DX LISTENING DIGEST 12-52, December 27, 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 *DX and station news about: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia and non, Ecuador, Georgia, Germany, Guam, Guiana French, Indonesia, Italy and non, Kazakhstan non, Kyrgyzstan non, Korea North non, Laos, Myanmar, Netherlands non, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Romania, Russia, Suriname, Tatarstan non, Uganda, USA, Zambia SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1649, Dec 27 2012-Jan 2, 2013 Thu 0430 WRMI 9955 [replayed 1648 this week] Thu 2200 WTWW 9479 [confirmed] Fri 0429v WWRB 3195 [& 5050 not on this week] Sat 0230v WBCQ 5110v-CUSB Area 51 [confirmed] Sat 0630 HLR 7265 Hamburger Lokalradio Sat 0900 WRMI 9955 Sat 1600 WRMI 9955 Sat 1630 HLR 7265 Hamburger Lokalradio Sat 1830 WRMI 9955 Sun 0500 WTWW 5830 [confirmed] Sun 0900 WRMI 9955 Sun 1630 WRMI 9955 Mon 0530 WRMI 9955 Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 Wed 0630 HLR 7265 Hamburger Lokalradio special Jan 2 Wed 1630 HLR 7265 Hamburger Lokalradio special Jan 2 Thu 0430 WRMI 9955 [or maybe 1650 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 [updated]: http://www.wrn.org/listeners/customize-panel/addToPlaylist/98/10:00:00UTC/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/ ** AFRICA [non]. "Wavescan" CALLING AFRICA! "Focus on Africa" During the entire coming year, 2013, programming in the AWR DX program, "Wavescan", will be concentrated upon the radio broadcasting scene on the continent of Africa, including nearby islands and the Middle East. Tentative planning for the scheduling of radio features includes a historic rundown of an African radio station, large or small, as the the main opening topic every 3rd week. As follow on topics in the weekly half hour program, many additional African features will be presented, including interviews and on-the-spot recordings made by the program producer, Jeff White of Radio Miami International WRMI in Florida. All of the African information that will be presented on air in "Wavescan" throughout the year 2013 will be under the title, "Focus on Africa", and the purpose for this year long emphasis is to encourage the development of international radio broadcasting and shortwave listening throughout the African arena. The international DX program, "Wavescan" is researched and written in Indianapolis and produced by Jeff White in the studios of shortwave WRMI in Miami. We here at "Wavescan" always welcome reception reports from our listeners, and we receive listener mail from some 100 countries throughout the world. All reception reports are verified with our QSL cards through the postal system, and of course, some form of return postage is always appreciated. In particular, we would welcome reception reports from listeners living in continental Africa and nearby areas. The international DX program "Wavescan" is the current name for the original DX program, "Radio Monitors International" that was launched from the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation in 1975, as part of the shortwave scheduling of Adventist World Radio. Dr. Adrian M. Peterson, Co-ordinator - International Relations & DX Editor, Adventist World Radio, N9GWY - Ex KA9YPQ (via Alokesh Gupta, Dec 22, dxldyg via DXLD) ** ALBANIA. 7464.976, Radio Tirana in Albanian via Shijak site. Newscast at 0005 UT Dec 21. Speech to the crowd in parliament(?), on European economy matter. "crisis economia", debate fiscali. S=9+20dB in Germany (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 20/21, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANGOLA. 4949.76, R. Nacional, 1810, noted with EZL music and comments by Portuguese man. Best in LSB to escape het high side. 24/12 7216.7, R. Nacional presumed at 1847, strong carrier but no audio. 24/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. 13363.6/LSB, UNID relay; 2223-2241:11*, 20-Dec; M&W in Spanish with non-Latino pop music; ad/promo string BoH-2238 and back to pop music. First promo after BoH included "Metro" and sounded like a spot with "...cinco khz..." Off abruptly in mid-tune. SIO=253- (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) 16150, Argentina feeder, with Radio Metro, Buenos Aires. 1843 dancing mx. Program "Estación Metro". 54555 in Chile (Claudio Diexista Esperantista DX" in "radioescucha onda corta desde Chile" FB group Dec 23 via Nigro, Uruguay). Mode not stated but presumably USB (Horacio Nigro Geolkiewsky, Montevideo, Uruguay, 1911 UT Dec 23, dxldyg WORLD OF RADIO 1649, 16150-SSB, Dec 23 at 1945, NON LOG of feeder with Radio Metro, first chance I had to check it after report via Horacio Nigro from Claudio in Chile of 54555 reception there at 1843 with dance music. I include this as a heads-up of a new frequency to watch out for. Also checked 15810, 13363.5, other/former feeder channels, but nothing heard there either (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. 15345.130, RAE Buenos Aires at new time 0900-1000 UT in Spanish, Dec 27. Wandered down to x.055 kHz continuously, poor S=6 signal. Temperature at 0953 UT at +26 C. Spanish segment not mentioned in Nagoya Aoki list yet (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 27, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. THE POLITICAL WAR BEHIND THE MEDIA LAW By: Latinamerica Press, December 23, 2012, By Jenny Manrique For almost a year, the Argentine people have attended to a judicial and media battle that is being fought on the podium, in the streets, and of course, in the media, because of the enforcement of the Law on Audiovisual Communication Services, promulgated in 2009, and on which President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is risking all of her political capital. The so called Media Law, which repealed an old law dating back to the dictatorship era, has been praised by supporters for having been achieved in a democratic fashion, since it took 23 forums and 80 conferences with members of the civil society to write the law’s 166 articles. “It is an unprecedented process because the bill was discussed horizontally, we worked by consensus, and we achieved to have the 21 points we had discussed at our organization included in the law,” said Néstor Piccone, member of the Coalition for a Democratic Communication, to Latinamerica Press. The Coalition is a group of 300 entities, from unions to civil organizations, community radios, small and medium-sized businesses, first nations, service cooperatives, universities, and gender groups and groups of disabled individuals, all from across the nation. The law’s critics are mainly media groups affected by the anti-trust measures, which, in summary, seek to limit the concentration of licenses; in other words, it seeks to limit a single media group to owning at most one satellite signal, up to 10 radio signals, broadcast or cable television, and up to 24 subscription broadcasting licenses. Grupo Clarín, the largest media conglomerate in the country — which currently has 237 licenses — will be one of the first to be forced to give up its licenses. . . SOURCE: http://www.eurasiareview.com/23122012-argentina-the-political-war-behind-the-media-law/ (Via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, https://twitter.com/Nxdelaradio DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. 4835, VL8A Alice Springs, NT 1010 to 1055, enjoyed one very neat vocal, very strong signal, best LSB to avoid local [4840 WWCR] 22 Dec. (Wilkner) 4910, VL8T, Tennant Creek, 0815 YL chat, later music, gone 0830*, 19 Dec. 120 meter NT Australians not audible here at 0835 (Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D -Icom 746Pro - Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ABC Local Radio as received in Bulgaria [2325, 2485, 4835] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMWQlStuhSI (Georgi Bancov, Dec 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. 11945 & 9580, Thu Dec 20 at 1410-1458, RA intriguing interview from R. National, with author of a book about the CIA, ``The Interrogator: a CIA Agent's True Story``, Glenn Carle, who was pressured by the Bush-Cheney regime to torture a prisoner for Al-Qaida info, but was really a low-level banker with only remote connexions to the terrorists. 9580 cuts off the air abruptly at 1458. The show is ``Conversations`` with Richard Fidler, and here`s the page with audio link: http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/12/10/3651275.htm?site=conversations (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BANGLADESH [and non]. [Re 12-51] [SW BCB TX Site Archive] Bangladesh Betar New antenna installation is so very young now. Nothing appeared yet in Bing Maps and Google Earth of Jan 2010 image set. http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/rw_20121219/index.php#/30 New TX (and Thomcast revolving antenna under "new firm title" AMPEGON still from Switzerland / Schifferstadt Germany Thomcast facilities?) tested in late August, Sept and Oct 2012. But HFCC B-12 Paris conference was also in late August, maybe no BGD participant participated there. This slimmed ALLIS type revolving antenna type real only appeared under ITU type #146 few years ago under SINES PORTUGAL entries, of the 2/2/0.5 #145 to #149 antenna family. BUT NEVER APPEARED ON TRT - former CAKIRLAR - 39 58'41.85"N 32 40'45.32"E EMIRLER 39 24'17.61"N 32 50'38.68"E and Radio Kuwait request registrations on HFCC lists, like 29 09'10.61"N 47 45'42.18"E 29 08'32.99"N 47 45'14.88"E 29 08'11.77"N 47 45'38.11"E Not yet in HFCC listings, image of 20 Sept 2009: TWN_Kuan-Yin SW 9745 kHz Alliss ant 25 02'19.84"N 121 06'14.26"E TWN_Kuan-Yin SW 6105 kHz Alliss ant 25 02'09.48"N 121 05'48.58"E The antennae type entries do not always accurately represent the reality. So are the other nine Curtain antennas at Kabirpur obsolete now? And in this hot and wet climate ripe for the trash compactor? 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15105, Empty strong carrier of fine audio modulation heard here, very early at 1224-1226 UT Dec 22. S=9+25dB here in Germany. But at 1228:10 a heavy BUZZY modulation line connected to the transmitter, started with FLUTE interval signal. Very early time pips reached me at 1229:20 UT. Followed by English language newscast from 1231 UT, news til 1237:30 UT, then followed by commentary about cinema industry in Indian English empire, and also Bangla films at Dhaka. Heavy 100 Hertz buzz on +/- 150, 250, 350, 450 Hertz each sideband (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 22, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7250, Bangladesh Betar, 1746 English, just missed their s/on but tuned in to hear musical intro and then man beginning news about Bangladesh, 1753 ID “This is Bangladesh Betar...[missed words]...the news”, then some world news and a commentary frequently mentioning India, 1800 music. Poor, ham QRM, very poor by 1800 Dec 22 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and the Sony AN1 active antenna on the roof, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7250, Bangladesh Betar, 1606-1620, Dec 23. In Arabic and playing subcontinent music; prominent hum/buzz (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Bangladesh Betar is on 15105 today 27 Dec. at 1230 in English. Excellent signal with news by male followed by a brief musical interlude and commentary by a woman on a new --- wait for it --- highway overpass. The news had a loud 50 Hz hum that was louder during pauses, no doubt gated by a limiter in the audio chain. The hum was gone during the commentary. So it was in a mic or studio circuit, not a permanent problem in the transmitter audio feed (Brock Whaley, Kandahar, Afghanistan, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 3310, Radio Mosoj Chaski, Cochabamba, 2300 strong signal on 19 Dec., stronger signal in the local morning as early as 0915 (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8; and XM, Cedar Key, South Florida, NRD 525D, R8A, E-5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 4451.2, Radio Santa Ana, Santa Ana de Yacuma, 2330 to 2345, best in LSB, 20 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8; and XM, Cedar Key, South Florida, NRD 525D, R8A, E-5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4451.18, tentatively Radio Santa Ana, Santa Ana de Yacuma, weak modulation but decent carrier, orchestral music fading in and out at 2312 12/23 and very bassy-voiced OM announcer. Not often propagating to the Midwest USA (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 4699.96, R. San Miguel, 0945, already on with local music, vocals, best in LSB to avoid unknown carrier on nominal. 14/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4700, Radio San Miguel, Riberalta, 1005 time check "y cinco minutos", into music, favorite with good signal and exotic music, 21 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 4716.65, Radio Yatun Ayllu Yura, Yura, 0150 to 0155 noted on late, good signal, 17 Dec. Noted every day from 1000 to 1025 (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8; and XM, Cedar Key, South Florida, NRD 525D, R8A, E-5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 4795.84, R. Lípez, 1015, weak with Andean vocals, bothered by CODAR. 14/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4795.8, Radio Lípez, Uyuni, seems silent checked 1000 to 1030 on 24 Dec and several previous days while Bolivians 4716 Radio Yatun Ayllu Yura and 4700 Radio San Miguel both heard at the same time with strong signals (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 5580.2, Radio San José, San José de Chiquitos best in USB, 2303 with fair signal on 17 Dec. 2320 OM with music on 19 Dec; 2340 to 0000 on 20 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 5952, Pio XII, Siglo Veinte 2340 to 2350 mixing with pulsating interference 20 Dec. 0016 with clear strong signal, no pulsating 24 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5952.46, Radio Pio Doce, surprised to hear this one in nicely, as early as 2307 on 12/23. Nice clear signal, OM with Spanish ads for something that’s a “producto Boliviano…” Went hunting for other CPs that might be in early and noted: 4451.18 [q.v. above] (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 6105.48, Radio Panamericana, La Paz, 1050-1110 band noise on top of music, fair 19 Dec; 1100 to 1107 fair OM under horrendous noise 21 December; 1116 fair with flauta, narrow filter and major noise 22 Dec, 2330 music under noise poor to fair signal 22-24 Dec. AM Synchro lock wide, 5-5-5-, 1020 to 1035 (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6105.50, Radio Panamericana, La Paz, morning of 12/24 best heard in years. Nice big comfy signal at 1026 tune-in, piano solo on CP melody. Then “La hora en Panamericana . . . (pause) . . . 6 y 25 minutos!”. All time-checks seems a minute late this day. Into very funky huaino with full assortment of instruments, quenas, pinkillos but especially sicu-sicu (the breathy pan-pipes). At 1031, YL announced probable name of program, “Amables oyentes, aquí ‘Bolivia Corazón’!” Excellent selection of tunes from “the heart of Bolivia”, including not just folklórica but also vals music, etc. Frequent time-checks of pattern quoted above. Fading down a bit by 1050 but still very listenable. Nice signal but need to notch out the horrid het; best in ECSS and 1.2 kHz bandpass filter (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6105.48, Radio Panamericana, La Paz, -555- back to full strength, enchanting music, "Bolivia corazón" - as we remember the signal in years gone past. 1020 to 1035 24 Dec. Using Scott Barbour sixty meter dipole. Merry Christmas Eve, Feliz Nochebuena. After poor showing yesterday, 6105.4 Radio Panamericana back to full strength 1045 with flauta andina. Beautiful signal! (Bob Wilkner, Pompano Beach, FL, Dec 26, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 6134.83, R. Santa Cruz, 1015, fair in t-storm static with huaynos, canned ads or similar, nothing on nominal to bother this. 8/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6134.77, Radio Santa Cruz 1010 to 1035 usually strongest Bolivian on 49 meters. 21 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8; and XM, Cedar Key, South Florida, NRD 525D, R8A, E-5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 6154.94, R. Fides, 0953, noted as het against nominal, good in LSB with huaynos, woman announcer, ment of "La Paz." 8/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6154.94, Radio Fides, La Paz, sign-on caught on 12/18 at *0945 as carrier switched on and then abruptly into canned musical ID announcement by OM, giving all frequencies including AM, FM and onda corta, both 49 mb and 31 mb. Didn’t have the recorder running, but did catch nice clear “Radio Fides” ID, and then into the morning show. Fides doesn’t believe in warming up the transmitter, prior to the start of broadcasting so, as a result, the signal improves over the first few minutes of transmission as the transmitter settles in (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOTSWANA. Re: ``I am appealing for help from those of you in South Africa or indeed others to explain to me why the perfectly adequate facilities at Sebele were delisted and as a result 945 kHz was allocated to Mmathethe. I have established that the "new" place is a suburb of > Gaborone. Where is the relevant mast?`` Hi Dan, Based on all the posted info, my conclusion is that the Sebele transmitter site closed down or became inactive on 972 kHz without any frequency changes. Shortly before or after that the new site in Mmathethe on 945 kHz went on air, it was already received in late 2008 on a remote receiver located in South Africa. And, then we all assumed that 945 kHz was broadcasting from Sebele, which didn't seem to be accurate. After a short search using Google Earth and Google Maps I have located the allocated tx site in Mmathethe. So, now the actual tx location broadcasting 945 kHz has been visually confirmed. 25 15'09 E -25 18'11 S For further details please click: http://goo.gl/ maps/hVwQG 73, Björn Tryba (editor, www.mwlist.org - www.fmlist.org), mwmasts yg via DXLD) Members, It is excellent to see the return of activity from Björn Tryba with his expertise on Africa. Thanks to him I am prepared to declare the Botswana riddle solved. The resolution on GE is pretty poor but it is much better in Bing Maps and recent Terra Server images are good too. Well done, Björn. 73's and 88's (Dan Goldfarb, ibid.) ** BRAZIL. 3355.00, BRASIL, (Tentativo), R. Educ. 6 de Agosto, Xapuri, 24/12 1025-1051, 22222, señal muy débil; la señal va y vine pero logro entender que es en portugués, algunos ads, 1051 imposible seguir escuchándolos por lo débil y ruido (11111). (Pedro F Arrunátegui, Lima, Perú, Chasqui DX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 3375.07, Rádio Municipal, São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, weak but clear at 1015 on 12/24, a very good LA propagation morning. OM in Portuguese with “Rádio Municipal” ID and “Bom Dia!” at 1018, but muffled modulation amidst noise (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 4815, Dec 23 at 0011, Brazilian Portuguese sounds like preaching, so R. Dif. Londrina, ZYG640. Speaking of callsigns, I see that the WRTH 2013 perpetuates the error in the callsign for 15190v R. Inconfidência as ZYE622 instead of ZYE522 to match their 6010 frequency which is ZYE521. Aoki agrees that 15190 is ZYE522 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 4824.95, Radio Canção Nova, Cachoeira Paulista, 2300 strong signal 12/23, romantic Portuguese ballads tho blipping ute slightly impairing. 2303 OM Portuguese with good ID, simply “Canção Nova!” and then into new program, orchestral theme and opening announcements. Rechecked at 0000 and absolutely beautiful signal. Haven’t heard them this well, this season (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) BRASIL, 4825, Radio Canção Nova, Cachoeira Paulista, 0625-0650, 25-12, religious comments in Portuguese by male and female. 24222 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Sony ICF SW 7600 G, cable antenna, 10 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 4876.79, Brasil, Rdif Roraima, Boa Vista RR, 1015 to 1100 with SSB distorted signal, powerful in AM Mode, OM Portuguese chat and variety of music, 21 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 4885.00, R. Difusora Acreana, Rio Branco, 1056-1135, 33333, música y ads en portugués, ID “1440 kHz OM, 4885 kHz Onda Tropical, Rádio Difusora Acreana, uma emisora…”, escuchar la grabación adjunta (Pedro F Arrunátegui, Lima, Perú, Chasqui DX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Rather than the other Braz we usually hear on 4885, R. Clube do Pará ** BRAZIL. 4985, Brasil, Radio Brasil Central, Goiânia, 2300 to 2330 seemingly under dominating RTTY, 19 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 6010.09, Radio Inconfidência, Belo Horizonte, big signal bombing in at 2230 12/24 with quick canned promo for futebol and then and OM in Portuguese with full ID “ . . . com a música brasileira . . . Rádio Inconfidência!”. // 15190 also with a nice signal, but 6010 offering much ‘brighter’ audio (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Radio Globo en 9585 kHz --- Curioso. El transmisor de Rádio Globo, generalmente utilizado por Super Rádio Deus é Amor para retransmitir sus programas, aparecía ayer de madrugada con otra programación informativa para nada en paralelo con los cercanos 9565 kHz. Audio distorsionado, más legible en banda lateral que en AM, donde parece haber poca portadora o ninguna, ya que sólo se escuchan los golpes de audio (19 de diciembre a las 0428 UT) http://youtu.be/aPzYcMRGCeY 73 desde Montevideo (Rodolfo Tizzi, Uruguay, Dec 20, condiglist yg via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. BRASIL: 11780, ZYE365, Rádio Nacional da Amazônia; 2034- 2043+, 14-Dec; Portuguese discussion about music and played a few very non-Latino tunes; H:40 TC & ID as Voz do Brasil & Amazônia (without Radio Nacional). SIO=422 in AM due to Rev. Barbi splash from 11775; SIO=333+ in USB (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) ** BRAZIL. Rádio Nacional do Brasil / ondas curtas Amigos, Estou numa pequena atividade no computador, bem acompanhado do Philips RL 378, antena de OC ‘quadrada’ erguida, ouvindo 11780 kHz dentro de casa, com uma qualidade muito boa. 11780 é a frequência da Radio Nacional da Amazônia, todos sabem, em // com 6180 kHz (quando esta está no ar). Já não é de hoje que percebo que à noite o sinal irradiado nesta frequência não é da Radio Nacional da Amazônia, e sim da Radio Nacional do Brasil. Às 2205 (local) de hoje [0005 UT, not 2005 as I misconverted on WOR --- gh] – ainda há pouco, ocorreu a identificação, com ‘Radio Nacional do Brasil, 980 kHz’.... Quer dizer, duas coisas ao mesmo tempo, a RNA reduzindo a sua transmissão, e a Radio Nacional do Brasil de volta às ondas curtas! Costumava ouvi-la há muitos anos atrás. Também a chance de voltar a reportar/confirmar a Radio Nacional do Brasil em ondas curtas, como se fazia antes! 73, (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo SP, http://dxways-br.blogspot.com DX Clube do Brasil http://www.ondascurtas. com 21 Dec, radioescutas yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 11830, Rádio Daqui, Goiânia, 0840-0912, 25-12, male, Portuguese, comments, identification: "Rádio Daqui", "Rádio Daqui 850", "A Rádio Daqui", Brazilian songs. 23222- (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Sony ICF SW 7600 G, cable antenna, 10 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BULGARIA. The Mighty KBC 0000-0200 snowed out? Nothing heard from The Mighty KBC's 0000-0200 broadcast on 9450 via Bulgaria. Up on 9580, heard on CRI about heavy snows in Bulgaria causing power outages and other disruptions (Kim Elliott, 0125 UT Dec 23, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nothing at all heard here in Central Ohio, either (Larry Cunningham, 0131 UT, ibid.) I've got them here in Missouri. listening on USB. They never do get a real good signal into my QTH but they are there (Dave Hughes, 0138 UT, ibid.) Now (0155) heard faintly. Maybe the text will decode -- but a long shot (Kim Elliott, ibid.) And, of course, they shut down the transmitter right in the middle of my text transmission. That didn't help much (Kim, 0202 UT, ibid.) 9450, Dec 23 at 0019, The Mighty KBC with another UT Sunday broadcast, fair signal and somewhat distorted modulation during ``Jukebox with Eric van Willigen``. Not as strong as last week and progressively weakening. By 0153 it`s very poor. Kim`s digital tests ought to be in the first half hour rather than the last one, and this week he says it cut off the air before the final one (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Actually, decoding from the recording, the entire text message before 0200 did get through. The transmission then ended abruptly, without the usual KBC jingle. Sorry for the misinformation. Here, PSKR250 decoded mostly, but MT63-2000 not at all (Kim Elliott, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Heard here in Manassas, Virginia. Started out with a good signal. Plagued by audio problems. Signal degraded to barely heard at times. Unfortunately the 0130 UT digital transmimssions were a bust. Nothing decoded here. 0159 UTC got a 100% from the MT63-2000 digital. Here are the results. http://misc.kg4lac.com/2012-12-23_MightyKBC_0159UTC_MT63-2000_digital.htm Nothing decoded at 0159 UT with the PSKR250, 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, Manassas, Virginia, USA, ibid.) Thanks for the html file, Kraig. I could only decode part of the PSKR250 but none of the MT63-2000. Interesting that your results, in the next county, were the opposite (Kim Elliott, ibid.) ** BULGARIA. Dear Colleagues, Unfortunately, just before the Christmas Eve I was badly surprised to learn that I'm going to lose my job from the beginning of the new year and I will no longer work at Bulgarian National Radio. However, I wish you Merry and Blessed Christmas and a Happy New 2013 Year! 73! (Ivo Ivanov, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ivo, So sorry to hear this. We hope this will lead eventually to a better job! (Glenn to Ivo, of DX Mix News, via DXLD) ** BURMA [non]. ARMENIA, 7510, Democratic Voice of Burma target station program via Gavar, Armenia site, 2330-0030 UT, female announcer in Burmese language. S=9+35dB powerhouse backlobe into western Europe (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 20/21, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BURUNDI [non]. Sorry, 15105 TWR Africa (Manzini, SWAZILAND) *1557+ 10-13 Dec. just above the noise with TWR IS/ID loop, hymn-ish tune and opens in unID language (listed for Kirundi, the primary language of Burundi + some chunks of Congo-Kinshasa/Tanzania/Uganda). Sked 15-1627 M-F, but usually imaginary level by 1610+ (Dan Sheedy, Moonlight Beach CA, PL600 + 4m X-wire, via Bob Wilkner, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 650, Dec 23 at 1318 UT, something in WSM null with fast SAH; not KGAB WY as usual, but ads for Saskatoon, Ticketmaster with event calendar into March or April, ``Newstalk 650 CKOM`` IDs, Best of John Gormley show. FCC shows night pattern with deep null toward WSM and precious little toward Enid, so surely not in use: http://transition.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/AM_DA_patterns/305262-68381.pdf while day pattern is close to circular with slight pull-ins to the SE and SW: http://transition.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/AM_DA_patterns/305262-68380.pdf Likely used instead. And power is 10 kW day and night. FCC has SR/SS times in Eastern zone! 10:00 am in Dec, 10:15 in Jan = 1500 and 1515 UT. Own website http://www.newstalk650.com/ includes John Gormley (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. [Re 12-51, my log of CKJH 750 Melfort SK, more follow-ups] Glenn, Saw this and did some checking and the designator for the antenna for CKJH in the Log is incorrect. They are actually U4 now using 2 towers in the day with and 4 towers at night. I believe the pattern in the old 6th edition Pattern Book was before they upgraded to 25 kw fulltime. We're in the process of creating a new 7th edition of the pattern book, but as with all volunteer projects it will take a while. 73 (Wayne Heinen, Editor NRC AM Radio Log, Dec 21, NRC-AM via DXLD) CKJH has been a pest here in IL for many years. I strongly suspect that they, like quite a few Canadian stations, are not running proper night pattern. http://transition.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/AM_DA_patterns/495272-55020.pdf 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, ibid.) ** CANADA. 6160.9, NEWFOUNDLAND, CKZN, St. John’s 0228 “Q” with Jian Ghomeshi, interview concerning fashion shopping in UK. Fair, slight QRM from Vancouver 6160, Dec 20 Sellers-BC 6160, CANADA, CKZU, Vancouver 0231 heard ID for “As It Happens, the Wednesday edition”. Barely audible under stronger CKZN, Dec 20 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. TRENTON MILITARY QSL REPRESENTATIVE From: "CHARLES.RAINE(at)forces.gc.ca" Thank you very much for your information. If you have the ability to post information on any boards anywhere, I am the new QSL representative for MACS, so anyone who is requesting one can contact me at this address. Charles Raine Corporal | Caporal MACS Operator Military Aeronautical Communications System (MACS) | Service des communications aéronautiques militaires Wing Telecommunication and Information Services Squadron (WTISS) | Escadron des services d'information et des télécommunications de l'escadre (ESIT Ere) 8 Wing Trenton | 8e Escadre Trenton National Defence | Défense nationale Carrying Place ON, Canada K0K 1L0 Email | Courriel Charles.Raine(at)forces.gc.ca Telephone | Téléphone 613-392-2811 Ext. 8800 / Facsimile | Télécopieur 613-392-4791 Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada (via Akbar Indra Gunawan, Dec 20, HCDX via DXLD) ** CANADA. CANADIAN SENATOR LOOKS INTO PUTTING THE RADIO CANADA INTERNATIONAL TOOTHPASTE BACK IN THE TUBE. Posted: 26 Dec 2012 The SWLing Post, 13 Dec 2012, Thomas Witherspoon: "An excellent development in Canada: Senator Hugh Segal’s motion for a special committee enquiry into the CBC decision to slash the Radio Canada International budget by 80 per cent has received a unanimous vote in the Senate. Committee hearings will begin as early as February. [From a] press release I received from Senator Segal: ... 'I am delighted that, in a non partisan way, the Senate voted to have the RCI matter go to a full review of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications. My motion was amended by Senator Champagne to go to a full committee hearing rather than a one day appearance before bar of the Senate. That a ten percent cut to the CBC budget produced an 80 percent slash and burn of Radio Canada International reflects an internal CBC management decision which needs to be better understood. CBC management may well believe that if they let people go and dismantle transmitters, the problem will go away. The importance of Canada’s voice to the rest of the world is not a detail of no consequence. The chance to call witnesses, pursue how other enlightened countries have expanded their short wave capacity, among other facts, will be a constructive step ahead in strengthening Canada’s international voice.'" (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) If reports that the transmissions lines have been removed at the CBC shortwave station near Sackville, New Brunswick, are correct, it may be difficult to get RCI back onto shortwave. Also, it might be difficult to find other countries that have "expanded their short wave capacity," other than China and Cuba, which have done so largely for jamming purposes. See also PCJ, http://www.pcjmedia.com/home/1-latest-news/209-update-on-radio-canada-international with link to 3 Nov 2012 interview with Senator Segal (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid., via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) ** CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC. UNREST IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR) --- REBELS TAKE BAMBARI [which see for map:] http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=frqnmhbab&v=001GGN9dgiByet89v7i2AAkYMHQDDhAN5mnK8VWrOP7Gms3NT46COFHvc-2Oh3GjPvCerp3tC-U0L__9pqwmtvWQkHJui0aXujoGu8gXojT1izwM6Fj8gfGhd9tl3VFs2OPrGskYVfMcSw%3D Dear friends and supporters of ICDI, Our CAR teams are struggling during this holiday season. Three rebel groups have joined together, and have very systematically moved across the country as the map below shows. They have asked the government for peace talks, which took place in Chad this past week. However, these talks did not go well despite the participation of five presidents and three or four of the rebel leaders. On Sunday we learned that the town Bambari, where we worked heavily in the past year, was taken. The Chadian government, which is close to the CAR's current president, has sent 2,000 troops down to the Central African Republic to help with security issues. Efforts have so far not been successful in bringing more peace to the situation. An interesting part of this rebellion is that for the most part, we are not hearing of a lot of pillaging and destruction or harm coming to villagers. However, because the villagers do not know what it is going to be like, they are leaving their villages and hiding wherever they can. Map of Rebel trouble A few days ago, when the five presidents of the African Union met with the rebel leaders, the discussions were not conclusive. They decided that they needed to go back to Libreville where the first talks had taken place in 2008 and 2009. It seems the members of these talks agreed, but the conclusion was that they would wait till these next meetings for more action in the CAR. This decision is apparently unsatisfactory for the rebel group, since continued military actions are still taking place. Our staff in the CAR is fine. Our teams seem to be taking things in stride. We are almost completely done with our water contracts for this year. As the last few contracts are to the north and west, we are able to still complete the work, in spite of the disruption to the east and north of the country. There is much more that could be said on the situation. Please pray for those working in the northern and eastern parts of the country. Our local staff and I have been in touch with many of them. They are okay at the moment, but we do not know what tomorrow brings (ICDI mailing list via DXLD) No mention of Radio ICDI, which is only a minor part of this ministry, and we always wonder if it is really still on the air (gh, DXLD) ** CHAD. 6165, Dec 20 at 0508, very poor signal seems French, presumed RNT, in absence of RHC, surely only temporarily (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6165, RNT, 0538+ 20 Dec, RHC off this evening (at least for a while) leaving RNT at a nice level with M announcer, W with "Radiodiffusion Nationale (Tchadienne, hard to hear)" and 'local' instrumental music bridging the guy yakking. Check on 21 Dec. at 0600+ had RHC back on with RNT 'way under (Dan Sheedy, Encinitas CA, PL600 + 4m X-wire, via Bob Wilkner, DX LISTENING DIGEST ) 6165, O.N.R.T. du Tchad presumed, 2208 French, man with news, many correspondent reports, till 2214:30 headlines, 2215 African hi-life music. Fair Dec 20 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) TCHAD – 6164.96, Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne, N’djamena, balafon music at 2023 [24/12]. Fair signal but fluttery, on a good afternoon for African reception (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 4220.00, Qinghai PBS, Xining. 2348 December 19, 2012. Pretty good – best of the lot – with nice Islamic-influenced vocals, man and woman from 2352 in non-Chinese talk. 4500.00, Xinjiang PBS, Ürümqi. 0148 December 20, 2012. Clear except for constant CODAR sweeps. Non-Chinese Central Asian talk, Central Asian fill music. Fair-poor level (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, Pile of junk used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phase; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non- active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non]. 4800, Dec 23 at 0009, poor signal definitely in Chinese, so CNR1 Geermu grayline over the pole. Not much from Latin America on 60m at this time, but also Chinese? on 4920, PBS Xizang but listed by Aoki as in Tibetan. And algo on 4820, probably also Xizang in Chinese. All three frequencies also bear All India Radio stations, but supposedly not opening until 0015, 0020 or 0025. The two greatest Asian nations cannot get their acts together, or rather apart, so they don`t interfere with each other! For starters, it would be a simple matter for one to use frequencies in -0, the other in -5, but that would make too much sense. Adjacent Colombia and Venezuela used to split up the 60m band this way when each had lots of stations, Venezuela in -0 and Colombia in -5. Even today, it`s no accident that every single Brazilian 60m station ends in -5, plus or minus some variants, leaving the -0s to the rest of South America, but Bolivia and Peru are all over the place (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Hi Everyone, A new one for me and on at the moment. 5075 kHz, Voice of Pujiang, Shanghai (15 kW) // 3280 (Mark Davies, Anglesey Wales, 1601 UT Dec 22, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) And now you can even get a QSL from them. See http://www.dxing.info/community/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2703 for details. 73 (Mika Makelainen, Finland, ibid., WORLD OF RADIO 1649) The DXIng.info community/forum has very little traffic, but occasionally gets some neat stuff. Staffer at station even offers to QSL old reports, search for them in archives if necesary (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) 5075, PJZS Voice of Pujiang, Shanghai, at 1520 UT Dec 26. \\ rather strong on 3280 kHz, but much much weaker on \\ 4950 kHz. According Nagoya Aoki list only 15 kW of power. Probably Shanghai - Taopuzhen" (utility site) at 24 53 46 N 118 48 17 E, but recent splendid QSL card of Shanghai skyline to Istán Hegedüs in Hungary shows site as "Zhenru Town, Shanghai", a downtown location "houses as far as the eye can see". Voice of Pujiang, Floor 11, Radio Building, No. 1376 Hongqiao Road, Changning District, Shanghai 200051, P.R. of China. I guess meant for sailors and fishermen off the Shanghai coastline? 73 (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 5915/5965/5990/6105 (Hohhot/Beijing/Hohhot/Shijiazhuang), CRI, 1543-1557* 19, 20 Dec. M/W Russian chat, CRI website info, possible program promo with more website info, more chat 'til :54 orchestral Chinese song, closing Russian yak and "do svidaniya" tag, Chinese instrumental tune to :57* (on 5965, but on 20 Dec. 5915/5990/6105 had extended tune (or different one?) 'til 1600*). Beijing always the strongest (with het from Klasik [5965v]), Hohhot & Shiajiazhuang seem to be better near *1500, fading rapidly past 1525 to JBA/ex weak by close-down (Dan Sheedy, Moonlight Beach CA, PL600 + 4m X-wire, via Bob Wilkner, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 5969.98, CNR-1, 1343-1436, Dec 24, Chinese, 5+1 pips at TOH, clear freq. Seems recent NF // 4800 or perhaps this is meant to jam something I'm not aware of. Gannan PBS listed here but don't suppose this is them relaying CNR? (Martien Groot, Schoorl, Netherlands, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non]. 