DX LISTENING DIGEST 16-09, March 2, 2016 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 2016 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html [also linx to previous years] NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn WORLD OF RADIO 1815 CONTENTS: *DX and station news about: Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Ethiopia non, Finland, Germany, Goa, India, International Vacuum, Japan, Korea South, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, North America,, Palau, Perú, Philippines, Romania, Solomon Islands, Uganda non, USA SHORTWAVE AIRINGS of WORLD OF RADIO 1815, March 3-10, 2016 Thu 1230 WRMI 9955 Thu 2100 WRMI 13695 [confirmed] Fri 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB [confirmed] Fri 2130 WRMI 15770 [confirmed] Fri 2130 WRMI 13695 [confirmed] Sat 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB [confirmed] Sat 0730 HLR 6190-CUSB Hamburger Lokalradio [confirmed] Sat 1530 HLR 7265-CUSB Hamburger Lokalradio Sat 2030v WA0RCR 1860-AM Sat 2330 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB [confirmed] Sun 0410v WA0RCR 1860-AM [confirmed from 0418] Mon 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB [confirmed] Mon 0400v WBCQ 5130.815v-AM Area 51 [confirmed] Mon 0430 WRMI 9955 [confirmed] Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB Wed 1415 WRMI 9955 Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB 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 WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS: Tnx to Dr Harald Gabler and the Rhein-Main Radio Club. http://www.rmrc.de/index.php/rmrc-audio-plattform/podcast/glenn-hauser-wor ALTERNATIVE PODCASTS, tnx Stephen Cooper: http://shortwave.am/wor.xml AND ANOTHER PODCAST ALTERNATIVE, tnx to Keith Weston: http://feeds.feedburner.com/GlennHausersWorldOfRadio Also via [but still not back in service]: http://tunein.com/radio/World-of-Radio-p198/ 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 NOTE: I have *resolved* to make DXLD leaner, more selective, as I seriously need to reduce my workload, much of which has been merely editing gobs of material into presentable form. This makes it even more important to be a member of the DXLD yg for additional material which may not make it into weekly isssues (gh) 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/ ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. 5130, 08.02.16 1705, ???, Shortwave Relay Service, Bishkek, Farsi: MX Fair. (Roberto Pavanello in Vercelli (Italy). RX: EGZ DX 10, Icom R-71. ANT: EGZ LPF1R ferrite loop for reception of MW, 30-metre long wire, Feb DX Fanzine via DXLD) 5130, Afghan Christian R. (R. Sadaye Zin[dagi], 1500-1800 1234567 Pashto/Dari 100 ND Bishkek KGZ 4252N 07459E TWR b15 R. Maranatha 42 52 -74 59 (Aoki via DXLD) See also KYRGYZSTAN; USA: WBCQ ** ALBANIA [and non]. Barnradio och emigration --- Aida var en trevlig och snäll tjej på Radio Kukësi. Hon började som barn där på den lilla albanska regionalradion. En klasskamrat som bodde utanför stan bjöd hem Aida till byn. När hon kom dit samlades allt folket omkring henne, det visade sig att alla hade hört henne leda barnprogrammen... Barnen bad henne om autografer. Aida kände sig som en stjärna. Aida fortsatte som vuxen på Radio Kukësi. Vi hade mycket kontakt, inte minst med chat. Många svenska låtar och berättel-ser om livet i Sverige hördes i Aidas morgonprogram. Aida läste till och med ur min bok Mera hjältemod än vete, som finns i albansk översättning. Men trots universitetsutbildning fick inte Aida något jobb. Hon finns nu i Tyskland- Hon saknar Radio Kukësi väldigt mycket. Samra är en flicka från Somalia som går på gymnasiet i Norrköping. En dag efter Röda Korsets språkcafé träffar jag henne för första gången. Hon har med sig sin laptop och undrar om jag kan titta på hennes recension av en bok. Det gör jag förstås och upptäcker att den här tösen kan skriva. Hon avslöjar att hon vill bli författarinna men inser att det är svårt. Så talar hon om att när hon var nio år var hon med och gjorde barnprogram i radio där nere i Somalia. Jag känner mig rörd och räcker henne handen. Hon ser att det är något särskilt. Jag berättar för Samra om Aida. Nu vill de båda ha kontakt med varandra. Jag har lovat att förmedla genom Facebook. Radiohobbyn har många ansikten. Det var bara det jag ville berätta. Denna vår underbara hobby (Ullmar Qvick via NORDX, via SW Bulletin Feb 28 via DXLD) Children`s Radio and emigration --- Aïda was a nice and kind girl at Radio Kukësi. She began as a child there at the small Albanian regional radio. A classmate who lived outside the city invited Aïda home to the village. When she arrived there, all the people gathered around her, it turned out that everyone had heard her lead children's programs. The children asked her for autograph. Aïda felt like a star. Aïda continued as an adult at Radio Kukësi. We had a lot of contact, especially with the chat. Many Swedish tunes and stories about life in Sweden were heard in Aïda's morning programs. Aïda even read from my book "More heroism than wheat", which is translated into Albanian. But despite university education, Aïda did not find any job. She is now in Germany - She misses Radio Kukësi very much. Samra is a girl from Somalia who goes to high school in Norrköping [Sweden]. One day after the Red Cross language café, I meet her for the first time. She brings her laptop and wonders if I can read her review of a book. I do, of course, and find that this lass can write. She reveals that she wants to become a writer but realizes that it is difficult. Then she talks about when she was nine years, she was involved in making children's programs on radio down there in Somalia. I feel touched and hold her hand. She sees that there is something special. I tell Samra about Aïda. Now they both have contact with each other. I have promised to communicate through Facebook. The radio hobby has many faces. It was just what I wanted to say. This is our wonderful hobby (Ullmar Qvick through NORDX, via SW Bulletin Feb 28, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA [and non]. 7464.97, Feb 27 at 0227, R. Tirana IS is S7, and modulated well enough, but voice mod at 0230 sign-on is lower, yet can confirm that all the numbers are correctly stated; into the news it`s just too much of a strain to copy. The problem is modulation, not interference. The neighbor on 7460 is S5 and on 7470 S4 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA. 9570, Feb 28 at 0048, CRI English via Cërrik is VG at S9+50, which even Habana 9580 after 0100 can`t beat. Would that Radio Tirana could achieve such a signal for its own Shijak broadcasts on 7465 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANGOLA. 4950, Thu Feb 25, 0221-0226, RNA, Mulenvos, in Portuguese. OM talks; YL talks; Musical program. Very poor signal, barely audible or, sometimes, unlistenable, 25331 (DXer José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo [PB] - Brazil, Sony ICF-SW100S, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) Really closer to 4949.7: (gh) 4949.75, Rádio Nacional de Angola, Mulenvos (presumed), 0423-0438. Talk by a man, language assumed to be Portuguese. Afro pop music at 0434. Extremely weak, threshold level signal, above the noise only about 30% of the time. Last log here with readable audio occurred in January 2015. 2/26/2016 (Jim Evans, Germantown, TN, IC-R75, CR-1a, Perseus, ICF-SW7600G, PL-660, Random Wire, ALA-100M, NASWA Flashsheet Feb 28 via DXLD) 4949.7, RNA-Canal "A", Mulenvos, 1850-1920, 26/2, música, anúncio das freqs., ID e sinal de ID, noticiário; 45343. Curiosamente, continuam a anunciar 11955, freq. está muda há anos. Good DX and 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW coast of Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I found a audio link for Canal Internacional (international service) of Radio Nacional de Angola at http://www.rna.ao To hear it, you must go on the top of the screen. You’ll find a link “clique Aqui e escolha su [sic] radio”. Then you look after Radio N’gola Yetu 101.4 MHz, you click on this link and after 2000, we can hear the audio of Canal Internacional. The announcement is made in French at the beginning of the French transmissions. The schedule is: (Mo to Sa) 2000 in Lingala, 2100 in French, 2200 in English and 2300 in Portuguese. Sunday all transmissions one hour later. Please note that the FRENCH service announces: “on shortwave 7215, 7245 kHz and also on 945 kHz”. Quite strange ann as Angola is no longer on SW for years (in foreign languages. DSWCI Ed)! (Christian Ghibaudo, Nice, France, DSWCI DX Window March 2 via DXLD) ** ANGOLA. 1ª emissão de rádio foi há 85 anos (Publicado em 28 de fevereiro de 2016) --- Completa-se oitenta e cinco anos domingo, 28 de fevereiro de 2016, desde que foi ao ar a primeira emissão de rádio em Angola. A emissão foi feita em Benguela, pela mão de Álvaro Nunes de Carvalho, conhecido como pai da rádio em Angola. Escute abaixo mais detalhes com o jornalista, Artur Fortunato: http://www.rna.ao/canal-a/angola-1a-emissao-de-radio-foi-ha-85-anos/ (Dr. Hansjoerg Biener, Feb 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. Radio Nacional de Argentina presentó su nueva programación para los 870 kHz [y por parte, 15345v ---gh] by gruporadioescuchaargentino El acto se desarrolló días pasados en el auditorio de radio Nacional y contó con la presencia de los principales conductores de la radio como Héctor Larrea, Romina Manguel, Eduardo Anguita, Oscar Gómez Castañón, Román Lejtman, Adrián Korol - quien a su vez fue el maestro de ceremonias -, Horacio Pagani, Osvaldo Bazán, Mona Molcalvillo, Miguel Grinberg, Diego Scott, Carlos Ulanovsky, y María Julia Oliván, entre otros. También estuvieron en la ceremonia los directores de las otras frecuencias que se emiten en Maipú 555, como Marcelo Simón de la Folclórica 98.7, Bobby Flores de Rock, 93.7, Pablo Kohan, 96.7 y Luis Barassi de RAE (Radiodifusora Argentina al Exterior), mientras que entre los invitados estuvo Graciela Fernández Meijide. El ministro Hernán Lombardi destacó en su alocución que "tenemos el derecho y el deber de convivir. Será una tarea de los medios públicos propiciarlo y estamos decididos a ceder la palabra. Quien no piensa como yo, no es menos que yo, es distinto, sólo distinto". "Y su diferencia, agregó, tiene que encontrar lugar en una sociedad democrática y orientada hacia la pacificación. Aspiramos a dejar atrás la prepotencia discursiva porque con ella nacen todas las prepotencias". "Convivir no significa verse forzado a subordinarse a ideas de otros, sino contar el derecho y el espacio para expresar las propias, sin pretender arrogarse toda la verdad. Lo que proponemos hoy está más allá de los partidos y de los hombres de los partidos, está en la insaciable búsqueda de la unidad en la diversidad", manifestó. "Pluralidad no significa pluralismo. El primer término es más genérico en cambio pluralismo es profesionalismo y ese es el material humano con que cuenta la radio Nacional, verdaderos profesionales", concluyó. Por su parte la directora de la emisora, Ana Gerschenson, dijo que "la radio es de todos y apuntamos con un gran equipo de trabajo junto a Pablo Ciarliero como vice, a una radio federal, con opinión y con una gran diversidad de contenidos". "Quiero destacar la buena predisposición desde que llegamos de la gente de la radio. Entendieron muy bien lo que queremos y seguro que vamos a equivocarnos en un montón de cosas, pero hoy creemos que tenemos lo mejor y así lo vamos a demostrar cada día en el aire", acotó. Mientras que el Secretario de Medios, Jorge Sigal, destacó que "hemos vivido años muy duros. Esa famosa grieta de la cual se habló y habla tanto, queremos que se una y los Medios Públicos deben ser eso: portavoces de información pluralista, sin fanatismo político y con la convicción de que le vamos a dar al oyente, o al televidente por la TV Pública o con los cables de la agencia Télam, la verdad y sin censura". La programación se nutre de Romina Manguel y Eduardo Anguita, quienes inaugurarán la primera mañana (7 a 9), con "Poné primera". Luego será el turno de Oscar "Cholo" Goméz Castañón, con información de todo el país (9 a 13) con "Con todo el país", y a la tarde desembarcan María Julia Oliván y Diego Scott, con un magazine de actualidad nacional que además abordará historias y personajes desconocidos con "Nos estamos conociendo" (14 a 17). Román Lejtman conducirá "Va de vuelta" (17 a 19), el periodístico para informarse en el regreso. Gustavo Noriega, Luciana Vázquez y Adrián Korol, con "Charlemos" (20 a 21), le darán una segunda mirada a los temas del día. El fútbol y el tango, además de música, entrevistas, agenda y recuerdos estarán en "Pasión Nacional (tango y fútbol)" de 21 a 22, con Roberto Perfumo y Horacio Pagani. De 22 a 23, Alejandro Horowitz y Alejandro Katz, realizarán "60 watts", mientras que de 23 a 1, será el turno de "2x1", con Osvaldo Bazán. Por su parte en la programación del fin de semana se destacan: Mario Wainfeld, Carlos Ulanovsky, Ingrid Beck, Eduardo Aliverti, José Pablo Feinmann, Jorge Dorio, Pablo Mendelevich, Mona Molcalvillo, Felipe Pigna, Graciela Borges, Daniel López, Coco Blaustein, Miguel Grinberg, Nora Massi y Daniel Viglietti, entre otros. Finalmente Héctor Larrea quien continuará con sus tira de lunes a viernes de 14 a 17 por Folclórica, considerado como el "patriarca" de la radio, le dio la bienvenida a los nuevos integrantes de la emisora y en tono campechano expresó: "me siento honrado con seguir en la radio y en la Folclórica. Nosotros estamos ahí en el estudio del fondo, así que cualquier cosa que necesiten, yerba, azúcar, aceite, para servirlos. Bienvenidos para hacer un año fuerte de trabajo en la radio pública de la que estoy orgulloso de pertenecer". En diálogo con Télam, la directora de la radio Ana Gerschenson dijo que "es un desafío muy grande el que asumimos y en casi dos meses entendimos que trajimos lo mejor y le vamos a dar al oyente una radio de calidad, mucho profesionalismo y bien federal con 49 emisoras de todo el país que van a tener su voz; así que muy felices de esta tarea que nos encomendó el ministro Lombardi y el Presidente de la Nación, Mauricio Macri". "Nos espera un año de mucho trabajo y esfuerzo y somos conscientes de eso. Pero vamos a hacer todo lo posible, con aciertos y también con equivocaciones, para hacer la radio que todos queremos", concluyó (Telam via GRA blog via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. 9580, 12065 & 12085, Feb 26 at 1404, open carrier/dead air from all three R. Australia outlets! Leave a receiver on one or another of them, and still OC/DA past 1430, 1447, 1500, 1527, 1540 --- and at recheck 1700! Standard inquiry. Fortunately, RNZI is funxional, q.v. (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn - Same noted 1323-1333 (Ron Howard, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9580, Feb 26. Was listening to RA from about 1230, but at approximately 1300 they lost all audio and have been transmitting a dead carrier ever since. I don't know about 12065 or 12085 as I cannot hear them at all (which is usually the case) at my location. 73, (Jim K5JG, Carrollton, TX (DFW area) 1424 UT Feb 26, ptsw yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) R.A. on 12085 appears to be a dead Carrier as well from Central British Columbia. Usually fairly good!! 73 THX (Rick Wald, 1703 UT, ibid.) Same for down here in Killeen, Texas (Glenn Blum, 1722 UT, ibid.) 12085 & 12065 & 9580, Feb 27 at 1340, RA is managing to modulate today (did heads roll over dead air all night last night?), during discussion of ``paramedic suicide``, a specialty I would rather overlook (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Programming Favourites on Shortwave Radio (and on the Internet) If you've been listening to shortwave radio for a long time, you probably miss such programs as DX Juke Box from Radio Nederland, Moscow Mailbag with Joe Adamov from Radio Moscow, Royal Canadian Air Farce (yes, they used to be on shortwave!) and Ian McFarland's SWL Digest from Radio Canada International. This month we'll take a look at some of the popular and long-running programs that are still available on shortwave and the Internet today. Saturday Night Country: One of the more popular offerings of Radio Australia is their Saturday Night Country program. It is heard from 1100 to 1500 UT on Saturdays, and is hosted by the Golden Guitar winning TV and radio presenter Felicity Urquhart. Even listeners who are not aficionados of country music will catch the program, as it is filled with interesting interviews, good Australian and world country music, and a nice change from the 'heavy" news-related programs offered on SW and the Internet. Go to http://www.abc.net.au/snc/ to hear the latest program offering on SNC (Joe Robinson, BEGINNER'S CLASSROOM FOR March 2016, Ontario DX Association via DXLD) Several more entries below in this issue ** BAHAMAS. 4045-USB, Little Harbour, Great Abaco, 1227 to 1231 Sailing Vessel request weather information, wind velocity given, 26 February. 4045-USB, Green Turtle Cay, 1234, Motor Sailing Vessel with advisory request 26 February (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, 746Pro, Drake R8, NRD 525, Sony 2010XA, Mosquito Coast DX News 27 February 2016, via playdx yg via DXLD) ** BANGLADESH. 9455, Betar Bangladesh at 1314, interval signal audible under splatter and noise, 1314:20 time pips, speaker in presumed Nepali and music. Later at 1342 Brother Stair dominated the frequency. - Very poor, Feb 25 (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, listening in my car, near the lake, with the CommRadio CR-1a and Sony AN-1 active antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) BS = WRMI NF Reception of Bangladesh Betar, Feb 25: 1315-1345 on 9455 DKA 250 kW / 320 deg to SoAs Nepali, good signal 1400-1430 on 15505 DKA 250 kW / 290 deg to WeAs Urdu, poor-no video 1515-1545 on 15505 DKA 250 kW / 305 deg to SoAs Hindi, weak to good http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/reception-of-bangladesh-betar-feb25.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELARUS. 11730, Thu Feb 25, 1912-1921, R. Belarus, Minsk, in German. YL talks news; short musical pause behind the news; a Belarusian song; YL talks, ID and song. Today, R. Belarus presents a good signal, fair modulation and slight buzz transmitter in certain moments of this, 44433 (DXer José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo [PB] - Brazil, Sony ICF-SW100S, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) Open carrier/dead air from Minsk Kalodzicy on February 26 0925-1005 on 11730 MNS 100 kW / 246 deg to WeEu + test tone & music from 1100 on 11730 MNS 100 kW / 246 deg to WeEu Belarussian R.Minsk http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/open-carrierdead-air-from-minsk.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11730, Feb 28, 2016. 2000-2028, Radio Belarus, Minsk, in Spanish. OM talks, ID, spanish service; News of the week; ID: "Radio Internacional Belarus"; 2007 OM presents a cms abt belarusian in commemorative date andthe Brazil-Belarus Carnival, in Misnk; 2010 Invitation to listeners of Brazi, Spain, Argentina, etc., to confirm R. Belarus through Reception Reports; Visit website; 2013 program "Nuestros compatriotas conocidos"; 2015 Listen R. Belarus on SW or Internet; Sked; Postal Address, website; 2018 Belarus Opera space; 2020 ID and program in English. Today, it's very good, talx in Spanish of R. Belarus, with good signal and modulation is exceptional, rare, 45444. 11730, Mar 1, 2016. 2000-2008, Radio Belarus, Minsk, in English. OM: ID, R. Belarus news; fast music behind news; ID. Good signal, moderate transmitter buzz and fair modulation, 43433 (DXer José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo [PB], Brazil, receiver Sony ICF-SW100S, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) 11730, Mar 2, 2016. 2045-2050, Radio Belarus, Minsk, in English. OM talks. Good signal and very poor modulation, 45432 (DXer José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo - Brazil, receiver Tecsun S-2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) ** BIAFRA [non]. 11600, BULGARIA, Radio Biafra-Kostinbrod, at 2240, on 22 Feb. A male announcer was speaking in English. He talked about the presidential elections. He also mentioned Nigeria several times. There was a musical interlude followed by talk. The station was verified on its live stream on the web as being the station I was picking up. Poor (John Cooper, Lebanon, PA, Winradio-G33DDC, CommRadio CR-1a, GAP-Hear It-In Line Module, Wellbrook ALA-1530S+, Wellbrook ALA-1530LNPro, NASWA Flashsheet Feb 28 via DXLD) SECRETLAND, Radio Biafra via SPL Secretbrod Feb 24: 2000-2018 on 11600 SCB 100 kW / 195 deg to WeAf, very nice mx from 2018 on 11600 SCB 100 kW / 195 deg to WeAf English, live http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/radio-biafra-via-spl-secretbrod-on-feb24_26.html SECRETLAND, SPL The Global specialist for International Communications on shortwave and provided to you strong and quality signal around the world. SPL Secretbrod relay clandestine broadcast Radio Biafra on Fri, February 26: from 2000 11600 SCB 100 kW / 195 deg WeAf open carrier & off at 2009 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/radio-biafra-via-spl-secretbrod-on-fri.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) CLANDESTINE, 11600, Sat, Feb 27, 1958-2011, Radio Biafra, Kostinbrod, in English. Open carrier; Start program at 2000 with variety musics. Fair signal and modulation, 35333 (DXer José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo [PB] - Brazil, Sony ICF-SW100S & Tecsun S-2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. BOLÍVIA, 4409.8, R. Eco, Reyes, 2239-2252, 26/2, castelhano, canções ligeiras; 25331. Good DX and 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW coast of Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOUGAINVILLE. Papua New Guinea. 3325 kHz, 1128-1200+ presume Bougainville, as recently reported by others. Tuned in to pop music at 1128. Male in Pidgin at 1138. At some point between 1140 and 1145, when I was tuned away, the modulation disappeared, but a strong carrier remained until shortly after 1200, when it was switched off. Fair signal (Art Delibert, Maryland, 2/27/16) [and non] Overall, conditions from Oceania were good this morning. ABC noted around 1125 on 2325 (best), 2485 (worst) and 4835 (good, but lots of splatter from 4840). RRI Merauke on 3905 with a pretty good signal from 1145 onward, but at TOH covered by a ham operator (using upper sideband, very unconventional for the 80M band); fading to unreadable around 1220 (Art Delibert, North Bethesda, Maryland, NRD 545, Pennant antenna with DX Engineering amp, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 3375.1, Brasil, Rádio Municipal São Gabriel da Cachoeira 0100 to 0120 music, om vocal with male and female announcers. Good signal 26 February (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, 746Pro, Drake R8, NRD 525, Sony 2010XA, Mosquito Coast DX News 27 February 2016, via playdx yg via DXLD) Never a hint of it here (gh) ** BRAZIL. BRASIL, 4885, R. Club do Pará, Belém PA, 2019-2201*, 25/2, revista de notícias, ..., noticiário nacional A Voz do Brasil, às 2200, mas logo cortado pelo fecho (abrupto) da estação; 34432, e 45433 às 2200. Good DX and 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW coast of Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4885, *0701-0735, 28-02, commencing transmission, Brazilian songs, Portuguese, comments, ID "Radio Clube". 24322. Also 0720-0740, 27-02, Brazilian songs and comments. 243322 [sic] (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun PL-880, Sony ICF SW 7600G, Sangean ATS 909X, Cable antenna, 8 meters and Degen 31MS active loop antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4885.03, 0215-0250 29.2, R Clube do Pará, Belém, PA, extended night programme with exciting Portuguese soccer report, 0225: "Goal", 0230 studio announcer mentioning Pará twice, 0233 ID: "Rádio Clube do Pará" and mention of the relaying stations and their frequencies, Brazilian songs, 35243 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, I heard in Skovlunde on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 4915.00, Feb 27 at 2350, S9 open carrier/dead air, in fact the SSOB below 5000; Feb 28 at 0037, now much weaker S6 but modulating music, soon covered up by the S9+5 carrier resuming; 0101 recheck it`s S7 so the weaker station again, with music and 0103 full ID but I can`t copy name. They do mention 4915 onda tropical, and frequencies on the 49 and 25 m bands. Therefore it`s R. Daqui, Goiânia, which is inactive on 6080 and 11830, and the coverstation was R. Dif. Macapá which has no such imaginary companions (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX WORLD OF RADIO 1815, LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 4925.2, Brasil, Rádio Educação Rural, Tefé, AM, 1012 “Palavras de Deus” mentioned twice then YL, 1103 recheck with YL, 25 February (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, 746Pro, Drake R8, NRD 525, Sony 2010XA, Mosquito Coast DX News 27 February 2016, via playdx yg via DXLD) So by implication `Palavras` speaker was OM? (gh) ** BRAZIL. Rádio Brasil Central em 4985 kHz --- No final da tarde desta sexta feira, captei a Rádio Brasil nesta frequencia de OT. Por enquanto a frequência de 11815 ainda está OF[F] (Ed Santos, Locutor, 27 Feb, radioescutas yg via DXLD) [and non]. 4985 kHz, Radio Voz Cristiana, Huancayo, Junin, Perú, OM y después música. SINPO 35222, Día 20 Febrero 2016, 2351 UT, Mejor en mi QTH en 4985.508 kHz. Pero ahora no puedo recibir RVC, ya que Rádio Brasil Central esta ON de vuelta desde 26 Febrero. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pG8kSc8g6w&feature=youtu.be Icom IC-R75, Antenna: Long wire 700 Meters (Daniel Wyllyans, Nova Xavantina MT, Brazil, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 6040.39 approx., Feb 27 at 2357, RB2 in Brazuguese mentioning phone number, and Rádio Aparecida which it relays most or all of the time. It`s about to get blasted off by The Mighty KBC, but not until that cuts 6040.0 on late, circa *0004 Feb 28; see NETHERLANDS [non]. While RB2 was still clear, 4+1 timesignal with pips spaced two seconds apart ending late at 0000:38 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 6936 kHz Radio Saxofone - (Radio Pirata), ????, talvez estado de SP, Brazil tocando várias músicas de trombbetas e de Saxofone, com OM dizendo ``e ai dão, dão, essa música é uma delícia`` etc, etc. Parece que o locutor estava fora de si, ``Vamos parar com isso, gente`` SINPO 34233, Dia 20 Fevereiro 2016 em 0150 UT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhAgXYY-XwQ&feature=youtu.be RX: Tecsun S-2000, Antenna: Long wire 700 Meters (Daniel Wyllyans, Nova Xavantina MT, Brazil, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 9645, Thu Feb 25, 0137-0159, R. Bandeirantes, São Paulo, in Portuguese. OM talks: Football game from Sorocaba city: São Bento 1x0 Corinthians; Anns, anns, many announcements during this; ID. Fair signal and modulation, 35433. Congratulations to R. Bandeirantes, returning to 9645 kHz. It´s very good for DXers! (DXer José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo [PB] - Brazil, Sony ICF-SW100S, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) [and non]. 9645.4, Feb 25 at 0458, JBA carrier, presumed R. Bandeirantes reactivated on SW, as first reported by Brazilians on Feb 22, and resuming its off-frequency. Not as strong as the other 31m ZY variants off 9630, 9665, 9725, 9820. They also say 6090v is back on, blocked here by Anguilla, but possibly capable of hetting it. The third Bandeirantes channel 11925 is not yet reported. 9645.0, Feb 25 at 0521, now there`s a very poor on-frequency signal yet stronger than 9645.4. HFCC shows it`s VR, SMG VATICAN in Arabic at 0500-0530. 9645.4, Feb 25 at 0626 now RB is clear with music but very poor (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1814, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9645.44, R. Bandeirantes, São Paulo, marginal signal at 0110 26 Feb 2016. Occasional audio rising above noise floor with multiple OMs in Portuguese. Apparent futebol game, or sports report. Heard a definite “Gooooal”. Not much QRM to speak of, just a really weak signal (S4). (Stephen C Wood, Harwich, Mass., Perseus SDR with 25 x 50 S/W terminated (225º) superloop antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9645.4, Rádio Bandeirantes, now on air with SINPO 24322, 0645, 26-02, news about Brazil and São Paulo (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Lugo, Grundig Satellit 500, cable antenna, 8 meters, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re: [radioescutas] Retorno das ondas curtas da Rádio Bandeirantes Coincidentemente ou não, a tarifa de energia elétrica ("bandeira") foi alterada para menos. Creio que o quesito "custo" da ligação dos 3 transmissores de ondas curtas deve ter levado a emissora desligá-los no período da bandeira vermelha que é a taxa mais alta da energia elétrica. E foi exatamente neste mês de fevereiro que a tarifa diminuiu e a Band ligou os TX em OC. 73 (PY4TW CW ENTHUSIAST "João Ricardo Bergamini", 25 Feb, http://radioentusiasta.blogspot.com/ radioescutas yg via DXLD) Says it was off during a temporary hike in electricity costs, and came back as soon as that was over (gh) João, não sei se esse seria o motivo, veja o que a Band recebeu só de verba de publicidade do Governo: http://fernandorodrigues.blogosfera.uol.com.br/2015/06/29/tv-globo-recebeu-r-62-bilhoes-de-publicidade-federal-com-pt-no-planalto/ 73´s (Fran Jr., radioescutas yg via DXLD) Sim, mas isso poderia ter sido um dos motivos já que ninguém se pronunciou oficilmente na empresa ou mídia. Mas seja qual tenha sido o real motivo fico feliz em poder ligar o rádio e ouvir, em OC, essa excelente emissora. 73 (PY4TW CW ENTHUSIAST http://radioentusiasta.blogspot.com/ ibid.) Ótima notícia sobre o retorno da Bandeirantes pelos 9645 kHz. Ontem, assistí a uma parte do jogo São Bento x Corinthians via 9645 com SINPO 35433, 0137-0159 UT. Na frequência dos 6090 kHz, nada da Bandeirantes, e sim uma apresentação do programa do Dr. Gene Scott, em inglês, via The Valley, em Anguilla, SINPO 35333, 0200-0205 (DXer José Ronaldo Xavier, Cabedelo, Brazil, receiver, Sony ICF-SW100S, Feb 25, ibid.) Rádio Bandeirantes reactivated on shortwave, very weak signal on Feb 26. 0700-0730 on 9645.4 SA4 7.5 kW / 030 deg to BRA, Portuguese, QRM RL Russian 9635: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/radio-bandeirantes-reactivated-on-sw.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 9645.4, Feb 28 at 0049, Brazuguese sounds like sports, S4; no doubt the reactivated Rádio Bandeirantes, but an ID from which I have yet to rehear. Has het from 9645.0 at S6 which would be CNR1 ChiCom jamming and/or IBB Tibetan via Thailand during this hour (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, some DXer asked me of the monitoring location, I checked Bras Portuguese this Feb 25 morning: !!! channel 11925 kHz is not yet reported. 11925 kHz Bandeirantes was not on air today. For sure, I heard this 100% Bras-Portuguese talk on 9645.401 kHz channel on the remote units at Kentucky and New Jersey/NY in USA this morning. 0900 UT time slot is far too late for Stuttgart Germany post, as you KNOW on your lifetime experience, ha, ha, ha. Monitoring history: 25 mb outlet heard last 18 April 2014 11925.204 kHz Radio Bandeirantes SP 6089.860 Radio Kaduna Nigeria noted on Febr 20, 2016. 6089.962 Rádio Bandeirantes in August 2015. Same observation of Dave Valko in May 2015. 6089.855 NIG Radio Nigeria Kaduna 6089.962 BRA Rádio Bandeirantes from São Paulo 6090.0 AIA Dr. Melissa Scott program in English, sermon, ID and phone number 001-800-338-3030 given at 0554 UT. (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews May 14, 2015) (BCDX 28 Feb 2016 via DXLD) Lúcio, A Bandeirantes em ondas curtas está com todas as QRG's no ar faz uns 15 dias (Luiz Chaine Neto, Limeira SP, 2-3-2016, radioescutas yg via DXLD) as of 2 March, for a fortnight, he says (gh) ** BRAZIL. 11894.9, R. Boa Vontade, Pt.º Alegre RS, 2231-2234*, 25/2, noticiário nacional A Voz do Brasil; 35443 (!). O fecho (abrupto) pareceu ter sido uma qq. falha do tx. Já observada no início de Fevereiro, mas nem de perto nem de longe com tal qualidade de sinal. Good DX and 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, SW coast of Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. BRASIL: 11854.96, ZYE954 Rádio Aparecida; 2247-2253+, 1- Mar; @M [sic] comments in Portuguese. SIO=4553; // 9629.94, SIO=3+33 with buzz-pulse jammer?; //6135.22, SIO=3+43- with whine QRM (Frodge- MI) 11934.91, ZYE958, Rádio Bandierantes; 2301-2308+, 1-Mar; M in Portuguese with many ments of Brasil; 2306 read long list of stations throughout Brasil. SIO=453+; // 9645.42 ZYE957, SIO=453 & several seconds behind 11935; listed // 6090 well covered by presumably well- covered Rev. Barbi huxtressing via Anguilla (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' & 60' RW + 125' bow-tie, --- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! --- DX LISTENING DIGEST) Harold, The station on 11934.9 is Rádio RB2, and is // 9724.9, 6040.4. It`s mostly relaying Rádio Aparecida, which could lead to a relay list. Yet if you had this // 9645.42 R. Bandeirantes (note spelling), it should have been on 11925v, the Bands fq on 25m (which I haven`t heard yet but some Braz DXers say is reactivated: maybe daytime only?). But then it should have been synchronized. Maybe you were hearing outro of the 22-23 UT Voz do Brasil govt program which is on most ZY stations, probably RB2 as well as Bands, and less likely to be synchronized (Glenn to Harold, via DXLD) ** CANADA. 71 years on --- From Mike Terry, DXLD YG: History Feb 25, 1945: Canada’s voice to the world official start Article with many pictures here: http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2016/02/25/history-feb-25-1945-canadas-voice-to-the-world-official-start/ Mike (via Ian, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) More chronicles of great facilities and a useful service gone - all to save (far too few) dollars! I recall watching a video of Marc Montgomery's last broadcast on RCI. He broke down a couple of times during his closing address - and I don't blame him. It would be extremely disheartening to see all that you have worked so hard for, all that you have built and the connections to colleagues and friends (local and worldwide) destroyed by uncaring bureaucrats. I suspect it is fortunate that most of the members of this group are stoic individuals. The endless parade of destruction would be enough to make lesser people near suicidal!! PS: Thanks Ian and all contributors to this group. Your efforts in collecting and attempting to preserve VALUABLE technical history REALLY are appreciated :-) (Calvin Melen, ibid.) I would not be so certain about the stoic individuals. Frankly, when seeing the reference to yet another RCI piece about their own history I really started to wonder which purpose this crippled operation is supposed to still serve at all. In its last years as a radio station RCI was already remarkably self-referential, but now this appears to have reached an extent not seen very often (Kai Ludwig, Germany, ibid.) Hi Calvin, Thanks for your kind comments re my work with the group. I know I've commented previously re the decline of SW transmitter sites and transmissions from once active SW BC countries year after year. Yes, I think you have to be stoic and focus on the positives in the hobby and in life and ones's own interests and pursuits that bring joy to one`s life. Of course anyone who does feel severely depressed or suicidal about the destruction of SW sites, etc., should seek out counselling or professional medical advice. We have such marvelous shortwave radio receiver technology available to us these days compared to say for example the early 70's. SDR receiver technology, DSP chips, synchronous detection, powerful computers along with the Internet for news and immediate shortwave news distribution are both terrific equipment and tools/resources to use in the DX hobby and I often ponder that it is such a shame that the technology wasn't available to us (exclusively) back around during the 80's era or earlier to pursue SWL & DXing interests when the number of both international and especially domestic shortwave broadcasters were so prolific. It would have had made the task of identifying stations so much easier and enabled easy capture and storage of broadcast recordings. I do miss all the English language European International SW broadcasts and the domestic African & South/Central domestic broadcasters and wish I captured more of these recordings or had more opportunities to try to QSL some of these broadcasters. Then of course, would still love to be able to identify the locations of more former & current domestic shortwave broadcaster tx sites and provide photos and stories for our members. But it's not a task I can do alone. Sourcing this info or people in the know gets more difficult year after year, especially when sites are replaced with homes and buildings and people in the know pass on, or memories fade away. Back on the topic of the decline of shortwave broadcasting. It's not just the decline of this mode of broadcasting, it's happening with other modes as well. In Europe MW broadcasting has rapidly declined, TV DXing has just about disappeared as a result of the conversion from analogue to digital broadcasting. That said even digital terrestrial TV viewer numbers have greatly reduced due to new media from Youtube & Netflicks etc. Video rental stores are now almost extinct. I have to say that in Australia TV terrestrial broadcast TV stations didn't do themselves any favors when they sold off their old anologue channels/spectrum to the telecommunications companies for 3G/4G spectrum. These channels could have been used for 4K or future 8K TV content, now people will source this content in increasing numbers from internet broadcasters like Netflix, etc. Times and habits change; who would have thought 10 years ago that most of the world's population with access to 3G & 4G technology from mobile(cell) phones would transform into the world's largest tribal group; the 'Head Down Tribe' (as they are referred to East Asia). To provide you the 'heads-up` on the 'head down tribe'; the term describes people who are always looking at their smartphones/tablets with their head down whenever on public transport, walking on street pavement (or foolishly crossing the road or driving), or even dining with friends and make no communication with others. Kind of reminds me of my isolationist times alone in my bedroom as a teenager listening to all those global shortwave signals most nights :-) (Ian, ibid.) ** CANADA. CBC Radio One is now available in Sydney NS at 92.1 FM as well as AM 1140. CBIS-FM signed on March 25th at 8:20 AM local time WE'RE ON THE AIR! CBC CAPE BRETON 92.1 FM LAUNCHES 'Nested FM' will reach most listeners on the island By Peggy MacDonald, CBC News Posted: Feb 25, 2016 5:45 AM AT Last Updated: Feb 25, 2016 11:40 AM AT http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cbc-cape-breton-fm-92-1-1.3462159 Rod MacNeil, 91, from Iona pushed the start button to launch programming on 92.1 FM. (CBC) [caption] A new FM radio signal has launched in Cape Breton as CBC begins transmitting its AM programming on 92.1. Known as "nested FM," the signal is intended to improve reception to listeners already within the range of the 1140 AM frequency, which has been on the air since 1948. Reception of the AM signal is frequently hampered by terrain and sometimes even weather. CBC Mainstreet host and producer Wendy Bergfeldt broadcasting live from the transmitter. (Greg Guy/CBC) [caption] Wendy Bergfeldt, the host and producer of CBC Cape Breton's Mainstreet, broadcast live from the transmitter into Information Morning as the time approached to launch programming on 92.1 FM. She was joined by some of the contestants in a poetry contest related to the launch. They included the Brookland Elementary School Grade 5 classes of teachers Neeta Kumar-Britten and Jack Kelloway. The kids helped with the countdown to the signal launch. CBC Cape Breton launches FM signal 92.10:20 [video link?] The winning poem by Randy Pointkoski, a Cape Bretoner who works out West, was set to the melody of Leon Dubinsky's Rise Again and performed by the Iona Legion Legends. Their performance was the first thing listeners heard on the new signal. A mock-up of an old-fashioned start button was pushed just after 8:20 a.m. by 91-year-old Rod MacNeil of Iona. 