S. Ambassador to Poland. He pointed out that most of the items on the meeting's agenda were not covered last Thursday and none of the BBG's broadcasting services had a chance to present their reports to the Board. It was also the tenth open meeting which another BBG Republican member Dana Perino did not attend in person. The BBG's Interim Presiding Governor Michael Lynton was present but had to leave early and the meeting was chaired by BBG Republican member Dennis Mulhaupt. Michael Lynton is CEO of Sony Corporation of America and Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment. A busy private sector executive, Lynton has not managed to attend all BBG meetings. The terms of all current BBG members, except Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who serves ex officio, have expired but they can continue to serve until they are replaced. Other BBG members have also missed some of the monthly meetings and the BBG currently has no chairman, although President Obama has nominated Jeffrey Shell to hold that position if he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Surprisingly, the President did not propose at the same time a new Republican member of the bipartisan Board, but former U.S. Senator Norman Coleman is rumored to be considered for a nomination to the BBG. Like the former BBG Chairman Walter Isaacson, Jeffrey Shell, President of NBCUniversal International, may not have enough time and energy to devote to BBG business. While serving as BBG Chairman, Isaacson was finishing his bestselling biography of Steve Jobs. Although he did not miss any BBG meetings, he allowed the executive staff to make critical decisions. The staff's proposals to end Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts to China and Tibet embarrassed the agency and were blocked in Congress by bipartisan committee actions. It is not clear how Shell, a busy executive who works in the UK, can possibly be able to perform his duties as chairman and attend BBG general and committee meetings in Washington, DC unless he takes a leave of absence from his current job. If he stays in London, would US taxpayers will be required to pay for his transatlantic travels? It is also not clear how Shell would be able to monitor from the UK the staff's performance. Their current boss, International Broadcasting Bureau Director Richard Lobo keeps approving their outstanding performance bonuses even though the BBG management team has been consistently rated in employee viewpoint surveys conducted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as one of the very worst in the federal government. One of these executives had recently sent a request to the United Nations to revoke UN press accreditation of an independent American journalist who angered the official with his emails about his private dispute with a Voice of America correspondent. All BBG members were reportedly appalled by this action but failed to agree what to do about it. Jeffrey Gedmin, former President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) -- one of the grantee broadcasters managed by the BBG -- argued in a recent article that the BBG's chairman should be made a full-time appointment, not a part-time position as is now the case. "Leading U.S. broadcasting is a formidable challenge considering the breadth and complexity of the issues and the size of the BBG's budget," Gedmin wrote. We completely agree with him on this point. The Broadcasting Board of Governors has been rightly described as a "part-time board" and criticized for not being able to provide sufficient direction and oversight to the executive staff. This criticism may strengthen arguments for creating a permanent CEO position -- a move which the Board agreed to pursue, although critics fear that BBG's authority and Congressional oversight may be harmed by having a CEO who is not subject to Senate confirmation. During Thursday's meeting, Ashe won several concessions on the CEO position proposal and forced agreement on broader consultations with members of Congress to preserve the Board's oversight authority. David Jackson, a former Voice of America director, wrote in support of a full-time Chief Executive Officer for the Broadcasting Board of Governors. While Jackson makes strong arguments in favor of an International Broadcasting CEO, there are questions how the Congressionally-mandated independence of the grantee broadcasters can be preserved and Congressional oversight maintained if the CEO is not subject to Senate confirmation. Meanwhile, the current BBG board can't seem to agree on how to handle its executive staff which is openly defiant. The following exchange is from Thursday's (Sept. 13, 2012) BBG open meeting. http://www.youtube.com/embed/7UG3eB4U9aQ ASHE: First of all, I'm willing to make a motion. I hope in the future, whoever plans these, whoever had decided to do an hour and fifteen minutes for this meeting, clearly had no understanding of what was on the agenda. I mean it was guaranteed for failure. And we should never let this happen again. And, hopefully, on October 11, we'll put in two to two and a half hours. RFE had an hour and forty-five minutes set aside. Not that it wasn't important. It was. But for us, with seventeen items? This is bad planning. And, hopefully, we don't do it again. But now I move that we approve the resolution for [BBG Legislative Coordinator] Susan Andross and [Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty General Counsel] John Lindburg. MULHAUPT: We're trying to squeeze a lot of things into a day because that's the time Governors have. ASHE: But we need to go to two days. MULHAUPT: Well, that's something we should discuss, you know. ASHE: Because we can't do our job in an hour and 15 minutes and we leave mad at each other because someone had to leave early or someone insists upon further discussion. MULHAUPT: Understood. MCCUE: And I just wanted to make a comment. I very much would like the Board to see and hear the presentation on our progress on innovation and digital outreach, but we'll do that at the next meeting. ASHE: I hope you set aside two or three hours, then we don't have to worry. Well, who sets the schedule? It's not me. MULHAUPT: It's the staff working with the Presiding Governor doing the best they can with all the various things that have to be accommodated during the day. And people are doing their best. And I just think that we have to try to work on it. But to impune people for trying to fit everything in, I just don't think it's appropriate. ASHE: I'm not impuning anyone. I'm just saying we need to do better. I renew my motion to honor Susan Andross and John Lindburg. MULHAUPT. All right, is there a second. All those in favor say aye. Oppose? Those are agreed to. ASHE: I move that we move the agenda to October 11 and adjourn -- the remaining agenda. SIGN A PETITION TO SAVE VOICE OF AMERICA to TIBET, CHINA and OTHER NATIONS WITHOUT FREE MEDIA [standard footer] http://www.change.org/petitions/save-voice-of-america-radio-to-tibet (via Mike Cooper, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) BBGWatch, 16 Sept 2012, BBGWatcher: "[T]here are questions how the Congressionally-mandated independence of the grantee broadcasters can be preserved and Congressional oversight maintained if the CEO is not subject to Senate confirmation." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) -- Oxymoronic. Independence of the grantee broadcasters is forfeited if the CEO is subject to "Congressional oversight" and "Senate confirmation." The CEO must be hired, fired, and supervised by the BBG. And the sentence implies VOA is not entitled to independence, which is to say it is also not entitled to credibility or to an audience (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) ** U S A. DANA PERINO TO LEAVE THE BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS BBG Board member Dana Perino today told her colleagues that she would be leaving the Broadcasting Board of Governors at the end of the year. “As you know, ever since I moved to New York, I have not been able to participate as much as I would have liked, nor could I fulfill the expectations I have for my own public service. I do not see that changing in the foreseeable future; therefore, I felt the best thing to do was clear the way for someone else,” Perino wrote in a note to her fellow Board members. “I am honored to have been chosen to serve, though I’m more overwhelmed by the friendships I’ve made. The city of Washington, DC could use many more of you working to steer structural and content improvements at the BBG to support its role in spreading freedom of expression and self-determination around the world.” Perino said she had informed the White House and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) that she will resign on December 31. Presiding Governor Michael Lynton praised Perino for her work and said her fellow Board members would be sorry to see her go. “Dana has brought tremendous acumen and energy to her work with us,” Lynton said. “She has taken part in pivotal strategic decisions. And with her experience at the highest levels of government, Dana has made an important contribution to advancing the Board’s goals for reforming this agency.” Perino is the former White House press secretary to President George W. Bush and the creator of Minute Mentoring, a program helping young women entering the workforce. She previously served in the U.S. Justice Department, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Congress. Here is the entire text of her note: Dear Fellow Board Members – Today I let the White House and Sen. McConnell know that I would be resigning my governorship on December 31, 2012. As you know, ever since I moved to New York, I have not been able to participate as much as I would have liked, nor could I fulfill the expectations I have for my own public service. I do not see that changing in the foreseeable future; therefore, I felt the best thing to do was clear the way for someone else. I am honored to have been chosen to serve, though I’m more overwhelmed by the friendships I’ve made. The city of Washington, DC could use many more of you working to steer structural and content improvements at the BBG to support its role in spreading freedom of expression and self-determination around the world. With affection, Dana (BBG PR Wednesday, September 19, 2012 via Dr Hansjoerg Biener, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. ANOTHER CONSERVATIVE WHO WANTS TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING BUREAUCRACY. Posted: 13 Sep Russia Beyond the Headlines, 12 Sept 2012, Maria Prosviryakova of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) interviewing Ariel Cohen, a Senior Research Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies at The Heritage Foundation: "RIAC: How can we build trust between the two countries? A.C.: One thing that I believe we can do is have reciprocity. If the United States opens its media environment to RT (Russia Today) – and I have it in my house, right next to Al Jazeera and BBC TV and Deutsche Welle ? and we now have radio Voice of Russia broadcasting in English in the United States, then I think an equal amount of time can be given to the Russian public for U.S.-funded stations, like The Voice of America and Radio Liberty. Unfortunately, the United States doesn’t even have a product; it doesn’t have a global TV channel that is funded or sponsored by the U.S. government, the way that RT is sponsored by the Russian government or CCTV is sponsored by the government of China, or Al Jazeera – I hate to say it – is an excellent English-language news channel sponsored by the Emir of Qatar. So, in that respect, there is some lack of equality." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) But the United States has something even better than "a global TV channel that is funded or sponsored by the U.S. government." It has a global TV channel that costs the taxpayers nothing. It's CNN International, the most successful global English-language news channel. Or would Dr. Cohen prefer something more like RT, government- *controlled* as well as government funded, and therefore possessing a tiny audience? What is *wrong* with you conservatives? I'm no conservative, at least not most days, but do I have to *show* you how to be conservative? International broadcasting should be market based, not centrally planned. US international broadcasting should be accomplished by the private sector as much as possible. This keeps the size of bureaucracy small and reduces the burden on the taxpayer. US government-funded international broadcasting should step in and provide the news in languages that have insufficient commercial potential to be self- sustaining. Instead of competing with CNN International, cutting in to its audience, and maybe putting it out of business, the BBG should emulate Euronews. This would allow a central video stream to combined with audio in the several USIB languages. This would be affordable if the duplication throughout USIB were eliminated in favor of a single consolidated new entity (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) ** U S A. Please compare the reports on Aung San Suu Kyi' visits to the VoA and the BBG USA/Myanmar: It is interesting to compare the reports on Aung San Suu Kyi' visits to the VoA and the BBG, which seems to mean Radio Free Asia, which in turn seems to imply, that there is a BBG preference for RFA: http://www.insidevoa.com/content/aung-san-suu-kyi-visits-via/1510606.html http://www.bbg.gov/press-release/aung-san-suu-kyi-visits-the-bbg/ (Dr. Hansjoerg Biener, Germany, Sept 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The BBG PR looks pretty even-handed to me between VOA and RFA. See also BURMA [non] (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. WORLD OF RADIO 1634: first SW airing should have been on WRMI 9955, UT Thu Sept 13 at 0330. Thence: Sat 0800, 1500, 1730; Sun 0800, 1530, 1730; Mon 0500, 1130. On WTWW: Thu 2100 on 9479, UT Sun 0400 on 5755 On WWRB: UT Fri 0330v on 5050 On WBCQ: UT Sat 0130v on 5110v-CUSB via Area 51 On HLR: UT Sat 0630 on 7265; UT Tue 0930 on 5980 Also on WRN via SiriusXM 120: Sat & Sun 1730, Sun 0830 WORLD OF RADIO 1634 monitoring: Confirmed on WTWW-1 9479, Thursday Sept 13 at 2100. This time, broke away from SFAW feed for canned Ted ID first, then joined WOR in progress after I had announced the edition number; usual excellent signal. On WWRB 5050, scheduled for UT Friday 0330: monitored first on webcast only, starting about 0332, tuned in too late to time the respectful pause. But initially with quite a lot of noise on the audio. Did not check 5050 until about 0357, where I could only hear carrier with some noise; was it that way ever since 0332? Since it started late, the last bit was cut off the webfeed at 0400 but the audio had improved by then, rejoining the other feed // with KJVB, which is not on SW at all. Next: UT Saturday 0130v on Area 51 via WBCQ 5110v-CUSB. UT Sunday 0400 on WTWW-1 5755 WRMI 9955: Sat 0800, 1500, 1730, Sun 0800, 1530, 1730, Mon 0500, 1130 Hamburger Lokalradio: Sat 0630 on 7265, Tue 0930 on 5980 On WRN via SiriusXM 120: Sat & Sun 1730, Sun 0830 WORLD OF RADIO 1634 monitoring: confirmed on Area 51 via WBCQ, UT Saturday Sept 15 from 0132 on webcast, as `AWWW` this week ran right up until then, Allan Weiner closing with a prayer to Jesus Christ. Around 0144 checked 5110v-CUSB and found a good clear signal there; reception is improving as we get past summer. Next: on WRMI 9955: Saturday 1730, Sunday 0800, 1530, 1730 On WTWW 5755: UT Sunday 0400 On WRN via SiriusXM 120: Sat & Sun 1730, Sun 0830 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 9479, Sept 13 at 1414, WTWW-1 with SFAW, modulation has a rattling sound. Hope it abates by 2100; seemed better at 1705 check. [and non]. 12105, Sept 15 at 1236, expecting to hear WTWW-3 in Russian as usual on Saturdays, but only a YL in Chinese, i.e. KSDA which is co-channel at 11-15 [and latest HFCC still shows 14-15 also via Trincomalee SRI LANKA in effect until 02 October; I suppose as alternate contingency]. Still no WTWW at 1330. 12105, Sept 15 at 2038, no signal from WTWW-3; nor a check later in evening UT Sept 16; nor earlier in the morning. ** U S A. 12105, why has WTWW-3 been absent so much recently? George McClintock tells me that programming is being reconfigured, and a new more accurate schedule has been put up, but not necessarily on the air yet 24 hours. Since the times show a 6-hour difference between Central and UT, does ``shortly`` mean from the beginning of November? If applicable before then, which times are we to believe during DST with 5 hour difference? Probably the Central column. ``Transmitter 3 Scripture readings 12.105 Mhz New schedule to start shortly: Central UTC 6 - 6:29am Unshackled Russian 1200 - 1229 6 - 9am Russian 1200 - 1500 9 - 3pm Arabic 1500 - 2100 3 - 6pm French 2100 - 2100 [sic] 3 - 6pm German 2100 - 0000 [sic; both?] 6 - 9pm Spanish 0000 - 0300 9 - 9:29PM Unshackled Portuguese 0300 - 0329 9 - 12 midn Portuguese 0329 - 0600 12MN - 3am Yoruba 0600 - 0900 3 - 6am ChineseEnglish [sic] 0900 - 1200`` Note the new language, Yoruba! May be back on shortly part-time, but 12105 still missing at 1630 Sept 19. George McClintock advises that the US government wants 5755 back, for MARS? So WTWW has to move, planned effective at 0100 UT Sept 26. Probably to 5745 which has been registered by WWRB but not used. I pointed out that in the B-seasons, R. Martí is on 5745 at 11-14 UT, which could be a problem, not only before sunrise, but because the Cuban jammers are notorious for running far beyond the hours when ``needed``. So he`s considering other frequencies near 5755. The new one should be in effect by WOR #1636 UT Sunday Sept 30 at 0400 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 9955, 1120, 08-09-2012, interesting interview by Jeff White to a representative of the Madagascar Relay Station during the HFCC Conference in France. Also Pilipinas DX Report by Henry Ulmanday. Wavescan on WRMI. SINPO 54444. Not much jamming QRM. Good! (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Frequency change of Brother Stair in English via WWRB: 1200-2100 NF 9370*WRB 100 kW / 045 deg to NEAm, ex 9385 2100-1200 on 3185 WRB 100 kW / 340 deg to NWAm, unchanged * former frequency of the closed station WTJC NOTE: Start and end of the transmissions is varies, for example: Sep. 15: 3185 till 1225 and 9370 from 1230 Sep. 16: 3185 till 1255 and 9370 from 1300 (DX Re Mix News, Bulgaria, 18 September via DXLD) ** U S A. Heard WRNO, positive ID, on 7505 at 0307 last night [date unknown, but surely before H. Isaac]. and one of the extreme religious stations, did not note the frequency, 5050 or 5755. WWRB or WTWW. You could be excused for thinking that the guy had a ferret in his pants. Screaming and yelling. Different strokes I guess, but it would not convince me to donate to the cause. Couldn't understand most of it anyway. Not the old BBC for sure (Alan Rayment, Nelson, BC V1L 6N2, Square Peg, Sept CIDX Messenger via DXLD) ** U S A. WJHR: ant #805 vertical log-periodic type. 805 LPH 18/36.5/32.2/16.7/1.4/13.2/200 Horizontal log-periodic antenna Designation: LPH N / L / h1 / hN / l1 / lN / Z N = number of elements L = distance between the centres of the shortest and the longest elements in meters. hL = height of the shortest element in meters hN = height of the longest element in meters l1 = length of the longest element in meters lN = length of the longest elements in meters Z = impedance of the antenna internal feeder () (Wolfgang Büschel, Sept 10, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 16 via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. Frequency change of WYFR Family Radio from Sep. 14: 1500-1700 NF 11530 ERV 300 kW / 125 deg to SoAs Punjabi/Urdu, ex 11505* * to avoid Denge Kurdistan in Kurdish on adjacent frequency 11510. 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Sofia, Bulgaria, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15670, Sept 14 at 1405, children`s choir, 1407 talk mentioning habari, 1410 listing stuff including Ishmael, Yerusalem; 1436 presumed preacher, since it`s Family Radio, Hindi 500 kW, 95 degrees via Nauen, GERMANY at 14-16, per Aoki. 1459 YL giving complex Family Radio address at a flat in a Hyderabad (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re 12-37, YFR B-12 schedule: The collapse of WYFR's output over the past couple of years has been nothing short of spectacular. At this rate they'll be gone by 2014. WYFR used to be all over the SW bands 24/7. Harold Camping's "end of the world" predictions were financial poison. On a related note: I never pay attention to World Harvest Radio any more, but Glenn has mentioned a reduction in output recently. Has anyone done a before/after comparison? Increasingly appears that the brokered time model of WWCR/WWRB/WTWW/WBCQ/WRMI may be the only thing that survives in the U.S. private SW business. Have to wonder if the EWTN folks are having second thoughts about WEWN (Steve Luce, Houston, Texas, Sept 14, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WEWN missing from all frequencies morning of Sept 14; what`s wrong? We need our daily dose of extreme Catholic doctrine. 15615, nothing there Sept 14 at 1310, 1406; 12050 & 11550 Spanish frequencies, nothing there either at 1415. [and non]. 15610, Sept 18 at 2003, WEWN is very strong, must be getting HF sporadic-E boost; often applies to 15825 WWCR as well, same distance in a somewhat different direxion, but not this time, still quite weak. Of course, WWCR is often running much less than full rated 100 kW. 15550-USB, WJHR, a closer neighbor to WEWN on the other side, was sufficient. 15615, Sept 19 at 1401, weak WEWN suffering from co-channel Firedrake, added ChiCom noise jamming, and idling het/fax from Australian weather service. Not a good frequency pick (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 091512, 1426, 11715 -- KJES, Catholic religious station from Vado, New Mexico, 717 miles west of me. Male recites Bible verses, children repeat with robotic delivery. Choral music, then a child reads the station ID at 1430. Noooot creepy sounding at all. Very strong, 55455. Recording made, and available at the link: https://www.box.com/s/xn1fxiber9cep58ksxjb (Bill Blair, heard on TECSUN PL-380 portable in Euless, Texas, USA, with 25 foot reel wire antenna, on a second floor. Recording made with Olympus VN-120PC digital recorder, with line input from SW receiver, edited with Audacity 2.0.0. http://weirdtransmissions.blogspot.com dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) On and on about Yahweh. I shudder to think how this diversion from plain old God would be taken by The Vatican. Strong but rather distorted (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. NEW SPORTS RADIO NETWORKS --- CBS and NBC launched duelling sports radio networks on Tuesday, September 4. CBS Sports Radio isn’t due to begin long-form programming until January, but one-minute updates are being offered during the daytime for now. CBS and NBC compete with ESPN, FOX, Yahoo!, and Sports Byline USA in the crowded sports radio field, not to mention sportscasts offered by news networks such as ABC and AP (Bill Hale, NRC AM Switch 79/30 via ARC mv-eko Sept 17 via DXLD) ** U S A. 680, Saturday Sept 15 at 1210 UT, lexure about ``expanding our intellexual bandwidth`` from Afghanistan and Pakistan, to the Pacific. Good dominant signal for a few minutes, no doubt the `Commonwealth Club` from KNBR San Francisco, probably the only hour per week this once great station is worth listening to, breaking format from stupid ballgames, safely at a throwaway 5 am time when audience will be smallest; could be mistaken for a public radio station, many of which also carry this non-commercial hour when audience is awake (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 690, Sept 18 at 0538 UT tuneby, ``news on demand at KTSMRadio.com``. Tnx very much. Hey, that used to be on 1380; swapped with KHEY so KTSM gets the 10/10 kW bigsig while KHEY was demoted to 5/0.5 kW, even worse with much smaller hiband coverage. NRC pattern book shows 690 throws almost all its night signal SSW for great coverage of Chihuahua in English, with tiny lobes or nulls (hard to tell which) toward us and KGGF Coffeyville KS (and Montreal whether anything is there or not), and KGGF gets to aim right toward El Paso at night! Yet at the moment KTSM has the edge here. I demand to know why (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) KTSM has been a pest here in IL on westward antennas for about 4 years. They can come in so well, that I have doubts that they are even running day pattern at night and thoughts that they are just using 1 stick ND. Prior to that they were an extremely difficult sunset skip catch. 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, IL/WI, ABDX via DXLD) Ditto here in Grand Rapids, Minn. (John Sampson, ibid.) And here in the Omaha metro, as well. My efforts to get the 690 in West Virginia that was widely reported last fall as cheating were fruitless, thanks to a signal from KTSM that overpowered everything on that frequency. Even getting New Orleans was a challenge. 