9480, Dec 23 at 0154 check, a very poor signal, presumably R Free Asia Uighur via Kuwait and/or Chicom jamming, with slight splash but not spurs from 9490 Guiana French. Still, better than zero signal from EMR DX special supposed to follow from Germany with 1 kW at 0200 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 9519.982, Nei Menggu PBS Hohot in Mandarin Chinese, S=6 signal in Germany at 0016 UT Dec 21 (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 20/21, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. EAST JAMMERSTAN: 9875, Crash & Bang Chinese music jammer; 1913, 17-Dec; Fair level; probably against Radio Free Asia. Checked at 2011, No C&B; Chinese audio dominant over co-channel talk. (Frodge-MI) 11975, Crash & Bang Chinese music jammer; 2301, 20-Dec; Presume ex- 12970 over weak audio--presume Radio Free Asia (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) ** CHINA. B12 Flaming Goose Grid --- Crash & Bang Chinese Music Jammer, aka Firedrake, a.k.a. Chinese Opera Music Jammer. From B12 (beginning 28-Oct-12) posted logs (various sources); during the UTC hours noted. All broadcasts originate from East Jammerstan. Transmissions will typically change frequency and time often, as the jammer's target moves. * Not reported on this frequency during 2012 before B12. To make things line up: display in a non-proportional font such as Courier or Monaco. [unfortunately, DXLD format has an absolute limit of 70 columns, so such a display will not fit properly. I did add the leading zeroes to keep the columns lined up, and posted to the DXLD yg there was no wrap, but still out of alignment despite the dash fillers, lacking around the hour headings, and because of the asterisks, yahoo mail`s ``helpful`` deletion of spaces, not to mention proportional font, sigh. For our purposes it would be better not to try to make a grid out of it --- gh] ----- 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 05965 12 06020* ---------------------------------------------------------- 21 06075* 15 07380* -------------------------------------------------------- 19 07390 13 14 09315 ----------------------------------------- 14 09350* 13 09355 -------------------------------------------------------- 19 09390* 14 09455 -------------------------------------------------------- 19 09680 12 09780 -------------------------------------- 13 09875* 19 09905 ----------------------------------------------------- 18 19 09980 01 10960 00 01 -------------------------- 11 11545 11 11945 19 11970 01 -------------------------------- 13 14 ---------------------- - 23 11975* 23 12230 00 ----------------------------- 11 12 13 14 12320 00 13 14 12370 00 01 ----------- 06 07 ----------- 12 13 14 ------------------- ---- 23 12500 01 06 07 09 13 14 12670 -- 01 ----------------- 08 12800 00 01 12870 00 01 08 11 13 12980 00 01 ----------- 06 07 -------------- 13 ---------------------- ---- 23 13130 08 13270 01 13350 -- 01 ----------------------------------- 14 13430 00 01 08 13530 -- 01 ----------- 06 07 -------------- 13 ---------------------- ---- 23 13765 09 13775* 00 13820* 00 13920 00 ---------------------------------------------------------- 23 13970 00 06 07 08 12 14 14370* -------------------------- 09 14400 00 01 14600 01 14700 -- 01 ----------- 06 07 -- 09 ----- 12 14750 00 01 06 07 14800 -- 01 ----------- 06 07 08 09 14870 01 06 07 14980 00 01 -------------- 07 ---------------------------------------- ---- 23 15385* 00 15400* ----------------------------------------- 14 15485 13 15555 ----------------------------------- 12 15565 13 14 15570 -------------------------------------- 13 14 15800 01 02 06 07 08 09 -------------------------------------- 23 15870 ----------------------- 08 09 15900 00 07 08 09 -------------------------------------- 23 15940 ----------------- 06 07 -- 09 --- 11 15970 00 01 06 07 16100 00 01 ----------- 06 07 08 09 16250 06 07 08 16361 01 16600 -- 01 ----------------- 08 09 16920 00 01 06 07 09 16980 -- 01 -------------------------- 11 12 16990* 06 07 17080* ----------------- 06 07 -- 09 17170 01 11 17250 00 01 ----------- 06 07 -------- 11 17300* 01 06 07 17370 -- 01 ----------- 06 07 -------- 11 17450 01 07 08 09 17510* 10 17535* ----------------------------------------- 14 17690* 01 17790* 13 18200 -- 01 -------------------- 09 -------- 13 18250 01 18970 01 ----- 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 --Updated 21-December-12 (Harold Frodge, MI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9955, Dec 20 at 1505, Firedrake vs something in Chinese; first time I`ve heard it on WRMI`s frequency, but which WRMI is not using after 1500 on weekdays. Well, of course! It`s R. Free Asia, Tibetan via TINIAN at 15-16. CNR1 or noise jamming might also be employed. And this will impact WRMI on weekends when it stays on the air all day. Did not scan entire 7-19 MHz range for other Firedrake this morning, as that has proven to be unproductive for some weeks now. Maybe will start propagating higher frequencies again after Solstice (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I wanted to share a cupla "Firedrake" logs with you, as I know you are one of the ones who tracks their patterns. I caught them at a time when their reception should be nearly impossible in Oklahoma or Arizona. "Aloha" (peace), 73, Rick "Firedrake" music jammers caught on band sweep at 1800-1900 UT. 6025 (reception outstanding) 7385 (VG) 7415 (Good) time/date expressed UT (Rick Barton, visiting Kapolei, Hawaii, Tecsun PL-660, barefoot, Dec 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake search Dec 21: at 1345-1352: none found 12-19 MHz. Firedrake search Dec 24: none found 12-18 MHz in 1425-1430 bandscan (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Martedì, 25 dicembre 2012, FIREDRAKE (tutte con segnale BN-SF) 0849 - 16600 0850 - 16100 0855 - 15900 0856 - 14750 0857 - 13970 0859 - 12800 + 12670 + 12320. Dopo le 09.00 erano tutte spente (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) 7390, Firedrake, 1308, Dec 26. Strong FD and CNR1 jamming against VOA; also FD on 7550 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 7390, Dec 26 at 1435, Firedrake vs something in Chinese, i.e. VOA Cantonese via Philippines. 9315, Dec 26 at 1436, humbuzz jamming and I think Firedrake is in there too, against VOA Mandarin via Tinian (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re 7390. Yes, came across this strong Firedrake music jamming here in Germany around 1430 UT Dec 26. \\ VOA Cantonese via Saipan on slightly odd frequency 9705.030 kHz, on mid winter path also to Europe S=8 signal (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Firedrake Dec 27: 7550, poor at 1354 with het on hi side, like happens on 15 MHz vs V. of Tibet via Tajikistan. Aoki does not show any on 7550+ but on 7550-: 7542 at 1342-1400, 7547 at 1300-1342, which may well have shifted. 7390, poor at 1354 mixing with something intermittently in English, presumably language lesson during VOA Cantonese via Tinang, PHILIPPINES (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CLIPPERTON. TX5, CLIPPERTON ISLAND (Update). A press release was posted on the TX5K Clipperton Island DXpedition Web page on December 15th. An excerpt from the post states: "During the weekend of Dec. 10, the European members of the team gathered in Goch, Germany, at the super contest station DR1A, to assemble and pack most of the equipment for the two HF operating sites on Clipperton. The gear includes ten full HF stations; the 6m station will be shipped from the U.S. The effort was led by co-organizer Chris, DL1MGB. The gear includes 6 7kW generators and 50 large Pelican cases of equipment. We welcome Markus van Bergerem, DJ7EO, to the team. He has made arrangements for the generators (six 230 VAC 7 kW). The total team is now 25 persons. We are pleased to announce that we will receive a Colvin Award Grant of 5000 USDs, and also support from the German DX Foundation of 1400 EUR." To read the complete press release, go to: http://www.cordell.org/CI/CI_pages/CI_News.html (The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster, DX Bulletin No. 1092, December 24, 2012, Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio), via Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD) March, 2013 ** COLOMBIA. [Re 12-51:] Nace Radio Red RCN --- Ya está al aire la propuesta radial que RCN montó para el manejo de la emisoras de lo que fuera Cadena Súper; se trata de Radio Red RCN, en los diales 710, 970 y 1200 kHz, correspondientes a las ciudades de Medellín, Bogotá y Cali. La pagina web es http://www.radiored.com.co y maneja el lema "...Atrapa lo que vale la pena..." (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá D.C. - COLOMBIA, Dec 19, condiglist yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 5910, Alcaraván Radio, 0835, weak with rustic vocals, canned ID. 15/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO. 6115, R. Congo, 1810, fair with news by a woman, commentary by man, very low audio. Not heard day prior, so irregular. 22/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD- 535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR. 5066.2, Radio Télé Candip, Bunia, 0400 to 0420, No sign on noted this night (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR. Hi, Glenn! Here is the e-mail from Mr Madrid. He didn't inform about many details, but I guess the are going to be on SW. Best 73s, Leonardo Santiago, Venezuela, Dec 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: Muchas gracias, hermano Leonardo Santiago, de Venezuela, por su nuevo reporte. Le informo que dentro de muy pocos días saldremos al aire en Congo, África, con la hija de Radio Verdad, Radio Lwenge, con hermano Mkoko Boseka. Que Dios le bendiga y guarde (Édgar Amílcar Madrid, Radio Verdad, Chiquimula, Guatemala, C. A., Dec 20, via Leonardo, DXLD) Hi Leonardo, FM, not SW. He`s mentioned the connexion with Lwenge before. If you search http://www.radioverdad.org on Lwenge you will get several articles including this one from a biyear ago: RADIO LWENGE - A MISSIONARY OPPORTUNITY Submitted by webmaster on Thu, 08/12/2010 - 20:22 Brother Mkoko Boseka is on a big effort to start an FM and Internet Christian Radio Station in Congo, Africa. What he needs is: A small FM transmitter and its installation. A small console or mixer with two CD or Cassette Players. A Programmer or Computer Technician, able to put his “Radio Lwenge” on Internet, with the disposition of spending a week, or so, in Congo, Africa, for training Mkoko Boseka and some Government officers for the Internet setting and operation, without any salary offer, unless an institution can provide for it. A Church or any other Christian organization willing to support the Computer Technician for his trip to Congo, Africa and his personal expenses there, or a temporary salary (via gh to Leonardo via DXLD) Edgar, I am hearing about your plans for Radio Lwenge, but I am wondering exactly where it is, in which Congo, Brazzaville, or Kinshasa? There are several places called Lwenge in different African countries, such as Uganda and Zambia, but I can`t find one in a Congo. What town is it in or near? Any chance it will be on shortwave, or just FM? Best wishes of the season, (Glenn, Dec 26 to Dr Madrid, via DXLD) Dear Glenn: Radio "Lwenge" is NOT on the air yet, but will be very soon. "Lwenge" is not the name of the town where the station will be, but it just means "Radio Light". I am attaching the original project for you, in English. Radio Lwenge is a communitary FM station which will be operated by the Friends Church of Congo, Africa (Quakers), and I have been leading them on everything from the beginning. Mkoko Boseka is the man who has been after me for so many years (about 18 or 20) with his interest for the station. I was not able to support them financially, but I got a Church in California who did. We just bought the 150 watt FM transmitter in China, and it arrived in Bujumbura, Burundi last week (from Bujumbura it will be taken to Congo), but the government is requiring around $70 USDollars as a custom tax. We are going to help him to pay the tax. I have sent a good amount of music for him already, and will send some more materials in English and French. We hope the station comes on the air very soon. I have sent him several installation instructions, and will assist him on anything he needs. It is NOT short wave (which I would have liked most), but FM. The transmitter is of 150 watts power, but, as I believe that electricity in Congo is 220 volts, I think it will put out close to 300 watts, according to the service handbook. If you need any other information, I will be glad to provide it to you. May God bless you. (Édgar Madrid, Radio Verdad, DX LISTENING DIGEST) And here is the pertinent info from the very detailed pdf project document, with all the equipment list and projected costs: ``The radio station "Lwenge" (“Light”) will be established at Baraka, the city of Mutambala grouping, which is one of the areas of Fizi territory, South Kivu province in DRC`` Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CROATIA [and non]. Leonardo Nicolas Emmanuel Reiman, Salta, Argentina, informa en Facebook, muro de "Historias de Radio": "Una triste noticia: Radio Voz de Croacia cerrará sus emisiones en la Onda Corta. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGuO5nmpXIM&feature=youtu.be Radio Voz de Croacia pondrá fin a sus emisiones en Onda Corta, el próximo 1 de enero del año 2013, los interesados en captar sus últimas emisiones por la Onda Corta, podrán hacerlo en la frecuencia de 7375 a las 2330 y 0330 UT en idioma español." (via Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, Dec. 26) ----- For readers in English: Radio Voice of Croatia will end its shortwave broadcasts, on January 1st 2013; those interested in listening to their final broadcasts on shortwave, may do so at the frequency of 7375 at 2330 and 0330 in Spanish (via Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, Dec. 26, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The Spanish announcement says will no longer be on SW, but will continue to be heard on MW in Europe, and everywhere by internet. So much for Spanish, but what about Croatian? And English: It`s at 2315 and 0300 UT on 7375 via Germany. You may want to hear what they say about this in English. And what about the domestic transmitters on 3985, 7370? These are also being closed? Rest of recording gives entire doomed schedule, not just for Spanish, including ``10985`` instead of 3985, the ignoramus! Here`s the full registered schedule, supposedly until 31 March: http://www.hfcc.org/data/schedbybrc.php?seas=B12&broadc=HRT Finally found the VOC SW schedule here dated 21.12 http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=186&tx_ttnews[cat]=99&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=18551&tx_ttnews[backPid]=185&cHash=51e4cf6a73 and it does say (in Croatian) that SW is ending Dec 31, Google translated better than it handles German: 21:12:12. Age: 5 day (s) === Croatian voice frequency From the first January 2013, this program will no longer be broadcast on shortwave. You'll still be able to find us on the medium wave in Europe and on the satellite and the Internet for the whole world. Funds which have hitherto been used to service the transmission on short wave will be used to offer diverse content of this program, including the launch of multimedia content. For more information about ways you can listen to the voice of Croatian HERE. http://www.hrt.hr/fileadmin/video/Glas_Hrvatske_-_prijam.pdf Includes a propagation coverage map for Zadar, presumably referring to MW 1134, as if it were on 2.000 MHz, and, gtranslated: Internet Like other programs of Croatian Radio, Voice Croatian is available to be broadcast live over the Internet - address is http://www.hrt.hr/live Certain emissions from production of voice Croatian sometime after broadcasts are offered in our service "radio on demand" at http://www.hrt.hr/rnz So yet another SW broadcaster cuts its own throat, expecting to retain an audience on satellite and internet (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Must have been decided at short notice, not before this month. The Media Broadcast schedule, posted Nov 30, does not reflect this cancellation yet. http://www.hrt.hr/fileadmin/video/Glas_Hrvatske_-_prijam.pdf ``Includes a propagation coverage map for Zadar, presumably referring to unstated MW 1134, as if it were on 2.000 MHz`` Because they made this illustration by abusing a shortwave propagation software (is it the old VOACAP?) that obviously does not allow to enter frequencies below 2 MHz. One has to wonder which antenna parameters they hacked into the model. I suspect some that have little common with the actual antenna system (Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Es hora de aplaudir; Las que van quedando, como esta querida emisora croata, mueren de pie!!! RGM (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Argentina, condiglista yg via DXLD) Tal vez no sea una de las que más vamos a recordar puesto que es una de las más jóvenes en OC ya que aparece con el desmembramiento de la ex Yugoeslavia y en medio de la guerra civil que asoló los Balcanes allá por comienzos de los 90's pero no por eso deja de ser una pérdida importante para el alicaído panorama de la radiodifusión internacional en OC en nuestro idioma. A propósito.... cuántas quedan transmitiendo en español desde el Viejo Continente? (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, ibid.) "International program "The Voice of Croatian" originated from the same one-hour program that began airing in 1991 only on short wave and was designed exclusively Croats abroad. In 2000 the show expanded to two hours and began the English and Spanish languages, and inform the international public about events in Croatia, not only the Croatian diaspora. Twenty-four hour program Voice Croatian began to regularly broadcast 15th May 2003 on medium wave to Europe via satellite and shortwave radio and the internet for the whole world. [...] " http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=186&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=291&cHash=a3b8d5d4ea Voice of Croatia in English is scheduled: 0300-0315 Daily on 3985 7375-(via Nauen) 0700-0705 Mon-Fri on 7370 17860-(via Kranji) 1100-1105 Mon-Fri on 7370 1700-1715 Mon-Fri on 3985 (+1134 MW) 1700-1705 Sat-Sun on 3985 (+1134 MW) 1905-1915 Mon-Sat on 3985 (+1134 MW) 2315-2330 Daily on 3985 7375-(via Nauen) (+1134 MW) (re BDXC's "Broadcasts in English" B12)(via Alan Pennington, BDXC-UK yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) 3984.98, Hrvatske Radio. 0220 December 14, 2012. Clear but fair-to- weak with lots of Croa-pop, Croatian female jock, some talking by man at times. Then, the usual slow-tone time sounders at 0300, news, back to music. Almost real-time parallel 7375 Wertachtal [sic] Germany relay, which was at a very good signal level (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, Pile of junk used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phase; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3985.006, Voice of Croatia, from Zagreb Deanovec, newscast by male and female reader, in Croatian at 0000 UT Dec 21. S=9+20dB signal in Germany (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 20/21, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 7375, Dec 27 at 0556, checking V. of Croatia via Nauen, GERMANY, as time is running out. Usual lot of pop vocal music; another song starts at 0559, only to be faded out a few sex before 0600 for a sign-off announcement, concluding with only three widely-spaced time pips, then transmitter off. At mid-winter, even this frequency is subject to fade-outs, above the MUF, but fair tonight. Time running out? I don`t mean just tonight, I mean forever. Horacio Nigro had just forwarded news from Leonardo Nicolás Emmanuel Reiman, Salta, Argentina, on Facebook wall, "Historias de Radio", with a YouTube recording of their Spanish broadcast announcing that SW broadcasts would be terminated as of January 1. Then I also found an announcement about that on their website with SW and satellite schedules, in Croatian, saying the same thing as translated. This applies not only to the Germany and Singapore relays, but also to their own transmitter inside Croatia on 7370 day and 3985 night: ``From the first January 2013, this program will no longer be broadcast on shortwave. You'll still be able to find us on the medium wave in Europe and on the satellite and the Internet for the whole world. Funds which have hitherto been used to service the transmission on short wave will be used to offer diverse content of this program, including the launch of multimedia content.`` So yet another SW broadcaster cuts its own throat, expecting to retain an audience on satellite and internet. MW refers to 600 kW on 1134 kHz, but which is off the air after 00 UT. Don`t you believe the VOACAP propagation coverage map for it which is really theoretical for something at 2.0 MHz! The MW does make it to North America occasionally for the DXer, but hardly the ordinary listener. Meanwhile we can still hear the daily English broadcasts at 2315 and 0300 UT on 7375 and 3985, plus a few at other times: 07, 11, 17, 1905 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. UNKNOWN: 5025, 1342...1402+, 20-Dec; M&W in Spanish + occasional bumper. Poor under QRN (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) Surely R. Rebelde. I hear it that late these short days (gh, DXLD) ** CUBA. 6270, Radio Habana Cuba; 0533, 16-Dec; Mixing product, 6270 = 6165 + (6165 - 6060). English commentary on Cuban economy and population growth to ID at 0535. SIO=353; // 6060 S40; // 6165 S30 (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) ** CUBA. Radio Habana Cuba en 19040 kHz --- Espero se encuentren muy bien. Escuchada Radio Habana Cuba a las 1448 UT en los 19040 kHz con información de los 5 cubanos presos en EEUU por actos de terrorismo. A las 1507 UT la sigo escuchando pero muy bajito. Atte (José Elías Díaz Gómez, Venezuela, Dec 20, condiglist yg via DXLD) 19040 does not work out as a harmonic or a leapfrog or a sum of known RHC Spanish morning frequencies so how does it arrive here? (gh, DXLD) RHC transmissions are all screwed up again, Dec 20; compared to official schedule at http://www.radiohc.cu/index.php/de-interes/frecuencias.html 9810 at 0505 is just barely modulated, in English instead of Spanish until 0600. Still English at 0515, 0555, but off at 0605 check. 6165, the English frequency scheduled 01-07, is off the air at 0508 and all further chex to 0605, opening up for CHAD, q.v. 6120, supposed to be Spanish until 0600: at 0516 is in English // 6125 but an echo apart from other site. Also at 0555, but off at 0605. Meanwhile, the other English frequencies before 0600 were as usual: 6010, 6060. Besides wrong language on two frequencies, one transmitter is evidently down; we can hardly hope 6165 has been abandoned permanently, and no replacement has been found. At 1356 check, 13780 is off, and 11760 is in Spanish. 11760, Dec 20 at 2136, RHC is still on in French, supposed to end at 2130, but off at next check 2145; must have been running late. 11880, Dec 20 at 2136, RHC Portuguese. If NHK Portuguese via GUIANA FRENCH is still there, I can`t detect it underneath; nor anywhere else on the 25m band in case they have moved as they need to in the face of bullying from Arnie Coro. 6000, Dec 21 at 0014, RHC is starting the `Sonido Cubano` music fill show, also on 6060, 6120, 9640, echoing on 11760, 11840. 6000 and 9640 are reserved for the separate `Mesa Redonda` TV soundtrack at 00-01 when there is one, but not tonight. 6165, Dec 21 at 0212, RHC English is back on the air tonight, with an Arnie Coro report, // 6000. 11760, Dec 21 at 1327, 1344, this is a missing RHC frequency as at least one transmitter continues to be down. Still going in Spanish on 9540, 11690, 11750, 11860, 15230, 15340;. At 1351, 17730 is also absent while 17580 is VG; by 1440, 17730 is back on too. 15230, Dec 23 at 1408, open carrier/dead air from RHC, while 15340 is modulated with VG signal. At 1414, 13780 is not off the air yet this Sunday, along with 11760 and several //s playing a Brazilian song about carnaval, during `Amigos de Cuba` show. Next check at 1523, however, 13780 is off before scheduled 1600* 11635, Dec 23 at 2048, very good open carrier on this well-known numbers frequency; 2124 recheck now there are digital noises, pausing for one 5-digit group, 35364 by roboYL in AM, and back to different digital noises. 9810 and 6120, Dec 24 at 0532 check, RHC is again in unscheduled English on these two instead of Spanish, 6120 being an echo apart from 6125 at the other transmitter site, and regular English frequencies all accounted for, 6165, 6125, 6060, 6010. See also USA: WRMI 9780, Dec 24 at 2258, FMy humblob, strong enough to recognize distorted modulation as RHC matching 9710, so a spur from that, apparently. 9710 itself has heavy QRM from WTWW-2 spikespurs, see USA; unfortunately that interference is not deliberate, unlike the jamming the Cuban commies impose on other US stations. 6060, Dec 25 at 0606, RHC is in wrong language, Spanish instead of English which survives on the others: 5040, 6010, 6125, 6165. Did not check tonight before 0600 whether English was again on wrong frequencies 6120 and 9810 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 5025, Dec 23 at 0013, R. Rebelde audio in Spanish is breaking up constantly. Feeder problem or transmitter problem? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5025, Radio Rebelde at 0000 just got finished playing Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" and went into a full station ID with very dramatic music into news. Banging signal as always. It was the Led Zep that threw me. Just finishing another bottle of Hofstettner Kuebelbier and that just struck me. They do offer e-QSLs via their website (Al Muick, Whitehall PA USA, Microtelecom Perseus / Wellbrook ALA1530P UT Dec 25, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DJIBOUTI. 4780, Dec 20 at 0345, Horn-of-Africa music, vs CODAR and also TADIL-A bonker on the low side, no doubt R. Djibouti (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4780, Radio Djibouti, Doraleh, 0400 to 0413 om with Arabic music, very strong signal 23 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EAST TURKISTAN. 4850.000, Hoarse audio from CNR 8th program PBS Urumqi Xinjiang in Kazakh, S=9+5dB into Germany Dec 26 [circa 1515 UT] (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. COMPLEMENTO CHASQUI DX PFA DICIEMBRE 2012 --- CQ, CQ, CQ; Aquí Pedro F. Arrunátegui para compartir algo con los que disfrutan y aman el DX latinoamericano, todas las horas son UT. Desde la tierra de los Incas, a solicitud de varios diexistas, alcanzo a ustedes el siguiente complemento del Chasqui DX: 3380.06, Centro Radiofónico de Imbabura, Ibarra, 18/12 0230-0250; 0350-0506, 22222, por momento escucho muy débil la señal, música en español. Al fin logro mejora algo y logré definir la frecuencia en LSB 3380.06, escucho música, Sanjuanitos y pasillos (ecuatoriana). Creo escuchar CRI, tocan música continuamente, música y ads que me indican que la estación es del Ecuador, pero finalmente después recién, escucho el ID (escuchar la grabaciones adjuntas, para un mejor entendimiento, escucharlas con audífonos) TAMBIÉN: 18/12 1005-1200, 33333, trato de ver posible s/on pero no logro captar señal alguna. Monitoreo en otro momento pero no logro escucharla. Ver http://www.hard-core-dx.com/nordicdx/andes/ecuador/info/imbabura.html [Björn Malm, Ecuador, December 2001 on 3380.07] (Pedro F Arrunátegui, Lima, Perú, Chasqui DX, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNID / ECUADOR – 3380.08 tentative, unID but likely Centro Radiofónico de Imbabura (CRI), Ibarra, reactivated after years off the air. Tnx to Dave Valko tip, got a “me too” log also. Add a very big muchas gracias, DX Pro Pedro Arrunátegui for cracking the ID on this one. Heard rather poorly at 1108-1118 fade-out on 12/20, seemed OM in Spanish with news show, possible lite reverb or eco. Severe noise as band was eroding. Been watching this frequency several prior mornings, to no avail; and monitored frequency this morning 12/20 from 1000 to past 1100 with nothing heard until retuning at 1108. Apparently must have just come on after I momentarily left it at maybe 1103. Perhaps nominal *1100 s/on time, as is typical for HC stations, although Dave had them a good ten minutes earlier on 11 Dec. (Perry, Illinois) 3380.06, tentative CRI, Ibarra, big open carrier 1056 on 12/24 and *1058 programming starts, HC tune (sanjuanito) by OM and YL in duet. At 1100 OM opening announcements and – wouldn’t you know it ? – signal’s modulation via the microphone was so poor (compared to the music channel) that it was impossible to tell what he was saying, though was surely Spanish. Gave up after 5 minutes, as he kept babbling on. Couldn’t tell what he was mumbling but am trusting Paco’s ID on this one. 3380.06, presumed Centro Radial Imbabura (CRI), programming abruptly “there” at 1052 check, poor to fair signal on noisy morning of 12/27, but holding up past 1110 (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3380.06, CRI: Not reported heard since Nov 2007 (Ed. Anker Petersen, DSWCI DX Window Dec 26 via DXLD)) ** ECUADOR. 4781.69, Radio Oriental, Tena. 1142 December 13, 2012. Spanish male announcer reading lots of live script ads, ID. Clear, fairly good except for some CODAR (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, Pile of junk used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phase; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non- active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4781.5, Radio Oriental, Napo, 2356 noted on 20 Dec. Not observed 2300 to 0000 each evening. Usual sign on at 1130 dominates 60 meters to 1200 fade out (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8; and XM, Cedar Key, South Florida, NRD 525D, R8A, E-5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4781, Radio Oriental, Tena, 2330-2350, 24-12, male, Spanish, advertisements, Ecuadorian songs. 14321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Sony ICF SW 7600 G, cable antenna, 10 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4781.70, Radio Oriental, noted 1112 on 12/24 with big booming signal, recorded announcement of Xmas greetings to listeners, “ . . . de esta emisora Radio Oriental . . . el día de Ecuador . . . Feliz Navidad!” Then local live announcer took mike and, as per CRI above, horridly low modulation. We need to send a traveling engineer around to visit these stations and goose their microphone channel connections, hi. Not sure when they are signing on nowadays; used to be *1100, then *1130, so now are they splitting the difference at *1115? 4781.68, Radio Oriental, Tena, noted 1112 [12/27] with big carrier and good audio when playing recorded sound like ads, music, but audio is all-but-lost when switching to live microphone for OM announcements in Spanish. Canned ad for tienda selling fashionable clothing for “las niñas y las mujeres” located on “Avenida Quince de Noviembre, Tena” (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. 6050, HCJB 0500 Spanish, “La Voz de los Andes” ID, choir with Ecuadorian national anthem to 0503 and off. Fair Dec 20 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6050, HCJB, Pichincha, 0835-0848, 25-12, Quechua, male, comments, native songs in Quichua. 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Sony ICF SW 7600 G, cable antenna, 10 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Right after *0830, I think (gh, DXLD) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 5005, Radio Nacional, Bata, 1735-1755, 24-12, native songs and comments in vernacular by male. 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Sony ICF SW 7600 G, cable antenna, 10 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5005 exact, Bata EQG, weak signal, and disturbed by nearby ute digital mode signal on 5006 kHz, at 1738 UT Dec 24 (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 24, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA [non]. MOLDOVA, 11560, Dimts Radio Erena at 1700 UT Dec 20. Ein Log von gestern abend: Dimts Radio Erena 1700-1730 UT auf 11560 kHz vernac mit Berichten ueber Eritrea, kurzen HoA-Mx-Einspielungen, SINPO 34433. Um 1728 UT Ansage einer Webseite (??? -> fuer mich nicht verstaendlich). Besteht da jetzt ein Zusammenhang mit: oder nur eine Namensgleichheit? (Patrick Robic-AUT, A-DX Dec 20 via BC-DX Dec 23 via DXLD) Log: Dimts Radio Erena 11560 kHz 1700 UTC (20.12.) --- Im November gab es Hinweise aus Japan, dass der Erena Web Livestream zur KW Austrahlung passt. Siehe ID zu hoeren In WRTH 2013 p502 ist noch nichts unter Target Eritrea vermerkt. Die Aussendung war zum Buch Redaktionsschluss noch nicht bekannt. Mauno Ritola wird die Details kennen. WRN London brokered via Grigoriopol Moldova from 15 Nov 2012. 11560 kHz 1700-1730 UT to zone 48, 100 kW 16 0deg 151112-300313 MDA WRN (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 21, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 23 via DXLD) ** ERITREA [and non]. ERI / ETH 7189.991 Asmara, but jammed by Ethiopian white noise digital signal, latter 20 kHz wide. 0505 UT Dec 26 S=8 in Germany (Wolfgang Bueschel, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA. Domenica 23 dicembre 2012, 1613 - 9705, JAMMING WHITE NOISE in // a 7175 (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** EUROPE. Domenica 23 dicembre 2012, 0813 - 12257 kHz, WRI WRECKIN' R. INTERNATIONAL, English, jingles e oldies 50s. Segnale buono- sufficiente, Mai sentita così bene! (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** FIJI [non]. Lunedì 24 dicembre 2012, 0852 - 11565 DOMO I VITI - Cypress Creek (USA), Fijian, talk OM. BN-SF (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** FINLAND. Scandinavian Weekend Radio Christmas Special on 24th & 25th Dec 2012 --- Schedule at : http://www.swradio.net/schedule.htm (--- Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, Dec 22, dxldyg via DX LISENING DIGEST) SWR Christmas Special 24+25 December Finnish low-power licenced station, Scandinavian Weekend Radio (SWR), have a 24 hr Christmas Special broadcast starting Christmas Eve, 24 December at 2200 UT through until the same time, 2200 UT on Christmas Day. Usual shortwave frequencies from Virrat: 5980 alternating with 6170 kHz and 11690 alternating with 11720 kHz. Full programme and time/frequency schedule at: http://www.swradio.net/schedule.htm (next broadast is not then scheduled until 1-2 Feb 2013) Hyvää Joulua! / Merry Christmas! (Alan Pennington, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) [non]. 11690, Dec 25 at 0441, something in French, i.e. R. Okapi via SOUTH AFRICA at 04-05. Was checking for Scandinavian Weekend Radio as scheduled Xmas eve/day on 11690 at 2200-0800. I would hardly expect to hear this 100 watt station under the best of conditions, but it`s a bit counterproductive everywhere to use the same frequency as 250,000 watts from South Africa! // 6170 until 06 is no better, with RHC on 6165 and Vietnam/WHRI on 6175. Okapi is off at 0503, still nothing audible from SWR on 11690. For several years, SWR has had two frequencies each on 49 and 25m, 5980, 6170, 11690, 11720, which face other collisions. They really need more frequency flexibility to be successful, and why not? There are plenty of open spots if chosen carefully, or do they consider themselves lucky to have been licensed for the ones they have, don`t rock the boat? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE [non]. 6180, 24/Dec 1910 South Africa (Relay), RFI in Portuguese. OM and YL presents news. At 1911 ID by jingle, then more news. Very good signal from remote radio in Enschede, Nederland. (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) So if you hear Portuguese at that hour on 6180, it may not be Brasília; is that on the air all day, so you need a remote receiver elsewhere to hear anything else? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) 21690, FRENCH GUIANA, Radio France Int’l, 1813 French, panel with news analysis. Fair, also // 15300, 11995, Dec 22 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and the Sony AN1 active antenna on the roof, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. December 14 in the news in the Russian edition of RFI facebook passed the message: "Meanwhile, today - the last day of our lives in the Parisian Radio House. Tomorrow we move and start broadcasting from new building...". There is also a photography and video studio. December 15: "Dear friends, ended the first day in a new place, we moved to a new building. Though there were some technical lining (but where is not), we hope that your ears are not affected. Yes, this same complex of buildings as France 24. An explanation ... umm ... you could say that! Moved five editions in January a few more, in February all of our radio station will be located in full force in the new building... " (Editor, via midxb RUS Dec 18 via BC-DX Dec 23 via DXLD) ** GABON. RIP Gabon on SW --- Thanks to Finnish DXer, Sami Niemeläinen, I have found out that Africa No. 1 will be ceasing shortwave operations on December 31st so we only have a few days left to hear them. The regional service of Rdf-TV Gabonaise, which was relayed by Africa No. 1 at one time, has not been heard in a very long time. So this means we are losing another radio country (Mark Coady, Editor, Your Reports Express, Listening In, Ontario DX Association, Dec 27, dxingwithcumbre yg via DXLD) [shortly later:] Apparently Sami Niemeläinen got it wrong. Africa No. 1 is NOT leaving SW, CVC 1 Africa from Zambia is. The confusion apparently stems from the fact that the logo for Africa No. 1 was included in the letter he got. So, we're not losing a radio country, after all, as ZNBC is still active on both 5915 and 6165 (Mark Coady Editor, ibid.) ** GEORGIA [Abkhazia separated area] 9535 December 27 heard around 0700-0735 UT on fair S=7-8 signal strength level, R. Abhaziya in Abkhaz from Sukhumi shortwave signal there: Chorus sometimes singing, also drums music from that area. Modulation is quite good, with no distortion. TX OFF at 0810:58 UT. Shortwave transmissions from Sukhumi are irregularly, not every day on SW. Listeners from outside Europe can listen too via http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 27, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) ** GERMANY [non]. DW relay via WRNO: see U S A ** GERMANY. Re: NDR Gruss an Bord --- Part 1: 1900-2100 9850 WER 100 kW 285 deg to North Atlantic Ocean 1900-2100 11720 NAU 100 kW 163 deg to SoEaAF, Indian Ocean, SoWeAF 1900-2100 11840 WER 100 kW 120 deg to Western Indian Ocean 1900-2100 11840 NAU 125 kW 200 deg to South Atlantic Ocean 1900-2100 11965 WER 125 kW 090 deg to Eastern Indian Ocean 1900-2100 13780 NAU 125 kW 235 deg to WeAF, Atlantic Ocean Part 2: 2100-2300 7335 WER 100 kW 270 deg to North Atlantic Ocean 2100-2300 9490 NAU 125 kW 200 deg to South Atlantic Ocean 2100-2300 9490 WER 100 kW 120 deg to Western Indian Ocean 2100-2300 9650 WER 125 kW 090 deg to Eastern Indian Ocean 2100-2300 9735 NAU 100 kW 163 deg to SoEaAF, Indian Ocean, SoWeAF 2100-2300 11655 NAU 125 kW 235 deg to WeAF, Atlantic Ocean (DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov-BUL, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 19 via wb, DXLD) I checked already that program NDR Gruss an Bord on various worldwide remote receivers. This special Christmas program is not meant TECHNICALLY to German listeners within German speaking target in central Europe like D/SUI/AUT/LUX/F via Nauen and Wertachtal sites, except on various MW and FM outlets, Livestream. Reception in Japan, Finland, Moscow and Australia totally nil. Livestream program is 6 seconds behind 13780 kHz broadcast. At 19 UT: In Florida is the favorite 9850 kHz at S=9+10 dB level, also in NY S=9+20dB signal strength, at 285 degrees azimuth from Germany. 11840 noisy. In Germany reported, that both 11840 kHz outlets are NOT SYCHRONIZED. Reception on the relatively close Mediterranean / Riviera area: 13780 S=9, 11965 S=7-8, 11840 very strong S=9+40dB at powerhouse level, 11720 S=7-8, and back lobe of 9850 kHz kHz fair S=8-9. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) --- Hier in Alabama/USA kommt der Gruß aus Deutschland bei hellem Sonnenschein auf 9850 mit O=3 ganz gut an; sehr nett, mal was deutsches zu hören. Die anderen Frequenzen kann ich grad noch nicht hören. 24.12.2012, 1908 UTC. Rx: Degen 1103, Teleskopstab. Frohe Weihnachten an alle, die heute schon Bescherung haben (vielleicht der ein oder andere DRM-Empfänger?). Hier in USA gibt es das ja erst am eigentlichen Weihnachtstag, morgen früh. 73, (Eike Bierwirth, Dec 24, A-DX via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) Ich habe mal die weltweiten Remote rx abgeklappert. Das Programm aus Nauen und Wertachtal ist ja technisch nicht für uns Inlandhörer bestimmt. Japan, Moskau und Australien total nil. Und viel bleibt dann nicht mehr übrig, wer hat schon in Afrika einen Perseus. Der Livestream ist 6 Sekunden hinter der 13780 kHz Ausstrahlung. In Florida ist der Platzhirsch 9850 kHz S=9+10 dB, auch in NY S=9+20dB, bei Strahlung in Richtung 285 Grad. 11840 auch noch a bisserl verrauscht, aber wirklich kein Hörgenuss. Am südlichsten hört man hier remote in Europa an der Riviera: 13780 S=9, 11965 S=7-8, 11840 sehr gut S=9+40dB powerhouse, 11720 S=7-8, und der Rückstrahl von der 9850 kHz kHz S=8-9. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, A-DX, also via DXLD) Ein frohes Weihnachtsfest wünsche ich allen OMs hier in der Liste. Ich höre auf 9850 kHz mit O 2-3 und MW 972 kHz das Programm aus Hamburg (Via wb, DXLD) Norddeutscher Rundfunk on shortwave, GERMANY, 2nd part from 2100 UT: 7335, not clean here in Europe, maybe better on Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean target at 270 degr path. Two co-channel stations QRM, like HCJB Woofferton in Arabic and Mandarin from CR Business Radio. 