'Huge relief' The Iona Legion Legends performed the winning poem to the tune of Rise Again to launch the new signal. (Greg Guy/CBC) [cap] "This has been such a long time coming," said Wendy Bergfeldt, the host and producer of CBC Cape Breton's Mainstreet. "I can hardly believe it's happening. For years, when we would go out on the road, the most common complaint we heard was that listeners loved the shows, but they couldn't hear them because the signal was spotty." Listeners in many areas of Glace Bay, scarcely 20 kilometres from the transmitter, could not hear 1140 AM for much of the day. It was the same for listeners in East Bay, 21 kilometres away, Big Bras d'Or, 40 kilometres away, and scores of other communities. "Our 1140 AM signal has its challenges, which is a family-friendly way of describing its often poor quality," said CBC Cape Breton Information Morning producer Don Munro. "It's a huge relief to me to know that a majority of our listeners, who have been so patient and forgiving really, will now receive this stronger signal." A test of the FM signal over the last several weeks has elicited positive comments from several areas poorly served by AM and extended the broadcast area on the edge of 1140's reach (via Andy Reid, Ont., dxldyg via DXLD; also via Hansjoerg Biener, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) ** CANADA. CBC Ideas: see TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING ** CANADA. COUNTDOWN TO 1280 AM BEGINS http://www.thescopeatryerson.ca/en/thescope/blog/827/Countdown-to-1280AM-Begins.htm 12 February 2016 / by The Scope (author)radio, tower, (photo: Tuinstra Harrison)radio, tower, / (photo: Tuinstra Harrison) The Countdown to 1280AM is on! As radio lovers across the global celebrate World Radio Day on February 13, CJRU Radio volunteers at Ryerson begins preparations to turn on 1280AM on March 31, 2016 when the diverse voices of Ryerson and the local community will be shared across downtown Toronto and beyond. In anticipation of this momentous occasion, we invite you to celebrate with us! February 15-March 20: Sounds Like Downtown Contest Tell us what song you’d play on CJRU’s first day broadcasting on 1280AM and you’ll be entered to win one of dozens of awesome student prize buckets+tickets to our the 1280AM "Sounds like Downtown" Concert featuring Toronto's own young hip hop, funk and DJ stars! To enter just sign up for our email list or look for the link in your student union or faculty newsletter. February 29: 1280AM Testing Begins March 31: The Ryerson Student Centre Celebrates with an Open House 10:00 am-3:00pm Gould Street & Student Centre Building Build-a-Radio-out-of-a-Jar Workshop Music in the City Panel Lunch Radio Time Capsule and Scavenger Hunt Prize draw for the Radio Lives at Ryerson Contest. Sound Art/Food/Live Music (+ t-shirts, buttons, stickers) Guest host and special content from Ryerson’s new Slaight Radio Institute March 31: The Sounds Like Downtown Concert Featuring local HipHop, funk, live dancers and Toronto’s hottest DJs. CJRU’s own hosts Paula To Much (Urban Spotlight) and DJ Antilles (All About the Funk) MC all night long. To check out our programming and learn more about the upcoming launch, follow us on Twitteror subscribe to our newsletter. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, feel free to reach out! A heartfelt thank you to the volunteers and campus radio fans who made 1280AM a reality: Let's celebrate radio at Ryerson this Spring! (Via Hansjoerg Biener, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) Heard testing today, // webstream, but official sign on is March 31. 73 (Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON, UT March 2, NRC-AM via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) Only 99 watts. Despite a 50 kW in Montreal on same frequency, but it`s mostly aimed north. May have more QRM from 5 kW in Rochester NY aimed toward Toronto (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 1540, CHIN --- No more "tell my DJ" or "on this station your opinions matter". I noticed this morning a morse id "DJFM" on 1540. Following it up took me to DJ FM Toronto' s Dance Music station. Wikipedia shows that on 10 February CHIN dropped its China Radio simulcasts and has replaced it with dance music from DJ FM. Anyone looking for the morse id - I noted it at 0600:20 (exact frequency of the morse tones 1540.981 kHz. (Apologies if this has already been remarked upon). (Paul Crankshaw, UK, Feb 24, MWCircle yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) I wonder who is paying the electric bill. I cant see an FMer doing that for long. A station on borrowed time me thinks hi! Best wishes (Barry :-) Davies, Carlisle UK, Lat. 54.9806N, Lon. 02.8757W, PERSEUS, 3.7m x 10m Flag + FLG100 amp, ibid.) Barry, I think the 'FM station' is internet only. But I hear you; who is paying the AM TX bill, likely higher than an FM TX. Regards, (Vince, Ottawa, ON, ibid.) I should have added that it's the overnight China Radio broadcasts that have been dropped in favour of dance music. I don't suppose anyone was listening anyway. Dancing to a mediumwave broadcast doesn't seem particularly appealing! Daytime is presumably unchanged (Paul Crankshaw, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, ibid.) The other thing is, was the decision to stop the relay a CRI one? There were reports recently of people receiving letters, instead of QSL cards, with the explanation that CRI was going through some cuts in funding. Regards, (Vince, Ottawa, ON, ibid.) I noticed yesterday they were airing a CRI programme, but without the tell my DJ top of the hour announcement, so the links to CRI seem not to be completely severed (Andrew Brade, UK, March 2, ibid.) Time??? ** CANADA. Greetings from spring-like conditions here in Daysland!! Anyway got a log of a station I have been after for some time now: 1610, CHHA Toronto, Ontario, 2/26 finally been able to land this station. Heard 0454 to 0520 UT. Noted a program of ranchera music, with one ID at 0458 for “Voces Latinas``, ‘Oh Canada' at 12 midnight EST, more ranchero/up-beat musica, with this ID at 0516, “This is Radio Station CHHA, Canada’s First Ethic Community Radio Station, owned and operated by San Lorenzo Latin American Community Centre, 22 Wenderly Drive, Toronto Ontario M6B2N9‘` plus the phone number for the 416 area code. QRM from the Caribbean Beacon (which primarily dominates this frequency here) plus sideband from the Z-twins on 1620 [KYIZ Renton (Seattle) WA?]. Re-tuned at 0557 to 0606 with similar Latin ballads with PSA for a disclaimer in English at 0601. Best heard on 200 foot U shaped longwire, with more directional results on the loop. Drake R8A200 foot U Shaped longwire + X-band Loop (Edward Kusalik, Daysland, Alberta, Canada, Feb 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 1610, Feb 25 at 0459 UT, announcement in Spanish over PMS Anguilla, and 0500 UT `O, Canada` national anthem, i.e. CHHA, Voces Latinas, Toronto. Do any other or all Canadians play NA at local midnite? I haven`t noticed it before, certainly not from CBC; optional unlike Mexico? Getting the new 1610 in Montreal past CHHA will be tough here (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 2748.99-USB, Feb 27 at 0146 UT, almost-human pleasant YL voice is referencing Environment Canada with marine weather, but as usual it`s tough to catch any location references, so assume it is the one scheduled to have started at 0140: VCS Halifax via Chebogue site. 2598-USB, Feb 27 at 0147 UT, can tell there is another Canadian Coast Guard transmission, but too weak under some utehash. Scheduled now is: VOK Labrador via Cartwright and/or Hopedale from 0137 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Programming Favourites on Shortwave Radio (and on the Internet) --- China Drive: The first time I ever heard this two hour program was while vacationing in Norway, and it sounded like I was home in Toronto catching the news, weather, trends and traffic reports! China Drive is the only daily bi-lingual news and lifestyle radio show in China, and is broadcast seven days a week, 5-7 pm Beijing Time (usually 1100-1300 UT) on China Radio International. Program highlights include a reporter on site at a location for a feature story, a business report, "Media Scan" on what's headlining Chinese media, a movie review, a science and technology feature, a fashion spot, and on Friday there is a Roundtable Discussion on an important issue. Go to http://english.cri.con/cd/ for more info (you may need to have it translated into English). (Joe Robinson, BEGINNER'S CLASSROOM FOR March 2016, Ontario DX Association via DXLD) Sins of omission: anything critical of the Commie system (gh, DXLD) ** CHINA. CHINESE PRESIDENT CONTINUES TO EXPAND MEDIA CONTROLS William Ide, February 24, 2016 BEIJING - China's recent announcement of a stringent new publishing law for online content and a visit by the country's increasingly powerful leader to several state-run media headquarters is but the latest chilling sign of President Xi Jinping's efforts to exert increasing control over society, analysts say. But, it also highlights the limits of that authority as well. From academia to culture, technology and science, the party is looming large, casting an ever-expanding shadow. Since rising to power nearly three years ago, Xi Jinping has exerted increasing control over society, cracking down on dissidents and detaining anyone perceived to be a threat to stability in the view of the Communist Party. Xi wants music and art to reflect Chinese socialist values, and late last year, the party even ordered its own members to not play golf, meet alone and criticize the party. When Xi visited the headquarters of party-backed media organizations late last week, flanked by a group of other older men, all donning the same bland wind jacket, the message to editors and reporters was similar: they must pledge absolute loyalty to the party and closely follow its leadership in "thought, politics and action." Some who work for state-run media say the visit highlights just how bad things have become since Xi came to power. "While there used to be some room to maneuver and do our work, now there is little room left at all," said one source who did not want to be named. Serve public or party? On social media, the visit has sparked a backlash from some, led by prominent commentator and real estate tycoon Ren Zhiqiang, who is also known by his nickname "Big Cannon." In a post that was later taken down, Ren argued that it was the public, not the party leadership, that such media organizations should serve; especially since they get their funding from taxpayers. A quote from former Communist Party leader Deng Xiaoping was also making the rounds on Sina Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, as many voiced concerns about recent moves even as the party is seeking to tighten its chokehold on speech. "The one thing a revolutionary party does not need to worry about is its inability to hear the voice of the people. The thing to be feared the most is silence," a tweet of the Deng quote read. In response, one user who goes by the name "Zhang Wenwen's Little Friend" wrote: "I feel like our country is heading in a bad direction and that if we go any further there may be no turning back. I hope I am wrong." History repeats itself Others such as Lu Zheng the Brave saw the situation from a historical perspective. Many of China's current leaders, including Xi, grew up during China's disastrous and deadly Cultural Revolution era. Xi's own father was jailed during the period. "Now it is those who were victimized during the Cultural Revolution who are using those same methods to victimize others," Lu Zheng wrote. Chinese historian and political commentator Zhang Lifan said that while the government can crack down and tighten up things for a while, ultimately things will loosen up again, adding that social media is especially difficult to control. Zhang said that right now there is a fierce battle going on between two camps, the party and private media, and it is clear that the party has lost control. "The leadership is trying to dominate the battle for public opinion," Zhang said. "But right now it is a situation where each side is just voicing its own views. The public on the other hand, does not believe the government's propaganda, and just searches out information on its own." Full text: http://www.voanews.com/content/chinese-president-continues-to-expand-media-controls/3204721.html See related: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/xi-jinping-tells-chinese-media-to-speak-for-the-party-02222016102152.html (via VOA Radiogram via roger, dxldyg via DXLD) ** CHINA. 3519-USB, VC01 (Chinese Military numbers station), 1454 28 Feb., 1446 1 March. Thanks to Ron Howard's info, found "Robo-girl" down here with usual number groups; very poor signal, but at least above "imaginary" levels. Hope you & the "DXLD World Headquarters" are doing well & cheers from the beach (Dan Sheedy, Moonlight Beach, CA, E5/6m X wire, UT March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non]. 4970, CNR1/AIR-Shillong, 1450+ 28 Feb. AIR with English pop tunes & the CNR1 jammer // 6030, etc. Neither one especially strong this morning but readable. Thanks to Ron Howard's info re: CNR1 (Dan Sheedy, Moonlight Beach, CA, E5/6m X wire, UT March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hadn't it been stated by a monitoring department coordinator that the days of Firedrake are over? It's there after 1930 in 9455, with a rumbling het from the victim (RFA Mandarin from Saipan). So much for now (Kai Ludwig, March 2, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) EAST JAMMERSTAN: 9455, 2047, 3-Mar; Crash & bang music jammer with no other audio; 2105 noted C&B plus weak audio; Radio Free Asia via Lithuania listed (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' & 60' RW + 125' bow-tie, --- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! --- DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. 9570, Feb 25 at 1353, S9+10 song in Brazuguese with guitar, from, what else? CRI English via CUBA, or rather as IDed with addresses at 1354, ``CRI News-Plus Radio`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. 5910.30, Feb 27 at 2353, Spanish talk, must be Alcaraván Radio, further off frequency than usual 5910.05 or so. I don`t try to unravel the hets around the other HJDH, 6010 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6010.07, R. La Voz de tu Conciencia, 0404, Feb 28 & 0349, March 1. Both days with Christian preacher in English saying a few sentences and then a translator with Spanish; clear of any QRM (no Chile heard) (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 820, Radio Reloj, Ciego de Ávila. 1134 February 28, 2016. Weak under WWBA open carrier. usually hard to hear anything on 820 with this one in my back yard. WWBA audio up at 1135, obliterating. 820, Radio Ciudad de la Habana. Arroyo Arenas, Ciudad de la Habana. 1133 February 28, 2016. News summary by man and woman, into traditional Cuban vocals. Like the Reloj log, lost when WWBA carrier resumed audio abruptly at 1135. 1450, Radio Mayabeque, Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque. 0042 February 26, 2016. Very poor in the co-channel jumble, but a clear parallel to 1140 (also in a mess with other Cubans) with Cuban pop vocals. Never an easy catch, listed 1 kW. This on post-sunset enhancement and soon to bubble under and gone (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater FL, NRD-535, IC- R75, roof dipole, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 6000, Feb 25 at 0512, S9+40 open carrier/dead air instead of RHC English; 6060 is S9+25; 6100 is S9+30, and 6165 is S9+35. Otherwise: 5040 is still in Spanish; 6075 is on with dead air; at 0518 so is 11840 at S3 to 5; at 0522, 9535 is on with dead air at S8. All these are scheduled in Spanish until 0600, plus 15230, generally inaudible here, until 0700. Recheck at 0536: 6000 still dead air, 9535 off, 11840 JBA in Spanish // 5040 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15370, Feb 29, 2016. 2033-2038, RHC, Bauta, in English (Confirmed; not Arabic). YL/OM talks; ID; RHC Sport News. Fair broadcast, 35433 (DXer Jose Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo - Brazil, receiver Tecsun S-2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) ** CUBA. Programming Favourites on Shortwave Radio (and on the Internet) --- DXers Unlimited: This very [sic] popular program is hosted by Arne [sic] Coro from Radio Habana Cuba. The show deals with shortwave listening and ham radio topics, with lots of antenna and broadcasting [sic] tips for amateur radio. Loggings of SW stations are given during some of the programs [sic]. DXers Unlimited is broadcast twice-weekly (two separate programs), UT Sunday Night/Monday Morning and mid-week on Tuesday Night/Wednesday Morning. For more information and tips from Arne on various topics, go to www.dxersunlimited.blogspot.com (Joe Robinson, BEGINNER'S CLASSROOM FOR March 2016, Ontario DX Association via DXLD) Logs of SW stations?? I haven`t listened to a whole DXUL program in a long time, but the last I knew, those were taboo, too politically risky, and Arnie even derided DX programs which include logs (guess who?). Two main topix done to death are propagation and equipment, especially home-brewing (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Hace 58 años fue fundada Radio Rebelde en Cuba --- Telesur http://www.telesurtv.net/news/Hace-58-anos-fue-fundada-Radio-Rebelde-en-Cuba-20160222-0072.html (via GRA blog via DXLD) Worth watching to see if there is any change in Cuban jamming activity in advance of Obama's visit there on 21-22 March (Chris Greenway, UK, Feb 29, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [non]. CLANDESTINE, 9490, Thu Feb 25, 0227-0232, R. República, Issoudun, in Spanish. OM talks; YL talks; ID sometimes. Very poor signal and modulation, 25432 to 25431 (DXer José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo [PB] - Brazil, Sony ICF-SW100S, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) Yet he reports NO interference at all from jamming (gh, DXLD) ** EAST TURKISTAN. 5059.986, CHINA, CNR PBS Xinjiang from Urumqi, in Chinese, S=7 heard on remote unit in downunder Brisbane Australia. 1547 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 28, dxldyg via DXLD) ** EGYPT. 12070, Sat, Feb 27, 0147-0152, Radio Cairo, Abis, in Spanish. Arabic song by male singer; 0152 s/off and no returns. Fair signal and barely audible modulation, 35431. Note: On 11935 kHz, OM talks; on air but barely audible or unlistenable (DXer José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo [PB] - Brazil, Sony ICF-SW100S & Tecsun S-2000, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) 9965.25, Feb 27 at 0134 check, no signal at all from ERTU, but it`s on and measured here at 0224, whine and Mideast music averaging S7. 9965.20, Feb 28 at 0056, R. Cairo is on with S9 whine, otherwise open carrier/dead air; in the minute I am listening, it drifts down to 9965.15 by 0057 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA ECUATORIAL. 5005, Radio Nacional, Bata, 0545, 28- 02, now on air with African songs, Weak (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Enviado desde TypeApp, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Manuel, We were listening at the same time! Feb 28 heard RNGE, R. Bata, at *0531 till tuned out 0603, by which time was unusable; started out weak and slowly had some improvement; almost all African pop songs; a few announcers in what seemed to be Spanish (Ron Howard, California, Feb 28, ibid.) ** ETHIOPIA. 6090, Amhara Radio, Addis Ababa, 0455-0608, 28-02, East African songs and comments. Interference from Dr Gene Scott same frequency. 22331 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun PL-880, Sony ICF SW 7600G, Sangean ATS 909X, Cable antenna, 8 meters and Degen 31MS active loop antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA. 7236.117, heavy whistle heterodyne QRM of their odd frequency, against VoA Korean from Marianas 7235 kHz even frequency, at 1405 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 28, dxldyg via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. SECRETLAND, Frequency change of SPL Radio Oemeni-ti from Feb 20: 1802-1901 NF 15170 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg to EaAf Oromo Wed-Sun, ex 9480 Videos will be uploaded on February 24, after the end of transmission! http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/frequency-change-of-spl-radio-oemeni-ti.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DXLD 16-08 via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) SPL The Global specialist for International Communications on shortwave and provided to you strong and quality signal around the world. Very, very poor signal of Radio Oemeni-ti/Tamsaasa Raadiyoo via SPL, Feb 24: 1800-1807 NF 15170 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg nothing, no signal till 1807 1807-1900 NF 15170 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg Oromo Wed-Sun, ex 9480 -videos http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/very-very-poor-signal-of-radio-oemeni.html Again very poor signal of Radio Oemeni-ti/Tamsaasa Raadiyoo Feb 25: 1800-1806 on 15170 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg to EaAf no signal and 1806-1900 on 15170 SCB 050 kW / 195 deg to EaAf Oromo Wed-Sun http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/again-very-poor-signal-of-roemeni.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EUROPE. PIRATE-EURO. IBC/Italian Broadcasting Corporation-Italy, 6970 USB, 2326-2353+, 02-27-16, SIO: 333. Rock tunes by Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, frequent IDs, DX tips. Nice QSL received by mail for Feb 5th broadcast. [Lobdell-MA] PIRATE-EURO. Johnny Tobacco-Holland, 6295 AM, 2256-0039+, 2-27/28-16, SIO: 333. Johnny talking, giving shoutouts to those posting on Iann’s Chat room. Played tunes such as “Blueberry Hill”, “Blueboy” by John Fogerty, frequent IDs. Station formerly known as Black Bandit (Chris Lobdell, Tewksbury, MA, Receivers: Eton E1, JRC NRD-535, Aerial: G5RV Dipole, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. Scandinavian Weekend Radio Edition #197 will be on air from 2200 UT March 4 to 2200 UT March 5 as follows: 2200-2300 on 6170 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 2200-2300 on 11720 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 2300-2400 on 6170 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 2300-2400 on 11690 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 0000-0600 on 6170 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 0000-0600 on 11690 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 0600-0800 on 5980 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 0600-0800 on 11690 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 0800-0900 on 5980 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 0800-0900 on 11720 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 0900-1400 on 6170 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 0900-1400 on 11720 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 1400-1500 on 6170 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 1400-1500 on 11690 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 1500-1700 on 5980 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 1500-1700 on 11690 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 1700-1800 on 5980 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 1700-1800 on 11720 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 1800-1900 on 5980 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 1800-1900 on 11690 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 1900-2200 on 6170 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish 1900-2200 on 11690 VIR 0.1 kW / non-dir to FIN Finnish http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/scandinavian-weekend-radio-edition197.html (Ivo Ivanov, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) Doesn`t always switch frequencies at exact times, to use the one with least interference. More details at http://swradio.net 100 watts, big challenge to hear outside Europe (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ** FRANCE. RADIO FRANCE DISC LIBRARY --- Telerama reports that Radio France will sell 4,000 vinyl albums and singles at auction in June -- duplicates of discs of which they have two or three copies. Radio France has a library of 450,000 discs, 220,000 CDs and two million sound files, according to the article. Story found at: http://www.telerama.fr/radio/la-discotheque-de-radio-france-vendra-aux-encheres-4000-de-ses-vinyles-en-juin,138859.php (Mike Cooper, GA, Feb 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. 5905.00, *1204-1221* 28.2, Deutscher Wetterdienst, Pinneberg. German weather situation and forecasts to sailors in the North Sea, Danish waters and the Baltic Sea, 1213 repeat, 45444. I sent an e-mail reception report to seeschifffahrt at dwd.de. Less than 19 hours later I received an reply in English from Mr. Wilfried Behncke, responsible for the broadcasts via Pinneberg 15 km north of Hamburg. He promised a QSL tomorrow (Anker Petersen, Denmark, I heard in Skovlunde on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** GERMANY. DigiDX transmission on 6070 kHz again - 2019 UT! Hi All, The DigiDX MFSK32 tranmisssion has just appeared on 6070.0 kHz again at 2019 UT (Thursday 25th). The channel is clear and the signal very good here in north west England at the moment. There second programme will take place this coming Sunday (28th) at 1100 UT right after the weekly DARC Radio broadcast. A good chance to catch them now if you missed them on Tuesday (Alan Gale, UK, Feb 25, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yet another DigiDX test, this time on Saturday! Just posted on their Facebook page. Another broadcast but this time on 3985 kHz via the Shortwave Service at Kall-Krekel: ``DigiDx Report --- We have added another transmission for tomorrow (Saturday 27th). The same edition of episode two which will broadcast to North America will also broadcast to Europe on 3985Khz at 1700UTC via Radio 700 in Germany. Mainly in MFSK32 but with some Olivia 64- 2000 after 19 minutes. Reception reports to reports@digidx.uk please`` Posted by: (Alan Gale, ibid.) DigiDX Nightime test to USA --- Hi All, Just saw this on the DigiDX Facebook page. Might be a challenge for North American listeners with CFRX on there (it was coming in to the UK quite well in the early hours of this morning), but it should be interesting to see how well it decodes through any QRM; the Olivia mode has proved to be quite robust on the VOA Radiogram tests: ``DigiDx Report --- Special test broadcast to North America on Channel 292 6070 kHz. Sunday 28th February 2016 at 0200 UT. The broadcast will be a special edition of episode 2 mainly in MFSK32 but also including a Olivia-64 2000 test and the Channel 292 logo image broadcast in MFSK32`` (Alan Gale, UK, 1921 UT Feb 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The half-hour DigiDX program from Radio Channel 292 targeting North America on 6070 kHz is being continuously repeated -- at least for a few times. Currently (0315 UT) putting in a poor to fair signal into New Brunswick (peaking to about 15 dBµ) but with deep fading as monitored with a Tecsun PL-880 with just its whip antenna. No significant QRM from CRFX although there is some splash from RHC on 6075 kHz requiring narrowing the RF passband. We'll see how much can be decoded once I play back the recording (Richard Langley, ibid.) Amazingly, a fair bit of the broadcast was decoded from my recording of three consecutive transmissions of the program between about 0200 and 0330 UT. Much of the MFSK32 text successfully decoded. Olivia 64- 2000 text perfectly decoded. Image decoded but quite noisy (see attached). (-- Richard Langley, NB, Feb 28, ibid.) Very good reception today from 1100 UT. The 30 minute MFSK32-program was transmitted twice: 1100 till 1130 and 1130 till 1200 UT. Text decoding was nearly 100% correct here using a portable Tecsun PL-365 with built-in telescope antenna and software Fldigi for decoding MFSK32 on a laptop. At the end of the program they broadcast a picture of a DigiDX-QSL. They should add a spoken announcement explaining the project before starting their Digimode transmssion. From 1200 UTC Channel 292 had a music program in AM. 73 (Harald Kuhl, Germany, Feb 28, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) LOG: 6070 kHz DIGIDX via ch292, Rohrbach, Bavaria, 1100-1130z, O=3-4 * KBC-MFSK32-1minute + VOA radiogram , reception as usual. http://www.rhci-online.net/radiogram/VoA_Radiogram_2016-02-27.htm#DIGIDX I should now also get used to British spellings.... ;-) (roger, Germany, Feb 28, dxldyg via DXLD) Channel 292 is back --- Endlich sind wir wieder regelmäßig und mit hoher Leistung auf 6070 kHz zu empfangen. In Kürze einige Neuigkeiten: Zeitweilig laufen Tests / Programme in MFSK 32. Wer das dekodieren kann, die kommenden Termine sind: Sonntag, 28.02. 0300 Uhr MEZ für Nordamerika Sonntag, 28.02. 1200 Uhr MEZ für Europa Diese Test wurden sogar schon in Japan empfangen und dekodiert! Am Sonntag laufen ebenfalls weitere interessante Programme, hier ersichtlich: http://www.channel292.de/schedule-for-bookings/ Wer sich für unsere "Airtime for free" Aktion im März interessiert soll uns bitte schreiben; wer das schon getan, aber keine Antwort bekommen hat, schreibt bitte noch einmal, einige Mails könnten untergegangen sein. Finally we are back on air on a regular basis and with high power. Here are some news: We are running some tests in MFSK 32. If you can decode this, the next tests will be aired: Sunday Febr. 28th, 0200 UTC for the U.S. and Canada Sunday Febr. 28th, 1100 UTC for Europe These tests have been received and decoded even in Japan! On Sunday there will be some more interesting programs, to be found here: http://www.channel292.de/schedule-for-bookings/ If you should be interested in our "Airtime for free" campaign in March, please write us an eMail; if you already did, but got no answer, please write again. Some Mails might have got lost. We zijn eindelijk weer regelmatig én met groot vermogen op 6070 kHz te ontvangen. In het kort enkele nieuwtjes: Er zijn nu af en toe experimentele uitzendingen in MFSK 32. Wie dat kan decoderen, de komende uitzendtijden zijn: Zondag 28 februari: 03.00 uur Nederlandse tijd voor Noord-Amerika; Zondag 28 februari: 12.00 uur Nederlandse tijd voor Europa. Dergelijke experimentele uitzendingen zijn al in Japan ontvangen en gedecodeerd! Op zondag zijn er echter meer interessante programma’s; via deze link een overzicht: http://www.channel292.de/schedule-for-bookings/ Als je belangstelling hebt voor de actie ‘Gratis zendtijd’ in maart, stuur dan even een berichtje; wie dat al heeft gedaan, maar nog geen antwoord ontving, vragen we vriendelijk om nog een keer contact met ons op te nemen. Mogelijk dat enkele mailtjes verloren zijn gegaan. Onze verontschuldigingen daarvoor. Vooral de nieuwe aanbieders van programma’s op onze frequentie willen erg graag je ontvangstrapporten ontvangen; stuur deze dus in groten getale. Als je de adressen niet hebt, stuur ze dan gewoon naar Radio Channel 292; we sturen deze dan door. Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Kind regards Rainer Ebeling Radio Channel 292 Rudolf-Diesel-Str. 1 85296 ROHRBACH Tel: +49 8442 - 95 39 01 Fax: +49 8442 - 95 48 93 http://www.channel292.de -- European Music Radio: website: http://www.europeanmusicradio.com email: emrshortwave@gmail.com (Tom Taylor, Feb 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) What is high power? their usual 10 kW? (Paul Walker, AK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) This Anorak hobby music station of repeat especially sea zender North Sea pirates music era from the 1970ies; suffered a break of nearly 2 months now, and sent out only tiny reduced 10 watts of power in meantime, because German FCC like FNA / BNA BundesNetzagentur visited that location, and COMPLAINT, which antenna dipole was TOO CLOSE to OPEN PUBLIC STREET, in order to protect the public crowd of dangerous shortwave radiation exposure. The owner put the new license number on their website, so much likely the whole antenna installation removed, replaced or reshuffled now. Likely real SW power is now in 5 to 10 kW range. Wb (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENNG DIGEST) Hi All, Channel 292 are showing Radio Northern Ireland as being on 6070 kHz around 2000 UT this evening (Tuesday). It looks like many stations have taken up the offer of free airtime in March on the channel, as many are now shown on their schedule at: http://www.channel292.de/schedule-for-bookings/ Amongst the ever growing list of stations are a number that I haven't heard on there before including: VORW, Free Thinker Radio, Radio Albatross, Laser 558, Achim's Oldies, RWI, WMBR, Rarities Show, Radio Klein Paris International, PTHP, ARR, Radio Enterhaken, Encore Radio, Atlantis FM, Radio Six International. Stations that have appeared on there before include: Hobart Radio International, DARC Radio, Pirate 105, Mennonite Radio, Broad Spectrum Radio, SuperClan, Beatspektrum and Paul Walker. Looks like being an interesting month on 6 MHz! :-) (Alan Gale, UK, March 1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Relays over the week and weekend 6070 kHz SCHEDULED CHANNEL 292 RELAYS ALL TIMES IN UTC Due to a free airtime offer a lot of new stations and content have appeared: TUESDAY 01/03 20:15 Radio Northern Ireland WEDNESDAY 02/03: 19:00-19:30 Hobart Radio International - In The Zone Western Special THURSDAY 03/03: 16:00-17:00 VORW FRIDAY 04/03 20:00-20:15 MFSK 32 test SATURDAY 05/03 9:00-10:00 RWI 10:00-13:00 Achim's Oldies 13:00-15:00 Laser 558 15:00-17:00 Radio Albatross 19:00-19:30 Hobart Radio International - The Buzz No.23 21:00-23:00 Free Thinker Radio SUNDAY 06/03: 8:00-9:00 SuperClan Radio 9:00-10:00 Goldrausch 6070 10:00-11:00 DARC 11:00-11:30 MFSK 32 test 11:30-12:30 Radio Klien Paris International 12:30-13:00 MFSK 32 test 13:00-15:00 WMBR Rarities Show 15:00-16:00 Laser 558 16:00-16:30 Mennonite Radio 16:30-17:00 Broad Spectrum Radio MONDAY 07/03: 15:00-16:00 Broad Spectrum Radio 16:00-17:00 DARC 20:00 - 21:00 DARC 21:00-21.30 Radio Northern Ireland More at: http://www.channel292.de/schedule-for-bookings/ for last- minute additions as well as next week's schedule in advance. On twitter at: @6070Channel292 Channel 292 has fixed their transmitter, now able to be heard well across Europe. Kind regards, (Rob Wise, Hobart Radio International - The Voice of Tasmania, Lewisham, 7173 Tasmania, AUSTRALIA Web: http://hriradio.org Twitter: @hobartradiointl Facebook: facebook.com/hobartradiointl dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. 15215, Radio Öömrang: Probably a waste of effort sending a report; many have tried (including me!), but seemingly no replies have ever been received from that announced address. Incidentally, this sounded like a repeat of last year`s broadcast, at least at the start as they also said it was the 10th anniversary broadcast last year! (Dave Kenny in DXplorer via DSWCI DX Window March 2 via DXLD) I got a QSL of a broadcast from R Öoemrang [sic] via Media Broadcast GmbH in Cologne in 2014, but never directly from R Öömrang (Anker Petersen, ibid.) [Re: WORLDWIDE DX CLUB Top News #1242 Feb 28th, 2016]: ``Yes, until Feb 2013 Radio Oeoemrang Febr 21 broadcast towards East Coast North America was via MBR Wertachtal Germany beast facility, for example 15215 1600-1700 to zones 4,8,9 WER 500kW 300deg Tues 21 Feb 2013 ROO. In 2014 broadcasts moved to MBR Nauen Germany facility,`` I have in my files that in 2014 Issoudun had been used, as it was the case for the 2015 and 2016 editions as well. Nauen was just guessing. ``RadioPlay and Brandy drunken ladies, content is something boring`` Farmer's theatre performance five metres away from the mic, with some liquor obviously being involved. By the way, the repeated announcements have been recorded by someone else who apparently helped a bit with this transmission in general, but not with the long living-room talk, maybe just not daring to advise that it is embarrassing. In recent years it appeared that Kölzow was either not interested in or not able to handle Communication from outside the small Frisian community (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Feb 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GOA [and non]. 9704.973, AIR subcontinental music performed GOS from Goa Panaji old Marconi unit. Usual odd frequency on lower side. 2240 UT on Feb 26. \\ same S=9+15dB strength on sidelobe AIR Bangalore 9690 kHz signal, latter which is meant westwards 240degr to ME/East AF, Sahel, Africa target [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) INDIA, Good reception of All India Radio on 11560 kHz, Feb 27: 1315-1415 on 11560 PAN 250 kW / 330 deg to WeAs Dari 1415-1530 on 11560 PAN 250 kW / 330 deg to WeAs Pashto 1530-1543 on 11560 PAN 250 kW / 330 deg to WeAs English, unscheduled This frequency is very rarely active on air during winter B15 period http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/good-reception-of-all-india-radio-on.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. Voice of Greece again on shortwave on February 25 from 1900 on 9420 AVL 170 kW / 323 deg to WeEu Greek tx#3 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/voice-of-greece-again-on-shortwave-on.html Voice of Greece was back on shortwave, February 26 from 2000 on 9420 AVL 170 kW / 323 deg to WeEu Greek tx#3 from 2000 on 9935 AVL 100 kW / 285 deg to WeEu Greek tx#1 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/voice-of-greece-was-back-on-shortwave_26.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9934.968, Whine buzzy bad audio signal of S=6 poor signal noted at 2245 UT Feb 26. Probably Voice of Greece Avlis bad quality unit on air tonight [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9420, Feb 27 at 0133, ERT with Greek music is VG at S9+35, so what`s happening on its whiny sibling? 9935 is only S9 to S6, program modulation barely audible underneath. 9420 & 9935, Feb 28 at 0053, ERA is off tonight, UT Sunday. ** GREECE. 9935, March 1 at 0325, ERT whine level above the modulation, while 9420 is S9 with Greek talk in the clear (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Voice of Greece was back on shortwave on March 2 [Wed]: from 1245 on 9420*AVL 170 kW / 323 deg to WeEu Greek tx#3 including English news at 1301-1305 UT. No signal on 9935/11645. *strong co-channel from China National Radio 13 in Uyghur. http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/03/voice-of-greece-was-back-on-shortwave.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DXLD) ** GUAM. SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY (STA): 567, KGUM, Agaña – Applies for STA with U1 5000/5000 from a temporary antenna; tower fell in a storm on Jan. 29 (AM Switch, NRC DX News March 7 via DXLD) Was it direxional before? No, ND day and night, but 10 kW (gh, DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 4055, Radio Verdad, Chiquimula, 0556-0607*, 27-02, English, comments, ID, in various languages, "Estación Evangélica Radio Verdad, Chiquimula...", anthem and close. 14321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun PL-880, Sony ICF SW 7600G, Sangean ATS 909X, Cable antenna, 8 meters and Degen 31MS active loop antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4055, Feb 27 at 0220 UT, R. Verdad with a familiar voice giving DX news about Voz de Indonesia, spelling out non-Castilian e-mails and URLs with ``uves`` --- Pedro Sedano of AER who contributes to several DX programs including this one, ``gracias, Dino``, ergo Frecuencia al Día as IDed at 0223 after some James Bond music and on to another correspondent. FAD does appear on FAD`s own schedule for 0200 UT Saturdays on 4055, but does not appear on R. Verdad`s own schedule, still incomplete and out of date (nor the other DX program 24 hours later, UT Sundays at 02, Antena DX – but maybe not this week; read on). Good S9+ signal, attributable to normal propagation, not a mysterious ``injexion`` directly into my Oklahoma radio. BTW, I see on the Radio Verdad al Dia page, http://www.radioverdad.org/node/157 ``Estamos en el aire con la Estación Educativa Evangélica "Radio Verdad" con 1,100 watts, debido a una imperfección de funcionamiento. A mediados de febrero 2016, volveremos a transmitir con 800 watts`` Boosting power by 37.5% could explain why it`s been heard better than usual, but why is that an ``imperfection``?? Really back to 800 watts by now? I thought it was 700, at least as per WRTH. Dr Madrid has asked the ``Shortwave Alliance`` to be operational with those ``high power relays`` also on 4055, if at all possible during Radio Verdad`s sixteenth anniversary celebration Saturday Feb 27 from 2300 until about 0400 UT Sunday February 28. We can at least hear it direct, or via webcast. I first discovered R. Verdad in March of 2000. Here is the initial report: http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/dxld0040.txt There were followups in the next several issues to 0049 and beyond 4055, Feb 27 at 2200, TGAV Radio Verdad was going to start celebrating its sixteenth anniversary. First I try the webcast at 2315-2325: nothing but hymns in Spanish from scratchy records. The flash player keeps breaking it up. Then I`m checking direct on 4055, no sign of anything more like magical signal injexions: 2348 Feb 27, hymns at S7, ``Blessèd Lord Jesus``; 0019 Feb 28, another hymn; 0042 now talk in Spanish about how to convey the evangelio; 0106 closing program `Descubriendo las Escrituras`` with plug for websites http://cristo.org and radiovozdegracia.com Seems to be normal regular programming, nothing heard about the anniversary (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4055.00, 0345-0355 28.2, R Verdad, Chiquimula. English religious talk interrupted by CWQRM, 0349-0351 25/1141 [sic] (Anker Petersen, Denmark, I heard in Skovlunde on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. Tonight (25 Feb) at 2130 UT tune-in, I note that the second DRM Channel on 7550 kHz is relaying the Raagam (Music Channel) (the newish 24/7 Classical music channel from AIR) instead of Vividh Bharati previously being aired at this time. Announcements are in Hindi and English (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Would you say it approaches hi-fi quality? How about stereo -- is there a way to configure DRM to do that? (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Someone else replies: see DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM abottom ** INDIA. Mann Ki Baat today 0530 UT (11:00 am IST) --- The broadcast to the Nation “Mann Ki Baat” by Shri. NarendraModi, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India will be broadcast today Sunday 28 Feb 2016 at 0530- 0600 UT (1100-1130 am IST). It is the 17th edition of the program. All stations of AIR will relay this programon MW/SW/FM Look out on the following additional frequencies also 9380 Aligarh 9870 Bengaluru 9940 Delhi 11850 Delhi? 