73, (Rick Dau, South Omaha, Nebraska, Sangean ATS-909X, Quantum QX Pro loop ibid.) ** U S A. 720, Sept 17 at 1142, ``Deportes 7-20 AM`` slogan, CCI from Mexican music. I was hoping that name would be listed but it`s no Mexican in WRTH, IRCA or Cantú, so unless new, it may be just a program reference rather than station`s entire name? No, it`s surely KSAH Universal City (San Antonio) TX, as that`s its latest format per Wikipedia: ``KSAH broadcasts a Spanish-language sports talk format including ESPN Deportes programming to the greater San Antonio metropolitan area. In 2010, it started simulcasting a Regional Mexican music format on KSAH-FM (104.1 FM). In June 2012, the music format moved exclusively to 104.1 FM and the AM station now broadcasts sports talk`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also MEXICO 720 logs ** U S A. 779.92, KCEG (tentative), CO, Pueblo, 0647 CDT, 19SEP12 c&w music sneaking thru KSPI, fading up/down a bit. 0649 CDT "The hits keep on coming on The Ranch" into more c&w mx. Presumed KCEG but no call letters heard across 0700 CDT TOH. Anyone else note KCEG low in frequency at 779.92+/-? Perseus/SDR owners? I zero-beat by ear so is probably off a bit but certainly below 780.00 and below KSPI on 779.98 (Bruce Winkelman, Tulsa, OK, R8, Par EndFedZ sloper, NRC-AM via DXLD) I believe KCEG is now licensed to Fountain, near Col. Springs. I remain amazed at how much signal they and co-owned KJME are putting towards the east considering that neither of their day or night patterns indicates much signal at all going east. I am about 45 miles NNW from WLS and KJME often backgrounds them at night with their bigband mx. I am a bit less than 14 miles from WBBM, and KCEG's C&W can be noted well under pauses in audio. 73 KAZ Barrington IL (Neil Kazaross, ibid.) Hi all, Yes the LOG needs a correction. They were flipping back and forth in the FCC's data. Just after the Log went out, KPSF 1200 mysteriously flopped from Desert Hot Springs to Cathedral City also. 73 (Wayne Heinen, NRC AM Log editor, ibid.) ** U S A. 840, Sept 13 at 1159 UT, Yes Air Conditioning & Plumbing ad, same as heard a few times before at this minute from KXNT, North Las Vegas NV, before CBS news. Did not even need to stay tuned for another ID. Recheck at 1217, the signal is peaking stronger during item about new walkie-talkie from Apple. Local sunrise was 1213. 840, Saturday Sept 15 at 1159 UT, National Guard PSA, 100.5 Newsradio KXNT etc. ID, bong and CBS News, usual fair but steady signal from North Las Vegas NV at this hour, that nominally very minor lobe continuing to serve us well. At 1208, amid infomercial interview about something with enzymes, Resveratrol. So much for all-news. As everyone knows, nothing ever happens on weekends (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 880, Sept 13 at 1210 UT, ``Amazing Grace`` but I can`t understand a word of it, because it must be in Navajo; 1212 onto equally incomprehensible announcement except for ``September thirteenth``. So it`s KHAC Window Rock AZ, or rather COL Tse Bonito across the line in NM. NRC AM Log shows slogan is now ``Voice of Encouragement``. So is it on 430 watt night power or 10 kW day power, both non-direxional? NRC AM Log mentions no PSRA, so it must be night. Official September FCC sunrise there is 1300 UT. Meanwhile, neighbor 660 KTNN is behaving itself; XE is still dominating that frequency at 1213 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 930, Sept 13 at 1202 UT with WKY OKC groundwave in deep and tight null I am pleased to get something else, probably the same as unID previously, not KCCC NM. String of PSAs in lieu of network news on hour, separately mentioning 22nd Street & Coal in Tucson, about some disability organization; Arizona with a 971- exchange phone prefix; 1205 American Heart Association; pro-life info at station website kvoi.com; 1206 Dennis Prager with local promo for his show on ``Tucson`s AM-1030``, then opening Bill Bennett `Morning in America` show. I don`t see anything about pro-life on the website, but they have quite a mix of local and national talk shows, the latter including other second-string far-righters such as Dennis Miller. No mention of 930 on 930! New NRC AM Log shows 1030 is KVOI, COL Cortaro AZ but address in Tucson, ``The Voice``, and 930 is also ``The Voice``, same address in Tucson, but is really KAPR in Douglas on the border, with 2500 watts day, 71 watts night, PSRA of 500, all non- direxional. Since it`s only 5 am MST by real time, the usual question arises with Arizonans, whether it could legally be on 500 watts an hour before 6 am local, or gets to pretend it`s 6 am by unobserved MDT. FCC AM Query shows the two stations are not jointly owned: 1030 by Good News Communications, 930 by Sonora Broadcasting, so I suppose 930 is LMA`d (and not even due the courtesy of a joint mention in IDs and promos). Cortaro is just NNW of Tucson on I-10, while Douglas is in the SE corner of AZ. About Us on the KVOI site explains: ``Good News Radio Broadcasting (GNRB) is a non-profit organization that owns Good News Communications (GNC) a for profit organization. Through GNRB and GNC we operate the following radio stations: KVOI 1030 AM "The Voice" (News/Talk) Tucson KGMS 940 AM "Good Message" (Christian Talk) Tucson KLTU 88.1 FM "KLOVE" (Positive & Encouraging Music) Tucson KCEE 690 AM (Pop Classics) Tucson KAPR 930 AM "The Voice" (News/Talk) Douglas KNXN 1470 AM "Good Message" (Christian Talk) Sierra Vista`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re: ``1010, Sept 14 at 1220-1232+ UT, impassioned monolog by preacher in Spanish. Loops due east/west which rules out Mexico unless it`s XEDX Ensenada, but not with that format: it`s a W network station, featuring at 4-7 am a clown called Brozo, hee hee. So the only US station fitting for Spanish religion is per NRC AM Log 2012-2013y: KXXT Tolleson AZ, 15000/250 watts, Phoenix market. From the dominant signal over KXEN et al., I would guess it`s on daytime power despite being 5:20 am MST; standard remark about Arizonan anomalies. Can`t find a program schedule on their website, but separate views of the facilities and the personnel along with sister station KXEG at http://www.1280kxeg.com/ (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` 1010, KXXT, Tolleson AZ - 1100 UT 9/9 - With local religious programming and interview, Phoenix area churches mentioned with addresses, spots for "familyvaluesradio.net" which directs to KXXT's website. Promo for new show "Arizona At Work" with a couple of nice call letter IDs. Very good signal for about 10 minutes (Tim Tromp, Muskegon MI, MARE Tipsheet via DXLD) In view of this I must reconsider my KXXT presumed log above. It was based on three strong circumstances: direxion, day pattern which is a tangent circle to the east, and listing in NRC AM Log 2012 as REL/SS:REL. Looking at the website again, it`s all in English and there is no indication that it broadcasts at all in Spanish. But in a place like Phoenix, it`s still possible that it has some Spanish, altho mainly English, and I assume that is what NRC`s ``REL/SS:REL`` means, rather than just ``SS:REL`` which would be fulltime Spanish religion or ``REL`` which would be fulltime English religion. I brought up their webcast Sunday afternoon and it was in English then. Anyhow, another look thru the NRC AM Log for possibilities, Spanish and/or religion westward from here: KIQI San Francisco CA is SS:NWS/TLK, but in the middle of the night, they could stick in a preacher. Fortunately has a program schedule: http://www.kiqi1010am.com/programs So what would be on around 5:30 am PDT Friday? ``05:00 am – 06:00 am Mi Familia en Cristo (Tuesday & Thursday)`` Close, but nothing listed for M/W/F. So they turn off the transmitter? Ha! KIQI does have quite a bit of Spanish religion scattered thruout the week`s schedule. But pattern book shows almost all of the signal going out into the Pacific, day and night, nulling toward Salt Lake [and Toronto?]. Unlikely at over two megameters. KTNZ Amarillo TX is Tejano, which means music style, and not specified as announced in Spanish; another possibility, altho its 500 watt night power and proximity are in favor of it, if they would run a preacher in Spanish. Another annoying station without a website, or at least not making a top Google hit, instead hits on numerous directories or streaming sites which are notoriously outdated. Wikipedia has it as country, nothing about it being in Spanish, and no link to an own website either. Night pattern has null toward Toronto, so much attenuated usward. Unlikely, altho I am sure I have heard it before at least on day pattern, only 400 km away. KLAT Houston TX: TLK/Univisión América network --- Spanish but supposedly not religion; and my DF would have to be way off. Again no local website so no program schedule, other than link to Ua. Unlikely. KIHU Tooele UT: Immaculate Heart Radio, also EWTN network, supposedly English and we know EWTN has separate Spanish programming available. But mixed in? KIHU does have a program schedule and it`s all in English (or Celtic?) including at the time I heard Spanish. http://ihradio.com/schedules/salt-lake-city-schedule/ Very unlikely. So all this still leaves KXXT as the most likely, but it would be better to get some local reference or ID. Did not show up again around same time Sept 17. 1010, any doubt that the SS religion I was getting here came from Phoenix has now been eliminated: Sept 18 at 1205 UT, OM sermon again, looping east/west. 1230 still in, now SS YL with announcements of church service schedules, some partly en inglés, with numerous 602-AC phone numbers. 1232 ad in Spanish for Christian Auto Care. Hmm, how can you tell if your car is Christian? One can only hope. 1233 ad for an abogada also with a 602-phone who handles immigration cases. So it is without a doubt: KXXT, COL Tolleson AZ, surely on 15 kW day power and pattern eastward rather than 250-watt night power, despite it being only 5:30 am there MST; a bilingual religious station (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re 1010 St. Louis: Even if KXEN isn't going to use the STA for 330 watts, it is still unclear to me whether they owned the property on which the towers are located or not. Thus, it also remains unclear whether or not the STA was an emergency of their own making or of someone else's making. I don't mean to imply anything sinister by that. It's just not clear (to me, at least) from the FCC filings whose property was sold that created the need for the STA. More power to them, figuratively at least, if they can manage to keep their 50 kW/500 W signal. (1stclassradio, « Reply #9 on: Yesterday at 10:47:33 PM » radio-info.com Sept 14 via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. Covering the USA at night? Anyone want to weigh in on what AM station in the USA has the best (skywave) signal at night? Thoughts? (David ---, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) KMOX 1120 St. Louis? It reaches the east coast most nights; one would assume it makes it at least to the Rockies to the west. Another candidate: WGN 720 Chicago (John Figliozzi, Halfmoon NY, ibid.) Outside of June-July KMOX is a fair to good barefoot reception on even inexpensive radios such as a Tecsum PL210 or its DSP version the PL- 310. Where am I?... Central CT, between New Haven and Hartford. In the winter, even the occasional "Mighty-KP" gets here from Eugene, OR. (Paul S. in CT, ibid.) Yes KMOX 1120 even makes it down to the South West Pacific most nights, the frequency nicely between 1116 and 1125 Kiwi stations. WGN is more difficult (though is heard from time to time) as KDWN Las Vegas and KUAI in Hawaii are more often heard on 720 (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai, Northland, New Zealand, ibid.) From a geographical standpoint, WHO, 1040 50 kW ND in Des Moines is in a good spot to cover about as much territory as anyone. But it all depends on interference. With the proliferation of stations on formerly clear channels I don't think any station has coverage that could be considered anything more than regional. When I started DXing in the mid 60s, the Chicago stations on 670, 720, 780 & 890 as well as WLW 700 Cincinnati were audible every night and good most nights here in central Texas. Other reliables were WLAC 1510 Nashville, WSM less so; WSB in Atlanta even less reliable. KDKA Pittsburgh and points east were very unusual. KOA Denver was reliable, KSL Salt Lake less so. The west coast stations were as irregular as the east coast. Stations less than 900-1000 miles away were much more likely to be reliable, no matter whether they were on the low end, middle or high end of the band. JL (Jerry Lenamon, Waco TX, ibid.) ** U S A. 1430, Sept 14 at 1235 UT just as I tune by, ``Central Nebraska`s news leader, KRGI``, i.e. U2 5/1 kW Grand Island. By now it`s on non-direxional day power, the Sun having ofFCCially arisen there in September at 1215 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1460, Sept 18 at 1215 UT, ``Thunder Country 97.3 and 1460``, weather. Therefore