9490, two not synchronized signals, Nauen signal was ahead, but Wertachtal signal 2.5 to 3 seconds behind. S=9 in Moscow. 9650,in Moscow QRM by Voice of Korea Kujang in Japanese co-channel. 9735, Weak signal, and suffered by extreme strong Voice of Vietnam powerhouse on adjacent 9730 kHz. 11655 surprise, surprise, backlobe S=9+5dB in Moscow, and S=8 on Riviera. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Norddeutscher Rundfunk en onda corta! Transmision especial de la Norddeutscher Rundfunk on 13780 kHz por estos momentos con programas para los marinos alemanes en los buques en tránsito. Buena recepción en la zona del Rio de la Plata. 73 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, 1954 UT Dec 24, condiglista yg via DXLD) Checking just after 2200 UTC, confirm NDR on 7335 - weak, mixing with co-channel station in Chinese. None of the other SW frequencies audible here, conditions seem very subdued on the higher frequencies this evening. Same NDR program heard on parallel 792, 828 and 972 kHz but all three with co-channel QRM - best MW frequency here is 828. 73s (Dave Kenny, Caversham, Berks, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) NDR special transmission worldwide --- Last chance to listen to the special Christmas transmission from NDR until 2300 UT: 7335, 11655, 9490, 9735, 9650 kHz via Wertachtal & Nauen, see http://www.dxaktuell.de/?p=2847 for details on frequencies and transmitter sites and http://ndr.de/grussanbord for more information on the broadcast content. "Gruss an Bord" is a show recorded live in Hamburg and Leer for sailors around the world, mainly in German and even Low German sometimes. First time it is on SW again after decades. Audible online at "NDR Info Spezial" and NDR mediumwaves. Low and unstable signal here in Germany on the SW frequencies. Merry Christmas! (Daniel Kähler, 2215 UT, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Checking all of the frequencies, and only 9650 from Wertachtal is just barely audible on the WCNA. All others nil at 2217 (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, ibid.) 9850 was 55544 up until its sign-off from the main program at 2100. Haven't bothered checking the Gottesdienst frequencies (Al Muick, Whitehall PA USA, ibid.) 9850 was only a carrier here at 1900+. I had some weak audio (organ/choir music) on 11655 at 2105, but it gradually faded out. Right now, 2238, I'm getting occasional audio on 7335 and 9650. (Bruce in Seattle Portzer, ibid.) 11655, 24/Dec 2243, Germany, NDR in German. OM talks on the phone with another. The 2255 a greeting in English by YL. 2257 final greetings by OM and Yl, song in German. 2259 end of transmission. Weak signal in 9490, but readable. 45444 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana, Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, ibid.) Not so sure I was hearing them on 9650. Instead, sounded more like Voice of Korea. At least I'm hearing their IS at 2301. Pretty sure I heard their NA about 5 or 10 minutes ago (Walt Salmaniw, BC, ibid.) I had the same thought about 9650 after checking Aoki, and my 7335 audio could just have easily been CNR2. 11655 had recognizable audio, and there's nothing else listed at the time. I rechecked the recording I made 2101-2120 and it sounded mostly like a church choir, plus some talk too weak to ID the language. Was anyone else listening at that time? (Bruce Portzer, ibid.) Rather on DAB+ here in Germany than on SW but it could be interesting for you that from 2100-2200 the transmission actually consisted of a church service from St. Johannis cathedral in Hamburg, 2200-2300 was from NDR studios again with greetings and music from the city of Leer which, by the way and completely accidental, is only a few miles away from HCJB's Weenermoor transmitter site. They did have some greetings in English, too, as was already mentioned here. If you are interested, here is a short clip from the studio where they recorded the show: http://www.ndr.de/fernsehen/sendungen/hamburg_journal/media/hamj23909.html Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! (Daniel Kähler, ibid.) NDR on 11655 --- Here's the audio of the listening: http://www.ipernity.com/doc/75006 73 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana - BA, Brazil, Degen 1103, ibid.) NDR Christmas program on shortwave on 24/12/12 http://zliangaslogs.blogspot.gr/2012/12/ndr-christmas-program-on-shortwave.html http://zlgr.multiply.com/journal/item/505/NDR-Christmas-program-on-shortwave- Here is the listing of signals based on the posting of http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2012/12/ndr-on-shortwave-again_16.html ON 19-21 UT: 9850 S4 3512 11720, no 11840 S7 rec on http://www.ipernity.com/doc/zliangas/14020505/ 11965 S2 13780 nothing Part of the program heard: 1946 with greeting, 2028 with discussions, 2044 march like I tried to steal little from my family time to do this logging. At 21-22 when the conditions were more loose: 7335 nothing 9490, just S1 9650, nothing 9735, nothing 11655 is // 9490 at 2110 with chants Recording posted on http://www.ipernity.com/doc/zliangas/14020504/ (Zacharias Liangas, Greece, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) Amigos, hoje fiz uma escuta bem interessante na frequência de 13780 kHz. Ouvi uma emissora em alemão nessa frequência. Estava certo que seria a Deustche Welle, muito provavelmente via Kigali/Rwanda. A Deustche Welle usa essa frequência. Agora há pouco li um e-mail do Arnaldo Slaen, só por curiosidade. Na realidade nem iria lê-lo (iria excluí-lo do PC), pois, só leio os mais interessantes. Para minha surpresa descobri que não ouvira a Deutsche Welle, mas sim a Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Alemanha. Até havia postado no meu blog que havia ouvido mesmo a Deustche Welle, mas depois, corrigi o erro. A alegria foi imensa, pois, ouvi uma nova emissoa por aqui. Gravei até um vídeo e o coloquei no Youtube. O link para ver o vídeo é: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYFWqY5ujdI&feature=youtu.be Que presentão de Natal, hehehehehe! É claro que vou enviar um informe de recepção. Tudo de bom a todos. 13780, 24/12 1937 D Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Hamburg, mxs natalinas, OM, GG 45333 RFP. Receeptor: Degen DE1103. Antena: RGP3SW + Amplificador de RF DXCB-V1 (Rubens Ferraz Pedroso (PY5-007 SWL), Bandeirantes - PR, radioescutas yg via DXLD) Checking for the NDR Xmas eve SW special --- ironically, it takes this for an official German station to appear on SW sites within Germany, as DW abandoned them years ago. 9850, Dec 24 at 2004, audible only on 9850, with poor signal. This is Wertachtal at 285 degrees to the N Atlantic, but still not far enough north for us. The other four frequencies at 19-21, 11720, 11840, 11965 and 13780 to other parts of the Atlantic & Indian Oceans are inaudible. MUF is simply not supporting even traces of offbeam signals. At 2015 check, fair signal on 9850 with a German song. 7335, Dec 24 at 2134, again poor signal in German from the same transmitter closest to USward but now 270 degrees. The other four at 21-23 are inaudible: 9490, 9650, 9735, 11655. I trust the German sailors enjoyed good reception, however (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) But look at the collisions reported above including 7335 --- next Xmas eve, hope they have some better frequency choices. It should not be that hard to find five absolutely clear frequencies for two two-hour specials. Make that six, since there is no point in conflicting with yourself from two sites on one of them (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** GERMANY [non]. 9480, Dec 23 at 0200 and 0237, no signal from European Music Radio DX test, scheduled 0200-0300 this UT Sunday, nor was I expecting to hear this 1 kW if really on, since KBC Bulgaria 9450 with 100 kW was hardly audible before 0200. However, at 0154 check there was a very poor signal on 9480, presumably R Free Asia Uighur via Kuwait and/or Chicom jamming, and slight splash but not spurs from 9490 Guiana French. EMR would do well to emulate Europirates broadcasting to North America in our mornings/their afternoons over full day path on 15, 17 or 21 MHz (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Hamburger Lokalradio (HLR) will broadcast a series of special SW programs over the holiday season. The station will use the low-power transmitter in Goehren on 7265 and 6190 kHz. Schedule for HLR Christmas and New Year specials: Monday, December 24th 2012 0500 - 1000 UTC, 7265 kHz 0500 "HLR Radio Tropical", containing reports in Spanish and Portuguese 0600 "Switzerland in Sound" (English) 0700 "HLR Radio Nostalgie" (German) 0800 "Literadio from Frankfurt Bookfair 2012" (part 1; German) 0900 Jules Verne short stories (German) 1000 - 1300 UTC, 6190 kHz 1000 Karl May story (German) 1100 "HLR Radio Nostalgie" 1200 Science and technology (German) Tuesday, December 25th 2012 0500 - 1000 UTC, 7265 kHz 0500 "HLR Radio Tropical", containing reports in Spanish and Portuguese 0600 "Happy Station Show" (PCJ Media, English) 0700 "HLR Radio Nostalgie" (German) 0800 "Literadio from Frankfurt Bookfair 2012" (part 2; German) 0900 Otto Stein short stories (German) 1000 - 1300 UTC, 6190 kHz 1000 Christmas story "Radio Tyrus - Besuch der Weisen" (German) 1100 "HLR Radio Nostalgie (German) 1200 Culture reports (German) Wednesday, December 26th 2012 0500 - 1000 UTC, 7265 kHz 0500 "HLR Radio Tropical", containing reports in Spanish and Portuguese 0600 "New Letters on the Air" (English) 0630 "Glenn Hauser's World of Radio" (English) 0700 "HLR Radio Nostalgie" (German, focusing on radio as a topic in popular culture) 0800 "Literadio from Frankfurt Bookfair 2012" (part 3; German) 0900 "HLR Hafenklang" (German, music from Hamburg) 1000 - 1300 UTC, 6190 kHz 1000 Christmas story "Radio Tyrus - Besuch der Weisen" (German) 1100 "HLR Special - Auxiliary tools for severely disables people" (German, 2hrs) 1300 - 1700 UTC, 7265 kHz 1300 "New Letters on the Air" (English) 1330 "Glenn Hauser's World of Radio" (English) 1400 "Media Network" (PCJ Media, English) 1430 "EarthSky" (English) 1500 Special "The history of pirate radio" (English) 1600 "World in progress / Spectrum" (DW Radio specials, English) Saturday, December 29th 2012 0500 - 1000 UTC, 7265 kHz 1000 - 1300 UTC, 6190 kHz 1300 - 1700 UTC, 7265 kHz Monday, December 31st 2012 0500 - 1000 UTC, 7265 kHz 1000 - 1300 UTC, 6190 kHz Tuesday, January 1st 2013 0500 - 1000 UTC, 7265 kHz 1000 - 1300 UTC, 6190 kHz 1300 - 1700 UTC, 7265 kHz Program line-up to be announced. Hamburger Lokalradio welcomes reception reports and will QSL all correct reports. Return postage is highly appreciated. Address: Hamburger Lokalradio, Kulturzentrum LOLA, Lohbruegger Landstrasse 8, 21031 Hamburg, Germany; E-mail: redaktion@hamburger-lokalradio.de (Thomas Völkner, Germany, Dec 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, dxldyg) Details of the Dec 29-Jan 2 specials already appeared in advance in the dxldyg, beyond closing of this issue (gh) 7265, Dec 25 at 0501, no signal from Hamburger Lokalradio, special Xmas broadcast. I`ve yet to hear it at all, but these occasional early hours should be our best chance. Registered as 1 kW, 230 degrees from Göhren. A weak signal on 7270 was no problem, listed as 500 kW from Iran. Further HLR specials are scheduled Wednesday, December 26th 2012 at 05-10 on 7265, 10-13 on 6190, 13-17 on 7265, including WORLD OF RADIO 1648 from last week at 0630 and 1330 on 7265 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Martedì, 25 dicembre 2012, 0903 - 7265 HLR - Göhren (D), Old jazz. SF- IN (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) 7265, Dec 26 at 0653 check, nothing from Hamburger Lokalradio, when WORLD OF RADIO was scheduled to air on another of their extra broadcasts on Wednesday at 0630. I hope it was audible around Europe (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, Hamburger Lokalradio is well audible on 7265 when on air - but 0630 UT is too early for most of us in the UK & Ireland to listen regularly to their English programmes (Noel R. Green (NW England), dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Domenica 23 dicembre 2012, 0910 - 6145 kHz, Intermodulazione XVRB 6045. 0913 - 5995 kHz, Intermodulazione KBC 6095 (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) i.e. fundamentals 6045 & 6095 leapfrogging over each other (gh, DXLD) ** GOA. {Re 12-50 UNIDENTIFIED 7246] Spurious around 7244 - 7253 kHz UNIDENTIFIED Distorted signals observed by Thorsten Hallmann and asked already in Oct. Yesterday Dec 23 I noted Bangladesh Betar around 1750- 1900 UT, but this signal was spoiled of a lot of 50 Hertz spurious on range 7244 to 7252 kHz - I guess - these spurious - not from Dhaka on even 7250 kHz, but from another peak visible on 7249.978 kHz. Formerly also AIR Goa Panaji scheduled in Malayalam at 1730-1830 UT co-channel but observed also on rather odd frequency minus 22 Hertz on Sept 13, 2012. Spurious noted on 7244.231 7245.371 7247.679 7248.829 7249.396 7250.600 7251.127 7252.276 kHz (Wolfgang Buschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So are you saying these spurs are GOA? ** GOA. INDIA, 9704.971, AIR in English via Goa Panaji site, odd frequency as always. Only S=7 here in Germany, but much stronger next door AIR Bangalore on 9690 kHz even. S=9+10dB at 0020 UT Dec 21 (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 20/21, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 23 via DXLD) ** GREECE. Cf. published everywhere info about Foreign Service of Greek Radio – Radio Friendship [Philia/Filia]. According to my eyes, ears and receivers the program on 7475 on December 22 was aired as follows: 0600 Albanian; 0615 Spanish (0618 Elvis Presley’s song “Mexico” was played); 0630 German; 0638-0641 Russian and songs till 0700, 0700-0900 in Greek // 9420, 11645 (Rumen Pankov, Sofia, Bulgaria, Dec 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) But not necessarily the same on any other date, and often 7475 // 9420 mainstream, especially during some holidays, as I report, or missing. 7475, Dec 23 at 0558, and still at 0625, no signal from ERT during the Radio Filia hour, off the air, while 9420 mainstream VOG remains poorly audible with Greek-Orthodox cantors, as usual on Sundays. 9420, Dec 23 at 1405, open carrier/dead air, presumably VOG, while 15630 is audible with music. 7475, Dec 24 at 0617, ERT is back on with R. Filia service not // 9420, two different musix. 7475 // 9420, Dec 25 at 0611, ERT sounds like a rather unOrthodox Catholic mass, which fits since Orthodox Xmas is not until January 6. But this means that the Radio Filia separate service during this hour on 7475 has disappeared, due to Xmas? Same situation 24 hours later, Dec 26 at 0606, the two // but now sounding more Orthodox. 7475, Dec 27 at 0614, ERT with similar song playing to one on 9420, but not //, so R. Filia is back tonight on 7475. You never know from one night to the next whether these will be // or not during the 06-07 hour (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM. 5765-USB, Dec 25 at 1349, AFN is back! A nice Xmas present, as had been AWOL for weeks and feared lost at sea. Segment on how to make Xmas candles, maybe NBC Today TV show audio. BTW we have a lite dusting of snow and snow-static on the lower bands, but the brunt of the storm is tracking south of Enid across OKC (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5765-USB, AFN, Barrigada, 1035 YL commentary, back on the air, 21 Dec. 0930 noted similar program, strong signal 22 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D -Icom 746Pro - Drake R8, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) AFN. 5765 USB. Had been off the air for most of Dec; first heard broadcasting again on Dec 22 at 1254 with promo for NFL coverage on the “Pentagon Channel” followed by the usual TV audio feed; fair; also heard Dec 23, 24 and 25, so is really back to normal daily programming, as also confirmed Dec 25 by Glenn (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5765-USB, Dec 27 at 1348, AFN ending fashion segment from ``Today on NBC``, which probably lost something without the video; just at the edge of OTH radar pulsing peaking 5805. I took it as an Xmas gift when first reheard Dec 25, but Bob Wilkner was hearing it again by Dec 21, and Ron Howard by Dec 22, after having been off most of December, the first two sesquiweeks (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM [and non]. Wavescan Scheduling: B12 Transmission Period -------------------------------------------------------------------- Day UTC Call kHz kW Station Location Country ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun 0500 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA Sun 1200 AWR 17535 250 Media Broadcast Wertachtal Germany Sun 1500 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA Sun 1600 KSDA 11825 100 Adventist World Radio Agat Guam Sun 1530 AWR 15255 250 Sri Lanka Broad Corp Trincomalee Sri Lanka Sun 1600 KSDA 15360 100 Adventist World Radio Agat Guam Sun 1630 KSDA 11740 100 Adventist World Radio Agat Guam Sun 2230 KSDA 15320 100 Adventist World Radio Agat Guam Mon 1200 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA Tue 0430 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA Wed 0100 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA Wed 1200 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA Wed 2000 WINB 13570 50 World International Red Lion Pennsylvania Thu 0400 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA Thu 1430 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA Fri 0415 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA Sat 0800 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA Sat 1200 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA Sat 1730 WWCR2 12160 100 Worldwide Christian Nashville Tennessee Sat 2100 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA Sat 2330 WRMI 9955 50 Radio Miami Int Miami Florida USA iPod AWR - Internet Stream AWR.org WRMI.net WWCR.com WINB.com Telephone Feed WINB at 1 415 655 0846 Script Archive Ontheshortwaves.com, Radioheritage.net, Portale.italradio.org, Offshoreradio.de Happy New Year! AMP. (Dr. Adrian M. Peterson, Co-ordinator - International Relations & DX Editor, Adventist World Radio, N9GWY - Ex KA9YPQ, Dec 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. 4055, Dec 20 at 0610, TGAV is running a bit later than usual with majestic choral NA still playing until 0613*. Also on Dec 19 received in the P-mail R. Verdad`s 2013 calendar, which is a single sheet featuring small color portraits of 13 station personnel from Dr. Madrid to 6 locutores, to Ralph Borthwick, ingeniero; and also a hi-angle photo of the ``Templo Radio Verdad, San Esteban, Chiquimula, Cerro de la Gloria``. Schedule given as ``3:20 AM a 12:05 PM`` [UT -6]. Reminds us that 25 Feb 2013 is the thirteenth anniversary of Radio Verdad. Also enclosed another sheet with a calendar on one side, tract in Spanish on the other, published in Federal Way, Washington. And a note of greeting from Dr. Édgar Amílcar Madrid, Director y Gerente. No pennant or QSL since I haven`t axually sent a reception report lately. The air-mail envelope now bears no stamps, but a print-out label from El Correo, ``Concesionario del Correo Oficial de la República de Guatemala``, Agencia PPP, dated 05 Diciembre, for Q.6.50 and it`s stuck on the left side of the envelope rather than the upper right. That = about 82 cents US (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) NUEVAS DIRECCIONES DEL SITIO WEB Ahora tenemos 3 direcciones para nuestro Sitio Web, y agradeceré mucho si se divulga en todo el mundo esta información. Las 3 direcciones son las siguientes: Now we have 3 addresses for our Web Site, as follows: http://www.radioverdad.org http://www.radioverdad.info http://www.radioverdad.net (Dr. Édgar Amílcar Madrid, Radio Verdad, Chiquimula, Guatemala, C. A., Dec 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUIANA FRENCH. 11740, Dec 20 at 0512, NHK English to NAm has excellent signal, but accompanied by squealing spurs at approx. 7 kHz intervals: 11768, 11761, 11754, 11747, 11733, 11726, 11719, 11712. The 11726 one is especially noticeable, putting squealing QRM on RNZI 11725. Fortunately this only lasts until 0530. The 11761 and 11768 ones also bother SRDA Brasil between them on 11765. As the last remaining major SW relay site in the Americas, what a shame that Montsinéry is so technically deficient. Need to recheck the 5960 transmitter at 02-04 with NHK Japanese, whether it still puts out multiple spurs at far greater intervals. The 9490 with Radio República at 00-02 seems to be OK as far as the spur situation. Are they all from the same transmitter? WRTH 2013 says there are 4 x 500 kW, and 1 x 250 kW in GUF. Never mind my recent remark about the 9490 transmitter carrying R. República being spur-free. Sometimes it is, but spurs are back tonight, Dec 21 at 0023 check, squeals at multiples of about 7 kHz above and below, circa 9476, 9483, 9497, 9504 --- the same displacements as I was hearing the night before surrounding the 11740 English relay of R. Japan after 0500; no coincidence. At 0218 Dec 21, I also look for the different set of spurs which have long infested the 5960 relay of R. Japan in Japanese at 02-04: yes, they are still there, blobs circa 5844, 5926, 5994 and 6076, i.e. plus and minus 34 and 116 kHz. 11740, Dec 25 at 0524, NHK English relay with usual very good signal, and no spurs tonight. So RNZI 11725 listeners breathe a sigh of relief. One can never conclude GUF spurs are permanently fixed, as they come back unpredictably (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HAWAII. 1460, KHRA Honolulu, 1045, fair with Korean talk. 8/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HAWAII. KAHU RADIO RELOCATES THEIR TRANSMITTER IN KA‘U http://www.hawaii247.com/2012/12/18/kahu-radio-relocates-their-transmitter-in-kau/ Posted on 5:11 pm, Tuesday, December 18, 2012. MEDIA RELEASE KAHU radio's antenna is taken down in Naalehu. KAHU 91.7 FM, the Shepherd, in Pahala, Hawaii (Ka’u- Community Radio Inc.) received FCC (Federal Communications Commission) approval on December 12, 2012 to dismantle its last existing tower site in Naalehu, in the southern region of Hawaii island due to the station’s increasing operational expenses over the last year and lack of consistent public, local business and corporate funding. Crown Castle LLC, the tower owner, in cooperation with, Pacificomm Systems LLC, the tower climbers, physically removed the antennas yesterday at 10:00 a.m. from the mono-pole tower as the KAHU 91.7 FM tower crew leader, Christine Kaehuaea, Station General Manager & Owner, manually turned off the Helco circuit breaker for the last time, then assisted her tower crew consisting of Mike Munnerlyn, Leo Hill and Ron Ebert, to unbolt the equipment and remove the transmitters to take them, as well as the antennas back to the radio station to be re-installed or liquidated in efforts to pay off outstanding operational expenses. With the help from community volunteers, plus companies like Mike Munnerlyn General Contracting Services and Taylor Built Construction Co. Inc., the antenna and equipment re- installation was successful. Upon testing during Uncle Bobby’s, “Nahe, Nahe” show at 4 p.m., listening on the internet was consistent ( kahufm.com ), however the FM radio broadcast proved to be a challenge when their 600-watt transmitter malfunctioned. The station’s 150-watt transmitter was installed temporarily and will suffice until the 600-watt can be shipped for warranty repairs. Reports were received of strong coverage in Naalehu, Pahala, and Punaluu. The Station is still awaiting confirmations from the Volcano area down to Kalapana . KAHU radio’s antenna is reinstalled in at the station. “As the equipment came down, it felt good knowing that the community and our creditors are behind us in pushing the reset button”, says Christine, “it is so important that we continue service but with any business, expenses must be paid, hence our downsizing and liquidating of any and all equipment that we aren’t using.” During July of 2012 the station’s emergency alert services were put to the test as Pahala braced for the worst wild fire in its history, covering approximately 5,600 acres of land in two separate locations while closing off Highway 11, the main artery of the region. The station was the first media on-scene with police and fire to acquire reports about the fire, road closures, detours and evacuations and relay that information to a live announcer in their studio providing instant status to listeners. In October 2012, Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii), British Columbia felt a 7.7 earthquake which prompted the Pacific Tsunami Center to issue a warning to the island of Hawaii including the District of Ka’u-. The station broadcasted an evacuation of low coastal areas, and coordinated with police in re-routing travelers to alternate routes or housing them at the station until the okay was given by the Governor of Hawaii at 1:15 a.m. Prior to June 28, 2010, this 77-mile expanse of challenging terrain from mountain to sea only heard silence or sirens in the event of an emergency. As a native Hawaiian owned and operated community radio station, KAHU 91.7 FM is the only radio station heard from Volcano to Naalehu and impacts 11,225* residents from Ocean View to Volcano and down to Kalapana, as well as approximately 398,695** visitors that pass through the District of Ka’u- while traveling around Hawaii island. Co-owner of KAHU 91.7 FM and Director of Ka’u- Community Radio Inc., Wendell J. Kaehuaea, has retired from daily radio station operations . The Mission of KAHU 91.7 FM, The Shepherd, a community radio station broadcasting LIVE from Pahala, on Hawaii island, is to embrace the communities that it serves in the District of Ka’u-, around the Hawaii island, the outer islands and beyond. As the only Native Hawaiian owned and operated station in the United States and sole resource of County & State Civil Defense emergency broadcast services to the southern region of Hawaii island; the goal of KAHU 91.7 FM is to assist in keeping the doors of business open for local merchants and businesses, educate listeners to the Hawaiian culture and island diversity, support the community through a variety of unique avenues and offer a voice of friendship through music and other programming to welcome all into our KAHU 91.7 FM ‘Ohana’ (family). (via Blaine Thompson, IN, ABDX via DXLD) Naalehu = also site of former SW KWHR ** HONG KONG. 8828-USB, Cape d'Aguilar, 1045 weather information 17 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D -Icom 746Pro - Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ICELAND [and non]. Checked long wave and found 189 Iceland, Gufuskalar with mix of 0404 male vocals alternating with female singing - Excellent signal to 0420. DXer reported same in Central Florida, 4-4-4. 198 BBC commentary on gang member 0405 by yl. 23 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. PRASAR BHARATI CEO'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) CEO speaks to PB Family http://airddfamily.blogspot.in/2012/12/ceo-speaks-to-pb-family.html (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, dx_india yg via DXLD) Several replies are happy that he has for first time addressed all AIR staff, but here`s another one: Anonymous December 27, 2012 12:46 PM As employees We are impressed with this 5 'Cs' idea of yours sir. But the hard reality is, in most of the field offices, there is no one to effectively understand these ideas, get them executed and supervise their execution. Then even a step up supervisory office fails to monitor or help the field offices down the line to implement these highly productive suggestions. Until and unless all the supervisory officers and the controlling officers are sensitized to these issues, these will remain plain rhetorics. This is another example of good ideas which fail to take off due to the grass root problems which need to be addressed on urgent basis. Sorry for sounding cynical but this is what we feel and want to bring to your kind notice through this blog, If this is published. Anonymous (via DXLD) ** INDIA. The new schedule of AIR shows that the new megawatt transmitter at Rajkot is operating continously at 0015 to 1930 UT as follows, beamed to Pakistan on 1071 kHz 0015-0100 Urdu 0100-0200 Sindhi 0200-1230 Urdu 1230-1500 Sindhi 1500-1600 Baluchi 1600-1930 Urdu AIR Gorkahpur heard yesterday on 7250 till around 1155 UT with Urdu Service. They are irregular lately. Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India Mobile: +91 94416 96043 http://www.qsl.net/vu2jos Dec 27 dx_india yg via DXLD) Is 7250 Goa or Gorakhpur? WRTH says the latter. See GOA re spurs (gh, DXLD) ** INDIA [and non]. 4800.00, CHINA, CBPS-1, Golmud. Qinghai. 2353 December 19, 2012. Chinese male and female trading off news-ish items. Fair. 4800.00, INDIA, All India Radio, Hyderabad. 0013 December 20, 2012. Rechecking the ChiCom, a 1000 cycle constant tone about equal level was now here. AIR interval signal in progress 0018:30 re-recheck. (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, Pile of junk used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR- D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phase; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. AIR Kolkata noted with following changes lately for their morning transmissions on SW 4820: 0025 to 0215 (ex till 0400) 7210: 0230-0400 Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India, Dec 25, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. 4850, AIR Kohima, listening intermittently from 1240 to tune out at 1516, Dec 24. Special Christmas programming and extended schedule; normally goes off shortly after 1400. Played a lot of Christmas songs; usual news in Hindi and English (1340-1401); Christian religious program about Christmas from 1402 to 1417; at 1500 Prime Minister Singh addressed the nation: “There is genuine and justified anger and anguish at the ghastly crime of gang rape committed last Sunday in Delhi . . .”; 1512 switched over to the audio feed from New Delhi with ads and news; poor to fair. Light to moderate Xinjiang PBS QRM, which seemed to also be carrying special programming, as it seemed to be in Chinese, not the usually heard language (scheduled Kazakh); with Chinese opera and variety show. It should be noted that the north eastern state of Nagaland, of which Kohima is the capital, is predominantly made up of Christians (90%). 4850, AIR Kohima, 1255-1337* off the air *1339-1408*, Dec 25. News in English at 1351; many items about Christmas celebrations in Nagaland, Delhi police constable died from injuries suffered during recent protests, Russia’s Putin and India’s Prime Minister Singh agree on sale of helicopters and parts for fighter planes to India, etc.; light to moderate Xinjiang PBS QRM (which returned to their normal programming after yesterdays special Chinese programs); poorer reception than yesterday. 4850, AIR Kohima. Dec 26, now that the Christmas Holiday is over, Kohima off the air today leaving Xinjiang PBS in the clear (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. Heard the following in 60 mb around 1715-1815 UT Dec 24. 4809.996, AIR Bophal on S=8 level in Germany, at 1723 UT, program finnished just western Christmas chorus. 4840.002, AIR Mumbai in contrast played Indian Bongo and Flute instrument music, but adjacent 4835 from downunder AUS played also Christmas singer. 4860.004, AIR Shimla, S=7-8 signal - but suffered by CODAR radar wipes tones. 1730 UT Dec 24. 4880.004, AIR Lucknow, fight 'underneath signal' against SW Radio Africa from Meyerton, which was ahead on even 4880 kHz. S=9+15dB from MEY. 4910.002, AIR Jaipur in English {central news from Delhi?}, S=9 in peaks. 4950.016, AIR Srinagar in English at S=8 level at 1734 UT. [KASHMIR] 5010.005, PROBABLY RTMalagasy Antananarivo, with - erratic misleading - played always Indian flute music, noted still 1815 Dec 24 (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 24, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) AIR South Regional Service (Thiruvananthapuram) is on 5010 with huge signal on the 250 metres beverage to South Asia and Australia, beaming 105 degrees from here, but most of the stations of All India Radio suffer from either from utility splatter, co-channel interference from Chinese stations or low modulation. 73! (Georgi Bancov, ibid.) Many thanks dear Georgi, yes - I'd my doubts to identify the music played on 5010.005 kHz footprint tonight. When tuned-in again at 1848 UT, the station had left the air, so maybe they had AN ADDITIONAL broadcast hour extension tonight from Chennai / AIR South Regional Service (Thiruvananthapuram). vy73 (Wolfgang, ibid.) 5010.00, All India Radio, Thiru’puram. 0017 December 20, 2012. 1000 cycle constant tone in progress at tune-in, into AIR interval signal at 0018:15, Vividh Bharati opening after 0020. Clear, fair-poor (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, Pile of junk used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phase; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5010, AIR Thiruvananthapuram, nice signal 1245 12/23 with subcontinental music followed by OM and YL in discussion in language (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5010, AIR, Thiruvananthapuram, 1705-1733, 24-12, Hindi music, at 1730 news in English. 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Sony ICF SW 7600 G, cable antenna, 10 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 5050, AIR Aizawl, 1436, Dec 25. In English with sports news and mixing with BBR/China (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 7550, Monday Dec 24 at 2135, AIR GOS is wrapping up mailbag `Faithfully Yours` with Xmas greetings so maybe is not a rerun; then checked // 9445 and found it better, and // 11670 even better still, as they are going into a film music segment. Should have intuned at 2120! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. My ham buddy, RAJIV GANDHI http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/my-ham-buddy-rajiv-gandhi/article4217308.ece --- (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 810, RRI Merauke, 1345, very good with EZL vocals, talks by a woman, in complete null of 2BA. 7/12 1395, RRI Wamena, 1100, in null of 5AA with news, then into Christmas carols. // to 4870 (which isn't on every night but is still periodically active). 14/12 1512, RRI Bukittinggi, 1400, presumed the one with RRI news, in null of 2RN. 7/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 4749.95, RRI Makassar, 1359-1424, Dec 21. Almost no QRM from CNR1 (very unusual propagation, in fact several Chinese stations not coming in as well as they normally would!); fair to good; in Bahasa Indonesia with on air phone calls. MP3 recording of ID (“Programa Satu, R-R-I Makassar”) and RRI jingle attached (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4749.95, RRI Makassar, listened randomly from 1221 to 1254, Dec 27. In Bahasa Indonesia with long-winded speech; 1236 patriotic song; back to speech; // 3325 (RRI Palangkaraya) and 9680.05 (RRI Jakarta); must have been a major speech (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. Three stations on 4750v "in parallel" at 1450 UT Dec 26, only CNR1 to identify on even 4750, two others on 4749.954 and 4749.990 kHz, maybe Indonesia or Bangladesh? or even QPBS Xining ? - a puzzle (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Wolfy, Surely 4749.954 would be RRI Makassar, as I logged Dec 21. CNR1 is usually the strongest station I hear on 4750.0. Have been unable to hear Bangladesh for many months. It had been heard on a daily basis. Just propagation? Has been many years since I last confirmed PBS Qinghai on 4750. Website http://www.qhtb.cn/ (Ron Howard, CA, ibid.) ** INDONESIA. 4869.93, RRI Wamena, Dec 27 (Thursday). 1221-1230: Coverage of a major speech in Bahasa Indonesia; // 3325 (RRI Palangkaraya), 4749.95 (RRI Makassar) and 9680.05 (RRI Jakarta); after 1230 no longer //. Wamena: After 1230 OM and YL chatting; by 1241 reception had improved to the point that I suddenly realized I was listening to Kevin Dalton with his unique Australian accent that I have heard so many times before, with his Kang Guru Indonesia (“K-G-I”) program in English; played some pop songs; 1257 played one of their theme songs: “Down Under” by Men at Work followed by Kevin giving the contact information for KGI; ends with “See you next week and practice your English with K-G-I”; 1259 back to Bahasa Indonesia; 1301 seemed to be local RRI Wamena ID; this time period and day not listed at the KGI website. A very nice surprise to find this on an especially good day for Indonesian reception! (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 9525.9, Voice of Indonesia (tentative); 2020-2030+, 17- Dec; M&W in language, mentioned Indonesia. SIO=342 with hum QRM. Listed is French – sounded like Spanish at times (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) 9525.893, Voice of Indonesia, Cimanggis shortwave outlet on air Dec 20 at 1745 UT, the usual recent footprint. 50-60 Hz buzz, a bit distorted. S=6 only (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 23 via DXLD) 9525.88, Voice of Indonesia, 1915, English, strong and readable, though with terrible audio hum. Talk by a man about trade relations between Indonesia and Malaysia. 21/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9525.89, VOI, 1523, Dec 25 heard in Chinese; poor. 9680.05, RRI Jakarta, 1432, Dec 24. Fair in Bahasa Indonesia with on air phone calls; very light QRM (CNR1 jamming not on) (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) DEC 26: 1440 UT in Indonesian 9525.892 kHz (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL. JOINT STATEMENT BY SEVEN INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTERS Date: 18.12.2012 Last updated: 18.12.2012 at 15.13 http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/statements/ws-mediafreedomstatement.html Category: World Service --- The following joint statement has been issued today by seven international broadcasters, including the BBC. We, the representatives of Audiovisuel Extérieur de la France (AEF), Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) [Australia], British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) [United Kingdom], Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) [US], Deutsche Welle (DW) [Germany], Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) [Japan] and Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW), have met in Berlin to discuss common concerns. We find international journalism is facing unprecedented challenges from countries that seek to deny their own citizens access to information from outside their borders in violation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” We call upon the world’s nations to strengthen their commitment to Article 19 and to support expanded opportunities to share information across borders through digital and mobile technologies. Yet we note with dismay that certain governments continue to control the flow of information. For example, China routinely blocks the Web and social media sites of our broadcasters and jams our shortwave signals, or Iran and Syria interfere with the satellite signals that carry our programs. Governments in Eurasia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America also seek to control what their own citizens can see, hear and read. Many of these actions, including intentional jamming of satellites, violate international regulations. We condemn them without reservation. We also call attention to troubling new challenges to free expression. Some governments are seeking to enact far-reaching telecommunications regulations to stymie free speech. At the World Conference on International Telecommunication (WICT) in Dubai, representatives of the world’s nations have considered telecommunications rules that might explicitly apply to the Internet for the first time. We cast a wary eye on such efforts to control the Internet, and we denounce efforts to identify and track Internet users in order to stifle free expression, inquiry and political activity. We have agreed to increase, whenever possible, our support for efforts to circumvent Web censorship through the use of new and innovative hardware and software tools. We also agreed to increase our advocacy for Internet freedom (via Dr Hansjoerg Biener, DXLD) ** IRAN [and non]. 13750, Dec 21 at 1346, VOA Spanish from Greenville has CCI from Qur`an(?) and fast SAH, i.e. VIRI Arabic at 0830-1430, 500 kW, 178 degrees from Kamalabad (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15170, 23/Dec 1153, Voice of Iran in Dari. This program is really different from other transmissions of Voice of Iran. Announcer speaks enthusiastically, local pop music. End of the transmission at 1155. Weak signal (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana BA Brazil, Degen 1103, 16 meter dipole antenna - East/West, http://www.ipernity.com/doc/75006 dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN [non]. 