17715 Delhi (The above frequencies are off at this time normally). The broadcast can be heard at the same timein the following website (and others) http://pmonradio.nic.in/ Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India, Mobile: +91 94416 96043, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. AIR Kurseong spurious signals --- As per my monitoring, AIR- Kurseong is almost regularly generating spurious Signal on its both shortwave frequencies 4895 (morning & evening-night) & 7230 (day). During morning as per very lasted observation on the morning of February 28, 2016 around 0128 UT. I heard the spurious signal of AIR- Kurseong on 4895 kHz --- on 4860 kHz. The audio was distorted. There was Sankrit News on air relaying it from AIR-Delhi presented by a male news reader. Again on February 27th afternoon also I heard the spurious signal of AIR-Kurseong on 7230 kHz --- on 7195 kHz. This almost regularly happens in case of AIR-Kurseong. 73 & 55 (Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK) (Abhayapuri) (Assam), via Jose Jacob, March 1, dx_india yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) i.e. 35 kHz below both (gh) Re AIR Kurseong 4895 kHz: checked at 1310 UT March 3 on remote SDR unit in Australia: 4894.9955 accurate measured, S=8 but fluttery 'whiping' audio too. No spurious signals discovered yet via such large distance India vv Australia. wb df5sx wwdxc germany (Wolfgang Büschel, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. Oh-oh, Aligarh on 9620 transmits an almost equal mix of mains hum and All India Radio program audio, at 1945 starting the broadcast in broken French. So much for now (Kai Ludwig, March 2, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. AIR STATIONS TO RELAY VIVIDH BHARATI IN DAY-TIME TO BOOST REVENUE --- AIR sources told Radioandmusic.com that providing Vividh Bharati Service at the four metros on FM Mode, and relay of Vividh Bharati Service from 10 am to 5 pm on the local radio stations are among several initiatives underway to boost listenership as well as revenue. Full story at : http://www.radioandmusic.com/biz/regulators/160301-air-stations-relay-vividh-bharati-day-time-boost-revenue# --- (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, March 1, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 3325, Feb 26 at 1205, sounds like news in Indonesian, at S6, only PacificAsian with some audio on 90m, i.e. RRI Palangkaraya, and no second station. But not positive, could be Bougainville PNG. You never know which one or both will be on (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn - Believe you just missed the Bougainville sign off by a few minutes. Better conditions today, with 1201 PNG bird call and into the news while RRI Palangkaraya also had news and was stronger. Think NBC went off shortly after 1202, which seems to their current cut off time during the news. About the only thing I can say about the current situation of the reactivation of NBC is that they are unusable here (very weak) and now only cause light QRM for RRI. Even with good overall conditions today, was only able to hear them very faintly. 3904.96, RRI Merauke, at 1201 news on Feb 26, but off the air by 1206; // 3325 RRI Palangkaraya and // 4749.95 RRI Makassar which 1221 ended the news again with a new patriotic song; later Merauke back again by 1248 (Ron Howard, San Francisco at Ocean Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3904.980, RRI Marauke, nice western flute orchestra music at 1444 UT observed in remote unit at Brisbane AUS. RRI Indonesia ID at 1445 UT S=9+5dB (Wolfgang Büschel, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 28, dxldyg via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. Voice of Indonesia is there after 1930 with a quite nice signal on 9525 (sharp, no obvious frequency deviation). Program audio is a bit low and there is a bit of whine that appears to come in already with the feed So much for now (Kai Ludwig, March 2, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Jamming war on 256.95 MHz via Satcom. Amazing! There`s a techno pirate fighting with Islamic programming in Russian/Arabic and a Russian dude breaking in to yell about Putin and patriarch Kirill! This is all via the satellite at 72 Deg E over the Indian Ocean -- (Tim Bucknall, Congleton, UK, 2100 UT Feb 28, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They sent me the beginning of 2000 a series of 10 QSL-cards. After that, only once a year are sent a certificate signed by the Director Geary, that I listen to them. I offered them my monthly reports confirming alternative QSL-cards, but they ignored my offer. I understand that they are not interested, reminded me that their 10 cards, I got it. So, I'm on the machine sending them reports about the hearing, without expecting anything from them (VP, QSL report, RusDX Feb 28 via DXLD) Things are bad. Since January last year, ceased to send their reports. They (GIRI) the words do not hold promise, but do not do anything. There's a campaign. All you need to disperse the Russian service (DK, ibid.) Indeed, recent reports confirm GIRI bad. And earlier it was necessary to send a report for multiple listening programs. They are more interested in not SINPO, and the fact that you listened and listened to their transfer. In 2015, in one report, they sent me a QSL. Previously we sent a bunch of magazines and did not stint on the cards (Pb, ibid.) ** IRAN. Lördag kväll, jag lyssnar på IRIB från Iran på engelska med fina signaler på 6040 kHz. Det meddelas att i Listeners' Special ska det komma en intervju med Dan Olsson. Jag misstänker att han är kvar på sjukhuset efter operation, han har på Facebook från sjuksängen uttalat sitt 100%-iga stöd till ett inlägg från mig om den svenska sjukvårdens höga kvalitet. Men jag beslutar att meddela honom via Messenger. Och se, han är på alerten och sva-rar. Men, visar det sig, någon kortvågsradio finns inte på sjukhuset så han kan inte lyss-na. Jag kommenterar att han säkert kan höra intervjun via webbplatsens arkiv längre fram. I lördags skrev jag också ett mail till Teheran med en periodrapport och redan idag kom ett svar (Ullmar Qvick, Sweden, SW Bulletin Feb 28 via DXLD) Saturday night, I listen to IRIB from Iran in English with good signals on 6040 kHz. It is announced that in the Listeners' Special there will be an interview with Dan Olsson. I suspect he's still in the hospital after surgery; he has been on Facebook and from his sickbed pronounced his 100% support for a post from me regarding the high quality of the Swedish healthcare. But I decide to notify him via Messenger. And look, he's alert and replies. But, it turns out, there is no shortwave radio in the hospital so he can't listen. I commented that he surely can hear the interview through the site's archives later. Last Saturday, I also wrote an email to Teheran with a periodic report and already today came a reply (Ullmar Qvick, translated by SWB editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. VOIRI Teheran - new look! Hallå allihopa! Mitt samvete ansätter mig alltid för att jag till radiomediets fromma ska gynna de tappra som ännu fram-härdar på kortvåg. Jag har skickat många periodrapporter till Voice of Vietnam med god och trevlig respons. Så började jag tänka på Iran, hur har det inträffade politiska tövädret påverkat utlandssäningarna därifrån? Svaret är: så genomgripande att man kan tala om en "new look". I stället för långdragna drapor i nyhetssändningarna kommer nu livfulla nyhetsinslag, i stil med CRI Beijing som ju är duk-tiga på modern radiomediaproduktion. Lyssna själv! 1920-2020 UTC på 6040 eller 7425 kHz eller mindre stabilt: 1520-1620 UTC på 11940 eller 13785 kHz Alla dessa frekvenser är ostörda men condx varierar ju. 73, (Ullmar Qvick, Sweden, via NORDX, via SW Bulletin Feb 28 via DXLD) VOIRI Tehran - New Look! Hey, everyone! My conscience besets me always because for the benefit of the radio medium I will favor the brave that still persist on shortwave. I have sent many periodic reports to the Voice of Vietnam with good and friendly response. So I started thinking about Iran, how has the political thaw affected the foreign broadcasts from there? The answer is so pervasive that one can speak of a "new look". Instead of lengthy statements in newscasts there now come vibrant news reports, in the style of CRI Beijing who are clever in modern radio media production. Listen for yourself! 1920-2020 UT on 6040 or 7425 kHz or less stable: 1520-1620 UT on 11940 or 13785 kHz. All these frequencies are undisturbed but conditions vary of course. 73, (Ullmar Qvick, Sweden, via NORDX via SW Bulletin Feb 28, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. 9445.6, Feb 28 at 0045, S7 signal is JBM, no doubt VIRI in Spanish, as previously logged Feb 19 at 0125, nominal 9445.0 from Kamalabad. Is it off-frequency every night? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN [non]. 7460, MOLDOVA, Radio Payem e-Doost (Baha`i) ready for broadcast, from Grigoriopol Maiac Pridnestrovie Moldova relay, S=9+5 as carrier already 'on air' at 0220-0230 UT. NJ/MA/KY US (Wolfgang Büschel, Log Feb 29 at 0220-0300 UT, noted on few remote units on US east coast, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Feb 29, dxldyg via DXLD) ** IRAQ. Re DXLD 16-07: There's a 3-minute Arabic video about Nineveh Liberation Radio, the new station aimed at Mosul in preparation for the city's liberation (hopefully) from ISIL. It includes a full ID about 20 seconds in, although fairly clear unfortunately for ISO purposes it's underlaid by the Iraqi national anthem. Perhaps a fluent Arabic speaker could have a listen to see if it gives any information to add to the info in the referenced DXLD? https://www.facebook.com/552514844870022/videos/865299430258227/?permPage=1 (David Kernick, Interval Signals Online, Feb 27, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRELAND NORTHERN [non]. GERMANY: Radio Northern Ireland is *live* on 6070 kHz via Channel 292 (Rohrbach). Jordan is taking and playing instant requests. Broadcasting until 2130 UT (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, Tuesday March 1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also GERMANY ** ITALY. 7615, Radio Latino now on air, 1655, 27-07, Italian songs, comments English, ID. "Radio Latino". 34433. 7615, Radio Latino, 1657-1716, 27-02, Italian songs, ID "Radio Latino short wave". 34433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun PL-880, Sony ICF SW 7600G, Sangean ATS 909X, Cable antenna, 8 meters and Degen 31MS active loop antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non]. 6970-USB, Feb 27 at 2338, no trace of a signal here from IBC, Italian Broadcasting Corp., pirate which said it would test to North America at 2200 until 0200 Feb 28; nor at periodic chex the next sesquihour. Various other stuff around the frequency, however: 6968.5-LSB, Feb 27 at 2338, 2-way, maybe in Spanish 6970.5-USB, Feb 27 at 0007, 2-way, language unknown 6970, Feb 27 at 0105, still nothing. Was it on and reaching those further east? Yes, poorly, 3 logs from CT, PA and VA: http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,26625.0.html (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also EUROPE ** ITALY. Marconi Radio International on air on 29th February 2016 on 11390 kHz and via IBC on 6970 kHz --- Greetings from Italy! Please be informed that Marconi Radio International should next be audible on [Monday] 29th February 2016, from 0930 to 1300 UT, on 11390 kHz. This special leap day broadcast will include: station identification announcements in Italian, English, German, Spanish, French and Catalan as well as a DX programme (Italian Shortwave Panorama) and rock music show (Microwaves) in English. The same above contents will also be carried via IBC Italian Broadcasting Corporation on 6970 kHz, on the same day (29th February 2016) from 0800 to 1100 UT. Marconi Radio International encourages reception reports from listeners. Audio clips (mp3-file) of our broadcasts are welcome! Our E-mail address is: marconiradiointernational@gmail.com but please don’t forget to include your postal address as some lucky listeners will also receive a printed QSL card. Until now reception reports, found to be correct, have been received from listeners from 15 countries in Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Russia as well as, for the first time in our history, from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Ukraine. Last but not least, we need your help! If you use social networks, please post an announcement on Facebook or send out a tweet the day before the broadcast. You can also forward this message to a friend. This should help increase our potential audience. We hope to hear from a lot of shortwave listeners about our transmission on the occasion of 2016 leap day. Your sincerely. (-- Marconi Radio International (MRI) Short wave test broadcasts from Italy on 11390 kHz Feb 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non]. [Re: WORLDWIDE DX CLUB Top News #1242 Feb 28th, 2016]: ``IRRS Milano is always 'look out for presents' by broadcast center organizations, but has always a VEILED item presence in the hobby domestic radio scene. In the past have got cheap broadcast time presents once from Hungarian Radio HNG`` That's complete news to me: When had IRRS leased airtime from Antenna Hungária? To my knowledge they started their leasing operations, replacing their small 7125 kHz transmitter, with far out-of-band frequencies from Kostinbrod, then settled at Rimavská Sobota until operations of these facilities ceased when Slovensky Rozhlas gave up its shortwave service, then used Radiocom in Romania until returning to presumably cheaper Kostinbrod now. ``lately was client at RadioCom-ROU installation at Romanian S=Saftica 1x100 kW revolving horizontal log-periodics used`` Hadn't it been established that the IRRS transmissions apparently went out from the Tsiganeshti plant? (At whatever power level, I think the HFCC entries are worth nothing at all.) (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Feb 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN. 11790, Feb 29 at 0655, NHK IS on poor signal. This is a strange broadcast, 07-08 in Japanese, 300 kW, 330 degrees from Yamata for CIRAF 23, 24, 33. Looks like it`s meant for Manchuria --- are there still ethnic Japanese-speakers there? Plus Siberian regions north and northeast of it. 330 would also carry on right across western Europe (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 7400, Feb 25 at 1345, Sea Breeze YL in English on Thursday, 1347 typical sounder; presumed CRI Burmese is the understation today. It`s about time for another Shiokaze frequency jump, probably back to the 6 MHz band from JAPAN (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH. V24's origin confirmed --- Dear Mr. Hauser, I confirmed V24's transmitting site. The site is located in Gongneung, Seoul, South Korea (37.638548, 127.110523). The site also transmits Echo of Hope on 6250, 4885 kHz and MW jamming on 657, 1053 kHz. Please see my recording near transmitter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMCA3BA6PHc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq7ucwejRT4 Best regards 73 (Sungchul Cho from South Korea, Feb 28, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WTFK? This and other recent audio-videos are labeled: 5290 2016 FEB 27 1430 5715 2016 FEB 28 & FEB 26 1430 5900 2016 FEB 27 & FEB 26 1530 But these audiovideos are mostly music! He also has several others from a different numbers station, V28 (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH. 5857.506, HLL Seoul Korean weather service at 1410 UT. S=6 in Brisbane AUS remote unit. Empty channels 5020v and 9545 kHz at 1352 UT, Feb 28, nothing heard in downunder remote Brisbane, Australia (Wolfgang Büschel, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 28, dxldyg via DXLD) ** KYRGYZSTAN. 4009.819, Kyrgyz Radio, from Bishkek Krasnaya Rechka, poor S=4 signal strength at Brisbane, at 1456 UT Feb 28, \\ 4819.904 kHz 1458 (Wolfgang Büschel, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 28, dxldyg via DXLD) ** KYRGYZSTAN. 5129.92, R. Sedaye Zindagi, Bishkek. a.k.a Afghan Christian Radio noted at 1750 in Pashto with talk and music to s/off 1756, weak signal on 5/2 (Rob Wagner, Vic., March Australian DX News via DXLD) [same, but really on same exact frequency??], 11/2 at 1626 in DA [dead air? so transmitter on?] This station is not on the air daily - it seems only on some dates of the month? Confirmed never there are not broadcasts on Sat & Sun (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, March ADXN via DXLD) ** LITHUANIA. 9405, European Music R, Relay via Sitkunai (100 kW), was planned on Sunday Feb 21 at 1730-1830 with Tom Taylor & Tony Currie Mail. But your Ed couldn’t hear any carrier and Tom Taylor explained: ”The 9405 Sitkunai Transmitting Station had equipment failure with their audio to the transmitter” (Anker Petersen, Skovlunde, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window March 2 via DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. 9835 // 11665, both with Sarawak FM special programming on Feb 26; public forum 1335-1401 dealing with local education in Sarawak; mostly in vernacular, but some English segments; speaker not prejudiced against Malaysia, has support from wife of 40 years, about literacy rate and things he promises to do to improve it (if elected?), etc.; 1401 no longer //; 11665 went to Wai FM/Limbang news (Ron Howard, San Francisco at Ocean Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9835.0, ID '...FM...' and Asian pop music heard at 2250 UT on Feb 26 in Brisbane Australia remote unit. S=9+15dB somewhat 10.4 kHz wide bandwidth nice audio quality signal [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9835 (Sarawak FM) // 11665 (Wai FM relay of Sarawak FM) both continuing to air special coverage for the upcoming Sarawak elections; we can probably expect more of these // broadcasts in the run-up to the elections. Feb 27 from 1331 to 1339 with speaker before a live audience; mostly vernacular, but some English; addressing the Chinese community; "You must not be divided," "Representation of the Chinese community . . . you want a strong representation . . . a strong Sarawak government is in a better position to negotiate with the federal government . . ."; 1339 not //; 11665 Wai FM ID. Interesting broadcast! My audio of English https://goo.gl/PGhF5g (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9835 Sarawak FM // 11665 Wai FM; 1600, March 2. Choral National Anthem (Negaraku – Lagu Kebangsaan Malaysia); 11665 off at 1601*, while 9835 continued on; both fair (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 1140, XEMR Radio Esperanza, Monterrey, Nuevo León. 1153 February 27, 2016. "La Fuente Eres Tú" by Lilly Goodman segued to "El Cielo Gobierna" by David Scarpeta, male singing Radio Esperanza jingle into national anthem at 1200, ID, into celebrity gossip magazine hosted by male and female with bits of music, male "Radio Esperanza, Manantial de Música" at 1212 and back to talk magazine (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater FL, NRD-535, IC-R75, roof dipole, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Raymie`s Mexico Beat this week --- When will Cadena Tres hit the air? Alberto Aguilar's business column for El Universal http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/entrada-de-opinion/columna/alberto-aguilar/cartera/2016/02/26/pese-devaluacion-en-fitness-alto tells us there is an internal debate at Grupo Imagen on whether to get to air at the end of June or in time for the end of summer vacation, in August. Studios are being built at the former Hermanos Vázquez furniture store on Avenida Universidad, just north of the UNAM, where there are other related businesses: Prodemex, a construction company, and a Banco Multiva branch. (Imagen and Multiva are both GEA ventures. Additionally, the furniture store, which sought to downsize, is also from the SAME family though not part of GEA, and Prodemex is partly owned by Olegario Vázquez Raña. Had enough family ties?) Programs will include a newscast likely to be fronted by Ciro Gómez Leyva, who hosts a Radio Fórmula morning program and formerly was CNI's main evening news anchor, and a high-budget telenovela apparently titled "Vuelo Temprano". The conditions of the Cadena Tres concession require them to be broadcasting to 30% of the population of all 32 states by March 2018 and to be operating all 123 of their licensed transmitters by March 2020. [tagline:] Este programa es público, ajeno a cualquier partido político. Queda prohibido el uso para fines distintos a los establecidos en el programa. Read my Mexico Beat blog (Raymie Humbert, Phœnix AZ, Feb 29, WTFDA Forum via DXLD) DTV Listeners in Michoacán will be tuning in three new social radio stations in the near future. Two of them look closer to air than the third. In Huetamo, Rey Tariacuri, A.C., will bring XHUET-FM 103.5 to air. Slated to broadcast with 3.28 kW ERP, its reference coordinates are 18 40'04.5" N, 100 51'01.36" W. It appears the name of this station, at least according to what I've found, will be La Guacha. https://www.facebook.com/LaGuachaFM/timeline I correctly predicted that this station would be in Michoacán based on its name, which references a Purépecha king. Maravatío will get its first station with Voz de Maravatío, A.C., signing on XHMVM-FM on 98.3 MHz. It will broadcast with 3 kW ERP from reference coordinates 19 53'31" N, 100 26'33" W. That is in the heart of town and may not be the actual location of the station. The town is in the northeast part of the state. I cannot find anything on the civil association. Alfonso Ibarra Valdés received XHZTM-FM 89.1 for the town of Zitácuaro. It will broadcast at 3 kW with coordinates of 19 26'13" N, 100 21'16" W. XHZTM is already on air as an Internet station and is known as Fantasía Radio. http://www.fantasiaradiomx.com/ Looks like FM is "coming soon". And if you're in Sinaloa, there's another new FM for you. XHLCE-FM 90.1 (Radio Agricultores del Valle de Sinaloa) got the green light to sign on in La Cruz de Elota. Halfway between Culiacán and Mazatlán, XHLCE will broadcast with 3 kW from 23 55'10.4" N, 106 53'26.4" W. This is the first station in this town (Raymie, March 1, ibid.) Also, I think I've found something I've been looking for for a while: https://www.google.com/maps/@25.4699882,-108.1275123,3a,90y,26.84h,93.19t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ssJVJ_s6bDCztSPH8_Py9GQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 Who knows what this is? I'll give you three hints: 1. Wow, it has a lot of elements... 2. It is related to a tower in La Cruz de Elota. Think of where the microwave dish is aimed. https://www.google.com/maps/@23.9218614,-106.8895181,3a,75y,97.16h,101.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seY6mlQNbHZ3Br0bt1CzY_g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 3. It's on the Culiacán-Mochis highway. What's between Culiacán and Mochis? (Raymie, March 1, ibid.) Making up with antenna gain what it's lacking in tower height Looks a bit like the antenna at KREX-TV in Grand Junction: https://www.google.com/maps/place/KREX+TV/@39.0874445,-108.5672131,3a,46.3y,27.78h,131.75t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sjEg01lvDzIdJNLeYl6e39Q!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DjEg01lvDzIdJNLeYl6e39Q%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.TACTILE.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D392%26h%3D106%26yaw%3D16.180542%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x62ff861fba30f50f!6m1!1e1 (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66 http://www.w9wi.com March 2, ibid.) ** MONACO [non]. MONACO/ITALY, Chik Radio, the Russian language station of Monaco stopped broadcast from Monaco’s frequencies. They are no longer on FM 97.9 and DAB+. Studios are still in Monaco, but transmissions are from San Remo in Italy on 103.6 MHz. It’s cheaper to broadcast from Italy rather than from Monaco! (Christian Ghibaudo, Nice, France, DSWCI DX Window March 2 via DXLD) ** MYANMAR. 5914.993, Myanmar Radio from new capital Naypyidaw site, S=9+30dB signal at 1418 UT in eastern Thailand remote SDR unit. Local smooth sweet dance music singer, light music in western international style (Wolfgang Büschel, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 28, dxldyg via DXLD) ** MYANMAR/BURMA. 5985.0, Myanmar Radio, 1503-1600, March 2 (Wednesday). NHK's radio drama in the Burmese language, which corresponds to a radio drama heard by Timm Breyel (Malaysia), via Myanmar in Jan that was produced by NHK (Japan); 1530 into English (local news & weather); during 1536-1550 interesting "VOA Special English" program about Mount Rainier National Park and Valley Forge National Historical Park http://goo.gl/4yPsPj --- *1600 CRI sign on blocked frequency. 7200.09, Myanmar Radio, 1404*, Feb 29, after CNR1 (jamming) went off at 1400* after their time pips. 7345, Thazin Radio, 1328*, Feb 29. Went off after the usual theme music; heard underneath strong CNR1 QRM. BTW - Appreciate Wolfy's frequent monitoring of Myanmar and providing accurate frequencies for all of their stations. Very helpful (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5914.992, Myanmar Radio from new capital Naypyidaw site, S=9+5dB signal at 0249 UT on Feb 29 in eastern Thailand remote SDR unit. Locale Burmese light dance music. 7200.0945, accurate frequency. Myanmar Radio from - probably - Yangoon Yegu site. Phone-in program in likely Burmese language, nice light SoEaAsian local light music in between, S=7-8 signal at 0244 UT on Feb 29. Close-adjacent 7210 kHz Dac Lac-VTN was much S=9+5dB stronger. 9589.995, Myanmar R, from - probably - Pyin U Lwin site at 0230 UT on Feb 29, S=8-9 signal logged in eastern Thailand. According Aoki Nagoya database list in Mon language. 9729.999, Myanmar Radio from - probably - Yangoon Yegu site, English news 0230-0234 UT on Feb 29, S=9+5dB fluttery in eastern Thailand remote SDR. Remarkable are some 200 Hertz peaks of main power visible, like either sideband symmetrically 5 x 200 Hertz strings seen in the clear (Wolfgang Büschel, Log Feb 29 at 0220-0300 UT, noted on few remote units in eastern Thailand, at Doha Qatar, and on US east coast remote units at NJ/MA/KY US, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Feb 29, dxldyg via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. Programming Favourites on Shortwave Radio (and on the Internet) --- Happy Station Program: This is perhaps the oldest, almost continuous program on shortwave/Internet radio. This show began on November 19, 1928 on Philips radio station PCJJ/PCJ in the Netherlands. In 1947 the show began being aired on Radio Netherlands Worldwide (Radio Nederland). The show's first presenter was Eddie Startz, who hosted from 1928 to 1969 with his show known by the slogan "Smiles across the Miles". The program included light music, birthday announcements, stories of Dutch life and "imaginative voyages" using music and sound. There was also a Spanish version from the 1960s through the 1990s. When Eddie retired in 1969, the hosting of the program was taken over by Tom Meijer until 1992. Pete Myers and Jonathan Groubert hosted from 1993 to 1995 when the program was cancelled. The Happy Station Program was revived by Keith Perron in March of 2009, and is broadcast from a number of the PCJ Media stations, plus can be heard online. The current Happy Station website is located at http://www.pcjmedia.com/hs (Joe Robinson, BEGINNER'S CLASSROOM FOR March 2016, Ontario DX Association via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. 6040, UT Sunday Feb 28 at 0000, no signal from The Mighty KBC via Nauen, GERMANY --- As I continue listening to BRAZIL [q.v.], RB2 on 6040.39 approx., I am beginning to wonder if MBR has abruptly changed the KBC frequency again? No, it cuts on late circa *0004 with music at S9+25. Het from ZY remains audible (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. Reception of Radio New Zealand International on Feb 25 till 1258 on 13840 RAN 100 kW / 325 deg to NW Pacific/PNG/Timor/Asia from 1259 on 9700 RAN 050 kW / 035 deg to All Pacific from 1551 on 9700 RAN 050 kW / 035 deg to Cooks Islands & off at 1650 from 1651 on 9700 RAN 050 kW / 035 deg to Tonga/Samoa, NO SIGNAL!!! http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/reception-of-radio-new-zealand.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9700, Feb 26 at 1500, quick check to confirm RNZI is on the air and on proper AM frequency today, not to time the timesignal, but when it fires, a glance at my watch indicates it`s about 2 seconds late compared to WWV a minute later. Needs further confirmation. 11725, Mon Feb 29 until 0653*, RNZI cuts off the air, but DRM is blasting on 11685-11690-11695. Seems like a single transmitter is having to quit AM during the priority DRM segments for Pacific relay stations. 9700, Feb 29 at 1400, RNZI timesignal is *3* seconds late as compared to WWVH 10000 two minutes later. 11725-AM, and 11685-11690-11695 DRM, March 2 at 0703 check during news, both RNZI transmitters are funxional tonight. 9700-AM, March 2 at 1400, once again timesignal 3 seconds late, news about 7.9 earthquake off Sumatera (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. Programming Favourites on Shortwave Radio (and on the Internet) --- Dateline Pacific: Touted as Radio New Zealand International's flagship program linking the Pacific with New Zealand and the world, Dateline Pacific covers news, issues, health, elections, and cultural/world important issues. It is heard seven times a day Monday through Friday on RNZI, and is broadcast by the BBC Pacific Service, the World Radio Network, and the Radio New Zealand National service. For more on Dateline Pacific, go to http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific (Joe Robinson, BEGINNER'S CLASSROOM FOR March 2016, Ontario DX Association via DXLD) ** NICARAGUA. Radio Nicaragua (La Voz de Nicaragua at time of original report) 6015 kHz, verified an electronic f/up (including mp3 recording) in 1 day with an E-mail with attached a F/D pdf letter. V/S: Alberto Carballo Madrigal, Director general, Radio Nicaragua. E- mail: director@radionicaragua.com.ni This verification was obtained after some f/ups (also by snail-mail). The original report was sent in 1984!! The main problem was to find a working E-mail address. I found it only after having been able to contact Mr. Alberto Carballo throughout his private Facebook profile (Antonello Napolitano, Taranto-ITALY, Feb DX Fanzine via DXLD) ** NICARAGUA. OBJECIONES Y CRÍTICAS POR CIERRE DE EMISORA EN NICARAGUA by gruporadioescuchaargentino Henry Ruiz, miembro del Consejo Nacional en Defensa de la Tierra, Lagos y Soberanía, denunció en la ciudad de Miami el desmantelamiento de radio Emperador en la ciudad de Rivas por supuestos funcionarios del gobierno del presidente inconstitucional Daniel Ortega. Ruiz dijo que los agentes del gobierno que llegaron de Managua a bordo de una camioneta desmantelaron la emisora y se llevaron los equipos sin presentar una orden judicial. La emisora que transmitía en frecuencia 97.3 FM, fue intervenida a finales de enero de 2016. Sin embargo Ruiz dijo que el propietario de la emisora, Francisco Gadea, evitó hacerlo público en ese momento para tratar de recuperar el equipo de transmisión que se llevaron. El acta de cierre de operaciones de la emisora y de retención de equipo, justifica la clausura de la radio alegando que no tiene título habilitante y porque (el propietario) no presentó los documentos del transmisor. Ruiz reveló que los funcionarios no llegaron identificados y al ingresar a las instalaciones de la emisora sin previa autorización de los dueños dijeron que “era una orden de arriba”, expresión que emplean funcionarios del gobierno para realizar acciones no apegadas a la ley. El dirigente comunitario señaló que la emisora jugo un rol protagónico durante las protestas de campesinos que enfrentan amenazas de ser expropiados de sus tierras para la construcción del Canal Interoceánico. A su juicio se trata de una venganza porque la emisora representaba una opción informativa para los rivenses, dijo el líder comunitario. “El gobierno de Daniel Ortega sigue aplicando la ley del bozal, no le permite a la población mantenerse informado y denunciar, desde el 2007 que Ortega llegó al poder ha ido cerrando espacios informativos, ahogando económicamente a los medios de comunicación y ha logrado el monopolio de los medios. En Nicaragua solo quedan tres medios independientes que son Radio Corporación, La Prensa y el Canal 12, que no están apegados al oficialismo”, apuntó Ruiz. Ruiz dijo que Ortega continúa violando los derechos humanos en Nicaragua y el derecho de información a los nicaragüenses. Son varias las emisoras que Ortega en el transcurso de su tercer mandato de gobierno ha cerrado en los departamentos del país, inicialmente fue radio la Ley, del comunicador y diputado opositor Santiago Aburto; Voz de Mujer, en Jalapa; y radio Emperador, emisoras que han jugado un papel crítico al gobierno. Las redes sociales juegan un rol protagónico ante la política de bozal del régimen sandinista, se han convertido en medios ágiles para informar y contrarrestar la política de censura. Ruiz dijo que realizarán una campaña de denuncia internacional ante los atropellos del gobierno sandinista (La Prensa, Nicaragua via GRA blog, March 2, via DXLD) ** NIGERIA. Confirmed 15120 at 1450 UT, Feb 26. Not so good signal here, videos later today -- Broadcasts of Voice of Nigeria on 15120/9690 kHz, Feb 26 from 1455 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg NoAf English, scheduled 1400-1530 from 1530 15120 IKO 250 kW / 007 deg NoAf French, scheduled 1530-1600 from 1607 9690 IKO 250 kW / 248 deg WCAf Swahili, scheduled 1600-1630 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/shortwave-broadcasts-of-voice-of.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Update: My week with Voice of Nigeria, Lagos (Log Feb 24-26) -- Hi all together, time to give a little update of the ongoing challenge to broadcast from Lagos to the world on SW: On Thursday 25th, I didn't catch anything of VON-Lagos between 0900- 1800 though regular checks on 9690, 11770, 15120. On Wednesday 23rd and Friday 25th, I "saw" a carrier from 0900 with no modulation on 9690 signing off at 0913 and 0905 respectively. No trace for the rest of the day on 23rd, but at 1430 on Friday, I caught the REGULAR PROGRAMME ("60 minutes") on 15120 with ALMOST NORMAL AUDIO! 73 (thorsten hallmann, germany, Feb 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15120. Voice of Nigeria now on air. Good signal. 1524 English, 1530 French. 26-02 (Manuel Méndez, Spain, enviado desde TypeApp, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15120 nothing visible at 1605 UT today (Wolfgang Büschel, Feb 26, ibid.) Voice of Nigeria on 15120 closed at 1558. Good signal before close, French, news and program "Musique africaine", various identification. Good signal. Enviado desde TypeApp (Méndez, ibid.) And Swahili after 1607 UT on 9690, Feb 26 -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Sofia, Bulgaria, ibid.) ...with several breaks until 1627* and again 1730-1758 on 11770 with Arabic. A new kind of "white noise" instead of the whining noise. 73 (thorsten hallmann, 1802 UT Feb 26, ibid.) 15120, Voice of Nigeria on air with program in English. Good signal. 1420 UT (Manuel Méndez, Enviado desde TypeApp, Feb 27, ibid.) 9690, Voice of Nigeria, 0927, 28-02, on air now with program in English. Fair signal. Enviado desde TypeApp (Manuel Méndez, Feb 28, ibid.) 9690, Voice of Nigeria, Ikorodu, 0927-0945, 28-02, English, comments, id "Voice of Nigeria", 24322. 15120, Voice of Nigeria, Ikorodu, 1524-1558*, 26-02, English, comments, ID "Voice of Nigeria", "www.voieceofnigeria.org.ng", at 1530 program in French, news and program "Musique africaine", various [several] identification. 34433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun PL-880, Sony ICF SW 7600G, Sangean ATS 909X, Cable antenna, 8 meters and Degen 31MS active loop antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 4015 / 4020, PIRATE, WDDR - Drunken DJ Radio, 0150, 2/28/16. S/on with ID, some problems with getting started, “Never can say goodbye,” couple of words, dead air, and back on with a program of talk and music. Moved to 4020 at 0213 to escape a ute a little above 4015 that many of us were hearing. Announced SSTV coming up, some music, SSTV of “ByteBorg Radio” (a listener and logger on HF Underground), “Heart of Gold,” ID and shoutouts to HFU loggers, “pretty as you feel,” into a program of talk and music with another SSTV of “Token Radio” (another listener). Good (Mark Taylor, Madison, Wisconsin, Perseus, SDRPlay, Eton e1, Grundig Satellit 800, Sangean 909X with clear mod, and various other portables; 40 meters dipole, 100’ long wire, Flextenna, NASWA Flashsheet Feb 28 via DXLD) ** NORTH AMERICA. 6925/USB, 2212-2304:30*, 22-Feb; Scam IRS call demanding an immediate payment; "Agent" had an Indian accent; Woman sounded very distraught, crying frequently and making him repeat things several times. "I thought Obama was here to help us, not take more away". "Do you work for that jackass?" "Agent" told her to go to a WalMart and get a moneygram and not tell them what it was for. First clue as to what was really going on here, was when she told him that she lived in Monte Colorado, a major city in Colorado. Eventually she clued him in that she was onto his scam and asked if he felt stupid for being held on line for over an hour and 30 minutes. Gotta be one of the better UNIDs. SIO=2+43 with pulse & buzz bursts. I can't wait to get one of these calls (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' & 60' RW + 125' bow-tie, GMC Car Radio for FMBC logs, All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. Hi Gents, A few logs over the past couple of weeks. With the Winterfest and working, I haven’t had a lot of time to listen. PIRATE-NA. Radio Fusion Radio, 6925 USB, 1418-1518*, 02-14-16, SIO: 343. Program of instrumental “space synth” music. Full ID and email as radiofusionradiopirate@gmail.com at 1430. [Lobdell-MA] PIRATE-NA. Radio Illuminati, 6150 AM, 1953-2145*, 02-14-15. SIO: 343. Marathon broadcast for Valentine’s Day with lots of romantic ballads by Spandau Ballet, REO Speedwagon, Neil Young, etc. ID and sign off announcement by OM 2144. Great QSL received a few hours later for log posted on the hfunderground. [Lobdell-MA] (Chris Lobdell, Near Lowell, Massachusetts USA, Receivers: Eton E1, JRC NRD-535, Aerial: G5RV Dipole, UT Feb 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PIRATE-NA. Moonlight Radio, 6935 USB, 0032-0040+, 02-26-16, SIO: 232. Pop music, ID by OM and mention of using 5 watts. Either signed off or faded out after 0040. [Lobdell-MA] PIRATE-NA. Radio Free Mars, 6925 AM, 0123-0145+, 02-26-16, SIO: 333. Disco remix of Elton John’s “Rocket Man”, Benny & The Jets, 0129. ID by op who identified himself as “yours truly, Mr. Martian”. Played a mix of Space Oddity/Rocket Man. [Lobdell-MA] PIRATE-NA. WDDR/Drunken DJ Radio, 4020 USB, 0422-0615+, 02-28-16, SIO: 444. “Wolverine Radio” op doing his Drunken DJ alter ego station. Frequent SSTV images, taking requests from posts on the hfunderground. Tunes by Ram Jam, Ramones, Procol Harum, B52s, war, etc. Used female voice synthesizer he named “Robin” to heckle hfunderground poster “Skipmuck” (Chris Lobdell, Tewksbury, MA, Receivers: Eton E1, JRC NRD- 535, Aerial: G5RV Dipole, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 6955.00-USB, Feb 27 at 0122, bluesy song at S9, 0123 ``Accelerate`` (not XLR-8) ID and some classic rock. Only pirate noted active this Friday evening, unless that was another one, the JBA carrier on 6770 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 6945-AM, Feb 27 at 2342, S7 vs noise level, continuous talk, sounds like it could be a commercial station so check my three MW locals to be sure not //: 960, 1390, 1640. (1390 can put a x5 harmonic on 6950, but not close enough). Nor does it fit for a WWCR/WNQM parasite. Still there after 0000 Feb 28. It was also UNIDENTIFIED for three loggers in this thread: http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,26633.0.html Nigel Pimblett in Alberta said, ``An interview about radio at 0058, apparently Allan Weiner talking to a pirate operator. Poor to fair signal`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 6954.98-USB, Feb 28 at 0007, tune in to All India Radio interval signal! So it is Partial India Radio? Is it WLIS = We Love Interval Signals? No, read on. At S9+5 level, IS after IS plays, apparently recorded off the air and many of them overmodulated/distorted here. Quite a trip down memory lane, as many of them no longer exist. I can ID most of them by tune or by announcement: All India Radio Minsk IS & ID Radio Canção Nova ID IS & Burasi Sofia Radyosu, i.e. Bulgaria with Turkish ID CRI East is Red theme and ID; now it`s 0009.5: unfamiliar IS, but ID in Chinese for CJKT, Zhi Sheng, chimes unknown 8-note IS, alternating two different but related noteseries, announcement sounds like Greek language IS `Forward, Left!` and Radio Prague, Czechoslovakia ID Radio Denmark Shortwave Department, IS and opening first of three broadcasts to North America, on 15165 Sakura on marimba, NHK. By now it`s 0014: unfamiliar horn fanfare, ID? IS, Suomen Yleisradio, Radio Finland IDs Horns and drumming, ID in French; I thought at first it was ORTF Tahiti, or was it something from Africa, Abidjan? [next: can`t read my scribble – Cairo, maybe?] Yankee Doodle, VOA Rhodes signing off Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran, IS, ID, NA we still hear 0017 change to a song about fever; some dead air 0021 still tuned to 6955, hear a slow CW ID twice: PIWI --- But is it still the Interval Signal station? Amazingly, no one on HFU reported the above, but there were several reports of Peewee Radio on 6955 after 0128 with non-IS programming: http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,26637.0.html O, depending on the exact spacing, maybe they were sending PEEWEE instead of PIWI as I copied it. Sending Morse code slowly can axually make it harder to copy accurately (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PEE WEE RADIO: 6955/AM, 0015-0021:31*, 27-Feb; Tune in to program close from VoA Rhodes; VoIRI IS/ID into bluesy tune; off with PEEWEE code ID. SIO=353+ (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' & 60' RW + 125' bow-tie, --- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! --- DX LISTENING DIGEST) Same thing I heard, 1 day earlier ** NORTH AMERICA. 