it`s 1 kW KKOY, Chanute KS, while 97.3 is a mere translator, K247AT, per NRC AM Log, yet they give it top billing, as any FM surely deserves (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1660, Sept 16 at 0048 UT, as I tune in, mentions ``KCEN-HD News``, apparently ending a half-time report in some silly ballgame involving Baylor, so it`s obviously KRZI Waco relying on ``channel 6`` television for newsbits. I remember seeing their tall tower and studios right on I-35 near Temple, and of course I DXed KCEN-TV a number of times by tropo from OK when on analog 6. Station history: http://www.kcentv.com/story/11314168/kcen-hd-digital-channel-61 which never gets around to mentioning what RF channel it is *really* on now, which is 9; no, not 61. On caradio, nondirexional vertical antenna, dominating but something under almost sounds Asian; maybe an accented speaker from Kansas City (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. DX-midAMerica reports:- 1700 KVNS TX Brownsville Now Fox Sports "Fox Sportsradio 1700", dropping Oldies. Best wishes (Barry Davies, Carlisle UK, Sept 16, MWCircle yg via DXLD) ** U S A. A QSL, and the Great Mongo --- I can't remember the last time this happened, but in today's mail I received an actual QSL CARD from WHRV 89.5 [Virginia]. I always send out my own prepared cards and they come back in abundance, but this was a QSL card from the station! OK, it's a general station postcard, with the verification info typed in, but, hey, this is very unusual. Also, on Wednesday morning 10:40 AM EDT [1440 UT Sept 19] I am going to be interviewed live on KXDJ 98.3 Spearman, Texas. The morning host is fascinated by what I described about E-skip in my verification request. I think I'll tell the listeners that the Great Mongo sky creature scatters stardust above the clouds and this magically creates e-skip, along with unicorns and rainbows. She only visits earth between May and July each year, of course. Will I mention this wild theory over the air to Panhandle listeners? You'll have to listen to the KXDJ web audio to find out! I keep thinking my world wide fame will increase because of great Sunday preaching and community service, but the only people who seem to notice me are these small town DJs! (Jim Renfrew, Holley NY, WTFDA Tvfmdx mailing list, Sept 14, via DXLD) Missed it; did you record it for posterity? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. WHERE ARE THEY NOW Department: UT Sept 19 at 0523 I happened to be on CSPAN-2 and saw a fellow talking captioned as Kannon Shanmugam. I know that name! He used to be a DXer we heard from a sesquidecade or more ago. Or someone with the same name. Are both names common among ethnic Tamils? See also DXLD 12-13 under SRI LANKA, where another Shanmugam was referred to along with him, and his impressive CV since his DX days. Here`s the C-SPAN entry for this program where he is presumably available on demand in one or more of the four parts as one of the panelists: ``CATO INSTITUTE REVIEWS SUPREME COURT'S RECENT TERM Washington, DC, Tuesday, September 18, 2012 The Cato Institute held a day-long symposium Tuesday to review the Supreme Court’s recent term and preview their upcoming docket for the new term. Panels examined the health care decision, as well as criminal law and property rights cases from the court's last term. A final panel previewed the court's next term and key cases coming up, including the University of Texas affirmative action case and the 4th Amendment unreasonable search case. Speakers included: former Solicitor General Paul Clement, who argued unsuccessfully against the health care law last term, and SCOTUS blog’s Tom Goldstein. The Supreme Court begins its new term on Monday, October 1st. http://www.c-span.org/Events/Cato-Institute-Reviews-Supreme-Court39s-Recent-Term/10737434182/ http://www.cato.org/events/ccs2012/index.html 3:45 - 5:00 p.m. Panel IV: Looking Ahead: October Term 2012 Moderator: Ilya Shapiro Editor-in-Chief, Cato Supreme Court Review [including:] Kannon Shanmugam Partner, Williams & Connolly LLP`` Here`s a screenshot of K.S. we made from the original cablecast: http://www.w4uvh.net/kannons.jpg (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UZBEKISTAN [non]. 9855, 0200, 11-09-2012, ID and news bulletin by man. Good reception, weak interference from 9860 IRIB in Spanish. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty via Biblis, Germany, in Uzbek. At 0205 current affairs program with news, comments and reports. Also some spots which identified the station. SINPO 54444 (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UZBEKISTAN [non]. USA(non), Frequency change of Radio Liberty in Uzbek from Sep. 17: 0200-0400 NF 15650 UDO 250 kW / 304 deg to CeAs, ex 15145 (DX Re Mix News, Bulgaria, 18 September via DXLD) UDO = THAILAND ** VANUATU. 3945,003 14.9 1823 En bärvåg startade denna tid, i den bästa av världar kan det vara R Vanuatu som startar 1830. Men bär vågen var svag… Kanske cx mot Pacific kommer så småningom? Betydligt starkare 15.8. Men ännu ingen audio. AN 3945.003, 14.9 1823, A carrier started at this time and in the best of worlds it might be R Vanuatu who shall start at 1830. But the carrier was very weak. Maybe Pacific conditions are approaching? Much stronger on Sept 15. But still no audio. AN (Arne Nilsson, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 16 via DXLD) ** VATICAN. 17865, Sept 15 at 1245, bogged down in low-key Russian talk about God, poor signal from VR SMG aimed northeast, but here right off the side at northwest, we should not even be getting this much (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA. Here is a document about plans for the socialist government of El Hugazo to control every aspect of Venezuelan life. See comments after it suggesting that it is only counter-propaganda. A few pertinent excerpts follow. The entire document has been forwarded as an attachment to the DXLD yg: Proyecto de Reforma Constitucional LEYES SOCIALISTAS PARA VENEZUELA (Ante-proyecto de leyes bajo discusión en la Asamblea Nacional) Sobre las comunicaciones: El uso del cable y otras comunicaciones satelitales se van a restringir a las dependencias oficiales, y a los establecimientos hoteleros y turísticos. El uso de la telefonía celular será de uso exclusivo para las personas del ESTADO. Se eliminara el acceso a Internet a personas naturales. Se exigirá el registro oficial de todo los mini-computadores y cualquier PC en posesión de particulares. Se expropiaran todas las emisoras-de radio y TV, pasando a integrar una sola red de transmisión a nivel nacional, pagando a sus, propietarios el 5% de su valor de mercado en BONOS DEL ESTADO con vencimiento a 20 años. Se expropiaran igualmente todos los periódicos y demás medios impresos. Sobre las prácticas sociales: Se prohibirá el uso atuendos que atente en contra de la moral y las buenas costumbres. (minifaldas, trajes de baño ”hilo dental” escotes muy pronunciados, pantalones ajustados, etc.). Se prohibirá el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en la vía pública. El béisbol profesional y cualquier tipo de deporte profesional estará bajo control del ESTADO. Se restringe las importaciones de artículos de lujo tales como: whisky, electrodomésticos, autos de lujo, etc. Se prohíbe el uso imágenes y artículos de influencia transculturizadora imperialista en todas las entidades públicas. (tales como: santa claus, mickey Mouse etc.) PATRIA SOCIALISMO O MUERTE. (via Juan Franco Crespo, Spain, DXLD) Sounds to me like counter propaganda. Can't believe this will make thru. Are more reliable sources than the enclosed attachment available for this? 73 (Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ask Juan Franco. He got it from someone named Hugo; hmmm (gh, DXLD) Another non-Venezuelan Spanish-speaking reader evaluates it as political propaganda, perhaps under the influence of alcohol, and laments that it appeared in our prestigious publication; we should keep politix out of DXing. I am quite happy to publish these doubts about it, but as above, it does touch on radio matters and is relevant, even if a put-on (gh) See also DX-PEDITIONS below ** VIETNAM. No sign of 8294-USB Ho Chi Minh R. 1305. Thought might have a chance at this with the typhoon near Japan/Korea. (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) ** VIETNAM [and non]. 9715, NORTH MARIANAS ISLANDS, Radio Free Asia, Tinian, 1447 Sept 15, Vietnamese, interview, 1453 woman with contact information, song, 1456:30 fanfare music broke in over song and then at 1457 English announcement, “You have been listening to Radio Free Asia.”, warbling siren type of jamming. Fair (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active whip antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZAMBIA. 9505, One Africa; 2114, 9-Sep; Perky W rambling in English; The Word for the Day was "conniption". (Used in a sentence -- Huxters often have conniptions.); ID at 2118+ One Africa, One by One. SIO=353 (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZANZIBAR. 6015, ZBC Radio, 0255-0336, Sept 18. One of their best receptions; perhaps Spice FM intro, as 0255-0257 had pop African music; Bill Bingham (RSA) has heard this format before, but is a first for me; in the past I have always only heard their IS before 0300. Today at 0300 went to reciting from the Qur’an (qira’ut); had 2-3 segments of dead air (just open carrier for several minutes). Sept 19 very poor reception at *0301 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11735, Zanzibar Broadcasting Corp, 2050-2056*, Sept 14, local Mid-East style music. Abrupt sign off mid-song. Fair (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA, Equipment: Icom IC-7600, two 100 foot longwires, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Welcome back, Brian, after a summer vacation since July 29 (gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) Zanzibar broadcasting Corporation --- en el aire en 11735 kHz, muy buena señal en Swahili, comentarios locutora y música 2015 UT en adelante (Ernesto Paulero, Argentina, Sept 17, condiglist yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) Another one which just doesn`t make it here, all summer; should improve as winter oncomes if it doesn`t crash again (gh, OK, DXLD) Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation: Alguién tendra el e mail de esta emisora? La he escuchado en el 2006 en el 2007 y ahora en 11735 durante este 2012 y nunca pude confirmarla. Gracias (Ernesto Paulero, Argentina, 19 Sep, condiglista yg via DXLD) Con mucho gusto, Ernesto: Email: karumehouse@ tvz.co.tv (Dino Bloise, FL, ibid.) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. Updated A-12 of Radio Voice of The People: 0400-0500 9870 MDC 050 kW / 265 deg to ZWE Engl/Shona/Ndebele 0600-0800 15115*MDC 250 kW / 265 deg to ZWE Engl/Shona/Ndebele Sat/Sun 1600-1630 9445 MDC 050 kW / 265 deg to ZWE Engl/Shona/Ndebele 1800-1900 7330 MDC 050 kW / 265 deg to ZWE Engl/Shona/Ndebele Mon-Fri 1800-1900 7330 MDC 250 kW / 265 deg to ZWE Engl/Shona/Ndebele Sat/Sun *not SW Radio Africa. Confirmed on Sep. 15/16 - Radio Voice of The People! (DX Re Mix News, Bulgaria, 18 September; visit new section "VIDEO" of via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) SWRA originally said 15115 was a temporary bonus broadcast for them, last I looked was not even on their websked (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Encouraged by Richard Allen`s reports from nearby, I have been looking for TP carriers on MW around sunrise, which was 1213 UT today. Finally Sept 13 at 1154 I have a just barely audible one on 738, which is presumably TAHITI (and which Tim Tromp has heard from as far as Muskegon, Michigan with much better equipment); and at 1156 a JBAC on 774, no doubt NHK Japan; could not detect anything on its usual companions, 828, 747 or lower 9-kHz intervals (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 780, Sept 19 at 0603, WBBM in a fade so without nulling it I hear ``es la una, con tres minutos``, with a SAH of about 1 Hz; nulled, KSPI carrier is not on tonight. Must have just missed an ID, somewhere in the CDT zone (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 970, Sept 15 at 1205 UT choral XE NA ends, but ID tough copy with ACI and CCI; mentioned W, and Éxitos, I think, but W Radio affiliate list at http://www.wradio.com.mx/escucha/emisoras/ includes nothing on this frequency. Per Cantú the only XE with a W in its call is XESW, Radio Madera, La Mera Mera, Cd. Madera, Chih., 5 kW daytimer (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1120, Sept 13 at 1224 UT, I am getting a very weak signal with music making SAH of about 6 Hz with KMOX nulled, which hasn`t outfaded yet. Mexico unlikely at this hour and angle. Assuming it`s also unlikely