5860.00, SRI LANKA, Radio Farda (relay), Iranawila. 0026 December 20, 2012. Clear, very good with mix of Bollywood, Farsi pop and Western (Stevie Wonder “I Just Called To Say I Love You”). Three slow, one long time sounder 0030, ID. Carrier on 1575 MW, but no audio making it here tonight (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, Pile of junk used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phase; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. 9985/11595, Israel Radio (Kol Yisrael?) *1454-1537+ 19, 21 Dec. Trumpet IS, 5+1 pips at TOH, "Injo (Jeru)saleem", martial tune, W in (presumed) Persian/Farsi with IBA website(s). M with news starts at 1501 or so. 31M has serious ACI from WWCR/BS-9980, 25M clearer but weaker, tending to improve after 1530; sked 15-1630 (Dan Sheedy, Moonlight Beach CA, PL600 + 4m X-wire, via Bob Wilkner, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Except EiBi says it`s 1500-1600 daily, with added 1600-1625 only on weekdays = Sunday thru Thursday (gh, DXLD) 11595, Kol Israel, 1626 Persian, song which was faded out at 1628:30 in favor of a brief orchestral piece, then into Persian announcements, giving schedule, IBA website, etc, closing at 1630 with “Shalom”. Fair, co-channel splatter, Dec 22 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and the Sony AN1 active antenna on the roof, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non]. [Re 12-50:] "Note most of these [IRRS] are via Saftica. WRTH 2013 says the single transmitter there is 100 kW, not 150. But these must be two different transmitters as the times overlap with full schedule of RRI under ROMANIA, e.g. at 2000" --- And thus the IRRS transmissions obviously originate from Tiganesti instead, with a transmitter there being run at 50 percent for certain transmissions if the "150 kW" are a real operational parameter (Kai Ludwig, Dec 23, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non]. New info program on IRRS --- Dear Listeners and Friends of IRRS-Shortwave, It's the time of the year when we are usually summing up our activities, and deciding whether and how to follow up in the next. At the end of the year we will be having our annual board meeting, but I can anticipate that we will continue broadcasting on Shortwave, focusing even more to far away countries, besides our usual targets in Europe, North Africa and Middle East. Just before Christmas I would like to inform you of a new, exceptional news program that will be broadcasted effective Dec. 22, 2012 weekly each Saturday at 20:45 CET (1945 UT) on 7290 kHz and 1368 kHz Medium Wave. The program is a 15 minute program in French and English specifically created for Shortwave about issues related to Europe and interesting to our European audience. I will not reveal the name just now, just listen and send your reception report directly to the address that you hear on the air. They also QSL directly. Lastly if you have not sent a reception report for our newly started Medium Wave broadcasts, we will sending out a special QSL card for reception reports received ONLY for broadcasts in the following time slots, as heard ONLY until Dec. 31, 2012: - 2000-2100 UT (21:00-22:00 CET) on 7290 kHz and 1368 kHz MW - 0600-0700 UT (07:00-08:00 CET) on 1368 kHz MW Please do write us, tell us about our content, what you like and you do not like, besides technical quality, and send your email or letter to: - email: reports@nexus.org - or: - by snail mail to: IRRS, PO Box 10980, I-20110 Milano, Italy All letters and comments are greatly appreciated, and help demonstrating to our broadcasters that Shortwave is still viable, and really help us to stay on the air. During the Christmas and New Year break will be working on a new system to send QSL cards almost in real time. All those who sent a reception report recently will be notified by email on how to receive our new QSL card. In the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas time with your families, and a very Happy new year 2013 from all of us here in Milano. 73s, (Ron Norton NEXUS-Int'l Broadcasting Association email: ron@nexus.org http://www.nexus.org Dec 21, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The name of this new programme is "Echo de l'Europe" in French. Regards (Jean-Michel Aubier, France, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7290 - L'Echo de l`Europe introductory broadcast via IRRS, Romania, heard at 1945-1954 in both French and English with an excellent signal here in Massachusetts. Future programs to promote understanding of the European Union and European events in general. Should fill a gap left since most European nations have cut their shortwave services over the last couple of years. Programs will be brief 15 minutes in both French and English but will not be the same in each language (Stephen Wood, Harwich, Mass., Sat Dec 22, ibid. WORLD OF RADIO 1649,) 15190, IRRS via Romania. Their Sunday programming seems to have no consistency; Dec 23 heard from 1508 to 1530* with what sounded like an audio feed from US AM station; some IRRS IDs; “Profile America” from the US Census Bureau; in past months I have heard different stations being relayed, but have not heard the relays local ID; fair to almost good (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) IRRS-SHORTWAVE TEST ON DEC. 28 ON 15325 KHZ TO SE ASIA Hi There, We will be running a 1 hr test tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, to SE Asia according to the following schedule: Frequency: 15325 kHz Power: 300 kW Date: Friday Dec 28, 2012 Time: 1300-1400 UT Target: South East Asia The audio will be in local languages with sign-on and sign-off IDs in English. If you are in the target area we welcome your reception reports for this broadcast, and we will confirm with our new QSL card. Please send your reports by email to: reports@nexus.org Thank you and Happy holidays! 73, (Ron Norton, NEXUS-Int'l Broadcasting Association, email: ron@nexus.org http://www.nexus.org Dec 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sounds like another test for R. Free Kenyalang via ROMANIA, but we won`t know until we hear it. Are they meanwhile continuing via WRN via Palau at 09-10 on 15360?? (gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) PALAU, 15360, Yes, at 09-10 UT Dec 27 I heard them very weak on remote units in Japan and Australia, BUT NOTHING heard here in Europe today. PALAU 15360 Radio Free Kenyalang, very very weak signal heard in Japan via remote sdr unit around 0920-0930 UT, talk of two men in Iban? Malay? Nothing heard on all European places, nor even on shorter distances in Finland or Moscow (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 27, dxldyg via DXLD) ** JAPAN. 774, JOUB Akita (NHK-2), 1245-1300, Dec 26. Have been checking on this one all month, but until today was below threshold level; today mostly fair reception; English lesson; anti-war song “Someday At Christmas” by Jack Johnson and reading of the lyrics and comments about the song (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN. 6135, Dec 25 at 1353, Chinese with piano music, so Shiokaze is still here; no het audible yet from Madagascar. Probably will QSY again around yearend (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN [non]. 15190, 23/Dec 1159 French Guiana (Relay) R Japan in English. Signal ID, beep at 1200, OM with ID, site, address. Strong QRM from Rádio Inconfidência on +/- 15191 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana - BA Brazil, Degen 1103, 16 meter dipole antenna - East/West, http://www.ipernity.com/doc/75006 dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15720, MADAGASCAR, NHK World Radio Japan, 1810 English, man and woman opening Japanese language lesson program, this edition dealing with letters from listeners. Fair Dec 22 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and the Sony AN1 active antenna on the roof, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17735, Dec 26 at 1527, fair signal with hymn on piano, 1529 Japanese announcement with echo, 1531 another hymn tune. Is this a gospel huxter? No, NHK scheduled 15-17, 250 kW, 152 degrees via FRANCE. Is Tunisia still on 17735 from 1600? If so there must be a one-hour collision (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KAZAKHSTAN [non]. USA: Maybe the most strange radio programs are these of Radio Liberty in Kazakh – already 5-6 months, the programs are consisting of only singing voice of some bard and strums on some string instrument. No news, commentaries or other programs. 1300-1400 12025, 15525 and 0100-0200 7235, 9790 (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Dec 26 WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BBG know about this? (gh) ** KOREA NORTH. 4557.0, KCBS (list log); 2203, 15-Dec; Screechy operatic vocal. Poor under QRN and hint of swiper -- sandwiched between swiping upfreq & downfreq (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) CODAR ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 5985.00, Shiokaze/Sea Breeze/JSR via Yamata. Dec 26 now on this alternate frequency; as Glenn accurately forecast yesterday after hearing them on ex 6135: “Probably will QSY again around yearend”; in Japanese at 1338; fair. Of course leaving Radio Madagasikara in the clear (today on 6135.00), but now blocking reception of Myanmar Radio (5985.83) during scheduled 1330 to 1430. Seems they cannot pick a truly clear frequency, as they usually end up blocking someone! (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5985, Dec 27 at 1346, Shiokaze is back here, in Japanese with typical sad piano music, ex-6135, in periodic frequency shuffle, which Ron Howard says occurred Dec 26, and I still logged it on 6135, Dec 25. Now it`s making the usual het with off-frequency Myanmar. Expect English on Friday at 1330-1430 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KURDISTAN [non]. 11510, Dec 23 at 1440-1450+, wonderful Kurdish music and better reception than usual from Denge Kurdistan, presumably via PRIDNESTROVYE. Marred, however, by IADs averaging maybe 4 per minute at very irregular intervals. Why don`t BRB fix that? 11510, Dec 26 at 1420-1433, Denge Kurdistan with vocal music more lo- key than usual. This is around the peak time for it, always dropping off after 1500, presumably via PRIDNESTROVYE. I am wondering if we are getting this long-path, as there isn`t much else from Europe on 25m at this time (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KUWAIT [and non]. 9750, Dec 23 at 1351, Qur`an with poor signal, surely can only be R. Kuwait. 21540, Dec 23 at 1412, usual mix of R. Kuwait with Spain, but now with additional QRM: regular squishy pulses, 4 at a time, pause, repeated. This fades independently of the other two signals; not heard anywhere else on this or other bands (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KYRGYZSTAN. 4050.00, Kyrgyz Radio, Bishkek. 0208 December 14, 2012. Tentative. Big enough carrier but almost no audio, AM. If so, presumed the Radio Rossii feed of old (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, Pile of junk used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phase; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KYRGYZSTAN. 4795, KGR1, 1750, choral music with brief commentary by a man, // much stronger 4010. Plug pulled at 1800 without announcements. 24/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LAOS. Also of interest is that now that Shiokaze has today moved off 6135, it should make hearing Laos (LNR) on 6130 a bit easier during their English segment (1400-1430). Between a strong CNR1 on 6125 and Shiokaze being on 6135 (plus some days with heavy jamming), LNR had been very hard to hear in English (Ron Howard, California, Dec 26, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBYA. Note that coincidentally? All the logs of this we have are for same date, Dec 22, so is it really on air every day? (gh, DXLD) 11600, R. Libya (tentative), Sabrata, Arabic, 22/12 1645. OM/YL: talk de estúdio e externo, música instrumental. O WRTH 2013 informa a existência de uma transmissão diária oriunda de Sabrata LBY em AA das 1500-2000 UT, única frequência da emissora aplicada em OC. Às 1657: boletim de nx por OM, 25222. Rx: Sony ICF2001D. Ant.: Horizontal 20m + RGP3 OC + Amplif. RF DXCB V1 (Rudolf Grimm, SWL, São Bernardo SP, BRASIL, http://dxways-br.blogspot.com DX Clube do Brasil http://www.ondascurtas.com radioescutas yg via DXLD) 11600, Radio Libye, 1656 Arabic, 1658 and 1700 IDs and announcements. Poor Dec 22 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and the Sony AN1 active antenna on the roof, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11600 22/Dec Libya, R Libye in Arabic. OM with ID, he cites Africa and Europe. At 1700 ID “Radio Libye”, then Yl talk. As always low modulation. 35432 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana - BA, Brasil, Degen 1103, 16 meter dipole antenna E/W, http://www.ipernity.com/doc/75006 dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11600, Radio Libya, 1849, very good with Arabic discussion between two men. 22/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, Partial list of equipment: FT- 950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADAGASCAR. 6135.00, Radio Madagasikara (tentative), 1445-1503*, Dec 26. Heard with hum; seemed to be them, as nothing on 6135.18; some music, but weak signal and QRM from 6140. Thanks to Martien Groot (Netherlands) who recently observed they are not consistently on this exact frequency, but also use 6135.18. Thanks also to Wolfy’s for his comments: “Ron, I guess, they have at least two different hardware units, one at rather even xxx.00 and the other always odd frequency, like on former 7105 kHz in past decade too. One is the former 20 kW RIZ Zagreb / Siemens Vienna unit, which was used at SFB program at Radio Bremen Germany 6190 site, and shifted to southern Germany at SWF Rohrdorf site on 7265 kHz in mid 90ties. And later in 2005 TX donated from SWR Germany Rohrdorf via Radio Netherlands Third Environmental Aid to domestic service in Madagascar. 73 wolfy” (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADEIRA. [re 12-50:] "Panadería" ?! Our Castilian speaking (and sometimes other foreign DXers too) reporters do tend to use Castilian words when reporting. This is merely one of the latest mistakes I could read; it's common to read reports on Brazilian stations where time announcements include non-Portuguese words, like numbers and "y". By the way, PEF does relay R. Renascença, viz. their "RFM" channel. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAYSIA. R Malaysia has issued a new QSL-card. I received this from Kajang within a few days on 9835 and 11665 from Mr. Othman Bin Md. Said, Timbalan Pengarah Teknikal Rangkaian, Seksyen Teknikal Rangkaian (Kajang), Jabatan Penyiaran Malaysia (T. R. Rajeesh, Thrissur, Kerala, India, Dec 23, DSWCI DX Window Dec 26 via DXLD) ** MALI. Domenica 23 dicembre 2012, 0822 - 9635 kHz, RD MALIENNE - Kati, Francese o vernacolo, parlato OM. Solita modulazione debole. Segnale sufficiente, QRM DRM 9630 (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ORTM, 5995 kHz at 2330 Dec 24 --- ORTM Mali, 5995 kHz is coming in at 44433 right now on 5995 with African music and a full station ID on the half hour. I heard some French and other languages I could not ID (Al Muick, Whitehall PA USA, Microtelecom Perseus / Wellbrook ALA1530P, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 540, Dec 25 at 0611 UT, convenient ID at tune in for ``La Ranchera de Paquimé``, i.e. XETX, 5 kW at Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, as heard a few times before. Is dominating frequency, making one wonder what has become of 150 kW XEWA San Luís Potosí? This non-direxional behemoth really isn`t getting out, so I suspect it`s on much reduced power or some other problem. I remember visiting their huge single tower many years ago with the spark gap at the base. 540, Dec 26 at 0627 UT tune-in, once again ID without even trying from La Ranchera de Paquimé, Chihuahua, also mentioning FM 90.7, and XETX is dominating the frequency; where`s XEWA? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 1650 MW, XEARZ, Zer Radio, Mexico DF, 0705-0740, Dec 12, lots of instrumental music and Spanish ID at 0733: "XEARZ AM Zer Radio 1650 kilohertz, cinco mil watts de potencia, transmitiendo desde la ciudad de Mexico, Zer Radio 1650. Es una emisora de Grupo Radiofónica Zer, Zer Radio 1650 ", 34333 (Max van Arnhem, Hoenderloo, The Netherlands, DSWCI DX Window Dec 26 via DXLD) ** MEXICO [and non]. 6185, Dec 24 at 2136 `Concierto de Aranjuez` on guitar and horns, with fast SAH. Can`t see how it could be anything other than XEPPM on the air much earlier than usual, perhaps for Xmas eve only, mixing with the only thing in HFCC on 6185 at this hour, CRI Arabic via Albania. Radio Educación is typically off-frequency like this causing the SAH with whatever else (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6185, Radio Educación, México D. F., 0530-0546, 25-12, Latin American songs, male, Spanish: "El mundo de la música", "Les agradecemos su sintonía", "Somos Radio Educación onda corta, 6185 kHz.". 34333 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Sony ICF SW 7600 G, cable antenna, 10 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Channel A2 NTSC, Dec 24 at 1436 UT, signal fades in with antenna south, video only, but surely Mexico, with Spanish lettering, large letters E and N in blox, maybe a news promo? Gone again in less than a minute, but apparently sporadic E, despite no significant activity on the 6 m ham DX maps. Channel A2 NTSC, Dec 25 at 0027 UT, sporadic E signal fades in with someone holding a hand-printed sign saying ``Texas Loves Y`all``, but I am not going to assume it`s XHRIO on the border; then ``Primer / Impacto`` bug on two lines in lower left, same news show as seen in USA on Univisión. Audio doesn`t match, coming from some other station. Another fade in an hour later at 0127 still has Primer Impacto bug, which originates with Televisa net-2, and the bug in upper right looks like tele/ver in two lines, i.e. Veracruz, XHFM. Wasted a lot of time trying to get program schedule at TeleVer website; and TV Guide listings for Veracruz are only for the cable system. On-air channels are converted to the 200s, and no match there either. Channel A2 NTSC, Dec 25 at 1820 UT, something fades in by sporadic E with antenna south, guy in black cowboy hat; then I can make out a circular bug in the UR containing +v which is Mas TV = XEWO in Guadalajara. Soon out and nothing more for 2+ hours (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MICRONESIA. 4755.44 tentative, Pohnpei, The Cross Radio 1015 to 1040; recheck 1150 vocalist, comments 18 Dec.; similar 19 Dec. and 22 Dec. Was much stronger two months ago (Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, and XM, Cedar Key, South Florida, NRD 525D, R8A, E-5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4755.48, PMA-The Cross Radio. Dec 25 with special extended broadcast for Christmas; heard as late as 1503 with contemporary Christian songs; poor (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MOROCCO [and non]. I was checking Medi 1 on 9579 at 2213, and I realized it has been a couple of days since the terrible interference from Africa No. 1 on 9580 stopped. Now Medi 1 is in the clear. Do you know where ANO went? Anyways, Medi 1 was playing an Arabic news programme, followed by an ad in French and a live version of "This Time I Know It's For Real" by Donna Summer, another French ad for an Elvis Presley greatest hits compilation, and then "Running With The Night" by Lionel Richie. SINPO 34323 (Eduardo Peralta, Argentina, Dec 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Eduardo, since then I have heard the het again, at times, so Gabon is presumably on the air part of the time? Best wishes, (Glenn to Eduardo, Dec 24, via DXLD) Indeed, Glenn, today I tuned to 9579 around 2100 UT and I found nothing but a deafening het with some barely audible Arabic music over it. Oh well! (Eduardo Peralta, Dec 25, ibid.) [and non]. 9579, Dec 22 at 0635, weak het with 9580, so apparently both Africa No. Un, GABON, and Médi Un, are on with the usual clash. Gabon had been missing at various previous chex. Aoki and HFCC show the only other station on 9580 during this hour is Lhasa, Tibet, but I don`t recall ever seeing it reported (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MYANMAR [non log]. 7110, Thazin Radio was silent on Dec 25 during checks made between 1405 to 1500. 7110, Thazin Radio off the air Dec 26 during checks made between 1236 to 1419; also off yesterday (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. The Mighty KBC: Huge signal on 21600 --- This has to be the cleanest signal I’ve picked up from anywhere in a long time. The Mighty KBC, 21600 *1501+. Very strong open carrier from about *1501; M DJ talk from about 1502; “Where Did Our Love Go” by the Supremes; then same M with “Mighty KBC” ID; brief talk; into Jackson Browne song, “Somebody’s Baby”. Did I mention a “mighty” signal? J (Larry Cunningham, Gahanna, OH, 1508 UT Dec 22, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dear Listeners: I am getting a HUGE Big Signal from The Mighty KBC relay transmission at 1518 UT on 21600, variable DB's strength on the S Meter which reads in decibels rather than 5 segment LED's. After Commercial and ID with a Drake-like drumroll in background it was back to more music. Hope to verify from them soon. 73's, (Noble West, Clinton TN, Tecsun PL380 DSP with Built In Whip Antenna fully extended, Dec 22, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) It's also audible here on 21600 in the NW of England, but at only poor to fair strength. Also a lot of fading from zero to about S4 on the meter, plus a distinct "echo" (Noel R. Green, 1530 ut, ibid.) Very strong signal here from Mighty KBC this afternoon from 1500 on 9835 kHz, also audible but much weaker on parallel 15470 and 21600 kHz. This transmission is on the air at 1500-1600 UTC on 22, 23, 25 and 26 December: 9835 to Europe 15470 to Asia/Australia 21600 to N America KBC is also strong at this time on 6095 via Wertachtal with its regular weekend broadcast 0900-1600. Schedule & station details at http://www.kbcradio.eu 73s (Dave Kenny, Caversham Berks, AOR7030 + 25m long wire. 1537 UT, BDXC yg via DXLD) Mighty KBC 21600 received well here in Central CT, USA, 1534-1536 UT. Just a quick check as batteries are on reserve. "Tears in my beers" finishing up, then DJ into "This is Roscoe". 5-5-5-4-5 SINPO with some mild fast fades 2 seconds per cycle. Quite listenable here. Radio: Tecsun PL-210 barefootuding DX switch for max. signal which pegged the simple bar-meter. Worth a tune-in IMHO. I'll try for this with the $10 Tecsun R-911, that does reliably catch R. Australia here (Paul S. in CT, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 21600 From Wertachtal site? Trucker radio, KBC, at 1535 UT S=9+25dB observed in North America, adverts for hyphone.nl office. Re Larry`s comment: "This has to be the cleanest signal I’ve picked up from anywhere in a long time..." Yes indeed, very, very excellent audio and powerful signal. But backlobe of the Asian target signal on 15470 kHz was only S=6-7 in state NY, Quebec, Ottawa; also 9835 kHz non-dir signal to Europe only S=6-7 in NY state, Austria and Italy, but a little stronger in northern Europe like at Finland, Flensburg Germany on Danish border S=9+10, and England S=8-9. Negative in East Asia and Australia, rather not readable on remote net units, on all 3 channels today. vy73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) 21600, 22/Dec 1543, Mighty KBC. Country music. As 1544 OM talk, then YL talk. At 1545 ID by OM. At 1548 more pop music. Very weak signal with some peaks of improved of propagation. At 1600, no more signal here in Feira de Santana, Brazil 73 (Jorge Freitas, dxldyg via DXLD) Only 6095 kHz is audible here in Copenhagen with a S9+30dB signal. Chuck Berry right now with 'Sweet little rock 'n' roller'. 73, (Erik Koie, 1555 UT, ibid.) They were on 21600 from 1500Z to 1600Z. Very strong and great sounding signal into Minneapolis, MN (Greg, ibid.) I double-checked them at 1602 UT with both the PL-210 and R-911 radios, and the audio at least was absent. As I write this I can't remember if the carrier was pegging the needle or not (Paul S. in CT, ibid.) 9835/15470/21600, The Mighty KBC, 1501-1559* 22 Dec. Special holiday broadcast to Europe (31M), Oz/NZ (19M), and NAm (13M). Not sure of the xmtr site, but looking at the xmtr photos on the KBC website, I'd bet on Wertachtal. Best on 19M at opening, then 13/19M about equal by the end of the BC. 31M 'way in the background of Sarawak FM at 1501 with fade-out around 1530. Still happy to hear the Eu frequency at all, since Sarawak thumps in here daily. Mix of DJs (Eric van Willegen, Emperor Rosko, Dave Mason, Ron O'Quinn, Tim Denis, and Stan Campbell), pop/oldies from Elvis and Alison Krauss to Queen and Hank Williams (OK, a little old school CandW, too), ads for KBC Imports, HiFun.nl, and DIY/plastics gear company whose name i couldn't quite get and can't find on Google. Lots of nice KBC jingles/IDs, requests for emails, Facebook looks, and if you've an i-Phone, there's a truckeradio app. available. Eric closed the BC with ID/freq. and "A La Turka" [sic] by Ekseption. A good job done by all and looking forward to the BCs on 23, 25, 26 Dec. And 23 Dec *1500-1559*, Today, 21600 barely breaks the noise level, 15470 quite good and 9835 still sneaking thru Sarawak FM (only when Sarawak isn't playing music). Dunno what happened to 21 MHz propagation here, but hope it's temporary (Dan Sheedy, Moonlight Beach CA, PL600 + 4m X-wire, via Bob Wilkner, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 21600, Dec 22 at 1540, KBC Radio special, tnx to reminder from Larry Cunningham. VG signal, stronger than Spain 21610 or WHRI 21630. But there is some regular fading, hinting at a SAH, but no other modulation. Site surely Wertachtal, GERMANY, but are they running two transmitters instead of one? Could and/or be Nauen. Country music, outro as Allison Krauss (sp?), ``country music classic, for truckers all over the world``; then ``Six Days on the Road``. Also very poor on // 15470, and JBA carrier on 9835, the two other frequencies listed. Apparently live DJs with American accents remark, ``Trucker radio on KBC, not KFC,`` expecting to be asked back. 1544 ad with British accent for I-phone.nl, sounds like, until spelt as hifun.nl, then KBC Radio singing ID; 1545 promo by Bob for his `On the Road` show at 10-noon CET weekdays, for Belgian truckers; on ``shortwave AM 60-95, transportradio.nl`` plus E- and P-mail addresses. 1548 another song, and more; 1557 wrapping up till tomorrow and off at 1559*. I then check the website and find this from the KBC Forum dated way back on Nov 16, 2012: http://www.kbcradio.eu/forumwp/?p=1641 ``December 2012: The Mighty KBC Blasting Out Of Your Tranny!! The extra frequencies and transmitters for 22, 23, 25 and 26 December are: EU (German time) UT +1 9835 kHz, 1500-1600 UT, Non Directional, 125 kW USA (East Coast time) UT -5 21600 kHz, 1500-1600 UT, 300 , 250 kW Asia (Vietnam time) UT +7 / Australia (Sydney time) UT +11 15470 kHz, 1500-1600 UT, 75 , 250 kW And on 22, 23 December we also have our 6095 transmitter on the air as well with 100 kW 0900–1600 UT. During weekdays we also have The Mighty 6095 on the air between 0900– 1100 UT with 100 kW. And on December 23 we also use 9450 kHz from Bulgaria beamed to the USA, Canada and South America between 0000–0200 with 100 kW`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 21600, Dec 23 at 1502, The Mighty KBC, via Wertachtal, GERMANY, another special one-hour broadcast with rock music, jingles, 1510 ad for a world receiver from KBC with phone numbers in Netherlands. 1511 ID, Motown Sound. VG signal, 1549 check fading a bit. There are to be two more of these, Dec 25 and 26, but not on December 24. This demonstrates what could be accomplished if there were a single national broadcaster left in Europe interested in shortwaving to North America in our mornings. Instead, we get a commercial station with rock music which is hardly in short supply here, but appreciate it nonetheless (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Another huge signal from The Mighty KBC --- On 21600, blasting in once again here in Central Ohio. Open carrier from *1459:30, then at 1500 opening ID, list of upcoming programs, and details of current broadcast by M DJ. At 1503, into pop music. Some slow fading, but overall an excellent signal (Larry Cunningham, OH, 1505 UT Dec 23, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Larry: You're right! I was checking 13 meters and thanks to your tip, I intuned just when they were playing "Say You Love Me" by Fleetwood Mac at 1512 or so UT and they are inbooming using the supplied wire antenna with my new reciever, the Tecsun PL380 DSP. There was an ID after, followed by an ad for a Kaito KA1102 receiver (Kaito handles sales for Tecsun and Amazon sells them online). They mentioned KBC Imports with slogan "We Want What You Want". I visited their site per suggestion by GH and others and interesting layout. The signal on the DBu was excellent to fair at around 70, The S/N Ratio was a 45 or greater. This was during the Fleetwood Mac song then started to drift slightly but stayed strong during the session. A great weekend to catch The Mighty KBC. The 21 MHz signal by far is better than the one from Bulgaria in the Mornings UT. Have a great DXing adventure and 73's from the Volunteer State! (Noble West, Clinton TN, Tecsun PL380 DSP with Tecsun AN 07, longwire attached to indoor curtain rod and clipped to whip of receiver, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I see again S=9+30db on remote unit in Georgia at 1535 UT, but only S=6 in CA and BC-CAN. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 23, ibid.) 2 Questions about The Mighty KBC 1.) What transmitter are they using for the 21.600 broadcast? One of their own? Or leased transmitter from someone else? They are booming into Boston. 2.) Will they QSL with a card? (Lou Gawab, ibid.) According to Eric of the Mighty KBC, 21600 kHz is via Wertachtal, Germany. Yes, they will QSL. See the info at http://www.kbcradio.eu/ 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, ibid.) The website shows Azimuth 300 with a power of 250 kW on 21600. BOOM is an understatement. It`s their own from Wertachtal. Cheers! (Paul S. in CT, ibid.) No, it is *not* their own --- Wertachtal belongs to M&B from which the time has been leased (gh, DXLD) The Mighty KBC is currently heard today 23 Dec on 9835 at 1540 tune- in with fair signal strength amid a lot of background noise (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, ibid.) E-QSL received from The Mighty KBC in 14 minutes (!) detailing that the transmission was 125 kW from Wertachtal (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, 1621 UT, ibid.) Alan: Mine was confirmed at 1621 UT for 21600! Best DX and 73's to you sir! And well done! (Noble West, TN, ibid.) 15470, 23/Dec 1534, KBC Mighty in English. Pop music. Weak signal with much fading. Clear modulation when in peak of propagation. At 1545 DJ talk, several jingles, then 1548 more rock music. At 1549 back OM talk, ID. No signal after 1600. No signal on 21600 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, ibid.) 9835 Transport radio KBC 1548/22-12 with many IDs and rock music . Signal of S9+20 Rechecked on 1700 but off http://zliangaslogs.blogspot.gr/2012/12/transport-radio-om-9835-on-2212.html (Zachrias Liangas, Greece, 1716 UT Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Did he really mean Dec 23 or post this 25.5 hours later after Dec 22? (gh) Very strong signal. Booming in. The Mighty KBC on 21600 kHz via Wertachtal, Germany December 23, 2012 1500-1559 UT. DJs with an 8 minute segment of talk and songs. DJs included Ron O'Quinn, Dave Mason, Paul Graham, Emperor Rosko, Stan Campbell and Tim Denis and Eric van Willegen. SIO 555 Nice to hearing all of the DJs. 73, (Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, Manassas, Virginia, ibid.) E-QSL from KBC radio received --- Early today 1000 UT / 0500 EST my E- QSL was delivered. A very nice E-card and attest for my RX on 22/12/12, also with a follow up email. Again a big thanks to all those folks that made this possible. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year filled with peace and joy (Paul S. in CT, Dec 24, ibid.) The Mighty KBC is blasting into southwest Florida this morning at 1500 as scheduled on 21600 very good // 15470 fair to poor. Opened show with Boogie Nights, ID by Ron O'Quinn, then "Lean on Me." Nice to hear someone who has not given up on shortwave! (gobuxfla, Dec 25, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 21600, Dec 26 a few sex before 1500, strong carrier comes on but not in time for the beginning of The Mighty KBC special, joined in progress about a semiminute later. Announces frequencies as 9835 non- direxional 125 kW; to Canada, S America, USA, 21600 direxional with 250 kW; and to Asia and Australia 15470, direxional 250. Also this hour to be repeated at 16-17 in DRM on 9755 via Bulgaria on a curtain antenna with 100 kW. ``The Mighty KBC goes global``, several jingles. Checked 15470 and found it weaker but sufficient, an improvement over a biday ago. 1510, Ron O`Quinn segment from rewindron@gmail.com. Seems several different DJs get brief segments on this show: 1520, ``Greatest Memories of All Time``, a ``miniature 8-minute show``, including at 1524 an ``archive commercial`` for 7-Up. Other commercials were genuine for KBC import products. 1533 Emperor Rosko; 1545 promo for DJ Bob`s 9-11 am CET show. Off at 1559*. One more of these specials is scheduled for Boxing Day. These DJs seem to favour rock music of the 60s, a rather narrow speciality (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 21600, Dec 26 at 1459, strong carrier is on soon enough that The Mighty KBC sign-on at 1500 is not upcut today. Names 7 DJs to be heard during the hour, 8 minutes each; usual rock music of the 60s. At 1532, The Emperor Rosko is signing off. 1537 ad for CB radios for European truckers. Very good until 1559*. It`s the last of this series of special broadcasts to North America, but I expect there will be more. A lot better here via Wertachtal, GERMANY, than the weekly 00-02 UT Sunday via Bulgaria on 9450 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW CALEDONIA. 666, RNC, 1050, presume the one, weakly under 2CN Canberra (and in full null of 4LM), with French discussion. Surprisingly difficult catch from my QTH. 14/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. V. of Nigeria: Getting some good signal right now on 7255 at 2230 UT with what seems to be a discussion between two men, interspersed with some African pop music. Supposedly, this is Ikorudu with 250 kW. Listed as a Hausa program. Voice of Russia is clobbering them from 7250 (Al Muick, Whitehall PA USA, Microtelecom Perseus / Wellbrook ALA1530P loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks, Al. Very strong in Victoria, BC, but with a moderate buzz and muddy audio. Too bad! (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, 2258 UT, ibid.) ** NORTH AMERICA. --- Pirates: 1710, The Midnight Man; 2309-2315+, 17- Dec; Midnight Man playing oldies; pro oldies spot. Very good peaks to zilch; Gave way to NJ EAR station at 2315 -- possibly still there but weak (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) ** NORTH AMERICA. XFM: 6945/AM, 0150-0211+, 16-Dec; Show #6; XFM is on the air, Greetings to people of Earth; commentary on U.S. weather; said every teacher should have a 45 in their desk; generally weird music, plus tribute to Dave Brubeck opening with Take Five, then a disco tune. Music to the Power of X. SIO=3+43+ with one pulse 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) QSLs: Received an awesome box of schwag from X-FM shortwave after providing reception reports/recordings of their c-quam stereo shortwave broadcasts. Audio CD containing station info and select X-FM music along with a very nice Under Armor brand embroidered "X-FM Stereo Shortwave" hoodie sweatshirt. Also included was a large 8-1/2 x 11 paper QSL for a July 23rd stereo broadcast with hand-written personal message from Redhat. Very nice! (Tim Tromp, Muskegon MI, MARE Tipsheet Dec 21 via DXLD) ** NORWAY. Røst 675 kHz will go silent --- NRK (Norkring) will shut down the medium wave-transmitter in Røst on 675 kHz, 31.12.2012. Probably it will not restarted again in the future. Now only Ingøy on 153 kHz and Svalbard (Longyearbyen) will be left on 1485 kHz. 73's de (Chris Stödberg, SM6VPU, Dec 25, mwmasts yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) ** NORWAY. Radio Northern Star, 1314 kHz broadcasts AM-broadcasts from Bergen Kringkaster(Bergen Broadcasting) LKB/LLE 1314 KHz AM Medium Wave http://www.bergenkringkaster.no/ Reception reports as sound files in mp3 to styret@bergenkringkaster.no Planned schedule: Saturday December 22nd 0730-1000 GMT Wednesday December 26th 1500-1630 GMT Saturday December 29th 0730-1000 GMT The schedule is also published in the activity calendar on http://www.la1ask.no/ Good listening, Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year! ------ LKB/LLE 1314 kHz AM Mellombølge AM-sendinger fra Bergen Kringkaster. http://www.bergenkringkaster.no/ Lytterapporter som lydfiler i mp3 til styret@bergenkringkaster.no Planlagte sendetider : 22.12.12 (Lørdag) 0730-1000 GMT 26.12.12 (Onsdag) 1500-1630 GMT 29.12.12 (Lørdag) 0730-1000 GMT Sendetidene publiseres også i aktivitetskalenderen på websiden http://www.la1ask.no/ På gjenhør, God Jul, og Godt Nytt År! Northern Star Media and Radio Northern Star send their best wishes for: Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year! Prettige Kerstdagen en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! Gledelig Jul og Godt Nytt År! Svenn Martinsen *Northern Star Media *Radio Northern Star/Radio Nordstjernen We play your Favourites, Flips and Flops! Rarities, too! Stay with The Northern Star - The Worldwide Norwegian! Http://www.northernstar.no *"The Radio Priest"/"Radiopresten” *Broadcast Coordinator Bergen Kringkaster LKB/LLE AM 1314 kHz Address: PO Box 100, N5331 RONG, NORWAY (Svenn Martinsen, Norway, Dec 21-22, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. WKY`s correspondence file at FCC includes this from May 22, 2012, expiring 6 months later, authorizing extending the FCC at that time: http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=34004 And there are also previous letters in the correspondence file. This shows authorized N/D night power of 1.25 kW, not 1 kW. Dear Counsel: ENGINEER: CHARLES N. (NORM) MILLER TELEPHONE: (202) 418-2767 FACSIMILE: (202) 418-1410 E-MAIL: charles.miller@fcc.gov May 22, 2012 Re: Radio License Holding CBC, LLC WKY (AM), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Facility Identification Number: 23418 Special Temporary Authority This is in reference to the request filed April 12, 2012, on behalf of Radio License Holding CBC, LLC ("CBC"). CBC requests further extension of the special temporary authority ("STA") granted on January 25, 2011, to operate Station WKY with an emergency nondirectional antenna and reduced power.' In support of the request, CBC provides a report of its progress toward restoring licensed operation. Requests for extension of STA will be granted only where the licensee can show that one or more of the following criteria have been met: • Restoration of licensed facilities is complete and testing is underway; Substantial progress has been made during the most recent STA period toward restoration of licensed operation; or No progress has been made during the most recent STA period for reasons clearly beyond the licensee's control, and the licensee has taken all possible steps to expeditiously resolve the problem. Our review indicates that the licensee has made substantial progress toward restoring licensed operation. Thus, extension of STA is warranted. Accordingly, the request for extension of STA IS HEREBY GRANTED. Station WKY may continue to operate with an emergency nondirectional antenna and reduced power not to exceed S [sic, means 5] kW daytime and 1.25 kW nighttime, as necessary to facilitate the transmitter plant relocation and 'WKY is licensed for operation on 930 kHz with 5 kilowatts daytime and 5 kilowatts nighttime, employing a directional antenna during nighttime hours only (DA-N-U). (FCC via DXLD) 930, Dec 25 at 1400 UT, WKY OKC is in dead air, allowing easy ID of KLUP (see USA). By 1416 has resumed modulation, but strange: Loop in English says ``Around the World`` over and over, and every minute there is a countdown in Spanish by a funny voice: 1417, ``comienza el show en 3 minutos``, then 2, then 1, then at 1420 a countdown by seconds from 10 to 1, ``La Indomable`` slogan and into Mexican music. Same thing was on 1020 Nebraska: see U S A (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 1020, Dec 25 at 1420 UT, KOKP Perry is in open carrier/dead air. This often happens but no doubt the holiday made it more likely. Facilitated hearing KMMQ, Nebraska, see U S A. 1580, Dec 25 at 1432 UT, KOKB Blackwell is in open carrier/dead air like sibling station KOKP 1020, facilitating audibility of some other US stations, q.v. (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 1120, Dec 24 at 0603 UT, KMOX has a SAH but no music audible even with KMOX nulled. Believe daytimer KEOR Sperry / Catoosa / Tulsa is still transmitting, but not modulating at night. At 1448 still usual SAH with remnant of KMOX, and weak Spanish music audible. I`m surprised how few DXers outside OK have reported KEOR when it was 24/7, and may be again. 