6950-USB, Feb 28 at 0109, jazz/blues song at S9+25. 0111 slightly risqué song, ``King Size Papa``; at 0124 I`m hearing it well on the PL-880 just with whiprod, for ID as expected: ``Wolverine Radio`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 6925.11-AM, Feb 27 at 2345, S8 weak pirate with some talk and music. It was IDed an hour later as Liquid Radio: http://www.hfunderground.com/board/index.php/topic,26634.0.html (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 380 mW CW PIRATE BEACON on the Air this afternoon: This is Channel Z a North American Pirate Station Feb/27/2016, 1733-1740 UT, Frequency was 11428.6 kHz, CW MODE, Signal was S4 to S5 GOOD, Some QSB Fading, No Other interference heard on Frequency. RECEIVER here is ELAD FDM-S2 SDR. ANTENNA here is WELLBROOK ALA-1530LNP Imperium Loop. They will be on the air until the Battery Dies!!!! I have sent them a exception Report with an Audio Clip of my Reception, so hopefully I will receive one of their eQSLs for this Test!! Regards ROB VA3SW (Robert S. Ross, London, Ontario CANADA, odxa yg via DXLD) Hi Guys: Just received this e-QSL, Photos and Personal Email from Pirate Station Channel Z for reception of their Beacon Test as received here yesterday afternoon. 73 ROB VA3SW 11428.6 CW MODE, Full Data e-QSL received in 24 Hours for Emailed report to Channel Z Also received Photo of Transmitter and Schematic Diagram of Transmitter, along with a Personal Email with info on the Beacon. POWER for this Beacon is 380 mW: ``Hi Robert, Thanks for the detailed report and the audio file. I'm glad you got to hear my beacon. I remember we tried about a year ago without success. Attached is your e-QSL, and some photos. The rig is based around the versatile 74HC240 chip, and a design by N7KSB: http://www.qsl.net/kj5tf/n7ksb.html I've also attached the design of the keying circuit. This year the 380 mW beacon has been heard as far away as Utah and France. 73's Z`` (via Ross, Feb 29, ODXA yg via DXLD CHANNEL Z BEACON: 11427.7, 2148, 27-Feb; Clear code "CZ". Apparently drifting downfreq from an earlier report from fellow beaconista Rob Ross (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' & 60' RW + 125' bow-tie, --- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! --- DX LISTENING DIGEST) gh also heard it: next DXLD ** OKLAHOMA [and non]. LOCAL OWNERS ACQUIRE SOUTHEAST KANSAS RADIO STATIONS --- Charlie Taraboletti Business Posted: Feb 17, 2016 2:08 PM Updated: Feb 17, 2016 3:55 PM The owners of KWON-KYFM-KRIG-KPGM radio have purchased a group of radio stations in Coffeyville. Kevin, Dorea, Kaleb, and Taylor Potter purchased KGGF - AM, KGGF - FM, KUSN - FM, and KQQF - FM from Radio Results Group in Coffeyville, Kansas pending FCC approval. The Potters announced their purchase Wednesday. Kevin Potter says "we have historically been involved in the communities we operate in and there is no reason to believe that they will not be active in Southeast Kansas." KGGF has been on the air since 1927 and covers a four-state area. Kaleb Potter commented that "KGGF and its associated stations have served the listeners of Southeast Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma for a long time. Listeners can expect the changes that come with new ownership will build on that heritage." The Kansas stations include News Talk 690 KGGF - AM, Classic Hits KGGF 104.1 FM, Country 98.1, KUSN; and Adult Contemporary 98.9, KQQF. Listeners hear Field-Kinley high school sports along with Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, Kansas State Wildcats, and the Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens. - See more at: http://bartlesvilleradio.com/pages/news/113032016/local-owners-acquire-southeast-kansas-radio-stations (via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. 1020, Feb 27 at 1324 UT, KOKP Perry sports talk is undermodulated and hummy, so how is sibling station 1580, KOKB Blackwell? Also undermod but not hummy. Did not check 105.1 (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA [and non]. 1640, Feb 27 before 0200 UT, KZLS Enid- Hennessey-OKC nominal with some talkshow, but at 0216 UT retuneby, now in open carrier/dead air. With just a little manipulation of bandwidth and passband on the NRD-545, via the E-W ALA330S antenna, I have perfect copy of WTNI Biloxi MS (which is always audible as understation to KZLS at night), during a silly baseball game --- yes, baseball, for sure, on a Friday night in February. The Golden Eagles are a team, mentions having lost to New Orleans, Pensacola. Also refers to the Northwestern State Angels (?). We continue to suspect WTNI is running more than 1 kW night power most or all of the time. 1640, Feb 27 at 0216, mixing with WTNI thru KZLS dead carrier, an English station plugging Jesus, presumably WSJP, EWTN in Sussex WI (one other religionist on 1640 is KDIA Vallejo CA, twice as far but 10/10 kW U2 rather than most X-banders, 10/1 kW U1; but KDIA night pattern nulls to the east, throwing most to the south and west) (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 9120 and 8960, Feb 25 at 0626, weak signals of Brother Scare and local ESPN 1390 KCRC, i.e. external mixing or R75 receiver overload, both 1390 kHz away from VG WRMI frequencies, 7730 and 7570 (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA [non]. Hi All, Interesting to see that Mennonite Radio, which often appears on WBCQ, is also being relayed by Channel 292 [6070 GERMANY] right at this moment (2000 UT). It's coming in well here in the north west of England at the moment. Hi All, Broad Spectrum Radio is now also being relayed on Channel 292, and the programme started at 2030 after Mennonite Radio. Both programmes mentioned the relay via this service as well as WBCQ at the start, so it will be interesting to see if they become regulars. I noticed that the C292 website is now listing these two programmes at 1600 - 1700 and 1900 - 2000 UTC, but I assume that they were probably delayed on the later broadcast due to Vatican Radio blocking the channel. They also appeared in a different order to how they were shown on the 292 schedule. I wasn't listening on there at 1600, so can't say if they were actually on at that time or not (Alan Gale, Sunday Feb 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Enid, 42, KBZC-LD: Call changed from K42LL (TV News, March WTFDA VHF-UHF Digest via DXLD) But never on the air. I fear this will make it more likely (gh) DTV ** PALAU. 9929.928, Feb 28 at 1415, gospel huxter explaining exactly how the death of Jesus happened, did not descend into hell, etc. Now we know! S9 T8WH is *way* off-frequency from 9930.000. But in use only on Sundays, altho HFCC registered as available 24/7! Aoki Feb 29 shows details taken from WHR schedules: at 08-10 daily; 10-14 UT only on Sat/Sun with one exception for the Vietnamese clandestine Fri 1200-1230; 1400-1430* only on Sunday, for Loren Davis Ministries. Azimuths switch between 318 and 345 depending on the customer (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3260, Feb 26 at 1158, JBA carrier, presumed NBC Madang which has been active lately, but probably not much past 1200 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn - Again we were listening at the same time, but I was also jumping between 3260, 3325, 3904.96, 4749.95, and 9545 to hear what was happening. NBC Madang (3260) had audio above the norm with decent conditions today, with news at 1201 and // 3325. Madang off at 1215*, with Bougainville off shortly sometime after 1202 (Ron Howard, CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 7325-, Feb 27 at 1358, JBA S5 carrier with trace of music, slightly on lo side, just after CRI has gone off, so presumed Wantok Radio Light (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CRI Japanese switched off 1357:03 UT, China mainland service break till 1427v UT. And PNG appeared on 7324.952 kHz accurate that channel, fluttery around to S=9 peaks (Wolfgang Büschel, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 28, dxldyg via DXLD) ** PERU. 4824.51, Perú, LV de la Selva, Iquitos, suspected, 1124, threshold (Feb. 16, 2016) (XM, Cedar Key, Florida, NRD525D, R8A, E5, via Robert Wilkner, Mosquito Coast DX News 27 February 2016, via playdx yg via DXLD) 4824.49, UnID, looking for Perú La Voz de la Selva, Iquitos 0050 to 0059, Spanish but weak (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, 746Pro, Drake R8, NRD 525, Sony 2010XA, Mosquito Coast DX News 27 February 2016, via playdx yg via DXLD) ** PERU [and non]. 4985 kHz, Radio Voz Cristiana, Huancayo, Junín, OM y después música. SINPO 35222, Día 20 Febrero 2016, 2351 UT, Mejor en mi QTH en 4985.508 kHz. Pero ahora no puedo recibir RVC, Ya que Rádio Brasil Central esta ON de vuelta desde 26 Febrero. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pG8kSc8g6w&feature=youtu.be Icom IC-R75, Antenna: Long wire 700 Meters (Daniel Wyllyans, Nova Xavantina MT, Brazil, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) ** PERU. 5459.90, Perú, Radio Bolívar, Cd. Bolívar, 2345 lively music, percussion, very good signal faded down to weak carrier by 0025 this for 27/28 February (Robert Wilkner, Pómpano Beach, South Florida, 746Pro, Drake R8, NRD 525, Sony 2010XA, Mosquito Coast DX News 27 February 2016, via playdx yg via DXLD) ** PERU [and non]. 5980, Feb 27 at 0056, a single JBA carrier, i.e. R. Chaski, joined by a second carrier at *0058:28, i.e. BBC Hindi via UAE, now making a warbling double-het against the BFO offtuned to 5979.65 or so. I`m setting up to catch the Chaski cutoff which should happen at approximately 0107:49, projecting from last timing 8 nights ago at 0106:58, which was averaging 6.4 seconds later per night since the previous capture ---- unfortunately, I am paying too much attention to what Allan Weiner is saying on the other radio, and don`t turn up 5980 until about a minute too later, when the single JBA carrier left is BBC. 5980, Feb 28 at *0058:26, BBC carrier via UAE cuts on to accompany R. Chaski carrier already on at slightly different frequency producing warbling double-het against BFO offtuned to lo side. Unlike last night, this time I make sure to be attentive leading up to the expected Chaski cutoff time, which turns out to be: 0107:57.5*, or slipping 6.6 seconds later per 24 hours since last timing of 0106:58*, nine nights ago; leaving the single BBC carrier on 5980 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 6173.9, Feb 28 at 0031, JBA carrier, presumed R. Tawantinsuyo back on its original off-frequency, after a few weeks on the top side of 6174 as reported by Pedro F. Arrunátegui in Lima: ``13/01 nueva frecuencia 6174.038 (antes 6173.85) ya no hay el zumbido anterior, más limpio`` and he still had it on 6174.04 on January 21 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. 15640 // 17700 // 17820, R. Pilipinas, 0232-0250, March 1; program "DFA On-line, news and events from different Philippine embassies and consulates around the world"; profile of Rolando de la Cruz, inventor of an anti-viral and anti-fungal cream preparation derived from cashew nuts that non-surgically removes warts, moles and other skin imperfections; gave website to listen to Radio Pilipinas online; 0241 segment of songs from "ASEAN countries"; program "It's More Fun In The Philippines"; all fair (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** QATAR [non]. GOODNIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK --- This is the final Al Jazeera America newsletter. Although we are no longer updating our website, today we launched a legacy page with the best journalism we have produced over the last two and a half years. We encourage you to continue to watch our channel on TV until April 12. And for the latest news please visit Al Jazeera English. In this Edition: Goodnight, and good luck http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2016/2/26/goodnight-and-good-luck.html [also linx to:] Al Jazeera America allowed me to ‘speak whatever must be said’ The way news should be done Al Jazeera has a good batting average Elegy for a website where Native voices mattered (AJAM mailing list Feb 26 via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. Programming Favourites on Shortwave Radio (and on the Internet) --- Contests on Radio Romania International: RRI has so many interesting programs, it is hard to choose just one as a "favourite" among their offerings. They have a great Listeners' Corner, a Cooking Show, and various programs of news and culture inside Romania. One recurring item RRI has is a contest. Their most recent contest in January was about Constantin Brancusi, featured the following grand prize for correctly answering questions about the artist (if your name is drawn): "The Grand Prize will be a 7-day full board* trip, between April 15th and 30th 2016, for 2 RRI listeners, to Gorj County, the birthplace of Constantin Brancusi. The winners will visit the home where the artist was born and several other attractions in the area, starting with the “Avenue of Heroes” monumental ensemble in Targu Jiu, which pays tribute to the heroes of WWI and was designed and built by Constantin Brancusi." Keep tuning in to RRI to find out about their latest contest, as well as listening to their very popular and informative programming. Their website is located at http://www.rri.ro (Joe Robinson, BEGINNER'S CLASSROOM FOR March 2016, Ontario DX Association via DXLD) *full board ??? All their contests have to admit that altho you are their guest while in Romania, you have to pay your own way to and from; maybe no big deal from within Europe. By ``2 RRI listeners``, do they mean a couple, or individuals, in which case a companion for either is not paid for? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** ROMANIA. 9730, UT Sunday Feb 28 at 0052, RRI with Romanian language lesson for Spanish-speakers; I learned a little, but only a few minutes before closing by Irina (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. MODIFICATION OF THE ROMANIAN PUBLIC RADIO AND TELEVISION ACT --- With the public television in bankruptcy, it seems that the radio arm is also in trouble. Unfortunately, I did not find any additional information on the English and German websites of Radio Romania International, which is part of Radio Romania. Radio România International/Today in the News/Srecko Trglec, Slovenian journalist, about Radio Romania, 2016-02-25 15:37:00 Florin Orban Statement of Srecko Trglec, Head of the Regional Centre Maribor of the Slovenian Radio-Television, about the intended modification of the Romanian public Radio and Television Act. Srecko Trglec, Head of the Regional Centre Maribor of the Slovenian Radio-Television, declared its concern about the intended modification of the Romanian public Radio and Television Act, in an exclusive statement for Radio Romania International's Florin Orban: "Radio Romania is the flagship of the Romanian media on European level… With a well known audience of more than 4.5 million listeners, it is one of the most important media in Europe. That is the reason for which, when it is about international projects, like, for example, Euranet Plus, where we are together since many years, since 2008, Radio Slovenia and Radio Romania, the Romanian Broadcasting Corporation is considered from many years already a valuable partner. So, if the company is working well, having a stronger and stronger audience, having balanced revenues and costs and enjoying of such good international prestige, I don’t see the reason why to change the rules of the game…" (via Dr Hansjoerg Biener, 25 February 2016, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA. 1521.0, Feb 27 at 0154, presumed 2-megawatt BSKSA Duba is putting a bigger het than usual upon 1520 KOKC. So I try to pull out some audio by minimum bandwidth, USB and passband tuning on the NRD-545. And I do hear bits of talk and music which aren`t bleeding out of 1520, past 0159 but nothing identifiable. Its presence is mainly evident by the het against KOKC. Still so at 0215 after I have checked rest of the MW band: see UNIDENTIFIED 621 and 711 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAUDI ARABIA. As discovered in past months already, Persian service from BSKSA Riyadh has also 12-13 UT time slot service on 7240 kHz, need more check in 10-12 UT slot, - in remote Doha Qatar SDR unit. S=9+10dB. Aoki Nagoya Circle database: 7240 R. SAUDI INTERNATIONAL 1350-1757 1234567 Persian 500 40 Riyadh ARS 2430N04623E BSKSA b15 24 30 -46 23 (Wolfgang Büschel, Feb 25, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7240.000, BSKSA Persian service, checked today Febr 27 on SDR remote net unit 'close-by' at Doha Qatar in ME. At tune-in 1156 UT noted a S=9+15dB carrier on 7240.000 accurate, followed by a short 1000 Hertz audio engineering test tone at 1157:52 UT, and subsequently followed by string instrument pause signal. BSKSA Riyadh Persian language ID and announcement followed at 1200:20 UT and program start followed. At 1203 UT Muslim prayer and afterwards Holy Qur`an procedure till 1216:23 UT, latter when Persian talk program started (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 27, dxldyg via DXLD) BSKSA on 9555 sounds much different than it used to do. Makes me wonder about changes in transmission equipment. So much for now (Kai Ludwig, March 2, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Circa 1930-1945 ** SCOTLAND [non]. Radio Six International on shortwave - March 2016 We're popping our head above the RF noise once more - this time for a five hour broadcast via the Channel 292 transmitter in Ingolsstadt in Germany. The date - Saturday 19th March, 1200-1700 UT on 6070 kHz. Schedule: 1200 Behind The Tracks with Susan Fisher 1300 Kenny Tosh Revival Show 1400 Saturday Sounds live with Tony Currie 1600 Soundwave with John Cavanagh 1700 Closedown Reception reports will be welcome and we will of course verify these by QSL card. Reports should be emailed to letters@radiosix.com or by snail mail to Radio Six International, 21 Sherbrooke Avenue, Glasgow G41 4HF, Scotland. To cover costs we'd grateful if reports requiring a printed QSL could enclose either one Euro or a US Dollar for postage. Although not a regular permanent return to shortwave, we carried out a two hour broadcast last year and this year it's five hours, so there are reasons for optimism that we haven't given up on the HF bands yet. (TONY CURRIE, Director of Programmes, radio six international, March 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. 9545, Wantok FM relay via SIBC, 1234-1312, Feb 25. After SIBC being silent on both 5020 and 9545 for several days, heard this simulcast of Wantok FM; weak modulation; at 1238 somewhat improved audio level (testing transmitter?); non-stop easy listening pop songs, except for very brief IDs; "This is Wantok FM 96.3. Good times, great music"; adjacent CRI QRM except clear reception 1257- 1300, per my music audio at https://goo.gl/xUczf7 Found off the air by 1401 check (Ron Howard, San Francisco at Ocean Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Fw: [A-DX] Log: 5020, 1900...UC, E, Salomonen, 25.02.16 --- Der neue Sender ist aber auch noch leicht auf Wanderschaft, nun bereits gegen 5020.030 kHz. 73 (Christoph Ratzer, Austria, http://ratzer.at http://remotedx.wordpress.com 1951 UT Feb 25, A-DX via Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DXLD) Wegen dem TV Fussballabend in Europa habe ich jetzt erst um 21.07 UT mal im Australien remote monitoring hinein gehört, aus der Aoki Perseusliste: 5020 0500-1200 SLM Solomon Islands BC Eng Honiara 1-7 5020 1900-2200 SLM Solomon Islands BC Eng Honiara 1-7 9545 2200-0500 SLM Solomon Islands BC Eng Honiara 1-7 jetzt um 2108 UT waren die Solomonen genau auf 5020.000 kHz zugange. Mal sehen wie genau SIBC auf 9545 kHz startet. Wb (Büschel, 2114 UT Feb 25, ibid.) SIBC at 2206 UT on Febr 25 in 31 mb on 9544.998 kHz. Heard in Brisbane Australia remote SDR unit. S=8-9 -76dBm strength. wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, 2216 UT Feb 25, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9545, Feb 26 at 1158, S3-4 carrier, presumed SIBC, which has been missing lately from both frequencies, but Ron Howard found 9545 back on air yesterday Feb 25 at 1234-1312, relaying Wantok FM with weak modulation at first. Wolfgang Büschel reported 5020.000 was on air past 2108, but by 2206 Feb 25, 9544.998 was audible in Brisbane. Nothing else is listed on 9545 at the time I heard it: only Iran has an hour in Hausa at 1820, and HFCC adds imaginary entries, from Indonesia, Oman, UAE at other times (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn - Tuned in at 1204, on 9545, to listen to a definite open carrier; heard OC at 1217 & 1223 checks, but never any audio, so unlike my reception yesterday; OC gone by 1237 check, leaving clear frequency. Certainly seemed the behavior for testing their transmitter? (Ron Howard, CA, Feb 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9545.0 (on the lower side accurate 9544.9995), SIBC at 2258 UT Feb 26, S=8 signal noted in Brisbane Australia, high noon local Pacific zone - fade out / decreasing signals. [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5020.0, Feb 27 at 1344, S8 signal with bit of music, managing to squeeze thru not too long after sunrise, but late enough for its plus/minus 5 Cuban/American neighbors to have weakened to aproblematic level. So assume SIBC is on at the moment. Ron Howard has been tracking this closely. He says they have been testing with Wantok FM relay or open carrier alternating this with the other frequency 9545. 5020 was on between 1343 and 1351* Feb 27. He also had the open carrier on 9545 yesterday Feb 26 at 1204, six minutes after my report at 1158 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. Wantok FM relay via SIBC; continuing with their very erratic testing on Feb 27: 5020.0 - From 1315 to 1317* with pop songs; suddenly no audio and shortly thereafter transmitter off. 9545 - At 1319+ open carrier; no audio at all. 5020.0 - On and off testing with pop songs; 1343-1351*; back on again by 1353 till again suddenly off at 1354* (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, Feb 28 (Sunday) on 9545, heard SIBC at 0438 with religious songs till suddenly off at 0458*; poor (Ron Howard, California, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Empty channels 5020v and 9545 kHz at 1352 UT, Feb 28, nothing heard in downunder remote Brisbane, Australia (Wolfgang Büschel, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 28, dxldyg via DXLD) ** SOMALILAND. 7120, Feb 27 at 1353, S7 carrier, presumed R. Hargeysa longpath, just before its hour off at 14-15 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN. Information from "open_dx" group: After the shake-up, manifested first in the complete closure of the Spanish International Radio SW broadcasting, then it is a partial restoration (but only in Spanish and in a completely different format). I stopped working the usual e-mail ree [at] rtve.es - that is, the audience was nowhere to send electronic reports. The Spanish Association of listeners AER placed on your site report form. After filling and pressing "Enviar_informe" the report will go to the AER, as well as a social movement for the preservation of the Spanish broadcasting on SW (there is such an organization). There his promise to pass on the radio to confirm - but, as I understand, there are no guarantees no one gives. Form here: http://aer.org.es/archivos/5179 Current schedule (taken from EiBi base): Sat, Sun 1500-1900 9690, 15390, 15500, 17755 daily 1900-2300 9690, 11530, 15390, 15500 (Dmitry Mezin, Kazan, Russia, RusDX Feb 28 via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. 11905, Feb 26 at 0113, no signal yet from SLBC, and retuned too late to hear it cut on and then add prélude music, but in time to hear the mis-timesignal ending at 0115:17, as always expected now within a few seconds of then. Heavy trans-polar flutter, S9 to S5 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. 9765.00, Feb 27 at 0136, S9+5 open carrier/dead air. HFCC shows IBB Iranawila at 01-04 since Dec 28 in Pashto. I.e. VOA Deewa Radio, which I logged with modulation on Feb 6. However the Iranawila site had power outage at least from Feb 21 to 24 requiring substitute transmissions from other sites on other frequencies; looks like they still have some problems. Recheck at 0224, 9765 is now down to an S2 JBA carrier, so can`t tell if it`s modulated (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. See VATICAN ** SWEDEN. [Re: WORLDWIDE DX CLUB Top News #1242 Feb 28th, 2016]: VERY LAST broadcast transmission of Radio Sweden GERMAN SERVICE The last *transmission*, i.e. linear radio service, was already in 2008, because listener numbers had dramatically decreased. So Löfgren (the manager who now announced the complete termination) stated, unable to cite any source that would back his claim (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Feb 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWEDEN. Weak but clear signal from Sveriges DX-Förbund via Sala, Sweden, on 6060 kHz (am+lsb) at 1215 tune-in. DX News in Swedish in progress. (3975 not audible here). 73s (Dave Caversham, Lowe HF225/25m long wire, Kenny, Sat Feb 27, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) See also DIGITAL DAB ** SYRIA. RASPBERRY PI-POWERED TRANSMITTERS BROADCAST SYRIAN RADIO Technology By Chris Vallance World at One, BBC Radio 4 1 March 2016 From the section Technology Watch: The Pocket FM transmitters are designed to be portable Raspberry Pi computers are being used to power "micro" radio transmitters in Syria. The Pocket FMs, as they are called, were designed by a German organisation as a way of providing Syrians with independent radio. The devices have a range of between 4 to 6 km (2.5 to 3.75 miles), which is enough to cover an entire town. At the heart of each is a Raspberry Pi, the credit card-sized single-board computers. About two dozen have been built, and the designer says they are intended to be as easy to set up as a piece of flat-pack furniture. . . http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35690688 (via Terry Krueger, DXLD) ** TAJIKISTAN. 4765.06, Tajik R 1, Yangiyul, Dushanbé, 1940-2000, Feb 19, folk music, frequency has been shifting again, transmitter has been back to old system again or having difficult maintenance(?), 35232 (Tomoaki Wagai, Wakayama, Japan, DSWCI DX Window March 2 via DXLD) Also heard on the same off-frequency at 2350-2400, Feb 16, Tajik talk, local song, 35233 (Anker Petersen, Skovlunde, Denmark, ibid.) Back on 4765.00 at 1930-2000, Feb 20, folk song, today’s frequency was correct, 34232 (Wagai, ibid.) Also back on 4765.00 on Feb 29 at 0150-0200, Tajik talk by woman and man, folksong, 45333 (Petersen, ibid.) Later I had an unID carrier not on 4765.06 but 4766.00; it? (gh, DXLD) ** TANZANIA. The Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation provides three audio webstreams at http://www.tbc.go.tz/ : TBC International 95,3 (English, mix of African and Western music, including relays of RFI Paris in English) http://www.tbc.go.tz/tbcinternational/ KiSwahili TBC FM http://www.tbc.go.tz/listen/ TBC Taifa http://www.tbc.go.tz/listentbcTaifa/ All links were working when checked (Dr Hansjoerg Biener, 29 February 2016, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TASMANIA [non]. Hi All, Hobart Radio International's programme has just started on 3985.0 kHz at 1700 UT, though at the moment I am suffering with some QRM from what I think are some Spanish fishermen running USB on 3986. They've been waffling on for the past half hour, and it's times like this I wish that I still had my transmitting aerial up so that I could go on and practice my Spanish swear words on them! :-D I think there is some SSTV in today's programme, it will be interesting to see how it come switch [? comes with?] the QRM, it might be necessary to listen using LSB (Alan Gale, UK, Feb 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 20 kW KLL GERMANY site Programming Favourites on Shortwave Radio (and on the Internet) Hobart Radio International: Calling their program "The Voice of Tasmania", Hobart Radio International has been "crossing the borders since 2004, telling the unknown and investigating on what's important". This broadcaster's program is relayed across four continents, and features items such as the DX Extra and The Buzz show. There is an eclectic mix of programs, including playing different genres of music, a show about pirate radio, and one on UFOs. Information and podcasts of their shows are available at http://www.hriradio.org You can obtain info on when/where their program is being broadcast by checking their site, or checking their latest post on the ODXA Yahoo Group (Joe Robinson, BEGINNER'S CLASSROOM FOR March 2016, Ontario DX Association via DXLD) ** TIBET [non]. VOA PRESENTS EXCLUSIVE TIBETAN ELECTION DEBATE WASHINGTON D.C., March 2, 2016 -- The top candidates for the position of Tibet's political leader in exile (Sikyong, or prime minister) faced off this week in an exclusive prime time internet, radio, and television broadcast to Tibet, aired and hosted by the Voice of America. VOA is the leading international broadcaster serving Chinese- occupied Tibet, where local media are censored. The debate was held in Dharamsala, India, where Tibet's Central Administration in exile is based. Lobsang Sangay, the incumbent Sikyong, and Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the exile Tibetan Parliament, participated. "Our facilitating and broadcasting the 2016 exiled Tibetan government's election debate served two purposes," said Losang Gyatso, Chief of VOA Tibetan Service. "For our audiences inside China- controlled Tibet, it's an opportunity to see exiled Tibetans selecting their leadership through a democratic system. For the diaspora Tibetans who vote in the election, it is a rare opportunity to see candidates debate topics important to resolving the Tibet issue." The election is scheduled for March 20. VOA Tibetan Service broadcaster Namgyal Shastri and Tenzin Sangmo, VOA Tibetan's reporter in Dharamsala, moderated the debate, which is the only one scheduled between the two candidates. "With the Dalai Lama entering his ninth decade, this election comes at a critical time," said VOA's East Asia and Pacific Division Director William Baum. "Our Tibetan Service is committed to providing accurate, uncensored coverage of this important election." Tibetans inside China-controlled Tibet are prohibited from voting, so the more than 150,000 Diaspora Tibetans living in Nepal, India, Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world will elect the new Tibetan leader. Kelu Chao, acting Director of VOA, praised the Tibetan Service for its initiative. "We appreciated the candidates' willingness to participate in the debate, and were pleased Voice of America could present it for the people of Tibet," she said. VOA Tibetan reaches its audience through television, radio and the Internet with uncensored news that is unavailable to Tibetans inside China through state-controlled Chinese media. VOA offers critical discussions on important issues and provides valuable information and expertise that help support the development of Tibetan civil society. VOA Tibetan audiences are located in Tibet; in the ethnic Tibetan regions of Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan; and in Bhutan, Nepal, and India-where Tibetan speakers live (VOA PR via DXLD) ** TIBET [non]. 11997, Feb 27 at 1338, S5 carrier with flutter. Smax of Voice of Tibet via TAJIKISTAN. Yup, Feb 22 edition of DX Re Mix News latest update of these constantly changing schedules shows 11997 at 1315-1330, ex 12008, and 1330-1345, ex-12013, both 95 degrees from Dushanbe in Chinese (when in Tibetan language these are at 131 degrees). Also something on 11995 but not sure it was a jammer (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. 5960.02, Feb 27 at 2355, VOT IS is still playing after English to North America, S9+20 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA [non]. FRANCE Reception of Uganda Diaspora P10 via TDF Feb 26: from 1630 on 15405 ISS 250 kW / 140 deg to CEAf English, very strong from 1640 on 15405 ISS 250 kW / 140 deg to CEAf Swahili, very poor & from 1645 on 15405 ISS 250 kW / 140 deg to CEAf nothing, zero signal http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/reception-of-uganda-diaspora-p10-via.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ugandan Diaspora P10 Radio --- Strong here at 1630z sign on - YL in English re Ugandan election fairness, etc., into music at 1633z. 15405 kHz. Feb 27 2016 (Rich Near Chicago Ray, Ten Tec RX340 and Wellbrook 330s at 28', dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15405, Feb 28 at 1650, very poor with Doppler flutter, presumed Uganda Diaspora P10 radio continuing its daily 1630-1700 via FRANCE (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn - Just heard Ugandan Diaspora Radio as follows: 15405, 1642- 1700*, poor to fair signal; program was a mix of traditional music, announcements and a recording of President Obama speaking of the need for peaceful changes in leadership; at 1647, a female announcer gave a web address, which included the words "Ugandan Diaspora." Off at 1700 with no ID or other announcement. Another voice could be heard in the background, which continued after 1700, but there was no het; so maybe that was a SSB transmission of some sort? So as of today, at least, UDR is still on the air, at least on one frequency. Nothing heard on 15680 (Art Delibert, N. Bethesda, MD, 2/29/16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [15405], Uganda Diaspora P10 Radio (Issoudun) *1630-1640+ 2 March. Fair with short orchestral tune to open, announcer's name, ID with frequency followed by voting information (Dr. Besigye is #5 on the ballot, his color is blue, his symbol is a key -- also be sure to take video/audio of any voting irregularities & upload to FB, international news sites & http://www.UgandaDiasporaP10.org ). (Dan Sheedy, Moonlight Beach, CA, E5/6m X wire, UT March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA [non]. SOUTH AFRICA, More frequencies of Sentech "For new organization", Feb 26 0300-0400 on 5910 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to CeAf English Mon/Tue 0500-0600 on 15455 MEY 250 kW / 007 deg to CeAf English Wed/Thu 0500-0700 on 15310 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to CeAf English Fri/Sat 1700-1800 on 9410 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to CeAf English Sat/Sun 1900-2100 on 9430 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to CeAf English Sat/Sun http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/more-frequencies-of-sentech-for-new.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA [non]. Fw: Log: 9430; UNID, Vn, 1935...UC, 27.02.16 Folks, help - purpose of special broadcasts heard recently, maybe via Babcock control room / SenTec? since two weekends, we hear here in Europe some special weekend outlets via SenTec Meyerton, mostly FM? relay of African music station to East Africa, Mozambique?, Mayotte?, Mauritius? Central Africa, Eastern Africa, tanzania/Zimbabwe/Mozambique/Seychelles, Congo/Zaire/Angola some pieces on ? Portuguese/Latin/or Creole ? Kiniarwanda dialect mixture heard too. Purpose? Some election like in Rwanda, CFA, Uganda? but mostly MUSIC content was heard, not much politics. 73 wolfy (Wolfgang Büschel, Feb 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9410 kHz Meyerton heard Sat/Sun 1655 UT (covers sometime 5 minutes of BBCWS Kranji 1655-1700 too) till 1759 UT. kHz: 9430 UTC/PSN: 1900-2100 Days/PI: 67 (Sa-Su) Language: english Station: For new organization Country: AFS (South Africa) Transmitter: Meyerton Power (kW): 100 Target: 5 (CIRAF 47E, 48, 53W, 52E) Notes: 2510-2603 Sentech South Africa Details: 31 m from South Africa to Central Africa, Eastern Africa, Tanzania/Zimbabwe/Mozambique/Seychelles, Congo/Zaire/Angola ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roger" Sent: Saturday, February 27, 2016 9:21 PM Subject: Re: [A-DX] Log: 9430; UNID, Vn, 1935...UC, 27.02.16 Am 27.02.2016 um 20:44 schrieb Herbert Meixner: > Mit dem gleichen HFCC-Eintrag wie bei der fq 9410 zwischen 17 und 18 UT. Keine mx sondern Solo-mv zu Afrika-Thema, den genannten Staatennamen nach zu schliessen. 5910 0300-0400 UT Mon-Tue-Fri 12__5__ AFS;For new organization NEW;english;15 (CIRAF 47E, 48, 53W, 52E) 9410 1700-1800;_____67 Sat/Sun AFS;For new organization NEW;english;5 (CIRAF 47E, 48, 53W, 52E) 9430 1900-2100;_____67 Sat/Sun AFS;For new organization NEW;english;5 (CIRAF 47E, 48, 53W, 52E) 15310 0500-0700;_____6_Sat AFS;For new organization NEW;english;5 (CIRAF 47E, 48, 53W, 52E) (all via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) Hi Wolfy, Nothing heard in Jo'burg on 9430, from 1900 through to 1910. But I am getting a carrier on 9430, presumably them but no modulation to hear! Regards, (Bill Bingham, RSA, Feb 28, via Büschel, DXLD) Hi Bill, re 9430 1900-2100 Sat/Sun English For new organization NEW AFS Meyerton 100kW 5degr (CIRAF 47E, 48, 53W, 52E) 25102015 - 26032016 Sentech South Africa Heard a strong S=9+25dB carrier on empty channel on air at 1920 UT Feb 28, heard in Thailand, Qatar, but better signal in Greece, Italy. At 1932:15 UT some 30 seconds modulation heard, but broken feeder line a minute later. 1934:44 UT again some fragments of female voice audio of Central / East African language ? So, I guess either on Babcock control room or at SenTec bcast center in Meyerton they suffer have difficulties to set up a proper modulation feed line circuit. 73 wb df5sx SOUTH AFRICA More frequencies of SenTech "For new organization", Febr 26 0300-0400 5910 MEY 100 kW 015 deg to CeAF English Mon/Tue 0500-0600 15455 MEY 250 kW 007 deg to CeAF English Wed/Thu 0500-0700 15310 MEY 100 kW 005 deg to CeAF English Fri/Sat 1700-1800 9410 MEY 100 kW 005 deg to CeAF English Sat/Sun 1900-2100 9430 MEY 100 kW 005 deg to CeAF English Sat/Sun (Ivo Ivanov-BUL, hcdx via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Feb 25) (via wb, DXLD) re 9430: Now from 1956 UT modulation line connected, mens roarer, sounds like Uganda, Rwanda EaAF? 9430 MEY carrier is S=9+15dB strong, adjacent Kujang Pyongyang KRE German 1930-2027 UT 9425, latter little stronger in central Europe S=9+20dB. wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DXLD) I heard 9430 here in Denmark 28 Feb at 1958 with a very strong signal and Afropop music. At 2000 a man said "Hello" and had an interview in vernacular with a man who twice, until I left the frequency at 2005, mentioned Uganda. So it may be an Uganda clandestine from Meyerton after the recent election in Uganda ??? Best 73, (Anker Petersen, HCDX via DXLD) Fair signal into Southeastern Massachusetts this afternoon, 2035 UT, OM with extended interview in vernacular. Some deep fades but only moderate static. At peaks the signal is providing good audio (Stephen C Wood, Harwich, Mass., Perseus SDR, 25 x 50 variable terminated superloop antenna (225º S/W), HCDX via DXLD) Dear Anker, very clever and plausible assessment but Thorsten said in dxld: (Büschel, ibid.) ....cut at 2100 inmid of an interview in English with somebody in Australia via phone. Talk was mainly about Uganda, Museveni, the Ugandan army, "our brothers and sisters in Somalia", money flowing into the country and out and so on. Seems to be not connected to "Uganda Diaspora Radio" or so. 73 (thorsten hallmann, dxldyg via DXLD) Thanks to a tip from Wolfgang Bueschel, heard an unidentified station on 9430 kHz this evening (Sunday 28 February) from 2020 UT tune-in until abruptly cut at 2101. Difficult to copy here, noisy with rapid fading, but was 100% talk, in Swahili until 2045, then English until broadcast cut at 2101. The English section was political talk about Uganda. No ID copied. This matches HFCC registrations for relays via Sentech, Meyerton, South Africa, including on 9430 (Sat/Sun) 1900-2100 with broadcaster simply described as 'NEW' ("for new organisation") All HFCC registrations for 'NEW' via Meyerton: 0300-0400 Mon, Tues, Fri 5910 0500-0600 Wed, Thurs 15455 0500-0700 Sat 15310 1700-1800 Sat, Sun 9410 1900-2100 Sat, Sun 9430 73, (Alan Pennington, Caversham, UK, AOR 7030plus, longwire Feb 28, BDXC-UK yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) Mauno Ritola on WRTH Facebook has probably identified the station heard on 9430 yesterday evening: "This seems to be the station that has been testing on 9430 kHz: RADIO LEAD AFRICA MEDIA Direct Radio test transmissions continue on, Tuesday 01/03/2016 from 6.00am to 7.00am, Uganda time. Tune in on this frequency: 5910 kHz (AM/SW) on your ordinary radio sets. Let us know the quality and clarity of transmission- we need a feedback before we start regular live transmissions. This is one of the ways to dislodge dictator Museveni --- Museveni MUST go! (Time schedule as follows). Monday 6.00am to 7.00am Uganda time Tuesday 6.00am to 7.00am Uganda time Wednesday 8.00pm to 9.00pm Uganda time Thursday 8.00pm to 9.00pm Uganda time Friday 6.00am to 7.00am Uganda time Saturday: 8.00am to 10.00am Uganda time Sunday 8.00pm to 12 midnight Uganda time +17128322668 WhatsApp +61412640094. +256704044735 +27817820909 +1818- 534-8273" https://www.facebook.com/Radio.Lead.Africa/ (Radio Lead Africa Media Facebook page 29 Feb) Postings in February on this Facebook page seem to largely match the HFCC registrations shown below: i.e. Mon, Tues, Fri 5910 6AM-7AM Uganda time (=0300-0400 UT) Wed, Thurs 15455 8AM-9AM Uganda time (=0500-0600 UT) Sat 15310 8AM-10AM Uganda time (=0500-0700 UT) Sun 9410 8AM-10AM Uganda time (=0500-0700 UT) Sun 9430 10PM-12AM Uganda time (=1900-2100 UT) though they also posted Sun 9410 8AM-10AM Uganda time (=0500-0700 UT) (not per HFCC) but not the Sun 9410 1700-1800 UT in HFCC (in error?). Also I could not see mention of Sat 9410 1700-1800 nor Sat 9430 1900- 2100 UT on their Facebook timeline. 