from anywhere eastward (tho there is a 10 kW in Mississippi, religious WTWZ), there aren`t many possibilities in the NRC AM Log. KEOR Catoosa/Tulsa OK we know is still silent, as never heard in full daytime. KLIM Limón CO would be a good bet except it`s been silent for a decade! KTXW in Manor TX (Austin area) is new, not yet on air. That leaves KPNW in Oregon, too far and a talker; and best bet KANN Roy UT, 10/1.1 kW, religious/AC format (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1290: I heard an unidentified station on 1290 kHz at 1106-1109 GMT this morning (9/16/12). It was broadcasting a test tone with a male announcing "This is CFN Service Channel Five, UP Sports Channel". Does anyone have an idea what station I was hearing? I'm sure it's one I hear often. Thanks and good DX (Richard Allen, near Perry OK USA, IRCA via DXLD) KMMM Pratt, KS or KWFS Wichita Falls, TX? (Paul Walker, ibid.) Those are the two closest 1290s to here, but beyond that, why do you suggest them for this? KWFS is not sports, but with misfed satellite pickups that`s neither here nor there (gh, OK, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 1570, Sept 19 at 0548 UT I am surprised to find a station in English, an interview discussing speaking Chinese, giving XERF a run for its money when nulled, making a fast SAH with it, before XERF fades back up. There are dozens of US stations allowed less than 1 kW at night, some watts in the double or even single- digits, but my wild guess as the most likely here is KBCV Hollister MO (address: Springfield) which somehow merits a hefty 3 kW at night, and is not that far away in the appropriate direxion. FCC AM Query shows night pattern with major lobe NW, minor lobe ESE, with nulls toward Del Rio and opposite; we are on the edge of the NW lobe westward from it. KBCV is a Bott religious station, i.e. the interview would be about missionary work (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 5085, 0045, 13-09-2012, another empty open carrier. As the previous ones, it has strong signal strength, no noise, but there is not anything to hear. So, I've been thinking more and more about this, and taking into consideration the quality of reception, these mysterious carriers can come from a close transmitter site. So, my guess is French Guyana or Bonaire, maybe. But, I wonder why the hell, whoever it be, is testing without any kind of programing, when at least it could be music without comments. Even heard at 0225!!! (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Don`t forget there can be utility transmitters on frequencies like this. I also hear something around here, probably from North America. With BFO you might find it is sending radioteletype or some other digital mode intermittently (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I am not an expert on utility DXing, but this carrier was a lot like the rest – except for the one of my first logs in this contribution [6915 below]. Signal strength very strong, nothing to listen to. I mean, no morse, no ham activity, no RTTY! Let’s keep monitoring them and time will tell us what it is! (Leonardo, ibid.) P Possibly WTWW-2 which whenever it gets operational may be on 5085 if it is not too far out-of-band for some receivers, and can handle the QRM (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 5900, RTR2 Testsendung. "RTR2 - Die Powerstation" mit Kurzwellentest auf 5900 kHz im 49-m-Band am 22. Sept von 1800 bis 2000 UT - in UKW-Qualitaet auch im Netz und im FM-Band. Das deutschsprachige Pop-Programm der RTR Radio Europa, "RTR 2 - Die Powerstation" aus Belgien, ist zurueck auf der Kurzwelle. Zwar wird derzeit nur getestet, aber dafuer mit einem besonders attraktiven Programminhalt. Praesentiert wird ein ganz besonderes Event: "The very best of Michael Jackson". Die Hoerer von RTR 2 - Die Powerstation und abertausende Mitglieder aller Fanclubs des Kuenstlers aus Deutschland, Oesterreich und der Schweiz koennen noch bis zum 18. Sept 23.59 h aus insgesamt 75 als Single veroeffentlichten Songs von Michael Jackson eine Top 20 voten, die dann von den Radio-DJ's Stephan und Christian am Samstag, den 22. Sept von 1800 bis 2000 Uhr UT, (also 20-22 Uhr MESZ) praesentiert wird, garniert mit Gruessen und persoenlichen Geschichten der Hoerer. Wer via email an eine korrekte Meldung mit den SINPO- Empfangswerten der Kurzwelle schickt und seine eigene Mailadresse nicht vergisst, der erhaelt eine speziell gestaltete EQSL-Karte mit einem Motiv von Michael Jackson. Verfolgen kann man die Sendung aber auch in guter UKW-Qualitaet via Internet-Stream, wenn man diese Daten eingibt: Sollte wegen des grossen Interesses nicht jeder einen Stream erwischen, gibt es auf der Website des Senders links unter "Zuhoeren" noch weitere alternative Streams, die extra zusaetzlich geschaltet wurden. "Bislang ist das Interesse derart gross, dass wir zusaetzliche Server aufgeschaltet haben, damit auch wirlich jeder zuhoeren kann", freut sich Senderchef Rainer Thomas Peters. Die Moderatoren Stephan und Christian sind besonders stolz darauf, dass sich mehrere deutschsprachige Radiosender im Ausland dazu entschieden haben, das Programm sogar live zu uebernehmen und auf lokalen UKW-Frequenzen auszustrahlen Dazu gehoeren beispielsweise Sender in verschieden spanischen und deutschen Ferienregionen. Andere werden noch am Sonntag die komplette Sendung als Rebroadcast wiederholen. "Damit hatten wir nicht gerechnet!" Trotzdem verschweigen die beiden nicht, dass die Idee fuer das Event aus einer Bierlaune heraus von einer treuen Hoererin des Senders vorgeschlagen wurde. "Wir fanden die Idee geil und haben uns nicht lange bitten lassen!" Und jetzt fiebern alle gespannt der Sendung entgegen. Zur Website fuer das Voting gelangt man ueber - Hoerervoting Michael Jackson. Dort sind auch noch einmal alle genau Regeln fuer das Voting erklaert (Fritz-Walter Adam-D, A-DX Sept 14, ibid.) RTR war bisher mit der Brokerei Media&Broadcast im Geschaeft, aber es kann auch eine Spaceline Bulgaria Aussendung sein, das passt zu der runden xx00 kHz Frequenz (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 6075.58, 9.9 0242 UNID Braz (?), carrier only, to 0333 tune-out; frequency is clear but R6150 on 6070 is a nuisance. Silent again lately (Martien Groot, Netherlands, SW Bulletin Sept 16 via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 6160.06. Around 0935, thought I was hearing Portuguese talk by M while checking for CKZU. Didn't realize until about 15 minutes later that there was indeed another signal here besides CKZU and CKZN. R. Boa Vontade, maybe?? (17 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 6915, 0300, 07-09-2012, open carrier, good signal strength, but there is not anything to hear. At 0310 strong and prolonged "beeeep", I guess to calibrate something from the transmitter site. Eibi A-12 shows Radio Hage, Galkayo, with a program in Somali to be transmitted between 0300 and 0400. Anyway, there is not any program here. It is also known as a popular frequency among NAm pirates, but I don't think they waste their time on air by testing some transmitter without broadcasting anything for more than 20 minutes. Again, at 0326 another one "beeeep" like the first one. Very short announcements at 0352, but very very low modulation. Maybe better in SSB! I switched it for SSB, but it then was late to hear them. It's important to say that since then a strange sound started to be transmitted, but it was not similar to the previous "beeps". At 0356 it changed to a stronger one, which sounded kind of distorted. At 0359 the strange sound changed for a soft one and then the "transmission" kept on the air even after 0403. I monitored this for some days, but I didn’t know what can it be. By the way, I am sure it is not one of those carriers reported by Glenn Hauser and other DXers, including myself (Leonardo Santiago, CDXA, YB80+Kaito KA33, Pueblo Llano, Mérida, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I doubt it was Galkayo, as there have been no reports of it by anyone for several years. Don`t forget that this is really a utility band, so it may not be any broadcaster, even a pirate (gh, DXLD) Yes! This must be some utility operation. I am almost very sure it is not related with the other carriers I have heard as you can read on my logs (Leonardo, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. Radio Pirata 7170 kHz --- neste instante 2055 UT sinal 35545 na frequencia de 7170 sòmente musica in piano (Aparecido Francisco Morato, py5aap, gg46qu, Cornelio Procopio-Pr-Br, Sept 17, http://www.ipernity.com/home/py5aap.morato radioescutas yg via DXLD) Also heard by many others in Brasil (gh, DXLD) Olá amigos! Acabei de voltar do quintal, onde sintonizei meu Degen 1103 em 7170 kHz, somente com sua antena telescópica, às 2200 UT. O curioso é que quando eu direcionava a antena no sentido leste-oeste podia ouvir música popular brasileira instrumental, com um sinal razoável. Porém, ao direcionar a antena no sentido norte-sul passei a ouvir o Jornal da Rádio Clube de Ribeirão Preto-SP e um sinal em CW sobreposto. Tenho que sair agora, mais tarde farei novas escutas. 73's (Alexandre, São Carlos-SP, Brasil, ibid.) En el receptor SDR localizado en Sorocaba nada aparece. QTR 2210 (Horacio Nigro, Montevideo, Uruguay, condiglist yg via DXLD) Agora às 19:49h Horário de Brasília [2249 UT] chegando aqui no DF razoável (Neto Silva Brasilia DF, radioescutas yg via DXLD) Carrier visível no Sorocaba webSDR rx, mais non audio recuperável (2317 UT). 73 (Horacio Nigro, Uruguai, ibid.) En AM 7170. Ahora 2310 UT hay una emisión de música. Están pasando música tipo Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, ese estilo; ahora 2319 UT (Ernesto Paulero, Argentina, condiglista yg via DXLD) Gravei na faixa de 7170 mais de 1,40 minutos [meaning one hour and 40 minutes or one minute and 40 seconds?] até as 20,00 hora Brasília [2300 UT], quando saiu do ar e não deu indicativo, com sinal razoável, 23323 (Morato, PY5AAP, Sept 17, radioescutas yg via DXLD) 7170 chegando agora às 16:45h no Degen 1103, sinal bom, INCRIVEL (Neto Silva, Brasilia DF, Sept 18, ibid.) Probably = 1945 UT Maravilha!!! Rádio Livre 7170.5 kHz. Parabéns para os seus idealizadores, ótima programação e aúdio muito bom. Apesar da QRM altíssima que tenho aqui no centro de Goiânia-Go, o sinal dessa rádio chega muito bem, 44444. Abraço, (Cássio Santos, Receptor JRC NRD-535 (L.E), Antena Delta Loop 40mts-Balun 4.1 2007 UT, ibid. Boa Noite amigos, Hoje por volta das 1950 UT ouvi uma voz masculina em 7170, falando sobre as músicas; não compreendi, porque o sinal estava muito fraco e com severa interferência. 73 (Paulo Labastie, Sept 19, ibid.) [summarized on WORLD OF RADIO 1635] UNIDENTIFIED. 7210.2-LSB. Obviously a ham playing rapid LA music at 1132 in LSB. Strong. (14 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD- 535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) That`s the anti-Castro net of N1NR, tho the music may have been from someone else (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 9595.45, Buzzing carrier here at 1015 QRMing Japan. Couldn't detect any audio. India maybe?? Not there at 1103 recheck. (18 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, Dunlo, PA USA, NRD-535D and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook ALA1530S+ and 153’ Vertical Triangle Delta Loop, HCDX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 9885, Sept 18 at 1417, open carrier and tone test briefly, S9+10 to 1418*. Probably Greenville B, which will not be broadcasting VOA Spanish on this frequency until 2330; or maybe São Tomé for French at 2100 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 11995, Sept 13 at 0454, mystery open carrier with hum again. Noel Green, England has been monitoring from around 0630 and not heard it, but may have closed by then, or doesn`t propagate there if from westward. I haven`t tried for it much after 0600. Meanwhile, Turkey was in well on 11980 when I was hearing it. 11995, Sept 14 at 0543, mystery open carrier with hum again, this time weaker than Turkey 11980. 11995, Sept 15 at 0536 mystery open carrier with hum, much weaker than Turkey 11980. My gut feeling is that it`s Guiana French aimed elsewhere, which does modulate the frequency earlier, but in all my weeks of reporting this, I have only heard from one other monitor who has even tried to hear it. Those with DFing capability could help resolve it; until then I will keep on reporting it. If the frequency is slightly off, those with precision measuring capability might also match it to the 02-03 RTI relay in Spanish at 195 degrees from GUF. Does it hum too? I could check that. Checking latest HFCC A-12, TDF/RFI never got around to removing broadcasts extinct as of January: 11995, 04-05 English, 500 kW, 135 degrees from Issoudun to 271012 and 11995, 0600-0630 Hausa, 500 kW, 170 degrees from Issoudun to 271012 Or, does that mean there is some hope of ever resuming them? Keeping the transmitter warmed up, frequency occupied? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) further logs of this are at GUIANA FRENCH UNIDENTIFIED. 15252.5, Sept 19 at 1330, INTRUDER, Spanish SSB 2-way, but quite intermittent, making it hard to pinpoint frequency during brief transmissions, and I am not sure I got it right; back on at 1334 for a few more words (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 25990/FM, 1412, 12-Sep; M in Spanish running sfx--horns blowing, howling & machine gun fire. I've not heard any of the 26 MHz studio feeders here for a couple of months. 25950 KOA was on while I was in Denver in early August (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 125 ft. bow-tie; 85 ft. RW & 180 ft. center-fed RW, logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ ACKNOWLEDGED THIS WEEK on WORLD OF RADIO 1635: Thanks to Gerald T Pollard, NC, for a check in the mail to P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702. Gerald is one of our most generous and regular supporters each quarter at solstice and equinox. Hint, hint (gh) TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED FUTURELY: Thanks also to another regular supporter, Martin H Gallas, who contributed via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com (gh) And to another, anonymous via PayPal, $50. I mention the amount only in such cases (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ SHORTWAVE UTILITY DXER’S QSL ADDRESS HANDBOOK Hi Glenn, Although it is slightly off topic for DX Listening Digest, since many shortwave station listeners also listen to utility stations, I was wondering whether you might include a mention about Amazon and Barnes & Noble now selling my Shortwave Utility DXer’s QSL Address Handbook. Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com began to carry the eBook version of my book, the "Shortwave Utility DXer’s QSL Address Handbook". This eBook is electronic edition of the print version of the "Utility DXer's QSL Address Handbook" published a few months ago. The text and information in both the eBook and Print editions is virtually the same. However, this eBook has seven QSL images, while the print version had over forty. Like the print version, the eBook version contains postal and Email addresses of many Utility stations located on all seven continents. Beside the addresses, many listings contain QSL information indicating the type of QSL the station issues, the preferred method of contact, information on station officials, verification signers and even comments and suggestions. Research and extensive correspondence by the author with many stations listed in the book helped provide details and information for the Utility DXer interested in QSLing stations. Both Amazon (Kindle) and Barnes and Noble (Nook) sell the eBook for $6.95. The print edition is available from me for $14.95 plus shipping and is also sold by Universal Radio. For more information about the Kindle version (Amazon) go to http://www.amazon.com/Firedrake-Shortwave-Jamming-Project-ebook/dp/B0093NNABQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346381010&sr=8-1&keywords=steven+handler+firedrake For more information about the Nook version go to http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shortwave-utility-dxers-qsl-address-handbook-steven-handler/1112892707?ean=2940015703177 For those that have neither a Kindle or Nook, both Amazon and Barnes and Noble on their web sites offer free downloads to allow these eBook formats to be read on PC's, MAC's, iPads, iPhones and Android devices. Thanks (Steve Handler, shortwavereport [at] yahoo.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) THE "BEACON AUDIO ARCHIVE" Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Many SWLs also use their receivers for DXing NDBs (Longwave Non- directional beacons); I do. A little over two weeks ago I started a new Blog site, I call it "KO6BB's Radio-Beacon Audio Archive". The premise is simple, to post recordings of as many NDB's (and eventually other beacons) as possible. This because every year many of them are being shut down as airports no longer deem them necessary. I foresee the day when the NDB DXer will no longer be able to follow his chosen hobby. It's also a place where one can compare what they may have heard against a recording of the actual beacon on the air, though it must be remembered that beacons sometimes change formats, OR have problems with their keyers that cause anomalies in their signal. Some of the recordings on my site were recorded by other DXers; all of the pictures (what there are) were provided by others. ALL material provided by others are given due credit in the postings. MOST of my own recordings are very narrow bandwidth, having been recorded using the Icom R-75 with cascaded 250 Hz CW filters AND very narrow audio filtering using the Timewave DSP-599zx. This because of the high noise levels encountered at LF. There ARE a few recordings of stronger (local) beacons using the AM mode and no audio filtering to show what these sound like in the AM mode (the beacons all use one form or another of AM modulation). Where the AM mode is used, there is also a second recording in the narrower CW mode. SOME of the recordings are very noisy; that goes with the hobby. But ALL of them do have the ID fully readable, I don't DON'T post recordings where one has to guess at the ID. As of today there are recordings of 131 different beacons, EACH with its own descriptive blog page containing the recordings, pictures (where available), and other information such as frequency, location, etc. New beacons are added almost daily. To get there got to my home page at Ipernity http://www.ipernity.com/home/ko6bb then click on "blog" right next to the little HF radio symbol, or this will take you directly there if you wish to bypass my home page: http://www.ipernity.com/blog/ko6bb -- 73 de (Phil, KO6BB, Atchley, http://www.qsl.net/ko6bb/ (Web Page) http://www.ipernity.com/home/ko6bb (NDB Audio Archive Blog), Merced, Central California, 37.3N 120.48W CM97sh, swl at qth.net via DXLD) DX-PEDITIONS ++++++++++++ CAPE PERPETUA, OREGON CLIFFSIDE DXING - SEPT. 10TH - LOGS, FILES, & PHOTOS I've now gone through the second day's Perseus files, looking for new stations with the proverbial fine tooth comb, although I'll bet there's still more low-level DX to be found. Like on the 9th, the pre- dawn DX on Sept. 10th peaked 20 minutes before sunrise. There were more DU signals mixing with the TPs this time around however. I continue to be impressed with the great match the Wellbrook FLG100LN preamp module is for the Ferrite Sleeve Loop antenna. The combo is very sensitive! Perhaps the Wellbrook ALA100 (or new LN version) will work just as well, but if the input impedance is different than the FLG100LN's 1200 ohms, the homebrew transformer will require a different turns ratio. My loggings follow, but first a few files, links, and photos: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- One minute *Perseus WAV file* from Sept. 10th, 1333 UT, 127-1727 kHz (281 mb ZIP file): https://www.box.com/s/85tnzuy4slla5t6q0gj2 Unfortunately I had the wrong link for the Perseus WAV file I mentioned last night in my post about Sept. 10th DX results from the cliff at Cape Perpetua, Oregon. Here is the correct link: http://www.mediafire.com/?022r71udou3thco Sorry for the mix-up. Google Maps view of the Cape Perpetua cliff along the Oregon Coast Highway 101: http://goo.gl/maps/tXnCZ I measured the altitude with a GPS at this point on the highway at 220 feet above sea level. It's the exact spot that Gary DeBock showed in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZzBfstOXA4 Photo taken from the cliff, just past sunrise and after the DX faded away on Sept. 12th: https://www.box.com/s/85tnzuy4slla5t6q0gj2 Photos of scenic views near the cliff, taken during my visit Sept. 8- 13th: Near Neptune Beach, south of Cape Perpetua: https://www.box.com/s/l9v8kfzfmvt0koyepgxt Seal Rocks Beach, north of Yachats: https://www.box.com/s/1p6coipl62ovz9zw3lnu Another view of Seal Rocks Beach: https://www.box.com/s/qgkimr7ianqqu4y7398l Green Salmon Coffee and Tea in Yachats Oregon is a great destination for tired DXers to retreat to after a busy morning session of DXing at nearby Cape Perpetua. All coffee is roasted in-house, and the entire operation is as organic, green, and eco-friendly as a small business can get. Even the cash register, hallway lights, outdoor fountain, and music system are solar powered. https://www.box.com/s/x3q6ye1hor3evljofuni ---------------------------------------------------------------------- **The logs below are all unique stations/frequencies *unheard* the previous morning (Sept. 9)** 73, (Guy Atkins, Puyallup, WA, DXing from Cape Perpetua, 220 ft. over the Pacific Ocean near Yachats, OR, Perseus SDR / broadband Ferrite Sleeve Loop (FSL) antenna HCDX via DXLD) See full report with all the hotlinx above at: http://www.mail-archive.com/irca@hard-core-dx.com/msg58046.html (gh, DXLD) LISTENING ON CURAÇAO, A NEW RADIO COUNTRY With permission from Max van Arnhem Readers of the World Radio TV Handbook 2011 noticed a change in the country name of The Netherlands Antilles. Originally The Netherlands Antilles was a country within The Netherlands and consisted of the islands Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius. On the 1st of January 1986, Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles and officially became a separate country with a special status (“status aparte”) within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On the 10th of October 2010, the existence of The Netherlands Antilles ended and Curaçao and Sint Maarten got a special status within the kingdom, while the islands Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (the BES Islands) became special municipalities of The Netherlands. There is a broad spectrum of political sentiment on all the islands, on one side the wish to be a completely independent country (Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten) and on the other side the wish to be part of The Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba). The result is that you now find in the WRTH 2012 Aruba (Netherlands), Bonaire (Netherlands), Curaçao (Netherlands), Saba (Netherlands), St. Eustatius (Netherlands) and St. Maarten (Netherlands) instead of Aruba and The Netherlands Antilles. Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (the ABC islands) are located off the coast of Venezuela, while Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius and Saba are located about 900 kilometres north of the ABC islands (east of Puerto Rico). On the ABC islands the languages spoken are Papiamentu and Dutch. Papiamentu is a mix of Spanish, Portuguese, English and Dutch. On St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius English and Dutch are spoken. In 1983 I paid my first visit to Bonaire and Curaçao, while in the last ten years I visited Aruba, Bonaire and frequently Curaçao. Of course, during all these journeys I took a portable radio with me to explore the radio scene on the islands. As everywhere a lot of things changed. While in 1983 approximately 13 stations were active on all islands (ABC and BES), nowadays Aruba counts 18, Curaçao 25, Bonaire 8, St. Maarten 9 stations while St. Eustatius and Saba each have one station. In 1983 on Curaçao I found three stations on medium wave and FM; all other stations were on medium wave only. Now the situation changed and on Curaçao only CUROM Radio Z86 (PJZ86) is still using mediumwave (860 khz). In 1983 I paid visits to the medium wave stations Radio Hoyer (Radio Hoyer 1 1010 in Papiamentu and Radio Hoyer 2 1500 khz in Dutch) and CUROM (860 khz) and the FM station Radio Korsou FM (93.9 Mhz) that just started as the only station using FM. On Bonaire, also home of the shortwave relay station Radio Nederland and shortwave and medium wave station Trans World Radio, I visited the tiny medium wave station the Voice of Bonaire (1400 khz). Several years ago I also visited the former medium wave station Radio Kelkboom on Aruba (1440 khz) and again to Radio Korsou FM. Aruba still has listed two medium wave stations, which are often more off than on the air. Founder and owner of Radio Korsou FM, Hans Oosterhof, in the past had a program on the International Waters station off the Dutch coast, Radio Veronica. He often uses his Indonesian name “Suhandi” referring to his radio time in the former Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. In the years these stations were still on medium wave, Radio Hoyer and Radio