1120, Dec 25 at 1452 UT, carrier is cutting off and on, could it be yet another big station with big problems, KMOX? Finally decide it`s just KEOR, as Spanish music is OK for a bit from its direxion; 1458 carrier breaking up less than before, but 1459 total breakup. 1120, Dec 26 at 0623 UT, KMOX has a 3 Hz SAH from KEOR open carrier, daytimer in Sperry which has been transmitting nonstop for weeks, with Mexican music, sometimes also modulating at night, never with any announcements, let alone IDs. Still hearing it in the daytime too without KMOX (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 1170, Dec 25 at 1429 UT, KFAQ Tulsa transmitter is extremely out of order, cutting on and off the air rapidly many times per second, maybe 20, causing total breakup of modulation too during Xmas carol, ``We Three Kings`` --- yes, it`s Mannheim Steamroller again with `An American Xmas` show as already heard on WIBW, KKOB and KFAB. Breakup continues during a flooring ad. Recheck at 1438 now KFAQ is OK. 1170, Dec 26 at 1410 UT as I tune by KFAQ, talkhost is apologizing for ``signal less than desired in the past hour, but OK now``. Was not listening then, but it was also ``less than desired`` 24 hours earlier as I reported (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) KSL --- Glenn, Probably not news to you, but KFAQ 1170 seems to be DOA and it's allowing KSL 1160 to be booming in to SW OK from SLC, Utah. Nice change of pace. 73, (Jeramy W5XTL Ross, W5XTL, 0143 UT Dec 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Jeramy, You mean KFAQ off the air completely? It`s on at 8:20 pm. They have been having transmitter problems, as I reported the past two mornings. Never has been an obstacle to KSL here (Glenn Hauser, Enid, to Jeramy, via DXLD) Yes, it was off the air completely from first check at around 7:30 pm. No sign of it, and some low level Spanish programming was coming through periodically. Not sure when they came back on as I was off to HF soon after emailing you. I was checking out an older boatanchor of questionable alignment at the time, but did confirm it by pulling the Drake off of HF duty and checked across each of my antennas here. Regarding KSL vs KFAQ, my R-366 has been down for repairs and awaiting parts for quite a while and that was what I used for MW band cruising, if I felt like cruising MW; which isn't very often since I like avoiding the various flavors of hate, er, talk radio, sports talk, etc. MW happiness for me, for quite a while, hasn't centered around DX, but more on finding Coast to Coast AM and drifting off to sleep, and any of the less than selective rigs here do that quite well, but probably explain my having KFAQ cover up KSL. :) (Jeramy, ibid.) ** OKLAHOMA. 1520, KOKC Oklahoma City, 1038, fair with 1521 2QN nulled, two men talking about high taxes and referencing a local income tax for New York City. Sounded like it may have been a Fox Radio Network show. Fair on peaks. 8/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 89.5, Dec 23 around 0030 UT, the Singing Xmas Trees are at it again with a few secular Xmas songs same as last year from the oil well lot at West Oak & Oakwood in Enid. The well pumps away quietly to the side. 99.9, Dec 23 around 0115 UT, the home on Pheasant Run on the west side of Enid is again running Xmas music and light show; maybe some different tunes, including soul renditions, but did not stay for the whole 35-minute cycle. As before, range of this transmitter is less than 89.5, but plenty if you are parked across the street to watch it (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OMAN. Video of BBC Maisrah relay: see U K [non] ** PAKISTAN. PAKISTAN, JAPAN SIGN AGREEMENT FOR REHABILITATION OF MW BROADCASTING NETWORK OF PBC The Frontier Post, Islamabad, December 21, 2012 http://www.thefrontierpost.com/news/14688/ The agreement was signed by Secretary Economic Affairs Division Javed Iqbal and Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Hiroshi Oe in Islamabad. Director General Radio Pakistan Murtaza Solangi was also present on the occasion. Under the agreement‚ Japan would provide Grant Aid worth about 1.56 billion rupees for the replacement of Radio Pakistan's outlived one thousand kilowatt medium wave transmitter at Faqirabad with digital enabled five hundred kilowatt medium wave transmitter. It also envisages replacement of studio equipment installed in five studios and Master control room at the National Broadcasting House in Islamabad with the modern‚ state-of-the-art digital equipment. The total cost of the project is over one thousand six hundred forty four million rupees and it will be completed in about twenty months. Of the total cost‚ the Pakistan government would share eighty five point seven six one million rupees to meet local expenses. The new digital transmitter will provide day time coverage in a radius of four hundred kilometer including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa‚ FATA‚ Gilgit Baltistan and parts of Punjab‚ whereas the night time coverage will be approximately one thousand kilometer. On the occasion‚ both the countries also signed an agreement for the improvement of Child Health Institute in Karachi. Japan will provide 1.6 billion rupees for this project (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) WTFK? Per WRTH 2013 must be 585 kHz, but with only 500 kW (gh, DXLD) Islamabad 585 kHz 500/1000 kW, to be rebuilt in 2013. 33 50 10.54 N 72 29 22.76 E (Wolfgang Büschel, BCDX Dec 23 via DXLD) ** PALAU. 15680, 22/Dec 1620 Palau (Relay), T8WH, Beacon of Truth in English. OM with religious sermon. At 1629 ID, address by OM. At 1630 end of transmission. 25332 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana - BA, Brasil, Degen 1103, 16 meter dipole antenna, East/West, http://www.ipernity.com/doc/75006 dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also ITALY [non] [WORLD OF RADIO 1649] ** PANAMA. 840, R. Nacional, 1056, weak with Spanish talk, clear mentions of "Panamá" but no clear ID (or maybe the reference was a partial ID). No sign of cochannel (and sometimes heard) KXNT [Nevada]. 8/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3365, NBC Milne Bay (presumed). Dec 24 running well past their usual sign off time of shortly after 1400; still heard at 1519 playing variety of songs (Christmas, etc.); poor. Did not find any other PNG with this extended schedule (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3385, NBC East New Britain, 1230-1325, Dec 20. Enjoyable reception without the heavy QRN of summertime; in English and Tok Pisin; pop western songs and Pacific Island songs; “News Roundup” (item about budget for New Ireland, etc.); promo and ads; better than usual. News Roundup // 3905 (NBC New Ireland) and 3365 (NBC Milne Bay). https://www.box.com/s/3g2vi3axjiej853k4t5o contains MP3 recording of portions of today’s reception. 3385, NBC East New Britain. Dec 26 found off the air at 1236, but heard at 1325 in Tok Pisin; special announcement for an “urgent board meeting tomorrow at 9 in the morning”; Christian religious song in English; 1329 repeat of the same message; sign off announcement with FM/SW frequencies and program schedule; National Anthem (instrumental); 1334*. For years this station was notorious for suddenly going off the air in mid-sentence or mid-song, as if the transmitter was on a timer to shut down at a specific time every day. So today’s formal sign off announcement was very interesting to hear (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) On 3385 I am getting snatches of modulation, audio. Some music. This at 1235 UTC on 27 December. This could be Radio east New Britain. Carrier still there at 1239 (Al Muick, Whitehall PA USA, Microtelecom Perseus / Wellbrook ALA1530P, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3905, Radio New Ireland, 1025, good with lengthy political discussion by a man and local references. Strong carrier but low modulation. 17/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3905, NBC New Ireland, 1356-1405*, Dec 20. Still routinely on the air; in Tok Pisin; pop songs; ID at 1401 “N-B-C New Ireland”; children singing anthem before sign off; poor (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3905, NBC New Ireland, 1357-1406*, Dec 26. Nice to daily find this on the air; in Tok Pisin; pop songs; 1404 children singing anthem before sign off; poor (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 7324.95, Wantok Radio Light (presumed). Seemed to be them playing religious sounding songs on Dec 26 from 1423 till covered by start of China’s open carrier at 1428. So they still have this half hour window of possible clear reception (1400-1430) (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 3329.5, Perú, Ondas del Huallaga, Huánuco, 1007 to 1030 usual om and music 21 Dec, difficult signal. IF notch on 746 Pro, Best in LSB when CHU not dominant. Similar logs 22, 23 same time; 1020 to 1100 lively music, om 24 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8; and XM, Cedar Key, South Florida, NRD 525D, R8A, E-5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4747.07, Huanta Dos Mil, 1007, presumed with huaynos, best in LSB to avoid 4750 slop. 12/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) from RRI? ** PERU. 4790, Dec 23 at 0200, choral music, very poor with lo het and CODAR QRM. Presumed R. Visión; no other broadcasters known on 4790. Listed as only 500 watts, like some other Peruvians on 60m which have better signals (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU [and non]. CHILDHOOD SPENT IN THE JUNGLE SPURS MAN TO PURSUE ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY David Russell and his older sister, Lois, play with an Amahuaca bow and arrow near their jungle home in 1963. [caption] (Dec. 21, 2012 - by Harold Goerzen) With a remote corner of the Amazon rainforest as his playground, David Russell might surprise even himself at the role technology has played in his life and career as a missionary. Growing up as the son of missionaries translating the Bible into the Amahuaca language, little Russell found the flora and fauna of the Peruvian jungle fascinating. . . http://www.hcjb.org/hcjb-global-news/technology-center/childhood-spent-in-the-jungle-spurs-man-to-pursue-engineering-and-technology.html (HCJB Press via DXLD) On to the Technology Center and Radio Logos (gh) ** PERU. 4810, Perú, Radio Logos, Chazuta, Tarapoto silent for last week; when operating LSB signal powerful 1000 to 1100. Has been observing a pattern of off, then back. A favorite for beautiful music (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8; and XM, Cedar Key, South Florida, NRD 525D, R8A, E-5, Dec 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST). ** PERU. 4824.46, LV de la Selva, 1015, weak with huaynos, then ads. 4835 (Alice Springs) being off tonight helps. 17/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4826.5, Perú, Radio Sicuani, Sicuani, Cusco, 2300 to 0000, excellent music 20 Dec. First Peru on in the local morning - 0930 is consistent (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8; and XM, Cedar Key, South Florida, NRD 525D, R8A, E-5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. COMENTARIO: Desde los primeros días de diciembre he venido monitoreando a radio JPJ para escuchar nuevamente sus transmisiones y hasta el momento al menos yo, no he captado señal alguna; he efectuado el seguimiento en la frecuencia anterior (3360, aunque ellos no deben salir por esa frecuencia, pues debe haber sido cancelada su licencia ante MTC para pasar a la nueva, teniendo en cuenta modificaciones en los equipos y antenas) y también en los 4880, en diferentes horas AM y PM, y no he logrado escucharla. Le he escrito al doctor Parra sobre el particular y hasta el momento no recibo repuesta alguna; he tratado de comunicarme telefónicamente con ellos y los teléfonos no responden. Debe habérsele presentado inconvenientes; ellos deben estar saliendo en los 4880 kHz de acuerdo a lo que indica la nueva licencia del MTC y se puede apreciar en las fotos algunos que la misma radio indica su nueva frecuencia. He estado revisando el WRTH y encuentro que en Brasil, Bolivia, y Colombia no hay ninguna estación en los 4880, lo que podría facilitar la escucha de esta estación. Casualmente hoy con el afán de escucharla, capte en los 3355 y 4885 las estaciones brasileras reportadas en este informe. Lamentablemente no he podido emitir este reporte antes por encontrarme en la ciudad de Piura durante los días 20 al 22 por motivos familiares. FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO AÑO 2013 a todos ustedes que día a día compartimos el DX latinoamericano. 73’s (Pedro F Arrunátegui, Lima, Perú, Dec 24, Chasqui DX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4939.98, Radio San Antonio, Villa Atalaya, Ucayali, all but certainly the LA station heard here, this precise frequency, the past three nights from around local sunset. Noted 12/20, 21, 22 in the 2314-2400+ time frame with a program of varied EZL music, including good assortment of U.S. Xmas carols (White Christmas, Little Drummer Boy, etc.). Also LA romantic ballads and some tropical rhythms. Usually brief announcement by OM after each song. Nice Peruvian folkloric riff heard at 0000 on first night, part of an apparent ID, which I couldn’t copy. Never a great signal, by any means. Nightly is weak at 2315 approx. tune-in but then fades up, to peak level plateau at only fair QSA. Noise doesn’t help. Reception best for me in ECSS-LSB, narrow bandpass and notch to massage the signal a bit. NOTE: Tnx to initial tip in Chasqui DX from LA DX Ace “Paco” PFA! Also, DX pal Thomas Nilsson in Sweden has just emailed me a clear San Antonio ID mp3 recorded by him at 2307 on 12/22 (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 5039.16, R. Libertad, 0955, news or similar by a man, music bridge, bothered by CODAR but fair. 12/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 5120.00, Radio Ondas del Suroriente, Quillabamba, heard every morning this past week, fair signal tho noisy bands, with variable, casual s/on in the 1045-1100 period. Initial programming is OM DJ nonstop talks in Spanish, with local 5 a.m. time-checks “la hora del Perú”. No anthem, canned eco ID, etc. Just the guy suddenly speaking. Open carrier initially being noted as early as 1043 on 12/20 and as late as 1053 on 12/18. Announcements seem to typically start around 1055 (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 5460.2, Perú, Radio Bolívar, Cd. Bolívar, 0000 to 0030 on 24 Dec. Usually signs on after 5580 Bolivia (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 5921.2, Perú, Radio Bethel, Arequipa 1100 to 1115 fair with OM 22 Dec. 2320 to 2300 lost on 22 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 6173.9, R. Tawantinsuyo, 1025, noted as massive het against 6175 and giving good copy in LSB with male announcer and huaynos. 12/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6173.94, Radio Tawantinsuyo, Cusco, decent signal 10/20 [sic, presumably means 12/20] at 1003 tune-in through 1030 tune-out. Usual morning regional and international sports (fútbol scores) program with local time-checks as “Las cinco de la mañana y 8 minutos . . . el primer programa del día de hoy . . .” Signal faded in better with time, peaking around 1020. “Las 5 de la mañana, las 5 y 20 minutos. Presentamos la radio . . . programa deportivo a través de todo el Perú . . . “ A few folkloric music bursts of 15 seconds or so, perhaps part of commercials (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. 9579.15, Philippines BS, 1935, noted as big het against nominal and partially readable in LSB with Filipino woman, into music. Cannot remember the last time I logged this. 21/12. 9580v, Have been trying for additional logs, after my suspected reception of Philippines BS a few days ago, without luck. This morning, after 1900, all I heard was Radio Australia [nominal] and Medi 1 on the lowside. There was another weak het mixing with all of this, also low side, but unlike my prior log, no audio could be pulled. A freq worth watching. 24/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES [non]. 15320, Dec 24 at 1503, good signal with some LP echo from R. Veritas Asia, indirectly via VATICAN back toward the ME, M&W announcers with ``programa bilingual``, seamlessly going back and forth between English and Filipino (Tagalog), from one phrase to the next, chatting and laughing about Xmas in a rather secular way, with musical background, 1512 finally just music, song in Filipino (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PORTUGAL. [re 12-50, DW Sines photos] The first URL, http://www.drmrx.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=73599&d=1354913613 has nothing to do with Sines; it's our own site, São Gabriel. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. [Re 12-50:] "9810, Dec 17 at 1355, RRI closing German hour with IDs, IS, but heavy CCCCCCI, as CNR Chinese, 150 kW, 155 degrees from Nanning site is also here per HFCC; any problem in Europe?" --- No. The Tiganeshti signal is so strong here that it overrides anything else. And while I checked this they rebroadcast an interview the German service of TRT had made with the head of their language service, talking about a survey from four years ago that showed not so much interest in online offerings amongst their regular audiences, having no data about a possible change in this regard since, believing that radio will stay as a medium but will have to redefine itself, also noting how the hopes for digital transmissions on shortwave have not fulfilled (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 23, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7300, Radio Romania Int’l, 1843 English, program looking at EU banking, announced title as “2012: A difficult year for the EU”, 1845 ID. Very good Dec 22 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and the Sony AN1 active antenna on the roof, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Romania International observed with fair signal at 2129 tune-in on 7380. News and current affairs mentioning news about Romanian life and various other issues with fair reception. Signal variable between 43 to 52 db's per meter. Transmitter cutting in and out during announcement of contest details giving email and postal addresses, still cutting off, then on, on this channel. (Fix this TX, Bucharest!) (Noble West, Clinton TN, Tecsun PL380 DSP with Supplied wire antenna, but using whip during this session, 12-23, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Intermodulations 7170 / 7410 kHz --- BC, possible Voice of Russia, on 7170 in A3E (AM). Dear fellow intruder busters, At 1905 UT I have stumbled over a BC on 7170 kHz. The program was in English language mentioning "Voice of Russia". I will listen tomorrow at the same time. Pse do the same! Have a nice festive season. Yours, (Uli Bihlmayer DJ9KR / DL0IW, Dec 22, INTRUDERALERT mailing list via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD Most likely a spurious mixture of the Moscow transmitter site on both fundamentals, 7330 and 7250 kHz from 19 to 21 UT only. 7330 1600-2100 27,28 MSK 250kW 275degr RUS VOR GFC English 7250 1900-2100 27,28 MSK 250 275 RUS VOR GFC Russian world service The Russian language spurious should be occur on symmetrical 7410 kHz, i.e. 7330 + 80 kHz on upper side wolfy df5sx (Büschel, via DXLD) 9865, HEAVY DISTORTED AUDIO on Voice of Russia's Spanish service via Samara Russia site. Requested for 23-02 UT with powerhouse 500 kW, but noted today on various remote posts in western Europe after 0000 UT on WIDE BAND BUZZ on 9845 to 9888 kHz, 20 kHz buzz each side (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 20/21, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Samara two spurious companions --- 15470 Powerful fine audio quality of this 250 kW unit aT Samara carrying Dari/PaShto service from Voice of Russia, requested 12-14 UT daily, noted at 1215 UT Dec 22 at S=9+30dB strength here in Germany. BUT same music program noted also on 5 narrow signal peaks visible on each sideband. Centered 15444.407 and 15495.601 kHz (Wolfgang Büschel, Stuttgart, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 22, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Well, wait another ten days, then the spurs will be gone, together with the fundamental. Or, rather, the fundamental be moved to another site. At least http://german.ruvr.ru/frequenzen/ still shows no further closures, beyond the already known cancellation of the mediumwave relay in Switzerland. But still it remains to be seen which possible results the cut of their budget will have. I suspect a massacre that just has not been announced yet (Kai Ludwig, Germany Dec 22, ibid.) [later:] BANG!!! Here is the massacre in its full brutality, posted just two days ago: http://german.ruvr.ru/radio_broadcast/4007478/98682087.html So for German all that will be left are the Zehlendorf transmitter on 693, at the usual times 0900-1200 and 1500-1900, and the DRM outlets 9625 0900-1200 plus 11635 0900-1000 only. (Yes, for 1500-1900 only 693 is announced anymore, as far as terrestrial transmitters are concerned.) This indicates that the 630, 1323 and 1431 transmitters at Königslutter/Scheppau, Themar/Wachenbrunn and Wilsdruff will be closed altogether (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 22, ibid.) 11895, Dec 23 at 1418, almost open carrier, with flutter, just-barely- modulated music. EiBi shows only V of Russia, Turkish at 14-16 via Saint Petersburg. Aoki agrees and adds 200 kW, 247 degrees. That azimuth must be a typo as HFCC has the more believable 147 degrees toward Turkey. But what about the lack of modulation?? The Popovka site has been mentioned as due for closure at yearend, along with Samara, and others? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Trans World Radio, India changes effective January 1st, 2013 : NVS 6115 1500 1530 41 250 1234567 URDU (ex SAM) NVS 7285 1600 1615 40 250 1234567 PASHTO (ex SAM) NVS 7285 1615 1630 40 250 23456 PASHTO (ex SAM) NVS 7285 1615 1630 40 250 7 DARI (ex SAM) Short wave broadcasts from Samara will stop on December 31st, 2012. Broadcasts at 1500-1530 on 6115 kHz and 1600-1630 on 7285 kHz will be broadcast on same frequencies from Novosibirsk from January 1st, 2013. Reports at : http://www.twr.in/technical_info.htm or info at twr dot in --- (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, Dec 21, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Is this indicative that ALL SW broadcasts from Samara are stopping, or just these? (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ALL. Regards (Alokesh Gupta, ibid.) ** RUSSIA. AKTUELL Rhein-Main-Radio-Club Zeitschrift für Rundfunkempfang, Kommunikation und neue Medien Jahrgang 38 Heft. 183 Nr. 6 - 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Länder & Sender * RUS - Russische Föderation Einschränkungen bei der Stimme Russlands Nach Angaben der Onlinezeitung lenta.ru stehen neben der Stimme Russlands, dem Moskauer Auslandshörfunk, auch die Nachrichtenagenturen RIA Nowosti und ITAR-TASS vor Kürzungen ihrer Budgets. Besonders drastisch sollen sie mit fast 31 Prozent bei ITAR-TASS ausfallen. Konkrete Zahlen für die Stimme Russlands nennt der Bericht nicht. In vollem Umfang befriedigt werden soll nach dem Willen von Präsident Putin hingegen der angemeldete Finanzbedarf des englischsprachigen Auslandsfernsehens Russia Today, der Rundfunkgesellschaft WGTRK und der regierungsamtlichen Rossijskaja Gaseta. Dieser beläuft sich bei der Rossijskaja Gaseta auf 4,9 Milliarden Rubel (ca. 120 Mio. €), bei Russia Today auf 11,2 Milliarden Rubel (ca. 280 Mio. €) und bei der WGTRK auf knapp 20 Milliarden Rubel (ca. 500 Mio. €). Im Falle der WGTRK bedeutet dies eine Erhöhung um fast neun Prozent. Wie es unterdessen aus der russischen Redaktion der Stimme Russlands hieß, sollen nach deren Informationen zwar 80 Prozent der Kurzwellenübertragungen des russischen Programms entfallen, dessen Verbreitung auf Mittelwelle hingegen unangetastet bleiben. Hierbei geht es neben den angemieteten Sendern in Deutschland (Königslutter 630 kHz, Zehlendorf 693 kHz, Wilsdruff 1431 kHz jeweils 05.00-09.00, 12.00-15.00 und 19.00-23.00 Uhr; Wachenbrunn 1323 kHz nur 12.00-15.00 Uhr) auch um Sender im Gebiet Kaliningrad (auf 1143 kHz 15.00-17.00 und 18.00-21.00 Uhr, auf 1215 kHz 16.00-17.00 und 18.00-22.00 Uhr); in Litauen (612 kHz 14.00-15.00 Uhr); bei St. Petersburg (1494 kHz 17.00-19.00 Uhr); in Pridnestrowje (auf 621 kHz 04.00-16.00 Uhr, auf 999 kHz 05.00-19.00 und 21.00-23.00 Uhr, auf 1413 kHz 18.00-20.00 Uhr sowie auf 1548 kHz 04.00-08.00, 14.00-15.00 und 17.00-18.00 Uhr) sowie an verschiedenen weiter von Mitteleuropa entfernten Standorten. Der russische Beobachter Wadim Aleksejew hat Informationen über drastische Einschränkungen beim russischsprachigen Hörfunkprogramm der Stimme Russlands bestätigt, wonach hier in der Tat zum Jahreswechsel 2012/2013 80 Prozent der bestehenden Ausstrahlungen auf Kurzwelle entfallen. Zu diesem Termin gibt die Stimme Russlands auch die Mittelwellenfrequenz 558 kHz in der Schweiz auf (siehe MW-News). Ebenso im Gespräch sind - anders, als es von der Stimme Russlands zunächst kommuniziert wurde - Einschränkungen bei der Nutzung von Mittelwellensendern in Deutschland. Einen vollständigen Überblick über die zu erwartenden Einschnitte gibt es noch nicht. Noch bis zum 01.01.2013 läuft das -inzwischen in einen einheitlichen Weltdienst konsolidierterussische Programm der Stimme Russlands auf den nachfolgend angeführten analogen Kurzwellenfrequenzen. Deren Hörbarkeit hängt naturgemäß vom Senderstandort ab; die östlich von Nowosibirsk stehenden Sender sind in Mitteleuropa kaum zu empfangen. 01.00-02.00 Uhr: 7225 kHz (Samara, für Fernost) 02.00-06.00 Uhr: 12070 kHz (Moskau, für Asien) 05.00-07.00 Uhr: 9680 kHz (Samara, für Europa) 12.00-14.00 Uhr: 5945 kHz (Nowosibirsk, für Asien) 12.00-14.00 Uhr: 9455 kHz (Angarsk, für Australien) 12.00-14.00 Uhr: 9840 kHz (Moskau, für Asien) 12.00-14.00 Uhr: 11915 kHz (Moskau, für Europa) 13.00-15.00 Uhr: 12055 kHz (Moskau, für Asien) 14.00-15.00 Uhr: 6235 kHz (Tadschikistan, für Fernost) 14.00-15.00 Uhr: 11830 kHz (St. Petersburg, für Europa) 14.00-16.00 Uhr: 17500 kHz (Moskau, für Fernost) 14.00-20.00 Uhr: 5940 kHz (Samara, für Europa) 15.00-17.00 Uhr: 5900 kHz (Samara, für Asien) 15.00-17.00 Uhr: 9865 kHz (Pridnestrowje, für Europa) 16.00-17.00 Uhr: 7240 kHz (Kamtschatka, für Asien) 16.00-17.00 Uhr: 11830 kHz (St. Petersburg, für Europa) 16.00-19.00 Uhr: 7230 kHz (Moskau, für Europa) 17.00-18.00 Uhr: 6235 kHz (Taschikistan, für Fernost) 18.00-20.00 Uhr: 5995 kHz (Angarsk, für Asien) 19.00-20.00 Uhr: 11985 kHz (Armenien, für Fernost) 19.00-21.00 Uhr: 7250 kHz (Moskau, für Europa) 22.00-00.00 Uhr: 9395 kHz (Armenien, für Lateinamerika) 23.00-03.00 Uhr: 7260 kHz (Pridnestrowje, für Nordamerika) Kurz vor Redaktionsschluss konnten einem Bericht der Zeitung „Iswestija“ einige weitere Details der Kürzungen, die im russischen Rundfunk zum 01.01.2013 anstehen, entnommen werden. Demnach informierte die Stimme Russlands am 08.11.2012 den russischen Sendernetzbetreiber RTRS offiziell über ihre Absicht, das Volumen der Ausstrahlungen auf Kurzwelle gegenüber dem jetzigen Stand zu halbieren. Insgesamt will die Stimme Russlands für Leistungen von RTRS statt den in diesem Jahr aufgewendeten 550 Mio. Rubel (14 Mio. €) nur noch höchstens 220 Mio. Rubel (5,4 Mio. €) ausgeben. Sogar um drei Viertel gekürzt werden soll die Nutzung von Sendeanlagen im Ausland. Von der Einstellung bedroht sind damit unter anderem den Ausstrahlungen der Stimme Russlands für das ehemalige Jugoslawien, Spanien, Portugal, den Iran, Afghanistan sowie auch für die Ukraine und für Moldawien. * Radio Majak nicht mehr auf Lang- und Kurzwelle Auch die Rundfunkgesellschaft WGTRK hat ihrerseits bei RTRS zum 01.01.2013 die Mittel- und Langwellensender abgekündigt, über die sie derzeit noch ihr Radio Majak verbreitet. Dies betrifft u.a. die Frequenzen 198 kHz mit jeweils 150 kW Sendeleistung aus Olgino bei St. Petersburg sowie von der Sendeanlage Kurowskaja bei Moskau, 549 kHz u.a. aus Kaliningrad mit 50 kW sowie aus Krasny Bor bei St. Petersburg mit 600 kW, 594 kHz aus dem westsibirischen Surgut mit 1000 kW, 612 kHz aus Pedaselga bei Petrosawodsk mit 150 kW und 810 kHz mit 500 kW aus Wolgograd. Das 1964 gegründete Radio Majak ist das älteste noch existierende russische Hörfunkprogramm, nachdem Radio-1 nach einer langen Phase des Niedergangs im Juni 2010 endgültig verschwand. Von den bis in die 90er Jahre aufrechterhaltenen Kurzwellenübertragungen, aber auch der einst mit wesentlich höherer Leistung betriebenen Mittelwelle 549 kHz her ist die einstige Stundenkennung des Programms auch in Mitteleuropa weithin bekannt. Die terrestrische Verbreitung von Radio Majak will die WGTRK künftig auf UKW-Frequenzen in größeren Städten beschränken, nachdem sie eine darüber hinausgehende Versorgung für unwirtschaftlich hält. Vor einer ungewissen Zukunft steht angesichts dieser Entwicklungen das AM-Sendernetz von RTRS, nachdem zuvor bereits ein Digitalisierungsprogramm auf Eis gelegt wurde, in dessen Rahmen die vor Jahrzehnten installierte Sendetechnik für 13,7 Milliarden Rubel (340 Mio. €) durch neue Ausrüstungen ersetzt werden sollte. Beobachter befürchten die Schließung ganzer Senderkomplexe unter anderem im Raum Moskau, bei St. Petersburg und im Gebiet Krasnodar. (via RusDX 23 Dec via DXLD) You might prefer this in English, but then again, when trying to read how Google mangles German, you might not --- (gh, DXLD) NEWS Rhein-Main Radio Club Magazine for radio reception, communication and new media Volume 38 Issue. 183 No. 6-2012 Restrictions on the Voice of Russia Are, according to the online newspaper the next lenta.ru Voice of Russia, Moscow's foreign radio, even the news agencies RIA Novosti and ITAR-TASS ago Reductions in their budgets. They are particularly dramatic, with almost 31 percent for ITAR-TASS fail. Specific figures for the Voice of Russia does not mention the report. To be satisfied in full by the will of President Putin, however, the notified Financial needs of the English-language international broadcaster Russia Today, the Broadcasting company WGTRK and governmental Rossiyskaya Gazeta. This amounts to the Rossiyskaya Gazeta to 4.9 billion rubles (€ 120 million), in Russia Today 11.2 billion rubles (€ 280 million) and the WGTRK to almost 20 billion rubles (about € 500 million). In the case of WGTRK this represents an increase of almost nine percent. As it was, meanwhile, from the Russian editor of Voice of Russia, according to their Information while 80 percent of the short-wave broadcasts of the Russian program eliminated its spread remain on medium wave, however untouched. It goes next to the rented channels in Germany (Königslutter 630 kHz, Zehlendorf 693 kHz, 1431 kHz clock each Wilsdruff 05:00 to 9:00, 12:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 23:00; Wachenbrunn 1323 kHz clock only 12.00- 15.00) and on to stations in the Kaliningrad region (1143 kHz clock 15:00 to 17:00 and 18.00-21.00, and 18.00-22.00 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 1215 kHz clock); in Lithuania (612 kHz clock 14.00-15.00) in St. Petersburg (1494 kHz 17.00-19.00 clock); in Pridnestrowje (to 621 kHz clock 04.00-16.00, 21.00-23.00 and 05:00 to 19:00 at 999 kHz clock, on 1413 kHz 18.00-20.00 on 1548 kHz clock and 4:00 to 8:00, 14:00 to 15:00 and 17:00 to 18:00 Clock) as well as at various locations further away from central Europe. The Russian observer Vadim Alekseev has information about drastic Restrictions on Russian-language radio program Voice of Russia confirmed which here, in fact, at the turn of 2012/2013 80 percent of the existing Broadcasts on shortwave omitted. This date is the Voice of Russia, the Medium wave frequency 558 kHz in Switzerland (see MW- News). Likewise in conversation are -Other than it communicates by the Voice of Russia was initially constraints in the use of broadcast stations in Germany. A complete overview of gives the expected cuts it yet. Until 01.01.2013 the-now runs in a single World Service consolidated Russian Program the Voice of Russia on the following stated analog Short wave frequencies. The audibility of course depend on the transmitter site, the east standing of Novosibirsk station to be received in Central Europe hardly. 01.00-02.00 clock: 7225 kHz (Samara, Far East) 02.00-06.00 clock: 12070 kHz (Moscow, for Asia) 05.00-07.00 clock: 9680 kHz (Samara, for Europe) 12.00-14.00 clock: 5945 kHz (Novosibirsk, for Asia) 12.00-14.00 clock: 9455 kHz (Angarsk, for Australia) 12.00-14.00 clock: 9840 kHz (Moscow, for Asia) 12.00-14.00 clock: 11915 kHz (Moscow, for Europe) 13.00-15.00 clock: 12055 kHz (Moscow, for Asia) 14.00-15.00 clock: 6235 kHz (Tajikistan, for the Far East) 14.00-15.00 clock: 11830 kHz (St. Petersburg, for Europe) 14.00-16.00 clock: 17500 kHz (Moscow, for the Far East) 14.00-20.00 clock: 5940 kHz (Samara, for Europe) 15.00-17.00 clock: 5900 kHz (Samara, for Asia) 15.00-17.00 clock: 9865 kHz (Pridnestrowje, for Europe) 16.00-17.00 clock: 7240 kHz (Kamchatka, for Asia) 16.00-17.00 clock: 11830 kHz (St. Petersburg, for Europe) 16.00-19.00 clock: 7230 kHz (Moscow, for Europe) 17.00-18.00 clock: 6235 kHz (Taschikistan, Far East) 18.00-20.00 clock: 5995 kHz (Angarsk, for Asia) 19.00-20.00 clock: 11985 kHz (Armenia, for the Far East) 19.00-21.00 clock: 7250 kHz (Moscow, for Europe) 22.00-00.00 clock: 9395 kHz (Armenia, for Latin America) 23.00-03.00 clock: 7260 kHz (Pridnestrowje, for North America) Shortly before the deadline was a report in the newspaper "Izvestia" some more Details of the cuts to be taken in the Russian broadcasting 01.01.2013 removed be. Therefore informed the Voice of Russia on 08/11/2012 Russian Network operator to officially RTRS of its intention to the volume of the broadcasts Shortwave to halve over the current level. Total wants the Voice of Russia for performance of the RTRS instead spent this year, 550 million rubles (14 million €) Only a maximum of 220 million rubles (€ 5.4 million) to spend. Even reduced by three quarters to the use of radio transmitters abroad. Threatened by the setting so that the emanations include the voice Russia for the former Yugoslavia, Spain, Portugal, Iran, Afghanistan and including Ukraine and Moldova. * Radio Mayak not on long and short wave The broadcasting company WGTRK its part in RTRS on 01.01.2013 the medium and long-wave transmitter Phased over which they currently have their radio Mayak widespread. This applies inter alia the frequencies 198 kHz with each 150 kW output power from Olgino at St. Petersburg, and of the transmission system Kurowskaja in Moscow, inter alia 549 kHz from Kaliningrad with 50 kW and from Krasny Bor near St. Petersburg with 600 kW, 594 kHz from the Western Siberian Surgut with 1000 kW, 612 kHz Pedaselga in Petrozavodsk with 150 kW and 810 kHz with 500 kW from Volgograd. Founded in 1964, Radio Mayak is the oldest surviving Russian Radio program, after Radio 1 after a long period of decline in June 2010 finally disappeared. Of the maintained up to the 90s Shortwave broadcasts, but also the once operated with a much higher power 549 kHz medium wave-wise, the former hours identifier of the program in Central Europe widely known. The terrestrial broadcasting of radio Mayak WGTRK wants the future in on FM frequencies larger cities limit after for a more extensive supply uneconomical holds. Face an uncertain future in the face of these developments is the AM station network RTRS, having previously been a digitization program was put on hold in the Under the installed decades ago transmission technology for 13.7 billion rubles (340 million €) should be replaced with new equipment. Observers fear the closure of entire Station complexes including in the Moscow area, near St. Petersburg and in the field Krasnodar (RMRC via RusDX 23 Dec via deficient Google translation via DXLD) ** RWANDA [and non]. 6055, RR, 0234-0350+ 17 Dec. Tnx Ron Howard's great audio clip/info, heard RR almost fair with eclectic song mix ("African" blues, a cappella (reminding me of Ladysmith Black Mambazo), "zydeco" (squeezebox but no washboard), and call-response, too), RR jingle and ID at TOH, apparently news at 0334 with "Radio Rwanda, habari.." and possible PSA at 0335 about "economie Rwanda(ise)". Uses a thumpy percussion sounder between some news items. M DJ back at 0346+. ACI RHC-6060 but not too bad (RHC had big hum on audio + audio drop-out 0335 or so, back with recorded speech and very reduced modulation). (Dan Sheedy, Encinitas CA, PL600 + 4m X-wire, via Bob Wilkner, DX LISTENING DIGEST ) 6055, R. Rwanda, Dec 19 0235-0340+. Slow religious-sounding vocals to 0257, then M in echo chamber for 3 minutes; YL with ID and chat at ToH, then into regional music. Spot checks showed mainly music to 0330, then mostly talk after 0330. Amazingly good signal holding up well past 0400. All talk seemed to be in vernacular. Noted also next day (Dec 20) with carrier coming on at 0240, then music suddenly on in mid-song at 0249; exotic tribal music to ToH, then sounded like choral anthem at 0301; programming after this was much like the previous day, i.e. YL with ID, M in echo chamber, then regional music to 0333, followed by talk in vernacular (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW. dxingwithcumbre yg via DXLD) 6055, Radio Rwanda, Kigali, very nice signal 2005 on 12/23 as the 49 mb was open earlyish (for Illinois) for Africans. Monotonous drums rhythm at tune in, followed by OM FF mentioning “Rwandaise” and then into African vocals by YL over local string combo – pleasant listening to plucked bass strings and repetitive tune (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAINT HELENA. Tnx to a tip from Robert Kipp, listened to the final hour of Saint FM online. It closed down at 1600 UT Dec 21. Rather emotional comments and plenty of resentment against HM government, as this community radio station had been free to criticise it. In case the website survive a while longer, it`s http://www.saint.fm/index.htm Robert says that rival Radio Saint Helena will also be closing down after a final broadcast (and we hope webcast, but not SW), December 25 at 1800-2400* --- ``The new St. Helena Broadcasting (Guarantee) Corporation, Ltd. (SHBC) (Darrin Henry (CEO)) has promised to make a live-audio-stream of the "Last Day" broadcast from Radio St. Helena, and Ralph Peters, the RSH Station Manager, has put together a special program with many interesting audio clips with greetings from people around the world.`` SHBC`s own replacement stations may not be on the air until January (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) At 1825 UT, it`s the same on-demand 7+ minute daily newscast I heard earlier today, not live stream. If anyone notice that has started later in the day, please let us know. Does mention the closure of R. Saint Helena, and opening of SHBC in January. Glenn ** SAINT HELENA. The final broadcast of Radio Saint Helena, 1548 kHz, was to be 18-24 UT Dec 25, to be replaced in January by a different station called SHBC. There were hopes that RSH could be webcast on this sad occasion, or even SW broadcast, but neither occurred. The SHBC webcast produced only its own 7+ minute daily newscast on demand, as checked several times during those hours, instead of the hoped-for RSH relay, with a pre-produced special to have included greetings and farewells solicited from DXers who used to hear their SW specials. Maybe that will be availablized eventually archived online? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Saint Helena has ceased broadcasting for good, just after 12 midnight Christmas night into Wednesday morning. Broadcasting on mediumwave is done. The Saint Helena Broadcasting Corporation is testing its network of FM transmitters and will begin regular programming early next year. http://www.shbc.sh/L3_news_121225_radio_sthelena_closes.html (Paul Walker, Dec 26, IRCA via DXLD) Viz: News 25 December 2012 RADIO ST HELENA CLOSED DOWN 45 Years of broadcasting ends on Christmas night Radio St Helena final broadcast on Christmas night Tony Leo at the controls for Radio St Helena's final transmission Darrin Henry, SHBC [caption] On Christmas Day, Radio St Helena at Pounceys carried out its final full day of broadcasting. Shortly after midnight former station manager Tony Leo closed the final programme and current station manager Ralph Peters then turned off the transmitters, bringing to an end 45 years of broadcasting in the medium wave for Radio St Helena. In the final two days of Radio St Helena being on air there were many messages of thanks and well wishes from people who have listened and presented programmes over the years, both local and from abroad. Station Manager, Ralph Peters, said: "It has been really emotional; I think that is a mild word really, because we were on air since 6.30 this morning starting up with Bert Constantine, one of our oldest producers. Then we had Stedson (Francis). Then Tony Green made a comeback with his programme, as did Ray (Matches) Williams. The calls they were having; people were really saddened we were closing down at midnight tonight. I was on air from 8 o’clock tonight – unfortunately some of my time got taken up with all the well wishes and that type of thing, and I didn’t say all that I wanted to say but it was very emotional. We also had the ex managers, Laura Lawrence and Gary Walters. Come 12 o’clock I’m going to be saddened the station is closing down, but in one sense I’m glad that it’s all over because it’s been one hell of a ride over the past two months, trying to get everything together." As midnight approached a group of 14 people, all with connections to Radio St Helena, joined Tony Leo in the studio as he made the final goodbye. After the medium wave transmitters were turned off, the crowd who had gathered at the station enjoyed a few drinks and snacks together. Nicholas Yon, chairman of the Radio St Helena board for the last 9 months, made a speech, thanking everyone who had contributed to the 45 years of service of Radio St Helena. Following the closing of Saint FM last week and now Radio St Helena, SHBC is currently testing its FM network and will begin scheduled programming in the new year (via DXLD) ** SARAWAK [non]. 9835/11665, Sarawak FM 1600-1608+ 20 Dec. Starts S- FM program with Negara Ku, "Radio Malaysia-Sarawak" and "Malaysian Boy" (ML version of "American Boy" by Altimet, DJ Fuzz, Ila Damiaa, Point Blanc and Rabbit Mac --- heard often on Sarawak FM), W DJ with "Radio Malaysia-Sarawak FM" ID, English pop "Good Time" by Owl City/Carly Rae Jepsen. Audio popping more noticeable today on 31M, but no major IADs yet (Dan Sheedy, Moonlight Beach CA, PL600 + 4m X-wire, via Bob Wilkner, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9835, MALAYSIA, Sarawak FM, 1631 Malay pop songs and announcements by woman, 1638 played “Call Me Maybe” by Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen. Fair, // 11665 poor Dec 22 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and the Sony AN1 active antenna on the roof, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SARAWAK [non]. [Re 12-50:] "Following item dated 18 Dec refers vaguely to deliberate interference preventing reception at some times." --- I don't think so. To me it reads simply like experiences of "ordinary" listeners with simple radios, tuning around in vain to find the transmission while it was not on air (as, concerning the WHR Palau transmitters in their entirety, clearly reported here) and only coming across other transmissions in the vicinity (more than just +/- 5 kHz) of 15420 (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 23, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAUDI ARABIA. 1521, Dec 23 at 0102 and 0143 chex, 1 kHz het upon KOKC OKC 1520, no doubt the 2-megawatt behemoth in Duba, the sure pilot to trans-Atlantic MW openings. There could be some others on more split frequencies, but the het makes it easy to recognize on the 10-kHz-step caradio while out on an Xmas-lite-and-sound expedition; see OKLAHOMA (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAUDI ARABIA. 15225, Dec 22 at 1443, open carrier; 1452 recheck now somewhat undermodulating in Arabic, 1500 mentions Saudi, theme music. HFCC shows Riyadh starting at 1500, 500 kW, 295 degrees, but Aoki says the Call of Islam service starts at 1450 (I was not hearing Qur`an). KTWR Guam supposedly is also on 15225 with English at 1400-1523/1535, but no sign of it (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SCOTLAND. WMR on 5800 and 6400 from Scotland --- Weekend Music Radio (WMR) from Scotland currently on air on 5800.15 and 6400.90 kHz with Jack Russell. Strong signal on 6400 with slight het (Pyongyang on 6400?), weaker fair clear signal on 5800 here in Caversham (26th Dec 1210 UTC) (Alan Pennington, Caversham, Berks, UK, AOR 7030plus + longwire, Dec 26, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) 6400: No sign of WMR on 5800 but well received on my Degin [sic] 1103 on just the pull up antenna here at 1520 (Mike in Maldon Essex, BDXC- UK yg via DXLD) Interesting how these frequencies are propagating differently within the UK. I was still hearing 5800 until 1645 UT when it suddenly disappeared. But 6400 faded out or closed some time earlier here - maybe onset of even propagation conditions. 73s (Dave Kenny, Caversham Berks, ibid.) ** SIKKIM. Recently I had sent a pair of reception reports to "Station Engineer" of AIR Gangtok (WRTH Address) directly by SPEED POST (like Priority Registered POST), included 2 prepared card, one Self Addressed Stamped envelope and a picture post card. Here attached what I got in return - the 2 cards signed by Mr. B. Chakraborty - Assistant Engineer with mentioning transmitter site and power along with a verification letter - in 1 month. What we got to know with the card is 4835 kHz is currently running at 10 kW and 1404 kHz MW is running at 20 kW and the site is PENENGLA, GANGTOK. This was my first attempt, and Gangtok is only about 130-140 km from my city. http://tinyurl.com/gangtok1404 http://tinyurl.com/c2lbwnu http://tinyurl.com/gangtokletter or many QSLs at http://tinyurl.com/qth26n88e (Partha Sarathi Goswami, Siliguri, W.B., India, Dec 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Congrats! Did you design both sides of the cards? Traditionally here self-prepared QSL-cards are not accepted, but maybe they are prepared originally by some other DXer ;-) (Mauno Ritola, Finland, DX LISTENIN DIGEST) AIR Gangtok QSL received for my numerous receptions made in 2010-12 on 4835 kHz. This came from Spectrum Management. Jose, can you tell me who the signature is from, please? (Jim Young, OR, via Mauno, ibid.) Yes, I have designed both sides of the cards; the front side is printed from photo printer and the other side is printed on sticky paper (gumming sheet); if you need the reverse side design I will upload and share too. You mean in Finland the self prepared cards are not accepted? (Goswami, ibid.) Yes, and I think it was the same in all North European countries. Don't know if it is still so, stopped collecting them around year 2000 and haven't paid attention (Mauno, ibid.) ** SOMALIA [non]. UAE, UN IRN Radio ERGO (EiBi), 17680, Dhabbaya. Dec. 25, 2012. Tuesday. 0909-0912. Somali, YL and OM talking. Fair - poor. Jo'burg sunrise 0315 (Bill Bingham, RSA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALILAND. 7120, R. Hargeysa, *1456-1515+ 18 Dec. OC 'til 1501, trumpet/drum "IS", opening in (presumed) Somali with clear "salaam aleikum, Radyo Hargeysa", additional Somali-yak and "Radyo Hargeysa ha, salaam aleikum", qira'ut from 1502-05, then (presumed) news. First time ID heard, so now they're "official", HIC #226 (Dan Sheedy, Moonlight Beach CA, PL600 + 4m X-wire, via Bob Wilkner, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7120, R. Hargeisa *1500-1550 Dec 19. Opening announcement, Qur`an, then M in presumed Somali lang; regional music followed from 1518- 1532, then more talk. The signal, which had been fair at best, continued to deteriorate and was largely unreadable after 1530. Carrier still noted after 1600 but very weak (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, dxingwithcumbre yg via DXLD) ** SOMALILAND. Radio Hargeysa, 7120 kHz --- Finalmente pude escucharla (pensé que no podría por sus horarios). Con buena señal y sin interferencias de estaciones de aficionado, el 19 de diciembre a las 0403 UT: http://youtu.be/EM3dLnxGYTI 73 desde Montevideo (Rodolfo Tizzi, condiglist yg via DXLD) 7120, Dec 20 at 0335, R. Hargeisa still better heard here just after morning sign-on, than before midday 1400v*. Presumed Somali talk, and with very slow CW QRhaM sending CQ, but no repeat as I prepared to copy callsign from that. 7120, Dec 21 at 1352, HOA vocal music, initially with QRhaM in Spanish SSB with Radio Hargeisa as BFO; and as always, CW QRhaM just to one side. 1359 playing usual military band anthem, 1400 brief OC and off at 1400:35* (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Domenica 23 dicembre 2012, 1614 - 7120 R. HARGAYSA (SOM), Musica locale. SF-IN (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. 15565, 23/Dec 1213, Armenia, (relay), The Overcomer Ministry in English. Voices like a prayer of the Catholic Mass. 35333. 73 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana - BA Brazil, Degen 1103, 16 meter dipole antenna - East/West, http://www.ipernity.com/doc/75006 dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) But can`t be Catholic from Walterboro (gh, DXLD) ** SPAIN. 9665, Radio Exterior de España; 1904-1932+, 20-Dec; English news to 1910, into English features on Sudan/S. Sudan & The Rom[any?] during the holocaust. REE ID at 1932. SIO=332+ with buzz QRM that USB takes out, but still mucho QRN. Listed in EiBi; missing in Aoki & PrimeTime (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) This broadcast was canceled and then revived, as it should have been in the lists (gh) ** SPAIN [and non]. 7435 & 7220, Dec 21 at 1358, REE IS audible from CRI Kunming site prior to Nepali. 7435 also has some CCI, perhaps overlap from CRI Nanning in Chinese scheduled to end at 1400; if not Vietnam which is registered 24 hours in HFCC and Aoki says is on 7435 before and after 1400 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15385, Dec 24 at 1430, open carrier/dead air instead of Emisión Sefarad which is supposed to start at 1425 Mondays toward ME. Keep monitoring and carrier goes off at 1433, but back on at 1444, apparently playing opening of program with Emisión Sefarad ID, contact info. Long-path echo too. As expected, cut off far incomplete at 1455* sharp, as transmitter/frequency are needed for regular daily Spanish service from 1500. This has happened a few times before, total screwup by REE studios and/or transmitter in lack of coördination for the oddly-timed Sephardic service. 9690, UT Tue Dec 25 at 0440, REE in weekly Sephardic to N America, usual VG signal direct, scheduled 0415-0445. 3350, Dec 25 at 0450, REE COSTA RICA relay is very out of order with constant crackle of audio dropouts; wiggle that patchcord! 5965, Dec 25 at 0608, the only REE CR frequency kept on after 0600 is in open carrier/dead air. Holidays always seem to provoke many more transmission errors than usual (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. 1548 kHz Trincomallee off air --- Radio Atmeeya Yatra on 1548 kHz via Trincomallee, Sri Lanka which used to sign off at 1530 UT, etc., is missing lately. However, Radio Atmeeya Yatra programs are heard on 1125 kHz replacing SLBC programs. Wodner what happened to 1548 kHz? -- Thanking you, Yours sincerely, Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India, Dec 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, Jose, 1548 is having a problem, so Athmik Yathra and all 1548 kHz have been transferred to Puttalam on 1125 (50kW) alternating with FEBA. They hope to get the transmitter back on the air soon. In the meantime any reports comparing 1125 with 1548 will be most welcome. If you need QSLs send the reports to SLBC and if you want me to chase up and help, CC me (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, Dec 27, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) What's this at all? In fact, what else has meanwhile been put on 1548 as well, besides this and Brother Scare? (Kai Ludwig, ibid.) Radio Atmeeya Yatra was using 1548 kHz in mornings & evenings. Brother Stair was testing in the weekends. Nothing more is noted on 1548 kHz. Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, India, ibid.) ** SRI LANKA. 7189.83, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Ekala. 0121 December 20, 2012. Clear and fair with Hindi vocals, brief announcer. Parallel weaker 11905.00 (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, Pile of junk used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phase; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN. Voice of Sudan, 9505 kHz --- Algo debe haber pasado en Omdurman, que se escucha notoriamente mejor por América del Sur últimamente. Nuevo transmisor? Más potencia? Música e identificación con anuncio del sitio web, el 19 de diciembre a las 0424 UT. http://youtu.be/kJKOoSgvSI8 73 desde Montevideo (Rodolfo Tizzi, Uruguay, condiglista yg via DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. 9940, 24/Dec 0331, Ukraine (Relay), Radio Miraya FM in English (with a strong accent), OM talk, ID, quick pop music. 0332 OM talk. 0335 YL talk. Appear to present news. Signal degrading. 25332 (Jorge Freitas, Brasil, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. 15535, Radio Tamazuj/Radio Dabanga (SMG) *1500+ is heard daily with LP/SP (?) echo. Always better than 13800 (Talata- Volondry) and rarely in synch. Holiday wish: Tamazuj gets zippier jingles (Dan Sheedy, Moonlight Beach CA, PL600 + 4m X-wire, via Bob Wilkner, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SURINAME. 4989.98, Radio Apintie, stunningly big signal at 2330 on 12/23 after tip from buddy Dave Valko. Playing Xmas carols and still fine at 2359 recheck. Typical deep fades as noted before on stations from far northeastern S America (Guyana, Surinam, etc.) Wonder what causes this? (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWAZILAND. 6130, Trans World Radio, Manzini, nice African choral rhythms along with xylo-like instrument at 2000 tune-in [24/12]. OM announcer in local language at 2003, followed by local signature tune. Chimes at 2004 and s/off at 2005. Open carrier cut at 2006. Would have missed this one if I tuned past the frequency 10 minutes later, hi (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAJIKISTAN. 4765.061, Tajik Radio Home Service 1st program from Yangi Yul site, logged around 2340 UT Dec 20 at S=9+15dB level (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 20/21, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4765.06, TR1, 1920, good with rustic vocals, comments by a man. 24/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD- 535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4765.058, Tajik Radio #1 from Yangi Yul, weak at 1500 UT Dec 26. 4780.074, Voice of Russia via Yangi Yul TJK, S=7 not much strong at 1510 UT Dec 26 (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TATARSTAN [non]. Samarskaya oblast. Samara --- Alokesh Gupta writes in dxld as of December 31, cease all SW transmission from the transmission center in Samara (i.e. it will affect and, for example, the broadcasts of "On the wave of Tatarstan"). (Alexander Dyadicshev, Ukraine / “open_dx” & “deneb-radio-dx” via Rus DX via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) ** TIBET. 4905, PBS Xizang, 1605 English, Holy Tibet program, man and woman covering a variety of topics from a park to a construction project to a temple that is a UNESCO site, 1620 traditional Chinese music, 1623-1625 several Holy Tibet IDs, “This is Holy Tibet from China...[missed words]...Broadcasting.”, 1625 into a program about Tibetan culture. Fair, // 4920 fair, 6200 poor, Dec 22 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and the Sony AN1 active antenna on the roof, Editor of World English Survey and Target Listening, available at http://www.odxa.on.ca dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET [and non]. 4920.00, CHINA, Xizang PBS, Lhasa. 2357 December 19, 2012. Non-Chinese female talk (Tibetan?), fill music 2358. Clear and weak. 5060.00, CHINA, Xinjiang PBS, Ürümqi. 2310 December 19, 2012. Presumed. Clear but threshold, with traces of Central Asian vocals popping through, what audio there was. But at 0136 re-check (now December 20 GMT), semi-decent with Central Asian language man talk (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, Pile of junk used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR- D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phase; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET [and non]. 4920, INDIA, A.I.R., Chennai 0014 interval signal and 0015 s/on in Tamil, battling it out with co-channel Tibet, but heard English news from Delhi begin at 0035. Very poor, Dec 21 4820, TIBET, PBS Xizang, 0020 Chinese, male and female speakers, musical interlude, more talk. Poor with CODAR, // 5060 also poor but slightly better than 4820 because of lack of QRM. 5060 is listed as PBS Xinjiang: is this true or is Xizang now using this frequency? Dec 21 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET [non]. TAJIKISTAN, 15508, Voice of Tibet program via Dushanbe Yangi Yul site, noted at 1250 UT Dec 22, bird's parque live report recording and talk in Tibetan, with lots of bird crying, S=9+10dB on Germany post. No adjacent China mainland jamming transmission heard today. 7547, strong empty transmission carrier (of V of Tibet) via Yangi Yul at 1254-1300 UT. VoT program then heard at tune-in 1306 UT, plus additional FIREDRAKE music jamming on even 7550 kHz, S=9+15dB from TJK into Germany receiving post (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 22, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. 9700, Dec 26 at 0650, fair signal, Turkish service from TRT signing off with IS playing continuously without the pauses heard on foreign language services, and furthermore, announcer talking over it. On piano-like keyboard, and I`m not positive it is the same version heard elsewhen, but still no variations. It runs 26 notes with three at the end, until 0658*. I am thinking that the usual version has four at the end; need to reconfirm (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also ROMANIA ** UGANDA. 4750, Uganda? 1837 threshold carrier here, possibly Dunamis, but only detectable in sideband. 22/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA. 4975.97, R. Uganda, 1820, English, surprised to hear this with discussion between a man and woman, mention "Kampala." Very muddy audio. 22/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UBC-4976 returned to air --- Many Japanese DXers identified UBC - 4976 kHz at around 1800-2107* on Dec. 22. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=83W-0txWHgo by DFS in Shimane-pref. (S. Hasegawa, Japan, Dec 23, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thank you Sei-ichi for your confirmation it is them. Thanks to the alert by Dave Valko, I tuned in on Dec 23 at 0437 to find an open carrier at a decent level on 4975.95 (as measured on my Etón E1), but just like Dave, et al. noted, with no audio present. This on a good night for Africa! Chad was cutting through Cuba on 6164.96 at 0506 with African Hi-Li music and in French. Zanzibar on 6015 was the strongest I have ever heard them from 0324 to 0342. Radio Rwanda doing well earlier (played Christmas song at 0312), but when I went to check for scheduled English at 0515, found Japan (Radio Nikkei 1) was just too strong to be able to confirm what was happening with Rwanda underneath (Ron Howard, California, ibid.) Aber in Italien sieht man schöne S=8 Träger - ohne Mod. Da bin ich optimistisch, müsste in Kampala noch a bisserl an der Mod nachgebessert werden, dann wird es schon. Träger liegt soeben easy bei 4975.966 kHz. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4976, another NON LOG, but heads up for those who may not have heard about it: R. Uganda has been reported reactivated, heard in the African evenings and also with carrier on same slightly off-frequency around 0430 by Ron Howard in California. WRTH shows sign-on should be at 0200, so I look for carrier at least, Dec 24 at 0235, 0345, but the only one I can detect is on 4975, perhaps Peru or Brasil (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4976, Radio Uganda, Kampala, 1845-1929, 24-12, songs in English, at 1900 news by male, English, at 1916 native songs, female, comments: "Good evening", mentioned "Uganda". 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Sony ICF SW 7600 G, cable antenna, 10 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Lunedì 24 dicembre 2012, 1930 - 4976, UGANDA BC, English, talk YL e ID OM. BN-SF (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Not a railroad, but good to sufficient reception (gh) Also heard very weak at 2055-2110, Dec 24, songs and orchestra music, announcement in UNID language, 25232. It was last on the air in Nov 2011! (Anker Petersen, Skovlunde, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window Dec 26 via DXLD) 4975.964, Thanks the tip from Japan, Kampala Uganda heard in past days on our European nighttime. Heard an endless reading commentary male reader in English at 1734 UT Dec 24. Weak to fair at S=7 fluttery level. But modulation muffled a little bit (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 24, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4976, Radio Uganda (presumed) now on air, 1810, whit news en English Enviado desde Smartphone BlackBerry (Manuel Méndez, Spain, Dec 24, ibid.) Checking for Uganda's early morning 4976 transmission, still nothing heard in Jo'burg at 0220-0245 on Dec 25. Jo'burg sunrise 0315 (Bill Bingham, RSA, ibid.) Hi Everyone, 4976, UBC R. Kampala, Uganda with fair/weak signal at 1820z. 1910 UT: Excellent signal now!! Happy Christmas (Mark Davies, Anglesey, Wales, Dec 25, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) 4976, UBC Radio tentatively at 2153 with an African-accented man with talk and African hilife vocals - Barely audible Dec 26. This begs of more research this week and next as it could mean they are on late due to the Christmas holidays. – (Mark Coady, Ont., dxingwithcumbre yg via DXLD) I remember years ago Radio Uganda was pounding in, literally, with a nominal S-20 signal one Christmas eve back in the early 1990's. They had the deep heavily accented male announcer and they were playing Christmas music. They were on very late up to 2300 when the deep voiced announcer stated that they were going to "resume programming from the Vatican for midnight mass". Both 4976 and 5026 reception was just absolutely amazing that Christmas eve afternoon and early evening. Not once did I ever hear them of that quality, signal strength, and overall reception again. I'll never forget that catch (Steve Price, Johnstown, PA, ODXA yg via DXLD) ** UKRAINE. Domenica 23 dicembre 2012, 0815 - 11980 kHz, R. DNIPROVSKA HVYLYA, Ucraino, parlato OM/YL. Segnale sufficiente-insufficiente. Solo sabato e domenica (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** U K [and non]. Videos of BERS Masirah and BBC Skelton -- Hi All, Russell W Barnes G4YLI has recently posted three videos on U Tube. I heard about them from the bbceng.inf web site. Links to them are: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ALzjv6v5Rg&feature=youtu.be http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42JaF2nbPMw&feature=youtu.be http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua6U0V5jVLI 73 (Dave G4OYX Porter, Ex-BBC/VoA WOF, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) ** U K [non]. 5875, CYPRUS, BBC World Service (relay), Limassol. 0200 December 20, 2012. Time signals at tune-in coincidentally just after transmitter presumed up, into world news in English. Clear and fair. Site per http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/schedules/frequencies/mideast.htm It’s so hard to actually hear the BBCWS in English on shortwave from here anymore, so much that I cherish any log of said (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, Pile of junk used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phase; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non-active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9505, SINGAPORE, BBC 1719 English, football news and interview. Poor, heavy QRM from co-channel Voice of Sudan, Dec 22 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and the Sony AN1 active antenna on the roof, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9740, Dec 24 at 1523, one tradition which BBCWS hasn`t abolished yet, FONLAC --- Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, live from King`s College, Cambridge. Checked here after first hearing it via KCSC FM 90.1 in OK, which turned out to be 9 seconds behind SINGAPORE. I enjoy the harmonious music if not the banal Biblicisms and phony piety, from a country where church = state; no, thank you (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BBCWS via Sirius/XM Queen --- From what I can tell from reviewing the schedules on the siriusxm.com web site, neither the Sirius nor XM BBCWS feeds carried the Queen's Christmas message. Is this possible? (Mike Cooper, Dec 25, DXLD) I was listening for her after the 1500 GMT news on 17640, 17830, but not, at least on these African service frequencies. That used to be a regular time for Her on Xmas Day. And She`s supposed to be in 3-D this year! I was really looking forward to hearing that. 17640 via CYPRUS, better than 17830 via ASCENSION, Dec 25 at 1505, BBCWS news by that deep-voiced Jamaican guy, 1506 into a year in review show on these African service frequencies. I was hoping to hear HM The Queen in 3-D, at a time which used to be traditional on Xmas day, but no such luck (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. London FM bandscan --- This is about the most up to date and comprehensive of all: http://www.transmissionzero.co.uk/radio Both legal and pirate listings (Ian Kelly, Dec 26, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) ** U S A. 4470.5/USB, U.S. Navy MARS Net; 2207, 15-Dec (Frodge-MI) 5005.5/USB, U.S. Navy MARS Net; 1403, 20-Dec; weak (Frodge-MI) 7345/USB, U.S. Navy MARS Net; 1359, 20-Dec; NNN0PPHR control (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) ** U S A [non]. Maybe the most strange radio programs are these of Radio Liberty in Kazakh – already 5-6 months, the programs are consisting of only singing voice of some bard and strums on some string instrument. No news, commentaries or other programs. 1300-1400 12025, 15525 and 0100-0200 7235, 9790. In RL Kyrgyz Service site is given a broadcast 0700-0730 on 11775 and 13775 but there are not any signals (Rumen Pankov, Sofia, Bulgaria, Dec 26, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) There is no 0700 broadcast listed in WRTH 2013 or HFCC on those frequencies (gh, DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. HERITAGE FOUNDATION AIMS ITS BULLET POINTS AT THE RADIO LIBERTY RUSSIAN CONTROVERSY. Posted: 21 Dec 2012 Heritage Foundation, 13 Dec 2012, Ariel Cohen and Helle C. Dale: "During the first Obama term, RL/RFE management changed hands and is now under the presidency of former CNN broadcaster Steven Korn. Vice President for Content Julia Ragona, in charge of RL reorganization, previously ran a lucrative business in Russia in partnership with the Russian government, which some believe may have created a conflict of interest. In Moscow, an office of some 100 broadcasters who have brought the uncensored news to Russians is now decimated. On September 20 and 21, without warning, over 40 of RL’s staff were summarily fired. The way this was done is what one would expect from the Soviet or Russian government. The staffers were blocked from entering their offices and escorted out by armed guards. The decision was allegedly the result of a new media law that took effect in Moscow on November 10, ending Radio Liberty’s license to broadcast on AM radio. This change in the media law came soon after Moscow ordered the closing in October of the offices of USAID, which it accused of political interference. However, RL management did not attempt to negotiate an exception, collaborate with a Russian media organization, or intervene in Washington in order to apply equivalent treatment to Russia Today TV and Voice of Russia radio." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) The Heritage Foundation fellows could not resist this opportunity to take a swipe at President Obama. It is actually the Broadcasting Board of Governors (now, granted, with a Democratic majority) that hires the heads of USIB entities. And can fire them. Advice from Heritage tends to be of the easier-said-than-done variety. It is difficult to get access to Russian domestic broadcasting outlets. VOA does lease a half hour on a Moscow medium wave (AM) frequency, but leases of longer duration could be expensive and not worth it given the small remaining audience on the medium wave band. On the other hand, depending on internet delivery means Radio Liberty Russian, or svoboda.org, will be in the company of tens of thousands of websites, includes hundreds that are news oriented. On the medium wave band, at least, the number of competitors is reduced to a couple of dozen stations. Furthermore, a radio frequency, or at least a radio program, provides an anchor of legitimacy that can drive more traffic to the svoboda.org, whether via PC or mobile device. With the Russian government capable of tightening internet controls, it might be a good time for Russians to become reacquainted with shortwave radio. Shortwave will never return to popularity in Russia, but serious news consumers should keep a shortwave radio on hand. US international broadcasting would need to market a new generation of shortwave radios that provide easy tuning, and perhaps also allow the reception of text as well as audio. USIB still has the facilities to deliver a good signal into Russia. Russia could attempt to jam these broadcasts, but this would require an expensive and complicated investment in equipment. Finally, international commercial channels such as Discovery and CNN International have access to the Russian viewers through Russian cable and direct-to-home satellite services. USIB should explore this avenue, if not a by a 24/7 channel, then by time on existing international channels, even if it is by way of purchasing 60-second spots (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) Radio World, 19 Dec 2012, Randy J. Stine: "A new Russian law that prohibits foreign-owned radio companies from broadcasting from that country has forced Radio Liberty’s Russian service, Radio Svoboda, from the AM band. The broadcast service remains available on shortwave and via satellite. The broadcaster has said it plans to expand its digital platforms. ... International broadcasting analysts said the development will challenge the Broadcasting Board of Governors to find ways to cope with the loss of the terrestrial AM signal in Russia and increase listenership at a time when it’s increasingly splintered among media platforms. It will be increasingly difficult to reach older demographics, they said. ... The loss of the AM signal in Moscow will be minimized by moving quickly toward new digital strategy and platforms, said Martins Zvaners, RFE/RL deputy director of communications. 'Reception of Radio Svoboda programming in central Moscow was difficult because of electricity generated from overhead cables used to power the city’s network of trams, which makes it very difficult to listen to any AM broadcast signal in the city. The footprint of the AM signal covered Moscow and the suburbs,' Zvaners said." Voice of Russia, 15 Dec 2012, citing BBC: "The Freedom House President, David Kramer, said Thursday he disapproved of the recent reform of the Radio Liberty Russian Service that resulted in mass dismissals. He feels the President and CEO of Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe Steven Korn did great damage to the radio station. The BBG commission voiced concern about a 50% drop in Radio Liberty website traffic in the past two months." Orer.eu, 13 Dec 2012, Lev Roitman, letter to BBG members: "You never understood that international reputation of American broadcasting entities aimed at overseas audiences (RFE/RL, MBN, etc.) is reflected not by your self-aggrandizing statements at BBG meetings, but by foreign public opinion formed by mass media." Blogger News Network, 20 Dec 2012, Ted Lipien, citing BBG Watch: "Radio Liberty Internet team fired last September by American executives of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) received last Saturday in Moscow a prestigious Sakharov human rights journalism prize along with its star young reporter and web editor Elena Vlasenko who had resigned from RFE/RL in protest against the dismissal of her colleagues." See previous post about same subject (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** U S A. Tour of VOA Site B --- I just posted an article that was published in the Monitoring Times earlier this year. It's a tour of the Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station in Greenville, North Carolina (formerly, VOA Site B): http://swling.com/blog/2012/12/for-your-holiday-enjoyment-a-tour-of-the-edward-r-murrow-transmitting-station/ You can click on any of the photos to enlarge. Happy holidays & good DX to all! Cheers, (Thomas Witherspoon, Dec 25, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** U S A. BEST PLACES TO WORK SURVEY SHOWS VOA AMONG WORST PLACES TO WORK. Posted: 26 Dec 2012 The SWLing Post, 13 Dec 2012, Thomas Witherspoon: "[T]he Broadcasting Board of Governers has been ranked in the bottom five places to work in the 2012 edition of The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government by The Partnership for Public Service and Deloitte. ... Indeed, the BBG ranked in the bottom five of the 290 mid-sized federal agencies in the survey in all of the effective leadership sub- categories of the survery. Here a breakdown: Empowerment (rank: 290 of 290). Fairness (289 of 290). Senior Leaders (288 of 290). Supervisors (290 of 290). Another area where the agency received a low score was in the category of Strategic Management: BBG employees rankings came in at 289 of 290." With links to the reports. According to this page, http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/detail/IB00 the survey included only the Voice of America and International Broadcasting Bureau, i.e. the components of the BBG that are federal agencies (Radio and TV Martí are not mentioned). Employees of the excepted corporations: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks Inc were not included (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. 9755 puzzle {ex 13625 kHz} -- BOTSWANA/GERMANY/VATICAN STATE 9755 just an UNID station puzzled me with typical HOA music at 1745-1800 UT Dec 20. Looked into latest HFCC file, shows now US IBB VOA Ethiopian/Eritrean services via three different sites: 9755 1730-1800 48 BOT 100kW 10degr M-F only from 14 Dec Afan Oromo BOT 9755 1800-1900 48 WER 250 135 daily from 14 Dec Amharic D 9755 1900-1930 48 SMG 250 139 Mon-Fri only from 14 Dec Tigrigna CVA vy73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Dec 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes Wolfgang, look latest DX RE MIX 760 --- Frequency change of IBB: Voice of America 0330-0400 9485 SMG 250 kW / 146 deg to EaAf, ex 11990 Somali 1730-1800 9755 BOT 100 kW / 010 deg to EaAf, ex 13625 AfarOromo M-F 1800-1900 9755 WER 250 kW / 135 deg to EaAf, ex 13625 Amharic 1900-1930 9755 SMG 250 kW / 139 deg to EaAf, ex 13625 Tigrigna Mon-Fri 2100-2130 9695 WOF 300 kW / 182 deg to CeAf, ex 9435 French Mon-Fri 73! (Ivo Ivanov, HCDX via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. 15580, Sunday Dec 23 at 2100 VOA `Music Time in Africa` ends, and VOA News starts, obviously with a site change from loud & clear to not so much. There is a brief open carrier overlap but the modulation transition is flawless: from Greenville to Botswana. No doubt those in the skip zone of Greenville found the opposite, an improvement in reception (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 25950/FM, KOA Denver CO studio link; 1611, 16-Dec; Colorado.com spot, Bronco's Radio 8-50 KOA. Good peaks, but in/out (Frodge-MI) 26110/FM, KOVR-TV Sacramento CA; 1621, 16-Dec; Morning chit-chat show; "Live across the valley, this is ? Sacramento" at 1629. Good peaks, but in/out and muddy audio. Last heard in July. Tip per Tim Tromp (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! WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 26110/NFM, KOVR-TV Studio Link - Sacramento, CA - 1606 UT 12/16/2012 - Strong with bantering TV hosts and local Sacramento weather forecast. Good until about 1615 UT, then gone. No other STL's heard. Thanks to HF for ID'ing this one! (Tim Tromp, Muskegon MI, MARE Tipsheet Dec 21 via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) Winter sporadic-E openings (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Today's FCC HF construction permit announcement, attached as PDF. It is one of the early such releases by the FCC's new HF engineer in the International Bureau, and includes an interesting note that she may not have intended for publication. Best New Years wishes, Glenn (Benn Kobb, Dec 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: ``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 Report No. IHF-00119 Wednesday December 19, 2012 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. IHF-C/P-20120302-00001 P NEW Grant of Authority Date Effective: 12/13/2012 Construction Permit International Fellowship of Churches, Inc. This is a new application for construction permit (CP). The applicant was one of the old licensee that surrendered autherization by letter to the Commission (File No. IHF-C/P-20011210-00011 and Call Sign: KIMF) but now he is back. We will most likely give his old Call Sign if it is still available.`` (via Benn Kobb, DXLD) The one in remote Nevada (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. WORLD OF RADIO 1648 monitoring: On 5050 and 3195, WWRB, UT Friday Dec 21 at 0430, Pastor Larry (``praise God!