73, (Alan Pennington, Feb 29, BDXC-UK yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) BTW, another Ugandan clandestine was discovered over the weekend on 9430, correlating with a `new organization` registered from SOUTH AFRICA at 19-21 UT Sat/Sun, among others, and also 5910 at 03-04 on UT Mon & Tue, so check for that March 1. Alan Pennington, BDXC-UK has identified it from https://www.facebook.com/Radio.Lead.Africa/ with a similar schedule: [as above] Looking further down their FB, this has been testing since at least January 17 on several frequencies. 0300-0400 on 5910 matches an unID by Mike Nikolich, IL, on UT Friday Jan 15 discussing Ugandan politix, but which at the time was thought to have been Channel Africa, as SENTECH was already registered then (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Now it`s time for a second look at this report from a sesquimonth ago. Apparently we all in the DX world missed identifying this clandestine as it was starting up: ``SOUTH AFRICA. 5910, UNIDENTIFIED. 0320-0359, 1/15. Strong 44444 signal from what I thought might be Zambia but most of the news was about Ugandan politics, all in English from 0320 to 0359 when they abruptly pulled the plug -- any thoughts????? (Mike NIKOLICH, IL, NASWA Flashsheet Jan 17 via WORLD OF RADIO 1809, DXLD)`` The answer, which I forwarded: (gh) ``Additional (test?) frequencies of Sentech registered in HFCC on Jan 19 0300-0400 5910 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg English Channel Africa Mo/Tu/Fr 0500-0700 15310 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg English Channel Africa Sat 1000-1200 17820 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg English Channel Africa Sat http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/01/additional-test-frequencies-of-sentech.html (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1809, DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` 9410, 1700-1800 transmission took place on Sun Feb 21 and Sat Feb 27, (Ugandan) music only, but the former transmission included also a professional-sounding jingle agreed about in the A-DX group that there might have been "EM Radio", accompanied by a piano (or a computer pretending to be a piano) followed by some sentences in East African language. But certainly it did not sound like "Radio Lead Africa" or similar. On Sunday 28 there was a carrier on 9410 and switched off about 1710. 9430 1900-2100 was reported in A-DX group as being only talk in local language on Saturday 27. 73 (thorsten hallmann, Feb 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) RLAM stuff also here: http://myradioleadafrica.tumblr.com/ 73, (Jari Savolainen, Finland, Feb 29, ibid.) And no stuff at http://radioleadafricamedia.com --- an URL mentioned way down in their Facebook timeline. Seems they have registered and booked it back then but did not manage to set up a website so far. By the way, the discrepancies between the HFCC registrations and their Facebook posting appear to be a simple messing up of AM and PM. It also appears that they did not realize that many of these transmissions will not be on 5910 kHz but on other frequencies. Well, I think this test schedule is really too complex for being comprehended by a broadcaster from outside the traditional shortwave world. Not a good idea (Kai Ludwig, March 1, dxldyg via DXLD) 5910.0, UT Tue March 1 at 0258, het between carrier and Alcaraván Radio, COLOMBIA, which is off-frequency to about 5910.23. I`m checking for the next scheduled broadcast of anti-Museveni clandestine Radio Lead Africa Media, as explained in previous report. Until 0300 timecheck for 10 pm, HJDH has been playing music, but now switches to continuous talk in Spanish, presumably predicating (sermon). This makes it extremely tough to copy RLAM, which is about equal level with 100 kW from SOUTH AFRICA toward Uganda, combined meter reading in AM mode being S9+10. It starts talking at 0301, in non-English language. Sounds rather like Swahili, but would not be surprised if it is the more politically correct Luganda. They are too close to separate completely, but I try on the NRD-545 with LSB, bandwidth 1.20 kHz, PBS of 0.35 kHz, notch filter, which makes the most ``readable`` audio. Both stations are still nothing but talk at further chex 0308, 0314, 0324. Never can detect any English from RLAM as others have reported; maybe later in the hour, but I don`t monitor any further tonight. Let`s hope HJDH happens to be off next time. As of 15+ hours later, I don`t see *any* reports of others trying to monitor this as I called for in my previous report. This service requires careful attention to the publicized schedule, since broadcasts are not daily, but certain days of week at certain times on different frequencies. HFCC registrations and info on their Facebook do not match completely, but here`s what`s possibly to be expected ongoing, organized by day of week: Wed 0500-0600 15455 Thu 0500-0600 15455 Fri 0300-0400 5910 Sat 0500-0700 15310 Sat 1700-1800 9410 Sat 1900-2100 9430 Sun 0500-0700 9410 [error for pm broadcast?] Sun 1000-1200 17820 [? in January, anyway] Sun 1700-1800 9410 Sun 1900-2100 9430 [or continuous 1700-2100?] Mon 0300-0400 5910 Tue 0300-0400 5910 Others were hearing the weekend broadcast on 9430 until 2100, in English after 2045. Best to keep checking https://www.facebook.com/Radio.Lead.Africa/ and Jari Savolainen adds, http://myradioleadafrica.tumblr.com/ but which hasn`t been updated lately. Beware of horrible photos of mutilated bodies (but that`s about Burundi). This goes back to last June also about a Radio Munansi - online only? And lots of YouTube linx back at least to December 2014. Both these are all in English (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5910, clandestine Radio Lead Africa Media (presumed). 0300-0359*, March 1. In African vernacular the whole time; at times fair, but often Colombia QRM (5910.18); many mentions of Uganda. My audio at https://goo.gl/hZWXLc (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, antenna: 100' long wire, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Test transmission of new Ugandan clandestine Radio Lead Africa Media 0300-0400 5910 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg English Mon/Tue/Fri 0500-0600 15455 MEY 250 kW / 007 deg English Wed/Thu 0500-0700 15310 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg English Sat 1700-1800 9410 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg English Sat/Sun, not 0500-0700! 1900-2100 9430 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to CeAf English Sat/Sun http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/03/test-transmission-of-new-ugandan.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DXLD) ** UKRAINE. [Re: WORLDWIDE DX CLUB Top News #1242 Feb 28th, 2016]: ``UKR__Odessa Petrivka 1242 {1278} kHz, 30d 20n kW, 150m high mast, Radio Maiak 765 kHz 100 kW 2 masts`` So again another version of power levels --- All the circulating information about the history of this facility does not appear to be really reliable. For 765 kHz, Yegorov said recently that it was a pair of two Tesla transmitters, installed in 1969. Is this a Radio Mayak-Odessa guy, posing in front of "his" transmitter? http://www.frocus.net/images/antennas/ua/Petrivka/Tesla_30kW.jpg The file name is very right, this is a SRV 30: http://stredni.vlny.sweb.cz/Tesla/Img/Katalog_14.jpg Two of them (second transmitter and combiner may just be out of frame) would be good for max. 60 kW. WRTH 1994 listed 50 kW, maybe it was later (or already at this point, who knows) further reduced to 40 kW. Or the 20 kW statement is right, so it were two SRV 20 http://stredni.vlny.sweb.cz/Tesla/Img/Katalog_13.jpg and the portrayed SRV 30 had nothing to do with 765 kHz. "Odessa 30 kW" was listed for 1242 kHz. I think it's rather unlikely that the equipment has been upgraded to 75 kW, which happens to be the power level of one block of the common Soviet 150 kW transmitters (Shtorm or more recent DSV-150). WRTH 1994 lists 1278 kHz with 150 kW, so such equipment must exist here. So it's just all guesswork, a rather pointless one I think. This also concerns the story about short-lived shortwave operations during the seventies. How reliable is it when people obviously mess up already the information about the mediumwave equipment? In case this is already forgotten: For the reactivation of 1278 kHz a year ago they installed a shiny TRAM 100. One could speculate from where it came; I understand that Transradio took back the transmitters from closed facilities to refurbish them. Even the new 500 kW at Bonaire could in fact be former Burg or Wachenbrunn equipment... ``ID: "Radio Maiak Odessa na volnye 765 kilogerts." They announce 765 kHz only, no FM frequency.`` But maybe some OIRT, widely unnoticed, as Leo hinted? The original, machine-translated item does not make it clear whether they continue on other distribution paths or are indeed completely gone now, with 765 kHz probably indeed being the only frequency they had (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Feb 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) OIRT == 66+ MHz FM band (gh) Re 16-09: And just let me point out again the important advice: The Petrovka page at frocus.net includes photos from the referenced radioscanner.ru thread. As explained there and below these photos are in fact from Odessa. So still the satellite view appears to be the only available illustration for the Petr. facility... What may be of interest for Glenn: With the demise of Radio Mayak- Odessa 765 kHz became the next MW frequency with no transmitters above flea power level being left in Europe, with Pedaselga and Sottens already being closed. Outlets of less than 1 kW are still shown for UK and Serbia, but whether they are on air or not the frequency is now dominated by Saudi-Arabia and/or Iran (mostly Saudi I think, have not listened closer so far). (Kai Ludwig, March 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. Programming Favourites on Shortwave Radio (and on the Internet) --- BBC News has a long-standing tradition of being one of the most reliable and unbiased new reporting broadcaster in the world. Whether you listen on shortwave, MW/FM outlets or on the Internet, BBC has a 5 minute report every hour, and a 2 minute news brief on some half-hours. If you would like more information on BBC and BBC news, go to their site at http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio/programmes/schedules and then click on "BBC News" (Joe Robinson, BEGINNER'S CLASSROOM FOR March 2016, Ontario DX Association via DXLD) ** U S A. Tuning thru longwave for beacons, not expecting any real DX, I find these on the NRD-545 with ALA-330S loop oriented east-west: 251, Feb 25 at 0525, AM - Amarillo TX; I thought it was on 250 365, Feb 25 at 0527, HQG - Hugoton KS; I thought it was on 364 404, Feb 25 at 0530, FNB - Falls City - Brenner NE; thought it was 405 Source: http://www.dxinfocentre.com/ndb.htm (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) In another logging you questioned the frequency of the "AM" NBD in Amarillo; it is indeed on 251. I lived there decades ago so this was a familiar signal on the longwave band. Used to have voice weather reports, but apparently those are long gone (Stephen Luce, Houston, Texas, UT Feb 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 2097.3-CW, Feb 28 at 0117 UT, 15-watt beacon A at Quartzsite AZ is JBA, and this time I make the frequency more precisely by matching the pitch with USB tuned to 2097.0 and LSB tuned to 2097.6, during its very brief bursts a dekasecond apart, which you can easily miss in bandscanning unless tuning very slowly. 2097.3-CW, March 1 at 0644, beacon A every 10 seconds is quite readable, in fact better than usual, despite storm noise level from further south in OK. I`ve heard it on several other tries unlogged, so seems to be reliable, tho supposedly only 15 watts from Quartzsite AZ. This time it`s on the R75 with E-W longwire (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Picking up Quartzsite beacon --- Hi: I saw the report of a beacon operating on 2097.3 kHz and checked to see if I could pick it up. I checked on 02/29/2016 at 0300 UT and heard it with my Sony 2010 using the built-in whip. I live in Joshua Tree, 180 miles west of Quartzsite AZ. The signal did not register on the signal meter, but was heard nicely with the set's speaker. Quartzsite is mostly a retirement community with various RV and mobile home parks. There is an annual ham festival that runs a week in January. The festival is held on BLM land, with all visitors arriving by camper or RVs. There are seminars to learn new things and ham examinations given to potential new hams. There is one little motel on the skirts of town that can handle visitors who arrive without an RV, but that is about it for regular accommodations. The main drag has the usual chain fast food places and gasoline stations. The area visitor center itself is housed inside a mobile home. When I went inside (December 2015), there were two volunteers to help me and all kinds of pamphlets promoting the year-round events there. The town is geared to retirees, so I imagine the operator of this beacon is one himself (Dan Ramos, March 2, swl at qth.net via DXLD) ** U S A. 5112-USB, Feb 27 at 0053, weak net with only partial calls caught, but sure sounds like MARS in axion. Mentions time 0054 Zulu, into digimode. WBCQ is not on 5109.7 yet, but this surely explains why the army thru FCC has ordered WBCQ to move to 5130! I had also logged this 5112 net Feb 20 at 0037 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 13565, March 1 at 1443, K6FRC Hifer beacon is barely audible, from California; haven`t heard him in some time. 13558, March 1 at 1446, MTI beacon is just barely audible, even weaker than K6FRC, and have to listen for a while to be sure of correct copy of the very slow Morse code ID. It`s from Stone Mountain GA. Harold Frodge recently had it on 13557.2, and back in Oct on 13555.6, 13556.9; January 2015 on 13557, so maybe it does vary My last logs of MTI were on 13558 approx., July 2, 3, 2015, as in DXLD 15-27 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Programming Favourites on Shortwave Radio (and on the Internet) --- Music Time in Africa: When you think of English language from the Voice of America, most think of news reports and the "News in Special English". However, the longest running English language program on the VOA is Music Time in Africa. This show has been on air since 1965, and showcases all genres of music. Host Heather Maxwell has exclusive interviews, cultural information and lots of music to keep everyone entertained. If you would like more information, and for times of broadcasts on the VOA, go to http://www.voanews.com/programindex.aspx then click on Music Time in Africa. While you're on the page, also check out two other popular music programs on the VOA: African Beat and African Music Mix (Joe Robinson, BEGINNER'S CLASSROOM FOR March 2016, Ontario DX Association via DXLD) ** U S A. 7425, Feb 27 at 0225, NO signal from Greenville leapfrog of 7305 Vatican relay over another pro-Catholic station, both violating Separation of Church and State, 7365 Martí, another 60 kHz higher. It ought to be audible as usual since the fundamentals are S9+20 and S9+30. IBB may have finally suppressed the intermodulation; or there has been some change to a different transmitter and/or antenna for at least one of them, so they no longer happen to interact (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also SRI LANKA ** U S A. VOA RADIOGRAM: Was there a technical fault on the 0930 broadcast? My Fldigi cut off midway through the transmission of the first image (Walt Salmaniw. Victoria, BC, Feb 27, dxldyg via DXLD) WTFK? 5865 (gh, DXLD) The transmission started fine at 0930 and cut out at 0932. It started up again at 0950 and my auto-taping is scheduled to stop at 1001 so I too got 'cut off' in the middle of the first picture. Are you saying you didn't tape it but decoded live and got the same result? That would imply they 'signed off' at shortly after 1000 just as they 'should' per the schedule rather than running the whole show. This is by far the best / easiest release to capture here in North America (albeit in the middle of the night so recording/unattended decode is the only way to go if you care to sleep 'normal' hours!) so it is kind of a bummer when they have these little hiccups! 73 (//Ken Zichi in Michigan, ibid.) Yes, Ken. Mine was left unattended with my Perseus SDR and Fldigi. Normally results are really good, especially without any local QRM. Lately, though, the Sunday 1930 transmission [15670] has been coming in very well on the west coast as well. PS: Noticed that the 0230 transmission [5745] didn't come on until almost 0231. Someone asleep at the wheel? 73, (Walt Salmaniw, BC, ibid.) ** U S A [and non]. WORLD OF RADIO 1814 monitoring: confirmed Thursday Feb 25, very good until 2129 on WRMI 13695 (and then from 2130, `Blues Radio International`). Also confirmed UT Friday Feb 26 at 0030 on WBCQ 9329.900-CUSB, S9. Next on SW: Fri 2130 WRMI 15770 to NE Fri 2130.5 WRMI 13695 to NW Sat 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Sat 0730 HLR 6190-CUSB to SW Sat 1530 HLR 7265-CUSB to SW Sat 2030v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sat 2330 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Sun 0410v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Mon 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Mon 0400v WBCQ 5110v-CUSB Area 51 to WSW Mon 0430.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Complete WOR schedule including satellite, FM, AM, webcasts: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html WORLD OF RADIO 1814 monitoring: confirmed Friday Feb 26 at 2130.5 on WRMI 13695, very good and much stronger than 15770 which got its usual 30-second headstart on separate playout; as to be expected here, aimed NW and NE respectively. Also confirmed UT Sat Feb 27 from 0029:52 on WBCQ 9329.94-CUSB on the R75, S9+10 after WBCQ-The Planet IS and IDs. Recheck at 0055 on the NRD-545, 9329.87-CUSB at S9+30. Next: Sat 0730 HLR 6190-CUSB to SW Sat 1530 HLR 7265-CUSB to SW Sat 2030v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sat 2330 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Sun 0410v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Mon 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Mon 0400v WBCQ 5110v-CUSB Area 51 to WSW Mon 0430.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dear Glenn, How are you? I hope very well. Thank for your reply some weeks ago. Here is my reception report of World Of Radio 1814: Listener - Nino Marabello, QTH - Treviso (Italy) RX: SONY ICF SW7600G Antenna: VHF outdoor aerial azimuth 090 Hamburger Lokal Radio 6190 kHz - D-Goehren, 0729-0757 UT, February 27, 2016. SINPO 25433. I listened at 0729 UT to full info Station ID in German language, then a special program of DX and station news in English language, that is "WORLD OF RADIO 1814". I have attached an audio clip WMA of 235 KB. 73 from (N. Marabello, Treviso, (IT) http://acquamarina.blogspot.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF RADIO 1814 monitoring: confirmed Sat Feb 27 at 2330 on WBCQ 9329.90-CUSB, good at S9+10. I check WA0RCR 1860-AM Feb 28 at 0114, and find 160m is clogged by another contest, including W8PR, Ohio, on 1863-LSB, working VE3YXO with some difficulty, unheard here. So I figure there will also be QRM to WORLD OF RADIO later. It starts about 0417 UT Sunday Feb 28, and at 0424 I do find SSB QRM on both sides, which even 2.3 kHz bandwidth has trouble avoiding. At least there is no one right on top of us. Next: Mon 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Mon 0400v WBCQ 5110v-CUSB Area 51 to WSW Mon 0430.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW WORLD OF RADIO 1814 monitoring: Sat Feb 27 at 0730 on Hamburger Lokalradio 6190 confirmed by Nino Marabello, Italy. I confirm UT Monday Feb 29 at 0030, good on WBCQ 9429.93-CUSB. Also UT Monday Feb 29 at 0401, S9+25 on Area 51 via WBCQ 5109.715-CUSB (NOTE: henceforth by next weekend will move to 5130v! Random chex so far find the frequency clear). JBA but sounds like me, UT Monday Feb 29 at 0430, S5 on WRMI 9955 (at 0319 and 0622, 9955 was S9+20!). Next: Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW WORLD OF RADIO 1814 monitoring: confirmed UT Tuesday March 1 at 0030 on WBCQ 9330-, CUSB, good. Next: Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW WORLD OF RADIO 1814 monitoring: confirmed UT Wed March 2, S9+10 at 0030 on WBCQ 9329.89-CUSB, following The Planet ID & IS loop for a couple minutes. (Recheck at 0211 during a g.h., has drifted to 9329.95.) Also confirmed Wed March 2 at 1415:33 on WRMI 9955 good but with 9960 ACI after 1430 (and following FG Radio with a Rudyard Kipling reading circa 1410). Next: Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW WORLD OF RADIO 1814 monitoring: confirmed Wed March 2 at 2200 on webcast of WBCQ 7490 (this week`s extraneous introductory words: ``kind of wood it was``), and 7490- itself with good signal at 2222 check. Also confirmed UT Thu March 3 at 0030 on WBCQ, 9329.86v-CUSB (at 0143 check during Blalock it`s on 9329.450 and drifting up). WORLD OF RADIO 1815 ready for first airings March 3: Thu 1230 WRMI 9955 to SSE Thu 2100 WRMI 13695 to NW Fri 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Fri 2130 WRMI 15770 to NE Fri 2130.5 WRMI 13695 to NW Sat 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Sat 0730 HLR 6190-CUSB to SW Sat 1530 HLR 7265-CUSB to SW Sat 2030v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Sat 2330 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Sun 0410v WA0RCR 1860-AM ND Mon 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Mon 0400v WBCQ 5130v-CUSB Area 51 to WSW [ex-5109.7-CUSB] Mon 0430.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE Tue 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Tue 1200 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW Wed 1415.5 WRMI 9955 to SSE Wed 2200 WBCQ 7490v to WSW Thu 0030 WBCQ 9330v-CUSB to WSW (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 7489.98-AM, UT Fri Feb 26 at 0033, `Broad Spectrum Radio` this week has James Branum talking about how he has dealt with autism; S9+10 on WBCQ (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) March Schedule for Broad Spectrum Radio, frequency changes Hi Glenn, Just wanted to let you know that I'm only airing one hour programming per week on WBCQ in March, at Fridays 0000 UT, but that I'm am adding two hours of programming on Channel 292 in Rohrbach, Germany at 6070 kHz. We are still working out the kinks on the time of the broadcasts for Europe (having issues with skip at certain times causing listeners in Central Europe to miss it but also challenges with qrm from Vatican Radio and CRI at certain times, but I'm hoping to have this figured out soon.) So far though, we've received a decent number of qsl reports from Europe from our initial test broadcasts. Lastly, the schedule (subject to change, especially on the times of the channel 292 broadcasts) is at: http://broadspectrumradio.com/shortwave-radio-schedule/ I will do my best to keep this updated asap as changes happen. Thanks for listening and for all you do for the SWL community (James Matthew Branum, Feb 29, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also OKLAHOMA [non] ** U S A. 3250, Feb 27 at 0053, no signal from the new WBCQ frequency as was testing one week ago. The reason why is explained below. 7489.90-AM, UT Sat Feb 27 at 0055, rock music, presumably `Fred Flintstone` show modulating on WBCQ; 0100 after some unknown music, William Tell Overture starts a bit late to introduce `Allan Weiner Worldwide`; he starts by noting how everything happens on Friday, like the FCC phoning him at 5 pm that WBCQ will have to move off ``5110`` to 5130, on request of the US Army, which apparently needs a nearby frequency for tactical HF communications [or rather, MARS, as in my logs Feb 20 and 27, on 5112-USB, q.v.]. Allan says ``5110`` (5109.7- CUSB) will continue for the rest of this weekend, but by next week will shift to ``5130`` (meaning 5129.7?). He`s glad to change, since there`s ``data slush`` around 5100, to get further away from it. As for 3250, on 7489.90-AM and repeated 28 seconds later on 5109.70- CUSB, Allan explains that on the test last week, that transmitter ``fireballed``, but didn`t really burn up, and fixing it will probably have to wait until he gets back up there to Maine after wintering in Florida --- why can`t anyone else fix things? At 0111, girlfriend Pam joins him, ``getting out from under the table``, and once miked, proceeds to sing, accompanying herself on ukulele, a neat original song about Allan himself, ``Born in Yonkers in New York State . . . Allan Weiner, King of the Planet Radio`` (you can guess the tune). At 0124 she sings another song dedicated to the Florida chief executor = governor and legislature, who keep killing people in the name of citizens, i.e. absolutely against the death penalty being applied by anything but God. Allan doesn`t seem to agree with her that the DP should be totally abolished, and goes on to denigrate National Public Radio which she admits listening to. 5109.7-CUSB, Feb 27 at 0232, unknown music, 0234 a heavily edited bit of NPR credits, which I`ve heard before, I think as an Area 51 filler, and more music. Nothing is on the website schedule after 0200 UT Sat, and before that it shows the expired RFD (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5109.70, 0250-0255 29.2, WBCQ, Monticello, ME, English religious talk, best in USB, 35232 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, I heard in Skovlunde on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ?? John Lightning is hardly religious! On Area 51 sked that date, local Feb 28, until 0400 UT: ``8pm 0100 John Lightning/11L-RNI``. The final transmission on this frequency, then move to 5130v (gh, DXLD) 5130v, UT Wed March 2 at 0212, WBCQ tuning up its new frequency, possibly first airing, during `Amateur Radio Roundtable` (which was missing last week due to the illness and death of Tom Medlin`s mother Agnes --- our condolences). At first I find it on 5131.6v, but it`s audibly jumping to 5131.7, 5131.4, and undermodulated, very poor copy. At 0215 it`s closer to nominal, 5129.85, and at 0216, 5129.80 CUSB [non]. BTW, There is already a WOOB SWBC station on 5130 elsewhere, as in Aoki: ``5130, Afghan Christian R.(R. Sadaye Zin1500-1800 1234567 Pashto/Dari 100 ND Bishkek KGZ 4252N07459E TWR b15 R. Maranatha (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5130 08.02.16 1705 ??? Shortwave Relay Service, Bishkek, Farsi: MX F. (Roberto Pavanello in Vercelli (Italy). RX: EGZ DX 10, Icom R-71. ANT: EGZ LPF1R ferrite loop for reception of MW, 30-metre long wire, DX Fanzine via DXLD) ** U S A. 9455, Feb 25 at 1350, Brother Scare at S6, so poor that first I imagine it`s Bulgaria, but 1359 WRMI ID by BZ; so o yeah, it`s the most obscure of WRMI`s new frequencies, #14 on hi-angle antenna 181 degrees to Cuba at 13-20, paired with equally weak nightish channel 5950 at 20-13, mostly BS except for some AWR and FR hours. This despite IBB SAIPAN already on 9455 starting at 1600 plus ChiCom jamming, Firedrake at times. (Voice of Russia also pretends it`s on 9455 until 1400 via Irkutsk). 9395, Feb 26 at 1220, SonPower Radio on WRMI re-introducing Rick Wiles from the National Religious Broadcasters con in Nashville. O yes, a yearly event always in N-town; wonder if Colorado Springs vies for it as the #1 industry there is gospel-huxtering, while in Nashville at most it`s #2. That also explains why 9930 WTWW was on before and after 2300 Feb 25 with Ted interviewing someone (live?) from MBI about `Unshackled`. 9955, Feb 26 at 1221, WRMI at S9+20, no jamming, with more great eclectic fill music; 1229.5 Allen [spelt with an E as in Ecuador] Graham ID, and 1230 `Wavescan`. The pre-1230 Fri program was supposed to be `Historias de Radio` at 1200; is that still in produxion? The last episode uploaded was from June of 2015. 9955, Feb 29 at 0319, S9+20 WRMI, song in Slavic language with heavy drumming, fill music? No, per announcement following in Spanish for `El Domingo Musical` it`s Czecho/Slovakia, in this case scheduled R. Praga daily 0300-0327 (English is Tue-Sat 0130, Sun/Mon 0400). 5985, Feb 29 at 0440, WRMI is S9+10, again with fill music loop instead of scheduled `Blues Radio International` UT Mon 0430. More anomalies: 11580, Feb 29 at 1514, WRMI fill music loop, at the EU anthem including announcement in French, instead of BS. Then I check all the other frequencies: 9955, Feb 29 at 1514 is also in fill-music, but different playout not // 11580, instead of BS. In fact, it`s the song about Allah! All these are on BS, but with some IADs noted at least on the stronger ones: 17790, 15770, 15440, 13695, 11825, 11565, 9455. 5015 scheduled 24 hours is presumably on, but not audible. That makes 10 transmitters accounted for. One more BS is 24h, but not checked, 6915. That makes 11. Add two more confirmed with other programming, 9395 and 21675 [not 21695 as typoed originally]. That makes 13, and at this hour only one is scheduled to be off, #2 which runs limited hours on 5985 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 9275: Open carrier with a pretty decent S6 to 7 signal on right now at 1534 UT. Some deep fades. With Glenn's revelation that WMLK is testing, I'm thinking it's likely them! 73 (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, Feb 26, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) 9275, Feb 26 at 1540, open carrier/dead S9+ air, presumably WMLK Bethel PA testing again, as I first heard Feb 22. On earlier than licensed start at 1700. Tnx to Walt Salmaniw, BC tip at 1534. Still there at 1700 and still no ID or any modulation. Refreshing on the significance of the call letters from their history page at http://wmlkradio.net/history.html --- ``It is our opinion that Radio Station WMLK is fulfilling end-time prophecy. First of all the call letters WMLK are significant because Almighty Yahweh pushed us in the direction of requesting them. We had other ideas for call letters. We discovered that all these call letters we had chosen were already in use, until we asked about selecting the letters MLK. These were available and assigned to the station. "MLK" stands for the consonants of the Hebrew word mal'ak which means "messenger or angel." The letters can also under a different set of vowel points mean king (melek). A vocalization of the word will also yield the definition "salt." Consequently, we rejoice, as we understand that Almighty Yahweh had us select the call letters, which represent the voice of the angel or messenger of Almighty Yahweh heralding the good news of the coming kingdom to the ends of the earth. We are heralding the message that the Messianic King is coming to establish the Kingdom of Yahweh on this earth.`` Nonsense. How come relatively reasonable religionists, e.g. Methodists, are so hard to find on shortwave? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Or Quakers or Unitarians for that matter. Or Episcopalians? Does the BBC WS still have religious programming? Not much, I fear. "Heart & Soul" is broadcast a few times on Sundays but perhaps only the 0332 UT broadcast is on SW -- 6195 kHz (Richard Langley, NB, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) It's only 30 minutes per week on WBCQ (and starting this week 30 minutes on Channel 292 in Germany), but one of my SW programs, Mennonite Radio, is from peace-oriented LGBT-friendly progressive religious perspective. I know the stereotype is that the Mennonites are one shade less conservative/traditional than the Amish but there is a large contingency of liberal Mennonites, particularly in urban areas and in college communities who still have the Jesus-oriented ethic and emphasis on voluntary simplicity but who also see that the implications of Jesus' teachings should lead us to reject homophobia, racism and religious prejudice. The show airs at 0000 UT on Fridays at 7490 and at 2200 UT on Sundays at 6070 kHz. More details are at http://www.mennoniteradio.org But I also agree that there is a huge need for more such programming. The Quakers and Unitarians could both do excellent programming (James Branum, OKC, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Observed WMLK carrier on 9275 at 1700 UT, Feb 26, good in Sofia (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, ibid.) Open carrier / dead air of WMLK Bethel, again test on Feb 26: from 1933 on 9275 MLK 250 kW / 053 deg to WeEu scheduled 1700-2200 http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/open-carrier-dead-air-of-wmlk-bethel.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, QTH: Sofia, Bulgaria, Equipment: Sony ICF-2001D 30 m. long wire, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) I just returned home and noticed that the carrier was present right until 2141 and then off. No audio and about the same signal strength. I taped the whole encounter. Anyone hear any audio during the last 8 hours? (Walt Salmaniw, BC, Feb 26, dxldyg via DXLD) Presumed reception of WMLK on 9275 at 1810 tune in. Too weak to make anything out on the west coast, but there is definite audio. 73, (Walt Salmaniw, March 1, ibid.) Confirmed via Twente.nl web SDR with religious preaching. Still below threshold for reception on the west coast, though. 73 (Walt Salmaniw, 1828 UT ibid.) Also here in Finland at 1820 with preacher but not armchair reception. Is the frequency a bit above nominal? 73, (Jari Savolainen, 1833, ibid.) I make it around 23 Hz high --- some audio here but not loud (Don VE6JY (Alberta CANADA) 1856 UT, ibid.) Measuring 9275.026 on the Perseus SDR here (Walt, 1858 UT, ibid.) I heard a WMLK ID at 1845 (sounded like the original Elder), over the preaching (Walt, ibid.) Didn't Elder Jacob die a few years ago? I hope the ID is canned or then we are living the end times :-) 73, (Jari Savolainen, ibid.) Yep, he did. It is his voice, presumably canned, unless he's come back from the afterlife to give WMLK a plug! (Walt Salmaniw, ibid.) Seems to be drifting upwards a bit; a fresh cal here at 15 WWV shows WMLK to be around +28 or so now. Clearly visible 60 Hz power supply ripple (Don Moman, 1914 UT, ibid.) I'm glad to see that your reception strength isn't much different than mine, Don! The OC was much stronger when I heard them last week. 73, (Walt, ibid.) There is also an audible rumble. And of particular note is the low modulation. Wasn't the former operation with the converted ex-MW transmitter (I understand that tonight they may run the very first program transmission with the ex-Schwarzenburg transmitter) infamous for that as well, to the extent of being close to a silent carrier at times? (Kai Ludwig, ibid.) 9275 at 1900 GMT onwards. Poor reception here in Adelaide South Australia also suffers from USB Asian utils? Rx=Elad FDM-S2 SDR. Ant=Random wire. 73s (Bill Richards, 1922 UT March 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WMLK testing right now on 9275 kHz (Mauno Ritola on WRTH Facebook page 1 March 1911 UTC, via Pennington, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) Audible here in Caversham with fairly weak but clear signal, piano music and OM with announcement/ID but moderate fading at 1915 UT (Alan Pennington, Caversham, UK, AOR 7030plus / ALA 1530, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) Re WMLK Facebook page an hour ago: ...the testing with be from 1700-2200 UT (12:00-5:00 EST) we will be testing the TX on 9.275 MHz and 15150 MHz (via Pennington, 1933 March 1, BDXC-UK yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) 15150 kHz, I assume they mean. Time for that? Better be after 1630 when Nauen is finished. No reports of 15150 yet (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) R.I.P. old Jacob. I got a verie-letter from him in 1989 (WMLK-9465) and after that started to get the Assemblies' monthly publication for years by post. It was called something "Sacred...". 73, (Jari, ibid.) Sacred Name Broadcast, i.e. YAHWEH!!!! (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) S9 but a low-ish mod in the Languedoc (Stuart Satnipper, 2000 UT March 1, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) +10dbs over s9 here in Ferriby, at 2113 UT tune in (Russ Cummings, AOR7030+, 60ft long wire, North Ferriby, East Yorkshire UK, ibid.) 9275.03, March 1 at 2037, WMLK Bethel PA is on again, this time adding modulation, or rather undermodulated talk, hard to copy --- it could well be EJOM, a hexayear post-mortem. Somewhat stronger on meter than neighbor 9265 WINB, but sounds weaker. Tnx to tips from DXLD yg members who were hearing it earlier today. 2037 changes to rustic organ music hymn which is now much better modulated, in fact, now sounds as loud as WINB. Frequency is slightly on plus side. 2047 talk, and measured at 9275.03. Registered hours for WMLK on 9275 are 17-22 (tho it was heard carrier testing as early as 1530); also at 04-09 on 9265 (NOT 9275), its old frequency at a time when WINB never needs it; both semi-powered 125 kW, 53 degrees toward Europe. Remains to be heard whether the afternoon transmission will now be regular (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The same tonight after 1900. And the audio is not only very soft but also quite muffled and distorted. Thus it does not help at all that the RF signal in Europe is 20 dB stronger than the other preaching on 9265. Indeed sounds like recorded EJOM to me. Reception marred at times by a much stronger carrier on 9273. It first appeared at 1930, got modulated with a few two-tone combinations and disappeared after less than 60 seconds again. This carrier was already on again at 1955 recheck. Short tone test at 1957 and finally from 2000 code numbers transmission in English, with modulation level not much better than on the WMLK transmitter. And at 2006 the carrier disappears inmidst numbers groups (Kai Ludwig, March 2, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9275, 2120 2 March. Thanks to Glenn's info, maybe/possibly WMLK heard testing -- JBA with occasional words sneaking through the noise (Dan Sheedy, Encenitas CA, E5/6m X wire, UT March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) At 2109 UT here this evening in NB, WMLK on 9275 kHz seems fully modulated with a signal level peaking at about 45 dBµ and WINB on 9265 kHz is weaker peaking at about 30 dBµ. WINB appears to be about 40 Hz off 9265 kHz and WMLK about 60 Hz off 9275 kHz. The sermon on WMLK by Elder Jacob Meyer is from the Old Testament going on about so and so begatting so and so. ;-) A noticeable hum from time to time. Sign-off occurred at 2127:43 UT after a few refrains of an interval signal from the familiar Jewish tune Hatikvah (used as the national anthem of Israel) played on what sounds like an organ (clip attached). Are they using their "new" ex-BBC 250 kW unit yet? This will make them the strongest (single-transmitter) private SW broadcaster in the U.S., right? (Richard Langley, NB, March 2, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9275.03 approx., March 2 at 2040, just barely modulated talk past 2054, i.e. WMLK on the air again, so still testing, or in regular service? Nominally 17-22 UT, and off at 2222 recheck. Incredible that after years of work on the acquired 250 kW transmitter, they can`t get it to modulate at normal level. And isn`t it great that we have yet another resurrected SW station dedicated to propagating another apocalyptic post-mortem preacher?? Altho it hasn`t been updated in March, it seems more current info is on their Facebook than own website: https://www.facebook.com/www.wmlkradio.net?ref=bookmarks 15150 is mentioned as another test frequency, which I haven`t seen reported anywhere yet; not clear at what hours, and not yet in HFCC, let alone FCC, which still hasn`t been updated since version one on November 10, so not even including 9275 for WMLK: http://transition.fcc.gov/ib/sand/neg/hf_web/B15FCC01.TXT If they ever do update it, unlikely by now, the 01 changes to 02 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9275, WMLK, Bethel PA; 1845-1900+, 2-Mar; Bro. Jacob O. Meyer with eclectic huxterage; at odds with some Greek word translations; said that "worshipper" should be "adorer" or "kisser"; also has a problem with "dog" vs "hound". "Yahweh doesn't do sting operations." "Sheep will sometimes play dead when they're being sheared." [I'm sure this all fits together somehow.] 1858:38, break with spots for Sacred Name Broadcast & Assemblies of Yahweh with phone, web & Bethel addy, then back to huxterage. S30. Nothing 1700-1730. Tnx to tip from Ken Zichi. 2034-2100+, 2-Mar; B.J. still yahwehing away citing Bible references for incest and lotsa brotherly hatred. In the middle of that, he inserted an item about U of OK FB coach Barry Switzer and sed that "switzer" in German means "sweating". [I'm sure that has some connection to incest & brotherly hatred.] 2059:15 WMLK call/QTH ID & said on 9475. Down to S8-10 with buzzy QRN. 9475 was of course carrying Permanently Planted Pastor Pete Peters on WTWW(presumed). Not once did B.J. yell at me or tell me I was a doomed sinner (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' & 60' RW + 125' bow-tie, --- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! --- DX LISTENING DIGEST) Meyer is, or was, an/the Elder, not a mere Brother (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. 