Kelkboom were also heard by DXers in Europe. The names Hoyer and Kelkboom are the family names of the founders and still owners of the station. Last November and December I was again on Curaçao and revisited Radio Hoyer which is the first station in the world using solar energy. It has an extensive music collection that is being digitalized. Recently, in December, Radio Hoyer started a new website with lots of historical photos, http://www.radiohoyer.com Also in November I visited FM station Hit 100.3FM which also has a video clip channel, Canal 24, also used for religious broadcasts. Because of the few stations left on medium wave it will be hardly impossible for DXers to log one of the islands. Considering the location, off the coast of Venezuela, one can imagine that DXing from one of he ABC islands can be very interesting. Some years ago, while on Curaçao, I concentrated on listening to the tropical bands and it was interesting to find, besides the central and South American stations, quite some stations from Indonesia and also the Solomon Islands. These stations were heard at local dawn. However, now many stations left the tropical bands and interference on shortwave is a common problem, medium wave was quiet so that was the place to be. At daytime, due to the short distance to Venezuela, many stations are audible with good reception quality. On the 2nd of December all stations from Venezuela I could hear, were carrying a live transmission of the summit of Latin American and Caribbean States taking place in Venezuela. Long speeches were heard by President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela. The WRTH indicates that in 2009, The Venezuelan authorities announced the closure of some 240 AM and FM stations for failure to comply with licensing requirements. At time of editing the WRTH 2012, these measurements have still not been carried out. Those stations known to have closed are marked in the WRTH under Venezuela with an *. Indeed, I noticed 820 Radio Guadalupana, Coro already off the air in 2009. While in 2009 I heard the also in Europe often reported 1470 CBN Valencia with good strength, now in December 2011, the station was off the air. Often in local afternoons many stations carry the same program of Radio Nacional de Venezuela and often referring to “el comandante” Hugo Chávez. Also programs or slogans of stations often refer to the government. Examples are 1070 Mundial Zulia ("Mundial Zulia revolución con impacto social de la mano con el pueblo") and 1280 Radio Trujillo ("Trujillo socialista en la calle"). While listening to stations from Venezuela you may hear the announcement of a classification of the following program, like “El siguiente programa recreativo informativo contiene elementos de lenguaje, tipo A elementos de salud tipo A, elementos sexuales tipo A, elementos de violencia tipo A y B que pueden ser escuchados por ninos, ninas y adolescentes sin la supervisión de sus madres, padres, representantes o responsables”. In this case the program can be heard by children, adolescents without the supervision of parents, representatives or those who are responsible. Call signs are less often heard than in the past. Station identifications can often be heard during the programs, not especially at Venezuelan top of the hour (xx+30). Because of the many stations from Venezuela that are occupying the frequencies, hearing stations from other countries needs some more efforts. Identifying Venezuela is easy due to the local time of UTC minus 4 and half hours while Colombia has UTC-5 hours. Also FM reception from Venezuela is possible on the ABC islands, especially stations from Coro are heard daily. The Venezuelan Rumbera Network has its own station on Curaçao on 107.9 FM. Every time I was on the islands I hoped for Sporadic E FM reception, but I never had luck. The following medium wave loggings are an example of what can be heard on Curaçao and don’t pretend to be an overview of real DX-ing. The receiver was a Sony ICF SW7600GR. Interesting is the new 1660 Noti Luz, which also easily can be heard in western Europe. Notice that 1160 is listed in the WRTH 2012 as Radio Notícias 1160, while I heard identifications as Radio Industrial. [I hope we can find an online access to this formatted log --- gh] (ARC Mv-Eko 17 Sept via DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ novena Bienal Internacional de Radio Educación 1-6 OCTOBER 2012 18 SEPTIEMBRE 2012 - 12:11PM — JESÚS ALEJO SANTIAGO Consuelo Sáizar anunció que se realizará el Coloquio Internacional “Miguel Ángel Granados Chapa”, dedicado a la reflexión de los contextos sociales de los medios públicos. Ciudad de México • Con la finalidad de lograr una mayor vinculación entre los profesionales de la radio, al tiempo de contribuir al desarrollo de los medios públicos de comunicación, del 1 al 6 de octubre se llevará a cabo la Bienal Internacional de Radio, la cual llega a su novena edición, que por vez primera compartirá actividades con entidades como Campeche, Coahuila, Chiapas, Estado de México, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Nayarit y zacatecas. Durante una conferencia de prensa, celebrada en la Fonoteca Nacional, la presidenta del Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes (Conaculta), Consuelo Sáizar, anunció que en el marco de la reunión radiofónica se realizará el Coloquio Internacional “Miguel Ángel Granados Chapa”, dedicado a la reflexión de los contextos sociales de los medios públicos; asimismo, en colaboración con la Fonoteca Nacional, se efectuará el primer Encuentro Iberoamericano de Arte Sonoro en Radio “Resonantes”. De acuerdo con el director de Radio Educación, Antonio Tenorio Muñoz Cota, la Bienal se organizó en torno a tres ejes, el académico, el cultural y el concurso de producciones radiofónicas, a cuya convocatoria respondieron alrededor de 800 trabajos de diversas partes del mundo. La Bienal Internacional de Radio, a desarrollarse en el Teatro de las Artes del Centro Nacional de las Artes (Cenart), contará con académicos y especialistas como Néstor García Canclini, José Iges, Jesús Martín Barbero y Omar Rincón, por mencionar sólo a algunos. FUENTE: http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/64346adc04d78af50bf575d54fe44e1a Sitio Web: http://www.bienalderadio.info/2012/ (Via yimber gaviria, Colombia, DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DAB et al. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WorldDMB "GLOBAL DIGITAL RADIO BROADCASTING UPDATE" - SEPTEMBER 2012 (via Hubert Kubiak-AUT, Herbert Meixner-AUT, A-DX Sept 11 via BCDX Sept 16 via DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM See also GERMANY; MEXICO; NEW ZEALAND; ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NIGERIA Trasmissioni in DRM Ciao a tutti. Quello che doveva essere il futuro delle trasmissioni radio (alludo al DRM) si sta dimostrando un fallimento completo. Lo dimostrano i dati ricavati dal sito http://www.drm.org sotto riportati laddove si leggono i minuti di trasmissione delle stazioni mondiali che operano con tale sistema. Come si potrà osservare, nel giro di circa sei mesi, la cifra totale è calata di quasi 1000 minuti. Chi ha scommesso sul DRM ha perso perchè non ha fatto i conti con il trend riduttivo delle emissioni radio convenzionali. Da anni siamo avvezzi a vedere la cancellazione di questa o quella emissione. Come ho già scritto poco tempo fa, in alcuni periodi della giornata intere fette di banda radiofonica in OC restano vuote. Giovanni 26.03.2012 21409 minuti 12.09.2012 20546 minuti (Giovanni Lorenzi - IT9TZZ QTH: Messina - Italy 38.11 N 15.32 E Locator JM78SE RX: Yaesu FRG-7000/Kenwood TS-440/Yaesu FT-897 RX SDR: Autocostruito Ant: Longwire 25 m / Dipole Down converter per DRM: homebrewing Website: http://www.webalice.it/it9tzz Ham info: www.qrz.com/ db/it9tzz, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Critical Distance Weblog, 16 Sept 2012, Jonathan Marks: "AM broadcast facilities are being closed all over the planet, Not just mothballed - but demolished as it becomes uneconomic to use 500 kWs to blast just an audio signal across a border when satellite television has a much bigger audience impact. We live in a visual world. And for the 8 or so countries where shortwave remains the only way to reach rural areas (Somalia comes to mind), these places will never go to digital SW. Remember these international networks were designed when oil was 40 dollars a barrel. Now the cost per listener is bonkers. The user interfaces of most DRM receivers are poor (on the level of physics experiment)- and there are huge challenges to build the antenna into mobiles. The technology works. But is there still a need? Not in my recent experience. The window for Digitale Radio Mondiale has closed as a stand-alone technology." I could see DRM working on longwave, medium wave, and short-hop (generally 6 MHz and below) shortwave. It would be good for reaching remote areas out of reach of FM transmitters (and cell towers). Also good for reaching thinly-spread specialized audiences, such as expats in Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere, or for news, business, sports, religion, and other talk formats. The chronic lack of DRM receivers and their short battery life are still big problems, not yet solved. The business case for both broadcasters and receiver manufacturers is, admittedly, tenuous. Wavecatcher.us: "Shortwave station WWCR [Nashville] plans to purchase a DRM modulator to begin testing digital broadcasting. Operations Manager, Brady Murray and Frequency Manager, Dr. Jerry Plummer made the announcement on the station's regular feature 'Ask WWCR.' ... Dr. Plummer indicated the modulator may cost as much as $40,000. Both men also incorrectly stated that 'there are no receivers' for DRM. Of course the NewStar DR-111 is available (I own one!)." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- IBOC See MEXICO! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Re: Is HD RADIO the future for AM? I think IBOC has been out there long enough to see it is not going anywhere. Even KEX looks like they dropped it. I have not heard IBOC on KEX for sometime. Now that I have said that, I hope I did not jinx it. hi. But the consumer just doesn't care. Even on FM, it has not been popular. Why even have IBOC on AM anyway? For the listener that enjoys decent frequency response in analog, trying to listen to a station running HD in analog, the audio suffers. KEX sounds great in analog without IBOC. They always did, if the listener had a good sound system. IBOC also wipes out stations on adjacent frequencies and that also is not good. But I am sure, there will be some stations that will hold on to IBOC for sometime. If I wanted an HD radio, I would have to go searching for one. I never see them in the stores any longer (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, Sept 17, IRCA via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ AUTOMATED CONVERSION OF PERSEUS WAV FILE TO MP3 AUDIO FILES I have attempted to automate the process of reviewing wide-band Perseus recordings by using AutoHotKey to script Total Recorder to record the audio from a Perseus wave file as it plays back and automatically saving the resulting MP3 files with filenames including the date, time and frequency of the recording. The script can, for example, step through every frequency on a medium wave band recording from 530 to 1710 kHz and record the one-minute top-of-the-hour of each frequency to it's own MP3 file. Then I can download those MP3 files to an iPod and listen to them in the car or while working around the house rather than be chained to the computer reviewing the recordings via the Perseus interface. I have written up a description of the process and made a short video showing the program in action. You can view the post at http://dx-nexus.blogspot.com/2012/07/extracting-audio-recordings-from.html Just a warning that it's not a totally fullproof script and the exact parameters may not work on everyone's computer due to screen resolution differences. It's really meant for someone who doesn't mind learning how AutoHotKey scripting works and is willing to tinker to get it going. But once it works, it's a lot of fun to watch the computer make over 100 audio files out of a 2-minute Perseus recording. Anyway, enjoy the script and feedback is always welcome, (Brett Saylor, N3EVB via Perseus_SDR, via SW Bulletin Sept 16 via DXLD) At first, Brett, I thought I was reading a joke. If this works, an amazing tool to help with all the hundreds of GB of wav files I have now, and no time to process them! My thought was to export the files off-shore, and pay someone to listen to them all, and come up with IDs!!! ;-) (Walt Salmaniv via Perseus_SDR, ibid.) It's real, Walt :-) I'm