``) Cain in SC is running a bit late with his usual wrapup; finally ``amen & amen`` at 0434:05. Then Dave Frantz comes on with a live announcement that WOR is coming right up after the computer ``spools up`` or something, and so it does, starting at 0434:58. Fortunately the SW frequencies stay on past 0500 for the full WOR, and at 0504 Dave is back with another live announcement, about his NDB on 529 kHz, LYQ, which he says he is keeping on all-night for the benefit of DXers, altho it is not currently needed at his airstrip with no night flights scheduled, the previous contract having run out --- but a new one will start in a few weeks. Reception reports for LYQ are wanted via the website http://www.wwrb.org (I can usually hear it weakly, het against Cuba 530). Dave also muses that he started DXing in 1968, discovered SW by accident. An old AM transistor radio of the 1960s or 1970s (but probably not modern ones) can be forced to pick up SW by wrapping a few turns of wire around the loopstick, and hooking that up to 25-30 feet of antenna wire. Near the 1600-1700 kHz range at the top end, he could then hear RHC, VOV and R. Moscow, but never found out what the original frequencies were. I explain: Some modern portable radios with poor selectivity also get powerful 6 MHz band SW signals above 1600 kHz, the usual formula being multiply by 3 and add twice the IF, e.g. RHC on 6000 could appear on 1700 = x 3 = 5100 plus 2 x 450 = 900 leads to 6000. It`s not that they are really tuning SW; it`s that they are incapable of rejecting such SW image signals, and adding more antenna gain just overloads the units, making this more likely. It`s a good thing I was listening on 5050, since as usual, the webstream carrying WOR automatically cuts off at 0500 to the default KJV Bible readings, whether WOR is over or not. Dave finishes at 0508 and SW transmitters go off. Next chances for WORLD OF RADIO 1648: UT Saturday Dec 22 at 0230v on Area 51 via WBCQ 5110v-CUSB; UT Sunday Dec 23 at 0500 on WTWW-1 5830. On WRMI 9955: Sat 0900, 1600, 1830, Sun 0900, 1630, Mon 0530, Tue 1200 On HLR: Sat 0630 on 7265, 1630 on 6190 On WRN via Sirius XM 120: Sat 1830. On other WRN services via satellite: to Europe, Sat 1000 UT; Africa/Asia/Pacific, Sun 1500 UT WORLD OF RADIO 1648 monitoring: confirmed on webcast of Area 51, UT Saturday Dec 22 at 0230, and presumably also on WBCQ 5110v-CUSB. Next: UT Sunday 0500 on WTWW-1 5830; Sunday 0900, 1630, Monday 0530, Tuesday 1200 on WRMI 9955. WORLD OF RADIO 1648 monitoring: oh oh, 9479 WTWW is off the air Dec 20 at 2139, and so are the other two WTWW frequencies, 9905 and 12105. (I notice that other Tennessean WWRB is also missing from 9370 and if on 3185 instead that is inaudible this early; but all four WWCR transmitters are still on, 6875, 9350, 9980, 13845.) Whew, at 2150, 9479 is back on with PPP, and WORLD OF RADIO 1648 starts at 2200. New 9905 ex-9990 is also on with Brother Scare. But at next check 2214, 9479 is off again, and so is the rest of WORLD OF RADIO, still off at 2245; however, 9905 is still on with open carrier at 2214, and by 2227 BS is back. Sometime around 0015 UT Dec 21, I notice that 5830 has resumed, the night counterpart of 9479; and 5085 is also on, the night side of 9905. Let us hope for better luck during the next airing of WORLD OF RADIO, UT Friday Dec 21 at 0430v on WWRB 3195 and 5050 --- both of them confirmed on the air at 0217. After that try 5110v-CUSB, for WOR on Area 51 via WBCQ, UT Saturday Dec 22 at 0230v - last week did not start until 0255. On WRMI 9955: Sat 0900, 1600, 1830, Sun 0900, 1630, Mon 0530, Tue 1200 On HLR: Sat 0630 on 7265, 1630 on 6190, plus special holiday airings On WRN via SiriusXM 120: Sat 1830 UT. Since WORLD OF RADIO is primarily about the dynamic medium of international shortwave, between the AM and FM bands, it should be listened to on SW if at all possible. If not, there are many webcasts scheduled (including the ones simulcast on SW), via http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html and one may even hear it on demand, via http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or even subscribe to the podcast via WRN: http://www.wrn.org/listeners/customize-panel/addToPlaylist/98/10:00:00UTC/English WORLD OF RADIO 1648 monitoring: confirmed UT Sunday Dec 23 at 0500- 0529 on WTWW-1 5830. Heard beginning, checked middle, and still on air at end, so presumed thruout. Next: UT Monday 0530 on WRMI 9955, also Tue 1200 [and non]. WORLD OF RADIO 1648 monitoring: UT Monday Dec 24 at 0528, 9955 WRMI with fill Xmas music in Spanish; after ID, 0531 WOR starting. I can hear some pulse jamming behind, but WOR is atop except during brief fades. However, at 0557 recheck I hear nothing but the jamming. Tnx a lot, Arnie! WORLD OF RADIO 1649 monitoring: produxion finished just in time for first airing, confirmed, on WTWW 9479, Thursday Dec 27 at 2200. Now the ``new frequency 5830`` announcement has been removed, but the TOH legal ID has resumed firing *after* WOR starts, covering up part of our intro. Otherwise intact, unlike last week when 9479 was partly off the air. Further WOR opportunities: UT Fri 0430v on WWRB 3195 and 5050 UT Sat 0230v on Area 51 via WBCQ 5110v-CUSB Sat 0630 on HLR 7265, 1630 on 6190 Sat 0900, 1600, 1830; Sun 0900, 1630; Mon 0530; Tue 1200 on WRMI 9955 UT Sun 0500 on WTWW 5830 Sat 1830 on WRN via SiriusXM 120 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 9665-9725, Dec 21 at 2105, very bad spurs from WTWW-2, 9905 with Brother Scare. Maybe peaks 9705, but blocking anything else over this range. Extremely distorted on modulation peaks. Upper spurs not as strong, audible from 10100 to 10125. These are roughly plus and minus 205 kHz from 9905 fundamental. Also Dec 22 at 2023 check, spurs from 9905 now ranging 9660-9735, and 10105-10115, as QSO Show is being simulcast with 9479 WTWW-1. Mark Sills, W5JXY in Dallas, was also hearing the FMy spurs around 9705, so I checked them out. More problems on WTWW-2, 5085, UT Dec 23 at 0013, Ted is about to play a clip for a caller when dumps off the air. From his remote studio with no air monitor, he may not be aware of this. Cuts back on at 0017, but meanwhile I had something UNIDENTIFIED, q.v. Next check 0153, 5085 has double audio, both the QSO Show with Ted and a preacher about repentance, roughly equal levels, and not // 5830 WTWW-1. At 0158 now we are getting the QSO Show only but with a weaker echo four or five words behind. At 0237, only one QSO Show discussing EME and the 2.5 second delay. Hmm, was that moonbounce I was getting earlier? Hi. At 0305 check it`s on to preacher and pseudo-scientist Rod Hembree. Let us hope there are no problems disrupting the last best chance to hear WORLD OF RADIO 1648 on SW this weekend, UT Sunday 0500 on WTWW-1 5830, since the first airing Thursday at 2200 on 9479 suffered a transmission outage. 5085, UT Sunday Dec 23, WTWW-2 must have gone off circa 0400, when checked at 0415, unlike most weeks staying on 2+ hours more. Before then was GFRN show with Rod Hembree. No sign of the 5086v unID now. WTWW has been trying to locate the cause of spurious signals from WTWW-2 9905. Dec 23 around 2100 I was on the phone with the transmitter site as they made various tweaks. The last two days the spikes were heavy, peaking circa 9705, but today I could barely hear a few closer to 9720, and with spectrum analyzers at the site, WTWW could not detect them, so are they receiver-caused? At least three independent monitors at skip distances have heard them. Fundamental here is extremely strong, but so are some others which produce no such effects. Would others please check in the 20-24 UT period whenever 9905 is on the air. 9660-9730, Dec 24 at 2007, extremely distorted modulation spike spurs over this range from WTWW-2 9905, peaking roughly 9705; also a bit around 9625, and 10100-10120; Ted Randall is interviewing someone about Bible Worldwide, the service carried at limited times on WTWW-3, 12105 (which is not on at the moment). This is on the main receiver, FRG-7 with E-W longwire. Then at 2011 I go outside onto the porch with the DX-398 and plug in its much shorter wire around the eaves: essentially the same deal, on a receiver with completely different circuitry: 9660-9705-9725, 10095- 10120 --- the exact extent is constantly varying depending on the intensity of the signals; and also the fundamental is splashing from 9880 to 9930 or so, but not the same spikes as further out. At 2132 when Brother Scare is now on 9905, still the spur field 9660- 9730, 10095-10120. And at 2140 still heavy circa 9705; and still at 2255, when RHC 9710 is suffering heavy interference, tsk2. Numerous weaker signals in the 9660-9730 range have no chance against this. On Dec 25, I hear that WTWW is still working on locating the source of this problem. 9705, Dec 25 at 2219 and 2309, modulation spike spurs from WTWW-2, 9905 are still centered around here in a spread of 70 kHz or so, QRMing many other stations. Since the WTWW-3 transmitter is not in use on 12105, why not substitute it on 9905 for the time being and suspend the problem until it can be fixed? But it seems only listeners at a distance are hearing the spikes. 9625, 9660-9735, 10100-10125, and 10300-10340, approx. range of modulation spike spurs but peaking around 9705, from WTWW-2, 9905 transmitter, Dec 26 at 2136 check. Now they are worse than ever. George McClintock continued to work on the problem and thanks us and some other monitors for help with this. By Dec 27 at 1920 he thought he had solved the problem and called us for another monitoring check. Yes, 9905 came on with music, but no spurs! Nor at some later chex. He explained it something like this if I copied it correctly: It seems the neutralization capacitor needed adjustment once the fundamental frequency changed from previous 9990. Maybe it was corroded. The screen current was also wiggling. The neutralization circuit takes RF and feeds it back to the input to be canceled, to keep the amplifier from oscillating. But the amp went into self-oscillation with the RF at plus/minus 200 kHz or so. Some other stations have exhibited a similar problem from time to time, so perhaps they should take this into account. It`s satisfying to have helped a station solve such a problem, unlike others which do nothing even when informed (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. Digital text via shortwave broadcast this weekend This UT Sunday, 23 December, European shortwave broadcaster The Mighty KBC will transmit to North America at 0000 to 0200 on 9450 kHz, AM mode, via Bulgaria. As has become their custom, they will include some digital text during their broadcast. At about 0130, MT63-1000 long interleave will be centered on 1000 Hz. MFSK32 on 200 Hz. PSKR125 on 2600 Hz. And BPSK63 just under 3000 Hz. At just before 0200, an Flmsg message in MT63-2000 long interleave will be centered on 1500 Hz, leaving just enough room for PSKR250 at about 2800 Hz. Also Saturday 0500 to Sunday 0500, WRMI in Miami, 9955 kHz, will transmit IDs, usually on the hour and half hour, in MFSK-8 format, centered just above 2000 Hz. Sunday 0500 to Sunday 0500, WRMI will transmit IDs in MFSK16, centered at 2500 and just under 3000 Hz. The WRMI signal is usually fair to poor in most parts of the USA, and it suffers from Cuban jamming, so it is a good test environment for digital text modes. You might not hear much through your speaker, but you may be surprised at how well the digital text IDs print out on your display. You can decode all of the above using Fldigi and Flmsg from http://www.w1hkj.com (In Fldigi, go to Configure > Modems > MT-63 > check 64-bit (long) interleave, 8-bit extended characters, and Allow manual tuning. Also, go to Configure > Misc > NBEMS > check Open with flmsg and Open in browser and, below that, indicate where your flmsg.exe file is located.) (Kim Elliott, KD9XB, Dec 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) WRMI had weak signal too at 9955 kHz, but very easy to see on SDR the double side MFSK marks IDs around 0000 Z. Here the video: http://youtu.be/f8G05w2TMTY Merry Christmas (Flávio PY2ZX Archangelo, Brasil, Dec 24, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I decoded the WRMI MFSK8 from Flávio's YouTube recording. You can see the decoded text and the waterfall centered near 2000 Hz here: http://kimelli.nfshost.com/index.php?id=14018 (Kim, KD9XB, ibid.) Very interesting! Congratulations Kim, you have to considered some noise picked up by the video recording, with not so pure audio as decoded by original .wav SDR file. Best wishes (Flávio PY2ZX, ibid.) ** U S A. 9265, WINB Red Lion PA; 2249-2259+, 18-Dec; English gravelly-voiced, gasping Pastor David huxtering away. ID at 2258+ right into more huxterage. SIO=4+54 till 2252 sudden dropoff to 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) 13570, Dec 20 at 2137, WINB is just barely modulated, which is helpful since the YL gospel huxter appears to be screaming; the CODAR QRM is as loud as she is (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 7506.4, WRNO, 0213 Christmas songs, 0217 DW ID and DW news. Very good but with some distortion, Dec 20 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) This DW relay is very strange, perhaps the only worthwhile programming on this station. Who instigated it? Hard to believe DW suddenly got interested in broadcasting to/from North America again. Do they even know about it or acknowledge it on air? Is it reliable 7 nights, or what? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) Tonight about 0315 I heard WRNO worldwide on 7505 [sic]. It came in as if I was several hundred miles away. The audio was excellent. It came in 55555. They were doing music when I tuned in (Richard Lewis, Forest, MS, Kaito KA-1103, Helical antenna (I am in the process of reworking the antenna so it can pick up a little better.) UT Dec 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) WRNO Worldwide was heard on 7505 [sic] at 0406 UT on Wednesday, December 26, 2012 with a solid strong carrier with modulation with peaks of 50-60 db's! They were playing contemporary Christian music selections with great sound quality unlike the muddy audio when they first came back some time ago. I guess The Lord gave us the chance to enjoy this station again since they were first heard back in 1982 when they used to carry GH's DX program. I do hope they might consider carrying it once again for DXers on the air. Indeed a historic Xmas night for us DX'ers. 73's, (Noble West, Clinton TN, Tecsun PL380 DSP receiver with telescopic whip antenna fully extended, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7506.400 after tune-in at 0455 UT Dec 26, heard only singer group for 2 minutes. TX OFF switch at 0457:05 UT. S=8-9 signal in Germany. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) So they have fixed the overmodulation problem? I hope so. 73! (Georgi Bancov, swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com ibid.) Hi Georgi, Was fixed in late Nov. Here is an example of their improved audio: https://www.box.com/s/5afy9ziol3c2sfl4pq5y (Ron Howard, California via Bancov, ibid.) Thanks. I'll listen to them in a short while. It's always a pleasure to listen to US broadcasters here in Bulgaria. They are coming in with excellent signal on the NAm beverage. 73! (Georgi Bancov, ibid.) They still claim to be on ``7505``. Surely must have received many DX reports that they are axually on 7506.4. Who are they kidding? FCC? Far out of legal tolerance; less than that got KJES a citation (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 11715, KJES, Vado, New Mexico, 1644 Spanish, woman with a well-enunciated religious message. Fair but low modulation, Dec 22 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and the Sony AN1 active antenna on the roof, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Family Radio International, What Next! Beside the letter from CVC [ZAMBIA], yesterday I received Volume 47 Number 4 (Fall 2012 issue) of the Family Radio News magazine. A letter on Page 17 is entitled "An Urgent Prayer Request!" It states in part "The expenses for operating our international services are very great, and our income is not able to keep up with these expenses. We are faced with the possibility of shutting down our shortwave broadcasts: which of course, we do not want to do." This is also a said piece of news. In recent years Family Radio International has utilized not only WYFR but many relay sites around the world to reach their audience. I never counted how much time they leased on other transmitters but I would guess that it was at least a half dozen sites throughout Asia and the Pacific. In a recent check of the HFCC Public files I could only find them using WYFR in Florida and sites in Taiwan. I assume the Taiwan sites may be connected with Radio Taiwan International using WYFR's Florida site. Perhaps they exchange transmitter time. But in any case it appears that Family Radio's International Broadcasts may be at risk (Steve Handler, Dec 27, ODXA yg via DXLD) It`s all wacky prophet Harold Camping` fault (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. 580, Dec 25 at 1409 UT, WIBW Topeka KS with ``Hark the Herald`` version by Mannheim Steamroller, then Chip Davis of that group with stories about Xmas traditions, such as how Xmas trees came to be lighted. Later during same hour, found same syndicated show on KKOB, KFAB, KFAQ, and had also heard it at local midnight on some other clear station I did not log. Includes national commercial breaks such as GEICO; causes talk stations to break format for the holiday. Not sure all of the music played was Steamroller`s (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. There is talk that WSM AM 650 in Nashville, TN may broadcast in AM Stereo again soon. I will alert the group if I see the 25 Hz AM stereo pilot tone on WSM's signal again. I believe WSM dropped AM stereo back in 2005 or 2006. 73 (Todd WD4NGG Roberts, Dec 21, ABDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) And I can check if there's separation in forced C-QuAM decode mode, since some exciters have the option of turning only the pilot off. WSM removed the entire exciter in anticipation of digital, but never went iBOC. They still have a stereo airchain, the original gear, and a nice wideband Blaw-Knox antenna to go with it, so would be a very wonderful thing if they decided to "re-upgrade". Kudos to WSM anyway, since they're still a 50 kW undirectional MUSIC station - I believe the last AM in this country having that power and pattern configuration --- and enough sense to keep the music (Darwin Long, Buras, LA, ABDX via DXLD) Thanks for the info. That is nice to know you can check WSM 650 for AM stereo in forced C-Quam decode mode also in case they don't have the 25 Hz pilot turned on for testing. I did some more checking and understand WSM ran AM Stereo from 1982 to 1990, so it was turned off longer ago than I thought. From what I understand, their engineer Jason is looking for a Harris AMS-G1 exciter so WSM can run AM Stereo again. That will be a real present to their listeners if WSM can run in Stereo! I imagine IBOC caused many good operations to drop AM Stereo, but now that IBOC is finally dying off, some stations are looking at C-Quam again. Also I notice several AM stations in my area are going back to a music format and doing very well with good listenership which is a good sign. If they hear about WSM going stereo it may encourage other stations to pick up C-Quam again. 73 (Todd WD4NGG, ABDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) Let's hope WSM brings back AM stereo because it could be an important step. For those of you who haven't worked in radio or paid close attention to how radio management people think and work, here is the short version. There are a lot of followers, but hardly any leaders. Radio management people are chickens, pure and simple. There are two steps in radio management when an new idea comes up. Step 1: We CAN'T do that because no other stations have done it. Step 2: We MUST do that because other stations are doing it. Since WSM carries a lot of clout with their history and signal, others will undoubtedly pay attention if they make the first move, so let's hope they take the lead and show the way. 73, (Kit, W5KAT, CO, ibid.) Good question is WHY did they ever turn it off to begin with? And for further insult why did they get rid of the exciter? Since they never ibac'ed the signal they should have just left it on, especially being a music station. I won't start rambling on about radios available mainstream (like at Walmart) that support it (starship20012001, ibid.) WSM Back on AM Stereo soon? I made a mistake in my last posting. WSM broadcast in AM Stereo from 1982 to 2000 and I believe they still have their stereo studios, stereo STL and stereo airchain so it would be mostly a drop-in operation to reinstall a Harris AMS-G1 exciter to get back on AM Stereo. 73 (Todd WD4NGG, ibid.) ** U S A. ULR DX, Weird UNID at Sunset tonight on 730 kHz, Middle Eastern --- Hi Guys: I had something on 730 tonight at sunset that has me somewhat baffled. If anyone can add any info to this I'd appreciate hearing from you!! RADIO USED: SONY SRF-T615 Ultralight BAREFOOT 730, UNID, Arabic or Middle Eastern station?? Dec/22/12 1634-1645 EST, FAIR, language?? String/percussion music and vocals in Middle Eastern lang??? at 1634-37 EST. At first I thought it was in Arabic, but the more I listened I'm not so sure it was!! Possibly Turkish/Iranian or something similar??? Male Spoke in language at 1637-40. More string music and vocals in language by Male Singer at 1640-45 EST [2140-2145 UT]. This seemed to be oriented to the SE/NW??? of me here in London, Ontario on the T615 Ultralight. I have checked all resources I have as well as the Internet and can't come up with anything fitting this format??? Anybody have any ideas??? I'm scratchin' my head on this one!! 73 ROB VA3SW (Robert S. Ross London, Ontario CANADA, ODXA yg via DXLD) UNID on 730 Solved by Niel Wolfish --- Hi Guys: Niel Wolfish in Toronto just alerted me that 730 WTNT Alexandria, VA carries some Ethnic Programming on Saturday afternoons!! I just checked their website and at the time I heard this UNID, WTNT was airing: Addis DIMTS Radio in Ethiopian Language!!!!! So, there is a great chance that is what I was hearing!!! Thanks, Niel, for fast response and pretty good guess! (Robert S. Ross, London, Ontario CANADA, ibid.) ** U S A. 770, Dec 25 at 1405 UT ABC News ending with item on HM The Queen being in 3-D this year for her Message, NM and ABQ ads, i.e. KKOB, sufficient and steady having gone onto non-direxional day pattern at 1400. At 1413 recheck I find it`s playing `An American Xmas` show from Mannheim Steamroller as also on WIBW, KFAB, KFAQ (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 810, KGO San Francisco, 1140, surprise log of the day with unexpected (though brief) rise over RRI [Merauke, INDONESIA, q.v.], with Bloomberg Business News. Only on top of frequency for three or four minutes, then gone. 14/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, on my NRD 535D with Quantum Phaser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 880, Dec 26 at 1348 UT, in the E-W null of N-S KRVN NE, not KLRG AR or KHAC NM as usually heard, but something in Spanish. Ads for St. Charles, and then for Granite City, Illinois, all by super-hype voice actors, a tactic which repels rather than attracts me, unlike most consumer targets?? Anyhow this is obviously per NRC AM Log, WIJR in Highland IL, (St Louis market), on 1700 watt day power; night and day patterns are both aimed southwest, but I don`t recall hearing this before. I do remember when it was WCBW, but it`s been WIJR since 08/15/2006. Less confusion with WCBS (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 900, Dec 20 at 1402 UT, CBS News, in E/W null of KSGL Wichita gospel huxter; based on listings in the NRC AM Log, and proximity, the only possibility is KHOZ in Harrison AR, now on non- direxional 1 kW day power. Naturally losing it by 1406 when there might have been something local (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 910, Dec 23 at 1425 UT, report about polio in Pakistan. Sure sounds like NPR `Weekend Edition Sunday`, and yes, it`s // but not synchro with KOSU 91.7, so has to be WSUI Iowa City IA, our ex-WORLD OF RADIO affiliate, rarely heard here. Direxional day pattern has minor lobe at 245 degrees, null at 208 degrees, with major lobe almost due north. While our true direxion is close to 225 degrees (SW) (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 930, Dec 23 at 1345 UT, infomercial about some brain remedy, 888-928-6928, in WKY null; KPDQ website posts that toll-free number as from ``Quincy Bioscience / Pre Vagen``. 1359 a different 1-800 number and maybe different station; 1359 IDs for ``Newstalk 930, KLUP Terrell Hills-San Antonio``, plug Bill Bennett show, 1400 SRN ``News``. Suspect call alludes to Loop 410, the ring-around-the-Alamo. This is well past local sunrise of 1315 in Dec (1330 in Jan), so on 5 kW non- direxional daytime facilities. Another successful log by carefully nulling my semi-local 930, WKY OKC. AM Switch in NRC DX News Dec 3 reported that WKY had requested extension of an existing STA due to antenna problems making them 5/1 kW non-direxional, rather than 5 kW day and night, direxional N/S at night. Special temporary authorization from FCC may explain why I can rather easily null WKY and pull in some other stations. So not looking forward to resumption of 5 kW direxional toward Enid at night. December WKY official sunrise is 1330 UT; January 1345, so this log is on daytime facility anyway. WKY`s correspondence file at FCC includes this from May 22, 2012, expiring 6 months later, authorizing extending the STA at that time: http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=34004 This shows authorized N/D night power of 1.25 kW, not 1 kW. And there are also previous letters in the correspondence file (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) More at OKLAHOMA ** U S A. 930, Dec 25 at 1400 UT, KLUP ID and news, San Antonio TX easily heard without even nulling WKY since the latter is in open carrier/dead air! Another Xmas screwup, see OKLAHOMA (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WPEN -AM Gone -- WKDN-AM On --- WPEN-AM 950 Philadelphia signed off for the last time last night at 6 PM [EST = 23 UT]. The all sports station was sold by Greater Media to Family Radio and returned to the air as WKDN-AM at 7 PM. It was a rather ignominious end to a historical station - one of Philly's oldest (April 29, 1929). WKDN-AM- 950 signed on about an hour later at 7 PM. For that hour 950 was dominated by WWJ 950 in Detroit. 73, (Rene' Tetro, W2FIL, Lansdale, PA, Dec 22, ABDX via DXLD) From radioinsight.com: WPEN-950 in Philadelphia, which had been a sports station for over 7 years - most recently simulcasting its FM partner 97.5-The Fanatic, WPEN-FM-signed off at 6 pm ET on Dec. 21, and Family Radio took over 950 as the WKDN calls returned to the Philly airwaves. WKDN had been on 106.9 until late in 2011 when it was replaced with conservative talker WWIQ, a.k.a. IQ-106.9. So now Philly again gets its dose of more gospel junk, including recorded Harold Droning sermons! (Joe Hanlon, NJ, Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. 960, Dec 20 at 0600-0605 UT during another Fox- hole from local KGWA Enid, with its dead-air carrier nulled as much as possible, a mix of ABC News, ABC News slightly echoing against the first one, blues music, and Mexican music. The last two probably WABG in Mississippi, and XEK Nuevo Laredo; the first ABC, KMA in Iowa. I had previously figured that WERC in Alabama was the most likely second ABC station, as listed in the NRC AM Log, but Kevin Redding in TN says WERC is now running Fox news. So I look thru the NRC Log again; altho there are a few ABC affiliates in further reaches of the US, with 2-digit watt night power, the most likely one I am getting is KNEB in Scottsbluff NE, with 350 watts night, and NRC Pattern Book 2005 showed at night it`s a N/S figure-8, meaning some signal should be coming our way to the SE thru KGWA (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1000, Dec 26 at 1357 UT, ``KKIM family weather`` jingle, local forecasts including hi of 50 in Albuquerque, ``New Mexico`s Christian heritage station``. Different slogan than listed ``Christian talk radio``. No problem with KTOK OKC nulled, 1 Hz away. Dec ABQ LSR is not until 1400, but they are obviously already on 10 kW non- direxional day power, rather than 38 watts night or even worse PSRA of 12.2 watts. Hey, aren`t Christians supposed to be ethical and law- abiding? Not when it impedes God`s Work! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1010, Dec 26 at 1404 UT, ABC News ending, then ``1010 KSIR News`` by YL named Jamie Monticelli (sp?); clear in null of other stuff, led presumably by KXEN. KSIR is in Fort Morgan CO, COL Brush. Official sunrise in Dec & Jan is not until 1415 UT, but likely already on 25 kW day power; night power is only 280 watts, and nothing about a PSRA. Same pattern day and night with major lobes at 85 and 250 degrees, but not a null towards us to the southeast (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1020, Dec 25 at 1419 UT, after hearing the funny-voice with countdown on WKY 930 OKC (see OKLAHOMA), surprised to hear the same thing on 1020 a few sex ahead, under the dead air from semi-local KOKP Perry OK, which I have come to recognize as from the SS station in Nebraska, KMMQ Plattsmouth (Omaha market). And after 1420 playing same music as WKY, so both are taking some satellite service, but ``La Indomable`` slogan must have been inserted at WKY only. NRC AM Log 2012 says the slogan of KMMQ is ``Ke Padre`` which seems rather strange and I have yet to hear (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1060, Sunday Dec 23 at 1434 UT, Mormon Tabernacle announcer introducing a series of Xmas carols, loops NW/SE, surely KRCN Longmont CO. Yes, matches their sked, `Music and the Spoken Word`, Sun 7:30 am: http://krcnradio.com/schedules/krcn-am-1060 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1070, Dec 23 at 1330 UT, SRN ``News``, ``AM 10-70 KNTH`` ID, plug Iheartradio streaming, i.e. U4 10/5 kW Houston TX, ``Intelligent Talk Radio`` per NRC AM Log. I beg to differ if they affiliate with far-right far-Christian SRN. Found this after rotating from Mormon Tabernacle, probably KNX; and unusually not much from KLIO Wichita except a fast SAH. Official KNTH sunrise in Dec and Jan is 1315 UT, so must be on day power and pattern using 11 towers vs only 9 at night! Here`s the day pattern with major lobe to SSE, secondary NNW usward: http://transition.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/AM_DA_patterns/58118-6865.pdf (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1100, Dec 24 at 1449 UT, Western Slope ads such as Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, which promises to show up on time; ``News Radio 1100 KNZZ`` ID, from Grand Junxion CO; 1452, a Glenn Beck substitute whose address is at a 1270 station; Mixing with Best of Mike Gallagher, thought Houston mentioned, but no 1100 there. Maybe that was just a promo on KNZZ? Some Google hits show him on that station, but not their own current website and no affiliate list on his own site. Gallagher is another far-right extremist, like most of KNZZ`s weekday lineup. At 1453 a third (?) station with some hymns/carols, mentioning Emmanuel (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1110, Dec 25 at 1422 UT, KFAB Omaha NE with `An American Xmas` from Mannheim Steamroller, like WIBW and KKOB, but not // 770, considerably out of synch. Not sure if this is a one-hour program or longer. Was also on KFAQ 1170, see OKLAHOMA (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1130, Dec 25 at 1423 UT, yet another station with open carrier/dead air for Xmas holiday, obviously nearby KLEY Wellington KS --- it`s amazing how many stations can`t trust their automation but do so anyway rather than having a real human being overseeing them on a holiday, if not everyday. Still so at 1457, but had come back for the news at 1500 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. More News on the Flip of Houston's KCOH-1430 and KQUE-1230 Here's a link to an article from Radio Insight magazine (dated Dec 14, 2012): KCOH Houston to Relocate http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/80036/kcoh-houston-to-relocate/ At my QTH in "far southeast Houston" (Clear Lake City), KQUE's signal at night "seems" to be at least twice as strong as that of KCOH, even though both employ 1000 watts at night (according to Radio-Locator. com). Nighttime Map of KCOH http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KCOH&service=AM&status=L&hours=N Nighttime Coverage Map of KQUE http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=KQUE&service=AM&status=L& hours=U The article doesn't state whether or not KCOH will be using the same facilities as the existing KQUE. 73 & Good DX, (Stephen H. Ponder, N5WBI, Houston, Texas, USA - EL29kn Dec 21, ABDX via DXLD) Several years ago, didn't KQUE either request or have a synchronous transmitter to serve parts of Houston? (John Sampson, ibid.) ** U S A. 1410, Dec 21 at 1316 UT, ad for Hi-Gain Feedlot in Farnam (not about antennas!), also mentions Eustis which is the next town down the road. This must be nearest 1410 station, KOOQ in North Platte NE, which NRC AM Log shows as 24 h with ESPN, but some of them also do some local non-sports programming. 5000/500 U2 with PSRA of 500, and this is of course pre-sunrise, 1400 UT in Dec, 1415 in Jan. Direxional night pattern has a broad lobe to the south and a slightly smaller one to the north (Glenn Hauser, OK, FRG-7 with E/W longwire, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1420, Dec 21 at 1314 UT, KTOE ID in passing and ad for Kia of Mankato. This is 5/5 kW U2 from Mankato MN; heard on the FRG-7 as I tuned by dominating frequency with E/W longwire. Night pattern is figure 8 NE/SW, favorable for us, while day pattern is ND. Official sunrise in Dec & Jan is not until 1345 UT (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1580, Dec 25 at 1432 UT, tnx to open carrier/dead air from KOKB Blackwell OK, no problem hearing ``Sports Hog 103.1``, along with SAH, i.e. KHGG Van Buren AR; but soon overtaken by ``Real Radio 1580``, i.e. KREL in Colorado, q.v. (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1580, Dec 25 at 1433 UT, ``Realradio1580.com`` and another mention of Real Radio 1580, taking over from KHGG Arkansas, while nearest 1580, KOKB in OK continues in open carrier/dead air. This slogan is not in NRC AM Log 2012, but it`s appropriately used by KREL in Colorado Springs. Here`s a story about the re-branding last August: http://www.coloradosprings.com/articles/cochell-16055-time-media.html The URL above doesn`t work, nor with www ahead of it, but instead as in the article, http://www.krel1580.com/ Their talker schedule is skewed, what else? toward the far-right; unreal (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1720 & 1710 kHz, "The Big Q" this morning 1710 & 1720 SDR catches early this morning: Came on at 0525z as near as I can tell. Radio Celestial from the Bronx was annoyingly strong here last night, about 25 Hz or so to the high side of 1710. 1710 kHz: 0525z: Rick Nelson "Garden Party" 0527z: Big Q ID 0528z: Announcer describing switching from digital to analog processing equipment for a better quality AM sound, new antenna array, etc. with clever audio voice-overs tossed in. 0529z: Announcer "Midnight Man" talking up the GE Superadio, signal abruptly dropped giving way to Radio Celestial again, technical issue I assume. 1720 kHz: 0808z: Noted back again, but on 1720, with massive AM carrier and high pitched test tones, and unobstructed signal thanks to the clear channel. I bet this would have been widely heard on this frequency if people had known to listen. Christmas oldies, slick jingles, and 20 kHz wide audio. These are worth a listen if you haven't heard the station before: Complete 1710 recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K9IJ-Hfrbg Complete 1720 recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhFvByqc978 Happy Holidays to all, (Tim Tromp, West Michigan, Perseus SDR + phased BOGs Dec 22, ABDX via DXLD) Also in now with a choppy signaler [sic] (Todd Skaine, Woodbury, MN, 2010, PL 310 or Toyota radio, 0639 UT Dec 23, ibid.) which one? (gh) Strong signal earlier (again on 1720 kHz then dropping down to 1710), but now they seem to be transmitting a strong open carrier. I'm no longer hearing audio at 0640 UT (Tim Tromp, West Michigan, ibid.) ** VATICAN. Vatican R (African Service) has a weekly programme "Communications Update". This was heard Thursday 20 Dec from just after 0520 on 7365 with the third (I think) and concluding part of an interview with Tina Salama (?spelling?) of Radio Okapi talking about the dangers and risks faced by Radio Okapi journalists. I assume that this is a repeat of the Wednesday evening UT broadcasts from Vatican R. Latest programme should be available for a week via Vatican Radio podcast of 19 Dec (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, Dec 20, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11615, Dec 24 at 2253, ``Adeste, Fideles``, then play-by-play in French of a mass, and PBXVI`s creaky voice soon heard trying to sing, oooh! This is during the live ``Midnite mass`` which was supposed to start at 21 UT instead, maybe about over by now, and presumed a special transmission by Vatican Radio, probably SMG site. Unfortunately, they delete special schedules as soon as they are over, but here`s what`s pending at the French site when checked Dec 25: http://fr.radiovaticana.va/trasm_spec.asp If one went by HFCC, one would have to conclude that 11615 at this hour would be YFR in Portuguese via Germany or Guiana French. I think not, after severe cutbax, and FR being anti-church (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7250, Dec 26 at 0617, Vatican Radio has again turned on a transmitter much earlier than scheduled, as I hear Swedish, 0618 wrapping up with ID, ``Laudetur Iesus Christus``, 0619 IS, 0620 ``LIC`` and opening Albanian with ``Ju Flet Vatikan`` --- neither of which is supposed to be on SW any more at all. A few minutes earlier 7250 was not no the air so did not start at 0600 when Swedish began. And by 0620 the other ones, 3975, 6075 and 9645 are not yet on before scheduled 0630 Latin mass with multilingual introduxion. At 0652 check, 3975 is in well, but no 6075. 7250, once again Dec 27 at 0619, VR is on the air early with IS, 0620 Albanian, which is not supposed to be on SW any more. Poor signal tonight, and may have been on considerably before 0619 in ``Scandinavian`` but not yet noticed. Then checked 3975 and 6075, but they were not on yet before 0630 mass. 9645 probably not either, or not propagating (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. Glenn, Agora, às 2030 de 24/Dec, eu estou sintonizando em inglês uma emissora que eu não consigo identificar. Não há registro de emissora em inglês nesse horário e frequência. Existe uma QRM de sobreposição de portadora, um zumbido, que incomoda, mas o inglês é claro. Na verdade, no meu Degen a melhor recepção é em 7216/7217. Não vi registro na Eibi, Aoki e HFCC. Agora as 2057 apenas a portadora, eu não entendi a ID pela YL. Fim da portadora as 2100. Eu gravei e se necessário eu te envio. Será em 7217 a Radio Nacional Angola? 73 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana - BA, Brazil, Degen 1103, 16 meter dipole antenna - East/West, http://www.ipernity.com/doc/7500 DX LISTENING DIGEST) [later:] Glenn, É a Voice of Vietnam que em meu Degen ficou melhor sintonizada em 7217 devido a forte QRM em 7220. Segue a programação em francês. Muito obrigado pela atenção (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana - BA, Brazil, ibid.) So carrier was not really on 7217 (gh) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. Polisario Front still on 702. [1 Attachment] This time, the Polisario Front remained on 702 longer than usual and expected. They started using that fq on the 18th, and continued until today; let's see tomorrow. I am enclosing a short MP3 audio clip of it where you may hear a brief K9AY loop switch to show the co-ch. Algerian signal. Reception of Rabouni on 702 has been poor; the recording shows a "fair" signal compared to what's been the average which is worse than on other occasions when they leave 1550 and send on 702. 73, Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, Dec 21, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGESET) Polisario Front back on 1550. [1 Attachment] --- Contrary to what I expected, they kept using 702 on 19, 20 & 21 Dec. Today, at least re. the evening b/cast, they're back on 1550 where the signal is superb as usual, and as usual too, the 1 minute late TS "on the hour" (I'm enclosing a recording just prepared). 73, (Carlos Gonçalves. Dec 22, ibid.) Tour of RASD facilities, Western Sahara --- Hi Glenn: This came via Twitter: a tour of the Western Sahara refugee camps, including photographs of Radio and TV RASD. Annoyingly, the photos appear to only be on Facebook, but they may be publicly visible. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151291095837829.492218.121094082828&type=1 A bit about the sponsoring organization: Sandblast is an arts and human rights charity, working to empower the Saharawis to tell their own story, promote their culture and earn a living through the arts. http://www.sandblast-arts.org/ Follow Sandblast on twitter @sandblastarts (Myke D Weiskopf > www.myke.me http://www.facebook.com/shortwavemusic http://www.soundcloud.com/shortwavemusic Dec 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Stills, in Tindouf, ALGERIA, of course. Yes, publicly visible. Lots of good shots, but mostly people rather than equipment (gh, DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. Hi Glenn! Today I received a letter from CVC Media in South Africa with the information that "we sadly have to cease our SW broadcasts as from the 31st of December 2012" 73, (Patrick Robic, Austria, 24 Dec, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That is, the only frequency left, 13590 at 0600-2200, 100 kW beamed 315 degrees also USward, often with good signal here (gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) Glenn, I received the same letter in the post today. It reads: "Due to the increasing need for quality audio and video content that brings hope and enables individuals to make life-changing decisions, we are in the process of diversifying and simplifying our broadcast methods. So far, we have managed to sign on about a 100 FM radio stations across Africa who are broadcasting our programmes at community and national level." "We have also launched a number of websites to enable the audience to select audio-visual content from diverse multi-media. The various platforms also allow for easy sharing of the content which equips individuals with tools that will enable them to share messages of hope and media that brings change to many lives." "It is against this background that we felt the need to intensify our efforts on these new platforms that we sadly have to cease our SW broadcasts as from the 31st of December 2012. We are excited about what the future holds and would love to hear your thoughts on the new listening methods we have introduced." Anyone wishing to give feedback could email it to: chat(at)cvcmedia(dot)tv Unfortunately, economies of scale will more than likely force more and more stations into this scenario. QSL 'em while you still can. Zambia is virtually next to impossible otherwise! (Al Muick, Whitehall, PA USA, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Everyone, The timing of CVC's cessation on shortwave is interesting, in that I just spoke (two days ago) with someone closely connected with CVC. I specifically asked them about shortwave and was told they are moving to "FM radio and social media." I specifically asked them about the closure of the Chilean site and the move to local FM in places like Peru. The response was, "Nobody listens to shortwave any more. It served us in the past, but no longer." I made a point of telling them that not only do I still listen to HF, but it is still popular in remote areas of Africa, South America, etc. The person I spoke with had no answer, as to who would keep these local FM's going, or how listeners would "Receive the Word" if any of these FM transmitters "packed up." Likewise, I reminded them that internet penetration is still low in many of these areas, or unaffordable. To this, there was no real response, other than to tell me the "social media" is taking off in China. I reminded them that social media is at the mercy of respective governments, that the Chinese often block unwanted websites and similar issues are being faced in the Middle East, where the govt's of Egypt, Syria, etc have all cut internet and mobile phone links, when it suited them. I also suggested that these same governments probably wouldn't accommodate Christian FM stations being established. And when I specifically mentioned the current situation in Syria, and suggested that's a country they'd probably like to target, their response was, "And we won't have shortwave to do it." The person I spoke to wasn't one of the decision-makers, but it seems obvious international broadcasters have absolutely no idea about the benefits of shortwave. Yes, HF can be jammed. But that didn't stop eastern Europeans listening to RFE or R. Liberty. And, unlike the internet and social media, the broadcasts cannot be shut down by an opposing government. I have long maintained that one or two well-chosen HF frequencies, kept active by a respective broadcaster, would serve them better. I doubt anyone at CVC would want to talk about how much these local FM xmtrs will cost? How about ongoing maintenance? Will they have engineers in every country, to make sure they stay on the air (doubtful)? In the long-term, it may very well cost them more, than a scaled-back HF service. And I'd also suggest, the local FMs will prove less reliable, than a signal from a well-maintained HF transmitter. Okay, off my soapbox. 73s de (David Sharp, NSW, Dec 24, ibid.) Hello, I think the reason for CVC to leave shortwave has nothing to do with target groups, strategy or things like these. The answer is quite simple: theres’s no money left to maintain (expensive) shortwave broadcasts. Take a look at CVC’s money source. It’s pretty sad to see CVC decline more and more. 73, (Stephan Schaa, Germany, HCJB, dxld yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Stephan, So where may we see ``CVC`s money source``? Do they post a profit and loss statement? (Glenn, ibid.) Hello Glenn! Good question, I don’t know if they publish their „insides“?! But as far as I can tell, most (almost all) money they can spend comes through Robert Edmiston who made a proper amount of money trading with far-east cars in the UK. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Edmiston 73, (Stephan Schaa, ibid.) http://www.charitiesdirect.com/charities/Christian-Vision-1031031.html I fear one should not proceed from wrong assumptions here. "CVC" is clearly not an operation with a romantic appreciation of shortwave broadcasting, not one that would run transmissions "from DXers for DXers" like Vozandes Media does in Europe. One just needs to consider their approach to communicate the decision to get rid of the transmitter in Zambia. It appears that they do it exclusively by sending out the PR puff as a circular to all persons who have written them as reaction to the shortwave transmissions (and here they obviously did not bother to sort out mere reception reports). That's all. 1africa.tv, the website related to the radio program, has already been eliminated. The URL now forwards to http://www.cvcmedialive.com where one can see already at a glance what's their goal, what's their target audience is (in Latin America it had been stated as 18-35, the current mainstream definition of "youth", and it's obviously the same here). I'm not surprised at all that they came to the conclusion that linear radio, in general and via shortwave in particular, is no longer a suitable tool for their goals after the attempts to establish shortwave radio as digital distribution platform have failed. And so they just move on. > And when I specifically mentioned the current situation in > Syria, and suggested that's a country they'd probably like to > target, their response was, "And we won't have shortwave to do it." The real reason for avoiding any activities aimed at the Middle East has, at least that's my impression, nothing to do with distribution platforms. It seems they simply consider it a too hot territory, prefer to leave it to TWR and AWR. > I doubt anyone at CVC would want to talk about how much these > local FM xmtrs will cost? How about ongoing maintenance? That's not their model, instead they just give content away to local operators, for free, as they boast at http://www.cvcmedia.tv/affiliates/ So a classic "rebroadcaster" scenario, like well known from the state- run guys. And what about the Hindi programs Christian Vision still transmits on shortwave (from Uzbekistan)? It could be that these transmissions go away at yearend as well, which would of course not be mentioned in a letter from the Africa branch to their listeners (Kai Ludwig, Dec 26, ibid.) Kai: I think this is only partially true. My source said they were going to "establish" low power FMs in Peru and Africa. If so, it also begs the question, as to delivery platform. Either way, it costs $. So I still argue that leaving HF is short-sighted and the new endeavour, unless my source was wrong and it is strictly a rebroadcast situation with existing local broadcasters, will cost CVC more $ in the long term. 73s (David Sharp, NSW, ibid.) So, another shortwave station is leaving the bands. Sad, I enjoyed their format and their broadcasts. I am sorry to see them go (Steve Handler, ODXA yg viad DXLD) ** ZANZIBAR. TANZANIA: 11735, Zanzibar BC; 2048-2057:38*, 14-Dec; M in language with Arabish music; mentioned Dar es Salaam in both music breaks heard. Off abruptly during tune. SIO=343 with buzz 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) 6015, ZBC, 0315-0340 Dec 19. Talk in Swahili, seemingly undermodulated at first but corrected by 0330, when the signal peaked at a nice level; mainly talk after 0330, with M&W in Swahili. Signal went downhill after 0340. Also noted next day (Dec 20) with drum IS at 0359, followed by 5+1 time pips to 0359:52, then ID as "...ZBC Kwanza..." followed by news; most datelines either Zanzibar or Dar-es- Salaam. All ID's heard were for "ZBC" and followed by the word "Kwanza". VG signal and stayed in much later than the previous day (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, dxingwithcumbre yg via DXLD) 11735, TANZANIA (ZANZIBAR), ZBC Radio, 1802 Swahili, powerhouse signal, man with news and frequent mentions of “ZBC” and “ZBC Radio”, into non-African instrumental music after 1805, no English news at 1800 as listed, at least for today, checked back at 1832 and they were off the air. Excellent Dec 22 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, BC, Listening in my car with the Eton E1 and the Sony AN1 active antenna on the roof, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Domenica 23 dicembre 2012, 1551 - 11735, ZANZIBAR BC (TZN), Musica afropop, MB! (Luca Botto Fiora, QTH G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) molto bene = VG 11735, Dec 23 at 2049, fair signal with music from ZBC, no announcements heard until cut off the air rudely at 2055:45* [Not 2055:18* as I originally reported, forgetting to add correxion factor for my watch] (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11735, RTZ/ZBC, 1935-2137* Dec 24. Usual exotic music, with breaks at 2000 for news(?) and 2100 with several minutes of Spice FM hype ("probably the best radio station in the land," testimonials, jingles, etc.), finally returning to music; on late today (for Christmas?), finally pulling the plug at 2137 (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, dxingwithcumbre yg via DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE. 4828, Voice of Zimbabwe, 1817, fair with pro-Mugabe commentary, best in LSB to escape 4835 splatter. Recheck at 1835 had this much better during brief period, when which 4835 was off. 24/12 (David Sharp, NSW Australia, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD- 535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4828, tentative, 1811, Voice of Zimbabwe possibly the one on 21/12, but only open carrier, no audio (though this wouldn't be the first time I've stumbled across this with low audio or no modulation). Nothing noted on frequency when checking the next day (22/12). (David Sharp, NSW Australia, Partial list of equipment: FT-950, NRD-535D, R8, R30A, Timewave 599ZX, various Palstar and MFJ accessories, Quantum Phaser, various Sangean and Tecsun portables, EWE aerials, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. /USA, 12105, WTWW with Radio Dialogue, 1600+ 17 Dec. 'TWW in Arabic submerging RD, but Dialogue back all alone 18 Dec. at 1600+ and 'TWW apparently off 19-21 Dec. as well (12105 empty at 1524 check on 19 Dec. and Dialogue clear post-1600 20/21 Dec.) 23 Dec. *1600 no WTWW Arabic program today and Radio Dialogue opening almost mid-chat in Shona/Ndebele (Dan Sheedy, Moonlight Beach CA, PL600 + 4m X-wire, via Bob Wilkner, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WTWW quite irregular during this hour, more likely on Sats, I think, which were 15 and 22 Dec, dates not mentioned above. But Dan heard WTWW on Mon 17 Dec (gh, DXLD) CLANDESTINE - 12105, R. Dialogue, 1624-1700* Dec 19. YL in English with news magazine or similar in progress; a talk in vernacjular by man followed from 1632-1638, then more English by YL after a "Radio Dialogue" ID; off at 1700 after a bit of music and close-down announcement. Fair with noisy band. Via MADAGASCAR (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW. dxingwithcumbre yg via DXLD) 12105, Thu Dec 20 at 1640, weak music, and 1643 some talk, presumably Radio Dialogue FM as scheduled this hour via MADAGASCAR, (ex Zimbabwe Community Radio). Others have reported QRM from WTWW in Arabic, but not today. While it`s difficult to pin down a reliable schedule from WTWW-3, I think it is more likely to be on the air weekends, especially Saturdays following Russian (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 12105, 23/Dec 1650, Madagascar (Relay), R Dialogue in Shona or Ndebele (listed). Eletronic music, at 1652 OM talk, sometimes in background electronic music. At 1656 quick talk of YL and OM, then only the carrier without modulation. At 1659 end of transmission. 25432 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana Bahia, 12 14´S 38 58´W - Brasil, Degen 1103 - All listening in mode of filter Narrow at 6 kHz, Dipole antenna, 16 meters - east/west, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. [IRCA] Fwd: [lbi-dx] Interesting broadcast on 486 kHz last night --- First, Merry Christmas to everyone on the list; I hope your travels, if any, were safe. Enjoy your holidays! Now, on to interesting DX. I heard the station in the link below last night on 486 kHz at 0700 UT playing classical/holiday music. To me, the announcement between songs sounds like NOAA's "Perfect Paul" or "Iron Mike" synthesized voice. After the scripture reading he mentions a "voice transmission" and possibly a church congregation, but the static covers some of the details. I cannot find any mention of this online. Anyone hear this before associated with an AWOS station? Nothing on Bill Hepburn's LW list. The Perseus list had a report in the fall about someone hearing what they thought were the Canary Islands on 486, but they were in Europe. I don't think this was an image (at least not created in my Perseus). https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4cxmph92ittrooz/zr56Q-NL33/486_unID_with_music_and_scripture_0701_UTC_12-25-12.mp3 (Brett Saylor, State College, PA USA, Perseus SDR with west-pointed split delta loop with Wellbrook FLG100LN preamp, IRCA via DXLD) A Reginald Fessenden commemorative broadcast perhaps? Fessenden is credited with the first successful transmission of speech over wireless on December 23rd, 1900. A few years ago I seem to recall a "voice" broadcast on longwave commemorating this event around this time of year. Happy Holidays, (Tim Tromp, West Michigan, ibid.) Here's an update; I heard this recording around 0901 UT this morning. There is a call given by the automated female voice along with the frequency of 486, and a mention of "transmitting on four ...": https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4cxmph92ittrooz/kxaJDCwSWa/486_unID_with_music_with_ID_0901_UTC_12-25-12.mp3 To me the call sounds like WK2SFP, (Brett Saylor, ibid.) It is a computer generated voice. Sure interesting. What's this about "two-hundred and six" though? Couldn't make out the context of that. My guess is that it's some sort of AWOS beacon, specially for Christmas (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, ibid.) Now that I listen to the clip again, I hear the mention of Fessenden after the scripture reading. I've also been told that this is an experimentally licensed 600 meter amateur station from WA1ZMS. I'd like to find out what power it was using. Here's a clip of the entire 8 minute Perseus recording if anyone is interested: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4cxmph92ittrooz/H6QGMSTXqv/486%20Reginald%20Fessenden%20commemorate%20broadcast%200658%20UTC%2012-25-12.mp3 (Brett, Dec 26, ibid.) There are 25 stations holding experimental licenses from the FCC to transmit in the 480-490 kHz band. It's probably WG2XFQ, authorized to use regular AM and Morse at 20 watts ERP on frequencies between 483 and 510 kHz. The name on the experimental license matches the name on the WA1ZMS amateur license, and the cited location (Forest, Virginia) matches a 144 MHz beacon known to be operated by WA1ZMS. It should be noted a recent international conference agreed to allocate the 472-479 lHz band for regular (non-experimental) use by amateurs. The allocation is effective January 1st, although it will take more time for the FCC to add the band to their regulations. There are other amateurs authorized to transmit in the 480-490 band: WE2XGR - licensed for 460-480, CW, single-sideband, RTTY, and some kind of subcarrier telegraphy at 1,000 watts ERP. Eight sites are listed (which probably means eight different amateurs are allowed to transmit under the same license); the licensee name & one of the sites matches amateur station K2ORS. Sites are in New England and upstate NY. WG2XJM - licensed for 460-480, CW & PSK31 at 100 watts ERP from Saegertown, Pennsylvania. Licensee name matches amateur station NO3M. WG2XKA - licensed for 460-490, CW, RTTY and PSK31 at 1 watt ERP from Rutland, Vermont. Licensee name matches amateur station WA3ETD. WG2XCT - licensed for 495-510, CW, RTTY and PSK31 at 5 watts ERP from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Licensee name matches amateur station N4LTA. === There are also a few commercial firms authorized to operate experimental transmissions in this area: WE2XSR - Boeing is authorized to transmit unmodulated signals in the 435-510 kHz band at 50 watts from two sites in Seattle. WF2XMG - Boeing is authorized to transmit unmodulated signals at 50 watts on any frequency below 100 MHz from sites in Portland, Oregon; Seattle; and Everett, Washington; on any frequency below 50 MHz from Palmdale, California and Moses Lake, Washington; on any frequency below 74.6 MHz from San Antonio, Texas; and any frequency below 1 MHz from Tukwila, Washington. WG2XFE - Medtronic is authorized to transmit on-off-keyed telemetry at 51.4 nanowatts from sites in Scottsdale, Arizona; Jackson, Mississippi; Louisville, Kentucky; and Nashville, Tennessee. Seems to me you wouldn't need a license for such low powers! These appear to be for medical telemetry, with the transmitters implanted in patients -- and a special condition on the WG2XFE license requiring Medtronic to retrieve the transmitters after the experiments are complete! WE2XVO - LBA Technology is authorized to transmit unmodulated signals in the 435-495 kHz band at 10 watts from mobile sites near Pactolus, North Carolina. WA2XRM - RW Systems is authorized to transmit Morse & FSK signals at 100 watts ERP on 480 kHz from a site in Colorado Springs. (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, ibid.) Thanks for that information, Doug - nice to get the entire story on the transmission. I'm glad I stumbled across it, (Brett Saylor, IRCA mailing list via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Trans-Pacific carrier search just before local 1340 UT sunrise here Dec 21, at 1332-1336: very weak carriers detected on 747, 774, 828, 873, 882, 972, 1053, 1566; and maybe on 612, 693 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX-398, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 680, Dec 23 at 1322 UT, in KFEQ cowboy-show null, sports talk with an echo. One is surely KNBR, so the other must also be ESPN. NRC AM Log possibilities: WCNN Atlanta, WHBE KY, but most likely WMFS Memphis TN (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 880, Dec 20 at 1358 UT, open carrier from the E/W, zero- beat with KRVN Nebraska to the north; only evident by the loss of KRVN modulation when that is nulled and the signal meter still with several bars on the DX-398. Still OC past 1400. Suspect it`s KLRG 50 kW in Arkansas, then fading, instead of `Canada Calling` from the WTAN network as previously heard at this hour (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 880, Dec 27 at 1402 UT, good open carrier/dead air from E/W in null of N/S KRVN NE. Most likely KLRG 50 kW in Arkansas; wonder if Fritze has noticed such anomalies from his local. Since the one day I heard it carrying `Canada Calling` at 1400-1405 from the WTAN network in Florida, I have not heard KLRG again, either no signal, something else or now this again. Nor is there any Spanish audible, IDed yesterday before 1400 as from WIJR in IL. By 1400 today a bit of English preaching is audible, growing and overcoming the OCDA at 1409 with `Insight for Living`. KHAC Window Rock AZ is now suspected and it is on that ministry`s huge affiliate list, including scads of satellators, which is searchable only by radii up to 150 miles from any zip code entered, but for 10 am local = 1700 UT on KHAC. Does not appear for 880 in Little Rock or St. Louis areas (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 880, Dec 27 at 1402 UT, while KRVN NE is in Fox `News`, I can also hear a slight reverb/delay indicating a second Fox affiliate is under it (besides the open carrier and other stuff in separate log when aimed into KRVN null). Per NRC AM Log 2012, there are three other Fox affiliates on 880: KCMX, 1 kW in Oregon, very unlikely; more likely: KJJR Whitefish MT with 10/0.5 kW non-direxional but which should still be on nite power; and most likely WMEQ in Menomonie WI, 10/0.21 kW U2, which would now be on non-direxional day power (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1080, Dec 23 at 0608 UT, something in English CCI to KRLD in its null, SAH of 216/minute = 3.6 Hz. Unusual to hear any such thing; altho there are several US stations with significant night power, none of them should be getting into an area this close to Dallas. Maybe it`s CKKY Wainwright AB, which per NRC AM Log 2012 has a 9 kW direxional at night CP to move from 830? Unlikely: website http://www.key83.com/ shows it`s still Key 83, and wikipedia says a month ago they applied for FM 101.9 instead, another attempt to get off 830: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CKKY (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1170, Dec 23 at 1435 UT, Tex-Mex music in null of KFAQ Tulsa, soon lost. Far most likely is KJJD in Windsor CO. Dec/Jan official sunrise is 1415 UT, so now on 1 kW non-direxional, altho they also have a PSRA from 1300 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1310, Dec 22 at 1357 UT, ``Puede Ser`` romantic sounding song, but I think it`s gospel; 1400 brief announcement I can`t copy and into another Spanish song. Still suspect it`s KKNS in Corrales NM (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. On the air now: Unid 3380 from 2315 to 2345; 3380.87 from 2315 to 2345 with a one minute break in transmission. Two 90 meter mysteries at the same time. 73s (Bob Wilkner, Pompano Beach, FL, 2351 UT Dec 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See ECUADOR UNIDENTIFIED. 3588.6, SIO 444 desde 0000 con abrupto corte o interferencia a las 0023, música melódica años 80, temas cortados y superpuestos .- 27-12-12 EAW (Enrique A Wembagher, Argentina, Dec 26, condiglist yg via DXLD) No la puedo escuchar desde CABA. Podes intentar Ruben? (Arnaldo Slaen, Enviado desde mi BlackBerry de Personal, ibid.) CABA = Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires Ya cortó tx, imposible ahora (Wembagher, 0051 UT Dec 27, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 4976, Dec 25 at 0433, het with 4975, and bits of audio on 4976, slightly stronger than 4975. Can it be R. Uganda? Sunrise at Kampala is 0347 UT, per gaisma.com and almost on the Equator it varies little during the year, no later than 0400. Both carriers still there tho somewhat weaker at 0500. Het note is B5 = 988 Hz and virtually zero-beat on my keyboard. The night before I was only hearing the 4975 carrier, Peru or Brasil? Eurafricans are hearing Uganda fine in their evenings, but is it really on the air in the mornings, and from what hour? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 4984.16, unID LA station noted at 1108 on 12/24, low power but sounded possibly like rustic Andean yipping. Impossible to do work this much better, couldn’t really hold onto the signal very well, but may be the same station reported in DXplorer a few weeks ago heard in S Florida, during local afternoon in USA. Probably signed-on at *1100. 4984.16, UnID LA station, probably Andes QTH, noted again with morning transmission, weakly on 12/27. Probably nominal *1100, heard at 1116 tune-by with OM in Spanish and what seemed very rustic OA folklórica music selections. Very shrill quenas and YL chorus yipping at 1117. At 1120 lengthy announcement by OM in Spanish, hearing snippets of speech fragments (“la alegría” and so forth) lasting to 1124. OM seemed to be intoning and could have either been a prayer or rapid-fire Spanish as in a sports report, really couldn’t make this out. At 1124, again Andes-flavored melody. OM again at 1127 but now getting too weak, amidst building noise level as LA propagation was ending. PFA in Lima, perhaps you can solve this one? (Ralph Perry, Wheaton, Illinois, Drake R8B; Japan Radio NRD-545; Eton E1; Hallicrafters SX100, Dentron Super Tuner + Ameco PLF-2 + Palomar P-408 +Quantum Phaser antenna unit (customized for tropical bands), 335-foot bidirectional BOG 150 deg/330 deg) for LA/SE Asia, DXEngineering RPA-1 preamp, Phased Longwire + Small Loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 5085.8, approx., Dec 23 at 0014-0017, while WTWW has dumped off the air from 5085, I hear a very weak broadcast signal slightly off that frequency. Possibly in Spanish; I scramble to measure it using the DX-398 on the porch, but WTWW is back on before I can be certain or pull any other program details. Far too weak to produce even a het once WTWW is back on. No known broadcasters besides WTWW around this frequency, and not a likely image or harmonic either. Better luck next time WTWW is missing around this hour (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. And unknown language on 5880 kHz --- What station will it be? http://ani.atz.jp/FBDX/LogBBS/img/2402.mp3 by XYZ http://youtu.be/WS36UTVPSxs by Rakuta s/off at 1401 on 5880 kHz (S. Hasegawa, Japan, Dec 27, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) YL announcing address & email ID followed by gospel song in Hindi. Sounds like Viswa Vani = Trans World Radio http://youtu.be/WS36UTVPSxs by Rakuta Gospel talk in Magahi (regional dilect from Bihar, India), TWR testing? Regards, (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 5985.78, UnID strong carrier 2330 to 2345, 20 Dec. 21 Dec (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, NRD 535D, Icom 746Pro, Drake R8; and XM, Cedar Key, South Florida, NRD 525D, R8A, E- 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Myanmar likely, 5985.8+ in our morns (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. 6170 U/V, GULF OF MEXICO (pirate out-of-band commercial or charter fishermen). 1800 December 19, 2012. Two guys talking, one slightly off-frequency, simplex mode. Mentioning catching 240 pounds of (sea) trout [sic]. Also mentioning redfish, wahoo, blacks (grouper) and bonita. A couple of these are not really edible; redfish not a commercially-permitted catch; and 240 pounds of sea trout just might not be legal. But then if you’re on 6170 kHz talking about it, obviously following the law isn’t too important. One guy said today’s catches have been, “pretty shitty” and, “… heading back north… 12-13 miles NE of me is too shallow… on the state line…” So, presume in the Gulf of Mexico and not terribly far out, based on the referenced geography and some of the fish catches mentioned. Odd OOB channel, heard at 1300 (1 p.m.) local time. Good (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, Pile of junk used: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Sony ICF-7600GR; Sangean PR-D5; Aqua Guide 705 RDF Marine Radio; GE Superadio III; JPS NF-60 Notch Filter; JPS ANC-4 Noise Phase; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X room random wire; Terk Advantage non- active portable loop, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Spooks, Utes and Hamitures: UNID Dasher network noted on the following frequencies this morning at 1300 UT 12/19/2012: 6934, 7038, 7250, 7469, 7695, 7928, 8167 & 8413 kHz. About 1 second long dashes spaced about 6 seconds apart. Dashes were not in parallel, but rather stepped up through these frequencies (i.e. dash appears on 6934, goes off then immediately shows on 7038, etc.) Strong signals here, but even stronger via east coast remote tuners. Also faintly audible on west coast remotes. Later noted on these frequencies at 1328 UT: 8669, 8799, 9198, 9479, 10200 & 10364 kHz. When listening to one of these frequencies, sometimes a stronger dash would follow a weaker dash suggesting either multiple transmitters or variable antenna pattern during transmit (didn't seem like propagation fading). Whazit? (Tim Tromp, Muskegon MI, MARE Tipsheet Dec 21 via DXLD) Perhaps some sort of spread spectrum transmission? (Ken Zichi, ed., ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 9330, Dec 21 at 1326, banshee blob is slowly crawling across WBCQ as I tune in, on its way upward (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 13645, Dec 21 at 1347, DRM noise, from what? Nothing in the big three online schedules (nor 13640, 13650), nor from DRM itself: http://www.drm.org/?page_id=151 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Could it be from China ? - against IBB RFE Uzbek via Wertachtal 1400 UT? 73 (Wolfy Büschel, ibid.) Suppose it could (gh) nothing heard digital today around 13645 kHz, no jamming against Wertachtal signal. 73 wb (Büschel, 1641 UT Dec 23, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 19005: Checking on Dec 21 at 1455 – not any signal, at 1457 s/on of CRI in English and at 1459 s/on add V of Russia in English, next 1500-1535 (fade out) both stations were heard: CRI // 9720 and VOR // 9880. Another test on different place in the village with other receiver VEF – same stations were on 19005 at 1515 (Rumen Pankov, Sofia, Bulgaria, Dec 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Could be sum of two different 31m channels at same site? Except no matches found for VOR & CRI in English at 1500, and I don`t think there are any relays now via the other country. The two // Rumen found don`t work even if they were same site, as to add up to 19005, both would have to be closer to 9.5 MHz. Or course, 19005 is inside a little-used SWBC band, so could be intentional, if it were not for the mixture. Remains a mystery (gh, DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ ACKNOWLEDGED ON WORLD OF RADIO 1649: Thanks to Keith Weston for a US $ contribution via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com (gh) TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED FUTURELY: Thanks to Will Martin, St Louis MO, for a check in the mail to P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702 (gh) Glenn, enclosed is a donation (Kent D Murphy, New Martinsville WV, with a check to P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702) Thanks to Chuck Ermatinger for a contribution via PayPal (gh) Glenn, Thanks very much for ALL you do (and have done) to promote the SWL hobby! Here`s hoping that the Core Fundamentals of the hobby will endure somewhat despite ever-changing alternate technologies (Joe Smith Jr, WPE1HRA, Sandown NH, with a contribution to P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702) Thanks to Henning Vahlbruch in Germany for a contribution in Euro via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com (gh) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM See GERMANY; MALI; NETHERLANDS; RUSSIA; ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ UNIDENTIFIED 13645 DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- IBOC +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Houston IBOC or Lack Thereof Curiosity question for those living in the Houston, Tex., area. We just visited family there (West University Place) and in tuning around the band, I didn't see any stations that were using IBOC. I remember from previous visits that the Disney station on 1590 used it and I think the 790 and 950 stations also did. Did they all turn it off? (John Sampson, Dec 19, ABDX via DXLD) That town perhaps was hit by a merry band of broadcast vigilantes?? (wiseguy grin) (Ron Gitschier, Palm Coast, FL, ibid.) All off. The closest interference generator is in College Station on 1620. FM is another matter - it seems that all the good formats are on HD-2 and regular broadcast / HD-1 sucks (Bruce Carter, ibid.) WBCN 1660 IN ALL-DIGITAL MODE? I haven't seen any reports on any of the lists, and I've been on the wrong coast all last week, but it's worth asking: It appears that WBCN 1660 Charlotte NC is the station where CBS and Ibiquity are conducting an experimental test of all-digital operation. Has anyone tried logging WBCN in all-digital mode? Might be worth it for those of us with HD Radio receivers in the east to sit on 1660 for a little bit at night to see if it's getting out. I'm not even sure if WBCN is running all-digital right now, nor what schedule it might be using for all-digital operation, but its experimental STA appears to run through mid-February. s (Scott Fybush, Dec 19, ABDX via DXLD) I haven't heard anything unusual on 1660 in the past few weeks. I usually scan the AM band several times a week. I have heard the IBOC hash from WBCN before. When it is strong it washes out 1650 up to 1670. Who has an AM HD receiver these days that would bother listening at night? I will report if I hear anything unusual in the next few weeks on 1660 kHz. Thankfully IBOC is dying at a faster rate lately. More stations are turning it off. 73 - Todd - WD4NGG Roberts, ibid.) Nothing in Crump. TN. Joyless as usual. Thanks for the update (Kevin Redding, ibid.) "starship20012001" starship20012001 I usually hear something in a foreign language on this channel. I think it is from NJ not 100% sure as I don't understand the language. That said IBOC is just NOT flying. Watching TV ads, I see Bose still pushing high end "wave radio music system 3" with new improved AM-FM tuner with 12 easy monthly payments. Where is the HD????? It`s analog- only AM-FM and this is on the high end. So if they are testing all digital mode I would like to know who is listening? HD / IBOC has been around for 10 years; now where`s the radios, EXCEPT for what they jam into car dash boards (starship20012001, ibid.) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ HF 911 Public-safety and critical-infrastructure entities soon will have a new option for long-distance, last-resort communications when local and even regional infrastructure is unavailable, as 911 solutions provider Intrado today announced a new product that will leverage high-frequency (HF) spectrum from 3 MHz to 30 MHz. http://urgentcomm.com/intrado/intrado-inks-deal-apocalypse-proof-hf-offering (Benn Kobb, Dec 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WTFK? Maritime band frequencies little used any more for original purpose: INTRADO INKS DEAL FOR 'APOCALYPSE-PROOF' HF OFFERING Dec. 20, 2012 Donny Jackson | Urgent Communications (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) XMAS PRESENT: SDR SOFTWARE SDR-COM2 Hi - Simon Brown provided the community with his SDR software SDR- COM2: http://v2.sdr-radio.com/Previews.aspx Most important in my eyes is its module "IQ File Analysis". With it, you can take an HF file of up to 2 MHz width and many hours of length (recently I did a 24 hour session) and convert this into a "living" sonagram, where you can simply point and click to a signal to listen to it. I consider this a groundbreaking tool for all DXers. From my point of view, "SDR-COM2" provides the biggest step in the field of SDRs after availability of the hardware itself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZX6lVHh1lYA still may give a good impression of it --- 73, (Nils, DK8OK Schiffhauer, Dec 24, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) And the multiple VFOs with simultaneous audio, really makes live pile- up monitoring quite fun. Easy to take chunks of the spectrum and detect who he is working and hear both sides of the QSO (propagation permitting). Up to six VFOs at same time (Andy K3UK O`Brien, ibid.) Hi - in the Files section of this group, I have uploaded part of a paper on "Intruder Watch with SDR-COM2 on 40 m" showing e.g. how to: * document a schedule of a broadcaster with "Signal History" (namely: Thazin Radio/Myanmar, 7110 kHz) * fingerprint the carrier of a broadcaster (SLBC Ekala, 7190 kHz) * determine sunrise at a DX location by Doppler spread of a broadcaster (Sound of Hope & jammer on Chinese mainland with their appropriate time offset, 7105 kHz) This may illustrate some applications of this software for DXing, see: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/files/SDR-COM2_Example1.pdf --- 73, (Nils, DK8OK, Dec 25, ibid.) But how are you going to expand a day from 24 hours to infinity? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) DAVID SHARP`S RFI PROBLEM SOLVED Hi Everyone, RFI still at a minimum here and I hope it stays that way. Now, the local electricity provider is calling me, to make sure there are no RFI issues. How's that for service? (Maybe being PD of the local radio station helps?) Merry Christmas (David Sharp, NSW, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 19 METER BAND Sad to see an almost empty 19 meter band at 2057 UT. Apart from RHC on 15340 at pounding level, there's still 15400 BBCWS in English from Ascension at very good level. Not a signal to be seen below 15340 until WWV/WWVH on 15 MHz! 73, (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Dec 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, it`s a lot like the 16m band at the time where I have reported finding only one or two signals. It`s not propagation, it`s lack of interest on the part of broadcasters! Also in our afternoons when WWCR is still on 15825 before 2100, there is hardly anything between it and WEWN on 15610 (gh, DXLD) Still plenty of stations on 16 and 19 meter bands audible here in Eastern Europe. Too bad most of them are in Asian languages I don't understand. I can still receive BBC WS in English on a few frequencies targeted to Asia and Africa. Signals are usually good. Right now 15310 kHz (Nakhon Sawan) is booming in here (Tudor Vedeanu, (Gura Humorului, Romania), 1313 UT, ibid.) There is plenty of activity on 16 and 19m here too around that time in our mornings, but it`s completely different in our afternoons (gh) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ P.I.G. Bulletin 121223 Solar & Geomagnetic activity forecast for the period December 18 - January 13 Solar activity will continue to fluctuate at solar flux levels between 95 - 120 s.f.u. in next few weeks, depending on present activity of regions on solar disc (low about January 1, next high about January 15). Occurrence of C class is possible, hardly ever M class flares, X flares are unlikely. Geomagnetic field will be: quiet on December 24, 26 - 27, January 1 - 3, 7 - 9, 17 - 19. mostly quiet on December 29 - 31, January 4, 6, 10, 12, 15. quiet to unsettled on December 25, January 5, 11, 14. quiet to active on December 28, January 16. active to disturbed on January 13. High probability of changes in solar wind which may cause changes in magnetosphere and ionosphere is expected on December 30 - 31, January 4, between 12 - 16, 18. Remark: - Present type of development in solar active regions and its configuration reduces the reliability of predictions. F. K. Janda, OK1HH, Czech Propagation Interest Group (OK1HH & OK1MGW, weekly forecasts since 1978) e-mail: ok1hh @ rsys.cz (via Dario Monferini, DXLD) Geomagnetic field activity was at predominantly quiet levels all week. There were two exceptions. A positive polarity, southern hemisphere recurrent coronal hole high speed stream brought unsettled conditions and the only active period of the week on 17 December. At high latitudes, a single major storm period was observed. Later in the week, another positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream, this time in the northern hemisphere, brought a single unsettled period on 20 December. Activity reached minor storm levels at high latitudes. During both high speed streams, solar wind speed reached the low 500 km/s range while the southward component of the interplanetary magnetic field dipped to approximately -6 nT. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 24 DEC 2012-19 JAN 2013 Solar activity is expected to be at predominantly low levels during the forecast period, with a slight chance for an M-class event. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at background levels throughout the period. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at predominantly quiet levels with the exception of 29-30 December and 13 January when recurrent coronal hole high speed streams are expected to bring unsettled conditions. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2012 Dec 24 1307 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 2012-12-24 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2012 Dec 24 120 5 2 2012 Dec 25 120 5 2 2012 Dec 26 120 5 2 2012 Dec 27 115 5 2 2012 Dec 28 110 5 2 2012 Dec 29 110 8 3 2012 Dec 30 110 8 3 2012 Dec 31 100 5 2 2013 Jan 01 95 5 2 2013 Jan 02 100 5 2 2013 Jan 03 100 5 2 2013 Jan 04 100 5 2 2013 Jan 05 105 5 2 2013 Jan 06 105 5 2 2013 Jan 07 105 5 2 2013 Jan 08 110 5 2 2013 Jan 09 115 5 2 2013 Jan 10 120 5 2 2013 Jan 11 120 5 2 2013 Jan 12 120 5 2 2013 Jan 13 115 10 3 2013 Jan 14 115 5 2 2013 Jan 15 115 5 2 2013 Jan 16 115 5 2 2013 Jan 17 115 5 2 2013 Jan 18 115 5 2 2013 Jan 19 115 5 2 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1649, DXLD) ###