3215, UT Sat Feb 27 at 0105, quick check of WWRB finds Dave exclaiming ``they`re full of crap``, so back to AWWW on WBCQ. Before 0200, however, WWRB has another program than a Dave rant. 9370, March 2 at 2037, WWRB is back on with BS; seemed to have been off for several days whenever checked (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 4840, Feb 26 at 1216, DGS audio from 5935 transmitter can be heard underneath whatever YL is on WWCR 4840 now, while 5935 itself is very much weaker than 4840, the pre-sunrise MUF trough intervening. Checked this after first hearing a mix on 3450 with local KCRC 1390, that far away from inbooming 4840 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [WTWW] While scanning the bands tonight, I came across the same radio program on 5085 again. The host is some guy name Ted. Why do I feel like this guy is always trying to sell me a used car? Arghhhh (C ertkspickle, 0411 UT March 3, ptsw yg via DXLD) I do not get 5085 often in central British Columbia anymore, But when I did, I believe that it is a Commercial Station, SO THEY ARE trying to sell you Something! Is Art Bell still on weeknights. MIDNIGHT IN THE DESSERT? [sic]. I remember that C.C. Crane was flogging their "Skywave" pretty much non-stop, (and it is a GREAT RADIO!) THX RW BoomDude Great White North (Rick Wald, ibid.) 9475, WTWW Lebanon TN (presumed); 2048...2105+, 3-Mar; Dead air; seems appropriate for the station that brings us Permanently Preposterous Paster Pete Peters. S30 (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' & 60' RW + 125' bow-tie, --- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! --- DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 11635, Feb 25 at 0515, Hallelujah (pick your spelling) hymn poor at S5. Must be WHRI reactivated: yes, HFCC shows it stopped 11635 from Dec 6, resumed it Feb 7, at 0430-0600, 250 kW northeastward (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 9975, KVOH, "Saturday Night Jazz" (sic) on Saturday AM/Friday PM with many English IDs and lots of 30s-40s jazz--nice stuff! So-so reception. This show reminds me of the old HCJB: fun to listen to! Music modulation was better than voice. 34443+ 0225-0300 20/Feb, SB-310 + ANC4/randomwire (Ken Zichi, Willimaston MI, MARE Tipsheet Feb 26 via DXLD) ** U S A. 810, WGY, Schenectady NY, 2:33am [EST = 0733 UT]. 2/23 long promo asking people to sign their petition: http://www.wgy.com/features/save-am-radio-1919/ The FCC has proposed reducing their coverage area at night (Larry Russell, Flushing MI, MARE Tipsheet Feb 26 via DXLD) See 1540 KXEL ** U S A. NRC AM LOG UPDATE: 1030, KCWJ, MO, Blue Springs – Format to C&W (ex-REL/GOS); slogan to “Real Country 1030,” networks to WW1 (AM Switch, NRC DX News March 7 via DXLD) ** U S A. 1080, Feb 25 at 0534 UT, C&W music vs KRLD Dallas, i.e. KSLL Price UT, 10 kW non-direxional daytimer still funxioning 24h. Does KRLD care? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1100, Feb 29 at 1322 UT, gospel huxter in English, not Joplin since it`s north/south, which means it has to be KDRY Alamo Heights (San Antonio) TX, 11/1 kW U2; gone by 1327 UT. Its February sunrise was 1315 UT; March: 1245 UT. The only other N/S 1100 is a news/talk in Minnesota (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1110, TEXAS, KVTT, Mineral Wells. 0010 February 26, 2016. Bollywood-ish Hindi vocals, broken English lady at 0017, "... and with that I come to an end to (sic) the show on 11-10 AM..." and mention of Pakistan, then American man canned KVTT FunAsia non-legal ID, followed by more Bollywood pop vocals until seemingly the same female with a scripted read possible ad and phone number at 0031, then abruptly off. Sunset in Mineral Wells on this day was 6:26 pm, Slight WBT co-channel not completely nulled. Parallel though behind funasia.net feed. Last log of mine I can find was October, 2011 when it was a tentative with same format (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater FL, NRD-535, IC-R75, roof dipole, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1380, Feb 25 at 0459 UT, usual plug for Iglesia del Pueblo on Pasadena Blvd., and usual ID ONLY for KMIC 1590 Houston, R. Aleluya, really via KRCM Shenandoah TX, obviously still running its 22 kW day power on north/eastward pattern, breaking three regulations at once (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, I was catching up on your daily listening reports in DXLDYG and noted your reception of KRCM in several loggings. KRCM has apparently been running its full 22kw daytime power the past several months from the new transmitter site near Prairie View, Texas, which loops/nulls NW from my QTH 30 miles away. The three towers for the site first showed up in 2013 Google Earth imagery, but I only heard very infrequent low power testing for two years after that. I first heard the station on full power in mid-November 2015. The signal is actually quite good, at least on the northwest side of Houston metro. Although there is a somewhat of a lobe lobe to the NE, there is also a pretty sharp lobe ESE towards Houston. I have noted KRCM still running day power well after sunset on a number of occasions, and also have noted the lack of a proper ID. They often, but not always, simulcast KMIC 1590, and also at times KQUE 980. the stations are all co-owned and will have separate programming if the time is sold, otherwise all are parallel. Supposedly KRCM is 50 watts ND at night, but I've never listened carefully enough to pull it out of the co-channel pileup. I'll have to take another listen to 1380 late one evening. Any questions you have about AMs coming out of the Houston area I'll be glad to try to answer (Stephen Luce, Houston, Texas, UT Feb 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1480, KBXD, TX, Dallas – Silent Dec. 21 (2015); on the air with new transmitter Feb 20 (AM Switch, NRC DX News March 7 via DXLD) ** U S A. Re KXEL, 1540, petition to save nighttime AM: see RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM ** U S A. 1610, FLORIDA, (TIS), WYZ235, Tampa International Airport. 1220 February 27, 2016. For those who may hear something unidentified on grayline, this one is now running a very short loop, male voice, beginning with, "There is currently active construction.. please slow down... speed limit... 25 mph. Follow... to the parking garage..." 1650, FLORIDA, "The beeper" unidentified TIS/HAR/MIS. 1221 February 27, 2016. Still here, best in LSB, with the digital warbling/beeping tone, with the westernmost Tampa I-275 male voiced HAR on top of. 97.5 (MHz), FLORIDA, W248CA, Bradenton. Happened to stumble upon this mere 20 watts translator listed in Radio-Locator.com as Construction Permit Granted February 19, 2016 status, to simulcast WWBA, 820 kHz (Largo) News-Talk format. Checking through March 1, only the very loud WPCV-FM (transmitter site is about two miles east of Haines City, "97 Country" slogan) is presently heard. It will be interesting to see how well this one is heard, barely shoehorned in. - Florida Low Power Radio Stations: https://sites.google.com/site/floridadxn/florida-low-power-radio-stations (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater FL, NRD-535, IC-R75, roof dipole, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 87.9, Midland MI, NE Midland Music Pirate; 12:56...1:43 PM, [EST = UT -5] 21-Feb; ToH "The Easy Surrounding Sound, Thanks for joining us"; mostly pop instrumentals. Sunday, on past usual 12:30 PM weekday plugpull (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, GMC Car Radio for FMBC logs, All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. O’RIELLY KEEPS PIRATE RADIO ON FCC FRONT BURNER Inside Radio February 25, 2016 http://www.insideradio.com/o-rielly-keeps-pirate-radio-on-fcc-front-burner/article_74d7341c-db96-11e5-a656-b37a36bd5b1b.html Efforts to get the FCC to address eradicating pirate radio in a much bigger way are starting to pay off. That’s according to FCC commissioner Michael O’Rielly who updated broadcasters on the vexing issue during a Tuesday speech at the NAB’s State Leadership Conference in Washington. When it comes to enforcing the FCC’s rules against illegal radio operators, O’Rielly quoted “the great philosopher” Toby Keith, suggesting that what the FCC really needs is, “a little less talk and a lot more action.” But in addition to issuing more fines to pirates— who frequently ignore them, only to sprout up in another location—the commissioner said the problem should also be fought on other fronts. Stepped-up enforcement, in tandem with an outreach and education effort, “could be a real game changer,” O’Rielly said. “Legitimate companies and associations want nothing to do with facilitating illegal activities, but they may not be aware of the pervasiveness of this problem, the damage being done to consumers and legitimate broadcasters, the sophistication of some modern pirate operators or the seriousness of the potential consequences,” he said. Toward that end, the Commission and the Enforcement Bureau have been crafting an advisory document to clearly outline pirate radio policies. The communique will be used to spread the word to building owners, advertisers, political campaigns, concert promoters, venue operators and others that unknowingly enable pirate operators. “Be on the lookout for the results of this effort,” O’Rielly said. The efforts can’t come soon enough, as the problem appears to be getting worse. There were 34 pirate radio stations operating in the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and the Bronx alone in January 2015, according to FCC stats. Florida is another pirate radio hotbed. Radio delegations from New York and Florida voiced their concerns about the escalating threat during meetings with members of Congress on Tuesday as part of the NAB event. It’s a subject that has the attention of numerous legislators, including ranking member Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who has worked to keep pirate radio on the front burner at the FCC and on Capitol Hill. Posted by: (Mike Terry, Feb 25, dxldyg via DXLD) Talking about FM, maybe a few AM pirates, not shortwave, who cares? (gh) ** VANUATU. 3944.984, Radio Vanuatu, Port Vila, at 1450 UT on Feb 28, S=5 -94dBm tiny signal. Heard in Brisbane Queensland AUS (Wolfgang Büschel, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 28, dxldyg via DXLD) ** VATICAN. Surprisingly, Vatican Radio was heard on the 27th Feb on air at 1505 UT in the German language with a news broadcast on 15545. This was followed at 1515 by Polish with the same news, and at 1530 by a language I didn't recognise using the word 'Govori' as the first word of the ID. A musical programme followed this at 1545. However today 28th, Radio Dabanga is loud and clear at tune in 1535 UT, so maybe someone somewhere selected the wrong feed on Saturday. (Noel R. Green (NW England), dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, Dabanga is propagating very well to Victoria BC at 1607 tune-in. 73, (Walt Salmaniw, Feb 28, ibid.) That unrecognized language is Bulgarian. See http://en.radiovaticana.va/schedules and click on "Eutelsat 1" there. So a classic switching error of course, either at Santa Maria di Galeria or at Vatican Radio master control in Rome. (Indeed Rome; the building called Palazzo Pio has extraterritorial status but is located in the ordinary world outside the wall.) I think this has not been posted here yet: Vatican Radio and CTV will be merged before yearend, and the name "Vatican Radio" will disappear in this process. This hints at least at a possibility that indeed far- reaching changes (read: shifting priorities away from linear radio) are looming, as suggested in last year by the Patten-led commission. (Kai Ludwig, March 1, dxldyg via DXLD) Jesuit father Federico Lombardi will retire as head of Vatican Radio on 29th of February as the Secretariat for Communications takes on the general administration of the radio Giacomo Ghisani, an Italian layman and vice director of the Secretariat will be the interim administrative director and leg[al?] representative director of Vatican Radio. Vatican media reforms foresee Vatican Radio and CTV completely merging in 2016 (CTV) TV IN VATICAN CITY press release via the Catholic Herald newspaper, UK and Ireland. 73 (swl Jon Collins, Birmingham UK, PS I`m not Catholic!!! DX LISTENING DIGEST) According to an interview of Father Lombardi (both in French, Italian and English magazines) Vatican R will lose its name in the coming months. Father Lombardi will leave Head of Vatican R from Mar 01. More in this interview: http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/02/24/fr_lombardi_reflects_on_lasting_legacy_of_vatican_radio/1210940 (Christian Ghibaudo, Nice, France, DSWCI DX Window March 2 via DXLD) INTERVISTA A PADRE LOMBARDI CHE LASCIA RADIO VATICANA DOPO 25 ANNI Intervista a padre Lombardi, direttore della Radio Vaticana, che racconta i suoi 25 anni con l'emittente e le sfide dei media oggi. Ricordo che padre Lombardi lascia la direzione il 1 marzo: http://air-radiorama.blogspot.it/2016/02/intervista-padre-lombardi-direttore-di.html 73 (Giampiero Bernardini, Milano, Feb 25, playdx yg VIA dxld) FR LOMBARDI REFLECTS ON LASTING LEGACY OF VATICAN RADIO http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/02/26/fr_lombardi_reflects_on_lasting_legacy_of_vatican_radio/1210940 24/02/2016 12:58 SHARE: (Vatican Radio) Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi steps down as Director General of Vatican Radio at the end of February, in the context of a major overhaul of the Holy See’s media and communications organisations. After a quarter of a century of service at Vatican Radio, 12 years as head of the Vatican Television Centre (CTV) and a decade as director of the Holy See press office, Fr Lombardi reflected on the lasting legacy of the Radio and his vision for the future of Vatican communications. Philippa Hitchen takes a closer look…….. Listen: 0:00 When the former superior of the Italian Jesuits was appointed as director of programmes at Vatican Radio, he’s the first to admit he had no radio experience and was unfamiliar with the complex machinations of the world’s smallest city state. What he did have, however, was over 10 years’ experience with the prestigious Jesuit magazine ‘Civiltà Cattolica’ and a mathematical mind which, he says, helped him to make the transition from lengthy, erudite articles to short, succinct radio stories. Vatican Radio became his “home”, Fr Lombardi says, where he was fascinated by the wealth of cultural diversity, with employees from over 60 nations, working in almost 40 language programmes with some 15 different alphabets. Cutting down on that rich diversity to save costs, he warns, would be “a real impoverishment of Vatican communications”. [hilited by HjB:] Fr Lombardi admits his biggest regret was the inability to convince his superiors to begin broadcasting in Hausa, one of the main languages of northern Nigeria, currently wracked by the violence of the Boko Haram terrorist group. With running costs of less than 30 euros a day, plus support from both Nigeria’s bishops and local Nigerian religious communities he says, the Radio could have provided a small but vital sign of support for some of the poorest and most persecuted Catholics on the African continent. [/HjB] Within the DNA of the Radio throughout its 85 year history, Fr Lombardi insists, there has always been a sense of service to the poor and oppressed minorities, rather than a slavish addiction to improving audience ratings. With the advent of new technologies, Fr Lombardi says he sought to lead the Radio from exclusively audio production into a broader, multi-media provider – something that wasn’t always understood by its critics. Furthermore, he notes, the Radio continues to provide other, less visible services, such as technical audio support for papal ceremonies, Vatican input at international telecommunications conferences, translation and language services, documentation and archive material – and all this, while implementing a significant downsizing of staff over the past decade. [hilited by HjB:] Fr Lombardi’s departure from the Palazzo Pio headquarters marks the end of an era for the Jesuits too, whom Pope Pius XI entrusted with the running of the Radio back in 1931. Pope Francis has made clear he wants the order to continue working in communications, though it’s not yet clear how that service may take shape. [Double hilited by HjB:] The name – Vatican Radio – will also cease to exist in the coming months [//HjB], as it becomes more closely incorporated into a combined output of TV, newspaper, web and social media production. What Fr Lombardi says he hopes will remain at the heart of the new media operation is the dedication of those committed to their mission of sharing the Good News with those on the margins of today’s ‘throwaway culture’ [/HjB] (via Dr Hansjoerg Biener, DXLD) [Re: WORLDWIDE DX CLUB Top News #1242 Feb 28th, 2016]: ``The name - Vatican Radio - will also cease to exist in the coming months, as it becomes more closely incorporated into a combined output of TV, newspaper, web and social media production.`` No further details of course, just, to put it frankly, lots of blah- blah-blah. I would not proceed from the assumption that radio operations will continue as they are, considering that they already plan to eliminate the brand "Radio Vatican" (!! --- to be replaced by what? "CTV Radio?"). Consider also the Patten remark that staff can not expect that their tasks will not change at all (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Feb 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9660 at 1950: Blaring, tinny audio of a group of woman shouting about Benedikta Benediktus Fruktus. Let's check the listed // for Radio Vatican in Latin: 3975 a bit weakish, 6070 strongest, 9755 on as well, this time clean. VOA in Tigrigna until 1930 on 9755 via SMG, too, from probably the very same transmitter, was badly distorted, already ruined at an earlier stage in the feed chain it seemed to me. So much for now (Kai Ludwig, March 2, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. 6020.0, VoV 4th program, from Dac Lac, and two symmetrical spurious of 13.390 kHz apart frequency distance either side, on 6006.610 and 6033.390 kHz, at 1436 UT, female presenter in Vietnamese. Heard in eastern Thailand remote unit (Wolfgang Büschel, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 28, dxldyg via DXLD) 9635.798, Very odd frequency signal from Son Tay center, Vietnamese service of VoV, S=6-7 strength at 2257 UT on Feb 26 [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Febr 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** YEMEN [non]. I`ve asked Don Moman, VE6JY in Alberta, who has an antenna farm with direxion-finding capability if he could help us with the 11860 station: Hi Don, The Yemen clandestine on 11860 continues to be somewhat of a mystery, as to the site(s) in use, managing to put such a good signal into central NAm around 1330-1530. I suspect it`s long path. So I wonder if with your rotatable LP you can get an idea of what direxion it`s coming from for you at that or any other hours you can get it? 73, Glenn (to Don, via DXLD) I will see what I can determine and let you know. Always enjoy a bit of a mystery! Just catching up on your comments about this in DXLD 1607 --- Listening to 11860 from 0100 UT Feb 25 onwards, good readable signal, Arabic talk and music (I'm mostly watching the spectrum, not really listening) on Collins log pointed at ~20 degrees, virtually inaudible on the Wellbrook 80m loop (my main omni SW antenna). Thought I heard a mention of Yemen around 0100. By 0230 signal is building, now good on the loop but better on the log ~S9. I read the comment about possibly coming from Iran - but I can rule that out, I think. As per the attached Perseus screen capture the transmitted signal has easily viewed 60 Hz hum components indicating it`s fed from a 60 cycle power source. Iran is listed as 50 Hz. Saudi is 60 Hz. You can also see the "fuzz" on the carrier which is typical of a signal going thru the somewhat disturbed auroral regions (Don Moman, 0250 UT Feb 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Don, Very good. Neat clue about the hum Hz. I see that Saudi Arabia is the ONLY country in the Mideast, not to mention Europe and most of Asia, Africa, that is on 60 Hz. https://www.quantumbalancing.com/worldelectricity/electricityif.htm Would this definitely be caused by 60 Hz power at the transmitter, or could it be caused by 60 Hz hum in the studio modulation being fed into the transmitter, and which could be in two different countries? (Glenn to Don, via DXLD) I suppose it could sneak in via either means, and I'm no expert but to me it comes in mainly at the transmitter. If the signal is strong enough, I think it would be very rare not to see either 50 or 60 Hz energy. I think in most cases the audio response would fall off greatly enough in a shortwave transmitter modulation chain, there wouldn't be much left, even if it was present in the audio feed. Morning report for 11860: 1330 UT, S6 and reasonable audio on the Wellbrook loop, but the NNE facing log is way down now, S3 at best and just a carrier, hardly any audio. At 1400 with signals still the same, I turn the log - signal virtually disappears thru the east to the southeast and starts coming up with readable audio when due south. I go past 200 degrees, to maybe 250 and the signal starts to drop off. So I go back to 200 degrees and leave it there. Here the loop and the log provide almost identical signals and readability, both around S7. By 1445 signals have increased to S9+5 db on both antennas. Around 1450 I bring the log back thru the southeast and the signal virtually disappears, just a very smeared carrier left on the Perseus display. Signals build when NE and when I stop it at 20 degrees the signal is back to an S8 and decent copy. The auroral "rumble" is more pronounced as well. The loop is better, still at S9+5. So there's a mix of short and long path propagation today, with the long path being the better one here. At whatever arrival angle the signal is coming in at, the loop favours it more than the log. Last evening the log was the winner. Speaking very generally, when I see some long path propagation here, it usually is much better for receiving sites at more southern latitudes. It would be my guess that whatever antennae is in use has very little directionality between its 20 degrees shortpath and 200 deg longpath signals. If a log periodic then well out of its main lobe. Now past 1500 UT, I am hearing two signals on the log but much less so on the loop. For background, the loop is ~80m of wire in a diamond shape, hung about 110 feet above ground and used with a Wellbrook ALA100 amplifier. The Collins 237B-3 log at 60 feet which covers 6.5 to 40 MHz is my "backup" one, as the main 4-30 Sabre log periodic has a feedline issue somewhere out on the end of the boom which is 120 feet above ground (Don Moman, 1513 UT Feb 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I`ve asked Don Moman, VE6JY near Edmonton, Alberta, who has an antenna farm with direxion-finding capability, if he could help us with the 11860 station. His full findings so far appear in the DXLD yg; including his first check after 0100 UT Feb 25: a 60 Hz hum displayed on the Perseus screen capture (and I see a barely visible double, 120 Hz from the carrier). (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I read the comment about possibly coming from Iran - but I can rule that out, I think. As per the attached Perseus screen capture the transmitted signal has easily viewed 60 Hz hum components indicating it`s fed from a 60 cycle power source. Iran is listed as 50 Hz. Saudi is 60 Hz. You can also see the "fuzz" on the carrier which is typical of a signal going thru the somewhat disturbed auroral regions (Don Moman, 0250 UT Feb 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Around 1450 UT he finds the peak short-path signal at 20 degrees, but also long-path from 200 degrees. That azimuth cuts right across Saudi Arabia, midway between Riyadh and Jeddah, and within one degree of Aden. My check of 11860 at 1401 Feb 25 finds usual big S9+10 signal, W&M with Arabic news about Yemen, and can`t hear any hum. If Don gets any 50 Hz hum from 11860 at other dayparts, that should prove then it`s not from Sa`udi Arabia (Glenn Hauser, OK DX LISTENING DIGEST) Weak to good signal of Republic of Yemen Radio, Feb 25 from 1210 on 11860 unknown tx / unknown to N/ME Arabic http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/weak-to-good-signal-of-republic-of.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I haven't done an early morning check on Rep of Yemen Radio / Sana'a since Wolfy reported they seemed to be off air by 0227 on Feb 10, confirming my own recent observations that they seem to shut down for a couple of hours or so. But I was intrigued by Wolfy's later report in which he reported hearing them at 0236, and now Don Moman reports hearing them at 0230, both times at which I believed them likely to be off-air. So early this morning (Feb 26) I tried again; results were somewhat different to what I have heard before. There was a good signal at 0104 tune in, but it deteriorated slowly to just fair by 0115. Co channel CRI was not heard from 0130, as it usually is, but by 0135 Sana'a was poor and had completely faded out by 0145. I could find a very weak carrier at 0154, which may have been Sana'a or CRI. There was still a very weak carrier at 0313, which may have been Sana'a or PBS Xizang. At 0314 Sana'a began to fade back in and was fair-good by 0319, good by 0321. Unlike my previous reports this fade out and fade in were slow and continuous over several minutes each; there was no sudden and abrupt change in signal strength, suggesting that the transmitter is not being switched off in the early mornings (Bill Bingham, Johannesburg RSA. Drake R8E, Sony ICF2001D. dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11860, Feb 26 from 1405, usual VG signal from Republic of Yemen Radio, but with considerable fading, during an hour+ of ``motivational music`` including familiar triumphal tunes played daily, still going past 1500; by 1528 recheck it`s starting to fade down. In case one want to check for revived Maghrib call to prayer, sunset is currently computed at 1510 UT for Sana`a, 1508 for Aden. (Besides sunrise, the other three CTP times seem rather flexible, sometime in the morning, noon, and afternoon; just heed the muezzin.) BTW, gaisma.com transliterates the city names as 'Adan and San'a, the latter originally displaying with a sedilla under the S (so really pronounced Sh?), and a macron (long sign) over the second A. The apostrophe would represent the glottal stop so characteristic of Arabic (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Here`s another time you might check out 11860. Bill Bingham in South Africa finds that in a few minutes around 1750 UT there is an echo/overlap as if the transmitter site is being changed. Unfortunately this is obscured by AWR Kabyle via Germany also being on 11860 at 1730-1800. If that is the case for you, perhaps you could check before 1730 and after 1800 to see if there is any change in signal characteristics, such as peak azimuth, hum Hz, strength or anything else (Glenn, 1556 UT Feb 26 to Don, via DXLD) 11860 Feb 26th monitoring: checked around 0047 UT, good signal on log at 20 deg, signal went to nothing thru the east and came up to poor by the time I got to 200 deg. Recheck at 1520, pretty well the same as yesterday, long path at 200 slightly better than at 20 deg short path. By 1650 the SP is improving, by 1720 I can see the 60 Hz bars. All with the log at 20 deg. On the loop I am hearing some fast echo (more like reverb) indicating a mix of LP and SP. At 1732 I hear a second program come up but can't see anything visibly different, no change in signal level, no second carrier so this second transmitter must be very close in frequency to 11860.000 which is stretching what I can measure with the propagation smeared carrier. Both seem to be at the same level. I cannot see any trace of 50 Hz, just the same 60 Hz. That makes me think that possibly this could be a second program but using the same transmitter. I turn the log further north, thru 0 deg and then to maybe 340 deg, thinking that a German transmitter site should drop off before the Saudi site as I move away. But both seem to maintain their equal signal strength as they both drop off the further to the west I move. That reinforces my same transmitter for both programs thought. Around 1754 I hear a "ladies and gentlemen, thank you" which seems to be repeated maybe a minute later. As per the attached screen grab, just before 1757 a second carrier comes up about 43 hertz higher so now hearing 3 programs. While I'm capturing the screen grab the initial transmitter goes off - around 1759 or so. The new +43 transmitter shows no 50 or 60 Hz traces, but signals are in the S8 level so a well filtered power supply could easily have enough suppression that I can't see them at that level. Now I'm left with a single program, a YL in Arabic possibly with news as several mentions of Yemen. This also reinforces the 2 program/one transmitter theory. It's now 1831 UT; I had this email screen covering up the Perseus window and I now see just a single carrier but now down around 11859.990. I wasn't running the spectrum recording so I can't go back in time and see when the +43 quit and the -10 transmitter came on. I'll try and check for that tomorrow. 73 (Don Moman, AB, 1847 UT Feb 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I should be more clear about the two programs I'm hearing at 1732; they are very different as the new one had a lot of music and talk - no idea of the language (but not English), and the original Yemen program was mostly talk in Arabic (Don, 1857 UT Feb 26, ibid.) Continuing Feb 26 past 1900, signal pretty weak all day, carrier about 10 Hz low. Still poor at 0100 recheck Feb 27. Did note a second carrier came on briefly from 0110 to 0112. Checked at 1402 Feb 27, carrier spot on 11860 with 60 Hz hum bars. Usual good signal, better on long path. Noted signal strength shifts near 1418 and 1555 with different levels of 60 Hz hum. Attached shots... 2nd audio program appeared suddenly at 1738:10 like yesterday with no sign of a new transmitter. Continued like this to around 1758. At 1759 audio dropped drastically, still Arabic talk and music, but carrier level unchanged. 60 Hz bars just visible as signal has dropped to S6 now. Signal pretty well stayed like this much of the day, spot on 11860 and no other shifts or carriers noted. 73 (Don Moman, AB, 0345 UT Feb 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [Now Bill Bingham replies to above comments from Don, and requoted herre for clarity] > At 1732 I hear a second program come up but can't see anything visibly different, no change in signal level, no second carrier so this second transmitter must be very close in frequency to 11860.000 which is stretching what I can measure with the propagation smeared carrier. Both seem to be at the same level. I cannot see any trace of 50 Hz, just the same 60 Hz. That makes me think that possibly this could be a second program but using the same transmitter. I turn the log further north, thru 0 deg and then to maybe 340 deg, thinking that a German transmitter site should drop off before the Saudi site as I move away. But both seem to maintain their equal signal strength as they both drop off the further to the west I move. That reinforces my same transmitter for both programs thought. Around 1754 I hear a "ladies and gentlemen, thank you" which seems to be repeated maybe a minute later [DM]. My observations in Jo'burg support the close frequency carrier from about 1730. I hear both stations, generally at about the same level, with no audible or sub-audible hets. But can two completely different programs come from the same analogue transmitter? I thought that was only possible with independent-sideband, coupled with extremely expensive transmitters and receivers [BB]. > As per the attached screen grab, just before 1757 a second carrier comes up about 43 hertz higher so now hearing 3 programs. While I'm capturing the screen grab the initial transmitter goes off - around 1759 or so. The new +43 transmitter shows no 50 or 60 Hz traces, but signals are in the S8 level so a well filtered power supply could easily have enough suppression that I can't see them at that level [DM]. Although a little later than usual, the first transmitter going off at around 1759 is within range. On Dec 28 I reported the SAH beginning at 1754 and ending at 1758. Coupled with increased power from the new transmitter, could this account for the disappearance of the 60 Hz interference? [BB]. Now I'm left with a single program, a YL in Arabic possibly with news as several mentions of Yemen. This also reinforces the 2 program/one transmitter theory. It's now 1831 UT; I had this email screen covering up the Perseus window and I now see just a single carrier but now down around 11859.990. I wasn't running the spectrum recording so I can't go back in time and see when the +43 quit and the -10 transmitter came on. I'll try and check for that tomorrow [DM] Is it not feasible for an approximately 12,000 kHz transmitter to drift 50 hertz or so in its first 30 minutes of use? I don't know what a good specification for drift would be [BB] All of Don's observations seem to support my contention that there is a transmitter change just before 1800, and likely to a higher power. Or am I reading too much into it? (Bill Bingham, Johannesburg RSA. Drake R8E, Sony ICF2001D. dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11860, Fri, Feb 26, 1850-1918, Radio Sana´a, Jeddah, in Arabic. Yemenite traditional songs; 1901 OM talks; 1919 OMs: a long conversation. Good signal and fair modulation, 45443 (DXer José Ronaldo Xavier (JRX), Cabedelo - Brazil, receiver Sony ICF-SW100S, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD) Continuing Feb 26 past 1900, signal pretty weak all day, carrier about 10 Hz low. Still poor at 0100 recheck Feb 27. Did note a second carrier came on briefly from 0110 to 0112 [DM] This fits with my observations on Jan 24 and Jan 27, when a sub- audible het began at 0110 quickly followed by a power reduction. Don, are you sure the second carrier came on briefly, rather than it actually replacing the first carrier? [BB] Checked at 1402 Feb 27, carrier spot on 11860 with 60 Hz hum bars [DM] On Jan 23 at about this time, Richard Langley using the Twente receiver also observed that the transmitter was almost exactly on frequency. This would be what I refer to as the lower-power daytime transmitter (i.e., daytime in Europe and Africa) [BB] > 2nd audio program appeared suddenly at 1738:10 like yesterday with no sign of a new transmitter. Continued like this to around 1758. At 1759 audio dropped drastically, still Arabic talk and music, but carrier level unchanged. 60 Hz bars just visible as signal has dropped to S6 now. Signal pretty well stayed like this much of the day, spot on 11860 and no other shifts or carriers noted [DM] This drop in audio would probably have coincided with an increase here in Jo'burg, had I been listening. The only difference is, I usually do see an increase in signal strength when the audio becomes much more clear a few minutes before 1800 [BB] (Bill Bingham, Johannesburg RSA. Drake R8E, Sony ICF2001D. dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks for your comments, Bill. Yes the 2nd carrier from 0110 to 0112 was easily visible (I didn't make a note of what the offset was) when it started and stopped and did not replace the first carrier. I'll be watching what goes on today near 1730 but can't be around for the 0100 time period. 73 (Don, Feb 29, dxldyg via DXLD) Listening Feb 29, signals seem down a bit, arrival angles must be different as the Wellbrook loop is slightly better than the Collins log aimed either LP or SP. Carrier is very close to 11860.000, smeared enough so hard to be more precise. 60 Hz hum bars visible. 1730:30 a second program is heard and at :50 YL says "the following program is in ...". Again, no sign of any new transmitter here - no level change, no second carrier just the second program mixed in with the first. And to answer Bill's question - it seems, to me, that it's a mixing mixup where two programmes are fed to the same transmitter. At least here it sounds like the same transmitter but I am a long way from the transmitter site(s). Yes, a weaker second site, also exactly on 11860.000 would be covered up to the extent that I can't see it. Others can likely tell better than I. Second program ends somewhere around 1800, signals are weaker and I am also transmitting locally which is messing up the signal to the Perseus that I am making the spectrum recording on. I see no carrier signal level or frequency shifts anywhere today, up 2010 as this is being composed. 73, (Don VE6JY Moman, (Alberta CANADA), dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re exile Radio Sana'a 11860, tentatively from Djeddah site? Checked at 1720 UT Febr 29 on remote SDR net units in Greece and Calabria - southern Italy, as S=9 +25dB signal, measured rather tiny oddity of 11860.0015 kHz at 1727 UT Feb 29. AWR tiny underneath was silent till 1730:45 UT, but needs further observation in 1730-1800 UT slot on various remote posts worldwide. Checked southern France and Genua Riveria posts as S=9+5 dB. 73 wolfy df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) 11860, Feb 29 at 1415, Republic of Yemen Radio is as usual S9+20, with motivational music, brief speeches in Arabic, still S9+10 at 1512. For months now, this has attained such remarkable levels here, far removed from the target area, with very little change. The signal does have heavy fading as via a very dynamic route, but not enough for me to call it flutter. Nothing else from the Mideast is comparable on 25m, with Turkey 12035 remaining quite weak even tho aimed USward, Iran 11730 too altho aimed ESE toward IndoPak. Thus my continuing suspicion that 11860 is coming longpath from a site on the other side of Yemen from here. Don Moman, Alberta has been monitoring more of this at various times, results reported in the DXLD yg (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Rep. Yemen Radio Sanaa (Saudi Arabia Relay?) was the strongest earlier in the morning (~1430z) than later (~1530z) which is a bit of a switch as it's usually the other way around for me. 11860, 1424 29 FEB - SINPO = 55434. Arabic, music with microtonal vocals. (Re-check at 1511z SINPO 45434 still music). QSB=ff fairly deep. Modulation strong and perfectly readable. sf93.7, a5, k1, geomag: very quiet. 50kw?, Omni?, bearing 7 ?. Sangean ATS505 w/MFJ- 1020C active antenna used to preselect Magic Wand Antenna hanging indoors on west wall. Received at Las Vegas, United States, 13045KM? from transmitter at Riyadh?. Local time: 0624 (Rodney Johnson, NV, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) The ongoing monitoring of 11860 showed nothing of interest from Feb 29 past 1800 to 0110 March 1, altho I wasn't paying attention every moment of that. Antenna was the Collins log aimed at 20 deg. Frequency stayed very close to 11860.000 and weak 60 Hz hum bars visible in the expanded (.391 SPAN .48 Hz RBW) Perseus display. From 0110:10 to 0112:10 there was a small increase in the carrier - or a second carrier. If a second carrier then it perfectly synchronized with the original (unlike other days). What was even more interesting was the new carrier was significantly more smeared. The original carrier showed up as maybe 20 Hz wide (going by the red, more intense portion) and the new 2 minute carrier pushed that to almost 80 Hz. The audio during that time had a significant rumble to it, not a SAH but the rumble we associate with signals passing thru the disturbed auroral zone. Something we hear lots of up here in northern Canada as most signals from Europe and the Middle East have to come over the pole. This shift tonight isn't conclusive but it seems to me that something in the pattern caused the signal to come over a more northerly, disturbed route for 2 minutes. Either from a new transmitter or an antenna change on the original. S-meter reading difference during the change was small and the 60 Hz hum bars remained (just) visible as per the attached snapshot. Inline image 2. Will be interested to see what Bill and any others noted during this time frame. 73 (Don VE6JY Moman, AB, ibid.) Hi Don, Thanks for your latest report on 11860. Sadly I wasn't listening last night, I just can't handle repeated 3 a.m. starts anymore! Your findings at 0110 fascinate me. I'm glad you are able to confirm that something is going on at about that time; I don't always hear anything obvious but at about that time each night reception of 11860 deteriorates in Jo'burg and goes downhill from there. When I do hear an obvious anomaly it is in the form of an echo and / or a sub-audible het (not a rumble), which pushes me towards thinking it is a second carrier coming on air. On second thoughts, at 3 a.m. I'm usually using a Sony ICF2001D, and with its tiny speaker I probably wouldn't hear a rumble if there was one! Regarding the trace you supplied for March 1 at 0110, could the following theory fit? A second transmitter came on air at 0110, and because it was exactly on frequency (unusual!) and (by chance?) in phase or almost in phase with the first, the combined amplitude of the two increased (my a.c. theory is getting very rusty, I'm open to correction here). Two minutes later the first transmitter went off, returning the status quo. Your trace shows the carrier continuing at its previous level, which does not accord with my usual findings. Maybe that could be due to a different transmitter antenna which is no longer targetting my direction, suggesting a change of transmitter AND site in the early morning. This would likely replace the transmitter and site which I believe came on air the previous evening just before 1800. Of course, there could be other transmitter and / or site changes that we have not picked up yet. Don, thanks for your input here. Regards, (Bill Bingham, RSA, ibid.) "the following program is in Kabyl". AWR via Nauen. Strong here 1 March at 1730. 