reviewing a batch right now that were created last night. I got the idea from Matthias Zwoch's Perseus Scheduler AHK script (which has been working very well for me for the past few years). As I said, it may take some tweaking to make it work on your computer, but I'd be happy to help out if you run into any problems. I uploaded a copy of the AutoHotKey script into the Files section - named AR.ahk. And as for out-sourcing the review of Perseus recordings, I had that idea a few years back and wondered whether something like Mechanical Turk could be used to do it. But this is a lot cheaper :-) (Brett Saylor, N3EVB via Perseus_SDR, ibid.) BEN DOWNS: AM NEEDS TECHNOLOGICAL HELP by Leslie Stimson on 09.13.2012 BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Ben Downs is vice president and general manager of Bryan Broadcasting, a radio group of five stations he also owns with business partner and company President Bill Hicks. Downs is in his third term as a member of the NAB Radio Board and is an advocate for technological improvements for AM. Of Bryan Broadcasting’s five stations, four are AMs. The FM broadcasts in HD Radio and also has an associated multicast channel. The company employs some 60 people. Downs believes in having fun in radio. He’s been his town’s Santa for nearly 30 years. “I have staff who, when they were children, told me what they wanted for Christmas,” he says. The chairman of NAB’s AM Task Force got his start in radio at the age of 14 in 1968 as a part-time announcer in Hope, Ark. He changed transmitter tubes and worked on cart machines. He says he still tweaks with transmitters because he “likes to touch the gadgets.” Downs will moderate an HD Radio panel at this month’s Radio Show in Dallas. The Texas A&M graduate recently spoke with Radio World News Editor/Washington Bureau Chief Leslie Stimson about issues affecting radio, especially improvements for the AM band. RW: How would you describe the economic health of commercial radio as we ease into fall? Were smaller radio markets affected differently during the downturn? [LONG interview touching on many of the issues we have discussed from the listeners` POV --- gh] http://www.radioworld.com/article/ben-downs-am-needs-technological-help-/215444 (via Bruce Carter, ABDX via DXLD) Via Radio World, Ben Downs of the NAB *doesn't* get it. I'm posting this link here, but I've already Tweeted about it this morning (hat tip to Glenn Hauser via DXLD) and will just let y'all chime in. -- (Fritze H. Prentice, Jr KC5KBV, Star City AR EM43aw, twitter.com/fritzehp 14 Sept, WTFDA via DXLD) Two quick comments... ``Right now, if you`re not using HD and you don`t have your RDS turned on, all the listeners are seeing is dial position.`` ***Well buddy, hate to break it to you but if you HAVE your HD turned on all your listeners just see is a dial position because NOBODY HAS HD RADIOS! Duh!*** ``This noise floor that has been allowed to happen is basically rendering AM unlistenable. Every LED sign, every compact florescent light bulb, every flat screen and computer makes it harder to hear us.`` ***And guess what's a major contributor to the high noise floor. HD SIDEBANDS!!*** There are none so blind as those who will not see. Somebody said that once (Mike Bugaj, Enfield, CT, ibid.) I think it's a bit much to say "he doesn't get it". There's a LOT he gets, - He actually tries to sell to local clients, instead of leaning back & bitching about how nobody's buying local radio. - He understands that radio cannot compete by merely playing the hits. What surrounds the music is what pulls in an audience. - He understands that the biggest problem with AM is the noise floor. (and while he doesn't say so, he seems to understand there really isn't much the industry can do about it... - (he understands an across-the-board power increase isn't going to fix AM) - He understands you can't move AM en-masse into TV-5 and TV-6 -- but that you probably *can* if you use all five low-band VHF channels (whether that will still be the case once TV spectrum is refarmed again is a good question). - He understands engineering is important... OK, so there are some downsides: - He thinks full-digital HD will work in a cellphone. - He thinks AM will get *better* if we break up the Class A stations. - He supports HD (but on FM, I think he's right. To compete with XM & Pandora, as new cars come along with metadata displays stations are going to need that data service. It may only be in new & expensive cars -- but that's the well-to-do audience advertisers want to reach) -- (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, ibid.) RADAR SYSTEMS ON SHORTWAVE Radar using HF frequencies has been with us as a defense-based tool since its beginnings and into the Cold War era. With its end other uses were proposed. Today it is used mostly in coastal installations for sea level navigation, research and drug interdiction. The document listed below shows the many ways countries are using these technologies. It contains a wealth of information and is an easy read with many links. Thanks to Wolf Hadel for his fine work. Thanks to David Ross and Sheldon Harvey for bringing this item to our attention. http://www.iarums-r1.org/iarums/radar-2012.pdf As for North America, the US is shown. Both Canada and the US mostly use CODAR, the biggest exception being HAARP. A quick Google search for CODAR will more than satisfy your curiosity. HF High Frequency (approx 2 to 30 MHz) RADAR RAdio Detection And Ranging CODAR Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar SIGINT SIGnals INTelligence ITU International Telecommunication Union The Other Side of the Coin: SIGINT Technologies to Pinpoint HF RADAR If it is on HF frequencies it can be received on most parts of the planet. And if somebody considers you hostile, he will track you down. Read how he proposes to do it. http://tinyurl.com/8szhvu5 (via Worldwide Utility Column, Sept CIDX Messenger via DXLD) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLT DEBATE – COMPROMISE John G8MM (a WG11 participant) The development of International Standard involves discussion and ultimately compromise. Certainly that has been the case with the proposed PLT standard prEN50561-1. It has taken over 15 years to reach the present position, with many steps along the way being rejected when put to the test – but some new compromise has been found, and is to be re-tested for acceptability. In particular, it became clear the some of the technologies employed were a source of interference 24 hours a day. It was also clear that a typical user would make real use of a network connection for just a few hours each day. The compromise sought between radio users and the PLC industry is to have modems remain silent when not in use. So, with the compromises all on the table, what do we have? Notching of the Amateur bands, on a permanent basis, at least down to the limits specified by EN55022:2006. Notching of broadcast bands, either on a permanent basis, or if the manufacturer chooses using a dynamic notch technique, which will ensure that the level of emission is below EN55022. Dynamic Power Control, which will limit the maximum power emitted from each modem on a network by up to 30dB, depending on the attenuation between each modem. Modems will emit signals below 55022, when there is no `user data' to transmit. Full article: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/september2012/the_other_side_of_the_plt_debate.htm (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO FUND A RADIO PROPAGATION-RELATED PROJECT --- Radio Society of Great Britain - Southgate September 17, 2012 The RSGB's Propagation Studies Committee is inviting proposals to fund a radio propagation-related project, up to a maximum of £1,000. The PSC was recently bequeathed £1,000 by the late Charlie Newton, G2FKZ, who died earlier this year. Charlie was an active member of PSC and also helped educate other amateurs about propagation matters through talks and lectures. He was also the author of the book Radio Auroras, which is viewed as a definitive guide to this type of propagation. His bequest was made to help fund propagation-related research and the PSC is looking to hear from any person or group who might have a detailed proposal for how the money could be used. Full written proposals, including details, costings and likely timescales, should be submitted to PSC chairman Steve Nichols, G0KYA by email to steveinfotechcomms.co.uk by 31 December 2012. And the Southgate link http://www.southgatearc.org/news/september2012/request_for_proposals_to_fund_a_radio_propagation_related_project.htm (via Mike Terry, Sept 18, dxldyg via DXLD) DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF TRANS-EQUATORIAL PROPAGATION EXPLAINED IN ENGLISH from a ham radio point of view, rather than FM DXer`s TEP refers to Trans-Equatorial Propagation, a special kind of propagation across the equator. A good description from the Australian Government Radio and Space Weather Services can be downloaded at http://www.ips.gov.au/Category/Educational/Other%20Topics/Radio%20Communication/Transequatorial.pdf (QST de W1AW, Propagation Forecast Bulletin 37 ARLP037, From Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, WA September 14, 2012, To all radio amateurs, via Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD) CHARACTERIZING RADIO CHANNELS: THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF PROPAGATION AND INTERFERENCE, 1900-1935 429 page, 30.3 MB PhD 2004 dissertation from MIT Library; unfortunately it is secured so I cannot even copy the abstract (gh) Excellent historical reference: http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/39172/60412278.pdf?sequence=1 (via Graham Maynard, MWCircle yg via DXLD) P.I.G. Bulletin 120916 Solar & Geomagnetic activity forecast for the period September 16 - October 8 Solar activity will dynamically fluctuate between 95 - 125 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 24 - 25, 28 - 29, October 6 - 8 mostly quiet on September 17, 23, quiet to unsettled on September 18 - 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 20 - 22, October 1 - 2. Petr Kolman, OK1MGW Czech Propagation Interest Group (OK1HH & OK1MGW, weekly forecasts since 1978) e-mail: kolmanp(at)razdva.cz (via Dario Monferini, DXLD) The geomagnetic field was at quiet levels throughout the period with two isolated unsettled periods on 12 September and 15 September due to extended periods of negative Bz. A solar sector boundary crossing was also observed at approximately 16/1800Z. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 17 SEPT - 13 OCT 2012 Solar activity is expected to be at very low to low levels with a chance for moderate activity throughout 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 18-20 and 24-27 September, then again from 07-09 October. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be quiet to unsettled with active conditions possible on 19-22 September, 03-05, 09-10, and 12-13 October. The active conditions are mainly associated with coronal hole high speed streams. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2012 Sep 17 1309 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 2012-09-17 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 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 2012 Oct 07 125 5 2 2012 Oct 08 120 5 2 2012 Oct 09 115 8 3 2012 Oct 10 115 8 3 2012 Oct 11 120 5 2 2012 Oct 12 115 8 3 2012 Oct 13 115 10 3 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1635, DXLD) Petr Kolman OK1MGW: Weekly forecasts from Ondrejov Geomagnetic activity forecast for the period September 21 - October 11, 2012 Solar activity forecast for the period September 21 - 27, 2012 Activity level: mostly low X-ray background flux (1.0-8.0 A): in the range B2.0-B9.5 Radio flux (10.7 cm): a fluctuation in the range 100-140 f.u. Events: class C (0-12/day), class M (0-4/period), class X (0/period), proton (0/period) Relative sunspot number (Ri): in the range 35-105 Astronomical Institute, Solar Dept., Ondrejov, Czech Republic e-mail: sunwatch(at)asu.cas.cz (RWC Prague) ______________________________ GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST FOR THE PERIOD SEPT 21 - OCT 11, 2012 Geomagnetic field will be: quiet on September 24 - 26, October 6 - 8 mostly quiet on September 23, 27 quiet to unsettled on September 21 - 22, 28 - 29 October 4 - 5, 9 - 11 quiet to active on September 30, October 1, 3, active to disturbed on October 2. High probability of changes in solar wind which may cause changes in magnetosphere and ionosphere is expected on September 21 - 22, October 1 - 2. Petr Kolman OK1MGW, Czech Propagation Interest Group (OK1HH & OK1MGW, weekly forecasts since 1978) e-mail: kolmanp(at)razdva.cz (via Dario Monferini, Sept 20, DXLD) ###