73, (Jari Savolainen, Finland, ibid.) 11860, March 2 at 1503-1520, I monitor Republic of Yemen Radio continuously, usual mostly music and no break for any call to prayer which if observed would have been during this sunset window. Still S9 to S9+10 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11860 plus a half Hertz 11860.0005 likely, S=8-9 signal, modern Arabic pop music, very modern Sana'a exile radio service in southern Germany at 1625 UT March 2nd (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. BTW - Zambia (5915) earlier (0340-0440) had good open carrier, but had no audio at all (Ron Howard, California, Feb 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZANZIBAR. TANZANIA, Reception of Zanzibar BC, including English news, Feb 22 [Mon] 1500-1800 on 11735 DOL 050 kW / non-dir to CeAf Swahili 1800-1807 on 11735 DOL 050 kW / non-dir to CeAf English 1807-2100 on 11735 DOL 050 kW / non-dir to CeAf Swahili http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/reception-of-zanzibar-bc-inclenglish-nx.html (DX RE MIX NEWS #941 from Georgi Bancov and Ivo Ivanov, Feb 29, 2016, via DXLD) ** ZANZIBAR. TANZANIA, 11735, Zanzibar Br. Co., Dole, 1800-1812, 27-02 [Sat]. English, news, ID "Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation, Dole", at 1810 Vernacular. 34433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Reinante and Friol, Tecsun PL-880, Sony ICF SW 7600G, Sangean ATS 909X, Cable antenna, 8 meters and Degen 31MS active loop antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) TANZANIA: 11735, Zanzibar B.C. (tentative); 1854-1912+, 3-Mar; Afro pop tunes to 1900:20 brief announcement into drum chant to 1900:45 tones; 1900:52 cmtry by W in Swahili (presumed) with several mentions of Zanzibar & Dar Es Salaam, Back to music at 1911:40. SIO=353- with buzzy QRN (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' & 60' RW + 125' bow-tie, --- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time! --- DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 621.00, Feb 27 at 0210 UT, TA carrier hetting against 620 TX station. 711.00, Feb 27 at 0209 UT, another TA carrier against Amarillo/Kansas City/Cuba. After the Saudi on 1521, I`ve tuned thru the entire MW band at 1 kHz steps with BFO, but these are the only carriers detected, tnx to being 1 kHz away from domestic bigsigs. 621 could be the 1000 kW Egyptian, or closest 100 kW Canarian; 711 the 300 kW Moroccan, 200 kW Yemeni, 400 kW Iranian --- but there`s also a JBA carrier on 715.0, surely no real station, but a birdie? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1499.5 & 1500.5, Feb 28 at 0026, still hearing the wobbling tones on both sides equidistant from 1500 KSTP. Just measured them on the NRD-545, but not another attempt to DF them (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Hi Glenn, Most evenings the past two weeks, right at 1730 EST, I have heard SSB [Star Spangled Banner] on 1540, buried in the jumble. No hope of hearing identifiable speech, but the anthem is obvious. That’s a weird time for a sign-off, well before my local sunset. If it is in the AST zone, where it would be 1830, which would mean Puerto Rico on 1540, it could little sense. Your thoughts? Many thanks, (FRED SCHROYER, Editorial Director, CLG (Continuous Learning Group), Morgantown, WV 26508, Feb 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Looking for your 1540 SSB at 2230 UT, in FCC AM Query I first checked the NH and RI stations, but their sunset in Feb is 2215. Then 50 kW WNWR in Philadelphia (ex-China relay?), and that`s it, 2230 UT: https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/srsstime?dlat=40&mlat=2&slat=46.00&dlon=75&mlon=14&slon=15.00&tzone=A I guess WNWR is not a regular for you with its pattern toward the SE into Atlantic. Or could it be another station? WACA Wheaton MD SS is 2245. WSIV East Syracuse NY is also 2230: https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/srsstime?dlat=43&mlat=5&slat=40.00&dlon=76&mlon=2&slon=0.00&tzone=A But it`s not a daytimer, with lo night power, 57 watts (Glenn to Fred, via DXLD) WOW! Thanks for all the info! You are the expert. I just dabble in BCB DX, as you can tell (Fred, ibid.) Fred, It`s just a matter of looking stuff up in the appropriate references --- (Glenn to Fred, ibid.) Hi Glenn, Many thanks for all your research & info. Yes, it comes down to knowing where to look. You have put years of work into finding the best sources of info, and are really on top of it — I always enjoy reading your posts. As I noted, I have little time for DX, so I'm a dabbler. But I am endlessly fascinated with what's out there! As for the 1730 EST signoff, I didn't know the FCC posted specific s/off times for each station for specific months. Fascinating! That certainly broadens the possibilities. Considering the general direction of sunset activity at my location, I agree the likely suspects are WNWR or WACA. Because I often hear the Philly station at midday in winter hear, it might be them. Friday evening the channel was dominated by CHIN, no KXEL, plus a modest jumble, and there was that darned SSB faintly filtering thru, right at 1730. I'll probably never ID it, unless they just happen to fade up at the right moment! Thanks again for all your help and sharing this fascinating hobby! 73s, (Fred Schroyer, Editorial director, CLG201, Morgantown, WV 26508, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 3840-LSB, March 1 at 0649, QSO proceeds despite ``jamming`` consisting of hi-pitched artificial voice, ``singing``, maybe with autotune processing. 0652 they leave it to the jammer, which then quits at 0655 and the QSO resumes. One of the victims is in Colorado and DFs it as from his southwest, i.e. AZ or southern CA. Says jamming has been going on for 30 minutes. 3840 seems to be a favorite frequency on 80m for such nonsense (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 5030-, Feb 29 at 1337, once again a JBA carrier slightly on the lo side, equivalent to known Indian frequencies 5010, 5040, 5050. Does Ron Howard hear anything, or must it be something local around here? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 5960-, Feb 26 at 1200, once again the slightly off- frequency carrier, JBA at S6 with flutter (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED [and non]. 6155.023, AFS, Many IDs of Channel Africa already at 0258 UT, S=8-9. 6155.094 ??? UNIDENTIFIED carrier 'seen' co-channel till switch off at 0243 UT, probably R Fides Bolivia or AIR from Delhi-INDIA? (Wolfgang Büschel, Log Feb 29 at 0220-0300 UT, noted on few remote units in eastern Thailand, at Doha Qatar, and on US east coast remote units at NJ/MA/KY US, [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Feb 29, dxldyg via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 7030 & 7120, Feb 29 at 1344, JBA carriers from the INTRUDERS, presumed Kashmir clandestine and Somaliland longpath (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 7215, At 0259, on 25 Feb. I heard the strains of Yankee Doodle playing as if VOA was signing off. At 0300 the music stopped and there was no other SW signal that I could hear although a strong signal spike was evident on the spectrum monitor. I did not see where VOA was listed for this frequency and time? Fair (John Cooper, Lebanon, PA, Winradio-G33DDC, CommRadio CR-1a, GAP-Hear It-In Line Module, Wellbrook ALA-1530S+, Wellbrook ALA-1530LNPro, NASWA Flashsheet Feb 28 via DXLD) IBB in Arabic via São Tomé 7215 is supposed to be starting, not stopping at 0300, i.e. Darfur service. By ``strong signal spike``, I guess he means the carrier was still on without modulation. One time loss of feed? (gh, DXLD) Viz.: 7215, Feb 20, *0257-, Afia Darfur/Hello Darfur (Pinheira). YDD IS/VoA ID, but most of the Sudanese/Arabic program hammered by, well, hams (Dan Sheedy, Encinitas CA, SW Bulletin Feb 28 via DXLD) UNIDentified. Station with Arabic music was observed again on Feb 25: till 1231 on 9600 unknown (secret/hidden) site, poor to good signal http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/unidentified-station-with-arabic-music_25.html (DX RE MIX NEWS #941 from Georgi Bancov and Ivo Ivanov, Feb 29, 2016, via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 9674.5-USB, Feb 28 at 0050, INTRUDERS, 2-way in colloquial Spanish interjecting putas (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 9750-USB, Feb 28 at 0612, INTRUDERS, 2-way in Asian? tonal language, not Spanish. (9760 Japan is in already) (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 9877.30-USB, very poor 2-way in Spanish, INTRUDERS (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Big buzzy signal is slowly drifting downward; an ionosonde? Feb 25 at 1407 it crosses 11535; at 1410 past 11400, 1411 past 11375, 1412 past 11360, 1414 to 11345. It was slowing down, at first 45 kHz per minute, then 25, 15, only 7.5, approx. (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UNIDENTIFIED. NUMBERS STATION, S06s Russian Lady in "the heart" of 25 mb, Feb. 24: 0930-0936 on 11780 unknown transmitter site to Eu Russian in CUSB, powerful signal: http://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.bg/2016/02/numbers-station-s06s-russian-lady-in.html -- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, B`lgariya, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ ACKNOWLEDGED ON WORLD OF RADIO 1815: Thanks for all you do for Radio listening Worldwide, Glen[n]. I listen to you Wednesdays on WBCQ 7490 at 2200 UT/5:00PM East Coast time here in the Monticello IN USA. All the best! Ramsey with a contribution via PayPal to woradio at yahoo.com (James Reynolds) One may also contribute by check or MO in US funds on a US bank to P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702. As of early March that catches up with the contributions which peaked over the holidays, acknowledged on air spread out to one per week (gh) Programming Favourites on Shortwave Radio (and on the Internet) World of Radio: This popular program is one of the most comprehensive programs on SW listening in the world. Hosted weekly by premiere DXer Glenn Hauser, this 30-minute fact-filled informative show is heard on various stations throughout the week. In order to find out when and on what stations the program is being aired, go to the ODXA website and look under the Media Programs column for the current month. http://www.worldofradio.com is the home of both World of Radio and the DXLD (DX Listening Digest), and contains both current and past programs as well as a wealth of SW listening information. Glenn also posts his daily loggings on our ODXA Yahoo Group (Joe Robinson, BEGINNER'S CLASSROOM FOR March 2016, Ontario DX Association via DXLD) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ WORLD OF RADIO HITLIST UPDATE Hi Glenn, my latest Hitlist update. http://www.w4uvh.net/hitlist.htm 1) Angola - RNA: Added this station and link to live stream of International channel - thanks to Dave Kernick at intervalsignals.net 2) Argentina - RAE: Update link to English pages 3) Egypt - R Cairo: Added additional link to archived transmissions of N Am 2300 UT broadcast 4) India - AIR (new website): Update to link to Home page 5) Pakistan - R Pakistan: Update to links Home, Frequencies and on-demand pages 6) Serbia - R Serbia: Website is live but dormant and abandoned - note added to entry 7) Ukraine - R Ukraine Int: Update to links 8) USA - KNLS, Aaska: Updated link to Homepage and on-demand 9) Zanzibar - ZBC: Added this station with link to homepage Unless there's a major change anywhere, the next update will be end of March. Best wishes and 73 (Alan Roe, Feb 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Music on Shortwave B-15 (v3.1).pdf Description: I have updated my Music on Shortwave list for the current B15 period. I hope that you find it of interest. You can access this file at the URL [if you are a DXLD yg member]: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dxld/files/Music%20on%20Shortwave%20B-15%20%28v3.1%29.pdf (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, Feb 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) “LE COMMUNISME ET LES ONDES COURTES”. Some days ago France Inter presented history page of the radio; If you’re interested: http://www.franceinter.fr/emission-la-marche-de-lhistoire-le-communisme-sur-ondes-courtes Of course it’s in French, but you can hear nice audio records from the past (Christian Ghibaudo, Nice, France, DSWCI DX Window March 2 via DXLD) MARITIME UTILITY WEEKLY Radiosignaler fra Kystradiostasjoner, rigger, plattformer, ferger, supplybåter, marinefartøyer, kystvakt, fiskefartøyer, los, redningsbåter, og fyrtårn. Fones, telex, markers. «All Ships, all Ships…», Ship-to-Shore, Intership. 500 og 2182 kHz. Racal Hyperfix og Cubic Argo. Ett og annet mysterium. Dette er bare noen av fascinasjonene ved å dxe utilitystasjoner, og her gjelder det i hovedsak stasjoner relatert til sjøtrafikk. I dag publiserer jeg på min egen nettside de utgavene(1-19) som utkom fra 1987-1989 av dx-bulletinen «Maritime Utility Weekly»(MUW), senere «Maritime Utility Fortnightly»(MUF), startet og redigert av Geir Stokkeland , senere av Joachim Stiller(Stillers utgaver er ikke med i dette kompendiet). Bildet er av Saipems C6AD7 Scarabeo 5 under besøk her i havnen som høres av og til både med fone og NDB-tx. http://www.stellamaris.no/mufmuwpubl.pdf (Svenn Martinsen via DX-Listener's Club, Facebook, via SW Bulletin Feb 28 via DXLD) ------------------------ Tusen takk Svenn! Dette var andre halvdel av 80-tallet, en intens periode på frekvensområdene som er i fokus i disse sidene. Den kommer aldri tilbake. Et voldsomt antall rigger og plattformer var å høre åpent de årene. DX-området var og er nokså snevert, det var ikke mange som holdt på med dette (Geir Stokkeland via DX-Listener's Club, Facebook, ibid.) Maritime Utility Weekly Radio signals from Coast Stations, rigs, platforms, ferries, supply vessels, naval vessels, coast guard, fishing vessels, pilot, rescue boats and lighthouses. Fones, telex, markers. "All Ships, all Ships ..." Ship-to-Shore, Intership. 500 and 2182 kHz. Racal Hyperfix and Cubic Argo. One and another mystery. These are just some of the fascinations by DXing utility stations, and apply essentially to stations related to maritime traffic. Today I publish on my own website the editions (1-19), which were published from 1987 to 1989 by DX-bulletin "Maritime Utility Weekly" (MUW), later "Maritime Utility Fortnightly" (MUF), started and edited by Geir Stokkeland and later by Joachim Stiller (Stiller editions are not included in this compendium). The picture is of Saipem's Scarabeo C6AD7 5 during visits here in the harbor and which sometimes can be heard both in phone and as a NDB-transmitter http://www.stellamaris.no/mufmuwpubl.pdf (Svenn Martinsen via DX Listener's Club, Facebook, via SWB, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ------------------------ Thanks Svenn! This was in the second half of the 80s, an intense period of frequency ranges that are in focus in these pages. It never comes back. A profusely number of rigs and platforms were heard over those years. DX area was and is fairly narrow; there were not many people doing this (Geir Stokkeland via DX Listener's Club, Facebook, ibid.) MW OFFSET SPECTRUM DATABASE Hi, everyone. I'd like to introduce a new experimental site: The Medium Wave Offset Spectrum Database: Perseus Spec Capture My approach is to store the graphical spectrum in high resolution (RBW 0.12 Hz and less) around carrier frequencies, taking snapshots of all frequencies in the MW range, using remote Perseus receivers around the globe for comparison. The Perseus software has no interface to capture the spectrum. So I've copied and analyzed the V4/V5 GUI graphics, reading out the plot, automatically increasing in 9 or 10 kHz steps and calibrating afterwards. So what you see is not the original image but the spectrum derived from customized values stored in a database. It is combined with a basic night-time prediction and known offsets by FMSCAN / MWLIST. This is a project to grow and still very beta. But you can see the first results now. Please use the submit button every time you change location/frequency/time settings. If anyone is interested, I can publish the PHP-scripts before not too long. The scripts for capture procedure with offset analysis in live mode (up to Perseus Version 4) can be found here: http://radiovibrations.com/perseus/phpkit.htm It's running on localhost with Apache, and I'm not sure how it will behave in other systems. I've also posted this in the mwoffsets group but it might be of interest for all Perseus users. 73, (Peer-Axel, DL2LBP via Perseus_SDR, via SW Bulletin Feb 28 via DXLD) WORLD OF HOROLOGY +++++++++++++++++ DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME TIED TO BRIEF SPIKE IN STROKE RISK By Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter http://consumer.healthday.com/cardiovascular-health-information-20/misc-stroke-related-heart-news-360/daylight-saving-time-tied-to-brief-spike-in-stroke-risk-708514.html But overall increase was only 8 percent higher in the first two days after a clock change, researchers said MONDAY, Feb. 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Changing the clocks for daylight saving time may cause a short-lived spike in some people's risk of suffering a stroke, a preliminary study hints. Looking at a decade's worth of stroke data, Finnish researchers found that the national incidence of stroke tended to rise slightly over the two days following daylight saving time transitions -- whether the clocks were turned forward or back. The findings do not prove that daylight saving time is to blame. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine other factors that would explain such a specific pattern, said researcher Dr. Jori Ruuskanen, a neurologist at Turku University Hospital. Plus, he said, there is a known link between disruptions in the body's circadian rhythms and stroke risk. Circadian rhythms refer to the shifts in the body's biological processes that happen over 24 hours -- largely in response to light and darkness. Those rhythms can be thrown off in different ways, Ruuskanen said. Shift work and insomnia are two examples, he noted, and both have been tied to increased risks of health conditions, including stroke. Ruuskanen is scheduled to present the findings in April at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada. Research presented at meetings is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal. Dr. Andrew Lim is a neurologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, in Toronto, who studies sleep and circadian rhythms. He agreed that daylight saving time could plausibly affect stroke risk. "Sleep is associated with many physiological changes that are normally thought of as being relatively protective against stroke, like lower blood pressure," explained Lim, who was not involved in the new study. When sleep is disrupted, he said, there may also be shifts in those protective biological processes. For the study, Ruuskanen's team looked at Finnish stroke figures for the years 2004 to 2013. The investigators then compared just over 3,000 people who'd been hospitalized for an ischemic stroke during the week after a daylight saving transition with nearly 12,000 people who'd suffered a stroke in the two weeks before or after a transition week. Ischemic strokes are caused by a blood clot in an artery supplying the brain, and they account for 87 percent of all strokes, according to the American Stroke Association. Overall, the researchers found, stroke incidence was 8 percent higher during the first two days after a daylight saving transition. Adults older than 65 and people with cancer seemed particularly vulnerable: They were 20 percent to 25 percent more likely to have a stroke right after a daylight saving transition, versus the other time periods studied. Ruuskanen emphasized that the study found a small increase in strokes at the population level -- which means that for any one person, daylight saving time transitions would not have a big impact on stroke risk. And it's not that a clock change would trigger a stroke in someone who would otherwise have remained healthy. "This probably means that any 'extra' strokes occurring after the daylight saving change would otherwise have occurred some time later," Ruuskanen said. Lim agreed that the risk has to be kept in perspective. "In the big scheme of things, the increase in risk is small and transient," he said, "and the effect of other factors, such as managing blood pressure, is more important." That said, Lim added, some planning may help people minimize any sleep disruptions. "It may be generally helpful to adjust gradually to daylight saving time rather than all at once," he said. March 13 is the day when clocks spring forward an hour this year. So, people could try going to bed and waking up 15 minutes earlier than normal on the Thursday before, Lim said. On that Friday, bump that up to 30 minutes, and then aim for 45 minutes on that Saturday, he added. According to Ruuskanen, there is one way to prove whether daylight saving time truly contributes to strokes: "If we, in our country, abandoned daylight saving time and, in a follow-up of several years, saw that the small increase in stroke incidence disappears, it would make a strong argument that it actually is the clock change that raises stroke risk," he said. The American Stroke Association has more on stroke risk factors. SOURCES: Jori Ruuskanen, M.D., Ph.D., neurologist, University of Turku, Finland; Andrew Lim, M.D., staff neurologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, assistant professor, neurology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; April 15-21, 2016, presentation, American Academy of Neurology annual meeting, Vancouver, Canada Last Updated: Feb 29, 2016 Copyright (c) 2016 HealthDay. All rights reserved. (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) NOT JUST LOST SLEEP: CAN SWITCHING TO DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME KILL YOU? [LINK] Reporting from the frontiers of health and medicine http://www.statnews.com/2016/02/29/daylight-saving-time-deadly/ There is little proof that moving the clock ahead is causing cardiovascular events that wouldn't happen anyway. By Sharon Begley @sxbegle February 29, 2016 Gut Check is a periodic look at health claims made by studies, newsmakers, or conventional wisdom. We ask: Should you believe this? The Claim: The change to daylight saving time can kill you, or at least give some people heart attacks and strokes. The Background: Scientists have documented that messing with the body's circadian clock -- its brain-based timekeeper -- disrupts physiology. That's been shown most definitively with shift work, in which being awake when the sun and body say "night" and asleep when both say "day" increases the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. For instance, a study this month by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that day-night reversal increased blood pressure and raised levels of inflammatory molecules. But just because a 12-hour time shift can cause physiological effects that raise the risk of heart attacks and stroke -- as those changes do -- doesn't mean a measly one-hour change does. Still, there have been some hints of that. Read More: Do we really need eight solid hours of sleep at night? A 2013 study of nearly 1,000 patients at two Michigan hospitals compared admissions for heart attacks during the seven days after the move to daylight saving to the same days two weeks prior. In the study, which looked at data between 2006 and 2012, researchers found 17 percent more heart attacks after "springing ahead," with a 71 percent spike on the first day, Sunday. In fact, that one day accounted for almost all of the overall increase. It may seem surprising that people would be affected on Sunday, which for most is not a work day. But even partial sleep deprivation can increase levels of adrenaline and a related molecule that increases the risk of heart attack, said lead author Dr. Monica Jiddou-Patros, a cardiologist at William Beaumont Hospital. Emotional stress -- contemplating how badly you'll feel getting up for work on Monday when it feels like 6 a.m. but the infernal clock says 7 -- can make platelets aggregate and the blood more likely to coagulate, both of which can make arterial plaques rupture and trigger a heart attack. Other research has found a daylight-saving effect, too. In two Swedish studies, one in 2008 and one in 2012, the incidence of heart attacks was about 5 percent higher during the first week after clocks changed, mostly in the first three days afterward. A 2014 study confirmed these findings in a larger and more heterogeneous population. Combing through a multihospital database of 42,060 heart attacks requiring angioplasty from 2010 to 2013, researchers led by Dr. Hitinder Gurm of the University of Michigan found that the total number didn't change during the first week of DST. But the heart attacks seemed to shift forward. That is, back-to-work Monday after the time change brought 24 percent more heart attacks than usual, about 171 versus 110. But the rest of the week saw fewer than average. (Mondays generally see more heart attacks than other days -- again, likely due to stress -- but the post-DST Monday was even higher.) "It suggests that the switch to daylight saving makes vulnerable people have heart attacks sooner," possibly due to circadian rhythms being disrupted (even if you go to bed on "new time") and the stress of needing to adjust to rising earlier, Gurm said. "I don't know about other people, but I feel terrible on that Monday." First Take: A study presented on Monday at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology supports the idea that switching to daylight saving time pulls cardiovascular events forward, basically causing people who are on track for one to have it sooner rather than later. Analyzing a decade worth of strokes in Finland, scientists found a brief spike in the incidence of ischemic stroke (the most common kind, caused by a clot blocking blood flow in the brain) after the clocks are turned ahead compared to the week before. The rate was 8 percent higher during the first two days after setting the clocks ahead, Dr. Jori Ruuskanen of Finland's University of Turku and colleagues reported. But in people over 65, the incidence of stroke on those Sundays and Mondays was 20 percent higher. It returned to baseline in the following days, suggesting that people adjust to the time change quickly and that moving the clocks ahead caused few if any strokes that would not have happened anyway. Second Take: The association between moving to daylight saving time and severe cardiovascular events is the kind of question that is vulnerable to publication bias: researchers might be more likely to write up (and journals are more likely to publish) a study that finds a link than one that doesn't. Another concern is that the published studies so far, although large (thousands of strokes or heart attacks), have been on populations that might not be representative -- Swedes, Michiganders, Finns. Read More: These are the states where people get the best -- and worst -- sleep Ideally, scientists interested in the question would also study, say, residents of Hawaii and the parts of Arizona which are DST refus[e]niks; that would help rule out the possibility that something else about that period in March increases the incidence of heart attacks and strokes. It would also help to compare the effect of DST on working people to those who can sleep in, and on those who go to sleep at "old" time versus "new." The Takeaway: There is suggestive but not ironclad evidence that people who are at risk for heart attacks and strokes have a greater chance of having one in the days right after the clocks move ahead, but the risk to any individual is small, and it's unlikely that DST is causing cardiovascular events that would not have happened anyway. Sharon Begley can be reached at sharon.begley@statnews.com (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) IN DEFENCE OF DST One week from today, Daylight Saving [sic] Time, or what I would call 'normal time' returns to North America. The practise of DST takes a bashing every year on DXLD so I am writing in defence of the concept. As a Canadian Resident our hours of sunlight up here [and in Europe] are much less then our neighbours to the south in winter. I dread the end of DST. When it returns, I get up in the dark and get home very shortly before it gets dark again. Its like a veil of darkness has been drawn over the land. Four months of darkness lay ahead. Had the clocks stayed on normal time, at least in the evenings the sun would not set until 5 PM at the worst. It would leave some bit of daylight for those including me who have been at work all day. If I had my way, I would dump standard time. Stay on DST the year around. After all, we are only on standard time four months of the year. I think there is a way to solve this but it would take a lot of preparation and planning. Let`s all split the difference. Adjust the clocks by a 1/2 hour. So if we pick an arbitrary day in the future, say June 1st, all countries in the north hemisphere would move the clocks back a half hour. The would become the new top of the hour. Countries in the Southern hemisphere would move ahead a 1/2 hour. This too would be the new top of the hour. All other countries that do not change their clocks now, would need to move a 1/2 hour ahead or back to match up to the new top of the hour. It's a thought but then the clocks would not need to change twice a year. Thank you, George Bush for extending DST! (Andy Reid, March 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) DX-PEDITIONS ++++++++++++ GRAYLAND DXPEDITION - FEBRUARY 17-21, 2016 I was fortunate enough to get to the Grayland Motel & Cottages again last week. It was not at all clear that I would make it this year when my first attempt ended up landing some 15 miles from where it took off when smoke filled the cockpit of our Alaska Air flight just after take-off from Washington National Airport: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/smoke-in-cockpit-grounds-alaska-airlines-flight/ So, shorted two days at Grayland but spared something much worse I arrived on Wednesday, Feb. 17 to put up the usual ‘winter’ antenna - a 160’ DKAZ ‘facing’ ~290 degrees. In a hurry, the first night I suffered through not only ‘disturbed’ geomag conditions but a fixed 1 KOhm termination resistance [Rt]. On day 2 I replaced the fixed Rt with a Vactrol and about 500’ of CAT5 cable. With that I was able to get ~ 30dB nulls on Portland stations and ~ 25 dB nulls on Seattle stations — not bad considering neither is directly off-the-back of the antenna. Those are groundwave nulls and as anyone who uses a flag antenna will tell you those don’t hold up quite as well at night under the onslaught of varying arrival angle skywave. Nick Hall-Patch joined me on Thursday evening and we immediately put up a ALA100 phased array to compare. I believe Nick will tell you that he preferred the DKAZ except for some intermittent noise caused by a bad coax run of over 600’ — diagnosed and cured the last day of my visit. Nick got his famous ‘DX Fishbarrel’ program going from the Grayland Motel and it ran for most of the next couple of days. It was impressive to see the signal levels from Grayland as compared to his home QTH in Victoria, BC. Made it kind of hard to leave … … but leave we did on Saturday for what turned out to be an extended drive back to Seattle for a chance to meet with other DXers. Taking very different alternative routes Nick and I managed to find our way to the gathering spot and enjoyed a good rag-chew with fellow west coast DXers. Oh yes, the cause of our alternative routes? http://komonews.com/news/local/officer-involved-shooting-follows-high-speed-chase-in-lakewood Nick continued on home after the gathering and I returned for one more night at Grayland. I’m still going thru wav files but you can see the fruits of our efforts so far and come back over the next few weeks to see more appear at this web page: http://realmonitor.com/am_logs_grayland13.php I can hardly wait to get back to Grayland again! (Bill Whitacre, Alexandria, VA, Feb 25, NRC-AM via DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DTV See also MEXICO; OKLAHOMA ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SOME VIEWERS RISK LOSING PBS BROADCASTS AFTER FCC AUCTION http://www.wsj.com/articles/some-viewers-risk-losing-pbs-broadcasts-after-fcc-auction-1456429994 Free over-the-air access to shows like `Downton Abbey,' `Sesame Street' has potential to disappear in pockets of U.S. PBS estimates that about 20% of the audience for its prime-time fare, such as `Downton Abbey,' watches via over-the-air broadcasts. Photo: Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2015 for MASTERPIECE By Thomas Gryta Feb. 25, 2016 2:53 p.m. ET Local PBS stations could pull in hundreds of millions of dollars this year by selling their airwaves to the federal government, raising worries that pockets of the U.S. could lose their access to "Downton Abbey," "Sesame Street" and other free PBS broadcasts. The Federal Communications Commission is poised to buy broadcast licenses from local TV stations, aiming to free up airwaves and resell them to wireless providers like AT&T Inc. T 0.73 % and Verizon Communications Inc., VZ 0.57 % which are working to keep up with booming demand for bandwidth. Major station owners, including CBS Corp. CBS.A -0.77 %, have agreed to participate in the FCC auction. So have some of the nation's roughly 350 public-TV stations, whose broadcasts currently cover about 99% of the U.S. population. It isn't clear just how many stations have signed on, because the process is confidential under FCC rules. The stations that sell their airwaves could go off the air, potentially redrawing the map for public television and its audience. The Public Broadcasting Service, which produces programming for its independent member stations, has little say in the matter, and won't get any of the sales proceeds. Public-TV advocates fear the auction will deprive some Americans of their free access to noncommercial television. "We've been concerned about that for quite a while, and still don't have a good handle on what our exposure is there," said Patrick Butler, president of the Association of Public Television Stations, referring to the possibility that somes stations could leave the air. PBS estimates that about 20% of its prime-time viewers watch over-the-air broadcasts, with the bulk watching on pay television. Its supporters are especially worried about access to commercial-free children's programming, including such popular educational shows as "Sesame Street" and "Super Why!." PBS says children 2 to 8 years old watch it three times as much as they watch other broadcast channels. A spokesman for the FCC said the agency believes only a small number of communities, if any, would be left without over-the-air public broadcasting. He said the FCC will address any service losses in any such communities on a case-by-case basis, and could designate a new channel for noncommercial use in those markets. Almost 2,000 broadcasters nationwide were eligible to apply to participate in the FCC's auction, but the FCC isn't disclosing how many did so. As part of the auction process, which kicks off at the end of March, the FCC will progressively lower its opening bids, seeking to secure as much spectrum as it wants at the lowest possible cost. Along the way, some stations are expected to drop out, and prices are likely to fall well below the opening bids. But for public broadcasters, even the reduced payouts could be significant. The PBS station in San Bernardino, Calif. drew an opening bid of $628 million, which would cover its annual budget for nearly 90 years. The station, KVCR, owned by the San Bernardino Community College District, said its options include going off the air, but it declined to comment on its plans, citing FCC rules. For PBS stations, a decision to sell wouldn't be without risk. Any that cease broadcasting would no longer qualify for PBS membership. Those that choose to continue could accept a lower bid in exchange for the FCC assigning them to a new, less-powerful frequency, or could arrange to share a frequency with another channel. Still, an auction jackpot could complicate their fund-raising efforts by making it tougher to get donors to stay active, or giving Congress cover to cut off funding for public television. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which gets about $450 million a year from the federal government and doled out about $224 million to PBS stations in fiscal 2015, says a windfall from the FCC would "have a negative effect on federal and state funding." The CPB also said it would threaten the "continued support of members, donors and underwriters," which supply the bulk of funding these stations. Getting donors to keep writing checks could be tricky. Adrian Sargeant, professor of fundraising at Britain's Plymouth University, says that establishing a clear need for funds is a key component of getting people to give. "Even big organizations like Harvard would still say they have a need," he said. "The need is on a different level but it is still there." A third of the nation's public broadcasting licenses are owned by universities, which could use proceeds from the auction elsewhere in their budgets. Howard University, in Washington, put its station, WHUT in the auction. The station drew an opening bid of $460 million. Howard University said it is keeping its options open, including taking the station off the air. The station said it wouldn't provide any updates on its status until the FCC announces its auction results. Bowling Green University said it will try to sell the spectrum held by its PBS member station without going off the air. Michigan State University took a firm stance in declaring that it wouldn't sell, following public opposition to the possibility of its station leaving the air. The university said it now views public broadcasting's "role at the university, and for the state, in a new way." FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said last month that "it is safe to say that you are going to see a spectrum extravaganza." (WSJ via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ATSC 3.0 compatible with current ATSC? On 02/24/2016 09:06 AM, Kenneth V Zichi, J.D. wrote: ```the same time they are broadcasting 3.0? Is there an article somewhere (or a specification?) available to the public that can explain this? Inquiring minds want to know! :)`` No, ATSC 3.0 is not backward compatible. I think the point of the article was that some of ATSC 3's multiple transmission modes have the same coverage area and can transmit the same amount of data as ATSC 1.0. Other modes have less service area (but transmit more data) or more service area. (but transmit less data) It is NOT possible to transmit ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 1.0 on the same frequency at the same time. The most important difference is in the modulation mode -- the way the data is placed on RF signals. ATSC 1.0: 8VSB. There is a *single* RF carrier. The strength of that carrier is varied, depending on the data. There are eight possible values. (hence, "8"VSB) ATSC 3.0: COFDM. There are thousands of RF carriers. Possibly as many as 32,000. The data is split, some of it transmitted on each carrier. The idea is that hundreds of these carriers can be clobbered by noise/interference/ghosting but enough will arrive intact to deliver a viewable signal. == (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, Feb 24, WTFDA gg via DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM See also INDIA; NEW ZEALAND ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Re: [dxld] INDIA: AIR Raagam (Music Channel) Would you say it approaches hi-fi quality? How about stereo -- is there a way to configure DRM to do that? Glenn Glenn, I've been listening to DRM via shortwave now for nearly eighteen months. My feeling right now is that it is an excellent way to distribute audio within regions (say, up to 3000 or 4000 km), but it will probably never work as well as normal AM mode at greater distances. It's an all-or-nothing system, meaning that when the signal-to-noise ratio drops below a certain level, the audio disappears altogether. So you are either getting "perfect" audio or, when the signal drops, you are getting nothing until the signal rebounds. At long distances, a wavey, hissy AM signal is far better than a choppy DRM. The noise that degrades DRM is all the usual suspects: atmospheric noise, jammers, local electrical noise, OTH chirps, and everything else between them; there is no easy getting around that stuff. I can listen to most AM stations with just on-board whip antennas but I find I can receive the DRM unbroken only with an external wire. When the DRM signal is perfect, as it can be at medium distances and for lucky listeners at greater distances (I often listen in Newfoundland to perfect transmissions from All-India Radio in my afternoons), the sound is very good. The DRM consortium uses the term "near-FM quality" to describe its audio, but this is questionable especially when applied to shortwave DRM (in contrast to MW DRM, or on other local bands). Most current SW DRM broadcasters have not thought through good EQ practices for their DRM broadcasts yet and, as a result, the audio quality is variable, usually from very poor (Nigeria) to fair (AIR, though it is sometimes good). Occasionally the audio is regularly good (the Babcock transmissions and, to my mind, RRI) but I have never heard on shortwave what I would consider near-FM quality DRM audio. What one person thinks is "near-FM quality" may to someone else be just free of the buzzes, chirps, waves, and general audio noise that we come to expect on the SW bands from years of listening to AM receivers. But at the same time, despite being "noise-free," the DRM audio may sound hugely compressed and chopped. Being a digital signal, it has a designated and limited audio bandwidth; typically this seems to be from about 50 or 100 Hz to somewhere between 6 and 9 kHz. Compared to the analogue audio that an AM transmitter puts out, this can sound really restricted. I have compared the AIR DRM signal on 7550 kHz to the AIR AM signal on 9445 kHz and, to my ear, the unbroken-up DRM sounds more listenable, but the AM signal -- when strong -- is certainly transmitting better quality high treble (say, the range above 4000 Hz). When the DRM starts breaking up from low S/N, there is no question that the AM is better -- it is all there! The stereo deal is this: a broadcaster can easily send two channels. They can be Left and Right if they want. Or they can be two separate feeds. The latter is what AIR has been doing. The DRM codecs allow for more than two channels but when AIR tested a third channel a month or two ago, people like me were unable to decode *any* of their signal because that extra channel seemed to decrease the overall S/N ratio to a point below decodability. They gave it up after a day or two. To my mind, a station would be very foolish to regularly waste bandwidth by transmitting in stereo. I would rather they increased audio frequency response, or offered two separate channels, than do stereo tricks. Despite all this eyes-open criticism, I *like* DRM and think that, with the right marketing of receivers, it can serve a very good function in local and regional markets. It will never displace AM modulation for distant broadcasting, and probably not even for local and regional broadcasting. But it can certainly fill a niche, one that allows for multiplex transmissions (besides two or three audio channels, text channels can also be included). I would really like to see some more regional broadcasters start testing it: Radio Havana Cuba for instance would be an ideal user of DRM (despite Arnie Coro's dissing it a month or two ago -- for good reasons related to drop- out). I regularly listen to the music channels of AIR, Vividh Bharati and now Raagam, and have even used it live as dinner party music! The sound is indeed quite good but it will never compete with local FM radio in the audio quality (Philip Hiscock, Nfld., March 2, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Many tnx, Philip. Glad my brief query led to such an in-depth reply (gh) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DAB ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SWEDEN NIXES FM SHUT-OFF Radio Survivor By Paul Riismandel February 25, 2016 http://www.radiosurvivor.com/2016/02/25/sweden-nixes-fm-shut-off/ Back in April of last year news headlines across tech and news sites screamed that Norway was about to turn off all FM transmitters. The reality, of course, is a bit more complex–only 23 stations in the three biggest cities will turn off their analog signals in 2017, while some 200 FM stations outside this area have a longer lease on life. At the same time there were rumblings that Sweden was also mulling its own analog to digital transition. However, it looks like the Swedes are going to wait and watch how it goes with its Nordic neighbor’s FM switch-off before moving forward with any plan of its own. Earlier this month the Swedish parliament officially ended any digital radio transition, following the recommendation of the Auditor General. Note that breathless headlines (in English) have not followed that bit of news. The plan in Norway is eventually to move all FM broadcasters to what is known as DAB, a digital radio broadcast system that uses a different set of frequencies than analog radio. DAB broadcasts have been available in 30 countries beginning in 2001, with Europe home to the most stations. Still, Norway likely will remain an outlier when it begins its digital transition next year. Several other countries, including Germany, France and the UK, have entertained proposals to transition fully from FM to DAB, but these plans are also up in the air. Nevertheless, this hesitancy to sunset analog radio doesn’t mean that DAB digital radio is dead on arrival. As John Anderson reports, digital radio adoption in Europe continues to grow, according to the European Broadcasting Union. Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and the UK lead the way. While these top countries are just cresting a 50% adoption rate amongst radio listeners, this far outpaces digital radio in the US, where we are saddled with the very different HD Radio system that squeezes digital signals onto the analog dial. As a result a Norwegian-style analog radio turn-off appears far away. Exhibit A is that last fall the FCC chose not to implement proposals to “revitalize” the AM dial by authorizing all-digital broadcasts in that band. Chance missed. I have no particular grudge against digital radio, though I do wish the US had implemented the technically superior DAB system instead of HD Radio. But I continue to be an advocate of analog broadcasting because it is simple, robust, proven and has yet to be actually surpassed by digital in terms of quality or reach. There may come a day when digital broadcast or mobile internet technologies are ready to offer the kind of nearly infallible service–especially in times of emergency or disaster–that analog radio has for nearly 100 years. But until then, I vote for analog. Posted by: (Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Too complex presumably for Paul Riismandel to do an internet search when he is writing articles his personal blog and expecting to be taken seriously which would tell him that all national stations are leaving FM as well. The only ones remaining are community and small local stations, not the stations that have by far the largest audiences. Norway | Country Information | WorldDAB https://www.worlddab.org/country-information/norway (Mike Barraclough, ibid.) Paul Riismandel needs to make up his mind. In one part of the blog post you posted (thanks Mike Terry!) he says he is a fan of analog radio because it is "simple, robust, proven and has yet to be actually surpassed by digital in terms of quality or reach" He's right about that in my opinion. In another part of the article however, he laments that the FCC failed to 'revitalize' AM by requiring it shift to 'all digital'. What the pooch? Seriously, how are those two statements compatible? How do you 'revitalize' something by forcing it to use a complex, fragile, unproven and inferior (in terms of quality or reach) technology? Remember, those were HIS words! This is a lot like saying "I'm going to improve your driving experience by adding technology that looks pretty, but randomly causes the car to stop working". (Any similarity between that statement and what is actually happening with 'infotainment' systems in cars is purely intentional.) I am still confused at how 'digital is better' is a thing. EVERY digital broadcast system I've seen is fraught with issues that the analog system it replaced lacked. Yes, digital video LOOKS better when it is in well, but the 'failure modes' of digital broadcasting are far inferior to analog, and those of us in the real world appreciate that sometimes things fail. A system that assumes everything will always work perfectly in 'real world' propagation is not compatible with the real world! What I've yet to see and can't experience first hand because I haven't traveled to Europe recently is how DAB compares to IBOC or ATSC. Can anyone who's been there shed some light on this? Does it work as well as AM/FM/LW? Or is it like ATSC that provides far worse coverage and reliability than the NTSC video it replaced? Is it improving like AM and FM improved over time? I'm curious to hear the opinions of someone who is not employed by or in bed with iBiquity or one of the other digital radio companies who has experience with this! Specifically I'm curious why this has to be a 'replacement' discussion? Did FM "replace" AM? Did TV "replace" radio? Did movies "replace" live stage productions? Did radio "replace" newspapers? For that matter, did Rock n Roll "replace" folk music? I'm confused. Different media serve different needs, audiences and desires -- or is that too obvious? Or am I missing something? 73 //Ken -- (Kenneth V Zichi Radioguy73@gmail.com D<== I'm not with stupid ==> R ibid.) In fact a google search would show Paul Riisemandel that DAB coverage in Norway is higher than FM and it carries 22 national channels rather than 5. The mountainous nature of Norway's terrain makes DAB a much better solution than FM which suffers from multipath, which DAB eliminates, you need fewer transmitters and can broadcast a greater number of channels from one transmitter and have a single frequency network. That's a major reason Switzerland is also using going ahead with DAB for terrestrial broadcasting (Mike Barraclough, ibid.) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ RE KXEL PETITION TO SAVE AM RADIO: That's part of the FCC AM upgrade, they are talking about letting stations in the protected area of Class A and Class B 50's to run at night. Nothing about reducing power (Jerry Kiefer, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Frankly, most programming is syndicated today and a check of this station's schedule shows that the same programming broadcast on KXEL can most likely be heard on a station more local to the listener. For example, Jim Bohannon -- on weekdays from 9 to midnight when sky wave reception is possible -- can be heard on a station in or closer to nearly every market. If KXEL had programming that actually reflected at least some of whatever unique features its location in Iowa possesses, then protecting its clear channel signal might have some merit. But, sadly, no. A perfunctory newscast with a couple of local news items and the weather forecast isn't enough justification for giving this or any other station free rein over half the continent. Conserve the electricity. Just one man's opinion (John Figliozzi, Sarasota, FL, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) John, Bad example. I wish we could bear Jimbo on a loud & clear station or a near-local. Which KXEL is not, a flattened cardioid with deep null to the south. In fact, I wasn`t even aware they had him on. IMO, Bohannon does not get good nationwide coverage --- mostly on minor stations for the live broadcast. After all, he`s not a far-right wacko. About the best we can hope for is KSL on the playback after midnight. I would not look at this petition as supporting KXEL in particular (after all they also Rush in the daytime at least), but against the idea of cramming even more night signals into ``protected`` clear areas, surely a bad idea when the AM band ought to be thinned out! (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK (where years ago Jimbo was on local KGWA 960), dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn - I didn’t check to see if you could get Bohannon, but I did to see if he could and he can: KDKA Pittsburgh, which is not hard to copy from Columbus, OH. Having said that, I agree that the frequency allocation process is a mess, mostly because it is driven solely by commercial considerations instead of some semblance of a rational service plan. P.S.: Can’t hear Jimbo here in Sarasota either… 73 (John Figliozzi, FL, ibid.) My comments on the KXEL petition: Response to KXEL petition - 02.26.2014. In addition to the above, I submit that in a national emergency the high power stations would provide needed dissemination of information within its day and night coverage areas and provide redundancy should that be needed! Low power and FM stations would be much less capable of providing the public's interest, convenience, and necessity. Further, with the heightened concerns about national security to limit available, operating, and viable communications systems operating within the law seems at best foolhardy! In terms of rapid emergency or even, God forbid, catastrophic periods the high power stations would be a more immediate and possibly coordinated communications facility. Many ground stations would be much more difficult to sabotage than concentrated systems such as cable and satellites. And remember the proven reliability and simplicity of the A. M. systems and wireless communications in general (Tom E. H. Gruis, Ed. D. K0HTF, Feb 26, IRCA via DXLD) Here's my response: I’m all for the changes… And I’m a DXer and broadcaster!! Who cares about WGY in Boston or Pittsburgh? Who cares about KDKA in Cincinatti [sic] or NYC? Reduce Class A Stations` protection down from 750 miles to 300 miles and be done with it. Most people, if they really wanna listen to WGY or KDKA from far away listen online. The only people this 750 mile rule really help are DXers and the few distant distant listeners who don’t have Internet. Why service a few at the sacrifice and cost of many? Allow small stations night power or more night power to provide local programming (Paul Walker, AK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Paul, While generally I respect your positions, I have to disagree on this one. The Class A stations provide vital service to audiences who are isolated from population centers. If you travel much in the Western US, and even parts of the East, you’ll find there are more of these areas than some would believe. More importantly, during regional emergencies, Class A stations offer perhaps the only communication link that is wide-reaching, infrastructure independent, and reliable. During Hurricanes Katrina, and Rita as well as Superstorm Sandy, I witnessed this first hand. We sheltered evacuees from New Orleans in our neighborhood in advance of Katrina, and by listening to WLW, they were able to get breaking news about their neighborhoods. For days, it was literally the only reliable source of information about the disaster. Saw this repeat again in Washington, DC during Sandy, as people evacuated from New Jersey—and relied on the Class A’s in the Northeast to get reliable information after cellular networks, the Internet, and other links had failed. If anything, I think the FCC should consider more protection for the Class A stations. 73, (Les Rayburn, N1LF, 121 Mayfair Park, Maylene, AL EM63nf, NRC AM via DXLD) More protection? Why?? Most of these isolated population centers have local or semi local stations these days. And stations like KCHE Cherokee IA, or KNLV Ord Nebraska or KBRX O`Neill Nebraska do an excellent job serving their local communities. No one in central Nebraska is going to tune to KXEL 1540 for emergency information. (Paul Walker, dxldyg via DXLD) Let’s say that you had a terrorist attack where a nuclear weapon was exploded in Chicago. (God forbid) Not only would the destruction be almost unimaginable, but the damage to our communications infrastructure would be widespread and severe. In cities as far away as LA, Miami, and New York, cellular communications networks would be overloaded with people trying to call loved ones, gossip about the attack, or just complain that their favorite show wasn’t on because of all the news coverage. The EMP effects of the blast and damage to Internet backbones would cause widespread outages. Power outages across a lot the Midwest would be common. In this chaotic environment, the motto “Keep it Simple Stupid” would prevail. Every vehicle in the Midwest, including those that might not be able to be moved would still have radios—and a lot those radios would work. AM Radio, especially at night would be able to bring in vital information that would be lifesaving to survivors. In this fictional example, stations like KMOX or WSM would be critical conduits of news from outside the affected area. Here in the South, we’ve seen first hand the impact of the conversion of television from analog to digital. During severe weather season, most of us here depend on television as our primary source of information regarding the weather. Without the benefit of portable, battery powered televisions, access to this vital information has been hard to come by — especially in the wake of tornadoes such as the ones that hit Tuscaloosa in 2011. Hardest hit were the poor, who relied on over-the-air TV for this information, and digital TV doesn’t work nearly as well. Analog isn’t always “crystal clear” but in an environment where you’re seeking timely information, a snowy picture with lifesaving information is much better than no picture at all. Corporate owned and controlled radio has been virtually useless in severe weather coverage. Satellite fed programming, with virtually no local staffing. FM radio is a source of literally zero information during most local emergencies. That’s all thanks to deregulation and corporate greed. AM radio’s future may well depend on being local, community oriented, and staffed. The best examples in that regard are found at opposite ends of the spectrum. The Class A stations and the class C stations. They generally provide the best of local news, coverage, and staffed stations. Big, regional disasters are rare—thankfully. But they do happen. There is something to be said for keeping reliable communication outlets in place, even for just these black swan events. Amateur radio has proven it’s value time and again when more modern systems have failed. The same can be said for AM radio — especially the clear channel stations at night. 73, (Les Rayburn, N1LF, 121 Mayfair Park, Maylene, AL EM63nf, NRC-AM via DXLD) I'm about 25 miles southwest of NYC, in the metropolitan area, and there are only about 7 local AMs really listenable at night. However, there are probably twice that in skywave 50 kW that put in a dependable, listenable signal. I would really hate to see the AM band deteriorate into one, big unlistenable jumble. Although you can argue that almost all those 50 kW carry C2C anyway (Joe Fela/So. Plainfield, N.J., amfmtvdx at qth.net via DXLD) NOW IT`S WLW PETITION TO SAVE NIGHTTIME AM http://www.700wlw.com/features/save-am-radio-1919/ discussion of alternatives: http://www.700wlw.com/onair/bill-cunningham-235/save-am-radio-petition-learn-more-14424190/ (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) Anyone know anything about these proposed FCC rules that would require Class A signal stations like WLW to reduce power at night? Seems like this would not be fair to these high powered signals like WLW who are 50 kW day and night. Anyway they are now promoting this petition on Mike McConnell’s show and Steve Sommers show. http://www.700wlw.com/onair/bill-cunningham-235/save-am-radio-petition-learn-more-14424190/ (microbob, Participant, Feb 26, radioinsight via Bigley, Feb 26, DXLD) What about listening in the car? Isn't a lot of radio listening done that way these days? And, no, I don't want to use my cell phone to listen to radio in the car. I fondly recall long nighttime drives when we would spin the AM dial to listen to the content of distant stations -- not for DXing -- but just to keep awake. ;-) Yes, some of us have satellite radio in our vehicles but much of it is crap. They did away with BBC Radio 1 (I listened to Chris Moyles' breakfast show while he was there until Sirius axed them; he resurfaced recently on Radio X but I have to content myself with podcasts). Also they cut World Radio Network. I still have satellite radio but mainly just for the BBC World Service. Kind of expensive just for that. But I digress. -- ((Prof.) Richard Langley, UNB, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Do we really need 50k stations at all anymore? Maybe drop them down to 20k day and 10k or less at night. The San Francisco 50k stations cover far more than they need to. Do I really need to hear KCBS in Fresno in the daytime? Thanks (Derek Vincent, 26 Feb, IRCA via DXLD) Small stations... night power... local programming? That's an oxymoron times two! Heck, even major-market stations at night are simply tx's of packaged feeds with advertising inserted by a computer. How many 'small' stations even have a local news department? The old idea of full-service programming went out the window years ago (Theo Donnelly, Burnaby, BC, ibid.) Sorry, but I have to disagree. Listen to KMOX, KDKA, WLW, and other 1_A’s at night Some of them are all news, and most of it is local. Adding more stations to the AM band is not the answer. Reducing the number of stations, or allowing economic forces to reduce them is part of the solution. Manipulating power levels, adding stations, and other failed experiments by the FCC have all hurt the band. Why isn’t IBOC eliminated from the band immediately? There is practically zero listenership, it generates a lot of interference, and has proven to be technically unfeasible. The answer is that manufacturers and business in general have WAY WAY WAY too much influence over what is supposed to be a regulatory agency. The FCC is little more than a corporate shill at the moment. Look no further than all the cheap Part 15 switching power supplies in your house for the proof. It’s past time that we start holding these federal employees to task. Their job is to protect the rights of the American public, not that of commercial manufacturers. 73, (Les Rayburn, N1LF, 121 Mayfair Park, Maylene, AL EM63nf, ibid.) As a practical matter, that 'solution' wouldn't really help anybody because it doesn't alter the facts of propagation. Whatever new stations were added to the current 1_A frequencies would - as many of their predecessors have - suffer significant interference from the higher powered stations (Russ Edmunds, 15 mi NW Phila, Grid FN20id, ibid.) ``Who cares about WGY in Boston or Pittsburgh? Who cares about KDKA in Cincinatti or NYC?`` That's not the real issue. The issue is who cares about WGY in Albany or about KDKA in Pittsburgh. These 50 kW stations are the *only* AMs at this point that reach even a significant majority of their markets after dark or during critical hours. Reduce the protection they now enjoy from incoming interference (or worse yet, reduce their power) and now those stations, too, fall beneath the noise floor for listeners *within* their own markets. You can't magically add new RF to clean AM channels somewhere *outside* a market without causing new interference *within* that market. Every attempt to cram new signals into the MW spectrum over the last 70 years has been testament to that truth. As it stands, there are already entire markets - DC, for instance, Houston, Miami, among others - in which there is not even one AM station that can be clearly heard across the entire market. Eliminating more protection would only make that situation worse. It's a recipe for killing off the last remaining big-market AMs that actually draw listeners and make money. I wrote about this at great length in my original comments on the FCC rulemaking from which this current proposal derives: http://www.fybush.com/nerw-extra-our-am-improvement-filing/ s (Scott Fybush, NY, ibid.) There is no reason whatsoever that KXEL needs to have their signal blasting into the east coast at night. When I was working at WPTR in Albany, NY in the 1970s (also on 1540) KXEL's came in so strongly at night that I could see our towers from 3 miles to the south in Guilderland and hear KXEL wiping us out. Our pattern was extremely tight to the south (protecting the Bahamas) and the west (protecting KXEL) that our signal in many local areas was useless, even with 50 KW. Of course, the other side of the coin was that you could hear WPTR throughout New England and eastern Canada at night - also a waste of RF. The only solution to all of these problems is for MOST class A stations to power down at night. It would make more sense overall to lower the power of the "big boys" at night to improve local coverage of other stations on class A channels than to have everyone else boost power --- which would only make things worse. It would also make sense, however, to maintain a few high power class A's at night to provide wide area coverage - especially in emergencies. Perhaps even allow them to go superpower, while moving other stations off of those frequencies. Such stations as WBZ, WABC, KDKA, WLS, WLW, WSM, KOA, etc. could serve this purpose well (René Tetro, WNTP-WFIL Philadelphia, ibid.) I should have mentioned that I have about 40 years in broadcasting, AM, FM, TV. KLGZ (1600 AM) in Algona, Iowa does a marvelous job too. BUT it is very local! Storms and situations move and change. Many of the high power stations are, or course, directional and even with that they cover very much area. Of course no one in central Nebraska is going to tune to KXEL, especially since that is in more or less in one of its nulls. That would be silly. KRVN is a great station, albeit that their night pattern covers only the SW portion of Nebraska. No one in Algona or Des Moines or Waterloo would tune to KRVN either. There are many stations all over the place but there are many places not as well served. However – what in an emergency? Here in Algona – the one in Iowa – night reception of A. M. is somewhat difficult but possible. There are still many people in rural areas and there is much travel and many travelers in remote areas. ==> My position is not specifically for KXEL in particular nor was I proposing “more protection.” Distant reception may or not be useful much of the time – BUT – in some crisis situation it can at least be a back-up plan! I will confess to some sense of anxiety over the current state of our national security (Tom Gruis, ibid.) Even looking at the GY channels today, many are satellite fed without local news - or much of any news for that matter. As Les points out, the large stations in large metros have the news coverage. Of the smaller local stations, it's mostly those which are fulltime and are in a market where there's very few stations. There, local radio isn't a lot different from what those of us over a certain age can remember being much more prevalent. I also agree that most of what's wrong with AM today is a result of prior bad management by the FCC in response to the demands of large group station owners have steadily increased the numbers of stations on all of the channels, resulting not in more quality (whether of the actual sound or of the content) but rather more interference. Raising the powers at night from 250 to 1000 watts on the GY channels only increased mutual interference because everybody got to increase. AM has its limitations, but it also has strengths. Unfortunately nearly everything the FCC has done with AM over the past 40 years has made AM less viable. More is definitely not always better (Russ Edmunds, 15 mi NW Phila Grid FN20id, ibid.) If 50 kW stations are sometimes even a challenge to hear in steel buildings in/near city centers or are challenged by wall-warts, lighting fixtures, etc. in the average home, then how is dropping to 10 kW going to help? Just because the signal goes hundreds of miles when listening on a good car radio at a site not near power lines and buildings, 30-50 miles of usable coverage might be more like the situation in "real world" listening. AM stations may actually need to be running more power than less in the modern world of RF noise. And do we really need more AM stations when many existing ones are going belly up? The other play, of course, would be a digital-format band in the VHF or UHF region. DAB and similar are being tried in Europe but not exactly with resounding success. I'd rather have a few AM stations with quality locally-aware programming than a bunch of half-baked satellite programming relays. Run enough power to get into typical home, office, and car environments without the accompanying hiss, squeaks, and squawks from every electro-gizmo within 500 ft (Mark Connelly, WA1ION, South Yarmouth, MA, ibid.) Very well stated, Mark. I agree with Mr. Connelly's position 100%. (Marc DeLorenzo, South Dennis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, ibid.) EU INITIATIVE INVID: IN VIDEO VERITAS? http://www.dw.com/en/eu-initiative-invid-in-video-veritas/a-19042573 As part of a co-funded EU project, an international research group including DW experts has started a three-year "Innovation Action" to detect fake user-generated videos (UGV) and eliminate them from news reports. The InVID initiative (In Video Veritas – Verification of Social Media Video Content for the News Industry) will create a platform providing services to identify news-relevant videos on social networks, to verify the content and to clarify usage rights. UGV can be extremely valuable for news services, as they often provide the very first images of a dramatic event or a crisis area. However, they can irrevocably destroy the reputation of a news service if they prove to be manipulated or falsified. Within media organizations, attempts to verify UGV content consume a large amount of resources. InVID aims to automate most of these steps to speed up and facilitate the process for professional journalists. On the future platform, topics that represent breaking news on social media will be identified. Videos being uploaded and shared about these topics on social networks will then be found, indexed, temporally fragmented and annotated based on their content. Based on the annotations and metadata, which include information about the user, location and time of recording, it will be possible to carry out an initial ranking of the videos. The subsequent verification process will focus on videos that are likely to be relevant and reliable. The existing verification process relies on individual human assessment rather than objectively quantifiable criteria. Those responsible for content authenticity must establish whether the time and location of the event portrayed in the video appear plausible, that the video material was not manipulated or previously published, and that the metadata are correct. They also have to find out who recorded the video, whether this person can be contacted, whether similar images of the same event are available online, and the extent to which the event is already being discussed on social media. About InVID: InVID (In Video Veritas – Verification of Social Media Video Content for the News Industry) is an Innovation Action that has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 687786. InVID started in January 2016 and will run until December 2018. Its goal is to build a platform providing services to detect, authenticate and check the reliability and accuracy of newsworthy video files and video content spread via social media. The project is coordinated by CERTH (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Greece), and the consortium's partners are MODUL Technology GmbH (Austria), Universitat de Lleida (Spain), EXO MAKINA (France), webLyzard technology GmbH (Austria), Condat AG (Germany), APA-IT Informations Technologie GmbH (Austria), Agence France Presse (France), and Deutsche Welle (Germany). For more information see http://www.invid-project.eu (via Dr Hansjoerg Biener, Feb 25, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ :Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts :Issued: 2016 Feb 29 0233 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/weekly.html # # Weekly Highlights and Forecasts # Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 22 - 28 February 2016 Solar activity reached low levels with only C-class flare activity observed this period. Region 2506 (S05, L=224, class/area=110/Dai o 28 Feb) was responsible for nearly all flare activity this period including three low-level C-class flares, the largest of which was a C3/Sf flare at 0500 UTC on 27 Feb. A filament eruption centered near S16E19 (vicinity of Region 2506) was observed in SDO/AIA imagery between 0030-0130 UTC on 18 Feb but no associated coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed in LASCO coronagraph imagery suggesting the bulk of the plasma was reabsorbed. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed this period. No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels on 22-24 and 28 Feb with moderate levels observed throughout the remainder of the period. Geomagnetic field activity briefly reached unsettled levels on 23-24 and 26 Feb with quiet conditions observed throughout the remainder of the period under a nominal solar wind regime. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 29 FEBRUARY - 26 MARCH 2016 Solar activity is expected to be very low with a chance for C-class flares on 29 Feb and 15-26 Mar. Solar activity is expected to increase to low levels with a chance for M-class flares (R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) Radio Blackouts) on 01-14 Mar due to the return of old Region 2497 (N12, L=240) which produced four M-class flares last rotation. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit barring any significant flare activity. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels on 15-22 Mar, moderate levels on 04-05, 07-08, 13-14, and 23-26 Mar, and at normal levels for the remainder of the period. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels on 14-16 Mar and active levels on 01, 06, and 17 Mar due to the effects of multiple recurrent coronal hole high speed streams (CH HSSs). Quiet or quiet to unsettled geomagnetic field conditions under a nominal solar wind regime are expected for the remainder of the period. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2016 Feb 29 0233 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 2016-02-29 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2016 Feb 29 95 5 2 2016 Mar 01 105 15 4 2016 Mar 02 110 12 3 2016 Mar 03 115 10 3 2016 Mar 04 115 10 3 2016 Mar 05 110 8 3 2016 Mar 06 110 15 4 2016 Mar 07 105 10 3 2016 Mar 08 105 8 3 2016 Mar 09 105 5 2 2016 Mar 10 105 5 2 2016 Mar 11 105 8 3 2016 Mar 12 105 5 2 2016 Mar 13 105 12 3 2016 Mar 14 100 30 5 2016 Mar 15 100 30 5 2016 Mar 16 95 30 5 2016 Mar 17 95 15 4 2016 Mar 18 95 8 3 2016 Mar 19 95 5 2 2016 Mar 20 95 5 2 2016 Mar 21 90 5 2 2016 Mar 22 90 5 2 2016 Mar 23 90 5 2 2016 Mar 24 90 5 2 2016 Mar 25 90 5 2 2016 Mar 26 90 5 2 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1815, DXLD) GLENN`S PROPAGATION OUTLOOK FOR MEDIA NETWORK PLUS AS OF MARCH 3, 2016 Keith, From IPS in Australia, the global hf propagation forecast thru March 5, normal at low and middle latitudes; normal to fair at hi latitudes. From Spaceweather South Africa, thru March 5, magnetic conditions quiet to unsettled, shortwave fadeouts unlikely, MUF unstable. From Met Office UK, the space weather forecast thru March 6: Solar activity very low, just a slight 5% chance of moderate-class flares. Geomagnetic activity with the greatest chance of Minor G1 Storms, planetary K index of 5 on March 5. From National Resources Canada, the long term magnetic activity forecast calls for most unsettled conditions March 15 peaking at 110 nanoteslas in the auroral zone. From F K Janda in Prague, the Geomagnetic field will be: quiet to active on March 3 - 5, 7, 10, 14, 17 active to disturbed on March 6, 15 - 16 quiet to unsettled on March 8 - 9, 22 quiet on March 11 - 12, 18, 20 mostly quiet on March 13, 19, 21, 23 From SWPC in Boulder: Geomagnetic field is expected to be at active levels March 6 with a and k indices of 15 and 4. Reaching G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm levels March 14-16 with a and Ks peaking at 30 and 5. Then a quiet period of 5 and 2 from March 19 to 26. Solar flux peaking March 4 at 115, declining steadily to 95 by March 16. RSGB points out: We are now entering a period where north-south paths are potentially much better on HF, but east-west paths may suffer, especially on the higher bands. William Hepburn`s VHF UHF DX maps show extreme tropospheric ducting all week off the central Pacific coast of Mexico and the northwest coast of Australia. Around the coasts of South Africa March 4 and 5. From India to Oman until March 4, from Oman to Somalia until March 7 (via DXLD) TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING ++++++++++++++++++++++++ RENÉ GIRARD'S THEORIES STILL EXPLAIN THE VIOLENCE ALL AROUND US French-born scholar spent his career trying to understand what makes violence a chronic problem By David Cayley / Ideas, CBC News Posted: Mar 06, 2016 5:00 AM ET Last Updated: Mar 06, 2016 5:07 PM ET http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/french-thinker-rene-girard-ideas-1.3473325 French-born historian, literary critic and social sciencist René Girard is shown in Paris in this 1990 file photo. Girard died on Nov. 4, 2015 at 91. (Derrick Ceyrac/AFP/Getty Images) Peace is the perennial hope of humanity. It is promised in the Bible, where God "extends peace … like a river." It was promised by the Enlightenment, which had grown tired of religion and thought that reason and "doux commerce," mild trade, would soothe our war-like passions. And it was promised again in our time with the promotion of "globalization" as the road to peace through prosperity. LISTEN: Part 1 of The Scapegoat: The Ideas of René Girard http://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/the-scapegoat-the-ideas-of-ren%C3%A9-girard-part-1-1.3474195 LISTEN: Part 2 of The Scapegoat: The Ideas of René Girard This five-part series continues on CBC Radio's Ideas on March 10, 11 and 17. But violence is still with us. The Cold War had barely ended when the attacks that would eventually lead to today's conflagration in the Middle East began. René Girard, the French-born scholar who died late last year, spent his career trying to understand what makes violence a chronic problem of human societies. While we might assume that violence stems from having vastly different points of view, Girard's central insight is that violence actually grows from similarity. His explanation, in a word, is imitation. Out of this insight, Girard spun a theory comprehending literature and religion, anthropology and international relations. "When the whole world is globalized," Girard said, "you're going to be able to set fire to the whole thing with a single match." 'Mimetic theory' The human genius, he said, is our knack for copying one another. That's how infants learn vocabulary and the basic grammar of their native language in such an astonishingly short time. And that's how we learn everything else in our vast cultural repertoire. Some of our models are near at hand, our friends and family; others may be distant idols — actors whose gestures we adopt, athletes whose moves we practice, musicians whose ways of playing we emulate. But imitation casts a shadow, according to Girard, creating effects which we often don't notice or don't recognize as forms of imitation. He called his theory "the mimetic theory," substituting the fancier word of mimesis for imitation so that he would have a term of his own by which he could capture negative forms of imitation, like war, along with more positive ones. He began to build this theory in his celebrated book Deceit, Desire and the Novel, published in 1961. The book claimed that all the great novelists — in a tradition running from Cervantes through Dostoevsky to Proust — had made the same discovery: human beings, contrary to romantic myth, have no "authentic" core, no deep source of original, self-invented desire. Our desires are borrowed from one another: I will desire what my models desire. And there's the rub, Girard said, because at any moment the model can become an obstacle and a competitor. The teacher encourages the student to imitate him/her, but if the student imitates too well and begins to occupy the ground on which the teacher is standing, then the student will become a rival and a threat. Where violence is born Imitation may then become negative as rivals try to distinguish themselves from one another. I will imitate by doing the opposite of what my rival does — a violent reciprocity which reaches its acme in war. We fight because we are the same, not because we are different. "The profound self," Girard concludes, "is a universal self." Girard took a second giant step in the formulation of the mimetic theory with the publication of Violence and the Sacred in 1972. He argued that violent mimetic rivalries must have been endemic in all early human groups to the point of threatening their survival. And what these groups must have discovered, again and again, is that when all this violence is channeled against a single victim, when all unite against one, peace can be restored. This effect would have been so dramatic, so welcome and so reliable, Girard supposes, that the group would have, in time, come to view their victim as their saviour and their god. According to Girard, this is the origin of religion and the root of all mythology. Regular sacrifices and a set of accompanying prohibitions — thou shalt not — preserve order. "Humanity," he said, "is the child of religion." The scapegoat mechanism Girard took the final step in the construction of his theory in 1978 with the publication of a book named after a New Testament verse in which Jesus said he will reveal Things Hidden From the Foundation of the World. Its central argument is that Christianity completes what has already begun in the Hebrew Scriptures: the unveiling and disabling of the scapegoat mechanism on which all cultures had previously been based. Jesus is innocent, the Gospels insist, and his innocence proclaims the innocence of all scapegoat victims. He reveals the founding violence, hidden from the beginning, because it preserved social peace. A choice is posed: humanity will have peace if it follows the way of life that Jesus preached. If not, it will have worse violence because the old remedy will no longer work once exposed to the light. Girard would go on to elaborate on and extend this theory in many subsequent books, and you can hear much more on CBC Radio's Ideas this week. Mimetic theory has a lot to say to today's world. It can show us why we fight, and what we're fighting for. And it can help to understand that both violence and religion might be something quite different than we usually take them to be (via Gerald T Pollard, NC, DXLD) ###